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Nectar Design’s Long Beach Studio will Feature Exciting Products Geared to the Future of Sustainable Design — Exhibition Opens March 15, 2010

Long Beach, California (March 2010). Nectar, a leading Southern California product design consultancy, has selected twenty exciting and potentially trendsetting new concepts from designers at all levels to be included in EcoTopia. The juried group exhibition is set to open March 15, 2010 at Nectar’s office/studio in Long Beach. It will feature designs for new products from designers of all experience levels specifically aimed at fostering a healthy ecosystem and a more sustainable society. Concepts to be included will cover areas as diverse as electronics and home furnishings, gardening, and fashion.

A few of the designs to be highlighted at the show include:

– The Voltpot which utilizes technology yielding electric power from soil to make for fun, fashionable furniture that can recharge cell phones and other light appliances.

– An easy-to-use cardboard composting box that is, itself, compostable.

– A user-friendly and fashion conscious reinvention of the classic clothes-pin to encourage eco-friendly line-drying.

– From Kenya, haute couture style-fashions made entirely from recycled parachutes and dead wood; from Philadelphia, pet raincoats and hoods for humans made using umbrellas rescued from Philly city streets.”

“Although we expected to receive some very good ideas, we are delighted with the quality and level of innovation that we’ve seen in the EcoTopia submissions,” said Nectar Senior Designer Yutaka Kazamaki. Kazamaki, who has been spearheading EcoTopia from its inception. “The range of concepts is very exciting, as is the fact that these creations come to us from designers not only from California and throughout the United States, but from countries all over the world,” Mr. Kazamaki said. “We think that underlines the fact that both good design and sustainability are now truly global matters. We at Nectar are very happy to be a part of that.”

A complete list of all twenty concepts, with links to images and more information on each product to be featured at EcoTopia is attached. Further information is available at the Nectar EcoTopia web page. All images there may be downloaded via Flicker. Higher resolution images are available upon request. 

Nectar is an award-winning product development consultancy established in 1992. With a firm commitment to thoughtful innovation, the Nectar team helps clients create products that connect to their users and expand their markets. For more information, please contact us by phone at: 562-856-8500 or by e-mail at yutaka@nectardesign.com, or visit us online at www.nectardesign.com

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Design Concepts to be Presented at EcoTopia — Complete List

For images and further information, please click on the links below.

Rocco Avalone, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“A smart home for dumb products” — an OLED touch screen light switch that presents live information on energy use to home owners.

Le Bui, Long Beach, California

Rebar beds and chairs for use in emergency situations in third world or remote areas. The only in-house contribution to EcoTopia, this entry is from Nectar’s Director of Business Development.

Jonathan Coop, Long Beach, California

The C3 is a deceptively simple, highly innovative design for an entirely compostable composting box.

Shujoy Chakraborty, Milan, Italy

The VoltPot literally harnesses the power of the earth by turning household planters and furniture into electrical outlets able to provide power to cell phones and other light electronic appliances.

Isabel Gonzalez, Barcelona, Spain

NoMorePlasticBags is a new form of shopping trolley/grocery transport system designed to eliminate the use of plastic bags. Urban Futurniture presents a new and elegant use for worn out wind-farm blades.

David Graham, London, United Kingdom

Move-It is a compact, easy to assemble carrying device for boxes of up to 20 kg. (roughly 44 lbs.) that is made entirely of cardboard. It is fully recyclable and lightweight and consists of a set of two wheels as well as two different types of adjustable handle.

Vanessa Harden, London, United Kingdom

The Subversive Gardener is a line of clever devices for secretly dispersing seeds in “guerrilla” efforts to expand the earth’s biodiversity through clandestine planting.

Robin Hubbard and Kiersten Muenchinger, Springfield, Oregon

Terra Preta is a high-tech appliance that makes composting easier, fashionable, and user friendly. It composts a large assortment of materials — even meat and bone, paper and bio plastic scrap — into valuable top soil.

Kristy Lovejoy, San Jose, California

The Current subway wind generator harnesses the energy of underground drafts generated by trains to power exciting art and advertising displays, enlivening public areas and helping to fund public transportation.

Tyler A. Michieli, Portland, Oregon

The Drop Garden employs a new modular, easily portable design for use by “guerrilla gardeners” and anyone who wants to grow plants in an easily portable setting.

Mahdieh Mirmoezi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Lucky is a fun device for children that teaches water conservation. In the shape of a colorful turtle, it’s a shampoo or soap dispenser for showers that only works when the water is turned off.

Mark Moskowitz, Cleveland, Ohio

The Pin-Up is a new spin on one of the oldest sustainable products on our planet. It is an update on the classic clothespin that makes for new ease of use and fashionability that will help to re-popularize eco-friendly air drying.

Vernelle A. A. Noel and Gijsbert Koren, Delft, Netherlands

Greenix is a leading edge design for an urban farm intended to reconnect urban dwellers with their food sources.

Eduardo Perez, Long Beach, California

4S Haus is a new concept in sustainable architecture for contemporary homes.

Jeff Sciutto, Columbus, Indiana

Nature Next is a line of sustainable juvenile products for use by infants and toddlers. Includes a step stool, booster seat, potty, and bathtub.

Mrinal Sharma, Chennai, India
Carry & Charge blends sustainability and ultimate convenience. It’s a cell-phone that can be recharged via solar energy.

Pule Swain, Moshi, Tanzania

The Home Recycling Unit is an all-in-one unit aimed at making everyday recycling easier and even a bit fun.

Carmel Walsh, Florence, Italy

Cutting edge designer shoes using sustainable and recycled materials intended to create an “awareness and closeness between nature and time.”

Taryn Zychal, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Upcycled Umbrella Dog Rain Coats and HOODS take rescued and recycled umbrellas and transforms them into fun and functional wet-weather wear for humans and their canine friends.

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