AI might not steal our jobs, but it for sure will help us become MUCH more talented. Tools like Midjourney help push our creativity to new heights by allowing us to imagine practically anything. Some artists have used it to imagine sapphire-crusted gold thrones, others have turned luxury automobiles into high-octane off-roaders, and architect Tim Fu is using Midjourney to realize large architectural marvels by using something as unusual as crumpled paper as his source of inspiration.

Simply dubbed “Crumpled Paper Architecture”, this series explores Midjourney’s Image to Image feature. All you do is upload an image, add a description or prompt, and the AI works using both as an input. Tim’s prompts featured names of prominent architectures, and the AI did the rest, turning the haphazard folds in the paper into architectural details. The results are fantastic, but more so, they open up new possibilities for ideation. Designers and architects can now look anywhere for inspiration, and rely on an AI to bring their visions to life… After all, if crumpled paper can look this good!

Designer: Tim Fu (via Midjourney)

The image above served as Tim’s source file, which the AI took as a visual input. Tim simply crumpled a piece of high-GSM paper (for more detailed folds) ad placed it on his keyboard as a base. The keys of the keyboard acted as a neat perspective guide for the AI, helping it understand scale, height, perspective, etc.

The second part of the exercise was to give the AI a prompt, instructing it to manipulate the image in the style of your choosing. Below is an example of the AI harnessing the style of Pritzker-prize-winning architectural firm SANAA (Sejima And Nishizawa And Associates). Inspired by the architecture of the Sydney Modern Museum and the Apartments on Ave. Maréchal Fayolle in Paris, the AI created a multi-level building with curved, undulating facades in white. The curved architecture aims at creating dynamic spaces on the inside as well as an exterior that benefits well from direct sunlight, creating a unique interplay between highlights and shadows.

A prompt to turn the paper into the architecture of Zaha Hadid yielded some interesting results too. The late architect’s works explore immense, sometimes highly challenging forms, bridging art and engineering in an iconic way. The AI’s work is not too different, using not a single straight line in the process. Inspired by Hadid’s organic approach, the building has a fluid appeal to it too, almost as if it were carved by water, wind, and erosion.

To push things further, Tim experimented with new forms, resulting in even more interesting outputs. This particular crumple had some height to it, so it was interesting to see how the AI would translate that into architecture that’s still feasible and structurally sound. For this experiment, Tim harnessed the styles of OMA or the Office for Metropolitan Architecture. Based in Germany, OMA isn’t afraid of dramatic facades, and often uses glass to bring concrete to life. In the case of the ‘building’ below, you’ll see references to Dutch artist Piet Mondrian too, with the use of abstract geometric shapes, brought to life by vibrant colors. I can only imagine how interesting the buildings must look from the inside, with natural light filtering through those tinted glass panels.

The next prompt turned the same crumpled paper into a building by Spanish architect and structural engineer, Santiago Calatrava. Calatrava’s designs are known for their organic and zoomorphic shapes that resemble living organisms. His buildings often feature sweeping curves and dramatic angles that give them a sense of movement and dynamism, which the AI captured really well. The curved facades, combined with the use of angular elements, give the building a biofuturistic appeal. Look closer and you’ll notice details like rectangular panels, supports, and window borders, just showing how capable the AI is of recreating even the overlooked details of grandiose architecture. Calatrava’s work is also known for its intricate details and ornamentation, which are often inspired by natural forms such as leaves, shells, and bones, which is pretty evident from the design choices of the AI.

The final form is perhaps the most dramatic, with a somewhat vertical design that’s still stable. In a way, crumpled paper has its own method of tipping and falling over to find equilibrium, so that plays a big role in making sure that the buildings attain some form of equilibrium and stability! Tim invoked the styles of Zaha Hadid once again, relying on the late architect’s use of organic geometry to create captivating, and sometimes structurally challenging buildings. This particular experiment highlights that, with floors that look like they’re gradually tilting the higher you climb. You can’t really fault an AI art generator for that, given that they don’t understand concepts like geometry, balance, and structural soundness. All that aside, what the AI still manages to create is beyond incredible, opening up a lot of avenues for exploration for all kinds of designers.

Hadid’s building is followed by legendary architect Frank Gehry, whose famous works include the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA, and the oddly appealing Dancing House in Prague. Gehry is of the opinion that straight lines are the death of art and architecture… and he tries to use them as minimally as possible, if not eliminate them entirely from his work. Looking at the base of that AI-generated building below, it seems like Midjourney may have grasped that concept. The larger vertical structure pulls more from the postmodern works of Gehry like the Hotel Marqués de Riscal in Spain, with a wraparound facade that creates a cloak of dynamism around the building itself.

After Gehry’s postmodern approach, Tim looked to Polish-American architect Daniel Libeskind’s deconstructionist architectural style – a variation of postmodern architecture characterized by fragmentation and distortion. Libeskind’s work is instantly recognizable for its unique shapes and forms that often appear to be in motion, which the AI does justice to with its own image generation. If Gehry hated straight lines, Libeskind looked at them much more favorably. Sort of like if architecture met origami, this building has a distinct, edgy appeal – which does make sense in hindsight considering that the AI’s input was literally folded paper!

The post From Trash to Treasure: How an AI Created Stunning Architecture from a Crumpled Paper first appeared on Yanko Design.

If there are toddlers at home, there will inevitably be a multitude of toys as well. As a result, the play area, bedroom, and entire house can often be in a state of perpetual chaos. For parents, each day tends to follow a predictable routine where the child empties the toy bin and engages in brief play with a toy, only to become quickly captivated by something new. Consequently, the parent is left with an ongoing cycle of tidying up.

Hence, here are some tips to create a more organized storage solution for toys.

1. Label Storage Tubs

Designer: Love and Labels

Labeling the storage tubs and containers is highly recommended so that it is easier to keep the toys in them and segregate them accordingly. Note that a toy lacking a designated place to call home will likely contribute to ongoing disorganization.

2. Storage Baskets

Designer: PEHR

Baskets or toy bins serve as excellent tools for keeping similar items together while encouraging children to choose and focus on one or two toys at a time. Shelves and baskets offer a wide range of options, including diverse shapes, materials, and sizes, allowing one to find the perfect fit for your organizing the toys.

3. Transparent Containers

Designer: Jess Galvin

The transparent organization boxes are perfect for storing toys by category. Keep toys within sight as if the toy is out of sight, it’s out of a child’s mind. Ensuring that toys are visible is crucial because if they can’t see a toy, they might perceive it as non-existent.

4. Buy a Toy Storage Organizer

Designer: KidKraft

If there is no additional cabinet space, buy a toy storage organizer. Consider choosing tilted bin units that provide a clear view of the contents inside. This setup may be the perfect solution to encourage your kids to actively tidy up their toys by eliminating the need to pull out and put back the bins.

5. Lego Lover

Designer: Stephanie Treantos

If your child has a passion for Legos, consider using transparent containers for storage. By organizing the Lego pieces by color, finding and retrieving specific pieces during playtime becomes much simpler, enhancing their overall Lego-building experience.

6. Magnetic knife rack

Designer: Kayla South (with IKEA GRUNDTAL knife rack)

Install a magnetic strip on the wall to serve as a storage solution for toy cars making it a convenient and efficient way to keep them organized.

7. Playroom Closet

Designer: CW Home

Have a playroom closet where toys can be stored by category where one can allocate a shelf for board games, another for toy bins, for car displays, and so on. It is highly recommended to provide a limited number of toys to enable children to quickly find and choose their preferred playthings.

8. Built-in Storage

Designer: Jennifer Maune

Built-in storage with closed cabinets can effectively keep toy clutter at bay while maintaining a neat and clean appearance. The cabinets conceal the clutter of toys, creating a visually appealing space.

9. Car Garage

Designer: Ryan Wolosek

An array of wooden shelves is perfect for displaying toy cars and is a great way to create a stylish and organized display. It enhances the visual appeal of the room and encourages the children to keep the toys in the correct place.

10. Storage box

Designer: Katrina Teeple

Maintaining a neat and tidy environment by keeping the toys neatly in a storage box. Sort the toys by category with storage containers as it prevents the box from looking messy.

11. Window Seat

Designer: Biz Martin

Make optimum use of the window seats by utilizing the space below for storing or organizing children’s toys and books so that they are easily accessible for children.

12. Low-height Storage

Designer: Kayla Hollomon (with IKEA TROFAST)

Consider low-level storage as it is ideal for toddlers and allows easy access to toys. This type of storage solution is reachable by young children, making it convenient for them to independently select their toys and books.

13. Get Creative

This setup incorporates a study area with bins placed below a table for storing toys. The overhead shelves feature separate containers for storage, while a shelf is dedicated to soft toys. Additionally, the shelves are creatively painted in the shape of a house, adding character and visual appeal. This low-cost approach creates an interesting and engaging space for children.

14. Make Optimum Use of Walls

Designer: The Road Forks

Sleek shelves are an ideal choice for displaying books without overwhelming the space. Keeping the shelves’ front visible makes it easier for children to select their favorite books. This storage solution combines functionality and accessibility, making it convenient for children to pick up their preferred books.

15. Get Creative with Storage

Designer: Hand Makes Home (with IKEA TROFAST)

This setup showcases various designs of containers and bins for toy storage, adding an aesthetically pleasing touch that avoids a dull or monotonous appearance. The assortment of containers adds visual interest while maintaining a functional storage solution for toys.

16. Use Planter Pots

Designer: Kayla Hollomon

Install hanging planter bins to efficiently segregate toys and books by category. Suspended from a rod, these bins maximize space utilization while providing a visually appealing storage solution. Organize your child’s belongings with ease and style using these functional and space-saving planter bins.

17. Floating Shelves

Designer: Kayla Hollomon

If space is limited, floating shelves can be the perfect solution for displaying books. Consider using glass shelves for a sleek and modern look, or opt for readymade shelves for convenience. These space-saving options allow you to showcase your books while maximizing the available space in your home.

18. Corner Shelves

Designer: Ashley Johnston

Make the most of unused corners by transforming them into storage areas for children’s toys and books. Utilizing shelves in these corners provides an excellent solution for organizing and storing toys, books, and games. As children outgrow toys, the shelf space can be repurposed for books, ensuring a seamless transition and efficient use of the available storage area.

19. Under-bed Storage

Designer: Great Little Trading Co.

Make use of rolling drawers placed underneath the bed or couch to conveniently store items that are used less frequently, such as board games, train tracks, or extra craft supplies as this space is valuable and shouldn’t be left unused.

20. Create Balance

Designer: Sarah (Thrifty Decor Chick)

Here is a well-designed storage unit that combines open and closed storage options. With spacious bins for concealed storage, horizontal shelves for displaying items, and a convenient countertop with globes, this unit offers functionality, style, and a sense of balance. The addition of sconce lights and a grey wall enhances the overall design, creating an aesthetically pleasing storage solution.

21. Accessorize

Designer: Christine McMichael

Certain storage solutions not only serve as practical accessories but also effectively keep toys organized and prevent clutter. These multipurpose storage solutions offer both functionality and style, allowing you to maintain a tidy space while adding a decorative touch to your home.

22. Toy Truck

Designer: Costway

This Kids Truck Storage Organizer is a perfect way to teach your little ones to organize their belongings. This compact organizer includes 2 large storage bins, 2 small drawers, a single-door cabinet, and a front-end storage bin. Designed at an appropriate height for toddlers to reach, it empowers them to take charge of their belongings. The removable bins and drawers, along with the easy-to-open cabinet door and removable truck front cover, provide easy access and encourage good organization habits.

23. Toy Story

Designer: Homedit

A set of interconnected tubs creates a captivating and artistic storage solution. The vibrant orange bin adds a contrasting element and brings visual interest to the collection of green bins. This unique arrangement not only offers functional storage but also serves as an eye-catching sculptural display.

24. Acrylic Cloud

Designer: West Elm

The acrylic cloud wall pocket is perfect for storing soft toys. It is invisible as it is transparent and offers a lightweight solution.

25. Toy Hammock

Designer: Corrie Harris

Nothing is more perfect than a macrame hammock for keeping soft toys, allowing the teddies to enjoy themselves.

The post How to Organize Toys: 25 Ideas for a Safe Home and a Stress-free Playtime first appeared on Yanko Design.

It’s always useful to have a place to charge our devices near our beds and couches so we can read the news or scroll through reels while we rest. Why not hide it behind many functions? The Woodo Table Lamp is an engaging design that flawlessly combines form and function. This magnificent lamp is a monument to its designer’s creativity and skill, attracting spectators with its unique blend of natural wood beauty and modern lighting technology, as well as its multifunctional qualities of holding your phones.

Designer: Mahmoud Mahroos

The lamp is unique by its remarkable use of natural wood elements, which add warmth and organic elegance to any space. The designer has skillfully shaped the wood to create an elegant and harmonious silhouette. Each lamp is a work of art, showcasing the beauty of the chosen wood species while maintaining a sleek and modern design aesthetic. The lamp’s seamless integration of wood and light creates a captivating visual experience that is both soothing and enchanting.

The Woodo Table Lamp’s soothing and warm illumination is at its heart. The lamp has an integrated LED light source that has been meticulously engineered to provide a warm and pleasant glow. This ambient lighting offers a pleasant ambiance that is ideal for relaxing, reading, or creating a peaceful atmosphere in any room. The warm light highlights the inherent beauty of the wood, emphasizing its grains and textures while bringing a sense of calm to the environment.

The lamp’s wooden base also invites your devices to rest on a debossed soft leather phone holder, allowing you to keep it while it charges. However, the integration of wireless charging would elevate this elegant design.

The Woodo Table Lamp’s adaptable design allows it to smoothly merge into several home designs. Whether on a bedside table, a desk, or a living room sideboard, this lamp complements a wide range of decor styles, from contemporary to Scandinavian or rustic. Because of its understated elegance and timeless appeal, it is a versatile lighting option for any room.

The Woodo Table Lamp promotes sustainability in addition to its visual appeal. The use of natural wood encourages environmental friendliness, and the incorporation of energy-efficient LED technology provides a lower carbon footprint. Individuals may illuminate their environments with a clear conscience by selecting this lamp, knowing they are making a purposeful choice toward a greener future.

The Woodo Table Lamp is a practical lighting solution that captivates with its appearance. The lamp’s compact size provides flexibility and ease, adjusting to various spatial requirements.

The Woodo Table Lamp is a beautiful combination of creativity and functionality. Its exquisite timber design, meticulous craftsmanship, and soft illumination create a naturally beautiful and calm mood. This lamp, as a versatile lighting option, easily complements numerous interior designs, bringing a sense of luxury to any room. The Woodo Table Lamp embodies the future of lighting design with its commitment to sustainability and seamless integration of technology. With this remarkable work of art, you may embrace nature’s magical attraction while also elevating your interior style.

The post This wooden lamp adds a touch of retro minimalism to illuminate any modern space first appeared on Yanko Design.

Local architecture firm In Situ Studio wrapped an art museum visitor centre in Raleigh, North Carolina with darkened steel and cantilevered a roof with an aperture over its patio.
In Situ Studio designed the 1,158-square foot (108-square metre) welcome building for the large park that surrounds the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA).

In Situ Studio’s addition to the site is located on the south edge of the park near a tapering brick smokestack – left over from a demolished children’s prison – and shelter, grab-and-go concessions, bathroom facilities, and visitor information.

“The building is small in scale, but fulfills critical functions in the museum park and is sited designed to provide important visual connections with park landmarks like the distant meadow and historic smokestack,” founding principal Matthew Griffin told Dezeen.

The NCMA is a public, state-owned museum that hosts the nation’s second-largest collection of Rodin sculptures.

Designed to be a quiet backdrop to the existing landscape, the low, simple building has a broad, thin roof that curves gently and creates a shaded vantage point across the park.

The eastern roof edge hands over an arrival patio that is the terminus of a quarter-mile axis from the main museum building.

The roof features a rounded triangle roof opening made of aluminium.

The hoop “reframes an image of the smokestack upon arrival at the patio and reorients visitors to the primary features of the south end of the museum park landscape,” the studio said.

“The soffit is a very dark blue stucco that amplifies the figural quality of the hoop and allows the colors of the landscape and sky to take the lead.”

Above the smooth concrete base, both interior and exterior walls are clad in a cold-rolled steel panel rain screen and the edge details reveal the thinness of the panels.

Exposed stainless steel fasteners created a delicate pattern across the dark metal. The materials are durable and designed to weather over time.

On the interior, the building steps up – following the slope of the site – to the bathroom breezeway area and bike racks on the western edge.

“In contrast to the solid north elevation seen at arrival, the south wall is all windows and offers an uninterrupted view of the smokestack landscape,” the studio said. “The welcome and sales desk is seamless stainless steel and sits below a contoured skylight tunnel.”

The white ceiling and wood-clad back-of-house spaces provide relief and warmth from the dark and reflective surfaces.

Oriented to take advantage of solar heat gain, the visitor centre appears as a glass volume with a low concrete wall from the southern edge of the park.

The gallery buildings – constructed by American architects Edward Durell Stone and Thomas Phifer, in 1983 and 2010 respectively – are dispersed within a 164-acre campus that boasts a growing collection of site-specific land art and an amphitheatre designed by New York studio Smith Miller + Hawkinson.

Also in Raleigh, In Situ Studio wrapped a partially sunken house in glazed brick and charred cypress and revitalized a dilapidated brick home.

The photography is by Estudio Palma.

Project credits:

Client: North Carolina Museum of Art
Contractor: Frank L. Blum Construction
Landscape architect: Surface 678
Civil engineer: The Site Group
Structural engineer: Lynch Mykins
PME engineer: Stanford White (Salas O’Brien)
Metal fabrications: Leo Gaev Metal Works, Inc.
Cabinetry: Xylem, Inc.

The post In Situ Studio cuts “hoop” opening in cantilevered welcome centre roof appeared first on Dezeen.

The 2023 Core77 Design Awards season marks the very first year we are awarding an Editor’s Choice Prize, an honor given to one project that Core77 editors select as an outstanding example of design in 2023.

For our inaugural edition of the Editor’s Choice Prize, we have chosen Liquidplant by von Holzhausen, a materials product that offers a simple yet revolutionary solution to waste in the manufacturing industry.

Liquidplant is a response to the pervasive infiltration of microplastics in the products we use in our daily lives, aiming to provide a sustainable solution to an often unseen but highly detrimental problem. von Holzhausen’s Liquidplant product is a one-of-a-kind, 100% plant-based, and plastic-free topcoat technology. Operating as both a luxury accessories retailer and a material development group, Liquidplant represents one of many efforts by von Holzhausen to advance their overarching mission of transforming plants and recycled fibers into high-performance materials, particularly non-animal leathers.

The brilliance of Liquidplant lies in its naturally biodegradable materials, derived from ingredients such as sugar, oil, and seeds, and developed through innovative chemistries and processes that leave no harmful toxins or microplastics in the environment. This innovation holds immense implications for the future of the material innovation industry, providing a platform for revolutionary materials that do not depend on petroleum.

The Core77 team selected Liquidplant as the deserving recipient of our Editor’s Choice Prize due to its engagement with the world of design, its overall impact and potential for scalability, and its relevance to the prevailing issues and trends of 2023. In an era characterized by mass manufacturing and climate change, design necessitates progressive and ambitious solutions to address the environmental impact of manufacturing and industry. We admire the novel scientific approach and clear vision of Liquidplant, which has the potential to significantly reduce waste in the fashion industry and beyond.

Congratulations to the von Holzhausen team on this monumental achievement! Keep up the fantastic work.

Check out all the 2023 Core77 Design Awards honorees by category:

A/V & Photography Equipment | Apps & Platforms | Branding & Identity | Built Environment | Commercial Equipment | Consumer Technology | Design Education Initiative | Design for Social Impact | Emerging Technologies | Furniture & Lighting | Gaming | Health & Wellness | Home & Living | Interaction | Lifestyle Accessories | Packaging | Robotics | Speculative Design | Sports & Outdoors | Strategy & Research | Sustainability | Tools | Toys & Play | Transportation | Visual Communication | KeyShot Visualization Prize | Editor’s Choice