Red Pill

Project M 09 - Power to the designer

I’ve just returned from my third year in Hale County Alabama as a advisor at Project M. The brainchild of John Bielenberg, Project M is a global design movement that promotes positive change. This year eleven young designers were hand selected by Mr. Bielenberg and are currently spending an entire month in Greensboro Alabama. They share a small house with single bedroom. Being the middle of summer temperatures easily hit 100+ degrees daily with little relief at night.

Creative professionals visit throughout the month to serve as advisors, they help guide and inspire the young designers in their quest to create a project that will ultimately benefit the greater good.

In the past, Project M has spawned urban gardens, helped save rain forests, and brought water to poor rural families. Last year a permanent design lab was established in Greensboro with rotating designers. This led to “PieLab”, a neutral place for locals and designers to connect and discuss issues that might lead to potential projects, while enjoying a slice of pie.

Project M was inspired by the late Samuel Mockbee and the Rural Studios which is also centered in Greensboro, AL. Part of the architecture program at Auburn University, the Rural Studios creates housing that's not only affordable for the rural poor but it's also modern, world class architecture. 

Each time I participate in Project M, I come away with a renewed sense of the power design can have on all of us. The same power that motivates us to consume objects, eat fast food, and watch bad TV, can also be harnessed to change a life, improve a town, or possibly save the world. Yes, It’s that inspiring!

{More Photos}

Downtown Greensboro, AL

M/PieLab

 

Greensboro Opera house tour

 

 

{More Photos}

Spontaneous Yoga on Main st.

Jeff has been away in Detroit and Alabama working on Project M Greensboro, and setting things up for Project M Detroit this fall. The downtown area of Greensboro is quite empty, save for a few lingering businesses. As an experiment, the Project M team is putting up random signage that will inspire people to do more activities in the community. Below are photos of spontaneous yoga on Main Street. 

WorldFirst Race Car

The WorldFirst race car utilizes many green technologies, including a steering wheel derived from carrots and other root vegetables, a foam racing seat that uses flax fiber and soybean oil, a bib made from flax fiber, lubricants based on plant oils, panels made of glass fibre and resin from glass bottles, and an "emission-destroying catalyst." They are even developing brake pads made from cashew nut shells.

The vehicle runs on green materials: it boasts a biodiesel engine that has been designed to take fuel that's made using waste chocolate and vegetable oil.

Why did they build it?

"Following the recent turmoil in Formula 1 arising from the high costs of running competitive motor racing teams, and doubts in sponsors minds over the commercial value of their involvement, the viability of motor racing is being critically questioned.

With this in mind the Warwick Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre (WIMRC), part of Warwick University, are seeking to prove to the motor industry that it is possible to build a competitive racing car using environmentally sustainable components."

The question on my mind is if it will actually compete and if this will be a one off or will this change racing forever. I guess we'll find out.

“Life is an occasion, rise to it.”

...Edward Magorium

The Vendor Client relationship - in real world situations

I can't say anything.  It says so much on it's own.

Gorgeous Sea Inspired Ceramics

I'm just gaga over these sea inspired ceramics by North Carolina Artist Heather Knight. I just want to hold one. And then again, I'm a little scared to. 

You can see more of her work, or buy one of your own at her shop.