Hasta La Ideas

No, we don’t need ‘Text To 3D’ yet… but there definitely are AI features that could upgrade your 3D modeling and rendering workflow.

I hate to phrase it this way, but it does seem like AI has somewhat upended photography. If you remember, last year’s Sony World Photography Award witnessed a unique scandal – the winning image was generated using AI. While that event shook the photography world to the core, everyone and their grandfather knew the 3D industry was the next to face an AI wave. GenAI tools have been very good at disrupting the 2D image world – the internet is overwhelmingly 2D, and is filled with hundreds of trillions of images that serve as a nifty database for these AI tools – for 3D, not so much. Sure, companies are working on developing 3D-specific AI tools, but we’ve got years before an AI tool can accurately create stunning 3D models from scratch.

However, fearing the potential of AI disruption in the future unfairly undercuts its usefulness in the present. For 3D modelers and renderers, AI holds a LOT of potential in upgrading your workflow. The only problem – not a single major rendering software has embraced any AI feature yet (barring just a tiny handful). However, here are a handful of powerful AI features that rendering software like Blender, Octane, V-ray, SketchUp, and KeyShot should absolutely add to their arsenal. Until then, I’ve also made the liberty of providing alternatives.

AI Environment Generation (Alternative – SkyBox.ai)

What most first-time designers don’t realize with product rendering, is that the product itself is just a small part of the picture. You still need to design or compose a background or scenario in which to place your product. A car needs a nice empty road or lighting studio, a vase needs a mantelpiece, a chair needs a living room, etc. You could spend hours and quite a bit of money finding 3D assets for your scene… but what if you could just ask AI to create a nice HDRI environment for you instead? Need an empty studio, ask the AI. What about a cyberpunk neighborhood? Simply ask the AI! GenAI could make rapid environment generation incredibly easy, allowing you to compose and render in minutes instead of hours or days. Although rendering software haven’t implemented such an idea, a website called SkyBox by Blockade Labs lets you create and even edit 360° environments using AI, and then download and apply them in your rendering scene.

AI Background/Backplate Generation (Alternative – Midjourney)

A 360° environment is one thing – what if you need something less complicated? Like a nice gradient for your product’s background, or some wacky splashes of water to make your rendering of a juice box look fresh, or perhaps just a nice model hand that you can then edit to make it look like it’s holding the product. This is perhaps the easiest application of GenAI in 3D product visualization. I find myself gravitating to Midjourney for its sheer realism, but there are a WHOLE bunch of free alternatives like Stable Diffusion, Leonardo.ai, even DALL-E inside Microsoft Bing. If you’ve got some money to spare, Midjourney is a good option, but Canva’s AI tools are pretty neat too.

AI Render Upscaler (Alternative – Magnific.ai)

This one is an absolute no-brainer. Imagine this – you’ve got just half an hour before a meeting or pitch, and the client’s asked for a new round of renders. Each render at maximum resolution takes a good 5-10 minutes, leaving you with hardly any time on hand. What if there was a way to just quickly upscale low-res renders? AI could absolutely help, and could do a phenomenal job too. Take your low-res 800px-wide render and feed it into an AI upscaler; just one minute later, you’re presented with a render that’s 2400px wide, enough to present to a client on a large screen, or even have printed! There are a few upscalers out there – Topaz Gigapixel (for Windows and Mac) and Pixelmator (for Mac) come to mind, although if you have some extra cash to spare, Magnific.ai is the gold standard. Not only does it upscale your images, it lets you upscale them with text commands. You can turn a blurry render into a steampunk image, a realistic visualization, or even a watercolor painting. Pretty cool, eh?

AI Material Generation (Alternative – WithPoly)

Most rendering software come with a preset material bank and most designers make the mistake of only working within the parameters of those presets. To truly unlock great rendering and visualization, you HAVE to step out of your comfort zone and build your own materials from scratch. Whether it’s making realistic wood-grain, fabric, or even woven carbon fiber – never use the default materials that come free with your rendering software. You could go to websites that offer material assets (PolyHaven and Quixel Megascans are great for free stuff), but you’ll end up stuck if you can’t find the exact material you need. So, what if AI could make materials FOR you? Imagine asking the AI to make pink carbon fiber, or glowing hot metal, and having all the image and texture assets ready for you. Sure, it would be nice to have rendering software with this built-in feature… but until then, WithPoly is a great alternative. With a freemium tier, you should be able to generate pretty decent 2K-quality textures and materials simply through text. The AI creates diffuse, bump, displacement, specular, AO, and a host of other perfectly matching and seamless texture files, all for free. If you want to upscale your textures or download them in different formats, you’ll have to buy credits, but for beginners, the free version is more than capable.

AI Render Style-Matching (Alternative – PhotoShop AI Suite)

Picture this – you’re scrolling through Behance or Pinterest (or even Instagram) and you see a wonderful product photo or render. The lighting is perfect, the background seamless, and you love the composition. You wish you could create such an image too, but it isn’t so easy. What if you could render a basic image and have the AI match it to the photo you liked? Well, such a tool doesn’t exist yet, but Photoshop‘s AI features allow you to achieve similar results. The software’s new AI tools include a generative fill feature, which lets you fill in selections with AI-generated objects. You could load a photo of a face, select your eyes, and have the AI generate sunglasses. Or change your clothes to a tuxedo… but more importantly, you can now even add reference images to tell the AI what to generate, or use Photoshop’s newly introduced Neural Filters to directly perform style-transfers. Imagine seeing a gorgeous photo of a perfume bottle and wanting to recreate the scene with your own 3D model – all you do is render your 3D model with flashy lighting, and add the background to your image using the reference feature. It’s a lot like using Midjourney to generate backplates, but what Photoshop does so well is integrate subject and background seamlessly. Photoshop will match your product’s shadows on the floor, create the right glare or caustics, and make a fairly believable-looking render in probably a minute or two!

The post Top 5 A.I. Features Every 3D Rendering Software Needs ASAP first appeared on Yanko Design.

Coined the Tiny Home, this micro-home prototype was designed by Indian architects Harshit Singh Kothari and Tanvi Jain. The home is located on the outskirts of Indore, and it was designed as a solution to tackle India’s problem of affordable housing. Affordable housing solutions are lacking in India, and this little home in Madhya Pradesh showcases how the “aspirational image of an Indian house” can be conceived within a budget of 4,55,000 rupees. The home occupies a compact footprint of 19.5 square meters.

Designer: Harshit Singh Kothari and Tanvi Jain

“The house design was based on a year-long research that included interactions with the target group living in houses of similar sizes whether they are rented houses, social housing, or self-builds,” said Kothari and Jain. “We realized that there was scope to experiment with and showcase that an aspirational house with aesthetic appeal could be built using standard methods of construction, at an affordable budget and quickly.”

The house is organized as a single cozy and flexible living space amped with high ceilings. It can be reconfigured for living, sleeping, and dining. A daybed has been placed near the home’s entrance, which can be converted into a double bed. This is segregated from the kitchen using a foldable dining table near some shelving space.

“Inspired by tiny houses and conceptually reconfigured to respond to the Indian climate, the house is organized around a single, multifunctional volume that can transform throughout the day,” said the architects. “Furthermore, strategically placed windows allow for ample light and quick ventilation of the spaces.”

The rear section of the home accommodates a toilet and some storage cupboards which have been placed underneath a mezzanine floor. This mezzanine section includes an additional sleeping area that can be entered using a small ladder.

A compact raised veranda has been placed in front of the house. This veranda is protected by a corrugated canopy, and it functions as an external seating area near the entrance. The veranda also protects the eastern side of the home from the heat of the late morning sun. Although the home is quite compact and economical, it was designed to be an “aspirational Indian home”. Materials like marble flooring, granite worktops, and teak window frames were utilized to achieve this effect. The brick walls showcase an earth-colored plaster.

“Material choices were dictated by the aspirational image of an Indian house and we wanted to showcase that through considerate design and optimized construction, these were achievable at an affordable price point,” said Kothari and Jain.

The post Compact & Economical Micro-Home Is Designed To Address The Lack of Low-Cost Housing In India first appeared on Yanko Design.

Imagine entering a workspace where light and greenery seamlessly merge to create an atmosphere of calm and productivity. The Ultra Mariner Planter Square embodies this vision, combining modular lighting with the benefits of natural elements. This innovative product enhances air quality, reduces stress, and elevates the aesthetics of any environment. Designed with both functionality and wellness in mind, it’s the perfect addition to the modern office or home.

In today’s world, businesses are increasingly seeking sustainable solutions to improve their spaces. From biophilic designs to energy-efficient lighting, the focus is on creating environments that support the well-being of employees and align with eco-conscious values. The Ultra Mariner Planter Square is a shining example of how design can meet these needs, delivering a product that is adaptable, beautiful, and mindful of sustainability.

For inquiries, reach out to Studio Beam at info@studio-beam.com or call +972.54.7462462

Adaptable, Functional, and Beautiful

The Ultra Mariner Planter Square is a modular system that offers endless configurations, making it a versatile solution for any space. Its clean lines and minimalist aesthetic ensure it integrates seamlessly into contemporary interiors, whether it’s an open-plan office, a cozy café, or a stylish home. This adaptability allows businesses and homeowners to effortlessly elevate their spaces, creating environments that are both functional and visually harmonious.

But this product is more than just visually appealing. By combining lighting and planters, it serves a dual purpose. The greenery enhances air quality, filtering out pollutants and increasing oxygen levels, while the lighting creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Together, these elements contribute to better mental clarity and overall well-being, reflecting the growing trend of incorporating wellness and sustainability into design. This thoughtful balance of aesthetics, functionality, and eco-conscious innovation makes it a standout addition to any modern space.

About Studio Beam

Founded in 2005, Studio Beam is at the forefront of industrial design. Co-founders Oz Ohaion and Oded Sapir bring a unique blend of technical expertise and creative vision to every project. Specializing in bespoke lighting and custom solutions, the studio has completed projects ranging from public installations to private residences.

Notable works include modular lighting systems for high-end restaurants and adaptive designs for public spaces. According to Oded Sapir, “Enterprise is my passion,” and this ethos is evident in the studio’s ability to anticipate market needs and deliver timeless, functional creations.

Product Details

Material: Modular system with integrated lighting and planter
Features: Enhances air quality, reduces stress, and offers customizable lighting
Applications: Ideal for offices, restaurants, public spaces, and private interiors
For inquiries, reach out to Studio Beam at info@studio-beam.com or call +972.54.7462462. Explore the Ultra Mariner Planter Square and other creations at Studio Beam.

Yanko Design Atelier Spotlight

At Yanko Design Atelier, we celebrate cutting-edge creations that elevate design and function. This feature is part of our curated selection, showcasing innovations that inspire and captivate. Contact here to know how you can get listed at The Atelier.

The post Ultra Mariner Planter Square: A Perfect Harmony of Light, Nature, and Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

Investment firm Yntegra Group has unveiled a floating padel court in Miami Harbor that was partially constructed using recycled steel from shipyards.

Afloat offshore of Miami’s Fisher Island, the padel ball court is partially made of recycled steel and operates engine and battery-free as part of Yntegra Group’s “commitment to innovation”.

“As demand for ultra-luxury experiences soars, this sustainable, design-forward installation exemplifies Yntegra’s commitment to innovation,” said the team.

“The first-of-its-kind court features recycled steel from old shipyard materials, giving new life to maritime components. Its tranquil setting offers a serene escape for both physical activity and mental rejuvenation.”

The pedal court is comprised of a court, protective fencing, light posts and a thin strip that serves as a platform for observers. It measures 16 by 38 by 71 feet (5 x 11 x 21) and weighs 84 tonnes.

As it is free of an engine or battery, it is moved into location by boat, and then anchored.

“Engine- and battery-free, the court reflects Yntegra’s commitment to sustainability,” said the team.

The court will float in the Miami Harbor until next year, then it will be transported to the Rosewood Exuma hotel in the Bahamas, which is set to open in 2028.

Floating amenities have become more popular in recent years. In Manhattan, a team of designers and planners are testing on a floating swimming pool that will also filter water in the East River.

Padel comes from Mexico and resembles tennis and pickleball, but has its own rules, techniques and international associations. Recently, Italian architect Fabio Novembre designed for playing the sport at Milan’s CityLife development.

The floating court debuted following Miami art week, a citywide event in early December that included Alcova Miami’s second showing and a 3D-printed star installation by Carlos Betancourt and Alberto Latorre.

The photography is courtesy Yntegra Group

The post Yntegra Group creates “first-of-its-kind” floating padel court in Miami Harbor appeared first on Dezeen.

French designer Philippe Starck has used Brazilian materials for the interiors of the penthouse at the Rosewood São Paulo, inside a tower by architect Jean Nouvel.

The multi-level suite occupies the top floors of Nouvel’s Mata Atlantica “vertical garden tower” and is one of several serviced Rosewood Residences within the building.

Measuring 12,000 square feet and comfortably sleeping eight, the penthouse sits at one of the highest points in São Paulo and is afforded uninterrupted, panoramic views across the city.

Starck’s team was responsible for the interiors and terraces throughout the Rosewood São Paulo hotel and residences, and took the same approach to using local materials throughout the project.

Inside the penthouse, marbles sourced from Paraná and warm-toned ipe wood create a dramatic and contemporary take on Brazilian modernism.

“While the layout allows for separation from the hustle and bustle below, all design touches still work to make guests feel connected to the spirit of the city,” said the Rosewood team.

The penthouse is filled with furniture and artworks by Brazilian artists and designers, including Tarsila do Amaral, Jean-Baptiste Debret, Jerome Sainte Rose, Julio Bittencourt, Tércio Teixeira, Lúcio Consul, Renato Marcelo Rei and Oscar Niemeyer.

“The artists’ works tell different stories of life in Brazil across various mediums including sculpture, paintings, tile work, drawings, textiles, and rugs, providing a visual and meaningful touchpoint back to the destination’s rich culture,” the team said.

The huge double-height living area is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass, making the most of the skyline vista, while a high-gloss ceiling reflects the windows to allow the space to feel even taller.

An ensuite bedroom, a kitchen with sculptural stone islands, a patterned wallpaper-lined powder room and back-of-house quarters are also located on the lower level.

At the end of the living room is a focal staircase with floating marble treads based on a Niemeyer design in Brasilia, which swoops up to a mezzanine walkway.

This provides access to a study and TV room, the primary bedroom suite and additional sleeping quarters.

The primary suite encompasses a marble-clad bathroom with a matching freestanding egg-shaped tub, which has a view of the cityscape through a glass panel onto the mezzanine.

A long corridor with closet storage on both sides leads through to the bedroom, which can be wrapped in electronically controlled blackout curtains at the push of a button.

Most of the windows are surrounded on the exterior by tropical foliage that grows on the tower’s expansive terraces, some of which are accessible.

“The lush landscaping is filled with a captivating array of vibrant plants native to the surrounding rainforest, an extension of the awe-inspiring biophilic design of the hotel’s entire Mata Atlantica tower,” said the team.

On the roof, accessed via a black spiral staircase, is a jungle-like garden of tropical plants through which flagstone pathways lead to hidden seating areas and a hot tub.

The end of the path emerges at an infinity pool overlooking Avenida Paulista, lined with dramatic blue, green and orange stone and flanked by plants on either side.

A pitched weathering-steel frame rises over the water, mimicking the rooflines of the historic buildings that comprise the Cidade Matarazzo – a former hospital turned mixed-use complex – below.

The penthouse and the other residences within the tower have access to all of the hotel’s restaurants and pool areas, as well as amenities including the spa and fitness centre.

Privately owned, the residences are available for guests to book depending on availability.

The Rosewood group is rapidly expanding its global portfolio of permanent residences, with recent announcements including Los Cabos and Beverly Hills.

“People are no longer just looking for a home, but a fully serviced lifestyle,” Brad Berry, Rosewood’s vice president of global residential development, told Dezeen.

“Owners gain access to a carefully curated lifestyle where every detail has been designed to meet the highest standard of comfort and sophistication.”

Starck is one of the world’s best-known contemporary designers and is behind many iconic hospitality projects.

His other recent work in South America includes a skyscraper in Ecuador that was unveiled last year.

The photography is courtesy of Rosewood.

The post Philippe Starck reinterprets Brazilian modernism in São Paulo penthouse appeared first on Dezeen.