A modern and sophisticated approach to hanging plants or herbs, the Well Planter is from Toronto-based design studio Object/Interface. A four-inch basin, adjustable stainless steel cable and brass accents make the planter as refined as it is functional.
Berlin studio Mono Architekten has created a service station in Thuringia, Germany, combining facilities for motorists with an exhibition space about a nearby bronze-age burial mound.
Located off the Bundesautobahn 72 motorway to the east of Leipzig, the centre sits alongside a new educational trail that celebrates the Leubinger Fürstenhügel site, which is one of the region’s most important archaeological monuments.
“Part of the holistic concept was not only the careful placement of the structure within the historically significant surroundings but also the integration of an exhibition and educational path,” said Mono Architekten.
“Visitors are encouraged to linger, enjoy the views of the surrounding area or learn more about the history of the region. The educational trail connects architecture and landscape as it leads the way from the building to the burial mound.”
To house its unusual meeting of uses, Mono Architekten designed two elongated, gabled wings for the service station that are informed by another nearby archaeological find – a bronze-age longhouse.
Corrugated aluminium has been used to clad the entire exterior, with the aim of creating a “calm and restrained aesthetic” that carries through to the pared-back, wood-lined interiors.
Perpendicular to the road, the building’s western wing has a gateway-like form and a large column-free span, sheltering the petrol station and containing a shop at one end.
In the eastern wing, bathrooms and utility rooms sit alongside a rest area and cafe. Seating extends onto a mezzanine level as well as a terrace sheltered under the projecting gable roof.
Running down one side of the eastern wing is the long and narrow exhibition space. It contains objects and information about the Leubinger Fürstenhügel burial mound, which is framed through a wall of full-height glazing.
“The building itself was designed as an elongated angle consisting of two wings that smoothly blend into the gently undulating landscape,” explained Mono Architekten.
“A guest area that was modelled according to the form of the longhouse offers a direct visual reference to the mound via generous glass facade at the front of the structure,” it continued.
Along the back of the building, the educational trail leads to the burial mound at one end and a lookout point at the other, highlighting particular details or landscape features along the way.
“Staged as a timeline, the path takes the visitor back in time through historical events, archaeological finds and the construction of the tomb, concluding with the burial mound itself, surrounded by a circular path structure,” said the studio.
MONO Architekten was founded by Daniel Schilp, André Schmidt and Jonas Greubel in 2013.
Previous projects by the practice include an extension to a 1970s school in Germany with a cluster of curving, larch-clad volumes with green roofs.
The photography is by Gregor Schmidt unless stated otherwise.
Project credits:
Architect: MONO Architekten
Design team: Jonas Greubel, Daniel Schilp, André Schmidt, Peter Heckeroth, Sonja Siewert, Eric Zapel, Mariana Varela and Lisa van Heyden
Landscape architecture: Planorama
Exhibition designer: MUS Studio
The post Mono Architekten creates gabled service station next to German heritage site appeared first on Dezeen.
As the days get darker in the northern hemisphere, our latest lookbook spotlights 10 living rooms rendered in a warm yet minimal colour palette, proving that neutrals don’t have to feel clinical.
Mixing tactile natural materials with toasty shades of chocolate brown, creamy beige and blush pink can help to create a sense of homeliness in a room without being overbearing.
From a São Paulo apartment filled with Brazilian modernist design to a converted biscuit factory in Los Angeles, here are 10 American homes that show how it’s done.
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring bathrooms with statement sinks, homes with Eames chairs and contemporary living rooms in Victorian and Georgian houses.
Twentieth, USA, by Woods +Dangaran
This Santa Monica home features two separate living areas – a family room (top image) and a formal living room (above) – which flank a central courtyard housing a decades-old olive tree.
Despite being framed by glazing, the rooms maintain a homely atmosphere with the help of an earthy material palette ranging from the travertine fireplace to a rose-gold cashmere rug and club chairs finished in tactile chocolate-brown corduroy.
Find out more about Twentieth ›
Amity Street Residence, USA, by Selma Akkari and Rawan Muqaddas
Architectural designers Selma Akkari and Rawan Muqaddas used warm oak floors and cream-hued walls, contrasted against dark stone and stained-wood bookshelves, to enliven this “neglected” apartment in a 20th-century building in Brooklyn.
“A dialogue of opposites was the main theme behind the creation; minimal but warm, understated yet rich,” Muqaddas told Dezeen.
Find out more about Amity Street Residence ›
Hygge Studio, Brazil, by Melina Romano
A black fireplace is suspended from the ceiling in this living room to contrast with the otherwise soft colour scheme of the interior, reflected in everything from the cream sofa and woven rug to the cobogó block screen that acts as a room divider.
Walls and floor throughout the São Paulo apartment are covered in terracotta tiles, chosen by local designer Melina Romano to strike a balance between “modern and bucolic”.
Find out more about Hygge Studio ›
East Village Apartment, USA, by GRT Architects
New York-based GRT Architects used warm tones and materials to modernise this renovated East Village apartment – set in a Beaux-Arts building on Second Avenue – while “preserving its turn-of-the-century disposition”.
In the lounge, this was achieved by adding a storage wall backed with sienna-coloured panels and complementing it with a geometric, art deco-style rug rendered in muted shades of sage green and dusty rose.
Find out more about this East Village Apartment ›
Santa Monica Proper, USA, by Kelly Wearstler
Although not technically a living room, the lounge of the Santa Monica Proper hotel features all the trappings of a cosy den – timber bookshelves, creamy-white Soriana lounge chairs and a Coulmier limestone coffee table with three orbs for legs.
Interior designer Kelly Wearstler used natural materials and neutral colours throughout the hotel to reference its seaside setting.
“Organic materials, neutral colour stories, everything has a texture,” Wearstler told Dezeen. “There’s a patina, there’s a hand, there’s something that feels very warm.”
Find out more about Santa Monica Proper ›
West Village apartment, USA, by Olivier Garcé
American interior designer Olivier Garcé found a creative outlet during last year’s coronavirus lockdown by working remotely with friends and colleagues to transform his West Village home into a show space for contemporary art and design.
His lounge now houses a vintage Axel Einar Hjorth rocking chair, paired with a lava-stone coffee table and side chair upholstered in alpaca wool by New York designer Ian Felton, complementing the terracotta-coloured tiling on the building’s original fireplace surround.
Find out more about this West Village apartment ›
20 Bond apartment, USA, by Home Studios
Curves feature liberally throughout this family apartment in New York’s NoHo neighbourhood, from its copper-edged skirting to the rounded oak-and-brass shelving unit in the living room, which was made bespoke by interior practice Home Studios.
The muted tones of the timber are complemented by a set of antique Danish armchairs with woven leather seats and a blush-coloured version of designer Sabine Marcelis‘s Candy Cube side tables.
Find out more about 20 Bond apartment ›
Gale Apartment, Brazil, by Memola Estudio
Furnishings are coloured in grounding, earthy hues inside this lounge flanked by two double-height statement walls – one housing the owners’ art collection and the other clad in a broken-edge stone mosaic.
“Furniture has been reupholstered to match the new colour palette, inspired by the autumn and the sunset colours found in the horizon,” said design practice Memola Estudio, which was responsible for renovating the São Paulo apartment.
Find out more about Gale Apartment ›
Biscuit Loft, USA, by OWIU Studio
Japanese design informed this apartment in a converted 1920s biscuit factory in Downtown Los Angeles, with a guest room modelled on a traditional Ryokan inn that also functions as a space for hosting gatherings and tea ceremonies.
Local practice OWIU Studio added Noguchi pendant lights to bathe the room in a warm glow, while a convertible platform made from pale wood conceals extra storage and functions as a base for a futon when guests are staying over.
Find out more about Biscuit Loft ›
DN Apartment, Brazil, by BC Arquitetos
Walnut wood panelling and soft furnishings upholstered in caramel-coloured leather help to temper the chunky concrete columns of this apartment, housed in a 1970s building in São Paulo‘s traditional Jardins neighbourhood.
Local practice BC Arquitetos describes the home as a “gallery apartment” as it houses an extensive collection of mid-20th century Brazilian art and design, ranging from the net-backed Janguada armchair by Jean Gillon to Jader Almeida’s Verde Corvo sofa, which is finished in a faded olive green.
Find out more about DN Apartment ›
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring bathrooms with statement sinks, homes with Eames chairs and contemporary living rooms in Victorian and Georgian houses.
The post Ten living rooms that use warm neutrals to create a cosy ambience appeared first on Dezeen.
Architects and built environment sustainability experts have expressed frustration at the slow pace of global action to reduce carbon emissions as the COP27 climate-change summit kicks off in Egypt.
British architect and co-initiator of campaign group Architects Declare Michael Pawlyn told Dezeen it was “hard to find causes for optimism”.
“It is very hard to be hopeful,” echoed Kenyan architect Kabage Karanja, pointing to a failure to properly involve young people and a lack of will from richer countries to find the money to deal with the effects of global heating.
“COP26 was bitterly disappointing”
“The outcome from the official negotiations of COP26 was bitterly disappointing,” added Studio Bark. “We should be circumspect about placing much hope in this process.”
The London architecture studio argued the Conference of the Parties (COP) format has been proven ineffective and should be scrapped altogether.
But Arup director for climate and sustainability Michael Kennedy struck a more positive tone.
“My expectations are high,” he said. “In terms of outcome, I want a global approach to climate action and sustainable development that is robust and defensible and that preserves ecological stability.”
Dezeen spoke to 10 architects and engineers as the 27th COP, which is also known as the United Nations Climate Change conference, gets underway.
This year’s conference, which will run from 6 to 18 November in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, is likely to grab fewer headlines than last year’s COP26 summit in Glasgow as world leaders will not be negotiating a global climate pact this time around.
Instead, the focus will be on how last year’s commitments can be implemented.
The sustainable architecture experts Dezeen spoke to called for COP27 to result in tangible action to urgently reduce the built environment’s carbon emissions, as well as prepare it for the effects of climate change.
“No excuse for unhealthy, inefficient, high-emitting buildings”
“We hope that the focus shifts from goal-setting to imminently actionable solutions that address whole-life carbon emission reductions in the built environment,” said Sindhu Mahadevan of Canadian studio Michael Green Architecture.
“The built environment already has the solutions and innovations to change the trajectory of current climate change projections,” added World Green Building Council CEO Cristina Gamboa.
“This means that in this day and age there is absolutely no excuse for unhealthy, inefficient, high-emitting buildings.”
“By now, it should be clear to everyone that we cannot leave the fight against climate change to our politicians alone,” said Sinus Lynge, partner at Danish architecture studio EFFEKT.
“So I hope that COP27 will empower specific climate action across society from politicians to organisations, companies, communities and individuals,” he added.
And Alexandra Hagen, CEO of Swedish studio White Arkitekter, was among those who urged governments not to let other global issues like the war in Ukraine hinder decarbonisation.
“At COP27 we want to see that geopolitical instability and the threat of global recession does not slow our pace towards a zero-carbon shift,” she said.
Read on for selected pre-conference thoughts from architects and engineers.
“Architects are far too often passive bystanders”
Kabage Karanja, co-founder of Cave Bureau
“It is very hard to be hopeful when there is not enough active involvement of young people in and out of the so-called Conference of Parties. Which parties are these invited to the table, we ask? To quote the young African climate activist Patience Nabukalu from Uganda: ‘World leaders at COP27 Egypt we are watching you. Discussing climate change without the active involvement of young people is an injustice to us.'”
“Beyond this glaring injustice, it is critical to recognise that there is very little economic will from the largest world economies, and for that matter the largest polluters, to not only reduce emissions and address climate-change impacts that are adversely affecting Global South nations but, importantly, to commit financially to bear the costs required to recover from these adverse effects.”
“It is estimated that Africa, for example, needs about $53 billion annually in finance by 2030. Getting this commitment from the so-called developed nations is beyond hope, it is a pipe dream. The fund is postured more as a donation and less as compensation for past crimes against humanity and indeed all life on earth. This by extension naturally makes it less urgent for Global North nations to deal with climate justice head-on.”
“As far as I’m concerned, architects are far too often passive bystanders when addressing climate justice. Our profession as a whole was, and still is, part of this climate-changing machinery that seldom confronts itself as such. Architects can no longer be afraid to give the necessary pushback to the prevailing powers to address climate justice immediately, even if it means biting the hands that feed you.”
“Hard to find causes for optimism”
Michael Pawlyn, founder of Exploration Architecture
“It seems that Alok Sharma has done a good job as COP president but his efforts have been undermined by a system that increasingly resembles a kakistocracy rather than a democracy. It is therefore hard to find causes for optimism.”
“As Architects Declare, we have made multiple attempts to meet with ministers to explain how architects and the broader industry could provide multiple solutions to the planetary emergency. It’s perfectly possible to address the cost of living crisis and climate change at the same time, with an emergency programme to upgrade the energy efficiency of our buildings.”
“More broadly, I hope to see more countries join the Wellbeing Group of Governments – an initiative launched by Iceland, New Zealand and Scotland with the intention of realigning the purpose of their economies towards maximising long-term wellbeing rather than the outdated and dangerous pursuit of endless GDP growth.”
“There is absolutely no excuse for unhealthy, inefficient, high-emitting buildings”
Cristina Gamboa, CEO of the World Green Building Council
“The built environment already has the solutions and innovations to change the trajectory of current climate change projections. This means that in this day and age, there is absolutely no excuse for unhealthy, inefficient, high-emitting buildings.”
“At COP26 we saw a breakthrough moment for the built environment with a dedicated Cities, Regions and Built Environment Day – only the second time that the built environment has ever been on the official COP agenda.”
“In this implementation climate summit our industry has an even stronger presence across every thematic day, and there will be over 120 events across the 2-weeks of COP27. This demonstrates that a sustainable transformation of the built environment can accelerate resilience and climate action across every sector.”
“I find it very important that it is being held in Egypt”
Stefano Boeri, founder of Stefano Boeri Architetti
“This year’s COP does not only start from the consideration of a failure – the failure to meet the Glasgow 2021 targets – but also, if possible, from the worsening expectations related to the war in Ukraine and the ensuing energy and humanitarian crisis. Setting a target in this context is particularly ambitious.”
“However, I find it very important that it is being held in Egypt, a country that more than others is suffering the consequences of the climate crisis. I hope it can raise awareness of the need and possible solutions – which do exist – for action on arid and extreme climates. Not least because they are unfortunately becoming an increasingly widespread and less exceptional condition.”
“We will bring to COP27 the San Marino Declaration, which I signed with Norman Foster and the UNECE together with the Architects’ Associations of several European cities in October. On the one hand, it is an invitation to international governments to act. On the other, it is an awareness on the part of architects and urban planners of a strong social and environmental responsibility in shaping international macro-policies and global goals in places, in physical spaces.”
“I hope we will have the opportunity to study and discuss actual projects and not just statements. I think it is really important for us architects to bring concrete examples to Sharm El-Sheik, in addition to statements.”
“We hope that the focus shifts from goal-setting to imminently actionable solutions”
Sindhu Mahadevan, head of research and design at Michael Green Architecture
“We hope that the focus shifts from goal-setting to imminently actionable solutions that address whole-life carbon emission reductions in the built environment, including reductions in embodied emissions, and building capacity to meet construction demand, especially in the Global South, that is resilient, regenerative, and sustainable.”
“These solutions will require meaningful commitment across various levels of government to support sustainable reuse of existing construction and decarbonization of new construction. We need to encourage and incentivize innovation in new materials and new construction processes that can fundamentally change how we build.”
“Focusing on the decarbonisation of steel and concrete through equitable and transparent means is a priority, but this alone will not meet our critical climate targets. Recognizing that we are not on target to meet our current climate goals, we hope that the attendees are able to transition from ‘potential’ to focused and effective solutions.”
“Replace the failed COP process with something like an international citizens assembly”
Collective statement from Studio Bark
“The outcome from the official negotiations of COP26 was bitterly disappointing. But given that the previous 25 such COP conferences have failed to deliver much, this didn’t come as a shock. We should be circumspect about placing much hope in this process.”
“It is positive to see organisations such as Architecture 2030 having a presence as representatives from the built environment sector. However, COP is an exclusive and closed process which results in a democratic deficit overall. This exclusivity makes it difficult for civil society, including those in the built environment, to influence the process.”
“An alternative model, which would encourage more professional diversity, would be to replace the failed COP process with something like an international citizens assembly. This approach could close the gap between policymakers and those who are working on sector-specific challenges including within the built environment.”
“The climate crisis doesn’t respond to targets or promises. Only action can salvage this. We need to see actionable plans to turn our global crisis around and ensure some kind of habitable future.”
“Our presence in the programme is sufficient”
Ahmed Hossam Saafan, founder of AHS CxA
“As a practising architect, I feel that our presence in the programme is sufficient, but could be pushed more towards decision-making, especially with the role of urban planners, urban designers and cityscape architects. This is to illustrate their crucial input required for such pressing matters, as they possess the necessary tools to target problems in a holistic manner.”
“I feel that issues such as building practices, infrastructure design, and designing for sustainable social impact are topics that could be more pushed into the spotlight.”
“We should stop hoping for top-down achievements and start acting”
Sinus Lynge, partner at EFFEKT
“By now, it should be clear to everyone that we cannot leave the fight against climate change to our politicians alone. I think we should stop hoping for top-down achievements and start acting at all levels of society. Our action will empower the politicians to also start acting. So I hope that COP27 will empower specific climate action across society from politicians to organisations, companies, communities and individuals.”
“Architects have marginalised their own relevance by not picking up the massive change agendas of our generation. Architects should help to model, draft, prototype, and visualise the regenerative world of tomorrow to build aspiration and show the opportunities of absolute sustainability and reintegration of human societies within nature.”
“When we, as a profession, manage to pick up this wider agenda, I am sure architecture will be a relevant discipline in this big transition and then we will naturally also be included in the debate.”
“We have to maintain collaboration to be successful”
Alexandra Hagen, CEO of White Arkitekter
“At COP27 we want to see the commitment from all nations to continue to contribute towards the goals, reassured. We have to maintain collaboration to be successful. At COP27, we want to see that geopolitical instability and the threat of global recession does not slow our pace towards a zero-carbon shift.”
“We also hope to see progress towards the goals, for example agreeing on the phasing out of coal despite the ongoing energy crisis in Europe.”
“My expectations are high”
Matt Kennedy, director for climate and sustainability and global leader for climate strategy services at Arup
“My expectations are high. In terms of outcome, I want a global approach to climate action and sustainable development that is robust and defensible and that preserves ecological stability. This needs to translate into broader societal decarbonisation that is driven by solidarity and fairness and a galvanisation of corporate action.”
“COP27 focuses on thematic days such as decarbonisation, water and biodiversity but I am especially interested in the ‘solutions’ day. Architects, designers and wider built environment professionals can present alternative solutions, rather than prescriptive ones, that can enable wider benefits to become more visible and create long-lasting value.”
“It often appears as if the design, construction, and operation of buildings give little consideration to the amount of carbon emitted. Given the carbon footprint of the built environment, our industry needs to influence and shape the future direction of action by bringing renewed focus on aspects like circularity, embodied carbon and the protection of natural habitats, while also delivering added value to the end users.”
COP27 will run in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt from 6 to 18 November. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.
The top image is by Shutterstock.
The post “Hard to find causes for optimism” say architects as COP27 begins in Sharm El-Sheikh appeared first on Dezeen.
Furry upholstery, lace curtains and tactile rugs all feature in Flat #6, a São Paulo apartment designed by Studio MK27.
The local architecture and design studio reworked the four-bedroom flat to provide a cosy but practical home for a couple and their three teenage sons.
Its interior design draws on a love of Brazilian design, both vintage and contemporary, which is shared by both the owners and Studio MK27 founder and architect Marcio Kogan.
Designs by the likes of Lina Bo Bardi, Jorge Zalszupin and Giuseppe Scapinelli feature alongside ipe wood wall panelling and basalt stone flooring.
“The decoration adds a layer of tactility to each corner of the apartment,” said Studio MK27.
“A mixture of contemporary and vintage pieces already owned by the couple blends harmonically with the sober finishings and adds a touch of colour.”
Flat #6 is shortlisted in the apartment interior category at the 2022 Dezeen Awards.
Studio MK27 was commissioned for the project after having already designed another apartment in the same building, Flat #12.
The two homes have the same layout, with all of the main family living spaces occupying a single L-shaped space that wraps the apartment on two sides.
These living spaces create a buffer zone between the private bedrooms and bathrooms, and a glazed veranda-like space at the front.
However, the design of the two homes is very different. While Flat #12 has a more pared-back feel, Flat #6 features a greater variety of colours and textures.
A key starting point was the lace curtain that spans all the windows in the open-plan family room. Designed by one of the clients, it creates a natural play of light and shadow.
The curtain provides a striking backdrop to the characterful furnishings, which also include designs by Piero Lissoni and Paola Navone alongside some of Studio MK27’s own pieces.
“The perforated artisanal fabric acts like a soft mashrabiya, filtering the sunlight and creating shadow drawings throughout the apartment,” the design team explained, comparing the curtain to the latticework screens found in traditional Islamic architecture.
“Natural light warms up every piece and every corner, letting the woods, the velvets and the stones speak louder.”
A library wall provides a space for displaying books and objects, with a free-standing staircase providing access to the higher shelves.
Other details include a dedicated backgammon table, a study desk and a lounge chair positioned alongside a lamp and magazine rack to create space for quiet reading.
Doors to the adjacent bedrooms, the TV room and the main bathroom are integrated into a wall of slatted wood, allowing them to be almost invisible when the family hosts guests.
The same material palette features in bedrooms and bathrooms, where highlights include a custom bed surround in the primary bedroom and a bathroom with a dark stone basin.
“Designed with extreme attention to detail, the combination of textures and sharp forms create wide and soulful spaces that embrace a joyful living,” added the design team.
Studio MK27 is also shortlisted in the leisure and wellness interior category at this year’s Dezeen Awards with its spa at the Patina Maldives resort.
Other recent projects from the practice include Caza Azul, a rainforest home raised up on pilotis.
The photography is by Fran Parente.
Project credits
Architecture and interiors: Studio MK27
Project team: Marcio Kogan, Diana Radomysler, Luciana Antunes, Mariana Ruzante, Carlos Costa, Laura Guedes, Mariana Simas, Renato Perigo
The post Studio MK27 combines different textures in São Paulo apartment interior appeared first on Dezeen.
Winter may be around the corner, but power outages shouldn’t be. Got a relatively big house with multiple large appliances that suck a lot of electricity? Well, the BLUETTI AC500 power station has you covered. With a mind-numbing 5000W power output (and 10,000W surge power capability), the ability to hook as many as 6 battery packs, and even draw power entirely through solar panels, the BLUETTI AC500 packs more than enough punch to take care of power outages. It can simultaneously run your desktop, television, washing machine, microwave, and fridge while allowing you to occasionally charge your EV. Heading to a campsite for a couple of days? The AC500 lets you connect as many as 6 battery packs for a staggering capacity of 18,432Wh, letting you live off the grid for almost a week. It’s also the only power station with a 5000W output to support 100% solar energy, letting you push those weeks to months.
Designer: BLUETTI
Click Here to Buy Now: AC500 & B300S for $4499 $5099 (11% off). Raised over $11,500,000.
The AC500 is BLUETTI’s new flagship power station, with an output that exceeds the company’s previous device by 2000 watts. Built with a modular architecture, it pairs with the new B300S battery pack that has a 3072Wh capacity and lets you hook as many as 6 battery packs to the power station, giving you over 18,000Wh of energy, no questions asked. Both the power station and battery pack come with a wonderfully compact design that allows them to be placed anywhere in your home, or even stashed in the rear of your car or RV for outdoor use.
Carry it outdoors and the AC500 and B300S become your de-facto off-grid power supply, allowing you to live pretty much anywhere but still have energy. When used at home, the AC500 and B300S transform into your alternative power solution, kicking in during blackouts, outages, or emergencies to keep the lights on through any crisis.
As powerful as the AC500 is, what stands out more is its ease of use. The entire setup can be put together in mere minutes by plugging modules together. The process is fast, hassle-free, and incredibly intuitive, allowing you to get things running without having to spend hours staring at a manual. Once done, the AC500 gives you the comfort of 14 outlets and ports, as well as not one but two wireless charging pads. The power station comes with three 120V AC ports, three 120V DC ports, four USB-A ports, 2 USB-C ports, a 12V RV Port, and a 24V Car Port. The AC500’s industry-leading battery management system helps distribute power safely to all ports, with a 240V split-phase bonding function and safety protocols to prevent overheating, overcharging, overloading, power surges, or any other performance issues.
Like all of BLUETTI’s previous products, the AC500 and B300S offer multiple charging methods. Notably, the AC500 can be hooked to any AC wall outlet to keep its batteries juiced, but can also be connected to solar panels supporting panel arrays of up to 3000W. You can even connect the two simultaneously, giving you the benefits of both AC power and solar power together for time-efficient and energy-efficient charging. The B300S batteries use EV-grade LiFePO4 battery cells that boast an impressive 10-year lifespan.
Designed to deliver energy anywhere and anytime, the battery packs have an operating temperature range of -4℉ to 104℉, so whether you’re battling a blizzard or a heat wave, quite literally nothing can stop you! Having already raised over $11 million on their crowdfunding campaign, the AC500 and B300S start at $4499 bundled together. You can buy them individually, or purchase an entire modular set including as many battery packs as you need (or even BLUETTI’s own solar panels). The modular power stations come with a 3-year warranty, will be available on the BLUETTI store as well as on Amazon starting November 25th, and ship as early as January 2023.
Click Here to Buy Now: $4499 $5099 (11% off). Raised over $11,500,000.
The post Portable power station with a staggering 5000W output can power your entire house or campsite first appeared on Yanko Design.
3D Printing is gaining more momentum and popularity than ever! Designers and architects all over the world are now adopting 3D Printing for the creation of almost all types of products and structures. It’s a technique that is being widely utilized in product design, owing to its simple and innovative nature. But designers aren’t employing 3D printing only to create basic models, they’re utilizing this technique in mind-blowing ways as well! From an electric violin with a 3D-printed body to a pair of 3D-printed shoes that’ll make you feel like Bigfoot – the scope of this dependable technique is unlimited! Dive into this collection of humble yet groundbreaking 3D-printed designs.
While the name Karen Ultralight Electric Violin may not be the best moniker for this instrument, it’s definitely the kind you won’t be able to ignore. Envisioned by Anima Design for Katahashi Instruments the Karen Ultralight is a dynamic electric violin that ditches conventional wooden acoustic chambers for something more eye-catching.
The violin comes with a relatively hollow body made through generative design, which still provides strength with minimal use of material. The 3D-printed generative frame sits on a carbon fiber body, with a birchwood fingerboard for an elevated yet familiar playing experience. Working just like an electric guitar, the Karen Ultralight has a 1/4-inch jack output, but even sports an internal 9V battery and a headphone jack so you can ‘silently’ play music directly into your headphones without disturbing the neighbors!
The Cryptide Sneaker was designed by Stephan Henrich for Sintratec. The German architect and designer came up with a pair of full 3D shoes meant to be laser sintered with a flexible TPE material. Using a Sintratec S2 System 3D printer, the shoes were formed and printed.
The Cryptide features a sole with an open design. The designer said it was made possible by SLS production (Selective Laser Sintering) and a material called Sintratec TPE elastomer. Simply put, SLS is an additive manufacturing that takes advantage of a laser to sinter particles into a more solid 3D structure. Henrich and Sintratec worked together to bring the sneaker design into reality.
We|aver+ or Weaver+, for example, 3D prints something that is akin to knitted fabric, except it uses elastic TPU as the material. The shoes that it prints out actually look more like chainmail rather than conventional fabric, and it’s not without reason.
The hollow-loose knitting structure gives the shoes the flexibility necessary for supporting the growing feet of children. At the same time, however, the shoe also offers stable support to make sure the heels don’t lose their suppleness in the long run.
The Vine collection includes a vase-like vessel, a dish tray, a basket, and a bowl that look like a series of wooden rods twisted to create pleasing curves and shapes. No adhesives or extra connecting parts were used to finish their forms, ensuring that the products were sustainable and recyclable from start to finish.
The twisting shapes are a testament to the capabilities of Forust’s 3D printer, but they also serve as metaphors for the organic nature of trees that eventually end up as source materials for these products.
Customized to each person’s interdental crevasses, the Blizzflosser is the brainchild of Chris Martin who has already made us fans with the weirdly productive toothbrush-sponge.
The Blizzflosser comes with soft floss lined according to an individual’s denture. It is washable and reusable. The floss aligned on the contraption is thin to glide through into the gaps between the teeth and does not hurt the gums. Getting one of these tailored for you is simple; Blizzbrush sends a double-sided special paste tray to you that you bite into to leave about 5mm deep impressions of your upper and lower dentures. You then snap pictures of your production and send them to the company that based on the images customizes and 3D prints a complete denture flosser for you.
These mini clutch bags are evidently inspired by organic patterns and structures, like something from underwater flora and fauna. Such designs are extremely difficult and expensive to produce using traditional methods.
Ironically, it is more expensive and more wasteful if complicated designs like these are produced in small amounts. These kelp-inspired fashion accessories, however, are not only intricate but also sustainable, and they are made possible using yet another marvel of human ingenuity, the 3D printer.
Mother Nature already has its own tiny air purifiers, and not only can we use them to clean the air, but we can also even harvest them to create products that won’t harm the planet in turn. That’s the proposition that the Otrivin Air Lab interactive exhibit in Londo is trying to present, and it’s roping in visitors not only to observe the process but to actively take part in it. The space is enclosed in a lightweight and reversible timber structure, and one of the walls holds twelve “photobioreactors.” These are tall glass vessels filled with ten liters of living photosynthetic microalgae that absorb CO2 and release oxygen while also producing biomass in the process. Each day, that wall can take in 240g of CO2 and spit out 180g of oxygen as well as 84g of biomass.
Visitors to the lab can take part in the daily harvesting of that biomass product that is then turned into bioplastics, bio-rubbers, and 3D printing filaments. These raw materials can then be used to create biodegradable and sustainable products, like vases and even stools. Some might find it a bit unsettling, but the fact that you are sitting on what is practically CO2 and air pollution should feel empowering. We might not be able to completely eradicate unclean air, but we can at least turn them into something harmless and useful.
The Polyformer looks interesting from the get-go, and its name sounds like something taken out of fictional literature. Its translucent white appearance is thanks to the fact that it is made from recycled plastic PET bottles, giving it an appearance that also speaks to its purpose.
In a nutshell, the machine slices up PET bottles and melts them to turn them into filaments only 1.75 mm in diameter. These recycled plastic threads can then be used in normal 3D printers to create more things, probably with the same distinctive translucent appearance as the Polyformer.
Designed to easily become the centerpiece of any geek’s table, these stands are 3D-printed pretty much to scale, and are designed to easily fit most standard headphones (and even VR headsets!)
Although each headphone stand is 3D printed (and you can even see the lines on some of them), it also has a stunning amount of detail. Take for instance the Chewbacca headphone stand right below. This is because Angled partners with designers and artists to release new variants and models online. Artists create detailed models that get approved by Angled’s team based on sizing, proportions, and their ability to be printed without any flaws/errors. Once a design gets approved by the Angled team, it makes its way to their store and for every sale, the artist gets a commission.
Wabo is a collection of hand boards that are created from plastic waste produced from 3D-printed prototyping. Eight million pieces of plastic make their way into the ocean on a daily basis. That’s a lot of plastic. While some brands commit themselves to gimmicky sustainable practices that have more to do with marketing than carbon-neutral manufacturing, other brands learn how to make something out of the plastic waste they produce.
The multidisciplinary design studio Uido Design is a studio known for its catalog of 3D printable product designs and its team is doing something about the waste they produce during the design process. Shredding the plastic waste produced from 3D printing into bits and pieces, Uido Design uses the waste to create hand boards for users to ride the ocean waves.
The post Top 10 3D printed designs that truly define sustainable product design first appeared on Yanko Design.
We have become so dependent on our electronic devices that many of us get anxiety attacks when their batteries go red and we’re nowhere near a wall socket. There are plenty of power banks available today, but they’re only capable of handling smartphones and a few low-power laptops just two or three times at best. For anything else, you might be more interested in the new portable power stations that can power even some appliances, including a whole house. That kind of power might be overkill for some, especially since they come in large and unwieldy bodies that cost as much as they weigh. For simpler cases, you might be better off with smaller, lighter, and more affordable options, so we take the new EcoFlow River 2 for a run to see if it can meet those demands.
As with any second-generation product, the EcoFlow River 2 has been able to learn from the lessons of its predecessors. Given the gap between the first and second EcoFlow Rivers, there has definitely been plenty of lessons to serve as the foundations of a better product. Fortunately, EcoFlow did seem to have benefited from hindsight, allowing it to turn the River 2 into a sleeker and more compact power station that no longer looks like a car battery.
The biggest change you will notice comparing the two generations is that the River 2 has a more refined appearance thanks to its dual-tone color scheme and flat top. The large carrying handle no longer arcs over the top but instead juts out from the back. That makes it easier to stash the power station away in cramped spaces and put things on top of it. Having the handle extend to one side only also reduces the space it needs to occupy. This helps give the box a cleaner look, but relocating the carrying handle does have its share of consequences as well.
The EcoFlow River 2 also looks tidier because of how the ports and vents are all arranged. Granted, there are now fewer of them compared to the first River power station, but the needs of devices and their charging methods have also become simpler since then. All the output ports are now in the front, while the charging ports are all on the back. There is actually nothing at the sides or on the top to mar those clean surfaces, giving the power station a more streamlined appearance. The black and silver color combination is also more in line with the rest of EcoFlow’s power stations, giving the brand a more coherent and consistent visual identity.
Despite the reduction of ports, the River 2 portable power station still offers a standard set of features for both AC-powered appliances and gadgets that charge over DC. There are still standard ports for different charging methods, including solar power. You still have an LCD screen to monitor the battery’s status, though it’s now a monochrome display, perhaps to save on power consumption. The one thing that has disappeared, though, is the LED flashlight which is honestly pointless at this size and intensity. A phone’s torch function or a proper flashlight will be more useful.
After having reviewed some heavy-duty power stations that can power a house or even charge an electric car, it’s quite refreshing to finally have one that is accurately portable and that won’t break your back or your bank account, for that matter. At 7.7lbs, there’s definitely still quite a bit of heft, but considering what it’s capable of doing, that’s not asking too much. Of course, it will have some limitations considering the battery capacity, but it is designed to be more agile and portable for people who need to get up and going quickly rather than for those who need an alternative to the power grid.
Carrying the EcoFlow River 2, however, might be difficult for some other purpose. With the carrying handle now at the back, the box’s center of gravity is changed when you lift it up. There will be an uneven distribution of weight, and it could make carrying River 2 more awkward and uncomfortable. The body of the power station will be extending sideways and could end up hitting your leg or other things along your way, depending on who you’re carrying it. The good news is that it’s less of a problem with the River 2’s smaller and lighter body than it is for its bigger siblings, the River 2 Max and River 2 Pro.
Since all the ports are now consolidated and limited to two sides only, it’s also easier to manage the cables that will be sticking out of the power station. Plugging in those cables is also easy because there are no flaps to cover the sockets. There are, however, switches for the AC and DC ports but none for the USB ports. These switches can be pressed manually or toggled via a mobile app. The AC and DC input for charging are located on the back right under the carrying handle. That might actually make it a little bit cumbersome to push cables in because your hand might hit the handle in the process.
One of the biggest ergonomic upgrades of the EcoFlow River 2 is that you don’t actually have to even touch it to control it. Now that it has support for connecting to a phone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, you can toggle switches and change settings conveniently with a few taps. The companion mobile app is quite easy to understand and use, and it gives you the right amount of information to keep tabs on how much power you’re taking in and pushing out. Of course, the built-in LCD screen can provide some of that as well, but it’s more convenient to do so from a larger display.
The EcoFlow River 2 carries a 256Wh battery of the LiFePO4 kind. This is, by now, the most common kind of battery used by portable power stations because of its safety, reliability, and longevity. It will take more than 3,000 charging cycles (zero to full) before it starts to lose its full capacity. That means this power station is here for the long haul, and you’re more likely to replace it with a new model sooner than for it to become unusable.
With that battery capacity, the River 2 can output 300W of power or 600W if you’re using EcoFlow’s X-Boost. In theory, that’s enough to support even water heaters or coffee makers, but that might be pushing your luck. The portable power station is admittedly on the small and low side, which limits what it can power. It can keep a refrigerator running for 3 hours, for example, but only the small, car-type ones that can be powered with 60W DC. The River 2’s AC two 110 AC outlets are better for powering small appliances or charging devices that can’t be charged over USB.
There is no wireless charging, despite the flat surface of the River 2’s top. It’s less of a critical flaw and more of a missed opportunity, especially with many devices supporting wireless charging these days. It would have definitely been a welcome convenience, especially when you imagine how you’d simply place your iPhone on top of the power station and then sit back and relax under the sun or the stars. Then again, that same iPhone can charge via USB anyway, or even with an AC charger if necessary.
As for those USB ports, the EcoFlow River 2 has two USB-A ports and a single USB-C port. The latter maxes out at 60W, which is fine for phones and tablets but is barely sufficient for more power-hungry laptops. What makes this port special is that, unlike other portable power stations, it functions both as output as well as input, meaning you can charge the power station itself via USB-C, provided you have one of the more powerful 60W or 100W power bricks. It’s not going to be fast, but it’s convenient when you don’t have the AC charging cord with you.
Charging is actually where this new portable power station shines. In addition to USB-C charging, which is still uncommon even for power stations of this size, the River 2 supports the usual charging options of AC, solar, and car charging. At the maximum 360W (with X-Stream) input, AC charging only takes up an hour to go from zero to full, just enough time for you to pack your things for an outdoor adventure. Going completely green with solar charging at 110W max does take longer at around 3 hours, but it might be your only option when you’re already camping under the wide skies. Unfortunately, you can’t combine charging methods, even AC and USB-C, but that might not make much sense for a battery of this size anyway.
Like many of EcoFlow’s power stations, the River 2 also has an EPS or Emergency Power Supply feature that can automatically switch from AC input to direct DC output in just 30ms. That’s fast enough to prevent a desktop computer from powering down or any connected appliance from being interrupted. The battery capacity makes it less viable as a complete power grid replacement, but that’s hardly the point of this power station anyway. The EcoFlow River 2 is designed to be agile and light on its feet, freeing you to move and go as you please without being weighed down, literally and figuratively.
Almost no power station at this point has made sustainability a core focus of their designs, and the River 2 is unfortunately similar. While these battery-powered boxes do offer a more sustainable alternative to fuel-chugging generators, their very nature isn’t as eco-friendly. There’s clearly a ton of plastic used, especially with their enclosures, regardless of the use of metal for the internal frame. We’re still hoping that these companies will soon pay particular attention to the materials and processes they use to make sustainability a major bullet point.
Unlike larger power stations that can be used to power a whole house, solar charging feels more like an extra perk than a selling point for the EcoFlow River 2. It’s something you’ll want to use for convenience when charging the battery outdoors rather than pulling from your car’s battery. Given its size and purpose, it might be more efficient to charge it from a wall socket at full blast, but it at least offers you the option to choose solar if you’re not in a rush.
Not everyone needs a full-blown power generator the size of a suitcase, especially when traveling light. Some might only need what would be the equivalent of a dozen power banks that can power small AC appliances. It’s for these people that the EcoFlow River 2 shines the brightest, especially with its $229 price tag.
There are actually few power stations in the market that offer this kind of well-balanced quality in a small, compact package. Some are cheaper but also offer a lower battery capacity with fewer ports and a cumbersome design. Others have a bit more power but are also heavier and proportionally more expensive.
Picking out a portable power station these days is almost like choosing a smartphone. Disregarding brand, the decision always involves making a series of compromises on features and price. For power stations, size and weight become critical factors, especially for people who find themselves spending brief periods outdoors more often than not. For these people, it isn’t just important to have power but to have that power available in a flash.
Having a lightweight body with a decent battery capacity already gives the EcoFlow River 2 an edge, but being able to charge itself in just an hour puts it at the top. Yes, we wished it had wireless charging and a 100W USB-C output, but these would be “nice to have” rather than critical needs. It won’t be powering your whole house in an emergency, but it will be able to provide critical power to the most important things in your life, regardless of the situation. When you need a solid and truly portable companion for your modern life on the go, it’s hard to go wrong with the EcoFlow River 2.
The post EcoFlow River 2 Portable Power Station Review: A Capable Outdoor Sidekick first appeared on Yanko Design.
A sofa has come of age from being the white elephant in a living room to allow the space to be used as an additional guest room in the apartment. Convertible sofas that deliver convenience, alter effortlessly back into a comfortable sofa after the guest has had a good night’s sleep on it.
Transforming sofas or couches with built-in storage provide the convenience of usage in addition to storage to put the bedding or PJs out of sight. But what if you are an anthophile; how can your couch give you that additional space to shower your love for the greens? Well, you need a sofa that is called the Cask!
Designer: Ricardo Sá
The first time I read that, before sharing it with you, I thought the couch would be reusing wood from a cask as we know it. It turns out, the sofa is far from that but a crafty rendition of a modern-day couch for an apartment that loves to remain systematized: looking ship-shape and vibrant.
To that accord, the well-upholstered sofa finds open storage space on the front and a shelf on the back to allow homeowners to store and display anything from books and magazines to plants and accessories. What really adds up flair to the loveseat, if I may, is the naked arms on either side, which function as the side table to place your coffee mug or a phone when your eyes a fixated on the television screen.
The bespoke Cask sofa is designed with the idea, as designer Ricardo believes, to “give people plenty of room for storage and spot to put down their coffee,” without compromising the aesthetics of a room even slightly. If you love spending time on the couch with your partner (or by yourself), the Cask ensures you can have all the necessary things around you, without cluttering the center table. How I wish Ricordo considers a power socket somewhere on the Cask and I would never leave this baby ideal.
The post A loveseat that leaves you no reason to get up until you want to hit the bed first appeared on Yanko Design.
What is it that famous quote from Nietzsche says? “…when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.” When you’re drinking coffee or reading a book and you gaze at the table in front of you, you’re probably not thinking of abysses gazing back into you. But what if you could have a coffee table worth gazing into that might even cause you to lose focus on whatever it is you’re actually doing? I probably will not have museum piece like tables at my house but this is definitely worth looking at.
Designer: Duffy London
The newest addition to the Abyss Horizon collection is a coffee table that tricks you into thinking you’re going down an aquatic rabbit hole and that it’s somehow free floating on your floor. The table has a deep turquoise blue color that plays around with lines, colors, and shapes, and together with the natural Birchwood coloration and the sculpted blue glass, it gives you a three-dimensional look into the depths of the ocean sinkhole. I could probably spend a few minutes looking into this sort of abyss.
The coffee table also has three curved legs to support the surface while its contoured base looks like it’s actually diving down deep into your floor. The clean edges of the table also enhance your view of the aquatic abyss and let you focus on the sinkhole at the center. Think of it as looking at all the different ways we see the colors of the ocean become different at the various depths of the water. But this time, it’s right in front of you at your table.
If you’re thinking of getting this table for your gazing pleasure (and to use as a table as well), you probably have to move now since this is a limited edition product. There will only be 25 handmade pieces that you need to order from their London studios. You can choose from two different sizes (120×40 cm and 140×40 cm) and choose between two materials: Birchwood and glass or White Carrara marble and glass. I guess I’m stuck with my boring, old coffee table for now.
The post Stare into the ocean’s abyss through a coffee table first appeared on Yanko Design.
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