Author Archives: Srishti Mitra

Top 10 Cooking Supplies To Bring True Japanese Aesthetics, Functionality & Style To Your Kitchen

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Japanese design is just so quintessentially functional, thoughtful, and pretty-looking too! I have a soft spot for Japanese product designs as they always manage to be – simple, sophisticated, and high-value. I love incorporating Japanese products in my home space, they have such a soothing effect and can add an elegant touch to any home. I also enjoy using Japanese kitchen appliances and tools. Not only are they adorable to look at and gentle to use, but they’re also high on functionality and very rarely give you any trouble. They’re foolproof designs that you can depend on to tackle your cooking prep and other kitchen tasks, and we’ve curated some top-notch Japanese kitchen tools for you!

1. Mitsubishi Bread Oven

Mitsubishi’s Bread Oven is created to serve you the perfect toast! Looking like an adorable waffle maker, the toaster features a veneer brown look that seems to be straight out of the ’80s. It has a sealed thermal-insulated structure and can toast your bread without releasing any moisture, preparing a soft and fluffy toast for you!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Bread Oven is equipped with two plates that can go up to temperatures as high as even 500 degrees Fahrenheit. These nifty plates seal the piece of bread, transferring heat to it, and creating a slice of toast that is anything but dry.

What we like

  • It has four cooking settings – Toast, Frozen Toast, Topping, and French Toast
  • Sleek good looks, making it a great fit for your dining table

What we dislike

  • You can only toast one slice of bread at a time, which can be inconvenient
  • It takes longer to toast bread with low sugar content

2. Slim Fold Dish Rack

Named the Slim Fold Dish Rack, this innovative dish rack has a portable design, allowing you to carry it anywhere with you. It features a patent-pending spring mechanism, that lets you adjust and shrink the rack from 14″ to 1.2″ in no time. The rack can be easily deployed, making it quick to set up and use.

Click Here to Buy Now: $75.00

Why is it noteworthy?

The Slim Fold Dish Rack has a minimalist yet durable design, perfectly capturing the highlights of Japanese design. It ensures adequate ventilation and offers plenty of space for cookware, utensils, and plates of any shape and size. Since it has a convenient portable form, it is great for camping outdoors too.

What we like

  • Collapsible and flexible form that ensures clean and dry utensils in the nick of time
  • Portable design that is easy to clean and dishwasher friendly

What we dislike

  • Since the rack has slim wires, it’s not the best option to hold heavy utensils like pots and plans

3. Black Kitchen Knives

These Black Kitchen Knives are fashionable and sophisticated featuring a sleek black blade that makes them stand out from other typical knives. The black sheen offers the knives a refined look, adding a touch of Japanese class to your kitchen and cooking process. They’re the upgrade you need from your mundane knives.

Click Here to Buy Now: $99

Why is it noteworthy?

The Black Kitchen Knives feature a clean and sleek form, with only a subtle “i” logo, ensuring there are no loud distractions on its body. The knives remind you of a ninja in the shadows, which goes straight for the kill, cutting your ingredients with stealth, grace, and deadly precision.

What we like

  • The knives are crafted from molybdenum vanadium steel, making them quite durable and sharp
  • They’ve been coated with titanium to provide increased wear resistance

What we dislike

  • The knives are only available in black, with one uniform design, so there aren’t a lot of colors to choose from to match our kitchen

4. Rassen Chopsticks

Designed by Nendo for Hashikura Matsukan, the Rassen (spiral chopsticks), perfectly marry fun and functionality, to create a product that is quintessentially Japanese. The pair of chopsticks can be attached together to form one convenient single unit, and they can be separated whenever you need to use them.

Why is it noteworthy?

Bringing the chopsticks together and then separating them feels like you’re playing with a jigsaw puzzle. Using the chopsticks becomes a fun and interactive experience, bringing joy to your daily meal. And since you can easily combine the pair, you never have to live in fear of losing one!

What we like

  • The perfect culmination of fun and functionality
  • Handmade by artisans

What we dislike

  • May not be preferred by those who like traditional chopsticks, and could take a while for them to get used to the product’s unique form

5. Iron Frying Plate

If I had to pick one kitchen product that truly captures the sensible yet interesting Japanese design philosophy – I would pick the Iron Frying Plate. This unique kitchen design doubles as a serving plate and a frying pan, all thanks to its innovative removable handle, which allows the product to change forms.

Click Here to Buy Now: $69

Why is it noteworthy?

The Iron Frying Plate marries both a frying pan and a serving plate to create a functional and unique kitchen tool. Made using durable materials, the plate cooks and serves, while facilitating direct-from-the-pan serving. It introduces an ingenious and novel new way of cooking and serving.

What we like

  • The plate’s wooden handle can be attached and detached, allowing it to double up as a frying pan and serving platter

What we dislike

  • It’s made from iron, making it quite a heavy pan in comparison to traditional frying pans. Hence it could be difficult to store and handle in small kitchens

6. Magemono Tumbler and Bread Tray

The Magemono Tumbler and Bread Tray are beautiful Japanese-style serving dishes. The tumbler features a Hasamiyaki porcelain inner vessel and a Magemono Japanese cedar wood sleeve on the outside. The bread tray is a thin tray crafted from a fir tree and is available in two sizes.

Why is it noteworthy?

The bread tray is perfect for serving those breakfast sandwiches, while the tumbler can hold a brewed cup of coffee. Both the dishes represent the serene and untouched perfection of Japanese craftsmanship, while also providing sustenance to the craftsmen and their families, and also allowing this art to be passed down to younger generations.

What we like

  • Preserves and boasts Japanese craftsmanship
  • The bread tray can even toast the bread for longer according to the designer

What we dislike

  • Available in a single colorway only

7. Precision Chef Kitchen Scissors

Named the Precision Chef Kitchen Scissors, sleek black kitchen shears feature a curved serrated blade that slices through your food in a quick and easy manner. The precise scissors are excellent for cutting up some steak on the dining table, allowing you to showcase your meat-cutting skills.

Click Here to Buy Now: $99

Why is it noteworthy?

The Precision Chef Kitchen Scissors have an aura and image of power and style, owing to their jet-black shade. The position they’ll occupy in your kitchen will be impressive and intimidating, while skillfully chopping through veggies, pizza, steak, and more.

What we like

  • The scissors are equipped with a curved serrated blade that cuts meat safely, effortlessly, and swiftly
  • Makes cutting an easy and hassle-free step of the food prep process

What we dislike

  • The scissors are only available in black, so there aren’t many color options to choose from and match with our kitchens

8. Playful Palm Grater

The Playful Palm Grater is what you need to add some Japanese functionality and whimsical fun to your kitchen or dining table. The little grater can fit perfectly into the palm of your hand, marrying fun and functionality to create a product that is lightweight, full of value, and transforms a simple cooking process into an interesting experience.
Click Here to Buy Now: $25

Why is it noteworthy?

The Playful Palm Grater is a charming and functional product that resembles a curled piece of paper. It is made from a single aluminum alloy plate and is available in different color options. You have a wide range of colors to pick from, allowing you to add a pop of color and sparkle to your boring old kitchen and dinner table.

What we like

  • Has a unique and ergonomic form that offers a strong and sturdy grip
  • Transforms the simple of act grating into a fun and playful experience, while also making it easier

What we dislike

  • The Playful Palm Grater has a tiny size, which isn’t suitable for grating large amounts of food or larger food items

9. PARTAYAKI

The PARTAYAKI is an innovative tabletop grill designed to bring the flavors and experience of a Japanese Steakhouse to your kitchen table. It lets you be the chef, and cook up your own steaks for your friends and family. You don’t need to step out of your home to experience a Japanese Steakhouse.

Why is it noteworthy?

The PARTAYAKI is modeled after the same professional grills that you see in Japanese Steakhouses. It lets you prepare delicious meals and create a Japanese Steakhouse-like experience for your family and friends in the comfort of your own home and kitchen.

What we like

  • Equipped with dipping sauce trays and one-quart hot pots to prepare traditional Chinese-style Hot Pots
  • Features molded chopstick holders

What we dislike

  • It is quite a space-consuming design, so you’ll need sufficient space in your kitchen
  • It does seem a bit difficult to clean and maintain

10. Thanko Electric Bento Rice Cooker

Meet the Thanko Electric Bento rice cooker – a portable cooker that lets you prepare a bowl of warm rice wherever you are. This little cooker is designed to make rice an omnipresent food item no matter where you go. It is excellent for cooking single-serve rice in a short period of time. The LED light glows once the rice is ready!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Thanko Electric Bento rice cooker is great for those who travel or want fresh rice at the office instead of takeout or repacked meals. The rice cooker can prepare 6 ounces of rice in one go. It even comes with a measuring cup for convenience!

What we like

  • Depending on the ounces of rice, it will be cooked between 14-20 minutes
  • Portable, easy-to-carry design
  • Lets you eat rice straight from the container

What we dislike

  • There doesn’t seem to be variety in sizes and colors

The post Top 10 Cooking Supplies To Bring True Japanese Aesthetics, Functionality & Style To Your Kitchen first appeared on Yanko Design.

Wooden Pavilion With A Sunken Walkway Is Designed To Facilitate Orchid Cultivation

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Located outside Puerto Escondido, Mexico, at Casa Wabi is a majestic pavilion made from wood. Created by the Mexican architecture studio Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónia, the Orchid Pavilion was commissioned by the art institute Casa Wabi to be built surrounding the Tadao Ando-designed center.

Designer: Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónia

The rather unique and eccentric-looking pavilion includes a rose-colored sunken walkway with benches on the sides and gravel-filled spaces in between the slabs. It has a simple wooden structure with an A-shaped canopy over the sunken walkway. Horizontal wooden slats cover the face of the pavilion. Clay basins have been installed along the apex of the buildings, with bowls facing the sky to collect rainwater that will filter into the space below, forming a drip-irrigation system, and creating a humid environment. Holes have been dug along the walkway, in turn exposing the gravel, and allowing water to drip below and evaporate, providing sustenance to life inside.

“Firstly, the pavilion is a simple and austere machine,” said CCA. “The water is collected by clay-based trays that remain permanently humid.” “The breeze and heat enable the orchids to drink water directly from the environment, eliminating the need for manual watering of the specimens,” they continued.

While building the pavilion, the studio tried to incorporate Japanese sensibility and slight touches with the work of local craftsmen. Local materials were used in the construction of the structure. Vases are hung from the joists of the pavilion, and they hold orchids, which have been curated from the local area. A little basin with a faucet has been positioned at the end of the walkway, providing visitors with a space to drink water, next to the orchids.

“The sound of dripping in the bowls resonates with different natural cycles and human activity,” said CCA. The pavilion is designed to be a “cool, semi-submerged space”, which provides visitors with an opportunity to appreciate the diversity and beauty of orchid species, while also letting them connect with nature and the roof of life.

The post Wooden Pavilion With A Sunken Walkway Is Designed To Facilitate Orchid Cultivation first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Nomad 30 Tiny House Is The Perfect Little Home On Wheels To Support An Off-Grid Adventurous Lifestyle

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Minimaliste originally designed Nomad – an all-weather tiny home with a small and easy-to-tow package. And recently they unveiled a newer version – the Nomad 30. The Nomad 30 is an upgraded tiny home with a newly improved interior layout and an adventure-ready off-grid design. This tiny home is perfect for those who want to adopt an off-grid lifestyle and have an adventurous life on the road.

Designer: Minimaliste

As its name quite aptly signifies, the Nomad 30 has a length of 30 feet. It is founded on a double-axle trailer that is adjustable, hence the wheels can easily be moved forward or backward on the trailer, allowing the weight to be balanced effectively, making the home quite easy to tow. The tiny home has a sleek yet warm appeal to it, and it is finished in steel sheets and faux wood steel, which is intended to be low maintenance.

You can access the cozy home via a folding deck, and steps at its rear which can be operated with a winch and a remote control. A double glass door leads you from the living room to the outside. The living room in the Nomad 30 is more spacious as compared to previous Nomad models, and it contains a lot of storage space, as well as a sofa bed and a wall-mounted TV. The space also includes a mini-split-air-conditioning system and a heat recovery air exchanging system.

Adjacent to the living room is a kitchen, and it accommodates a dining area that can seat up to four people. The dining area also includes integrated storage space. The kitchen is amped with a propane-powered oven, a four-burner stove, a washer/dryer, a double sink, and a fridge/freezer. The cabinetry also locks up to facilitate safer travel, and a folding extending countertop is also included. The tiny home has a bathroom as well, lined with a composting toilet, a small bathtub and shower, and a sink.

The post The Nomad 30 Tiny House Is The Perfect Little Home On Wheels To Support An Off-Grid Adventurous Lifestyle first appeared on Yanko Design.

10 Best Audio Innovations That Make For Incredible Gifts For Music Lovers

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If you’re a true blue audiophile, or you have a few true blue audiophiles in your life, then you know that all they need are a couple of awesome audio devices to set their mood. All they require is an arsenal of excellent audio devices to blast out some groovy music at their parties or to sing along to their favorite tunes alone in the comfort of their room. Whatever your musical need may be, it is integral to own clear, distortion-free, nifty, and interactive audio devices. And, we’ve curated a collection of unique and innovative audio designs to cater to people’s diverse range of diverse audio requirements. From an invisible turntable to a Nothing-inspired resurrected iPod – there’s an ideal audio device in here for everyone!

1. Nothing x AIAIAI Headphones

The Nothing x AIAIAI’s headphones is a conceptual design that displays how two company’s visions can be merged to create one beautiful and functional product. The headphones feature individual details as seen in the AirPods Max, but they also have the transparent flair and beauty of Nothing.

Why is it noteworthy?

The headphone concept is made up of modular parts that can be easily replaced and swapped out on the fly. They feature stunning transparent housing on the cans, on the ear stem, and on the ear cushions as well. This transparent cushioning on the headrest truly makes the headphones stand out.

What we like

  • Equipped with slide-out cans, removable ear-cups, and detachable aux cable

What we dislike

  • There are only two color options – the usual black and white. Since it is a conceptual design, would have been fun if they’d experimented with different colors

2. Black Wheel

Called the Black Wheel, this unique innovation is the latest version of the Wheel design by Miniot. It smartly hides the electronic and mechanical components beneath the record, which seats all the different parts within a thin circular body, which disappears, the second you put a record on.

Why is it noteworthy?

When the Black Wheel is placed upright, the illusion created by it becomes quite obvious. It has a minimalist charm that pulls you in, even if it is placed horizontally. The Black Wheel also has a unique control system, that is felt but not really seen.

What we like

  • Features an incredibly thin and subtle body without compromising the audio quality
  • Space-saving design, that doesn’t occupy too much space

What we dislike

  • The Black Wheel has an old-fashioned charm which may not be preferred by those who like modern aesthetics and contemporary style

3. Wall Hanging CD Cover Player

Meet the Wall Hanging CD Cover Player – a minimalist CD player with an innovative retro design that offers you a distinguished listening experience combined with the beauty of visual art. You don’t need to hide away the CD jacket, you just need to slip it inside the specially-designed pocket, and put it on display!

Click Here to Buy Now: $199

Why is it noteworthy?

What makes the Wall Hanging CD Cover Player so unique, is that showcasing this CD player equates to physically displaying digital album art. It also lets you show off the fact that you have your own physical original CD!

What we like

  • Portable design that you can carry around with you, which also boasts a 40mm full-range speaker and woofer unit
  • Has a 1800mAh battery that provides 7-8 hours of excellent audio experience

What we dislike

  • Only offers an analog style of listening to music, it does not facilitate syncing music or playlists with any digital medium

4. Battery-Free Amplifying iSpeaker

Meet the Battery-Free Amplifying iSpeakers – this portable battery-free iPhone speaker is an innovative and unique version of the typical no-power smartphone speaker. It is made using metal, and offers a product with enhanced functionality and value, unlike other typical speakers on the market.

Click Here to Buy Now: $179

Why is it noteworthy?

The Battery-free Amplifying iSpeakers are made using Duralumin – a type of aluminum alloy that is used in aviation and aerospace industries, as it has vibration-resistant properties. All you need to do is insert the smartphone into the speaker and let the sound completely envelop you.

What we like

  • The speaker is electricity-free and doesn’t need any power
  • Features a minimalist and unique aesthetic that is quite captivating to look at

What we dislike

  • Will not fit with bulky smartphone cases

5. ERA

This retro-modern portable cassette tape player features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 3.5mm jack that can you plug into your headphones of choice. Called ERA, this unique device features a retro aesthetic with modern functionality, and it truly merges the best of both worlds.

Why is it noteworthy?

The ERA is equipped with a small display beside the physical play/pause and track change buttons. This display adds modern functionality to the device. But, on the other hand, the volume knob looks like the knobs from radio sets of the past.

What we like

  • ERA can by synced to your smartphone via Bluetooth
  • Merges modern functionality with old-school aesthetics

What we dislike

  • It isn’t designed for users who have a bias towards the medium they’re currently consuming music on

6. Ultra Open Earbuds

Bose teamed up with Kith – a fashion and lifestyle brand to create the Ultra Open earbuds. The earbuds were launched at CES 2024, and they mark the integration of Ronnie Fieg, the founder of Kith with Bose – where he will be responsible for merging fashion, culture, and sound to create interesting products.

Why is it noteworthy?

The earbuds are open-style, and they feature a distinctive design amped by a clip-on configuration which is not at all intrusive if you put on glasses or sport sunglasses on a hot day. The buds are cuff-shaped and can be easily hooked onto the outer ear for all-day-long comfort wear.

What we like

  • Has an easy on-and-off fit for active individuals
  • Designed to be a “breakthrough audio wearable” for enjoying music while “still hearing the world around you.”

What we dislike

  • Technical specifications are limited at the moment

7. Urbanista Second Gen Headphones & Earbuds

Urbanista has launched the second edition of their Los Angeles headphones, and Phoenix TWS earbuds. Both the audio designs are currently in production and are expected to be launched in mid-2024. And what’s even better is that they are going to cost slightly less than their first-generation variants.

Why is it noteworthy?

The devices absorb natural sunlight, as well as light from artificial sources to charge the battery. The amount they are charged depends on the intensity and duration of exposure to light. But if exposed to a good share of sunlight, they can offer a week of non-stop listening.

What we like

  • Feature better-designed components for improved efficiency so they can stay charged for longer

What we dislike

  • They are still in production, so we are unsure how the actual products will turn out to be

8. Nothing Npod (1)

Named the Nothing Npod (1), this resurrected iPod by Shreyansh Onial and Aditya Pandharpure is designed as a tribute to Apple’s iconic iPod Shuffle and Nothing’s signature transparent aesthetic and glyph interaction. The design signifies how Nothing could transform the music industry by employing tech and nostalgia.

Why is it noteworthy?

It features a signature control panel on the front, as well as a matching circular glyph interface on the back, truly functioning as a fan-made reinterpretation of the iPod Shuffle. It also has a wireless charging coil on the back, as well as a USB-C charger on the bottom.

What we like

  • The concept perfectly merges the design language of Apple and Nothing, to build an innovative audio device

What we dislike

  • Lacks a pocket clip that you could attach to your clothes for easy use and control

9. CD Jacket Player

Meet the CD Jacket Player – a new minimalist CD player that merges functionality with visual appeal, creating an innovative product that provides users the freedom to listen to and enjoy their CDs anytime anywhere. It is a true blue portable design, that gives you access to your favorite tunes wherever you are.

Click Here to Buy Now: $159

Why is it noteworthy?

The CD Jacket Player serves as a minimalist piece of art, which looks like a picture frame or an oversized Polaroid photo owing to its boxy shape. It also features a transparent middle section. The transparent component unveils the CD’s spinning body, which is an excellent spot to place the CD’s cover jacket.

What we like

  • Besides being a CD player, it also functions as a decorative element
  • Portable and easy-to-carry design

What we dislike

10. The Earbugs

Called the Earbugs, this innovative audio accessory offers a unique audio experience, where the goodness of in-ear sound isolation of wireless earbuds is combined with the abilities of bone conduction technology to create a comfy and excellent listening experience for users.

Why is it noteworthy?

Bone conduction teams up with the earbuds’ dynamic drivers to form a 3D soundscape that offers a never-before audio delivery. The earbuds are ergonomically shaped are excellent for fitness and outdoor enthusiasts, and have a decent water-resistant rating.

What we like

  • Equipped with bone conducting technology, offering superior transparency mode

What we dislike

  • The Earbugs aren’t great for bedtime listening, as they don’t seem comfortable to use while lying on your side or sleeping

The post 10 Best Audio Innovations That Make For Incredible Gifts For Music Lovers first appeared on Yanko Design.

Charming Birdhouse-Style Tiny Home Could Be Your Next Vacation Rental Destination

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Dubbed the Buitenverblijf Nest, this unique-looking cabin is designed by Namo Architecture and i29 Architects. It is an idyllic little cabin elevated in a forest in the Netherlands. The cabin is inspired by a birdhouse but it looks like a rather massive one. It can accommodate a family of four, although a bit tightly. The tiny home is tucked away in the Netherlands’ Hoge Veluwe National Park and is quite similar to BIG’s Biosphere.

Designer: Namo Architecture and i29 Architects

The cabin is part of a series of 11 dwellings in the cabin and was designed to be vacation rentals by the local authorities. The Buitenverblijf Nest is elevated on slender black supports and is raised 7.5 meters above the forest floor. The exterior of the home has space for birds,  bats, and insects, as well as solar panels on the roof that give access to power.

As you enter the home, you are welcomed by a 55-square-meter space. You can enter the cabin via a spiral staircase, and a terrace area leads you to the first floor. The home incorporates generous glazing, as well as a circular porthole-style window, that allows natural light to stream in throughout the day. These windows also offer lovely views of the forest. The layout of the home is designed to be simple and functional, with a compact living room equipped with some seating and a table, and a kitchen with an induction stove, fridge, sink, oven, cabinetry, and dishwasher.

The staircase also leads you to a bathroom with a mezzanine floor which includes a shower, sink, and toilet. The uppermost story serves as the bedroom. It has plenty of headroom for visitors to stand upright, and it accommodates a four-person bed and a porthole-style window. The room seems to be suitable for a small family – a couple and their children. If you want to check out the birdhouse-style tiny home yourself – it is available for rent on Airbnb!

The post Charming Birdhouse-Style Tiny Home Could Be Your Next Vacation Rental Destination first appeared on Yanko Design.

Unlike Its Spooky Namesake, This Hill House Is Futuristic, Surreal & Built From Concrete

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Called the Hill House, this 10,720-square-foot mammoth structure is home to art collectors Bruce Heavin and Lynda Weinman. Tucked away in Montecito, California the home is truly eye AND mind-boggling. The home is designed by Southern California-based Donalson+Partners, and it does seem to be inspired by other Hill Houses, that seem to be omnipresent in the US, and in the famous Shirley Jackson novel ‘The Haunting of Hill House’. But the inspiration and similarity only apply to the home’s size and uniqueness, not spookiness.

Designer-  Donaldson+ Partners

The home is quite intriguing to look at and is constructed from concrete. Weinman and Heaven instructed the architectural team to create something that would “explore the emotional and irrational”. With these instructions, Donaldson tried to build something that was structurally innovative, and had an almost surreal feel to it, while also maintaining a harmonious connection to the natural landscape. This led to the birth of the rather odd yet futuristic-looking Hill House.

As you look at the Hill House, it brings to mind the image of a warped doughnut with a sunken courtyard nestled in the center, and the rooms positioned around it in two levels. Donaldson wanted to focus on the site’s topography as much as the architectural object of the home. The home’s lower level is set against the ground, while the upper level is topped with a walkable and fully planted roof. As visitors enter the home, they are often surprised by how comfortable it is. They are welcomed by a massive living and dining room, and which leads to a desert-inspired central garden, while myriad twists and turns guide them into the various nooks and crannies of the home.

The interiors of the Hill House are quite luxurious and comfortable. Some of the amenities in the home are a movie theater, a large garage with an automobile turntable, a bar, and a rec room. The basement of the home features a working fireplace, and it is marked by a swirl-like structure, which guests can enter, creating a truly surreal experience, unlike anything you experience in most homes these days.

The post Unlike Its Spooky Namesake, This Hill House Is Futuristic, Surreal & Built From Concrete first appeared on Yanko Design.

Featuring Two Massive Skylights, This Wooden Tiny Home Opens Up To The Skies

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Portugal-based Madeiguincho released an exciting range of tiny homes that truly impacted the market. Their tiny homes boast stunning wooden detailing while maintaining a minimal and calming allure. Magdeiguincho’s Vigia and Baleia tiny homes made quite a mark, however, the firm’s latest model Raposa deserves some attention as well. The Raposa tiny home continues Madeiguincho’s legacy of brilliant timber craftsmanship, but what sets it apart is its huge operable skylights and double doors.

Designer: Madeiguincho

When you translate Raposa to Portuguese, it means Fox and the lovely tiny home is truly foxy! It is based on a double-axle trailer and measures 23 x 8 feet. It is not the largest tiny home on the market and has a comfortable compact size in comparison to the conventional North American tiny homes we usually come across. However, it would be considered the average size in Europe. The home is completely highlighted by wood, both inside and out. Besides some wonderful woodwork, it also showcases generous glazing and operable wooden shutters.

As visitors enter the Raposa tiny home, they are welcomed by double glass doors that lead them to the living room. The living room is adorned with an L-shaped storage-integrated sofa, coffee table, and a wood-burning stove. The kitchen isn’t far off from the living room, and it is equipped with a sink, stove, and cabinetry.

The ceiling of the home is one of the highlights. It features two massive skylights, that open up the home. They can be slid open, and locked into place when the weather is pleasant. Or can be shut back up when the mood strikes. However, the skylights are operable by hand in the bedroom, while in the living room, the owners need to use a pole to open them up. This does seem quite inconvenient speaking, but hey at least you get access to the starry skies without leaving the comforts of your home.

The bathroom is located at the other end of the home and has its own entrance. The bathroom is simple with a shower, flushing toilet, and stone sink. The bedroom is located on the upper story and can be accessed via a storage-integrated staircase. The bedroom is similar to most rooms seen in tiny homes, it has a typical loft space with a low ceiling and space for a double bed.

The post Featuring Two Massive Skylights, This Wooden Tiny Home Opens Up To The Skies first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Boho Duplex Is Two Tiny Homes Merged Into One, Offering A Corridor-Style Home

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The Boho Duplex is truly a one-of-a-kind tiny home, as it is actually two homes combined in one. You tend to see a lot of innovative tiny homes on the market, some that extend upwards, while some extend downwards, but Boho is the first of its kind, which combines two houses into one. It is designed by Escape and includes two separate dwellings combined in one shell, complete with separate front doors, and self-contained interiors.

Designer: Escape

Boho Duplex consists of two Vista Boho models that have been harmoniously merged together, end to end. The home is finished in cedar and has a length of 42 feet. This is quite long for a tiny home, although it is not the largest home we’ve come across. When you enter the first home, you are welcomed by a multipurpose living space. A majority of this room is occupied by a bed, integrated storage, and a wall-mounted TV. The space also includes a small sofa and a kitchen area. The kitchen area holds an induction cooktop, fridge/freezer, sink, cabinetry, and washer/dryer, as well as a drop-down desk area to work and dine in. It also includes a well-designed bathroom with a shower, a flushing toilet, and a small sink.

The other section of the tiny home can be accessed via its door. Unfortunately, there is no interior connecting door, which does seem a bit inconvenient. The layout is mirrored, perfectly reflecting the other tiny home, featuring the same multipurpose room with a bed, seating, kitchen, and a bathroom nearby. The Boho Duplex’s layout and design are truly unique and could lead to a whole new genre of tiny homes being created.

Currently, there is no information on the Boho Duplex’s overall price, but information can be gathered by contacting Escape directly.  It seems like an unconventional, yet exciting option for those who want to hop onto the tiny home bandwagon, but are tired of the typical over-saturated designs on the market. The Boho Duplex could be a refreshing change, one that doesn’t sacrifice functionality, utility, and practicality.

The post The Boho Duplex Is Two Tiny Homes Merged Into One, Offering A Corridor-Style Home first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 E-Scooters That Are Designed To Transform & Improve Urban Commuting

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E-scooters are like the e-bike’s friendly little brother! They are easier to ride, sleek, and also seem more approachable. Weaving through traffic is super easy with them, letting you finally bid adieu to traffic jams. And if you choose an electric scooter as your preferred means of transportation, then you’re also cutting down on fossil-fuel consumption, and being a major support to planet Earth. In an ode to scooters and their immense functionality, we’ve curated a collection of innovative and nifty scooter designs that seem to be slowly taking over the automotive industry. Ride on!

1. S32 EV

Say hello to the S32 EV, an electric scooter that transforms into an e-rikshaw and vice versa! This innovative automotive is designed for the Indian subcontinent, and it has an interchangeable body frame which is truly a first for the industry. The transition takes less than three minutes, owing to the specially engineered spring-loaded mechanism, which transforms the three-wheeled e-rickshaw into an electric scooter.

2. The Infinite Machine P1 Electric Scooter

Dubbed the Infinite Machine P1 Electric Scooter, this Cybertruck-inspired E-scooter by techie brothers Eddie and Joseph Cohen is made out of anodized aluminum and steel composition. It has integrated Apple CarPlay which allows turn-by-turn navigation alerts or lets you play your favorite tunes on the go. The scooter’s GPS and remote locking capability eliminate all chances of theft, as the culprit can be quickly tracked down. It is a future-proof automotive, that resonates with the emotions and likings of Gen-Z.

3. Omni Scooter

Called the Omni Scooter, this electric scooter is centered around the likes, preferences, and aspirations of Generation Z. It was designed in close collaboration with BMW Designworks Munich, Germany. The commuter was constructed with a bottom-up approach, and it caters to the communication element with this scooter, offering the tools to shape their own unique culture. What makes this scooter even more interesting and unique, is that it changes colors and graphics in real-time.

4. The Stilride 1 Electric Scooter

The Stilride 1 electric scooter is created by folding a single piece of stainless steel. It is a unique two-wheeler that looks like a piece of art, while also being environmentally conscious owing to its sustainable construction process. No pieces have been welded together to create the final shape, which makes the scooter ultra-lightweight, ensuring it only weighs 286 pounds including the battery. Since there are fewer parts, the Stilride 1 electric scooter is easily recyclable.

5. Yamaev’s Scooter Concept

This innovative eye-catching tricycle scooter concept features a unique rectangular side profile that slices through the air the same way a credit card would swipe through a payment machine. It also has a different wheel setup feature with a massive front wheel that surrounds the scooter’s transparent bubble-shaped cockpit and two rear wheels that separate for stability at lower speeds, and connect at higher speeds for maneuverability.

6. Nano & Nano+ Model

This electric scooter is made from Rolex Steel, and it is polished in an attractive silver finish, giving the scooter an appealing and lasting impression. The designers created two variants of the electric scooter – the Nano variant which has a max speed of 45 km/h, and the Nano+ model which can go at a speed of 75 km/h. The range on both the variants is the same as they both can clock 60 miles on a full charge of 4.2 kWh battery, which can be charged in four hours.

7. Rena Max E-scooter

Called the Rena Max e-scooter, this fully electric scooter is designed for Middle-Eastern and North African delivery personnel.  Since the scooter is designed for delivery services, it features a digitally lockable carry box that has temperature control, modular shelving, and insulation. It has a climate-controlled environment which ensures that the food or beverage being delivered is fresh and in good condition.

8. Gyro Canopy e

Honda’s Gyro Canopy e is a revamp of its popular Gyro three-wheeled business scooter line. The scooter looks quite similar to a concept Honda introduced back at the 2011 Motor Show. The Canopy e features an electric powertrain, as well as swappable batteries that enable the delivery personnel using them (targetted for delivery systems), to easily and efficiently swap them out, instead of waiting for them to recharge.

9. Scootility

Called the Scootility, this e-scooter with its compact size and narrow footprint in traffic is designed to deliver medication or supplies in affected areas where other forms of transport cannot find access. The Scootility has full suspension and wheels that measure 16 inches on the front and 13 inches on the back. It has a smaller wheel size which creates more space for a cargo box on this scooter with utility as its priority.

10. BeoSpeed

The BeoSpeed has a polished, clean exterior that has a durable hefty weight with a stainless steel coat. The BeoSpeed mixes the modern and classic and has natural leather seating and handlebars that are inspired by Bang & Olufsen’s headphone cushions. The electric scooter is equipped with smooth edges, minimal wheels, and stripped-back leather accents that give it a retro personality.

The post Top 10 E-Scooters That Are Designed To Transform & Improve Urban Commuting first appeared on Yanko Design.

Norwegian-Style Summer House Encourages “Inside-Outside” Living, Offering An Escape From Urban Woes

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I’m always a fan of beautiful holiday homes that let you soak up the sun, and take a break from your urban worries. And, a cozy holiday home that seems perfect for a nature escape is the I/O cabin by studio Erling Berg. This holiday home has access to picturesque views of the ocean in Risør, on Norway’s southern coast. It is clad in locally sourced spruce and is elevated off the ground using wooden pillars.

Designer: Erling Berg

The I/O Cabin is subtly perched on a sloped terrain. The home consists of three volumes connected via a wooden deck, and smartly positioned to form an atrium that serves as the center of the space. This builds “inside-outside” spaces that perfectly suit the everchanging Norwegian climate. “As a summer house on the coast of Norway, the weather will change fast, often changing during the day, creating both inside and outside hours. Therefore, we wanted to create a house with easy access to its insides and outsides, with good circular and visual connection between the two elements,” said Erling Berg.

The three separate volumes are placed on the wooden deck, which floats above the property and is supported by cross-laminated timber beams. The beams also offer support to the cantilevered roof of the home. The shape and design of the roof were created to offer shade and shelter from the sun and to also allow light to stream into the central atrium. The roof provides protection from rain and extreme weather condition as well.

As you enter the I/O cabin, you are welcomed by the atrium which connects to the main living area, four bedrooms, and a shower. All the rooms are placed in a U-shape around the central space. The interiors of the home have a warm and welcoming vibe. The walls are clad in white painted horizontal wood siding, while the ceiling and the floors showcase white oiled source timber, which further enhances the natural aesthetic of the space – a design style that is commonly seen in traditional Norwegian coastal cabins.

“The materiality is both based on local, genuine materials and a traditional color palette that can be found in summer houses along the Norwegian coast from the 1950s and 60s,” said Berg. “[It is] a functional palette, merging the warmth of the wood textures with white painted panels, making the interior cool, yet warm and bright.”

The post Norwegian-Style Summer House Encourages “Inside-Outside” Living, Offering An Escape From Urban Woes first appeared on Yanko Design.