Planted green roofs crown Nirvana House by AtelierM, an architectural marvel nestled in the tranquil environs of Pilar, Buenos Aires. Seamlessly blending with its natural context, this residential space is a testament to the harmony between human habitation and the surrounding environment. Drawing inspiration from its verdant setting adjacent to a Polo field, the design ethos revolves around topographical integration, creating a symbiotic relationship between the architecture and the landscape. Gentle curves and fluid lines characterize the structure, echoing the contours of the terrain and fostering a sense of total immersion in nature.

The architectural narrative unfolds across three levels, with the ground floor serving as a communal space and the upper floor reserved for privacy and repose. Expansive windows and sliding doors blur the boundaries between inside and outside, offering uninterrupted views of the sprawling greenery. A meticulously designed three-level garden extends seamlessly from the ground floor to the roof, providing residents an oasis of serenity amidst the urban bustle. Sustainability lies at the heart of the design philosophy, with passive strategies maximizing natural light and ventilation, while low-maintenance materials ensure longevity and minimize environmental impact. AtelierM’s Nirvana House is a beacon of sustainable living, where architecture and nature converge to create a harmonious sanctuary for its inhabitants.

California-based startup Moss is pioneering the concept of the first Self-Watering Grow Lamp, poised to revolutionize indoor gardening. Combining functionality with sleek design, Moss’ innovative lamp integrates seamlessly into any space with its minimalist all-white shade. The lamp’s unique design features a built-in watering system at its base, eliminating the need for constant maintenance by users. By projecting a beam akin to natural sunlight, the lamp ensures that plants and herbs thrive day and night, offering a self-sustaining solution for indoor gardening enthusiasts. With customizable water schedules and the use of expanded clay instead of soil, Moss prioritizes organic growth, free from harmful chemicals and pesticides.

Founder Nicolas Riano and Strahinja Spasojević have meticulously crafted Moss’ Self-Watering Grow Lamp to cater to a variety of botanical needs. The device offers a range of light intensities, from Plant Growth to Sunset Glow, accommodating different plant types and lighting preferences. Whether users seek to cultivate herbs, flowers, or other greenery, Moss’ lamp provides the ideal environment for healthy growth. With an upcoming campaign set to launch on April 16th, 2024, Moss aims to introduce its groundbreaking product to a wider audience, offering enthusiasts the opportunity to embrace effortless indoor gardening with the Self-Watering Grow Lamp.

In recent years, a burgeoning hobby has captured the world’s attention, particularly during times when people were compelled to stay indoors for extended periods. The concept of “home gardening” has evolved beyond traditional outdoor plots, with an increasing number of enthusiasts opting for the convenience of growing plants in pots indoors. However, this process demands dedication and effort to ensure the plants thrive. Responding to this trend, a niche market for indoor planter appliances has emerged, featuring smart functionalities aimed at simplifying the cultivation experience. The Smart Gardening Pot concept represents a significant stride in this direction, promising a seamless and aesthetically pleasing method for cultivating plants in an automated environment that also serves as an attractive home decoration piece. The Ecobloom, a noteworthy device embodying this concept, automates nearly all aspects of plant care, minimizing the manual efforts required by users. From watering and sunlight exposure to protection against pests, the system efficiently handles these tasks, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a hassle-free gardening experience.

With soil moisture sensors dictating optimal watering times, drippers dispensing precise amounts of water, and artificial “grow lights” simulating sunlight, Ecobloom streamlines the cultivation process. Moreover, the incorporation of a built-in insect repellent adds an extra layer of protection for plants, without compromising the safety of humans and pets. Beyond its functionality, the Smart Gardening Pot distinguishes itself through a visually appealing design, featuring three concentric circles at different heights. This not only enhances the appliance’s aesthetics but also transforms it into a decorative element that enriches the living space, providing equal enjoyment in both the planting process and the visual delight of watching the plants flourish.

Preparing your garden for a bountiful spring involves a holistic approach, as advised by DIY expert Glen Peskett. February, according to Peskett, is the opportune time to commence these preparations, ensuring that every element in the garden contributes to a seamless transition into the season of growth. Peskett underscores the significance of addressing seemingly mundane tasks, such as repairing garden fixtures and checking the health of soil, to set the stage for a vibrant and productive garden. Starting with the supporting cast of garden elements, Peskett suggests repairing or replacing outdoor furniture and inspecting patios, emphasizing their role in creating a safe and aesthetically pleasing environment for both gardeners and plants.

Glen Peskett’s spring preparation guide extends beyond surface-level tasks to focus on the infrastructure that supports plant life. He highlights the importance of checking and fixing garden structures, servicing tools, and sharpening blades to streamline the planting process. The core of garden readiness, according to Peskett, lies in soil health. Assessing soil composition, adjusting pH levels, and incorporating soil amendments ensure a nurturing ground for plants. Peskett emphasizes the significance of aeration and dethatching before planting, enabling better access for air, water, and nutrients to reach plant roots. Beyond structural and soil preparations, Peskett advocates for organized shed storage, clean gutters, and techniques like pest management, composting, and propagation to enhance the garden’s vitality and productivity. With a comprehensive approach, Peskett’s advice serves as a blueprint for gardeners seeking a harmonious balance of beauty and bounty in their spring gardens.

Physicist Dominic Walliman, known for his adeptness in creating comprehensive conceptual maps, has once again ventured into the realm of knowledge visualization with his latest creation—the Colorful Map of Plants. Recognizing the inherent difficulty in comprehending the vast diversity and evolution of plant life, Walliman set out to construct a visually engaging and informative map that highlights both the differences and similarities within the intricate world of flora. Drawing on his background in physics and previous experiences crafting educational graphics, such as the revealing Map of Medicine, Walliman’s Map of Plants serves as a captivating resource to unravel the complexities of plant biology. The map adopts a structure akin to Walliman’s previous works, presenting a vibrant and detailed chart that unfolds to guide viewers through the intricate web of botanical knowledge. Walliman goes beyond mere aesthetics, delving into essential botanical concepts and classifications, elucidating the DNA differences between various plant species, and exploring their diverse reproductive systems involving spores or seeds.

With a focus on evolutionary history, the map provides a comprehensive overview of plant types—from algae and bryophytes to ferns, gymnosperms, angiosperms, monocots, eudicots, rosids, and asterids. Walliman encapsulates the success of plants by dissecting their key features, including leaves, roots, vascular systems, spores, seeds, flowers, and fruits, offering a holistic understanding of the botanical world. Walliman’s journey into creating conceptual maps stems from his frustration during university lectures, leading him to develop visual representations that could untangle complex subjects and help both himself and others navigate through the intricacies of various fields of knowledge. His passion for providing accessible primers on diverse topics shines through in the Map of Plants, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of plant life that sustains our planet.

Excessive artificial lighting in gardens poses multifaceted challenges to both the natural world and human well-being. The impact of light pollution extends beyond mere annoyance; it disrupts the delicate balance of ecosystems and interferes with the behavior and life cycles of various species. In rural settings like the Irish countryside, where the night sky offers a breathtaking celestial display, the encroachment of artificial lighting has become a pervasive issue, dulling the brilliance of stars and constellations. Moreover, the unintended consequences of this light intrusion extend to the insect population, with studies estimating significant mortality among flying insects attracted to artificial lights. The intricate web of life, from beetles to moths, is affected, and the repercussions cascade through ecosystems, influencing migration, reproduction, and predator-prey relationships.

The negative effects of excessive garden lighting extend beyond insects to impact birdlife, bats, hedgehogs, and amphibians. Nocturnal animals alter their behavior and routines in response to artificial illumination, affecting hunting patterns, nesting habits, and even the timing of egg-laying. Bright lights disrupt the essential process of night pollination conducted by moths, undermining their ability to identify suitable flowers. Additionally, humans are not immune to the consequences of excessive artificial lighting, as it disrupts natural circadian rhythms, impacting melatonin levels and subsequently affecting sleep patterns, moods, and the immune system. Thus, as stewards of outdoor spaces, individuals are encouraged to adopt thoughtful lighting practices, minimizing the detrimental effects on both the environment and personal well-being. Strategies such as using warmer-colored lights, incorporating motion sensors, and limiting the intensity and duration of illumination contribute to a more sustainable and harmonious coexistence between human activity and the natural world.

Working with delicate and fragile materials requires an extraordinary level of concentration, a challenge that Olga Prinku, a UK-based artist, adeptly navigates in her unique embroidery art. Prinku skillfully stitches dried and preserved flowers, with stems as thin as 0.03 centimetres, onto the fine texture of tulle. This delicate process carries the inherent risk of breaking either component, but Prinku relies on her experience and instincts, often improvising her designs until the embroidery hoop is complete. Since discovering this captivating art form, Prinku’s practice has rapidly evolved, incorporating various organic materials and employing diverse techniques.

Drawing on her background in graphic design and a fascination with folkloric motifs from her birthplace, Moldova, as well as traditional tapestries, Prinku explains, that she is also inspired by nature and North Yorkshire surroundings. She is showcasing the intercalation of humans and nature, translated into art, by creating delicate embroiders with supplies found in her surroundings.
For those intrigued by Prinku’s artistry, her insights and techniques are encapsulated in her book, providing an opportunity to delve deeper into the world of embroidered flowers on tulle. Additionally, enthusiasts can stay updated on her latest projects by following her on Instagram.

iGreen Gadgets has introduced an innovative solution to address the environmental impact of electronic accessories, particularly the ubiquitous iPhone cover. Recognizing the prevalent issue of discarded phone covers contributing to waste, iGreen Gadgets has engineered a biodegradable iPhone cover that breaks the conventional cycle of storage or disposal. The cover, designed with simplicity in mind, outwardly appears like any other minimalist phone case. However, beneath its sleek exterior lies a secret weapon against environmental waste—a compostable material primarily composed of cornstarch. What sets this cover apart is the embedded seeds within the material, turning the iPhone cover into a potential source of life.

When users are ready to part ways with their phone cover, they can simply detach it from their device and plant it in the ground or a pot of soil. As the cover decomposes, the embedded seeds within the material germinate and grow into a variety of plants. iGreen Gadgets takes the eco-friendly initiative a step further by allowing users to choose which plants they want to cultivate, with options like daisies, forget-me-nots, and basil. This unique approach not only promotes sustainability but also transforms the end-of-life phase of a phone cover into a green opportunity for users to nurture a garden. All iGreen Gadgets covers are manufactured in Italy, catering to various iPhone models such as the iPhone 13 Pro, 14 Pro, and 15 Pro, and are available for purchase through their online store, starting at €17.99 (approximately $19.42).

Caring for indoor plants can be stressful, as creating an optimal climate for them is not easy. Plants, just like any other living being, need attention and care, and a stressful environment can do long-lasting harm to them. One of the most common issues with indoor plants is brown tips and there can be various reasons behind this condition. But with the help of some useful tips, you can prevent the tips of your plants from turning brown, you just need to be a bit more careful while caring for them.

The first and most important thing to keep in mind is that inconsistent watering is usually the number one cause of brown tips. Both underwatering and overwatering can result in brown tips, so make sure you keep the water volume and schedule consistent. Exposing your plants to too much sunlight can also result in damaged leaves, so make sure to place your more sensitive plants into indirect sunlight. Both lack of humidity and nutrients can also cause your leafy friends to turn their tips brown, so try to regularly sprinkle some water on the leaves and add fertilizers to their water. Some plants also suffer from cold climates or if they are placed in spaces that are not insulated, or near windowsills/cooling vents, so be on the lookout for this. The best tip to keep in mind is to consistently monitor the wellbeing of your plant, and act as soon as possible if it starts to show signs of unhappiness.