As you know I'm working mainly with assignments in the three sectors of water (cleaning, recycling, and reduction of use), green building and energy efficiency + renewable energy/wind power.
I'm really impressed of all the cool products there are developed to save, reuse and store energy even just in building materials. Textiles can cool a room down with only use of direct sunlight (imagine buildings with glass panoramas' having new curtains and saving the air-con bill), glass can clean it self which make it prettier by also incredible resource-saving in cleaning and maintenance and thin discrete solar cells can contribute to the power supply decreasing electricity bill and resources used for making conventional electricity.
The spare-heat from the busy air-cons (in e.g. server rooms) can be used to heat the water in the building. Wastewater can be rinsed and purified for use in toilets and washrooms. And all rooms could have sensors so the lights are only on when people are in the rooms.
The indoor air can be cleaned and reused, reducing large amounts of CO2 and making a more healthy indoor climate - which, who knows, may save some sick-leave days at work.
Its a big bill in the short run but in the long run much money will be saved on reuse and efficiency. Think long term, Malaysia (and all you other people!)
:)
Why aren't all new build houses installed with such things? And why aren't old, poorly isolated houses upgraded? It is very expensive here and now, but in the long run the consumer will save a lot of money on energy + they will have a much better indoor climate in the houses.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Green voices in Kuala Lumpur
Yesterday I went to the magazine Asthetics’ Creative Culture Series (vol.2) which had the speakers: Tengku Jamidah (co-founder of the green indie fashion label, We are Ultra; The clothing label Macbeth; and Malaysian Nature Society.
Continuing CCS vol.1’s topic about creative culture, the overall theme of the evening was focus on environment and all speakers had one thing in common; how each of them focused on sustainability from their own standpoint.
We are ultra are making recycle bags and products from waste and try to spread movements such a using recycle design objects and activities such as guerrilla gardening. They catch new eco-trends all around the world and spread them through their blog.
Macbeth footwear started with Blink 182 and is picking up in Asia as well. At Library in the Curve, Kuala Lumpur, three local musicians had taken on the Macbeth idea; Vegan footwear. The concept is to produce fashion items that is not only sustainable when it comes to recycling and carbon footprint but also is based in the idea of all species are equal and no negative impact on animals should occur. What is interesting about Macbeth is not the design, but the new wave of rock-stars being role models for a more conscious way of living through the ideology of changing the world by starting with yourself.
Malaysian Nature Society tries to make nature preservation cool among the young generations. They fight for the rights of preservation of Malaysia’s rainforests and the unique biodiversity that is found nowhere else. By raising awareness about the lack of political support to preserve these fragile eco-systems they use channels such as Bodyshop to spread the word. People in Malaysian Nature Society not only fight the hard and unsexy causes, they try to make it trendy too.
The Library struggled with holding the event simultaneous with the World Cup. The speakers had a hard case overruling the games and the ongoing shouts and outbursts from the regular guests. None the less, Creative Culture Series provides interesting topics and a good forum for discussion and meeting people. Next time in October no World Cup is intervening, and I am looking forward to see what the next topic is about.
Follow Creative Culture Series on facebook
Continuing CCS vol.1’s topic about creative culture, the overall theme of the evening was focus on environment and all speakers had one thing in common; how each of them focused on sustainability from their own standpoint.
We are ultra are making recycle bags and products from waste and try to spread movements such a using recycle design objects and activities such as guerrilla gardening. They catch new eco-trends all around the world and spread them through their blog.
Macbeth footwear started with Blink 182 and is picking up in Asia as well. At Library in the Curve, Kuala Lumpur, three local musicians had taken on the Macbeth idea; Vegan footwear. The concept is to produce fashion items that is not only sustainable when it comes to recycling and carbon footprint but also is based in the idea of all species are equal and no negative impact on animals should occur. What is interesting about Macbeth is not the design, but the new wave of rock-stars being role models for a more conscious way of living through the ideology of changing the world by starting with yourself.
Malaysian Nature Society tries to make nature preservation cool among the young generations. They fight for the rights of preservation of Malaysia’s rainforests and the unique biodiversity that is found nowhere else. By raising awareness about the lack of political support to preserve these fragile eco-systems they use channels such as Bodyshop to spread the word. People in Malaysian Nature Society not only fight the hard and unsexy causes, they try to make it trendy too.
The Library struggled with holding the event simultaneous with the World Cup. The speakers had a hard case overruling the games and the ongoing shouts and outbursts from the regular guests. None the less, Creative Culture Series provides interesting topics and a good forum for discussion and meeting people. Next time in October no World Cup is intervening, and I am looking forward to see what the next topic is about.
Follow Creative Culture Series on facebook
Saturday, June 12, 2010
comparing sound concepts
It really seems like two of my favorite bars here in KL have found the right concept. Without thinking about it I have subconsciously chosen two bars who have a very clear sound profile.
I am talking about Pinchos and Twenty-one in Changkat, KL. The bars as such is ordinary bars without special events or theme-night. They are what they are: two bars with totally different sounds.
Pinchos is a tapas restaurant, which has a clear Latin/Spanish theme. Interior, colors, food and drinks all contribute to the Spanish/Latin atmosphere. The music is the last and important detail to Pinchos' profile. All music share the vibes of Latin America and Spain, by rhythm and by language. This attracts a lot of Spanish-speaking expats to the bar, who adds the last element to the theme. You come here to meet people, to talk and mingle. To meet new friends.
A bouncer meet you when you walk the two stairs up to the restaurant terrace, he makes sure that guest in this club are probably dressed with long pants and closed shoes. The international "backpacker suit" is not allowed. To reach the bar one takes the stairs which has a fancy alone standing glass railing. The heavy pumping bass wraps the white leather interior in a sophisticated slightly arrogant atmosphere. You come here to to dance, hang in the bar, to score and to show off. The music makes a big difference; only at the outdoor terrace is it possible to have a conversation, inside the music is to loud to exchange more than the usual short get-to-know-you-conversation.
Music is a large dimension on concept building, music; it add last dimension of experience to the concept and bind emotional reaction to the place. Imagine how the bar would perform if Pinchos started to play David Guetta/ Fedde Le Grant inspired music in their tapas bar, or if Twenty-one began to play Margarita or Gloria Estefan in theirs. The profile would vanish like ice cubes in a hot drink and guest will get confused disappointed and eventual have finished their last drink. Music make the bar exclusive in who they are.
I am talking about Pinchos and Twenty-one in Changkat, KL. The bars as such is ordinary bars without special events or theme-night. They are what they are: two bars with totally different sounds.
Pinchos is a tapas restaurant, which has a clear Latin/Spanish theme. Interior, colors, food and drinks all contribute to the Spanish/Latin atmosphere. The music is the last and important detail to Pinchos' profile. All music share the vibes of Latin America and Spain, by rhythm and by language. This attracts a lot of Spanish-speaking expats to the bar, who adds the last element to the theme. You come here to meet people, to talk and mingle. To meet new friends.
A bouncer meet you when you walk the two stairs up to the restaurant terrace, he makes sure that guest in this club are probably dressed with long pants and closed shoes. The international "backpacker suit" is not allowed. To reach the bar one takes the stairs which has a fancy alone standing glass railing. The heavy pumping bass wraps the white leather interior in a sophisticated slightly arrogant atmosphere. You come here to to dance, hang in the bar, to score and to show off. The music makes a big difference; only at the outdoor terrace is it possible to have a conversation, inside the music is to loud to exchange more than the usual short get-to-know-you-conversation.
Music is a large dimension on concept building, music; it add last dimension of experience to the concept and bind emotional reaction to the place. Imagine how the bar would perform if Pinchos started to play David Guetta/ Fedde Le Grant inspired music in their tapas bar, or if Twenty-one began to play Margarita or Gloria Estefan in theirs. The profile would vanish like ice cubes in a hot drink and guest will get confused disappointed and eventual have finished their last drink. Music make the bar exclusive in who they are.
The expat society
Expat society is quite something. Everyone wants to know everyone here in KL. Everyone introduce everyone. The biggest problem is to actually remember all the people's names and remember to follow up on the new friendships.
Here a friendships is knowing a person and being friendly to the person. Nothing more. So one can imagine that the conversations round the lounge sofa table with icy cocktails and decorative ashtrays is lite and enjoyable. Its relaxing and tensing in the same time.
It is as though the "past" life does not exist. The stories from home, the life, friends and companions are not a part of the discourse. Maybe its been ruled out because it is not relevant, maybe its been ruled out because we dont really want to think about reality outside KL. Here and there are two worlds that does not naturally interfere each others. What does it matter that she has no friends back home when she has 100 here? What does it matter that he has a girlfriend at home when he acts single here?
Bonding one world with the other is difficult and it is easy to get lost in all the "introduction chats". I found myself paying less attention to new people and focusing more on the ones I already know. The need for depth and strong relations for me grows as the numbers of times the introduction chat increase.
I also found my self paying more attention to people I know is going to be here more than three-six month. It is hard to uphold relations when people are going home one by one and replaced with new.
Here a friendships is knowing a person and being friendly to the person. Nothing more. So one can imagine that the conversations round the lounge sofa table with icy cocktails and decorative ashtrays is lite and enjoyable. Its relaxing and tensing in the same time.
It is as though the "past" life does not exist. The stories from home, the life, friends and companions are not a part of the discourse. Maybe its been ruled out because it is not relevant, maybe its been ruled out because we dont really want to think about reality outside KL. Here and there are two worlds that does not naturally interfere each others. What does it matter that she has no friends back home when she has 100 here? What does it matter that he has a girlfriend at home when he acts single here?
Bonding one world with the other is difficult and it is easy to get lost in all the "introduction chats". I found myself paying less attention to new people and focusing more on the ones I already know. The need for depth and strong relations for me grows as the numbers of times the introduction chat increase.
I also found my self paying more attention to people I know is going to be here more than three-six month. It is hard to uphold relations when people are going home one by one and replaced with new.
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