The Earth Awards

Among the many attractions for visitors to the ‘Garden Party to Make a Difference’ will be three inspirational exhibits from the 2010 The Earth Awards.

The Earth Awards are the only global awards dedicated to identifying viable designs which have the potential to improve our quality of life and build a new economy. This year, more than 500 cutting-edge designs, all designed to inspire and drive positive change, were received from people in 65 countries. Start has invited exceptional entrants in The 2010 Earth Awards to be showcased at ‘A Garden Party to Make A Difference’.

Two special pavilions will house the awards. These are:

Pallet House

The inspiration for the Pallet House Project came from the fact that 84% of the world’s refugees could be housed with a year’s supply of recycled American pallets. Pallets are specifically designed for transport and delivery – so cost is negligible when carrying shipments of food, medicine and other types of aid to refugees. A 250 square foot ‘Pallet House’ requires 100 recycled pallets nailed and lifted into place by 4-5 people using hand tools in under a week.

The Commonwealth Pavilion

Constructed from disused military parachutes, the Commonwealth Pavilion is a fitting reminder of the intrusion of war on everyday lives – but also highlights the goodness that can emerge from conflict. In June 2010, 40 international design students from the charity BaSIC Initiative came to Ladakh, or little Tibet, to work with 100 local pupils and 50 nuns, in collaboration with FILUM, a Canadian art and design group known for their work with textiles.

Together, they stitched together parachutes from the India, and Pakistani armies; these have been turned into an eye-catching structure which symbolises peace and unity amidst the chaos of war.

The Earth Awards exhibition will lead up to the Earth Awards Gala Reception in the gardens of Marlborough House, the seat of the Secretariat of the Commonwealth Nations. This will be followed by a Gala Dinner where the grand prize winner will be unveiled in the presence of members of the prestigious Selection Committee, industry leaders and prominent Londoners.

You can find out more about The Earth Awards at: www.theearthawards.org