#BeOpenDESIGN
Made exclusively from sawdust and potato scraps, the experimental Briket stool by Swiss product designer Renaud Defrancesco can be produced directly where wood waste is abundant: in sawmills, carpentry shops, and workshops dealing with large quantities of wood. All it takes is a press to manufacture the stools on-site, giving wood waste a second life before its third and final use as fuel.
Made exclusively from sawdust and potato scraps, the experimental Briket stool by Swiss product designer Renaud Defrancesco can be produced directly where wood waste is abundant: in sawmills, carpentry shops, and workshops dealing with large quantities of wood. All it takes is a press to manufacture the stools on-site, giving wood waste a second life before its third and final use as fuel.
#BeOpenDESIGN
With his debut series, featuring a chair and a floor lamp, designer Do Hyun Ahn pays homage to the traditional Korean reed broom, a symbol of cultural significance, transcending its ordinary use as a tool for sweeping floors and functioning as a talisman against malevolent forces. Recreating the traditional craft of hand-weaving brooms from reeds and strings, the designer meticulously affixes multiple strands of yellow binder twine to a pre-existing furniture frame.
With his debut series, featuring a chair and a floor lamp, designer Do Hyun Ahn pays homage to the traditional Korean reed broom, a symbol of cultural significance, transcending its ordinary use as a tool for sweeping floors and functioning as a talisman against malevolent forces. Recreating the traditional craft of hand-weaving brooms from reeds and strings, the designer meticulously affixes multiple strands of yellow binder twine to a pre-existing furniture frame.
#BeOpenDESIGN
As part of the project, called Aldgate Gold, students from London Metropolitan University worked with furniture manufacturer Benchmark to create a range of products using the furnituremaker's wood offcuts and objects gathered from the streets of London, which they felt had latent potential. The students were asked to really choose an object that they personally felt has latent potential and find a way for it to remain identifiable for what it was, but also be transformed into a new item.
As part of the project, called Aldgate Gold, students from London Metropolitan University worked with furniture manufacturer Benchmark to create a range of products using the furnituremaker's wood offcuts and objects gathered from the streets of London, which they felt had latent potential. The students were asked to really choose an object that they personally felt has latent potential and find a way for it to remain identifiable for what it was, but also be transformed into a new item.
#BeOpenART #BeOpenNEWS
Anahita Zabehi, artist based in Tehran, Iran, has been selected the Regional Artist of the Month (May 2024) and has become the second of the three candidates to the Artist of the Region (Middle East), as an artist who best represents the artistic tradition of Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
In 2024, BE OPEN Art continues to run BE OPEN Regional Art, the regional competition for emerging artists, whose art best represents their regional, cultural and ethnic identities. The second stage of the second year of the programme run will cover the countries of Middle East and will last 3 months, with a winner named and awarded 500 euro at the end of June.
Anahita Zabehi, artist based in Tehran, Iran, has been selected the Regional Artist of the Month (May 2024) and has become the second of the three candidates to the Artist of the Region (Middle East), as an artist who best represents the artistic tradition of Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
In 2024, BE OPEN Art continues to run BE OPEN Regional Art, the regional competition for emerging artists, whose art best represents their regional, cultural and ethnic identities. The second stage of the second year of the programme run will cover the countries of Middle East and will last 3 months, with a winner named and awarded 500 euro at the end of June.
#BeOpenARCH
The design concept of the Wuduhus house, developed by Cambridge-based firm Mole Architects following the principles of Passivhaus, uses the inverted roof to enhance the building's energy efficiency. The longest side of the residence, whose energy use regularly hovers close to zero, is positioned facing south to take advantage of the solar gain, thus the choice of the butterfly roof is essential.
More building with butterfly roofs in our blog.
The design concept of the Wuduhus house, developed by Cambridge-based firm Mole Architects following the principles of Passivhaus, uses the inverted roof to enhance the building's energy efficiency. The longest side of the residence, whose energy use regularly hovers close to zero, is positioned facing south to take advantage of the solar gain, thus the choice of the butterfly roof is essential.
More building with butterfly roofs in our blog.
#BeOpenARCH
Designed by Swedish studio Inredningsgruppen as one of the unique rooms at the Treehotel in northern Sweden, the Bird's Nest comprises a circular structure supported by existing trees. It is entirely covered in twigs and can be accessed via a retractable staircase. With discreet small round windows almost hidden by the network of branches, from the outside the building appears as a big nest, only the scale separating it from other nests in the vicinity.
More nest-shaped buildings in our blog.
Designed by Swedish studio Inredningsgruppen as one of the unique rooms at the Treehotel in northern Sweden, the Bird's Nest comprises a circular structure supported by existing trees. It is entirely covered in twigs and can be accessed via a retractable staircase. With discreet small round windows almost hidden by the network of branches, from the outside the building appears as a big nest, only the scale separating it from other nests in the vicinity.
More nest-shaped buildings in our blog.
#BeOpenART
Estonian strategic design agency Velvet collaborated with local lighting designs studio Un-Like to help breathe new life into an old, rusted mast in the Noblnessner Port area, Tallinn. The team topped the mast with Nest, a light installation inspired by the blueprint of five-year-old Stina Onemar and crafted from re-purposed materials found from construction sites.
The design of the nest incorporates the natural aging process caused by the weather. The metal components are painted to match the rusted mast, but over time, wear and patina will increasingly blend the installation with the mast. Just like stork nests gradually become intertwined with human-made objects, this art object weaves itself into the urban fabric.
Estonian strategic design agency Velvet collaborated with local lighting designs studio Un-Like to help breathe new life into an old, rusted mast in the Noblnessner Port area, Tallinn. The team topped the mast with Nest, a light installation inspired by the blueprint of five-year-old Stina Onemar and crafted from re-purposed materials found from construction sites.
The design of the nest incorporates the natural aging process caused by the weather. The metal components are painted to match the rusted mast, but over time, wear and patina will increasingly blend the installation with the mast. Just like stork nests gradually become intertwined with human-made objects, this art object weaves itself into the urban fabric.
#BeOpenNEWS
BE OPEN Art is happy to announce that Aigerim Asanbekova, young aspiring painter from Kyrgyzstan, has been voted the Artist of the Month by the visitors of art.beopenfuture.com
Every month we invite visitors of our online gallery to choose the best artist among the shortlisted 20. In May, artworks by Aigerim inspired by Kyrgyz traditional motifs have gained her a majority of votes. We also take the opportunity to applaud all the featured artists and thank everyone who voted.
BE OPEN Art is happy to announce that Aigerim Asanbekova, young aspiring painter from Kyrgyzstan, has been voted the Artist of the Month by the visitors of art.beopenfuture.com
Every month we invite visitors of our online gallery to choose the best artist among the shortlisted 20. In May, artworks by Aigerim inspired by Kyrgyz traditional motifs have gained her a majority of votes. We also take the opportunity to applaud all the featured artists and thank everyone who voted.
#BeOpenART
Presented by Japanese artist Tadashi Kawamata on the occasion of Paris+ par Art Basel 2023, Nest in Liaigre is a site-specific installation on the facade of a Parisian mansion assembled from reclaimed wooden furniture stacked on top of one another. Complementing the exterior installation is a spiral tower of wooden chairs, tables and chest of drawers on the building's third floor.
Presented by Japanese artist Tadashi Kawamata on the occasion of Paris+ par Art Basel 2023, Nest in Liaigre is a site-specific installation on the facade of a Parisian mansion assembled from reclaimed wooden furniture stacked on top of one another. Complementing the exterior installation is a spiral tower of wooden chairs, tables and chest of drawers on the building's third floor.
#BeOpenARCH
Conceived by Mumbai-based architecture studio Sanjay Puri Architects as a memorial to the clients' father, the curvilinear volume of the Nokha Village Community Centre in Rajasthan, India, is informed by the shape of sand dunes. Aimed to provide a space for music, talks, and social interaction for all age groups, the complex integrates a courtyard, amphitheatre, library and museum behind an undulating sandstone facade.
Conceived by Mumbai-based architecture studio Sanjay Puri Architects as a memorial to the clients' father, the curvilinear volume of the Nokha Village Community Centre in Rajasthan, India, is informed by the shape of sand dunes. Aimed to provide a space for music, talks, and social interaction for all age groups, the complex integrates a courtyard, amphitheatre, library and museum behind an undulating sandstone facade.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Lithuanian product designer Lukas Avenas has envisioned a portable power bank that helps users prepare for all sorts of power emergencies. The most interesting part about this power storage device, named HR Bank, is its human-powered ability. When the external energy source is unavailable, the user can pedal this power bank like an exercise bike to generate clean power. Through workout the user can generate enough energy to power a smartphone, a laptop or other devices. With the handlebars and saddle removed, the smart device can pack up into a size of regular luggage for easy storage or transportation.
Lithuanian product designer Lukas Avenas has envisioned a portable power bank that helps users prepare for all sorts of power emergencies. The most interesting part about this power storage device, named HR Bank, is its human-powered ability. When the external energy source is unavailable, the user can pedal this power bank like an exercise bike to generate clean power. Through workout the user can generate enough energy to power a smartphone, a laptop or other devices. With the handlebars and saddle removed, the smart device can pack up into a size of regular luggage for easy storage or transportation.
#BeOpenNEWS
Dear Friends, we invite everyone to take part in the public vote of the Design Your Climate Action competition, to define the winner of the Public Vote Prize of €2,000! Please go to the Public Vote section of the competition website, go through the 50 shortlisted entries, and click on the heart next to the one you consider truly efficient in combating climate change and achieving bigger sustainability in our lives.
The voting will last till June 23rd 2024.
Dear Friends, we invite everyone to take part in the public vote of the Design Your Climate Action competition, to define the winner of the Public Vote Prize of €2,000! Please go to the Public Vote section of the competition website, go through the 50 shortlisted entries, and click on the heart next to the one you consider truly efficient in combating climate change and achieving bigger sustainability in our lives.
The voting will last till June 23rd 2024.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Inspired by the vertically stackable steel boxes found in Indian tiffins, Indian equivalent of a bento box, the Dip-In Tiffin modular packaging by designer Srishti Garg uses natural materials to store food, making it safer to dispose than plastic. The tiffin’s vessel is created using a dried, thermoformed Areca leaf, an eco-friendly alternative to conventional disposable plates and brown paper bags. Several bowls can be slotted along a branded paper sleeve vertically, forming a structure resembling a tiffin. The design does not need any glue, staples or seals, which makes it safer and more sustainable.
More smart takeout packaging designs in our blog.
Inspired by the vertically stackable steel boxes found in Indian tiffins, Indian equivalent of a bento box, the Dip-In Tiffin modular packaging by designer Srishti Garg uses natural materials to store food, making it safer to dispose than plastic. The tiffin’s vessel is created using a dried, thermoformed Areca leaf, an eco-friendly alternative to conventional disposable plates and brown paper bags. Several bowls can be slotted along a branded paper sleeve vertically, forming a structure resembling a tiffin. The design does not need any glue, staples or seals, which makes it safer and more sustainable.
More smart takeout packaging designs in our blog.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Developed by Sebastian Delerba, Withless is a concept for herb growing panels that restaurants can put up in their spaces to raise awareness in reusing leftover water. The stackable panel can hold up to twenty pots and has a grid design which can be expanded depending on the space and the needs of the establishment. However, the concept goes beyond simple decoration. It serves a dual purpose enabling restaurants to grow their own edible plants while inviting customers to actively participating in water conservation efforts.
via
Developed by Sebastian Delerba, Withless is a concept for herb growing panels that restaurants can put up in their spaces to raise awareness in reusing leftover water. The stackable panel can hold up to twenty pots and has a grid design which can be expanded depending on the space and the needs of the establishment. However, the concept goes beyond simple decoration. It serves a dual purpose enabling restaurants to grow their own edible plants while inviting customers to actively participating in water conservation efforts.
via
#BeOpenDESIGN
Envisioned by Fengrui Wang, industrial designer based in Delft, Netherlands, the Singing Bottle is a concept for a pill dispenser to help kids ages 6-10 take their medicine. Shaped like a ship in a bottle, the device includes a corresponding paper card strip with an NFC tag attached. The dispenser also has a built-in speaker in which the cards can be played. The first card features inspiring words explaining why kids need to take the meds. Every two days, a new strip is unlocked playing a story or music to serve as a “reward” for taking the pill.
Envisioned by Fengrui Wang, industrial designer based in Delft, Netherlands, the Singing Bottle is a concept for a pill dispenser to help kids ages 6-10 take their medicine. Shaped like a ship in a bottle, the device includes a corresponding paper card strip with an NFC tag attached. The dispenser also has a built-in speaker in which the cards can be played. The first card features inspiring words explaining why kids need to take the meds. Every two days, a new strip is unlocked playing a story or music to serve as a “reward” for taking the pill.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Sprout by designer Patricia Mangulabnan is an environmentally-friendly packaging that is crafted using Pinyapel, a specialty paper made of discarded pineapple leaves, common agricultural waste accumulating in her native Philippines. Not only the packaging is sustainable, it also aims to contribute to the growth of local plants. Instead of discarding the packaging, the user is encouraged to plant learn more about the seeds embedded into the material and plant them. Each seed was selected after intense research to pick those that are non-invasive.
More sustainable food packaging in our blog.
Sprout by designer Patricia Mangulabnan is an environmentally-friendly packaging that is crafted using Pinyapel, a specialty paper made of discarded pineapple leaves, common agricultural waste accumulating in her native Philippines. Not only the packaging is sustainable, it also aims to contribute to the growth of local plants. Instead of discarding the packaging, the user is encouraged to plant learn more about the seeds embedded into the material and plant them. Each seed was selected after intense research to pick those that are non-invasive.
More sustainable food packaging in our blog.
#BeOpenNEWS
Dear Friends, we invite everyone to take part in the public vote of the Design Your Climate Action competition, to define the winner of the Public Vote Prize of €2,000! Please go to the Public Vote section of the competition website, go through the 50 shortlisted entries, and click on the heart next to the one you consider truly efficient in combating climate change and achieving bigger sustainability in our lives.
The voting will last till June 23rd 2024.
Dear Friends, we invite everyone to take part in the public vote of the Design Your Climate Action competition, to define the winner of the Public Vote Prize of €2,000! Please go to the Public Vote section of the competition website, go through the 50 shortlisted entries, and click on the heart next to the one you consider truly efficient in combating climate change and achieving bigger sustainability in our lives.
The voting will last till June 23rd 2024.