Hasta La Ideas

A communal plaza and stepped terraces encourage residents to spend time together outdoors at Pixel, a cluster of seven staggered housing blocks in Abu Dhabi by Dutch studio MVRDV.

Located in Makers District on the capital city’s Al Reem Island, the development comprises 525 apartments alongside various public amenities organised around a public courtyard.

It was designed by MVRDV to challenge typical housing developments in the United Arab Emirates, which the studio said often prioritise luxury over community.

“With Pixel, we challenged the residential typologies that have become the norm in the UAE”, said MVRDV founding partner Jacob van Rijs.

“Instead of nondescript, isolated towers made palatable by a veneer of luxury finishes on the interior, Pixel makes it possible for residents to spend some time outdoors, become friends with their neighbours, to invite visitors for a meal in the restaurant in the plaza,” added van Rijs.

“It encourages a way of life that is not only enjoyable but environmentally and socially more sustainable than the alternatives.”

Pixel is the first project to be completed in Makers District, which developer Imkan has created on Al Reem Island to become “the new heart of Abu Dhabi”, MVRDV said.

According to the studio, the design aims to reflect the area’s “innovative, cosmopolitan spirit of Makers District”.

The seven towers that make up the development are organised around the edges of the site, creating space for the central plaza.

From the plaza, residents and locals have access to a range of eateries and shops at ground level, and facilities including a gym, a healthcare clinic, a nursery and offices on the first floor.

MVRDV has arranged the Pixel towers to maximise shade and encourage breeze throughout the plaza while ensuring there are links to the beach and neighbouring waterfront developments.

Facing the plaza, large windows and terraces break up the forms of the towers, reducing their visual impact and giving rise to a pixelated look – giving the project its name.

Lining the courtyard-facing facades are shade screens formed of tiles in 14 different pastel shades, modelled on the iridescent surfaces of pearls and nodding to the United Arab Emirates’ history of pearl trading.

“The facades facing this plaza are what truly bring the project to life,” said MVRDV.

“At their bases, the towers crumble into ‘pixels’, spilling out into the plaza to create terraces and bay windows,” the studio continued. “These extend the living spaces inside into the public realm, encouraging residents to enjoy the outdoors in the cooler months of the year.”

Completing Pixel’s plaza are a range of water features and greenery, designed to help cool the landscape. In the future, further greenery is planned for the roofs of the towers.

On the outer elevations of the towers, the cladding is formed of concrete panels with contour-like patterns developed by artist Nicole Martens to evoke oyster shells.

“In a nod to Abu Dhabi’s heritage, the development is envisaged as an oyster, with a hard outer shell that sequesters a delicate pearl inside,” said MVRDV.

Inside, Pixel contains 525 apartments of varying sizes and prices, ranging from more affordable studios to spacious, luxury three-bedroom homes.

According to MVRDV, this is hoped to encourage “contact between people from different walks of life” at Pixel.

MVRDV is a Rotterdam-based architecture studio that was founded in 1991 by van Rijs, Winy Maas and Nathalie de Vries.

Its other recent residential projects include Ascension Paysagère, a hill-like housing project in France that was designed for a “variety of income levels”, and The Canyon in San Francisco, which is organised around a central public space.

The photography is by Jon Wallis.

The post MVRDV designs Pixel as alternative to “nondescript” housing in Abu Dhabi appeared first on Dezeen.

Design studio Dihome has created a colourful industrial-style interior for this compact 15th-floor apartment in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Named Suprematism, this 42-square-metre apartment was adapted for a young couple who wanted a bright, colourful apartment with the most functional use of space.

“I wanted to dress the interior in a modern, bold way to give it a young and relaxed theme,” Dihome founder Yevheniia Sytnik told Dezeen.

Existing walls were removed to create an open-plan layout, while glass bricks and panels were added to create spatial zoning without obstructing natural light.

“Glass blocks, plywood and concrete are the DNA of this project,” said Sytnik.

“The glass blocks in the living room required the builders to take them for grinding three times to ensure they fit perfectly,” she continued.

Set against a backdrop of painted white walls, colour was introduced through furnishings and decorative pieces, including an orange coffee table and a deep blue velvet sofa in the living space.

Above hangs a burnt orange wall panel by Ukrainian artist Tasha Oro, whose work references the early 20th-century art movement Suprematism – which the apartment is named after.

“Suprematism is characterised by simple abstract forms such as squares, circles, and rectangles,” said Sytnik.

While the living spaces are spread across one open-plan space, the kitchen is distinguished from the rest of the living area with a reeded glass partition and a change in materials.

Grey stools with tubular red legs tuck under the kitchen work surface to create a space-saving dining area, with a floor-to-ceiling mirror panel incorporated to create the illusion of space.

A structural concrete pillar acts as a partition between the living spaces and the bedroom, doubling as a TV unit on one side and shelving space on the other.

“This volume incorporates the constructive element of the building – the concrete pillar – and becomes the axis of the entire interior,” said Sytnik.

Two additional decorative wall panels by Tasha Oro hang on the bedroom side of the pillar in pastel tones.

“I worked on the project as if in a constant dialogue with Oro’s panels,” said Sytnik.

In the bedroom is an inbuilt desk and a low platform bed, with a yellow curtain used to neatly conceal wardrobe space.

Rough-textured concrete ceilings with exposed electrical wiring give the apartment an industrial look.

A colourful geometric panel, designed by Re:Quiet using recycled plastic bottles, functions as a noise absorber.

Divided using a glass brick wall, the bathroom is the only separate volume in the apartment, with red and yellow tones continued here.

“Suprematist motifs in the bathroom tiles and bright yellow kitchen are complimented by the graphic patterns of the ceramic granite,” said Sytnik.

Other Kyiv-based projects recently featured on Dezeen include an apartment renovation by Modektura and a fitness studio made from leftover materials in the face of wartime shortages.

Photography is by Andrey Avdeenko.

The post Glass bricks divide spaces in Suprematism apartment in Kyiv appeared first on Dezeen.

An Ettore Sottsass gridded feature wall and a sculptural green ladder characterise this 1920s Dutch house, which interiors firm DAB Studio designed to reference the Amsterdam School.

Called Collectors Home, the dwelling is defined by the intricate brickwork and stained glass windows typical of the Amsterdam School – a movement from 1910 to 1920 that paid equal attention to the architecture and interior design of a building.

Local firm DAB Studio renovated the Amsterdam house’s interiors to reflect its roots while adding contemporary touches.

“The building dates from around 1929 and was designed by Eduard Cuypers,” studio co-founder Lotte Bruns told Dezeen.

“His studio was considered the origin of the Amsterdam School because the ringleaders of this style, Michel de Klerk, Joan van der Mey and Piet Kramer, were all formed in his office,” she added.

The team enlarged and rearranged the living room’s neutral-hued fireplace, which has smooth, subtle corners – “a recognisable reference to the Amsterdam School,” according to Bruns. 

Dedesigned to be deliberately off-centre, the fireplace mouth was decorated with modernist black marble discs that echo the room’s rounded sconce lights, positioned on a marbled mahogany feature wall.

Although the wall design was originally created by Memphis Group founder Sottsass for Alpi in the 1980s, the gridded arrangement of the wood recalls the “ladder windows” common to Amsterdam School architecture, explained Bruns.

A recognisable Wassily Chair by Bauhaus designer Marcel Breuer sits opposite a sculptural, low-slung coffee table and a deep red Gubi chaise lounge, first created in 1951.

“The clients’ love of both modernism and postmodernism was the starting point for our research,” said Bruns.

DAB Studio made use of the home’s bay window by inserting a lumpy, vintage fruit-picking ladder into the space – a formerly utilitarian object from 1890, painted green and transformed into art for the project.

“The semi-circular window was a big challenge because it was too small to be functional and too big to leave empty,” considered Bruns.

“The ladder’s colour complements the stained glass and the green background of the grass and trees in the garden,” she added.

Art features throughout the home, including in the timber-clad kitchen, where a red copper table lamp with a shaggy, gold-hued fringe illuminates the sleek worktop.

Connected to the open-plan living room, the dining space was finished with a long, dark wood table, mustard-coloured silk curtains and bespoke glass ceiling panels.

“The interior has a free, creative spirit in which each element can stand on its own and be seen as art,” concluded Bruns.

Founded in 2016 by Lotte and her partner Dennis Antonio Bruns, DAB Studio previously transformed the kitchen floors and ceilings of a family home in Zwaag, the Netherlands, with two types of wood.

Also based in Amsterdam, Studio Modijefsky created a contemporary family home inside a local dijkhuis – a traditional Dutch dwelling set next to a dyke.

The photography is by Alice Mesguich.

The post DAB Studio adds contemporary touches to Dutch home from Amsterdam School period appeared first on Dezeen.

The leap from M2 to M4 was Apple’s way of completely future-proofing the iPad against any sort of competition. The iPad Pro 2024 edition is easily the world’s most powerful tablet (and the thinnest one in its category too)… and every powerful superhero definitely needs a sidekick or companion right? We’ve put together a list of accessories that empower your iPad Pro physically, allowing you to do more with it, and be more secure with it. From productivity gizmos to protective gear, here are our 5 favorite accessories to pair with your 2024 iPad Pro.

1. Pitaka MagEZ Case 2

Pitaka’s MagEZ Case 2 coats your iPad in a protective layer like no other. The ultra-slim case comes made from aerospace-grade aramid fibers (like Kevlar) along with polyurethane, impact-proofing your iPad from all corners. The camera comes with a protective lip too, shielding the lenses from damage when you lay down your iPad Pro flat on a surface, or even if you drop your tablet. The beauty of the MagEZ Case 2 is how stunningly light it is, weighing a mere 78 grams or 2.5 ounces. The fibers on the back are put together using Pitaka’s Fusion Weaving technology, resulting in a gorgeous checkered design all along the back of your iPad Pro. Meanwhile, the exposed edge on the side lets you snap your Pencil Pro with ease… and here’s the kicker, the MagEZ Case 2 is compatible with Apple’s Magic Keyboard Folio, so you can snap the tablet onto the Magic Keyboard, case included.

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2. HyperDrive USB Hub

Sometimes just a multiport hub isn’t enough – the HyperDrive packs buttons too. With 6 ports and 3 playback control buttons, the HyperDrive expands your iPad Pro’s capabilities in a way that most hubs couldn’t. Sure, it helps to have HDMI, USB, SD Card, and 3.5mm Aux input for your iPad Pro… but imagine being able to remotely play/pause or skip tracks/episodes through a USB-C hub. Three playback buttons on the HyperDrive unlock this possibility, allowing you to control playback without switching apps, dragging down the control center, or even touching the screen. You could be working on an important document with YouTube or Spotify playing in the background and the HyperDrive lets you play or pause music or even skip tracks while you work, without letting you skip a beat. Meanwhile, those 6 extra ports are perfect for turning your iPad Pro into a pro-grade workstation.

3. CUKTECH 10 Power Bank

Powerful enough to handle your iPad Pro’s (or even MacBook’s) charging requirements, the CUKTECH 10 is a 10,000mAh power bank that outputs a stunning 100W of power. A Xiaomi sub-brand, CUKTECH developed the CUKTECH 10 to be an all-in-one power bank small enough to fit in your laptop bag, but capable enough to juice even your tablet or laptop at fast-charging speeds. A USB-A and USB-C port let you charge up to 2 devices at the same time, while the 10,000mAh battery on the inside is enough to juice your iPad Pro to 100% at fast-charging speeds, doubling your tablet’s battery life while you’re working on a holiday, on a flight, or at a cafe. The CUKTECH 10’s sleek all-metal design stands shorter than your phone, and the entire power bank can literally fit in your pocket while traveling. Not to mention, a nifty TFT display on the power bank lets you know its battery percentage while also measuring the output of the power bank’s dual ports.

4. Pitaka MagEZ Folio 2

We’ve seen folio cases galore, but this particular one from Pitaka has a pretty clever design that allows you to prop up your iPad Pro in as many as 4 different angles. With a simple origami-inspired creased flap on the front, the MagEZ Folio 2 lets you quickly have your iPad standing at 62° in portrait mode, or 57°, 53°, or 34° in landscape mode. Like any good folio case, it protects your entire iPad Pro (screen included) from damage, while the flap on front has an auto-sleep/wake feature. Meanwhile, a separate magnetic flap on the side actually holds your Apple Pencil in place, preventing it from accidentally being knocked off the tablet. The MagEZ Folio 2 comes with a PU leather exterior, a microfiber interior (to safeguard your screen), and weighs a remarkable 240 grams or 8.4 ounces, making it lighter than 95% of folio case/stands on the market.

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5. Twelve South HoverBar Duo

Designed to work with iPads and even Kindles, the HoverBar Duo is a tablet stand on steroids. It holds the iPad Pro in infinite positions, heights, and angles thanks to its two-arm adjustable design. You can lift your iPad up to face level for better viewing, or attach it to your bedside for hands-free movie-watching while you’re in bed. The HoverBar Duo gets its name from the fact that it can be desk-mounted or shelf-clamped. A weighted base lets you stand your iPad Pro on a table without the fear of having it topple over, and friction hinges on the arms let you adjust your iPad to pretty much any angle you need, giving you a display that’s exactly where you want it to be.

The post Top 5 iPad Pro Accessories to transform your Tablet into a Productivity Powerhouse first appeared on Yanko Design.

In today’s world, finding sustainable solutions is more important than ever. Sometimes, the best innovations come from rethinking old ideas. Working together is key in this effort, combining knowledge and resources to create products that meet today’s challenges. This is exactly what Norwegian studio Snøhetta and lighting brand Ateljé Lyktan have done with their new office lamp, the Superdupertube, setting a new standard for sustainable lighting.

Designers: Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan

This partnership isn’t entirely new. It began with The 7th Room, a stunning cabin in the treetops of northern Sweden, where Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan first teamed up to create unique lighting solutions. The Superdupertube uses materials that reflect Snøhetta’s commitment to regenerative design. The project started years ago with a team of architects and designers working with Ateljé Lyktan to find locally sourced materials with a smaller environmental impact. Hemp was chosen for its strong fibers and low environmental impact, cutting CO2 emissions by over 50% compared to traditional aluminum.

Working with suppliers Bergman’s and Trifilon, Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan explored sustainable materials. After testing pine cones and coffee grounds, they discovered hemp fiber. Superdupertube is the first project to use hemp-based material in an extrusion process. Hemp provided the necessary strength, and when mixed with sugarcane starch, it met the functional needs while staying true to the commitment to sustainability. Hemp grows abundantly and doesn’t deplete the soil.

Designed as a versatile office lamp, Superdupertube comes in four lengths and features a diagonal louver to reduce glare.

Superdupertube is a modern take on Ateljé Lyktan’s Supertube, a 1970s office light made from extruded aluminum. The simple design of the original Supertube caught Snøhetta’s attention, sparking a mission to update it for today’s ecological needs. After experimenting with various materials, they chose a composite of Dutch hemp and sugarcane-derived PLA bioplastic. This new material, free from fossil fuels, is sustainable and strong, making it a perfect alternative to aluminum.

The suspended light is a blend of craftsmanship and environmental consciousness. Its main body is created through extrusion, with injection-molded louvers and side covers giving it an organic look. Even the electric cables are wrapped in linen fabric, creating a natural feel. The lamp can be composted or recycled into pellets for future lamps, minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency.

The natural color of hemp means each lamp is unique, with variations in color and light temperature. The LED strips emit a warm tone through the material, available in two color temperatures: 4000K (adjusted to 3800K ambient light) and 3000K (adjusted to 2800K ambient light). Using PLA material from sugarcane and reinforced with hemp fibers, the lamp’s environmental footprint is significantly reduced.

Superdupertube uses various production techniques, including injection-molded louvers and side covers. Dimmable LED strips, encased within twisted louvers, offer visual appeal and practical lighting, making it ideal for modern offices. Available in four lengths, each lamp features an organic beige hue with natural patterns from the hemp composite, adding individuality to every piece.

Recognizing that most of a lamp’s environmental impact occurs during use, Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan focused on efficiency, incorporating smart lighting systems to reduce energy consumption and extend the lamp’s lifespan. The design allows for easy assembly and disassembly, with components sliding into place without glue and minimal screws, making it easy to replace parts and update lighting technology.

The post A Sugarcane And Hemp Suspended Light To Illuminate Office Spaces Sustainably first appeared on Yanko Design.