Author Archives: Ruchi Thukral

This ergonomic stool makes sitting down and standing up a whole lot easier!

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Chairs are one of the most designed pieces in the industry and reinventing that wheel is hard but Sano shows us that there is still more room for adding a worthy seat at that table! This high stool provides a healthy and playful seating experience.

Sano’s seat-bed is placed on an elastic ellipsoid which allows for the movement that makes it unique and also provides support while standing up. The ellipsoid is refillable and can be adjusted via air pressure. The added “bounce” gives a cushioned support when you sit or stand up which is makes it a friendly design for the elderly or those with minor joint issues. Its height creates a more open angle within the knees and the hips compared to conventional seating furniture which further makes the stool a healthier choice. The designer trio wanted to make furniture that would engage and create a more active sitting process that could be enjoyed by people of all ages and heights. The minimal design and evergreen CMF make it suitable for any interior setting.

Stools like Sano provide an option that is more accessible and inclusive for a wider demographic when used in settings like restaurants or waiting areas. It ‘lifts’ the otherwise mundane experience of sitting down and standing up, we don’t even notice the discomfort till we are presented with a more comfortable solution – that is exactly what a dynamic chair like Sano does!

Designers: Moritz Walter, Minh Pham and Matthias Bronn

sano

 

This smart robot is a playful egg designed to simulate the experience of raising actual pets!

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Every time we think of robots it is a scary visual. When we think of pet robots it’s usually a faceless dog. But what if I tell you that this good egg is actually a pet robot? Well, it is a concept but a very realistic one at that. As we advance in the world of robotics, designs like Eggo remind us that not all robots are bad and some can actually be cute like Eggo!

Eggo’s mission is simple – to give you a robot pet that is always by your side and provides a positive experience to you. This egg-shaped companion lets you raise a pet online or offline without taking away from the experience. It has a simple design, minimal interface, and an organic shape that invites interaction. Eggo moves autonomously by grasping the terrain through a camera. The smart pet also automatically goes to charge itself when the battery is low and I honestly wish my phone did the same thing. Even though it is a robot, designer Hyunjae Tak made sure to include an emotional side so Eggo can express how it is ‘feeling’ through the LED colors which are extremely important when interacting with children. It uses the inner wheel to move on its own and actually forms a unique personality according to how you take care of it just as you would with a real-life pet!

You don’t have to always be online to interact with or raise Eggo, it retains everything offline as well and that helps you build a realistic connection with the product as a pet as opposed to an ‘online game’ feeling (remember Neopets?). Eggo comes with its own smart app and with the various integrations, you can communicate deeper with it.

Designer: Hyunjae Tak

Floating office pods are the future of a truly flexible lifestyle and remote work!

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Forget waterfront offices, what about an office literally on the water? Think of Enclaves as office meets lazy river (productivity levels not included with the structure). Remote work and flexible lifestyle have seen a boom thanks to the pandemic which has led to a lot of innovative designs like this floating office pod which is a low-impact concept offering the best of views with maximum privacy for focus.

In the future, you will find Enclaves floating on the Vistula River with the Wawel Castle as the backdrop. Designer Agnieszka Białek who made this zen office pod is a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, Poland which explains the picturesque theme. Białek was inspired by her usual pandemic strolls (which were the highlight of all our lives) along the Vistula River and thought of how cool it would be to have floating co-working spaces that would have no footprint on the land. You will have to use a kayak to get to the pod which means effectively eliminating any disturbance people. The pods will be designed to be active day or night and can be rented by the hour to host meetings, change the scenery or just get into a deep focus zone!

The architectural structure has soft, curved edges and a contemporary look which is a contrast to the natural setting but still complements it. Since the pods are floating on the river, it reduces utility requirements to almost zero and there is no soil degradation. Enclaves look like bubbles on the river – the natural foam creates floating, geometric shapes that grew into a larger version for the project. Like lily pads, the pods are anchored to the river bed and also attached to each other like a network which makes it modular in nature. The pods can be 3D-printed within a few days using waterproof and recycled/recyclable materials to further reduce their environmental impact. It comes with built-in furnishings that create versatile spaces to suit everyone’s work personality and needs.

“It is still difficult to define the changes that [COVID-19] will make in architecture in the long run. We know for sure that we are facing a new reality. Remote work has become the norm for most companies and will continue for a long time to come. Consequently, employees will be able to choose the time and form of work. To a large extent, we will notice fatigue with the home space. We will gladly move the work zone from home to another place. The concept makes working remotely possible, becomes a comfortable place for online meetings, or relaxing in the new reality of reduced touch,” says Białek. Till we can get our own Enclaves, let’s continue with those daily walks.

Designer: Monolight Studio

Love coffee? Protect it with this military-grade coffee kit designed for camping!

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If there was an emergency, I would instantly protect my dog and my coffee. So if you are anything like me then the BruTrek Expedition Coffee Kit is essential for you! Planetary Design has created one of the world’s most rugged, portable, coffee brewing kits for modern-day explorers who need more than just a french press. This coffee kit has a full range of accessories and looks like it is ready to be air-dropped into a war zone and I just know it will survive with the 29-L Zarges case that protects it.

The brewing range comes in a sturdy, custom foam cushioned, lightweight German aluminum box which is popular for overlanding and can be neatly stacked over other similar-sized Zarges boxes or strapped to the outside of a vehicle if needed. It is designed to keep dust and moisture out, and it is also IGBC-certified bear-resistant according to Zarges USA – so no aggressive grizzlies will be stealing your coffee although, before coffee, some of us might be like angry bears ourselves! The kit includes a large 32-oz (946-ml) BruTrek French press with a more group-friendly option feauturing a handle and a spout. The french press comes with all the gear needed to store and pour the perfect cup outdoors – four 8-oz cups, an 8-oz Airscape air-lockout coffee canister, a small “CarGo Can” container for sugar and a coffee scoop!

Of course, you’ll need to bring along the actual coffee and water, as well as a pot and stove to heat that water up. Those who prefer to grind their own fresh beans every morning might also want to carry something like the VSSL Java.

With an MSRP of US$500, the BruTrek Expedition Coffee Kit will very likely price out many a casual camper, and it’s definitely more than we’ll be spending for Father’s Day this year (sorry, Dad). Still, it’s clearly one of the most rugged, neatly packaged go-anywhere coffee solutions out there, and that Zarges case alone retails for just over $260, so we certainly won’t be surprised to see overland adventurers strapping these kits to their six-figure expedition rigs in short order. A good cup of fresh coffee in the middle of nowhere can prove rather priceless, after all.

Those looking for something similar for a fraction of the cost might consider the basic BruTrek Camp Coffee Kit, which packages together the French press, two cups, Airscape canister and scoop in a soft carry bag for a $213 MSRP (on sale for $154 as of publishing). Or, they could just throw their existing inexpensive coffee gear and outdoor mugs into a Rubbermaid box and call it a day.

Designer: Planetary Design

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The world’s first sustainable fully-integrated, plug-and-play, wall-mounted workstation and folding desk!

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One of the many cultural shifts driven by the COVID-19 pandemic is the growing number of people working from home, and English furniture-maker Pith & Stem is looking to tap into this trend with a wall-mounted workstation that you mightn’t even know was there. The DropTop fold-down desk is packed with everything needed for a hard day at the home office and can be stylishly stowed away behind a photo or artwork when knock-off time arrives. We are seeking a healthy work-life balance more than ever. We are spending more time than ever working from home. We are all relearning what it means to be productive.

Pith & Stem describes its DropTop workstation as fully integrated and plug-and-play ready, meaning that it comes kitted out with a pair of 24-inch full-HD monitors and USB/USB-C cables for charging and connecting to Windows and Mac laptops. Beneath these monitors are two storage areas for said laptops or other odds and ends. The workstation itself is made from thick birch plywood that can be finished in either black or white satin, with the front folding down to form a desk measuring 120 x 60 cm (47 x 24 in) that is held in place by custom hinges, which appear to be rather strong.

“Working from home comes with many environmental, social, and economic benefits,” says Stefan Husanu, Pith & Stem CEO and DropTop designer. “Nonetheless, many people have come to dislike it over the past year, even though it was once their dream! Factors behind this include it being uncomfortable, the lack of correct tools or workspace, and the inability to find that work-life balance. We can’t let these be an obstacle to something that has such a positive environmental impact, however. That’s why we created a home-working solution that fits every space and makes productivity fun, comfortable and stylish.”

DropTop is practical (ergonomically designed to promote healthy posture), strong (constructed using the toughest grade hardwood ply, with custom-made hinges), ethical (made with FSC certified birch plywood), and stylish (with customizable colors and finishes – you can even add your own favorite photos or artwork to the face). Setting up DropTop is simple and it folds away easily and discretely at the end of the day, with a lock for privacy and a removable power lead. DropTop.™ is there when you need it, and out of sight when you don’t. The perfect space-saving computer desk.

There is an impressive amount of customization on offer for the DropTop, with customers able to choose from different wood finishes for the exterior walls and desktop, such as ash and walnut, and select monitors from Philips, LG, and AOC. A large photograph can also be chosen to lay over the outside when the desk is packed away, either from a pre-selected range or customers can send in their own picture for printing.

The DropTops will be made to order in the UK, and the final cost will depend on the level of customization, though pricing for a base model starts at £1,099 (US$1,500). DropTop is an easy-to-install, high performance, and customizable, your new go-to solution for productive, efficient, and comfortable home-working.

Designer: Pith & Stem

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This shipping container has been repurposed into a floating home that adapts to changing sea levels!

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When you are apartment hunting in New York City, one of the common phrases used is “it’s the size of a container” to indicate how tiny the home is. But what if when you say “container” you actually mean a floating modern home off the Rockaway peninsula in Jamaica Bay? Or you could call it Kairu House! This two-story home crafted from shipping container materials and sapele wood is designed to rise and fall with the natural changes in sea level as we battle climate change. Kairu is a variation of the Japanese word for frog which is an homage to the water-based home.

The area is still recovering from Hurricane Sandy even after a decade and could use innovative reconstruction. That is where Kairu House comes in as an affordable, sustainable, and resilient home. It will become the primary residence for the founder and principal architect of Rekstur and his family. The main building is made of two 40-feet-tall shipping containers. The repurposed containers are cut in half (diagonally) and stacked on top of each other to make separate floors. The two steel sectional barges were welded together to create a single platform for the house which is docked at a local marina. It is spacious on the inside and the interiors are contemporary, modern, and bring in natural light and add a playful aesthetic with colorful accents.

The 470-square-feet home includes a bedroom, bathroom, and living space on the first floor. The second floor is where you will find a kitchen, dining room, and two gorgeous decks that overlook the bay. The awning windows have been made from repurposed doors while the staircase and framed front door are custom-made from steel. I personally love the stone bathroom sink which is a fun accent piece and also other details like the black granite kitchen counters and the kitchen backsplash made from handmade turquoise tiles!

“The goal of the project was to build a resilient, sustainable residence that responded to the needs of the environment but didn’t sacrifice the comforts of modern living. Building and living on water has been an incredible experience. Architecture on water has a more immediate need to be in tune with natural surroundings, and I’m grateful that this project has put me in closer touch with the local environment,” said Rekstur’s principal architect Adam Wiesehan. I, for one, would move in to a floating house in New York City in a heartbeat because rats cannot swim and I would have incredible views!

Designer: Rekstur

This skyscraper concept uses genetically modified trees to grow into a living architectural structure

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The Living Skyscraper was chosen among 492 submissions that were received for the annual eVolo competition that has been running since 2006. One of the main goals of the project is to grow a living skyscraper on the principle of sustainable architecture. The ambitious architectural project has been envisioned for Manhattan and proposes using genetically modified trees to shape them into literal living skyscrapers.

The building will function as a green habitable space in the middle of the concrete metropolis. By analyzing the active process of urbanization and a decrease in the percentage of green spaces, the Living Skyscraper is looking to solve a number of environmental and urban issues. “We believe that by integrating genetically modified trees during the stage of their growth and development into architecture, we can restore the balance between the digitalized megacities and the Earth’s resources, which are gradually depleted,” says the Ukraine-based design team.

Think of it as a skyscraper tree, it is a separate living organism with its own root system, irrigation, maintenance mechanisms, and features focused on how it can be adapted in the traditional architecture-heavy city. The structure is formed with unique fast-growing and tall hardwood deciduous trees that are planted in groups in specially prepared soil. As these trees grow they also form a one-of-a-kind shape for the skyscraper while providing architectural volume.

The plant absorbs water and nutrients, which are distributed from root to tip. At the same time, the growth of the trunk circumference will gradually increase the strength of the wood structure and improve its self-supporting properties.

During development, the branches of nearby trees will be grafted at different levels and form a network structure – a kind of conjugation that will strengthen the structure and continue its growth. The branches of hybrid “trees of the future” will form the structure of a living skyscraper, form even, separate biomorphic structures, and feed on soil, water, and sun resources, forming an ecosystem that is essential for large agglomerations. As it grows, a living skyscraper can connect with nearby buildings and form green overhanging communications over a block. The functional purpose of skyscrapers can vary depending on the need. Our skyscraper in the center of New York City will serve as a lookout tower with its own flora and fauna, as well as ecological communication between office buildings with a green recreation center.

Living Skyscraper won first place in eVolo’s 2021 Skyscraper Competition.

Designers: Andrii Lesiuk, Mykhaylo Kohut, Sofiia Shkoliar, Kateryna Ivashchuk, Nazarii Duda, Mariia Shkolnyk, Oksana-Daryna Kytsiuk, and Andrii Honcharenko

This desk was designed to maximize productivity while minimizing your screen time!

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Working from home has made us all realize the importance of having a desk and one that actually makes being productive easy! Balance is a desk that was designed for helping you ‘balance’ your everyday life with work. Balance means to keep or bring equilibrium and this design does exactly that by encouraging time away from your screens and creating a more physical connection with your surroundings.

The team wanted to inspire young people to work hard and play hard – a desk that encouraged finding a balance between digital and analog environments. “The idea behind Balance product is to use digital interfaces as inspiration to create a new hybrid experience for the user. The form and modular qualities of the design evoke the digital touchscreen interfaces we use every day but with a tridimensional layer that creates a tactile and tangible experience. This new approach brings builds a bridge between the connectivity and structure of the digital environment and the visual and physical experience of products,” explains the designer duo.

Balance is a multi-functional desk that an creates organized, personalized, and productive work experience. It features a canvas and six types of modules (Surface, White Board, Cork, Kanban, Time, and Shelf) that are magnetically attatched to the canvas. You can pick and choose the modules that work best for your needs, work style, and aesthetics preference while also combining them to be integrated with productivity techniques like Kanban and Pomodoro. Assemble the canvas to the arm by adjusting four screws through the standard VESA monitor connection. A C-shaped clamp connects the arm to the desk. Each module has strong neodymium magnets that connect them to the canvas. Furthermore, the whiteboard comes with an adjustable stand so you can use it on the desk surface for a more natural and ergonomic position to draw/write. Even the light angle can be adjusted by simply moving the module up and down.

Th desk’s canvas is made from high-impact polystyrene and powder-coated steel for a rigid, magnetic, and durable surface to hold the modules. The modules are made from injection-molded HDPE giving them adequate rigidity for the structure, softness to the touch, and satin finish. Balance also lets you customize the finishes/accents with a choice of walnut, oak, and cork. Some finishes use special magnetic paint for a marker-friendly writing surface.

There was a lot of research that went into Balance’s design – the personality, work environments, and workflows of various people in their respective jobs as well as a variety of productivity and work management techniques were studied. The team also analyzed different physical and digital interfaces to understand what products were more effective, easy to use, and popular among people. This final outcome resulted in a product that is flexible, organized, modular, easy to use, and personalized!

Balance Desk and Work Manager by Hernan Gregorio and Julia Stabio is Winner in Office Furniture Design Category, 2020 – 2021.

Designers: Hernan Gregorio and Julia Stabio

This pet house is designed like an accordion with silicone and magnets so it can be flat-packed!

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Most people avoid using pet houses in their homes because it takes up too much space and they can’t tuck it away like they can with the pet beds. But Accordio is here to solve that dilemma, it is a portable, flexible, accordion-like pet house that can be expanded for your pet’s use or flat-packed away if you have guests over!

Accordio’s form drew inspiration from the designer’s niece who had a silicone bowl plate. “I was intrigued by its flexibility and portability. After some research, I found that silicone also has a fascinating collapsible feature, which was later adapted into a foldable house,” explains Seong. The unique pet house is a study in portable pet furniture. The silicone makes it super lightweight and gives it a distinct collapsible feature. Silicone not only makes it easy to carry along for outdoor activities or travel but is also very easy to clean. Accordio can be compressed into 1/6th of its full size by pushing both sides. The fabric cushion included conveniently fits into the collapsed form for portability.

The biggest challenge was keeping the pet house in a flattened shape when it is collapsed. Seong explored several ways like as snap buttons, straps, and more. But amongst all of them, magnetic frames were chosen to be the ideal final solution because they provided structural stability as well as visual clarity. There are a total of eight magnetic frames in Accordio’s structure and each magnetic frame is reinforced for stability. When collapsed, these frames adhere to each other and keep it compact.

Accordio Pet House by Yongwook Seong is Winner in Pet Supplies and Products for Animals Design Category, 2020 – 2021.

Designer: Yongwook Seong

This coffee maker let’s you master the pour-over technique and is a portable brewing kit!

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Anyone who loves coffee will know that making coffee brings you the same amount of joy that drinking coffee does. I am a coffee connoisseur (or a coffee addict as per my sister) and I have all sorts of equipment from an espresso machine to a french press so that I can choose the kind of brew I want to enjoy. One of them is a pour-over, it is a classic and trusted method which I love especially because this brewing process really heavily immerses you in the aroma as you slowly add the water – it is best for mornings because it will truly wake you up. That is exactly why I fell in love with the Eli Pour Over the second I saw it, it gave the set up a much-needed design upgrade!

Most of the pour-over coffee makers in the market focus on functionality rather than usability making it hard for beginners to make a perfect cup without knowing the techniques. That is where Eli comes in – it is a transformable, compact, and automatic pour-over coffee maker designed to make the brewing process easier and the taste more consistent. It is a brewing kit that divides the process into three phases – material preparation, brewing setup, and final brewing. Boil water and keep the grounds ready, then slide and lift the structure, followed by rotating it to lock the base – now you are ready to brew.

It has a smooth and stable rotating axis structure that elevates its minimal aesthetics. It also features an automatic rotating water nozzle so each ground can be evenly coated with water which results in the consistent quality/taste every time – this is usually done by hand with traditional machines and is a technique called blooming that baristas master to control the flow and pace that gives you the perfect pour-over. Eli’s body uses recyclable plastic for injection molding and stainless steel. It also has an electromagnetic heating pad to boil water making it truly portable.

The design also minimizes the tools and utensils needed traditionally to save space and make the brewing more intuitive. “Based on the pain points, I thought of a new approach that focuses not only on the brewing experience but also on usability. Eli combines the classic pour-over coffee brewing techniques with the latest technology,” says Fan who successfully completed the challenge of creating a portable pour-over coffee maker that allows users to enjoy the coffee-making process and perfect taste coffee anytime, anywhere.

Eli Functional Pour-Over Coffee Maker by Chenchen Fan is Winner in Home Appliances Design Category, 2020 – 2021.

Desinger: Chenchen Fan