Hasta La Ideas

Cedar siding and a central breezeway feature in this compact home in the Pacific Northwest designed by US firm SHED for a couple who will soon retire.

The project, called Whidbey Dogtrot, is named after its location on Whidbey Island, which lies just north of Seattle. The single-storey dwelling is perched on a bluff overlooking the Puget Sound.

The project was designed by Seattle’s SHED Architecture and Design for a couple who are transitioning into retirement. They desired a compact, low-maintenance home that embraces its picturesque setting.

“In addition, the home needed space for guests, visits from adult children, hobbies, music and a home office,” the team said.

For inspiration, the architects looked to the dogtrot-style house, which features a central breezeway covered by a roof.

They conceived a low-lying home made up of two rectangular volumes flanking an open-ended passage, where the front door and a wooden bench are located. The building is topped with a black, standing-seam metal roof.

Exterior walls are clad in rough-cut, western red cedar with a semi-transparent black stain.

To ensure privacy, the team limited the amount of apertures on the front elevation, which faces west. The home opens up on the east, where large stretches of glass offer sweeping views of the landscape.

One side of the house contains the primary living quarters, which total 915 square feet (85 square metres). This area encompasses an open space for cooking, dining and lounging, along with a bedroom suite and reading nook.

The other side holds a 281-square-foot (26-square-metre) flex space and bathroom.

Throughout the dwelling, the team incorporated neutral colours and contemporary decor. Interior finishes include pale wooden cabinetry, creamy white walls and concrete flooring. Heat is provided by a hydronic system.

“The home is thoughtfully designed to make the most of its square footage,” the architects said. “The result is a modest and functional dwelling strongly anchored to its site.”

Other projects by SHED include a sustainable Seattle home that was influenced by circus tents and Japanese design, and the conversion of a horse stable into a studio and guesthouse.

The photography is by Rafael Soldi.

The post Rough-sawn cedar clads Whidbey Dogtrot house in Washington by SHED appeared first on Dezeen.

Apple has just launched the new iPhone 13 series, which has left many of us dumbstruck with the photographic capabilities and beautiful ProMotion displays on offer. While consumers are still headed for the four beauties in the lineup with open wallets, there is still a lingering question in the mind of fans whether the iPhone 14 will be the iconic design change we are all looking for. Taking the liberty to experiment with this design, ConceptsiPhone has created extreme renders of how the next-generation Apple phones should be.

The insane renders of the iPhone 14 with a sliding concept are far and above what Apple would likely have in mind at this point. The Cupertino company however has been toiling with the folding iPhone idea since 2016. The tech giant has been through a few patents since, but it has chosen to remain silent about the possibility of an iPhone to rival the Galaxy Fold and Flip series handsets from Samsung. Apple is weighing its options as other OEMs – Samsung included – fine-tune the wrinkles in the folding devices; and it prefers to stick to the more acceptable brick form factor.

The biggest upgrade to the iPhone, many would trust, will be a folding form factor, which will be a stark difference to its image, and give fanboys a little more to consider as they weigh their options. In such a scenario, a Nokia-style sliding keyboard would make more sense than a book-like folding phone. If you are from the same school of assumptions; this new concept with a second slider screen will be a definite yes.

The renders and video of the iPhone 14 slider concept shared by ConceptsiPhone show the iPhone 14 in new and beautiful colors and revives the Touch ID biometric system under the display. In addition to the sliding design, the idea of a notch-less iPhone is what fans have been longing for Apple to adopt. That didn’t stand to change in the iPhone 13 – where the notch has been slimed slightly though – but if Apple can do away with it in the coming models, this concept shows how the phone could appear.

What has really caught my eye with these renders is the throw-back design. Yes, the images do away with the new square-edged design that Apple achieved with the iPhone 12 and has transpired into the iPhone 13. The idea is lost in this concept, which feels the iPhone 14 should reflect back the design that was before the iPhone 12. While the sliding XDR display concept is a deal for some, it’s the triple camera on the back that we would definitely want Apple to take a leaf from. The camera array is extremely sleek, no camera bump to show. Apple has a slight camera bulge in iPhone 13, in iPhone 14 we would love to see that go flat along the phone’s back.

Apple still remains adamant with switching from lightning port to USB-C, which European Union at least is pushing to become a standard for all companies to follow. There were rumors initially that iPhone 13 could be a port-less device, relying on MagSafe charging completely. It hasn’t happened this year, and ConceptsiPhone assumes, it’s not going to be the case with iPhone 14 either; but the new device could arrive with Air charging as an option along with MagSafe, which we assume is going to stay for long!

Designer: ConceptsiPhone

Design studio Almaborealis has created a modular DIY kit containing pieces of fabric in an easy puzzle format that invites children to sew their own clothes.

Now called Puzzleware, formerly known as Convertibles, the project has been shortlisted for this year’s Dezeen Awards in the wearable design category.

Almaborealis founder Maija Nygren took cues from early learning theories, such as loose parts play, to design a tactile kit for children aged four to 12 that encourages them to make their own clothes.

Puzzleware kits include pieces of colourful Scottish lambswool, which Nygren says are 100 per cent biodegradable, designed with lace holes so that children can sew the fabric together to make themselves a garment.

Each kit comes with a chunky blunt knitting needle and a Learn to Stich card printed on recycled paper, created to be accessible to children.

“The idea for Puzzleware was born through a combination of factors,” Nygren told Dezeen.

“I realised that my now eight-year-old daughter hadn’t stitched a single stitch during her time in school, and began to research the sustainability aspect (or lack thereof) of manufacturing processes for fast fashion clothes,” she added.

“This huge industry is creating a vast void where home sewing and clothes-making once was.”

“This generation and those to come are losing not only the skills to make clothing, but all that comes with it; understanding the value of materials and the skilled makers of our clothing, and where these everyday items come from,” explained the designer.

Having previously worked in children’s theatre as a costume designer-maker, Nygren was interested in creating bright and bold clothing that would entice children visually, but also engage them in learning a new skill.

“I love very textured knitting that is squeezable, like a big hug!” said Nygren. “But I wanted my knits to give something more to children than just aesthetics or protecting them from the elements  – I felt that there was a great untapped opportunity to explore whether kids could better be involved in making their own clothes.”

According to recent findings, arts cuts in UK schools have led to a rapid decline in the number of students taking part in creative subjects.

Nygren hopes that introducing children to creative projects at a young age will contribute to them gaining skills such as improved hand-eye coordination, dexterity and creative problem-solving.

Puzzleware kits use the puzzle format for its flexibility, letting children extend their garments with new pieces of fabric as they grow.

Nygren also fitted each piece of lambswool with different numbers of lace holes according to their sizes, in order to avoid using fixtures such as poppers or buttons that might cause children discomfort when wearing their clothes.

“I needed to figure out how children could construct clothes in a frustration-free manner, with technical guidance, but maintaining autonomy and creative freedom,” said the designer.

Puzzleware kits come in biodegradable packaging that was designed in line with the project’s sustainability ethos, according to the designer.

“Providing children with an activity that supports lifelong learning and creative and critical thinking, as well as problem-solving skills, is another aspect of sustainability altogether,”  she added.

In 2018, designer and engineer Ryan Mario Yasin won a Dezeen Award for creating Petit Plit, a children’s clothing line of pleated garments designed to stretch as the wearer grows.

The photography is courtesy of Maija Nygren.

The post Almaborealis designs sew-your-own clothing kit for children appeared first on Dezeen.

Equipped with a 500W motor, a 48V battery with Tesla-grade cells, and a respectable 80 miles of range on a full charge, the Velotric Discover is a slick new e-bike designed to let you take the city by storm. The Discover comes with a slim design featuring a detachable battery unit that you can carry along with you to charge wherever you go, integrated front and rear lights for a safe ride in low-light conditions, a digital dashboard integrated into the handlebar design, and up to 3 levels of intelligent pedal-assist that automatically kick in to make your ride easier.

Designer: Velotric Bike

Click Here to Buy Now: $1299 $2099 (38% off). Hurry, for a limited time only! Raised over $150,000.

Probably the first thing that captivates you about the Discover is its slender build. Designed by Velotric’s in-house team (a collaboration between the former hardware team at Lime Micromobility and industry experts), the e-bike boasts of a lean frame, concealed electronics, and a step-through design (without a top tube) that makes getting on and off easy, especially if the rider is wearing a skirt or a dress. The main tube on the front integrates the Discover’s battery, which sits flush against the surface. Equipped with Tesla Grade 21700 Cells, the 692Wh Battery Certified by LG/Samsung, and can be detached from the bike’s frame as a security measure, or to charge the battery at home or at work.

The Discover comes in 5 colors across two broad variants – a US variant with a 500W motor, and an EU-compliant variant that sports a 250W motor. The only difference between the two rear-wheel-mounted motors is the amount of torque they provide (the US variant gives you 65Nm of torque versus the EU variant that rates at 40Nm). Both variants have a range of 80 miles with speeds going up to 20MPH, and offer 3 levels of intelligent pedal assist, brought about by 12 magnetic speed sensors that sense your pedaling speed and cadence to know when to give your ride an electric boost… a feature that makes the Discover especially handy while you’re trying to ride uphill or when you get exhausted from pedaling. Information about your speed, battery, ride status, and pedal-assist level get displayed on the Discover’s 3.5-inch backlit LCD dashboard, so you’re never in the dark about your ride stats. Speaking of in the dark, the Discover sports an integrated 12V headlight and 6V taillight too, making the road ahead of you visible, as well as allowing riders/drivers behind you to spot you from a distance.

With a Tesla Grade 692Wh removable battery you can enjoy a longer trip that takes you up to 80 miles* on a single charge.

Equipped with a 500W powerful motor and a 65Nm torque, experience effortless riding even at 15 degrees uphill.

Thanks to the reinforced aluminum step-thru frame, you can easily hop on & off the Ebike, even with items stacked on the rear rack.

With IPX5 waterproof, you can ride in all weather conditions.

The Velotric Discover makes for an ideal city-commute bike. For people who are looking to transition to electric two-wheelers, the Discover makes a pretty compelling case with its tech-specs and its urban-friendly gender-friendly design. The e-bike comes with its own rear-rack that lets you place up to 25kg worth of load on it, and even an optional front rack that mounts right above the front wheel, for things like groceries, purses, backpacks, etc. Touted as ‘Simple, Comfortable, and Reliable’, the e-bike sports an ergonomic seat and an adjustable handlebar. Its 80-mile range is perfect for daily commutes within the city, and if you want to venture beyond the city’s limits, the suspension fork on the front does help smoothen the ride. The e-bike retails at $2099, although you can back its campaign and grab it at an earlybird discount for $1299. The Velotric Discover also ships with a 2-year warranty on the bike’s parts, i.e., motor, battery, frame.

Click Here to Buy Now: $1299 $2099 (38% off). Hurry, for a limited time only! Raised over $150,000.

How often do you find yourself jostling for position in the city traffic or tight parking spots? No more though, with this cheeky folding electric moped that’s perfectly tailored for urban commutes.

Urban spaces are getting constricted by the day for vehicles and people are gradually shifting to compact bikes or other compactly designed means of transport. Electric vehicles are the obvious choice for the eco-conscious lot and eventually we’ll live in a world that’s going to have 100 percent non-polluting vehicles on the roads. The Tatamel Bike designed by Japanese company ICOMA is good on both fronts with its ultra-foldable design and electric motor drivetrain which promises irresistible likeability for the urban commuters.

The one-of-a-kind bike is very compact and can be further squeezed by folding into a form factor no bigger than the CPU cabinet under a desk. In the riding position (when fully unfolded) it measures 1230mm long, 1000mm tall, and 650mm wide while in the folded configuration it is just 700mm long, 680mm tall and 260mm wide. Now that’s quite compact for a personal commuter. While the makers tout it as a bike, I would like to refer it more towards the “moped” terminology, since it is small and looks like one.

Tatamel moped runs on the power of lithium iron phosphate battery and on a single charge can go a distance of 50 km. The top speed it can hit is 40km/h which is apt for city commutes. On top of that, it can act as a portable power supply, if the need arises, which is useful in today’s gadget-dominated world. According to ICOMA the moped’s side panels can be customized for stylish looks by swapping the material or toggling the colors. Next-gen riders can also go for illustrations like a picture of a loved one or signage to reflect their own personality with the moped.

The two-wheeler is currently under development for mass production and will soon be seen on the Japanese roads. Will it be available in other parts of the world is still not clear. Personally, I’m hoping it is available in other parts of the world too – we all actually need a personal commuter like this one!

Designer: ICOMA