Hasta La Ideas

2020 was a life-altering and drastic year, and 2023 is the year we get to redeem all our careless mistakes of the past and start living more consciously and sustainably. We cannot ignore the needs of our planet anymore, we need to take the environment into consideration, and what better way to start doing that than from our own homes? Sustainable furniture is taking the design industry by storm, they’re a step towards making our homes and our daily lives more eco-friendly and sustainable. They’re an attempt to cast aside toxic materials, and instead, add furniture designs to our home that won’t rot away on Earth for years once we’re done with them. We’ve curated a collection of furniture products created from cork, bamboo, and even a sea plant! The options are endless, and the end result is the same – a greener, healthier, and happier Mother Earth!

1. 3D-printed Chairs

These unique 3D-printed chairs were designed by Johannes Steinbauer Office For Design and were designed using additive manufacturing and are built without the use of fabrics, springs, and foam! Despite the lack of springs and foam, the chairs still manage to be super functional and cozy to sit in. The chair makes use of rigid parts, instead of the typical racks from chairs.

Why is it noteworthy?

The design is simple enough with four legs, a round seat, and a single bar at the back. But if you want to add other components like more racks or textiles, these can be added through 3D printing. The different parts are easy to assemble and disassemble and once it reaches the end of life, you can dispose of the different parts separately and recycle them accordingly.

What we like

• Super easy to assemble and disassemble
• Sustainable design

What we dislike

• No instruction on having a space-saving version of this design

2. Tellus Bench

Street furniture brand Vestre and designer Emma Olbers have designed a unique and innovative piece of furniture called the Tellus Bench using fossil-free steel, produced without creating carbon emissions.

Why is it noteworthy?

Swedish steelmaker SSAB forged the steel used to build the Tellus Bench in its converted blast furnace, which utilizes green hydrogen instead of coal for heat, and hence it emits no carbon dioxide.

What we like

• The bench is equipped with wide armrests, that provide comfort to the user, while also offering sufficient space to place a coffee or tea cup

What we dislike

• Aesthetics are a bit dull and unassuming

3. The Drop Side Table

The Drop Side Table is a clean, minimal, and sturdy furniture piece that was built by twisting a standard glass tube until the tube is completely interlocked in itself.

Why is it noteworthy?

This twisting and interlocking resulted in the creation of two parts that are divided by a tightly knitted separation. Twisting the tube created a simple and efficient product that did not require any additional material.

What we like

• Recycled PTA and recycled wood fibers were utilized for the 3D-printing process
• The twisting storage sections of the side table can be used to store a variety of items from books and magazines to tealights or smaller flowers

What we dislike

• The curved under-table is not a storage-intensive design as it leads to a wastage of space.

4. The Sphere Office Chair

Designed by Japanese furniture brand Okamura, the Sphere office chair is a sleek and good-looking office chair made using recycled fishing nets that have been salvaged from the ocean.

Why is it noteworthy?

The upholstery of the chair has been made from Okamura’s Re:net material, which is created from recycled fishing nets taken from the Japanese ocean. According to Okamura, the chair has a high level of recyclability.

What we like

• The chair’s seat depth, reclining tension, and armrests can be easily and efficiently adjusted to maximize comfort

What we dislike

• Aesthetically looks similar to other office chairs in the market

5. The KNOT Stool

The KNOT Stool is a uniquely designed stool that is flat all around, equipped with neither a curved surface nor corner. You can observe the various layers of wood that makeup all its parts, providing the stool with a rather brutalist aesthetic that is toned down because of the painted surfaces.

Why is it noteworthy?

The three wooden pieces can be painted in the same or different colors. The decorative webbing strap that wraps around the top of the stool’s legs can also come in complementing or contrasting colors, not to mention being made of different materials.

What we like

• Adds a whimsical + fun element to your interiors
• Clean and minimal design

What we dislike

• Seems to be designed more for viewing rather than sitting

6. The Bündner Side Table

Designed by the Portuguese architecture and design studio Joana Vilaça Studio, the Bündner Side table is a solid wood table that is artfully inspired by the Swiss Alps lifestyle. It’s a rather interesting muse for a meager table, and not a very common one either.

Why is it noteworthy?

Joana drew inspiration from her own experience of living in Switzerland, where her studio is located. “Having lived for five years in the beautiful Graubünden canton of Switzerland, the collection is inspired by the art of living in the Swiss Alps,” she said.

What we like

• The self-assembly design is ideal for residential or public interiors, where it can be utilized as a bedside, coffee, or side table

What we dislike

• Would be great if there was a folding/space-saving version of it as well

7. Oceanides

Designed by Alexia Mintsouli for UK studio Alexa Mint, Oceanides is a collection of tables made from sea plants and marble. The innovative collection includes a square coffee table and two round side tables. One of the side tables features four legs, while the other features a solid base.

Why is it noteworthy?

Peloponnesian Tortora marble was used to craft the base and legs of the table, while the brown-colored tabletops were built using a sea plant that imparts the table with a natural pattern variation.

What we like

• The local Greek craftsmen were involved in the process, hence giving the local economy a boost as well
• Designed to promote sustainability + earth preservation

What we dislike

• No option for customization

8. The Centenniale Coffee Table

Designed by architect and designer Joanna Laajisto for the Finnish brand Nikari, the Centenniale coffee table is a sturdy and minimal coffee table built using 100-year-old wood.

Why is it noteworthy?

The coffee table was designed by embracing the cracks and imperfections of the old timber. The entire coffee table was constructed from a single piece of wood, and it features a sharp-edged and elongated tabletop that is supported by blocky and chonky legs with rounded edges.

What we like

• The different elements of the table beautifully showcase the unique and versatile variations and textures in the timber

What we dislike

• Aesthetics are a tad bit simple and unassuming

9. Stackabl

More than just a collection of designer furniture in the form of chairs, lounges, and benches, Stackabl is actually a new system that mixes machine precision with human creativity. In a nutshell, a specialized configurator software analyzes choices made by a user or a designer, like colors or dimensions, and selects high-quality felt offcuts that are then cut by robots for use in making furniture.

Why is it noteworthy?

The demand for clothing and furniture upholstery has probably gone up in the past few years, as more people become more attuned to well-designed products. That means more materials are used for production, which unfortunately also means more scraps are left on the cutting room floor, quite literally. While some of these materials are biodegradable or at least recyclable, one design firm is putting them to good use to create furniture that not only looks comfortable but artistically striking as well.

What we like

• Reduces carbon footprint while also enriching and empowering local economies

What we dislike

• May not suit modern contemporary homes

10. in.water

This stunning desk has a minimalist appeal to it. It is flat-packed and can be easily assembled, and includes more than two pairs of aluminum legs and. a plexiglass tabletop.

Why is it noteworthy?

The table has a translucent gradient that goes from blue to frost white, creating an interesting visual even when it’s devoid of anything on top. The choice of color is, of course, intentional, and it is meant to convey the image of a clear body of water partially reflecting the blue sky.

What we like

• It can be made from 100% recycled plexiglass and aluminum, and its flat-pack design produces less carbon footprint during transportation

What we dislike

• Showcases no way to add drawers, cable management setup, or any accessories to the glass top

The post Top 10 sustainable furniture designs to add to your home first appeared on Yanko Design.

Statement wardrobes with red-leather doors and bright yellow shelving feature in this lookbook, which proves clothes storage does not have to be a blight on the interior.

It’s not unusual for wardrobes to be pared-back and concealed in residential interiors, often in an attempt to hide clutter and retain focus on other furnishings and finishes.

However, this lookbook spotlights the works of architects challenging this idea and using essential clothing storage as an opportunity to create a focal point in a home.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring pergolas, guesthouse interiors and bedrooms with bathtubs.

Leather Dressing, UK, by Simon Astridge

Rust-coloured leather lines the floor and sliding wardrobe doors of this dressing room, which architect Simon Astridge designed as an eye-catching centrepiece in a refurbished London house.

“The best part of the leather tunnel is the lovely fresh leather smell you get every time you get out of bed to get dressed,” said Astridge.

Find out more about Leather Dressing ›

Casa Triana, Spain, by Studio Noju

This vivid yellow wardrobe is among the brightly coloured spaces in Casa Triana, an open-plan apartment by Studio Noju in Seville.

Its bright shelves and surfaces pop against its white surroundings and form a striking backdrop to the owner’s clothes. While forming a feature of the home, it also helps to create the illusion of having separate spaces within its open plan.

Find out more about Casa Triana ›

The Magic Box Apartment, Spain, by Raúl Sánchez Architects

This shiny brass wardrobe at the centre of an apartment near Barcelona in Spain was intended to resemble a precious jewellery box. It also acts as a partition between two rooms, featuring a “secret passageway” in its middle.

“I love brass, and in this precise project it gave that magic look, that look of a precious object,” said architect Raúl Sánchez.

Find out more about The Magic Box Apartment ›

Yellow Apartment Renovation, Portugal, by Pedro Varela & Renata Pinho

Yellow was also used by architects Pedro Varela & Renata Pinho to colour this wardrobe, which is located in an apartment in Portugal.

The wardrobe forms part of a wall of storage that divides the apartment. Finishing touches include different-sized circular openings for use as handles and a step that is pulled out of the wall with a smiley-face cut-out.

Find out more about Yellow Apartment Renovation ›

Wood Ribbon, Paris, by Toledano + Architects

This Parisian apartment is named Wood Ribbon after the sinuous plywood wall that snakes through its interior.

While dividing the residence into three zones, the structure also incorporates several doorways, a dressing room and storage areas for clothes, including one in the hallway.

Find out more about Wood Ribbon ›

Nagatachō Apartment, Tokyo, by Adam Nathaniel Furman

A sugar-sweet colour palette fills every corner of the Nagatachō Apartment, which designer Adam Nathaniel Furman created for a retired expat couple in Tokyo.

This includes the bedroom, where a built-in wardrobe is outlined by bright baby-blue doors and yellow semicircular motifs that stand out against the white and green walls on either side.

Find out more about Nagatachō Apartment ›

Galla House, Spain, by Cavaa

Though it sits seamlessly against the wall, the detailed design of this wardrobe ensures makes it a standout feature of the Galla House in Spain.

It features wooden drawers for shoes and taller blue-painted cupboards for hanging clothes, alongside a deep window seat that is enjoyed by the home’s feline occupants.

Find out more about Galla House ›

Versailles Studio Apartment, Australia, by Catseye Bay Design

Catseye Bay Design designed the wooden wardrobe of Versailles Studio Apartment to double as a privacy screen for the bed.

Projecting diagonally from one of the bedroom walls, the two-metre-high structure incorporates clothes storage and shelving on the other side. Alongside the bed, it conceals an upholstered bench that looks out to a window.

Find out more about Versailles Studio Apartment ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring pergolas, guesthouse interiors and bedrooms with bathtubs.

The post Eight homes where wardrobes are used as a focal point appeared first on Dezeen.

We believe there are 4 fundamental ways to level up your career – Studying further (specializing), changing/upgrading your job or industry, getting coverage in media, or winning an award. The first is incredibly expensive, the second has a high amount of risk… the third and fourth are somewhat interconnected (both involve getting recognition), and are relatively easier if you play your cards right. Design awards are a great way to compare yourself to your peers, get your work seen by elite jury members, and win all kinds of accolades – whether it’s a trophy/certificate, a cash prize, or having your work featured in a post-award exhibition… and if you play your cards right, you don’t even have to pay to enter the competition.

Now in its successful eighth year, the Design Intelligence Award is a free-to-enter program organized by the China Academy of Art since 2015. The award’s mission has been simple – to identify good design and reward creatives for their potential, helping them take their work to the next level.

Beyond recognizing good design, Design Intelligence Award (or DIA for short) also seeks to propel international trade, foster global connectivity, and open up commercial opportunities. This initiative is a bold step towards balancing the global design industry, which has long been West-heavy, by introducing and promoting the creative prowess of the Global East.

At its core, DIA believes that design gains true impact when it resonates with a wider audience, both in its appeal and its utility. DIA’s jury is a panel composed of global design luminaries, featuring 550 experts and judges from 37 countries and regions around the world. Their expert critique ensures your creation undergoes rigorous examination, cementing the award’s commitment to quality and innovation. To encourage the materialization of exceptional ideas into tangible designs, the DIA program offers a prize fund of ¥5 million RMB, equivalent to $726,000 USD. This substantial support serves to incubate innovative concepts with the potential to create ripples of significant difference in the design world.

Click Here to Enter Now: Registration Closes on 30th June, 2023 (24:00, UTC+8).

How DIA Bolsters Your Career and Creativity

1. Prize Money: A ¥5,000,000 RMB Grand Fund

A jaw-dropping prize fund of ¥5 million Yuan ($726,000 USD) makes DIA an unmissable opportunity for designers of all ages, experience levels, and across the world. These financial rewards are divided among various categories and tiers of winners, a substantial boost that not only recognizes winners’ exceptional talent but affirms the value of design as a key contributor to societal progress. This prize money not only acknowledges the winners’ exceptional talent but also affirms the value of design as an essential societal contributor.

2. Exposure: Spotlight on Talent

Winning the DIA (or even landing an honorable mention) is by far the easiest way to enter the global spotlight. Your work reaches not just the eyes of esteemed jury members (who could also be your potential well-wishers, mentors, and employers), but also the rest of the world through a coordinated PR campaign and media push both in China as well as globally. This exposure is a golden opportunity to showcase your creativity and ingenuity to the industry’s influential figures, earn global recognition, find new inroads for your product or your career, and potentially catapult your career to new horizons.

3. Prestige: China’s Largest Design Award

Widely acknowledged as China’s largest design award and a leading international award for design and innovation, the DIA carries an immense prestige that significantly strengthens your standing in the international design community. Winning or even being shortlisted for the DIA validates your talent and demonstrates your competitive edge, ensuring your work is recognized and respected; award winners often wear these accolades proudly on their sleeves, in their portfolios, and in their resumes.

4. Protection: Sheltering Your Innovation

For designers keen on entering the Chinese market, the DIA offers invaluable guidance in being able to swiftly apply for patents in China. Through introduction to specialized institutions and a referral system for competent legal representatives, DIA helps participants protect their designs locally. This assures your innovative ideas are safeguarded, offering confidence as you venture into new territories.

5. Networking: Connections that Count

The DIA extends beyond the boundaries of traditional competition. It evolves into a vibrant, dynamic hub of visionary talents, industry experts, and potential collaborators. Participating in DIA opens doors to forge invaluable connections with other designers, peers, experts, and potential business partners/investors. You might be able to find a job, get feedback on your designs, or even see your work entering a new market through strategic business partnerships – all thanks to the massive DIA community.

6. Education: Learning from the Masters

Participation in DIA comes with the golden chance to attend D-WILL expert lectures, sponsored by the Zhejiang Modern Intelligent Manufacturing Promotion Center and Design Innovation Center of China Academy of Art. These enlightening sessions serve as a deep dive into the evolving trends of the design world, enhancing your knowledge and refining your skills. The objective of these talks is to encourage creativity and teamwork through the participation of education specialists, business executives, and trailblazers who impart their expertise and accomplishments to the upcoming cohort.

Bonus tip – Embrace the Opportunity, Free of Cost

Dispelling the common misconception surrounding prestigious awards, the DIA does not impose any submission fees. This encourages a wide spectrum of talent to participate without the barrier of cost, ensuring the competition truly stands as a beacon of creative meritocracy. This attribute makes DIA an even more attractive proposition for designers around the globe. So, seize this golden opportunity, share your unique design narratives with the world, and propel your career to an international stage. The DIA is not just an award; it’s your launchpad to global recognition and success.

Click Here to Enter Now: Registration Closes on 30th June, 2023 (24:00, UTC+8).

The post How Participating in Design Awards Can Elevate Your Career and Creativity first appeared on Yanko Design.

Audi never seizes the opportunity to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to future automotive trends. Their Sphere concepts, namely – Skysphere, Grandsphere, Activesphere, and Urbansphere being the prime examples. There four shapes of future progression resonate with the brand’s philosophy and for now are limited to the four-wheeler domain.

A concept design wants to break the ice for Audi with a dystopian world concept bike that fits right into the German automotive giant’s scheme of things. Dubbed Audi Robosphere, the presumed limited edition electric motorcycle aims to break the world speed record. Perfectly superimposed with Audi’s current Motorsport endeavor in Formula-E and soon to be in Formula-1, the electric bike is a monster under the hood.

Designer: Andrea Di Matteo

The goal of this project is to take Audi into the zone of record-breaking accolades – courtesy of the limited series of 50 road-legal parts honed by motorcycle mechanics. The target market for the handsome two-wheeled performer, well, the opulent class who don’t fret about taking their machine to the absolute limits.

Andrea has chosen a functional aerodynamic design, flowing from the front wheels to the rear, creating a soothing visual unison. Voluminous styling is dominant here, contrasted by the cool graphics and transparent aesthetics. To optimize the airflow even more, the handlebars are not protruding from the sides, rather they are integrated into the body. Those wide wheels and the geometrically aligned LED headlights to the body frame give off the tell-tale future motorbike character.

This bike has an extremely sporty setup just like you’d have in motocross bikes, but can be toggled for normal riding posture as well. Fork of the Robosphere draws inspiration from the Bimota Tesi 3D which is one impressive Italian art on two wheels. One of the most startling features of this Audi bike is the illuminated rear which doubles as a big headlight. Something that’s never-before-seen on a sprinting machine.

The post Audi Robosphere is a powerful Cyberpunk world machine curious to break records first appeared on Yanko Design.

Most of the time we underestimate the importance of a great chair and don’t pay enough attention while selecting one. When in reality, we really shouldn’t. We spend the majority of our day sitting on chairs, whether we’re working in our home office, enjoying a meal, or simply sitting and reading a book for leisure! Hence, this piece of furniture needs to be not only comfortable but ergonomic and aesthetic as well. It needs to provide good support to our backs and butts, and also somehow harmoniously complement the rest of the furniture in our home, and our interiors. A unique chair design that completely caught my attention is the Alcântara Chair by Álvaro Siza.

Designer: Álvaro Siza for MOR

Designed by Álvaro Siza for the Portuguese brand MOR, the Alcântara Chair was designed to showcase the “beauty and practicality” of plywood. Plywood is often deemed a simple material, and not given much attention after a certain point, but with the Alcântara Chair, Siza wanted to shine a light on the simplistic and sheer beauty of this material. The chair is made up of slim planks of plywood that have been arranged perpendicularly to form a seat, armrests, and backrest. The chair has been adorned with leather-covered cushions to help you feel relaxed and cozy.

Plywood was selected as the material of choice since it is sustainable and efficient in the production department, while also managing to maintain an air of modern elegance, and a sense of warmth. It’s the kind of material that can add layers of sophistication and charm to any living space it is placed within. Named after the riverside district Alcântara in Lisbon, the Alcântara Chair is designed to be a relaxing and inviting spot, that welcomes you warmly and encourages you to read your favorite book and destress.

“Its simple, minimalistic, and timeless shape allows it to fit in a variety of scenarios and atmospheres, making it a perfect piece for living spaces and offices alike,” said MOR. The Alcântara Chair is available in three types of wood – ash, oak, and walnut, and with a choice of upholstery in natural, brown, or black leather. Take your pick!

The post Warm plywood chair showcases the beauty and functionality of this simple material first appeared on Yanko Design.