Bridge Doubles As Public Gathering Place

When Beijing-based practice DnA Design and Architecture was tapped to renovate an old stone masonry bridge in Zhejiang, China, founding architect Xu Tiantian saw it as an opportunity to create a transformative and culturally significant gathering space for the public. Spanning the Songyin River, the updated Shimen Bridge now features a beautiful timber addition with built-in seating, planters, and even […]

Intricate Design Morpheus May Become Macau’s Landmark

Zaha Hadid Architects has a way of designing buildings so intricate and complex that the photographs look like renderings rather than completed architecture. Their latest unveiling is Morpheus, the flagship hotel for the City of Dreams resort in Macau. While the sculptural design of Morpheus was inspired by China’s centuries-old tradition of jade carving, the structure of the hotel hardly […]

A New Touch Given To Window Blinds

Window shade systems all operate similarly, either requiring a manual pull mechanism or a motorized system to control roller shades or a slat system for purposes of controlling light and privacy. But designer and goldsmith Kia Utzon-Frank has imagined a solution offering a higher degree of control and customizability – a cordless shuttering system for windows inviting users to create openings […]

This Shirt Cleans The Air

Italian fashion company Kloters has created a T-shirt that cleans the air through a specially designed insert capable of capturing and disintegrating pollutants and foul odors. Called RepAir, the shirt was designed to be both comfortable and environmentally friendly. “RepAir is born from the desire to go beyond the traditional concept of sustainable fashion,” said Kloters co-founders Federico Suria, Marco […]

Fancy Working In A Castle?

Icelandic/Danish artist Olafur Eliasson’s studio recently completed its first major architectural work, Fjordenhus (or Fjord House). Rising out of a Danish fjord like a sculpted modern take on a castle, the building is arranged into four converging cylinders and is defined by its remarkable brickwork. Fjordenhus was commissioned by investment firm Kirk Kapital (which is headed by descendants of Lego […]

Time For Smart Jewellery?

A discreet piece of smart jewelry that sends an alert to loved ones and tracks her location when a woman feels in danger has taken out the US$1 million XPrize for Women’s Safety, the foundation has announced today. Launched in 2016, the Anu & Naveen Jain Women’s Safety XPrize was a global competition that asked teams to come up with […]

Translucent Concrete Walls

Translucent concrete walls add drama and beauty to a recently completed Capital Bank in Amman, Jordan. Located on ritzy Cairo Street in Abdoun, the new Capital Bank VIP branch marks the first worldwide use of LUCEM Lichtbeton, a type of concrete with translucent properties. When backlit with LEDs or sunlight, the LUCEM translucent concrete panels create a stunning display of […]

Carbon Positive Towers In Sweden

Stockholm-based Kjellander Sjöberg Architects recently won a competition for Nacka Port, a new district between Nacka and Stockholm. Envisioned as a sustainable destination, the urban block would consist of a rich mix of programmatic functions including residential, retail and public spaces that are easily accessible to pedestrians and cyclists. In addition to new green space, the architects plan to insert “carbon […]

Cocoon Pavillion Made Up Of 100% Sustainable Materials

If you’ve ever dreamed of cocooning yourself in nature, this woven prefabricated pavilion may be right up your alley. Dutch architect Ben van Berkel of UNStudio has unveiled the Ellipsicoon, a digitally developed and handwoven pavilion that can pop up anywhere as a sculptural and meditative retreat. The curvaceous Ellipsicoon was created as part of the pavilion series for Revolution […]