Lamps are the most common lighting fixture in our home, and they present the biggest opportunity to change the ambiance using thoughtful design. Some lamps are elaborate and luxurious, bordering on art masterpieces, while others are minimal to the point of disappearing from view. Lamps don’t just bring light to a room but also certain emotions like joy, energy, or fun. This lamp design, for example, tries to visually recreate the phenomenon of a ball colliding with a sheet of material, creating a playful mixture of uncommon forms, warm colors, and a simple yet impactful design that adds a little flavor to any shelf, table, or living space.

Designer: Lidia Gomez

There is probably nothing more playful than a ball. Its spherical kind introduces a form of instability that makes it wobble and roll unless something stands in its path. Both kids and adults alike love playing with balls, rolling them, throwing them, and even making them bounce. The playful “bonk” sound that this bouncing action makes is just as fun, which is why some kids just can’t stop doing it even after being scolded repeatedly.

The Bonk table lamp design brings that imagery to common everyday appliances, transforming it into something like a living and dynamic object. Its form, with the ball half sunken into what seems to be a sheet of fabric, captures and freezes that moment, creating a visual tension between movement and stillness, action and rest. It creates an interesting aesthetic on its own, and an almost eerie appearance once you turn the lamp on in the dark.

Almost like its shape, Bonk also balances its cheerful disposition with a more subdued color palette. Tiger Orange, Sand, Sunrise Yellow, and Stone convey warmth yet still remain subtle and almost understated. It creates a juxtaposition of design elements that is a perfect metaphor for the symmetrical yet unbalanced form of a ball. It combines all these into a design that will fit perfectly inside modern homes, regardless of the interior motif.

Bonk is also a design that’s a bit in touch with nature, even if indirectly. It can be 3D printed using FDM technology and utilizing PLA, a more renewable and sustainable form of plastic in wide use with this production method. Simple, striking, and sustainable, Bonk tries to challenge the status quo of home decor design where these elements can come together in a harmonious composition that not only brings light to your space but also sparks joy in your life.

The post Spherical table lamp adds a beautiful playful touch to an everyday object first appeared on Yanko Design.

Dezeen School Shows: a proposal for fire-resistant housing in response to climate change in Texas, USA, is featured in Dezeen’s latest school show by students at Texas A&M University.

Also included is an education centre that focuses on timber production and a project exploring space habitation using lunar materials.

Texas A&M University

Institution: Texas A&M University
School: Department of Architecture
Course: Bachelor Architecture (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th year) and Master Architecture (1st, 2nd year)
Tutors: Alejandro Borges, Weiling He, Livia Loureiro, Davi Xavier, Benjamin Ennemoser, Andrew Tripp, Fabrizio Aimar, Tyrene Calvesbert, Ahmed Ali, Andrew Hawkins and Koichiro Aitani

School statement:

“As part of a vibrant academic community, the Department of Architecture at Texas A&M University is deeply committed to shaping the future of architecture through innovative education, cutting-edge research and strong professional partnerships.

“Our graduates leave ready to enter the field and lead it, equipped with the skills and knowledge to make a lasting impact on the built environment.

“From the Bachelor of Science in Architecture to the PhD in Architecture, our curriculum emphasises critical thinking, design innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

“Direct connections with industry leaders enrich our programmes through initiatives, with our specialised centres strengthening these connections, including the Centre for Health Systems and Design, the Centre for Heritage Conservation and the CRS Centre for Leadership and Management in the Design and Construction Industry.

“With by a computation and technology-driven curriculum, students can participate in the Integrated Path to Architecture Licensure programme, significantly reducing the time needed to become a licensed architect. The programme’s emphasis on collaboration, problem-solving and global perspectives further prepares graduates for success in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

“The NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture programme continues this trajectory, integrating ecological, technological and social contexts into the design process, enabling students to tackle contemporary challenges in architecture from sustainable design to heritage conservation.

“For those interested in research and academic careers, the MS in Architecture and PhD in Architecture programmes offer a research-based approach to architectural studies, encouraging the exploration of topics such as design computation, digital fabrication, sustainability and more, often in collaboration with our research centres.

“Our students also have the exciting opportunity to enhance their global perspectives through study abroad experiences in Florence, Italy and Barcelona, Spain. These experiences, coupled with internships, provide an immersive, practical experience that bridges academic learning with professional practice, preparing our students for a truly global career in architecture.”

First Year Studios by Ivliana Nieto Alvarez

“The beginning design studio focuses on developing the student’s ability to understand and visualise space by challenging preconceived notions of architecture.

“Through a series of exercises, the studio introduces students to fundamental principles of spatial composition, grids as organising principles, and the concepts of poche and figure-ground relationships.

“The studio emphasises the design process, where two and three-dimensional elements are used as precise tools for spatial investigations, conceptually and physically connected to the final product.

“The studio also introduces the concept of research in architecture, focusing on an analog and spatial understanding of architectural artefacts to inform their graphical representations and modelling outputs.

“The final project introduces the functional conditions of architectural assemblage that address place, scale, tectonic elements and spatial organisation as interpretative architectural and urban space generators that help students deeply understand architectural design and composition.”

Student: Ivliana Nieto Alvarez
Course: BS Architecture (Year 1)
Tutors: Alejandro Borges, Weiling He, Livia Loureiro and Davi Xavier

Dallas 2050: Design for Climate Change Adaptation by Yaremi Mendoza

“Dallas, Texas, faces significant vulnerabilities driven by climate challenges – extreme heat, drought, decreasing humidity and unpredictable precipitation patterns – with 35 to 37 per cent of its buildings at risk of wildfire and 15 per cent at risk of flooding.

“According to recent research by Clark et al., a large influx of Americans have moved into regions like Texas, causing climate-related hazards like wildfires and extreme heat to become more common, as well as the urban expansion into rural areas causing heightened risk due to closer proximity to vegetation.

“The studio addressed these critical issues by exploring innovative architectural solutions that respond to wildfire risks, focusing on designing resilient housing and urban infrastructure that can withstand fire and other climate-related impacts.

“Integrating fire-resistant materials, sustainable design practices, passive cooling systems and green-blue infrastructure to mitigate heat islands, emphasising resilience and mitigation strategies, the studio equipped students with a deeper understanding of urban climate challenges and the skills to design sustainable, climate-adaptive environments.

“The projects contributed to Dallas’ broader efforts to enhance neighbourhood resilience in the face of escalating climate risks.”

Student: Yaremi Mendoza
Course: BS Architecture (Year 3)
Tutors: Fabrizio Aimar

Fostering local industry through educational partnerships for Jefferson City, Texas by Macy Sweat, Pablo De La Garza and Mary Sweet

“This project proposes a revitalization strategy by merging education with industry in Jefferson, Texas, a town facing population decline and limited local industry.

“The initiative includes creating an educational programme centred on timber and woodcraft, featuring a production site and a dedicated learning hub located near existing industry leaders.

“The academic site, designed to evoke the essence of a forest with its diverse programming spaces and connecting patios and pavilions, aims to bridge the gap between education and industry while fostering local job opportunities and economic growth.”

Students: Macy Sweat, Pablo De La Garza and Mary Sweet
Course: BS Architecture (Year 3)
Tutor: Tyrene Calvesbert

Ai4All Headquarters by Quinn McCormack, Brianna Westbrook and Cassie Moseley

“This studio focuses on using artificial intelligence (AI), including machine learning and deep learning, exploring how these can serve as a design collaborator and generative design tools for architecture, developing concepts related to spatial hierarchies, materiality, structure, form, programme and aesthetics using ML and DL as operative frameworks.

“During the first two weeks of the semester, the students collected, analysed and evaluated architectural precedents provided by the instructor and presented research on selected architectural projects at multiple scales.

“Faculty-supplied weekly technology tutorials, workshops and guest lectures by external experts enriched the collaborative learning environment, enabling further study.

“Students worked in teams to design a high-rise headquarters for Ai4All in Downtown Los Angeles; the project emphasised human-machine collaboration, with AI playing a central role in shaping the design.

“The tower, ranging from 800 to 1,200 feet, seamlessly integrates Ai4All’s values into its urban context; promoting AI access for underrepresented groups, data justice and fairness, emphasising the building’s ground condition, public and private spaces and overall form.”

Student: Quinn McCormack, Brianna Westbrook and Cassie Moseley
Course: BS Architecture (Year 4)
Tutor: Benjamin Ennemoser

Digital Nomad 4.0 by Carmen Jimenez, Stefany Rodriguez and Darielle Barrera

“This studio explored the potential of human-machine collaboration, automation, artificial intelligence and robotic fabrication within the discipline of architecture, set against the backdrop of the fourth industrial revolution.

“The project is situated within our post-pandemic society and addresses the issues and developments that emerged due to the covid-19 pandemic, particularly regarding remote working and housing.

“Although new remote technologies facilitated this transition, most home architectural typologies have yet to respond to such a dramatic paradigm shift.

“The studio leveraged this shift towards hybrid typologies of work and home to generate prototypes for future architecture – based on this premise and the influx of tech companies into the Texas Triangle, the project site occupies the heart of this growing region, which today is primarily rural and not within 40 miles of a larger city.

“The project brief requires designing a single-family home no larger than 3,000 square foot, with adequate spaces for remote working and other facilities that enable the building to be fully autonomous using the latest technological innovations.”

Student: Carmen Jimenez, Stefany Rodriguez and Darielle Barrera
Course: BS Architecture (Year 4)
Tutors: Benjamin Ennemoser

Art for Architecture, Architecture for Art by Savannah McDougal

“The fall master of architecture design studio explored the intersection of art and architecture through a three-part investigation inspired by Donald Judd’s work in metal and his philosophies on space and materiality.

“Students began by studying Judd’s sheet metal experiments and writings on the relationship between art and architecture.

“Through hands-on fabrication at the Rellis campus, students replicated Judd’s work using galvanised sheet metal, utilising digital and manual fabrication techniques such as waterjet and CNC – this exercise challenged students to explore the connection between material innovation and architectural form, culminating in a written argument addressing the lessons learned.

“The students then took a field trip to Marfa, Texas, to experience Judd’s work in its intended context and understand the importance of site-specificity and authenticity in art and architecture.

“The final outcome is a designed a multi-story building in Dallas, Texas, inspired by Judd’s principles; a community hub for metalwork and crafts, balancing function with art, providing large workshop spaces, open floors and environmentally controlled environments.”

Student: Savannah McDougal
Course: Master Architecture (Year 1)
Tutor: Ahmed K. Ali

Pit of the Moon by Wyatt Springer

“Scientists and architects have long dreamed of establishing a lunar colony, with recent advancements like the NASA artemis missions bringing this dream closer to reality.

“This project explores solutions like modular design and using lunar materials to address the challenges involved, presenting an innovative approach to lunar habitation.

“The studio’s interest in space exploration, driven by interstellar travel, positioned the moon as an essential step toward colonising other planets, proposing design questions for the project that centre around the transportation of resources and ensuring mental and physical comfort for inhabitants.

“The studio site analysis suggested that the Shackleton Crater at the moon’s south pole was the optimal location due to its water ice resources and prolonged exposure to sunlight for energy production.

“The project focused on living, research, and exploration functions that utilised integrated compact, modular systems and 3D-printed structures from lunar materials, with the resulting prototypes yielding flexible and expandable design schemes that can adapt to future colonisation efforts beyond the moon.”

Student: Wyatt Springer
Course: Master Architecture (Year 2)
Tutors: Andrew Hawkins, Koichiro Aitani and Benjamin Ennemoser

Solar Texas – Netzero begins at home by Chloe Boerner, Danking Bhujel, Trista Cisco, Oliver Garcia, Mariam Habib, Bryce Inmon, Billy Jones, Jaechang Ko, Angel Luna, Megan Miller, Jeel Patel, Mahendrabhai Patel, Daniel Perez, Brad, Rodriguez, Jack Seibert, Zachary Shilling, Lee Stimson, Kevin Tinico and Ethan Van Staden

“In collaboration with the Bryan and College Station non-profit Habitat for Humanity, Solar Texas provides sustainable housing solutions and uplifts individuals grappling with economic adversity, as a net-zero energy-generating workforce house.

“Solar Texas transcends architecture to foster community empowerment, lifelong learning opportunities and holistic wellbeing for economically vulnerable populations, enhancing their quality of life.

“By integrating passive design strategies with innovative technology, Solar Texas aims to create spaces that conserve energy and empower residents to thrive in a changing climate landscape; our vision extends beyond housing units to envision a vibrant community built on principles of environmental stewardship and collective wellbeing.

“Our team set a benchmark for energy efficiency and carbon neutrality through meticulous design features and sustainable practices, exemplifying our dedication to combating climate change and promoting sustainable living.

“Solar Texas received the prestigious Director’s Award at the 2023 Solar Decathlon, a testament to our project’s impact and performance credibility; of the 197 international teams, it finished fifth in energy, seventh in architecture and 11th overall, demonstrating the house as a catalyst for change that fosters sustainable communities and redefines the future of affordable housing.”

Students: Chloe Boerner, Danking Bhujel, Trista Cisco, Oliver Garcia, Mariam Habib, Bryce Inmon, Billy Jones, Jaechang Ko, Angel Luna, Megan Miller, Jeel Patel, Mahendrabhai Patel, Daniel Perez, Brad, Rodriguez, Jack Seibert, Zachary Shilling, Lee Stimson, Kevin Tinico and Ethan Van Staden
Course: MS Arch (Year 1/2)
Tutors: Gregory Luhan, Zofia Rybkowski, Filza Walters, Juan-Carlos Baltazar and Liliana Beltran

AI-Techno Chapel by Madeline Rejda, Sabrina Parker and Riley Leger

“The AI-Techno chapel proposes a paradigm shift in architecture that often aligns with technological advancements, as seen during the first and second digital revolutions, which redefined formal, spatial and programmatic norms.

“This ARCH 205 section explored historical principles, hierarchies, precedents and architectural components within chapel typologies, using technology to inform the design process.

“Students were asked to create a chapel in Austin, Texas, incorporating technological advancements, focusing on artificial intelligence for architectural design.

“The studio included a field trip to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where students a visited chapel precedents and civic buildings that reflected critical architectural periods and movements.

“Throughout the course, students developed vocational skills and conceptual ideas around space, hierarchy and rhythm and learned how to convey these concepts in architectural drawings and representations.”

Students: Madeline Rejda, Sabrina Parker and Riley Leger, photography by Prof Marcel Erminy
Course: BS Architecture (Year 2)
Tutor: Benjamin Ennemoser

Copy/Order/Repeat by Farida Shehata, Renata Osorio, Rachel Ratcliffe and Giselle Sosa

“The 206 design studio stands out as a unique platform for architectural exploration; challenging students to develop innovative architectural ideas and designs within the context of co-housing in Austin, Texas.

“This semester’s design problem utilised the programme of a small infill housing complex on a prototypical suburban lot to introduce students to one of architecture’s oldest obsessions of repetition through the lens of defining a set of rules that emphasise modulation, combinations or variation.

“These proposals showcase a sophisticated cross-pollination of form, space and material, demonstrating how these elements coalesce to form innovative solutions within the housing typology.

“Students’ comprehensive exploration and novel perspectives contribute significantly to architectural design and housing discourse, inspiring with their innovative solutions.

“The active role of students in shaping the future of architecture is a source of hope and optimism, demonstrating the field’s potential for positive change and innovation.”

Students: Farida Shehata, Renata Osorio, Rachel Ratcliffe and Giselle Sosa, photography by Prof Marcel Erminy
Course: BS Architecture (Year 2)
Tutors: James Michael Tate and Benjamin Ennemoser

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Texas A&M University. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

The post Texas A&M University spotlights ten architecture student projects appeared first on Dezeen.

London studio Knight Architects has completed the Küstrin-Kietz Rail Crossing bridge, which is framed by white steel arches and a tensile lattice of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic.

Crossing the River Oder over the demarcation line between Germany and Poland, the 130-metre bridge restores a historic rail link between the two countries that dates back to the early days of European railways.

Won via an international competition alongside civil engineers Schüßler-Plan and structural engineer Schlaich Bergermann Partner (SBP), the project is comprised of two bridge structures as well as the restoration of a stretch of railway track.

The main railway bridge replaces a derelict single-track truss with a larger, two-track bridge, while a smaller bridge to the west of the main crossing spans a flood relief canal.

Opting for a minimal design, Knight Architects envisioned the bridge as a unifying symbol for the two countries, with the apex of its arch sitting directly on the border line at the centre of the river.

“The design itself had to be respectful to both nations, precluding an asymmetrical cable-stayed design as we wanted to create something that represented equality on each side,” Knight Architects director Bart Halaczek told Dezeen.

“As a result, we created a simple, clear, elegant and symmetrical design solution that also serves as a gateway that welcomes the visitor, enhancing the sense of place — while also improving connectivity between these two nations to generate lasting value.”

Brick and concrete piers support the bridge on the river’s banks, while across the centre the 130-metre span is supported by arches in white steel and lightweight tensile elements.

According to the studio, the bridge is the first in the world to be hung entirely on tension elements made from carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), reducing the amount of concrete and steel and therefore reducing the weight of the bridge significantly.

“The bridge structure is a so called ‘network arch’, in principle similar to the Ordsall Chord in Manchester,” Halaczek explained. “The system looks like a tied-arch, but the hangers are inclined in their plane, adding up to a grid.”

“Those systems allow a reduction in cross sections of the main structural elements, especially visible in the filigree arch,” he added.

Knight Architects was founded by architect Martin Knight in 2006. Previous bridges by the studio include a London footbridge that opens and closes like the blades of a traditional hand-held fan.

The photography is courtesy of Knight Architects.

The post Knight Architects reinstates historic Germany-Poland border crossing with simple and elegant” bridge appeared first on Dezeen.

This months Dezeen In Depth newsletter reports on the architecture’s gender pay gap and features an interview with architectural photographer Hélène Binet. Subscribe to Dezeen in Depth today!

With UK architecture struggling to close its gender pay gap, more action is needed, reported Nat Barker.

Every year people say “we must do better”, but have no plan, strategy, or vision to achieve it,” said Marsha Ramroop, a diversity consultant and former RIBA inclusion director.

The latest edition of Dezeen in Depth also features an interview with prominent architectural photographer Hélène Binet and an opinion piece examining the role of the lead architect in the Grenfell fire tragedy.

Dezeen In Depth

Dezeen In Depth is sent on the last Friday of every month and delves deeper into the major stories shaping architecture and design. Each edition includes an original feature article on a key topic or trend, an interview with a prominent industry figure and an opinion piece from a leading critic. Read the latest edition of Dezeen In Depth or subscribe here.

You can also subscribe to our other newsletters; Dezeen Agenda is sent every Thursday containing a selection of the most important news highlights from the week, Dezeen Debate is sent every Tuesday featuring a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories and Dezeen Daily is our daily bulletin that contains every story published in the preceding 24 hours on Dezeen.

The post Dezeen In Depth explores the gender pay gap at UK architecture practices appeared first on Dezeen.



Have you ever sipped a cocktail or eaten a dish and just wondered what that one magical flavor was that you loved but couldn’t put your finger on? Your mind’s thinking of ingredients, but it can’t grasp exactly what made the food or the drink taste so ‘different’. Chances are, that ingredient wasn’t really a solid or liquid, it was air… smoke, specifically. So much of what we eat is an olfactory experience too – we smell the food before and as we eat it, and smoky flavor profiles play a massive role in uplifting our food experience. Think about it, ever since man invented fire, we’ve cooked food, and we’ve given food a charcoal-ish aroma and flavor too, so when you introduce a smoky aftertaste to a dish or a drink, your mind engages with it on a primal level. Smoking dishes and cocktails (or even mocktails) can add that extra oomph to make it distinctly different and better. The problem, however, is that adding a smoky dimension to food and drinks is a bit of a hassle… something this tiny puck-shaped device called the Smokpub hopes to radically change.

Designer: Smokpub

Click Here to Buy Now: $49 $82 (41% off) Hurry! Only 50 left of 2450. Raised over $347,000.

The way it’s most commonly done is by taking wood chips and using a smoke gun. The wood chips get loaded into the smoke gun, which burns them and directs the smoke down a tube. The end of the tube goes into a cloche or domed lid with the food or drink inside. It’s a finicky piece of apparatus that A. uses actual fire, B. takes fairly long, and C. isn’t for everyone. Which is why the folks at Smokpub decided it was time to update things. In comes the Smokpub device, a $49 tiny puck-shaped contraption that sits on the rim of any glass. Load wood chips in, close the Smokpub, and it a button on the top and within 2 seconds, smoke wafts right into your glass. No fire, no moving parts, and no patiently having to wait for the wood to burn. Smokpub uplifts the wood-smoking process, and makes it safe enough for anyone to use. In seconds, your drinks (and even food) get this inexplicably complex smoky aroma and flavor that you and your guests will instantly fall in love with.

Compact and portable, Smokpub is designed for both home and professional use. It’s shaped like a thick disc that rests on top of any glass or tumbler, adding smoke into it with the press of a single button. There’s literally no learning curve – all you do is open the Smokpub, load the wood chips, close it, and hit the button on the top. Its 2-second ignition system allows users to infuse smoke into their drinks quickly, making it convenient for use in various settings, including social gatherings or personal home bars. With six different wood chip flavors including oak, apple, and hickory, the device provides options for customizing the aroma and flavor of cocktails, whiskey, or other beverages.

Unlike traditional smokers which use open fires to burn the wood chips/pellets, the Smokpub relies on a controlled, closed electric-powered flame that’s much safer to use. The heat is directed at just the wood chips, causing them to ignite in seconds, and a clever air-flow system has the smoke descending downwards using a series of channels right into the glass below. The entire process is a massive upgrade from how things used to be done, both from a time and safety perspective. Moreover, the Smokpub accelerates smoke diffusion, creating more smoke than other smoking devices (this is caused by heating the wood chips at exactly the right temperature to generate smoke, not a raging fire). More smoke with less burning means a single scoop of wood chips lasts longer and can be used to smoke multiple drinks/dishes.

One of Smokpub’s core strengths lies in its ease of use. Users simply need to add wood chips, place the smoker over a glass, and press a button to activate the smoke infusion process. You can either infuse smoke into your drinks, or add smoke into the glass before pouring your drink in for more flair. The technique works flawlessly with whiskies and rums (anything that’s aged in wood barrels), but can be used with more complex cocktails, spritzes, or hey, even your cup of coffee (if you haven’t tried smoky coffee, you absolutely need to!) The smoker’s 0.001 m³/s smoke output ensures quick and even distribution of smoke, enriching any drink with a distinct flavor in just a few seconds. Its size and design allow it to fit various glass shapes… and hey, if you want to go beyond drinks, add some food into the glass to give it a smoky taste… a prawn cocktail comes first to mind, but smoked meats, nuts, or potatoes are a great pick too.

Use the Smokpub with food to give it a distinct smoky flavor profile

The puck-shaped device comes with a simple two-part design that snaps together when in use, and pulls apart very easily when you need to load wood chips in. The lower tray comes with a metal cup that holds the chips, while the upper half of the Smokpub has the electronics and heating element. The Smokpub is constructed from flame-retardant materials like ABS+V0 polymer and SUS304 stainless steel, known for their heat resistance and durability. The smoker only works when both halves are joined together. Pull the Smokpub apart and it instantly switches off, preventing you from ever getting burnt. The device can be pulled apart for cleaning – to clean your Smokpub, simply rinse the lower half under tap water and you’re good to go. A USB-C port in the upper half lets you charge your Smokpub, which then smokes over 130 drinks on a full charge thanks to the built-in 850mAh battery that runs the low-power electric flamer.

The Smokpub comes packaged in a well-designed gift box and is guaranteed to ship before Christmas, making it perfect for holiday gifting to a father, brother, partner, colleague, or anyone in your family or friends circle who’s a mixology or culinary enthusiast. The $49 box set includes the Smokpub itself, along with a charging cable, 2 boxes of wood chips (cherry wood and oakwood), a metal spoon for scooping the chips, and a pretty remarkable 2-year warranty on the Smokpub device with free global shipping. An extra $15 gets you the 6-box set of assorted wood chips.

Click Here to Buy Now: $49 $82 (41% off) Hurry! Only 50 left of 2450. Raised over $347,000.

The post Enhance Your Cocktails in Seconds with Smokpub, the Ultimate Portable Fireless Electric Smoker first appeared on Yanko Design.