Good architectural design will have to play a big part in a viable sustainable future for urban humanity, so it’s nice to see some building design that not only looks good but also takes its inspiration from nature. The ‘Urban Cactus’ concept is the sort of futuristic high-rise building I’d always imagined we’d end up living in eventually – and a nice step away from the weird blob-inspired creations of recent years.

Scientist and supergenius Stephen Hawking recently told BBC radio that we needed to reach for the stars if the human race was to survive in the long term, or at least get seriously off-planet.

The inventive uses of Apple’s MacBook accelerometer just keep coming. Check out this YouTube vid of a digital marionette. [digg]

Buttonless elevators are beginning to make an appearance in high end towers. Technically, they’re not buttonless: the buttons are in the lobby, not in the elevator. You punch your floor and the lobby tells you which elevator to take. These elevators are more efficient at moving people than traditional elevators, but I gotta say I wouldn’t much enjoy a ride in one. I cherish my illusion of control. [digg]

Spain has just passed a law requiring every new or renovated building to have solar power systems (solar hot water systems for homes, solar electricity for businesses). The building lobby is upset, but if you buy into the idea that a move toward renewable energy systems is a societal good, this kind of law at least levels the playing field so builders don’t have to compete on cost. [treehugger]