Industry News

In a world dominated by big-box retailers, wanting to start an independent retail business probably feels a bit like David battling Goliath. "Why bother?" you think. "I'll only get crushed." But these days, your small size could save your business. The big boxes have gotten so bloated. The good news is, their are kiosks like our CUBOX that act as your business enabler. ...

Many German companies are moving production abroad. This includes the furniture sector. Only about 1,000 German manufacturers produce furniture that is entitled to sport the “Made in Germany” quality label. This includes, for example, the modular sofa system from Cubit, which is manufactured in East Westphalia - home of furniture craftsmanship.

Can you afford, not to be attractive? The end of traditional kiosks Art in public space? A subway exit? Container on a construction site? Pop-up stores conquer the public space, the factories and warehouses, the hotels or bars of our cities, gardens and beaches. They make sure that people grapes are born in unimagined places. "The primary task of modern kiosks w...

The weather has always been unpredictable, it is one of those few phenomena that man can not tame. But it seems ever more unpredictable. Climate change, which many people blindly close their eyes, also does not stop in front of your country and company. The effects may be, according to an IW study, a change in customer behavior or state regulations such as trade in CO2 e...

The market leader has added a leading swimming pool company to its brands. Chino Hills, California (June 28, 2017) - Jacuzzi Brands LLC announced today the completion of the acquisition of Hydropool Hot Tubs and Swim Spas (Hydropool). Hydropool is one of the world's leading spa and swimming pools. The terms were not disclosed. "We are extremely pleased with the arriv...

4 companies (Siplast, Nidaplast, Loiseleur et Urbagri) collaborated for the realisation of a roof garden on a building of Paris city hall. The roof stormwater management module "Bidaroof" of Nidaplast is used to provide the soil with water.

„Design is the key for a distinctive, identity serving brand“ says Andrej Kupetz, general manager of the „Rat für Formgebung” – a German design board - in its nomination letter. This year, the special designed quality of the BRUNE products SALT&PEPPER and LOU (both designed by Uwe Sommerlade) caught the eyes of the jury of the “Rat für Formgebung”. Both programs have ...

An ambitious project realized in partnership with the local dealer Ubun, Shenzhen opening represents a strategic step for the brand, once again proving the strong willing to open up to those markets where made in Italy define an additional and indispensable value. More than 1200 sq.m. for the new show-room addressed to designers, architects and contractors who will find...

Dutch brand for contemporary bathroom design COCOON has won the Red Dot Design Award 2017 for their basin mixer designed by celebrated Dutch designer Piet Boon. This award is most coveted amongst designers. In October last year the industrial chic tap for bathroom and kitchen received the Archiproducts Design Award 2016. “We’re delighted, proud and grateful for this r...

The CAMABOX BX4000 is a stylish cassette awning in a modern cubic design. It features simple and minimalist contours, allowing the CAMABOX BX4000 to blend elegantly into the architecture. As a particular highlight, LED lighting can be optionally integrated into the box, which turns the shaded area into an experience even during the evening hours. The tried and tested clo...

The artist – who is known for his brightly coloured, cartoon-like works and limited-edition objects – covered two side-by-side courts on Manhattan's Stanton Street. The project is part of the sportswear giant's latest campaign, New York Made, which will see a series of community collaborations and interventions across the city. Kaws, whose full name is Brian Donnelly...

Danish brand Erik Jørgensen has rereleased the AV72, a chaise longue with a thin frame that curves to follow the natural contours of the body. Launched in 1972, the chair is notably the first of Vodder's furniture designs with a metal frame. The influential Danish modernist, who first trained as a cabinetmaker, is usually known for his work with wood. The AV72's matt...

In Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium and elsewhere, Antonio Citterio and other leading designers are turning their talents to the creation of supple forms combining traditional and cutting-edge materials. Teak and aluminum, knitted ropes resembling rattan and technical fabrics in a range of colors from nature’s subdued palette to vibrant hues are employed in the creation of...

The University of Pennsylvania’s Pennovation Center was designed to generate interaction among its innovator tenants and to draw passers-by into the equation. People with vastly different projects routinely rub shoulders, facilitating cross-fertilization, be it on the broad concrete entry steps or in co-working areas. There are open-plan studios, informal seating z...

The PriestmanGoode firm works with plane manufacturers, equipment suppliers and airlines to meet the challenges of reducing weight while ensuring passenger comfort and delivering a sense of spaciousness in a narrow, tubular fuselage. They use 3D CAD software and develop new materials in their design studios. Equipment sizing and arrangement, lighting and other architectu...

Start-ups using new materials, designs and technologies think commercial planes will once again shatter the sound barrier. But all face the challenge of generating softer sonic booms, as required by legislation. Some have teamed with traditional subsonic builders and even NASA is involved. One company expects to begin flight tests of its 40-passenger model—all first clas...

Though the material lacks status there, the architect wanted to source products and services locally. The bamboo is used as an offset filter to minimize the effects of direct sunlight on the facade. The project required a great deal of research, testing and computer and real-life 1:1 modeling to evaluate the material's structural characteristics. Proper cutting, storage ...

But much of it is exported in raw form, often to be reimported after transformation. However, local builders and architects are now showing renewed interest in forest products. Energy-efficient wooden structures are sprouting up around the country, offering ambiance and quality at a reasonable cost. This trend is also revitalizing local heritage by drawing inspiration fr...

Wooden skyscrapers are shouldering their way into the urban skyline thanks to mass timber—laminated wood panels that combine strength, ease of handling, aesthetics and environmental advantages over concrete and steel. A growing number of architects are joining this growing movement. Tall timber projects, completed or in the planning stages, can be found from Australia to...

Urban commuting via public transport is on the rise, as cities become home to an ever-increasing percentage of the world’s population. But these systems often run steep deficits, inspiring architects to think in terms of transport-oriented development. Turning transport hubs—from light rail stations to airports—into multi-use facilities by including commercial activities...

According to the brand, the pieces combine "the craftsmanship typical of Danish classical furniture with the conceptual process typical of Italian design". The Voyage chair features tapered wooden legs, in either natural or black stained maple. The leather seat is stretched across the framework of the chair, and can be taken on and off like "a close-fitting dress". ...

While customers are less enamoured of mass-produced “designer label” products, recent London auction prices are through the roof for truly individual collectibles. Stores are even launching their own limited editions in collaboration with designers. In parallel developments, go-betweens are introducing designers to producers, fueling the market. Others assemb...

Each was chosen from among a nine-target group model of society. The brief was to create a 28 m2 room incorporating sleep, bathroom and free spaces. The five categories were Sensation-oriented, Intellectual, Established, Performer and Digital Avant-garde. The idea was to shift designer focus away from trends and toward the consumer. While hotels feel the pressure to digi...

The stunning design by French architect Jean Nouvel features a multi-layer, perforated aluminum dome shading galleries, restaurants and open spaces. Evoking typical palm frond roofs of the region, the dome spatters light across the covered area, creating warmer and cooler zones. Reduced-flow plumbing saves on water, while seawater channels wend through the interior for a...

Amazon, Google and others already offer a range of products, from smart plugs that control lighting on a schedule to refrigerators that keep track of contents. Voice and gesture control of lamps, music and fans could save time and money. But design matters, too—attractive products gain favor more quickly. Today’s complexity hinders adoption. The multiplicity of dev...

The process must consider technology and end-user satisfaction, both aesthetic and practical. One approach is the Information Value Loop, incorporating the quantity of required data, its reliability and accuracy, and how rapidly it is needed. The collaboration of team members with diverse expertise can facilitate the creation of quality products. Understanding product us...

by 1979 she had established her own london-based practice, and gained a global reputation for her ground-breaking theoretical works, often inspired by russian constructivism. below, we present a timeline of zaha’s most recognizable works — past, present, and future. zaha hadid’s first major built work, one that affirmed her international recognition, was the vitra fir...

Snaidero, the quintessential Italian kitchen and icon of authentic Italian design worldwide, turns 70: it doesn't look the age, though it's true. An anniversary to remember and celebrate, because a brand's longevity is a tangible sign that a company and its products have been able to convey value over time.

This empowerment also fosters community, as design plans are used both for single homes and public housing projects. Many of the new designs stress environmental sensitivity and economic sustainability. Some software incorporates appliance, furniture and building materials modules. Multiple file formats and user friendliness have attracted architects and designers, as we...

The architects sought to create an attractive facility while limiting costs. It is built of low-impact materials, primarily from Scandinavia. The green roof helps control rainwater runoff and is more attractive to those living on the slopes above. Neighbors are pleased that the indoor operation emits little noise or odors. Such facilities can be placed in proximity to re...

This highly unusual outdoor “gallery” in 24 waypoints—binoculars, a streetlamp and other colorful objects—is in striking contrast to the landscape through which the footpath wanders. At its zenith, at Tüllinger Berg, the route offers panoramic views of Weil Am Rhein in Germany and the Swiss city of Basel. In the latter, modern buildings make it more difficult to pick out...

Just a decade ago, a building like the Harbin Opera House could not have been made. But a combination of technological and engineering leaps, computer wizardry and fearless deep-pocketed clients has meant that now, for the first time, architects are able to give free-rein to their wildest imaginations. Set within the wetlands of the Harbin Cultural Island – an arts h...

the futuristic underwater farm is situated at the the rio de janeiro shore and aims to find sustainable solutions to climate change by promoting sea life. the project proposes to recycle the ocean plastic pollution and to transform the floating garbage patches into building materials for the naval architecture and engineering. ‘aequorea’ provides a sustainable housin...

Clothing and furniture manufacturers led the charge, but some have trimmed options. While the process can reduce cost and waste, web buyers may be overwhelmed by too many choices and complex site navigation. Some companies allow clients to design their own products, uploading sketches, color and material preferences. Manufacturers can streamline the process by selecting ...

Entitled How Design is Communicated, the exchange elicited a comparison of museums to journalism, since both involve asking questions and telling stories. But the pace of assembling collections cannot compare to lightning-quick news cycles. Should museums move faster, or can a multi-speed approach be used to handle varying circumstances? Held at a Molteni&C store, the me...

Blending 21st century technologies such as CAD and 3D printing with traditional production methods, start-ups and established firms alike from Stockholm to Detroit are turning out artisan watches, carpets, brushes and lamps on a scale hitherto impossible. This satisfies consumer demand for fine products while enabling smaller enterprises to turn a profit in the global ma...