The trip inspired Lauzis to invent the BeTriton, an amphibious bicycle-towed camper. It weighs 175kg (385 lbs), but an electric motor powers the camper, so it doesn’t feel like you’re towing anything.
The roof can be collapsed, providing a lower profile during towing. There are solar panels on the roof for charging the onboard batteries. This provides, Lauzis says, unlimited range on sunny days (though he doesn’t say how long it takes to charge them).
So the crazy thing is, if you come to a body of water, you can cross it with your bike by using the camper as a boat. The tow bar becomes a bike rack, and the camper’s batteries power the outboard motor.
There’s enough room inside for a couple to sleep.
Here’s the demo video:
The asking price is €13,950 (USD $15,455). Lauzis is currently taking pre-orders with a €100 (USD $111) deposit, with the shipping date TBD.
Ever since its inception, Hot Wheels changed the dynamics of toy car models that were cooler and performed better than any other toy back in the late 1960s. Even after more than six decades, the iconic brand has the same enthusiasm for a set of Hot Wheels.
Some early models are now prized collectibles since they were created only in a handful of units. While every car lover has had his/her collection of Hot Wheels cars ranging from hot rods to supercars, the brand has thought out of the box this time to create a Not Wheels sedan.
The idea comes from the creative pool of MSCHF, a streetwear brand known for its off-the-wall designs. It’s their first-ever Hot Wheels collectible, and going by the packing labels and text, it seems this is certainly not their last. The beat-up car inside the clear packaging carries the label “HW Normal Cars” on the front, hinting there could be more coming. This heavily used car look is inspired by the 1990s Japanese import scenario when worn-out cars were the norm.
This “Not Wheels” car has a missing wheel and two Real Riders classic tires, ensuring it doesn’t roll like any other Hot Wheels. To complete the busted look, the car has a yellow spare and a rusted hub. The rugged look continues onto the body with dents, incomplete repairs and dents scarring the exterior. MSCHF wasn’t going to stop there and went all in with a cracked windshield, hanging seat belts and dirty-fogged rear window with “WASH ME” finger inscribed to complete the theme.
There are cheap fix-ups dotting the bodywork including, mismatched doors and taped-on taillights. If you look closely, the cracked windshield has a yellow parking ticket hooked onto the wipers. Definitely, this car has been ditched for a long as the headlights are all fogged up. The $30 totaled vehicle scale model is all set to be released for buying on August 30 and this one will sell like hotcakes for its exclusivity. You could sport it in your post-apocalyptic diorama, industrial-themed desk or even shoot a short movie with a couple of these Hot Wheels mixed along with the more exotic ones.
Contemporary releases of classic furnishings are made for a number of reasons, from the sustained consumer demand for 20th-century style furniture and the desire to remake pieces according to contemporary standards of environmentally-conscious materiality and sustainable production methods.
French designer Pierre Paulin designed a chair in 1971 with a rounded, segmented form and indented seats at the request of French president Georges Pompido.
Originals of the Pumpkin chair are rare, however French company Ligne Roset has been producing a reissued version since 2008 to satisfy the demand for the seat, which is available as a chair, loveseat, sofa and ottoman.
British brand Dagmar specialises in reissuing Scandi design classics and in this vein, it has rereleased a lounge chair defined by its rounded elements that was originally created in 1944.
The Clam chair was designed by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen, and after being misattributed to the wrong designer during its 2012 rerelease, it was verified by researchers and linked to Madsen in 2019.
A duo of carved wooden volumes come together to form this sculptural side table, which was originally created in 1993 Finnish designer Eero Aarnio.
The Parabel table has been released by Helsinki-based manufacturer Eero Aarnio Originals in maple wood – a larger dining table version is available realised in fibreglass.
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.
One of my favorite and most beloved devices is my MacBook. I honestly cannot do without my MacBook, probably because it is one of my most prized possessions! It contains basically everything I hold important in my life – from work documents to memorable pictures from even ten years ago. And not to mention, I do end up spending most of my day, typing away and working on my MacBook. Since it is such an integral part of my daily and work routine, I’m always looking for ways to elevate my MacBook. I love innovative and nifty gadgets that function as the perfect sidekick to my MacBook, helping me boost my daily productivity and efficiency. Here, we’ve curated a few of our favorite MacBook accessories that’ll promise to level up your already awesome and beloved MacBook. Dive in!
1. Magic Bar
Named the Magic Bar, this portable Touch Bar is designed to pair up perfectly with any Apple peripheral. It is an innovative device, amped with a sleek, seamless, and easy-to-carry form. It functions as a portable and functional gadget which is quite similar to the Touch Bar in terms of functionality, utility, and form. The features of the Magic Bar are similar to the Touch Bar as well. The design is quite recognizable, and it aligns horizontally with your keyboard.
2. TAIM
Named TAIM – this cable management solution can be attached to a MacBook charger, providing a nifty way to let you wrap the cable around the block, securing it, so you don’t lose it and can access it with ease. This innovative solution saves time, making sure you don’t waste essential minutes on dealing with the table. With TAIM you can focus on getting your tasks and work done. TAIM helps in saving time obviously, but it also cuts down on the frustration you may experience while untangling cables.
3. HUB-OX
Called the HUB-OX, this portable and compact USB-C hub is divided into two halves, featuring loads of charging slots, HDMI connections, and ethernet ports. The lightweight and palm-sized HUB-OX works great with MacBook Pro models with four USB-C ports. The HUB-OX elevates your laptop to a range of 7.7°, which not only keeps your laptop charged but also offers a comfortable eye level for your entire workday. It helps you keep your neck straight, and spine against the chair.
4. HyperJuice
Meet the HyperJuice – the world’s most powerful USB-C battery pack. The HyperJuice is an airline-safe 27000mAh battery pack with dual USB-C (100W+60W) + 18W USB-A. It is designed to quickly charge your MacBook Pro or any other USB-C laptop/device. It is a new high-power connection that can charge almost any modern device. It provides the 2 most powerful USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 profiles (100W and 60W) in a single battery pack! It can also charge cameras, GoPros, headphones, speakers, VR headsets, Nintendo Switches, and even drones.
5. Bluebonnet
This classy leather housing for your MacBook is called the Bluebonnet! Designed to protect your laptop from accidental bumps and scuffs, the Bluebonnet also stores your planner, notebook, and papers neatly. You can even add a pen of your choice. This nifty case frees your hands while storing and carrying everything you could need for a meeting or conference. The stylish leather product gives your MacBook a sophisticated yet functional upgrade. It is available in different color options.
6. DGRule
This is the DGRule – the invisible hub for the MacBook. The DGRule is designed to be a nifty and convenient alternative to the Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, as they aren’t compatible with most devices. The DGRule is lightweight, subtle, and discreet, snapping seamlessly onto both sides of your MacBook. It is a cushion pad intended to stick to your laptop, irrespective of which position you work in or place it in. It is made from CNC aluminum, and available in Space Gray or Silver, perfectly camouflaging with your laptop.
7. NuType
Say hello to the NuType – a wireless mechanical keyboard that fits perfectly with your MacBook, iPad, and other devices. The sleek and stylish device features Kailh Choc low-profile mechanical switches, an aluminum frame, and ultra-thin keycaps that measure less than 2mm. The keyboard is also equipped with “T” shaped slats at the base, and they’ve been created to perfectly pair up with the original keyboard of MacBook and Surface. The slats impart both the devices with excellent portability and an improved typing experience.
8. Maotoam
Say hello to the Maotoam – an ergonomic laptop stand amped with premium design aesthetics and ergonomic flexibility. The stand helps you work comfortably through the day and builds a stress-free working environment for you. It features multiple height adjustable angles and forward and backward position adjusting liberties for your MacBook. You can orient your MacBooks in multiple positions, letting you work in a style and position that is comfortable for you.
9. Nifty Minidrive
Dubbed the Nifty Minidrive, this card adapter sits cozily inside your MacBook. You can place any MicroSD card with storage up to 200GB, providing your laptop with an excellent data boost. You can remove or add the card based on your needs and requirements. The Minidrive is nothing like the visually unattractive pen drives that pop out of your USB ports. The Minidrive sits flush inside the card reader, and it is truly almost unnoticeable to the human eye.
10. FLIKK Laptop Stand & Sleeve
Dubbed the FLIKK laptop stand and sleeve, this innovative design is set to handle the drawbacks of conventional laptop stands. Traditional laptop stands don’t provide options to elevate, and different viewing angles. But, this is where the FLIKK laptop stand and sleeve come to the rescue! It creates the desired viewing angle for you, building a comfortable and efficient working regime for you. FLIKK can also be converted into a laptop sleeve, storing and carrying your laptop for you as you move around.
To stumble upon the Disco Bambino Instagram account is to lose oneself in a world of dazzling spectacle and sonic wonder. The feed, along with other facets of the Disco Bambino editorial platform, acts as preservation platform for the Italian pop, Italian disco and Italodisco genres. At its helm is Beppe Savoni, a music producer, curator and DJ who is not only reviving vintage Italian disco but also inbuing classic tracks with a contemporary relevance. Savoni’s other projects under the Disco Bambino moniker include Radio Pornella, a series of mixtapes that the erotic undertones of Italian disco culture in the 1970s and ’80s, as well as theSubstacknewsletterItalian Disco Stories. This summer, however, Savoni added something unexpected to his repertoire: an original track.
Released on Helix Records, Disco Bambino’s debut single, “A Te,” evokes retro-lounge sensations and beckons listeners to get up and give in to dance. There’s an upbeat energy that seems to marry that past and the present. The album art acts as an exclamation point to the personal nature of the Disco Bambino project—it features an image of Savoni singing at a local talent show in Bari, Italy circa 1979. He was five years old and already studying music theory, piano and dance. To learn more about his path from Instagram to an original record release, we spoke with Savoni and gained equal insight on the influence of Italian disco today.
Image by Philip Gay
Where did your love of music begin?
Music is probably my earliest memory. Some of my very first words were names of records that I wanted my parents to buy. My mother always said that I never ever asked for a toy in my entire life. I would always ask her to buy records. In elementary school, I would come from school and dance in front of the mirror and sing and imagine an audience and a theater. I also loved the variety shows in Italy. They were so incredible—so majestic—at that time.
I grew up with older brothers. When they were teenagers, it was like the mid ’70s or late ’70s, at night, before going to sleep, they would listen to records on their record player. I would hang out with them and listen to the music and look at the record covers. When I was very young, I spent a lot of time with my cousins, as well. They were also teenagers. Instead of taking me to the park, they’d take me to local disco clubs. I would spend hours there with them, on the dance floor, surrounded by everybody who was so amused to see this little kid dancing to the sound of disco music. I was enamored by that world. It was such an expression of freedom and happiness. I relate disco music to that feeling, of being yourself in tune with the universe.
When did you begin to DJ?
I started a few years ago. It wasn’t the traditional path, starting at nightclubs. It was more requests from people following Disco Bambino on Instagram. They wanted me to play that music—Italian disco from the late ’70s and early ’80s. They wanted to hear it at their parties and other social events. They started calling me to do small gatherings, then it just got bigger and bigger. What I like to do when I DJ is take people on a very specific journey through Italian culture, Italian music, Italian style.
How was your Disco Bambino social media account born?
It started with a desire to show record covers. To me, they are so interesting. There is so much artistry and so many incredible ideas and so much talent behind record covers in terms of realization, design and photography. I wanted my Instagram to be visual. But, as I continued this process, I started posting videos and I saw that they caught so much more attention. I realized that it wasn’t just about the song itself but the entire universe around the song—from the person’s look to the choreography to the set design. I saw that it not only attracted people but inspired them.
A lot of creatives follow Disco Bambino and they write to me about how incredible those years were for Italian entertainment and culture—and how they provide inspiration for works being made today. This isn’t just nostalgia from people who grew up at this time. Most of my audience is 25 to 35; they’re from a generation that did not live through the Italian disco years but they are incredibly inspired by them.
This isn’t just nostalgia from people who grew up at this time. Most of my audience is 25 to 35; they’re from a generation that did not live through the Italian disco years but they are incredibly inspired by them.
How do you uncover new old songs and videos?
I collect disco music and everything related to and around it—music produced in Italy or by Italians abroad between 1977 and 1982/83. My record collection is very big. It contains records that I bought, really, as early as when I was five years old. It also has records that I’ve searched for. This is my starting point. If I see something that I’m interested in, or hear a song for the first time, I will dig deeper. I will find out who wrote it, or who played an instrument and then I will research that person. It’s this process of learning more. Even after all these years of research and collecting, I still continue to find things that I’ve never heard before.
Are you surprised by the following you’ve amassed and your celebrity audience?
Yes! I’m very surprised. What I do with Disco Bambino is try to recreate something very personal, these memories from my childhood. In this process of reconstruction and sharing, I see all of these incredible artists—artists that I adore, who I’ve seen in concert or heard their DJ sets—follow me. I see that they find this aesthetic, this culture, very intriguing and inspiring, as well.
Recently there was a Saturday Night Live sketch called “La Maison Du Bang!” inspired by Disco Bambino. They credit Disco Bambino as the inspiration. To American culture, Italian disco is something so unique; it’s so different than American disco, which was the matrix of the genre around the world. Now, I look at what I do and it’s probably a new form of archaeology—to keep this musical universe alive and restore it and look toward it as I create something new.
How did your record deal arise?
It came through my day job, where I am a creative director and the vice president of music partnerships at The Promotion Factory. For work, I had connected with Patrick Moxey’s label, which was Ultra Records. We worked on deals for Revlon and Bulova. Patrick saw the development of Disco Bambino. He saw the interest that it was generating around the world.
I was a producer when I was living in Italy, before I moved to New York City. Patrick pushed me to go back into music writing and music production. He put me in writing camps in London with my partner Giuseppe Giammetta. Then we started writing songs. The first single is called “A Te,” which is a celebration of my love for music and also a celebration of my love for my mom, who has always supported this passion of mine—from the earliest moments when I was a little kid living in this small town in southern Italy, fascinated by music and dance. I have a second single coming out in September and by the end of the year there might even be an album.
What do you hope your future in the music industry looks like?
I hope to keep recording songs. I hope to continue making music. The music that I want to make is not a reproduction of stuff that was released in the ’70s and ’80s. I want to make music that is very evocative and brings a sense of nostalgia without copying something previously released. I also hope to release vinyl records soon!
Never have there been so many handheld PCs than in the past year or so, but unlike their larger laptop cousins, these are all designed for gaming. Yes, there are some that have one form of keyboard or another, but these are often added for the sake of chatting in games more than for productivity. Of course, computers can do more than just play games, especially ones that run full operating systems like Windows or Linux. GPD, one of the most prolific manufacturers of these gaming handheld computers, also has a product line designed for more serious applications, and the upcoming GPD Pocket 4 promises an AI-powered productivity and content creation experience thanks to the newest AMD Ryzen AI processor. And yes, it can play PC games, too!
GPD was actually one of the first few brands to launch pocketable handheld computers even before handheld gaming PCs were a thing. The first two GPD WIN devices were nearly the same size and form as the Nintendo DS, but now it has branched out to other form factors and sizes, like the 10-inch GPD WIN MAX. It also has a specific product line for what are basically handheld laptops, and the GPD Pocket 4 brings that design to the world of AI.
Unlike any gaming handheld, including the laptop-like GPD WIN MINI, this one has no gaming controls whatsoever. That leaves plenty of room for a larger keyboard, but not enough for a normal touchpad. Instead, the Pocket 4 shoves this small rectangle to the upper right corner, where one can use their right thumb to move the cursor when holding the device in both hands. Opposite this are the mouse buttons, which probably give the feeling of using a game controller as well.
Powering this new handheld PC is an equally new AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, the chipmaker’s latest and greatest AI-powered processor for laptops, paired with an onboard Radeon 890M graphics chip. It has 64GB of RAM inside and a whopping 4TB of NVMe SSD storage, upgradable to 8TB. It is pretty much a normal laptop, except for the tinier size and the equally small 44.8Wh battery. But that means it is quite capable as a laptop replacement for content creation, entertainment, productivity, and anything else under the sun, including some gaming within certain limits.
The GPD Pocket 4 is more than just a mini laptop, however. It’s also a mini tablet, thanks to the swiveling 8.8-inch 2560×1600 144Hz display. It even has stylus support, so you can scribble notes or even sketch a few drawings on the go. Its key feature, like its predecessor, is a modular component on the back where you can switch between a classic EIA RS-232 Port port, a KVM switch, a microSD card reader, or a SIM card module. Availability details are still under wraps but going by previous iterations, it will cost as much as a full-sized laptop anyway, raising the question of whether that kind of portability is worth the price.
The Zzzigurat doorknob has a characterful shape based on ancient Mesopotamian Ziggurat towers, with a stepped form in place of a conventional smooth sphere.
The Zzzigurat doorknob has a stepped form
Bankston Architectural describes the product as “more than a doorknob” and as “an innovative and engaging sculpture”, and states that despite its modern form, it would complement a range of interior styles.
Sans-Arc Studio said its team drew inspiration from the avant-garde Italian Radical Design Movement to create the product.
It is said to suit a range of interior styles
“We love the rebellious, sculptural and fun style of this period, it is a movement that has influenced our design aesthetic for some time,” said Sans-Arc director Matiya Marovich.
The Zzzigurat doorknob is made of solid forged brass and available in a choice of six finishes, ranging from polished metal to semi-gloss colour.
Material: brass Colours/finishes: Polished Chrome (plated), Smooth Nickel (plated), Nero (semi-gloss powder coat), Neutralis (semi-gloss powdercoat) and Champagne PVD (PVD coat) Dimensions: 69 x 77 x 205 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.
Swedish furniture brand IKEA has recreated its recognisable Frakta carrier bag as a “huggable” padded shopper called Resten, which can be used as a pillow while on the go.
IKEA has turned its Frakta bag into a portable pillow
The accessory was created with public transport in mind to provide a moment of respite for the large volume of daily commuters across the nation.
The “huggable” bag maintains its hallmark blue colour but is formed from a combination of soft textiles and stuffing, The Secret Little Agency said. The result is a quilted, pillow-shaped design that can be used as a headrest while travelling.
Called Resten, the product was unveiled in Singapore
“We selected fabrics that felt like bedsheets when touched – smooth, soft and comfortable,” said Nicholas Ye, who acts as The Secret Little Agency’s chief creative officer alongside Mavis Neo.
“The bag is something you can comfortably rest on, even in the least comfortable or unexpected spaces,” Ye told Dezeen. “We wanted to give the ever-hardworking, iconic blue Frakta a rest in Singapore.”
Resten features a large blue handle donning the pun “leave the rest to IKEA” and a large zip to ensure belongings are kept secure when the bag is being used as a pillow.
While Resten is not currently for sale, the limited-edition item can be won through social media competitions and participation at IKEA Singapore’s upcoming Restfest – a 3-day event in September focussed on rest and relaxation.
A revamped ruin in rural Girona and a 12-storey block on a compact plot in Mumbai are among the top five houses to turn Dezeen readers’ heads this month.
Also featured on the list are a sculptural home in Perth, a stilted “micro-chalet” in Québec and a buff-brick residence in London.
The roundup is the latest in our Houses of the month series, in which we spotlight the five most popular residences featured on Dezeen every month.
Read on to discover Dezeen readers’ favourites from August 2024:
Towering upwards from a dense plot in Mumbai, Sarvasva is a 12-storey house punctured by terraces with black railings and greenery.
Its architect Spasm Design encased the concrete structure in terracotta panels to set it apart from what the studio described as a “boring vertical neighbourhood”.
In Québec, Naturehumaine elevated a woodland “micro-chalet” on stilts to give its occupants the feeling they are sitting within a tree canopy.
“Wishing to create a unique sensory experience for visitors, the design of the building was determined by the beauty of the views of the surroundings,” explained the studio.
This sculptural concrete dwelling in the suburb of Subiaco, Perth, is cloaked in an olive-toned hemp render inside and out.
Its architect State of Kin said the distinctive material was chosen for its earthy tones, but also to complement the architecture of neighbouring traditional cottages.
In south-west London, Erbar Mattes combined a trio of mono-pitched blocks to create a residence with an “expansive feel within an otherwise compact footprint”.
The blocks are unified by their buff-brick cladding and punctured by giant windows and skylights, flooding the pared-back interior with natural light.
Swedish studio White Arkitekter has completed Observation Tower Kärven, which is constructed from a network of timber beams resembling “a bundle of twisted straws”.
Situated within a nature reserve in Getterön, the 12-metre-tall and seven-metre-wide tower by White Arkitekter has a hyperboloid structure composed of 140 beams combined with metal rings.
White Arkitekter has completed an observation tower on a Swedish nature reserve
White Arkitekter’s design places the Observation Tower Kärven’s construction at centre stage and was developed using parametric modelling and calculation software.
The resulting hybrid structure of timber and metal allowed for a quick on-site assembly – with each beam requiring approximately two minutes to be installed on-site and the assembly of all beams taking just over a week.
The tower is composed of a network of timber beams and metal
“Observation Tower Kärven’s concept has required an understanding from both architect and structural engineer of each other’s disciplines,” said lead architect Lukas Nordström.
“This has resulted in a design where it is impossible to say where architecture ends and construction begins.”
“By starting with a supporting construction principle and then creating architecture from it instead of the other way around, we had a logic from day one,” he added. “We never had to compromise to force it into the architectural form afterwards.”
An open-air observation deck crowns the structure
At ground level, Observation Tower Kärven is punctuated by an angular metal-framed opening. This provides access to the sheltered interior, backed by the tower’s intricate wooden structure.
A central spiral staircase built from metal rises through the tower to provide access to an open-air observation deck at the top.
This wooden observation deck offers views across the surrounding nature reserve and is encircled by a balustrade formed of the structure’s rising timber beams. A geometric bench wraps around the central staircase to provide seating.
While forming its structure, the timber beams also create patterns across Observation Tower Kärven’s exterior, with gaps between them casting patterned shadows inside and across the deck.
Observation Tower Kärven’s deck is accessed by a central spiral staircase
“We have worked with well-known timber dimensions,” lead architect Lukas Nordström said.
“They create a pattern from a distance but are something you can fit in your hand if you get closer.”
The wooden structure doubles as a balustrade for the deck
The design by White Arkitekter won the Varberg Municipality’s competition for Observation Tower Kärven in 2019, with the finished structure set to officially open today, Friday 30 August.
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
