From an immersive installation at ICA Miami to a capsule collection available on-site and at the second Miami edition of the Alcova collectible design fair

Continuing their years of elevated involvement with Miami Art Week, Lexus returns for the 2024 edition with a three-part, sensory-driven activation. The luxury automaker returns to the courtyard of the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA Miami) with a mesmeric, immersive installation—this time created by award-winning interdisciplinary design duo Crafting Plastics, led by Vlasta Kubušová and Miroslav Král. Additionally, Lexus will debut a limited edition capsule collection of 26 collectible design objects imagined by Germane Barnes; Suchi Reddy, founder of Reddymade Art and Design; Tara Sakhi, founder of T Sakhi; and Michael Bennett, founder and creative director of Studio Kër, alongside pieces by Crafting Plastics. Finally, the brand is set to unveil a signature Lexus in Design fragrance that will appear as an aromatic mist and as part of a limited edition candle collection. Every element is an exploration of form and material, and each works in harmony with the other.

For their centerpiece sculpture at ICA Miami, Crafting Plastics designed an abstract interpretation of the Lexus’ Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) LF-ZC concept. Then, they crafted the piece, entitled “Liminal Cycles,” from their own proprietary, organic and interactive bioplastic material. “When interpreting the LF-ZC, we saw an opportunity to merge luxury and responsible design, so our goal became to showcase the potential of bio-based materials that are robust, durable, scaleable and aesthetically appealing,” Kubusova tells COOL HUNTING. “We also wanted to create an installation that reflected the idea of intelligent materials that could respond to its surroundings. The result is an installation that demonstrates that sustainable materials can meet the high-performance demands of luxury design while carrying the technology that makes personalized experiences possible.”

The sculptural work and its corresponding satellite installations provide an engrossing real-time response to ICA guests, through sight, smell, sound and touch (hanks to UV-responsive material skin). This engagement is integral to the mission of the Bratislava and Berlin-based studio, and links directly back to their research. “We strongly believe that emotions have the power to drive us toward action,” Kubusova says, “so it was important that we showcased these concepts in evocative, sensorial experiences that would hopefully leave viewers moved to live more environmentally responsible lives.”

Of note, Crafting Plastics invented a plant-based piopolymer material and is using it here. “As designers, we have always sought better and healthier alternatives to fossil fuel-based plastics for our projects and products,” Kubusova explains. “However, we had not found any suitable sustainable alternatives that met our needs: high performance, aesthetics and durability. This motivated us to address these challenges, and after several years of research, we developed a material formula that minimizes ecological footprint basing it on 100% renewable resources and being compostable without compromising performance.”

Their material is highly adaptable, and will likely have various applications. “As we prepare to scale this innovation, we are exploring new features that could further enhance its utility, enabled by advancements in technology,” Kubusova adds. “With interactive biomaterials, we are investigating how these materials can act as indicators of environmental changes and interact visibly with both the environment and the user.” As such, this was an ideal application for an interactive sculpture.

Though museum guests may desire to abscond with the intriguing majesty of the Crafting Plastics creation, Lexus is offering an opportunity to take home other dreamlike wonders from ICA Miami and also the Alcova design fair. These include exoskeleton like imaginings from Kubušová and Král. Once again, the duo approached the brief with sustainability top of mind. “While the purpose of a collectible design object is to be kept for a very long time, the goal for our designs remains to eliminate any lasting negative impact on the environment long after we’re gone,” Kubušová explains. “Keeping this in mind, we combined Nuatan—our biodegradable bioplastic material series, which is based on 100% biodegradable biomaterials—with scented bioplastic reeds and hand-blown glass to create a series of objects titled Ephemerables.” Each material element of their objects is either biodegradable or recyclable.

For former NFL player, Super Bowl champion and interdisciplinary spatial designer Bennett, who designed an architectural candle holder, “This project began as a simple sketch—an exploration of the candle as more than just a vessel for light,” he tells us. “I was thinking about its role in gathering, in creating moments of presence and communion. I started to see the candle as architecture, as a kind of microcosm for place-making—a seat for light, a home for reflection.”

“The materiality was unforgiving,” he adds. “Glass, a fluid and organic material, was being asked to do something it didn’t want to do: to become square, rigid, and architectural. The process was slow, almost meditative, as we worked against the grain of the material to shape it into something new. The amber hue became critical, not just as an aesthetic decision but as a way of framing the sacredness of light itself. It draws attention to the geometry, to the interplay between the soft glow and the sharp edges. This piece is about light, yes—but also about what it means to hold it, to honor it, and to sit with it.”

Like relics recovered from an unknown past, Lebanese-Polish architect and photographer Sakhi’s pieces defy material and time. “The inception of Memory was driven by the desire to capture the dynamic interplay between human intervention and material evolution,” she tells us. “Using Murano glass and recycled aluminum from a Lexus hood, I sought to blend the fluidity of glass with the raw resilience of metal. Each piece reflects a meditation on transformation, where gestures—such as melting, twisting or poking—become imprints, telling a story of luxury meeting individuality, and craftsmanship embracing sustainability. This dialogue between the precious and the discarded resonates deeply with me.”

Reddy, an expert in the scientific practice of neuroaesthetics, who works to the mantra of “form follows feeling,” says her goal “was to create an intriguing object, a tabletop conversation piece highlighting intelligent design. Lexus as a brand is all about intelligent design, so having the opportunity to bring Lexus’ values into a domestic context was delightful.” Her piece, BLOOM, draws inspiration from the Japanese art of Kirigami. It’s crafted from “specially cut paper, typically used as packaging, and houses both aroma and flowers, bringing the senses to life at the table.”

For his collaboration, architect and designer Barnes aimed to invoke the careful intentionality and sleek designs of Lexus. “For our vessel, these two factors were critical in deciding to use a high-fidelity clay resin,” he says. “The Beauty of Labor vessel invokes the behind-the-scenes commitment to care and craftsmanship, thus using state-of-the-art, 3D-printing materials gives the spotlight to the designers and laborers who make the Lexus brand so successful.” Barnes produced the vessels in four different colorways, another nod to Lexus, this time toward its many consumer customizations.

As an exclamation point upon the entire holistic experience, the Lexus in Design fragrance is part of the sensory immersion of the installation, and it also one of the items available for purchased. “We considered how we could use elements, like scent, to bring the Liminal Cycles installation to life through a multifaceted, responsive experience,” explains Heather Updegraff, ​general manager of Lexus International Strategic Communications. “The fragrance extends beyond the installation to the limited edition capsule collection we’ve developed in partnership with Crafting Plastics and four other designers. Ultimately, our goal is a thoughtful, immersive personal luxury experience.”

Lexus worked with Philadelphia-based fragrance and design studio dilo to develop a scent profile that was intriguing yet refined, that also hinted toward the key themes in this year’s installation. “Some of the most noticeable scents like cedar and moss are nature-inspired—a direct reference to the naturally derived biomaterials used by Crafting Plastics in the installation,” Updegraff adds. “On the other hand, we have more unique scents like amber which nods toward luxury and blood orange citrus which is a more inspirational gesture of progress and renewal as we embrace the future possibilities of materiality, sustainability or personalization through innovation.” As with years prior, Lexus continues to impress with the thought provoking nuance of their Miami Art and Design Week contributions; this year, however, they also manage to wow with their multi-sensory experience.

Imagine starting your day with a cup of tea brewed exactly how you like it—no guesswork, no fuss. A device that understands both your style and your palate, seamlessly fitting into your life while delivering perfectly crafted brews. Meet the Smart Tea Maker: where cutting-edge technology meets design excellence to transform your tea ritual.

Designer: Hiroaki Nishimura

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The Problem: Great Tea Deserves Better Tools

Tea brewing is a meditative art, yet clunky tools and imprecise methods often steal its serenity. Pre-packaged tea bags dilute the complexity of fine teas, while manual setups demand meticulous attention. Even so-called smart devices miss the mark, prioritizing function over form with uninspired designs and tedious interfaces.

The Smart Tea Maker, a sleek solution that delivers precision, personalization, and effortless style—all without breaking a sweat.

Why is this the Best Smart Tea Maker

1. Precision Brewing with Sleek Design

Not just another countertop gadget, the Smart Tea Maker blends minimalist aesthetics with serious functionality. Its app-connected system ensures that each type of tea—from delicate green teas to robust black blends—is brewed at the precise temperature and steep time recommended for optimal flavor.

Why It Matters: Brewing tea isn’t one-size-fits-all. This precision means you experience every tea exactly as intended, unlocking flavor profiles you didn’t know existed.

2. Tea That Knows You

This isn’t just smart—it’s intuitive. With six sensors that monitor factors like your environment, heart rate, and even finger temperature, it customizes every brew to fit your mood and needs. Chamomile to calm you down? Oolong to sharpen your focus? Consider it handled.

How It Works: The sensors collect data, like your body temperature or ambient room conditions, to adjust brewing settings automatically.

Why It Matters: It’s like having a tea expert in your kitchen who knows exactly what you need, turning every cup into a personalized experience.

3. Innovation Meets Tradition

At the heart of this device is a patented rotary brewing system, inspired by the wrist movements of Japanese tea masters. This system replicates the motion of swirling tea leaves to enhance extraction, resulting in rich, full-bodied flavors.

Why It Matters: You don’t need a decade of training to achieve a brew worthy of a tea ceremony. This device brings that same depth of flavor to your table, with no effort on your part.

4. Effortless to Use, Effortless to Love

With its intuitive app, brewing is as simple as a tap on your phone. The modular design allows the device to disassemble for easy cleaning and storage, while its sleek aesthetic ensures it complements any space.

Why It Matters: This is tea without the hassle—whether you’re rushing out the door or unwinding at home.

5. Expand Your Tea Universe

Whether you’re loyal to your Earl Grey or curious about rare herbal blends, the built-in tea database gives you access to optimal brewing settings for dozens of varieties. Think of it as a guidebook for the perfect brew.

Why It Matters: It opens up a world of tea, letting you explore new flavors with confidence and rediscover old favorites at their best.

Who is This Smart Tea Maker For?

This is for those who know that details matter. If you’re the kind of person who notices the difference between a perfectly brewed pour-over and a lukewarm coffee, or you appreciate thoughtful design as much as functionality, this tea maker is for you. Whether you’re a tea newbie or a seasoned aficionado, it’s all about elevating your experience—with zero pretension.

Final Thoughts

The Smart Tea Maker doesn’t just brew tea—it redefines how you enjoy it. With precision brewing, intuitive customization, and design that earns its place on your countertop, it’s tea-making done right. Say goodbye to clunky tools and subpar brews, and hello to a device that gets you, your style, and your taste.

Because great tea deserves more than a kettle—and so do you.

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Normally when we think of robots that can help us in public places or at our private spaces, we think of voice or app activated ones that do as they’re supposed to (with no uprising in the future, hopefully). But usually they are just able to perform one function like either clean the house (robot vacuum), make coffee (robot barista), or give directions (airplane or mall robots). But there are other kinds of more mechanical robots that we can serve multiple functions, depending on what we need.

Designer: Seungmin Ha

Well, at least, on paper, we can imagine this kind of robot that can become what we want with just the touch of our hand. Plate is a concept for a robotic piece of furniture that can turn into different kinds of functional pieces, as if obeying our touch command. It is made up of flat panels with different mechanical pieces that can turn into a table, a bed or seat in front of the TV, a work station, or other things that can utilize its functionality.

The renders show that it’s made up of different panels and has wheels so it can move easily, supposedly with just a gentle push. It has three engineering components: a high-torque motor that can smoothly move the heavy panels, an angle adjustment module so you have angle control, and strength wire to make sure it can handle high loads and still be stable.

Unlike other robots that are usually automated or use voice controls, this one is more about touching them directly. It can be pushed, tilted, or manipulated accordingly. Hopefully it is easy to handle or else it might defeat the purpose of having a robot to obey your commands.

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WiFi routers are one of those things that you know you need to have in your house (well, if you want to be connected of course) but don’t really think about. As long as it’s working and providing me with connectivity for work or for leisure, then I don’t really care about the other functionalities or even the design. Once it stops working though, that’s when I start paying attention to it.

Designer: Hao Kong

This concept for a WiFi router ensures that you will pay attention to it, whether or not it’s working properly. TRACK WiFi Router, aside from giving you a connection to the internet, ensures that you stay connected wherever you are in the room. It is designed to give you the most stable network signal possible (of course still depending on the strength or weakness of your ISP).

The way it works is that there’s an antenna on top of your device that will automatically adjust its direction and help you gain more function. This means that it will “follow” you around the space, or rather the device that is connected to the router. Think of it like those satellite dishes whose head moves around. The look of the device is a bit similar except that the antenna is elongated rather than round.

Of course this is still a concept so for now we don’t have a way of seeing if it actually works. I wonder though how the antenna will react if there are multiple devices all over the room, which is something a lot of us have now.

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As the automotive world continues to push the boundaries of innovation and aesthetics, October 2024 has emerged as a showcase of some of the most stunning and forward-thinking vehicle designs. This month designers have unveiled a diverse array of automotive masterpieces that blend cutting-edge technology with striking visual appeal.

We have curated a collection of the ten best automotive designs of October 2024, highlighting the creativity and craftsmanship that continue to drive the industry forward. Whether you’re an automotive enthusiast or simply appreciate exceptional design, these vehicles are sure to inspire and amaze.

1. MOD Easy Electric Cruiser Bike

Dubbed the MOD Easy Electric Cruiser Bike, this electric bike features a sidecar that merges retro style and modern utility. The bike captures the spirit of classic motorcycles while offering practical features to make the experience seamless. The electric bike is designed for people who want to ride from A to B.

It focuses on letting riders savor the moment. It showcases a rugged and vintage charm, with a matte green frame constructed by black accents. The color scheme is perfect for those seeking an evergreen and outdoorsy aesthetic. The sidecar is complemented with large wheels that add a unique and distinctive touch.

2. Twike 5

Meet the Twike 5 – a pedal hybrid vehicle designed for those who are seeking a sustainable and eco-friendly mode of transportation. It is designed by automaker TWIKE GmbH, and is essentially a three-wheel trike, with one wheel in the front, and two at the back. It merges an electric motor with a pedal trike, serving as a two-seater that weighs around 600 kilograms.

The trike can reach up to 190 kilometers per hour, and up to 500 kilometers on a single charge. The velomobile-style electric trike doesn’t include a steering wheel but is equipped with a pair of joysticks on the side of the pilot to steer the vehicle in drive mode. The rider can easily shift pedals to save power and charge the battery.

3. TWR Supercat

Designed by Tom Walkinshaw Racing, the TWR Supercat is a beautiful and racy version of the XJS. It was announced in time for the rebranding of Jaguar as it moves to an EV-only future. The automobile shares a similar design inspiration to other racing models like the XJR-15 and the XJ220. A supercharged 5.6L V12 engine is hidden underneath a carbon body bonnet.

The engine is tuned by the engineering wizards at TWR. It produces 660bhp and 730Nm of torque, with all the power being sent to the rear wheels paired to a six-speed manual gearbox. The body panels are made from carbon fiber material, which reduces the weight to 1,605 instead of the 1,770 of the XJS.

4. E-THUNDER

Named the E-THUNDER, this electric bike is a performance two-wheeler with truly good looks. The handlebar of the bike adopts an aggressive and powerful stance, paired up with large wheels. The sharp aesthetic is maintained down to the frame, which offers support to the high saddle. It brings to mind the image of a Stealth bomber aircraft profile in many ways.

It is designed to be a modern solution for daily commutes and intense lower-body training in the hills. It features a high-grade suspension system and wide tires that make it a comfortable and smooth ride even on steep ascends and hills. The positioning of the handlebar can be adjusted by the riders to make them feel comfortable.

5. Robo-EV

The Robo-EV By PIX Moving Team is a micro car that is completely 3D-printed out in one piece. It is designed for choked city mobility, and it is structurally quite easy and ways to manufacture. A prototype was recently crafted and it is truly quite impressive. The Robo-EV is embedded with smart technology on the inside.

It is equipped with an AI system that can detect the mood and tone of the driver in real time. It is an intelligent car that can offer emotional support through its large language model. The interaction is designed to be two-way since the car’s voice system also serves as a cool voice assistant. Regenerative braking is added to its reserve of battery power.

6. Kia PV5 WKNDR Concept

KIA unveiled a pair of all-electric concepts at the Speciality Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. The electric concepts have been designed for off-road adventures. One was the EV9 ADVNTR Concept SUV, and the other was the PV5 WKNDR concept EV Van built on the brand’s Purpose Beyond Vehicles.

The two custom lifestyle vehicles  “intrinsically blend form and function into machines designed for responsible engagement with nature.”. The vehicles don’t have a production run announced yet, but we will see more in a few years. They will be equipped and designed for wild overlanding adventures away from habitation.

7. Blackbird Demonstrator

Currently, a lot of companies are working on creating incredible electric flying vehicles, and an Australian startup, CycloTech, is aiming to develop a demonstrator by next year. The Blackbird demonstrator will utilize a new propulsion system that will revolutionize the future of flying cars. The CycleRotor tech is pretty innovative, and it is the only system that can control the thrust vector in a full circular path currently.

You can brake and stop the flying vehicle in mid-air, which will be quite significant when airspace gets busy. The demonstrator will be able to conduct vertical take-off and landing while also offering control in different directions. You could even parallel park the demonstrator, and conduct mid-air braking/declaration.

8. Theory 1 EV Concept Car

Designed by the renowned UK-based automotive manufacturer Lotus, the Theory 1 EV concept car embodies the brand’s commitment to its three core principles: Digital, Natural, and Analog. This groundbreaking concept car represents a harmonious blend of cutting-edge technology, sustainable practices, and timeless design philosophy.

At the heart of Theory 1’s design is its lightweight construction, a hallmark of Lotus engineering. By utilizing advanced materials and innovative manufacturing techniques, the car achieves an optimal balance between performance and efficiency.

9. Hyundai RN24

Hyundai recently unveiled the short-wheelbase RN24, which is based on the IONIQ 5 N powertrain. It was revealed as a part of the N Day 2024 online event. It features an open-air roll-cage design with a WRC-themed chassis, which makes it quite visually interesting. It is the next installation in the “rolling lab” series.

The powertrain is 15 inches shorter than the IONIQ 5 N, giving it a more impressive and distinct appeal. It is an all-electric experimental vehicle that is amped with Hyundai’s WRC Powertrain Drive Control Logic system that lets drivers adjust the PE Power, Acceleration Sensitivity, Regenerative Brake Sensitivity, and PE Power Balance right from the steering wheel.

10. UFO Jet Ski

Vietnamese YouTuber Tran Long Ho recently created an extraordinary project – a jet ski designed in the shape of a UFO. This endeavor is truly imaginative and is a testament to his dedication and creativity. He has invested some time and energy into crafting this unique watercraft.

The design showcases Long Ho’s creativity, and his ability to transform a whimsical concept into a tangible, functional masterpiece. He has brought a piece of science fiction to life, delighting viewers around the world.

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