LEGO suggests how you can propose with special builds

Are you plannoing to propose on Valentine’s Day? It’s probably one of the most cliched things you can think of. But if you’re thinking of popping the question anytime soon, then this season of love is probably one of the best times to get ideas on how to propose. Aside from just opening a ring box and giving flowers, some need to have a more creative way of getting your partner to say yes. And if you’re into LEGO, then they have some suggestions on how you can do it.

Designer: LEGO

If either you and your partner or both of you are huge fans of the LEGO brand, then it’s probably a given that your future proposal will have something to do with bricks and builds. If you don’t have any idea yet on how to do it, then LEGO has got you. They released an Instagram reel showing off suggestions on how you can use their existing products to create a build to hide a ring and then surprise your partner at the fight moment. Let’s just hope your partner didn’t see that reel (or this article) or else it won’t be such a surprise anymore.

If you’re into LEGO and space, then you can use the rocket ship build with a minifigure astronaut holding the ring inside the cockpit. If you’re more into the traditional kind of proposal with flowers and chocolates, you can have flowers that can last forever, or at least until LEGOs last. The Bouquet of Roses set can be tweaked to hide a ring amidst the roses so that you can surprise them with a proposal while giving them a mix of florals that can last longer than actual flowers.

LEGO also has a heart-shaped box where you can put in a wedding scene inside, perfect for placing a ring and popping the question. Although of course when they see the heart shaped LEGO, they already know something’s up. Probably the cutest (or scariest) of the bunch is the huge LEGO groom where you can hide the ring under his top hat. But again, when they see a groom, they probably know a proposal is coming. The “Propose Like a LEGO Master” reel is great if you’re looking for ideas but it doesn’t really have step-by-step build so you’ll have to rely on community threads for that if you don’t really know how to make those.

The post LEGO suggests how you can propose with special builds first appeared on Yanko Design.

Ocean-inspired rooftop skate park artfully connects earth, sea, and sky

Although these sports take place in very different elements, skateboarding and surfing almost feel like cousins, and not just because they both use boards. Both of them move in waving patterns, whether on sea or even on land, creating a kind of dynamic that feels almost as beautiful and as chaotic as nature itself. If it were possible to surf or skate in the air, we’d probably be doing it just as well, but that’s impossible with current technologies.

This architectural design, however, tries to capture that imagery in a single piece of land washed in blue and white. Standing on top of a commercial building is an unusual skate park, designed to bring three worlds into harmony and create a space that invites both action and rest. It’s a beautiful monument to nature that stands at the center of a bustling city.

Designer: Withing Beyond Studio (via Gooood)

We often think of stake parks as artificial spaces made of concrete and metal, with unfinished and painted surfaces that further reinforce their artificial nature. Despite this, however, the sight of skaters speeding through ramps and obstacles almost feels natural in their ebb and flow. They rise and fall like waves on the seas, pretty much similar to how surfers ride the tumultuous surface of these waters.

This rooftop skate park in Qingdao captures this dynamic and association, using curves and colors that paint the picture of the open seas. It also pays tribute to the coastal heritage of the city, becoming a bridge between sea and sky, while also cultivating the skateboarding culture growing in the region.

The park is also quite interesting in its composition, using a steel frame to handle the load not just of skaters but also of visitors. On top of this, creating the contours and providing solid ground, is a surface layer of concrete. The shades of blue are painted using solvent-free polyurethane coating applied in six layers to withstand the city’s coastal climate.

Opposite the rams are three white spheres, mimicking fluffy clouds floating over a bright blue sea. Thus the skate park becomes not only a venue for sports and action but also a relaxing place for visitors to enjoy this man-made earthen bridge between sea and sky.

The post Ocean-inspired rooftop skate park artfully connects earth, sea, and sky first appeared on Yanko Design.

Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey spotlights four student projects

A photograph of a person's hand pulling a paper receipt out of a till in tones of white and black.

Dezeen School Shows: a project exploring the use of AI to decide one’s future is included in this School Show from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey.

Also included is an investigation into gender inequality and a project exploring the impact of childhood experiences in later life.


Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey

Institution: Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey
School: School of Architecture, Art and Design
Course: Comprehensive project
Tutors: Ángel Ricardo Espinosa Trejo, Daniel García Zurita, José Manuel López Ruiz, Lobsanth David Ortega Tadeo and Miguel Arjona

“Intersections invites us to question current realities and explore new possibilities, through projects that address everything from alternative economic systems to biases in artificial intelligence.

“The exhibition seeks to generate a dialogue about the impact of design in the construction of the worlds we inhabit.

“The direction and coordination of this project has been in charge of Professor Miguel Arjona, who has guided the students to create an exhibition in which design is used as a critical tool to imagine possible futures.

“The projects presented were developed in the comprehensive project class, the last project that the Bachelor of Design students develop in their eighth semester.

“This course allows students to take the initiative and define the direction of their projects, which function as their personal letter of introduction.”


A photograph displaying a stack of ring binder folders on a table, with a clock and pieces of paper on the wall behind them. All the objects are in tones of blue.

The imperfect woman by Monserrath Ceballos Javier

“What if we reversed the roles? This project proposes a critical exercise on historical gender inequalities, exploring a world where women occupy the predominant place.

“From a speculative perspective, it invites the public to reflect on privileges, social dynamics and the changes necessary for true equity.”

Student: Monserrath Ceballos Javier
Course: Comprehensive project
Tutors: Miguel Angel Arjona and Daniel García Zurita


A digital image displaying a black cuboid with white digits and letters on it.

AI is Data by Lorena Zayas de Vizcaya

“Would you trust AI to decide your future?

“This project addresses biases in artificial intelligence systems, analysing how historical data perpetuates inequalities.

“Through an educational tour, the public discovers the impact of automated decisions and the need to question technical metrics in their design.”

Student: Lorena Zayas de Vizcaya
Course: Comprehensive project
Tutors: Ángel Ricardo Espinosa Trejo and Lobsanth David Ortega Tadeo


A photograph of a person's hand pulling a paper receipt out of a till in tones of white and black.

What quadrant are you? by Roxana Gómez Mora

“Can our childhood define how we love? This project analyses the relationship between early experiences and emotional patterns of adults, using artificial intelligence to offer personalised feedback.

“The public reflects on their attachment style and the possibilities of reconfiguring emotional patterns to improve their relationships.”

Student: Roxana Gómez Mora
Course: Comprehensive project
Tutors: Ángel Ricardo Espinosa Trejo and Lobsanth David Ortega Tadeo


A photograph of a person wearing a white shirt, interacting with a design installation, which is situated atop a desk.

Ministry of Economic Speculation by Alejandro Azuara Ruiz de la Peña

“This speculative project imagines a future where economic systems are reconfigured from alternative values.

“Through the creation of future scenarios – possible, plausible, probable and preferable – it invites the public to question and generate alternatives to the current economic model.”

Student: Alejandro Azuara Ruiz de la Peña
Course: Comprehensive project
Tutor: Miguel Angel Arjona

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 Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey spotlights four student projects appeared first on Dezeen.

Architecture Student Invents Brilliant Formwork that Reduces Concrete & Steel Usage

For the foreseeable future, we’re simply not going to stop building with concrete and the steel necessary to reinforce it, despite the carbon emissions producing those materials requires. So it would be better if we could do more with less.

Thanks to research done by Lotte Scheder-Bieschin, a PhD student of Architecture at ETH Zurich, we can. Scheder-Bieschin developed the “Unfold Form,” a reusable formwork system for making vaulted concrete structures. Her method yields a vaulted form that is as strong as a conventionally-built variant and uses less concrete and far less steel.

Even more impressive is that Scheder-Bieschin also designed the formwork to be less wasteful. Creating forms for large, complicated concrete geometry often involves Styrofoam, and the forms are single-use. Scheder-Bieschin designed an origami-inspired reusable form that is easy to transport, as it folds down. It consists of flexible plywood strips joined by nothing more than textile hinges and staples. Each form weighs just 24kg, but can support a literal ton of concrete. And they’re easy to move.

“I was looking for a solution that would allow me to use strength through geometry, not only to optimise the final structure but also the formwork itself,” says Scheder-Bieschin. “This approach reduces material usage and makes the entire process more environmentally friendly.” The formwork’s distinctive geometric structure allows for reductions of up to 60 percent in concrete and 90 percent in reinforcement steel.

“The Unfold Form formwork can be produced and assembled without specialised knowledge or high-tech equipment,” notes Scheder-Bieschin. One of her aims was to create a simple and robust system that could be used worldwide, even with limited resources. Currently, formwork for non-standard concrete shapes typically requires digital fabrication. “This creates barriers for sustainable concrete construction in developing countries, where the need for new buildings is especially high,” she says.

The formwork can be produced cheaply. “The only things needed in addition to the materials are a template for the shape and a stapler,” adds Scheder-Bieschin. The materials for the prototype cost only 650 Swiss francs in total.

The individual components are light and compact enough to transport easily. Scheder-Bieschin demonstrated the system’s simplicity by assembling it herself during her pregnancy. “I wanted to ensure my design was simple enough for anyone to build, regardless of their circumstances,” she says.

Thus far two structures have been built using the Unfold Form, one at ETH Zurich, the other in South Africa. Once Scheder-Bieschin has gained her doctorate later this year, she plans to bring the product to market.

An Origami-Based Recyclable Cardboard Alternative to EPS Foam

Did you know that we had satellites powered by solar panels way back in 1958? I didn’t. But Vanguard I, the second satellite the U.S. ever launched, featured six solar cells powering a mercury battery. The solar-powered design was the result of work by Dr. Hans Ziegler, a German-American scientist who left Germany to work for the U.S. government after World War II.

In the 1970s, Japanese astrophysicist Dr. Koryo Miura was studying the problem of how to get larger solar panels into orbit. He and a colleague, Masamori Sakamaki, started experimenting with origami. They eventually developed the Miura fold, which creases the paper into parallelogram-shaped sections:

It took 20 years, but in 1995 JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) launched the first satellite to feature a Miura-folded solar array. By the 2000s, NASA and their European counterpart, ESA, began studying Miura folds for potential future applications.

The Miura fold was also applied to maps in Japan, by a company called ZeroOne, back in the mid-’90s. And now VTT, a technical research center in Finland, has applied the Miura fold to another humble application: Packaging.

By using cardboard and going extreme with the parallelogram angles, VTT researchers have developed a protective packaging that they reckon can replace EPS foam.

They call the product FOLD. It can be made from wood waste products and is itself recyclable, unlike EPS. As a bonus, package designers will probably prefer FOLD to EPS, as FOLD is a damn sight better looking. “in applications for luxury items, such as in the cosmetics industry,” the researchers write, “the aesthetics of the packaging are an important part of the customer experience. FOLD offers consumers a more premium unboxing experience that is also more environmentally conscious compared to traditionally used solutions like plastic bubble wrap and expanded polystyrene.”

There’s still some more development to be done. Estimates are that fold will be on the market in “3-5 years.”

Apple Research Yields "Expressive and Functional" Non-Anthropomorphic Robot

Apple has a Machine Learning Research department, and it’s yielded ELEGNT, a robotic desk lamp clearly inspired by Pixar. The lamp can be operated by both voice and gesture, and the researchers gave it two modes of doing things: “Expressive,” and “functional.”

In the expressive mode it acts, well, cute, borrowing body language from dogs in order “to interact more naturally with humans. In the functional mode, the lamp simply does what you ask it to do (change the direction of the lighting, for instance) without the theatrics. This will make more sense once you see the demo video:

I like the gesture control and tracking ability, and the projected homework assistance is an interesting feature. But if I owned one of these as a product, I’d only ever set it to functional.

There’s a reason for that. Previously, we looked at Disney Research’s work in designing cute, expressive robots. Their goal was also to enhance human-robot interactions.

Last year I felt this was a promising direction of research, but I’ve rethought that position, giving the way things are going in the world. If right now you were to log onto any forum—discussing politics, truck accessories, gardening techniques, sci-fi books, dog training, whatever—and write a post disagreeing with or questioning a popular opinion, watch how quickly it devolves. It is very easy to get humans to behave rudely. Creating a future where robots are always nice, lulling people to form attachments to them while human-to-human interactions continue to unravel, may not be wise.

CORSAIR Platform:4 height-adjustable desk has plenty of customizable options to setup your desired workstation

Options for standing desks come in plenty and the buck stops at how much modularity there is on offer. The CORSAIR Platfrom:6 standing desk released more than a year ago, punched way above its weight with flexible options for any kind of user – be it a gamer, streamer, or editor. People who used the desk mostly for their workstation setup are satisfied with the build. However, creators with small constraints wished there was an option that was not as wide as the six-foot version.

CORSAIR has listened to those reviews and now created the Platform:4 desk which touts 99 percent of the features of the Platform:6 with a 66 percent reduction in size. Thus, making the highly rated standing desk a perfect fit for small apartments and humble dwellings. Going with the convention, the standing desk comes in quite a few variants, with the Elevate height adjustable models getting all of the features.

Designer: CORSAIR

The modular desk comes with a lot of options to customize your desk setup the way you desire. It has industrial-standard aluminum T-channel rails both under and above to mount accessories, and peripherals, or include functional upgrades. Since fitting two respectable displays on the desk won’t be inherently possible, it comes with a VESA 100 single monitor arm mount that can easily maneuver oversized monitors weighing up to 27 pounds. This arm mounted to the main desk rail allows for the addition of even more monitor arms or other accessories including microphone or webcam mounts. The mount clamps onto the horizontal 3060 bar which means the monitor can move the length of the desk. This is handy when you use laptops or are used to changing your machines more often than not.

Device charging is sorted with in-desk ports including Type-A and Type-C. Cable management is a breeze as the unit has a rapid route wire management system that comprises a sizeable trough hanging below the desk. You can manage cables, power bars, or anything that can hang with ease on this system – no unnecessary bending or snaking of wires here. It is designed keeping in mind the nerdiest of cable managers who can zip tie or Velcro strap wires anywhere on the rig. There is a small space on the front and sides of the desk frame to route cables that are needed for charging your peripherals.

Another lease of freedom comes in the form of the modular T-channel system that lets you bolt extra parts to the desk without any hassle. It comes with standardized fitting slots that work with any third-party accessories so that the user has no restrictions when it comes to setting up their workstation. The side-mounted pegboards can be utilized for keeping headphones, controllers, or anything that you want to keep handy. Also, the top-mounted Multi Frame Pegboard makes positioning cameras, lights, or any professional equipment a breeze.

There is plenty of storage space in the small cubby in the rear for items you need to be stowed away. Of course, you can add a 30 cm desk attachment to extend the size of the desk if you move to a bigger space in the future. As mentioned earlier, the $900 Elevate version is height adjustable with the option to go from as low as 29 inches to as high as 48 inches. The user can set their presets for easy toggle between the preferred ergonomic positions at specific times of the day.

The post CORSAIR Platform:4 height-adjustable desk has plenty of customizable options to setup your desired workstation first appeared on Yanko Design.

Skywalk kitchen by Eggersmann

Skywalk kitchen by Eggersmann

Dezeen Showroom: White Tiger granite and golden-hued bronzed brass combine dramatically in the Skywalk kitchen, designed by British kitchen brand Eggersmann.

Eggersmann aimed to create a “captivating symbiosis” with Skywalk, whose two complementary materials meet in a bold diagonal deliniation across the kitchen island.

Skywalk kitchen by Eggersmann
The Skywalk kitchen combines White Tiger granite and brushed brass

The granite element cantilevers out from the brass base, appearing to float but in fact being firmly anchored to the central structure.

Eggersmann’s design brings out the richness of the materials by giving them a handcrafted finish, bronzing the brass to achieve a warm, cloudy effect that sits elegantly against the intricate natural pattern of the granite.

Skywalk kitchen by Eggersmann
The brushed brass gives a warm, handcrafted feel

As in all of the company’s creations, there is great attention to detail through precise bevels and seamless concealed joints, which adds to the monolithic and luxurious character of the kitchens.

“Every detail counts and has a great impact on the overall appearance of an Eggersmann: every joint, every miter, every screw,” said Eggersmann owner and creative director Michael Wunram. “With this obsession for detail, we create distinctive, one-of-a-kind kitchens. That is our credo.”


Product details:

Product: Skywalk
Brand: Eggersmann
Contact: marketing@eggersmann.com

Materials: White Tiger granite, bronzed brass
Colours/finishes: selected natural stones, metals and veneers
Dimensions: 4260 x 1277 x 1815 millimetres or 4260 x 1277 x 2970 millimetres

Dezeen Showroom

Dezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen’s huge global audience. For more details email showroom@dezeen.com.

Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership content here.

The post Skywalk kitchen by Eggersmann appeared first on Dezeen.

This Single-Storey Tiny Home Cleverly Expands To Create Some Extra Living Space

Last year, Häuslein captivated us with the Grand Sojourner model; this time, they’re back with the Settler! The tiny home is on one floor and has a clever space-saving layout that expands the floor space with a tidy slide-out area. The house is based on a triple-axle trailer and features a finishing of steel and engineered wood. It showcases a length of 30 feet and a standard width of 8.2 feet.

Designer: Häuslein

Access to the home is provided by sliding glass doors that lead into the living room. This area is surprisingly spacious for a tiny house of its dimensions, thanks to a manually operated slide-out section on rails, resembling a large drawer, which is used when the house is parked. The additional space allows for a generous setup, accommodating a large sofa, a TV, and a coffee table.

Adjacent to the living room is the kitchen, which is equipped with an oven, an electric cooktop, and enough space for a fridge/freezer, dishwasher, and washer/dryer. A breakfast bar and ample storage space complete the kitchen area. The kitchen of the Settler opens to the bathroom, which is accessible through a sliding door. Inside, there is a flushing toilet, a shower, and a vanity sink.

The bedroom is located on the opposite side of the house from the bathroom. You can conveniently access it through a sliding door. This saves space, but also adds a touch of modernity. The bedroom itself offers ample headroom, allowing one to stand upright comfortably, which is a luxury afforded by the single-story layout of the home. Inside, you’ll find a queen-size bed that comes with integrated storage solutions, providing plenty of space to keep belongings neatly tucked away. The room also features multiple wardrobes and a skylight fitted with an electric blind, which can be adjusted to let in just the right amount of natural light.

The Settler also offers a wide range of optional extras to enhance your living experience. You can opt for a deck, which serves as the perfect outdoor retreat. You can also select different materials to customize your home. If you want to prioritize sustainability, you can also upgrade to the off-the-grid functionality. This includes a composting toilet, solar panels, and water tanks to ensure a consistent water supply, making it an ideal choice for environmentally conscious homeowners.

The Settler is a simple, single-story home that is quite ideal for couples or small families. It can also be suitable for solo homeowners as well. It offers the essentials and some luxuries in a well-organized and clever space-saving layout. If you’re feeling a bit stuffy and claustrophobic at home, you can easily slide out the adaptable section to create some extra living space. The Settler home is priced at roughly US$93,000, however, the final price can differ depending on the customizations and options you opt for.

The post This Single-Storey Tiny Home Cleverly Expands To Create Some Extra Living Space first appeared on Yanko Design.

Box Two By Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris’s Box Two is fun and challenging game to play—on your own or with a friend or several—and a great example of how good design creates better products and experiences. A multilayered and hybrid online / offline experience, game play beings by choosing one of two directions with the turn of a key, From there a series of different puzzles must be solved, requiring different problem-solving skills and challenges, props, activities and puzzle solving skills. Its clever online component helps share and develop the story. A taxing puzzle, multiple riddles and tasks, and solving a rebus all keep the game compelling and engaging as its layers are revealed.