In contrast to a decade ago, when ecological architecture was considered a luxury, it has now become essentially impossible to build without considering sustainability issues. Aspects of ecological balance have become an important part in the planning and construction process. In recent years, a canon of standard methods and possibilities has emerged to achieve this goal of environmentally friendly architecture.

However, there are architects whose ideas and techniques for sustainable buildings go beyond the standards that have now been established and are sometimes also mandatory. This publication discusses such new and innovative solutions for ecological construction. The author presents projects from all over the world that stand out from the standard measures and concepts and point the way to the future.

Swiss Design has almost become a fixed term: the Swiss army knife is just one of many products that have popularized the image of the white cross on red background. The triangular Toblerone chocolate bar is defined by its rectilinearity and instantly recognizable shape. In terms of the well-known Swiss asparagus peeler, functionality is its sole formative characteristic. When it comes to fonts, few are as clear-cut as Helvetica. This volume demonstrates that Swiss design incorporates much more than just austerity and functionality; nowadays, young designers from the Alpine country demonstrate their ability to create every conceivable contemporary design style that this day and age has to offer.

Sustainability has become one of the main key phrases and goals of our time. Environmentally compatible methods of construction and products are hotly sought after - especially when they are appealingly designed. The concept of `Green Design' includes products from completely different areas of living and completely different aspects of environmentally compatible and sustainable design. Green Design, Vol. 1 presents products that are not only `green' but which also show good "design": beautiful and functional objects of day to day life, which are distinguished by certain principals of environmental compatibility. Among them are environmentally compatible raw materials, production and disposal, energy efficient or energy independent use, and fair production.

This title shows the wide variety of contemporary German interior design, which is centered between the poles of tradition and globalization. Germany's present-day global image is defined by modern technology, rural traditions and solid craftsmanship and is reflected in the design of public and private spaces: retro styles are revived and take on new shapes. The timeless elegance of classical modernism in the tradition of the Bauhaus is brought back to life and new materials and technologies entail previously unknown dimensions of design. This volume presents the stylish world of German interiors, which ranges from one-off custom-built designs to an accomplished array of serial products.