If you’ve watched any movie or TV show that features lifestyles of the rich and famous, there is almost always a scene where all sorts of beautiful people riding all sorts of expensive looking water vehicles and toys. For those of us who will probably never have that lifestyle, we can just live vicariously through these videos and dream about jet skiing, yachting, or any other glamorous water activity.

Designer: Pierpaolo Lazzarini

Personally, I dream riding one of those cool looking closed capsule vehicles like this 2024 version of the Jet Capsule Super Sport. I’m afraid to fall in the water but I’d also like to speed on the water, so this seems like the perfect compromise. This new version is way lighter than its predecessor as the lightweight construction has reduced it to just 3200 kg which is 500 kg lighter. The single engine propulsion has a range of 570 hp to 850 hp and is able to reach 38 knots in 12 seconds so you could say it’s built for speed.

The upper structure of the jet capsule is made from carbon fiber which is made through vacuum-infusion molding, hence the lighter and more adaptable water vehicle. Inside you get a space that can seat up to 10 passengers but it is also fully customizable and can even fit in a dinette, bathroom, and beds if the customer wishes to have these optional features. There is a sunbed on the rooftop in case some visitors would like to sunbathe and it can be accessed through a rear ladder.

The Jet Capsule Super Sport can be used as support for several water sporting activities like parasailing, kiteboarding, wakeboarding, etc. It can also be used just to speed along the waters or even enjoy some quality time in the middle of the ocean as it can switch to jet-drive while slowing down and full electric mode if you’re low-speed cruising. Again, this will remain a fantasy for people like me but if you can afford it, it seems to be an enjoyable toy to have on your vacation.

The post Jet capsule lets you speed on the water in a lighter, adaptable shell first appeared on Yanko Design.

Interlocking hexagonal pieces make up Flyt, a permeable paver system developed by Norwegian studio Snøhetta as an easy-to-use water management solution for urban areas around the world.

Commissioned by outdoor products supplier Asak, it aims to offer landscape architects, builders and developers a water management solution that is easy and creative to use.

It is also a response to the “urgent need for solutions to increase the urban water-management toolbox” as the world faces an increase in extreme weather conditions, Snøhetta said.

“By leveraging insights from our landscape architects, we realised that there’s an urgent need for solutions to increase the urban water-management toolbox, reflecting the increasing challenges we globally face,” said Snøhetta’s director of product design Marius Myking.

“[The main goal] was to develop a solution and design that gave landscape architects, builders, and developers the freedom to be creative and form outdoor spaces in their way,” he told Dezeen.

“We wanted the system to be easy to use and open up new opportunities to implement critical water management solutions in more ways.”

Flyt is primarily aimed at urban landscapes requiring large permeable areas. It is shortlisted in the sustainable building product category in the Dezeen Awards 2023.

Snøhetta is currently working on Flyt installations worldwide, having recently installed it in a Lillehammer Olympic Park and at a pick-up point at a school in Arendal.

The system comprises three types of interlocking hexagonal pieces made of concrete, which are overlaid on gravel to ensure the permeability of the system.

According to Snøhetta, while being creative and easy to use, it also allows more flexibility and adaptability to different landscapes, unlike conventional paver systems.

“There are many suitable permeable pavers in the market. However, each of these designs has been developed as a singular design to adhere to a limited use,” the studio said.

“These solutions have tended only to be used in highly industrial spaces and specific areas. In contrast, Flyt has been developed to address gradually changing needs and thus is also an expression informed by actual function and water-management strategy for each project.”

Snøhetta is an architecture and design studio founded by architects Craig Dykers and Kjetil Trædal Thorsen in 1989.

Its other recent landscape projects include a path of stones off the coast of Norway that emerges and disappears with the tide and a cantilevered viewing platform on the Perspektivenweg walking trail.

The post Snøhetta creates hexagonal paver system for urban landscapes appeared first on Dezeen.

Tiny homes are one of the most popular home styles in 2023, and I’m pretty sure they’re going to make their way well into 2024. They had started off as a fun and cute trend, but now they’re a space-saving and environment-conscious housing option that is economical as well. They reduce the load on Mother Earth and are a simple and minimal alternative to the imposing and materialistic homes that are not preferred by everyone. And an excellent tiny home that I recently uncovered is the Beach by Raglan Tiny Homes

Designer: Raglan Tiny Homes 

Designed by New Zealand’s Raglan Tiny Homes, the recently completed Beach tiny home features a compact and cozy interior that instantly welcomes you in. The tiny house is non-towable and equipped with a welcoming indoor-outdoor lifestyle and aesthetic, which is accentuated by a part-enclosed deck area. The main section of the home has a width of 2.5m, with the covered deck adding another 2.9m, which covers a total width of 5.4m. The length of the home is 6m.

The exterior of the home is finished in Douglas fir, giving it a warm and minimal aesthetic. Although the layout of the home isn’t very typical and seems more like a beachfront getaway villa, it is in fact intended to be used as a full-time dwelling. An outdoor shower has been outfitted ahead of the entrance, which is teamed up with a small outdoor bathtub, that is concealed under a hatch in the floor. This functions as a quaint outdoor bath for some much-needed pampering sessions.

As you enter the Beach via sliding glass doors, you are welcomed by a combined living room/bedroom space that is equipped with a sofa, and a bed, as well as some storage store. However, this is the only space in the home, there are no other rooms or even a loft, which can be a bit limiting. The tiny home is equipped with a wood-burning stove, shelving, a diesel-powered heating system, and an off-the-grid solar panel setup. You can add an additional studio area if needed.

The post This Wooden Tiny Home Feels & Looks Like A Beachfront Getaway But Is A Full-Time Dwelling first appeared on Yanko Design.

Composting is an aerobic procedure that requires oxygen and transforms organic substances into a nutrient-rich soil enhancer or mulch via the process of natural decomposition. Microorganisms consume materials in the compost pile, utilizing carbon and nitrogen for growth, water for digestion, and oxygen for respiration, resulting in compost—a dark, crumbly material with an earthy smell. Composting is nature’s method of recycling naturally, helping in reducing waste, combating climate change, and enhancing the quality of the soil. The biggest advantage is that one can compost kitchen food scraps along with dry leaves and woody debris from your yard at home.

Designer: Otis Oat

What are the benefits of composting?

• Composting allows one to recycle food scrap and manage waste more sustainably.
• It helps in reducing the volume of materials that may get disposed of in landfills or trash incinerators, thereby reducing the emission of powerful greenhouse gases.

Designer: Homesteading Where You Are

• Composting requires minimal effort and is a cost-effective way to produce high-quality soil amendments while reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
• Another advantage is that composting is that it creates nutrient-rich soil, prevents soil erosion, conserves water, and improves plant growth.

What are the different types of composting?

Composting can be broadly classified into backyard composting and vermicomposting.

Backyard Composting

Backyard composting includes carbon-rich materials or browns like dry leaves, twigs, plant stalks, nitrogen-rich materials, or greens like grass clippings and food scraps. Composting involves the presence of water and oxygen, where carbon-rich materials serve as food for microorganisms, and nitrogen-rich materials generate heat in the pile.

Image Source: Plantophiles

• For backyard composting, the first step is to decide on a method for gathering and storing browns outdoors and collect fruit and vegetable scraps in a sealed container either on your kitchen counter, under your sink, or in your fridge or freezer.
• Identify an accessible, well-draining space in your yard for a compost pile, and select a bin type, that can be constructed from materials like wire, wood, cinder blocks, or enclosed options such as barrels and tumblers.
• Chop and break down the browns and greens into smaller pieces before adding them to the pile to expedite the decomposition process.
• Construct the compost pile with a four- to six-inch layer of substantial browns, like twigs and wood chips, to absorb excess liquids, elevate the pile, and facilitate air circulation at the base. Follow by layering greens and, add a bit of water to moisten the pile. Note that the browns should be at least three times the greens.
• As the compost pile decomposes, the center temperature initially rises. One can speed up decomposition and aerate by turning and mixing the pile with a garden fork. Monitor moisture, odor, and temperature, adjusting as needed. Adjust the compost by moistening and turning if it’s too dry, adding browns and turning if there’s an odor, mixing in greens, and turning if it’s not heating up.
• Once your compost pile stops heating up and shows no visible food scraps after mixing, let it cure for at least four weeks, relocating the oldest compost if desired. Note that after curing, the pile will be reduced to about one-third.
• Well-maintained compost is ready in three to five months, looking dark, loose, and crumbly with a soil-like smell. Screen or sift the finished compost to remove undecomposed materials, such as twigs or fruit pits, and add them back to the active or new pile if desired.
• Well-constructed and properly maintained compost piles, whether in bins or open, should not attract pests or rodents. If using a bin, reinforce it with a lid and potentially a floor, ensuring no holes or gaps larger than ¼ inch. Cover and bury food scraps in the pile, and avoid adding meat, dairy, or greasy foods.

Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting employs specific earthworm species to enhance the organic waste conversion process, utilizing microorganisms and earthworms in a mesophilic environment. Earthworms consume organic materials, producing granular excrement known as vermicompost, which, in simple terms, improves soil’s biological, chemical, and physical properties. The earthworm’s digestive tract secretions aid in breaking down soil and organic matter, enriching the castings with readily available nutrients for plants. Various organic residues, including straw, husk, leaves, stalks, and livestock or poultry wastes, can be transformed into vermicompost, with earthworms reducing waste volume by 40–60 percent.

Types of Compost Bins

Here is a curated assortment of innovative compost bins.

1. Handheld Composting Machine

Designer: Shihcheng Chen

The ReGreen is a compact handheld device simulates the look of a miniature waste-disposal machine and incorporates an aluminum grinder that efficiently crushes and pulverizes waste while promoting quick biodegradation. The device features a top opening for waste input, a rotating arm that facilitates gentle pulverization and its base allows water drainage for compost drying. After waste is processed, one can introduce enzymes to speed up composting and convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost.

2. Plant Cultivator and Compost Bin

Designer: Robin Akira

Paradise is an automated plant cultivator and compost bin designed to decrease domestic waste via the use of integrated technology that notifies users about compost and plant care needs. Inspired by the pandemic-driven shift to home-centric living, designer Robin Akira created Paradise to integrate greenery into interior spaces while addressing the global rise in domestic waste with its composting features and odor-sealing lid.

3. Compost Bin cum Indoor Garden

Designer: Chaozhi Lin

In a changing world where sustainability is a personal commitment, KAGURA, a self-sustaining indoor gardening system created by Chaozhi Lin, facilitates composting and vegetable cultivation. Consisting of a food waste container, elevated light structure, and three soil pots, KAGURA transforms scraps into compost, nourishing plants with an attractive, compact light fixture. Designed to fit any kitchen or living space, this system caters to environmentally conscious individuals in urban settings, addressing the challenge of limited yard space and making sustainable living feasible for city homes.

4. Compost Sleek Bin

Designer: Alp Çakın

Homepost, an innovative composting station, addresses waste challenges in office environments by accelerating the composting process, containing odors, and providing additional storage space. Its efficient design allows for the transformation of diverse organic waste, including plastics, paper, nutshells, teabags, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable scraps, and eggshells. The system’s environmentally friendly construction, made from sustainable green polyethylene, absorbs carbon dioxide during production. Featuring a rotating arm for easy transportation, Homepost’s modules nest efficiently for minimal space occupancy during transit.

5. Composting Machine

Designer: Jinhwi Bang

Reencle tackles the escalating food waste issue in the USA by efficiently breaking down household food-prep waste, bones, peels, leftovers, and expired products into compost within 24 hours. Roughly the size of a trash bin, Reencle features an automatic opening lid and a control panel, with microorganisms inside its chamber facilitating the composting process. The mechanical churning system reduces waste volume through vigorous mixing, and any emissions are filtered to release trace amounts of water vapor and clean air. This at-home solution transforms food waste into nutrient-rich compost for gardens or disposal, mitigating environmental harm caused by landfill decomposition.

6. Stainless Steel Compost Bin

Designer: Adrian Moro

Kamoro’s Compost Bin is crafted with a streamlined airflow design that both dries out waste and provides essential oxygen for microbial survival, ensuring the effortless cultivation of a healthy compost batch. Its double-walled construction consists of an outer stainless-steel container and an inner plastic bucket. The stainless-steel container incorporates a perforated base to establish an airflow pattern, and an activated carbon filter on top effectively filters outgoing air, reducing any odors generated during the organic breakdown process.

The post How To Make Compost At Home first appeared on Yanko Design.

Australian architect John Ellway has renovated an early 20th-century cottage in Queensland into an open family home intended to encourage indoor-outdoor living.

Named Cascade House, the residence in Paddington required minimal renovations but was overhauled by Ellway to create more playful spaces for the family’s three children.

It has been updated with a staggered interior arrangement defined by level changes and open spaces that aim to evoke the feeling of living in a garden.

“The stepping plan allows the living spaces to open onto grass and across the pool, creating an uninterrupted connection to the garden,” Ellway told Dezeen.

“The addition creates a place to gather for conversation, meals and games.”

Ellway’s goal for Cascade House was to keep alterations as light-touch as possible, updating the home with improved insulation, freshly painted walls and a lean-to extension at the back that contains two bathrooms and a laundry room.

“The existing cottage received minimal intervention,” said Ellway. “Really only having its floors sanded, walls painted, insulation added and electrical replaced,” he continued.

“This was partly to manage cost, but mainly because its original hardwood structure and wall linings were still in great condition as they were protected from rain and sun by deep verandahs which had extended its life.”

Cascade House’s updated entrance leads onto a long open-plan kitchen and dining space with grey cement-coated walls. Here, a series of birch-plywood units topped with a granite worktop wrap around the end of the room and overlook an outdoor swimming pool.

Set into the lowest level of the site, this open space also features a wall of folding glass doors that allow it to open up to a tree-lined courtyard outside.

“The choice of interior finishes, particularly with the kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, ended up as a collaboration with my client and designer Jacqueline Kaytar,” said Ellway. “The birch plywood was a direction she wanted to head in from the very start.”

A set of concrete steps leads up to the next level of the house, where a living space fitted with a built-in corner sofa offers views over the rooms and pool nestled a metre below.

“With a four-metre level change across the site, breaking up the sequence into a series of split levels mediated this topography creating spaces to pause as you move higher,” said Ellway.

“Changes in level manage privacy, with the cottage being the most private. Bedrooms within can be left messy,” he explained. “There is an implied permission to be sought before a visitor is invited to continue stepping up further.”

Stepped up from the living area, a porch that opens onto an L-shaped veranda connects the more communal side of the home to the private spaces. These are contained within the cottage’s main volume, bordering the opposite edge of the central courtyard.

Four bedrooms branch from the hallway, each featuring white-painted timber surfaces and high ceilings that help to brighten them.

Cascade House is complete with a playroom, laundry room and a pair of bathrooms coated in white tiles at the other end of the cottage.

Other Australian houses recently featured on Dezeen include a Melbourne home that uses perforated brickwork to create private spaces and a cottage extension fully coated in Australian hardwood.

The photography is by Toby Scott.

The post John Ellway staggers series of indoor-outdoor spaces at Cascade House appeared first on Dezeen.