for this top 10, we decided to put together the most amazing projects that were motivated by social matters. the designers and architects that made them know their role and responsibility in society, and with their work, they aim to generate changes. this year we received several thousand submissions from our readers, with designers, artists and architects from across the globe sending through a diverse range of works that we have shared with our audience over the last 12 months.

we believe that maintaining an open dialogue with creatives is extremely important, and we are happy to showcase the high level of original projects of our readership. from emergency modules to housing activities, we highlight 10 social impact projects from our reader submissions of 2015.

framework house in cambodia by building trust international and atelier COLE

image courtesy of building trust international

building trust international and atelier COLE, in collaboration with habitat for humanity cambodia, presented their latest creative housing scheme. ‘framework house’ is a low-cost accommodation project that allows NGOs and government programs to provide families in need with quality, long-lasting shelters. the design is customizable; clients and/or families are able to directly change the looks and environments to fit their needs via layout and material selection. with each dwelling, the ‘framework’ program incorporates lessons on sustainable building techniques, healthy home principles, and presents detailed options for future expansion and investment.

cam thanh community center in vietnam by 1+1>2

image courtesy of hoang thuc hao, vu xuan son

hoi an city, vietnam boasts a thriving ancient quarter complimented by a breathtaking seashore. cam thanh, a small district in the southeast quadrant of the city, is just as brilliant. mangrove forests crisscross waterways, with abundant coconut trees and small dispersed villages. the area has everything necessary to succeed, except one thing. connection. while hoi an draws countless tourists, lack of transport between the two has left cam thanh overwhelming poor with a low standard of life.

the district was in critical need of a physical platform to act as a community hub. with a good system to provide linkage between different social, scientific, and economic groups, creating tourist opportunities with sustainable development initiatives would be considerably easier. the ‘cam thanh community center’ by 1+1>2 was designed to fulfill that purpose. located in the commune’s core, the plan includes three buildings that flow continuously within their surroundings. 

social education construction in haiti by kenbe design/build

image courtesy of kenbe design/build

kenbe design/build is a social business founded on the desire to confront the endless complexities of enabling sustainable social progress. using backgrounds in architecture and construction, the company set out to create buildings that are equal both in volume and educational value. through research, it became clear that community engagement, the teaching of skills, and providing jobs were the three conduits to their mission. incorporating the local populace was obvious, how they would go about doing so — not so much.

to incorporate as many people as possible, kenbe often finds ways to adopt unknown materials and techniques into every project. latanyé, a natural material traditionally used for furniture and mattresses, is used in walls and as window coverings in the ‘RH secondary school’. in a remote area, bas-citronniers, bamboo is plentiful but not used for construction. in a school built there, locals were trained on how to use the organic material rather than expensive and dangerous concrete.

earth home project in pakistan

image courtesy of earth home project

‘earth home project‘ asks the question of what architecture can do to help defend against the very-growing problems people in developing countries have to face. the scheme started back in 2011 in pakistan with the aim of trying to help rebuild houses that had been destroyed during the flood of 2010. a land area of 160,000 km² (nearly 20% of the country) was hit. the poorest regions were the ones most badly struck. 15 million people were affected and 6 million people lost their homes. for most of them it is strictly impossible to erect their houses on their own because they lack the necessary means to do so.

the initiative helps residents rediscover traditional building techniques, while insuring improvements made to the design contribute to the stability and sustainability of the construction. the project therefore focuses on using local materials that can easily be procured by anyone; mud and lime are used as bricks, insulating and binding material, as well as bamboo for the flat-roof structures.

deployable emergency module by architecture students of the pontificia universidad católica del perú

image courtesy of felipe ferrer cárdenas

the student research team at the design studio of the facultad de arquictura of the pontificia universidad católica del perú has created the ‘deployable emergency module’, built in response to the aftermath of natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, etc., that have hit the peruvian coast. the aim of the project was to create a housing structure that could be responsive to the characteristics and peculiarities of a specific climate, transportable, modular, easy to fold and unfold, strong, and resistant. the result is a self-supporting structure that achieves equilibrium thanks to its radial distribution that restricts movement.

care collection in malawi by super local

image courtesy of super local

knowing that malawi barely has its own manufacturing industry, business, and institutions including hospitals, super local paired with local communities and craftsmen to collaborate on the design of a new set of hospital equipment called ‘care collection’. malawi’s hospitals work with neglected equipment because in order to get the good quality ones, they need to be imported and most of the times are very expensive, or too technical or of poor quality. super local saw an opportunity here, following their philosophy of working with a human-centered approach, supporting the local economy, finding solutions in the country itself, creating employment and encouraging entrepreneurship. the complete ‘care collection’ featuring hospital equipment of good quality has been completely developed and has now received their first orders.

nepal school reconstruction by indian architecture students

image courtesy of dipon bose, samya ghatak and rishabh sharma

the rebuilding of a school in chhoprak, gorkha, nepal was carried out by two graduating architecture students from the birla institute of technology, mesra — dipon bose and samya ghatak, along with a freelance architect based in delhi, rishabh sharma. following the devastating earthquakes in nepal, a rebuilding effort was mobilized to erect structures before the monsoon season hit in full force. as time went on, in rural areas especially, temporary and makeshift tents became commonplace, housing everything from shops to schools.

the educational centre’s program is focused specifically on the shree sarbodaya lower secondary school in the remote himalayan village of chhoprak, in the gorkha district of nepal. funding and volunteer support was provided by kathmandu based NGO, rescue gorkha. two structures were erected; one completely new and the other a reconstruction of the original schoolhouse destroyed during the earthquakes.

gohar khatoon girls’ school in afghanistan by masters of architecture students at the university of washington

image courtesy of nic lehoux, gohar khatoon girls’ school 

in june 2015, the ‘gohar khatoon girls’ school’ opened its doors in downtown mazar-i-sharif, afghanistan. the facility is run by the balkh province ministry of education, and is fully integrated into the national schooling system. ‘gohar khatoon’ was designed and realized by a multi-national team composed of afghans, iranians, and americans. development was funded by the janet w. ketcham foundation and sahar, and extensive research was provided by masters of architecture students at the university of washington.

the complex is approximately 1,600m², and replaces a building — formerly a school — that was in a severe state of disrepair. ‘gohar khatoon’ educates girls and young women from kindergarten through grade twelve, acting as a gateway to mazar-i-sharif’s multiple universities. upwards of 3,000 students attend the institution daily, effectively positioning it as a vital source for female education in an important urban location.

urban farm in new york by bromley caldari architects

image © anastasia cole plakias, brooklyn grange rooftop farm

bromley caldari architects, in collaboration with acumen capital partners & brooklyn grange LLC, renovated a 300,000ft² building in long island city, new york. originally a seven story commercial loft building, it has since catered to a range of industries including media, architecture, fashion, film, and printing, and design. as part of the $USD 10,000,000 overhaul, the 42,000 square foot rooftop was transformed into an urban rooftop farm.

smart floating farms concept by forward thinking architecture

image courtesy of forward thinking architecture

given current trends, it’s estimated the world’s population will reach 9.1 billion by 2050, which will in turn rise food demand by up to 70%. the planet’s nations are already facing extreme challenges in the business and practicalities of feeding their peoples, made worse by an increasingly agitated, erratic global climate. society’s dependence on fossil fuel technologies, paired with a universally homogenized palate will inevitably be our downfall. moving forward, horticulture needs to focus less on increasing production, and more on minimizing imports, preserving land, and educating citizens on localized, self-sufficient solidarity. 

javier f. ponce of forward thinking architecture, in collaboration with jakub dycha, conceptualized ‘smart floating farms’ as a vision to the future of agribusiness. the concept is a commercially-viable off shore farming alternative, which would work in tandem with traditional growers to produce families with fresh, organic goods. the semi-automated, sustainable system will, they hope, drive communities towards healthier diets — the concept doesn’t include production of red meats or poultry; as well as decrease environmental destruction, and aid in food security and resilience. 

The post TOP 10 reader submissions of 2015 – social impact appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

the last twelve months have seen a host of bold and innovative architectural interiors completed across the globe. with more and more companies understanding the importance of an appealing and engaging commercial setting, architects and designers are being asked to apply their skills to the medium of interior design. from rice stores in tokyo to high-end boutiques in new york, we’ve rounded up ten of the most interesting retail interiors that caught our eye in 2015.

camper pop-up store by francis kere

image © eduardo perez

earlier this year — in conjunction with the vitra design museum’s ‘making africa’ exhibition — a pop-up shoe store designed by diébédo francis kéré opened on the famous campus. developed as a joint venture between vitra and footwear company camper, the three month project explored experimental ideas for new retail concepts.

pigemnt art supply store by kengo kuma

image © warehouse terrada

japanese company warehouse terrada opened an ‘art supply laboratory’ in tokyo — a scheme that also serves as a hub, connecting manufacturers with emerging local artists. named ‘pigment’, the store has been completed by architect kengo kuma whose design comprises organic curved surfaces that closely resemble bamboo blinds. beneath the undulating ceiling, pigments are displayed along the spacious interior walls, grouped according to their color.

new york’s valentino store by david chipperfield

image © santi caleca

situated on new york’s fifth avenue, the design continues the new store concept developed for valentino by david chipperfield architects in 2012. however, the project also integrates new developments, with the building incorporating a slim, transparent eight-storey façade composed of black steel and aluminum. internally, a completely new accessories concept is adopted, with terrazzo perimeter walls defining the scheme.

book center in trieste by sono architects

image © žiga lovšin

interpreting the architectural aspects of its italian context, sono architects crafted this book store with a distinctive, continuous shelving system. on the exterior, the scheme inhabits an early 20th century palace building, and despite its historical setting, the architectural approach towards the interior was to upgrade the existing scheme with contemporary additions in order to create an internal ‘scenery’.

kindo children’s boutique by anagrama

image © anagrama

earlier in 2015, creative studio anagrama completed the playful rebranding and interior renovation of the children’s boutique ‘kindo’ in monterrey, mexico. the concept is reminiscent of a didactic bead maze made up of geometrical shapes. this classic toy has been cleverly adapted into the interiors, where the colored tubes can be seen winding through the space.

okomeya rice store by schemata architects

image © kenta hasegawa

in tokyo, schemata architects transformed an existing timber building into a small rice store intended to stimulate commercial activity along a once prosperous shopping street. the design was commissioned by OWAN, a local company who are striving to regenerate the district with a series of new outlets, including a coffee shop and a larger café. 

miu miu aoyama by herzog & de meuron

image © miu miu

italian fashion house miu miu opened a new store in tokyo’s aoyama district, designed in collaboration with renowned swiss architects herzog & de meuron. internally, products are presented on tables and in display cases, while a range of sofas and armchairs ensure that the shop serves as a place to linger and enjoy the store’s ambiance.

stockholm camper store by nendo

image © joakim blockstrom

in march, nendo completed his third retail space for camper in stockholm. the interior scheme is based on rolled paper-like structures, which display the footwear on their naturally formed pillars. 2mm-thick resin flooring material has been spun into self-supporting structures serving as presentation platforms that give a sense that the shoes are balancing on paper sheets. 

FEIT shoe shop by jordana maisie

image © nicholas calcott

new-york based shoe store FEIT has opened up at a new location in the west village. the distinctive interiors were designed by jordana maisie, who paired the use of natural raw materials with digital technology. this unique identity demonstrates a clean aesthetic of geometric shapes formed by volume and void.

aesop store in são paulo by metro + paulo mendes da rocha

image © leonardo finotti

metro arquitetos again collaborated with renowned brazilian architect paulo mendes da rocha to complete aesop‘s first store in latin america. adding to the cosmetic brand’s growing list of crafted boutiques, the são paulo outlet uses robust, locally sourced materials, complemented with handmade patterned cement tiles traditionally used for domestic flooring.

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in 2015, we saw robots become more adaptable then ever before. now, they ride motorcycles, automate hotel concierge, and cook you dinner. continuing our annual review, we highlight 10 of the most important stories involving robots from the past 12 months. 

japanese hotel serviced by robots

image courtesy of (c)huis ten bosch / j-16683

in the heart of nagasaki japan, the ‘henn na’ hotel – which translates to ‘strange hotel’, is pushing the envelop of hospitality with robots at the front desk, as well as porter and locker services. the smart hotel aims to realize an entirely new low cost intuitive that provides a comfortable stay and world class productivity. 72 rooms of the 144 total rooms, will be headed by the kawazoe lab at the university of tokyo to help with any design and technical problems that may occur. further financial support will be provided by the the kajima corporation to see the success implementation of the endeavour. the robot staff will correspond appropriately according to customer information, and will communicate with enjoyable warm conversations.

motobot developed by yamaha

image courtesy of yamaha

irst featured at the 2015 tokyo motor show, the conceptual project is an autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot built around a fusion of yamaha’s motorcycle and robotics technology. the research and development department is presently underway with the desire of developing the yamaha ‘motobot’ to ride an unmodified motorcycle on a racetrack at more than 200 km/h.

team DRC HUBO wins the 2015 DARPA robotics challenge

image courtesy of university of nevada las vegas, howard r. hughes college of engineering

DARPA robotics challenge (DRC) finals is all about the robot and the tough course laid out before it. it is a sequence of eight tasks that the robots need to complete in 60 minutes of less. 23 teams showed up from all around the world, including japan, germany, italy and the united states, but only one team could take home the $2.0 million (USD) funding prize. the 2015 winner of the two day event was ‘DRC-HUBO’ from a joint team which included researchers from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, and team ‘KAIST‘ from south korea, with a score 8 out of 8 tasks completed and a time of 44 minutes, 28 seconds. 

moley automated kitchen

image courtesy of moley

tartup company moley, has created a robotic kitchen featuring an advanced, fully functional robot integrated into a professional kitchen. the prototype cooks with the skill and flair of a preprogrammed master chef and is set to launch in 2017. it’s the product of 12 months of development in collaboration with shadow robotics, yachtline, DYSEGNO, sebastian conran and standford university professor mark cutkosky. a pair of full articulated robotic hands reproduce the entire function of human hands with the same speed, sensitivity and movement. sophisticated yet compact, it will feature integrate an oven, stove and touchscreen unit.

four-legged boston dynamics spot robot

image courtesy of boston dynamics

the electrically powered and hydraulically actuated boston dynamics ‘spot’ robot, developed for both indoor and outdoor operations, has a sensor as a head to help it navigate closed environments and rough terrains. as its four-legs would suggest, the 72kg weighing machine has been designed to walk, run and manoeuvre similarly to how animals do, and can also keep its balance when shook or knocked suddenly. the advanced cyborg is the latest development from the team of former massachusetts institute of technology members, who is now a wholly owned subsidiary of google inc, and are best known for their previous work with DARPA, the US army and sony corporation, as well as on their ‘big dog’, ‘LS3′ and the ‘rise v3‘ projects.

micro hydro robots

image courtesy of wyss institute at harvard university

an international team of scientists from seoul national university, harvard’s wyss institute for biologically inspired engineering and the harvard john a. paulson school of engineering and applied sciences have just unveiled a set of robotic insects that can jump off of the water’s surface. the robotic insect was built using a catapult mechanism that can exert up to 16 times its own body weight, which allows this kind of extreme movements.

RIKEN’s ROBEAR robot

image courtesy of RIKEN

following on from the ‘RIBA’ and ‘RIBA-II’, the ‘robear’ robot, developed by scientists at RIKEN and sumitomo riko company limited, has created an experimental nursing care apparatus that aims to help japan’s rapidly increasing elderly population. the bot is capable of performing tasks such as lifting a patient to and from a bed or wheelchair, and providing assistance to those who need help to stand up. it is lighter than its predecessors, weighing just 140kg compared to 230kg, and incorporates a small base.

timo boll and KUKA duel

image courtesy of velvet

in a duel of precision, speed, and athletic superiority, professional table tennis player timo boll and the KUKA KR ‘agilus’ face off once again. after a previous crushing defeat, it was clear that the ‘agilus’ was searching for revenge. rather than athletics, this bout is a test of musical creativity. what starts as a high-speed match of simon says, quickly turns into a full-out sprint featuring lightning fast anticipation of moves, unbelievable reaction times, and pin-point precision.

kids hack day’s quirkbot robots

image courtesy of kids hack day

the ‘quirkbot’ robots are hackable toys for those aged 10 years old and above, that can be built from drinking straws, LEDS and hobby motors, and programmed via kids hack day’s website. the microcontroller machines are designed for beginner thinkers, educators, artists, inventors, engineers and anyone who wants to have some creative fun. they can be constructed and customized without the need for soldering, using the materials of the swedish company’s collaborative partner, strawbee.

robot musio

image courtesy of AKA

artificial intelligence is a concept very hard to ignore, and takes form in many different ways. the technology is bundled in smartphones to complex severs connected all around the globe. AKA wants to bring a friendly face to the AI community with ‘musio’, a personal robot for the home. the company focuses on machine learning and natural language processing that integrates big data to more effectively deliver communication tools, such as speaking, writing facial expressions and gestures. the ‘musio’ uses internet connectivity to help with interactions, basic tasks, as well as redefine itself as an educational tool to help children learn. 

The post TOP 10 robot stories of 2015 appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

educational architecture is a powerful tool for stimulating creativity, as well enhancing concentration, motivation and understanding. whether it is at kindergarten, high school or university, the environment in which we study directly influences how knowledge is absorbed. 2015 saw a wide range of educational facilities promoting sensitivity towards landscape, flexibility, and the future. with this in mind, design can be utilized not only for gaining skills, but also for bringing communities together. take a look at our TOP 10 educational facilities, realized this year, which caught our attention.

ilima school by MASS design group

the structure boasts a large suspended roof that provides extra shade from sun
image © MASS design group / african wildlife foundation

MASS design group completed its first conservation school in the rural congolese jungle village of ilima in collaboration with african wildlife foundation. using exclusively local materials, construction was carried out by community members, who were trained and employed throughout the duration of the process. this transfer of knowledge will allow community members to maintain their school building, ensuring that the building does not fall into disrepair, and leave villagers with practical and employable skills.

burntwood school by allford hall monaghan morris

the english school features faceted precast panels that correspond to a 7.5 meter structural grid
image © timothy soar

having won this year’s prestigious RIBA stirling prize, the transformation of ‘burntwood school’ by  allford hall monaghan morris in south-west london saw the introduction of six new structures within an existing educational campus. teaching spaces are arranged along a central corridor with voids and double-height volumes positioned at each end to increase natural daylight and make visual connections with the exterior. the distinctive exterior with faceted precast concrete panels, correspond to a 7.5 meter structural grid, which is then playfully arranged to create an intriguing series of internal spaces.

OB kindergarten by HIBINOSEKKEI + youji

a rope-made climbing tunnel allows children to climb up onto the roof
image © studio bauhaus, ryuji inoue

this year, HIBINOSEKKEI + youji no shiro designed various kindergartens in japan which go beyond the normal design of learning spaces for young children. highlighting that playing and learning should go hand in hand, a variety of niches has been integrated into the space. the building itself has been raised up with a cafeteria composing of an internal and external dining terrace. meanwhile, a loft accessed by a rope-made tunnel allow the children to climb and be greeted with a rooftop terrace facing the ocean.

royal institute of technology (KTH) by tham & videgård

the six-storey scheme includes a sunken garden and roof terrace
image © tham & videgård arkitekter

based on a layout that encourages movement across the campus, the scheme by studio tham & videgård seeks to accommodate and encourage circulation both in and around the building. the structure is clad with a corten steel exterior that relates to the adjacent early twentieth century brick surroundings, while the interior is designed to be robust and flexible. curving walls create a free flow of contiguous space that enhances a sense of openness rather than enclosure. ‘views and paths are extended through the structure with spatial conditions more akin to a landscape than a traditional institutional building,’ explain the architects.

marseille’s school of architecture by PAN

the building sits on a north-facing slope overlooking picturesque surroundings
images © luc boegly

the extension by PAN architecture is seen as a continuation of the architectural landscape, the design sees three ground level workshops with a simple autonomous building united. stone pathways connect the scheme, meandering between the site’s existing trees and the terrain of natural rocks. the façade facing the primary ENSAM building is clad with vertical metallic strips, while the opposing elevation presents corrugated iron walls.

mama smile by emmanuelle moureaux

the playground illustrates the designer’s recognized use of color
image © daisuke shima / nacasa & partners

emmanuelle moureaux uses color within the interior of mama smile in hopes to help children boost their concentration, enhance imagination and promote better communication- where in japan, this particular method in japan is called ‘iro-iku’. composed of several areas with their uniquely allocated functions, there is plenty of room for the children to run around, a special crawling area for younger adolescents and an adjacent cafe with floor cushions for adults to keep a careful watch. the space features the continuous use of an archetypal house shape- something that children  easily relate to. painted in shades of pastel yellow, pink, lime green, orange and blues, each individual play house divides the space and simultaneously overlaps views- stimulating curiosity and encouraging discovery. 

bergeron centre for engineering excellence at york university by ZAS

a canopy of translucent petals is supported by slender columns
image © doublespace photography

the bergeron centre by ZAS architects contains 15,700 square meters of floor space on five levels rising from the campus to create a ‘landscape of learning’. challenging the norm of educational architecture, the organization of the campus has been inverted. with no lecture halls; the boundaries between students and faculty have been seamlessly integrated to promote flexible learning. presenting itself as a hub for entrepreneurship, collaboration, and creativity, the institution has an ambitious mandate for gender balance – the first engineering school of its kind in canada.

slovakian kindergarten by architekti sk

the front of the kindergarten faces a vineyard
image © tomáš manina

in a quaint winery village of limbach, a kindergarten constructed amidst a flourishing vineyard was designed by architekti.si. with a total area of 935 sqm, the constricted, rectangular plot features four interconnecting archetypal volumes with pitched roofs and interrupted with different sized, playfully arranged windows. the south-east facing façades overlook the vineyard, meanwhile each pavilion is arranged offset from one another and clad in varying materials.

louis michel and louis aragon high school by archi5

Rhe existing campuses have been extended and a new cafeteria, student housing and sports hall have been added
image © sergio grazia

archi5 united two secondary schools together in a project which sees the re-establishment of the connection between two separate campuses. post-construction, the architects have strategically put in place a clearer design; enabling the connecting routes from both campuses to be more accessible and safer. furthermore, long ramped walkways acts as a link that joins the two schools together- forming a path between the playgrounds of louise michel school and louis aragon thus, unifying the two institutions. 

mopi primary school by mareines + patalano arquitetura

at night, the exterior becomes semitransparent, and the silhouettes of people inside become visible
image © leonardo finotti

in a leafy neighborhood of rio de janiero, brazil, mareines + patalano arquitetura‘s design of the high school features a façade derived from an abstraction of a tree. half of the building overlooks a mountainous national forest, meanwhile the other is a busy avenue connecting the city’s west to north zones. the U-shaped plan was conceived as four separated volumes which is interconnected by outdoor balconies to encourage passive cooling. the classrooms are clad with translucent channel glass which invite natural light in without distracting the pupils.

The post TOP 10 educational facilities of 2015 appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

TOP 10 reader submissions of 2015 – product design

product design has to keep up the rhythm as new materials emerge, production forms evolve, and business plans change. objects fill our lives making them easier to handle and sometimes more aesthetic. we received several thousand submissions from our readers, with designers, artists and architects from across the globe sending through a diverse range of works that we have shared with our audience over the last 12 months.

we believe that maintaining an open dialogue with creatives is extremely important, and we are happy to showcase the high level of original projects of our readership. from a water mobility device that references reptiles to juicers made of hand-blown glass, we highlight 10 product design projects from our reader submissions of 2015.

fujiyama glass by keita suzuki

image © of kenta hasegawa

the ‘fujiyama glass’ by keita suzuki of product design center, is an elegant truncated cone that when filled, portrays the snowcapped peak of mt. fuji. meant specifically for beer, different brews and froths change the scene. the miniature mt. fuji radiates gold with pale ales, gleams in sunrise with amber ales, and looms in darkness with dark lagers. anywhere in the world, the ‘fujiyama’ promises a brief reunion with the mountain, and with japan.

bamboo tube products by samy rio

image courtesy of samy rio

bamboo, due to its natural characteristics and abundance, is practical as a substitute for products traditionally produced in plastics or metals. the wood requires considerably less processing, and is in fact, already a semi-finished product for the get-go. by rethinking the design and manufacture of products, it’s possible to create in a controlled, sustainable cycle. 

french industrial designer samy rio completed a phase of experimentation surrounding the possibilities of bamboo in terms of plasticity and technical ability. the internal layout of revised objects are completely redesigned, allowing for greater reparability and easier disassembly. through research, rio created a hair dryer. bamboo is an efficient alternative for the product due to its strength and high resistance capabilities. it can be easily disassembled to replace or fix any broken pieces, and it also creatively gets rid of the need for a switch. in the foldable model, the dryer starts by unfolding the handle. in the other version, a simple rotation of the bottom section of handle starts the unit.

OP-vase by bilge nur saltik

image courtesy of bilge nur saltik

‘OP-vase’ is a series of vessels conceived by turkish designer bilge nur saltik, presented at ventura lambrate during milan design week 2015. the capsules seek to create the impression of a bouquet with only a single flower through visual distortions, multiplying colorful petals throughout the spherical space. the glass shield’s kaleidoscopic properties have a magnifying effect, creating the impression of numerous abstracted botanicals. 

the collection is composed of three vases in different sizes, each with their own unique pattern of cuts made from thick, hand blown glass, and formed with exacting precision to create the desired optics. tinted in blue and green, the shields not only augment the image of the flower, but add a subtle colored hue in addition to their own.

you can buy it directly from the designboom shop here

reptile by jet capsule

image courtesy of jet capsule

italian brand jet capsule introduced the ‘reptile’ in 2015. the unit now features a complete carbon fiber shell and reinforced hull. it’s about 500kg lighter than standard versions and total weight remains under two tons–stock 2495kg. the ‘reptile’ is painted with tri-tone mixed green, a bold color not often seen on the water. an improved engine, the illmor MV8, has a peak power of 570 HP at 6000 RPM.

increased power of the motor and decreased weight give the capsule heightened maneuverability and a maximum speed of up to 50 knots. in addition, the hull underwent slight modifications to increase stability for high-speed cornering. all seats are equipped with anti-shock suspension systems and the interior can be customizable with italian alcantara or leather. the ‘reptile’ is tailor-made and assembled in italy. 

kiss lid by jang wooseok

image courtesy of jang wooseok

korean designer jang wooseok created the controversial ‘kiss’ coffee cup lid, bringing a human touch to the action of drinking. users experience the sensation of kissing via the full lips and protruding nose which makes for awkward incidental contact, just like the real thing! (only not, because you’re probably just drinking coffee.)

rush-weaving series by gaa

image courtesy of gaa

rush-weaving artisans have continually seen a decrease in business due to the pervasiveness of industry. with mass-produced options readily and cheaply available, individual craftsmen and small collectives have had to take steeply discounted pay to make ends meet. the taiwan yuan-li handiwork association is dedicated to keeping traditional crafts — and the people who have dedicated their lives to them — afloat.

finland-based designer chia-en lu, founder of gaa, worked with the association to produce her first product, the ‘rush-weaving series’, a collection of simple, modern baskets; each is handmade in taiwan by master craftswoman xueyun wen. the woven patterns are local to the area and have passed down generation-to-generation for more than 280 years.

you can buy it directly from the designboom shop here

juicer by elinor portnoy

image courtesy of elinor portnoy

the kitchen counter isn’t merely a working station, it’s also a display open to admiration, judging, and comment by friends, family, and guests. appliances and tools have the potential to be decorative, sculptural elements; much like a bookend on the shelf, or a paperweight in the office. ‘juicer’, by royal college of art student elinor portnoy, is an exploration into the form and function of a kitchen tool. 

each ‘juicer’ is composed of multiple layers of colored glass, handblown by a skilled artisan at RCA. using a cold-working method, portnoy was able to peel off layers, forming it into the perfect shape for squeezing fruits. colors were drawn from different fruits and their vibrancy makes ‘juicer’ feel as much like an art object as a functional one. the inner portion is bubbled — to reduce weight — and the outer layer is sandblasted to create a strong, reliable grip. 

intertidal deployment object series 2 by something like this design

image courtesy of something like this design 

generally, the integration of natural materials is done so for the elements’ innate beauty, vivid colors, or practical and functional values. that’s not the case with the ‘intertidal deployment object series 2′ by something like this design; who created a collection of ceramic projects adorned with, of all things, barnacles. the studio, a collaborative effort between trygve fast and jessica swanson, was particularly interested to work with the sea-growing organism for their unique complexity and raw-appeal. 

exploration of the concept takes form as a modular system of interchangeable forms that can be submerged into an ocean environment one section at a time. once marine life has grown, the piece(s) can be removed and collectively assembled into a finished product. through consultation and collaboration with the oregon institute of marine biology, the project was educated in the vast vocabulary of nautical hardware and equipment, as well as the technical constraints of barnacle growth.

auxiliary tools by gareth ladley

image courtesy of gareth ladley design

a chef’s greatest tool is their knife, with a nice piece of steel and a mission, a master handler can complete dozens of tasks. secondary to the sacred-status blade is a wide-range of other products, all handled by an equally diversified kitchen crew. every piece of equipment and every body present is crucial to the efficiency of the establishment, and gareth ladley thinks there’s room for one more: an in-house designer.

to showcase the concept, ladley created a range of tools with additional insight provided by chef diarmuid rogan and his crew. included are: an egg spinner for in the shell scrambling, aerator for froths and similar needs, spinner for plating, and a custom-made lathe for peeling and sculpting. at the heart of the line, is a single handheld power source that plugs into all devices. it’s the hope of ladley that by using only one element equipments that would ordinarily sit idle — done by hand rather than by machine — will be used as they should be. 

fuzzy logic project by marta santambrogio

image courtesy of marta santambrogio

in 2014, european parliament passed a notion that will force automobile manufacturers to make all electric vehicles audible for pedestrians by 2019. for those unfamiliar with the issue; it’s entirely possible that an electric car could follow a person walking, at less than five feet distance, and that person would have no auditory awareness whatsoever that there’s a vehicle less than an arm’s length away. as is now known, having silent vehicles isn’t plausible, but the cadence of a million car horns and busted exhaust manifolds is hardly better.

musically-inclined designer marta santambrogio offers a different solution. a silent vehicle is basically a blank canvas, on which anything can be projected, so why not turn them into music making machines? the car becomes a mobile speaker, traffic transforms into a musical experience. as long as the populace doesn’t have an affinity for speed metal or riff raff — the daily commute could quite possibly be a pleasant experience.

to test the concept, known as the ‘fuzzy logic project’, santambrogio and a small team of collaborators packed up and took off to india: the mecca of noise pollution. tuk tuks, the ubiquitous symbol of modern india, were the chosen subject of experimentation. given the fact that every day more people drive the tiny vehicles than the populations’ of germany and the UK combined — nearly 150,000,000 — changing the tuk tuk, was by extension, changing india itself.

The post TOP 10 reader submissions of 2015 – product design appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

over the past year, 3D printing projects and experiments have continued to develop and expand manufacturing capabilities. 2015 has seen the continuation of independent companies and start-ups exploring new production extents, with worldwide-industry brands researching modern possibilities. continuing our annual review of the year’s BIG stories, we round up the numerous 3D printing projects that caught our eye in 2015.

american standard ‘DXV’ line

image courtesy of american standard

north american plumbing and building product manufacturer american standard, revealed a ‘DXV‘ line of metal 3D printed faucets that revamp the way water cascades into the sink. the process opens new creative possibilities for the design and function of faucets, permitting original ways to present water with a entirely different user experience. the faucets were made using a method of 3D printing called laser sintering. the way the procedure works, is a computer guided laser beam fuses powdered metal into the shape with high heat and pressure. a solid metal block arises out of the powder, with the unique waterways embodied inside. 

MX3D 3D print metal bridge modeled by joris laarman

image courtesy of joris laarman for MX3D

heijmans, a dutch construction and civil engineering company and design software company autodesk have teamed up with local startup MX3D to create a 3D printed steel bridge that will be located in the centre of amsterdam, netherlands. the bridge will incorporate complex geometries that will be designed by joris laarman lab. the project will display innovative ways of building and a natural step in realizing a more automatic construction site.

‘I strongly believe in the future of digital production and local production, in “the new craft”,’ describes joris laarman. ‘this bridge will show how 3D printing finally enters the world of large-scale, functional objects and sustainable materials while allowing unprecedented freedom of form. the symbolism of the bridge is a beautiful metaphor to connect the technology of the future with the old city, in a way that brings out the best of both worlds.’ 

united nude + 3D systems 3D-printed shoes

image courtesy of united nude

pushing the boundaries of rapidly developing technologies and showing the sculptural and experimental qualities that 3D printing offers, united nude joins forces with 3D systems for a major collaborative exhibition presented during milan design week 2015. the architectural shoe exhibition ‘re-inventing shoes’ highlights five exclusive 3D-printed shoes, conceived by a select group of the worlds leading architects and designers: ben van berkel, fernando romero, michael young, ross lovegrove and zaha hadid.

the select group of high heels embody an overall investigation and exploration into the union of wearable design, functionality, production methods, aesthetics and technology and using the highest quality of 3D printing — selective laser sintering — in a hard nylon and all-new soft rubber material in their realization. each shoe presented for ‘re-inventing shoes’ is available as a up to 50 pair limited edition. ‘re-inventing shoes’ is on show at teatro arsenale, via c. correnti 11 within the 5vie art + design quarter during milan design week 2015.

DX toronto presents 3DXL – a large-scale 3D printing experience

photo by victoria fard

the DX | design exchange in toronto brings forth some of the world’s most innovative and challenging 3D printing projects realized across a range of fields — from design to science to architectural construction — in an exhibition entitled ‘3DXL’. curated by sara nickleson, DX curator and director of collections, ‘3DXL’ elaborates on the history and technical robotics of the now prevalent technology. while still a bit of a mystery for some, the show seeks to break down the components of 3D printing and demonstrate its relevance and importance in the world of design and architecture, as well as in medicine.

VULCAN: the world’s largest 3D-printed architectural pavilion

image by laboratory for creative design

beijing design week 2015 makes history with the reveal of VULCAN, the world’s largest 3D-printed architectural pavilion. within the central atrium of the high-tech commercial/office complex of parkview green, the guinness world record award winning design spans overhead visitors in an arched configuration. laboratory for creative design (LCD) has developed a radical way of using the technology with the support of novel design techniques and construction methods applied on an architectural scale.

adidas and parley 3D printed shoe made from ocean plastic waste

image courtesy of adidas

at the parley talk at COP21, adidas and parley for the oceans demonstrated how the industry can rethink design and help stop ocean plastic population with a innovative footwear concept – a 3D printed ocean plastic shoe midsole. 

‘world leaders forging an agreement is wonderful, but we shouldn’t need to be told to do the right thing,’ explains eric liedtke, adidas executive board member responsible for global brands. ‘the industry can’t afford to wait for directions any longer. together with the network of parley for the oceans, we have started taking action and creating new sustainable materials and innovations for athletes. the 3D-printed ocean plastic shoe midsole stands for how we can set new industry standards if we start questioning the reason of what we create. we want to bring everyone from the industry to the table and create sustainable solutions for big global problems.’

mediate matter + MIT glass lab 3D glass printing

image courtesy of mediate matter group

from core forming processes for bead making in ancient egypt to metal blow pipe glass methods during roman times, mediate matter group at the MIT media lab had to looked back to develop an innovative way to print vases. the process called ‘glass 3D printing’ (G3DP) is an additive manufacturing platform designed to print optically transparent glass. the geometry and optical change prompted by form, transparency and color alteration can drive notable implications for all things glass. 

danit peleg 3D prints fashion collection at home

photo courtesy of daria retiner

for her fashion graduate collection at shenkar, danit peleg wanted to do something very different. she skipped the sewing machines and fabrics, and went straight towards 3D printing machines. it was a struggle, because she barely knew anything about the technology, and creating entire dresses from home scale 3D printers hasn’t really been done yet. influenced by triangular painting compositions, her first piece was a red jacket. using 3D rendering software called blender, just produced files that danit started experimenting with a variety of materials and printers. alongside the help of 3D printing experts techfactoryplus and XLN, she got her hands a different printers polyactic acid plastics (PLA).

AUDI 3D printed drivable all-metal replica of a grand prix classic

image courtesy of AUDI

to push the limits of their 3D printers, AUDI’s toolingmaking branch has produced a model of the historical grand prix sports car ‘auto union typ c’ from the year 1936. the company is now examining further possible applications of metal printers for the production of complex components. 

the focus was the implementation of metallic 3D printing and 3D sand printing methods. the 1:2 scale model of the ‘silver arrow’ used metal printing to produce all the metallic parts where the process they utilized a selective sintering laser to melt all the layers of powder. it allows the production of components with complex geometries, which with conventional methods could not be produced. within the volkswagen group, there are a totally of 14 toolmaking units in nine countries, which are used to help make more components out of aluminum and steel for a range of different car bodies.

hsbLABS develop software to drive 3D architectural printing

image courtesy of hsbCAD

to fully captivate its audience to their concepts, architects are always in need to visually embody their latest computer-aided drawings into 3D forms. ‘hsbLABS‘, a research and development branch of hsbCAD, refined their software application that now can take those architectural home sketches and form them into 3D printable models, with an added bonus of making them linkable for rapid assembly.  the product works seamlessly with ‘autodesk architecture’, but in 2014 managing director alex vinckier wanted to take an advanced step and evolve it to combine ‘autodesk revit’ and the 3D printing insurgency.

The post TOP 10 3D printing stories of 2015 appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

throughout 2015, a number of getaways and resorts have been established, occupying a variety of landscapes in unusual locations. the destinations form places of escape, often in remote or picturesque settings, offering a break from an ever more hectic world. although similar in function, the ten selected schemes are incredibly diverse in form, providing guests with tranquil and calming temporary residences. continuing our annual review of the year’s big stories, we take a look at the getaways and resorts that caught our eye over the past 12 months.

awasi patagonia by felipe assadi arquitectos

image © fernando alda

perched on the hillside of a private reserve directly overlooking the neighboring lake and mountain range, felipe assadi was charged with constructing ‘awasi patagonia’ in chile. the getaway features twelve lodges which have been carefully organized and distributed on the grounds of the site to ensure privacy for the guests, and at the same time, frame sweeping views.

manshausen island resort by snorre stinessen

image © siggen stinessen

situated in the steigen archipelago off the coast of northern norway, this adventure resort on manshausen island has been designed by architect snorre stinessen. completed for polar explorer børge ousland, the scheme responds to both the island’s topography, and the site’s two most prominent structures — an 18th century farmhouse and the existing stone quays.

naman spa and resort in vietnam

image © hiroyuki oki

the vast naman spa and resort in vietnam includes of eighty bungalows, a hotel, six VIP villas and twenty villas. masterplanned by vo trong nghia architects, the overall concept of the scheme was to use nature and the environment to provide a relaxing and healing space for guests — both physically and mentally. this has resulted an array of facilities, including a spa, yoga, beach, bar and restaurants; all of which display a consistent, harmonious mix of bamboo, green and stone construction.

sky lodge adventure suites in peru

image © natura vive

hanging from a sheer cliff face in peru’s sacred valley of cuzco, three transparent capsules have been installed, providing accommodation for particularly intrepid guests. to reach the sleeping pods, lodgers must first climb 400 feet (122 meters), or hike an challenging trail using ziplines before enjoying the impressive views of the mystical valley.‬ ‪

vivood landscape hotel in spain

image © vivood landscape hotels

nestled in southeastern spain’s guadalest valley, a sustainable luxury resort has opened its doors to guests. the inaugural vivood landscape hotel comprises 25 independent suites, which are lightly and unobtrusively perched above the rugged, undulating terrain. the retreat also includes a fine dining restaurant and lounge bar, a panoramic swimming pool, and a host of private terraces and jacuzzis.

sobreiras – alentejo country hotel by future architecture thinking

image © joão morgado

surrounded by cork and olive trees, miguel correia of future architecture thinking / FAT was charged with designing the sobreiras – alentejo country hotel. located an hour from the portuguese city of lisbon, the destination sits on a hilltop comprising eight volumes which use a suspended structure to enable them to gently rest above the rough terrain.

the cocoon tree can be hung in any location

image © cocoon tree

weighing only 60 kilos, the cocoon tree is a spherical and versatile den based on a reinterpreted tree house. fitted with a mattress, the robust form has been crafted with aluminum and is wrapped in a waterproofed canvas, where six cords are used to sustain suspension, and another six employed for lateral stability. customizable to the user’s needs, mosquito screens, fans or even heating devices can be fitted.

wanda vista xishuangbanna resort by OAD

image © chen he

chinese studio OAD office of architecture and design celebrated the recent inauguration of the wanda vista xishuangbanna resort. located on a lush mountainside in the chinese province of yunnan, the luxury complex includes 151 villas, a conference center, spa, pagodas and accompanying amenities. the architecture relies heavily on the traditional chinese forms that historically shaped the landscape. walls of stone and roofs of wood form a series of structures that elegantly blend the contemporary with the vernacular.

lima duva resort in thailand by IDIN architects

image © spaceshift studio

located on the popular island destination of koh samed in thailand, IDIN architects have designed a romantic and family getaway in the form of lima duva resort. the design process involved creating a retreat for the many couples visiting the island, as well as the needs of larger families. the different buildings on the site making up the various facilities and private rooms have been given their own identity, while immersed in the region’s lush scenery.

relux hotel in greece by A31 architecture

image © yiannis hatjiaslanis

located on the greek island of ios, A31 architecture has completed the transformation of an existing hotel. the site has had a complete overhaul with facilities and services upgraded to suit its 4 star boutique identity. taking advantage of site specific features such as the thriving micro-climatic, distinct topographical conditions, and the existing vegetation, the combination of white walls and stacked gabions allows the building to blend seamlessly with its setting.

The post top 10 getaways and resorts of 2015 appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

whether sculpted from sugar, photographed in a booth, or projected on urban façades, 2015 saw a number of international artists using animals as a theme for their creative work. projects like the leather wunderkammer of biological curiosities by zim & zou for hermès, and street artist hua tunan’s chaotic yet controlled painted tiger embody the range of techniques and mediums creatives use to interpret the natural world through art. take a look below at 10 of designboom’s most popular art projects featuring animals in 2015.

zim & zou fills hermès’ cabinet of curiosities with leather creatures

image courtesy of zim & zou

zim & zou have referenced the inherent magic in museums of natural history for their storefront installation at hermès maison in shanghai. biological curiosities from large birds and butterflies to fish and insects have been intricately crafted from hundreds of paper and leather pieces, soured using offcuts from hermès workshops in paris. layer-upon-layer of meticulously cut feathers, fins and tiny feet form an eclectic array of vibrantly-colored sculptural critters like peacocks, owls, caterpillars and crabs. thematically, the scenes are influenced by nature — the two main windows relate to air and water, while the two smaller ones about earth. infilling both displays, the creatures form a wunderkammer of interesting and artistic characters, where passers-by can suddenly experience a walk through the corridors of a mysterious museum, straight from the street. 

jennifer angus wallpapers renwick gallery with a pattern of 5,000 exotic bugs

photo by ron blunt

the smithsonian american art museum‘s renwick gallery reopened to the public this november with ‘wonder’, an exhibition which has seen the complete transformation the entire museum into an immersive artwork. one of the featured artists is wisconsin-based jennifer angus. upon entering her installation for, visitors encounter a hot pink-painted room, seemingly a wallpapered domestic space from the victorian era. in fact, the textured wall pattern is entirely made up of insects. collected from southeast asia, 5,000 bugs showcasing their natural, unaltered colors cover nearly every inch of one of the renwick’s galleries, wrapping the interior in iridescent greens, vivid blues, and pearly mauves. ‘in the midnight garden’ sees the careful placement of these shimmering winged and walking species into spiraling designs, ornamental motifs and starry-eyed skulls. the immense potentially reshaping the perspective of these creepy crawly creatures.

hua tunan’s chaotic yet controlled painted tiger blends textures + techniques

image courtesy of hua tunan

combining traditional, asian-influenced motifs and contemporary public art practices, chinese graffiti artist hua tunan has painted the image of a roaring tiger with gold, black and white pigment. rendered on a towering canvass wall, tunan has formed the monumental image by spraying, throwing and catapulting different hues onto the solid surface, where the layered textures become an integral part of the final result. the performance-like personality of the painting process, characteristic of the artist’s overall approach, lends itself to a chaotic yet controlled composition where the animal image is formed by the fusion of various textural qualities. from sketch book to pen to paint brush, the work takes shape over the course of multiple trials and techniques, finally forming the dynamic image of the dangerously-realistic wild creature.

blank william sculpts a series of wild animal stormtrooper helmets

image courtesy of blank william

new york-based designer blank william has reinterpreted the familiar features of star wars stormtroopers as a series of wild animal armor. three species — a rhino, hippopotamus and elephant — have each been sculpted with the same aesthetic qualities as the fictional film soldiers, characterized by glossy surfaces and gilded gold details. ‘the new order’ collection has been realized in two versions, white and black, each which see animals’ facial features warp and distort to suit the style of stormtroopers’ distinctive plastoid body armor. for the ‘black’ set, elephant tusks, the rhino horn and hippo ears are wrapped in a glistening golden hue; in the ‘white’ series, these same parts are coated in a cool chrome finish.

julien nonnon projects a safari of smartly-dressed wildlife on the streets of paris

image courtesy of julien nonnon

since the start of september, passersby paris’ picturesque buildings and boutiques have encountered a spell of ephemeral graffiti projected onto the architectural landscape. artist julien nonnon has scattered an ‘urban safari’ around the french capital, illuminating images of smartly-dressed wildlife on the city’s structures and surfaces at night. the series of short-lived souvenirs include ‘hip’ animals donning unusual outfits, like a cheetah clothed in a bomber jacket and an eagle sporting a suit and tie. each of the figures are named after the streets they newly inhabit, including the flannel-wearing ‘lemur of montmartre’ and smoking ‘shepherd of clignancourt’.

humane society of utah snapshots adoptable dogs in a photo booth

image courtesy of the humane society of utah

the humane society of utah recently enlisted photographer guinnevere shuster to come up with a creative and playful way to show the unique personalities of their adoptable dogs. in order to most closely capture the quirky character of each breed, shuster snapped photo booth portraits of each pooch in various positions and poses — blankly staring at the camera, shyly looking to the side or mid-bite. the square format photos of each dog, featured on the facebook of the humane society of utah, is coupled with a short description and details about their age and size for potential adopters.

shauna richardson sculpts life-size crochetdermy animals 

image courtesy of shauna richardson

UK-based creator shauna richardson has developed a technique using crochet to sculpt realistic life-size animals she has coined ‘crochetdermy’. using materials like coarse wools, mohair mixes, glass eyes, and reproduction claws, richardson painstakingly renders the anatomical features of baboons, lionesses, hares and bears. autonomously working over a period of months, the artist clearly links the craft of taxidermy with crochet, marrying two creative methodologies and modes of preservation. ‘my work is entirely hands-on’ richardson describes. ‘I use the traditional craft of crochet in a not so traditional way and have developed my own freestyle technique which I use to respond to, and highlight, the anatomy of each piece asIi go along. no two pieces are ever the same. it is meticulous work, typically using mohair yarn and a 3mm hook.’

simen johan digitally constructs an imagined animal kingdom

image © simen johan / courtesy of yossi milo gallery

through the careful digital manipulation of photographs taken from geographical locations across the globe, simen johan constructs an otherworldly animal kingdom. his ongoing series ‘until the kingdom comes’, depicts the natural world as something familiar, yet undeniably surreal. while many photographers shy away from the reality of using computer tools like photoshop to enhance and distort the content of their work, johan not only admits it, but describes it as an essential part of his practice. ‘its rare that I see something that I want to simply photograph and not change at all’ he tells national geographic. ‘when constructing or manipulating images, I’m still limited by whatever raw material I’m able to capture on film, but I have more creative freedom to be imaginative.’

aki inomata forms hermit crab habitat as a japanese wedding chapel

image courtesy of aki inomata

japanese artist aki inomata continues her series of 3D-printed, architecturally-influenced hermit crab habitats with ‘white chapel’ — an animal shelter formed in the shape of a japanese wedding site. these built structures, which at first glance appear to be ordinary chapels, are actually religious facilities solely meant for nuptials. although only 1％ of japanese people are christians, 60％ of weddings in japan are held in christian-style buildings. these all-white structures tend to reproduce an eclectic mix of many styles, such as gothic and romanesque — an appropriation which has probed inomata’s investigation of their origin. 

candy craft: edible amezaiku sugar sculptures by shinri tezuka 

image courtesy of shinri tezuka

young japanese artisan shinri tezuka — one of only a handful of remaining amezaiku practitioners in japan — has completed a series of hyper-realistic sculptural edibles. amezaiku is the traditional japanese folk art of sculpting candy into a variety of shapes, using tools such as tweezers, scissors and softened candy heated to a temperature of 90°C. a sugar base is prepared beforehand, using a starchy syrup recipe that requires careful monitoring to ensure proper consistency and appearance. the mixture is then kneaded, pulled by hand, and formed into a large ball, which is then reheated to make it pliable again. the artist puts their hand into the hot mass to pinch and sculpt the necessary material, then quickly rolls and mounts it on a stick. finally, the mass is then pulled, twisted and clipped into form — typically an animal or insect with intricate characteristics. 

The post TOP 10 art projects featuring animals in 2015 appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

2015 was a year full of architectural visions that delighted our eyes and excited our imagination. we received several thousand submissions from our readers, with designers, artists and architects from across the globe sending through a diverse range of works that we have shared with our audience over the last 12 months.

we believe that maintaining an open dialogue with creatives is extremely important, and we are happy to showcase the high level of original projects of our readership. from habitable wind turbine parks to dystopian landscapes, we highlight 10 architectural visions from our reader submissions of 2015.

black gold project by chris collaris design

image courtesy of chris collaris, ruben esser, sander bakker, & patrick van der gronde 

high rise developments, airports, science and technology centers, universities, chain hotels, shopping malls, and museums now fill the deserts of the southern gulf region. the unprecedented financial boom of some arab states have caused the area great wealth, and with it an ever-increasing amount of cultural criticism and aversion towards examples of some of the world’s most unconsidered, pretentious architecture. to reconnect the area to the root cause of its mass-expansion, chris collaris design — along with ruben esser, sander bakker, and patrick van der gronde  — created the ‘black gold project’.

the concept involves the conversion and renovation of mega oil-tankers for land-based use. organization of interior storage volumes and tanks provide nearly infinite possibilities for adaptations and functional applications. double steel walls are able to facilitate a sustainable climate suited for either short or long visits.

casa brutale by OPA

image courtesy of OPA

‘casa brutale’ is an unclad statement of simplicity and harmony in contemporary architecture. the conceptual residence, by OPA (open platform for architecture), is a chameleonic living space that teeters on the high cliffs above the aegean sea. it is a study of aesthetics, structure, function and engineering, waiting hopefully to be built.

the design draws directly from adalberto libera’s italian masterpiece casa malaparte; but rather than sitting above ground, it’s encased by the tender earth surrounding. the home is constructed with simple materials like wood, glass, and raw concrete, putting the focus on the landscape and ocean. nothing extends above the ground level, and impact is limited to a single façade that separates the vertical cliff face.

wind pecker by goetz schrader

image courtesy of goetz schrader

‘wind pecker’ is a project by german designer goetz schrader that envisions the concept of inhabiting wind turbine parks. the design arose out of an increased awareness to the appearance of large wind turbine structures on both the sea and land. wanting to transform the large energy sources into something more than just functional machines, they are rendered as habitable dwellings. 

tower gardens by ODA

image © moso studio

the current trend towards ultra-slender residential towers in manhattan reflects a seismic shift of global wealth towards the private sector. traditionally, NYC’s skyscrapers stood as a testament of corporate dominance, but this new typology of super tall, thin buildings heralds both a new program and function. ODA architecture responds to this phenomenon by conceiving an architectural scheme that adapts to the latest living demands.

heir concept is a tower that melds urban living with the dream of a suburban backyard. they imagined this by stretching an NYC tower vertically beyond its original program, inserting gaps of around 5 meters in height between every two floors. these voids contain full sculptural gardens equal to the floor area of the building, and that would be directly accessible from each apartment.

glassroots cactivism by ali chen

image courtesy of ali chen

as california prepares itself for another year in drought conditions american and international professionals — of all sectors — continue their efforts to end the water crisis. online publication archinect recently held ‘dry futures’, a competition that casts architecture as a primary role in creating water-use infrastructure. the contest was split into two categories, speculative and pragmatic, the former of which was won by ali chen for her project, ‘grassroots cactivism’.

chen’s proposal reframes the situation to reach beyond the individual, and focuses on creating a higher level of organization and direction moving forward. ‘grassroots cactivism’ utilizes the nopales cactus, a drought tolerant plant that’s fit for both human and animal consumption, and remarkably, is able to effectively clean polluted water. of the plant, the cacti mucilage — or inner pulp — can be adapted to improve and revolutionize existing wastewater management systems.

lighthouses by adrian labaut hernandez

image courtesy of adrian labaut hernandez

for his ‘lighthouses’ series, cuban graphic designer adrian labaut hernandez illustrates structures with a beacon of golden light on top. these buildings are presented in desolated landscapes rendered black and white, except for the illuminating detail, giving an overall melancholic sensation.

hernandez comments on his lighthouses stateting that they are, ‘destined never to be happy, isolated beings on earth, without any attachment to life, except for a few workers who hear the winds from the top and the song of the sea in what becomes their house. they don’t ask for much and don’t expect much either.’

milan’s alternate architectural landscape by adrian labaut hernandez

image courtesy of adrian labaut hernandez

continuing his ‘alternate architectural landscape’ series — previous designboom coverage here — adrian labaut herandez pictures the future of milan. hernandez describes the work as, ‘a city absorbed in its will for development, exposed to the omission of the real values of architecture, replaced for the rapid ‘resolution’ of the present issues.’ as in the original works, each illustration is presented against a current backdrop of its setting. 

hong kong last resort by kelvin ip

image courtesy of kelvin ip

it’s 2047, and on the fringes of an overthrown hong kong lies a massive citadel; home to the deposed rebels of the fallen city. through carefully deployed urban planning, emboldened architecture, and symbolic sculptural motifs, the fictional creation by kelvin ip is a warning, and critique, of china’s trajectory. deemed the ‘last resort’, the project explores key points and critiques surrounding british colonial rule, the credibility of the one country, two systems policy, and issues raised by the pro-democracy umbrella movement.

swim or sink by mayank thammalla

image courtesy of mayank thammalla

maldives is a small island nation located roughly 600 kilometers (370 miles) of the south-western tip of india. it has a population of approximately 330,000 spread amongst 192 of the areas 1,000+ islands. between the country’s near-equator locale, perfect sand, and lush blue-green water — it sounds like a paradise; and it is, for now. maldives possesses another interesting trait, it has the lowest average ground elevation in the world, sitting a mere 1.5 meters (4′ 11”) above sea level. 

herein lies the republic’s problem. as oceans rise — currently about 3.5mm (0.14”) a year — the islands will continually sink deeper into the depths. by year 2100, given current trends, water will rise anywhere between 0.8 to 2 meters (2.5′ to 6.5′). asides from swamping most coastal cities worldwide, the height increase would essentially render the maldives and its people extinct. to address the inevitable relocation of the maldivian people and culture, mayank thammalla created the ‘swim or sink’ project.

SALT yacht by lujac desautel

image courtesy of lujac desautel

freelance architecture and yacht designer lujac desautel, well known for his nomination for the 2014 young designer of the year award by the boat international media, unveiled the luxurious ‘SALT’ yacht to follow the‘glass’ concept, envisioned in 2014. designed to provide passengers with a flexible, transparent and honest life aboard, its framework enables people to transform and engage the watercraft with the sea. its steps that fold down to the water, glass façade that slides open like a curtain, and its rear beach club, puts people at water-level and looks as if it’s built up from the ocean.

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the past 12 months has seen a wave of innovative bike designs using advanced materials and radical frames to drive the industry in new directions. urban areas have seen a major increase in bicycle usage, and designers have reacted with principal changes to functionality. as we continue our annual review of the year’s BIG stories, designboom rounds up 10 bike designs which were popular with our readers in 2015.

robert egger’s ‘fUCI’ concept

image courtesy of specialized

 specialized creative director robert egger is feeling that burden, and needs to vent, creatively speaking. he’s come up with a concept bike named ‘eff you see eye’ or ‘fUCI’. it represents everything UCI (union cycliste internationle), the governing body of every major bike tour in the world, wants to keep regulated. 

‘the UCI really caters to a very small population, but there’s so many other people out there who couldn’t care less about the UCI,’ describes creative director robert egger. ‘they don’t follow the racing and they don’t even know all the limitations that are put on bikes for the UCI riders. so, my feeling was let’s design a bike for someone who really just wants to go fast on a road bike.’

corridor bicycle by david roman

image courtesy of david roman

during 2015 dutch design week at the design academy eindhoven graduation show, david roman lieshoutexhibited his ‘corridor bicycle’. the project concept has been designed to fit, like the name suggests, in a corridor and is meant for people constantly carrying their bikes into their homes. the compact, light weight aluminum frame can be easily carried and hung on the wall from a single hook.  

‘arvak’ by keim

image courtesy of keim

named after the horse pulling the sun on its way across the sky in norse mythology, the ‘arvak’ by keim is a quest to construct a responsive cycle that echoes the themes of nature. to achieve a stiff and lightweight monocoque frame, the french company vacuum laminated up to 50 layers of white ash with a high modulus resin between each. to optimize the orientation of each layer to maximize strength, the team had to develop their own method from scratch. three coats of marine grade finish protect the wood layers from weather and dirt.

velonia bicycles ‘viks carbon’

image courtesy of velonia bicycle

to celebrate its second year, velonia bicycles created the ‘viks carbon’, a much lighter version of the original. they built the carbon fiber frame with all riders in mind who are constantly looking for the latest and edgiest technologies. the frameset weighs four kilograms compared to the standard stainless steel seven kilograms. the ‘viks carbon’ in its complete configuration, equipped with gates carbon belt drive and aerospoke wheelset. 

canyon ‘speedmax CF SLX’

image courtesy of canyon

to enhance the aerodynamics, canyon took a different system to their computational fluid dynamics analysis and wind tunnel testing. the aim was to create the most efficient setup at 50 km/h, so the re-evaluated ‘speedmax CF SLX’ has a reconsidered geometry to further enhance its ride and handling performance. by optimizing the steering angle, they have further improved the bike’s high-speed stability. thanks to the vast array of adjustments possible around the seat and cockpit, it is easier to achieve a more compact and efficient riding position. from the frame’s tube profiles to the form of each individual component, every element has been shaped and sculpted in the pursuit of absolute aerodynamic efficiency.

gi flybike

image courtesy of gi flybike

o transform urban commuting around the world, a trio of argentineans, lucas toledo, agustin agostinoy, and eric sevilla, created the gi ‘flybike’, a foldable electric bike ready for the future. lightweight and simple, the bike folds in one motion for seamless portability. after researching countless other means of transportation, the team realized that a mobile phone connected bike was still the best way to get around any city. with an equipped three speed assistance propelling motor, their mission was to challenge and improve every aspect of a traditional design. the electric motor helps riders up hills and manages to travel 64 kilometers on one charge. capable of syncing with both android and iOS, the bicycle has a GPS tracking system, a full-view navigation system, a smart-lock anti-theft system, and a USB charging port. 

BME ‘b-9 nh black edition’

image courtesy of BME design

BME designs took a more minimalistic direction and created the ‘b-9 nh black edition’ with a stealth approach to resemble the classic ‘F-117 nighthawk’ aircraft. the bicycle features a carbon fibre frame and fork weighs 8.8 kilograms and is built to withstand the abuse of the ruthless urban environment.

a rare one piece carbon stem handlebar is a unique addition, which follows the same motifs of sharp angles and aerodynamic lines. the matte black paint also covers the CNC machined allow cranks and the BME’s own carbon ‘s72’ saddle with a single bolt setting customization.

leaos solar electric bike

image courtesy leaos

with a set of fully integrated solar panels, the leaos ‘solar electric’ bike can self-sufficiently produce enough energy for usage of up to 30 km/day. this builds upon the previous ‘2.0’ model which is capable of reaching speeds of 45 km/h but relies on a battery driven by plug-in power. however, when the energy levels are shown on the handlebar display as insufficient, the latest version can also re-energize via connection with conventional sources.

eleven twenty seven ‘erembald’

image courtesy of eleven twenty seven

noticing that the vast majority of bikes are mass produced and lack an identity, eleventwentyseven’s ‘erembald’ bicycle solves this issue, using laser-cutting technology to meet the needs and desires of the rider. made from full stainless steel and stripped of all non-necessary features, the two-wheeler features an individual and organic pattern that is influenced by cellular structures. adding extra individuality, the owner’s name can be engraved in between its integrated lock. this flexible manufacturing method enables small batch production and the creation of a limited number of 50 models, in bruges, belgium.

designboom visits the milan-based cinelli studio and the columbus tubing factory

image © designboom

following the interviews with fabrizio aghito, the head engineer for the italian bicycle manufacturer, cinelli, and their chief art director, alessandra cusatelli, designboom concludes our three-part studio visit series with a tour of their milan-based office and the adjacent columbus tubing factory.

representing all that is renown for italian design, the cinelli brand reflects passion, high levels of craftsmanship and detailed composition in a fusion of art, style and professionalism. their products – most notably bicycles – are internationally acclaimed for creating a relationship with customers based on fun, technology and art. this creative focus has led to collaborations with well-known creators including; barry mcgee, keith haring and mike giant, which have all further enhanced this emotional connection that groups cinelli riders in a community.

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