Look//
// LOOK
By Jenna Schnuer
there’s a NeW kind of f lower power on the scene. But instead of being fueled by sit-ins, this modern take on the ’60s throwback welcomes people to sit around and plug in. Created by Long Beach, Calif.-based Nectar Design, the petals on the 13-foot Solarflora flower installations each feature solar panels that can provide enough power to charge cell phones, laptops and even small electric vehicles. The petals also feature lights that glow through the night so the flowers can provide added safet y to passers-by. The
idea sprouted when Nectar President and CEO Darren Saravis was on a trip climbing one of the seven sacred summits in Asia. “We chose the flower because it really ties into this idea of life coming from the sun,” says Saravis. Built from 6061 T6 aircraft aluminum and finished with powdercoat and clear anodize, the units have a base price of $30,000. Customized seating areas, charging stations, additional petals and other add-ons are available. It takes two to four weeks to build each unit.
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spring//2012
the quarterly publication of the design-build institute of america
photo courtesy of Darren Saravis
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IQ Spring 2012: The Conference Issue