Designers Luka Or and Keren Tomer asked their 3rd-year industrial design students at the HIT university in Israel, to re-think the idea of a pencil, giving it a new sense and purpose. Student Evgeny Barkov took inspiration from prehistoric carving tools to create these wood and polymer pencils. The top side can be used to carve into surfaces.
Read MoreGlitch Star by Jun Ong
Within the Malaysian town of Butterworth, Kuala Lumpur-based architect and artist Jun Ong has embedded a five-story lighting installation within the core of an unfinished concrete building. Spanning the full height of the architectural skeleton, ‘star’ pierces through several floors of the disused structure to form a 12-sided, three-dimensional object.
Read MoreSpiraling Jewelry Organizer by Hitonari
This carefully crafted organizer for jewelry and accessories asked three questions in the design process: Can it be accessible from and angle? Can it be easy to move and transport? Can it be durable while achieving the first two objectives?
While the form can be compact, solid oak trays can be rotated giving the piece a certain adaptive and sculptural quality. A solid base keeps the piece bottom-heavy so there is no need to worry about it tipping or falling.
Read MoreNomadic Furniture by Victor Papanek & James Hennessey
Victor Papanek, along with co-author and fellow designer James Hennessey, released Nomadic Furniture in 1973. Their book shared with readers "How to build and where to buy lightweight furniture that folds, inflates, knocks down, stacks, or is disposable and can be recycled," and was loaded with diagrams of DIY plans to that effect.
Read MoreCÓM-ODA Folding Chair by Mr. Simon
Cóm-oda is a set of folded chairs, that when they are not in use, shape a singular bench.
Read MoreCella Bar by FCC Arquitectura
Based by the western coast of the island of Pico, in the Portuguese Azores, FFC Arquitectura were charged with the transformation and expansion of the ‘Cella Bar’. While preserving the distinct features of the existing building, the extension saw a contemporary addition being merged with the original building. This juxtaposition has introduced a sculptural language into the local context. The organic and orthogonal form uses basalt (volcanic rock of the region), concrete and the exterior presents a woven timber texture. As well as sourcing local materials, the design of the scheme references the outline of the island, the rocks, whales and wine casks.
Read MoreYaroof by Aljoud Lootah
During the inaugural Dubai Design week, a series of installations placed in strategic locations around the city highlight renowned international and local design talent. As an exploration of tradition coupled with contemporary aesthetic techniques, Dubai-based designer Aljoud Lootah presents a sculptural project for both the creative community and passersby on the city’s beach by Meraas. Drawing insight from the local heritage, craftspeople and everyday practices, Lootah has based the installation ‘Yaroof’ off of a type of traditional fishing from the region.
Read MoreLinear Friction Welding of Wood
Linear friction welding is something people already use to turn two pieces of metal into one piece of metal. But for reasons unbeknownst, it works with lumber too.
Read MoreNaman Conference Hall by Vo Trong Nghia
Located 16km away from the Vietnamese city of Da Nang is the bamboo crafted conference hall by Vo Trong Nghia. Being one of the first buildings to greet visitors into the resort, its prominent location is combined with a fully glass facade- emphasizing the eminent use of bamboo techniques.
Read MoreHow to Write about Architecture from Architizer
It is a debate that has raged for decades among architects and architectural journalists alike: how can words encapsulate the intricacies of the built environment without becoming stuck in a quagmire of esoteric sound bites and pretentious clichés?
Here are ten pointers, in no particular order, for your consideration.
Read More