A Modern Bamboo Solar-Powered Studio by Lamboo

The Illinois-based Lamboo is a technology company that specializes in the manufacturing of engineered structural bamboo for architectural applications all over the world. Their research and product development specializes in bamboo panels and veneers, window and door components and other structural elements.



Their Lamboo Studio Project integrates many of their proprietary designs, such as the doors, windows, cabinets, joists, beams and even furniture.



The custom S-shaped roof on which the solar panels are placed provides heat in the winter and shade in the summer.



The Lamboo Studio Project brings functionality, sustainability, and performance together to result in a building with optimal physical and mechanical properties.



LAMBOO® STRUCTURE™ (Laminated Structural Bamboo) curved beams are used for the roof structure and Lamboo beams implemented for the floor/deck joists. LAMBOO® DESIGN™ products were incorporated for interior paneling and custom furniture designs. LAMBOO® VUE™ component material was used for the windows and doors.



The design of this studio space and its custom “S” shaped roof allows for it to consume the most sunlight in the winter months and the least in the summer months. This feature helps to achieve the most possible sunlight into the living space during the winter solstice to naturally heat the space while still achieving full sun activity on all solar panels.



During the summer solstice the “S” shaped roof overhang does not allow for sun to shine into the studio, yet stops the sunlight at the deck. This helps save on cooling energy and will result in maintaining much cooler conditions naturally through the summer months and still resulting in 100% solar panel activity.

A look inside the house:




The house at night:


Designed by Luke D. Schuette, images and info courtesy of Lamboo.


Studio Features:
* 304 sq.ft. interior space
* 308 sq. ft. deck
* LAMBOO® STRUCTURE™ Beams
* LAMBOO® STRUCTURE™ Joists
* Aluminum Clad Roof
* Cork Flooring
* Composting Toilet
* LAMBOO® VUE™ Doors
* LAMBOO® VUE™ Windows
* LAMBOO® DESIGN™ Cabinets
* LAMBOO® DESIGN™ Furniture
* Uni-Solar PV Panels

Lamboo Inc. utilizing the most rapidly renewable, high yield fiber resource on the planet, is introducing an alternative high performance building product. Through species and adhesive selection, and proprietary lamination processes, Lamboo technology is leading the structural engineered bamboo industry.

Noon Solar Fashion: Bags That Take Charge

Noon Solar creates bags for people who are equally conscious of style and sustainability. Their bags combine durable solar power charging capability with sustainable design and American based, socially responsible manufacturing.

Their previous collection (which is sold out):



.... and a sneak peek at some of the new, soon to hit the market, styles (courtesy of Goldarths):




Noon carefully chooses materials for their sustainability, longevity, and beauty, to design and create the next generation of totes and satchels. Using natural pigments, we hand-dye our hemp and cotton fabrics in house and feature only chrome-free leathers which have also been naturally dyed and tanned. Because natural dyes can vary from dye bath to dye bath, each bag is one-of-a-kind.

Their Noon Solar line integrates a flexible solar panel into the body of each bag, allowing it to charge your cell phone or iPod. By integrating solar panels into our bags, we offer not only the convenience of portable power, but also a means to incorporate renewable energy into your daily life.

As stated above, the following styles are all sold out, however, their new 2008 Spring Collection is supposedly available any day now and you can sign up to be alerted as to when, by signing up on their website.

The Cortland:
available in black (shown below) or chocolate



The Willow:
available in steel (shown below) and chocolate



The Logan:
available in chocolate (shown below) or black and chocolate



Solar power:
On the outside of your bag, there is a paper thin, flexible solar panel. This solar panel charges a battery pack located inside the bag to supply power for your cell phone or iPod, day or night. Simply place the solar panel in the bag towards the sun to collect usable energy.



Put it in your window at work, home, car, or on the train; face it towards the sun at a café; or walk/bike around town with the panel exposed. Even on cloudy or rainy days, energy is collected through the UV light of the sun.

On a bright, sunny day the battery should be fully charged in 6-8 hours. On a cloudy day the battery will require a bit more time. The battery pack will hold the sun’s energy for several days.



Included with each Noon Solar bag is a user manual explaining the specifics of solar energy and how to access and use it.

Specs:


Power Bank
* Selectable output voltage of DC 5.2V, 6.2V, 7.2V. Max output current is 1.8A, working current is 1.1A.
* Internal battery is 3.6V, 3600mAH.
* The battery box will change to power saver mode to conserve the battery while the output cable is NOT plugged in. If the output cable is plugged in, the battery box will change to work mode and will drain the battery even if your device is not plugged in.
* The Power Bank has overload and short circuit protection.
* FCC certified and CE approved.

Solar Panel
* Output is 7.2v, 300mA.
* The solar panel is completely water and weather proofed, and will continue to work even if it wears with age.
* You will not be harmed if the solar panel gets wet.

Precautions
* Do not damage the battery box or solar panel
* Do not burn or expose the battery box or solar panel to fire
* Please recycle the battery box, dispose of it properly, or mail it to us for recycling
* Do not open or dismantle the box

In addition to the solar bags, they plan on launching a collection simply called "Noon" this coming fall that offers the bags without the solar panels. Find out all about Noon Solar here.