Architecture firm Alterstudio has completed a tower-like house that rises up from a steep, wooded site that was long overlooked “as a possible home site”.

Built for a married couple in Austin, the house feels immersed in the wilderness but is, in fact, surrounded by “very ordinary, suburban conditions”.

“The opportunity to live simultaneously near the centre of the city and in an isolated refuge presented a powerful circumstance for this family,” said local firm Alterstudio.

The opportunity came with challenges.

The house rises up from the side of a ravine, on a property that “falls off precipitously directly from the street’s curb”. The site had long been overlooked as feasible for home construction.

Alterstudio saw potential and let the constraints guide the home’s design.

“The form of the building was in many ways determined by the logic of its construction and sequencing, and the result is an unexpected tower rising above the tree canopy,” the firm said.

“The project provides a model for an innovative building sequencing that allowed a home to be built on a property long written off as a possible home site,” the firm added.

Rising three levels, the 3,813-square-foot (354-square-metre) home is rectangular in plan and form. The building is oriented to take advantage of the “natural views offered up and down the length of the ravine”.

Facades are clad in grey-hued, interlocking metal panels. The team cut away portions of the boxy exterior to create balconies, which vary in size.

“Deep recesses in the otherwise unmitigated building envelope allow for framed views,” the architects said.

To construct the home, the team began with erecting a platform between the building site and the street, where construction staging could take place.

“This later became the garage and bridge to connect to a tall, taught home, organized upside down, with the main living spaces on the top floor, and the private spaces below,” the team said.

The top floor contains an open-plan living room, dining area and kitchen, along with a mud room and storage space.

The middle level holds the primary suite, a bedroom and a laundry room.

The bottom level encompasses a family room and two additional bedrooms. A craft room is hidden behind a bookcase in the family room, adding a moment of surprise.

Earthy finishes such as wood and stone are found throughout the dwelling.

White oak was used for flooring, cabinetry veneers, fireplace siding and an entry screen. Garapa wood was used for soffits and for door and window surrounds.

Bathroom finishes include Tadelakt black plaster and Giotto quartzite.

With the natural landscape visible from multiple vantage points, the interior is designed to offer “points of stasis to the compelling and omnipresent out-of-doors”.

Other projects by Alterstudio include the renovation and expansion of a 1920s bungalow in Austin. The firm added an angular extension that is clad in black timber and connected to the main dwelling by a glazed corridor.

The photography is by Casey Dunn. The drone photograph is by Alterstudio.

Project credits:

Architecture and interior design: Alterstudio
Architecture team: Kevin Alter, Ernesto Cragnolino and Tim Whitehill (principals); 
Haifa Hammami (director of interiors); Matt Slusarek and Elizabeth Sydnor (project architects)
Contractor: Matt Sitra Custom Homes
Landscape architect: Aleman Design Build
Structural engineer: MJ Structures
Mechanical engineer: Positive Energy

The post Alterstudio creates Falcon Ledge Residence on a challenging Austin site appeared first on Dezeen.

While clamp lamps can come in handy…

…they’re ugly and aren’t very versatile. French industrial designer Inga Sempé designed a more elegant version.

Her Island lamp, a/k/a the w153 Île, has a clamp integrated into a flat base, so it can sit on a table like an ordinary lamp.

Or it can clamp.

It can even be hung from a wall.

The shade is attached magnetically, and is easy to adjust:

The magnet is strong enough to hold the shade on when the lamp is inverted.

The Island lamp is in production by Swedish lighting brand Wästberg.

AirPods Pro 2 stands amongst one of the best premium ANC earbuds out there, especially for the closely knit Apple ecosystem. They excel in fit, comfort and adaptive active noise cancellation algorithm, along with the stellar audio quality signature that I most like because of its closeness to the Harman Curve.

For people who love the AirPods Pro 2 because of its impressive features but are a bit disappointed when it comes to water and dustproofing, there’s an option. Those who carry their earbuds during adventure trips or are doing tough jobs in difficult terrain have no reason to fret.

Designer: KeyBudz

An AirPods Pro 2 case cover that enhances the earbuds with an IP68 rating for better water and dustproofing. It provides a very high level of protection from the elements as you can keep it submerged in water for up to 6 hours and protect it from a highly dusty environment without fail. Dubbed Element Waterproof Case, this accessory boasts military-grade MIL standards for shock resistance from accidental falls. In fact, the protective case is tested with the MIL standard MIL-STD-810H. So you don’t need to worry if your AirPods case hits the tarmac hard after a drop.

The lightweight and durable aesthetics of the case come courtesy of the A6063 aluminum alloy with an anodized finish, silicone and the use of 70% recycled polycarbonate materials. The case lid locks in place with the side-mounted latch, and the hinges facilitate smooth opening and closing of the lid with a secure locking mechanism. The internal lining of the case gets IonPure antibacterial treatment to prevent any chance of micro-organism and bacterial growth.

Pairing a new device with your AirPods is also going to be easy with the Elements case as the back buttons are designed for easy press. Also, it doesn’t interfere in any way with the wireless charging capability of the accessory. For now, the accessory will be available in Japan, and availability in other parts of the globe can be expected by the holiday season.

The post KeyBudz Element adds IP68 waterproofing and Military-grade protection to your AirPods Pro 2 case first appeared on Yanko Design.

Dezeen School Shows: a wooden chair upholstered in a leather alternative made from seaweed is included in Dezeen’s latest school show by students at Northumbria University.

Also featured is a lounge chair designed for workplace breakout areas and an item of furniture made from discarded vape casings.

Northumbria University

Institution: Northumbria University
Course: BA Hons Furniture and Product Design
Tutor: Rickard Whittingham

School statement:

“Furniture and Product Design BA (Hons) teaches a creative, analytical and skilful approach to the designing and making of products and furniture.

“Formerly known as ‘3D Design’, this course allows you to join a community of staff and students eager to explore the potential for beauty, usefulness and meaning in contemporary material culture.

“You will develop both the technical skills required of a designer and the critical thinking skills necessary to understand design’s role in the social, economic and environmental context of today.

“Our creative approach puts three-dimensional prototyping at the heart of the design process.

“You will be taught how to use the tools and techniques of workshops, computer labs and studio spaces to develop and evaluate designs in three dimensions.

“You will gain a sophisticated understanding of how to work with materials by sensitively incorporating their properties into your work and you will be challenged to think carefully about the valuable role your furniture and products should play in people’s lives.

“The furniture and product design course’s vision is to create the most able graduates – people who understand both how and why to make things, and are ready to make meaningful contributions to professional design practice.”

Shiver by Fred Dunbar

“This is a material-led project that aims to reimagine and challenge the conventional norms of material finishes. The project resulted in a chair and stool as well as a number of bronze bowls.

“Shiver won the Tom Faulkner Award for Best Furniture Design and a London Design Fair Emerging Talent Award at New Designers 2024.”

Student: Fred Dunbar

Hexagrain by Liam Ferris

“Hexagrain aims to blend wood grain with geometric forms to showcase the beauty of both.

“By combining expressive wood grain with a geometric aesthetic, it creates objects that celebrate both the natural and the human-made.”

Student: Liam Ferris
Email: liamdavidferris[at]gmail.com

Chair Twenty by Joe Hill

“This project explores social interaction within public spaces. Chair Twenty is part of a range of furniture for coffee shops that aims to encourage people to interact with one another.

“I have investigated the ways in which furniture can influence conversation and how seating position and environments can encourage collaboration.”

Student: Joe Hill

Pivot by Keanu Lee

“This project aims to minimise the negative impact of clutter on our daily lives. Clutter tends to gather when people accumulate non-essential belongings and it can have negative effects on our mental and physical health.

“The primary objective of Pivot is to enhance user productivity by reducing visual clutter on a domestic desk.”

Student: Keanu Lee

Hankei—Radius by Phoebe Li

“This project involved the creation of a slatted bench inspired by the values and principles of Japanese author Naoto Fukasawa’s work, alongside Li’s personal expression of cosy ideologies from hygge.

“Crafted from oak, its gentle curves aim for a harmonious balance of simplicity and elegance. This bench encourages you to unwind and embrace the comforting ambience of hygge.”

Student: Phoebe Li

Waste Recontextualised by Ben Watson

“This project investigates the re-contextualisation of waste through the repurposing of discarded disposable vapes.

“The goal was to give the pieces a refinement and quality, despite the throwaway nature of the ‘waste’ materials.”

Student: Ben Watson

Retrospective Design by Owen Wright

“Retrospective design is an exploration into how past design styles can inform contemporary work.

“Minimal is a task light inspired by Modernist principles, with a focus on using a minimal number of materials to perform its function. Balance is a Postmodernism-inspired desk light.”

Student: Owen Wright

Korean Design Modern Stool by Yi Chung-Hyun

“Chung-Hyun designed a sculptural stool made from walnut and plywood, which is inspired by the forms of traditional Korean ‘Hanok’ architecture.

“The swooping form of the top is designed to lend presence to the piece and also provides a comfortable seat.”

Student: Yi Chung-Hyun

Lounge 6011 by Matthew A Gemmell

“Lounge 6011 was created using both nature and industrialism as inspirations.

“Made using steel tubing and veneered plywood, the 6011 was designed to provide a point of relaxation in office spaces.”

Student: Matthew A Gemmell

Frond by Henry Davison

“Frond is a material research-based project. The aim was to develop a method to turn seaweed – a widely available and sustainable algae – into a viable alternative to leather for the furniture industry.

“The final process uses only biodegradable and sustainable materials to create a flexible yet durable leather-like material.”

Student: Henry Davison

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Northumbria University. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

The post Ten furniture design projects by Northumbria University students appeared first on Dezeen.

British architecture practice Foster + Partners and Danish studio BIG have been selected to help rebuild Hatay following the devastating Turkey-Syria earthquake in February.

The studios will help masterplan the rebuild of the Turkish province, which was heavily damaged by the earthquake, as part of a consortium led by Turkey Design Council, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to developing the country socially and economically through design.

Turkish architecture studios DB Architects and KEYM also form part of the group, which comprises 13 companies across fields including architecture, heritage and engineering.

“Following the earthquake, we experienced the biggest ever global cooperation for the relief effort,” said Turkey Design Council chairman Mehmet Kalyoncu.

“Now, we want this to be the biggest-ever global collaboration of experts to shape the next era of Hatay.”

Project aims to be “an example for the world”

On 6 February, a 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey and Syria, causing the collapse of thousands of buildings and claiming the lives of more than 55,000 people across the two countries.

In Turkey, the scale of damage is widely believed to have been exacerbated by poor construction caused, in part, by a disregard for legislation.

The focus for Turkey Design Council’s rebuild with Foster + Partners and BIG is currently on the Hatay province in the southeast. At the heart of the proposal will be a masterplan for the city of Antakya, 80 per cent of which was destroyed during the event.

It will aim to ensure the longevity of the region in the future while also preserving its heritage.

“This is the first step towards Hatay’s next chapter and with the support of our project partners we can ensure it becomes an example for the world of design-led revitalisation,” said Kalyoncu.

Foster + Partners to lead masterplan

The team behind the masterplan for Hatay is set to be led by Foster + Partners.

“We are looking forward to working with local communities and collaborating with architecture, planning, urban design and engineering experts in Turkey, to help develop plans for the historic city of Antakya,” said Foster + Partners’ senior executive Nigel Dancey.

The masterplan will focus specifically on “the restoration of important sites” including churches, mosques, bathhouses and synagogues, the team said. It is expected to be revealed fully in 2024.

“This design aims to preserve Hatay’s unique identity, while making it resilient to earthquake risks,” added Bünyamin Derman of DB Architects.

“We are trying to achieve a master plan that will enable the residents of Hatay, who migrated after the earthquake, to return to their homeland,” added Derman.

While specific details of the masterplan are yet to be disclosed, Derman said new buildings will be constructed from a range of wood, steel, and reinforced concrete.

It will also draw on courtyard-house typology in Antakya and include “a historical and cultural tour route” to celebrate the region’s history, he added.

“Our ambition is to place collaboration in the centre”

While helping Turkey to recover from the February earthquakes, Turkey Design Council’s ambition for the project is also to offer a model from which other countries can learn when rebuilding after disasters.

“If we are successful in Hatay, we can integrate this spirit of collaboration into other Turkish and international recovery and revitalisation efforts where local people most need them,” chairman Kalyoncu said.

“Hatay will become a global exemplar for earthquake recovery, taking best practice principles from around the world and applying them to its unique context.”

Kalyoncu also hopes it will also demonstrate the value of collaboration in design.

“Our ambition is to place collaboration in the centre of our post-disaster reconstruction efforts,” he said.

“We are in a specialisation era in all aspects of life, and this brings loneliness and fragmentation which makes us, our society, city and world weak against any problems or risks,” Kalyoncu continued.

“We think that we can overcome this problem by collaborating with each other, person to person, group to group, city to city and country to country.”

Foster + Partners has been working with the Turkish Design Council since March 2023 to help set out guidelines for the urgent construction of temporary housing developments.

Elsewhere, the studio’s founder British architect Norman Foster is also helping to develop the masterplan for the rejuvenation of Kharkiv following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Foster said he wanted “to assemble the best minds” to rebuild the Ukrainian city.

Earlier this year, Japanese architect Shigeru Ban used his Paper Partition System to create cardboard shelters for victims of the Turkey-Syria earthquake.

The post Foster + Partners and BIG to help Turkey rebuild post-earthquake appeared first on Dezeen.