Hasta La Ideas

For the second year running, Dezeen Events Guide is creating a guide to Miami art week, highlighting the key fairs, exhibitions, installations and pop-ups throughout the festival.

Taking place from 2 to 8 December, the festival is located across Miami neighbourhoods, including Miami Beach and Miami Design District.

More than 20 fairs and over 1,200 galleries are expected to take part in the festival, including the second edition of Alcova Miami and Design Miami 2024.

The festival invites art and design enthusiasts, buyers and collectors for the seven days of events.

Get listed in Dezeen’s digital guide to Miami art week

Get in touch with the Dezeen Events Guide team at eventsguide@dezeen.com to book your listing or to discuss a wider partnership with Dezeen. There are three types of listings:

Standard listings cost £125/$170 and include the event name, date and location details plus a website link. These listings will also feature up to 50 words of text about the event.

Enhanced listings cost £175/$240 and include all of the above plus an image at the top of the listing’s page and an image in the listing preview on the festival guide homepage. These listings will also feature up to 100 words of text about the event.

Featured listings cost £350/$470 and include all elements of an enhanced listing plus a post on Dezeen’s Threads channel, inclusion in the featured events carousel on the right hand of the festival guide homepage for up to two weeks and 150 words of text about the event. This text can include commercial information such as ticket prices and offers and can feature additional links to website pages such as ticket sales, newsletter signups etc.

This text can include commercial information such as ticket prices and offers and can feature additional links to website pages such as ticket sales, newsletter signups etc.

About Dezeen Events Guide

Dezeen Events Guide is our guide to the best architecture and design events taking place across the world each year.

The guide is updated weekly and includes virtual events, conferences, trade fairs, major exhibitions and design weeks.

For more details on inclusion in Dezeen Events Guide, including in our guide to Miami art week, email eventsguide@dezeen.com.

The illustration is by Justyna Green.

The post Get listed in Dezeen’s digital guide to Miami art week 2024 appeared first on Dezeen.

Andu Masebo and Rio Kobayashi are among 23 designers who have created birdhouses for an exhibition held at South London Gallery that aimed to unpack “what it means to build a house for a bird”.

Conceived by design studio Computer Room and birdwatching collective Flock Together, the Dwellings project focused on shared themes of sanctuary and exploring our relationship with nature.

The exhibition held in the Orozco Garden and Clore Studio at South London Gallery from 31 August to 1 September 2024 comprised an eclectic series of 22 objects and images, ranging from practical solutions to expressive conceptual responses.

The varied contributions encapsulated the unique thought processes and skills of makers including ceramicists, glassmakers, architects and photographers.

Many of the designers created their own takes on conventional birdhouses, which are typically made from wood and feature a hole just large enough to provide an entrance for the nesting birds.

Other participants opted for a more abstract approach, such as artist and designer Moe Asari’s site-specific project exploring the attempts to reintroduce black kites to a Dutch nature reserve.

The show’s co-curator Masebo, who runs the Computer Room design collective alongside Jesse Butterfield and Charlie Humble-Thomas, developed a birdhouse via a remote collaboration with his uncle Dan O’Conell – a trained carpenter based in Ireland.

Without conversing throughout the process, Masebo and O’Connell sent materials back and forth between London and Ireland, each making their own alterations until an object with the form of a birdhouse emerged.

Butterfield’s contribution to the exhibition is a wooden structure informed by skyscrapers and modernist architecture. Bird Metropolis provides space for eight nesting house sparrow couples within a tower carved into organic, tree-like forms.

London and Copenhagen-based designer Daniel Schofield‘s birdhouse uses renewable cork bark as an alternative to wood, which he suggested is an odd choice of material as it requires cutting down a bird’s natural home to create an artificial one.

“The form and proportions were chosen to be good for birds,” said Schofield, “but also simple to produce industrially and locally, hopefully giving more chance of these being made en-masse, and giving the best opportunity of making more homes for birds in our urban landscape.”

Kobayashi’s playful response to the brief called The Guest House For An Ostrich is elevated to an appropriate height so an ostrich could hide its head inside rather than burying it in the ground.

The birdhouse features an aerodynamic form and details that reflect the ostrich’s ability to run at great speeds. Its front surface is scorched to give the impression that aerodynamic friction has set the wood alight.

Ceramicist George Baggaley created a birdhouse in his signature organic style, which is embellished with glazes that accentuate its undulating surfaces.

Ovulo by Jaclyn Pappalardo features a welded form reminiscent of shapes found in nature. The curved profile with a hook at one end for suspending it from a tree branch was produced using a process that involves inflating metal using water.

Oliver Hawkes worked with a charity called Global Generation to build birdhouses using material offcuts donated by eyewear brand Cubitts. The project aimed to engage young people in the making process and educate them about issues relating to the environment and bird cohabitation.

Many of the pieces created for the exhibition were available to purchase, with all proceeds helping to support South London Gallery’s communities and learning programmes.

The photography is courtesy of Computer Room and South London Gallery.

The post Birdhouses informed by skyscrapers and modernist architecture feature in Dwellings exhibition appeared first on Dezeen.

Leatherman has been a trusted name in multi-tools for years, and when it comes to everyday carry (EDC), the ARC Obsidian is nothing short of the mother of all EDC tools. At Yanko Design, we appreciate practical and well-designed gear, and this multi-tool hits the mark. Made in the USA, the ARC Obsidian is built to handle everything from routine tasks to more demanding situations, making it an essential piece for anyone serious about their everyday carry.

Designer: Leatherman

A Thoughtful Blend of Functionality and Durability

Right away, the ARC Obsidian’s matte black PVD-coated handles catch your attention. The coating gives it a refined, professional look and helps protect the tool from corrosion and wear over time. The combination of the PVD coating with DLC-coated components makes this tool highly durable and able to withstand everyday use and more challenging environments.

At the center of it all is the MagnaCut steel blade. Known for its toughness and excellent edge retention, this steel gives the blade strength and longevity. Whether you’re dealing with small, precise cutting tasks or something more demanding, the blade stays sharp and resists corrosion, a must for anyone who needs reliability in their EDC.

Despite being packed with tools, the ARC Obsidian maintains a compact form. With a closed length of 4.25 inches and a weight of around 8.6 oz., it’s easy to carry without feeling cumbersome. The balance between size and functionality makes it a perfect fit for those who need a tool they can rely on for everyday tasks and in more challenging environments.

Easy Access and Ergonomic Design

One key aspect of the ARC Obsidian is its user-friendly design. Leatherman’s technology makes it easy to access many tools with just one hand, which is a huge plus when you’re multitasking or in a situation where one hand is occupied. The tools open smoothly and lock into place securely, giving you confidence in their stability during use.

The locking mechanisms are beneficial with tools like the pliers and bit drivers, ensuring that they won’t accidentally fold or shift once they’re in use. Every tool, from the scissors to the file, is strategically placed for easy access, meaning you won’t waste time hunting for the right one. The convenience of grabbing the tool you need quickly makes it a versatile option for any EDC setup.

How the tools are arranged also helps reduce hand strain during extended use. Whether you’re tightening a screw with the bit driver or cutting through material with the saw, everything is positioned in a way that feels intuitive and ergonomic, making the tool easy to handle over time.

Built for Versatility with 20 Tools

Leatherman has packed 20 useful tools into the ARC Obsidian without sacrificing usability or portability. It comes equipped with everything from a large and small bit driver to needlenose pliers and a saw. The MagnaCut blade, as expected, performs flawlessly across different applications, retaining its edge even after extended use.

One of the most requested features—bit drivers—has been integrated into the design with both large and small options and nine double-ended bits. This means that no matter what kind of fastening task you encounter, the ARC Obsidian has you covered. The variety of bits, including Torx, hex, and Robertson, ensures you’re prepared for almost any situation.

Additionally, the replaceable wire cutters and hard-wire cutters mean that heavy use won’t wear the tool down over time. These components can be easily swapped out, prolonging the tool’s life without needing an entirely new multi-tool. Other features like the diamond-coated and wood/metal files add to the tool’s versatility, handling everything from sharpening to smoothing rough edges.

Despite the range of tools, the ARC Obsidian remains slim and easy to carry. This balance between function and portability is one of its greatest strengths, ensuring that you always have the right tool without adding unnecessary bulk to your gear.

Ready for the Toughest Conditions

Durability is one of the ARC Obsidian’s key strengths. The MagnaCut steel blade offers exceptional corrosion resistance, toughness, and long-lasting sharpness. This material is well-suited to handle everyday tasks, but its reliability becomes even more valuable in harsher environments. Whether you’re working through routine jobs or tackling more rugged conditions, the blade is designed to maintain its edge and perform consistently over time.

The PVD-coated handles and DLC-coated components further reinforce the tool’s durability. These coatings help protect against corrosion and wear, ensuring the tool remains functional and looks sharp even after heavy use. Whether in a humid, wet environment or used daily, the materials chosen for the ARC Obsidian keep it going strong over time.

For anyone who values a tool that can handle a bit of everything—from cutting and fastening to filing and crimping—the ARC Obsidian is built to last. It’s designed with durability and functionality, making it stand out from other multi-tools, no matter the conditions it faces.

Ready for Everyday Tasks or the Unexpected

The ARC Obsidian isn’t just about extreme environments or specialized tasks. It’s also built to handle the little things you face daily. Whether you’re cutting rope, fixing gear, or just tightening a loose screw, this multi-tool is versatile enough to cover a wide range of everyday tasks.

Tools like the spring-action scissors, the bottle opener, and the wire stripper add to the tool’s usefulness in routine situations. The MagnaCut blade makes quick work of cutting tasks, from slicing through thick material to handling more delicate jobs, and the one-handed operation adds convenience, particularly in moments when you need to act fast.

Versatile for Any User

While it’s a strong choice for professionals who need a reliable tool for demanding jobs, the ARC Obsidian works just as well for those who value having a high-quality multi-tool in their everyday carry. It includes replaceable wire cutters, hard-wire cutters, and various bits, making it practical for many users.

The ARC Obsidian’s versatility means it’s not limited to one type of user. It’s equally useful for outdoor enthusiasts, DIYers, and anyone who values a reliable tool they can carry daily. With 20 integrated tools, all in a slim and durable package, this multi-tool proves that you don’t have to compromise between functionality and portability.

Leatherman’s ARC Obsidian redefines what an EDC tool can be. Whether it’s the MagnaCut blade, the durable coatings, or the carefully arranged tools, every detail is designed to provide the best in everyday use and more demanding situations. It’s the kind of tool that’s always ready, no matter what’s ahead.

The post Leatherman ARC Obsidian: The Ultimate Everyday Carry Multi-Tool first appeared on Yanko Design.

The market for smartwatches is flush open with brands and fresh designs giving users plenty of options. While all of them stay within the practical boundaries to appeal to a larger set of audience, there’s always scope for something extravagant that Gen-Z prefers.

This is the A_001 PowerWatch concept inspired by the action Japanese metal heroes like Jaspion, Jiban, and Winspector. The wearable concept challenges the mainstream smartwatch designs, both in form and function with its radical shape and operation. All these prime-time series back in the 80s and bleeding into the early 90s have gripped the Japanese audience. Later on, the craze spread worldwide and inspired other similar adaptations.

Designer: Braz de Pina

The color theme of this smartwatch is heavily influenced by the tokusatsu and Winspector, in the red, silver and blue hues. Those who are not very much familiar with these predated action heroes will gravitate towards comparing the watch’s design to the Transformers. I had a flash of the Optimus Prime when I first laid my eyes on this wearable. There are big knobs on either side of the A_001 PowerWatch to actuate inputs for menu controls and app functions. To read on the big screen that attains a Tesla Cybertruck form cannot be ignored. Yes, now you see that familiar CyberTruck body in this wearable!

The smartwatch has a dedicated scroll button on one side to go through the content and make the desired selections. In the AOD the information displayed includes current temperature, date and time. Speakers on the sides make sure you don’t have to reach out for your portable speakers when listening to music or even taking calls in noisy environments. The watch is built like a tank and is not for weak or small wrists, no puns intended!

The metal body of the beefy yet edgy smartwatch is secured by the Velcro strap that indicates its rough use. Carrying such a big watch is not going to be everybody’s privilege and if it ever makes it to the real world, Elon Musk will fancy wearing this.

The post This Optimus Prime inspired smartwatch borrows its body frame design from the Cybertruck first appeared on Yanko Design.

California-based studio Donaldson + Partners has designed a circular house partially embedded in the landscape with large concrete parabolic arches in Montecito, California.

Seven years in the making, the 14,000-square foot (1,300-square metre) house is sunken into a four-acre lot between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, outside Santa Barbara.

Robin Donaldson, founder of Donaldson + Partners, envisioned a “house for the twenty-first century” for a pair of artists that tests the relationship between landscape, art and experience.

“We were inspired by the combination of incredible site and visionary clients to keep pushing the design, which resulted in a house that both emerges from and is part of the landscape; that acts as backdrop to both the rhythms of daily life and two vibrant art practices; and that entirely redefines what we imagine a house could be,” Donaldson told Dezeen.

Donaldson worked closely with the owner to design the circular structure so that it  “emerges from and burrows into the landscape.”

Topped with solar panels and a landscaped rock garden roof, the concrete and glass house is accessed by a suspended metal walkway that approaches a semi-circular door and a “wormhole” entry into the house.

Inside, a great room is lit with natural light from concave glazing on the east and west sides. It opens to dual courtyards – the eastern “avocado-shaped” courtyard with seating and a staircase around the perimeter and the western pool deck and rectangular pool that radiates out from the centre of the plan.

Opposite the entrance, the offices, living, dining, and kitchen spaces join the primary suite to form a pie-shaped wedge, within the centre of which sits a circular private courtyard.

Staircases distributed around the plan descend to the lower level, which holds two guest suites, a game room, library and theatre – as well as a painting studio, pottery shop, and large garage workshop that leads out to a motor court that encircles a quarter of the round plan.

On the lower level are a game room, library, and theatre. The exterior patio leads to a drawing/painting studio, ceramics studio, and terraced amphitheatre, which merges back into the landscaped and adjacent sculpture garden, melding everyday living and a profound connection between architecture, landscape, and art.

“Practically and programmatically, the owners needed a place to support their social and philanthropic lives and their thriving art practices, while also providing a sense of privacy,” the team said.

“Working between the monumental scale of the overall envelope and the playful interior spaces, the design creates a comprehensive formal articulation on the exterior and a generous flow on the interior.”

The Hill House Montecito is part of Donaldson’s evolution into a more artistic practice, according to the studio.

Further north is Cupertino, California, Apple recently unveiled its subterranean Apple Park Observatory, which features similar rounded openings and planted roofs over a concrete bubble dome.

The photography is by Joe Fletcher

Project credits:

Concept and ideation: Robin Donaldson, Bruce Heavin
Fabrication: F Myles Sciotto, DplusWorkshop, Neal Feay Co, Stonemark Construction
Contractor: Matt Construction

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