Dezeen School Shows: a museum clad in tiles made from ceramics is included in Dezeen’s latest school show by students at California Baptist University.

Also featured is a care facility for people with Alzheimer’s and an educational centre that integrates spaces for spirituality as well as academia.

California Baptist University

Institution: California Baptist University
School: College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design
Course: Architecture Program
Tutors: Krysten Allbeck, Ryan Chung, Susan Duemer, Aaron Greene, Keelan Kaiser, Young Lee, Matthew Niermann, David Ogoli, Katherine Kaford, Mark Roberson, Karim Youssef, Jacob Slagill, Lydia Hreniuc and Xavier Adrian

School statement:

“California Baptist University (CBU) architecture students design for the public good.

“The architecture programme at CBU prepares students to serve as design professionals rooted in the Christian faith tradition.

“This unique approach to architectural education encourages students to be inspired and guided by faith perspectives as they endeavour to serve the public good.

“The CBU architecture programme offers an accelerated five-year accredited Master of Architecture degree in the Inland Empire area of Southern California, USA, and features a variety of opportunities for interdisciplinary inquiry, professional development and global study and engagement.

“The design curriculum within the CBU architecture programme emphasises an analytical and data-driven approach to understanding the impact of architecture on human experience and the natural environment across a range of project types.

“The work in this school show represents the imagination of a plurality of questions and courses by students who, as a whole, participate in critical investigations of design, material and the ephemeral.”

MemoryScape by Christopher Diaz

“The design is a blend of nature and architecture, with an angled and staggered layout that follows the rhythms of the landscape to create an environment that fosters a sense of security, calm and wellbeing.

“The facility includes four modules, each thoughtfully designed with mirrored layouts, strategically staggered and interconnected through a zig-zag path, which, when combined with monitored courtyards, creates a dynamic space that offers therapeutic benefits for residents with Alzheimer’s.

“MemoryScape, a memory care facility, is a harmonious blend of four mirrored trapezoidal buildings that follow the natural rhythms of the mountain landscape, symbolising the weaving of memories.

“Its consistent interior layout, zig-zag exterior paths and surfaces create an environment that fosters continuity, security and cognitive stimulation, offering individuals with Alzheimer’s a therapeutic haven for memory preservation.”

Student: Christopher Diaz
Course: ARC510 Advanced Architecture Design
Tutor: Keelan Kaiser

Memory Care by Alyssa Lee

“The Wrightwood Memory Care facility seamlessly blends with its undulating landscape, restoring the site’s hill-like form.

“The facility integrates nature into every aspect of residents’ experiences, from interior courtyards that bring the outdoors inside, to supervised gardens and meandering trails that encourage exploration.

“Each space offers multiple opportunities for residents to connect with the environment, engage in sensory experiences that stimulate memory and evoke moments of joy.”

Student: Alyssa Lee
Course: ARC510 Advanced Architecture Design
Tutor: Keelan Kaiser

Dohan Museum by Nikolas Kaiser

“This project is in memory of Dosan Ahn Chang Ho, a Korean independence activist during the Japanese occupation of Korea in 1910.

“The architecture creates a processional narrative of three ‘acts’, the first being the community centre, followed by the museum and concluding in the memorial lookout.

“These three acts form a spinal arrangement that follows the shape of the topography and land.

“Guests experience these distinct environments, with each space abstractly representing different moments in the timeline.

“The black granite wall symbolises strength and permanence, guiding visitors through its interior and exterior volumes and thresholds, representing Dosan’s leadership and guidance of his people to freedom.”

Student: Nikolas Kaiser
Course: ARC412 Architecture Design
Tutor: Young Seop Lee

Denoument Theatre by Sarah Schober

“The project is a mixed-use theatre that intends to capture the vibrancy and drama of the performing arts in an architectural form.

“The dramatics of a performance can only reach their crescendo through the tension and suspense of the events prior to the viewers’ arrival.

“Therefore, the theatre takes on the role of a living actor, which excites and tempts the viewer to engage with their own emotions and arise from the level of the real to the level of the fantastical.”

Student: Sarah Schober
Course: ARC312 Architecture Design
Tutor: Krysten Allbeck

Chicago Tower by Joao Vitor Cousseau Grazziotin

“Chicago’s towering skyscrapers, a symbol of human ambition, hold the potential to overwhelm with their massive singularity of form – isolating the human connection.

“The design proposal intentionally utilises the monumental scale of the building’s structural diagrid to create spaces and patterns at the tower’s base for human encounters.

“Additionally, as the diagrid continues upward, it guides the observer’s eye across a dynamic facade that plays with created patterns of light and shadow, breaking down the high rise’s potential heaviness and overpowering nature.

“The design allows us to retain the glory of Chicago’s building tradition with a structurally driven design while offering a more subtle interaction fit for human connection.”

Student: Joao Vitor Cousseau Grazziotin
Course: ARC412 Architecture Design
Tutor: Dr Matthew Niermann

Leimert Park Cultural Centre by Harrison Coe

“The Leimert Park Museum and Cultural Centre focuses on meshing the past and the future.

“The presence of guests acts as the anchor that ties together the history of Leimert Park to its future.

“The views from the past look to the older city and the views from educational spaces look to the future of the park.

“The open plans allow for a journey through the past and up to the future as you ascend into the building.”

Student: Harrison Coe
Course: ARC515 Advanced Architecture Design
Tutor: Aaron Green

Culinary Charter School by Gustavo Huitron

“Architecture and the culinary arts have the potential to reach out and extend into many cultures and communities to bring together and unite people, slicing the veil that exists between races and cultures.

“Food is a commonality that connects people of all backgrounds and is the centre of many cultural and social traditions.

“The Crossroads Culinary Arts Institute provides the city of San Bernardino, California, with an opportunity for its students to learn and expand on their cross-cultural culinary knowledge while giving back to the community and presenting what they have learned.”

Student: Gustavo Huitron
Course: ARC412 Architecture Design
Tutor: Xavier Adrian

Caltech Recreation and Wellness by Camryn Hartke

“The Caltech Recreation and Wellness Centre is rooted in Caltech’s mission to expand human knowledge and benefit society through research integrated with education.

“This project strives to serve its users through the exploration and implementation of different biological functions, similar to the numerous noteworthy architectural projects on campus that represent the research conducted within them.

“This design approach is an extension of Caltech’s technological spirit and cutting-edge reputation.”

Student: Camryn Hartke
Course: ARC515
Tutor: Ryan Chung

Christian Studies Centre by Cabot Ferguson

“MIT is a campus of brilliant, technical minds always looking for new ways to approach their respective fields.

“A theology department from this institute would share this approach – the MIT Christian Studies Centre must approach spirituality and transcendence through the lens of the academic vernacular.

“This is achieved through an investigation into how transcendence fits into the realm of our measurable and rational reality.

“The spaces within the centre aim to address the individual where they are at in their distance or proximity to the Lord.

“The centre is divided in half – one side representative of one’s spiritual walk and the other catering closer to the academic – and both paths culminate in the chapel, a space for self-reflection and a place to encounter the warmth of God’s grace.”

Student: Cabot Ferguson
Course: ARC410 Architecture Design
Tutor: Dr David Ogoli

Nexus Museum by Louis Roa

“The Nexus Museum, located in Los Angeles, California, aims to celebrate the heritage of Leimert Park and African cultures.

“The building is surrounded by a ceramic tile cladding system that expresses the dynamic ambience of the neighbourhood by utilising a building material frequently used globally – thus connecting the various cultures residing in Leimert Park.

“This design explores ways of channelling light into various spaces with the orientation of the tile placement while creating moments for residents and visitors to enjoy exhibits and discoveries found within the museum.”

Student: Louis Roa
Course: ARC515 Advanced Architecture Design

Partnership content

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

The post California Baptist University spotlights ten architecture student projects appeared first on Dezeen.

They say hindsight is 20/20, but not everyone gets the opportunity to make a redo of their past actions. That’s especially true when it comes to consumer electronics, where every product involves no small amount of investment and risk. And yet ASUS surprised us at Computex 2024 last month when it revealed not a generational upgrade to its first-ever gaming handheld PC but what is, instead, a redo of the original. The ROG Ally X definitely brings a few much-needed upgrades, but it also feels like this is what should have been launched in the first place last year. That’s why we took this handsome black handheld for a spin to see if it’s really worth its weight in gold or if waiting for the real next-gen design is a better choice.

Designer: ASUS Republic of Gamers

Aesthetics

Simply looking at the ROG Ally X on its own, you might easily mistake it for a black version of the original ROG Ally. Of course, there are subtle yet significant changes here and there, but the fact that it’s able to keep its design identity is still a laudable achievement. On the flip side, there will be no mistaking it for a ROG Ally 2 that’s yet to come, as it shares that DNA so closely with the first model.

Whether the ROG Ally had a more angular and more aggressive appearance despite its white coating, the ROG Ally X is rounder, curvier, and a bit gentler. This has consequences for the device’s ergonomics, which we’ll get to later, but it also exudes a slightly different character compared to its progenitor. It manages to be a bit more welcoming, almost comfortable, without losing its cyberpunk aesthetic thanks to those RGB lighting accents.

The color choice might prove to be a bit controversial, though. Not because no one likes black but because there’s no other choice. Just like how the ROG Ally came only in white, the Ally X is a black-only design. In a way, it stands out less from the crowd, making it less distinctive. But it also invites less visible stains and dirt on a device that will most likely see a lot of action outdoors. Truth be told, gamers are more likely to slap some skins on these devices than stick with the original coating, but having some choice would definitely help improve its appeal.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics for computers often lags behind performance and aesthetics, but it is even more critical for one that you’ll hold in your hand rather than use on a table. More than just the aesthetics, it’s actually this aspect of the ROG Ally X that sees the most changes, at least externally. Suffice it to say, the handheld is finally designed to let you hold it in your hands for longer periods of time, which translates to more playtime overall.

Because of internal changes, the ROG Ally X is chunkier and heavier at 1.45 inches thick and 1.49 lbs compared to the OG Ally’s 1.28 inches and 1.34 lbs. Ironically, the handheld is actually more ergonomic now despite the added bulk and heft thanks to key changes in the grip design and button. The sides, for example, are now more rounded than angular so they don’t cut into your palm. The grips themselves have a more natural contour that’s easier to hold, though they’re still shallower compared to the Steam Deck’s design. Depending on your hand size, you might not have enough room for a good grip just like on the ROG Ally.

The buttons and sticks feel more solid, too, and give better resistance and stability than the rather loose and flimsy controls of the previous half-generation. The back buttons are smaller and placed higher to address complaints of frequent accidental presses that come too naturally when holding the device. Ironically, players with smaller hands might find it harder to reach them now. Thankfully, their function is usually optional in most games, which is why owners of the ROG Ally were fine with disabling those.

Performance

There are, of course, also upgrades internally, but not enough to call this the ROG Ally 2. It still uses the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, for example, which is capable but not exactly top-notch. What carries its performance forward is the new 24GB LPDDR5 RAM clocked at 7,500MHz, a rather big jump from the previous-gen 16GB 6,400MHz RAM. It’s almost unbelievable how much more RAM boosts overall performance, especially when neither the CPU nor the integrated GPU are starved for memory. More disappointing, however, is the fact that ASUS didn’t go all out to put a solid 32GB in there, but that would have probably raised the already higher price tag.

Another big upgrade is the 80Wh battery that’s double the capacity of the meager 40Wh of the OG Ally. This alone accounts for the increase in weight and thickness, and it’s a price many gamers are only too willing to pay. Of course, your mileage will vary, but this allows you to either tack on a few more hours to your game time or, alternatively, crank up the settings higher and still get the same uptime. You can also charge the battery at the maximum 100W that both USB-C ports support, but the included charger only goes as far as 65W.

And yes, you read that right, USB-C ports. Plural. ASUS has done away with the proprietary XG Mobile port for connecting an external GPU and replaced it with a USB-C port with support for USB4, Thunderbolt 4, and DisplayPort 1.4 with FreeSync. This means you can still connect an external graphics dock, but now you have more options if you don’t need to. Unfortunately, both ports are located at the top, so you have less wiggle room when connecting angled cables or thick adapters.

The ASUS ROG Ally X retains most of what its predecessor has, including the aforementioned processor. The 7-inch 120Hz IPS LCD is still the same, which means it’s still bright and vibrant, at least for an LCD panel. The speakers are supposedly upgraded a little, but you’ll hardly notice the difference. The microSD card slot is still located at the top, which might worry some who have experienced fried electronics on the first ROG Ally.

What all these changes and similarities boil down to is a more powerful computer that delivers a better gaming experience overall. Despite all that power, however, the ROG Ally X still runs cooler than its predecessor thanks to an improved cooling system that pulls heat away from the screen more effectively. This is actually important when you consider that this screen is the primary way you’ll be interacting with the Windows 11 operating system. Unfortunately, even with ASUS’ custom software, Windows is still largely a mouse and keyboard-driven platform, which means navigating through menus and windows is still a pain.

Sustainability

Unfortunately, this is one area left completely unchanged between generations. Like the majority of designs in this still nascent market, the ROG Ally X has that typical mixture of metal and plastic, both taken from new materials rather than recycled. It might take a few more generations before they start catching up to their larger gaming laptop cousins.

The same can be said for repairability and even upgradability. You can’t even upgrade the SSD storage, making that microSD card expansion slot even more critical, at least for non-game files. Again, the market is still in its infancy, so we’re holding out hope that the situation will improve over time. After all, some lesser-known brands are already providing easy access to SSD storage for upgrading, so there’s little reason why giants like ASUS can’t do likewise.

Value

It’s clear as day that the ASUS ROG Ally X is a big step forward, fixing the flaws of the ROG Ally in a half-step upgrade. But are those enough to warrant its $800 price tag that makes it one of the more expensive options in the market? As always, the answer isn’t as clear-cut, but the scales might not be tipping in the Republic of Gamers’ favor.

The original ROG Ally was by no means a terrible device even considering the ergonomics, and its current $650 price tag (or even $550 on discount) makes it a more viable starting handheld for those who aren’t sold on the Steam Deck. There’s definitely no reason for ROG Ally owners to upgrade this early, either, so only those who have been on the fence until now might find the ROG Ally X more convincing. But there are also other options in the market, like the Steam Deck that started it all or the Lenovo Legion Go with its Switch-like removable controllers. Then again, you can’t go wrong with the ROG Ally X either, especially if you have the cash to spare.

Verdict

It’s rare for manufacturers to push out a version 1.5 product, especially one that almost makes the original feel inadequate. At the same time, such a strategy weakens the appeal of the “half-step” upgrade, particularly because of the price difference between the two generations. That’s the limbo that the ASUS ROG Ally X practically finds itself in. Taken on its own, it’s a fine gaming kit that offers commendable performance in a more ergonomic design, but it’s no ROG Ally 2. If you’ve been undecided about getting your first ROG Ally, now might be a good time to grab one, especially if a good deal comes up to sweeten that price a bit.

The post ASUS ROG Ally X Gaming Handheld Review: What the OG Ally should have been first appeared on Yanko Design.

Dezeen Showroom: Tokyo-based Studio Cohaku has designed Menow, a collection of round stools characterised by slitted, “wrinkle-free” upholstery.

The Menow collection includes three sizes – small, medium and large – and is suitable for use in offices and commercial spaces.

Studio Cohaku designed the curved stool with slits at its four corners, “inspired by ribbed sleeves commonly seen in the fashion world”.

According to the studio, slits were chosen to ensure “a smooth and wrinkle-free replacement” of the seating’s upholstery.

“This design not only emphasises beauty but also incorporates functionality,” said Studio Cohaku.

Product details:

Product: Menow
Brand: Studio Cohaku
Contact: nakashima@otu.co.jp

Material: upholstery, foamed urethane and wood
Dimensions: 510 millimetres x 510 millimetres x 440 millimetres, 710 millimetres x 710 millimetres x 400 millimetres, 1360 millimetres x 710 millimetres x 400 millimetres

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.

The post Menow stools by Studio Cohaku appeared first on Dezeen.

The lines between real racing and simulated one are blurring with every new advancement. The racing rigs with surreal force feedback, visually stunning displays and the 360-reality audio put you right in the middle of the action. Adding to the realism, a racing wheel enhances the experience by providing precise force feedback of every chicane and high speed bump.

For those who love racing F1 cars in the simulator at home, Sim Lab has revealed a sim racing wheel designed in collaboration with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. The officially licensed gaming accessory makes every G-force and high-speed overtake as authentic as possible. It is the closest thing to driving the real thing. Something that the Silver Arrows drivers – Hamilton and Russel vouch for to learn track behavior and practice before the team lands at the paddock of every race circuit.

Designer: Sim Lab

Compared to other racing wheels designed for Motorsports, this one is far ahead in terms of sheer level of detail and realism. The gaming accessory is designed using the CAD data that the F1 team uses for the multimillion-dollar racers. Hardware used in the making is also the same as the real F1 steering wheel used by the team. It is handmade out of a carbon fiber shell keeping the weight at 1,240 grams in total, so that every vibration and force feedback is felt the same as Lewis would feel driving at 150 mph going into a turn.

For superior grip and control during long stints of gaming, the racing wheel features anti-static rubber silicone grips. The carbon fiber shifter paddles, magic buttons and clutch mechanism have the same realism. It doesn’t stop there, as the gaming accessory features a 4.3-inch LCD screen that displays complex data to replicate the real-time data Mercedes F1 car’s drivers see while driving around the circuit. For those who follow F1 closely, the inclusion of 25 controllable RGB LEDs for telemetry data is unbelievable, showcasing the level of detail put into this one.

For those wanting to recreate the real Formula-1 experience, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team Sim Racing Steering Wheel costs a whopping $2,500. You’ll need to add on other accessories like a wheelbase to complete the realism, so it’s going to be a costly affair only manageable by a few passionate sim racers and the odd gaming affectionate. The officially licensed racing wheel is going to be compatible with wheelbases other than Formula One including Simucube, Fanatec, Moza, Simagic Alpha, Asetek, and VRS.

The post Officially licenced Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 racing wheel simulates every turn and bump to perfection first appeared on Yanko Design.

Today we launch Olympic Impact, a series investigating whether the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games can be the blueprint for sustainable major sporting events. Nat Barker sets out what to expect.

In this series we will examine in detail how Paris has sought to minimise the environmental footprint of the games and use it as a vehicle to drive improvements in the city.

Hearing from those involved in organising the games and those scrutinising, we’ll consider the legacy of Paris 2024 – is this a turning point that puts major sporting events on a more sustainable path?

Half the carbon of London and Rio

Friday will see the opening ceremony of the 33rd Olympiad float down a newly clean River Seine, if all goes to plan. It will be the first time the ceremony has been held outside a stadium – but that will not be the only first at this Olympic and Paralympic Games.

This will also be the first edition of the games organised to a carbon budget. Having moved away from early messaging pledging carbon neutrality, Paris 2024 has a target to emit no more than 1.58 million metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent – halving the carbon footprint of London 2012 and Rio 2016.

If the target is met emissions will be even lower than for Tokyo 2020, which took place without overseas spectators as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. It has been widely touted as the most environmentally friendly Olympics ever.

The most obvious consequence of this aim is the decision to avoid constructing numerous buildings, which have often defined previous games. Instead, existing buildings have been used wherever possible.

The relatively small number of new buildings were designed with a focus on less polluting materials such as timber, with additional elements like spectator seats made from recycled plastic.

While we associate recent Olympics with impressive, contemporary architecture, the games have a forgotten tradition of renovation and reuse. The first modern Olympics in 1896 took place in the restored, 2,000-year-old Panathenaic Stadium in Athens.

The main venue for the next games, held in Paris, was an adapted existing stadium, as was Paris 1924. A hundred years on, the Yves-du-Manoir has been remodelled again by Celnikier Grabli Architectes to host the hockey contests at Paris 2024.

At London 1948, dubbed the “Austerity Games” because it took place amid the harsh economic conditions following world war two, no new venues were built and athletes stayed in existing accommodation.

Paris 2024’s minimal construction agenda may therefore be seen as a revival of an old legacy.

Does it go far enough?

However, this lack of new venues does not mean that the Olympics have not changed Paris. Under Anne Hidalgo‘s mayoralty, the French capital has aimed to position itself as a global leader on sustainability – and that is undoubtedly the image it wants to convey to the world with these games.

The Olympics has been used as a catalyst to accelerate a number of other sustainability-related initiatives in the city: planting trees, building protected cycle lanes, extending the Métro and, significantly for this week’s opening, cleaning up the Seine.

It has not all gone smoothly – the Métro extension is far from finished and it’s still not certain that the river will be clean enough to host swimming competitions as hoped, but it’s hard not to be impressed with the level of ambition shown.

Parisians may take a different view. There have been widespread accusations of gentrification and social cleansing, particularly around the athletes’ village.

The criticisms have only been fuelled by revelations that thousands of homeless people were bussed out of the city in recent weeks along with posters on the Métro encouraging locals to work from home during the games.

Sustainability experts are also not convinced. Not-for-profit climate watchdog Carbon Market Watch has complained about a lack of transparency over emissions calculations methodology and Paris 2024’s progress against its targets since they were released in 2018.

There has also been skepticism around carbon offsetting and questions raised about the compatibility of the event’s climate aims with its sponsors, which include an airline and a steel manufacturing multinational.

More fundamentally, doubters argue that halving emissions still isn’t nearly enough. While a dramatic improvement on recent Olympiads, 1.58 million tonnes of carbon dioxide is still roughly equivalent to the annual emissions of 172,000 French citizens.

Paris 2024 as a turning point

Nine years ago, this city was where the landmark international treaty to limit global temperature increases known as the Paris Agreement was drafted. That document was referenced in Paris’s Olympic bid, which promised “a model of environmental excellence in line with the historic Paris Agreement on climate”.

Carbon Market Watch came back to the treaty in its verdict on Paris 2024. “Ultimately, however successful these actions may be, broader, fundamental changes must take place if the Olympics is to comply with a future that does not hurdle over the 1.5°C Paris Agreement temperature barrier,” it said.

While the Olympics has focused on the city, flying remains the big issue. Around 1.5 million spectators are expected to descend on Paris during the games, with most travelling by air.

Carbon Market Watch and others argue that events that involve burning so much jet fuel are simply incompatible with planetary boundaries – they want to see future Olympics spread across multiple cities to reduce long-distance travel.

In some ways, the Olympics is the perfect testbed for “environmental excellence”, to borrow the Paris 2024 bid’s term. After all, this is the forum in which humans seek to push at the boundaries of our species’ capabilities – to do what we haven’t done before, to break records.

But, in another way, elite sports are nothing like decarbonisation; they are all about fine margins and incremental gains, whereas the climate challenge demands vast improvements on a massive scale. There are no gold medals to be won here. Will we do it anyway? Can we?

The illustration is by Capucine Mattiussi.

Olympic Impact

This article is part of Dezeen’s Olympic Impact series examining the sustainability measures taken by the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and exploring whether major sporting events compatible with the climate challenge are possible.

The post The race to reduce the Olympic Impact appeared first on Dezeen.