Hasta La Ideas

Pink plywood and exposed insulation combine in this monochrome bar in Sydney, designed by local architecture office Akin Atelier to evoke the cosy feel of Tokyo’s mid-century listening bars.

Akin Atelier founder Kelvin Ho designed JAM Record Bar for Justin Hemmes, the CEO of the Merivale hospitality group, who also runs a music label called JAM Recordings.

A passion project for Hemmes and his sister Bettina, the bar is named after their parents John and Merivale, who used the JAM label for various ventures alongside their successful hospitality business.

The idea for the bar came from a trip to Japan taken by Hemmes and Ho, where the pair enjoyed sampling the atmosphere of Tokyo’s iconic listening bars.

“We wanted to create an immersive and fun environment,” said Ho, who has collaborated with Merivale for over 15 years on roughly 20 projects.

“Justin and I have had some super fun trips to Tokyo exploring lots of bars and clubs,” he told Dezeen. “The commitment to design and concept was what we loved in Japan and JAM was an opportunity to do our own spin on this idea.”

Located on a corner of George Street in the city’s central business district, the compact 80-square-metre space seats 45 and houses a collection of 15,000 vinyl records along with a DJ booth.

The unit was previously occupied by a retail store and has large windows looking onto the adjacent streets. Together with outdoor seating, the corner windows help to create a strong connection with the surroundings.

Despite the small size of the space, Ho and his team created distinct zones organised around a central bar.

Towards the rear, an area with low seating has an intimate lounge-like feel, while the main bar area features tall stools and space for standing.

Ho described the decor as “simple and analogue but also refined”, explaining that this was achieved using a basic material palette including cork, plywood and off-the-shelf insulation.

“These are all familiar and accessible materials but we used them in a way that was more elevated through detailing and composition.”

JAM Record Bar’s distinctive colour was driven by a specific material choice taken by Akin Atelier to enhance the acoustic properties of the space.

Pink fibreglass insulation panels from New Zealand firm Pink Batts are left exposed within the ceiling structure rather than being concealed behind plasterboard.

“We loved the pink colour of the insulation, which then inspired the pink plywood and a full commitment to the colour throughout the project,” said Ho.

“JAM is designed to feel like you are drinking a cocktail inside a giant speaker box – but pink.”

The pink hue is applied across the ceiling, walls and all of the bespoke plywood joinery including the bar, the record library and the geometric stools that are used both indoors and outdoors.

The space is given a retro feel through the selection of vintage light fittings and objects curated by Merivale’s styling director Bettina Hemmes and design director Nasim Koerting.

Neon signage in the windows nods to the bar’s Japanese inspiration, while midcentury-style details such as the entrance with its grid of circular windows evoke the golden age of vinyl in the 1950s and 60s.

JAM Record Bar offers a menu of Japanese-inspired snacks developed by chef Michael Fox of Merivale’s Sushi E restaurant and drinks crafted by the company’s creative cocktail lead James Irvine.

Kelvin Ho founded Akin Atelier in 2005 after studying at the University of Sydney.

The studio’s multidisciplinary output combines architecture and interior design, with previous projects including a retail space in Sydney with curved resin walls and a womenswear store in Melbourne featuring a tactile material palette.

The photography is courtesy of JAM Record Bar.

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Baby carriers double as skirts and handbags in this collection of functional workwear for mothers from London College of Fashion graduate Siyuan Liu.

Infinity Women is Liu‘s final project from her undergraduate degree in womenswear design and comprises three outfits that aim to increase the visibility and appreciation of mothers in the workplace.

Based between London and the Chinese city of Ningbo, where she was raised, the designer set out to transform traditional workplace uniforms for female workers with children.

“My mother used to work in a garment factory,” Liu told Dezeen. “I usually stayed at her workplace after school and would play in the factory when I was a child.”

“I went back to the factory for an internship and saw the female workers and their children,” she added. “I could really feel the anxiety my mother used to have when she was busy and couldn’t see me.”

“I think if a mother could see her child when she works, it would help her to focus on work rather than worrying about her child all the time.”

Drawing from her personal experience, Liu aimed to design an inclusive workwear collection that would fit women in different stages of motherhood – “pregnancy, post-maternity and mothers back at work”.

Before creating the three-dimensional outfits on a mannequin, her initial designs were informed by identifying body shapes through analysing personal photographs.

The final pieces are made entirely from deadstock fabrics and trimmings, with clever fasteners that allow them to be worn in multiple different ways.

“The zippers, elastane, ribs and snap buttons change the function of the garments to be used widely,” Liu said.

The first outfit, Dream Lover, is a pastel-coloured two-piece constructed from jersey and cotton.

According to the designer, the garment is “transferable and moveable” with removable sleeves that can be attached and detached using snap buttons.

Along with chunky ankle boots, accessories include a white hat “inspired by baby hats” and a handbag that also functions as a baby carrier. Milk bottles were also repurposed as functional bags that can be attached and detached from the garment.

“When I looked for objects representative of the relationship between a baby and its mother, baby carriers and milk bottles became my choices,” said Liu. “They are used by babies and are also necessary for new mothers.”

“I thought it would be useful if the bottle could hold items and a baby carrier could become a piece of everyday wear as bags and skirts, or aprons, either during pregnancy or post-maternity.”

The second outfit, Life Strength, features a more muted colour palette and is made from loopback cotton and mesh.

To ensure comfort for both baby and mother, the clothing was designed to be “skin-friendly, breathable and made from natural fibres”, Liu explained.

Hoodie, sweatshirt and trouser elements informed by women’s loungewear allow the outfit to adapt to changing weather conditions.

Interdependence, the third outfit, references maternity jumpsuits and nightwear with the inclusion of another baby carrier, designed to be worn over trousers like a skirt or apron when not in use.

“Baby carriers are the core transformative element of the collection,” Liu said.

The outfit is made from soft cotton and displays bright pastel colouring to appeal to both children and mothers.

Infinity Women is one of several collections from London College of Fashion graduates to be featured on Dezeen.

Others include Hari’s viral blow-up latex trousers and adaptive clothing by Monika Duga with graphic prints designed to ease Parkinson’s disease.

The photography is by Bing Geng.

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Designed by France’s Baluchon, the Nano Suisse is really one of the tiniest tiny homes we’ve ever seen. It may be super small, but it is still functional and practical enough to live in. It measures 3.5 m in length, and features a clever space-saving layout that can accommodate two people, and also house a home office. Typical Baluchon homes are twice the size of Nano Suisse, so it is quite small, although it is described as the “big sister” to Baluchon’s Nano home. However, the size difference isn’t much at all, since the Nano Suisse features an increased length of 7.8 inches. However, Suisse’s interior is pretty different and has plenty of storage options.

Designer: Baluchon

Founded on a double-axle trailer, the Nano Suisse features red cedar cladding amped with aluminum accenting. As you enter the home, you are welcomed by a home office area, which also serves as a dining area. It contains seating for two people, a big porthole-style window, and plenty of storage. The storage is pretty commendable when you consider the size of the tiny house. The space also includes a sofa bed, which can be used in the main living space and bedroom. This section includes more storage as well.

Although, you must take into consideration that the kitchen is quite small. It is basic – equipped with a fridge, sink and some storage. It also contains a portable stove, but besides that, it doesnt have any other amenities. This could be considered bare for some people, so the home is only suitable for short stays, or for people who are okay with a very simple life.

The bathroom is the only separate room in the tiny home, and you can access it via a sliding door from the kitchen. The bathroom is integrated with a shower and toilet, but there isn’t any sink, since there isn’t much space, to be honest. A small storage loft has been placed above the bathroom. Currently, the Nano Suisse has been delivered to the owner’s land in Switzerland. We are unsure of the home’s pricing, but Baluchon’s tiny homes usually start at around US$92,000.

The post This Is The Tiniest Tiny Home We’ve Seen With A Clever Space-Saving Layout & Loads Of Storage first appeared on Yanko Design.

When stuck in a dangerous situation miles away from habitation, search and rescue is the only hope for a stranded person. A lot of effort has been put into developing such vehicles that have to be capable on multiple fronts. All-terrain capabilities and emergency gear are on top of this list. Add semi-autonomous capabilities to the equation and you’ve got a vehicle that lets the driver concentrate on providing first aid when every second counts.

Meet Deep Orange 15, a semi-autonomous search and rescue vehicle developed by Clemson University’s Department of Automotive Engineering students. The all-terrain vehicle promises enhanced safety in the most precarious scenarios. Its capabilities don’t stop on semi-autonomous features, as the vehicle can drive back to the designated emergency center with two injured people on board while the driver can help in the rescue efforts in a natural disaster-struck location.

Designer: Clemson University Department of Automotive Engineering

The robust rescue vehicle designed for the US Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) comes with an advanced LiDAR and camera setup to map the terrain to create a safe route to help the rescue workers. Deep Orange 15 has a hybrid-powered drivetrain with a diesel engine mounted on the chassis and four electric motors on the wheels. The diesel engine simultaneously runs the generator to feed the large battery pack. To traverse any terrain, the four-wheeler has an active suspension system.

Safety during travel on not-so-smooth terrain creates a challenge for the transport of injured, hence, the vehicle comes with an advanced litter-loading mechanism. The rotating passenger seat further facilitates the safe transit of severely injured people. This project is a combined effort of the two organizations along with big brand names like Brembo, Fox Racing and North American Rescue. To improve the vehicle’s dynamics and function, modeling and simulation runs have also been performed for its use in military operations. In fact, the students working on the project have done an exceptional job, designing the vehicle in just 18 months keeping in mind the requirements of the elite forces of the US Army.

The post This Spectacular Semi-Autonomous Off-Road Rescue Vehicle was designed for the US Army first appeared on Yanko Design.

Mexican design studio Locus has utilised 50 per cent recycled materials for the interiors of a Singaporean restaurant in Mexico City.

Combining the varied flavours of Southeast Asia typical of Singapore’s cuisine, Makan serves customers within an industrial-style space in the Centro district of the Mexican capital.

Designers Jachen Schleich and Sana Frini of Locus aimed to prioritise environmental responsibility with the project, and so used recycled materials for half of the total fit-out.

“From the conception stage, the use of sustainable materials was prioritised, particularly the use of national white oak wood in much of the interior design,” said the studio.

“This choice not only highlights the natural beauty of the surroundings but also ensures proper management of natural resources, promoting environmental conservation and supporting the local industry sustainably,” the team added.

The white oak forms counters, shelving and built-in seating throughout the space, contrasting the exposed concrete floors, columns and ceiling.

The restaurant has street frontage on two sides, allowing the dining area to be flooded with natural light from tall operable windows.

This minimises the need for artificial light and air conditioning during the day, reducing electricity usage.

Freestanding tables and chairs supplement the booth seating around the perimeter, which includes a curved unit for large parties tucked into a corner.

Shelves above the banquettes are filled with wine bottles, glassware and other accessories, while open storage units are suspended above the two service counters.

Along one side is a series of private dining spaces behind paper screens, with sunken floors and wooden bench seating.

These rooms, which more closely reflect Asian dining traditions, can be opened up to one another via more screens,

Behind the bar and open kitchen and across the bathroom walls, vertical timber boards are charred to a black finish.

“This technique not only adds a visually appealing element but also ensures durability and resistance, eliminating the need for harmful chemical treatments to the environment and health,” said Locus.

Planters large and small are peppered throughout the restaurant, adding greenery to the interior.

Overall, the tall ceilings, large windows and open kitchen create a light and airy atmosphere, while the material add an industrial edge.

As Mexico City’s food scene continues to grow, several gastro options with interesting interiors have opened over the past few months.

These range from a boba tea shop by Worc Studio to an industrial-style restaurant by MYT+GLVDK and a tiny taqueria by RA!.

The photography is by Rafael Gamo.

Project credits:

Locus team: Jachen Schleich, Sana Frini
Design team: Santiago Sitten, Ruy Berumen, Eduardo Silva
Lighting: Locus x Estudio Nuumbra
Sinks: Locus x Muebles de Concreto
Chairs: Locus x Taller Nacional
Art: It’s A Living, Sindrome de Clerambault
Graphic design: Foreign Policy Design

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