When it comes to seating arrangements, one must be super picky and wise. The right seating decision holds immense value to it since your seating arrangement must be comfortable, ergonomic, and aesthetically pleasing too – if possible. It should not only comfortably accommodate you but also your guests if you’re someone who is fond of hosting. A smart and well-designed seating collection I recently came across, that ticks all these boxes is the Buffo seating collection.
Based in Thailand, the design brand Mobella created the Buffo seating collection, which as its name signifies is inspired by a buffalo! The seating collection includes a sofa and an armchair – both of which replicate the physical traits of a buffalo. The seating designs are equipped with an arching backrest that commands attention and goes on to form sweeping armrests. The focal design of the pieces mimics the shape of a buffalo’s horns. The linear stitching detailing on the pieces further creates the impression of the horns, by imitating their texture.
The Buffo sofa and the armchair both feature firm upholstery which captures the sensation of riding on the back of a buffalo. The spacious sofa can accommodate three people, while the armchair has an interesting swiveling base to facilitate movement. The Buffo collection is also customizable as users can select from a range of upholstery materials that are available in neutral and bold shades. So, you can personalize the pieces according to your personal taste and preference!
However, much like a buffalo, both the Buffo furniture pieces do seem a bit large and bulky. They’re definitely not the most portable designs, and in fact, moving them from one room to another may prove to be a hassle. They’re not well-suited for homes with space constraints, as they will occupy a substantial amount of space, leaving almost no room for other furniture designs and home essentials. But, if you’re someone who enjoys eclectic pieces with a unique and bold personality, and if your home allows the presence of space-consuming designs, then the Buffo collection would be an ideal fit for your living space!
Gut-renovating this São Paulo apartment has allowed Brazilian studio Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos to incorporate the personalities of it occupants, particularly in the bedrooms of the family’s two children.
The Aurora Apartment is home to a family of four, and sits on a private street in the Alto de Pinheiros neighbourhood to the west of the city.
Renovating the Aurora Apartment involved opening up the living spaces
A total overhaul of the residence was needed to open up its spaces, bring in more light, and incorporate new materials and decor that reflect the owners’ tastes.
Without complete structural plans of the apartment or building, the demolition process revealed multiple hidden elements.
The dining room is sometimes used for business meetings and dinners
Only when the apartment had been fully stripped back to its bare bones was Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos able to design the floor plan to work around the structure.
“When we saw the remaining columns and slabs, we were able to continue sketching the client’s necessities as well as our ideas onto paper,” said the studio.
A wall panel opens to reveal a hidden home bar
Once the layout was “settled”, the architects began to examine the walls and space volumetrically to discover ways to add interesting design moments that would reveal more about the family.
“One of the most important things about this project is how every single space, both social and private, has the family personality, with a unique design that results in harmony with the whole,” said Pascali Semerdjian Architects.
Close to the entrance, a gridded cabinet houses a coat closet
The apartment is divided into a large, open social space that’s occasionally used for hosting business meeting and dinners, and a private area that contains the bedrooms and bathrooms.
“We wanted to create two universes in the same apartment: an intimate and cozy one, and another minimalist and social,” the studio said.
Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos has played with volumes and materials throughout the apartment
Dark wood panelling lines the entryway, concealing a storage area for keys and shoes, and the same floor-to-ceiling wood panels are used in the corner of the dining room. Here, a hidden door swings open to reveal a bar, and a brass container built into a plastered counter serves as a cooler for bottles.
Stone flooring in the living area is laid in thin planks to match the pattern of the wooden boards that run through the private spaces.
Designed during the pandemic, the apartment contains several multifunctional spaces
Several classic midcentury designs were chosen for the living space, including Jean Prouvé dining chairs and a pair of salmon-coloured Ondine armchairs by Jorge Zalszupin.
These are mixed in with contemporary furnishings like the Thin Black side tables by Nendo and a leather chaise by Studiopepe.
A variety of furniture and lighting pieces custom-designed by Pascali Semerdjian also feature in the apartment, such as the main sofa, the office chairs, and the bar sconces.
There’s also a coat closet housed within a gridded cabinet, which is affixed to a mirror and features a cluster of square lights in its top right corner.
In the home’s private section, the primary bedroom is minimally decorated
In the private quarters, the primary suite is minimally finished in white and wood surfaces, while the children’s rooms are much more expressive.
For example, the younger son’s room is designed to resemble a small house, formed from wood panelling that covers the walls and is pitched on the ceiling.
Natural light floods the primary bedroom when its sliding wooden doors are opened
His bed and a sofa are raised to create space for a “hide-and-seek” tunnel underneath, while the older daughter’s room includes arched white closets.
“We seek to bring originality to all rooms, with special attention to the children’s room, where we’ve pursued solutions that are close to playful, without exaggeration,” Pascali Semerdjian said.
The bedroom of the family’s younger son is designed like a house
The renovation work began during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, so special attention was paid to creating multifunctional spaces.
“The project seeks to balance and bring fluidity between the different possible uses of a house, allowing residents to experience moments together as well as the possibility of having privacy, including the couple,” said the architects.
The son’s bed and a sofa are raised to accommodate a hide-and-seek tunnel underneath
Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos was founded by Domingos Pascali and Sarkis Semerdjian in 2010, and the studio has renovated many apartments across São Paulo.
The nomadic lifestyle made popular by trending RVs, tiny house on wheels and trailers has prompted travelers to fancy accessories and appliances that are portable. The same goes for people who have to travel frequently for business meetings or family vacations.
Having a portable washing machine comes in very handy on such trips and there are plenty out there to choose from. However, finding the one that is practical, safe for the environment and does the task of cleaning as intended is hard to find. That’s where this concept piques my interest profoundly.
The convenient little washing machine is a perfect washer for apartments, condos, motor homes, RVs, camping and any other place that doesn’t particularly permit the use of a full-sized washing machine. The freedom of washing clothes whenever and wherever you want is of value especially when you cannot afford to use a limitless amount of water for the task.
The foldable and lightweight form factor of the appliance makes it well-suited to carry in your suitcase or even a backpack. The Mini Foldable Washing Machine uses the unique technology of sending out vibrations to remove dirt effectively without wasting water or using much electricity. It works on stored electricity in the on-board battery that can be charged via the USB-C connector.
Since the waster tub size is smaller than conventional washing machines, this one is suited for light clothes, towels, and undergarments. Don’t expect to wash any bulky clothing items like down jackets or heavy sweaters in this portable washer. Apart from this limitation, the mini washing machine is perfect for bachelors, travelers and people who live a minimalistic lifestyle.
Traveling has now become a full-fledged affair, since the terror of the pandemic has waned away a little, and we’re able to jet-set about more freely. My travel bucket is currently brimming with places I need to visit and make up for the pandemic-inflicted hiatus I had to take from traveling. But as any experienced traveler will definitely tell you, before you set off on your next adventure, you need to put together a collection of handy, reliable, and well-designed travel gadgets. Great travel gadgets are essential, they have your back in the most sudden and spontaneous of situations, providing you with aid and relief when you least expect it. And, we’ve put together a bunch of innovative and functional travel-friendly products that you need to pack in your suitcase for your next trip! From a tiny all-in-one travel adapter to a travel bottle with a MagSafe iPhone stand – these products are the must-haves you need for your next holiday.
1. Nothing Power Bank
The Nothing power bank features transparent aesthetics that showcase the innards’ glory and beauty. They are illuminated by a range of small warm-toned LEDs, which provide the accessory with a Cyberpunkish look inside and out.
Why is it noteworthy?
A power bank is an ideal match for Nothing considering its usability and no-frills nature. With an impressive amount of options on the market, a transparent power bank in Nothing’s product line would be an excellent addition to their ever-growing ecosystem.
What we like
Perfectly complements the Nothing Phone (2)
Sleek transparent aesthetics
What we dislike
It’s a concept, so we’re not sure how well it would translate into a real-time product
2. Ringo Bottle
The Ringo Bottle merges the practicality of a water bottle with the convenience of a MagSafe-compatible iPhone stand. It transforms your smartphone into a tripod on the fly.
Why is it noteworthy?
No more shaky videos or propping your phone against precarious objects—now you can FaceTime, create TikTok videos, and shoot IG Reels like a pro, along with the benefit of having glowing skin because you’re constantly hydrated!
What we like
It works rather intuitively without any adjustable clamps or grips
It is a handy little instrument to keep your phone propped up while you watch videos, take calls, or film viral content
What we dislike
Unsure whether you can use the lid as a standalone tripod
3. TA-205
Meet the TA-205, a compact universal travel adapter that can support plug points in more than 200 countries. It features multiple plug-inlets to charge all your precious gadgets in one go!
Why is it noteworthy?
It includes a fast-charge USB-C port that outputs 35.5W for rapidly charging your smartphone so you can step out instead of being trapped in your hotel room. It offers dual AC sockets – a universal one and a US socket.
What we like
The TA-205 can deal with 1000W at 100V~ and a whopping 2400W at 240V~
What we dislike
4. The Taco Device
This adorable concept took the metaphor “let’s taco ’bout it” quite seriously! It is designed into something that utilizes the idea of the shape of the taco.
Why is it noteworthy?
The translation device is shaped like a taco and will be used by both the speaker and the listener. It’s actually like one of those two-way cup devices that you may have used when you were young (or at least those of a certain age) but now using digital technology.
What we like
The Taco device makes communicating more fun and functional
What we dislike
The shape, while good for holding, is not designed to catch sound correctly
5. Swift
Say hello to Swift – the world’s first 120W travel adapter built with 3rd GaN technology. The Swift can support sockets in over 15 countries, but it has a unique feature, unlike other adapters!
Why is it noteworthy?
Unlike any other travel adapter, it also lets you plug in as many as 6 devices at the same time and fast-charge all of them simultaneously. You’ll never travel the same way ever again.
What we like
Let’s you fast-charge every conceivable gadget from your phone to your tablet, laptop, power bank, camera, drone, or any other gadget
Iranian architecture studio Olgoo has completed a subterranean holiday home near Tehran, topped by a green roof that merges with the surrounding landscape.
Named The Inside Home, the residence near the village of Ammameh is designed in response to rapid development in the area, which has seen many of its green spaces replaced by construction.
Olgoo set the home into its sloping site and organised it around a central courtyard to “send a message” about how new construction projects should consider the natural landscape rather than profit from it.
Olgoo has completed a subterranean home in the village of Ammameh
“The village is famous for its extensive gardens, but in recent years it has been attacked by land traders so much that the weak local law is unable to stand against the rapid conversion of gardens into small, saleable plots and the construction of dense buildings in them,” explained the studio.
“Inflation and economic problems have turned living spaces into a capital commodity and made it profitable to build more under any circumstances,” it continued.
“By sheltering deep in the ground and building less than the permitted limit, [The Inside Home] can be a critical reaction, and at the same time proposes a way of adaptive living in close proximity to nature,” it continued.
It is topped by a green roof
Intended to be used by multiple families, the pentagonal plan of The Inside Home is split into three exposed concrete blocks. There is one for public living spaces, one for private bedrooms and another containing utility spaces and a small pool.
A courtyard sits at the centre of these blocks, overlooked by large sliding glass doors in the living, dining and kitchen space and swimming pool.
“The public building benefits from maximum light and view, [while] on the contrary, the bedroom building located on the other side of the yard has a minimum light to underscore a big difference between social and private life,” said Olgoo.
“One will feel nature while moving between buildings, which makes the experience of each space independent and unique,” it continued.
The house is arranged around a courtyard
To the west, the central courtyard opens out into a large terrace. Here, a seating area overlooks the surrounding village, sheltered by a section of concrete roof that is topped by planting.
For our latest lookbook, we spotlight eight contemporary kitchens that centre on islands with waterfall countertops made from concrete, stone and chunky terrazzo.
As its name suggests, a waterfall edge is a style of kitchen island or cabinet where the countertop appears to flow seamlessly from the surface to the ground.
The feature, also known as a mitred end, is popular in contemporary kitchens as it is an easy way to create a focal point while retaining a sleek, pared-back aesthetic.
As revealed by this lookbook, they are particularly impactful when made from materials such as marble and concrete, which give rise to sculptural, monolithic centrepieces.
Agnieszka Owsiany Studio draped travertine over a series of oak cupboards to form this kitchen island. The wood helps accentuate the warm tones of the stone, which the studio chose because of its soothing and timeless qualities.
“I really wanted to create something timeless, hence the idea to use materials such as wood and travertine which age beautifully and hopefully won’t be replaced within many years,” said the studio’s founder Agnieszka Owsiany.
Sky-blue cabinetry offers a calm backdrop to the bold waterfall countertop in this kitchen, designed by 2LG Studio.
Made of white marble with grey veins, it extends over both ends of a wood-clad kitchen island and incorporates a hob for cooking. The countertop was paired with pink bar stools and is illuminated by a Cherry Pendant light by designer duo Daniel-Emma.
Concrete was used to form the mitred end of this kitchen island, creating a centrepiece that juxtaposes the light and natural look of its wood-lined surroundings.
It is complemented by matching concrete countertops on the adjacent wooden cabinets and incorporates a sink within its surface.
A black countertop overrides the wood-lined base of this central unit, found in the kitchen of a gabled house in Montauk, recently overhauled by Desciencelab.
Standing out against the surrounding wooden cupboards, it helps to demarcate the food preparation area within the open-plan room, which also contains the dining and living areas.
This clean-cut stone island is located in the light and airy interior of an apartment in a housing block in Mallorca.
Its minimalist aesthetic was paired with a more tactile material palette of rough plaster, dark wood and rustic fittings in the rest of the home, which OHLAB chose as a reflection of its Mediterranean setting.
The sculptural waterfall countertops in this kitchen are formed from striking Arebescato Orobico marble.
Its earthy brown and grey tones are enhanced by the warm colours of the surrounding Afromosia wood joinery and oak ceilings and floors, which form part of DAB Studio’s wider “calm yet soulful” material palette.
Oversized chunks of colourful aggregate were used to create the terrazzo finish of this statement kitchen unit, which is located in Glyn House by Yellow Cloud Studio in London.
Its waterfall edge conceals a series of black-painted drawers with silver handles and helps to “intensify the experience of raw, handmade surfaces” throughout the interior, the studio said.
Curved sides and mitred ends soften the look of this monolithic kitchen island, which Esrawe Studio created as part of its remodelling of an apartment in Mexico City.
The unit sits in the centre of the home’s kitchen and was formed from a striking green-toned granite that pops out against its neutral surroundings.
Chinese architects told Dezeen they are regularly working through the night while their pay plummets as the country‘s property industry deals with a severe crisis.
Dezeen spoke to more than 10 architects based in Beijing,Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen who reported widespread layoffs, pay cuts and wage arrears in the industry in the past year.
Dezeen In Depth is sent on the last Friday of every month and delves deeper into the major stories shaping architecture and design. Each edition includes an original feature article on a key topic or trend, an interview with a prominent industry figure and an opinion piece from a leading critic. Read the latest edition of Dezeen In Depth or subscribe here.
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Named Shrek’s Swamp, the small house, which is being hosted by Donkey while Shrek is away for Halloween, was described as “a stumpy, secluded haven fit for a solitude-seeking ogre”.
In architecture news, Pritzker Architecture Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban created a prototype house that will be built in Morocco following a devastating earthquake earlier this month.
The latest iteration of Ban’s Paper Log House model, the structure has columns made from cardboard tubes with walls and a roof made from prefabricated wooden panels.
The Danish toymaker dropped the plans after its pilot programme showed that adopting the recycled material at scale would ultimately increase the company’s carbon footprint due to the manufacturing process and equipment needed.
In other architecture news, a pair of social housing blocks were revealed. In New York, architecture firm Studio Libeskind unveiled a housing block with sculptural facades that contains 44 apartments for low-income senior citizens .
Laptops have become so powerful that they’ve started to rival some desktops, except for the part that they’re forever limited in how many devices you can attach to them. At most, you’ll probably have five to seven, depending on how thin the laptop tries to be. It’s not really unusual for many owners to expand their portable computer’s capabilities using hubs and docks, especially now with the use of USB-C and the related Thunderbolt technologies almost everywhere. These accessories, small as they may be, still take up space on your desk and can be a source of distraction. So why not put an eye-catching and enviable design on that dock, turning it into a unique homage to the original Apple Macintosh, one of if not the first to blaze a trail for personal computing.
You’d be forgiven for mistaking this docking station as a fancy desktop toy, given how cute and attractive it is. The RayCue 128K is basically inspired by the design of the pioneering Macintosh from 1984, from its chunky and boxy design to its off-white paint job. There’s even a keyboard-like partner that uses the same motif to complete the faithful recreation. That design alone already makes it a worthy addition to your desk, bringing life and fun to your work, but it’s more than just a piece of eye candy. It is, after all, a docking station, but it goes above and beyond the call of duty compared to your standard docks.
The RayCue 128K Pro, for example, boasts 14 ports of different kinds, including three different types of USB ports, SD/TF card readers, an Ethernet port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and not one, not even two, but three 4K 60Hz HDMI ports. As if that number wasn’t already impressive, these video out ports support DisplayLink Apple MST (multi-stream transport), making it possible to connect that many extra monitors to your MacBook. With a powerful DC-in capable of accepting up to 130W of power, the RayCue 128K can charge not only your laptop but also other devices for a total of 100W of output.
But as they say on TV, “there’s more!” The screen on the RayCue 128K isn’t just for show and is, in fact, a 3.5-inch IPS color screen that can display the time, calendar, media information, and even photos, turning the dock into a true decorative accessory to enhance your working experience. It doesn’t end there either, since the box also hides a Bluetooth Speaker, making it a jukebox to help keep your focus. It’s going to keep you entertained and productive and might even turn you into the envy of your friends.
Given how it works, you can’t really take the RayCue 128K with you wherever you go. That’s where the RayCue 128K Pocket comes in, a portable 7-in-1 hub that comes in the form of a miniature Macintosh keyboard. It might not have all the bells and whistles of the Pro dock, but it still has plenty to offer, including a 4K 60Hz HDMI port and card readers. If you’re going to put a docking station on your desk, you might as well put something that offers the best impact and experience. With the RayCue 128K Pro and Pocket, not only are you getting a powerful dock and hub, you’re also getting an adorable yet functional decoration that gives a nod to the personal computer that started it all.
Japanese architect Shigeru Ban designed the Paper Log House with his non-governmental organization, Voluntary Architects’ Network, which he founded in 1995. The Log House was created as a shelter for victims of natural disasters in response to the Great Hanshin earthquake in Kobe, Japan. The model was also installed in Antalya as a school building after the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake. It is intended to be easy and quick to construct, and also quite economical. The Pritzker Architecture-prize winning architect has now designed the latest prototype of the Paper Log House for Morocco since it was devastatingly hit by the earthquake on September 8th, 2023.
The 6.8 magnitude earthquake caused innumerable damage to buildings and claimed over 3000 lives. The prototype is constructed using cardboard tubes, which gives the structure its name. The cardboard tubes function as the columns of the house, and are used to accommodate prefab wood panels. These wood panels form the walls, floor, and roof. The various components are elevated above the ground using a base created from plastic beer crates filled with sandbags. The temporary shelter has been constructed at the National School of Architecture of Marrakech as a symbol of hope, resilience, and support in an extremely difficult time.
Besides providing support through structures and architecture, Shigeru Ban also held a lecture on September 27 where he introduced the Paper Log House and his knowledge and experience in post-disaster support. He also stayed back in Marrakech to visit the affected areas and find potential locations for the Paper Log House.
Shigeru Ban’s humanitarian effort is truly commendable. He is providing valuable support and shelter to victims. In fact, his involvement in disaster relief is spread over three decades, taking into account his work across the globe over the years, from Kobe to L’Aquila, Turkey to Haiti!
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