The 2023 Core77 Design Awards Sustainability category honors any designed product, service or system tackling issues around sustainability in a thoughtful, research-backed manner through strategies ranging from materials, production methods, efficient systems, packaging and shipping, etc.
This year’s Core77 Design Awards Sustainability team was led by Allison Dring, CEO of Made of Air. Joining Dring on the panel was Dee Halligan, Director of Forth, Ethan Imboden, Venture Partner and Business Activist, Cilia Indahl, Head of EQT Foundation, and Avra van der Zee, COO of Elemental Excelerator.
The 2023 Core77 Design Awards Commercial Equipment category honors operational equipment and systems designed for public, commercial, industrial, medical and scientific use. Examples include: machinery, medical instruments and devices, construction tools, transaction kiosks, weather instruments, etc.
This year’s Core77 Design Awards Commercial Equipment team was led by Stuart Harvey Lee, Founder of Prime Studio. Joining Lee on the panel was Dan Formosa, Ph.D, Founder of ThinkActHuman, Pepin Gelardi, Co-Founder of Tomorrow Lab, Helen Maria Nugent, Dean of Design at California College of the Arts (CCA), and Joshua Taylor, CEO of Product EVO.
With a launch date set for sometime this year, OnePlus might just be the last major Android brand jumping into the foldable space… but like they say, it’s more important to do it right than to do it first.
OnePlus isn’t one to shy from innovation. They’ve made phones with electrochromic glass, they even designed a fluid cooling system into the OnePlus 11 Concept which debuted at MWC this year, and the phone maker is now ready to debut their first foldable, allegedly dubbed the OnePlus V Fold. Set for a launch sometime this year, the V Fold features the same book-like folding style of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, the Oppo Find N2, and the Google Pixel Fold. Thanks to these rendered images based on leaks provided to Smartprix and OnLeaks, we have a pretty detailed look at the upcoming foldable, along with a few strong speculations on the hardware front too.
Based on the phone’s folding format, it will feature a primary folding screen and a full-size secondary screen on the front, prompting folded as well as unfolded use. As has been the case with a lot of OnePlus phones in the past, this device will have a camera system powered in collaboration with Hasselblad, and even though the circular camera bump feels a lot like the one on the OnePlus 11, there’s a slight deviation in the form of an offset flash module that sits on the top left corner. The camera setup is rumored to include a 50MP main camera and a telephoto lens for periscope zoom functionality. The phone is speculated to have two selfie cameras, both rumored at 32MP each. The back looks to be made from faux leather, giving the phone a premium touch along with that extra bit of grip needed to hold the hefty device. After all, nobody likes dropping their phone, especially when it’s an expensive foldable.
Based on credible rumors, the V Fold will sport a 2K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a triple-speaker setup for stereo audio. The phone itself is expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or an upgraded Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 chipset, alongside a 4800mAh battery with 100W SuperVOOC charging.
Given OnePlus’ close association with OPPO, the phone is also expected to sport the Flexion metal hinge seen in OPPO’s Find N2. This unique hinge helped the smartphone have a smaller, slimmer design and it’s speculated that the OnePlus V Fold will benefit from that bit of innovation too. While the faux leather back seems to be a pretty distinct part of the phone, the V Fold will probably come with regular glass variants too (yet another design detail taken from the OPPO playbook).
A close look at OnLeaks’ renders shows the reappearance of the beloved alert slider, whose disappearance in the OnePlus 10 created quite an uproar in the community. While the alert slider makes its way back to the phone, the power button is also expected to have a fingerprint sensor built into it, circumventing the need for a fingerprint sensor underneath the display. Whether this is accepted by the OnePlus fan base is yet to be determined.
The OnePlus V Fold is expected to launch in Q3 this year, with a focus on sales in India, China, and the US. The price, meanwhile, is yet to be determined, although given the OPPO Find N2’s $1050 price tag upon launch, expect the OnePlus V Fold to start in the $1,000 ballpark.
US architecture studios Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and Moody Nolan have unveiled a museum in South Carolina that is lifted off the ground above a site where many enslaved people disembarked
Designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and Moody Nolan, the International African American Museum (IAAM) occupies a single-storey structure, which was lifted 13 feet off the ground on 18 columns.
Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and Moody Nolan unveiled the International African American Museum
The space underneath the structure was left completely open between the columns, except for the massing of the skylit staircase that rises up through the centre of it.
It occupies a site on the waterfront in Charleston, where many enslaved Africans first reached the United States before being sold into forced labour throughout the country.
The building stands 13 feet off the ground
The IAAM was designed to respect the site by offering programming and exhibitions reflecting on the history of slaves in the United States and to “celebrate the contributions of their descendants”.
“The International African American Museum is more than a mark of architecture, it’s an extraordinary milestone,” said Curt Moody, principal at Ohio-based studio Moody Nolan, which served as the executive architect on the project.
“Having worked for the last fifteen years to dream this into being, we are intimately aware of the cultural significance it has for American history,” he continued. “Without this building, this sacred site would have remained unknown and the stories of our ancestors untold.”
It is clad in pale bricks with windows on each end
By raising the structure, the studios were able to respect the site and give the structure visual interest. The material choices on the exterior further reference the history of the site.
The columns were clad in oyster-shell tabby. The ends of the building, which face the water and the city respectively, feature a series of windows framed by angled louvres clad in African sapele.
Much of the remainder of the building was clad with pale yellow brick.
In total, 18 short columns support the structure
Late architect and co-founder of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners Henry N Cobb played a significant role in the design before his passing.
“As the place where thousands of Africans from diverse cultures first set foot in North America, Gadsden’s Wharf is not just the right place to tell this story; it is hallowed ground,” Cobb said when the project was commissioned in 2008.
“The special design challenge of the museum is to build on this site without occupying it.”
A monumental staircase leads to a central atrium
The main entryway is a wide set of stone stairs leading up to a central atrium that is lit from above by a skylight.
Inside, the galleries and programming spaces have wooden floors and a number of multi-media installations created by exhibition designers Ralph Appelbaum Associates.
Hood Design Studio carried out the design of the surrounding landscape
Large windows at both ends let light into large spaces with circular archival rooms that hold documents of family histories and stories. The side corridors of the building hold a series of narrative exhibitions.
Outside, California-based Hood Design Studio created landscape architecture and artwork that continues the programming and connects the building to its physical environment and to the history of the site.
Ralph Appelbaum Associates designed the gallery and programming spaces, including an archive called The Center for Family History
Collectively called the African Ancestors Memorial Garden, the landscaping features a dune garden and a water feature, laden with symbolic references.
The water feature is a pool of shallow water on top of engravings in stone based on the eighteenth-century Brooks map, a depiction of enslaved people packed tightly together on a slave ship. A perforated, curving brick wall lines one edge of the site.
A wooden walkway leads past the dune garden through a landscape of trees and grasses to a series of stone and wood sculptures and furniture that celebrate “the artistry, craftsmanship, and labor” of African Americans.
The studio included a silver band that traces on the earth the historic boundaries of the wharf and it has been engraved with the names of the other stops that enslaved people may have made during the passage.
“The ground beneath the museum is the artifact of the site,” said studio founder Walter Hood.
“As a rich tapestry of water, tabby, grasses, wood, and stone, the hallowed ground and landscape spaces offer contemplation, celebration, and fraught memories.”
Sculptures and a wooden walkway were installed adjacent to the structure
The site was originally supposed to be a restaurant, but when construction discovered the history of the site, former Charleston mayor Joseph P Riley Jr purchased the site and initiated planning for the museum in 2000. It has then went through a series of different phases and funding streams.
The museum is set to open to the public 27 June.
Hood Design Studio also installed wooden furniture outdoor on the grounds
Pei Cobb Freed & Partners was founded in 1955 by IM Pei, Eason H Leonard, and Henry N Cobb. The studio has completed a number of iconic projects including the US Bank Tower in Los Angeles.
Other projects that create space to recognize the history of African Americans in the United States include the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC, which was completed by British-Ghanian architect David Adjaye in 2016.
The photography is by Mike Habat and Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto.
Project credits:
Design architect: Pei Cobb Freed & Partners; Henry N. Cobb, lead designer; Matteo Milani, lead designer; Hitoshi Maehara, senior design architect Executive architect: Moody Nolan; Curt Moody, partner in charge; Jonathan Moody, project executive, Bob Larrimer, project manager, Julie Cook, senior project architect Landscape design: Hood Design Studio Exhibition design: Ralph Appelbaum Associates Structural engineering: Guy Nordenson and Associates M/E/P/FP engineering; Acoustic consulting; communications infrastructure; security consulting; lighting design: Arup Landscape architect of record: SeamonWhiteside Construction cost consulting: Venue Consulting Civil engineering; survey: Forsberg Engineering Geotechnical & environmental engineering: S&ME Traffic engineering: Bihl engineering Code consulting: CCI Water feature M/E/P: Aqua Design International Commissioning: Whole Building Systems Museum planning and implementation: Carolynne Harris Consulting Lighting design (exhibit spaces): Technical Artistry Multimedia design and production: Cortina Productions Construction manager: Turner Construction management: Brownstone Exhibit fabrication: Solomon Group Display case fabrication: Zone Display Cases AV system integration: Johnson Controls
As we age, our ability to balance and manage everyday tasks can become more challenging. Simple activities that were once effortless can require more effort and the risk of accidents and loss of control increases. For elderly individuals, having support and the knowledge that help is readily available is invaluable. However, in today’s modern world, many elderly people live alone or without immediate assistance. This is where Nobi comes in—a remarkable AI-driven smart lamp that detects, predicts, and prevents incidents, providing a sense of safety and security for the elderly.
Nobi understands the unique needs of the elderly and empowers them to live safe, dignified, and happy lives. Accidents, such as falls resulting in severe injuries, are unfortunately common among the elderly. Nobi acts as a proactive companion, constantly monitoring the surroundings to detect potential dangers and intervene, when necessary, by alarming the designated caregivers for assistance. They can monitor respiration, cough detection, and detect falls even before they occur. By doing so, Nobi ensures that prompt treatment and assistance can be provided to mitigate the impact of accidents.
Elderly individuals often struggle with adapting to new technologies, finding them complex and overwhelming. As younger generations, we have become de facto teachers for our grandparents in the realm of technology. From teaching them how to make phone calls and take pictures to navigate social media, we’ve witnessed their challenges. Nobi, however, breaks the barriers by encouraging the adoption of high-tech care technology that is perceived as difficult to use and intrusive. It not only fulfills their needs but also fosters a genuine desire to embrace them.
Nobi goes beyond its practical functions and seamlessly integrates into any interior with its stylish design. It resembles a conventional lamp rather than a piece of care technology, ensuring it doesn’t disrupt the aesthetics of the living space. Nobi’s discreet presence allows the elderly to feel comfortable and secure without drawing attention to their vulnerabilities.
Like a guardian angel, Nobi diligently stands to watch, providing continuous support and care. Its advanced AI technology enables it to operate around the clock, preventing falls and promptly alerting caregivers in the event of declining health. Nobi’s vigilant presence serves as a reliable companion for the elderly, ensuring they are never alone during crucial moments.
Nobi is a revolutionary AI-driven smart lamp that has redefined care technology for the elderly. By seamlessly blending into the living environment, Nobi offers a sense of safety and security without compromising on style. With its ability to detect, predict, and prevent accidents, Nobi acts as an ever-watchful guardian, ensuring the well-being and independence of the elderly. By embracing Nobi, elderly individuals can lead dignified lives with the knowledge that they are protected and always supported.
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 6-alloy chair by SUNRIU Design. Let’s have a look at it!
Conceptualized by SUNRIU Design, the 6-alloy chair doesn’t look like any of the regular or traditional chairs you see on the market, or anywhere around you. It looks as if a stool and a chair had a love child – resulting in the intriguing-looking 6-alloy chair. Built using aluminum and Piñatex (leather created from pineapple leaf), the 6-alloy chair features an aluminum body, that comprises of three tubes. The three tubes are subtly interlocked together, with two pieces of leather forming the seating section, and a nifty storage section beneath it (or a cute spot for your pet to nap in).
The leather is fastened onto the aluminum body using buttons, making the material easy to replace or remove for cleaning. In fact, the chair is pretty eco-friendly since the leg pads of the chair were created using cork, which can be recycled later, making it a product that rates high on the green scale overall.
The various screwed joints that hold the different elements together are easy to assemble and can be replaced individually, which extends the life cycle of the chair. The different components of the chair can be easily packed in flat corrugated cardboard boxes and shipped away efficiently. Users can assemble the chair at home simply using the screwdriver. The 6-alloy chair is designed to be a lightweight and eco-friendly chair that users can easily build in the comfort of their own homes.
American art collective MSCHF has revealed a microscopic Louis Vuitton handbag made from neon-green photopolymer resin.
The bag, which was created using 3D printing, is 658 micrometres high and 700 micrometres long.
Commenters had mixed opinions. One thought the design was “ironic” and a “perfect expression of the usefulness of overpriced luxury items”, whilst another argued that the “toxicity of polymer resin should be the commentary”.
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After two years of working wherever I wanted in my house, whether it’s a desk, the couch, or my bed, it’s been another adjustment to go back to the office and work in my cubicle. The fact that I’m back in a regular desk most days of the week can be a source of stress and I would like nothing more than to have a more pleasant area to work in while at the same time still being productive and all. It would be great if there was a space or a chair where I could choose to be more relaxed or to focus more on work, whichever is needed at the moment.
Designer: Michael Hilgers for LINAK
A concept for a leisure and work furniture might just be the thing I’ve been looking for. The LUNA Hybrid-Lounger is able to combine various functionalities for a chair and side table together so that you will be able to transform your space into whatever you need it to be. It can be a reading, relaxation, and even napping space and then when you need to actually work on something, you can transform it into a workspace whether you’re sitting down or standing up. You can also use the panel to be a divider and give yourself some sense of privacy when in a co-working environment.
The LUNA is made up of a lounger that looks like a barca lounger but with a softer-looking upholstery. The panel beside it can serve as a side table to put your coffee or snacks in or to write on your notebook or type on your tablet or laptop. You can also adjust the height of the table so you can also use it as a standing works space if you think you’ll be more productive that way. It is a motorized and rotatable panel that can adjust to whatever you need it to be. There’s also space for storage there so you can keep your notebook or books close to you.
The fabric for the panel is made from 100% PET bottles materials that were shredded in Europe so there’s also an eco-friendly aspect to this concept. I would actually like to have something like this in my house or office, depending on which place I’ll be staying in more often now (most likely the latter). But I will probably almost never stand up from there if you just put a snackbar or a mini-ref somewhere I can reach it easily so that doesn’t bode well for my fitness.
Designed for a client who co-founded a film and documentary production company, the house – called Santa Monica Modern – is located in a walkable neighbourhood, near shops and restaurants. Just a few blocks away is the expansive Pacific coastline.
Santa Monica Modern is arranged around a spacious courtyard
“A private oasis hidden within a bustling urban neighborhood, it’s a place that offers respite and repose,” the team said.
The project was designed to be calm, casual and inspiring
Among the studio’s goals were making the most of southern California’s pleasant climate and providing an atmosphere that is calm, casual and inspiring.
The house also needed to accommodate visiting family members and be suitable for entertaining.
Walker Warner Architects conceived a two-storey, L-shaped home
For an 8,000-square-foot (743-square-metre) site, the team conceived a two-storey, L-shaped home composed of rectilinear volumes arranged around a spacious, rear courtyard. Mature eucalyptus trees surround the dwelling, providing shade and privacy.
Exterior walls are clad in a mix of Western red cedar and zinc panels. Certain windows are covered with automated, wood-and-metal shutters that mitigate heat gain and “create dynamic light patterns on interior surfaces”.
The ground floor holds the public zone
Encompassing 4,700 square feet (437 square metres), the home has a clear and fluid layout.
The ground floor holds the public zone and guest quarters. The upper level encompasses the primary bedroom, an office, and another guest suite.
A detached garage is topped by a yoga studio
A detached garage is topped by a yoga studio. The home also has a carport in the back of the property.
“Efficiently designed, the home functions for one as easily as it accommodates many, allowing for both privacy and gathering,” the team said.
Clean lines and a subdued material palette characterise the interiors
Interior finishes include white oak and limestone. Clean lines and a subdued material palette form an ideal backdrop for the client’s collection of guitars and contemporary artwork.
“Walls are adorned with carefully curated pieces, creating a visual feast for the eyes,” the team said.
Sliding, glass doors offer a seamless connection to the courtyard
Sliding, glass doors offer a seamless connection to the courtyard, which is designed for a range of activities, from entertaining and exercising to games of ping pong.
The courtyard is adorned with a custom fire pit, built-in concrete seating and a dining table with a bright yellow top. The outdoor space is anchored by an infinity-edge fountain.
Overall, the house can accommodate a variety of uses and is meant to feel relaxed and welcoming.
“Always open to family and friends, it’s a casual place to share a home-cooked meal or play music before heading to the beach with a surfboard under your arm,” the team said.
Walker Warner Architects adorned the courtyard with a custom fire pit
Other projects by Walker Warner include a barn-inspired guesthouse on a northern California property that is wrapped in reclaimed wood, and a Hawaiian holiday home composed of pavilions with shallow, gabled roofs.
The Cyclo Knitter is a cycle-powered scarf-making machine. George Barratt-Jones designed and built it for a train station in Eindhoven, where the designer is based.
Here it is in action:
“It was winter and I was waiting for my train at the station. I thought: ‘How can I make this moment more enjoyable? How can I turn waiting into something productive?’
“I wanted to get [people] warm. Thus the exercise bike. And they should have fun and be rewarded. Creating the scarf. Warmth for warmth.”
“I want to get people excited about making again. People want to do more nowadays. They are tired of social media and looking at their phones. It’s all about spreading joy and making those boring moments more fun.”
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
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