This Compact E Ink Phone Promises to Simplify Your Digital Life

This year’s been exhausting, hasn’t it?! Especially the last few weeks have been emotionally and mentally draining, and it isn’t just the news, but more specifically, it’s the information overload we’ve been subjected to. Even for a device small enough to fit in our pockets, the smartphone is capable of creating a lot of ‘noise’ in the form of news, texts, calls, notifications, ads, and a lot of data clutter that can overwhelm our brains. This data clutter and relentless bombardment of information is what led to the creation of the Mudita Kompakt, a phone that prioritizes mindful living over doomscrolling.

Created by the minds behind CD Projekt (think The Witcher, Cyberpunk 2077), Mudita Kompakt reflects co-founder Michał Kiciński’s personal journey toward a more balanced life. After years in the gaming industry, where endless connection was the norm, he sought a solution to keep people both connected and grounded. That drive led to Mudita’s mission to design devices that encourage simplicity, privacy, and a conscious digital experience.

Designer: Mudita

Click Here to Buy Now: $316 $465 (32% off). Hurry, only 2/900 left! Raised over $336,000.

The Mudita Kompakt keeps things refreshingly simple. Its 4.3-inch E Ink display is easy on the eyes and demands very little power. That’s right—this phone’s battery can last up to six days, which, in today’s daily-charging world, feels almost revolutionary. Inside, it packs a quad-core MediaTek processor, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage (expandable via memory card). Sure, these aren’t flagship specs, but that’s really not the point. It’s all about cutting the clutter and retaining only the things that ‘spark joy’ here. Mudita keeps it lean, pre-loading only the most basic apps like phone, SMS, a calculator, and a voice recorder—none of those attention-demanding apps or bloatware that love to ping you at all hours.

For a phone, the Mudita Kompakt offers dual-SIM capabilities, with 4G LTE compatibility. You can make and receive calls on either SIM and even make/receive VoLTE or Wi-Fi calls, offering connectivity without much of a compromise. Given its entire premise is to stay disconnected from the clutter of the internet, it clearly doesn’t come with 5G, but that’s more of a feature than a bug, truth be told. There’s even support for eSIMs, which is perfect for carriers that don’t traditionally offer SIM cards.

For a phone that strives to be different from the status quo, it still makes a conscious effort to retain features that are cutting-edge… only if they matter to Mudita’s overarching ethos. You may not have a flashy screen and 5G connectivity, but the Kompakt DOES come with a fingerprint sensor to unlock your phone, ensuring biometric-grade security feels reassuring. Surprisingly enough, the phone comes with NFC support too, allowing you to use existing NFC tags around the house, as well as ensuring future compatibility with NFC-ready apps that Mudita may introduce down the road.

What’s remarkable about the Kompakt is its genuine intent to keep users focused on the real world, not the screen. It features an Offline+ mode activated by a physical switch, cutting off cell networks, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, and even disabling the mics and camera for a true offline experience. Think of it as Airplane Mode on steroids, with no features that cause you to linger on your phone for too long. You can read existing messages (you won’t receive new ones), browse through your gallery, or listen to music without any distractions. All these actions have heavy intent behind them, so you’re less likely to end up in a doomscrolling spiral.

Tailored for E Ink®

On the design front, the Mudita Kompakt feels compact, sturdy, and unassuming. It boasts an IP54 rating, meaning it’s resistant to dust and splashes, so it can hold up to daily wear without needing a bulky case. While it does include a modest 8MP camera, this isn’t about capturing every detail of your day—just the moments you truly want to remember. Photos get displayed in greyscale on your E Ink display, adding a rather retro touch to your photography chops. And for the rare occasion you need to recharge, it’s conveniently equipped with wireless charging and a USB-C port, keeping up with modern conveniences.

The Kompakt’s software is built on a custom OS based on the Android Open Source Project. The twist? There’s no Google lurking in the background, collecting data. Mudita promises three years of software updates to keep things smooth, even though this isn’t the kind of phone that’ll be weighed down by big updates. That’s another angle to the Kompakt’s appeal: minimal fuss, minimal distraction, and maximum control over what you interact with.

Of course, going minimalist does have its trade-offs. There’s no Google Play Store here, so you won’t find a wide selection of apps. Mudita provides basic offline maps, a music player, and a few utilities like a meditation timer, voice recorder, an e-reader, and even a chess app that promises you won’t find yourself getting bored. You can, however, sideload other Android apps, although compatibility isn’t guaranteed. For those of us used to feature-packed smartphones, adjusting to a stripped-down OS could be tricky. But that’s the appeal—it’s a purposeful move away from digital noise, offering just enough functionality to meet core needs without temptations. A true digital detox, if you will.

Another perk of the Kompakt is privacy. Since it doesn’t sync with most cloud services, your data stays on your device. Sure, it may feel a bit old-fashioned to manage contacts and files through Mudita’s desktop app, but for privacy-minded users, this setup grants peace of mind. It’s a minor detour to ditch the endless cloud syncs and data-hungry services tracking your every move. The Kompakt is available starting at $316 for early adopters, with a 14-day money-back guarantee just in case the Kompakt feels like too much of a culture shock. Mudita offers Global and North American versions of the Kompakt, so it’s compatible with networks worldwide. Just don’t expect it to work everywhere yet—currently, it’s only shipping to select countries in Europe, the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Oh, and just in case you were wondering… it has a 3.5mm audio jack!

Click Here to Buy Now: $316 $465 (32% off). Hurry, only 2/900 left! Raised over $336,000.

The post This Compact E Ink Phone Promises to Simplify Your Digital Life first appeared on Yanko Design.

This solar powered electric scooter is a cooler sibling of the Motocompo moped

We’ve seen Motocompo knock-offs, personal electric commuters and cargo bikes that would put a four-wheeler to shame. This one by San Francisco-based company Otherlab is radically different though. Dubbed Lightfoot, the electric cargo scooter has built-in solar panels to employ limitless solar power to charge the in-built battery.

The electric scooter’s 120W solar panels sandwich the considerably large 45.2 L storage compartment which is big enough to store essentials like a backpack, grocery bags, books, or any other essentials. One of these panels is hinged to allow access to the inside compartment. This space is also used to conceal the UL-certified 1.1 kWh battery and the 600W on-board charger.

Designer: Otherlab

The padded seat on the bike is comfortable enough for a single rider, however, if a pillion needs to take the ride home that option is also open as the bike has footplates too. Lightfoot is powered by a couple of 750W brushless DC motors that generate 90Nm peak torque and hurl it to a top speed of 20 miles per hour. Whether it can scoot around medium-grade hilly terrain is still not clear, but based on specifications alone it should be able to do that. The motors are plugged into the 1.1kWh battery capable of having a 37-mile range on a single charge.

The solar panels charge up in broad sunlight to add around 3 miles with an hour of charge, and 18 miles on a full sunny day.  People who are heavy users will mostly rely on the wall plug charging option and the solar charge will be a bonus. The bike will be a good option for users who will use it for short trips to the supermarket or local metro station.

Otherlab has kept in mind the maintenance and repairability of the scooter at any service center or local garage since it comes with off-the-shelf components making up the functional parts of the ride. Another set of deal-making features are the one-year complete bike guarantee and two-year mechanical guarantee. To top it off you’ll also get the “ironclad buy-back guarantee” as the company is promising a buy-back option if the user is not satisfied with LIghtfoot. Interestingly the goofy little scooter will be available to buy in the US from January for a price of $4,995. We can expect it to make an appearance at CES 2025 in Las Vegas.

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BIG Transforms A Former Aldi Store Into A Visually Stunning Paper-Inspired Paper Museum

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) recently transformed a former Aldi store into an extraordinary museum. This isn’t something we see usually, but it is interesting to see the firm convert a humble store into something quite so impressive. The former store will be completely transformed into a paper museum with a light-filled space.

A visually intriguing and eye-catching roof will top the structure, and remind you of a massive piece of paper, that seems to be draped over the building. It is located in Jutland, Denmark, and currently, there aren’t any photos of the original store. But we have caught a glimpse of the current museum building. Dive in!

Designer: Bjarke Ingels Group

The building occupies around 900 sq m, but it will be increased to double the size to host workshops, events, teaching rooms, offices, and storage facilities. The pre-existing building walls will be equipped with a new acoustic-regulating layer of paper art on the exterior. This paper art draws inspiration from origami, and it will include loads of glazing.

The timber sourced will be from the same wood used to produce the paper. The museum will host paper-related exhibitions, and currently, it also includes a Paper-Plane airport and paper boats for children to interact and play with. It will be exciting to watch the exhibitions and events the museum will hold in the future.

“Paper art is about creating three-dimensional shapes and complex images from a monochromatic two-dimensional material – a sheet of paper,” said BIG boss Bjarke Ingels. “By treating the roof surface as such – a single sheet of folded paper – existing and new functions are brought together in one unifying gesture. The expressive is accentuated by the clear, complexity arises from simplicity. And an obsolete supermarket finds new life under the floating curved roof.”

The Museum for Papirkunst is a fine example of how many architectural designs and firms are undertaking initiatives to conduct massive and ambitious renovations. They are taking steps to improve existing buildings and elevating them, instead of building new structures and creating more pollution. This is a commendable effort on the part of majors firms and designers.

The post BIG Transforms A Former Aldi Store Into A Visually Stunning Paper-Inspired Paper Museum first appeared on Yanko Design.

Ten student design projects from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey

A photograph of an apparatus frame, in tones of pink and purple, within a grey concrete outdoor setting.

Dezeen School Shows: furniture which is specifically designed to suit the needs of women’s bodies is included in this school show by students at Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey.

Also included is a musical tool designed for visually impaired people and ceramic condiment holders inspired by Mexican culture.


Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey

Institution: Tecnologico de Monterrey
School: Architecture, Art and Design (EAAD)
Course: Horizontes 2024
Tutors: Professors of Tecnológico de Monterrey

School statement:

“EAAD is conformed by students all over the country at Tec de Monterrey Institution and it focuses on training professionals capable of facing contemporary challenges in these fields through innovation, creativity and sustainability, by supporting the students’ initiatives and giving visibility to their work.

“Since the founding of our school, it has been a member of prestigious organisations such as the International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media (CUMULUS), the World Design Organisation (WDO), the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), UN-Habitat and the Association of Institutions of Architectural Education of the Mexican Republic (ASINEA) and it has stood at the top 50 according to the QS World University Ranking by Subject, 2024.

“Each exhibition showcases the best projects created by design students. All the selected projects stand out for their high conceptual and execution quality, as well as their alignment with the principles and DNA of the Tecnológico de Monterrey School of Design.

“Every end of the semester our students put on a final exhibition on each of their campuses. This is a small sample of ten of the most significant collections and projects of the Tecnologico de Monterrey School of Design.”


A photograph of a oval-shaped wooden vessel in tones of brown and black, against a grey backdrop.

Acobijo by Airam Ruelas

“Designed to help those who keep culinary traditions alive, ‘acobijo’ is born from the feeling of security of the kitchen of our childhood home, which nourished us body and soul.

“It consists of a molcajete and a mill, limiting the movement of the wrists to avoid pain and reduce wear and tear in the area.

“Winner, Sustainable Category – CEM.”

Student: Airam Ruelas
Courses: Thinking and Creative Process, Specification of Products and Services, Design and Innovation
Tutors: Mariana Solís, Joel Olguín, Laura Nino, Raymundo Acosta and Christian Gómez


A photograph of ceramic bowls and vases in tones of pink, blue, yellow and green.

Machila by Emilano Sánchez

“Machilia is a set of ceramic condiment holders inspired by the street cuisine of Mexico, which seeks to reflect the vitality of food stalls and the values ​​related to food as a collective action in our culture.

“This family of products consists of a salt shaker, a pepper shaker, a bowl and a sauce boat.

“Home Category Winner – CEM.”

Student: Emilano Sánchez
Course: Product Family Design, Modularity and Optimisation and Extended Experience
Tutors: Montserrat Castañón, Liliana Ovalle and Leticia Gatyán


A photograph of a musical tool, shaped like a box with mechanic controls on it, in tones of grey, white and black.

Music. All by Nimbe Ruis

“Music, a universal language except when it comes to studying it.

“Music. An inclusive tool for people with visual disabilities, it uses potentiometers that simulate the staff and emits musical notes.

“Thus, with a raised score, users identify and memorise notes by touch and reproduce them in music.

“Winner, Emotions Category – CEM.”

Student: Nimbe Ruis
Course: Integral Project: Design and Emerging Technologies
Tutors: Lobsanth Ortega and Ricardo Espinosa


A chair with a U-shaped seat and U-shaped legs, in tones of red, photographed against a grey backdrop.

Fémina 01 by Valentina González

“Fémina 01 is furniture designed in line with anthropometric measurements of Mexican women, criticising androcentric standardisation in design.

“Its reversible seat allows the user to choose the side that best suits their body.

“The reddish tones symbolise strength and hope, promoting dialogue about the role of women in design.

“Winner, Entrepreneurship Category – CEM.”

Student: Valentina González
Course: Integral Project: Development of Strategic Design Projects
Tutors: Andrea Pazos and Manuel López


A photograph of an installation, in the form of a circular sand pit and three mechanic structures drawing forms into it.

Entropía by Brenda Lee, Ana Hernández, Paola Zarate and Sebastián Arroyo

“Entropy is a machine that generates patterns based on human interaction, representing the chaos in migrant life.

“It has three moments: the migrant’s routine, the trigger of migration (user’s interaction) and the chaos after the loss of everyday life.

“It reflects the experience of Angie, a Colombian migrant in Mexico, seeking to generate empathy.

“Winner, Social Category and Honour Category – CCM.”

Students: Brenda Lee, Ana Hernández, Paola Zarate and Sebastián Arroyo
Course: Form, function, sense and value
Tutors: José de La O, Pier Paolo Peruccio and Oscar Miranda


A photograph of a green ceramic vase which takes its shape from a cactus, with a white flower inside.

Silvestre by Valeria Casas

“Inspired by an iconic and mystical plant from Mexican culture, the cactus.

“The shape resembles the thin and asymmetrical arms of this plant, seeking stylisation and elegance.”

Student: Valeria Casas
Course: Concentration of art, object and fashion
Tutors: Ayrton Miranda, Zita González, Claudia Kleemann, Alejandro Diaz and Cristina Robles


A photograph of a green vase with orange flowers inside, with a circular mirror integrated behind them.

Dualidad by Monica Isobel Lemus

“Duality is a unique vase that creates a fascinating optical illusion focused on the flower and its beauty.

“With a minimalist and elegant design, this vase features a mirror strategically placed behind the flower, giving the impression that there is an additional flower floating in space and allowing different angles of the flower to be seen from a single position.

“This visual effect delights the eye, transforming any space into a scene of beauty and mystery.”

Student: Monica Isobel Lemus
Course: Workshop: plant-based
Tutors: Henry Julier and Jorge Diego Etienne


A photograph from above of a circular board game in tones of yellow and blue, with accompanying cards in the same tones.

Hihamt by Ana Sofía Valenzuela Hernández, Ana Sofía Yeomans Molina, Victoria Moreno Cruz and Carla Paulina Fuentes Hernández

“Hihamt arises from the need to create a fun educational resource for children and young people to learn Cmiique iitom, promoting interest in their native language and preserving the language.

“Inspired by the natural resources of Punta Chueca and the Comca’ac calendar, the board game incorporates elements such as the sea, sand, sky and stars.”

Students: Ana Sofía Valenzuela Hernández, Ana Sofía Yeomans Molina, Victoria Moreno Cruz and Carla Paulina Fuentes Hernández
Course: Form, Function, Sense and Value
Tutors: Hugo Martínez, René Corella, Edgar Ludert, Luis Franco, Jaime Solorzano and Diana Jiménez


A photograph of a shelving system on wheels, in tones of white and red, against a pale grey backdrop.

Grö by Bruno Díaz, Diego Carrillo and Joshwa Gutiérrez

“Grö is a modular system for people with physical and cognitive disabilities, implemented in the New World IAP.

“It optimises ergonomics and efficiency in greenhouses for heavy use, with trays that make cleaning and transporting plants easier.

“Its adaptable structure allows for efficient material handling, prioritising accessibility.

“Outstanding Winner – QRO.”

Students: Bruno Díaz, Diego Carrillo and Joshwa Gutiérrez
Course: Form, Function, Sense and Value
Tutors: Ayca Kinik, Francisco Martínez, Luis Cordoba and Mario Martínez


A photograph of an apparatus frame, in tones of pink and purple, within a grey concrete outdoor setting.

Entrelazos by Ximena Monroy, Michelle Díaz and Juan Carlos Rodríguez

“Entrelazos transforms the painting experience into a three-dimensional game with moving beads and curved tubular structures.

“This playful furniture allows unlimited combinations, stimulating the creativity and motor development of childhood, evoking the freedom and fluidity of the stroke when painting, and encouraging free play and exploration.”

“Outstanding Winner – CCM.”

Students: Ximena Monroy, Michelle Díaz and Juan Carlos Rodríguez
Courses: Thinking and Creative Process, Specification of Products and Services, Design and Innovation (CCM)
Tutors: Gerado Osio, Daniel Zuita, Marcelo Ramírez, Hilda Varela, Yuruen Lerma, Romain Roy-Point and Alberto Mendoza

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

The post Ten student design projects from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey appeared first on Dezeen.

Japanese ryokans inform OWIU's renovation of Duane House in LA

Duane House by OWIU

Mid-century modern and traditional Japanese influences blend inside this Los Angeles home, which the principals of design studio OWIU have reimagined for themselves.

Close to Silverlake Reservoir on the east side of the city, the house was originally built in 1962 by renowned mid-century architect Carl Maston, then later owned and re-designed by Swiss architect Pierre de Meuron.

Living room with neutral furniture, and Japanese screens and lights
OWIU’s renovation of the mid-century home involved incorporating several Japanese design elements

The property was sold to OWIU principals Joel Wong and Amanda Gunawan by de Meuron’s son, and the duo set about restoring the building while tailoring elements to their tastes.

“For Wong and Gunawan, it was a symbolic opportunity to extend the legacy of the home,” said a statement from the studio.

Living room with shoji screens and a Le Corbusier LC4 chair
Shoji screens were installed throughout the home, while the original brick floors were retained

The couple retained structural elements like the brick flooring across the ground floor and left the basic layout relatively untouched.

However, they imbued the spaces with Japanese design elements – similar to those typically found in traditional ryokans, or inns – to create a sense of tranquillity within the city.

Akari lamps suspended above a wooden dining table
Akari lamps suspended above the dining table create an intimate gathering space

“A home shouldn’t energetically spark you,” said Gunawan. “It should be a place for meditation. You come home to recharge, re-balance.”

For instance, floor-to-ceiling sliding shoji screens were installed across both floors to offer options for partitioning the spaces and enabling privacy.

Staircase with a Douglas fir platform at the base
OWIU added a custom kiln-dried Douglas fir platform at the base of the staircase

The light-filled living area enjoys a double-height ceiling and is furnished with a mix of contemporary and mid-century pieces including a Le Corbusier LC4 chair.

A mezzanine over the dining area creates a more intimate space that’s warmed by Akari lamps over the wooden table.

Bedroom with wooden furniture, white floors and linen fabrics
The rooms upstairs are equally bright, open and calming

OWIU added a custom kiln-dried Douglas fir platform at the base of the staircase “to remind the guests they are ‘ascending’ into a more intimate space” and also installed a bespoke console to fit the curve of the landing.

The rooms upstairs are equally bright and open, with white walls, wood furniture and flooring, and pale linen fabrics all used for their calming qualities.

Despite being in the centre of Silverlake, the home is surrounded by greenery and feels relatively secluded, according to OWIU.

The connection to the outdoors is enhanced by large windows that face the lush foliage, breaking up the weathered timber facades.

Wellness room with a cold plunge tub
OWIU extended the building with a wellness centre

“I never understood why we needed to leave town or go far away to feel we’re in nature,” Gunawan said. “I love that we can build a home that brings the feeling of retreat and peace to my everyday life.”

She and Wong also built a glass-wrapped extension that houses a wellness centre with a sauna and cold plunge tub for rejuvenation and meditation.

Exterior of house with weathered timber cladding and surrounded by trees
The house in Silverlake was originally built by mid-century architect Carl Maston, then later owned and re-designed by Swiss architect Pierre de Meuron

This isn’t the first time OWIU has looked to traditional Japanese inns for references for their projects in LA.

The studio previously took a similar approach when renovating another mid-century home as well as an apartment in an old biscuit factory – both times adding Japanese design elements to the spaces.

The photography is by Justin Chung.

The post Japanese ryokans inform OWIU’s renovation of Duane House in LA appeared first on Dezeen.

Inspired by desert race, ST5 Supertourer Finke Edition pop-up camper is off-roading genius

Most advancements happening in the camper industry, of late – directly or indirectly – hint at pushing the boundaries of off-road and off-grid camping. If it were true for the manufacturers in the US, the idea has touched an Australian builder most fiercely. Perhaps so much so that the Queensland-based Patriot Campers (a recognizable name I’m sure) has designed and developed the ST5 Supertourer Finke Edition pop-up camper that blows the boundaries of off-road camping in desert dust.

Claimed to be the most advanced camper trailer in the world, the special edition ST5 Supertourer Finke is a premium (and feature-rich) variant of the standard version by the manufacturer. Its name is derived from Australia’s iconic Finke Desert Race and the construction is apt to overcome the most challenging terrains.

Designer: Patriot Campers

The special Finke edition doesn’t borrow the name for the heck of it. In fact, the brains behind Patriot Campers have been involved in the namesake off-road racing for over a decade. The new camper is therefore a consortium of their learning from the extensive involvement in off-roading competition and touring expertise. The wholesome rig with all its merits was launched by Patriot Campers at the 2024 SEMA automotive show in Las Vegas.

The ST5 Supertourer Finke Edition camper is a versatile living quarter on the road with robust riding antics and lightweight body parts. The camper is built with a combination of composite and structural aluminum and has a black canvas pop-out roof. The exterior pops with the green and white color scheme, carbon fiber decals, bronze-colored wheels and 35-in mud tires. The sports car-esque interior equipped with black Alcantara and green upholstery strikes plush at first sight. Carbon fiber table and benchtops in the living area, and bronze basin tap in the bathroom complete the look.

With what you get, the ST5 Supertourer Finke Edition is not any ordinary camping trailer. Hybrid by virtue, it complements performance and comfort and is designed thoroughly for off-road adventures with a Trinamic suspension system and 17-in rims featuring Method Wheels’s beadgrip technology for lowering tire pressures while negotiating rough terrains. The exterior of the camper makes more living space with an awning on either side, while a pull-out kitchen facilitates cooking savory meals where your journey takes you.

The post Inspired by desert race, ST5 Supertourer Finke Edition pop-up camper is off-roading genius first appeared on Yanko Design.

XStudio transforms abandoned bar in Gran Canaria into a workshop and apartment

House M by X Studio

Spanish architecture practice XStudio has inserted a ceramics workshop and apartment into the worn-out shell of an abandoned bar on the island of Gran Canaria.

The project, called House M, occupies an old corner building in the Arenales neighbourhood of the Canary Island‘s capital Las Palmas, which had stood abandoned for decades.

Drawn to its ruined appearance, XStudio retained its worn facade but replaced a bar on the ground floor with a ceramics workshop and added a concrete volume above that contains an apartment for the workshop’s owner.

Exterior view of House M in Gran Canaria
XStudio has converted an abandoned bar in Gran Canaria

“The Arenales neighbourhood is very central, but despite that, it has suffered decades of degradation,” XStudio partner Ancor Suárez told Dezeen.

“It is a humble neighbourhood, with mostly old houses that are poorly preserved and that are a testament to better times,” he said. “However, that ‘decay’ gives it a special charm in our opinion. We believe that responding with humble and honest architecture was the best way to relate to the environment.”

Entering through the original doors in the old building’s pale yellow-painted facade, the workshop occupies a single open space that has been left largely untouched and painted white.

Workshop space within bar conversion by X Studio
A workshop occupies the open space on the ground floor

A separate entrance leads into the apartment, where a stairwell and metal staircase reveal a mint green-coloured steel skeleton that frames the first-floor rooms, reinforced by the existing walls and pillars.

“The main concept was to establish a dialogue between the new architecture and the existing building,” explained Suárez.

“This dialogue was based on contrast. Assuming the impositions of the municipal regulations, a new body was added to the existing one to complete the apparent volume of the building,” Suárez continued.

“It does so while respecting the facade composition of the original building, proposing an honest architecture that assumes its function in the context without prejudice.”

Interior view of House M in Gran Canaria
A metal staircase leads up to the apartment

In the apartment, an area of timber-framed glazing surrounds a small courtyard next to the living area and stairwell to the west, while the more private bedrooms are located to the east of the plan.

These new spaces are defined by exposed materials, including thermo-clay blocks, exposed concrete and the steel frame, which reference the rough texture of the existing structure.

Apartment interior of House M by X Studio
Exposed materials feature throughout

“The entire project was approached from honesty, respecting the footprint of time and showing the new naked materials,” said Suárez.

Other recent examples of adaptive reuse on Dezeen include Studio Gang’s conversion of a former tobacco warehouse in Lexington into the College of Design at the University of Kentucky and Fala Atelier’s transformation of a shop in Porto into an apartment.

The photography is by David Rodríguez.

The post XStudio transforms abandoned bar in Gran Canaria into a workshop and apartment appeared first on Dezeen.

Eight minimalist bedrooms lined with exposed concrete surfaces

Melbourne home by LLDS Architects

For our latest lookbook, we’ve rounded up eight bedrooms where exposed concrete surfaces add character to their minimalist interiors.

While bedrooms are often designed with a warm-toned material palette, this roundup offers a different approach – showcasing bedrooms sat on a backdrop of  concrete surfaces ranging from rough and textured to smooth and sleek.

Among this list of projects is a bedroom wrapped in rippled concrete walls in a Melbourne home and another encased by board-marked concrete walls in an open-plan Tokyo home.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring homes that feature tactile plywood panelling, homes where staircases fulfil additional functions, and interiors where gridded ceilings serve as a decorative element.


Bedroom inside Bangalore home
Photo by Aaron Chapman

The Cabin House, India, by Taliesyn

Indian architecture studio Taliesyn used rough textures and vernacular elements to complete this weekend home in Bangalore.

The main bedroom is located on the home’s mezzanine level overlooking the living area, is wrapped entirely in concrete surfaces and completed with wooden furniture.

Find out more about The Cabin House ›


Concrete bedroom at Northcote House by LLDS Architects
Photo by Tom Ross

Northcote House, Australia, by LLDS Architects

This home situated on a narrow urban plot in Melbourne is characterised by a curved roof and textured concrete walls.

Completed by local studio LLDS Architects, the compact home features bedrooms wrapped in textured concrete and topped with barrel-vaulted ceilings.

Find out more about Northcote House ›


Villain House by Architecture Office Claudia Raurell
Photo by Jose Hevia

Villain House, Spain, by Architecture Office Claudia Raurell

This concrete home designed by local studio Architecture Office Claudia Raurell is built on the original footprint of a dilapidated townhouse in Barcelona.

Named Villain House, the home is contained within a new concrete volume with exposed walls throughout the living and bedroom spaces.

Find out more about Villain House ›


Bedroom interior of Pacific House designed by Alexander & Co
Photo by Anson Smart

Pacific House, Australia, by Alexander & Co

Pacific House in Sydney was overhauled by Australian architecture practice Alexander & Co to make its spaces more suitable for family life.

The use of rendered concrete walls and ceilings complemented by oakwood is used throughout the home and extends to the bedrooms.

Find out more about Pacific House ›


Bedroom in brutalist home
Photo by Rory Gardiner

Casa Alférez, Mexico, by Ludwig Godefroy

In keeping with this brutalist home’s exterior, its interior spaces are similarly defined by its raw concrete structure.

Serving as a holiday home in Mexico’s Alférez region, the residence features a minimalist bedroom sat atop a concrete base.

Find out more about Casa Alférez ›


Photo by Hiroyuki Oki

AM House, Vietnam, by Nguyen Huu Duy, Nguyen Duy and Bui The Long

Located in a rural area of Long An Province, Vietnam, AM House is as a holiday home that opens up to views of a surrounding pond.

The home‘s walls were cast using rough boards to create wood-imprinted concrete complemented by concrete floors.

Find out more about AM House ›


House in an Olive Grove by Piers Taylor
Photo by Jim Stephenson

House in an Olive Grove, Greece, by Piers Taylor

British architect Piers Taylor completed the House in an Olive Grove for his family in Corfu, Greece.

The home’s reinforced concrete structure was left exposed throughout the pared-back interior, which extends to the bedroom spaces.

Find out more about House in an Olive Grove ›


Concrete home in Japan
Photo by Ooki Jingu

Building Frame of the House, Japan, by IGArchitects

Designed as “one big room”, this Tokyo home by Japanese studio IGArchitects provides a space for both living and working and is divided by stepped living areas.

Board-marked concrete walls wrap around the interior and are set off by wooden floors and metal detailing.

Find out more about Building Frame of the House ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring homes that feature tactile plywood panelling, homes where staircases fulfil additional functions, and interiors where gridded ceilings serve as a decorative element.

The post Eight minimalist bedrooms lined with exposed concrete surfaces appeared first on Dezeen.

Shogo Onodera transforms existing surfaces in Tokyo boutique to "avoid making anything new"

IZA Tokyo boutique by Shogo Onodera in Shibuya

Marble covered with plaster and metal treated with acid are among the repurposed materials used by Japanese architect Shogo Onodera to minimise waste while fitting out the flagship store of fashion brand IZA Tokyo.

The boutique takes over an existing retail space in the city’s Shibuya district, where the previous tenant had left the interior largely intact with much of the display furniture and internal surfaces still in functional condition.

Onodera‘s studio used the IZA Tokyo store as a test bed for his “unmaking” philosophy, which focuses on reducing waste through reuse.

Entrance of IZA Tokyo boutique by Shogo Onodera in Shibuya
The IZA Tokyo boutique is set in busy Shibuya

“Unmaking might mean that we don’t let anything go to waste, choose not to demolish, design whilst demolishing or decide it is complete when it is dismantled, prompting the usual design process to be reconstructed,” the architect explained.

The project involved carefully removing existing materials and reprocessing them using techniques such as applying various mesh substrates or coating them in plaster to create new textures.

Onodera compared the process to treating an injured limb by applying a plaster cast, claiming that these methods allow him to “heal the store” by giving new life to broken or damaged materials.

Clothes displayed inside boutique by Shogo Onodera
Lamps were constructed using spotlights recovered from the original store

“This is not about a stripped-back, exposed interior that has been a trend in retail,” Onodera said. “It is a design method that has been extensively worked through to avoid making anything new.”

“As we head into the crisis era, we wanted to fundamentally rethink this choice of not making, of not making waste,” he added.

Three distinct methods were used in the project to revitalise existing elements: covering or wrapping them in a thin white layer, altering their surface qualities using different processes or repurposing them as new objects.

Basement of IZA Tokyo boutique in Shibuya
A concrete landing and bench seating was added at the bottom of the staircase

An example of the first approach is the way that the glass-block walls on the facade were covered with a lightweight mesh and painted to create a textured white surface.

This technique was also applied to columns, walls, ceilings and mirrors to create a cohesive aesthetic. The original surface textures combine with the gauze and plaster to add depth to elements including some of the plinths and display furniture.

“The large marble units were too heavy for the previous owner to remove but we were also banned from using their signature stones,” Onodera explained.  “We therefore covered the stones in mesh and thick plaster to hide the true identity, their value being made anonymous.”

Metal components featured throughout the existing store were treated using various processes to alter their colour and patina. The brass entrance door was removed and sanded down to reveal the steel underneath, then refitted as if it were a new door.

Hanging rails for clothes were taken to Onodera’s studio to be washed in sulphur and acid, producing a darkened appearance that helps them stand out against the all-white interior.

A stainless-steel handrail that curves around the central staircase was hammered by a specialist artisan using a traditional technique, resulting in a shimmering textured surface.

Hammered metal handrail of staircase in IZA Tokyo boutique
The steel handrail was hammered by a specialist artisan

Materials that would otherwise be redundant were removed and transformed into art pieces and fixtures. Herringbone parquet flooring, for example, was used to create a minimalist artwork displayed on one of the walls.

Floor-standing lamps were constructed using spotlights recovered from the original store, while a suspension light left hanging over the bar counter was adapted and repositioned above the staircase.

Changing rooms at the rear of the ground floor were created by cutting openings in an existing wall. Where the cuts were made, the wall’s internal wooden structure is left exposed as a reminder of the unmaking process.

Minimalist store interior by Shogo Onodera
Gauze and plaster were applied to some of the walls and display furniture

The existing staircase leading up to the first floor was adapted by casting concrete on top to create a larger landing and bench seating at its base.

The IZA Tokyo store features on the shortlist for Dezeen Awards 2024 in the large retail interior category, alongside a light-filled bookshop in China and a showroom for Jaipur Rugs in Dubai featuring cascading rainbow-coloured staircases.

Shogo Onodera founded his Tokyo-based studio in 2018 after completing his studies at Hosei University and working at architecture practice SANNA for eight years.

The photography is by Ichiro Mishima.

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For Me Buds: The Travel TWS Earbuds That Double as an AI-Powered Sleep Monitor

The TWS Earbud market is absolutely flooded with products right now. Go to Amazon or even Temu and you won’t find hundreds of smart earbuds, you’ll find hundreds of thousands of them… all in the ‘Audio’ category. The “For Me Buds” are probably the only ones that would fit in a ‘Wellness’ category instead. Designed to be the first health-focused earbuds, the For Me Buds are perhaps the only sleep-monitoring earbuds on the market. They come from Sleepwave, a team of former LG engineers dedicated to developing a sleep-health-centric ecosystem of products.

The For Me Buds are a set of ANC earbuds designed for people who need help with fixing or optimizing their sleep schedule. The buds were predominantly designed for travelers, who often see the highest amount of sleep routine disruption over a day-to-day basis, but the earbuds are made for general light sleepers too. Aside from being worn during the day to listen to audio, the For Me Buds are designed to be worn while asleep too. Set up your sleep routine, put the buds in, and they perform real-time sleep monitoring.

Designer: Sleepwave

Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $179 (45% off). Hurry, only 2334 units left! Raised over $173,000.

The buds analyze your sleep and provide personalized sound tailored to the user, while AI monitors sleep quality and adjusts performance in real-time. A built-in PPG sensor and motion sensor work in tandem to analyze heart rate and other health metrics, along with body movement during sleep. Unlike smartwatches that only perform sleep analysis, the For Me Buds analyze sleep stages in real-time and provide dynamic binaural beats tailored to each stage. Their unique design as in-ear earbuds offers the added advantage of delivering personalized sound to enhance sleep quality. Additionally, the companion app utilizes AI to analyze your sleep and provide feedback to help improve your sleep patterns.

Sleepwave’s patented DB Beats™(Dynamic Binaural Beats) technology delivers personalized sound. This technology synchronizes brainwaves by playing different frequencies in each ear that dynamically change over time. Its effectiveness has been clinically validated and published in the Oxford Sleep Journal. Beyond improving sleep quality, it also offers various modes tailored to users’ needs. For example, at night, the “Sleep Mode” helps users achieve their sleep goals, while during the day, the “Refresh Mode” supports relaxation or maintaining a focused state.

The comfort factor is a big deal here. The earbuds are designed to be so small and lightweight that they feel almost unnoticeable, especially when your ear is pressed against a pillow. Thanks to their sleep-friendly ergonomic design, they can be worn comfortably by users lying down or sleeping on their side. Additionally, the hybrid ANC effectively blocks out external noise, creating a serene and quiet environment, whether you’re on an airplane seat or in bed.

Speaking of regular TWS earbuds, the For Me Buds double as those too, helping with music and playback. Given that booming audio isn’t its primary focus, don’t expect an extra-pumped bass or high-decibel audio with the For Me Buds. The overall output offers a balanced soundstage that’s great for music, podcasts, audiobooks, etc. rather than being a one-trick pony. The earbuds come with Bluetooth 5.3, which maintains a steady connection even if you’re shifting around in bed. Compatibility with both Android as well as iOS means everyone gets access to great audio and better sleep, regardless of their product ecosystem. IPx4 keeps the buds dry in most conditions, in case you’re a bit of a sweaty sleeper, or you choose to wear the buds during or after workouts.

The companion app lets you do more than just toggle the earbuds’ basic settings—it actually includes sleep-tracking capabilities that analyze your sleep duration and quality based on your listening patterns and other inputs. This isn’t medical-grade data, of course, but it does give a decent snapshot of your sleep trends and patterns over time. It’s a nice bonus for users who are interested in improving their sleep hygiene, as it provides some feedback without requiring a separate device like a smartwatch. And if sleep science isn’t your thing, the app still lets you customize your listening experience, from volume limits to noise calibration, to make sure the For Me Buds adapt to your specific environment.

The battery life is a crucial part of the sleep-friendly equation. Each charge lasts around ten hours, enough to cover a full night’s sleep for most users, with the charging case holding up to 5 additional charges to keep you covered. The math checks out well: you could use them every night for almost a week without needing to find an outlet, or alternatively, charge them just once during the day if you plan on using them for sleep as well as things like music, meetings, etc. A USB-C port helps the buds’ case to charge, or alternatively, support for wireless charging means you can place the case on any charging mat to juice up the battery.

Although the market for ‘sleep earbuds’ is incredibly niche, it isn’t what the For Me Buds is pitching. The For Me Buds is more of an earbud that does a better job at sleep monitoring than your smartwatch, making it a great hybrid device to have on you instead of earbuds AND a fitness bracelet. The earbuds are obviously great for travelers who find themselves taking frequent red-eye flights, or anyone who thinks great sleep requires a little more than just a sleep-monitoring watch or mattress. Besides, the future of earbuds is clearly more than just playing audio. With the inclusion of various sensors that help track heart activity, body temperature, and even brain activity by extension, the For Me Buds are the perfect blend of audio tech and health wearable.

The For Me Buds start at an affordable $99, which includes the buds and case. The companion app is free to use, offering AI features without any added cost or subscription. The For Me Buds ship globally in January 2025, and come with a 1-year warranty.

Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $179 (45% off). Hurry, only 2334 units left! Raised over $173,000.

The post For Me Buds: The Travel TWS Earbuds That Double as an AI-Powered Sleep Monitor first appeared on Yanko Design.