Inspired by Californian Sequoias, Indian architect and designer Manas Bhatia utilized the artificial intelligence tool Midjourney to develop Symbiotic Architecture, a project that imagines a towering apartment complex growing within a series of redwood trees. Bhatia fed Midjourney a series of text-based prompts which included words like “hollowed,” “trees” and “stairs.” After initial imagery was generated, Bhatia iterated to hone the final results. The enchanting concept references our relationship to nature and ultimately presents a surreal utopian future devoid of steel. Read more about these living apartments and the thought process behind them at designboom.
I may not have pets or rather, I’m not really fond of pets. But I have enough friends around me who have dogs that I know some of the problems that the owners face when it comes to feeding their fur babies. One thing that I hear is that their dogs can sometimes get too hungry or greedy (or both) and gobble down their food from their dog bowl like there’s no tomorrow. Unfortunately, they can sometimes create a mess around them or worse, choke on their food.
Designer: Passakorn Kulkliang
One solution to this is to create a feed bowl that has some “barriers” that will force them to slow down while partaking their meal. The “Hank” feed bowl is one such product concept that is designed in a maze pattern to prevent them from gobbling all of the food up in one go without lifting their head, which can sometimes lead to choking and clogging of their digestive tract. The narrow and small holes that make it a maze can also separate the different kinds of food, if that’s something you or your dog like.
The bowl itself is made from silicone and can be easily removed for cleaning, which you should do often of course. It’s placed inside a container that has a cover to keep dirt and other unhygienic things away from their food. The designer also says that the “working principle of the cover will automatically turn on” when it detects that your dog is nearby. I’m assuming this means that the cover will be automatically lifted when it knows your dog is going to start eating.
Hank also comes with a silicone strap so you can bring it with you when you’re going out to walk the dog and you expect that your baby will get hungry. Don’t worry, you won’t force the dog to carry it with him. The strap is actually for you and your finger. The bowl itself comes in various bright colors while the case, cover, and strap are just white and gray. It’s cute and actually looks like a toy so your dog can be forgiven if it starts playing with it after they finish eating.
Shoveling, mucking, lifting, hauling, post-hole digging, et cetera: If you move to the countryside and have land to maintain, you’ll never need a gym membership. I love it out here, and the outdoor exercise that comes with it. But as I go deeper into my 50s and my body starts to break down, I often wonder what machine could be doing this instead.
With great envy I’ve been looking at photos and videos of those with Kanga Compact Loaders.
These seemingly tiny Australian-made machines come in wheeled or tracked variants and can be fitted with all sorts of fun attachments: Self-leveling buckets, trenchers, post-hole augurs, stump grinders, forks, tillers, cement mixers, rotary brooms and more.
The stand-on, gas- or diesel-powered machines come in four different sizes, allowing you to choose one appropriate for squeezing through the narrowest gates or pinch points on your property.
Here’s an example of the attachments you can use with their smallest unit, the diminutive-but-mighty 2-Series Kanga Kid:
Out of curiosity I tried to find out how much these cost, but prices are not listed. And in their Frequently Asked Questions area on the Finance section of their website is this worrying line: “I need to run it by my spouse.”
New York is not a wheelchair-friendly city, and I found them a rare sight when I lived there. But out here in the country, mobility scooters are so common that I see them being used every time I go to the supermarket.
One thing I’ve never seen is a wheelchair or mobility scooter with integrated rain protection. British industrial design consultancy Nyker Design has tackled this, at least for mobility scooters, with their Scooterpac folding canopy:
“We aimed to offer a bolt-on solution which can be deployed when needed. This was achieved through a novel multi-stage folding mechanism that can be fixed to any mobility scooter.”
NASA has debunked the misconception that space is silent by releasing a “remix” of sound from a black hole in the Perseus galaxy cluster, captured by the Chandra X-ray Observatory—and it’s haunting. In a tweet NASA says, “Most space is a vacuum, providing no way for sound waves to travel. A galaxy cluster has so much gas that we’ve picked up actual sound… In this sonification of Perseus, the sound waves astronomers previously identified were extracted and made audible for the first time. The sound waves were extracted outward from the center.” These sounds were captured years ago, but only now has NASA resynthesized them into a range that humans can hear “by scaling them upward by 57 and 58 octaves above their true pitch” so they are now “144 quadrillion and 288 quadrillion times higher than their original frequency.” Pitch-perfect horror from the heavens. Find out more on NASA’s YouTube channel.
I have a Leica Geosystems laser kit that came in a Pelican case. The case is fantastic, but I sometimes wish the lid was transparent, so I could see if everything’s in there at a glance.
Out of curiosity, I checked Pelican’s site to see if they make transparent lids. As far as I can tell they don’t for their small/medium/large cases, but they do offer transparent lids for their Micro line.
The watertight cases have stainless steel hardware and feature an automatic pressure equalization valve.
How you set up your work environment goes a long way in determining your long-term productivity, and the good old work desk is the best place to get started with. Without a doubt, we were taken aback by the prospect of the Razer Sophia modular desk, wondering what else could tingle our geeky buds. Well, Lumina Desk with an integrated OELD screen on the desk surface definitely makes the cut.
Blending a functional furniture aesthetic with functional technology, this height adjustable desk brings an altogether new way to organize digital spaces for maximum productivity. Designed by a startup company otherwise known for its AI webcam (delivering DSLR level quality), the smart programmable desk is primarily built to bring passive data to the peripheral view in the most non-intrusive way.
There are countless options when we talk of Sit-stand desks with push-button raise/lower action, but Lumina desk is different. The smart furniture piece brings a programmable height adjustment feature to the equation, and it’s going to be highly useful. The in-built Windows and Mac compatible software allows the user to set the start and end times for raising or lowering the height ranging from 30-47-inches.
Now that’s not the sole highlighting feature of this cool desk. The built-in 24-inch screen etched into the 5 feet-long and 2.5 feet deep surface is what got us interested. The scratch-resistant and fingerprint-resistant OLED display is centered in a way to make space for placing the primary monitor along with the secondary screen and keyboard and mouse.
This screen real estate can be used to display apps including Google Calendar, Slack, Spotify, Twitter etc. So, you could also do away with a secondary screen if it’s used just to display apps for quick glance. Although it should be kept in mind, the Lumina Desk, for now, doesn’t have drag and drop function, or mirroring of the primary screen. Also, the 1,200 nits bright and 60Hz refresh rate capable screen is not touchscreen to prevent any accidental touches while placing a coffee mug or frantic mouse movements.
Moving on, the smart desk has dual 20×20 Qi wireless charging pads outputting 100W power. There are six concealed AC outlets (with circuit breakers) and six USB-C ports – each one having 30W output. So, plenty of geeky features for interested buyers. Talking of which, we still are in the dark about the pricing of the Lumina Desk, but it is speculated to be priced at around $1,000. Shipping is expected to start by mid-2023, and if you already like the prospect of it, head over to the official website to reserve a unit.
Nestled between the jungle and the lagoon, this property near the Mexico-Belize border provides a lush retreat
Bacalar—located in the southern part of Quintana Roo, not far from Mexico’s border with Belize—was founded between 415 and 435 CE by Mayan people. Its name derives from the Mayan “siyan ka’an bakjalal” meaning “place surrounded by reeds where the sky is born.” The jungle-dense, colorful and enchanting place is home to the glorious La Laguna de Los Siete Colores (Lagoon of Seven Colors) where, at any time of the day, the crystalline water might appear electric blue, turquoise, teal, emerald green or anywhere in between. The freshwater lagoon is bordered by mangroves, reeds and stramolites, and the oasis that is Habitas Bacalar provides a sublime view of it all.
by Katie Olsen
Understandably, tourism threatens the delicate ecosystem within the lagoon, which is populated by 3.5-billion-year-old stromatolites—giant microbialites that are the oldest life on the planet, pre-dating plants and dinosaurs. While there are preservation efforts in place for the lagoon’s famous seven colors, it’s crucial that visitors also do their part. At Habitas Bacalar, it’s simple: don’t touch the stromatolites and don’t wear sunscreen—even so-called “reef-friendly” iterations—in the lagoon. (It should go without saying, but no littering or peeing in the water either.)
Courtesy of Tanveer Badal for Habitas Bacalar
Habitas makes it easy to go without sunscreen, providing plenty of umbrellas on their wooden deck as well as an undercover bar and dining space that looks out onto the sparkling water. There’s a mini pier with a step-ladder into the lagoon and nearby are stand-up paddle-boards and transparent kayaks for guests to use.
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/habitas-bacalar-tanveer-badal-photography-8-scaled.jpg?fit=200%2C300&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/habitas-bacalar-tanveer-badal-photography-8-scaled.jpg?fit=683%2C1024&ssl=1″ loading=”lazy” class=”wp-image-293290″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/habitas-bacalar-tanveer-badal-photography-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1535&ssl=1″ alt=”” width=”1024″ height=”1535″ data-recalc-dims=”1″ />Courtesy of Tanveer Badal for Habitas Bacalar
Some of the 35 guest rooms (each of which has a maximum occupancy of two) look out onto the lagoon, while others are nestled further back in the jungle. Each is a stand-alone, tent-like structure and has an outdoor shower (with all-natural products to protect the jungle and lagoon), cozy robes and a king-sized bed.
When guests arrive through a large but nondescript gate just off the highway, there’s a short drive into the leafy surrounds. At the outdoor reception area (replete with vintage fans and rugs, rattan seats, potted plants and more), guests are checked in and then take part in a traditional Mayan welcome ceremony with palo de tinte and copal resin. This ceremony—centered on creating intentions—sets the tone for the Habitas Bacalar experience.
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/habitas-bacalar-tanveer-badal-photography-rooms-23-1280×854-1.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/habitas-bacalar-tanveer-badal-photography-rooms-23-1280×854-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1″ loading=”lazy” class=”size-large wp-image-293285″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/habitas-bacalar-tanveer-badal-photography-rooms-23-1280×854-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1″ alt=”” width=”1024″ height=”683″ data-recalc-dims=”1″ />Courtesy of Tanveer Badal for Habitas Bacalar
The overall vibe is communal, but there’s no forced fun; guests can take part in various lessons from sunrise stand-up paddle-boarding to guided meditation and yoga classes, or keep to themselves. The open-air yoga shala mimics the rooms’ A-frame shape, as do the spa reception and cabins.
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lagoon-Rooms-habitas-bacalar-tanveer-badal-photography-property-hires-24-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lagoon-Rooms-habitas-bacalar-tanveer-badal-photography-property-hires-24-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1″ loading=”lazy” class=”size-large wp-image-293289″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lagoon-Rooms-habitas-bacalar-tanveer-badal-photography-property-hires-24.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1″ alt=”” width=”1024″ height=”682″ data-recalc-dims=”1″ />Courtesy of Tanveer Badal for Habitas Bacalar
The restaurant Siete (meaning seven, named for the lagoon’s colors) is a double-story open-air space, and all the food and drinks from there are also available on the deck at the Tree Bar. While there’s plenty of focus on plant-based dishes (there are raw bowls and quinoa bowls galore), there are lots of dishes that combine all kinds of cuisine including Mexican, Mayan and beyond. From smoothies and tostada de quelites in the morning to mezcal cocktails and Yucatecan lime cake in the evening, the menu provides everything guests could want. We highly recommend the seared local long beans with ginger, peanut and tahini; the 12-hour cooked Yucatecan pork with pineapple puree, pickled onion and handmade tortillas; and the wood-fired cornbread served with peanut crumble and ice cream.
Courtesy of Tanveer Badal for Habitas Bacalar
Both drinking and dining areas provide a romantic setting for a nighttime meal but on the deck, with candles flickering and copal burning (emitting small plumes of gloriously scented smoke), looking out onto the dark lagoon there’s just a hint of light pollution from Chetumal in the distance, making guests feel even further from reality.
Hero image courtesy of Tanveer Badal for Habitas Bacalar
Artisan brand Colicci commissioned Mizzi Studio to create a family of nine refreshment kiosks, to replace the aging ones, across the Royal Parks in London. The initiative was a part of a major public realm enhancement project. The sustainable and minimal kiosks were handcrafted and placed in Hyde Park, Green Park, and St. James Park. They were designed to respond sympathetically to the Grade I listed landscape.
“Their organic-inspired volumes follow a continuous shape with varying degrees of curvature and differing cladding profiles, each providing contrasting textures. Overall, each design variation is informed by the architectural or organic elements that the kiosk shares its space with.”, said Jonathan Mizzi of Mizzi Studio.
The kiosks are curvaceous structures with a graceful tree-inspired canopy. The canopies swell out like a tree’s crown, making them instantly recognizable, and almost impossible to ignore. The 360-degree entities follow a similar design language, creating a family of harmonious structures that are in sync. Despite the common aesthetics, each kiosk is also unique, individually tailored to each site’s history, demographic, and nuances.
Eight of the kiosks have been crafted from sustainable wood – that is steam-bent English timber and were developed in collaboration with British designer Tom Raffield. But the ninth one, which is the flagship Horseshoe kiosk is clad in tubular brass and mimics the ornate metals of the Queen Victoria Memorial, which is located close by.
Besides wood, the other high-quality materials used in the construction of the kiosks were – oxidized copper, new copper, stainless steel, and brass. The smart use of space, energy efficiency, and excellent waste disposal were some great qualities that were integrated into the kiosks. A rear entrance ensures that the sides of the kiosks can be used for other purposes such as including integrated bins and condiment holders.
“We believe in the power of public space to bring people together and restore them both physically and emotionally. The aftermath of the pandemic became the context for the completion of the Royal Parks fleet, and therefore we saw this as a moment where architecture could help restore mental well-being, bring people together, and offer surveillance and support at a time when the city’s inhabitants felt most vulnerable.”, continued Jonathan Mizzi.
The kiosks were designed to be modular and freestanding structures that could be easily transported from one location to another. They serve as helpful beacons to navigate through the parks and aim to make the park-going experience an even simpler and effortless one. Mizzi Studio’s approach to building the kiosks was holistic and mindful – they did not want to deeply impact or disturb the landscape of the park, but still succeeded in constructing buildings that are functional, sustainable, and organic.
Skateboarding is a culture traditionally rife with homophobia and exclusivity, but artist and activist Jeffrey Cheung and his partner Gabriel Ramirez are working to change that through their radical, queer skate collective UNITY and brand THERE Skateboards. From the store comes “Ice Cream,” a standard 8.25-inch board that fittingly features Cheung’s charming portraits stacked like scoops of ice cream.
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