A couple of months back, calling an Apple product such as the iPhone 4 environment friendly would have been a misnomer. But then something like the Biome Flora Terrarium (BFT) comes along and Apple seems to have turned over to a new “green” leaf. Well, it’s not like Greenpeace has finally convinced Apple to take up green activism but something much more impressive. You can now cultivate a mini ecosystem with your iPad or iPhone. It’s something that will certainly earn Apple some green points, if not real carbon credits.
After designing the Plumen 001, an array of aesthetically appealing CFL bulbs, which was awarded “2011 Design of the Year” by the Design Museum in London, Samuel Wilkinson seems all set to clinch gold once again with his latest design. It’s called Biome Flora Terrarium and it’s a miniature ecosystem that you can keep by your bedside.
Sounds interesting, but you already own a Terrarium? Well, this one’s not your average terrarium because it allows you to play a gardener as well as customize its environment to suit your choice of vegetation. With just a few swaps and taps, you can turn your terrarium into a tropical forest or a desert garden. A small capsule placed within the terrarium, which is integrated with your smart phone, lets you adjust the lighting inside it. You can also check the level of water and nutrients and even control the climate of the terrarium from your iPad or iPhone.
An article in the New York Times points out that the high market penetration of digital devices in our lives does not always mean progress. In fact, by actively using such devices we are only increasing stress in our lives. The Biome Flora Terrarium is a welcome change in this respect because you can do much more on your iPhone than just fling angry birds at fat pigs. BFT doesn’t set your pulse racing like games such as Temple Run or Need For Speed would. Instead, when you are tired of tapping and swiping your way through maze-like-streets, you can switch over to tending your terrarium. In a digitally driven world it’s the most apt way to relax and connect with nature, albeit for a moment.
Image by Chris Harley
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