People are much more productive on coffee, they say. A single cup can get you working with more energy and focus, but one company is making your cup of coffee a little more productive than you think. While the coffee you drink enriches your mind, the coffee grounds you throw away after the brewing process can apparently be bound into pencil leads, letting you literally write/sketch/doodle WITH coffee! Meet GRIND Z – a pencil lead that ditches graphite for coffee, giving you an all-natural zero-waste alternative to regular pencils. The 5.6mm lead fits into any clutch pencil that accepts leads that size, allowing you to scribble, write, take notes, doodle, and sketch with coffee. Each lead is made up of recycled coffee grounds along with a combination of binding agents – and the result is an earthy brown lead that writes on paper and actually has a coffee aroma too!

Designer: Zirobio

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 $34 (24% off). Hurry only a few left!

Coffee grounds are a major contributor to landfill waste, with millions of tons ending up in dumps each year. GRIND Z effectively diverts these grounds from an unwanted fate, giving them a new life as a creative tool. The company behind this project, Zirobio, is a biotechnology firm dedicated to developing sustainable solutions through bio-based materials. Initiated by Hailey and Miles, avid coffee drinkers, the GRIND Z was their way of seeing if this humble cup of coffee – a symbol of work, happiness, and hustle – could be channeled into something else. Something that transforms coffee waste into even more productivity.

This is a 5.6mm pencil lead containing 20% recycled coffee grounds and other components like wax and adhesives.

Coffee has been embraced by the art community already, with people using espresso and black coffee to make stained art. The liquid imparts a brown or ochre tint on paper, depending on how diluted it is – Zirobio’s idea builds on this already existing trend, transforming it from liquid to lead. One cup of coffee can generate enough grounds for up to 6 leads, Zirobio says. Each GRIND Z lead boasts a unique blend of 20% recycled coffee grounds and 80% essential binding agents like waxes and adhesives. This carefully formulated combination ensures a smooth writing experience you expect from high-quality pencil lead. But the real magic lies in the subtle, natural coffee aroma (with a hint of bitterness) that lingers with each stroke, adding a delightful sensory element to the drawing/writing process.

The lead comes in a standard 5.6mm size, ensuring compatibility with most clutch pencils – the refillable mechanical pencils commonly used by artists and designers. Zirobio even offers a sleek aluminum clutch pencil as part of their Kickstarter rewards, creating a perfect match for the eco-friendly lead. The natural brown hue of the coffee grounds eliminates the need for artificial coloring, resulting in a unique aesthetic that complements the sustainable philosophy behind the product.

Beyond its eco-friendly credentials, GRIND Z offers a captivating visual appeal. The subtle variations in the brown tones add a touch of organic charm to your artwork or sketches. This earthy aesthetic sets it apart from traditional graphite leads, allowing artists to explore a new visual language in their work. The lead can be used with a clutch pencil or even as a crayon. It supports being sharpened by a knife or a sharpener, with zero wastage (because there’s no wood being used), and if all that wasn’t impressive, the GRIND Z is naturally skin-friendly, allowing people with sensitive skin to handle it with ease.

You can grab yourself a 2-pack of GRIND Z leads (each pack contains 6 leads) for $26 and YD readers get a free custom-made coffee bean ring too. Alternatively, a $29 pledge gets you a GRIND Z 2-pack along with a compatible 5.6mm aluminum clutch pencil. If you own a coffee shop or a small studio, YD readers can also enjoy a 34% discount, getting a 10-pack of GRIND Z and 10 clutch pencils for $109, adding a sustainable highlight to your brand. Additionally, stretch goals have unlocked more free rewards with free shipping, such as art posters, coffee ground soap, and coffee ground mugs, included along with your order.

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 $34 (24% off). Hurry only a few left!

The post Move over Graphite… This Company is making Recycled Coffee Pencil Leads that write and smell great first appeared on Yanko Design.

Anyone who’s visited Portugal has undoubtedly encountered the Ascendor da Bica… either in person or through a postcard, a fridge magnet, or perhaps a tourist recommendation. The Ascendor da Bica is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s a vibrant thread woven into the fabric of Lisbon’s identity. Christened “The Bica Funicular,” it scales the steep hills of the Bica district with a unique charm. LEGO builder Peter_Designs’ creation reflects this spirit faithfully. The tram itself is a marvel of LEGO engineering, built at a 20.5-degree angle to mirror the real tram’s ingenious solution to conquer Lisbon’s challenging topography. This intricate build utilizes 2997 pieces (with 773 being dedicated to the cart alone), ensuring not only structural stability but also a remarkably accurate representation of the tram’s distinctive design.

Designer: Peter_Designs

The set extends beyond the meticulously crafted tram, offering a delightful recreation of the surrounding cityscape. With a staggering 2224 pieces dedicated just to the scenery, the build incorporates colorful buildings in a style reminiscent of Lisbon’s architecture. A detailed platform completes the scene, providing the perfect stage to display the tram in all its glory. The total piece count reaches a substantial 2997, promising a rewarding and immersive building experience for LEGO enthusiasts of all ages.

But the Ascensor da Bica’s appeal transcends its impressive brickwork. This set offers a unique opportunity to add a historical landmark with a touch of whimsy to your LEGO world. Imagine this iconic tram, painstakingly recreated in LEGO form, gracefully navigating the slopes of your existing LEGO City. The set even includes functional tracks, allowing you to integrate the tram seamlessly into your cityscape and transport minifigures (not included) on a scenic journey, just like their real-life counterparts.

Peter_Designs’ motivation behind this creation is evident – a love for Lisbon and a passion for LEGO. Their design choices reflect a deep appreciation for the city’s charm and the Ascensor da Bica’s undeniable appeal. Whether you’ve had the pleasure of wandering Lisbon’s cobbled streets and marveling at the Bica Funicular, or simply dream of visiting this vibrant city someday, this set offers a delightful way to celebrate Portugal’s rich heritage and experience the magic of Lisbon from the comfort of your home.

The Ascensor da Bica LEGO Ideas project is currently in the crucial stage of garnering support from the LEGO community. With enough votes from passionate LEGO enthusiasts like yourself, this little piece of Lisbon could become a reality for LEGO fans worldwide. Imagine gifting this set to a friend who has fond memories of Lisbon, or displaying it proudly in your home – a constant reminder of the beauty and ingenuity that LEGO bricks can bring to life! Head down to the LEGO Ideas website if you want to vote for the LEGO Ascensor da Bica.

The post Lisbon’s Iconic Bica Funicular Railway gets a stunning 2997-brick LEGO recreation first appeared on Yanko Design.

The world of mobility is evolving rapidly. After electric cars and e-bikes, make way for Twike: an electric bike designed like a car and driven using joysticks, reminiscent of old arcade games. This is not fiction but a continuous endeavor by automaker TWIKE GmbH to create a human-powered hybrid vehicle aimed at providing a sustainable mode of transportation. The German manufacturer of battery-powered electric vehicles is introducing a drivable model of the electric car-bike, the Twike 5.

The Twike 5 is a pedal hybrid vehicle designed for those who pursue conscious consumption and a sustainable lifestyle. It is a three-wheel trike, with one wheel in the front and two at the back, combining an electric motor with a pedal drive. This two-seat trike weighs 600 kilograms and can reach top speeds of up to 190 kilometers per hour.

Designer: TWIKE GmbH

Range is a significant concern with electric vehicles. The Twike 5 can travel up to 500 kilometers on a single charge. The range can be extended by pedaling, which powers the battery and decreases its consumption. The pilot (as the company refers to the rider) can use two joysticks to turn left or right: pushing the right joystick forward turns right, and pushing the left joystick forward turns left. Leaving the joysticks untouched steers the Twike 5 straight. Buttons on top of the joysticks allow the pilot to control the lights, horn, wipers, and direction signals, among other functions.

As mentioned, this velomobile-style electric trike does not have a steering wheel, instead, there is a pair of joysticks on the side of the pilot to steer the vehicle in drive mode. The rider can shift to pedals in order to save power and simultaneously charge the battery, which is now 15 times better than the TWIKE’s previous variant of the e-trike. The Twike 3 like the Twike 5 accommodated two people and had similar interior configuration, but lacked the top speed, which was limited to just 85 km/h.

A few notches up from its sibling, the Twike 5, is in the testing phase for now. The Twike community – comprising people who actually want to drive it – has been testing “to see how it handles and how well everything works together.” The feedback is being used to perfect the Twike 5’s interior, exterior, and the overall riding experience. Twike 5, according to the users is a stable three-wheel electric vehicle, safe to make sharp turns, and even to drive on bumpy roads. It is likely to go into production this year, but the construction will be limited to 500 units. Since it will be delivered to community members – who have contributed toward its development – in a specially devised ranking system, you can try your luck by pre-ordering one right now!

The post Revolutionary Three-Wheel Electric Trike is like a Car with Joysticks and Pedal-Powered Battery first appeared on Yanko Design.

Local designer Varun Kataria has unveiled a venue with a mix of colourful, retro details that contains the only permanent roller rink in New York City.

Set in Bushwick, Brooklyn, Xanadu occupies a former industrial warehouse, which was converted by Kataria and his team, who also run the nearby restaurant and venue Turks Inn and Sultan Room.

The multi-functional space now contains a roller rink, stage, bar area and large bathrooms, one of which can be converted into a smaller “club within a club”.

According to Kataria, the space originally had columns throughout, but to make a large enough surface for an uninterrupted roller rink the ceiling needed to be supported without columns.

Working with a local architect friend, Kataria created a structure around the existing structure, suspending the ceiling from the superstructure in order to support the weight, essentially creating a second ceiling.

This allows for a wide space centred around the hand-painted, maple-wood rink, but without sacrificing details for the attendant spaces.

The result is a “fun and maximum” space that contains a dizzying mix of patterns and colours.

At the entrance, a desk was placed to rent out custom skates. From here, a walkway passes under an archway anchored by a sofa that wraps around a pole. Guests pass a long bar and on the wall across from it are raised seating areas.

Banquet seating wraps the far side of the space and throughout, multiple entryways have been placed to give access to the massive rink.

The ceiling has incongruous shapes cut into it with track lighting. Katari said that the Memphis Group design movement in part influenced the shape, giving the space the sense of an “elevated adult day care.

“It’s not afraid to be playful,” said Katari. “And the relationship with color became a real joy.”

He added that the combination of many influences and time-periods was meant to have an “uncanny” effect on the visitors.

Details such as infinity mirrors in the long sloping bar, colourful patterns in the carpet and vinyl surface coverings – almost every vinyl surface has a different pattern – create a mix of historical time periods that Kataria said work together to “push nostalgic buttons”, while being contemporary.

He said that the idea was to revive a entertainment form that people often associate more squarely with the past.

“I’m not gonna say it’s an industry in decline, but the spaces themselves are in decline, right?” Katari told Dezeen.

“They’re usually old. But there’s more skaters than ever now. So I think as a cultural practice, it’s exploding, you know, with new energy.”

The bathrooms are mostly monotone – one red and one blue. The red one has a hidden DJ set up so that it can become Club Flush.

Other recent rinks include an ice skating rink built in Canada by architecture studio Lemay, which it says is the largest in the world.

The photography is by Matt Harrington.

The post Xanadu is a “fun and maximum” roller disco in Brooklyn appeared first on Dezeen.

Dezeen School Shows: a community centre for creatives to encourage sustainable practice is included in Dezeen’s latest school show by students at the University of Bahrain.

Also included is a rehabilitation centre with a minimalist design and an exhibition centre aiming to promote awareness about local agriculture.

University of Bahrain

Institution: University of Bahrain
School: College of Engineering – Department of Architecture and Interior Design
Course: Bachelor of Architecture
Tutors: Prof Islam Hamdy ElGhonaimy, Dr Fatema Al Hammadi, Dr Osama Omar, Dr Ranjith Dayaratne, Dr Susana Soares Saraiva, Dr Wafa Al Ghatam and Lejla Karajica

School statement:

“At the most rudimentary level, architecture is defined as the ‘art of designing buildings’ to satisfy human needs – in fact, it is pretty complex and requires the knowledge base of art as well as science and more importantly, the task of designing, which involves creativity, imagination and spatial conceptualisation.

“Those who learn architecture rise to the challenge of designing houses, buildings, urban spaces and even cities, as they would acquire more specialisations founded on architecture as the base.

“UoB has been offering degrees in architecture since the 1990s, first as a Bachelor of Science degree in ‘Architectural Engineering’ until 2000, and as a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from 2000 to 2019 and subsequently as a Bachelor of Architecture.

“It is a five-year program that fuses both humanities- and engineering-oriented knowledge to inform the central activity of design.

“What is unique about the program at the UoB is that it lays a good foundation for architecture with an introduction to the other allied disciplines, such as landscape architecture and interior architecture.

“The program is design-based and provides general academic knowledge and skills necessary to commence careers as architects in the professional practice of architectural design.”

Mixed-Use Skyscraper: Building Community Around Digital Industry by Walaa Sultan

“The project aims to rethink skyscrapers in light of Bahraini reality, in order for them to become a preferable residential solution for local Bahrainis instead of the traditional single-house typology.

“The design proposes a mixed-use, high-rise megastructure that incorporates residential, commercial, office, recreational, cultural and educational elements as well as a 3D printing factory to create a self-contained community for densely populated areas and contribute to the reduction of car dependency, commuting times and urban sprawl.

“The design revolves around the question: can parametricism replace the subjective creative mind?”

Student: Walaa Sultan
Course: Graduation Project – Design Stage
Tutor: Dr Susana Soares Saraiva
Email: walaaalsultan199888[at]gmail.com

The National Agriculture Hub by Naufa Nalim

“As architects, our work must extend beyond functionality and fashion.

“The concepts we entertain and give life to set a precedent for what is highlighted and therefore nurtured.

“The exploration for the answer to this question brought about a community-oriented agriculture hub, at the core of which the principles of inclusivity, exposure and growth drove the design thinking.

“The project provides a space for all potential stakeholders in the agro industry for collaboration and innovation while providing the general public opportunities to engage with various stages of the agricultural process.”

Student: Naufa Nalim
Course: Graduation Project – Design Stage
Tutor: Dr Fatema Al Hammadi
Email: archi.naufanalim[at]gmail.com

Bahrain Media & Entertainment City by Zainab Abdulhussain Al Dhaif

“This is a recreational project focused on media production.

“It consists of indoor and outdoor film studios, recording studios, auditoriums, work spaces (shared and individual) as well as other supporting facilities.

“All of these are centred around a courtyard that creates a sense of community amongst users.

“This project aims to create a better environment for creativity-based activities in the media sector, encouraging interactions between individuals and enhancing productivity and creativity, therefore enhancing the overall quality of Bahraini media output.”

Student: Zainab Abdulhussain Al Dhaif
Course: Graduation Project – Design Stage
Tutor: Dr Fatema Al Hammadi
Email: zainab.dhaif[at]live.com

Dilmun Civilisation Museum by Ebrahim Jameel Ebrahim

“The overarching design concept of the Dilmun Civilisation Museum is to revive the nearly forgotten Dilmun heritage in Bahrain and engage the local population by presenting its unique identity.

“The museum is envisioned as a series of transitional stations within the archaeological Dilmun sites of the historically isolated Saar region.

“This approach seeks to address the disconnect caused by unplanned urban development that has severed the connection between the north and south, leading to the neglect and deterioration of these culturally significant areas.

“The museum stands as a testament to the enduring cultural identity of this sacred land, despite the pervasive influence of capitalist ideologies.

“By reintegrating these archaeological gems into the public consciousness, the museum aspires to champion the preservation of Bahrain’s rich Dilmun legacy and foster a deeper appreciation for the nation’s heritage among its people.”

Student: Ebrahim Jameel Ebrahim
Course: Graduation Project – Design Stage
Tutor: Dr Wafa Al Ghatam
Email: ebrahimjameel69[at]gmail.com

Haven – Agriculture and Meditation Centre by Fatima Sami

“Haven is a visionary concept that combines the principles of sustainable agriculture and meditation practices.

“This project aims to create a harmonious space where individuals can reconnect with nature, cultivate their inner peace and learn about sustainable farming techniques.

“Agricultural meditation centre services play a vital role in modern society by offering individuals an escape from their hectic lives and allowing them to reconnect with nature.

“The design philosophy lies between humanism and materialism inspired by Alvaro Alto, while the holistic concept is derived from the following quote by Imam Ali: ‘you presume you are a small entity, but within you is enfolded the entire universe’.

“The microcosm-macrocosm analogy also reflects this relationship, positing a structural similarity between the individual human being (the microcosm) and the universe (the macrocosm).”

Student: Fatima Sami
Course: Graduation Project – Design Stage
Tutor: Dr Osama Omar
Email: fatima001sami[at]gmail.com

Bahrain Agricultural Complex by Husain Hani Matooq Fakhar

“Bahrain Agricultural Complex is a research and exhibition-based project that aims to develop the agricultural sector in Bahrain and raise awareness towards the agricultural heritage of Bahrain and the importance of agriculture in our life.

“This will be achieved through several facilities and zones that interact with the user through several ways.

“The design philosophy follows the phenomenological approach, which aims to connect with the history, culture and the landscape of the surroundings.

“The concept of the project is to imitate the spatial experience of the farming and agricultural culture, to provide a feeling to the visitor about what Bahrain lost.

“This has been achieved through creating a cluster of buildings that imitate the historical agricultural life and patterns in a contemporary way, placed within a rich agricultural-cultural area.”

Student: Husain Hani Matooq Fakhar
Course: Graduation Project – Design Stage
Tutor: Dr Wafa Al Ghatam
Email: hussain7539[at]gmail.com

Post-Retirement Centre by Maryam Tareq Hamada

“Post-Retirement Centre is where all retirees of different ages (due to the government’s voluntary retirement program) find their needs and interests by giving attention to this specific segment of society.

“If these segments do not get adequate attention, society will lose its energy.

“Therefore, the centre is continuing the aims of the governmental program and achieving sustainability by providing space for new businesses to be involved in the country’s economic development, spaces to transfer knowledge to generations through highly skilled retirees and spaces for social and mental health support.

“The centre also utilises passive and active systems to achieve a net-zero building.”

Student: Maryam Tareq Hamada
Course: Graduation Project – Design Stage
Tutor: Prof Islam Hamdy ElGhonaimy
Email: mariaamhamada46[at]gmail.com

Museum of Arab Architects by Fatima Nader Ali

“The duality of silence and light in the Museum of Arab Architects weaves a captivating essence, integrating Arabian cultural elements to sculpt a profound spiritual experience.

“Light, symbolising enlightenment, guides expression, while silence embodies the yearning to convey the unsaid.

“In Islamic architecture, light’s paramount role is amplified, guiding users toward enlightenment as they ascend – the higher they go, the more they are bathed in the emanating light from the skylight, symbolising hope and a divine connection.

“Silence manifests through the minimal direct light in initial zones, with illumination diffused through intricate mashrabiyas and controlled circulation.

“Light flows through open, flowing spaces and ‘fereej’-like zones, with illumination penetrating various mediums – direct, indirect and diffused – creating a harmonious interplay that transforms the building into a vessel of serene enlightenment and cultural reflection.”

Student: Fatima Nader Ali
Course: Architectural Design IV
Tutor: Lejla Karajica
Email: fatimanader168[at]gmail.com

Serenity Village: Residential Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Mental Health by Jovianne A Francisco

“Serenity Village is a mental health residential treatment and rehabilitation centre that combines intensive and therapeutic care which caters to transitional recovery, from individual therapy to community involvement and self-reliance.

“Serenity Village aims to create an architecture that fosters healing through a user-centric and site-responsive approach.

“This project aims to showcase how architecture serves not just as a structural covering but as a healing tool toward a pristine state of mind.

“The architectural design’s minimalistic approach embraces functional clarity, facilitates freedom, structurally expressive forms and meticulous articulation of mass and void to create spaces that establish transparency, fluidity and tranquillity.”

Student: Jovianne A Francisco
Course: Graduation Project – Design Stage
Tutor: Dr Susana Soares Saraiva
Email: jovianne.francisco[at]gmail.com

Centre for Sustainable Innovations by Kawthar Shawqi Durazi

“Centre for Sustainable Innovations is a platform that provides creative minds with all they need to produce sustainable products.

“The space is distributed into four interconnected zones vertically and horizontally in a hierarchal manner, depending on the production process and inventor’s needs, including the production zone, design and working zone, and the display zone and relaxing zone.

“The building concept represents a solution to revive reclaimed lands by creating a living building with a central core that collects all external forces and spreads them back to the building and its surroundings as a source of power, social interaction, biodiversity and beauty.”

Student: Kawthar Shawqi Durazi
Course: Graduation Project – Design Stage
Tutor: Dr Ranjith Dayaratne
Email: kawthardurazi[at]gmail.com

Partnership content

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

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