Well, this is a bit of fresh air, especially with tween news like Baby-Faced Boy Alfie Patten Is Dad At 13.
12-year-old Max Wallack stole the show at Design Squad’s Trash to Treasure contest with his “Home Dome.” The contest asked kids to repurpose trash into practical inventions.
I wonder if the Home Dome gets an honorable LEED Certification?
The dome provides shelter for the homeless and is made from plastic, wire, packing peanuts, and flargstin. Pretty much, trash.
The trash-plex looks like a Mongolian yurt, and let Max walk away with $10,000 and a Dell laptop. He also got a trip to Boston out of it. But Max had this to say, “I don’t really care about the money. I care about helping people.”
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- Also see this morning’s post by San Francisco’s Mayor on wave energy coming to the coast of California.
This isn’t his first big win. “When I was six,” Max said, “I won an invention contest that included a trip to Chicago. While there, I saw homeless people living on streets, and beneath highways and underpasses. I felt very sorry for these people, and ever since then, felt that my goal and obligation was to find a way to help them. My invention improves the living conditions for homeless people, refugees, or disaster victims by giving them easy-to-assemble shelter.”
Go Max! We all look forward to your future inventions.
Source and Photo: thedesignblog.org
About Jerry James Stone
Kind of a dumb idea, who would want to live in that piece of crap? Maybe someone who is homeless already and this thing would be better than sleeping on a doorstep.
Kind of a dumb idea, who would want to live in that piece of crap? Maybe someone who is homeless already and this thing would be better than sleeping on a doorstep.
“Vitriol,” anon? I thought the post was wonderfully succinct and sarcastic. But then, I feel the ugly, wasteful, brain-dead architecture that dominates new home construction these days is deserving of “cruel and bitter criticism” (my dictionary’s definition of vitriol).
“Vitriol,” anon? I thought the post was wonderfully succinct and sarcastic. But then, I feel the ugly, wasteful, brain-dead architecture that dominates new home construction these days is deserving of “cruel and bitter criticism” (my dictionary’s definition of vitriol).
Your points on designs are accurate. But I wonder if you really understand what Socialism really is, or is this question somehow passe, as we all sacrifice for the collective? Do you want people to not have any right to build a McMansion? Do you want smart people like you to decide how someone dumber and less green will build his house? Then what you are advocating is very much related to socialism and you shouldn’t be so sarcastic – if that’s really what you want.
Your points on designs are accurate. But I wonder if you really understand what Socialism really is, or is this question somehow passe, as we all sacrifice for the collective? Do you want people to not have any right to build a McMansion? Do you want smart people like you to decide how someone dumber and less green will build his house? Then what you are advocating is very much related to socialism and you shouldn’t be so sarcastic – if that’s really what you want.
Very cool but where is the link to his website for the plans?
Very cool but where is the link to his website for the plans?
My name is Luka,
I live on the second floor.
My name is Luka,
I live on the second floor.
pallets should be turned in or made into firewood and can be distributed to poor or homeless ppl to keep warm or cook. This idea can kill 2 birds with one stone-
Companies can donate n write off and can get a tax break from the Gov for doing their share for the environment!
pallets should be turned in or made into firewood and can be distributed to poor or homeless ppl to keep warm or cook. This idea can kill 2 birds with one stone-
Companies can donate n write off and can get a tax break from the Gov for doing their share for the environment!
Lets see, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, so wouldn’t orienting your house east-west allow for the most sunlight??….unless of course this house is being built on a different planet.
Lets see, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, so wouldn’t orienting your house east-west allow for the most sunlight??….unless of course this house is being built on a different planet.
Many tearsago I worked near an underpass village. One day at lunch I took a tour of the sight and noticed several structures made from pallets and news paper. A homless person recruted others to scour the areas for the materials and showed them how they could be put togeather. Alass the city came thru and demolished the buildings and the “city”
Many tearsago I worked near an underpass village. One day at lunch I took a tour of the sight and noticed several structures made from pallets and news paper. A homless person recruted others to scour the areas for the materials and showed them how they could be put togeather. Alass the city came thru and demolished the buildings and the “city”
Wow look at all those plastic bottles bailed up and ready to be recycled. Wait lets build a house outta them instead.This seems like a very pointless idea when there are so many other non recyclebles in landfills that could be used insted.Is he just scared to touch real trash.
Where is the “how-to”? Sounds like a bitter, jealous person.
If you don’t like it, don’t buy it, but don’t spout your useless drivel.
Homebuilders are in the business of making money. If people wouldn’t buy the houses, they would stop making them.
Where is the “how-to”? Sounds like a bitter, jealous person.
If you don’t like it, don’t buy it, but don’t spout your useless drivel.
Homebuilders are in the business of making money. If people wouldn’t buy the houses, they would stop making them.
Did you write this as some sort of homework assignment? I really don’t see the point of this article, other to show how writing requirements seem to be slowly eroding.
why did my comment get posted here? I didn’t even click on this webpage.
asadfasdfasdfsa blah blah blah blah
Did you write this as some sort of homework assignment? I really don’t see the point of this article, other to show how writing requirements seem to be slowly eroding.
why did my comment get posted here? I didn’t even click on this webpage.
Great idea. I know a lot of families seeking help on craigslist. I am posting low cost housing available to them instead of a room or hotel in other states. This is a great idea. Oprah just had a show on people living in tents now. This story needs to be sent to the LA time and Sacremento Mayor asap.
‘Oprah’ tunes in to plight of Sacramento’s homeless
Go to http://www.sacbee.com and let them know, they could build these asap….
Great idea. I know a lot of families seeking help on craigslist. I am posting low cost housing available to them instead of a room or hotel in other states. This is a great idea. Oprah just had a show on people living in tents now. This story needs to be sent to the LA time and Sacremento Mayor asap.
‘Oprah’ tunes in to plight of Sacramento’s homeless
Go to http://www.sacbee.com and let them know, they could build these asap….
Thank you!! I want to link this to my LJ page. It needs to be heard further and wider. Thank god my house is small and easy to heat and cool down.
i have a very cheap way of building a 2-story home about 3,800
sq ft. it will take about 30 days to move in. the normal cost
is about $500k but i can build for about $175k and the home is all plastic.
Thank you!! I want to link this to my LJ page. It needs to be heard further and wider. Thank god my house is small and easy to heat and cool down.
i have a very cheap way of building a 2-story home about 3,800
sq ft. it will take about 30 days to move in. the normal cost
is about $500k but i can build for about $175k and the home is all plastic.
So using sunlight makes you a socialist. Wow your a moron… If people want to waste their money so be it.
I do agree that many homes are not thought out. Throwing political influence into it shows how ignorant you are.
Real men use adobe or compressed earth blocks. Real men know that true green building uses many effective ways of living naturaly. Real green building uses less cement products (which release CO2 gases). Real green building doesnt use much lumber, it can be done with materials that can be reused.
I have a problem with these holier than thou people who say you cant have a big house and you cant do this or that. This is america if people choose to live in such homes so be it. Others can do as they please. SO many people want to hop on the band wagon and say “I care” when they really have no clue. There are many things that lead to cold and moldy homes. You have an agenda to make oil consumers look bad. Write something a little more informative and a little less political.
So using sunlight makes you a socialist. Wow your a moron… If people want to waste their money so be it.
I do agree that many homes are not thought out. Throwing political influence into it shows how ignorant you are.
Real men use adobe or compressed earth blocks. Real men know that true green building uses many effective ways of living naturaly. Real green building uses less cement products (which release CO2 gases). Real green building doesnt use much lumber, it can be done with materials that can be reused.
I have a problem with these holier than thou people who say you cant have a big house and you cant do this or that. This is america if people choose to live in such homes so be it. Others can do as they please. SO many people want to hop on the band wagon and say “I care” when they really have no clue. There are many things that lead to cold and moldy homes. You have an agenda to make oil consumers look bad. Write something a little more informative and a little less political.
That statistic about 2/3 of all pallets are only used once is incorrect. Pallets are expensive to produce. A good pallet can sell for 10 dollars each. Most companies do not give these away rather they hold on to them so that they can either reuse them (green) or sell them. That is why many companies lock their pallets up in fenced in areas. The reason for this is that many pallets were being stolen for their obvious value. I don’t know where he got his information from but in my part of the country that simply is not true.
Although many of these ideas are well meaning and we need to think this way most are just not practical. Pallets usually contain many nails– which are usually rusty from sitting outside. I would not recomend trying to take apart pallets without proper tools or experience.
Also, make sure you check with the business before taking any pallets. Most would call the police for theft without WRITTEN consent. In a tight economy business is going to try to recoup as much of their expenses as possible through reuse of a material or resale.
That statistic about 2/3 of all pallets are only used once is incorrect. Pallets are expensive to produce. A good pallet can sell for 10 dollars each. Most companies do not give these away rather they hold on to them so that they can either reuse them (green) or sell them. That is why many companies lock their pallets up in fenced in areas. The reason for this is that many pallets were being stolen for their obvious value. I don’t know where he got his information from but in my part of the country that simply is not true.
Although many of these ideas are well meaning and we need to think this way most are just not practical. Pallets usually contain many nails– which are usually rusty from sitting outside. I would not recomend trying to take apart pallets without proper tools or experience.
Also, make sure you check with the business before taking any pallets. Most would call the police for theft without WRITTEN consent. In a tight economy business is going to try to recoup as much of their expenses as possible through reuse of a material or resale.
This reader is publishing a book entitled: “Paper Mansions” … a how to book which guides children and teachers how to collect, plan and build their “dream home” out of kitchen trash and empty food packages of all types. The book is currentely under construction … I would love the opportunity to share the book when it goes to the publisher … How and who do I contact to explore that possibility? Larry Faye Estes
This reader is publishing a book entitled: “Paper Mansions” … a how to book which guides children and teachers how to collect, plan and build their “dream home” out of kitchen trash and empty food packages of all types. The book is currentely under construction … I would love the opportunity to share the book when it goes to the publisher … How and who do I contact to explore that possibility? Larry Faye Estes
Mcmansion dwellers are so selfish. We should be like Europe. I for one live in a luxerious 1 bedrom condo that is so green its like a jungle in here, lol. If we all lived in smaller places we could all save money and most of all we could travel the world and appreciate nature more. I hate those Mcmansions who would want to live in one, ugh. Thank goodness Obama is president and not Mcmansion McCain. Isn’t the White House a mansion? Oh well you win some/lose some. We are so close to socialism finally here! Some good carbon taxes, and they should raise real estate tax based on square footage and not value. That will help drive down the size of homes.
Mcmansion dwellers are so selfish. We should be like Europe. I for one live in a luxerious 1 bedrom condo that is so green its like a jungle in here, lol. If we all lived in smaller places we could all save money and most of all we could travel the world and appreciate nature more. I hate those Mcmansions who would want to live in one, ugh. Thank goodness Obama is president and not Mcmansion McCain. Isn’t the White House a mansion? Oh well you win some/lose some. We are so close to socialism finally here! Some good carbon taxes, and they should raise real estate tax based on square footage and not value. That will help drive down the size of homes.
You know, adding a bit of Satire to a piece brings out the best in situations. Get over it, it’s funny and informing.
You know, adding a bit of Satire to a piece brings out the best in situations. Get over it, it’s funny and informing.
opps.. my post about ‘finding it all amusing’.. was supposed to be on the 10 most ironic LEED ceritfied buildings comments.. and I don’t know how to get it back there..
opps.. my post about ‘finding it all amusing’.. was supposed to be on the 10 most ironic LEED ceritfied buildings comments.. and I don’t know how to get it back there..
yurt is the universal name, but is known as Ger. The makers, Mongols have been using Ger for centuries.
yurt is the universal name, but is known as Ger. The makers, Mongols have been using Ger for centuries.
How will this help deforestation unless the pallets are used again for what they were originally intended, therefore reducing the number of NEW pallets being made? Recycling them is great. But I dont understand how it will help our great forests simply by taking them from the truck headed for the dump and using them for something else. This will not change the number of pallets needed in the future. … just fyi
How will this help deforestation unless the pallets are used again for what they were originally intended, therefore reducing the number of NEW pallets being made? Recycling them is great. But I dont understand how it will help our great forests simply by taking them from the truck headed for the dump and using them for something else. This will not change the number of pallets needed in the future. … just fyi
I love the humor!
Saw the article on thepallet houses. What is the guy website?
I love the humor!
Saw the article on thepallet houses. What is the guy website?