Victorinox has been developing the most useful and dynamic multitool there is for decades without fail. To retain its image at the pinnacle as the best EDC manufacturer, the Switzerland-based brand has collaborated with a range of inventive fashion giants including adidas. For instance, the duo joined forces for the adidas x Victorinox EQT 93 sneaker, a limited-edition silhouette loaded with a capable Swiss Army Knife for the more modern users.
For its recent limited edition collaborative attempt, Victorinox has partnered with Virgil Abloh’s Off-White brand. Under development for over two years, this Swiss Knife is probably one of the last designs to undergo the creative direction of the late design icon, who we lost in November last year.
The Abloh touch is evident in the collaborative Swiss Knife which is delivered in white with black graphics. This utility equipment, with fashion aesthetics, is officially called the Off-White c/o Victorinox limited edition Swiss Army Knife. The multitool is strictly limited to only 3,000 examples available worldwide which makes complete sense, coming from the legendary icon’s magic mind.
The EDC features 11 different tools within its sleek body measuring 0.7- x 3.6- x 1.6 inches. Weighing at just 2.9 oz, each pocket knife is engraved with a unique serial number to maintain exclusivity. Victorinox has for the first time delivered its premier multitool in Corian material, and the blades within are designed to represent stones (from Adam and Eve era) that have evolved into tools with round protruding edges.
The Off-White c/o Victorinox limited edition Swiss Army Knife is retailing for $500 and is available through Victorinox and Off-White stores. So, if you want to grab one, now is the time to do it before the limited edition piece is completely sold out.
New York City-based Diller Scofidio + Renfro has completed the Prior Performing Arts Center for the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts, which features an undulating facade of precast concrete and weathering steel panels.
Diller Scofidio + Renfro designed the campus building as a cultural centre and the focal point for student life for the College of the Holy Cross, which is one of the US’ oldest Catholic universities.
The Prior Performing Arts Center is located on the campus’ highest point
Named the Prior Performing Arts Center, the building at the College of the Holy Cross was completed earlier this year and opened to the student community in September.
The 8,000 square-foot (7,800 square metres) facility contains a student centre, classrooms, and cultural facilities, including two theatres and an art gallery.
It was designed as a cultural centre. Photo is by Brett Bayer
“DS+R has designed the performing arts center to be an incubator for multidisciplinary learning and creativity, offering a space for the arts that would be accessible to all members of the community at Holy Cross, in Worcester, and beyond,” said Diller Scofidio + Renfro.
“A physical manifestation of Holy Cross’ commitment to the arts and an integral part of the college’s academic experience, the performing arts center will support creative collaboration among faculty and students across all academic disciplines.”
An art gallery is included in the building. Photo is by Brett Bayer
The building is located at the highest point in campus, making it immediately visible from the entrance to the grounds.
It’s made up of four pavilions: a multi-purpose theatre, a smaller theatre, arts and media studios, and spaces for practice and production.
“The new Prior Performing Arts Center is an uncommon commons,” said Diller Scofidio + Renfro partner Charles Renfro. “The building is uniquely perched on a hill overlooking the campus and Worcester, yet straddles the intersection of multiple cross-campus paths.”
Classrooms are included in the facility
The building’s four wings are laid out like a cross, each of them opening into a central space that acts as a student commons that the team has nicknamed The Beehive.
This atrium-like space contains a cafe but was also designed to accommodate larger events and informal gatherings.
A central, atrium-like space is nicknamed “The Beehive”
“At the center, the Beehive acts as a visible connective tissue between these pavilions, the public program, and student productions, allowing back-of-house functions to activate the building at all times,” said the studio.
Elevated walkways and dramatic wooden staircases surround the space, giving passersby the opportunity to observe the commons from several vantage points.
Two theatres feature in the building
The two theatres include a 400-seat auditorium, which will be the university’s main concert venue, and a smaller stage with 200 seats for experimental performances.
“Support space including the Foley Scene Shop, Costume Design Studio, recording studio, lighting and set design study, and multi-use spaces to encourage collaboration among the arts and between the arts and other disciplines,” explained Diller Scofidio + Renfro.
One is smaller than the other
The building’s facade is comprised of precast concrete panels with weathering steel accents. These two contrasting materials curve and straddle each other, forming openings to let in light and create circulation paths.
“The paired walls twist, rise, and interlock, the wall of one pavilion becoming the roof of its neighbor, forming a chain around the center and creating arched entries directly into the heart of the building,” explained Diller Scofidio + Renfro.
“The opposing precast concrete and weathering steel walls reinterpret the brick and limestone of the historic campus. Taking advantage of the site’s natural beauty, the Center’s design creates a meaningful counterpoint to the surrounding campus architecture, both fitting in and standing out on the highest point on campus,” continued the studio.
“The building’s dual identity is also expressed in its materials, which are tough and industrial without sacrificing warmth and comfort,” Renfro added.
Precast concrete and weathering steel clad the facades
Autochrome photography was the first commercially available form of color photography, pioneered by Auguste and Louis Lumière in the early 1900s. Historic and precious, many of these images are rarely seen today as exposure to light will cause them to fade. The book Colour Mania: Photographing the World in Autochrome, by curator Catlin Langford, offers unprecedented access to these images, presenting the digitized photographs from the Victoria and Albert Museum’s expansive collection while exploring the impact of photographic technology.
Danish studio BIG has released photographs of its Telus Sky Tower, which was completed in 2020. The tower features a pixelated facade that twists diagonally from its base.
The studio said the 60-storey tower has a “feminine silhouette” because as it rises, the floorplates become smaller and are stepped back from the footprint of the base, creating “protrusions and recesses.”
The curving shape of the building, which houses office spaces and residential units, aims to diversify a skyline that mainly features corporate office towers.
Some readers disputed the studio’s claims that the tower resembles a female physique, with one saying “curves don’t make a female”, whereas others described it variously as “elegant” and “awkward”.
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Everyone knows we need water to survive. Some are even aware that we need a certain amount of water each day to stay healthy. Few, however, boast that they are able to meet the minimum amount that their bodies need, often drinking only during meals or when they’re already feeling thirsty due to dehydration. Most of the time, it’s mostly due to being too busy to even remember to drink, and not many people make an effort to set regular reminders to do so every day. Of course, we now have technologies that can make that a thing of the past, like this smart bottle that reminds you to drink up while looking stylish on your desk.
It’s still an extremely small and niche market, but there are already a number of water bottles that are adding a few tricks to get people to drink more and stay healthy. Almost all of these come in a typical water bottle shape, that is, a large cylinder with a small mouthpiece. Some add colors and patterns to add a bit of variety and life, but that’s not the only design possible for this kind of container.
WATR takes its form after a hip flask, one that’s completely flat rather than curved. It’s a shape that most will probably associate more closely with alcoholic drinks, but there are water bottles that do have this kind of design. While some might argue that it is less efficient in terms of the volume it can hold, it’s hard to argue that its unconventional shape makes it eye-catching, especially when done in a very distinctive style such as this.
The smart water bottle’s absence of curves, save for the bottle cap, gives it an industrial aesthetic, while the thin bar of light at the top makes it feel almost futuristic. That light bar indicates the amount of water you have consumed, which can be set through a mobile app, as well as the bottle’s battery level. All the action, however, happens on that mobile app, particularly when it comes to reminding you to take a gulp.
The WATR design also takes a few steps toward sustainability, particularly in how easy it would be to replace parts as well as the use of recycled aluminum for the main body. All the electronics are crammed into a module that can be swapped easily with a replacement. Whether that’s the best place for such electronics, however, will probably depend on how waterproof it will be. There’s still some room left for improvement, particularly with the smartness of the water bottle. It can, perhaps, be made to detect how much water is actually left inside to warn the owner that it’s time to fill it up again. Nonetheless, it’s a refreshing take on the standard smart water bottle design, one that could stand proudly on your desk even when you’re not actually using it.
Local studio Geddes Ulinskas Architects has completed an expansive home in Cow Hollow, San Francisco with indoor-outdoor spaces, a cast glass staircase and stone detailing.
The Bay Area studio designed the 12,000-square foot (1,114-square metre) home on a vacant 0.26 acre (1,073 square metre) lot that looks out to the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Cow Hollow home is defined by indoor-outdoor spaces
“We were deeply inspired by the natural environment for the design of this home and sought to bring the outdoors in as much as possible,” principal and founder Geddes Ulinskas told Dezeen.
Completed in 2021 for developer Troon Pacific, the three-storey, six-bedroom home is comprised of stacked envelopes that allow for continuous glazing.
Geddes Ulinskas Architects added wood-wrapped roof eaves to the structure
“The structure is pulled back from the exterior walls,” the studio said. “Columns are set in with glass to create a floating effect of the roof and allow for a linear ribbon of bronze windows throughout the home.”
Warm wood-wrapped roof eaves hang over the smooth plaster exterior walls that contrast the rough split-faced limestone entry, while a wooden 20-feet-tall (6 metres) monumental door leads inside from a landscaped entry.
A seating area opens up to the garden
“Before the entrance, a seating area and adjacent dining room open up to the garden through floor-to-ceiling, full-width pocketed sliding glass doors,” the studio continued. “The doors cast a minimal footprint to create the most transparent relationship between interior and exterior living.”
On the interior, natural materials such as wood and hand-textured stone pair with custom paneling and blackened steel finishes.
Sliding glass doors continue throughout the home
“We utilized nature-inspired colors such as charcoal and dark green with fixtures inspired by water ripples, lightning, and other fractal forms,” Ulinskas said.
Sliding glass doors continue throughout the home opening living spaces to sweeping San Francisco views, while subtle details – like fabric stretched over the ceiling to conceal technical equipment – create clean lines and uninterrupted surfaces.
A cast glass staircase features inside
The double-height foyer features a steel and glass staircase that “reads more like a two-storey piece of art than the product of construction,” the studio said.
Oakland-based artist John Lewis crafted the sculptural stairwell by pouring molten glass into a four-inch thick form and cooling the solid glass treads for three months. The staircase is suspended between a reflecting pool and an operable skylight.
The home also features a private movie theatre, wine room, gym, 72-foot lap pool, built-in stainless steel spa and a wellness spa with a glass-enclosed sauna and steam shower.
Atop the home sits a large rooftop deck with panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay and a stone-crafted fire table.
A large rooftop deck features views of the San Francisco Bay
Other homes in San Francisco include John Maniscalco’s angular four-storey home and a four-storey townhome by Feldman Architecture topped with a rooftop garden.
Swirling with color and character, these mini cat figures from ceramicist Eleni Kontos double as ring holders. The series features different cats, each in various poses from kitties stretching and sitting to rolling around. They are sold separately but specific cats can be ordered upon request.
The three studios – YVY, Paula Cermeño León and Mikafi – represent innovative design practices emerging from Switzerland.
Recognised at the international event for their pioneering attitude to the design, the three brands aim to have sustainability and circular economic values at the forefront of their creative processes.
The designers exhibiting their brands in San Francisco (above) and work by Paula Cermeño León (top). Photo by Myleen Hollero for Swissnex in San Francisco
YVY is a fashion label founded by designer Yvonne Reichmuth in 2015, which designs and manufactures leather goods in Zurich.
The brand produces ready-to-wear accessories such as wallets, belts, jewellery and hats in addition to bespoke harnesses and clothing, which are predominantly made from leather.
YVY designs and manufactures leather goods
The brand has clothed notable celebrities such as Kristen Stewart, Billie Eilish, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Troye Sivan, Taylor Swift and Camila Cabello among others.
YVY does not release seasonal collections, instead it creates carry-over pieces that aim to reduce material waste and allow designs to be continuously refined.
Mikafi designs pioneering the coffee roasting process
The leather is sourced from byproducts of the food industry, with the brand also offering non-animal alternatives on a case-by-case basis to cater to all client requirements.
The leather follows traditional processing techniques and uses vegetable tanning methods to make the material safe for both those handling it during the manufacturing process and for the planet.
The brand uses traditional leather treatment methods
Mikafi designs fully automated coffee roasting systems that are made up of both hardware and software that work in tandem to reduce the impact of coffee making on the environment.
The brand’s tabletop mini roasting appliance called MCR 1 allows coffee beans to be roasted on demand, which reduces overproduction and waste, and being electrically powered makes the machine more environmentally viable than traditional gas-powered roasters.
Mikafi is pioneering the coffee roasting process
MCR 1 is still in its testing phase, and has been designed for use in commercial hospitality settings such as bakeries, cafes and restaurants.
It is made up of a chamber containing coffee beans on the top, with a large circular window below that shows the roasting process happening inside.
MCR 1 is still in its testing phase, and has been designed for use in commercial hospitality settings such as bakeries, cafes and restaurants.
It is made up of a chamber containing coffee beans on the top, with a large circular window below that shows the roasting process happening inside.
Mikafi’s digital platform manages the process of the coffee beans from farm to cup, and aims to open up channels of communication between farmers, hospitality venues and consumers.
“The concept is thought to foster a fairer and more direct trade between the coffee farmer and the consumer, and most of all to strengthen the taste experience of the latter,” said Mikafi.
MCR 1 has a large window so users can observe the roasting process happening
Paula Cermeño León is a designer who specialises in creating sustainable packaging as well as personal care products informed by the importance of circularity and the benefits of working with plants.
She combines her design skills, which she developed during her studies at ECAL in Switzerland, with expertise from professionals who work closely with plants, including botanists, biologists, artists and engineers.
Paula Cermeño León used natural waste material for packaging incense
Among León’s designs is a proposed alternative to conventional packaging for Peruvian brand Misha Rastrera, which makes Palo Santo incense.
As opposed to using conventional plastic film packaging, León chose to use surplus corn husks produced during farming to make packaging that is sustainable and compostable.
The face mask must be wetted before use
Other eco-based products by León include self-care items, such as the face mask set from her Herbier Project, which is made from plant fibres that can be distributed dry and rehydrated when ready to use.
Her Refined Remedies collection of medicinal products for minor wounds and menstrual pain are also infused with plant extracts and present a contemporary take on herbal remedies.
Remedies are used for minor ailments
The Swiss Design Accelerator program is the result of collaboration between Swiss Art Council, Pro Helvetia, under the label Design Switzerland, and Swissnex in San Francisco, an initiative by Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, connecting “Switzerland, North America and the world in science, education, innovation and the arts”.
The program aims to build connections and international visibility for emerging Swiss designers and brands in the design industries.
The program ran from 7 November to 13 November 2022 and was held at Swissnex’s space at Pier 17 in San Francisco.
Partnership content
This article was written by Dezeen for Swissnex as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.
I desperately want to touch this simple, clean pen design by Derel Shell, a final-year ID student at Purdue University.
I love the facet, the O/I slider, the indication of ink color and the size indicator.
While it doesn’t have a clip, if this pen were real and I owned one, I wouldn’t carry it around; this would be my desk pen and would either live in the central drawer or in the can in front of me.
The pen would be made, Shell says, from recycled aluminum.
The Geo collection of porcelain tiles aims to recall the look of a raw earth floor while bringing a silky and tactile feel underfoot.
The Geo collection emulates the look of raw earth
Ceramiche Keope says the design “goes back to the roots of ceramics” and creates cosy and elegant indoor spaces.
The Geo collection is available in six nature-inspired medium-light colours, including a soft white based on Mediterranean salt marshes and a Walnut shade that Ceramiche Keope describes as autumnal and slightly pink.
The Walnut colour has a pinkish tone
Suitable for both private and commercial spaces, Geo comes in variations for both indoors and outdoors in a range of sizes going up to 120 by 120 centimetres.
The collection also includes two decoration tiles with 3D reliefs — Shape and Wire — as well as a mosaic tile.
Dezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen’s huge global audience. For more details email showroom@dezeen.com.
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