Hasta La Ideas

DAB Motors has slowly emerged into the industry from its French roots, and now challenges the arena with a new electric two-wheeler. The Concept-E we saw a couple of years ago as a prototype, has finally graduated into a production-ready version, the DAB 1α motorbike. This final version matches (or even betters) the initial design and the technical specs proposed initially for the electric bike.

The brand was bought by Peugeot Motorcycles in 2023, and the developmental path has resulted in this model being inspired by the BMX culture, video games, Sci-Fi world and trail bikes. It took almost five years to bring the electric bike from the concept stage to production. For early adopters, the first batch of 400 limited edition units will come with unique design elements.

Designer: DAB Motors

DAB 1α is completely built at the Bayonne design studio and manufactured in the Beaulieu-Mandeure. The inclusion of retro gaming elements like the blue Nitro button inspired by the NFS franchise, adds spice to this future-forward ride. The company is touting a top speed of 130 km/h, most of which is attributed to its lightweight 125 kg body. Of course, all the gears and clutch are gone, so that you just press the throttle and focus ahead on the road. The bike is practical for use as it can be charged via a normal socket or a Type 2 charging port.

For the rider’s user experience, the 2.8-inch LCD screen displays important riding information. There’s respectable storage space in the  3.4-liter glove compartment, and buyers can choose to install a wireless charger designed in collaboration with Quadlock. To make sure the bike is futureproof, the company has fitted it with a powertrain mated to a fully recyclable and dismountable recyclable battery.

The inclusion of back pegs shows DAB Motors’ considerate attention to detail for the pillion. Coming on to the unique design elements, the numbered gold plate on the handlebar, handcrafted Alcantara seat, and subtle graphics make sure your DAB 1α stands out in the crowd. It’s worth mentioning the golden suspensions are designed in collaboration with Paioli and the forged carbon parts upcycled from Airbus carbon fiber. As seen form the visuals, the brake calipers are designed by Brembo, and the mated ABS braking system comes from the inhouse Peugeot Motocycles and DAB Motors’s brake disks.

DAB 1α which looks perfect for millennials, Gen-Z and everyone in between is available right now for reservations. The gearless electric bike is available in W-White or MGT-Grey color variants, and if you want to buy one, now is the right time.

The post NFS-inspired DAB 1 Alpha electric bike touts a recyclable battery and wireless charger first appeared on Yanko Design.

Mexican architecture practice HW Studio has created a hillside house outside of Mexico City consisting of a vertical volume that houses circulation and a horizontal volume containing its living spaces.

Located in Morelia, HW Studio created the 4,735 square foot (439 square metres) Casa Shi to strike a balance between the “natural and artificial”.

The house is made up of a rectangular, vertical stone-clad volume – containing the main circulation – affixed to a low-lying, horizontal volume with bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen and living rooms.

It is located on a hillside site, which overlooks a golf course and natural reserve.

“The stone volume vertically connects the entrance and garages with the rest of the house,” said the studio. “Which is nestled within this disruptive white, abstract, and even challenging volume that seeks a visual balance between the natural and artificial.”

“In some Eastern cultures, it is believed that to intensely experience any phenomenon, one must place two opposites together; this house could be an exercise in the meeting of these two opposites: the Baroque mountain teeming with vegetation and these two Platonic volumes,” it added.

The house is entered below grade, where a long, outdoor staircase leads to the front door. From here, another staircase leads up to the main floor, with an enclosed ancillary space and a small bathroom tucked behind it at the basement level.

The entrance stair leads visitors to a long hall, which divides sleeping areas from the living room, kitchen, and a solitary bedroom tucked against the far side of the house, above the staircase.

A curved wall encloses the kitchen and living spaces.

“This axis or corridor presents an anomaly,” said the studio. “A single slightly curved wall that aims to soften the journey and also serves as a tribute to the three women comprising this family.”

A dividing wall separates the kitchen from the living area, which is located in a corner. Floor-to-ceiling windows and an Engawa, or veranda, run the perimeter of both spaces to “diffuse light and provoke a smooth transition” between the exterior and interior.

The three bedrooms on the other side of the divide sit in the centre of the house, with corresponding bathrooms and storage units wrapped around each one in an L shape.

An enclosed courtyard sits in front of them.

“The bedrooms or private areas remain secluded, without any windows to the exterior,” said the studio. “The necessary illumination is received through a long courtyard, an intimate gathering point for the family, only connecting with the outside through the sky.”

The house is clad in stone, which the studio envisions weathering over time to blend with the mountainside environment. The pilings on which it is cantilevered over the edge were covered in earth so as to blend the house with its surroundings further.

“This house seems to sit gently upon the mountain, and the final part of the slab floats lightly above it, supported by pilings covered by the same earth from the excavation, giving the impression that this large white element simply decided to perch there,” said the studio.

HW Studio recently completed a house partially buried into a hillside in Morelia and a San Miguel de Allende house with open-air corridors and courtyards.

The photography is by Cesar Béjar.

Project credits:

Lead architect: Rogelio Vallejo Bores
Architect: Oscar Didier Ascencio Castro
Team: Nik Zaret Cervantes Ordaz

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Since its establishment in 1990, Durat, a Finnish leader in sustainable design materials, has been at the forefront of both ecological innovation and aesthetic functionality. With a steadfast commitment to transforming industrial waste into high-quality, recyclable solid surfaces, Durat redefines the traditional use of recycled materials. At the core of its philosophy, deeply rooted in the principles of the circular economy, these values are evident in its product offerings and holistic approach to design and production. During Milano Design Week 2024, Durat showcased the “PORTA DEI COLORI” installation, a vivid illustration of their philosophy. This installation, brought to life by Linda Bergroth, symbolizes the marriage of sustainable practices with imaginative design. It demonstrates that recycled materials can be used beyond just practical applications, achieving significant artistic value.

Designer: Linda Bergroth + Durat

Unlike traditional countertop materials such as granite, quartz, or laminate, Durat’s sustainable solid surfaces present several environmental and functional advantages. Traditional materials like granite and quartz involve energy-intensive mining processes and often require long-distance transportation, which significantly impacts the environment. Additionally, laminate countertops may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) due to the chemicals involved in their production. In contrast, Durat’s materials are crafted from recycled post-industrial plastics, significantly reducing the ecological footprint by minimizing waste and avoiding the depletion of natural resources. These surfaces are eco-friendly and fully recyclable at their life’s end, promoting a sustainable lifecycle.

Durat’s materials have the potential to outperform traditional options in terms of durability and ease of maintenance. While granite is robust, it can crack under severe impact and requires periodic sealing to prevent staining. Quartz, though less prone to staining, can suffer damage from excessive heat. Laminate, although versatile, is vulnerable to scratches, chips, and heat damage. In stark contrast, Durat surfaces are engineered for resilience and longevity, capable of withstanding wear, impact, and high temperatures without compromising their structural integrity or appearance. Their non-porous nature ensures they’re hygienic, easy to clean, and resistant to bacterial growth, making them ideal for both bustling commercial environments and busy home kitchens.

While traditional materials are often constrained by the availability of natural patterns and colors, Durat offers a refreshing alternative with its diverse range of over 300 colors, complemented by distinctive grit effects that create dynamic and continuously evolving patterns. This vast palette provides remarkable creative freedom, enabling designers and architects to precisely tailor their projects, pushing the boundaries of design aesthetics from the minimalistic to the avant-garde. These materials are lighter and more adaptable than their stone counterparts, simplifying the installation process and making repairs and refinishing easier. They also appeal to a wide array of consumers and professionals. Eco-conscious consumers and businesses appreciate Durat’s commitment to environmental stewardship, aligning perfectly with their sustainability practices. The durability and hygienic properties of Durat surfaces make them ideal for high-traffic areas like schools, hospitals, and retail spaces, where facility managers need long-lasting, easy-to-maintain solutions. Additionally, the ease of installation and maintenance makes Durat a favored choice among DIY enthusiasts, enhancing its popularity for home improvement projects and allowing for reduced installation costs while maintaining the material’s pristine condition over time.

This dedication ensures Durat’s solid surfaces meet today’s design professionals’ aesthetic and functional needs while also contributing positively to environmental conservation, positioning Durat as a leader in the future of sustainable modern design.

The post Durat’s Sustainable Surfaces Merge Aesthetics with Environmental Ethics first appeared on Yanko Design.

Dezeen Showroom: Italian furniture company Scavolini has listed a selection of its recently-released furnishing systems on Dezeen Showroom.

Scavolini specialises in designing and manufacturing built-in systems that create storage and surfaces throughout a range of interior spaces, from kitchens and bathrooms to living areas.

The sleek appearance of the Mira system is the stand out feature in the company’s catalogue, with cabinets and surfaces broken up by slim lines that define corners and doors.

It comes in various finishes including glass, aluminium and solid colours. Like all other furniture systems by Scavolini, it is modular and can be tailored according to the dimensions of individual spaces.

The brand’s Stilo system is the result of a collaboration between the brand and industrial design studio Spalvieri and Del Ciotto.

It contains slimline components that include shelving, open- and closed-fronted storage solutions and cabinets that all come in a range of metallic and coloured finishes.

Designed specifically for bathrooms, the Miko system can be combined with vanity units, basins and mirrors to create sleek, continuous bathroom interiors.

Concealed grips along the top of the doors allow a seamless and tactile frontage and, like Scavolini’s other systems, users can choose from a selection of colours, materials and finishes.

The work of artist Ellsworth Kelly, designer Donald Judd and architect Gio Ponti formed the basis for the Jeometrica system, which has a multitude of storage and display options.

It has a tidy, wall-mounted appearance that can be finished in an array of colourways and materials.

The brand aimed for its Poetica furniture system to create a sense of familiarity and homeliness through its use of wooden textures.

Like all of Scavolini’s furniture systems, Poetica has both base and wall units that can be configured according to the constraints of any given space.

Scavolini was established in 1961 by brothers Valter and Elvino Scavolini, originally specialising in artisanal kitchen design.

The company now manufactures furniture and storage systems for various spaces within the home.

Dezeen Showroom

Dezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen’s huge global audience. For more details email showroom@dezeen.com.

Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership content here.

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While all Transformers fans are tripping over Optimum Prime, it’s time to give the leader of the Decepticons his due chance. Yes, this self-transforming Megatron will win you over to join the bad side of the Transformers universe, the toy is that good. Created by Robosen Robotics in collaboration with Hasbro, the high-tech interactive collectible will force the inner child out of even the most serious middle-aged men.

Everything about this autobot is impressive, right from its design to the cool moves it is capable of. The Megatron is released as a limited edition collectible to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of Transformers. Be informed that this thing comes at a steep price tag of $800 during the initial pre-order phase, and after that period the price is expected to shoot higher at around $1,200.

Designer: Robosen Robotics and Hasbro

With a simple voice command, the 21-inch Megatron transforms from a walking bipedal robot to a rolling tank. The way it changes personality in an instant is the most satisfying thing to watch. The voice commands further extend into triggering actions like firing plastic darts from the cannon or doing other cool tricks. It can also play out famous scenes from the franchise in the voice of actor Frank Welker with visual actions. Voice commands can be used to wake up the robot or even play Happy Birthday tunes. The servo motors and microchips let the user control it remotely from a smartphone with the companion app.

Get too close to the Autobot and it reacts to your touch, thanks to the touch sensors placed on the body. Don’t be surprised if it shouts out loud “You Fool” when touched on the front plate and picked up off the surface. In the tank mode, it can fire plastic cannons on voice commands and do a lot of other cool stuff you’ll love. The robot has a lot of servos and they are well concealed behind the clever spring-loaded flaps. Attention to detail is apparent here with small details like the automatically rotating logo when it converts from a tank to a standing robot.

The post Smart Megatron transforms into a tank, responds to voice commands and shoots projectiles first appeared on Yanko Design.