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As part of a competition to design a residence for the growing ‘Jorejick’ family in rural Tanzania, architects Pranav Thole and Rutu Kelekar have proposed a beehive-shaped house made from mud that is an evolution of the traditional Tanzanian house typology. All habitable spaces are organized around this courtyard on a large contiguous plinth and are surrounded by space for livestock. The project is defined by a rainwater collecting vortex roof, channeling water into the heart of the home, developed to address the regional issue of water shortage.
As part of a competition to design a residence for the growing ‘Jorejick’ family in rural Tanzania, architects Pranav Thole and Rutu Kelekar have proposed a beehive-shaped house made from mud that is an evolution of the traditional Tanzanian house typology. All habitable spaces are organized around this courtyard on a large contiguous plinth and are surrounded by space for livestock. The project is defined by a rainwater collecting vortex roof, channeling water into the heart of the home, developed to address the regional issue of water shortage.
Developed by Paris-based artist of Colombian origin Iván Argote, Dinosaur is a hyper-realistic aluminum sculpture of a giant 4.8-metre-tall pigeon posed on a concrete plinth above the High Line in New York City. The meticulously hand-painted, humorous sculpture challenges the grandeur of traditional monuments celebrating significant historical figures, instead choosing to canonize the familiar New York City street bird, thus celebrating its anonimity among the urban landscape.
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Located on an island in the middle of Lake Washington, USA, Mercer Island Modern residence by local practice Garret Cord Werner Architects features a reflective pond, a lap pool, and a jacuzzi that serve to organize the spaces of the dwelling. The Japanese-inspired architecture of the 390-square-metre home articulates the flow of water and provides a Zen-like resort destination, in the middle of the metropolis. The experience of walking up to and over water, both inside and outside of the home, creates a dramatic and tranquil feeling that one rarely experiences inside a residential building.
More houses with water features in our blog.
Located on an island in the middle of Lake Washington, USA, Mercer Island Modern residence by local practice Garret Cord Werner Architects features a reflective pond, a lap pool, and a jacuzzi that serve to organize the spaces of the dwelling. The Japanese-inspired architecture of the 390-square-metre home articulates the flow of water and provides a Zen-like resort destination, in the middle of the metropolis. The experience of walking up to and over water, both inside and outside of the home, creates a dramatic and tranquil feeling that one rarely experiences inside a residential building.
More houses with water features in our blog.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Developed by Sean Sykes and James Whitfield, the Briiv eco-friendly air purifier works exactly how a forest does to purify the atmosphere. Unlike conventional purifiers that use HEPA filters, it relies on moss, coconut fiber, and a silk nanofiber matrix with activated carbon to tackle pollutants ranging from pet dander and pollen to dirt, dust, smoke, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) caused during cooking.
More ingenuous air purifier designs in our blog.
Developed by Sean Sykes and James Whitfield, the Briiv eco-friendly air purifier works exactly how a forest does to purify the atmosphere. Unlike conventional purifiers that use HEPA filters, it relies on moss, coconut fiber, and a silk nanofiber matrix with activated carbon to tackle pollutants ranging from pet dander and pollen to dirt, dust, smoke, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) caused during cooking.
More ingenuous air purifier designs in our blog.
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Local architect David Closes has added a jagged form clad in perforated aluminium to the building of the Baroque Museum of Catalonia in Manresa, Spain, which occupies a former 17th-century Jesuit college whose baroque church was demolished. The pavilion marking the entrance is one of several interventions improving access to the exhibition floors of the museum. The new volumes, placed in front of the old partitioning wall of the church, are arranged in a way that allows the conformation of the new façade of the building but at the same time grant the sights to the most important footprints of the old church that remains on the partitioning wall.
Local architect David Closes has added a jagged form clad in perforated aluminium to the building of the Baroque Museum of Catalonia in Manresa, Spain, which occupies a former 17th-century Jesuit college whose baroque church was demolished. The pavilion marking the entrance is one of several interventions improving access to the exhibition floors of the museum. The new volumes, placed in front of the old partitioning wall of the church, are arranged in a way that allows the conformation of the new façade of the building but at the same time grant the sights to the most important footprints of the old church that remains on the partitioning wall.
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Set up in Busan, South Korea, Paired Cubes is a temporary 2.5m tall pavilion designed by the local interdisciplinary design and research studio A+U LAB. The installation is made up of 3,500 recycled polycarbonate panels put together without any fittings or glue, which enables it to be disassembled and transferred to any other location. It has eight outer facades and two inner walls and the overall effect, especially when illuminated, is that they look like floating panels.
Set up in Busan, South Korea, Paired Cubes is a temporary 2.5m tall pavilion designed by the local interdisciplinary design and research studio A+U LAB. The installation is made up of 3,500 recycled polycarbonate panels put together without any fittings or glue, which enables it to be disassembled and transferred to any other location. It has eight outer facades and two inner walls and the overall effect, especially when illuminated, is that they look like floating panels.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Finnish startup Binit has developed a hardware device that scans trash and uses AI-powered vision technology to analyze materials, identify their manufacturing techniques to determine the best ways to dispose of it. The system integrates with powerful large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s GPT-3, enabling highly accurate image recognition of everyday household waste objects. The team hopes that the device will equip users with data to make new habits that stick and help them to take action with impact.
Finnish startup Binit has developed a hardware device that scans trash and uses AI-powered vision technology to analyze materials, identify their manufacturing techniques to determine the best ways to dispose of it. The system integrates with powerful large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s GPT-3, enabling highly accurate image recognition of everyday household waste objects. The team hopes that the device will equip users with data to make new habits that stick and help them to take action with impact.
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The design of the TerraMound cooling solution by UK-based designer Rameshwari Jonnalagedda is informed by the complex tunnels termites create in their mounds, which are meant to facilitate airflow. Bringing natural design and technology together, the TerraMound system comprises an evaporative cooler that utilizes complex geometric patterns that look like artistic versions of termite mounds to enhance surface-area-to-volume ratio. Such a design would be impossible to do en masse by hand, so the designer uses 3D printing from clay instead.
More evaporative cooling systems in our blog.
The design of the TerraMound cooling solution by UK-based designer Rameshwari Jonnalagedda is informed by the complex tunnels termites create in their mounds, which are meant to facilitate airflow. Bringing natural design and technology together, the TerraMound system comprises an evaporative cooler that utilizes complex geometric patterns that look like artistic versions of termite mounds to enhance surface-area-to-volume ratio. Such a design would be impossible to do en masse by hand, so the designer uses 3D printing from clay instead.
More evaporative cooling systems in our blog.
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BE OPEN Art is happy to announce that Isabella González, Honduran artist, has been selected the Regional Artist of the month (August 2024) by the highest number of votes of BE OPEN Art online gallery visitors. Isabella's artistic production is deeply grounded in the handmade. Her art pieces involve different layers of fabric embroidered as an intention to mend herself.
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 covers the countries of Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. The stage will traditionally last three months, and the regional winner for Central America will be selected out of the three monthly winners and awarded 500 euro at the end of September 2024.
BE OPEN Art is happy to announce that Isabella González, Honduran artist, has been selected the Regional Artist of the month (August 2024) by the highest number of votes of BE OPEN Art online gallery visitors. Isabella's artistic production is deeply grounded in the handmade. Her art pieces involve different layers of fabric embroidered as an intention to mend herself.
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 covers the countries of Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. The stage will traditionally last three months, and the regional winner for Central America will be selected out of the three monthly winners and awarded 500 euro at the end of September 2024.
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Belgian design firm Studio PART develops demountable metal moulds that, combined with young planted willow trees, let them grow into a self-supporting seat. It takes three to four years to grow a bench-shaped tree, that is sturdy enough to sit on it without any additional man-made elements. Then, the mould and the screw foundations can be removed, leaving the roots unharmed. Over the course of 90 years, each mould could produce 30 willow benches using a total of 1,170 individual young willows
More bespoke benches to feel connected with Nature in our blog.
Belgian design firm Studio PART develops demountable metal moulds that, combined with young planted willow trees, let them grow into a self-supporting seat. It takes three to four years to grow a bench-shaped tree, that is sturdy enough to sit on it without any additional man-made elements. Then, the mould and the screw foundations can be removed, leaving the roots unharmed. Over the course of 90 years, each mould could produce 30 willow benches using a total of 1,170 individual young willows
More bespoke benches to feel connected with Nature in our blog.
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International award-winning multidisciplinary practice Joe Daucet x Partners (JDXP) has introduced Airiva, a modular, scalable and smart wind energy system consisting of an array of vertical wind turbines within a contemporary frame. Airiva’s modular design is capable of being easily transported and scaled to reflect site-specific needs. Multiple units can be networked together to create a flexible, clean energy system suited to a broad diversity of use cases including municipal and public facilities, commercial buildings and transportation networks. The system is not only efficient but also quiet and safe, while the electricity generated can be used directly on site, stored or fed into the grid.
International award-winning multidisciplinary practice Joe Daucet x Partners (JDXP) has introduced Airiva, a modular, scalable and smart wind energy system consisting of an array of vertical wind turbines within a contemporary frame. Airiva’s modular design is capable of being easily transported and scaled to reflect site-specific needs. Multiple units can be networked together to create a flexible, clean energy system suited to a broad diversity of use cases including municipal and public facilities, commercial buildings and transportation networks. The system is not only efficient but also quiet and safe, while the electricity generated can be used directly on site, stored or fed into the grid.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Considered an invasive weed species in Australia, Camphor Laurel intertwines with tales of myth and medicine in many East Asian countries. Intending to celebrate Camphor's buttery softness and dense grain, Australian designer Marlo Lyda has collaborated with artisans Simon Beggs and Jack Stannard to create Turning (Camphor), a collection comprised of bed frames, side tables, lamps and candle holders handcrafted of Camphor Laurel Timber. The very name Turning' symbolises a decisive point of change, a theme reflected in the craft of woodturning itself, which serves as both metaphor and primary production technique in the creation of the series.
Considered an invasive weed species in Australia, Camphor Laurel intertwines with tales of myth and medicine in many East Asian countries. Intending to celebrate Camphor's buttery softness and dense grain, Australian designer Marlo Lyda has collaborated with artisans Simon Beggs and Jack Stannard to create Turning (Camphor), a collection comprised of bed frames, side tables, lamps and candle holders handcrafted of Camphor Laurel Timber. The very name Turning' symbolises a decisive point of change, a theme reflected in the craft of woodturning itself, which serves as both metaphor and primary production technique in the creation of the series.
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In Roumare forest near Rouen in France, French Atelier YokYok has installed Les Chaumes, a series of huts made of wooden structures and recycled thatch, which is readily available in the region. The 30-year-old is covered with a mixture of flour, linseed oil, black soap, iron sulfate, and natural pigments to protect the huts from moisture, insects, and fungi. The totemic sculptures are semi-open inviting people to step inside them and stick their heads out, as if they were wearing the installations like garments. For the design studio, Les Chaumes isn’t just a series of artworks, but a reminder of the idea of clothing, the skin, the protective coat for winter, and ceremonial costumes that are always remembered.
In Roumare forest near Rouen in France, French Atelier YokYok has installed Les Chaumes, a series of huts made of wooden structures and recycled thatch, which is readily available in the region. The 30-year-old is covered with a mixture of flour, linseed oil, black soap, iron sulfate, and natural pigments to protect the huts from moisture, insects, and fungi. The totemic sculptures are semi-open inviting people to step inside them and stick their heads out, as if they were wearing the installations like garments. For the design studio, Les Chaumes isn’t just a series of artworks, but a reminder of the idea of clothing, the skin, the protective coat for winter, and ceremonial costumes that are always remembered.
#BeOpenDESIGN
The mix of metal particles is contained in the sphere on top of the ring, which is a part of Future Metals, an ongoing project by materials researcher and designer Karoline Healy. The project focuses on an investigation into the technological potential of bio-mining as a new source of precious metals for jewellery. Bio-mining can utilise a range of bio-technologies and organisms such as bacteria, mycelium, volcanoes, algae, e-waste, mine tailings, lake brines and plants to extract metals. Healy, however, is especially interested in special plant species that have the ability to suck up metal through their roots from contaminated and polluted soils.
The mix of metal particles is contained in the sphere on top of the ring, which is a part of Future Metals, an ongoing project by materials researcher and designer Karoline Healy. The project focuses on an investigation into the technological potential of bio-mining as a new source of precious metals for jewellery. Bio-mining can utilise a range of bio-technologies and organisms such as bacteria, mycelium, volcanoes, algae, e-waste, mine tailings, lake brines and plants to extract metals. Healy, however, is especially interested in special plant species that have the ability to suck up metal through their roots from contaminated and polluted soils.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Swedish designer Jonatan Nilsson creates amorphous vases using a flexible mold for glassblowing. The new method employs a special machine constructed in sheet metal in which you can fasten different shapes of wood. The machine’s doors turns on hinges, and you are able to slide the wooden shapes back and forth, allowing you to get in and out with the glass when blowing. This enables the designer to achieve unpredicted shapes in the finished glass.
More designers that shape the new face of Scandinavian design in our blog.
Swedish designer Jonatan Nilsson creates amorphous vases using a flexible mold for glassblowing. The new method employs a special machine constructed in sheet metal in which you can fasten different shapes of wood. The machine’s doors turns on hinges, and you are able to slide the wooden shapes back and forth, allowing you to get in and out with the glass when blowing. This enables the designer to achieve unpredicted shapes in the finished glass.
More designers that shape the new face of Scandinavian design in our blog.
#BeOpenNEWS
BE OPEN Art is happy to announce that Amy Lewis from Tacoma, USA, has been voted the Artist of the Month by the visitors of art.beopenfuture.com in August 2024.
Every month we invite art enthusiasts from all over the world to choose the best artist among those featured in our online gallery. In August, paintings by Amy Lewis inspired by fashion editorials and historic paintings of aristocracy have gained the self-taught artist 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 Amy Lewis from Tacoma, USA, has been voted the Artist of the Month by the visitors of art.beopenfuture.com in August 2024.
Every month we invite art enthusiasts from all over the world to choose the best artist among those featured in our online gallery. In August, paintings by Amy Lewis inspired by fashion editorials and historic paintings of aristocracy have gained the self-taught artist a majority of votes.
We also take the opportunity to applaud all the featured artists and thank everyone who voted.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Developed by Italian researcher Laura Bordini, By Osmosis project explores a circular process in which biomass derived from the death of microorganisms recovered from industrial waste centers serves to generate a biomaterial that stimulates plant growth. From the biomass, Bordini has created a series of products, such as packaging materials, that can be planted and act as agricultural biostimulants.
Developed by Italian researcher Laura Bordini, By Osmosis project explores a circular process in which biomass derived from the death of microorganisms recovered from industrial waste centers serves to generate a biomaterial that stimulates plant growth. From the biomass, Bordini has created a series of products, such as packaging materials, that can be planted and act as agricultural biostimulants.
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Designed by a+r Architects and NL Architects, an interim structure for the Württembergische Staatstheater Stuttgart will accommodate the Stuttgart State Opera and the Stuttgart Ballet during the renovation of their current venue. The new complex, which includes the production areas such as rehearsal rooms, workshops for stage designs, offices, storage spaces and even a village on the rooftop, has been developed to be repurposed as a Makers City once the opera and ballet have returned to their original venue. The project has been developed with a focus on considering the future reuse of the interim opera building to avoid future demolition. The team aims tto preserve a maximum of the interim opera as a permanent structure and achieve as much re-use as possible.
More examples of demountable architecture in our blog.
Designed by a+r Architects and NL Architects, an interim structure for the Württembergische Staatstheater Stuttgart will accommodate the Stuttgart State Opera and the Stuttgart Ballet during the renovation of their current venue. The new complex, which includes the production areas such as rehearsal rooms, workshops for stage designs, offices, storage spaces and even a village on the rooftop, has been developed to be repurposed as a Makers City once the opera and ballet have returned to their original venue. The project has been developed with a focus on considering the future reuse of the interim opera building to avoid future demolition. The team aims tto preserve a maximum of the interim opera as a permanent structure and achieve as much re-use as possible.
More examples of demountable architecture in our blog.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Conceived by two Danish designers Signe Fensholt and Anne Brandhøj, "Rooting for everyone" is a series of objects in porcelain and wood that includes table legs, balusters, dishes and stands. Created to hold something or typically act as load-bearing or supporting elements, these everyday things are simplified to abstract forms that refer to their function in our daily lives.
Conceived by two Danish designers Signe Fensholt and Anne Brandhøj, "Rooting for everyone" is a series of objects in porcelain and wood that includes table legs, balusters, dishes and stands. Created to hold something or typically act as load-bearing or supporting elements, these everyday things are simplified to abstract forms that refer to their function in our daily lives.