Retrofuturistic streaming audio player recreates the simplicity of a radio

There is no shortage of powerful and sophisticated media players these days that have almost every and all features you can possibly cram inside. Some of these designs are more upfront with the complexity of options and controls, while others hide behind a deceptively minimalist facade that relegates the knobs and sliders to a mobile app instead. While there is always a place for such advanced devices, there is sometimes also a need for simpler and more focused features. An old-school radio, for example, simply plays music it receives from certain frequencies, and that’s the kind of distilled listening experience that this DIY streaming audio player tries to offer in a retrofuturistic design that looks like a cross between that analog radio, a small TV, and, oddly enough, a miniature microwave.

Designer: Nik Reitmann

Streaming devices are so common these days that it almost makes no sense to make one yourself. After all, our smartphones themselves are capable of these and more, and you can easily pair them with a wireless speaker at home for louder output. Of course, if you value the journey and the process of making such a functional design more than the final product, then you’ll probably want something that at least stands out in more than just appearance alone.

This DIY streaming audio player stands somewhere in between a smart speaker and a smart display, focusing on the streaming audio activity but with a touchscreen display that adds a bit of flavor to the experience. It’s not a touch-only device, however, as its creator preferred to embrace some analog controls, especially a volume dial that seems to be a rare sight on many smart speakers these days. There are also a few LED-lit buttons, though, and the whole setup can be controlled remotely from your phone or even a computer.

The design chosen for the player is admittedly distinctive, embracing an aesthetic that seems to mix different eras. The arrangement of a large display or rectangular element opposite a set of buttons and a knob is reminiscent of analog radios and even some TVs from decades past. The smooth surfaces and curves, however, give it a more modern look that is amusingly close to the appearance of a microwave with a physical knob instead of just buttons. Either way, it’s an interesting design for a dedicated streaming audio player that distills the listening experience to its very basics rather than getting lost in a multitude of features.

The post Retrofuturistic streaming audio player recreates the simplicity of a radio first appeared on Yanko Design.

ASUS ROG NUC mini PC offers a small gaming box with a big catch

Handheld gaming PCs might be the buzzword in the industry, but they’re not the only small-form gaming-oriented computers around. In fact, it’s probably thanks to the relative success of the likes of the Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion GO, and ASUS ROG Ally that the formula for compact gaming computers has been tested and proven. It probably shouldn’t come as a surprise, then, that gaming desktops in mini PC form would be popping up more frequently, like this latest entry from ASUS’ ROG brand that carries in its compact body some pretty big specs, a big legacy, and, unfortunately, an equally big price tag.

Designer: ASUS ROG

Gamers, especially those on the PC side of the fence, might already be familiar with the Republic of Gamers brand, but “NUC” might sound alien to them. The name, which stands for “Next Unit of Computing,” actually came from Intel and was used for the chipmaker’s line of mini PCs. After a decade of existence, Intel decided the product line really bore no fruit, definitely not in terms of profit, and decided to shutter the hardware and license the name to ASUS. Thus, the ASUS ROG NUC is pretty much the merger of two DNAs, one from Intel’s somewhat proof-of-concept mini PCs and the other from ASUS’s gaming house.

Unlike Intel’s NUCs, which were pretty much barebone general-purpose budget computers in a small box, the ROG NUC has the beating heart of a gaming laptop, just crammed in a small box that’s just around two inches thick. That includes an Intel Core Ultra processor, the kind that boasts upgraded AI chops, and an integrated NVIDIA RTX 4060 or 4070, depending on the configuration. There are plenty of ports for connection, as well as options for expanded storage that you can easily access thanks to its tool-less chassis.

While those might sound like juicy features for a gaming mini PC, the starting price of $1,629 makes it look less palatable, or $2,199 for the next step up in specs. For that price, you can already get a respectable gaming laptop with nearly the same or even better specs, and you won’t need to hook it up to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. And unlike a desktop PC, you can’t upgrade anything other than memory and storage, so performance is pretty much a fixed value.

These raise the question of who the ASUS ROG NUC will be for, and the answer is quite a niche market. It will be for PC gamers who don’t exactly need mobility but do have limited desk space for a tower. It might even be for users who already have a more powerful gaming desktop and just need a secondary computer for their office. Either way, these scenarios make that high price tag even less appealing unless ASUS holds a sale immediately after launching the product.

The post ASUS ROG NUC mini PC offers a small gaming box with a big catch first appeared on Yanko Design.

21 Bathroom Cleaning Hacks Using Common Household Items

Maintaining a clean bathroom is not an easy task as it is a frequently used space. However, you don’t have to spend too much time cleaning your bathroom as weekly cleaning should be enough. Here are shortcuts to keep different bathroom surfaces, including the toilet, faucet, tub, and shower, sparkling. These clever cleaning hacks utilize common household items such as baking soda, vinegar, citrus fruits, and so on to keep the bathroom clean.

Designer: Woodio

1. Create an All-Purpose Cleaner

Image courtesy of: Yulia_Panova

Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. This homemade solution offers a safe, eco-friendly alternative to sanitize various bathroom surfaces like shower tiles, sinks, and countertops, leaving them gleaming without streaks.

2. Clear Shower Drains with Baking Soda

Image courtesy of: mirarahneva

In addition to tackling tub stains and tile grout, baking soda is great for unclogging shower drains. Simply pour some down the drain, then follow with hot water to dissolve grime, hair, and other debris lurking within.

3. Descale Shower Heads with Vinegar

Image courtesy of: RossHelen

If you want to thoroughly clean your shower head and household faucets, just pour diluted white vinegar into a zip-top plastic baggie, secure it around the shower head or faucet with a twist tie, and let it sit overnight. This effortless trick naturally dissolves and eliminates stubborn grime buildup.

4. Clean Crevices around Fixtures with an old toothbrush

Image courtesy of: Wdnld

Scrub tight spaces around fixtures with an old toothbrush. The toothbrush is effective at removing dirt from the hard-to-reach corners of your kitchen and bathroom. Simply use it to clean vents, grout, faucets, and other small fixtures and crevices that are difficult to access.

5. Use a Squeegee

Image courtesy of: AtlasComposer

Squeegee your tile, tub, and doors promptly after each shower to swiftly remove water and condensation from glass surfaces. This simple routine aids in preventing soap scum buildup, ultimately decreasing the need for frequent bathroom cleaning sessions.

6. Go for Machine-Washable Shower Curtain Liners

Image courtesy of: wirestock

Shower curtain liners can get dirty quickly. That’s why it’s best to choose liners you can wash in the machine with your regular laundry. Keep a spare liner in your linen closet to switch it out while one is being washed. This way, you’ll always have a clean shower curtain.

7. Use Baking Soda for the Toilet Bowl

Image courtesy of: wirestock

A baking soda container in your bathroom can help extend the time between toilet cleanings. It’s a simple and effective way to keep your toilet bowl clean between thorough cleanings. Baking soda absorbs odors and is slightly abrasive, so sprinkling it generously into the toilet bowl before flushing can lessen the need for frequent use of a toilet brush.

8. Place Silica Gel Packets in the Medicine Cabinet

Image courtesy of: rfaizal707

The small silica gel packets found at home serve a useful purpose. Designed to absorb moisture, placing a few desiccant packs inside your medicine cabinet helps regulate humidity. This ensures the stability of medications and prevents razors from rusting. Remember to store them safely away from children and pets to avoid any choking hazards.

9. Sparkling Clean Windows

Image courtesy of: vvoennyy

Combine one part white vinegar with half a part rubbing alcohol, (look for a 70% concentration) and two parts of water in a spray bottle to create an effective cleaner for bathroom windows, shower screens, and mirrors all in one. For optimal results when cleaning windows with vinegar, choose cooler days without direct sunlight and use a microfiber cloth for streak-free results.

10. Make Your Taps Shine with Lemon

Image courtesy of: ThamKC

If water spots have dulled your taps, rub them with the cut half of a lemon, then rinse and buff. Alternatively, dampen an old toothbrush with water, sprinkle baking soda directly onto the bristles, and scrub the problem areas. Leave for 10 minutes, then rinse and buff.

11. Maintain White Tile Grout with a Toothbrush

Image courtesy of: AtlasComposer

There are several methods to clean grout. You can spray a mixture of half water and half white vinegar on your shower area as you exit the shower, or simply use a bleach pen. Scrub discolored grout with an old toothbrush dipped in a solution of one part bleach to four parts water. Let it soak for a while before rinsing.

12. Clean the Toilet Brush

Image courtesy of: ratmaner

After cleaning the toilet as usual, rinse the brush with clean water. Then, close the toilet seat and lid over the brush handle to let it drip dry into the toilet bowl—this prevents dirty toilet water from getting into the brush holder. Lastly, pour some bleach or white vinegar into the brush holder to keep the brush fresh for next time.

13. Keep the Bathroom Bin Smelling Fresh

Image courtesy of: ThamKC

Bathroom bins can harbor germs and bacteria, so they need regular cleaning. If yours starts to smell bad, it’s likely due to bacteria breeding. However, you can keep it fresh between cleanings by sprinkling baking soda into it every time you empty it.

14. Keep your Mirror Streak-free

Image courtesy of: valeriygoncharukphoto

Wipe off splatters with rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth, then use glass cleaner or plain water on a microfiber cloth, avoiding circular motions. For extra sparkle, buff with white vinegar on a paper towel.

15. Ventilate

Image courtesy of: pro_creator

Make sure to yurn on the extractor fan or open the bathroom window while showering to prevent the growth of unsightly mold. If there’s already mold present, soak mold-stained shower curtains in a diluted bleach solution if they can’t be machine-washed.

16. Perform Routine Spot Checks

Always have a microfiber cloth within reach in the bathroom to swiftly wipe away toothpaste splatters, watermarks, and other stains before they dry and become more difficult to clean.

17. Get Rid of Makeup Stains

Image courtesy of: LightFieldStudios

Remove makeup stains from bathroom mirrors with toothpaste. Apply a small amount to the stained areas, gently rub with a soft cloth, then wipe clean with a damp cloth. Toothpaste’s mild abrasives effectively lift makeup residue without harming the mirror’s surface, leaving it clean and shiny.

18. Use a Chopstick to Access Difficult-to-reach Areas

For weekly cleaning, employ a cloth wrapped around the end of a chopstick to reach tiny spots in your sink. For heavily soiled areas, sprinkle with water and baking soda before cleaning for a deeper cleanse.

19. Consider Citrus Fruits for Cleaning

Image courtesy of: Sepaolina

Harness the power of citrus for effective cleaning. Use lemon to remove water spots from chrome faucets and shower doors, whether by spraying lemon juice or rubbing a cut lemon directly onto the hardware. Combat toilet odors with a DIY paste of lemon juice and baking soda, leaving it for fifteen minutes before rinsing. For tub cleaning, exfoliate with a halved grapefruit sprinkled with coarse salt, scrub the tub, and drain before rinsing with warm water for a refreshing scent.

20. Use Baby Oil

Image courtesy of: romashkacom

Polish away fingerprints and grime from chrome fixtures with baby oil. Apply it using a damp cloth or cotton ball, then buff until you see your reflection.

21. Apply Shaving Cream on Mirrors

Image courtesy of: Lazy_Bear

Shaving cream, containing glycerin, forms a protective layer on mirrors, preventing them from steaming up during showers. Simply spray and wipe off with paper towels to keep mirrors clear. It’s also effective for polishing chrome and stainless steel, thanks to its emulsifiers acting as gentle cleaning agents.

The post 21 Bathroom Cleaning Hacks Using Common Household Items first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sam Crawford Architects creates red-roofed community pavilion in Sydney

Hurlstone Park Community Centre by Sam Crawford Architects

An angular roof wrapped in translucent red-mesh panels crowns this Y-shaped pavilion in Sydney, designed by local studio Sam Crawford Architects.

Located on the disused lawn of a bowls club in Hurlstone Memorial Reserve, the timber-clad structure is designed as a flexible community centre with uninterrupted connections to the surrounding park.

Park and exterior view of Hurlstone Park Community Centre by Sam Crawford Architects
Sam Crawford Architects has designed a red-roofed community pavilion in Sydney

The pavilion hosts a multipurpose function room, kitchen, bathrooms and sheltered outdoor area bounded by low-lying landscaping and loosely defined public courtyards.

By utilising a sculptural Y-shaped layout, Sam Crawford Architects avoided creating a back to the building, ensuring a sense of openness from all directions.

Red mesh roof of Hurlstone Park Community Centre in Sydney
The pavilion’s roof pitches towards the building’s edges

“The building is experienced in the round, with a playful and inviting form, drawing people towards and around it,” said the studio’s founder Sam Crawford.

“We wanted to create a building with a siting and form that promoted different pockets of space for different community use, as well as defining various park entry points and promoting park-user safety,” he continued.

Perforated screens of Hurlstone Park Community Centre by Sam Crawford Architects
The building is raised on a low-lying concrete step

The red-mesh roof pitches towards the building edges and is designed to provide solar protection to clerestory windows along the facade.

By layering screens over the roof and integrating glass doors around the function room, the pavilion’s transparency changes across the day and takes on a shape-shifting quality as visitors move around it.

At night, the centre is designed to “glow in the dark”, becoming a lantern-like beacon within Hurlstone Park Reserve.

“The use of mesh gives an ephemerality to the building as it changes across the day and night with lighting and weather conditions and seasons,” Crawford explained.

“From dusk, the mesh allows a gentle glow from the interior lighting to enhance visibility and safety for people utilising the parks pathways and public transport connections.”

Timber cladding of Hurlstone Park Community Centre
The structure itself is clad in wood

In response to the topography and flood zone constraints, the community centre is raised on a concrete plinth that also demarcates the building edge and creates an elevated viewpoint.

“The form responds to the sloping ground, including the lost creek line,” Crawford said. “A raised floor provides a freeboard for significant stormwater events, as well as spectator seating around the edge of the covered area.”

“It is also a fun edge for kids, and naturally draws people for gathering play, recreation, and ceremony,” he continued.

Interior function room in Hurlstone Park Community Centre by Sam Crawford Architects
The interiors are intended to echo the natural surroundings

The pavilion’s material palette references the natural colours of the park reserve, with pink columns and panels made from spotted gum informed by the nearby angophora plants and trees.

Pared-back internal finishes are intended to be low maintenance and durable, while also acting as a canvas for the community to personalise.

“Spotted gum plywood wraps around the base of the function room, providing a tactile and sturdy material for a space that will constantly see furniture being moved around,” said Crawford. “Grey pinboard lines the mid-section of the wall to allow for those hiring the space to temporarily decorate.”

Hurlstone Park Community Centre in Sydney
A function room is designed to be customised by users

Crawford established his eponymous Sydney-based studio in 1999.

The studio has previously completed a home renovation topped with a hidden garden oasis in Sydney and a restaurant pavilion sheltered by a large steel-framed roof in Parramatta.

The photography is by Brett Boardman

The post Sam Crawford Architects creates red-roofed community pavilion in Sydney appeared first on Dezeen.

This week we revealed plans for supertall skyscrapers and a casino at Hudson Yards

Hudson Yards expansion

This week on Dezeen, plans were announced to expand the Hudson Yards development in New York with a series of supertall skyscrapers and a casino.

Developer Related Companies and Wynn Resorts released a series of renderings showing what the potential skyscrapers could look like, following proposals submitted to the city in February.

The renders show three skyscrapers directly west of the current Hudson Yards development, one of which will have a casino at its base.

Treyam hotel over lake at Neom
A bridge hotel is set to be built at Neom

This week also saw Saudi development Neom unveil its latest hotel resort planned for the Gulf of Aqaba coast, which is being designed by US studio Mark Foster Gage Architects.

Named Treyam, the 250-room hotel will be contained within a 450-metre-long bridge that will be topped with an infinity pool along its entire length.

Dune 2 production designer
We interviewed the Dune: Part Two production designer

Following the release of Dune: Part Two, we interviewed production designer Patrice Vermette about the films sets, which we published alongside a set of exclusive images.

According to Vermette, he put himself “in the position of the architect” when designing the film sets.

Idris Elba
Foster + Partners and Sasaki Associates are designing a city for for Idris Elba

In architecture news, it was revealed that Foster + Partners and Sasaki Associates are designing a smart city for up to a million people in Sierra Leone for actor Idris Elba.

Also this week, Foster + Partners unveiled renderings of an office tower set to be built in Hollywood that will be wrapped in spiralling, plant-filled terraces.

Woodmore Mews housing in Greenwich
“Social housing has become a matter of enclaves and micro-sites” said Owen Hatherley

We continued our Social Housing Revival series with an opinion written by Owen Hatherley, who wrote that “social housing has become a matter of enclaves and micro-sites”.

Also, we interviewed Californian politician Alex Lee, who said that social housing is America’s “missing tool” to solve the housing crisis.

Japan's tallest building by Pelli Clarke & Partners
Japan’s tallest building was unveiled

In Japan, US studio Pelli Clarke & Partners unveiled the country’s tallest skyscraper, which forms part of the Azabudai Hills development in Tokyo.

Named Mori JP Tower, the skyscraper overtook the 300-metre-tall Abeno Harukas in Osaka to become the country’s tallest building.

David Adjaye portrait
Adjaye Associates restructured its leadership team

In other architecture news, Adjaye Associates appointed three CEOs – Kofi Bio, Lucy Tilley and Pascale Sablan – to lead the studio into its “next chapter”.

The revamped leadership structure was announced eight months after the studio lost numerous projects in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against its founder.

New House with Old Mill by RDTH Architekti
A home within an old mill was one of this week’s most popular projects

Popular projects this week include a family home set within an old mill in Slovakia, a house designed to stand up to wildfires in California and a cork-block house in Spain.

Our latest lookbooks featured Mexican holiday homes characterised by earthy hues and interiors where full-length curtains add a touch of drama.

This week on Dezeen

This week on Dezeen is our regular roundup of the week’s top news stories. Subscribe to our newsletters to be sure you don’t miss anything.

The post This week we revealed plans for supertall skyscrapers and a casino at Hudson Yards appeared first on Dezeen.

This week we revealed plans for supertall skyscrapers and a casino at Hudson Yards

Hudson Yards expansion

This week on Dezeen, plans were announced to expand the Hudson Yards development in New York with a series of supertall skyscrapers and a casino.

Developer Related Companies and Wynn Resorts released a series of renderings showing what the potential skyscrapers could look like, following proposals submitted to the city in February.

The renders show three skyscrapers directly west of the current Hudson Yards development, one of which will have a casino at its base.

Treyam hotel over lake at Neom
A bridge hotel is set to be built at Neom

This week also saw Saudi development Neom unveil its latest hotel resort planned for the Gulf of Aqaba coast, which is being designed by US studio Mark Foster Gage Architects.

Named Treyam, the 250-room hotel will be contained within a 450-metre-long bridge that will be topped with an infinity pool along its entire length.

Dune 2 production designer
We interviewed the Dune: Part Two production designer

Following the release of Dune: Part Two, we interviewed production designer Patrice Vermette about the films sets, which we published alongside a set of exclusive images.

According to Vermette, he put himself “in the position of the architect” when designing the film sets.

Idris Elba
Foster + Partners and Sasaki Associates are designing a city for for Idris Elba

In architecture news, it was revealed that Foster + Partners and Sasaki Associates are designing a smart city for up to a million people in Sierra Leone for actor Idris Elba.

Also this week, Foster + Partners unveiled renderings of an office tower set to be built in Hollywood that will be wrapped in spiralling, plant-filled terraces.

Woodmore Mews housing in Greenwich
“Social housing has become a matter of enclaves and micro-sites” said Owen Hatherley

We continued our Social Housing Revival series with an opinion written by Owen Hatherley, who wrote that “social housing has become a matter of enclaves and micro-sites”.

Also, we interviewed Californian politician Alex Lee, who said that social housing is America’s “missing tool” to solve the housing crisis.

Japan's tallest building by Pelli Clarke & Partners
Japan’s tallest building was unveiled

In Japan, US studio Pelli Clarke & Partners unveiled the country’s tallest skyscraper, which forms part of the Azabudai Hills development in Tokyo.

Named Mori JP Tower, the skyscraper overtook the 300-metre-tall Abeno Harukas in Osaka to become the country’s tallest building.

David Adjaye portrait
Adjaye Associates restructured its leadership team

In other architecture news, Adjaye Associates appointed three CEOs – Kofi Bio, Lucy Tilley and Pascale Sablan – to lead the studio into its “next chapter”.

The revamped leadership structure was announced eight months after the studio lost numerous projects in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against its founder.

New House with Old Mill by RDTH Architekti
A home within an old mill was one of this week’s most popular projects

Popular projects this week include a family home set within an old mill in Slovakia, a house designed to stand up to wildfires in California and a cork-block house in Spain.

Our latest lookbooks featured Mexican holiday homes characterised by earthy hues and interiors where full-length curtains add a touch of drama.

This week on Dezeen

This week on Dezeen is our regular roundup of the week’s top news stories. Subscribe to our newsletters to be sure you don’t miss anything.

The post This week we revealed plans for supertall skyscrapers and a casino at Hudson Yards appeared first on Dezeen.

Eight compact garden studios with neat storage solutions

From cantilevered shelves to customisable pegboards, our latest lookbook rounds up eight examples of garden studios with storage designed to make the most of limited space.

Garden studios are becoming increasingly popular in homes around the world, prompted largely by the evergrowing trend of remote work.

Often slotted into small spaces, these structures typically have compact footprints and require efficient storage solutions to keep them clutter-free.

The examples in this lookbook demonstrate some of the ways storage can be suitably integrated within a garden studio, helping save valuable space within their small footprints.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring Mexican holiday homes, full-length curtains and living spaces with swings.


Interior of Cork Study by Surman Weston
Photo by Wai Ming Ng

Cork Study, UK, by Surman Weston

Birch shelves and twin desks cantilever from the walls of Cork Study, which Surman Weston created in the narrow garden of a home in north London.

The set-up was designed to help maximise space within the compact studio, which measures just 13 square metres and was created as a workspace for a musician and a seamstress.

The two desks, complete with their own cubby holes, are broken by a long vertical window in the rear wall, illuminating the workspaces with natural light.

Find out more about Cork Study ›


Interior of a timber and polycarbonate shed with a wood workbench, green floor, metal stool and storage
Photo by Nancy Zhou

Nightlight, New Zealand, by Fabric

Green storage boxes on wheels slot neatly below the workbench of this outbuilding in New Zealand, which occupies the future garden of a home being developed on the site.

There are also slender slats mounted to the wooden framework of the 10-square-metre structure, forming minimalist shelves from which tools can be hung.

Find out more about Nightlight ›


Interior of The Garden Studio by Six Four Five A
Photo by Ashlea Wessel

The Garden Studio, Canada, by Six Four Five A

The founder of architecture studio Six Four Five A built storage into the wooden shell of his tiny studio, which he created in the garden of his Toronto home.

Exposed vertical studs double as supports for shelves and a large standing desk made from birch plywood along one side, preventing cluttering up the 9.3-square-metre space.

Find out more about The Garden Studio ›


Staircase storage
Photo by Jonas Adolfsen

Writer’s Cottage, Norway, by Jarmund/Vigsnæs Architects

This cabin-like studio sits at the end of a garden in Oslo, where it acts as a compact and secluded workspace for the owner who is a writer.

Among its storage solutions is a plywood staircase that incorporates a shelving system beneath it, leading up to a mezzanine sleeping area that tucks beneath its pitched roof.

Find out more about Writer’s Cottage ›


Interior of Writer's Shed by Surman Weston
Photo by Wai Ming Ng

Writer’s Shed, UK, by Surman Weston

Another project by Surman Weston on the list is the Writer’s Shed, a shingle-clad garden studio designed as a writing retreat for an author.

Inside, a cluster of shelves has been built around the chimney of the wood-burning stove, which is used to heat the compact structure. While providing valuable storage space, they are also intended as “a centrepiece for the client to store his library of books”, Surman Weston said.

Find out more about Writer’s Shed ›


Pegboard walls of Terrazzo Studio by Sonn
Photo by Sarah Burton

Terrazzo Studio, UK, by Sonn

In east London, architect Tim Robinson designed and built himself a little studio and workshop at the end of his garden.

The narrow workshop contains a line of storage units raised above the floor, alongside a large pegboard for storing tools. Next door in the studio space, a rear wall of cabinets incorporates a concealed fold-down bed, enabling the space to become a guest bedroom.

Find out more about Terrazzo Studio ›


My Room in the Garden by Boano Prišmontas is on display at London Design Festival
Photo courtesy of Boano Prišmontas

My Room in the Garden, UK, by Boano Prišmontas

This modular pod is a prototype for a garden studio, developed by London studio Boano Prišmontas in response to an increase in people working from home prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Inside, the plywood structure can be fitted out with customisable elements including pegboards from which desks, shelves and storage can be hung.

“My Room in the Garden was created with comfort and customisability in mind,” said the studio. “We wanted to allow people to be able to decide what their interior would look like or how much storage they would have, and we do that by creating a system of interchangeable elements.”

Find out more about My Room in the Garden ›


Writer's Shed interior by Matt Gibson
Photo by Shannon McGrath

Writer’s Shed, Australia, by Matt Gibson

This deceptively spacious garden studio that architect Matt Gibson created in Melbourne is hidden behind ivy-covered walls.

An angular desk slots into one corner, with one side nestled below two generous high-level shelving units on the walls. Plywood was used across all of the surfaces, giving the interior a unified look that adds to the sense of spaciousness.

Find out more about Writer’s Shed ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring Mexican holiday homes, full-length curtains and living spaces with swings.

The post Eight compact garden studios with neat storage solutions appeared first on Dezeen.

Eight compact garden studios with neat storage solutions

From cantilevered shelves to customisable pegboards, our latest lookbook rounds up eight examples of garden studios with storage designed to make the most of limited space.

Garden studios are becoming increasingly popular in homes around the world, prompted largely by the evergrowing trend of remote work.

Often slotted into small spaces, these structures typically have compact footprints and require efficient storage solutions to keep them clutter-free.

The examples in this lookbook demonstrate some of the ways storage can be suitably integrated within a garden studio, helping save valuable space within their small footprints.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring Mexican holiday homes, full-length curtains and living spaces with swings.


Interior of Cork Study by Surman Weston
Photo by Wai Ming Ng

Cork Study, UK, by Surman Weston

Birch shelves and twin desks cantilever from the walls of Cork Study, which Surman Weston created in the narrow garden of a home in north London.

The set-up was designed to help maximise space within the compact studio, which measures just 13 square metres and was created as a workspace for a musician and a seamstress.

The two desks, complete with their own cubby holes, are broken by a long vertical window in the rear wall, illuminating the workspaces with natural light.

Find out more about Cork Study ›


Interior of a timber and polycarbonate shed with a wood workbench, green floor, metal stool and storage
Photo by Nancy Zhou

Nightlight, New Zealand, by Fabric

Green storage boxes on wheels slot neatly below the workbench of this outbuilding in New Zealand, which occupies the future garden of a home being developed on the site.

There are also slender slats mounted to the wooden framework of the 10-square-metre structure, forming minimalist shelves from which tools can be hung.

Find out more about Nightlight ›


Interior of The Garden Studio by Six Four Five A
Photo by Ashlea Wessel

The Garden Studio, Canada, by Six Four Five A

The founder of architecture studio Six Four Five A built storage into the wooden shell of his tiny studio, which he created in the garden of his Toronto home.

Exposed vertical studs double as supports for shelves and a large standing desk made from birch plywood along one side, preventing cluttering up the 9.3-square-metre space.

Find out more about The Garden Studio ›


Staircase storage
Photo by Jonas Adolfsen

Writer’s Cottage, Norway, by Jarmund/Vigsnæs Architects

This cabin-like studio sits at the end of a garden in Oslo, where it acts as a compact and secluded workspace for the owner who is a writer.

Among its storage solutions is a plywood staircase that incorporates a shelving system beneath it, leading up to a mezzanine sleeping area that tucks beneath its pitched roof.

Find out more about Writer’s Cottage ›


Interior of Writer's Shed by Surman Weston
Photo by Wai Ming Ng

Writer’s Shed, UK, by Surman Weston

Another project by Surman Weston on the list is the Writer’s Shed, a shingle-clad garden studio designed as a writing retreat for an author.

Inside, a cluster of shelves has been built around the chimney of the wood-burning stove, which is used to heat the compact structure. While providing valuable storage space, they are also intended as “a centrepiece for the client to store his library of books”, Surman Weston said.

Find out more about Writer’s Shed ›


Pegboard walls of Terrazzo Studio by Sonn
Photo by Sarah Burton

Terrazzo Studio, UK, by Sonn

In east London, architect Tim Robinson designed and built himself a little studio and workshop at the end of his garden.

The narrow workshop contains a line of storage units raised above the floor, alongside a large pegboard for storing tools. Next door in the studio space, a rear wall of cabinets incorporates a concealed fold-down bed, enabling the space to become a guest bedroom.

Find out more about Terrazzo Studio ›


My Room in the Garden by Boano Prišmontas is on display at London Design Festival
Photo courtesy of Boano Prišmontas

My Room in the Garden, UK, by Boano Prišmontas

This modular pod is a prototype for a garden studio, developed by London studio Boano Prišmontas in response to an increase in people working from home prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Inside, the plywood structure can be fitted out with customisable elements including pegboards from which desks, shelves and storage can be hung.

“My Room in the Garden was created with comfort and customisability in mind,” said the studio. “We wanted to allow people to be able to decide what their interior would look like or how much storage they would have, and we do that by creating a system of interchangeable elements.”

Find out more about My Room in the Garden ›


Writer's Shed interior by Matt Gibson
Photo by Shannon McGrath

Writer’s Shed, Australia, by Matt Gibson

This deceptively spacious garden studio that architect Matt Gibson created in Melbourne is hidden behind ivy-covered walls.

An angular desk slots into one corner, with one side nestled below two generous high-level shelving units on the walls. Plywood was used across all of the surfaces, giving the interior a unified look that adds to the sense of spaciousness.

Find out more about Writer’s Shed ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring Mexican holiday homes, full-length curtains and living spaces with swings.

The post Eight compact garden studios with neat storage solutions appeared first on Dezeen.

This Ergonomic Metal Ruler Is The Perfect Stationery EDC Hybrid

Who would have guessed something as simple as a ruler could get a dose of innovation for quality of life? Yes, that’s right as your trusted good old ruler can be way better than what you have lying in your drawer. Meet the 25° Ruler that’ll make all the rulers out there seem dated with its small changes that result in big benefits. Riding on the resounding success of the 30° Ruler this tool is a must-have for everyone who wants the assurance of millimeter perfection in everything that can be measured.

Designer: orangered life

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 Hurry! Only 4 Days Left! Raised over $100,000.

Made out of aerospace-grade aluminum, the lightweight ruler is built for unparalleled precision and durability. To ensure the measurements are perfect every time, the tool is laser-engraved with markings that don’t wear out or fade away with years of use. To make sure this resourceful ruler is useful for anyone out there – be it a student, homeowner, or a professional – there are five different sizes available for convenience. Of course, styling is not ignored here as you can get the 25° Ruler in five different color options as well.

The namesake derived from the angle of the ruler for the best ergonomic working position improves on the successful design of the 30° Ruler. A small improvement that goes a long way in improving usability is the positioning of the measurements of the marks at the bottom edge. So, at any point while using the ruler you don’t have to lean forward to read the markings, thereby enhancing the comfort of use and accuracy of readings taken. A good ruler should have a sharp edge but that can also be counterintuitive to safety – not the case with this ruler though. The hand holding the scale is naturally kept away from the blade with a teardrop-shaped design on the opposite side. This also makes it easy to pick up the ruler from smooth surfaces like a table.

Reading the ruler markings from a distance is very easy thanks to the clear and large fonts. To make sure the ruler is good enough for taking measurements in metric and imperial units. The dual-sided design has the millimeters, centimeters, and inches marked tactfully to make the easy transition. Accuracy is the key feature of the ruler as everything is labeled clearly. The biggest plus is the starting position at zero to ensure there are no blank spaces.

The 25° Ruler is available in five different sizes – the standard S, M, L, and the larger XL and XXL – each measuring 6 inches, 8 inches, 12 inches, 18 inches and 20 inches respectively. The peppy color options liven things up, so you can get the ruler in blue, green, black, white, or orange variants for a price starting at $26 for the standard-sized rulers, or $36 for the larger-sized ones in the early bird deals.

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 Hurry! Only 4 Days Left! Raised over $100,000.

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 Hurry! Only 4 Days Left! Raised over $100,000.

The post This Ergonomic Metal Ruler Is The Perfect Stationery EDC Hybrid first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Telescope Home Merges Into The Sedona Landscape Like A Dark Shadow At Night

Dubbed the Telescope House, this cabin in Arizona is designed by Wendell Burnette Architects, and is created to capture the stunning views while slowly merging into the landscape like a “dark shadow”. This well-designed home is located in Sedona, a high-desert town located around two hours north of Phoenix by car. This area is popular for its red-colored rock formations, arts scene, and outdoor activities.

Designer: Wendell Burnette Architects

Providing framed views of Sedona, the cabin occupies 1600 square feet and is designed for a couple who plans to live there full-time soon. It is a cozy nature retreat, which is rented out when the client isn’t staying at home. “This home is designed to recede into the landscape as a dark shadow,” said Phoenix-based studio Wendell Burnette Architects. The home is rectangular, and is perched on a gently sloping site, and was constructed atop the footprint of another building.

The Telescope House is fitted between rows of old Juniper trees which frame picture-perfect views of Munds Mountain, and a butte called the Cathedral Rock. The home functions as a “land-based telescope”, and it flows towards the framed views in the plan and section.

“The Corten cladding is made of standard-size sheets lapped downslope and folded down N-S elevations as full-height flashing,” the team said. “It is naturally fireproof along with steel-plate window frames.” The exterior walls of the home are wrapped in weathering steel, which protects the home against wildfires.

The interior of the home has a segregation between the private and public spaces. The western side of the home includes two bedrooms and a primary suite, as well as a carport. The eastern side of the home contains a kitchen, living room, and dining area. “At night, the interior and exterior combine to comfortably recede even further into this dark-sky valley community,” said the team. The walls, ceilings, floor, doors, and cabinets have all been crafted from recycled wood panels infused with a dark pigment and then buffed and waxed, which allows the interiors to seamlessly merge with the exterior and the surrounding landscape.

The post The Telescope Home Merges Into The Sedona Landscape Like A Dark Shadow At Night first appeared on Yanko Design.