Hasta La Ideas

In the past, the biggest source of clutter on people’s desks was paper that’s strewn around or stationery that hadn’t been returned to its proper storage. While those can still cause a mess on any surface, they’re relatively easier to tidy up by putting them back where they belong. As computers become more common in offices and homes, the cables that come to and from these machines have become even more problematic in maintaining a clean and neat worktable. It’s not as easy to get rid of these without losing functionality unless you go completely wireless, which carries its own set of drawbacks. Cable management solutions try to hide these essential eyesores from sight, but this docking station gives it a bit of a twist to make sure it doesn’t sacrifice accessibility in the process.

Designer: Humanscale Design Studio

Most cable management solutions don’t simply organize computer and accessories cables to prevent them from going in different directions. Plenty of them, including those built into desks, also hide them from sight to keep them out of mind. There are USB docks and hubs that go under desks for that same purpose, but it comes at the cost of making it harder to actually plug and unplug peripherals quickly. Having the hub on the table, however, keeps things in the same place but isn’t as presentable as craftily hidden cables.

Humanscale’s M/Connect 2 works on the principle that not all of these cables and USB devices aren’t created equal. Some are rarely removed once they’re plugged in, like power cords, monitor cables, and even wired keyboards. Others, like dongles and external drives, do get inserted and removed multiple times, sometimes in a single day. This USB docking station’s solution is to actually split the ports between these two kinds of cables and hide those that don’t change often.

M/Connect 2 is designed like a clamp that attaches to an edge of a desk, preferably on the back, with ports above and below the table. The ports that are on the half underneath the desk are for cables and wires that can be conveniently hidden from view. The top half is practically a USB and Thunderbolt hub that provides the necessary ports for more transient devices and peripherals. This part is also modular so that the hub can be removed for repairs without having to disassemble the entire contraption.

Another thing that makes the M/Connect 2 different from other docking stations is that it can be used in conjunction with a monitor arm to further reduce the amount of desk space that your computer accessories occupy. It can be used without such a monitor, too, making it a very versatile piece of equipment. Of course, it also looks quite elegant on top of any desk, which helps add to the ambiance that this innovative cable management system provides.

The post This USB docking station has a novel way to keep your desk cable-free first appeared on Yanko Design.

Promotion: interiors brand Madera has launched a system called Seamless Wood Design that aims to ensure wooden products in a building work “harmoniously as one”.

The brand is known for creating wood flooring, which is designed to showcase the beauty and durability of wood, in addition to a number of interior features, such as stairs, doors and cabinets fronts.

Seamless Wood Design aims to ensure that wooden features in an interior complement each other.

This includes guaranteeing the stairs, architectural panels, grilles, vents, interior doors, cabinet fronts and millwork all match “seamlessly” with each other and the flooring, depending on the customer’s wishes.

“We believe wood flooring looks best when speaking to other wood elements in the space,” said Madera founding partner, Daniel Clason-Höök. “We’ve developed a system of high-quality engineered products that can be customized to fit almost any application.”

“Our products combine the beauty and durability of solid wood with the increased stability and economy of an engineered platform,” he continued.

Seamless Wood Design also aims to break down the process of producing engineered wood products “maximising quality, sustainability and innovation at every step”.

As a result, it offers designers and homeowners a flexible and customisable system that maintains the character of wood throughout an interior.

Madera says it has spent a decade researching the highest quality wood, and its in-house design team works closely with foresters, sawmills and fabricators to create custom flooring, integrated millwork and bespoke furniture that “values the honest design of natural materials in the name of functional simplicity”.

Madera floors are made from a range of wood species, including oak, walnut, pine and ash, which make up its five collections – the Stockholm Collection, Atelier collection, Volant Collection, Terra Collection and Antique Heart Collection.

The brand says it is committed to sustainably sourcing timber throughout the world.

“At the core of every floor is our commitment to utilizing only the highest quality lumber, sourced from sustainably managed forests, and exceptional craftsmanship from skilled and respected artisans from around the world,” said Clason-Höök.

To learn more about Madera, visit its website.

Partnership content

This article was written by Dezeen for Madera as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

The post Madera’s Seamless Wood Design aims to ensure all wooden features in interiors work “as one” appeared first on Dezeen.

An adaptable timber-framed home in Japan and a refurbished thatched-roof cottage in Germany feature in this roundup spotlighting Dezeen’s top five houses of October.

The roundup is the first in our new Houses of the month series, which will select five of the most popular residences featured on Dezeen every month, from all around the world.

Similarly to our lookbooks, which provide inspiration for interiors, it will highlight current trends in residential architecture, helping designers and homeowners plan their own projects.

Alongside the Japanese home and German cottage, this month’s top five include a 1950s renovation, a minimalist brick dwelling and an extended London townhouse.

Read on to find out more about October’s most popular homes:

House in Akishima, Japan, by Office M-SA

The most-viewed house featured on Dezeen this month is located in Akishima, Tokyo.

Designed by the Japanese studio Office M-SA, the inconspicuous dwelling has a timber-framed shell that can be adapted or extended to meet the owner’s future needs.

This flexible framework is juxtaposed by sculptural concrete forms placed inside, which are intended to serve as permanent furnishings and anchor points for the dwelling as it changes.

Find out more about this house in Akishima ›

Nieby Crofters Cottage, Germany, by Jan Henrik Jansen and Marshall Blecher

The sensitive refurbishment of a 120-year-old thatched cottage in north Germany was another project enjoyed by Dezeen readers this month.

Led by architects Jan Henrik Jansen and Marshall Blecher, the overhaul involved taking apart and rebuilding the cottage’s old brickwork walls, while replacing an adjoining pigsty with a contemporary glazed extension that slots beneath its straw roof.

The project is shortlisted for the Dezeen Awards 2022 in the residential rebirth category.

Find out more about Nieby Crofters Cottage ›

Quarry House, USA, by AB Design Studio

Another renovation project on this month’s list is AB Design Studio’s transformation of the dilapidated 1950s Quarry House in California, carried out in collaboration with the interior design studio House of Honey.

The boulder-studded home, now remodelled and enlarged, is clad in a mix of redwood and dark metal to match a recently constructed guesthouse on-site called the Living Room Pavilion.

Find out more about Quarry House ›

Sky Lantern House, UK, by Proctor & Shaw

A trio of stepped, glazed volumes were added to the rear elevation of Sky Lantern House in London as part of a wider renovation by local studio Proctor & Shaw.

The Victorian dwelling was transformed to bring light deep into its plan while preserving the character of its original architecture. The glass-walled extension is complemented by a chalky, cool-toned interior dominated by pale wood and micro-cement surfaces.

Find out more about Sky Lantern House ›

Brick House, Spain, by Sanchis Olivares

Spanish studio Sanchis Olivares proved minimalist architecture remains relevant with its design for the pared-back Brick House in Valencia.

Sheltered by trees around its edges, the dwelling is defined by a series of white-brick walls that conceal the living areas, courtyards and a paellera – an outdoor cooking space that is covered by a pine pergola.

Find out more about Brick House ›

The post Dezeen’s top five houses of October 2022 appeared first on Dezeen.

Display fixtures made from jerry cans and blocks of polystyrene salvaged from the ocean feature in this concept store for a outdoor brand on Jeju island by Schemata Architects.

Created for Kolon Sport, an outdoor brand with sustainability at its core, the concept store is located in a commercial building on the island of Jeju. Jeju is South Korea’s largest island and is renowned for its beach resorts and volcanic landscape.

Kolon Sport is known for upcycling clothing from its own inventory that would otherwise be thrown away.

Schemata Architects wanted the interior of its Jeju concept store to align with the brand’s upcycling ethos and looked at ways in which it could incorporate recycled elements.

“We focused on the fact that 20,000 tons of marine debris is incinerated annually on the island of Jeju without any way to reuse it, leading to the destruction of the rich natural environment, and conducted an experiment to produce clothing brand fixtures out of marine debris,” said the studio.

Stacked into puzzle-like arrangements, the discarded marine debris includes jerry cans and blocks of white polystyrene. Debris was also used to make hangers, shelves, and tables for the store.

For the interior itself, the architects wanted to make minimal interventions. The store’s walls are a patchwork of peeling paint, exposed concrete, bricks and breeze blocks, while lighting is provided by simple strips of tube lights.

On the outside of the building, signage was limited to a simple logo and the uniform white storefront blends into the neighbouring buildings.

“This is an approach to urban development that we call ‘invisible development’,” said the architects. “At first glance, nothing seems to have changed from the outside, but once you get closer and enter the building, you can see how interesting it is. And it makes you wonder if there will be similar changes in the other building beyond.”

The Kolon Sport space is a continuation of the studio’s wider Arario Project – a community development project on Jeju that has seen the architects renovate several buildings – including a multipurpose store, restaurant, gallery and hotel – as part of the rejuvenation of the island’s Tap-dong district.

“The Kolon Sport project was not limited to the renovation of a single commercial space as an upcycled brand, but aimed to break down the space’s own territory and spread the value of that brand in stages in the town,” explained the architects.

“The project was planned to protect the nature of Jeju island, to implement initiatives to expand environmental sustainability, and to become a hub of sustainability for the town.”

This project has been shortlisted in the large retail interior category of Dezeen Awards 2022 alongisde a second hand book and clothing store in Shanghai that features display fixtures inspired by grocery stores and a reconfigurable sales showroom in Japan.

Photography is by Ju Yeon Lee.

The post Schemata Architects creates sports store with fixtures made from discarded marine debris appeared first on Dezeen.

Dezeen Showroom: a wooden chair that takes cues from seating designed in 18th-century England is among 14 new products featured on Dezeen Showroom.

Miss Holly Chair by Jonas Lindvall for Stolab

Created by Swedish designer Jonas Lindvall for furniture brand Stolab, the Miss Holly Chair is a modern interpretation of the classic 18th-century Windsor chair.

It has a timeless silhouette made from a choice of oak or ash wood and can be finished in a range of colours.

The Miss Holly Chair was recently featured on Dezeen Showroom alongside a small yet versatile lamp and a task chair made from recycled fishing nets.

Read on to see more of the latest products:

Nod lamp designed by Tiptoe

French design brand Tiptoe has created its first lamp, which features a dimmable bulb encased in a tiltable head.

Available as a table lamp or with a clamp base, Nod can be used for task and mood lighting and comes in a selection of the Tiptoe’s signature colourways.

Find out more about Nod lamp ›

Liberty Ocean chair by Humanscale

Liberty Ocean is a task chair partly made from discarded fishing nets, designed by office furniture brand Humanscale.

According to the brand, Liberty Ocean is the first chair of its kind to be made from the material and is available in a selection of finishes.

Find out more about Liberty Ocean ›

Mino Sofa Series by De Vorm

Furniture maker De Vorm has created the “elegant yet functional” Mino Sofa Series, which is characterised by minimal silhouettes and clean lines.

The sofa‘s pared-back appearance is designed to make it a versatile choice for office spaces, public areas, restaurants and hotels.

Find out more about Mino Sofa Series ›

Kameleon Office Booth by Askia Furniture

Romanian brand Askia designed the Kameleon Office Booth with the aim of creating an acoustic pod that blends seamlessly into different workspaces.

The booth can be customised and reconfigured without the need for tools by swapping the panels that line its interior and exterior.

Find out more about Kameleon Office Booth ›

Spectrum Workstation Round ST160 by Geckeler Michels for Karimoku

German design studio Geckeler Michels collaborated with Japanese brand Karimoku to create the Spectrum Workstation Round ST160 table, which intends to combine beauty with efficiency.

Suitable for use in both office and home environments, the table features a round cable tunnel in its centre that provides an accessible charging point for electronic devices.

Find out more about Spectrum Workstation Round ST160 ›

Aline pendant light by Afteroom for Pholc

Swedish brand Pholc collaborated with Stockholm-based design studio Afteroom to create a conical pendant light that has a sleek, functional appearance.

Named Aline, the translucent lampshade has a matte surface that is designed to cast light evenly.

Find out more about Aline ›

Path by Todd Bracher Studio for Humanscale

Design firm Todd Bracher Studio created the Path task chair for office furniture manufacturer Humanscale to promote comfort in both office and home working environments.

The chair can be upholstered in a range of fabrics and is made from recycled materials, including approximately 68 PET bottles.

Find out more about Path ›

Abstract Nature lighting by Yellow Goat Design

American company Yellow Goat Design has released a range of sculptural light fixtures that take cues from forms found in the natural world.

The Abstract Nature collection aims to celebrate the unusual beauty of nature, referencing mushrooms and streams of water in the form of pendant lamps and chandeliers.

Find out more about Abstract Nature ›

S 220 chair by Industrial Facility for Thonet

London-based studio Industrial Facility has created the S 220 chair as a reinterpretation of the 214 bentwood chair, which was originally designed by furniture manufacturer Thonet in 1859.

The S 220 chair utilises modern material technology for optimum ergonomic support and has a curved edge at the front of the seat that limits pressure points against the body.

Find out more about S 220 ›

Porto bathroom fittings collection by Lusso Stone

Operated by simple dials and single-lever mixer taps, the bathroom fittings in Lusso Stone‘s Porto collection are designed to minimise wasted hot water.

The fittings are finished in brushed gold and inlaid with pieces of stone to match the brand’s bathtubs and washbasins.

Find out more about Porto ›

M/Connect 2 USB docking station by Humanscale

Humanscale aimed to make workstations more effective with its M/Connect 2 USB docking station, which features different ports to charge multiple devices at once.

The docking station features the brand’s “split dock” technology, designed to separate regularly used ports from those used less often to minimise clutter.

Find out more about M/Connect 2 ›

Zuzulu space layout system by Alki

Industrial design studio Iratzoki Lizaso and Basque furniture brand Alki have created a multi-purpose layout system for open-plan workplaces.

Zuzulu contains individual workstations, meeting areas and breakout segments, which are zoned using low partitions with rounded corners to maintain sightlines between users.

Find out more about Zuzulu ›

Nova desk lamp by Humanscale

Office furniture brand Humanscale designed the Nova desk lamp with multiple joints to make its body and head easily adjustable.

The lamp was designed for use in both residential and workplace settings and is available with a base that doubles as a wireless charging port.

Find out more about Nova ›

Dezeen Showroom

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