Vending Machines Out, Edible Curtains In?

Japan's innovative Kyocera Group has fashioned living curtains that bring down energy costs, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and provide snacks for office workers. Sort of.

Basically, the curtains are climbing plants (morning glory and goya), trained onto a slanted structure. The plants shade Kyocera's offices, helping to keep them cool. And the people who work at Kyocera reputedly eat the goya (pictured), also known as bitter gourd.

The company's website on the project has all the details, including nicely diagrammed instructions on building your own green curtain (makes it look easy, almost), and cheering numbers: One square meter of foliage absorbs 3.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide yearly and can reduce the temperature of the area it shades by up to 15 degrees. Oh, and this: "The soft green color of the foliage that shades the windows creates a relaxing atmosphere, which has become a topic of conversation for both employees and visitors at Kyocera's various locations. After experiencing the benefits of the Green Curtains at work, many employees have also taken up the activity at their own homes."

Definitely prefer the view of a bunch of green growing things to an industrial parking lot. Gotta agree with you there, Kyocera.

via GreenBiz.com

Image source: Flickr member puffyjet under Creative Commons