During my annual post-Earth Day news roundup, I found this inspiring article about design’s great potential for creating sustainability.

Nature has rhythms, people have rhythms. In fact, we ought to remind ourselves every so often that people are part of nature, too. Our interactions with nature are choreographed by our designs, so when we embrace natural rhythms, the outcomes can be delightfully compelling.

Imagine, for instance, an urban landscape powered in part by local foot traffic, or a streetlight system that, by dimming and brightening with the lunar cycle, saves 90-95% of the energy typically used. These innovations are not indifferent automatons. They are active participants in the cyclical rhythms of nature, at once saving energy and sparking wonder. Most importantly, they are part of an ever-increasing pool of nature-inspired designs that give reason to be optimistic about the future.

Congratulations to featured designer Elizabeth Redmond, founder of the POWERLeap energy-harnessing floor tile system. She works with our good friends over at Ecolect.net and attended our Green Design event back in December 2007.

Filed under: Sustainability