#BeOpenARCH
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has unveiled plans for a pedestrian-only bridge spanning the Chao Phraya River, introducing a long-missing crossing for walkers and cyclists between Phra Nakhon and Thonburi. Defined by a serpentine lattice of gold-toned metal, the bridge wraps its walkway in a semi-enclosed diagonal grid that acts as both structure and shading. At its midpoint, the span expands into an elevated garden plaza with stepped terraces, timber seating, and tropical planting that keeps views open to the river below. Designed to align with existing promenades and accommodate boat traffic beneath, the bridge blends infrastructure and public space, offering a shaded, breezy alternative to ferries while adding a distinctly sculptural landmark to Bangkok’s riverfront.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has unveiled plans for a pedestrian-only bridge spanning the Chao Phraya River, introducing a long-missing crossing for walkers and cyclists between Phra Nakhon and Thonburi. Defined by a serpentine lattice of gold-toned metal, the bridge wraps its walkway in a semi-enclosed diagonal grid that acts as both structure and shading. At its midpoint, the span expands into an elevated garden plaza with stepped terraces, timber seating, and tropical planting that keeps views open to the river below. Designed to align with existing promenades and accommodate boat traffic beneath, the bridge blends infrastructure and public space, offering a shaded, breezy alternative to ferries while adding a distinctly sculptural landmark to Bangkok’s riverfront.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Developed by Dr. Emma Zhang in collaboration with Professor Luping Tang’s research group at Chalmers University of Technology, the world’s first rechargeable cement-based battery reimagines buildings as energy-storing infrastructure. By embedding carbon fibers and metal-coated carbon-fiber meshes directly into cement, the material gains both structural strength and electrical conductivity, achieving an average energy density of 7 watt-hours per square meter. While modest compared to conventional batteries, the sheer volume of concrete in buildings makes the system scalable, enabling structures to store renewable energy or power embedded sensors for monitoring bridges, highways, and buildings turning architecture itself into an active, ecological energy system.
Developed by Dr. Emma Zhang in collaboration with Professor Luping Tang’s research group at Chalmers University of Technology, the world’s first rechargeable cement-based battery reimagines buildings as energy-storing infrastructure. By embedding carbon fibers and metal-coated carbon-fiber meshes directly into cement, the material gains both structural strength and electrical conductivity, achieving an average energy density of 7 watt-hours per square meter. While modest compared to conventional batteries, the sheer volume of concrete in buildings makes the system scalable, enabling structures to store renewable energy or power embedded sensors for monitoring bridges, highways, and buildings turning architecture itself into an active, ecological energy system.
#BeOpenARCH
Developed by Finnish practice Ateljé Sotamaa, Kivi Sauna is a quietly powerful response to its remote setting in the Finnish archipelago, where form, material, and performance are inseparable. Shaped to withstand coastal winds, the aerodynamic timber volume echoes the surrounding rock formations and open sea while remaining deliberately understated in the landscape. Built from responsibly sourced cross laminated timber and wrapped in a fish scale like skin of curved wood panels and recyclable Leadax flashing, the sauna balances tactile warmth with environmental resilience. A single horizontal window frames expansive views of the archipelago, turning the ritual of bathing into an immersive encounter with nature and reinforcing the project’s ambition to feel inherently part of its place.
More spectacular saunas on our blog.
Developed by Finnish practice Ateljé Sotamaa, Kivi Sauna is a quietly powerful response to its remote setting in the Finnish archipelago, where form, material, and performance are inseparable. Shaped to withstand coastal winds, the aerodynamic timber volume echoes the surrounding rock formations and open sea while remaining deliberately understated in the landscape. Built from responsibly sourced cross laminated timber and wrapped in a fish scale like skin of curved wood panels and recyclable Leadax flashing, the sauna balances tactile warmth with environmental resilience. A single horizontal window frames expansive views of the archipelago, turning the ritual of bathing into an immersive encounter with nature and reinforcing the project’s ambition to feel inherently part of its place.
More spectacular saunas on our blog.
#BeOpenARCH
Rabagast Studio’s Watercave is a floating timber sauna set on a Norwegian lake, crafted by students in just two weeks to serve an eco-farm community; its inward-focused, cave like interior of charred wood and pale aspen benches frames serene water views, while its lightweight pontoon design and steep white roof respond elegantly to site conditions.
More extraordinary saunas on our blog.
Rabagast Studio’s Watercave is a floating timber sauna set on a Norwegian lake, crafted by students in just two weeks to serve an eco-farm community; its inward-focused, cave like interior of charred wood and pale aspen benches frames serene water views, while its lightweight pontoon design and steep white roof respond elegantly to site conditions.
More extraordinary saunas on our blog.
#BeOpenARCH
Developed by Czech studio Ika Architekti, Upcycled Sauna in Brno is a four-square-metre, hand-built experiment in radical reuse, constructed beneath an apple tree from almost entirely salvaged materials. Built on reclaimed railway sleepers and pallet walls insulated with raw sheep wool, the project embraces imperfection, improvisation, and tactile labor as a reaction against purely digital architectural practice. Second-hand fibreglass panels wrap the exterior in a playful, scale-like skin that hides the entrance, while an old mining cart reborn as a gold-painted cooling pool adds humor and charm. The sauna stands as a compact but thoughtful manifesto for hands-on making, resourcefulness, and finding design value in constraint.
Developed by Czech studio Ika Architekti, Upcycled Sauna in Brno is a four-square-metre, hand-built experiment in radical reuse, constructed beneath an apple tree from almost entirely salvaged materials. Built on reclaimed railway sleepers and pallet walls insulated with raw sheep wool, the project embraces imperfection, improvisation, and tactile labor as a reaction against purely digital architectural practice. Second-hand fibreglass panels wrap the exterior in a playful, scale-like skin that hides the entrance, while an old mining cart reborn as a gold-painted cooling pool adds humor and charm. The sauna stands as a compact but thoughtful manifesto for hands-on making, resourcefulness, and finding design value in constraint.
#BeOpenART
Ninho Globo is a hand-built spherical installation by Atelier YokYok located in the rural landscape of Salvaterra do Extremo, Portugal, near the Spanish border. Constructed from locally sourced black schist and granite on a former agricultural site, the work responds to the area’s geological, cultural, and archaeological context. A narrow fissure forms the entrance to a hollow, nest-like interior, referencing natural erosion, water scarcity, and ideas of shelter and balance. Built using low-tech methods with the involvement of the local community, the project bridges traditional building practices and contemporary art, and is now part of the permanent collection of Museu Experimenta Paisagem.
Ninho Globo is a hand-built spherical installation by Atelier YokYok located in the rural landscape of Salvaterra do Extremo, Portugal, near the Spanish border. Constructed from locally sourced black schist and granite on a former agricultural site, the work responds to the area’s geological, cultural, and archaeological context. A narrow fissure forms the entrance to a hollow, nest-like interior, referencing natural erosion, water scarcity, and ideas of shelter and balance. Built using low-tech methods with the involvement of the local community, the project bridges traditional building practices and contemporary art, and is now part of the permanent collection of Museu Experimenta Paisagem.
#BeOpenARCH
Mexican studio LANZA atelier, founded by Isabel Abascal and Alessandro Arienzo, has been selected to design the Serpentine Pavilion 2026, titled a serpentine, opening June 6 in Kensington Gardens. Marking the Pavilion’s 25th edition, the project reinterprets the historic English serpentine wall through curving brick forms, a translucent roof, and a spatial strategy shaped by climate, movement, and light. Referencing fruit walls and garden architecture, the pavilion uses simple brick construction to create gradients of openness and shelter, framing architecture as a social device for gathering and exchange.
Mexican studio LANZA atelier, founded by Isabel Abascal and Alessandro Arienzo, has been selected to design the Serpentine Pavilion 2026, titled a serpentine, opening June 6 in Kensington Gardens. Marking the Pavilion’s 25th edition, the project reinterprets the historic English serpentine wall through curving brick forms, a translucent roof, and a spatial strategy shaped by climate, movement, and light. Referencing fruit walls and garden architecture, the pavilion uses simple brick construction to create gradients of openness and shelter, framing architecture as a social device for gathering and exchange.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Earth’s Hatch by Korean office SWNA is a thoughtfully designed welcome kit for Lotte E&C that reimagines corporate gifting through everyday utility, sustainability, and care. Featuring five egg-shaped magnetic tools for organizing daily essentials and a birdhouse-style package that converts into a tissue holder, the kit blends intuitive form, tactile appeal, and eco-conscious materials to create a gift meant to be used, not stored away, reflecting values of practicality, environmental responsibility, and human-centered design.
Earth’s Hatch by Korean office SWNA is a thoughtfully designed welcome kit for Lotte E&C that reimagines corporate gifting through everyday utility, sustainability, and care. Featuring five egg-shaped magnetic tools for organizing daily essentials and a birdhouse-style package that converts into a tissue holder, the kit blends intuitive form, tactile appeal, and eco-conscious materials to create a gift meant to be used, not stored away, reflecting values of practicality, environmental responsibility, and human-centered design.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Osteoid’s Bracesys redefines fracture immobilization by combining precision engineering, advanced materials, and user-centered design. Drawing inspiration from Swiss watches and sailing rigging, the adjustable brace uses segmented units, tension dials, and Kevlar-reinforced connectors to provide rigid, anatomically precise support while remaining lightweight and portable. Leveraging AI-analyzed CT data, semi-custom sizing accommodates most patients without bespoke fabrication, allowing real-time adjustments as swelling changes. Manufactured from recyclable, medical-grade Nylon 12 and reinforced aluminum, the system balances structural integrity, scalability, and sustainability, offering a practical, reusable alternative to traditional plaster casts and prefab braces.
via competition.adesignaward.com
Osteoid’s Bracesys redefines fracture immobilization by combining precision engineering, advanced materials, and user-centered design. Drawing inspiration from Swiss watches and sailing rigging, the adjustable brace uses segmented units, tension dials, and Kevlar-reinforced connectors to provide rigid, anatomically precise support while remaining lightweight and portable. Leveraging AI-analyzed CT data, semi-custom sizing accommodates most patients without bespoke fabrication, allowing real-time adjustments as swelling changes. Manufactured from recyclable, medical-grade Nylon 12 and reinforced aluminum, the system balances structural integrity, scalability, and sustainability, offering a practical, reusable alternative to traditional plaster casts and prefab braces.
via competition.adesignaward.com
#BeOpenDESIGN
Bottlecup by London studio Seymourpowell rethinks everyday hydration by merging a vacuum-insulated water bottle and a reusable cup into a single, streamlined object designed to reduce reliance on disposable cups. Created in response to the billions of takeaway cups discarded each year in the UK, the stainless-steel bottle neatly locks inside the cup, allowing both elements to function independently without compromise. Thoughtful details such as a twist-release mechanism, a silicone band that improves grip and prevents leaks, and a cup lid stored in the base make the product intuitive to use and easy to carry. Built with circular design principles in mind, Bottlecup avoids mixed materials, using recyclable stainless steel and responsibly recyclable silicone to deliver a practical, engineered solution that fits seamlessly into daily routines.
More extraordinary water bottles on our blog.
Bottlecup by London studio Seymourpowell rethinks everyday hydration by merging a vacuum-insulated water bottle and a reusable cup into a single, streamlined object designed to reduce reliance on disposable cups. Created in response to the billions of takeaway cups discarded each year in the UK, the stainless-steel bottle neatly locks inside the cup, allowing both elements to function independently without compromise. Thoughtful details such as a twist-release mechanism, a silicone band that improves grip and prevents leaks, and a cup lid stored in the base make the product intuitive to use and easy to carry. Built with circular design principles in mind, Bottlecup avoids mixed materials, using recyclable stainless steel and responsibly recyclable silicone to deliver a practical, engineered solution that fits seamlessly into daily routines.
More extraordinary water bottles on our blog.
#BeOpenARCH
Vestre’s The Plus, designed by BIG, the Danish architecture firm led by Bjarke Ingels, is a groundbreaking furniture factory in Norway and the world’s most environmentally friendly production facility. Shaped like a bold cross and set within a 300,000-square-meter pine forest, the factory blends transparency, sustainability, and public engagement: oversized windows reveal the production process, rooftop solar panels and water-recycling systems showcase green technology, and exterior ramps and paths invite the community to explore. Completed in just 18 months, it functions as both a working factory and a learning environment, proving that industrial design can be visually striking, socially accessible, and radically low-impact.
More sustainable factories on our blog.
Vestre’s The Plus, designed by BIG, the Danish architecture firm led by Bjarke Ingels, is a groundbreaking furniture factory in Norway and the world’s most environmentally friendly production facility. Shaped like a bold cross and set within a 300,000-square-meter pine forest, the factory blends transparency, sustainability, and public engagement: oversized windows reveal the production process, rooftop solar panels and water-recycling systems showcase green technology, and exterior ramps and paths invite the community to explore. Completed in just 18 months, it functions as both a working factory and a learning environment, proving that industrial design can be visually striking, socially accessible, and radically low-impact.
More sustainable factories on our blog.
#BeOpenDESIGN
Conceptualized by Georgia-based designer Aleksandr Misiukevich, Vacy and Mopy are palm-sized desktop cleaning robots that quietly automate daily desk maintenance, restoring order before you even sit down to work. Vacy operates as a miniature robo vacuum, intelligently navigating edges while collecting hair, crumbs, and debris, then returning to its dock when the battery runs low. Mopy complements it with a gentle mopping pass, removing stains and water spots using a refillable water tank and a replaceable cleaning pad. Portable, intelligent, and surprisingly thorough, the duo brings floor-cleaning logic to the desktop.
Conceptualized by Georgia-based designer Aleksandr Misiukevich, Vacy and Mopy are palm-sized desktop cleaning robots that quietly automate daily desk maintenance, restoring order before you even sit down to work. Vacy operates as a miniature robo vacuum, intelligently navigating edges while collecting hair, crumbs, and debris, then returning to its dock when the battery runs low. Mopy complements it with a gentle mopping pass, removing stains and water spots using a refillable water tank and a replaceable cleaning pad. Portable, intelligent, and surprisingly thorough, the duo brings floor-cleaning logic to the desktop.
#BeOpenARCH
Presented in the gardens of Sunder Nursery, New Delhi, Sacred Nature marks the inaugural edition of the Aranyani Pavilion. Designed by London-based architectural practice T__M.space for the conservation and creative initiative Aranyani, the spiral walkthrough structure translates ecological research into a walkable architectural form rooted in India’s tradition of sacred groves. Blending digital design with handcraft, the pavilion is built from upcycled Lantana camara, an invasive species, and topped with a living canopy of over forty native plant species. Functioning as both microhabitat and spatial narrative, the project guides visitors through a slow, reflective journey toward a central shrine.
Presented in the gardens of Sunder Nursery, New Delhi, Sacred Nature marks the inaugural edition of the Aranyani Pavilion. Designed by London-based architectural practice T__M.space for the conservation and creative initiative Aranyani, the spiral walkthrough structure translates ecological research into a walkable architectural form rooted in India’s tradition of sacred groves. Blending digital design with handcraft, the pavilion is built from upcycled Lantana camara, an invasive species, and topped with a living canopy of over forty native plant species. Functioning as both microhabitat and spatial narrative, the project guides visitors through a slow, reflective journey toward a central shrine.
#BeOpenNEWS
Yesterday, February 24, The World Sustainable Energy Days has started in Wels, Austria. As part of this leading international platform for energy transition, BE OPEN is presenting its sustainability focused competition programme during the Young Energy Researchers Conference, highlighting the role of young creatives and researchers in shaping a more responsible energy future.
WSED brings together participants from over 60 countries to explore policies, technologies, and business models that increase competitiveness and make energy more affordable. Within this dynamic setting, the Young Energy Researchers Conference showcases emerging talent across technology, engineering, economics, social sciences, architecture, law, and the arts, while connecting them with industry leaders, EU and national officials, and public sector organisations.
Yesterday, February 24, The World Sustainable Energy Days has started in Wels, Austria. As part of this leading international platform for energy transition, BE OPEN is presenting its sustainability focused competition programme during the Young Energy Researchers Conference, highlighting the role of young creatives and researchers in shaping a more responsible energy future.
WSED brings together participants from over 60 countries to explore policies, technologies, and business models that increase competitiveness and make energy more affordable. Within this dynamic setting, the Young Energy Researchers Conference showcases emerging talent across technology, engineering, economics, social sciences, architecture, law, and the arts, while connecting them with industry leaders, EU and national officials, and public sector organisations.