The Future of Gardening Technology : Smart Herb Garden by Click & Grow

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The Future of Gardening Technology : Smart Herb Garden by Click & Grow
Discreet Modern Design for Private Meditation Chapel in Mexico
Wooden Chalet Outlining the Connection with Nature by Anik Pelokuin
Mediterranean Villa Incorporating Dedicated Outdoor Spaces in Spain
Smart Grab & Go Storage for Precious Everyday Objects: Geco Hub [Video]

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 06:19 AM PDT

Two years ago we presented on Freshome the Click and Grow Electronic Flowerpots for those of you who remember this great product. Today Click and Grow’s team announced their second generation Smart Herb Garden for indoor cultivation …just in time for planting season. The new Click & Grow Smart Herb Garden lets everyone grow fresh herbs at home with extremely limited maintenance.

The Smart Herb Garden is easy to use and no gardening knowledge is required, just add water, plug into an electrical outlet and the technology does all the work. The nano-tech growth medium combined with a removable LED grow light helps yield plants even in less-than-perfect conditions. The Smart Herb Garden's unique LED technology provides the plants with enough light to grow, consuming minimal electricity, costing around 6 dollars for an entire year.

Unlike its first incarnation, which only allowed room for one plant, the new model lets you raise up to 3 herbs at once ( Each starter kit comes with basil, thyme and lemon balm. ) . Seeds come included and embedded in a cartridge, ready to be inserted into the growing bed. The design now also features a built-in light that can be plugged in to let artificial sun shine whenever it is needed.

Here are few more interesting things about the technology behind Click & Grow : The Smart Herb Garden

The nano tech growth medium, exclusively available with Click & Grow products, contains pockets for oxygen and guarantees aeration to the plant roots even when material is fully saturated with water. Click & Grow has also engineered a chemicophysical nutrient release system into the growth medium. Nutrients are released to the plants by decomposing organic components. The same happens in nature – leaves fall and become nutrients for future generations of plants.

The growth medium is made of natural renewable sources only and contains no pesticides, fungicides, hormones or any other kind of harmful substances. All in all, despite lots of high technology involved, plants are grown naturally, using biomimicry as the main source for inspiration and innovation.

The light spectrum in traditional LED lights makes plants look unnatural and can be harmful for children’s eyes. Click & Grow has worked with the world's leading LED technologists to invent an energy efficient light system that is safe and looks natural. The light requires just 6 watts which keeps the electricity bill for runningthe light to around 6 dollars for a whole year

Are Click & Grow plants organic?

As fans of pure food and non-GMO plants, Click & Grow hasn't put anything in their products that is remotely suspicious. There are no pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, plant hormones or any other suspicious substances in their products. And there’s no need for them – a well-watered and fed plant with perfect growing conditions can defend itself without any outside help. What they have added are some minerals to feed the plant. Although the mineral salts they use are chemically the same as in all organic fertilizers, in most countries it cannot be certified as “organic”.

How often do you need to fill the water reservoir?

You’d need to fill the water tank once every 3-6 weeks, and an electronic indicator mechanism will remind you of that.

Who is this product for :

People who don’t have a garden, but want to grow some plants.
People that travel a lot and don’t have time to take care of their plants.
People that have killed a plant or two in the past by not watering them.
People that are geeky enough to want a hi-tech flowerpot.

Measurement and Specs

Dimensions: 11.8” length x 4.7” width x 11.4” max height
Weight: Approximately 850g
Light: Built-in light contains 2 LEDs, 3W each.
Electricity: US AC wall adaptor

Finally if you think that The new Smart Herb Garden is a product that you’ll want in your own home you can order it from the Click and Grow website for 100$.

BONUS : If you’d like to know how Click & Grow started here is a really nice video presenting their story and mission. Enjoy !

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Discreet Modern Design for Private Meditation Chapel in Mexico

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 03:46 AM PDT

If you were to design your perfect spot for relaxation, how would it look like? Mexico-based BNKR Arquitectura completed the development of a private meditation chapel, intended to help the clients in their spiritual journey. Fascinated by one of the studio's previous projects -La Estaancia Chapel-located near their weekend house, the owners decided to create their own haven of tranquility, something more discreet, but spectacular nonetheless.
The Ecumenical Chapel was therefore imagined as “a chapel buried, a lump in the ground. And in this process we included a vital element in our lives- Water“, the architects stated. “After the tour, the chapel welcomes you with a beautiful U-glass entrance, then you get to the central space. An oculus in the metal plate allows us to see the exterior through water. A metal source with a large quartz in the center reflects the oculus on the floor.” Having a total surface of 170 square meters, the unconventional meditation dwelling is both grand and subtle. What are your thoughts on this project? [Photography: Jaime Navarro]

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Wooden Chalet Outlining the Connection with Nature by Anik Pelokuin

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 12:13 AM PDT

This wooden chalet purposely sited in the middle of the woods was designed by Anik Pelokuin for an active couple, passionate about the outdoors. Outlining the connection with nature, the compact and homely dwelling was built on a steep slope of land in Messines, Quebec for relaxation purposes. The owners come here especially during summer to find peace of mind whilst enjoying the woods, the greenery and the lake. The house blends into the wooded landscape, highlighting the organic feel of the overall design. The construction sits on an old foundation, yet it feels safe and looks neat and modern. Vertical planks of wood cover the exterior. The grey-blue colour matches the tenderness of summer vegetation.

A generously-wide terrace encompasses the house from three sides, offering extra space in the aestival season. Residents can indulge themselves with the scent of the morning dew and a cup of freshly brewed coffee. A delight for the eyes and spirit! Every room in the house, including the hallway face the lake. Large expanses of glass allow the natural light to pass through and flood the interior with warmth and brightness. Simple and cozy, this chalet is, without any doubt, the perfect place to escape from the hectic pace of city life.

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Mediterranean Villa Incorporating Dedicated Outdoor Spaces in Spain

Posted: 25 Mar 2014 02:13 PM PDT

Discovered on Trendir, this magnificent Mediterranean villa was designed by Tono Villa & Joan Miquel Segui Arquitectos in the exotic and thriving setting of Santa Ponsa (island of Mallorca, Spain). Incorporating dedicated outdoor spaces, Malgrats Seven is a breezy vacation home structured on two levels. Floors are distinctively marked by different chromatics and geometrical features (the lower level is stone-clad, highlighting the natural grid of colours whilst the top floor distinguishes itself through ultramodern/ futuristic characteristics. Undoubtably, the element that creates a strong impression on the viewer is the curving roofline section which favours lovely sky views during nighttime.

Centred around the outdoor life, the house has large openings and cut-outs inviting residents to enjoy the benefits of the greenery encircling it. Outdoor entertaining area includes a swimming pool and a spacious yard. A row of bushes surrounds the house offering a sense of privacy. The top floor outdoor social area is intimate and very relaxing, with two seating areas and a small kitchen. The overall architecture is a fine blend of contemporary with midcentury cues (wood and metal play a key role in decorating the interior). Anyhow, the best asset of the house is the view. The astounding view of the Mediterranean coastline with golden stretches of sand and turquoise waters.

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Smart Grab & Go Storage for Precious Everyday Objects: Geco Hub [Video]

Posted: 25 Mar 2014 10:40 AM PDT

Geco Hub by Version 22 is a smart solution for storing precious everyday objects that you can’t afford to lose, from keys to important letters. The unconventional unit is fully customizable and modular, meaning anyone can create a Geco Hub unique to them and can even grow their Geco Hub to fill entire walls. By using a patented flexible matrix to provide a fluid yet secure means of storage, this clever project always has your important belongings at hand.
Geco Hub can be attached to most surfaces without screws – perfect for those places where drilling holes isn’t an option. No more poking holes in the photos, as this system can display paper items like a notice board, but doesn’t require pins or other fixings. Available in five different colors which can be mixed and matched, there are no limits to where and how you can integrate this product in your home. Have a look at the video below for more information and if you wish, you can support the project via its Kickstarter campaign! [Photos and information provided via e-mail by Version 22]