Gallery shop interior designed by Akin Atelier in Sydney Modern
CategoriesInterior Design

Akin Atelier houses Gallery Shop at Sydney Modern in “translucent bubble”

Curved resin walls define this retail space, which architecture studio Akin Atelier has created for the Sydney Modern extension at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Designed by Akin Atelier with surfboard designer Hayden Cox, the Gallery Shop is located in the entrance pavilion of the gallery that was recently completed by Pritzker Architecture Prize-winning studio SANAA.

The retail space is conceived as a “translucent bubble” within the entrance area, the studio said, and it aims to challenge the typical commercial experience in a museum shop.

Gallery shop interior designed by Akin Atelier in Sydney Modern
Akin Atelier has created the Gallery Shop at Sydney Modern

“The shop captures natural light throughout the day, bringing dynamic reflections and refractions of the city while holding people, objects, and books within its centre,” Akin Atelier told Dezeen.

“[It] showcases products to passers-by through the lens of the resin walls – gently maximising the identity of the space while preserving the architectural experience of the new building.”

The Gallery Shop comprises two resin walls that curve around its displays, with a gap between the two of them forming the entry point.

shop interior designed by Akin Atelier in Sydney Modern
It has curved walls made from a resin

The installation is placed in the northwest corner of the entrance pavilion, to the left-hand side of its entrance, meaning that its distinctive resin walls are visible from the street.

Its walls are constructed of 29 modules formed of 12 tonnes of resin. According to the studio, the resin is a type of “bio-resin” manufactured to incorporate biological matter.

resin walls of retail space at sydney modern
It sits within the building’s entrance pavilion that was designed by SANAA

“It is composed of a minimum 26 per cent biological matter,” said the studio.

“[This reduces] the amount of embodied carbon as well as reducing toxicity during the manufacturing process.”

The distinct tonal gradient of the bio-resin was achieved by hand pouring layers of colour into custom moulds – a process that took 109 days.

Meanwhile, its glossy translucency was achieved through hand sanding followed by seven rounds of hand polishing.

Gallery Shop interior designed by Akin Atelier
The translucent material allows natural light through the space. Photo by Tim Salisbury

The resin’s earthy hues reference the sandstone used in the original Art Gallery of New South Wales, while its gradation is a nod to the layered nature of Sydney’s bedrock of sandstone.

“The handmade nature of resin casting and finishing allowed for experimentation across colour and form while addressing the patinated qualities of the outside environment,” explained Akin Atelier.

Gallery shop interior designed by Akin Atelier in Sydney Modern
Two curved walls enclose the shop

Inside the Gallery Shop, adjustable resin shelves line the curved walls, housing books and publications. Stainless steel is used for display plinths, providing a contrast to the warm tones of the resin.

The project has been shortlisted in the small retail interior category of the Dezeen Awards.

Akin Atelier also recently used tactile materials such as onyx, plaster and travertine to form the interiors of a branch of the womenswear store Camilla and Marc in Melbourne.

The photography is by Rory Gardiner unless otherwise stated. 

Reference

The future of food: three key trends
CategoriesSustainable News

The future of food: three key trends

While some recent figures show a decline in meat consumption – notably in the UK and US – the reasons behind people’s choices are often more to do with the cost of meat than ethical judgements around animal welfare or the impact on climate. However, population growth, food security, and the climate are key concerns for governments globally, and are fuelling continued development of protein alternatives. In Singapore, it has been a key government policy to foster innovation and investment in this area to bolster domestic food security and reduce reliance on imports.

We compared notes with Jack Ellis, a Senior Associate specialising in agriculture and food at Cleantech Group, to identify the key drivers accelerating the development of meat alternatives.

1. Technology

Artificial Intelligence (AI), gene editing, 3D printing… New technologies are opening up exciting possibilities for growth in the alternative protein space, and innovative startups are pioneering their use.

“It feels like there is momentum building around AI, and startups are putting it to different uses,” says Jack. US startup Climax Foods utilises AI to design non-dairy cheese that mimics the texture and taste of several varieties, including brie, blue, and feta. NotCo, a Chilean startup that we first spotted in 2016 – which has since become a unicorn company – uses AI to analyse the smell, texture, and taste of dairy and meat at the molecular level, and then replicate it.

Gene editing can raise protein yields from raw ingredients by ‘tweaking’ the DNA of an organism to make it behave differently. It is generally different to creating a genetically modified organism (GMO), which typically refers to taking genetic material from one species and putting it into another one – a process that has been banned in the EU since 2001. In 2018, gene editing fell under the same law, but in July this year, the EU announced that this was under review.  “Startups in Europe have been vocal in pushing for more regulatory clarity on this,” says Jack. “And if that clarity does come to be and progress, then there will be an uptick, at least in innovative activity and partnering.”

2. Cell cultivation

To date, cell-cultivated meat has two key obstacles: it’s expensive to produce (and so would be prohibitively expensive for consumers) and it needs regulatory clearance as a biological product. The latter first happened in 2020, when Singapore became the first country to grant approval, with the US following suit this year.  Despite these blockers, startups are innovating to reduce the costs involved in cell cultivation. For example, Czech-based firm Mewery uses a technique based on microalgae to decrease the cost of cultivation by up to 70 per cent. Its range of meat-free pork should be available in 2025, pending regulatory clearance.

3. Fermentation

Food production accounts for a quarter of global greenhouse emissions, with cows and other farm animals contributing around 14 per cent. Agriculture is water intensive and uses half of all habitable land on Earth. A growing trend in making food production more resource-efficient is the use of fermentation to produce alternative proteins. Amsterdam-based agritech firm Farmless only requires one five-hundredth of the amount of land needed for animal protein production. Farmless’ process creates food packed with amino-acid complete proteins, fibre, essential vitamins, carbohydrates, and unsaturated fats. It does this by turning existing supply chains of liquid feedstock into the basis for its fermentation system. The company uses a naturally occurring single-cell organism that ferments at a rapid rate, and then, through careful selection of different microbes for different results, produces proteins and foods that can be customised to include almost any combination of macronutrients. 

According to Springwise Commissioning Editor Matthew Hempstead, “With alternative proteins, there are several avenues of innovation and multiple uncertainties. But more and more businesses like Farmless are developing industrial manufacturing capabilities and are set to play an increasingly central role in transforming the agriculture industry in time to meet 2050 climate goals.”

Written By: Angela Everitt

Our November edition of Future Now shares our full list of the top ten innovations pushing the boundaries of food production, leveraging AI for greater efficiency while harnessing other technologies to create alternatives to meat. It is free for members of our Innovation Database. For more information click here.

Reference

Bai’etan Exhibition Center Landscape by Sasaki
CategoriesArchitecture

New Kid on the Block: 6 Ways Architects Are Reinventing the Public Park

The latest edition of “Architizer: The World’s Best Architecture” — a stunning, hardbound book celebrating the most inspiring contemporary architecture from around the globe — is now available. Order your copy today.  

Square footage in the world’s most populous cities is a valuable commodity. There’s a pervasive urge to build bigger and better, extracting profit from every nook and cranny. Amid the frenetic pace of urban development, the public park is a radical thing. Democratic by its very nature, it’s a rare space open to all, where visitors can commune with nature and connect with their community without parting with a dime.

In the face of land scarcity and environmental challenges, the public park is changing. Architects are finding daring new ways to carve out pockets of space, preserve native terrain and shape compelling topographical experiences. Discover how these six winning projects from the 11th A+Awards are reinventing one of our most valuable public typologies…


1. Incorporating the Industrial Past

Bai’etan Exhibition Center Landscape by Sasaki, Guangzhou, China

Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Sustainable Landscape/Planning Project

Bai’etan Exhibition Center Landscape by Sasaki Bai’etan Exhibition Center Landscape by SasakiOnce bustling with warehouses, factories and docks, this stretch of land on the banks of Guangzhou’s Pearl River has undergone a dramatic transformation. The former industrial lot is now a remarkable public park, imbued with the spirit of its commercial past.

The fabric of a historic warehouse has been preserved and integrated into a new plaza. Brickwork salvaged from the site extends the roofline down to the ground, creating a tactile connection with the land’s former life. Existing topographic features such as the ficus grove have been preserved along the water’s edge, while the restored timber dock evokes the memory of the energetic, working waterfront. Motifs inspired by the factories, water and native trees are integrated into the design of the metal railings and the floodwall panels. In this dynamic project, past and present are thoughtfully placed in conversation.


2. Elevating Thoroughfares

One Green Mile – Public Space and Streetscape Design by StudioPOD, Mumbai, India

Jury Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Sustainable Transportation Project

One Green Mile – Public Space and Streetscape Design by StudioPOD One Green Mile – Public Space and Streetscape Design by StudioPODIn a densely packed metropolis like Mumbai, prioritizing the public realm amongst the city’s vast transport infrastructure is a far from straightforward undertaking. This innovative masterplan sought to readdress the balance, creating a street that fullfils the needs of all spatial users. Impressively, the project reclaimed almost 2.3 acres of land for municipal use.

The geometries of the public walkways were expanded to create a richer experience for pedestrians and cyclists. Trees and shrubs line the thoroughfares, punctuated by ‘micro destinations’ and meeting points. Redundant spaces below the flyover were repurposed into vibrant hubs for the neighborhood to enjoy, encompassing community gardens, socializing zones and play equipment. Within this busy urban jungle, a new public world is flourishing.


3. Preserving Native Ecology

Pima Dynamite Trailhead by Weddle Gilmore Architects, Scottsdale, Arizona

Jury Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Public Parks & Green Spaces

Pima Dynamite Trailhead by Weddle Gilmore Architects Pima Dynamite Trailhead by Weddle Gilmore ArchitectsPoised on the boundary between the city and the desert, the Pima Dynamite Trailhead in Scottsdale is a gateway of sorts between two worlds. The beginning of the trail is marked by an angular volume, clad in a corten steel skin that rises out of the sandy wilderness. As well as accommodating restrooms and amenities within, the center’s slatted overhangs frame outdoor rooms, oriented to maximize the outlook and provide respite for hikers, cyclists and equestrians.

Preserving the ecology of the Sonoran Desert was of the utmost importance to the project. To this end, new construction was restricted to land that had already been developed. The building’s low, unraveling form was carefully positioned to harmonize with the site’s natural drainage flow. Where the organic topography was disturbed, native plants were brought in to restore the terrain. These small, sensitive interventions ensure nature remains the guiding force.


4. Emphasizing the Metaphysical

Eucalyptus Society Garden by SWA GROUP / Los Angeles, Guangzhou, China

Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Public Parks & Green Spaces

Eucalyptus Society Garden by SWA GROUP / Los Angeles Eucalyptus Society Garden by SWA GROUP / Los AngelesThis astonishing public park at the heart of a college community in Guangzhou is a contemplative space where the metaphysical takes center stage. Defined by sweeping, curvilinear pathways and undulating lawns, scale and form are skilfully handled, resulting in an immersive, thought-provoking design.

The project is infused with cultural symbolism. An ancient Eucalyptus tree anchors the site, evoking the tree that Confucius is rumored to have given lectures beneath. Rhythmic circles radiate out around the trunk. The innermost and outermost rings comprise glass bricks, emblematic of the manmade and natural landscapes colliding. From the meandering 131-foot-long (40 meter) Wisdom Bridge to the pebble-like benches, the park’s architecture is a catalyst for rumination.


5. Fusing Urban and Organic Realms

OCT Bao’an OH BAY by LAGUARDA.LOW ARCHITECTS, Shenzhen China

Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Urban & Masterplan

OCT Bao’an OH BAY by LAGUARDA.LOW ARCHITECTS OCT Bao’an OH BAY by LAGUARDA.LOW ARCHITECTSSprawling across 128 acres, this pioneering project on the waterfront of Shenzhen challenges conventional notions of the public park. Rather than a distinct, green space set apart from the city’s commercial hubbub, the new Central District Park combines natural landscapes with retail and cultural functions.

The terrain is complex and multi-layered. From the sky, the land is defined by an intricate pattern of green plazas and rippling hills. But on the ground, their hidden depths are revealed. Beneath the undulations of earth, shop façades emerge from beneath living roofs. A myriad of pathways and promenades snake across the park, connecting the retail village, business center, cultural center and book market. Here, the natural and urban realms are one and the same.


6. Modernizing Heritage Typologies

Shenzhen Lotus Water Culture Base: Landscape Design for Honghu Park Water Purification Station by NODE Architecture & Urbanism, Shenzhen, China

Jury Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Architecture +Landscape

Shenzhen Lotus Water Culture Base: Landscape Design for Honghu Park Water Purification Station by NODE Architecture & Urbanism Shenzhen Lotus Water Culture Base: Landscape Design for Honghu Park Water Purification Station by NODE Architecture & UrbanismThis whimsical floating garden within a municipal park in Shenzhen sits on top of a submerged water purification facility. The project had numerous complex facets to negotiate, including concealing the plant’s protruding infrastructure. Ingenious design solutions were devised to transform the industrial site into a picturesque retreat for the city’s residents.

The architects turned to historic local typologies for inspiration. The pagodas, pavilions and gazebos of the traditional Lingnan garden, a landscape aesthetic native to the province of Guangdong, were the perfect fit to disguise the cylindrical volumes. Reimagined through a contemporary lens, the forms read as art installations. The tallest vent has been skilfully utilized as a birdwatching platform, while the other shafts offer vantage points where visitors can admire the lotuses. Form and function combine in perfect harmony.

The latest edition of “Architizer: The World’s Best Architecture” — a stunning, hardbound book celebrating the most inspiring contemporary architecture from around the globe — is now available. Order your copy today.  

Reference

Open lobby with pockets of seating between potted plants in Six Senses Rome hotel by Patricia Urquiola
CategoriesInterior Design

Patricia Urquiola converts historic palazzo into Six Senses Rome hotel

Milan-based designer Patricia Urquiola has converted a palazzo in Rome into a hotel and spa, filled with circular elements and traditional Italian materials.

The Six Senses Rome is located within the Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini, close to historic sites like the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain in the city centre.

Open lobby with pockets of seating between potted plants in Six Senses Rome hotel by Patricia Urquiola
The lobby of the Six Senses Rome is an open social space with multiple seating areas

Adjacent to the Church of San Marcello al Corso, the building was first constructed in the 15th century before being updated in the 18th-century baroque style by architect Tomaso De Marchis.

An impressive central staircase and the building’s main UNESCO-listed facade, which overlooks the bustling Via del Corso, are among the period details that were restored during the renovation works led by Studio Urquiola.

Lounge seating in front of restaurant counter
The Bivium restaurant connected to the lobby offers all-day dining

The entrance to the Six Senses Rome from Piazza di San Marcello leads into an open lobby and social area, furnished with a variety of sofas and lounge chairs from Urquiola’s oeuvre alongside classic Italian designs.

These are positioned in groupings with tables and decorative objects on circular rugs, between potted plants spread across the travertine floors.

Lounge seats on a circular rug, in front of an opened glass partition in Six Senses Rome hotel by Patricia Urquiola
Circular elements appear throughout the hotel, including rugs and tables in the lobby

“At every turn, the craftsmanship, the finishes, the materials and the graphics create a union with nature while staying true to both Roman classicism and Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini’s rich history,” said Urquiola.

A curved green marble bar is positioned near the windows, forming an incomplete circle with the matching counters in the courtyard, which are visible through the glazing and follow the shape of earth-toned steelwork overhead.

Courtyard with green marble bar counter below steelwork in Six Senses Rome hotel by Patricia Urquiola
In the courtyard, a green marble bar counter continues from inside

The courtyard also features benches built into planters along the back wall and additional seating, where diners can enjoy food and drinks from the trattoria-style Bivium restaurant.

Circular forms and motifs continue throughout the hotel, including in the Six Senses Spa and Roman baths on the first floor.

Spa waiting area featuring seating within sheer curtain enclosures
The spa waiting area features seating within sheer curtain enclosures

Here, sheer curtains encircle small seating areas for those waiting for treatments or preparing to enter the travertine-lined bathhouse, which offers multiple pools for soaking and relaxing.

Bedrooms across the central levels have “quirky” layouts and a soft neutral decor, including tambour panelling, patterned rugs and a variety of spherical light fixtures.

Travertine lines the walls and ceiling inside the spa and Roman baths in Six Senses Rome hotel by Patricia Urquiola
Travertine lines the walls and ceiling inside the spa and Roman baths

Several of Six Senses Rome’s 96 guest rooms and suites have balconies, and all enjoy either a courtyard or city view.

Plasterwork in the rooms is made from an ancient Roman material known as cocciopesto, which comprises fragments of earthenware or brick mixed with lime and sand.

“The legacy of antiquity is also honoured with the choice of cocciopesto, which decorates the plaster of the rooms and gives a nod to Roman architect Vitruvius,” said the studio.

The hotel also features a roof terrace and bar called Notos that offers views across the city and serves botanical cocktails and light bites.

Bedrooms with soft neutral decor
The bedrooms at the Six Senses Rome have a soft neutral decor

Artworks such as watercolours, sculptures, textile works and canvases throughout the interior are curated by art advisor Federica Sala and are all unique to the hotel.

Six Senses Rome is shortlisted in the hotel and short stay interior category of Dezeen Awards 2023, while Studio Urquiola is shortlisted for interior designer of the year.

Lounge area within a guest room suite in Six Senses Rome hotel by Patricia Urquiola
Plasterwork in the bedrooms and suites is made from cocciopesto

Originally from Spain, Urquiola is one of Europe’s most sought-after designers and has released furniture and product collections with brands like Moroso, Cassina, Kettal and Boffi among many more.

Other hotels designed by her studio include the Haworth Hotel in Michigan, the Hotel Il Sereno on the shores of Lake Como and the Room Mate Giulia in Milan.

The photography is by Luca Rotondo.


Project credits:

General contractor: CDS Holding
Architecture: Starching and professor Paolo Micalizzi
Interior design: Patricia Urquiola

Reference

Women farmers using solar-powered conduction dryers by S4S Technologies
CategoriesSustainable News

Dissolvable binder for EV batteries wins 2023 Earthshot Prize

Prince William has announced the five projects that are taking home this year’s Earthshot Prize, including an AI-powered soil carbon marketplace and a more circular manufacturing process for lithium-ion batteries.

Founded by the British royal in 2021, the annual Earthshot Prize rewards innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges – air and water pollution, environmental degradation, waste and climate change.

From more than 1,100 entries, a winner was chosen for each of these five categories and awarded a £1 million cash prize to help scale up the project and increase its positive impact.

Women farmers using solar-powered conduction dryers by S4S Technologies
GRST (top image) S4S Technologies (above) are among the winning projects of 2023 the Earthshot Prize

Indian company S4S Technologies was crowned the winner of the waste category for its efforts to provide female small-hold farmers in rural India with solar-powered conduction dryers.

Without the need for energy or expensive cold storage, these can help farmers preserve crops that would otherwise have gone to waste and turn them into sellable products, with the aim of saving 1.2 million tonnes of food waste by 2026.

To date, the company has helped more than 300,000 farmers, who have reportedly seen their profits increase by around 10 to 15 per cent.

“S4S, along with women farmers, are creating a new food ecosystem that reduces wastage and mitigates the increase in GHG emissions while meeting the world’s food needs,” said S4S Technologies co-founder Nidhi Pant.

Lithium-ion battery by GRST, winner of 2023 Earthshot Prize
GRST has created a water-soluble binder for EV batteries

Also among the other winners is Hong Kong company GRST, which is making electric vehicle (EV) batteries more circular by manufacturing them using a water-soluble binder.

This allows its valuable lithium, cobalt and nickel components to be recovered and reused more easily, preventing waste and reducing the need for more mining.

The resulting battery lasts up to 10 per cent longer, the company claims, while emitting 40 per cent less greenhouse gases in its production.

“The world needs a massive amount of batteries to achieve net zero by 2050, but a revolution is needed to make these batteries cleaner and more recyclable,” said GRST’s chief strategy officer Frank Harley. “Today, our water-based technology is driving this transformation.”

In the climate change category, the top prize went to Boomitra – a carbon marketplace that incentivises farmers to use regenerative agricultural practices to store excess atmospheric carbon in their soil.

This carbon storage is tracked via satellites and artificial intelligence, and ultimately sold to companies and governments in the form of carbon credits, which the company says are independently verified.

Boomitra is already working with 150,000 farmers across Africa, South America and Asia, and believes that it could store one gigaton of CO2 in soil by the end of the decade.

“We cannot restore the earth without the support of farmers, who produce the food we eat and rely on the land for their income,” said founder Aadith Moorthy.

“Our technological solution empowers farmers with the data they need to improve soil and maximise their crop yields while creating a valuable store for carbon.”

Person holding soil in hand
Boomitra is an AI-powered marketplace for soil carbon storage

Also among 2023’s winning projects is Acción Andina, an initiative that supports indigenous communities with ecosystem restoration in the Andes Mountains, and the WildAid Marine Program, which gives countries the tools and technology to police illegal fishing in protected marine areas.

On top of their prize money, all of the winners winners will receive a year’s worth of mentoring and support as part of The Earthshot Prize Fellowship Programme, together with the other 10 finalists.

WildAid Marine Program teaching initiative, winner of 2023 Earthshot Prize
WildAid Marine Program is providing countries with the tools to police illegal fishing

“Our winners and all our finalists remind us that, no matter where you are on our planet, the spirit of ingenuity and the ability to inspire change surrounds us all,” Prince William said in a speech at the awards ceremony in Singapore.

“The last year has been one of great change and even greater challenge. A year in which the effects of the climate crisis have become too visible to be ignored. And a year that has left so many feeling defeated, their hope, dwindling. However, as we have seen tonight, hope does remain.”

The Earthshot Prize is now in its third year, with previous winners including a greenhouse-in-a-box and a tool that creates fuel from agricultural waste.

Reference

Heating commercial real estate with geothermal power
CategoriesSustainable News

Heating commercial real estate with geothermal power

Spotted: Geothermal energy is one of the most energy-efficient methods for providing HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) for businesses and communities alike. But the problem that has traditionally faced geothermal power is the high upfront cost of establishing boreholes to tap into this energy in the ground, especially in contrast to other readily available energy infrastructure. And for tall commercial properties or apartment blocks, traditional geothermal systems have also not been able to provide enough energy to heat or power the entire building. This is where US startup Bedrock Energy comes in. 

The company has developed new autonomous drilling and subsurface modelling technology that allows borefield construction to be around three times quicker and cheaper. Crucially, unlike existing boreholes, which are often drilled 300 to 800 feet below the Earth’s surface, Bedrock drills 2,000 feet underground where the temperatures are much hotter. 

Because of this, the company reduces the number of boreholes required for a project – from as much as 28 down to just eight – meaning tall commercial buildings with limited land space can still make use of this abundant energy source for their heating and cooling systems.  

Using its advanced algorithms, Bedrock can accurately predict the energy transfer to buildings from the geothermal site. The company then specially designs a project’s geothermal loop field to optimise borehole location for the best long-term energy returns.  

Bedrock is ready to start deploying to commercial projects soon and is currently working on a pilot project. The company recently raised $8.5 million (around €7.9 million) in seed funding, which will be used to help accelerate the manufacturing and deployment of its technology. 

Many more innovators are recognising the potential of geothermal energy, and Springwise has also spotted one company that’s using Kenya’s geothermal resources to power direct air capture as well as a system that makes geothermal less water-intensive.

Written By: Archie Cox

Reference

undulating colored pathways run along PLAT ASIA's sports park in china
CategoriesArchitecture

undulating colored pathways run along PLAT ASIA’s sports park in china

 

project info:

name: Ordos Smart Sports Park
architect: PLAT ASIA | @platasia

principal designer: Bian Baoyang

design team: Zhang Xiaozhan, Wang Xiaochun, Guo Lulu, He Xiaohui, Guo Xin, Yang Lu, Ma Xuan, Hao Qiang, Ji Lei, Bi Baihui, Liu Yuan, Zhu Feng, Zheng Yubin, Yu Siyang, Yang Geng, Yang Dongmei, Xue Heng, Liu Mei

clients: Kangbashi District Forestry and Greenery Service Center, Ordos

construction: HUACHENGBOYUAN Engineering Technology Group Construction

contractor: XINGTAI GROUP

construction supervision: Inner Mongolia SHOUXIN Construction Supervision Co., Ltd.

location: Kangbashi district, Ordos, China

photography: Holi Landscape Photography

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom



Reference

Yeahka Headquarters Office
CategoriesInterior Design

Dezeen Awards China 2023 interiors shortlist revealed

Dezeen has announced the 28-strong interiors shortlist for the inaugural Dezeen Awards China, which includes projects by FOG Architecture, UNStudio and Atelier d’More.

The shortlisted projects, which are in the running for awards in six different interiors project categories, represent the most striking interiors recently created in the country.

Among the projects, which are located in 14 different cities across China, is a Spanish restaurant in a former prison, a hostel on Shanghai’s Chongming Island that integrates local materials and an office space with mottled concrete walls and exposed steel frames.

The shortlist also features a library with a sweeping wooden bookshelf and a clothing store informed by local markets.

Dezeen Awards China 2023 shortlists revealed this week

The shortlisted projects were scored by our interior jury which includes interior architect André Fu, Hong Kong-based Alex Mok, US interior designer Kelly Wearstler, Studioilse founder Ilse Crawford and Li Xiang of X+Living.

This is the first edition of Dezeen Awards China, which is in partnership with Bentley Motors. The architecture shortlist was published on Monday and following the interiors shortlist, the projects shortlisted in the design and China designers of the year categories will be unveiled tomorrow and Thursday respectively.

Yeahka Headquarters Office
Above: An office building in Shenzhen’s Kexing Science and Technology Park is one of the shortlisted projects. Photo by Schran Images. Top: Other shortlisted projects include an eye hospital in Taiyuan, China.

All shortlisted interiors are listed below, each with a link to a dedicated page on the Dezeen Awards China website, where you can find more information about the project.

The winner of each interiors project category will be announced at a party in Shanghai in December, with the six winners competing for the title of Chinese interiors project of the year, which is sponsored by Gaggenau.

Read on for the full interiors shortlist:


Light House by 323 Studio. Photo by 323 Studio

Home interior

› Light House, Zhengzhou, by 323 Studio
› Illumined Freedom: An Artistic Home, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, by More Design Office
› Z&S House, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, by Outlooker Design
› Beijing West Road Private Residence, Shanghai, by Slow Studio
› Muzi House, Shanghai, by Wuy Architects


This is Zack! by Guò Bàn Ér. Photo by Boris Shiu

Workplace interior

› NCDA Studio, Hong Kong, by NC Design & Architecture
› Yeahka Headquarters Office, Shenzhen, by JSPA Design
› Phantom Rings: S-Game Office, Beijing, by LYCS Architecture
› Diningr:um, Shanghai, by Pronounced Design
› This is Zack!, Beijing, by Guò Bàn Ér


Book Mountain Store by Ray&Emilio Studio. Photo by Ray&Emilio Studio

Retail interior

› To Summer Beijing Flagship Store, Beijing, by FOG Architecture
› FREITAG Store Shanghai, Shanghai, by Kooo Architects
› ZUCZUG Bazaar, Xiamen, by Sò Studio
› Book Mountain Bookstore, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, by Ray&Emilio Studio


Self Revealing
Self Revealing by Studio X4. Photo courtesy of Studio X4

Health and wellbeing interior

› FlySolo Rehabilitation Medical Centre, Beijing, by UNStudio
› Self Revealing, Taipei, by StudioX4
› Big Eyes Panda Eye Hospital, Taiyuan, by Karv One Design
› BoF hair salon, Zhengzhou, by Name Lab


Twosome Inn
Twosome Inn by Atelier d’More. Photo by Atelier d’More

Hotel and short-stay interior

› Cloud Retreat Hotel, Ganzhou, by Shanghai Cocoon Studio
› Sunac Mogan Valley Zhulinli Demonstration Area, Deqing, Yunnan, by WJ Studio
› The Tree and Villa, Dali, Yunnan, by Fusion Design & Architecture
› Som Land Hostel, Chongming Island, Shanghai, by RooMoo Design Studio
› Twosome Inn, Beijing, by Atelier d’More


RooMoo Design Studio
B3 by RooMoo Design Studio. Photo by RooMoo Design Studio

Restaurant and bar interior

› B3, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, by RooMoo Design Studio
› Lai Zhou Bar, Shanghai, by RooMoo Design Studio
› Artifact Bar, Hong Kong, by NC Design & Architecture
› Agora, Hong Kong, by Collective
› Biiird Yakitori, Guangdong, by Biger Club Design

Dezeen Awards China 2023

Dezeen Awards China is the first regional edition of Dezeen Awards, to celebrate the best architecture, interiors and design in China. The annual awards are in partnership with Bentley Motors, as part of a wider collaboration that will see the brand work with Dezeen to support and inspire the next generation of design talent in China.

Reference

Dog products made from ghost fishing nets 
CategoriesSustainable News

Dog products made from ghost fishing nets 

Spotted: The WWF estimates that between 500,000 and 1 million tonnes of fishing gear is either lost or deliberately discarded in the ocean every year, making up around 10 per cent of marine plastic pollution.  

UK startup Tangle is putting this abandoned equipment, known as ‘ghost’ fishing gear, to good use, turning it into premium dog accessories. In doing so it is embodying the principles of the circular economy and helping to reduce the glut of ocean plastic.  

Through partnerships with various ports, Tangle encourages fishermen to donate their old nets instead of dumping them in the ocean. This equipment is then taken to Tangle’s recycling facility where it is broken down and sorted into raw materials. These are then used to create strong and durable dog leads, bowls, and throw toys. 

In addition to reducing marine litter, the products are lightweight, durable, waterproof, and non-stink, and most are produced in the UK. 

Founded in 2022, the company is growing quickly, and was announced as one of the participants in the second Amazon Sustainability Accelerator in May 2023.

Tangle isn’t alone in repurposing this type of marine pollution, with Springwise spotting glasses and officewear also being made from ghost fishing gear.

Written By: Matthew Hempstead

Reference

Aerial view of linear park in Mexico
CategoriesArchitecture

Taller Capital practises “retroactive infrastructure” for linear park in Mexico

Architecture studio Taller Capital has created a linear park in Mexico City that incorporates a walkway and made with materials optimised for water retention and dust mitigation.

Called Héroes de Tecamac Boulevard, the project was located in an urban area north of Mexico City.

Aerial view of linear park in Mexico
Taller Capital has created a linear park in a Mexican boulevard

The project saw the renovation of 2.1 kilometres of a vacant median that runs through the city, passing through a social housing complex.

Twenty metres wide, the structure allows for easy pedestrian use and features recreation areas strewn about its length for use by the local community, and the studio estimates it will serve more than 20,000 individuals who live alongside it.

Walkway from above with cars turning
The project comprises an elevated walkway strewn with recreational areas

According to Taller Capital, the boulevard was constructed in the early 2000s to facilitate the growing population, and though the median was dug it was never completed. The excavated materials from the roadway sat there, creating small dust storms.

“It works as a retroactive infrastructure: it is a device to control dust storms, absorb rainwater, facilitate non-motorized mobility to connect with the Mexibus stop, and bring ports and recreational facilities to the nearby community,” said the studio.

Aerial view of metal playgrounds in linear park
It includes fitness areas and playgrounds

Taller Capital was commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Territory and Urban Development to create the recreational spaces, but the studio recognised that the project provided an opportunity to improve the infrastructure of the area, which has very few pedestrian corridors.

“We were commissioned to design public recreational and sports facilities along the median strip,” the studio told Dezeen.

“However, we realized that it could not become only that, but it should mainly work as an infrastructure, both in terms of pedestrian mobility and dust control,” it continued.

“We were able to redesign traffic lanes at the ground level, broadening sidewalks, designating specific areas for parking and allowing two car lanes at each side of the strip.”

Two people walking down linear park with mountains in the background
It was filled with volcanic gravel to aid in water retention

To ensure the safety of the pedestrians, the structure was elevated, a move which also allowed for the soil conditions necessary to plant a series of trees for shade.

The studio included volcanic gravel along the elevation to allow for water absorption and to control dust. It also noted that the gravels consistency means that very little maintenance will be required during the lifecycle of the boulevard.

The route also connects the community with a transportation hub at its north end.

Opened in 2021, the park has already enjoyed use and areas have seen a number of fairs and concerts that go beyond its original program.

“If the place continues serving the purpose it has demonstrated to satisfy up till today, we can imagine that in the future it will become more lively and used, as the trees will have grown and shade will be provided during direct daylight hours,” said Taller Capital.

Trees on Teclamec boulevard park
Trees were planted along its length in hopes that they will grow to provide shade

Héroes de Tecamac Boulevard has been shortlisted for the mixed-use project category in the 2023 Dezeen Awards.

Other projects that revamp infrastructure for pedestrian use include New York’s High Line, a former elevated train line that has been converted to pedestrian walkways and community space.

The photography is by Rafael Gamo.

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