As Milan design week continues, we’ve selected six pop-up spaces where you can grab a bite to eat while admiring the latest design launches in the Italian capital.
Included in the roundup are restaurant spaces temporarily overhauled by design brands, a cosy dining room set in a Milanese palace and a hot dog pop-up by Swedish retailer IKEA.
Caffè Populaire by DWA Design Studio and Lambert & Fils
Italian practice DWA Design Studio and Montreal-based lighting studio Lambert & Fils have returned to Milan for the third edition of Caffè Populaire, a showcase of the brand’s latest designs with complimentary aperitivo and food art.
Taking place in the studio and garden of DWA Design Studio from 14 to 18 April, the practic launched its Unico collection of vessels alongside the Isle lighting series by Lambert & Fils.
Aiming to create an immersive experience for visitors, food-art studio Ananas Ananas and designer Sophie Lou Jacobsen have created a bright orange food bar for the pop-up.
Finnish lifestyle brand Marimekko is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its Unikko print by turning the Bar Stoppani restaurant into a week-long pop-up space named Bar Unikko.
Created in collaboration with interiors publication Apartamento, large-scale prints of the iconic floral design will feature throughout the restaurant from 15 to 21 April, and visitors can purchase limited-edition Unikko espresso cups, coffee mugs and wooden trays.
Bar Stoppani, Via Antonio Stoppani 15, Milan
Hot Dog Extravaganza by IKEA
IKEA is offering visitors new takes on its classic hot dog dish, including plant-based, shrimp and ice cream hot dogs.
Served around long tables and picnic-style benches from 10am to 11pm local time, the retailer hopes it becomes a space where “strangers become friends”.
Via Tortona 58, Milan
Photo by Alessandra Distaso
Time Travel by Nuova Group
Designed to provide “a “momentary Americana escape” from Milan, the Time Travel installation at the Via Stampa bistro was designed by California-based studio Nuova Group to take visitors back in time to 1971.
Nuova Group overhauled one of the main dining halls of the restaurant with an exhibition of limited-edition furniture and lighting, a dedicated Time Travel’s bar and theatrical performances taking place from 13 to 21 April.
Via Stampa 8, Milan
Trattoria Altra Vista by Anotherview
Art collective Anotherview set out to create a “lived-in” space at Milan’s Palazzo Litta for the Trattoria Altra Vista installation, created in collaboration with Italian designers Analogia Project, Andrea Zambelli, Benedetta Mori Ubaldini, Matteo Di Ciommo, Duilio Forte and Simone Fanciullacci.
Taking place from 15 to 21 April, the installation aims to combine design, art, cuisine and lifestyle with a bar, a long dining table and a series of digital windows set up in a room in the baroque palace.
The space will host three exclusive dinners during Milan design week and will be open to the public during the day with talks and presentations.
Palazzo Litta, Corso Magenta 24, Milan
Photo by Cabana
Sant Ambroeus takeover by Cabana
Italian lifestyle brand Cabana has launched its Toscana textile design in a coral hue for its takeover of the Sant Ambroeus restaurant.
The floral print has been added to the table cloths, napkins and curtains in the restaurant for the duration of Milan design week.
The restaurant’s private dining room has also been permanently transformed by interior designer Ashley Hicks with colours and surfaces pulled from the Cabana magazine.
Sant Ambroeus, Corso Giacomo Matteotti 7, Milan
Milan design week 2024 takes place from 16 to 21 April 2023. See our Milan design week 2024 guide on Dezeen Events Guide for information about the many other exhibitions, installations and talks taking place throughout the week.
Japanese designer Hideki Yoshimoto has unveiled the Beyond the Horizon immersive art installation at this year’s Milan Design Week, designed in collaboration with car brand Lexus.
Drawing on Lexus‘ LF-ZC (Lexus Future Zero-emission Catalyst) concept car, which “explores possibilities for a next-generation Lexus battery electric vehicle”, the installation aims to encapsulate and represent the brand’s focus on the future.
“I wanted to create something which gives you an impression of kind of future-looking exploration or toward the future of different dimensions of this industry,” Yoshimoto told Dezeen in Milan.
Hideki Yoshimoto has unveiled an immersive installation at Milan Design Week
The reflective installation features a model of the car, which is positioned at the centre of the installation to act as a “beacon” towards this new future and flanked by a series of illuminated sculptures.
“The sculptures are almost like soldiers,” Yoshimoto said.
“They are pulling this leader – the car – or protecting the car to going beyond the horizon into space or a new world.”
The reflective installation is centred by a model of the concept car
The installation floor was lined with mirrored surfaces intended to give the effect of water, while illuminated backing panels depict the sky’s landscape – shifting from morning to night – with the line between them indicating the horizon.
Aiming to combine themes of tradition and future, the sculptures were made using traditional Japanese washi paper crafted into unique patterns which was then encased with fibreglass.
The sculptures respond to human movement – emitting a white glow when approached that simultaneously reveals the patterned paper inside.
Adding to the immersive experience, calming music was played through a collection of speakers to add to the sensory experience.
The sculptures respond to human movement
Japanese washi paper was similarly used to create the shifting landscapes displayed across the space’s backing panels.
“I created that landscape on the massive screen [using] Japanese washi paper – resonating with the brand’s respect to Japanese craftsmanship,” Yoshimoto said.
Mirrored flooring is intended to give the effect of water
Yoshimoto is founder of the design and innovation brand Tangent and was awarded the first Lexus Design Award in 2013 for his lighting design Inaho.
Beyond the Horizon is on show from 15 to 21 April 2024 as part of Milan design week. See our Milan design week 2024 guide on Dezeen Events Guide for information about the many other exhibitions, installations and talks taking place throughout the week.
The Archetyp chair is a minimally designed wood-frame chair with an upholstered seat and back.
The chair is available in sizes suitable for lobbies and lounge areas
It is available in two sizes – a slightly smaller version intended for use in lobbies, and a larger one better suited to lounge areas.
Morrison and Nikari created the Archetyp chair as a subtly more refined version of a standard – or archetypal – lounge chair.
Morrison described the chair as an update to a well-known design archetype
“In updating this well-known archetype of upholstered armchair with wooden frame, we’ve tried to lighten the structure and give it the appearance of something both familiar and simultaneously fresh and of its time,” explained Morrison.
“Nikari’s reputation for faultless craftsmanship allows the design to transcend ordinary everyday character, giving the design the edge it needs to perform in well-thought architectural surroundings.”
Material: oiled birch, ash or oak Dimensions: 630 x 600 x 750/450 millimetres (lobby), 650 x 700 x 730/420 millimetres (lounge)
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The Dezeen team are reporting live from Milan Design Week (15-19 April). Read on for all the coverage from the first day (Monday 15 April) – and follow the live feed for today’s activity!
Samuel Ross has designed his first toilet for Kohler
The Dezeen team has finished the day, toasting the designer’s sculptural orange throne with one of the customary drinks of Milan design week that is, happily, a matching orange – an Aperol spritz. Saluti!
The design of the sculptural orange toilet was informed by brutalist architecture. Images by Jane Englefield
4:30pm In a busy day for IKEA at Milan design week, one of the most talked about projects to emerge from their activity is the launch of a collection of gaming furniture designed to subvert the genre’s stereotypical “cyberpunk-y” look.
IKEA have launched an inflatable chair at Milan design week. Image by Starr Charles
One of the aims was to make gaming furniture that blends into the home when not in use. The collection includes the brand’s first successful attempt at inflatable furniture. Read the full story below ›
4:00pm Eighty earthenware jugs (known in Catalan as càntirs) designed by a variety of practitioners have been arranged on a central plinth at Inspired in Barcelona: Terra Rossa.
The Terra Rossa installation features unique water containers made from clay
Encircled by freestanding muddied walls, the installation brings together a group of 15 artists whose aim is to celebrate soil “as the ultimate provider”.
Creatives in the fields of fashion, jewellery, photography and performance art designed the càntirs. Images by Jane Englefield
3:00pm The ritual of coffee drinking in Italy is serious business, and now design fans can add a new espresso coffee maker to their morning ritual, writes Dezeen’s Max Fraser. London-based designer Michael Anastassiades has designed his first one for Alessi featuring a geometric form in highly-polished stainless steel.
The Italian tabletop producer has released many recognisable stove-top coffee makers over the years from the likes of David Chipperfield, Aldo Rossi, Richard Sapper, Alessandro Mendini and Michele de Lucchi.
Michael Anastassiades has designed a stovetop coffee maker for Alessi. Image by Riccardo Gasperoni
2:30pm Designer Hideki Yoshimoto has unveiled an immersive installation backed by illuminated panels in collaboration with Lexus at Milan design week.
The mirrored installation space features Lexus’ latest concept car along with a series of illuminated sculptures made from traditional Japanese paper encased in fibreglass– Starr Charles
The latest concept car from Lexus was presented flanked by illuminated sculptures. Image by Starr Charles
2:00pm Hot dogs in Milan!
Hot dogs were served at the IKEA space. Image by Cajsa Carlson
Among the food options offered at IKEA‘s 1st exhibition was a fun array of innovative limited edition varmkorvar, or hot dogs.
They included a Tex Mex hot dog (pictured with extra jalapeños!) a shrimp hot dog and even an “ice hot dog” – Cajsa Carlson
1:30pm An installation at the Gucci Monte Napoleone flagship store showcases glossy, cherry-red versions of five Italian design icons including Mario Bellini‘s Le Mura sofa, Tobia Scarpa’s Opachi vase and the Storet chest of drawers by Nanda Vigo.
Gucci present a new version of Mario Bellini’s Le Mura sofa
The pieces are displayed in a series of carpet-covered rooms designed by architect Guillermo Santomà that look a bit like the Grinch’s lair, if he was really into post-war Italian design – Jennifer Hahn
The Storet chest of drawers by Nanda Vigo has been reinterpreted in cherry red. Images by Jennifer Hahn
1:00pm Dezeen editorial director Max Fraser writes “36 years after Italian lighting brand Flos first embraced working with an international designer – Philippe Starck – at the grand Palazzo Visconti, the brand returns to the Baroque palace this year for a presentation from three of their established collaborators: Formafantasma, Michael Anastassiades and Barber Osgerby“.
New works by the three studios are presented in a mirrored environment, reflecting the ornate interior and the contrasting contemporary lights.
Formafantasma have designed the SuperWire lights for Flos
According to Flos chief creative officer Barbara Conti, Palazzo Visconti represents “a design playground, a terrain of experimentation on which the genius of the designers can be expressed”.
Barber Osgerby have designed the Bellhop Glass for Flos. Images by Max Fraser
12:30pm Italian tile brand Mutina has worked with French designer Ronan Bouroullec on its first collection specifically for outdoors.
On show in the garden of Spazio Cernaia, the Osso and Bottone ranges feature gently contoured edges and playful cutaways.
Ronan Bouroullec’s collection for Mutina is on show in the garden of Spazio Cernaia
In a basement below the garden, the designer is also presenting Adadgio, a system of modules for making ceramic lattice wall sculptures, alongside a series of limited-edition vases – Amy Frearson
The designer has developed a modular system to create larger wall pieces. Images by Amy Frearson
12:00pm Balloon!
Taiwan are showcasing projects answering prompts about environmental change at their pavilion. Image by Ben Dreith
11:30am Dezeen design editor Jennifer Hahn has visited the Lasvit installation at Milan design week. Play a game of renders versus reality with us! We think they did a pretty good job of realising the concept. What do you think?
The Lasvit installation features smoke machines, to create the intended effect
Sometimes finished projects do not look anything like the initial renderings.
But the Lasvit installation pretty closely matches – weather and natural light-dependent – the original ideas for the space. What do you think? Tell us in the comments below!
Lasvit’s installation realises the brand’s previously released renderings
10:30am International press are gathering at IKEA‘s Milan space, where the brand is hosting an exhibition called 1st, which explores the experience of leaving home for the first time.
The exhibition includes a large open stage featuring different “rooms” and a bed topped with IKEA “red cuddly heart” cushions.
IKEA 1st collection at Milan design week. Image by Jane Englefield
The Padiglione Visconti venue has been “transformed into an IKEA playground” showcasing products and experiences related to the theme of the exhibition. Read the full report from Jane Englefield below.
The Dutch designer has adapted the traditional linoleum-making process to create architectural tiles that are endlessly re-mouldable.
A Dzek tile-clad monumental staircase, designed by Barcelona studio Arquitectura-G, leads to nowhere
“It’s like bread dough that lasts forever,” Meindertsma told Dezeen design editor Jennifer Hahn.
“It cures just enough to become something solid but then you can always decide for it to become something new if you need.”
The linoleum architectural tiles are endlessly re-mouldable
“For me, that’s really the ultimate thing as a product designer,” she added. “I don’t know any other material that can do that.”
In the Milan design week installation, the tiles clad a monumental staircase leading to nowhere that was designed by Barcelona studio Arquitectura-G.
The staircase installation leads to nowhere. All images by Jennifer Hahn
9:30am Dezeen US editor Ben Dreith was at the press opening of the seventh edition of Alcova yesterday, which is taking place across Villa Bagatti Valsecchi and Villa Borsani outside of Milan.
Alcova is taking place at two villas, including Villa Bagatti Valsecchi (above)
American designer and Dezeen Awards 2023 judge Colin King has created an installation for Calico Wallpaper at Alcova and said that installations in Milan “are getting more and more complex and interesting”.
Colin King created an installation for Calico Wallpaper
Alcova founder Joseph Grima said Villa Borsani (pictured below) was important because it was the residence of Osvaldo Borsani and because his factory next door was “one of the places where Milanese design was born”.
Villa Bagatti Valsecchi is one of two locations for Alcova this year
Grima also highlighted this year is the first time Alcova has taken place at a residential location. Find out more about Alcova 2024 on Dezeen Events Guide ›
Jospeh Grima spoke to press about Alcova at Milan design week 2024. All images by Ben Dreith.
See Dezeen Events Guide for all the latest information you need to know to attend the event, as well as a list of other architecture and design events taking place around the world.
Pritzker Architecture Prize-winning architect Eduardo Souto de Moura has designed a watch for LeBond with its face rotated by 30 degrees to optimise viewing.
The timepiece has a minimalist design with a circular face and was created for the watch brand LeBond, which described it as “an architect’s take on a driver’s watch”.
Eduardo Souto de Moura has designed a watch for LeBond
To create a “new spin on familiar things” Portuguese architect Souto de Moura rotated the watch’s dial, movement and crown 30 degrees clockwise. According to the architect, placing 12 where the 1 would traditionally be gives the wearer the optimal viewing angle.
“The 12 is the reference, and we rotate 30 degrees for optimal visibility on the wrist,” said Souto de Moura.
The face is rotated 30 degrees
As Souto de Moura wanted the watch to be as slim as possible, it has a 38.5-millimetre case made from grade-five titanium. The face of the watch, which has matte black hands, is protected by domed sapphire crystal.
There are two variants of the watch. The first has a matte beige dial and a navy blue leather strap, while the other has a matte grey dial with a black leather strap.
“I want the watch to be and feel as slim as possible,” said Souto de Moura.
“I arrived at the office feeling bored, but when I saw the latest pictures of the watch, I became excited,” he continued.
The 12 is positioned where the one would usually be
One of the world’s best-known architects, Souto de Moura won the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2011.
His projects include the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego gallery, which is topped by pyramid-like chimneys, the Braga stadium and the Burgo Towers, in front of which the watch was photographed.
It is the latest watch design by a Pritzker Architecture Prize-winning architect
Move over, mirrorless cameras… It’s time for the micro-mirrorless camera to shine.
If you think about it, there’s really no reason a mirrorless camera has to be as big as it is. Without pissing off the photography community, a GoPro is nothing but a smaller version of the mirrorless camera. It uses the same technology of light directly hitting a sensor to capture an image; and the only real difference is the fact that compact action cameras have slightly smaller sensors, and don’t have interchangeable lenses… so Samuel Mello Medeiros decided to change things. Partnering with Yashica, Medeiros created the world’s first-ever micro-mirrorless camera. The ‘Yashica – I’m Back’ camera is as small as a stack of playing cards, but packs a Sony CMOS sensor that captures 4K video and 12MP images. Despite its size, the camera doesn’t compromise on features – it comes with 3 interchangeable lenses, the option of adding a larger battery, a flash hot-shoe on the top that lets you also attach a shotgun microphone or other accessories, and yes, WiFi capabilities so you can share your photos directly to your smartphone once they’re captured.
Medeiros founded ‘I’m Back’ in 2018, creating unconventional cameras for photobugs. While his earlier experiments revolved around reviving older cameras with new technology, the Yashica – I’m Back may just be his magnum opus. It sits at the junction between smartphone photography and pro camera photography, offering the best of both worlds. The Yashica – I’m Back measures 3 inches wide (77mm) and 1.9 inches high (50mm), making it nearly 1/4th the size of your standard mirrorless camera. That’s small enough to fit right in your pocket and whip out when you need to click photos. Sure, the ergonomics are a little challenging considering the size, but the camera is a healthy balance between tiny and powerful, sitting at the intersection between convenient smartphone photography, and advanced camera photography.
Micro Mirrorless Yashica – I’m Back emerges, a fusion of tradition and innovation!
Use three different lenses for diverse scenes and styles, adjust settings manually, and expand options with larger lenses through an adapter.
The micro-mirrorless camera banks on Yashica’s 75-year history in the camera business. Designed in partnership with the legacy camera brand, the camera sports cutting-edge tech including a 12MP Sony IMX 117 sensor that outputs 4K@24fps, 2K@30fps, and 1080p@60fps with the ability to take 40MP interpolated images or 12MP real-dimension images. Just like a professional camera, this one has a digital viewfinder that opens out and flips over, letting you click selfies or take vlogs while monitoring your feed. The 2-inch touchscreen gives you the convenience of a smartphone, allowing you to swipe through settings and look at your carousel, or even plug an external display in using the HDMI port for a more professional setup. You can also leverage Yashica – I’m Back as a webcam for creating videos and conducting high-quality live broadcasts. Images get stored on a MicroSD card, with the camera accepting as high as 128Gb cards, and there’s also built-in WiFi that lets you share images and videos directly to Android and iOS devices. The kicker, however, is that this tiny camera comes with not one, not two, but three interchangeable lenses in the box.
Wide lens 3,4mm.
Normal lens: 8,6mm.
Tele lens 25,7mm.
In my opinion, where the GoPro went wrong was in cementing itself into the action camera box. With just a wide-angle lens and nothing else, there wasn’t much you could do with a GoPro than basic vlogging activities… but that isn’t the case with the Yashica – I’m Back. The camera comes with a standard 8.6mm lens that’s comparable to a 50mm lens for a normal camera, a 75° wide-angle lens, and a 25mm telephoto lens (which actually translates to 150mm on a normal camera), with the ability to manually focus on images to get that gorgeous depth of field in your images and videos. That isn’t all, a simple adapter lets you attach a whole host of third-party lenses, including ones for SLR, DLSR, and mirrorless cameras from leading brands. Medeiros and his team are also working on giving the camera macro capabilities using the standard 8.6mm lens, which would just make the camera an all-round photography powerhouse.
The highlight of the Yashica – I’m Back micro-mirrorless camera lies in its tiny-size-zero-compromise approach to photography. It’s perfect for carrying around with you wherever you go, allowing you to take quality photos and videos without the expensive gear, or letting you bank on a good camera without needing to whip your smartphone out. The Yashica – I’m Back comes bundled with a remote control for wirelessly operating the camera, a USB-C charging cable, and a wrist-strap… although you can upgrade to a bundle with all the accessories, which also include the three lenses, a tripod/selfie-stick, and an additional battery grip. The Yashica – I’m Back ships globally and comes with a 2-year warranty on hardware/software defects.
Architecture is more than just bricks and mortar; it’s a canvas for expressing cultural nuances, socio-cultural issues, and environmental concerns. From the grandeur of Romanesque cathedrals to the intricate designs of Gothic structures, architecture has long served as a medium of storytelling. In contemporary times, architects continue to push boundaries, as exemplified by architecture studio Wallmakers’ latest creation: Toy Storey, a circular home nestled in the verdant landscapes of Kerala, India.
Established by Daniel in 2007, Wallmakers has earned acclaim for its innovative approach to design. However, their latest project takes innovation to a whole new level. Toy Storey isn’t just a residence; it’s a living monument to nostalgia, childhood, and environmental consciousness.
The concept behind Toy Storey is simple yet profound: repurpose discarded toys as structural components and decorative elements within the home’s walls. Approximately 6,200 toys, considered unsuitable for recycling, find new life in this unique dwelling. Plastic, a ubiquitous material in today’s world, particularly in the realm of toys, takes on a new identity, serving as a reminder of simpler times and prompting reflection on our consumption habits.
Located in Vadakara, North Kerala, Toy Storey’s design is deeply rooted in its surroundings. The circular layout, accessible from every side with a verandah supported by toys and old Mangalore tiles, harmonizes with the local landscape. The use of compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB) and Mangalore tiles, alongside toys, creates a visually striking facade that blends tradition with contemporary sensibilities.
The architectural ingenuity doesn’t end with the exterior. Inside, Toy Storey is a testament to thoughtful design and community-centric living. Divided into public and private segments, the home fosters a sense of togetherness while respecting the need for personal space. Japanese-style shoji screens serve as translucent partitions, allowing light and visual connectivity to permeate the interior.
The incorporation of a central courtyard and composite CSEB-Toy Jaali wall enhances cross ventilation and insulation, ensuring a comfortable living environment year-round. Additionally, a secluded basement level, accessed via a central staircase, offers space for a library and bedroom, further enriching the home’s functionality.
Toy Storey isn’t just a dwelling; it’s a conversation starter. It challenges conventional notions of architecture and consumption, urging us to rethink our relationship with the built environment and the objects that inhabit it. In a world saturated with disposable goods, Toy Storey stands as a beacon of sustainability and creativity, reminding us that even discarded items can find new purpose and meaning.
As Toy Storey demonstrates, architecture has the power to transcend mere functionality and become a reflection of our values, aspirations, and collective memories. In repurposing childhood relics to create a home, Wallmakers has not only crafted a physical structure but also woven a narrative that resonates with people from all walks of life. In the heart of Kerala, Toy Storey stands as a testament to the potential of architecture to inspire, provoke, and delight.
Explore the modern Korean perspective through Drop Light. It’s all about mixing straight lines and curves to tell a captivating story of balance and contrast for Fritz Hansen’s 150th Anniversary Exhibition in Seoul. The exhibition, themed ‘Eternal Beauty,’ shows off a beautiful blend of precise shapes and natural flow. Come along and explore the beauty of shapes and curves!
Lee’s creative journey with Drop Light delves deep into the interplay between straight lines and curves, a narrative echoing his profound fascination with sculptural contrasts and balance. Rooted in the theme of ‘Eternal Beauty,’ the exhibition’s overarching motif, Lee orchestrates a symphony of geometric precision and organic fluidity.
At the heart of Drop Light lies a meticulous exploration of three-dimensional manifestations of flat features. Lee embarks on a quest to unearth the inherent harmony nestled within the convergence of lines and planes, transcending conventional design paradigms. While Lee’s upbringing in Korean culture serves as a foundational influence, his focus pivots towards addressing his intrinsic design ethos, imbuing Koreaness with a contemporary flair.
The luminescent allure of Drop Light emanates from its multidimensional interpretation of intersecting lines and evolving forms. From its embryonic sketches to the final iteration, the design journey meanders through a landscape of experimentation and prototyping. Through this iterative process, two distinct drop trays emerge, each bearing testament to Lee’s unwavering pursuit of design excellence.
At its core, Drop Light is a marriage of fluid curves and steadfast solidity. The lampshade, characterized by its dynamic contours and shifting perspectives, finds synergy with cylindrical solid wood support. This juxtaposition of ethereal lightness and grounded stability encapsulates the essence of Lee’s design philosophy, inviting viewers to contemplate the interplay between form and function.
This year, production agency Public Art Company collaborated with Coachella art director Paul Clemente and festival operator Goldenvoice on three installations that “explore the boundaries between reality and imagination” according to the team.
“Our goal is to curate a diverse, multidisciplinary art program that mirrors the eclectic spirit of Coachella itself,” said Public Art Company founder Raffi Lehrer.
“The 2024 installations are not only visually stunning but also deeply interactive, offering new ways for our audience to connect with art, with each other, and with the environment around them,” added Clemente.
Read on to learn more about this year’s installations:
Photo by Lance Gerber
Monarchs: A House in Six Parts by Hannah
Monarchs by Cornell University professors Leslie Lok and Sasa Zivkovic of design studio Hannah features soaring towers of plywood strips atop geometric 3D-printed concrete bases, which visitors can pass underneath and into.
The structures range from 35 to 71 feet (10 to 21 metres) tall and are spaced about 100 feet (30 metres) apart. Clad in gradients of blue and oranges, “vibrant light effects” at night cast the towers in various shades.
“Monarchs: A House in Six Parts playfully explores the possibilities of 3-D printing concrete and digitally fabricating lightweight, structurally efficient wood in new architectural design and construction,” said the team.
Photo by Lance Gerber
Babylon by Nebbia
Designers Brando Posocco and Madhav Kidao of London-based design studio Nebbia created the monolithic, geometric Babylon installation from an ongoing interest in “transcendence”.
“It’s a geometry the duo played with in previous projects – a moment of objects touching, just kissing each other,” said the team. “They’re interested in transcendence, the idea that a place can take you away, and how architecture relates to performance and can become the generator of it.”
Babylon sits on a 60-by-60 foot (18 by 18 metre) footprint and reaches 60 feet (18 metres) in height, with visitors able to pass into its centre. A series of semi-circle and geometric shapes sit on a steel frame and were coated in plant-based acoustic/thermal insulation to create a bumpy texture.
Photo by Lance Gerber
Dancing In The Sky by Morag Myerscough
British artist Morag Myerscough created a colourful and kinetic 125 by 125 foot (38 by 38 metre) “settlement” where festival-goers can pass underneath and around various gateways.
Made up of various, boldly patterned towers that are topped with elements that move with the wind, the installation was created to “emphasize the natural beauty of the sky”, as well as to put visitors at ease and make them feel welcome.
“The kinetic elements dance in the sky within the structures, the abstract moving shapes overhead seeming to take their energy from the activity on the ground and the sun above,” said the team. “The whole space is vibrant and alive, inspiring guests to explore.”
The images are courtesy of Coachella unless otherwise noted.
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival takes place from 12-14 April and 19-21 April in California. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.
There’s nothing glamorous about an MRI machine. There’s nothing glamorous about a welding machine. There’s nothing glamorous about a bare-basics car chassis. All these details were designed to fulfill non-aesthetic requirements which is why they opt for a more functional visual language instead of something conventionally eye-catching. But designer Enrico Balsamo asked himself – why must industrial detailing look boring? Form follows function, but it also follows emotion, which is why Balsamo decided to take a new approach when designing his dirt bike. The X Tecnica isn’t your average-looking dirt bike – it ditches the overtly rugged, mechanically-defined aesthetic for something that’s a little more glance-worthy. The X Tecnica tries to fulfill the functional needs of an all-terrain two-wheeler without necessarily looking like a hunk of metal and fiberglass. Instead, it exaggerates details wherever possible, creating a bike that looks as attractive as it is capable. The X Tecnica could just as easily grab eyes in a showroom as it could on the terrain.
Designer: Enrico Balsamo
For Balsamo, motorcycle design is a fine line between overdesigning and underdesigning. Bikes today either look like they were designed by engineers with zero aesthetic sensibilities, or like they were designed for Instagram likes only. “In recent years, many motorcycle products have resulted in overdesign and aesthetic complications,” Balsamo says, “X Tecnica is a concept that wants to create the aesthetics of the bike starting from the essential technical components that characterize the bikes Adventure/Enduro, without adding unnecessary components and plastics.”
The X Tecnica’s design is a masterclass in marrying functionality and aesthetics. The frame, sub-frame, crash-bar, and swingarm are all machined from Aluminum, with an edgy aesthetic that doesn’t sacrifice the frame’s load-bearing nature. The frame and sub-frame get a metallic blue paint job that give the bike its electrifying appeal, coupled with the judicious use of metallic orange accents in the suspension springs, windshield, and transparent panels mounted on the front of the crash-bar.
The fuel tank, headlight housing, and frontal mud-flap are crafted from PA6 Nylon that is coated with the same electrifying blue finish, and although Balsamo doesn’t mention the material used in the rear exhausts, chances are it’s either some form of FRP or metal with the same blue color. The seat and a rubber guard around the fuel tank give the X Tecnica a splash of black, creating a rather eye-catching black, silver, metallic blue, and metallic orange palette that helps the bike shine.
The bike’s overall aesthetic perfectly embodies being rugged without looking ‘ugly’. The design DNA of the X Tecnica stands out beautifully in every detail from the headlight to the taillight and everything in between. Plus, let’s not discount that blue and orange colorway which gives us strong Ford GT 40 vibes!
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