Iconic design studio Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has recently unveiled plans for an innovative timber college building that merges cutting-edge engineered wood with traditional Japanese joinery techniques to form a rather impressive-looking and sustainable structure. Dubbed the Makers’ KUbe, this unique educational facility is designed for the University of Kansas’ School of Architecture and Design. It includes a timber frame which will be insulated with a hemp-based material, and gently wrapped in glass. These little features will add an exceptional look, and allow the natural beauty of wood to truly shine through.
The Makers’ KUbe features a stripped-back design that uses only what is needed. It leaves the mechanical electrical and plumbing systems on display. It also features a glass exterior which is a wonderful mix of opaque and clear glass, hence providing privacy, and reducing glare at certain points.
“The Makers’ KUbe is a 50,000-square-foot [roughly 4,600 sq m] mass timber cube structure,” explains BIG’s press release. “The KUbe’s distinct timber diagrid frame – engineered by structural engineer StructureCraft – is optimized to reduce material and curtail carbon-intensive concrete. Inspired by traditional Japanese joinery techniques, the building’s structure uses tight-fit dowels and notched glulam – or glue-laminated timber – to create an all-wood structure with columns and beams that run diagonally, without steel plates or fasteners.”
The interior of the building includes six floors, and an open plan layout which provides flexible glass space, creating an environment of collaboration between students. The structure also includes a central staircase which facilitates easy access between the spaces. It will also contain 3D-printing facilities and robotic labs, as well as a cafe. The second floor will include two bridges that connect to the adjacent buildings. The structure was built using wood, and it will feature solar panels on the roof to reduce dependency on the grid. Rainwater harvesting will be utilized for irrigation.
Since it is a timber building, there is concern about fire safety. However modern engineered wood was used to construct the structure, and it has been proven to perform better than steel in a fire.
Bathtime is one of my favorite times of the day! It’s that duration of the day when I get some peace and quiet from the world, and I can truly pamper and take care of myself. Having a beautifully designed bathroom with thoughtful designs will only amplify this special time of the day. These products can make a huge difference in our everyday bathroom experience. And an excellent addition to your bathroom could be the Orbital Tap by Orbital Systems.
Designed by Swedish company Orbital Systems, this innovative tap system recycles water from the sink for flushing the toilet. Dubbed the Orbital Tap, this one-of-a-kind tap saves 100 percent of the washbasin water and then redirects it to the toilet for flushing, which basically means that clean drinking water isn’t used for flushing. In turn, this tap helps to save water, and this excellent approach offers a return on investment for users on average within a period of five years.
The smart system is quite easy to install, and it is typically wall-mounted. It includes a faucet as well as a control dial with a touchpad located on the sink. Users can control and adjust the flow by turning the dial or utilizing the touchpad. The touchpad allows users to choose from different water temperatures, as well as other settings. The tap is available in a variety of finishes ranging from black and white, to brass, chrome, and brushed stainless steel.
The tap can seamlessly and harmoniosuly integrate with different smart home systems, and it comes in a whole range of presets and customizations. The tap is an ingenious design that helps in saving water and also protects the planet. In the words of Orbital Systems, the tap “does good deeds for the planet, for yourself, and for your economy. ” If you’re looking for a sleek, good-looking, revolutionary and not to mention eco-friendly bathroom fixture, then look no further than the Orbital Tap. It looks great in your bathroom, while also ensuring clean water isn’t wasted in flushing.
Designed by Wind River Tiny Homes, this newly constructed tiny home is called the Pingora. Pingora is a towable tiny home which has a pretty economical price tag, and a comfy cozy yet compact interior with a unique “upside-down” layout. This layout allows the bedroom to be placed downstairs, and the living room to be placed upstairs. It is founded on a double-axle trailer and features a length of 24 feet, making it smaller than most of the tiny homes we see in North America. The home is finished in textured engineered wood siding and is available in a variety of colors, both inside and outside.
The tiny home has a unique decor of painted sheetrock walls, spruce tongue, hardwood floor, and groove ceiling. The layout of the home is its star attraction, as it positions the bedroom downstairs, and the living room upstairs. What makes this arrangement useful is that it is easier to get into the bed, especially if the owner is old or as they age. But, at the same time, it does make the home more claustrophobic, since typical tiny homes feature the bedroom in the loft, which has its own perks too.
The living room is placed right above the bedroom, and you can reach it via a storage-integrated staircase. The living room contains a sofa, coffee table, and TV, as well as a large window that offers pretty views for people to look at. The ground floor also includes a kitchen beside the bedroom. The kitchen is placed in the center of the house, and it contains a sink, an electric cooktop, a fridge/freezer, custom cabinetry as well as space for a washer/dryer. You can also add an oven if need be. The kitchen also has a mini-split air-condiitoning unit for cooling and heating.
The bathroom is located in the opposite end of the home to the living room. It is compact but well-equipped with a shower, vanity sink, and flushing toilet. A small secondary loft is located above the bathroom, and you can access it via a ladder. This loft space is equipped with additional extra storage space.
Any time I’ve spent with my beloved cats is a core memory for me, and I absolutely love cuddling up with them, or playing random games with them! But in all honesty, I’m running out of ways to keep them busy, amused, and entertained. And you know, if your kitties are bored and restless for too long, they end up knocking down objects out of sheer spite and boredom. And if by any chance you’re pretty much in the same precarious situation as me and are always looking for new ways to keep your pet entertained, productive, and happy, then this collection of pet products promises to come to your rescue! From a modular pet-friendly sofa to a pet-friendly console – these product designs will take good care of your pet, and keep them active and content.
1. Quarter Sofa
Dubbed the Quarter Sofa, this modular and pet-friendly sofa is crafted from wood and fabrics. The sofa includes various modules in the shapes of squares and circles. The modules can be easily assembled and disassembled to build various intriguing and fun configurations.
Why is it noteworthy?
The configurations created can function as a fun and amusing playground for your cats. Your cats can easily move and jump around, and if you have multiple cats they can even play together.
What we like
You can rearrange the different modules to accommodate a variety of people
The hollow spaces can be used to hold and showcase items
What we dislike
If your cat pees or poops in the space, it can be tough to clean and access them
2. Waggin G1
Called the Waggin G1, and designed by Waggin – this unique product is a pet bike trailer and a backpack in one. The trailer is in fact attached to the backpack so it is quite easy to assemble and disassemble, and you can efficiently carry it around with you. The backpack also contains some storage space.
Why is it noteworthy?
The backpack can hold snacks and toys for your pet, or even your items. It can store your laptop, or even some books and notebooks if you need any on your outing.
What we like
You can easily and safely attach the trailer to your bike
What we dislike
It can only accommodate small to medium-sized pets, so you will need to look for another option for your bigger fur buddy
3. PAWaii Wireless Pet Water Fountain
Named the PAWaii Wireless Pet Water Fountain, this unique device keeps your pets hydrated at all times. It provides fresh water to your pets even if you’re home or not. It provides constant access to clean and filtered water, and it has a NSF-certified filter which reduces calcium and magnesium ions.
Why is it noteworthy?
The water fountain is equipped with UV sterilization and it kills any bacteria or microorganisms found in the water. It includes three modes that you can use, and you can use these modes at the same time as well. The modes are – regular mode, manual mode, and inductive mode.
What we like
Equipped with a water-electricity separation design and anti-slip silicone pad
What we dislike
It is a conceptual design, so we don’t know how well it will translate into a tangible product
4. UTSÅDD Collection
IKEA recently designed their UTSÅDD collection, which is designed to bring joy to felines and dogs, and to their parents as well. The collection includes 29 pieces, which were designed in consultation with veterinarians and pet product specialists. The products were also tested out on the actual users – the doggos and the cattos!
Why is it noteworthy?
The products are machine-washable, durable, dishwasher-safe, and water-repellant. They’re well-designed, and also pretty gentle and safe for pets. The collection includes soft toys for dogs, and a play tunnel for cats, as well as pet bowls, beds, and houses.
What we like
Features a clean and minimalist vibe
The products are not only fun but also useful
What we dislike
Some pieces are a bit expensive
5. Choo Choo Console
Named the Choo Choo console, this furniture design is much more than just a piece of decor, in fact, it can be used as a dedicated little spot for your pets. The design is made using natural materials like cane wedding and wood. It is created to enhance and elevate the connection between cats and humans.
Why is it noteworthy?
The console is a sleek and modern version of a bullet train. It has a hint of contemporary elegance and style to it, while also integrating a sense of efficiency and speed. The designer merged high-speed transportation with the arena of pet-friendly design.
What we like
Serves as a cozy and welcoming space for cats to rest, clean their paws and nails
What we dislike
Seems to be a bulky and space-consuming design that will occupy a lot of space
6. Sphericon Dog Chew Toy
Inspired by the intriguing world of geometry, this unique toy is called the Sphericon Dog Chew Toy. It is the perfect little toy to keep your doggo happy and distracted while adding an element of excitement and freshness to their daily playtime. It helps keep your pet entertained and happy!
Why is it noteworthy?
This chew toy is intended to be something new and novel in the field of canine entertainment. It is a solid object that features a continuous developable surface. And unlike most everyday toys, this sphericon has a distinctive shape that lets it roll around in a fascinating and captivating manner.
What we like
Brings a whole new dimension and element to your dog’s daily playtime
Can adapt to various play environments
What we dislike
It is small in size, so you need to make sure your doggo doesn’t misplace or lose it
7. Triangle Toy
Named the Triangle Toy, this innovative toy is designed to provide entertainment to your furry friends, while also functioning as a work of art. It is a one-of-a-kind pet toy that isn’t simply for playing with, but it can also offer an exciting visual experience which is inspired by nature.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Triangle Toy is designed to be creative and interesting. It is a canvas for the motifs of clouds, the sun, and the mountains. The mountains are represented by the triangular structure, while the rolling ball signifies the gentle flow of the clouds.
What we like
Besides being a creative pet toy, it also looks like a work of art that can enhance any space it is placed in
What we dislike
The toy is currently a concept, so we are unsure how well it will translate into an actual product
8. Dog Hut Desk
If you’re a pet owner, then the best kind of furniture for your home is furniture design that can be used by people and your pet! This creates a living situation that is enjoyable and engaging for pet owners and their pets, instilling and growing an emotional connected between the two. And the Dog Hut Desk is an excellent example of such a furniture design!
Why is it noteworthy?
The Dog Hut Desk is created to be a new nap spot for your doggo. It is a wooden desk design with a metallic U-leg on one end, and a small D-shaped bed for your doggo on the other end. You can work peacefully, while your doggo naps comfortably right beside you, allowing you both to spend some quality time together.
What we like
You can fit in a cushiony mattress on which your dog can lie down and relax
What we dislike
If your doggo is a bit rowdy and naughty, he may distract you while you’re working
9. ORo
Revealed at CES 2024 by Ogmen Robotics, this intelligent and super cool home robot is designed to be the ultimate playmate, guardian, and caretaker for your doggo. It looks like a robot on wheels dedicated to human use, but it in fact takes care of your beloved pet!
Why is it noteworthy?
It offers physical, mental, and emotional stimulation through various playful activities. Called ORo, this neat robot keeps an eye on your dog’s health, and can even discover when they are anxious or uneasy. ORo can also play some calming music to help them relax and destress.
What we like
You can train your dog using ORo through virtual training services and obedience games
What we dislike
We are unsure about how comfy dogs would feel with a robot, they could get aggressive or feel threatened by the presence
10. Clink Clicker
Called the Clink Clicker, this little device is ideal for your doggo’s training regime. It merges the clicking and the treats in one efficient device, so you only need to hold and use one device while conducting your dog’s training. Although it looks like your conventional clicker, it features a sliding mechanism for storing treats to utilize as a reward.
Why is it noteworthy?
Once your doggo’s training is done, you simply need to click the clicker, and your dog will come to you, and you can feed him the treat at once. The little space for the treats is a desiccant compartment keeping the snacks fresh even if you’re outdoors, and it gets kinda hot.
What we like
Makes your training session with your doggo easier and simpler
Saves time on the training process
What we dislike
The clicker is quite small and compact, so you need to make sure you don’t lose it
Everyone has a beverage of choice that they need in the morning to wake them up – usually, it is coffee or tea. For me personally, it is coffee! I love coffee, I need it to start my day, or else I simply refuse to start my day! It’s the boost of energy, dose of motivation, and rush of serotonin that I need every morning. And, I’m pretty sure that’s the case for most of us. We all need our cup of tea or coffee. There is a different satisfaction and pleasure in sipping caffeine that you know is the result of your hard work, something precariously prepared with your personal touch to it. And if you’re someone who’s chasing that feeling, then a unique, innovative, and interactive coffee machine or tea brewer is all you need, and ninety-five percent of the battle is won (the other five percent is you setting aside your laziness and operating the machine)! From a smart teapot to the Tesla of coffee machines – this collection of super cool and easy-to-use tools will start you off on your coffee/tea brewing journey. Cheers!
1. K-Round
Keurig has designed the K-Round – a puck of compressed coffee that eliminates the pod completely. The puck is made using only plant-based natural materials. It is completely compostable and doesn’t leave behind any waste except for a small leftover disc that can be discarded or even composted with natural waste.
Why is it noteworthy?
The K-Round has completely recreated the whole idea of the pod by providing users with a sensorial and unique experience even before the coffee has been brewed. The pods have a distinctive and powerful coffee smell that titillates your nose and makes the coffee-making experience even more engaging.
What we like
Comes in a variety of sizes, depending on the brew you want
You can look at the pods and see how fine or coarse they are
What we dislike
Only compatible with the upcoming Keurig Alta
The pods haven’t been released yet
2. xBloom
Called the xBloom – the Tesla of Coffee Machines is the first coffee machine with innovative Autopilot features, which makes it a pretty unique one. This device makes prepping coffee super easy and convenient, and it transforms it into an art form. The machine is quite sleek and pristine!
Why is it noteworthy?
Designed by ex-Apple employees, the xBloom can be used to identify, grind, dispense, brew, and pour your coffee for you. It utilizes the finest beans which has been sourced from the top roasters worldwide, making it the finest cup of coffee you can enjoy.
What we like
Makes you feel like a professional barista is making you a cup of coffee, providing an enhanced coffee-making and drinking experience.
Equipped with NFC technology
What we dislike
The machine does not accommodate instant coffee, which is often a problem for coffee drinkers
3. OutIn Nano
Named the OutIn Nano, this adorable flask-shaped beauty lets you prepare a golden cup of coffee anywhere. You can use the espresso maker indoors, outdoors, or even in the sky, as it lets you pull a shot of espresso wherever you like, letting you enjoy a hot cup of coffee in ease.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Nano also features its own water heater, so it warms up your water as it brews the coffee, so you don’t need anything to prepare coffee besides an empty cup, and a desire to prepare some coffee!
What we like
A portable espresso maker that heats your water for you
Features an easy-to-use single-button interface to brew your coffee
What we dislike
4. Smart Tea Pot
If you’re in the mood for a nice hot cup of tea, then you need to get your hands on the Smart Tea Pot. The Smart Tea Pot is a unique connected teapot that allows you to brew your own tea using technology. This pot lets you prepare a yummy brew based on the kind of tea you like to drink.
The Smart Tea Pot has advanced brewing adjustments which can be adjusted according to the tea you drink, as well as your tea-drinking requirements. The pot has a “Golden Drop” rotating infuser which is the perfect specimen of Japanese minimalism.
What we like
Features a compact size, and clean minimal aesthetics
What we dislike
The teapot uses technology for brewing, which can be complicated for some people to use
5. Ceramic Mug
This beautiful little mug is finely crafted and is the perfect specimen of earth meets wood. The mug features a unique and lovely symphony of textures and is intended to be a lovely treat for your lips and your fingers. As you drink from the mug, you experience sensory stimulation.
As you sip the drink, your lips come into contact with the surface, and this lovely impression sets the mood for the entire experience. It functions as an engaging design with interesting contrasts.
What we like
The mug is made from quality Japanese ceramics
What we dislike
The mug cannot be placed in a microwave
6. The LanderShot Lunar Espresso Machine
The LanderShot Lunar Espresso Machine is crafted from sleek, space-grade aluminum and carbon fiber. It has a unique futuristic aesthetic that is extremely attractive and will turn heads. It features robust dials and gauges to the stainless steel plumbing which is created for precision and durability.
Why is it noteworthy?
The design is an excellent fusion of functionality and futuristic aesthetics. It is made from CNC-machined type III hard-coated 6061 aluminum and carbon fiber. The coffee machine features a robust and sleek chassis, accompanied by stainless steel plumbing and a sturdy pump system.
What we like
Provides an interactive and hands-on approach to coffee brewing
The control transforms the brewing process
What we dislike
Quite a hefty price tag
7. Brewster
This battery-powered coffee machine is called the Brewster, and it is designed for the future. It will satisfy your random coffee cravings with complete convenience and precision, allowing you to enjoy the perfect cup of joe everywhere you like. It is a portable design providing you with coffee anytime, anywhere.
Why is it noteworthy?
Brewster is more than just a coffee machine, it is a lifestyle innovation designed for the future. It features a convenient compact design, that makes it super easy to carry around.
What we like
Features a battery-powered design that doesn’t really need to be tethered to a chord
It has an intuitive design that offers a hassle-free coffee-making experience
What we dislike
It’s a conceptual design, so we’re not sure how functional and practical it will be as a real product
8. Earth-friendly Stacking Cup
Meet the Earth-friendly stacking cup – a minimal and elegant stacking cup that saves the environment! Made from eco-friendly synthetic materials, this cup has a unique texture that adds a sensory experience to your tea-drinking experience.
The stacking cup has a lovely texture that resembles wood and ceramic. It creates a distinctive sensory experience in your mouth and lips while encapsulating minimal aesthetics and eco-friendly practices.
What we like
The cup is crafted from plant-derived biodegradable resin
What we dislike
Aesthetically quite common to other cups on the market, nothing to set it apart
9. Earth-Friendly Tumbler
Named PAPLUS, this unique earth-friendly tumbler features a new type of thermoplastic resin that can be mixed with biodegradable paper. This makes the tumbler sustainable and stylish, making it quite easy on the eyes.
The tumbler is made using eco-friendly material to which creates a texture quite similar to that of ceramic or wooden cups. Once you take a sip from the tumbler, you are presented with a lovely flavor, which builds a new sensation for your lips.
What we like
The tumbler creates a lovely new act of drinking beverages, taking it to a whole new level
Features a heat resistance of 120°,
What we dislike
The natural color will fade with time, which may not be liked by all users
10. Slim Fold Dish Rack
Called the Slim Fold Dish Rack, this innovative dish rack can be carried anywhere with you! The rack features a patent-pending spring mechanism which can be adjusted and shrunk. You can easily deploy the dish rack, and it is quite easy to set up and use.
This product has a minimalist yet sturdy design. It provides adequate ventilation, and there is enough space for utensils, plates, and cookware of any size. It is a great design for your kitchen, or for camping outdoors.
What we like
The rack is easy to clean and maintain
Features a flexible collapsible form
What we dislike
The wires are quite slim, and it can be tough to hold utensils
Designed by Canada’s Minimaliste, the Noyer models provide micro-living in a luxurious tiny home setting. The Noyer and Noyer XL are designed to deal with all kinds of weather conditions, including extreme hot and cold. Minimaliste has now introduced a new innovation of the Noyer line – a new and improved and bigger tiny home amped with loads of storage space, as well as a comfy and spacious apartment-style layout.
Featuring a length of 38.5 feet, the 2024 Noyer XL has an increased length of 3.5 feet over the previous Noyer XL. Now, this isn’t a massive change, but when it comes to tiny homes, even the smallest of space makes a difference. The home also has a width of 10.5 feet, which means it needs a permit to be towed on the road, allowing you to lose some flexibility, but helping you achieve a more spacious interior in comparison to typical tiny homes. The exterior of the home has a finish of horizontal cedar and vertical steel and is founded on a triple-axle trailer.
The entrance of the home leads you to the kitchen with the living room located to the right. The home includes a raised floor which forms a rather functional underfloor storage area that can be extended into long drawers. Storage is something that isn’t easily available in most tiny homes, hence Minimaliste’s efforts to install these little nooks and storage sections are quite commendable. The living room includes a sofa and more seating, and an entertainment center.
The kitchen seems quite spacious and well-designed. It includes more storage space, a fridge/freezer, a sink, an oven, and a propane-powered stove. The space also includes a dedicated breakfast bar-style dining area with cozy stool seating. The kitchen is connected to the hallway, which includes a separate washing machine as well as a dryer. It also includes access to the bathroom as well as some convenient shelving. The bathroom is like most bathrooms found in typical tiny homes, and it includes a flushing toilet, shower, and a vanity sink unit.
The home includes two bedrooms – the downstairs one, and the upstairs one. The downstairs bedroom has ample headroom so you can place a double bed or even a bunk bed. It also has a massive wardrobe. The upstairs bedroom can be accessed via a storage-integrated staircase and is like most traditional loft-style tiny home bedrooms.
Dubbed the Monocoque Cabin, and modeled after a World War II airplane, this tiny home is truly one-of-a-kind. We’ve seen all sorts of tiny homes, in different shapes, sizes, and forms, but this is really of the most unique and innovative ones we’ve come across. The extraordinary home features a visually appealing curving exterior and is amped with loads of options – such as an interior layout, as well as the ability to run off-grid. In 2022 Airbnb had an OMG! Fund to discover innovative and crazy home ideas, and British architect Peter Markos submitted his airplane-inspired home, which was one of the winners, for which he received US$100,000! He used the money to create his own studio and bring his tiny home to life with the help of prefab specialists BlokBuild and engineers Price & Myers.
“The concept of the Monocoque Cabin originated from a fascination with aerospace and automotive construction techniques known for their efficient use of materials,” explains Markos. “This led to the question: Why not integrate such methods into the built environment? Monocoques are structural systems in which loads are supported by an object’s external skin, creating a stiff, strong, light structure similar to an ‘eggshell’. These are structures often used in aerospace and automotive design.”
The impressive Monocoque Cabin is heavily inspired by the WWII de Havilland Mosquito monocoque structure. The fighter plane features an amazing monocoque structure, which served as an excellent source of influence. The cabin is crafted from various timber materials, creating a surreal connection with the rural setting. The materials were selected as they tend to age gracefully, and with time they will gray, creating a more beautiful and impressive structure.
The house features a length of 30 feet and a width of 11 feet. It has a curving exterior with a finish of cedar shingles. The home isn’t supported by wheels like most tiny homes, but it is designed to be easily assembled and disassembled. It can be relocated within a few days with ease! You enter the home via some steps and a deck area, where you are welcomed by a shared living room and kitchen. This space includes a breakfast bar, sofa, and kitchen unit with a sink, shelving, and sufficient space for a small fridge and portable stove.
The main living area and the bathroom are connected. The bathroom contains a shower, toilet, and a sink. The end of the house contains a spacious bedroom with a comfy double bed and a generous amount of glazing. The entire home has a minimal and utilitarian vibe. The windows are a mix of plywood and polycarbonate, and a few are glass. Simple and subtle wooden furniture enhances the minimal appeal of the home, but the cabin does have a lot of layout and furniture options to pick from.
Dubbed the Private Jet Villa, this extraordinary home is built from the fuselage of a Boeing 737 aircraft and is subtly perched on the edge of a beautiful cliffside in Bali. The Private Jet Villa features an all-new stunning interior that replaced the functional cabin. The interior includes a bedroom with a jacuzzi in the cockpit. Designed by Geometrium Studio, the home is nestled on an exquisite spot 150 m above sea level, above the Nyang Nyang Beach Cliff in Bali, Indonesia. The airplane was originally in service in Indonesia, but after it was decommissioned, it was moved to the site using a truck and crane and then renovated on-site.
Converting the old Boeing 737 into a majestic home was no easy feat. The home had to be placed on a cliffside, and there was also a lack of space and odd dimensions to deal with. To deal with these issues, the studio installed a new ducted ventilation and air-conditioning system, which conceals the electrical systems and a water supply in the cargo hold. The furniture was specially custom-designed to perfectly fit into the space’s curved walls. The studio mitigated the limited space through the use of natural wood, light tones, and concrete textures.
Rounded shapes and forms were integrated into the interior, which mimicked the tubular shape of the aircraft fuselage. These shapes were seen in the bathroom, and in other interior touches as well. Mirrors were also incorporated into the home to add an illusion of spaciousness and comfort, while natural light was maximized by utilizing original windows.
A floating staircase offers access to the interior. This staircase connected to the living room, dining room, and a big shared kitchen in the center. This section connects to the plane’s two wings, which include terraces, and offer stunning views of the landscape. One of the wings juts over the cliffside. The central section leads to two bedrooms. The first bedroom is located in the cockpit, and it includes a jacuzzi bathtub and a double bed, as well as its en-suite bathroom. The second bedroom is located in the tail section and it has an en-suite bathroom as well.
At Milan Design Week, we got to witness a range of intriguing flat-pack furniture by researchers from the Swiss design school ÉCAL. The interesting collection needs to be immersed in water to reach its final finished form. Dubbed Under Pressure Solutions or UPS, the furniture is crafted from thin and compressed sheets of cellulose sponge, which enables the products to be packed into flat parcels. In fact, some of the objects are compact enough to be pushed through a letterbox, facilitating more efficient shipping.
Once you receive the products you need to soak them in the bath or shower, which allows them to blow up to around 10 times their original size in a few seconds. You then wrung out the sponge, and leave it to dry, hardening it, and forming a sturdy, durable, and self-supporting form of furniture that can support the weight of a person. The furniture collection is way better than conventional plastic foam when it comes to durability.
“Cellulose is a part of nature so, like a tree, it can be flexible and strong at the same time,” said ÉCAL researcher and industrial designer Christophe Guberan. The sponge is extracted from wood offcuts, and it is equipped with strength due to the same cellulose fibers that is utilized by a tree to reinforce its trunk and branches.
To create the sponge, the cellulose was derived from woodcuts. The cellulose was then chemically dissolved and regenerated to create sheets utilizing the same process that produces viscose and other cellulose textiles. Glauber’s salt is then added into those concoction, providing the sponge with its pores, and strengthening the cellulose’s ability to absorb water. This material is sold as standardized sheets that are then compressed and dehydrated to support smooth and easy transportation.
By adding small amounts of water, the various furniture pieces can become flexible once again, and they can be repaired by smoothing out any dents. And once the lifecycle of the furniture has been completed, it can be recycled or composted in the backyard.
Most of our modern infrastructure and architecture is bad on concrete, and the production of cement used in concrete is one of the biggest causes of worldwide carbon dioxide emissions. This constitutes a serious issue that must be addressed, especially with the current state of our Planet Earth. In this effort, Nendo displays a specimen of a greener and cleaner way to construct and build with its Block-Wall House. The Block-Wall House is partially built using a new concrete that captures carbon dioxide instead of emitting it!
Tucked away in Japan’s Nagano Prefecture, the Block-Wall House is located next to a rural road. The house features a lot of glazing, to offer privacy against pedestrians and passing vehicles. The home is equipped with an angled screen which lets residents look out but makes it quite difficult for a passerby to glance inside. This screen is made using 2000 blocks which have been arranged in parallel rows to form five walls, with a length of 360 feet. This screen is made from the aforementioned sustainable and novel concrete!
This newly developed concrete is made by the Kajima Corporation in collaboration with the Chugoku Electric Power Co, Denka, and Landes Co. The concrete is named CO2-SUICOM, and for its production, a special cement mixture is placed in a curing chamber, and carbon dioxide is pumped into the chamber for absorption. This absorbed CO2 gets stuck inside the concrete and is not released. It is as strong as regular concrete!
“Generally, concrete hardens through a chemical reaction between cement and water,” explains Kajima Corporation. “But with CO2-SUICOM, over half the cement is replaced with a material we call γ-C2S. Instead of reacting with water, γ-C2S reacts with the CO2 in the air to harden. After mixing the materials needed to create CO2-SUICOM, the concrete can be placed in a location with high CO2 levels so it can capture the CO2 and harden, trapping the gas inside. For example, a thermal power plant or other facility that produces carbon-heavy exhaust gases can redirect the gases into a carbon sequestration chamber, where concrete products made with CO2-SUICOM can be placed to capture the CO2 in the gases.”
Currently, the price of producing CO2-SIUCOM concrete is about three times higher than usual concrete in Japan. Hence, work is being done to bring down the price, and Kajima Corporation believes that the concrete will become more economical in the future.
