EverBlocks sport protruding nubs and corresponding sockets. They interlock with some applied force and can then be stacked together(Credit: EverBlock)New York City-based entrepreneur, investor, and perennial tinkerer Arnon Rosan drew inspiration from everyone's favorite construction toy to create a modular building system. Functioning very much like supersized Lego, EverBlock is promoted as suitable for building modular furniture, dividing walls, and even a habitable shelter – no glue, or specialist tools required.Rosan's background includes experience as a manufacturer of modular plastic flooring, fencing, and roadway systems, in addition to military and disaster relief applications, so he was well-positioned to come up with an idea like EverBlock.The company currently offers four different sized plastic blocks in an array of colors. There's a full-size 12 x 6-in (30 x 15 cm) block, a half-size 6 x 6-in (15 x 15 cm) block, a 3 x 6-in (7.5 x 15 cm) quarter-block, and a smooth finishing cap.
A footing and shelving system is planned next, followed by roofing and a number of unspecified additional shapes.The blocks themselves function just as you'd expect. Sporting protruding nubs and corresponding sockets, they interlock together with some applied force and can be stacked together. To disassemble, a small flathead screwdriver is recommended for extra leverage.The kind of structures that anyone could get started with include dining room tables, shelves, assorted furniture, and dividing walls. Brackets can be drilled into structures like dividing walls to ensure that they are safely secured, and advanced techniques include adding LED lighting strips and tubes, steel, wooden dowels, and PVC rod reinforcements.EverBlock also plans to move into modular building construction, with disaster relief and military shelters targeted specifically. We quizzed Rosan as to the plastic block's efficacy as a shelter, given their lack of insulation."There is a strong need for rapidly deployable rigid shelters that transport compactly and efficiently yet provide durability and a more substantial feel," says Rosan.
"While tents are great, having a rigid block wall offers a greater level of protection and prevents unauthorized entry. EverBlock would offer superior protection to most tents and heat and air conditioning could be provided within the shelter."We haven't sold any blocks yet for military or relief use, but I think its only a matter of time until governments and aid agencies see the value in having a rapidly deployable building system that is so versatile and re-useable. It would be possible to add a simple corrugated metal roofing or even a tent/style roof."For those interested in getting started with EverBlock, a single full-size block will set you back US$7.25, while a bulk pack of 18 blocks costs $125.10. The dataset is too large to view in browserThis prototype turns a pallet of water bottles into a disaster shelter When a natural disaster strikes, two of the most pressing needs for the survivors are drinking water and shelter, and a unique project from the New York Institute of Technology's School of Architecture and Design could provide the solution to the second of those by using the packaging from the first.
By providing humanitarian relief in the form of sending shipping pallets full of bottled drinking water to survivors of natural disasters, aid organizations could also provide disaster victims with the materials to build temporary housing units at the same time, if this prototype disaster shelter design gets some traction.The concept, called SodaBIB (BIB stands for Bottle Interface Bracket), is not only a way to reduce plastic waste and encourage upcycling and participatory architecture, but could also make some relief efforts much more effective."Two things typically show up at relief sites: [1] Water bottles on [2] shipping pallets. The system takes allows post-consumer plastic bottles to become ventilated, day-lit, low-maintenance shelter using minimal tools and labor. The HOME₂O shipping pallet de-laminates into linear brackets that hold crushed, PET water bottles as roof tiles. The system arrays and interlocks layers of bottles to create a breathable, weather-resistant membrane." - HOME₂OAt the heart of the system is the innovative form of the pallet, which is designed to take advantage of the shape and function of standard PET water bottles by providing attachment points for the bottles and allowing them to be secured by their own screw-top lids.
Once a HOME₂O pallet is empty, it can be disassembled and converted to a roof panel that is light enough for a single person to install, and that provides not just passive cooling and respite from rains, but also lets in light and fresh air. The team behind the HOME₂O disaster shelter prototype is currently seeking funding in order to construct a full-scale version, so that it can be tested and improved for optimal functionality, and to show proof-of-concept for pallet manufacturers and relief organizations for possible implementation in the field.The team's Kickstarter campaign just passed its initial crowdfunding goal of $4000, and it still has 36 hours to go, so if you can get behind this worthy project, go ahead and kick in a few bucks to help transform the future of disaster relief.Welcome to the Kiddiwinks Online LEGO shop We hope you enjoy searching through our website that’s filled with a wide range of LEGO products for all ages and interests. In fact, we’re one
of the largest suppliers of LEGO in South Africa and strive to offer our carefully selected products at competitive prices. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, feel free to give any of our stores a call – you’ll find their contact details below. Check out our News page where you'll find a range of useful tips and stories all to do with LEGO. Turn your LEGO dreams into reality with Kiddiwinks. Shop 7Palmyra Junction9 Palmyra RoadClaremont Tel: 021 671 4525 Shop G122Blue Route Mall16 Tokai RoadTokai Tel: 021 712 5202 Shop G18Willowbridge Lifestyle Centre39 Carl Cronje DriveTyger Valley Tel: 021 914 0151This set was first seen on the July Lego Store Calendar and when I saw this the first time I was impressed with this set, however most people disliked it from the first glance. This is a must have set for every Back to the Future fan. This is an impressive recreation of the DeLorean from the popular 1980s movie: Back to the Future.
I think this will be an iconic and popular LEGO set, as it even makes a quick demand on the first day of release much like the Lego Minecraft Micro World #21102. This set contains four unique printed pieces: Time settings Display is a Medium Stone Grey Flat Tile 1X2. In this model, the “Target Date” is “01.28.1958”, the date that the first Lego brick was patented (which is a neat touch for Lego fans) and 10.26 1985 as the Present Time. It doesn’t have Last Time Departed as the numbers will be very small and hard to read but does capture the main reason for the Time Settings Display in the DeLorean. 2015 Licence Plate is a Bright Orange Flat Tile 1X2. Is the licence plate that is featured in Back to the Future, Part II. 1985 Licence Plate is a White Flat Tile 1x2. Is the licence plate that is featured in Back to the Future, Part I Flux Capacitor is a Medium Stone Grey Wallelement 1X2X2, it is the core component of the DeLorean Time Machine that is what makes time travel happen.
It has spelling error, Shield is spelled “Sheild” which is the main negative with the set and hopefully Lego corrects this error. The front should have a new “Roof Tile 1X2X2/3, Abs” and had DMC printed on it as well. This set contains two exclusive minifigures Doc Brown and Marty McFly. Doc Brown is wearing his lab coat with white trousers and has 3 exclusive pieces. Marty McFly is wearing is gilet and blue trousers and he has 2 exclusive pieces with one very rare pair of Medium Blue trousers. Marty McFly has a purple skateboard and could have come with a “Hover Board” as well. This set is not really made to play as it only has two gull-wing doors just like the real car, it has space for one minifigure which is a shame however it looks like the minifigures were a final addition to the set and foldable wheels as featured in Back to the Future, Part II as extra transparent bricks to give it the flying effect. This set has a bonus feature that you can customise the DeLorean to suit one from the three movies but not a huge difference as it comes with two licence plates, Mr. Fusion Home Energy Reactor, Four red wheels (not including the tyres) and a rack of vacuum tubes and other components on the hood for the Back to the Future
, Part III Delorean. This set contains 5 five unnumbered bags with three plates. The instruction booklet is thick and is a high-quality book containing the building instructions, information on Lego Cuusoo and Back to the Future similar to the Lego Architecture series. As your building facts appear on some pages which is very neat. The build is simply starts staking plates on top of each other and a few technic elements for the rotating wheels. The build follows with a colour coded base of the DeLorean: Red for the front and blue for the front as the early stages are symmetrical. It’s an enjoyable build with very small pieces used for details. The doors did not fall off for me as I was placing the on to the DeLorean, for some others the doors fell off. The DeLorean has a variety of different building techniques is any very enjoyable build for the size of the set. This retails for £34.99 in the UK and contains 401 pieces. Is a fairly small build for a £34.99 set because it uses small pieces to capture details on the DeLorean.
Back to the Future fans will really appreciate this model, however people who are not familiar may not be drawn to this set other than it is a unique type of vehicle from Lego and delivers a different build experience. Lego Cuusoo products are mixture of different models chosen by the fans. This set is based on the “Back to the Future” trilogy which is very popular in the 1980s and adults will be drawn to this set as a collector’s item. / and other selected retailers. It is also stated on the Lego Cuusoo website, that these sets are limited to 10,000; however the Lego Minecraft Micro World (21102) was so popular Lego made more quantities. The packaging is worth keeping as is very similar to the Lego Architecture boxes, using the high-quality box with an opening lid to keep your contents safe after building the model. This will do very well as an investment potential in 2015 as it is the 30th Anniversary of Back to the Future trilogy. Lego Cuusoo sets do very well as investments as they are limited and unique for a short period of time, much like the Lego Minecraft Micro World #21102.