Meng Du creates Unwasted bags from grape leather

The Unwasted collection of bags by Chinese designer Meng Du are made with an alternative leather produced from leftover grape skins.

Du created the bags from grape marc, a byproduct of wine production. Grape marc contains the skins, pulp, pips and stems of the fruit that are left after it has been pressed for wine.

Unwasted bags are made from leftover grapes. Photo is by Osman Tahir

Du sourced the alternative leather material from Planet of the Grapes, a French producer of materials and natural dyes made from waste grape skins.

The company produces the textile by collecting grape marc from vineyards in France and drying it under natural sunlight. It is then ground into a powder and blended with natural ingredients to create a liquid, which is poured onto a fabric of natural stem fibres and left to dry again.

The material is a byproduct of the wine industry. Photo is by Osman Tahir

"The entire process takes around four or five weeks, as it starts off with the spreading out and the drying all of the grapes in the sunshine for a couple of weeks," Sam Mureau, co-founder of Planet of the Grapes, told Dezeen.

"After the grapes are truly dried out they are then used to make the grape leather and then once transformed into sheets of material they are left to air dry, which again takes two or three weeks depending on the time of year," she said.

Du shapes the alternative leather over her 3D-printed designs

According to Du, the supple, lightweight material has a lightly textured feel that is reminiscent of the real fruit's texture.

"You can feel the broken down pomace under your fingers and it reminds you from where it came, and that's what adds the character to the material," the designer told Dezeen.

"The material is lightweight and flexible and it has a really natural lustre to it and each piece is unique," Du continued.

The bags come in two irregular shapes

The collection contains two bags: Unwasted Merlot, a larger bag designed to look like a squashed plastic milk carton; and Unwasted Chardonnay, a smaller pack-style bag that resembles a tin can.

Du says that these shape choices are intented to draw attention to the importance of recycling.

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"I found that beverage cartons and cans are often squeezed into strange shapes when they are recycled and to me, this imperfection illustrates the value of a second life," said Du.

"We called the concept Incognito - meaning that an item doesn't look the way you think it will: although it looks like a squashed beverage carton, it is actually a fashion product. And though it looks like it’s leather, it's actually made of grapes," she added.

Around 1,200 grapes were used for the Merlot bag

Around 1,200 grapes are used to create enough material for the large shoulder bag – the equivalent of 0.5 square metres of leather.

Du shapes the leather over a 3D-printed mould by hand in a lengthy process that takes two days for the larger bag and around 30 hours for the smaller bag. The inner lining of both is made from organic cotton.

Every year, approximately 290 million hectolitres of wine is produced around the world, but most of the grapes used in the process are then discarded and left to waste.

Du hopes that these bags will solve some of this waste problem and also encourage consumers to reconsider how their belongings are made.

The Chardonnay bag is shaped like a tin can

"The audience interested in this kind of product may be niche, but hopefully we are moving towards making long-term investments in something more meaningful than the casual fast fashion purchase," said the designer.

The bags are created in partnership with Swedish wine producer OddBird, and are currently available to pre-order ahead of on-demand production later in the year.

There is a growing trend for using fruit waste to create handbags or accessories and grapes aren't the only fruit that can be used. Banana peels were used by textile designer Youyang Song to create Peelsphere, a waterproof material for bags and accessories.

Berlin design students Lobke Beckfeld and Johanna Hehemeyer-Cürten developed Sonnet155, a translucent bag that dissolves in water made from discarded fruit peels.

The photography is by Meng Du unless otherwise stated.

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Worm by Clap Studio for Missana

Dezeen Showroom: Valencian studio Clap Studio has designed a modular sofa bench informed by millipedes for Spanish furniture brand Missana.

Named the Worm, after its millipede-like shape, the sofa bench offers interiors a playful and fun addition that can change and adapt according to the needs of the space and users.

The Worm chair can be upholstered in a range of different fabrics

The bench is made up of three modules, an end module, a straight module and a curved module, all of which can be used to create an infinite number of seating configurations.

The modules are comprised of two elements, the rounded upholstered seat and the internal structure which includes a metal base and legs, designed to look like the legs of a millipede.

It can be used in residential, workplace or hospitality settings

"We were inspired by the playful and round shape of the 'millipede' worms that we have all known since we were children."

"The shape of this worm, its way of curving and moving inspired us to create the first system for Missana," said Clap Studio creative director Jordi Iranzo.

Product: Worm

Brand: Missana

Contact:missana@missana.es

About Dezeen Showroom: Dezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen's huge global audience. For more details emailshowroom@dezeen.com.

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Rossana Hu, Stefano Boeri and Fabio Novembre join Dezeen Awards 2022 jury

Chinese architect Rossana Hu will be joined by Italian architect Stefano Boeri, architect and designer Fabio Novembre, curator Alia Al-Senussi and co-founder of The Decorators Mariana Pestana to judge the fifth edition of Dezeen Awards.

Dezeen Awards is open for entries until 8 June, with discounted entry fees available until 30 March. Enter now to save money!

Now in its fifth year, the programme has become the ultimate accolade for architects and designers everywhere, with winners selected by a prestigious panel of international judges.

Read on for the second out of seven announcements in which we will reveal the 93 industry professionals who will be judging your entries this year.

Architect Tosin Oshinowo is a Dezeen Awards 2022 judge

Judging the architecture categories this year is Italian architect and urban planner Stefano Boeri, known for his vertical forests and new book Green Obsession.

Joining him is Nigerian architect and CM Design Atelier founder Tosin Oshinowo (pictured), and Mexican architect Rozana Montiel of Estudi de Arquitectura.

Also on the panel is Joseph Henry, urbanist and co-host of architecture diversity platform Sound Advice, who is also ambassador to the London School of Architecture and advisor to urban research group Theatrum Mundi.

Architect and designer Fabio Novembre is a Dezeen Awards 2022 judge

Italian architect and designer Fabio Novembre is also a judge for Dezeen Awards 2022, alongside French-Canadian designer Willo Perron of Perron-Roettinger.

They are joined by Portuguese architect Marianna Pestana, who co-founded London-based collective The Decorators and works to improve spaces in the public realm through multidisciplinary interventions.

Architect and co-founder of Neri&Hu Rossana Hu is a Dezeen Awards 2022 judge

Rossana Hu is a Chinese architect and co-founder of multidisciplinary architecture studio Neri+Hu. The Shanghai-based practice won architecture studio of the year at Dezeen Awards 2021.

Joining her is Polina Sandström of Swedish architecture and interior design practice ASKA.

Also on the panel is Vincent De Graaf of Chinese studio Aim Architecture, and Li Xiang of architectural design studio X+Living.

Alia Al-Senussi is a Dezeen Awards 2022 judge

Judging the design categories at Dezeen Awards 2022 is princess Alia Al-Senussi. Al-Senussi grew up between Egypt and America, and now works with art institutions around the world to help achieve social change through art.

She is joined by Dezeen Awards 2021 emerging studio of the year winners Priyanka Sharma and Dushyant Bansal of Studio Raw Material. The India-based duo creates furniture and objects from marble offcuts.

Architect and furniture designer Moran Munyuthe is a Dezeen Awards 2022 judge.

Also on the panel is Argentinian graphic designer Mario Eskenazi, whose studio is based in Barcelona.

Joining him is Kenyan architect and furniture designer Moran Munyuthe of Saba Studios. Munyuthe works with local craftsmen on Lamu Island to create handmade contemporary furniture informed by Swahili design.

Dezeen Awards 2022 will be judged by a panel of 93 industry-leading professionals. The media and sustainability categories will have their own judging panels, which will be announced soon.

To stay up to date with all awards-related news, subscribe to our newsletter. Don't forget to enter your projects before 30 March to receive a 20 per cent discount.

Enter now ›

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Lyra lounge chair by Andreas Engesvik for Fogia

**Dezeen Showroom: **made for Swedish brand Fogia, Andreas Engesvik set out to combine the comforts of an easy chair with uncompromising aesthetics in the Lyra lounge Chair.

The Lyra lounge chair combines the graphic lines of a metal frame with the soft, flexible shapes of ample cushioning.

The Lyra lounge chair is meant to deliver supreme comfort without compromising on aesthetics

Between the two is a canvas seat – a material that Engesvik chose for its natural feel and that has the added benefit of being light, so the chair is easy to move despite its size.

Fogia describes the comfort of Lyra as being similar to sinking into a pile of pillows and says the chair is destined to become a favourite in whatever room it is placed.

Its metal legs are available in a selection of four neutral RAL colours

"Lyra Lounge is a good example of what Fogia always tries to achieve – the mix of non-compromise in design, materials, and comfort – that gives our customers a product that they can love and pass on for generations to come," said Fogia CEO Marcus Huber.

Lyra can be ordered with a matching footstool and upholstered in either textile or leather. Its base combines a standard canvas hue with a choice of neutral RAL colours for the legs.

Product: Lyra

Designer: Andreas Engesvik

Brand: Fogia

Contact: anna.beijmo@fogia.se

Dezeen Showroom

Dezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen's huge global audience. For more details emailshowroom@dezeen.com.

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#furniture #loungechairs #all #design #donotshowonthehomepage #fogia #dezeenshowroom #seating #chairs #andreasengesvik

Inferences/Inferencias exhibition aims to "arouse curiosity towards contemporary design"

Barcelona-based gallery Il-lacions has opened an exhibition at Madrid Design Festival that features over 70 furnishings, sculptures and design pieces in an effort to explore contemporary design.

The theme of the exhibition is centred around its name, Inferences/Inferencias, which Il-lacions described as "the action and effect of inferring one thing from another, a link between ideas, the consequence of something."

Inferences/Inferencias is a group exhibition that was exhibited as part of Madrid Design Festival

The gallery selected one piece of work by each of the artists it represents, who were then asked to become co-curators of the exhibition and invite a designer, maker or artist whom they admired to also exhibit a piece of work.

The resulting 74 sculptures and furniture pieces displayed in the exhibition were arranged on and around a large angular display table that was finished to mimic concrete.

A wooden stool by Sanna Völker is a tribute to architect Louis Kahn

All of the works in the show focus on one or more topics specified by the gallery, such as research and development in new materials, object functionality, sustainability and production processes.

"We would like to arouse curiosity towards contemporary design, visitors can read about the pieces and even touch them with care," Il-lacions told Dezeen. "We would like them to learn about materials, functionality and ingenuity in design."

A light installation titled Ignoring Helena by Michael Roschach is placed nearby Burned Ode Chair by Sizar Alexis

"We hope people understand the amount of work behind each piece, there’s a lot of research and experimentation," the gallery said.

"These are inspirational objects that contribute to giving interiors something more than just a function, they are emotional and unique," it added.

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"We would like to stimulate new views on design and thinking to shape contemporary values, and together with the creators to generate a cultural heritage that reflects this time and this place," the gallery said.

Among the pieces on display is Joel Blanco's Shiba-Inu dog sculpture with a built-in ASIC cryptocurrency miner. This uses the exhibition space's electricity to mine Dogecoin and is a commentary on financial freedom and an anarcho-capitalist future, according to the designer.

Also exhibited is a Jesmonite and fibreglass chair by Six N. Five, embedded with an authentication chip built on Blockchain technology that allows the piece to be minted as an NFT.

Objects, fixtures and furnishings were hung from walls and placed throughout the gallery space

A number of the works on show also feature reused and recycled materials.

"Josep Vila Capdevila is reusing pieces from old factories (fluorescents, cables, a pulley) and he mixes it with noble materials such as marble to create the Suspended Lamp exhibited – he classifies this piece as 'Random Luxury'," the gallery said.

"The 'Aluminium Block' side table by Toni Pallejà is reinterpreting industrial materials, transforming them into elements that convey luxury and fashion."

The exhibition features 74 objects, furnishings and sculptures that discuss contemporary design

Il-lacions was founded in 2011 by Xavier Franquesa. Inferences/Inferencias forms part of the fifth edition of Madrid Design Festival, a month-long event that transforms the city into a design hub.

Also exhibited at this year's edition is a light installation by Antoni Arola that forms architecture from light. Previous editions saw Jorge Penadés invite 14 designers to showcase "bold ideas in small boxes".

The photography is by Asier Rua.

Inferences/Inferencias is on display at the Cultural Centre of Villa Fernán-Gómez as part of Madrid Design Festival, which takes place from 15 February to 13 March 2022. See Dezeen Events Guide for all the latest architecture and design events taking place around the world.

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#all #exhibitions #design #furniture #madrid #madriddesignfestival

"Vulva Spaceship" design aims to counter prevalence of phallic spacecraft

A German feminist art group has revealed a vulva-shaped spaceship design, which it is encouraging the European Space Agency to help realize in order to better represent humanity in space and "restore gender equality to the cosmos."

The group Wer Braucht Feminismus? (WBF?), which translates to "Who Needs Feminism?", created its Vulva Spaceship concept to challenge the convention of phallic spacecraft design.

It says sending a yonic craft instead would signal inclusivity and has started a petition on change.org calling on the European Space Agency to consider the project.

"The project adds another dimension to the representation of humanity in space and is communicating to the world that anyone has a place in the universe, regardless of their genitalia," said the organisation.

The Vulva Spaceship was designed to counter the predominance of phallus-shaped space imagery

The reinforced-carbon Vulva Spaceship is designed by a new branch of WBF? dubbed WBF Aeronautics.

"We want to restore gender equality to the cosmos," said doctor Lucia Hartmann, head of WBF Aeronautics and inventor of the Vulva Spaceship.

WBF argues that as well as being symbolically inclusive, the ship is "surprisingly aerodynamic" because the V-shape creates little drag as the craft leaves Earth's atmosphere – proving that there is room for non-phallic shapes in space.

"We dare to change the status quo in space travel: new shapes in space will revolutionize our thinking, our actions and everything we have thought to be true," Hartmann said.

"My team and I are currently working flat out to present the design of the first prototype of the spacecraft to the public. We aim to present the model from March 8th."

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Recent tweets from WBF include a quote from the Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, reading "A bird cannot fly with one wing only. Human space flight cannot develop any further without the active participation of women."

The group has also been sharing historical facts about women in space travel with the hashtag #spaceisforeveryone and adopted the tagline "It's time for new symbols in space".

"Space is for everyone!" said WBF? founder Jasmin Mittag. "With our mission, we prove to the world that gender equality even has a place in space. We are not only inspiring space travel, but we're also rewriting the gender narrative."

Mittag, an artist and activist, started WBF? in 2012 to draw attention to feminist issues and inspire people to build gender equality.

The group's main project to date has been the travelling exhibition What Is Feminism Today?, which featured photographs of people holding statements reflecting on what feminism means to them.

Although most spacecraft have an elongated shape, another recent alternative is space tourism company Space Perspective's Spaceship Neptune, which uses a bulbous, onion-shaped balloon.

Images courtesy of Wer Braucht Feminismus?

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#all #transport #design #technology #news #space

Six "resilient" beach huts built on Toronto's beachfront for annual Winter Stations installation

Pavilions in the shape of a bee colony and the northern cardinal bird are among the beach huts built on Woodbine Beach in Toronto for this year's annual Winter Stations competition.

The six pavilions erected on the beaches of Toronto and nearby Hamilton each aim to respond to the theme "resilience" – a reference to the trials endured through the pandemic.

"This year, we not only reflect on all the ways people have had to be resilient, but the ways people have channeled this resilience, be it through communities, movements, support networks and more," said Dakota Wares-Tani, an organiser for Winter Stations.

"Over the last eight years, we have managed to draw thousands of people down the beach in the colder months and that's something we're proud of."

Winter Stations was founded by RAW Design, Ferris + Associates and Curio in 2015. The annual contest was launched to give emerging designers a chance to see their work built and displayed to the public.

Previous winners include a team from the University of Waterloo.

Last year, a delayed show was oriented around social distancing, and saw one structure covered in seedlings.

Read on for this year's pavilions:

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Artists and designers were asked to respond to the theme "resilience"

Enter-Face by MELT

Cemre Önertürk & Ege Çakır of Turkey designed this series of black boxes in reference to the increased amount of screen time caused by the pandemic.

Each box allows for a few people to look out through "screens" and observe the view, simulating isolation. According to MELT it "presents a spatial atmosphere that brings people together by means of a common vision\image while isolating them physically".

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The Winter Stations 2022 competition featured a design in Hamilton, Ontario

Wildlife-guard Chair by Mickael Minghetti, with the guidance of Andres Jimenez Monge

Emulating the shape of a northern cardinal, a bird that occupies the lake all year long, a wooden barrier shields the viewing station from the elements.

"The diversity of species taking refuge in the dense urban environment is both remarkable to observe and critical to preserve," said the designers of Wildlife-guard Chair.

Launched in Hamilton, Ontario this installation will move back to Toronto in early March 2021.

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Winter Stations partnered with YWCA Toronto

The Hive by Kathleen Dogantzis & Will Cuthbert

Shaped like a bee colony, The Hive was part of a selection through Winter Stations' partnership with Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) Toronto. It is dedicated to the gender-diverse residents of the shelters in the city's East End.

The transparent acrylic provides warmth from the sunlight and view.

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"We wanted our design to offer a place of respite for visitors," said the artists. "We also wanted the installation to vibrantly stand out against the lake, sand, and snow."

"We hoped to immerse people in the honey bee world and get them to think about what it means to work together as a community towards a single goal," they added.

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The winners were chosen via blind jury

S'winter Station by Evan Fernandes, Kelvin Hoang, Alexandra Winslow, Justin Lieberman and Ariel Weiss, led by associate professor Vincent Hui

S'winter was constructed from beach towels formed into concrete panels.

Embracing the harsh local conditions, "the pavilion's wings embody movement by harnessing snow and mitigating strong winds," said the designers.

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The competition gives young designers a chance to see their work built

Introspection by Christopher Hardy, Tomasz Weinberger, Clement Sung, Jason Wu, Jacob Henriquez, Christopher Law, Anthony Mattacchione, George Wang, Maggie MacPhie and Zoey Chao, led by associate professor Fiona Lim Tung

"Playing with the idea of reflection, we utilizs mirrored walls to cast the visitors as the subjects of our bright red pavilion," said the designers of Introspection.

A trellis roof lets in light and a lifeguard chair stands in the middle of the pavilion.

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The installations responded to social issues

One Canada by Alex Feenstra, Megan Haralovich, Zhengyang Hua, Noah Tran, Haley White & Connor Winrow, led by assistant professor Afshin Ashari

"Here we symbolise bridging the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples through gathering," said the designers of One Canada.

The installation takes symbolism from the Anishnabae Peoples and gestures towards the contemporary issue of Truth and Reconciliation.

The photography is byJames Bombales and Jonathan Sabeniano.

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#all #design #installations #canada #beachhuts #toronto #winterstations

Big Sur Low coffee table by Simon Klenell and Kristoffer Sundin for Fogia

Dezeen Showroom: glass artist Simon Klenell and carpenter Kristoffer Sundin aimed to combine their preferred materials to striking effect when designing the Big Sur Low coffee table for Fogia.

Described by Fogia as "confident and elegant", the Big Sur Low table has a thin tinted glass top sitting on smooth wooden legs.

The Big Sur Low coffee table contrasts a glass top with wooden legs

The furniture piece is named after the Big Sur area of California, which is characterised by the meeting of rocky cliffs and blue ocean.

Similarly, the table combines wood and glass to create an intriguing interplay of colours and textures, while its transparent top creates a sense of lightness that belies its generous size.

It is the result of a collaboration between glass artist Simon Klenell and carpenter Kristoffer Sundin

"The beauty of Big Sur Low is the exciting contrast of glass meeting wood, and how the transparency of the glass allows the table to come alive by its surroundings," said Klenell and Sundin.

Big Sur Low's glass top is available in a choice of four colours – transparent, green, brown or anthracite. The legs come in Fogia's standard oak finishes of oiled, lacquered, light, wenge, smoked oak, black, grey, white, dark blue and dark green.

Product: Big Sur Low

Designer: Simon Klenell and Kristoffer Sundin

Brand: Fogia

Contact: anna.beijmo@fogia.se

Dezeen Showroom

Dezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen's huge global audience. For more details emailshowroom@dezeen.com.

Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership contenthere.

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#coffeetables #furniture #all #design #donotshowonthehomepage #fogia #dezeenshowroom #tables

Commenter says Elon Musk's ideas "border on genius"

In this week's comments update, readers are debating Elon Musk's plan to construct the North Miami Beach Loop tunnel and discussing other top stories.

Musk's infrastructure firm The Boring Company has submitted plans to construct the North Miami Beach Loop tunnel in Miami, which would shuttle people in a dedicated fleet of Tesla cars from the north of the city to the beach.

According to a proposal seen by Business Insider, the six-mile-long tunnel would connect the commuter railway station at Golden Glades with Sunny Isles Beach on the city's eastern coast.

"How's this different from an underground railway?"

Readers are divided. "Amazing," said Squiddy. "I'm a big fan of long tunnels with no escape provisions and cars that have a habit of spontaneously bursting into flames or stopping and locking everyone inside. Another fantastic idea from Mr. Musk."

"How's this different from an underground railway?" asked Simon Evans.

Dave W replied: "It is so easy to ridicule new ideas and the outside-the-box thinkers that create them. This is Elon's version of the Paris Metro, the London Tube, or my own Vancouver Sky Train. It is not a new idea in itself, but it might be worth the effort to think about it for a while. There are a number of advantages that such a system brings to mind."

Muckers 270 agreed: "It's easy to ridicule Elon Musk's ideas but one has to think that those that never actually see the light of day must have a degree of lunacy almost bordering on genius."

What do you think of the North Miami Beach Loop tunnel? Join the discussion ›

Qatar builds 2022-shaped building to mark World Cup year

Commenter calls 2022-shaped Qatar building "timeless"

Readers are discussing architect Ibrahim M Jaidah's design for a building in Doha, Qatar, that's in the shape of the year 2022. It was created to coincide with the country hosting the FIFA World Cup.

"Looks a bit dated," joked Tom.

"Timeless," added Davvid.

"Just another 180 years and it's relevant again," concluded JayCee.

Are commenters missing the point? Join the discussion ›

Adjaye Associates designs mass-timber building covered in plants for Toronto's waterfront

Readers predict "a lot of dead plants" on Adjaye Associates-designed building

Commenters aren't convinced by Adjaye Associates' design for a plant-covered building that will form part of a development on Toronto's waterfront.

"For the one month in summer when you can use your balcony, it will be great," said Bubba10. "However, I have heard that in other green buildings with planted balconies, the mosquitoes are so bad that the residents can't open their glass doors."

"Winter is not as long as it used to be," replied Design Junkie. "But I foresee a lot of dead plants and trees in this seasonal climate. It's often very windy down on the waterfront. I fear this place in the winter will look like a dry dead forest."

Jacapo had other thoughts: "I would be curious to know what the costs are of maintaining it added to the monthly building expenses and how much it works out as per apartment each month. Either way, rich people can afford it, and actually, they give work to people tending the plants."

Are you sold on Timber House? Join the discussion ›

Behet Bondzio Lin Architekten combines "sacred and ordinary" in concrete church tower

Commenters call concrete church "medieval and war-like"

Readers are intrigued by a church and social welfare centre in New Taipei City, Taiwan, designed by German practice Behet Bondzio Lin Architekten. It is housed in a high-rise concrete block topped with an angular roof.

"This structure is very medieval and war-like in its appearance," said Ken Steffes.

"Wow," continued Chris. "An acoustic drumset probably sounds fantastic in this massively reflective space... The design doesn't seem fit for use."

"This is what we call having the highest spirits," added Pavarreon. "Take a lift from the altar and climb to God. Interesting new age cathedral. It is surprising to look at this kind of brutalist edifice. Perhaps to catch God's attention?"

Are you worshiping Tamkang Church? Join the discussion ›

Comments update

_Dezeen is the world's most commented architecture and design magazine, receiving thousands of comments each month from readers. Keep up to date on the latest discussions onour comments page._

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#all #comments #design #transport #miami #tunnels #elonmusk #theboringcompany

"I love it when my hands surprise my head" says Bertjan Pot

Designer Bertjan Pot offers a look inside his studio and introduces his designs for Moooi in this exclusive video produced by Dezeen for the Dutch brand.

Pot invited Dezeen to his Rotterdam studio, a converted gymnasium, where he demonstrated his process and showcased various products he has designed for Moooi, as well as some of the woven masks that he is known for making.

Dutch designer Bertjan Pot created the Random Light for Moooi

"I'm constantly trying things out, how they fit together," he said, "Some of these things, I consider a prototype. And sometimes a prototype actually becomes a product."

Pot has designed products for Moooi since near the brand's inception, including lights, chairs and a carpet.

The Random Light is made by coiling glass-fiber yarn around a spherical frame

His first piece for the Dutch furniture brand was the Random Light, which he initially made by hand himself before the design caught the attention of Moooi founder Marcel Wanders.

The designer made the first run of the lights by randomly wrapping a resin-soaked thread around an inflated balloon, which he then deflated and removed to leave a hard spherical shell that acts as a lampshade.

Pot's Heracleum light for Moooi features a branching structure tipped with a multitude of LED lights

"The first lights I just made to order, and I would deliver them myself," he explained. "I had all these fibres from glass yarn, and I had balloons, and I had resin, so I started coiling the thread in the most simple way around a big balloon."

"Then Marcel Wanders called and said 'hey, I've seen your lights, would you like the Random Light in Moooi?'"

The Heracleum III Linear light is the latest version of the design

Pot went on to design Heracleum, a suspension light comprised of a branching metal structure and a multitude of small LED lights.

He showed Dezeen the latest version of the design, the Heracleum III Linear, which is designed to hang above long surfaces such as dining tables or kitchen islands. The new version of the light has also been updated with brighter LEDs and better integration with smart home systems.

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The Heracleum light was named after the flower of the same name, which was a reference for the piece. However, Pot also noted the mathematical influences behind the design of the light fixture.

"For me, the Heracleum is a lot more about math than about nature," said Pot. "I always like it when there's more than one story with a certain product."

The form of the Heracleum light draws on mathematical principles

Reflecting on the process of experimental prototyping, Pot emphasised the satisfaction that he finds in the intuitive aspects of his craft.

"I love it when my hands can surprise my head," he said. "Your hands are making something and even the thing that you are fully in control of making can surprise you. I think that's a wonderful gift that comes with the profession."

Pot is also known for creating colourful woven masks, which feature prominently on his Instagram account.

Pot's masks are part of an ongoing series started in 2010

He has designed a number of other products for Moooi, including the Carbon Chair designed in collaboration with Marcel Wanders, and the Prop Light, which evokes the mirrors of dressing room theatres with its strips of bare LED bulbs.

Dezeen interviewed Pot in 2016 at Milan design week, where he made a series of seats by weaving shoelaces around inner tubes from different vehicles as part of Nike's The Nature of Motion exhibition.

Partnership content

This video was published by Dezeen forMoooi as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

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#all #design #videos #lighting #bertjanpot #moooi #video

Stilride uses "industrial origami" to create stainless steel electric scooter

Swedish startup Stilride has unveiled the electric Sport Utility Scooter One, which is manufactured from stainless steel using an origami-like process that reduces the amount of material used.

Built using a method described as "industrial origami", the scooter's body was made from stainless steel folded into shape by robots.

According to the company, this method can significantly reduce the environmental impact of production compared to conventional manufacturing techniques as it requires fewer raw materials and components.

The SUS1 is the first product from Swedish company Stilride

Named Sport Utility Scooter One (SUS1), the scooter is Stilride's first product and will go on sale in Europe later this year.

While conventional scooters consist of a tubular frame and a plastic body, the SUS1's chassis is constructed by taking a single sheet of stainless steel and cutting and folding it.

Its curves and intricate shape are created using specially developed software that controls a system of robotic arms and laser cutters commonly used to build vehicles.

"There are limitations when it comes to sheet metal: either you go down the workshop line where you are cutting, welding, and bonding and the level of refinement is pretty basic but it can be done by a company that doesn't have much money for research and development," said Stilride co-founder Tue Beijer.

The scooter is made using a process dubbed "industrial origami"

"Or you have pressing sheet metal like the car companies do, where you have high refinement but the cost entrance level is huge and you have to be producing thousands of units," he told Dezeen.

"So it's been in my head for years: what if you can take the good things from the workshop and the freedom of not having to fold things over straight lines? That's why I started to think about curve folding."

Curve folding is a well-established craft but has rarely been used in manufacturing

Curve folding is a well-established craft but has rarely been used in manufacturing. Modernist Danish architect Arne Jacobsen used the technique with plywood to produce his famous Series 7 chair.

Stilride compares its groundbreaking curve folding technology, called Stilfold, to "industrial origami".

Co-founder Beijer made the first SUS1 model out of folded paper, with the concept developed as part of a research project with the Metallic Materials programme, funded by the Swedish government's innovation agency, Vinnova.

Stilride co-founder Tue Beijer said he hopes the SUS1 has the same "presence" as a Vespa

A result of its origami production, the SUS1 has a distinctive aesthetic that gives it a physical presence similar to classic scooters such as the Vespa or the Lambretta.

"The curve folding itself creates a unique design DNA which is instant," he added. "It's like a dance between the sheet metal and the design. You are not totally liberated; you have to work with what is possible with the metal."

The company claims the scooter requires 70 per cent fewer components than a traditional scooter, reducing waste while contributing to a 20 per cent reduction in material costs and a 25 per cent reduction in labour costs.

[

Read:

Unu's networked scooter uses smart technologies to allow for sharing

](https://www.dezeen.com/2019/06/23/unu-electric-scooter-transport-design/)

Stilride is planning to also create a production process to allow the SUS1 to be manufactured from flat-packed steel sheets in local factories across Europe. This process would further reduce the scooter's carbon footprint.

Stilride claims the small number of components makes its scooter more sustainable and better to ride

"We piggyback on existing workshops that are today working with laser cutters and robotic arms," explained Beijer. "It's a bit like making a three-course dinner when you look in your fridge and see there is not much in there."

"When we start off it is going to be a premium brand, but over time we will also launch products more for the mass market," he added.

The SUS1 is set to be followed by cargo bikes and trailers built using the Stilfold tech

Stilride will next look to use its curve folding technique to develop cargo bikes and trailers.

Other innovative electric motorcycle designs include the bikes from fellow Swedish brand Cake being used to catch poachers in the South African bush.

The photography is courtesy of Stilride.

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#all #transport #design #technology #steel #origami #vehicles #scooters #motorcycles #electricvehicles

Seven business-related courses on Dezeen Courses

Dezeen Courses: interested in learning about business within the design industry? Check out seven business-related courses listed on Dezeen Courses in the UK, Spain, Netherlands and online.

The courses are suitable for designers looking for an introduction to business-related topics or business owners wanting to enhance their knowledge.

Specialised business courses provide students with an in-depth understanding of business within the creative industries and range from self-paced short courses, one-day workshops and undergraduate degrees.

Here are seven business-related courses listed on Dezeen Courses:

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Business Design for Sustainable Growth and Innovation course at Service Design College

The Business Design for Sustainable Growth and Innovation online course at Service Design College combines design thinking with business strategy to foster sustainable innovation.

Find out more about the course ›

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Art as a Global Business: Dynamics of the Art Market at Centro de Diseño y Comunicación

The Art as a Global Business: Dynamics of the Art Market short course at Centro de Diseño y Comunicación, which is delivered online in Spanish, provides insight into the workings of the global art market.

Find out more about the course ›

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Dual Degree in Business Administration and Design course at IE University

The Dual Degree in Business Administration and Design course at IE University in Segovia or Madrid equips students with both business and design skills.

Find out more about the course ›

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Strategic Foresight for Positive Change course at Service Design College

The Strategic Foresight for Positive Change online course at Service Design College blends systemic design and future thinking to equip designers with an understanding of how to design for the future.

Find out more about the course ›

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Open Innovation Masterclass at Royal College of Art

The Open Innovation Masterclass at Royal College of Art in London provides participants with essential tools in the sphere of business innovation.

Find out more about the course ›

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The Master in Business for Architecture and Design (Part-time) course at IE University

The Master in Business for Architecture and Design (Part-time) course at IE University in Madrid, Amsterdam or online amalgamates the spheres of business and design.

Find out more about the course ›

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Design Methods to Decarbonise your Business at the Design Museum

The Design Methods to Decarbonise your Business course at the Design Museum in London provides participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to reduce the carbon emissions within their business.

Find out more about the course ›

Dezeen Courses

_Dezeen Courses is a service from Dezeen that provides details of architecture, interiors and design courses around the world.Click here for more information. _

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#all #design #dezeencourses

Arthur Mamou-Mani creates 3D-printed cups for Trame's latest collection

Paris-based homeware brand Trame has unveiled a collection of rugs and ceramics with pieces designed by architect Arthur Mamou-Mani as well as designers Amandine David and Wonmin Park that reference the historic Alhambra palace in Granada.

On show at cultural centre Institute Du Monde Arabe in Paris, the Tales of Imperfect Repetition collection references the tiles and patterns seen in the Alhambra palace in Spain, one of the world's most well-known examples of Islamic architecture.

Trame has launched a collection of colourful rugs and ceramics

According to Studio Vedèt co-founder Valentina Ciuffi, who was responsible for the artistic direction of the exhibition, the designs celebrate Trame's love for Mediterannean style and Spanish architecture.

"The incredible architecture of the Alhambra in particular are at the origin of a collection that interweaves history and contemporaneity more evidently than ever before," Ciuffi told Dezeen.

The items draw on the architecture of the Alhambra

"Trame has set its eyes on the tiles which cover the walls of the ancient palace and on the three-dimensional transpositions of these infinite geometries, which give shape to the ceilings by ringing sequences of Muqarnas [ornamented vaulting]," she added.

The brand called on architect Mamou-Mani, Brussels-based designer David and Dutch designer Park to create pieces for the collection, which range from colourful tactile rugs with tassels to different-sized round vases.

As part of the creation process, all of the designers took a trip to the Alhambra, where they drew inspiration from its architectural forms and intricate interiors.

The collection features colourful rugs

"While Islamic art made important mathematical discoveries much before scholars began formalizing them, one of the most fascinating aspects of its aesthetics is the infinite repetition of forms that creates mesmerizing, kaleidoscopic patterns," said Ciuffi.

"Indeed, it is the geometric and mathematical origin of these artistic expressions that act as a common thread," she added.

[

Read:

Trame debuts at Maison&Objet with collections inspired by "historical anecdotes"

](https://www.dezeen.com/2020/01/23/trame-homeware-voyage-to-meknes-design/)

Among the items designed by Mamou-Mani are several stackable cups. The architect first created prototypes of the objects at his studio in London, where he worked with locally sourced red clay.

Like many of Mamou-Mani's past works, including a sand installation in Saudi Arabia, all of the designs were then 3D-printed before being finished with glazing by hand.

David created a selection of black vases for the collection, while Park contributed white vases and candleholders.

The ceramics were 3D-printed

For Trame's launch, Studio Vedet decided to collaborate with the studio Space Caviar to create a space that reflects the Alhambra.

They were attracted to Institute Du Monde Arabe because of its similarities with the Alhambra.

"The Institute Du Monde Arabe, which is the synthesis between Arab and Western culture, was absolutely perfect for the preview of the new Trame collection," Ciuffi explained.

"Probably one of the best architectures signed by Jean Nouvel, the space is perfect both symbolically and aesthetically to recall the architecture of the Alhambra and the concept behind this collection," she said.

Tales of Imperfect Repetition is housed at The Institute Du Monde Arabe

Other recent homeware launches include a collection of rugs by Studio Agne that were created using textile dyes extracted from byproducts from industrial processing, and a range of vibrant tapestries by Chromarama that can be experienced by individuals with different forms of colour vision deficiency.

The photography is byMattia Parodi.

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#all #design #products #homeware #paris #ceramics #rugs #arthurmamoumani #news #trame

Lumisonic downlight by Zuma

Dezeen Showroom: combining lighting with high-fidelity audio, Zuma's Lumisonic downlight is designed to invisibly deliver immersive sound for the home.

Lumisonic is an ultra-compact recessed downlight with an integrated loudspeaker, which works entirely wirelessly and is operated through voice activation.

Lumisonic is a wireless multi-room system delivering audio through downlights

The multi-room system was designed by Zuma founder Morten Warren, who started the company after experiencing frustration with "unattractive and obtrusive" ceiling speakers, their poor audio quality, and complex installation process.

His designs address these shortcomings while adding features including circadian rhythm lighting and a "Wellbeing" mode, which selects the optimal settings for any mood via presets on the app.

The speaker set-up provides immersive audio for the home with no cables or wires

Lumisonic can be retrofitted into any room to deliver what Zuma describes as a "canopy of sound" that is rich in detail.

"Zuma turns a bathroom into a spa, a home gym into a spin studio, a family room into a cinema, or even a kitchen into a disco," said the company.

Product: Lumisonic downlight

Designer: Morten Warren

Brand: Zuma

Contact: help@zuma.ai

Dezeen Showroom

Dezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen's huge global audience. For more details emailshowroom@dezeen.com.

Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership contenthere.

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#all #lighting #design #donotshowonthehomepage #dezeenshowroom #speakers

Five architecture and design events in March from Dezeen Events Guide

Melbourne Design Week and Maison&Objet are among the architecture and design events featured in Dezeen Events Guide this month.

Also taking place in March is MIPIM, the giant property conference in the south of France, and a theatrical performance inside Australian architect Gabriel Poole's home as part of the Asia Pacific Architecture Festival.

Read on for details of our five highlights of the month and see Dezeen Events Guide for more architecture and design events around the world.

Upcoming New York architecture projects, such as a top-heavy tower by ODA (above), will be on display at the New York Build Expo, while Mathieu's Renault 4L (top image) will be exhibited at Maison&Objet

New York Build Expo

2 and 3 March, USA

Attended by more than 25,000 people, New York Build Expo is the largest construction and design event in New York. Among the 300 speakers at the conference are senior figures from major architecture studios HOK and Perkins Eastman.

The event also includes the Architect's Hub, where designs and 3D models of upcoming projects in New York will be on display alongside architecture photography.

Dezeen is a media partner for the expo, which is free to attend.

Forward Online Festival

10 to 12 March, online

Forward Festival celebrates "creativity, design and communication" and is returning with another online event having moved digital last year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Over three days, the festival will host a series of live-streamed talks and workshops, with a focus on practical career skills including design techniques and client relations.

Designer Nicole McLaughlin and Pentagram's first female principal, graphic designer Paula Scher, will deliver keynotes alongside other high-profile designers.

Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabbassum is speaking at the Asia Pacific Architecture Festival

Asia Pacific Architecture Festival

12 to 25 March, Australia

Venues across the eastern Australian city of Brisbane will play host to exhibitions, installations and lectures at this year's Asia Pacific Architecture Festival.

The theme for 2022 is "co-operate, co-design, co-exist", with the programme intended to reflect a wide range of regional perspectives.

Leading architecture voices from across the region will be appearing at the festival's annual symposium, including Maori architect Elisapeta Heta, Benjee Mendoza of Philipino practice BAAD Studio and Soanen Medal-winner Marina Tabassum from Bangladesh.

There will also be a walking tour of Brisbane's Fortitude Valley and a performance of touring theatre show Man About the House in the self-designed Sherwood home of Australian architect Gabriel Poole.

Melbourne Design Week

17 to 27 March, Australia

This year's Melbourne Design Week will follow the same theme as the 2021 festival: "Design the world you want".

Designers at the 11-day event's talks, tours, exhibitions and workshops will be invited to think about how they can better shape the future.

Architecture, urban and industrial design, fashion, craft, communication design and gaming are all part of the creative programme.

Among those hosting events are Australian architecture studio ARM Architecture and the National Gallery of Victoria.

During Melbourne Design Week, the five-day Melbourne Design Fair will present work from more than 100 Australian designers.

Maison&Objet will showcase thousands of products for the home, like the Bocuse dining table from Oakâme

Maison &Objet

24 to 28 March, France

Twice-yearly Paris trade show Maison&Objet is one of the biggest design fairs in the calendar.

Having been delayed by the pandemic, the first edition will run in late March with around 3,000 brands and designers exhibiting home decor, interior design and lifestyle products.

The theme for the event is "New Luxury", which will examine different interpretations of luxury design. Alongside the exhibitions, there will be more than 15 installations from well-known figures including art collective TeamLab and architect Franklin Azzi.

French designer Matthieu Lehanneur will also be showcasing his design for a reimagined 1960s Renault car.

Maison&Objet will take place at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Parc des Expositions convention centre, with a parallel event called Maison&Objet In The City running in showrooms across the French capital between 23 and 28 March.

About Dezeen Events Guide

Dezeen Events Guide is our guide to the best architecture and design events taking place across the world each year.

The guide is updated weekly and includes virtual events, conferences, trade fairs, major exhibitions and design weeks, as well as up-to-date information about what events have been cancelled or postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Inclusion in the guide is free for basic listings, with events selected at Dezeen's discretion. Organisers can get enhanced or premium listings for their events, including images, additional text and links, by paying a modest fee.

In addition, events can ensure inclusion by partnering with Dezeen. For more details on inclusion in Dezeen Events Guide and media partnerships with Dezeen, emaileventsguide@dezeen.com.

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#all #architecture #design #events #architectureanddesignevents #dezeeneventsguide

Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Textile design

#SophieTaeuber-Arp #textile #design

Notpla salvages seaweed by-product to make paper

Sustainable packaging brand Notpla has used seaweed leftover from its own production processes to create paper that can be turned into envelopes and boxes.

Notpla introduced its eponymous product Notpla Paper in collaboration with Canopy, a nonprofit organisation that aims to protect forests and animal species threatened by climate change.

Notpla Paper is made from 30 per cent seaweed by-product

According to its creators, Notpla Paper is made from 30 per cent seaweed by-product, which refers to any secondary product that is made as a result of a production process and is often thrown away and wasted.

Notpla – which is a shortening of "not plastic" – uses pure seaweed to create all of its existing products, which include biodegradable condiment sachets and coating for food containers.

The brand explained that it wanted to find a use for the seaweed leftover from its production processes "to make sure nothing is wasted".

The material can be used as packaging

"Each of our products uses different extracts of seaweed, leaving the fibrous part of it behind," Notpla design director Karlijn Sibbel told Dezeen.

"This by-product represents a significant amount of pure raw seaweed. From our desire to utilise every part of the seaweed, the idea to upcycle this material came naturally."

The paper can create containers for various products

Notpla claimed that using one tonne of seaweed by-product could save up to four tonnes of trees being felled, preventing deforestation.

"From a circular mindset in which waste doesn't exist, we aim to reduce the need for virgin materials as much as possible and therefore prefer the use of by-products," said Sibbel.

"With the need for seaweed extracts in our other product lines, we want to make sure every part of the seaweed is fully valued and used to the best extent."

A minimal wine label made from Notpla Paper

The brand said that the remaining 70 per cent of Notpla Paper is composed of a mixture of mainly other recycled materials and a small portion of traditional virgin wood pulp.

"Our design process is firstly driven by an environmental point of view," Sibbel continued. "This means that we use as much seaweed as possible, as little virgin wood as possible and no synthetic additives, which are currently the status quo in papermaking."

The paper has a speckled appearance

Speckled and neutrally-toned in appearance, Notpla Paper can be used to package products such as hand soap and toothbrushes, as well as to create boxes, envelopes and labels on wine bottles.

Sibbel explained that while the paper currently contains some virgin wood, Notpla aims to create entirely wood-free paper by 2024.

[

Read:

Nienke Hoogvliet launches Zeefier brand to produce natural seaweed dyes for the fashion industry

](https://www.dezeen.com/2021/11/14/zeefier-natural-seaweed-dyes-nienke-hoogvliet/)

While the brand did not specify which materials will be used to achieve this, its intention is to blend alternative fibres with the seaweed by-product to will support the paper's technical properties.

"Our ambition is to alleviate pressure on forests and decrease the environmental impact of paper manufacturing," concluded Sibbel.

Notpla aims to create entirely wood-free paper by 2024

Notpla Paper is part of Canopy's Pack4Good initiative, a project that is challenging brands to create sustainable alternatives to traditional paper packaging.

Founded in 2014 Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez and Pierre Paslier while the pair were studying Innovation Design Engineering, Notpla also manufactures biodegradable seaweed packaging, which was shortlisted in the sustainable design category at the 2021 Dezeen Awards.

The images are courtesy of Notpla.

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#all #design #products #sustainabledesign #paper #packaging #seaweed #circulareconomy #recycling #notpla

Dew pendant light by Shakúff

Dezeen Showroom: US brand Shakúff has expanded its Raindrop lighting collection with Dew, a pendant that intends to showcase the mesmeric qualities of heavy glass.

Created by Shakúff founder Joseph Sidof, the Dew pendant is informed by the "pristine, luminous drops" Sidof observed on the leaves during early morning walks.

The Dew pendant light is made of heavy glass, which creates a bewitching play of light reflections

Dew is cast in moulds, using thicker glass to control consistency across pendants.

The heavier glass makes Dew a strong statement piece, with light reflections occurring at the bottom of each droplet-shaped piece.

Hung as a chandelier or arrangement, it accentuates space and creates a statement

As with all of the lighting in the Raindrop collection, Dew is meant to be hung in multiples, and it serves to accentuate space, making rooms feel both higher and more spacious.

Dew's translucent glass pendants are available in clear, grey or amber glass, which can be mixed into a single chandelier or arrangement.

Product: Dew

Brand: Shakúff

Contact: inquiries@shakuff.com

Dezeen Showroom

Dezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen's huge global audience. For more details emailshowroom@dezeen.com.

Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership contenthere.

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#all #lighting #pendantlights #design #donotshowonthehomepage #dezeenshowroom #shakúff

Architects, designers and cultural institutions show solidarity with Ukraine

Fashion designer Giorgio Armani, the curators of the Russian pavilion at this year's Venice Art Biennale and the International Union of Architects are among a growing number of individuals and institutions to show support for Ukraine following Russia's invasion last week.

In response to the conflict, Armani held his recent catwalk show at Milan Fashion Week in silence.

"What could I do?" Armani said following the show, according to the Evening Standard. "I could only signal my heartbreak for the tragedy through the silence."

"I didn't want to show music," he continued. "The best thing is to give a signal that we're not happy, but to recognise something disturbing is happening. I think the clothes became even more powerful through the silence."

V-A-C Foundation suspends public program

Meanwhile, Moscow-based cultural institution V-A-C Foundation said it "cannot turn a blind eye to the tragic events" and was suspending programs at its recently completed, Renzo Piano-designed Moscow building.

"As an institution, GES-2 House of Culture cannot turn a blind eye to the tragic events we have all become witnesses to," it said.

"In solidarity and respect to our visitors, employees, and the artists' choice we will close all current exhibitions and suspend all events in the public programme."

The institution was among a growing number of architects, designers and groups to act in solidarity with Ukraine following Russia's invasion of the country, which began on 24 February.

Russia Pavilion "will remain closed"

Lithuanian curator Raimundas Malasauskas, along with Russian artists Alexandra Sukhareva and Kirill Savchenkov, announced that they were resigning from creating the Russia Pavilion at the upcoming Venice Art Biennale.

"I cannot advance working on this project in the light of Russia's military invasion and bombing of Ukraine," Malasauskas wrote on Instagram. "This war is politically and emotionally unbearable."

The move means that "the Russian Pavilion will remain closed" at this year's event, confirmed the Russian Federation Pavilion.

UIA expresses "unwavering solidarity"

Architecture institutions the International Union of Architects (UIA) and Architects' Council of Europe (ACE) also issued statements to express solidarity with Ukraine.

"In the face of the mounting tragic events in Ukraine, the International Union of Architects (UIA) expresses its unwavering solidarity with all those affected and calls for unity and peace among nations," said UIA president José Luis Cortés.

"On behalf of the international community of architects, we condemn any act of violence or war affecting the well-being and dignity of humans, join the global appeal against war and call for the immediate restoration of peace."

[

Read:

"Every Ukrainian soul is fighting now" say architects and designers as Russia invades

](https://www.dezeen.com/2022/02/25/ukraine-russia-invasion-reactions/)

"We believe that support for each other among architects in Europe is fundamental, both for the development of our organisations in times of peace and in the event that one of us is affected by a crisis," said ACE president Ruth Schagemann.

"We declare our support to the National Union of Architects of Ukraine and its members in this difficult time."

"We condemn these violent acts"

The designers and collaborators behind the recently complete Babyn Yar Synagogue in Ukraine, including architect Manuel Herz, photographer Iwan Baan and ArchDaily founder David Basulto, also condemned the invasion.

"As individuals working with the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center to memorialize the tragic events that unfolded 80 years ago in Kyiv during the Nazi Holocaust by Bullets, we are profoundly saddened and distraught to see Ukraine again being invaded and its people again being attacked for who they are, and what they believe in," the group said in a statement.

[

Read:

Manuel Herz Architects creates synagogue that opens like a pop-up book

](https://www.dezeen.com/2021/04/23/pop-up-synagogue-babyn-yar-manuel-herz-architects-pop-up-book/)

"During world war two, the Ukrainian and Russian peoples – Christians, atheists, Jews, Muslims, and others – fought together against the Nazi menace," it continued.

"This solidarity helped to save the world at that time. The current invasion throws a terrible shadow on this history. We condemn these violent acts and the eight-year war that preceded them, and refuse to allow them to impede or prevent our work of memorialization."

As Russian forces invaded architects and designers in Ukraine were forced to shut their studios, pause their projects and seek shelter or flee their country. Several spoke to Dezeen last week including Angelika Garusova, who runs Ukraine's Art Space interior awards.

"Putin, like Hitler, declared war at 4 am and an hour later began shelling," she said. "We decided to leave Kyiv. I'm afraid nothing good awaits Ukraine in the near future."

The main image of Armani is by Jan Schroeder.

The post Architects, designers and cultural institutions show solidarity with Ukraine appeared first on Dezeen.

#all #architecture #design #news #ukraine

Silent Room acoustic pod by Narbutas

Dezeen Showroom: workplace furniture brand Narbutas has added new customisation options to its Silent Room acoustic pods, offering a glass back wall for a transparent and light-filled office environment.

Narbutas' Silent Room acoustic pods create "a room within a room" in open workspaces, giving employees a private space to make calls, hold small meetings or focus on complex tasks.

A new customisation option for Narbutas' Silent Room pods allows for transparent glass walls on both sides

The new version of the pod has a transparent glass back-wall insert instead of the classic upholstered exterior back panel, which is a good option for settings where it would be undesirable to block light.

Narbutas suggests this option for the middle of open-plan workplaces or for areas that are close to windows or glass partitions.

The pods allow a quiet, private space for focused work or calls

As with all Silent Room variations, the pod comfortably fits up to four people and is equipped with USB type A and C connectors for charging devices.

It features low-noise fans that maintain good air quality and LED lamps that Narbutas says create a "warm and homely" atmosphere within, all kept at an optimal setting by smart controls.

Product: Silent Room

Brand: Narbutas

Contact: press@narbutas.com

Dezeen Showroom

Dezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen's huge global audience. For more details emailshowroom@dezeen.com.

Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership contenthere.

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#podsandbooths #furniture #all #design #donotshowonthehomepage #narbutas #dezeenshowroom #seating #officefurniture #pods #acousticproducts