Hasta La Ideas

It’s lightweight, silent, and about 90% cheaper than the Peloton Row.

My most vivid memory of a rowing machine comes from the first-ever Netflix original series, House Of Cards. The rowing machine, kept in President-to-be Frank Underwood’s basement, was a symbol of perseverance, of man versus machine. It would be the place where Underwood went to fight his demons, and the machine would be his ultimate challenge. This machine was large and noisy, and therefore had to be kept in a basement. Turns out, modern rowing machines don’t have to be that imposing on the senses.

Designers: Florian Kaufmann & Diego Kaufmann

Click Here to Buy Now: $328 $599 (45% off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left! Raised over $500,000.

Meet the ROWBRO, a rowing machine that ticks all the boxes – size, versatility, and price. Designed to be compact enough to carry, and to be used and stored in most homes, the ROWBRO weighs 26 lbs or 12 kilograms and folds down to the shape and size of a backpack. It locks onto any doorway and uses a magnet-based resistance system that’s not only lighter than the ones found on existing rowing machines, but it’s silent too. The moving seat on the ROWBRO uses the same wheels found on inline skates, giving you a smooth experience that doesn’t damage your floor. Adjust the resistance on the ROWBRO to suit your training requirements and dock a phone or a tablet with its built-in stand and you’ve got a cutting-edge rowing machine that’s affordable, silent, fun to use, and will count your reps and progress, giving you a comprehensive report of your exercise.

Rowing is one of those rare exercises that perfectly combines strength training and cardio together, activating as many as 85% of your entire body’s muscles for a truly effective workout. However, given that not all of us are conveniently located near lakes or rivers to indulge in such an exercise, ROWBRO makes for a much more compelling alternative than the other exorbitantly priced rowers on the market. Made in Europe with a patent-pending design that’s the result of a partnership with German engineers, the ROWBRO is perfect for most homes. Its $325 price tag makes it a MUCH better alternative to a Peloton, and what’s more- the ROWBRO can be used for bicep curls, and it comes with a built-in pull-up bar that you can use for pull-ups too.

ROWBRO also comes with a pull-up bar so you can work your biceps and much more.

Setting up the ROWBRO is a simple four-step process. Place the machine in any standard doorway or attach it a wall with the wall mount, and lock it in place with the pull-up bar attachment. Fold out the guide rail for the seat, and then place the seat on it. Finally, and optionally, place your smartphone or tablet in the ROWBRO’s stand and you’re all ready to begin exercising. A knob on the side lets you adjust the resistance, going from novice to pro, and the free app (available on iOS and Android devices) lets you time your workout session, track reps/laps and even count the calories you burnt. Future updates to the app will also include a premium membership with features such as live classes and fun games.

The ROWBRO starts at $328 for the ultimate early bird version or $407 with a wall-mount and pull-up bar included, and comes with a 1-year warranty.

Click Here to Buy Now: $328 $599 (45% off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left! Raised over $500,000.

The post The world’s most compact rowing machine is about the size of a backpack, making it perfect for home workouts first appeared on Yanko Design.

We often underestimate the importance of great office furniture! When in reality we really shouldn’t. We spend the majority of our day sitting on our office chairs or typing away on our desks whether we’re working in our home office or a corporate one. Hence, these pieces of furniture need to be not only comfortable but ergonomic, and aesthetic as well. And we’ve curated a collection of furniture designs that meet all these criteria. From a coffin-inspired office chair to a foldable cardboard desk – these innovative furniture designs are not only great for maintaining a healthy posture, but are also super comfy to work on, and will perfectly match the interiors of your modern office. Enjoy!

1. Coffin Office Chair

Are you someone who absolutely despises your dead-end corporate job, well then, we may have found the chair for you! Shaped like a coffin, this wooden chair recently took the internet by storm. A Twitter user shared it on September 7th, and everyone who’s downright fed up with their jobs completely resonated with it.

Why is it noteworthy?

The conceptual coffin chair perfectly represents all the dreaded emotions employees feel throughout the entirety of their workday. It reflects the feeling of doom one experiences, as they have to sit through another pointless meeting that could have been an email.

What we like

• Inspired by Rene Magritte’s painting titled The Balcony (1950)
• Perfectly captures the feeling of having a dead-end job

What we dislike

• While it is a crazy concept, the design is not sized to adjust to various sizes

2. The Flow Wall Desk

The Flow Wall Desk is a great piece of office furniture for those spaces that aren’t quite large. It’s the kind of furniture piece that is both functional and decorative, but at the same time maintains a rather simple design philosophy and is sustainable as well!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Flow Wall Desk is something that might be able to fit all of those requirements for a piece of furniture. When “stored” and folded up, it looks like a piece of art on your wall with its minimalist, geometric shapes. Initially, it’s a flat canvas and when you unfold it, it looks like a “spiraling caterpillar” and you realize that it is turning into a desk where you can work, read, or write in your journal.

What we like

• Multifunctional design
• Sustainable
• Features a flatpack form

What we dislike

• Folding and unfolding the desk whenever you need to use it means we can’t have a constant setup

3. Finding Turn Point

This table design concept turns this multi-purpose setup into something like a puzzle game, where pieces fit into different places, depending on what you want to use the furniture for.

Why is it noteworthy?

Short for “Finding Turn Point,” the FTP table looks like a regular rectangular piece of furniture, except for a half-circle that seems embedded in its top. That orange circle isn’t just visually distinct from the rest of the black table, it is actually a separate part that can be moved around and away from the rest of the table.

What we like

Moving this shape around and changing its position becomes both a symbol and a ritual that can help your mind shift to a different kind of activity, whichever one you decide to associate with its position

What we dislike

• Red being a strong colour, the table needs to have more neutral options for personalisation

4. Refold

Laptops these days don’t really work on laps, at least not comfortably. You can take a foldable desk along with you, but most of those are heavy, awkward, cramped, or all of the above. Refold solves all of that, except perhaps the awkwardness, using a material that is familiar to many DIY projects: cardboard.

Why is it noteworthy?

With just a few pieces that can fold down into a relatively thin rectangle, you can have a standing desk or a sitting desk, or both; anywhere there’s space for you to set up your ad hoc workspace.

What we like

• Features a triple-weaved, cross-paneled design that allows the table to hold a laptop, a monitor, and more

What we dislike

• Cardboard isn’t also good with liquids, but an optional waterproof top gives you some peace of mind while also giving the desk a distinct white accent

5. The Axis Concept

With this more mechanical standing desk concept, you can enjoy the benefits of a healthier working lifestyle without breaking your back or your bank.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Axis Concept uses a simple axis mechanism, hence the name, to move the larger desk surface up or down as needed. As a bonus, part of the desk actually remains in position and is a good place to put items you’re less likely to move, like supplies or desk organizers. It can even be a temporary bookshelf that stays in the back of your desk when sitting or beneath the table when standing.

What we like

• The simplicity of this system means that manufacturers can keep the number of parts and materials down to a minimum
• Sustainable materials can be used since it has no need for electronics or even plastics
• Replacement parts could be easier to purchase, too, presuming owners themselves can’t make those out of standardized design

What we dislike

• The setup remains difficult to maintain in case of multi-monitor setup that requires more wires and connectivity

6. D-Tach

D-Tach is a versatile stool that transforms into a small workspace designed to accommodate today’s mobile work culture. With each day, our world seems to become more and more mobile. Mobile offices, working from home, and freelance careers are increasing in popularity as we move away from corporate offices. With work culture making such a big shift towards mobile lifestyles, our home offices and furniture should reflect that.

Why is it noteworthy?

Industrial design student Andrew Chang decided to create a chair that fits the bill. D-Tach is a modular stool design that functions as a traditional office chair, only to disassemble into parts that provide a small working space on the go.

What we like

• Transforms into a small workspace
• Fits into most modern offices

What we dislike

• We’re unsure how comfortable would the small workspace be to actually work in

7. The ZooZoo Collection

Adding an element of warmth will surely help employees to ease into their new work routine, after spending more than a year working from home. And a great collection of furniture could really help with that – such as the ZooZoo collection by Narbutas.

Why is it noteworthy?

Designed by Annie Lee for the workplace furniture brand Narbutas, the ZooZoo collection includes an intriguingly high coffee table and a complementing pouf. The sleek coffee table is 27.2 inches tall and features a metal base, as well as a smooth top. The coffee table is available in two sizes, and the metal base can be customized to the color of your choice. The collection also includes a series of matching poufs available in a variety of colors and textiles. The poufs are accompanied by cushioned seats.

What we like

• The entire collection is available in a single color, or a two-toned option, hence allowing it to suit diverse interior spaces
• The poufs can be neatly stowed under the coffee tables, and also boast handy storage nooks to hold books, folders, and other miscellaneous items

What we dislike

• Not ergonomically for working long hours

8. Iko

“A levitating sphere, a focused capsule, a refuge for the senses” are just a few of the things Ivo Andric prefers to call his design rather than simply a ‘hanging chair’. After all, the Iko doesn’t look or feel like your traditional chair. Designed like a nest of a weaverbird, this little hanging cocoon provides a neat enclosed space to lounge in, allowing you to take a reclusive break right within your office.

Why is it noteworthy?

Iko is made using a few well-curated materials. Its outer frame is crafted from wooden elements that are machine-made and surface-treated by hand, with metal rod internal cores. The rods provide rigidity, the wood gives Iko its classy appeal, and the negative triangular spaces are filled with wool-covered acoustic panels that absorb sound.

What we like

• Almost every aspect of the Iko (barring the metal) is designed with natural materials

What we dislike

• It may not merge with the interiors of a modern office

9. The FLO Concept

When you’re working all day at your desk, the last thing you need is a chair that makes the work even more tiresome, not to mention actually dangerous to your health. The FLO concept tries to change the equation by designing the casual swivel chair as a more visually whole shape. Of course, the chair is actually made of different parts that you do have to assemble, but once connected, it would seem as if the chair came out of the factory as a single piece, except for the base and swivel cylinder, of course.

Why is it noteworthy?

This design allows the eyes to smoothly follow the contour of the chair like flowing water, hence the name. Perhaps almost as a side effect, the overall design of the chair looks futuristic and something from a utopian office. The sleek form and twisting structures of the armrests and the bent shape of the backrest give it an almost otherworldly appearance, definitely not something that would fit in today’s office settings.

What we like

• Visually striking
• The structure of the chair is actually designed to provide more stability and durability, especially when leaning back

What we dislike

• The shape of the backrest itself might not be that comfortable after long hours of use

10. The HÅG Capisco Chair

The HÅG Capisco chair ergonomic office seat is an innovative chair design that’s been amped with a variety of active sitting options, that ensure you don’t have to sit still all day long! It pairs perfectly with standing desks, or desks with an adjustable height. It comes in twelve different upholstery options, as well as three different color options.

Why is it noteworthy?

The chair works well for all kinds of people. Whether you’re a fidgety personality who loves to move around, or someone who enjoys stretching and practicing yoga – this chair works perfectly for everyone! It supports any seating position you may occupy – whether you sit backward, sideways, kneeling, cross-legged, squatting, or more.

What we like

• Adjustable height – 15″ to 40″
• Supports a maximum weight of 250 pounds

What we dislike

• The chair’s quirky form may not merge harmoniously with modern office spaces

The post Top 10 unique furniture designs all modern office spaces need first appeared on Yanko Design.

The robust yet graceful vehicle highlights a brand strengthening their design philosophy

Kia‘s newest electric vehicle, the EV9, stands out from its predecessors not only because of its bold, defined exterior, but also because it denotes the brand’s evolving design philosophy in an exciting way. For the last decade, the automaker has embarked on a new stylistic journey, as the thoughtful and stunning EV6 indicates. Solidifying the brand’s investment in, and integration of, design as a central ethos, the EV9 is a full-size, three-row electric SUV. With a confident and robust outlook, it foretells how Kia will face the future and what drivers should expect from their vehicles. We had the opportunity to get hands-on with the car in Seoul for a sneak peek and were impressed both with the vehicle and the team behind it.

The underpinnings of the EV9 continue the automaker’s design concept of  “Opposites United.” Kia’s Head of Design, Kareem Habib, explains, “Basically it embraces contrast. It embraces things that come together that we don’t necessarily believe come together. We think that represents life, represents the diversity and the messiness of life. That is, in our view, the beauty of these things that are not necessarily perfect.” In particular, a juxtaposition of nature and the manmade runs throughout the car’s exterior which is characterized by clean, defined lines and sculptural surfaces.

“There are a few things we wanted to reinterpret and one of them is this authentic SUV or upright typology,” continues Habib. “We have these very high, boxy triangular fenders, but at the same time we have a very sleek bottom with a very low center of gravity. A low center of gravity for an SUV is something unusual.” This contrast further leans into “Opposites United” as it creates a strong yet graceful exterior.

Inside, the EV9 emphasizes comfort and tranquility, defining a space that aims to be more than something that gets you from one place to another. As such, the interior becomes a hub for lounging. Flat-floor architecture and a long wheelbase create a generous space for occupants to connect and kick back with lounge-style comfort in all three rows (the vehicle is built on Kia’s Electric Global Modular Platform, E-GMP). This is further emphasized with the design’s nod to negative space. As Habib says, “You’ll see on the dashboard, on the doors on the console, we’re not just working with the object itself, but we tried to work with the space between the objects. We actually tried to create negative space to amplify that feeling of space.” And it works, very well.

Core to the automaker’s journey to refine and refocus their design philosophy, the EV9 translates intent to action as it shows a brand ready to approach design as more than aesthetics. “I think we’re getting to a point where there’s a certain maturity and understanding of design,” Kia’s SVP Global Chief Brand Officer and Chief Experience Officer, Artur Martins, tells us. “We are trying to build that identity, trying to make it clear, make it compelling for people who are looking for something new, for something better, for something that makes their life easier and more pleasant.”

For Martins, and the teams at Kia as a whole, design is not approached as a separate or lesser discipline. Rather, it’s an integral part of it, a means of realizing the brand’s strategy. He continues, “It’s not just designing the object, but it’s actually designing the interaction with the object. Lighting is an important part of it.”

This is evident from the EV9’s front view, which depicts a solid volume and recognizable three-dimensional “Tiger Face” expression. The identity is enhanced through lighting, combining vertical headlamps and slim daytime running lights. The result is the EV9’s “Star Map” LED design, an animated digital lighting pattern that is becoming a signature of Kia’s “Digital Tiger Face” for future EV models. It exudes confidence, clarity and calmness—perhaps an apt summary of how the brand is cultivating its exciting new design language as well.

The EV9 will roll out later this year, arriving in the US in Q3 or Q4. Pricing has not yet been released.

Images courtesy of Kia

The latest edition of our weekly Dezeen Agenda newsletter features a Vietnamese home in a water garden with an oversized roof. Subscribe to Dezeen Agenda now.

Studios Ra.atelier and Ngo + Pasierbinski have designed the home in Quang Yen, Vietnam, which features an oversized roof covered with terracotta tiles.

The home sits in the centre of a walled garden and has social and living areas that open out to a large pond on one side of the house.

This week’s newsletter also included NASA’s space mission hardware designed using artificial intelligence, BIG’s designs for a 3D-printed hotel in Marfa, Texas, and this year’s Pritzker Architecture Prize winner.

Dezeen Agenda

Dezeen Agenda is a curated newsletter sent every Tuesday containing the most important news highlights from Dezeen. Read the latest edition of Dezeen Agenda or subscribe here.

You can also subscribe to our other newsletters; Dezeen Debate is sent every Thursday and features the hottest reader comments and most-debated stories, Dezeen Daily is our daily bulletin that contains every story published in the preceding 24 hours and Dezeen In Depth is sent on the last Friday of every month and delves deeper into the major stories shaping architecture and design. 

The post Dezeen Agenda features Vietnamese family home with oversized roof appeared first on Dezeen.

It may now be a common sight on jeans, jackets, and even some bags, but there was a point in history when denim was considered revolutionary and cool. It has been and still is plastered on billboards and advertisements for casual wear, but denim was once a symbol of the American dream. From miners to cowboys to blue-collar workers, denim jeans have been worn by people from all walks of life, striving to make a living and establish a home for their families. The way we live today is drastically different from those times, yet denim remains a staple of clothing, and this almost eccentric collection of homeware and other projects pay tribute to the material in a way that reflects how much has changed over the decades.

Designer: Harry Nuriev

As a material, denim is known for its rugged looks and properties that have made it favorable in certain rough conditions. Of course, denim clothing today has more or less become a staple of casual wear all over the world, but for a very long time, it has been a classic American symbol that was associated with workers and the middle class. Times have changed, and so have the way we live and work, and these denim-clad products convey that fact in an interesting new way.

The pieces are already unique and distinctive on their own. After all, who would have dreamed up gym equipment covered in this blue fabric? A relatively soft DJ booth is also a bit ironic when you think about it, and a denim wall paneling almost makes you want to run into it for fun. Other objects are a bit more understandable, like tables and chairs that give off a sense of comfort even just by looking at them.

The collection, however, seems to also make a statement about the modern lifestyle, especially where “home” has become as much a place of activity as it is of rest. The denim pool bed set, for example, seems to embrace anything and everything that you do at home, whether it’s sleeping, eating, working, or connecting with family and friends. It is the extreme manifestation of our hybrid work life after the COVID-19 pandemic, where borders and divisions are torn down, for better or for worse.

Denim today has become a part of both everyday wear as well as the haute-couture world, but it also once symbolized the American dream. It has left an indelible mark on human culture, and this odd yet beautiful selection of furniture and products for the home honors that history while also emphasizing how much denim is part of everyday life, at home, at work, and work-from-home.

The post Denim-covered furniture and gym equipment are a striking nod to the iconic material first appeared on Yanko Design.