#BeOpenNEWS #BeOpenART
BE OPEN Art is pleased to announce Paloma Bautista as the Artist of the Month for May 2026. Originally from the Canary Islands and now based in Finland, Bautista is an architect, designer, and visual artist whose multidisciplinary practice explores the creation of atmospheres through color, form, and spatial sensitivity. Holding a Master of Architecture degree, Bautista brings a deep understanding of structure, balance, and environment to her artistic work.
Each month, BE OPEN Art presents 20 artists for public voting, with monthly winners advancing to compete for the Artist of the Year 2026 title. The overall winner will receive a €1,000 prize and promotional support from BE OPEN Art.
We warmly congratulate Paloma on this well-deserved recognition and thank her for her inspiring contribution to the BE OPEN Art community.
BE OPEN Art is pleased to announce Paloma Bautista as the Artist of the Month for May 2026. Originally from the Canary Islands and now based in Finland, Bautista is an architect, designer, and visual artist whose multidisciplinary practice explores the creation of atmospheres through color, form, and spatial sensitivity. Holding a Master of Architecture degree, Bautista brings a deep understanding of structure, balance, and environment to her artistic work.
Each month, BE OPEN Art presents 20 artists for public voting, with monthly winners advancing to compete for the Artist of the Year 2026 title. The overall winner will receive a €1,000 prize and promotional support from BE OPEN Art.
We warmly congratulate Paloma on this well-deserved recognition and thank her for her inspiring contribution to the BE OPEN Art community.
#BeOpenARCH
Set into the steep terrain of southern Poland’s Beskid Mountains, KWK Promes’s Yaw House transforms the hillside into an active architectural element rather than a backdrop. Defined by a subtle rotational move inspired by the aviation term “yaw,” the residence begins with a conventional gabled form aligned to its neighbors before pivoting toward sunlight and panoramic valley views. This shift reorganizes the interior into naturally distinct public and private zones while allowing the grass-covered roof and sloped terrain to visually merge, making the house appear embedded within the landscape itself. Midway through construction, the project evolved to include a rehabilitation swimming pool, which the architects integrated as a circular, subterranean centerpiece that softens the home’s otherwise angular geometry and anchors the spatial experience of the residence.
Set into the steep terrain of southern Poland’s Beskid Mountains, KWK Promes’s Yaw House transforms the hillside into an active architectural element rather than a backdrop. Defined by a subtle rotational move inspired by the aviation term “yaw,” the residence begins with a conventional gabled form aligned to its neighbors before pivoting toward sunlight and panoramic valley views. This shift reorganizes the interior into naturally distinct public and private zones while allowing the grass-covered roof and sloped terrain to visually merge, making the house appear embedded within the landscape itself. Midway through construction, the project evolved to include a rehabilitation swimming pool, which the architects integrated as a circular, subterranean centerpiece that softens the home’s otherwise angular geometry and anchors the spatial experience of the residence.
#BeOpenDESIGN
At Milan Design Week 2026, MEUW (Socius novus) by Jaemo Lee and Lisa Schober, part of HEAD – Genève’s MAIA exhibition “No One Sees Them Like We Do. Notes on Animal Interiors,” presented a family of soft, translucent silicone creatures installed in the abandoned Baggio Military Hospital. Positioned between object and organism, the near-amphibian forms are designed as speculative companions that simulate intimacy without requiring care, reframing human–animal relationships through touch, weight, and material presence. Drawing on references from pet commodification to speculative media, the project uses tactile interaction to question whether connection can be constructed through designed objects rather than living beings.
At Milan Design Week 2026, MEUW (Socius novus) by Jaemo Lee and Lisa Schober, part of HEAD – Genève’s MAIA exhibition “No One Sees Them Like We Do. Notes on Animal Interiors,” presented a family of soft, translucent silicone creatures installed in the abandoned Baggio Military Hospital. Positioned between object and organism, the near-amphibian forms are designed as speculative companions that simulate intimacy without requiring care, reframing human–animal relationships through touch, weight, and material presence. Drawing on references from pet commodification to speculative media, the project uses tactile interaction to question whether connection can be constructed through designed objects rather than living beings.
#BeOpenDESIGN
In Tokyo, product designer Kenji Abe’s Aperire rethinks sustainable lighting by casting fixtures from discarded aluminum cans without over-refining the material. Instead of erasing imperfections, he preserves ink traces, bubbles, and surface irregularities, turning them into the object’s visual language. Inspired by foraminifera and eroded rock formations, the porous, chambered form diffuses light softly through openings while exposing its recycled origin. The result is a material honesty where sustainability is not a narrative layer but an embedded, visible condition of the object itself.
In Tokyo, product designer Kenji Abe’s Aperire rethinks sustainable lighting by casting fixtures from discarded aluminum cans without over-refining the material. Instead of erasing imperfections, he preserves ink traces, bubbles, and surface irregularities, turning them into the object’s visual language. Inspired by foraminifera and eroded rock formations, the porous, chambered form diffuses light softly through openings while exposing its recycled origin. The result is a material honesty where sustainability is not a narrative layer but an embedded, visible condition of the object itself.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Silhouette by Jonah Rappaport reconsiders the visual language of transformable furniture through a convertible chair that avoids the exposed mechanics and structural clutter typical of the category. Winner of the A’ Design Award 2025-2026, the chair transitions between armchair, lounge chair, and chaise longue configurations using rotating structural components and concealed locking systems integrated into the base. Constructed from layered Baltic birch plywood with fully disassemblable metal-to-metal connections, the project combines formal clarity with long-term repairability.
More design-led lounge chairs on our blog.
Silhouette by Jonah Rappaport reconsiders the visual language of transformable furniture through a convertible chair that avoids the exposed mechanics and structural clutter typical of the category. Winner of the A’ Design Award 2025-2026, the chair transitions between armchair, lounge chair, and chaise longue configurations using rotating structural components and concealed locking systems integrated into the base. Constructed from layered Baltic birch plywood with fully disassemblable metal-to-metal connections, the project combines formal clarity with long-term repairability.
More design-led lounge chairs on our blog.
#BeOpenART #BeOpenNEWS
The Art Limitless programme within the BE OPEN Art online gallery has announced Max Sheppard as the May 2026 monthly winner, recognising his distinctive sculptural reliefs that transform found coastal materials into architecturally inspired abstract compositions.
Throughout 2026, BE OPEN continues to highlight artists whose work reflects sustainable approaches to artistic practice. Each month, a winning artist is selected and featured in the online gallery, and at the end of the year, three artists will be chosen from the monthly winners by members of the BE OPEN community to receive monetary awards and increased international visibility from the BE OPEN Foundation.
We warmly congratulate Max Sheppard on this achievement.
The Art Limitless programme within the BE OPEN Art online gallery has announced Max Sheppard as the May 2026 monthly winner, recognising his distinctive sculptural reliefs that transform found coastal materials into architecturally inspired abstract compositions.
Throughout 2026, BE OPEN continues to highlight artists whose work reflects sustainable approaches to artistic practice. Each month, a winning artist is selected and featured in the online gallery, and at the end of the year, three artists will be chosen from the monthly winners by members of the BE OPEN community to receive monetary awards and increased international visibility from the BE OPEN Foundation.
We warmly congratulate Max Sheppard on this achievement.
#BeOpenNEWS
BE OPEN is proud to announce the winners of the 2025/26 DESIGN EQUALITY with Innovation competition, dedicated to advancing UN SDG #5: Gender Equality.
🥇 First Prize (€5,000): Norah Kimathi (Kenya) for Zerobionic, an AI-powered robotic exoskeleton for deaf and hard-of-hearing girls.
🥈 Second Prize (€3,000): Victress Igboanusim (Nigeria) for Calyx-Probe, an AI-powered device improving access to non-invasive reproductive healthcare.
🥉 Third Prize (€2,000): Lennox Omondi, Dullah Shiltone, Keylie Muthoni and Brian Ndung'u (Kenya) for Ecobana, transforming banana waste into biodegradable sanitary pads.
⭐ Founder’s Choice Prize (€3,000): Ellena Vianne, Tria Indah Lestari, Farida Doa Valentina and Adnan Hasyim Wibowo (Indonesia) for the Roots Menstrual Care System.
🗳️ Public Vote Prize (€2,000): Akshat Shah, Harshavi Patel and Aryaa Bhagwat (India) for Samvaad Saathi, supporting financial inclusion for women daily-wage construction workers.
Congratulations to all the winners and participants!
BE OPEN is proud to announce the winners of the 2025/26 DESIGN EQUALITY with Innovation competition, dedicated to advancing UN SDG #5: Gender Equality.
🥇 First Prize (€5,000): Norah Kimathi (Kenya) for Zerobionic, an AI-powered robotic exoskeleton for deaf and hard-of-hearing girls.
🥈 Second Prize (€3,000): Victress Igboanusim (Nigeria) for Calyx-Probe, an AI-powered device improving access to non-invasive reproductive healthcare.
🥉 Third Prize (€2,000): Lennox Omondi, Dullah Shiltone, Keylie Muthoni and Brian Ndung'u (Kenya) for Ecobana, transforming banana waste into biodegradable sanitary pads.
⭐ Founder’s Choice Prize (€3,000): Ellena Vianne, Tria Indah Lestari, Farida Doa Valentina and Adnan Hasyim Wibowo (Indonesia) for the Roots Menstrual Care System.
🗳️ Public Vote Prize (€2,000): Akshat Shah, Harshavi Patel and Aryaa Bhagwat (India) for Samvaad Saathi, supporting financial inclusion for women daily-wage construction workers.
Congratulations to all the winners and participants!
#BeOpenDESIGN
The Alice Stool by Studio LoopLoop proves that sustainable design doesn't have to look serious. Combining a base made from 100% recycled aluminum with a plush seat upholstered in Bio-Fluff's plant-based faux fur, the stool transforms circular materials into something playful, tactile, and undeniably desirable. With its dreamy color gradients and cloud-like texture, Alice challenges the notion that eco-conscious furniture must prioritize responsibility over beauty, making a compelling case for sustainability that feels joyful rather than obligatory.
More funny stools on our blog.
The Alice Stool by Studio LoopLoop proves that sustainable design doesn't have to look serious. Combining a base made from 100% recycled aluminum with a plush seat upholstered in Bio-Fluff's plant-based faux fur, the stool transforms circular materials into something playful, tactile, and undeniably desirable. With its dreamy color gradients and cloud-like texture, Alice challenges the notion that eco-conscious furniture must prioritize responsibility over beauty, making a compelling case for sustainability that feels joyful rather than obligatory.
More funny stools on our blog.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Suspended Hugging Unit (SHU), a speculative design project by Diego Reggiani developed as a master's thesis at Politecnico di Milano, examines a future in which human touch becomes scarce and technology assumes the role of emotional companionship. Inspired by the trust, tension, and bodily containment of shibari, the handcrafted suspended hammock uses over 500 metres of woven rope and an integrated thermal-responsive system to simulate the physical and psychological comfort of a hug. By recreating sensations of pressure, warmth, and support through responsive materials, SHU challenges viewers to consider how increasingly mediated lifestyles may reshape intimacy, while questioning the implications of relying on technology to fulfill one of humanity's most fundamental forms of connection.
Suspended Hugging Unit (SHU), a speculative design project by Diego Reggiani developed as a master's thesis at Politecnico di Milano, examines a future in which human touch becomes scarce and technology assumes the role of emotional companionship. Inspired by the trust, tension, and bodily containment of shibari, the handcrafted suspended hammock uses over 500 metres of woven rope and an integrated thermal-responsive system to simulate the physical and psychological comfort of a hug. By recreating sensations of pressure, warmth, and support through responsive materials, SHU challenges viewers to consider how increasingly mediated lifestyles may reshape intimacy, while questioning the implications of relying on technology to fulfill one of humanity's most fundamental forms of connection.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Developed by Studio Darius Ou with Benson Chong, Manual is a fully 3D-printed book that embeds part of the machine code used to create itself. Produced in a single printing sequence with no assembly or binding, the object combines form, content, and fabrication into one process. Using an XY-for-Z printing method, the book arrives fully bound, with raised G-code text that records fragments of its own production. Referencing the self-replicating ambitions of the RepRap project, Manual explores the book as a transmissible object that can travel as a digital file and reappear as a physical artifact, blurring the boundaries between instruction, manufacture, and publication.
Developed by Studio Darius Ou with Benson Chong, Manual is a fully 3D-printed book that embeds part of the machine code used to create itself. Produced in a single printing sequence with no assembly or binding, the object combines form, content, and fabrication into one process. Using an XY-for-Z printing method, the book arrives fully bound, with raised G-code text that records fragments of its own production. Referencing the self-replicating ambitions of the RepRap project, Manual explores the book as a transmissible object that can travel as a digital file and reappear as a physical artifact, blurring the boundaries between instruction, manufacture, and publication.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Seoul-based BKID Co is rethinking urban comfort with Seoul Shade, a foldable personal canopy that transforms shade from permanent infrastructure into a portable design solution. Inspired by the mechanics of a camping chair, the lightweight structure unfolds into a sculptural shelter for one or two people and packs down flat for easy transport. More than a clever outdoor accessory, the concept imagines networks of temporary shade that can be deployed in parks, pathways, and public events, offering a flexible response to increasingly hot cities. By making comfort mobile, Seoul Shade challenges traditional assumptions about how public spaces are designed and used.
More unusual sunshades on our blog.
Seoul-based BKID Co is rethinking urban comfort with Seoul Shade, a foldable personal canopy that transforms shade from permanent infrastructure into a portable design solution. Inspired by the mechanics of a camping chair, the lightweight structure unfolds into a sculptural shelter for one or two people and packs down flat for easy transport. More than a clever outdoor accessory, the concept imagines networks of temporary shade that can be deployed in parks, pathways, and public events, offering a flexible response to increasingly hot cities. By making comfort mobile, Seoul Shade challenges traditional assumptions about how public spaces are designed and used.
More unusual sunshades on our blog.
#BeOpenARCH
The Diamanti bridge demonstrates how robotic fabrication can make infrastructure lighter, smarter, and more sustainable. Developed by Professor Dr. Masoud Akbarzadeh and the Polyhedral Structures Laboratory, the 3D-printed concrete bridge uses computational geometry and modular construction to minimize material use while maximizing structural performance. Composed of nine prefabricated segments connected with reversible post-tensioned steel cables, the bridge can be assembled, disassembled, and recycled without adhesives or grout. By combining advanced robotics, low-carbon design strategies, and circular construction principles, Diamanti offers a compelling glimpse into the future of adaptable infrastructure.
More robot-fabricated bridges on our blog.
The Diamanti bridge demonstrates how robotic fabrication can make infrastructure lighter, smarter, and more sustainable. Developed by Professor Dr. Masoud Akbarzadeh and the Polyhedral Structures Laboratory, the 3D-printed concrete bridge uses computational geometry and modular construction to minimize material use while maximizing structural performance. Composed of nine prefabricated segments connected with reversible post-tensioned steel cables, the bridge can be assembled, disassembled, and recycled without adhesives or grout. By combining advanced robotics, low-carbon design strategies, and circular construction principles, Diamanti offers a compelling glimpse into the future of adaptable infrastructure.
More robot-fabricated bridges on our blog.
#BeOpenNEWS
On behalf of the Climate Action Thematic Focal Points of the Children and Youth Major Group (CYMG), we would like to forward the call for filling out the Global Youth Survey on Cooling and Energy Efficiency 2026 launched during the World Environment Day 2026, which has the theme of Climate Action.
This survey contains closed-ended questions on the behaviour of young people around the world regarding cooling, energy efficiency, and the Kigali Amendment, as in 2026, we will celebrate the Decade of Action after the establishment of the Kigali Amendment in 2016. The survey will close before September 2026, because the preliminary results of the survey are planned to be published during the World Ozone Day 2026 (September 16th, 2026) and the full results are planned to be presented during the 38th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in November 2026.
Please fill out the survey through this link. Alternatively, you can scan this QR code.
On behalf of the Climate Action Thematic Focal Points of the Children and Youth Major Group (CYMG), we would like to forward the call for filling out the Global Youth Survey on Cooling and Energy Efficiency 2026 launched during the World Environment Day 2026, which has the theme of Climate Action.
This survey contains closed-ended questions on the behaviour of young people around the world regarding cooling, energy efficiency, and the Kigali Amendment, as in 2026, we will celebrate the Decade of Action after the establishment of the Kigali Amendment in 2016. The survey will close before September 2026, because the preliminary results of the survey are planned to be published during the World Ozone Day 2026 (September 16th, 2026) and the full results are planned to be presented during the 38th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in November 2026.
Please fill out the survey through this link. Alternatively, you can scan this QR code.
#BeOpenART
Following strong interest from visitors to its Milan Design Week installation, SolidNature has released a selection of stone grocery objects created with AMO, the research and design studio led by Samir Bantal. Originally conceived as part of the immersive Il Sonno Supermarket exhibition, the collection transforms everyday convenience-store items—including milk cartons, bananas, takeaway cups, and sandwiches—into sculptural objects crafted from marble, onyx, travertine, quartzite, and granite. By freezing disposable consumer goods in natural stone, the project challenges perceptions of value, permanence, and consumption, turning familiar products into collectible design pieces where every edition is unique due to the material's natural variations.
Following strong interest from visitors to its Milan Design Week installation, SolidNature has released a selection of stone grocery objects created with AMO, the research and design studio led by Samir Bantal. Originally conceived as part of the immersive Il Sonno Supermarket exhibition, the collection transforms everyday convenience-store items—including milk cartons, bananas, takeaway cups, and sandwiches—into sculptural objects crafted from marble, onyx, travertine, quartzite, and granite. By freezing disposable consumer goods in natural stone, the project challenges perceptions of value, permanence, and consumption, turning familiar products into collectible design pieces where every edition is unique due to the material's natural variations.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Developed by design students Samuel Nagel and Paul Feiler of Hochschule für Gestaltung Schwäbisch Gmünd, NURA is a wearable communication device that enables real-time interaction between deaf and hearing users. The wristband translates sign language into spoken audio while converting spoken language into a tactile dot-based interface. Equipped with electromyography (EMG) sensors that track forearm muscle activity and a micro-camera that interprets facial expressions, the system captures the complexity of sign language with rapid responsiveness. Designed to learn from individual users rather than rely on a fixed vocabulary, NURA adapts to different signing styles and regional dialects over time. Its organic, manta ray-inspired form reimagines assistive technology as an elegant everyday wearable, combining accessibility, personalization, and inclusive design.
Credits: rimowadesignprize.com
Developed by design students Samuel Nagel and Paul Feiler of Hochschule für Gestaltung Schwäbisch Gmünd, NURA is a wearable communication device that enables real-time interaction between deaf and hearing users. The wristband translates sign language into spoken audio while converting spoken language into a tactile dot-based interface. Equipped with electromyography (EMG) sensors that track forearm muscle activity and a micro-camera that interprets facial expressions, the system captures the complexity of sign language with rapid responsiveness. Designed to learn from individual users rather than rely on a fixed vocabulary, NURA adapts to different signing styles and regional dialects over time. Its organic, manta ray-inspired form reimagines assistive technology as an elegant everyday wearable, combining accessibility, personalization, and inclusive design.
Credits: rimowadesignprize.com
#BeOpenDESIGN
Japanese designer Muto Yumi has developed Pattern as Structure, a modular furniture system that transforms flat sheets of paper into load-bearing architectural components. The design uses paper sheets perforated with precisely arranged patterns that, when tightly rolled, become rigid structural rods. These perforations serve a dual purpose: creating the visual pattern on the surface while functioning as connection points that allow other rods to slot through and assemble without adhesives or hardware. The resulting shelving system demonstrates how decoration and engineering can be unified into a single design language, offering a customizable, lightweight, and material-efficient approach to furniture production where surface graphics and colors can be endlessly varied without altering the underlying construction method.
Japanese designer Muto Yumi has developed Pattern as Structure, a modular furniture system that transforms flat sheets of paper into load-bearing architectural components. The design uses paper sheets perforated with precisely arranged patterns that, when tightly rolled, become rigid structural rods. These perforations serve a dual purpose: creating the visual pattern on the surface while functioning as connection points that allow other rods to slot through and assemble without adhesives or hardware. The resulting shelving system demonstrates how decoration and engineering can be unified into a single design language, offering a customizable, lightweight, and material-efficient approach to furniture production where surface graphics and colors can be endlessly varied without altering the underlying construction method.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Developed by Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach students Aranza V. Sanchez and Song Yeon Lee, GoBean is a compostable coffee cup sleeve made from recycled coffee grounds and natural binders. Designed as a circular alternative to conventional disposable sleeves, the material is heat- and water-resistant while remaining fully biodegradable, breaking down within weeks or even being planted directly into soil after use. The concept extends beyond material innovation by proposing a localized production model in which cafés supply their own spent coffee grounds as raw material, transforming a common waste stream into a functional product and creating a closed-loop system for everyday takeaway coffee culture.
Developed by Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach students Aranza V. Sanchez and Song Yeon Lee, GoBean is a compostable coffee cup sleeve made from recycled coffee grounds and natural binders. Designed as a circular alternative to conventional disposable sleeves, the material is heat- and water-resistant while remaining fully biodegradable, breaking down within weeks or even being planted directly into soil after use. The concept extends beyond material innovation by proposing a localized production model in which cafés supply their own spent coffee grounds as raw material, transforming a common waste stream into a functional product and creating a closed-loop system for everyday takeaway coffee culture.
#BeOpenDESIGN
ReBento by Polish designer Kaja Brunke reimagines meal delivery packaging as a reusable system rather than a disposable product. Designed for subscription food services, the concept combines durable containers with removable glass compartments that allow meals to be reheated directly in the package. Once empty, the containers are collected by couriers during their next delivery run, eliminating the need for separate return logistics. By integrating seamlessly into existing delivery networks, ReBento demonstrates how thoughtful service design can dramatically reduce packaging waste while improving the overall dining experience.
More recyclable food containers on our blog.
ReBento by Polish designer Kaja Brunke reimagines meal delivery packaging as a reusable system rather than a disposable product. Designed for subscription food services, the concept combines durable containers with removable glass compartments that allow meals to be reheated directly in the package. Once empty, the containers are collected by couriers during their next delivery run, eliminating the need for separate return logistics. By integrating seamlessly into existing delivery networks, ReBento demonstrates how thoughtful service design can dramatically reduce packaging waste while improving the overall dining experience.
More recyclable food containers on our blog.
#BeOpenARCH
Set within the UNESCO-listed city of Trogir, Croatia, the Bridge over Foša by Prostorne Taktike reimagines pedestrian infrastructure as both a civic connector and a public destination. Its slender steel shell, shaped as an asymmetric hyperbolic paraboloid, minimizes visual impact on the historic waterfront while drawing inspiration from the region's shipbuilding heritage. Prefabricated in a local shipyard and installed in a single day, the bridge integrates seating areas, net lounges, and gathering spaces, transforming a simple crossing into a vibrant extension of the city's public realm.
More exciting pedestrian bridges on our blog.
Set within the UNESCO-listed city of Trogir, Croatia, the Bridge over Foša by Prostorne Taktike reimagines pedestrian infrastructure as both a civic connector and a public destination. Its slender steel shell, shaped as an asymmetric hyperbolic paraboloid, minimizes visual impact on the historic waterfront while drawing inspiration from the region's shipbuilding heritage. Prefabricated in a local shipyard and installed in a single day, the bridge integrates seating areas, net lounges, and gathering spaces, transforming a simple crossing into a vibrant extension of the city's public realm.
More exciting pedestrian bridges on our blog.