RETREET BLOG

RETREET redefines disaster relief by engaging communities to replant lost trees.


 
SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.83

This week, we bring you a rather international smattering of fascinating projects. First up, South Korean artist Young Deok-Seo spends months welding and forming discarded bicycle chains into striking sculptures of the human form. Truly, this is powerful repurposing.

BIKE CHAIN SCULPTURES (photos)

BIKE CHAIN SCULPTURES (photos)

Second, Vietnamese architect Vo Trong Nghia designed three 22-story buildings in Ho Chi Minh City that each have a giant roof garden. The roofs are all connected by suspension bridges, making the completed structure a giant linear garden in the sky. Now that's what we call green architecture!

DEVELOPMENT WITH CONNECTED ROOF GARDEN (photos)

DEVELOPMENT WITH CONNECTED ROOF GARDEN (photos)

Finally, Donhou Bicycles, a London-based company, set off to construct a bicycle with a chain ring big enough to achieve pedaling speed of 80mph. Theirs is a great story of determination and innovation.

THE 80MPH BICYCLE (video)

THE 80MPH BICYCLE (video)

 


 
SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.65

Jia Haixia and Jia Wenqi are a truly amazing duo. Haixia lost his sight and Wenqi his arms in unrelated accidents at work. Determined to continue leading productive lives, the two best friends started a business and have planted 10,000 trees over the past 10 years, overcoming incredible challenges together. Their inspiring story deserves a read.

BLIND MAN AND ARMLESS FRIEND PLANT TREES (photo essay)

BLIND MAN AND ARMLESS FRIEND PLANT TREES (photo essay)

An often-forgotten fact of history: cyclists were the first advocates for paved roads. Back in the late 1800s, the bicycle was the new technology on the scene, and riding conditions were terrible. Enter the League of American Wheelmen, who pushed for better roads, convincing their fellow citizens that improvements would benefit all. Even Henry Ford gave credit where credit was due. Remember that the next time you are on the road! 

CYCLISTS: FIRST ADVOCATES FOR PAVED ROADS (photo essay)

CYCLISTS: FIRST ADVOCATES FOR PAVED ROADS (photo essay)

On a completely related note, there are some awesome futuristic concepts regarding the next generation of roads for cyclists. Among them, the SuperCycle pathway, a 221km elevated bicycle superhighway in London. Check out the details and components of this amazing design!

SUPERCYLE PATHWAY IN LONDON (photo essay)

SUPERCYLE PATHWAY IN LONDON (photo essay)