#BeOpenDESIGN
Inspired by the rare phenomenon of cloud iridescence, BằNG's Dreamy Lớp transforms light into an ever-changing visual experience. Layers of dichroic acrylic surround a glowing opal glass sphere, creating shifting colors that change with every viewing angle and source of ambient light. More sculpture than conventional lamp, the award-winning design balances material innovation, craftsmanship, and everyday functionality, proving that lighting can shape atmosphere as much as it illuminates a space.
More outstanding lamps on our blog.
Inspired by the rare phenomenon of cloud iridescence, BằNG's Dreamy Lớp transforms light into an ever-changing visual experience. Layers of dichroic acrylic surround a glowing opal glass sphere, creating shifting colors that change with every viewing angle and source of ambient light. More sculpture than conventional lamp, the award-winning design balances material innovation, craftsmanship, and everyday functionality, proving that lighting can shape atmosphere as much as it illuminates a space.
More outstanding lamps on our blog.
#BeOpenART #BeOpenNEWS
For the second half of 2026, BE OPEN’s Art Limitless programme will focus on UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, spotlighting artists whose work explores sustainability, circular thinking, and the creative reuse of materials. Hosted through the BE OPEN Art online gallery, the initiative will feature monthly selections of artworks that address ecological impact through artistic practice, inviting the public to vote for an Artist of the Month. One selected artist will receive a €1,000 grant and media exposure, while BE OPEN founder Elena Baturina will award an additional €500 prize, and a separate public vote prize of €300 will also be presented. Following its 2025 edition dedicated to inclusivity in the arts, Art Limitless continues to position creativity as a powerful tool for social and environmental change.
For the second half of 2026, BE OPEN’s Art Limitless programme will focus on UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, spotlighting artists whose work explores sustainability, circular thinking, and the creative reuse of materials. Hosted through the BE OPEN Art online gallery, the initiative will feature monthly selections of artworks that address ecological impact through artistic practice, inviting the public to vote for an Artist of the Month. One selected artist will receive a €1,000 grant and media exposure, while BE OPEN founder Elena Baturina will award an additional €500 prize, and a separate public vote prize of €300 will also be presented. Following its 2025 edition dedicated to inclusivity in the arts, Art Limitless continues to position creativity as a powerful tool for social and environmental change.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Jihyun Kim uses gloop glaze to create "gravity-defying" Salty Fairy Ring ceramics, a series of porcelain salt containers that reinterpret a South Korean household ritual through the symbolism of fairy rings. Inspired by the tradition of placing a jar of salt by the home's entrance to ward off negative energy, the vessels combine cultural superstition with folkloric imagery, transforming an everyday object into a sculptural expression of protection, ritual and enchantment.
Jihyun Kim uses gloop glaze to create "gravity-defying" Salty Fairy Ring ceramics, a series of porcelain salt containers that reinterpret a South Korean household ritual through the symbolism of fairy rings. Inspired by the tradition of placing a jar of salt by the home's entrance to ward off negative energy, the vessels combine cultural superstition with folkloric imagery, transforming an everyday object into a sculptural expression of protection, ritual and enchantment.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Japanese design studio YOY's Book is a book-shaped flower pot that transforms a familiar object into a functional planter. Made from waterproof PVC, the design opens like a book and stands upright, revealing soil and plant roots within. Whether used as a standalone vessel or as a shelf divider, Book playfully blurs the boundary between everyday objects and living greenery.
Japanese design studio YOY's Book is a book-shaped flower pot that transforms a familiar object into a functional planter. Made from waterproof PVC, the design opens like a book and stands upright, revealing soil and plant roots within. Whether used as a standalone vessel or as a shelf divider, Book playfully blurs the boundary between everyday objects and living greenery.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Tokyo-based studio Sotanaka unveils Uneri, a furniture collection that transforms naturally knotted camphor and Zelkova branches into sculptural chairs, stools and tables. Finished in matte black enamel and joined using a bespoke hand-cut joinery system, the pieces balance geometric surfaces with organic forms, celebrating the movement and irregularity of the wood rather than concealing it.
Tokyo-based studio Sotanaka unveils Uneri, a furniture collection that transforms naturally knotted camphor and Zelkova branches into sculptural chairs, stools and tables. Finished in matte black enamel and joined using a bespoke hand-cut joinery system, the pieces balance geometric surfaces with organic forms, celebrating the movement and irregularity of the wood rather than concealing it.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Marten Herma Anderson explores the relationship between colour, light and material with a series of resin lamps inspired by the translucent glow of candy wrappers and gummy sweets. Featuring pigmented resin shades, glass fibre structures and raw ceramic bases, the lights reveal bubbles, seams and subtle imperfections that become more pronounced when illuminated, creating luminous objects that appear fluid, suspended and constantly in motion.
Marten Herma Anderson explores the relationship between colour, light and material with a series of resin lamps inspired by the translucent glow of candy wrappers and gummy sweets. Featuring pigmented resin shades, glass fibre structures and raw ceramic bases, the lights reveal bubbles, seams and subtle imperfections that become more pronounced when illuminated, creating luminous objects that appear fluid, suspended and constantly in motion.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Charlotte Kingsnorth's Hi!breed series transforms discarded chairs into sculptural, creature-like furniture that blurs the line between design and art. By wrapping salvaged frames in hand-carved foam, rich upholstery, and shaggy textiles, the London-based designer reveals the hidden character of each piece rather than concealing its past. The result is a collection that celebrates craftsmanship, reuse, and storytelling, proving that forgotten furniture can evolve into expressive objects with entirely new identities.
More unconventional chairs on our blog.
Charlotte Kingsnorth's Hi!breed series transforms discarded chairs into sculptural, creature-like furniture that blurs the line between design and art. By wrapping salvaged frames in hand-carved foam, rich upholstery, and shaggy textiles, the London-based designer reveals the hidden character of each piece rather than concealing its past. The result is a collection that celebrates craftsmanship, reuse, and storytelling, proving that forgotten furniture can evolve into expressive objects with entirely new identities.
More unconventional chairs on our blog.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Camping in the summer could soon feel a lot more comfortable thanks to a Red Dot Award-winning concept that turns the tent itself into a solar-powered cooling system. Designed by Zhong Xu, Li Baoyu, Pan Yiyuan, and Li Xueyan, the innovative shelter uses its composite fabric to harvest solar energy and power an integrated air conditioner, eliminating the need for bulky batteries or generators. It's a smart example of sustainable design that transforms one of camping's biggest frustrations into an opportunity for innovation.
More innovative tent on our blog.
Camping in the summer could soon feel a lot more comfortable thanks to a Red Dot Award-winning concept that turns the tent itself into a solar-powered cooling system. Designed by Zhong Xu, Li Baoyu, Pan Yiyuan, and Li Xueyan, the innovative shelter uses its composite fabric to harvest solar energy and power an integrated air conditioner, eliminating the need for bulky batteries or generators. It's a smart example of sustainable design that transforms one of camping's biggest frustrations into an opportunity for innovation.
More innovative tent on our blog.
#BeOpenART
British artist Lewis Prosser, who describes himself as an "absurdist basketmaker," uses basketry as a lens to explore labor, place, material culture, and the future of making. His project Making Merrie draws on the 500-year tradition of mummers' plays along the Wales–England border, combining monumental willow costumes, folk performance, and a playful blend of Welsh and English to celebrate cultural exchange. By reviving regional basketry techniques through community-led, improvised processions, Prosser highlights the enduring value of craft as both a living tradition and a vital part of human identity.
British artist Lewis Prosser, who describes himself as an "absurdist basketmaker," uses basketry as a lens to explore labor, place, material culture, and the future of making. His project Making Merrie draws on the 500-year tradition of mummers' plays along the Wales–England border, combining monumental willow costumes, folk performance, and a playful blend of Welsh and English to celebrate cultural exchange. By reviving regional basketry techniques through community-led, improvised processions, Prosser highlights the enduring value of craft as both a living tradition and a vital part of human identity.
#BeOpenDESIGN
With Bad Posture Chairs, Mara Bragagnolo challenges the idea that there is only one correct way to sit. Designed to support natural positions such as sitting cross-legged, leaning sideways, or constantly shifting, the collection embraces movement and neurodiverse needs instead of correcting them. Inspired by Bruno Munari's playful investigations into comfort, the project reimagines inclusive design by adapting furniture to real human behavior.
With Bad Posture Chairs, Mara Bragagnolo challenges the idea that there is only one correct way to sit. Designed to support natural positions such as sitting cross-legged, leaning sideways, or constantly shifting, the collection embraces movement and neurodiverse needs instead of correcting them. Inspired by Bruno Munari's playful investigations into comfort, the project reimagines inclusive design by adapting furniture to real human behavior.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Puffer is rethinking one of camping's oldest rituals by replacing traditional tent poles with inflatable air chambers. The sleek A-frame shelter inflates in about two minutes using an included electric pump and features a fully integrated air mattress, combining bed and shelter into a single system. Designed for car campers and overlanders, it shows how thoughtful engineering can make outdoor adventures faster, simpler, and more comfortable.
Puffer is rethinking one of camping's oldest rituals by replacing traditional tent poles with inflatable air chambers. The sleek A-frame shelter inflates in about two minutes using an included electric pump and features a fully integrated air mattress, combining bed and shelter into a single system. Designed for car campers and overlanders, it shows how thoughtful engineering can make outdoor adventures faster, simpler, and more comfortable.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Designed for apartment living, the Rotofarm by Bace is a countertop hydroponic garden that packs nearly 1.5 metres of growing space into a compact 30-centimetre footprint. Its rotating design spins plants through a full revolution every hour, exposing them to periods of negative gravity that Bace says can accelerate growth by up to two times. Featuring automated watering, nutrient delivery, adjustable LED lighting and harvest notifications, the soil-free system aims to make growing fresh produce at home easier, more efficient and more space-conscious.
Designed for apartment living, the Rotofarm by Bace is a countertop hydroponic garden that packs nearly 1.5 metres of growing space into a compact 30-centimetre footprint. Its rotating design spins plants through a full revolution every hour, exposing them to periods of negative gravity that Bace says can accelerate growth by up to two times. Featuring automated watering, nutrient delivery, adjustable LED lighting and harvest notifications, the soil-free system aims to make growing fresh produce at home easier, more efficient and more space-conscious.
#BeOpenDESIGN
The University of Brighton's Product Design graduate Keira Forman explores the future of sustainable furniture through Kos, a modular sofa designed for the circular economy. Built by the user using standardised timber, 3D-printed connectors and repairable components, Kos is designed to be easily maintained, adapted and customised over time. By encouraging users to assemble, repair and evolve their furniture rather than replace it, the project demonstrates how thoughtful, user-centred design can reduce waste while creating more meaningful, long-lasting relationships between people and the products they own.
The University of Brighton's Product Design graduate Keira Forman explores the future of sustainable furniture through Kos, a modular sofa designed for the circular economy. Built by the user using standardised timber, 3D-printed connectors and repairable components, Kos is designed to be easily maintained, adapted and customised over time. By encouraging users to assemble, repair and evolve their furniture rather than replace it, the project demonstrates how thoughtful, user-centred design can reduce waste while creating more meaningful, long-lasting relationships between people and the products they own.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Some of the best product designs solve everyday problems with almost invisible simplicity, and Gaenim’s silicone bottle cap water dispenser for dogs is a perfect example. Replacing a standard bottle cap, the flexible silicone attachment unfolds into a drinking bowl and drains unused water back into the bottle, eliminating the need for bulky pet accessories. Its thoughtful use of food-safe silicone keeps the design lightweight, durable, and easy to clean, while fitting seamlessly into daily walks, road trips, and hikes.
Some of the best product designs solve everyday problems with almost invisible simplicity, and Gaenim’s silicone bottle cap water dispenser for dogs is a perfect example. Replacing a standard bottle cap, the flexible silicone attachment unfolds into a drinking bowl and drains unused water back into the bottle, eliminating the need for bulky pet accessories. Its thoughtful use of food-safe silicone keeps the design lightweight, durable, and easy to clean, while fitting seamlessly into daily walks, road trips, and hikes.
#BeOpenNEWS #BeOpenART
BE OPEN Art has announced Angolan multidisciplinary artist Cristiano Mangovo as its Artist of the Month for July 2026. Educated at the École des Beaux-Arts de Kinshasa, Mangovo creates paintings, installations, and mixed-media works that explore power, inequality, migration, memory, and identity through a vivid visual language shaped by personal experience and social observation. As the July winner, he advances to the Artist of the Year 2026 competition, where finalists will compete for a €1,000 prize and promotional support from BE OPEN Art.
BE OPEN Art has announced Angolan multidisciplinary artist Cristiano Mangovo as its Artist of the Month for July 2026. Educated at the École des Beaux-Arts de Kinshasa, Mangovo creates paintings, installations, and mixed-media works that explore power, inequality, migration, memory, and identity through a vivid visual language shaped by personal experience and social observation. As the July winner, he advances to the Artist of the Year 2026 competition, where finalists will compete for a €1,000 prize and promotional support from BE OPEN Art.
#BeOpenDESIGN
What if batteries were alive? Bio-designer Lucia Giron and researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed algae-powered biophotovoltaic cells that generate electricity through photosynthesis. By combining living cyanobacteria with thoughtful product design, the prototypes demonstrate a cleaner alternative to disposable batteries while making energy production visible. The project shows how design can bridge biology and technology, turning sustainable innovation into an experience people can see, understand, and interact with.
More battery innovations on our blog.
What if batteries were alive? Bio-designer Lucia Giron and researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed algae-powered biophotovoltaic cells that generate electricity through photosynthesis. By combining living cyanobacteria with thoughtful product design, the prototypes demonstrate a cleaner alternative to disposable batteries while making energy production visible. The project shows how design can bridge biology and technology, turning sustainable innovation into an experience people can see, understand, and interact with.
More battery innovations on our blog.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Instead of treating artificial wood as a stand-in for timber, Tact Inoue's MOCKY furniture series explores what the material can do on its own. Made from a composite of wood flour and resin, each piece is assembled by heating and compressing components until they fuse together, eliminating the need for traditional joinery. The process creates organically distorted joints, warped surfaces, and sculptural protrusions that are as structural as they are expressive.
Instead of treating artificial wood as a stand-in for timber, Tact Inoue's MOCKY furniture series explores what the material can do on its own. Made from a composite of wood flour and resin, each piece is assembled by heating and compressing components until they fuse together, eliminating the need for traditional joinery. The process creates organically distorted joints, warped surfaces, and sculptural protrusions that are as structural as they are expressive.
#BeOpenNEWS
On International Youth Day, 12 August 2026, UNESCO’s NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee Youth Working Group, alongside SDG Academy, SDSN Youth and the SDG 4 Youth & Student Network, will host an invite-only online consultation on the Post-2030 Youth Education and Learning Agenda. Young people aged 19–35 will share their experiences, priorities and ideas for shaping the future of education beyond 2030 through interactive discussions and breakout sessions.
📅 When: International Youth Day – 12 August 2026
🕒 Time: 9:00–10:30 AM EDT | 3:00–4:30 PM CEST
📍 Where: Online via Zoom
🔗 Registration
On International Youth Day, 12 August 2026, UNESCO’s NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee Youth Working Group, alongside SDG Academy, SDSN Youth and the SDG 4 Youth & Student Network, will host an invite-only online consultation on the Post-2030 Youth Education and Learning Agenda. Young people aged 19–35 will share their experiences, priorities and ideas for shaping the future of education beyond 2030 through interactive discussions and breakout sessions.
📅 When: International Youth Day – 12 August 2026
🕒 Time: 9:00–10:30 AM EDT | 3:00–4:30 PM CEST
📍 Where: Online via Zoom
🔗 Registration