Though the idea began as an April Fool’s joke, Katz’s Delicatessen’s undeniably delicious, limited edition Hendrick’s Gin-Inspired Pickled Cucumbers are now available to order online. Jake Dell, owner of the iconic NYC deli, worked with Hendrick’s Master Distiller, Ms. Lesley Gracie, gathering virtually and shipping iterations across the Atlantic until they arrived at a final recipe for the delectable half-sours. The final result pairs well with a sandwich, and accents a gin cocktail, too—with the pickled cucumber notes giving way to a delicate juniper and floral kiss.
Dezeen promotion: Swedish interior designer Tekla Evelina Severin has collaborated with Italian kitchen manufacturer Very Simple Kitchen on two bright kitchen models, which were presented at Milan design week.
Combining bold colours and geometric forms with simple but creative details, the Very Simple Teklan Edition modules marry Italian tradition with Swedish colouring.
Severin and Very Simple Kitchen used marble in striking colours for the kitchen modules
“Very Simple Teklan Edition is inspired by the exchange of cultures starting with a profound reflection on the history of Italian and Swedish architecture,” said Very Simple Kitchen.
“The result is two entirely handcrafted and sustainable made-in-Italy products.”
The material was recovered from marble waste
For the first module, Severin and Very Simple Kitchen used black and white marble for the kitchen countertop, which runs along the length of the kitchen units and partway up the wall.
In a bid to make the project more sustainable, the marble from both modules was recovered from waste before being restored by skilled artisans to give it a renewed appearance.
Despite being sourced from waste, the marble appears as new
“The starting points for both kitchen models are the marble worktops, the first characterised by a striking combination of white Carrara and black Marquina marble, arranged vertically to create a uniquely striped effect recalling Romanesque and Gothic architecture,” the brand explained.
“Despite its second life, the material retains its full naturalness and all the characteristics that derive from it, including the continuous maturation of the product and the ability to restore it like new.”
A mustard yellow finish contrasts the monochrome countertop
To balance the marble countertop’s traditional materials and colours, Severin chose a mustard yellow finish more commonly found in contemporary Swedish design. According to the designers, this creates “a warm and welcoming environment”.
This same shade of yellow has been applied to a shelf above the modules which has rounded edges, giving the design a softer feel.
The kitchen modules also come in a red and pink colourway
The second kitchen model combines a subtle Portugal pink hue with Levanto red marble in a nod to Italian artistic traditions.
The same familiar colour blocking stripes found on the first module make up the marble top.
Several drawers underneath the marble countertop are specifically dedicated to storing pots and pans, which users can reach easily when using the oven.
Shelving and storage space has been added above and below the units
“The result is a timeless collection vibrant in both concept and colour,” explained the brand.
“With simplicity, attention to detail and creative soul, Very Simple Kitchen finds a perfect match with Tekla’s personality, establishing an unprecedented and functional partnership between Italy and Sweden.”
To read more about the Very Simple Teklan Edition, visit Very Simple Kitchen’s website.
Partnership content
This article was written by Dezeen for Very Simple as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.
A Fort-Lauderdale-based company called Megafend produces these odd and attractive objects below. They’re made from materials that appeal to me—stainless steel, leather, sheepskin—but sadly, I’ll never be in the target market of consumers that buy these. You can probably guess their general function by studying their forms, but I’d be shocked if you could guess the precise application:
“Custom handcrafted to securely fit the rail or bulwark profile of your megayacht or superyacht and hardware configured to your exact needs. Each assures ideal protection from line abrasion on rail or gelcoat surfaces and helps assure that suspended fender lines remain clear of yacht surfaces.
“Each is artfully formed without sharp edges and most styles have the underside covered with a super soft sheep wool. The topside is covered with premium grade maintenance-free (NEVER-OIL) leather in beautiful marine colors. The coverings are artfully stitched together for a richly detailed look. Hardware is quality 316 stainless, polished or powder-coated in a range of colors. Brilliant anodized finishes are also available.”
And for those who aren’t into leather, there’s of course a carbon-fiber variant.
Prices are not listed—but at this level of retail, I’m not even sure there are fixed prices.
Missouri-based Young Innovations manufactures COVID-19 test swabs. They’re sterilized and come wrapped in medical-grade pouches. They have a 6″ polypropylene handle with a molded-in breaking point; after swabbing, the user snaps the bulk of the handle off and drops the swab end into a transport tube.
You might not consider the design of the swab notable. But what is notable is that Young Innovations is a company that manufactures dental equipment. Like many companies not known for producing diagnostic kits, following last year’s FDA emergency-use authorization they expanded into testing swabs because the demand is there and because they have the manufacturing know-how.
Prior to the pandemic Young was already producing swabs in the hundreds of millions, except that these were for applying dental adhesives rather than soaking up snot; turns out they’re not that different, and they just had to figure out the molded-in snap-off feature.
These humble swabs from Young are actually part of a much larger trend:
COVID has driven “a change in diagnostics technology,” John Frymark, vice president of product development and strategy at Young Innovations, told Plastics News. Many companies debuted new technologies for at-home test kits under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization last year.
“It’s going to go beyond COVID testing,” as the telehealth industry continues to grow, he said. “Everything from cancer detection to STD testing and anything that would go through the historical lab chain. We’ve gotten a lot of inquiries [for rapid test kits] from various companies about [new] applications,” he added.
“It’s going to be a revolution for the diagnostics market,” Frymark said. “To go from a test that would take 24 to 48 hours and cost $150 to get processed, to now, something you can do in 15 minutes for $20 or $30.”
It might sound absurd to say that a pandemic that’s infected 232 million people to date, and killed 4.8 million of them, has a silver lining. But it has resulted in high demand for affordable, easy-to-use testing kits, prompting traditional manufacturers to expand into non-traditional offerings that will benefit society.
These kits, and the lab system they plug into, are going to need good design in order to be effective. Product design professors looking for globally-significant assignments for their students should take note. (And for an example of redesigning a kit that better corresponds with an analysis infrastructure, have them check out the work of Kate Strudwick.)
“Commission for a 4 x 3 foot mirror made from inflated stainless steel. Instead of a conventional flat mirror, the customer desired a sculptural, three dimensional piece with many random folds and bends. This is achieved by inflating and deflating the piece many times, clamping down certain areas to create new folds in the material.”
“After the final polish, it was securely packaged for shipping over to California, where it is now being enjoyed by its new owner in Los Angeles.”
As that upside-down building serves as the perfect metaphor for wealth distribution in our society, the Inflated Mirror would be perfect in the lobby of a social media giant.
Functional and futuristic uses of classic materials at the inaugural event celebrating Swedish design
On now through 29 September, Stockholm Creative Edition (a brand new independent design week) adds to the vibrant design scene in Europe—and follows the renewed Milan Design Week and effervescent 3 Days Of Design in Copenhagen. Dedicated to Swedish design, Stockholm Creative Edition (founded by Ulrika Kjellstöm Attar and Philippe Attar) is a week of exhibitions, presentations and workshops that celebrate Nordic creativity in the present and future through the work of emerging and established individuals and companies. Visiting the multiple locations of this event, it’s clear that wood, glass and metal continue to be favorite materials in Scandinavian design, but are being interpreted in refreshing new ways. Here, we focus on some of the most appealing works using those three timeless and boundless materials.
” data-medium-file=”https://i1.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/monica-forster.jpg?fit=300%2C224&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i1.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/monica-forster.jpg?fit=1024%2C765&ssl=1″ class=”size-large wp-image-270162″ src=”https://i1.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/monica-forster.jpg?resize=1024%2C765&ssl=1″ alt=”” width=”1024″ height=”765″ data-recalc-dims=”1″ />Courtesy of Monica Forster and Oxenstiernan
Glass
Monica Förster was involved in launching Subjective, a new brand founded by the owners of the Oxenstiernan restaurant and initially intended for use only at the Östermalm-located eatery. But now in production, the collection includes plates, glasses, tablecloths and other dining-related pieces made by local artisans with respect for tradition and sustainability. Förster designed the Babushka All, a multipurpose glass container that comes in three dimensions. The lid also works as a lens to enlarge and enhance the bowl’s contents, which can be anything from food to flowers.
Clever use of glass also exists in the façade of Liljevalchs+, the newly completed extension of one of Stockholm’s most beloved museums. Architect Gert Wingårdh enlisted potter and designer Ingegerd Råman for the conception of the the façade, a concrete wall interspersed with 6,860 glass cups. This solution guarantees an influx of natural light. Until 17 October, Liljevalchs+ pays homage to Råman through an exhibition of stunning glass vases, one-off pieces born from years of experimentation with this noble yet common material.
Courtesy of Massproductions
Wood
Made from oat or walnut, the Hercule, a playful but practical coat-hanger by Massproductions is on display in the exhibition Who Are You Hercule? wherein studio Specific Generic has transformed the product into an illustrated character. “When I presented it everyone told me that it looked like the nose of an animal or even a person,” says designer Chris Martin. With that in mind, the installation plays with projections that animate the illustrations by Patrik Mollwing.
Wood is also a fundamental part of the collection by Asplund, a company that has been promoting young Scandinavian designers since 1990. The Moci dining table boasts legs that gently join with the top, forming elegant curves and a style that unites elements from Sweden and Japan. Creative director Sandra Adrian Asplund tells us, “At the Malmstens Linköping University graduate show, I saw a coffee table designed by Moa Sjöberg. I immediately thought that it could be transformed into a minimal and elegant table.”
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Klong-Twilight-Margarita-Matiz-Bergfeldt-3-scaled-1.jpg?fit=300%2C225&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Klong-Twilight-Margarita-Matiz-Bergfeldt-3-scaled-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1″ class=”size-large wp-image-270165″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Klong-Twilight-Margarita-Matiz-Bergfeldt-3-scaled-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1″ alt=”” width=”1024″ height=”768″ data-recalc-dims=”1″ />Courtesy of Margarita Matiz Bergfeldt and Klong
Metal
Classic Swedish interior design involves extensive use of candles, creating not just light, but also a sense of warm harmony—especially in the long winter months. In her research, designer Margarita Matiz Bergfeldt discovered multigraph photography, a technique that allows multiplying subjects through a clever use of mirrors. Fascinated by this simple trick, she wondered if it was possible to attempt something similar to multiply the light of a candle. The result is Twilight, a wall-mounted candle-holder produced by Klong, for which metal surfaces in two finishes amplify the light, even in the darkest corners of the house. This lovely piece can be used as a vase.
Widely used in office furniture (a realm where Swedish designers reign), metal has been cleverly employed by Lammhults for the Corso Easy chair, a straightforward item based on a tubular metal structure and a leather or canvas seat (that nods to Peter Andersson‘s work). Intended for the office, its rounded form could also accent other locations. In addition, it can be disassembled—and it uses few materials, ensuring a lower environmental impact.
For adventure lovers who want to keep their environmental impact to the minimum, a pedal-power-assisted cargo e-bike is the right choice for camping trips. Likewise, this cargo electric bicycle crafted keeping in mind a large set of considerations could be the future of zero-emission hauling of essentials in the treacherous mountains.
The problem with most cargo bikes is their overall balance distribution and lack of space. Even if they have presumed optimum space for hauling important stuff, the shape and function take a hit. On paper, things look all rosy for such iterations, but the design of the front wheel makes it highly unstable on mountainous terrain. This kills the whole purpose of bicycle camping – and the intelligent adventure seeker never even looks that way.
X Space cargo bike concept however is different from the contemporary designs. The zero-emission concept electric camping bike is optimized for riding balance, space and zero pollution for the year 2030 – and it makes perfect sense. X Space comes with a mindfully crafted front wheel design and tactically placed storage spaces for smooth riding in the mountain terrain. The off-beat cargo bike is the result of the demand for eco-conscious commuting with the liberty to carry along essentials. Something that adventurers will highly appreciate.
The electric cargo bike has those off-road style lines with triangle-inspired geometry. The seating frame is supported by the bottom section for structural integrity which all goes well for durability. The ride height and wheelbase ensure the bike is stable even at difficult riding angles, in part attributed to the suspension system in place. The rear section underneath the seat houses a removable cooler to store beverages and fruits for a camping escapade. The front has a large cargo box utilizing the space between the two wheels to store non-perishable items or camping essentials. Thereby, saving you from hauling them in a backpack.
A removable battery for pedal-powered assistance can be easily plugged out once it runs out of juice. X Space electric cargo bike looks quite stable because of its low- center of gravity courtesy of the angled frame design. How much pedal-powered assistance it can churn out is going to be crucial in determining the terrains it can tread.
Each one of KEANE’s striking glass pieces has been hand-blown, so no two are identical. Helmed by artist and designer Colin Lynch (who was classically trained in glassblowing in Venice before earning a degree in glass from the Rhode Island School of Design), the Brooklyn-based brand combines traditional techniques with contemporary style. The aptly named Molten Ring looks liquified and gooey, and comes in various lovely colorways.
EcoLogicStudio has designed AirBubble, a children’s play pavilion that uses algae in solar-powered bioreactors to remove carbon dioxide and pollutants from the air.
The London-based studio claims the 52 bioreactors mounted around the structure’s perimeter can purify the entire volume of air inside the pavilion each day to keep pollution levels within World Health Organization guidelines.
AirBubble is a playground that contains a microclimate of algae-purified air
AirBubble is located outside the Copernicus Science Centre (Centrum Nauki Kopernik) in Warsaw, Poland, a site EcoLogicStudio chose partially because the city is one of the most polluted in Europe.
Algae in the bioreactors uses photosynthesis to split carbon dioxide into carbon, which it needs to grow, and oxygen, which it releases into the cylindrical interior. The algae also absorbs atmospheric pollutants.
The timber structure contains a ring of algae-filled bioreactors
The 52 glass bioreactors contain a total of 468 litres of living green chlorella sp. algae cultures. This can filter 200 litres of polluted air per minute, the designers claim, meaning the algae can purify all the air inside the 283-cubic-metre structure in a 24-hour period.
The algae needs to be harvested each week while the power needed to run the bioreactors is “inexhaustible and renewable”, according to EcoLogicStudio.
The algae inside the bioreactors eats carbon dioxide and pollutants and creates oxygen through photosynthesis
“This playground needs two sources of power: solar energy and kids’ instinctive drive to explore and to play,” said EcoLogicStudio co-founder Claudia Pasquer.
The solar energy drives the photosynthesis by which the algae purifies the air, while the children’s play activates machinery that moves liquid through the bioreactors.
The play equipment within AirBubble consists of ropes, bouncy spheres and pedal pumps. When there are no children in the space, an air pump in the timber deck guarantees the bioreactors get the required aeration.
AirBubble contains ropes, bouncy spheres and foot pumps for play
“We wanted to create a new kind of playground that was at the same time fun, safe and educational for all kids,” Pasquer told Dezeen. “We wanted to channel the power of play towards making meaningful social and ecological changes to our cities.”
“The link between urban air quality, respiratory health and public wellbeing has become more and more obvious during Covid and it is now a critical factor, especially for children in the post-pandemic world.”
The studio says the setting is also suitable for an outdoor classroom, as the bubbling of the bioreactors creates a calming white noise that masks the sounds of the city beyond.
AirBubble integrates and updates an earlier project by the studio called PhotoSynthetica, which covered a Dublin building with an algae “curtain”.
Children generate power for the bioreactors as they play
A similar EFTE membrane wraps around AirBubble, protecting the equipment inside and maintaining the microclimate.
Other aspects of the architectural morphology also enhance the workings of the bioreactors. The circular shape allows the reactors to collect light in all directions throughout the day, while the inverted conical roof membrane stimulates the recirculation of air.
It creates a natural stack effect that promotes the expulsion of heat and moisture through openings at the top.
Even with new air entering the space through these openings and through the curtained doorways, the system still keeps the pollution levels below the WHO limit.
The space can also be used as an outdoor classroom
Timber was chosen to lower the environmental impact of construction. The cross-laminated timber (CLT) comes from Estonian managed forests, and according to EcoLogicStudio, when combined with the effects of the algae, it means AirBubble will be carbon-negative during its life cycle.
Based on data collected by EcoLogicStudio, AirBubble has managed to reduce the level of air pollutants inside the structure so that it is within WHO safe limits.
Compared to outside the structure, there is a reduction in the peak level of fine particulate PM2.5, one of the core air pollutants, of between 78.6 and 85.7 per cent each week.
The structure’s inverted conical roof membrane helps circulate air
This is all achieved through the algae cultures, which require harvesting once a week to reduce their concentration and to create room for new growth. Paasquer describes the system as “self-sufficient and very resilient”.
“The great thing about nature-based solutions is that what for us is polluting for algae is food,” she said. “So at the end of the cycle we are not left with a dirty filter to send to landfill such as in the case of typical mechanical filtering technologies.”
“The pollutants are transformed into usable biomass, raw material for several bioproducts, such as biofibers, bioplastics, food supplements and natural cosmetics.”
AirBubble is located in a public green space in Warsaw
Alongside the installation, the Copernicus Science Centre is hosting an exhibition explaining how AirBubble works, with interactive installations to educate and inspire children.
“There is untapped value in bringing the bio-intelligence of natural systems into cities, turning buildings into living machines that produce energy, store CO2 and clean the air,” said EcoLogicStudio co-founder Marco Poletto.
“To achieve this, we need to think about the living world as a part of the current digital revolution: nature becomes part of a new bio-smart infrastructure.”
EcoLogicStudio has also recently produced BioBombola, a grow-your-own edible algae kit for kids.
Dezeen Courses aims to become the world’s leading resource for people who want to study architecture and design, with course listings from a wide variety of institutions published daily.
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Royal College of Art and Parsons School of Design list courses
For today’s launch, Parsons School of Design in New York City has listed a host of postgraduate master’s courses including Architecture, Industrial Design and Lighting Design.
Royal College of Art in London has listed short courses such as Open Innovation Masterclass, Creative Leadership and Service Design Masterclass.
Dezeen Courses is an affordable new service for schools
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