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Perforated metal wall panels ImageWall by Zahner

Architecture

An Architect’s Guide To: Graphic Perforated Metal Panels

By Zarkon Group,15/06/2023

Architectural innovation and creativity go hand in hand. Designers are constantly seeking new ways to push boundaries, challenge norms, and create buildings that resonate with places and people. One material that is increasingly being harnessed to this end is perforated metal, with a multitude of high-tech systems now available to architects looking for customizable wall and façade solutions.

One such example is the ImageWall system by Zahner, a renowned engineering and fabrication company with a long-standing reputation for its work with architects. Developed specifically for perforated metal panels, it offers a range of diverse qualities for projects across typologies and climates.

Perforated metal wall panels ImageWall by Zahner Zahner became known for advanced metal surfaces and systems with both functional and ornamental forms. With ImageWall, Zahner has created a system that offers design versatility to make immersive experiences. With its accessible design tools, affordability, and wide range of applications, the perforated metal panel system empowers designers and architects to bring their visions to life.

Whether used in commercial, hospitality, retail, or residential settings, this material provides a customizable canvas for integrating backlighting, materials, and graphics. In this guide, we’ll explore the creative potential of perforated metal panel systems like ImageWall, from the design process to technical detailing and application.

Conceptualization: Pushing the Boundaries of Design

Perforated metal wall panels animation ImageWall by Zahner One of the most remarkable aspects of the ImageWall system is its accessibility to designers. Gone are the days of tedious back-and-forth communication. With this system, designers can now conceptualize and design directly within an intuitive online visualizer tool on the Zahner website.

This streamlines the design process and empowers architects to bring their visions to life more efficiently than ever before. The accessibility provided by the system fosters a greater sense of creative freedom, allowing designers to experiment, iterate, and explore a multitude of design options.

Design With ImageWall

Recently, Zahner Labs has further developed the system with ImageLines — an additional customization for generating perforated images. As the team explains, perforations are positioned by an array of customizable lines or curves, while perforation size is driven by a source image. Try it out; it’s easy to upload an image to the configurator and see how ImageLines takes perforated façades to the next level.

Technical Details: Streamlined Installation and Pre-Engineered Elements

The ImageWall perforated metal panels not only look beautiful, but also allow for more streamlined detailing. Through the use of pre-engineered elements and easy-install systems, the cost and lead times are significantly reduced compared to traditional custom solutions. This makes affordability a key advantage offered by Zahner’s system.

Their product also allows clients with tighter budgets to benefit from the company’s reputation for quality craftsmanship and design expertise. In turn, the evolution from custom projects to a pre-engineered product demonstrates Zahner’s commitment to making cutting-edge design accessible to a wider audience.

Download ImageWall Details

Perforated metal wall panels ImageWall by Zahner From sleek and modern metals like stainless steel and aluminum to warm and inviting materials like pre-weathered weathering steel and copper, ImageWall provides architects and designers with a wide selection of options to suit their desired aesthetic.

Additionally, the system can incorporate other materials such as glass, ceramics, or options like recycled materials, ensuring that each project can be uniquely tailored to meet the specific design requirements and desired visual impact. The versatility in material choices offered enables the creation of customized architectural elements that seamlessly integrate into a design.

Applications: Versatility Across Architectural Typologies

At its heart, Zahner’s system has wide-ranging applications across architectural typologies. From commercial buildings to hospitality spaces, retail environments to multi-unit residential common areas, ImageWall seamlessly integrates with other building systems, structures, and assemblies.

This adaptability makes it a valuable tool for architects and designers working on a diverse range of projects. Whether it’s an eye-catching façade for a high-end hotel, an immersive retail environment, or a statement piece in a public space, the system offers endless possibilities for enhancing the appeal of a structure, entry or interior.

Creative Possibilities: Enhancing Design with Light, Materials, and Graphics

ImageWall offers a myriad of creative possibilities, including lighting options, material choices, and graphic integration. Backlighting adds a whole new dimension to architectural design, bringing depth, texture, and visual interest to spaces.

Perforated metal wall panels ImageWall by Zahner With a vast array of materials to choose from, architects can find the perfect match for their desired aesthetic, whether it be sleek and modern or warm and organic. The graphic options also enable the integration of custom patterns, logos, or artwork, allowing architects to create truly unique and memorable spaces that leave a lasting impression.

Case Studies: Showcasing the Power of ImageWall

To appreciate the capabilities of perforated metal panels, there are many noteworthy case studies. For example, the ImageWall system was employed only a short walk from Canada’s Parliament buildings in Ottawa, Ontario, where the team of B+H Architects and Morguard collaborated with Zahner to enhance the experience of entering their office complex at 350 Sparks. The installation of custom perforated wall art showcases the journey along the Ottawa River adjacent to Parliament Hill. Zahner supplied 1,563 visible square feet of aluminum panels and associated sub-framing for the installation.

Zahner also collaborated on the Legacy Pavilion for The Equal Justice Initiative. The Pavilion, designed by Williams Blackstock Architects, is the EJI Museum campus’ new building. Zahner engineered and fabricated the custom Angel Hair stainless steel that clads the exterior of the building, which depicts the iconic images of several local civil rights activists that inspire hope for equal justice. In a similar way, two ImageWall murals clad the east and north sides of 1256 Penn Ave, featuring individual portrait panels of renowned local civil rights activists that helped shape the culture of Minneapolis.

These case studies demonstrate how Zahner’s perforated metal panel system can be utilized by architects to enhance their designs. Its adaptability, material options, and creative possibilities have allowed architects to push boundaries and transform their visions into new landmarks.

Explore More Projects

ImageWall represents the evolution of architectural solutions, bridging the gap between visionary concepts and practical implementation. Its accessibility to designers, affordability, wide range of applications, and design potential make it a versatile and valuable tool for architects and designers alike.

As Zahner continues to push boundaries and redefine what is possible in architectural design, the system stands as a testament to their ability to transform visionary concepts into innovative architecture products and systems.

Learn more about ImageWall here, start designing your own custom perforated panel here, and reach out to Zahner’s specialists about your next project here.

Reference

Interior Design

YSG draws on beach clubs of Ibiza for redesign of Sydney coastal home

By Zarkon Group,14/06/2023

Australian interiors studio YSG has updated a holiday home in Sydney’s Palm Beach suburb, layering it with a maximalist mix of colours, patterns and textures.

The 400-square-metre house belongs to a young family who wanted a place to escape during the holidays while still providing space for remote working.

The home’s original furnishings were included in the sale but the clients were less than enthused by the nautical colour palette, seashells and model yachts.

“The weathered features and cliched seaside tropes, amongst other things, deterred their visits,” said Yasmine Ghoniem, founder and director of YSG.

Look from patio into Sydney home by YSG — Its living and dining area are separated by a small step

YSG took cues from the rustic beach clubs of Ibiza and Cancun for the revamp, with a touch of French Riviera refinement to create “a palpably playful mood for entertaining”.

The house was given a full overhaul, with worn floorboards sanded back to reveal warmer timber accents while windows and doors were replaced with more slimline versions.

Living room with painting in Palm Beach house — Details from a painting in the lounge were carried over onto the walls

In the sunroom, tongue-and-groove panelling was removed for a more contemporary look while a mirrored wall was taken out because it caused the room to overheat.

A new rose-tinted marble floor extends to skirting height, amplifying the sense of space while helping to keep the room cool. In the kitchen, YSG added a stone island “that recalls the ombre shades of a freshly poured tequila sunrise”.

Seating area next to pool in Sydney house by YSG — Chequerboard tiles surround the pool

The couple also asked for a second master suite, so that they could each have their own retreat while working remotely.

“We designed integrated marble and timber desks, enabling both to simultaneously work privately from their rooms whilst enjoying views from the upper level,” Ghoniem said.

For the all-important exterior areas, which wrap around the house on each level, YSG provided a material refresh by removing the old heavy paving and weathered grey timber as they distracted from the views.

The pool area now features a chequerboard pattern of tumbled marble cobblestones while the dark blue pool tiles were replaced with a lighter finish and the chrome fence posts were powder-coated in a soft white tone to prevent glaring reflections.

Kitchen of Palm Beach house — The home’s stone kitchen island is made from thickly veined stone

YSG added a playful painting in the living room that acted as a starting point for the home’s entire interior scheme, including the colour palette of ochres, yellows, and reds.

Its motifs such as palm trees and fruit are repeated throughout the house across prints and cushions, as well as being hand-painted onto walls and doors.

Living room of Sydney house by YSG — The home also has a second lounge area

Even the painting’s chequered top border is continued as a hand-painted datum line across the living room to enliven the otherwise plain walls.

Ghoniem also repeated the same device on the side of the raised step that lead to the dining area, “artistically acknowledging a trip hazard”.

Bedroom of Palm Beach house — The bedrooms were designed to provide space for remote working

In the sunroom, hand-painted swirls soften the beams while in one of the master bedrooms, the vertical red lines of a nude painting were playfully continued onto the wall above the artwork.

The rich material palette features many types of marble, including Giallo, Toledo and Tiberio along with honed travertine and French wash walls, while the textiles include linen and kimono silk.

Bathroom of Palm Beach house in Sydney — Chequerboard tiling also features in some of the bathrooms

YSG has completed a number of projects across Sydney, including another house in a coastal suburb with tactile finishes and a penthouse for a couple of empty nesters.

The photography is by Prue Ruscoe.

Reference

Sustainable News

A marketplace for second-hand furniture

By Zarkon Group,14/06/2023

Spotted: Resale in fashion has risen in popularity in recent years, and now curators and sellers are taking inspiration from that model to create a burgeoning second-hand furniture market. As demand from shoppers for sustainable home furnishings grows, Berlin-based Cocoli’s online marketplace makes it easy to find high-quality bargain furniture.

The company’s name means Community for Conscious Living, and its resale platform provides expert-reviewed second-hand, showroom, end-of-stock, and vintage furniture or home furnishings from both private sellers and well-established brands. Cocoli partners with companies like Wayfair, Sofacompany, and Kave Home to keep products out of landfill by selling them for up to 70 per cent less than the original price.

Cocoli started with around 200 items for sale. In less than two years, the company has expanded its range of products to 350,000, which will continue to grow as it expands its network of sellers. Individuals wishing to sell on the marketplace fill out an application form. The in-house experts then check items for authenticity, quality, and condition before listing the product online. Sellers do not pay transport fees, and prices include the service fee Cocoli collects for inspecting the product and organising shipment.

The company recently closed a round of seed funding that raised €3 million. The financing will be used to improve automation of technologies, general expansion of the company, and monitoring of the company’s climate footprint.

Creative solutions abound in the homewares industries. In the archive, Springwise has spotted waste materials such as wood and general production waste being turned into beautiful new pieces of furniture and other materials.

Written By: Keely Khoury

Reference

Architecture

Alberghi Diffusi: Architects Should Embrace Italy’s Decades-Old Design Concept

By Zarkon Group,14/06/2023

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletters.

Across the iridescent olive groves, vine-laden hills and skyline of sunflowers that intertwine to become the breathtaking Italian countryside, there lies a number of rural gems unblemished by modernity. Their façades bare the marks of many lives lived, and their cobblestone streets chatter with centuries of traditions and tales. While you venture through the quiet alleys, under clotheslines laden with laundry, you’ll find the remarkable concept of “alberghi diffusi” — Italy’s answer to sustainable tourism.

An idea that expertly juxtaposes the past with the present, marrying rustic charm with modern luxury, preserving heritage while showcasing rural sophistication. Here, amongst the charm and romanticism of rural Italy, hospitality takes on a different meaning: it’s not about visiting, it’s about belonging, and these “scattered hotels,” a constellation of repurposed dwellings, are the lifeblood of these otherwise semi-deserted hamlets. As more and more architects embrace adaptive reuse and renovation is increasingly celebrated as preferable to new-builds, Italy’s model for sustainable tourism is set to gain further traction beyond the Mediterranean country’s borders.

Santo Stefano di Sessanio Village, Abruzzo, L’Aquila, Italy. Photograph by Stefano Pellicciari

The albergo diffuso model is by no means a new concept. It was initially conceived in the late 1970s or early 1980s (an exact year cannot be pinpointed). Some attribute the model to the aftermath of the May 1976 earthquakes, when the idea was utilized to revitalize the impacted villages and was then later championed by Giancarlo Dall’Ara, a pioneering figure who is now-President of the Alberghi Diffusi National Association.

The philosophy of the albergi diffusi model is rooted in the notion that a hotel’s room should not have to be contained within a single structure but, in fact, can be spread throughout the houses and buildings of an entire town, and it is the service and amenities in the proximity to the room that establishes it as being part of a hotel.

Cividale del Friuli, Italy Photograph by milosk50

A “scattered hotel,” as it translates in English, creates visitor accommodation by reusing and restructuring existing properties, with one crucial factor — it must be located around an inhabited town center. It is the inhabitants of the albergo diffuso that serve as the draw for the guests that are so enthralled by these places in their search for authentic experiences.

In the heart of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the model found fertile ground in Comeglians, a village of approximately 400 inhabitants that became one of Italy’s first albergo diffuso’s. By the mid-1990s, under careful orchestration and with cooperation from the residents, a transformative project began to unfurl. A handful of the nearly 300 houses, left vacant after a decades-long exodus of youth searching for urban opportunities, were repurposed into an albergo diffuso. This revitalization not only safeguarded the village’s heritage but also reinvigorated the local economy by creating jobs and stimulating tourism that continues to thrive to this day.

Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Abruzzo, Italy. Photograph by Giulio Benzin

Meanwhile, down in the rugged terrain of Abruzzo, the town of Santo Stefano di Sessanio harbored a latent opportunity despite its population dwindling to under 100 by the late 1990s. Swedish-Italian entrepreneur Daniele Kihlgren, recognizing the town’s potential, made considerable investments to meticulously restore its ancient, stone-walled structures. The project, which converted 27 medieval buildings into 27 rooms of the Sextantio Albergo Diffuso, not only rekindled the town’s historic charm but also spawned a variety of jobs, reducing unemployment and re-populating this once-deserted gem.

Santa Caterina dello Lonio, Catanzaro, Calabria, Southern Italy. Photograph by Fabio

The tale took a southern twist in Sicily, where the historic borough of Borgo Santa Caterina witnessed a similar resurgence. Here, the alberghi diffusi’s model breathed new life into the town’s decaying structures, emblematic of diverse eras, including the Arab, Norman and Byzantine epochs. The regeneration of these architectural marvels into Albergo Diffuso Borgo Santa Caterina attracts a steady stream of tourists, bolstering the local economy and enhancing the livelihood of its residents, who had endured years of economic stagnation. These enduring transformations underscore the alberghi diffusi’s ability to fuse architectural preservation with socio-economic regeneration.

Corippo, Verzasca valley, Switzerland. Photograph by fotoember

The ripple effects of this ingenious model are palpable even beyond the Italian borders, in Switzerland’s Verzasca Valley, further underscoring its potential as a global blueprint for rural revitalization, in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, renowned for its emerald-green river flowing past miles of winding canyons, lofty peaks and forests. Corippo, a tiny 800-year-old hamlet of handcrafted stone homes, rises nearly 2,000 feet (610 meters) above the valley floor, and in June 2022, Corippo became the home of Switzerland’s first certified albergo diffuso. The lodging is part of a multiyear plan to preserve and revitalize the medieval village hit hard by depopulation, which follows the all-too-familiar story where its inhabitants have emigrated to other parts of the world in search of a better life.

Corippo’s new albergo diffuso consists of ten cozy rooms spanning five restored residences. Adjacent to the main piazza is a terraced osteria (restaurant) with sweeping canyon views that doubles as a lobby. Distinctive architectural details, such as original exteriors and dimensions, were preserved using local materials and traditional methods.

Labro, Rieti, Latium, Italy. Photograph by e55evu

Beyond Corippo’s historical significance and ideal landscape for outdoor activities, its appeal is its sense of solitude. Locarno’s promenade of boutiques, cafes, and Lugano’s art museums and galleries are a magnet to all who visit the secluded yet stunning secret.

Sauntering through these resilient, reborn hamlets, we can encounter an enduring testament to the power of sustainable innovation with the Alberghi Diffusi model. These scattered hotels are not merely establishments offering accommodation; they are a vibrant tapestry of community life, a profound immersion into authentic Italian culture and heritage.

Each albergo diffuso emerges as a phoenix from the ashes of urbanization and economic stagnation. They are the robust threads reconnecting frayed populations, providing gainful employment and a renewed sense of pride in the people of their historical legacy. In this innovative reinterpretation of hospitality, we find the courage of countless small towns standing tall against time, breathing new life into their narrative, heritage and future.

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletters.

Reference

Entrance to SKIMS Swim Selfridges pop-up

Interior Design

Kim Kardashian brings poolside vibes to SKIMS pop-up at Selfridges

By Zarkon Group,13/06/2023

A three-tiered diving board stands next to a metallic palm tree inside this pop-up shop that designer Willo Perron has created for Kim Kardashian’s lingerie brand SKIMS in London.

The brand’s first physical retail space in the UK, at the Selfridges department store in London, follows the same formula as its debut shop in Paris. Here, surfaces were coated in panels of glossy plastic with gentle thermoformed curves to suggest the shape of the human body.

But for this temporary summertime pop-up, Perron abandoned the brand’s typical fleshy colour palette in favour of a pale blue hue reminiscent of a heavily chlorinated swimming pool.

The resulting plastic panels are so glossy they look almost wet as they form everything from mirror frames and bench seats to wall panels and the shop’s monolithic till counter, which is embossed with the SKIMS logo.

Diving board sculpture by Willo Perron of Perron-Roettinger — A three-tiered diving board sculpture forms the centrepiece of the store

A huge replica of a three-levelled diving board stands at the heart of the store, with a stepped base and springboards formed from lengths of the same baby-blue plastic.

Shiny chrome tubes act as handrails and are repeated throughout the store in the form of gridded partitions and clothing rails, curving around the columns of the Grade II-listed department store.

Rounding off the poolside atmosphere is a matching metal palm tree sculpture, integrated into the long bench set that runs along the shopfront.

To display stacks of rolled-up nude-coloured SKIMS towels, Perron also added two smaller freestanding platforms with the same steps and chrome handrails as the diving platform but minus the springboards.

Taking over Selfridges’ ground-floor pop-up space The Corner Shop until 8 July 2023, the shop will offer the brand’s core collection of swimsuits and bikinis alongside limited editions and seasonal colourways.

Customers will also be able to buy ice cream to match their swimwear, stored in baby-blue freezers courtesy of London gelato company Chin Chin Labs.

SKIMS Swim Selfridges pop-up by Willo Perron of Perron-Roettinger — A metallic palm tree decorates the store

“I’m thrilled to bring SKIMS Swim to London for the first-time ever and take over The Corner Shop at Selfridges with our most conceptual pop-up experience to date,” said SKIMS co-founder and creative director Kim Kardashian.

“We have followers all over the world,” she added. “As we enter the next phase of SKIMS retail, I look forward to connecting with these customers through innovative shopping experiences on a global scale.”

Overview of baby-blue retail space by Willo Perron of Perron-Roettinger — A metallic palm tree completes the poolside atmosphere

Returning for its second year, SKIMS’s swimwear offering is pitched towards providing various levels of coverage for different body types and modesty requirements.

This is an extension of the brand’s drive to create inclusive underwear and shapewear that works for people of different sizes and abilities, following the launch of its Adaptive Collection last year.

Over the next three years, the brand is planning to open a roster of freestanding stores across the UK and EU.

Reference

Sustainable News

Natural Material Studio designs floor-to-ceiling biotextiles

By Zarkon Group,13/06/2023

Danish design practice Natural Material Studio has unveiled its Human Nature exhibition, which featured compostable biofoam seating and biomaterial textiles, at 3 Days of Design.

The studio designed the Human Nature installation to take full advantage of the large vaulted space at art gallery Copenhagen Contemporary, hanging handcrafted biotextiles that were up to seven metres long from its ceilings.

“We created a lot of materials for this exhibition, I think around 150 square metres,” Natural Material Studio founder Bonnie Hvillum told Dezeen.

“But what’s been really exciting has been the length and height that we have managed to work with – the textiles are over seven metres long.”

“It’s something that we are curious about, expanding the scale,” she added. “Spatially, it creates a completely different experience when the textiles come up in the scale and surround us, almost like trees.”

Natural Material Studio uses its own material processes to create its biomaterials. Among the ingredients used for the materials in Human Nature were natural softeners mixed with biopolymers, chalk and clay.

The textiles that were dyed with chalk had a fittingly chalky white hue, while those dyed with clay become greenish.

Chalk-dyed biomaterials by Natural Material Studio — White textiles were dyed with chalk

As part of the exhibition, which was on show during annual design festival 3 Days of Design, Natural Material Studio wanted to showcase how humans and nature interact in the creation of the materials.

To that end, the biotextile pieces were cast in wooden frames to be handled as they were drying, but were otherwise were left to develop naturally.

Human Nature also featured sculptural seating designs that were made by casting Natural Material Studio’s self-developed biofoam in a three-dimensional frame, within which it was allowed to shape itself.

The resulting square seats come in a variety of colours, including pinkish ones made by using red clay.

Red-clay biofoam seating at Human Nature — Compostable biofoam forms sculptural seating

The material can be composted at the end of its life and will biodegrade in about a month, according to Hvillum.

“The material is biodegradable – you can give it to your chickens,” Hvillum said. “My chickens eat it, I can’t leave it outside!”

The exhibition also includes lighting works, which were constructed by attaching the biotextiles to a metal frame above an LED light, and which mark the first time Natural Material Studio has created lighting designs.

“For a long time we were trying to bring the materials onto the wall,” Hvillum explained.

“This is basically the material suspended over material frames and then we use a LED light to try to work with them like this.”

Lighting designs by Natural Material Studio — Natural Material Studio designed lights for the first time

Describing the installation as a “spatial art piece”, Natural Material Studio said the idea was also to allow visitors to touch and interact with the biomaterials, which represent years of research and prototyping.

The handcrafted nature of the biomaterial process comes through in the finished design, with the seats and textiles having kept their rough surfaces and textural qualities.

Natural Material Studio at 3 Days of Design — The natural materials were showcased in an industrial setting

The company is currently working with the Danish National Museum, which conducts research into the longevity of materials such as plastic, to look at how the biomaterials will age.

“They have taken in my materials and we’re going to be having a look at how they age over time,” Hvillum said.

“They can speed the process up so that one month is equivalent to 30 years, so we can very easily see what happens with these materials.”

Interiors at Human Nature exhibition at 3 Days of Design — The installation was on show at Copenhagen Contemporary

Hvillum is also interested in how the biomaterials can be “kept alive”.

“With this research project we try to understand how they change over time and what we can do to prolong life, for example, moisturising them,” she said.

“It’s keeping them alive, basically, which is mind-blowing – actually thinking that we need to water them, just like I water my plants because it’s organic material. You give them a little spritz to moisturise them.”

Biotextiles hanging from ceiling — Bioxtextiles surround visitors “like trees”

Hvillum hopes that the Human Nature exhibition will showcase more of the process of working with different materials, as well as what the materials can do.

“I feel like we sometimes as designers want to force the materials into certain things, and I wanted to really be honest about the process and about what the materials actually do,” she said.

“I think it works quite well as an installation to come in and really start living with these materials, experiencing them and slowly start building these relations.”

Other projects on show at 3 Days of Design include a farmers market inside the Frama store in an old apothecary and an exhibition of emerging designers inside a woodworking factory.

Human Nature was on show from 7 to 9 June 2023 as part of 3 Days of Design. See Dezeen Events Guide for information about the event, plus a list of other architecture and design events taking place around the world.

Reference

Sustainable News

Springwise Solutions: A Conversation With Santiago Lefebvre

By Zarkon Group,13/06/2023

Five takeaways from ChangeNOW 2023

1. Every part of society needs to be included in the transition

The original purpose of ChangeNOW was to showcase entrepreneurs trying to solve concrete issues. But this year the summit included a broad mix of people – from big brands to investors, activists, and artists. Lefebvre explains that this is because the team increasingly understands that the transition to a sustainable world needs to integrate every part of society. What we need, he argues, is complementary strategies because: “If you attack the system on just one side you can’t really change it.”

2. You can look at the issues differently

Lefebvre highlights that CEOs and policymakers at ChangeNOW are discovering frameworks and tools such as Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics and MIT’s Climate Pathways. These are helping them to shift their mindset, and approach old issues with fresh eyes.

3. Connections are key

This year, ChangeNOW has brought together changemakers from all over the world. And while travelling such a long distance is a big commitment, the opportunity for stakeholders to connect is invaluable. For example, Lefebvre highlights how the director of The Great Green Wall, a project pursuing reforestation in the Sahel region of Africa, met the president of COP 15, Alain-Richard Donwahi, for the first time at ChangeNOW.

4. The agenda is broader than climate

ChangeNOW is moving beyond a conventional focus on climate alone, with Lefebvre highlighting that there are four main equations that we must solve together: the climate, biodiversity, resources, and inclusion. Solving these one by one would take many decades, and the planet doesn’t have time for that. We must therefore tackle them at the same time.

5. We need courage

As we make the transition to a more sustainable world, many people will need to show courage. Lefebvre points to the inspiration of one of ChangeNOW’s keynote speakers, Francisco Vera, who, at just nine years old, created a climate change education platform in Colombia. He did this despite the pressures that this brought on him.

To find out more about ChangeNOW and to watch replays of the talks at the 2023 summit click here.

Reference

these fire lookout lodging towers in idaho offer an elevated and immersive forest experience

Architecture

‘moonpass lookouts’ in idaho offer an elevated forest experience

By Zarkon Group,13/06/2023

‘moonpass lookouts’ by airbnb superhost kristie wolfe

Kristie Wolfe is a renowned figure in the Airbnb community, celebrated for her skills in creating some of the world’s most unique and captivating properties. Over the past decade, she has established herself as an Airbnb superhost, garnering thousands of five-star reviews for her inventive accommodations. Wolfe’s portfolio includes off-grid hobbit holes, Hawaiian treehouses, and even potato-shaped abodes. The superhost has now turned her attention to ‘MoonPass Lookouts’. Nestled in the enchanting woodland of Wallace, Idaho, this project offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with nature and history while embarking on a unique elevated lodging adventure.

five custom-built towers offering total immersion and privacy

Set on a sprawling 222,577 sqm property, Kristie Wolfe’s (see more here) latest work takes shape as five custom-built fire lookout towers, soaring 9 meters in the air, and a museum. Each tower has a smart glass roof for stargazing without light pollution and on warmer days, the glass can turn opaque and block out 99% of UVA rays. Complementing the glazed top are 360-degree windows offering uninterrupted views of the natural world without compromising guests’ privacy; Wolfe notes that all towers are effectively spaced apart for maximum solitude amid the woodland setting. As an added perk, guests can enjoy the forest sounds through a custom-built amplifier for greater immersion.

Lodging amenities include a fully-equipped kitchen, a wood-burning stove, a full-sized bed and bathroom, and a private sauna. Lastly, the towering hotel is pet-friendly, allowing visitors to bring their furry friends to their ‘MoonPass Lookouts’ adventures.

‘MoonPass Lookouts’ offers total privacy amid the forestscape

from hiking and fishing to historical tours

When it comes to adventures, the getaway offers a range of adrenaline-pumping and leisurely activities. These include hiking along the nearby Pulaski trail; traversing the renowned Hiawatha trail on two wheels; fishing at Placer Creek or the hotel’s onsite pond; taking scenic snowy rides on a Snowcat in winter; and finally, indulging in a historical experience by visiting the city of Wallace, Idaho. Speaking of history, the city holds significance as the starting point of the Great Fire of 1910, also known as the ‘Big Burn’, which remains one of the largest forest fires in U.S. history. As part of the ‘MoonPass Lookout’ property, guests will have the opportunity to explore The Fire Lookout Museum, which showcases the history and impact of this devastating event.

each structure is custom built

‘One of the notable figures from the Great Burn is Ed Pulaski, a hero who led his firefighting crew to safety in a mine shaft. You can embark on a beautiful 5-mile hike from our MoonPass property to visit this mine shaft, paying homage to Pulaski’s bravery and the event’s historical significance. Adding to the unique experience, our fire lookout towers stand as reminders of the past against this historical backdrop. Including the fire museum and rich historical context add an educational element to your unforgettable journey at ‘MoonPass Lookouts’. As you explore, you can learn about the past and appreciate the heroic efforts that shaped the region,’ writes Wolfe.

the getaway offers a range of nature-infused activities

book your stay at ‘moonpass lookouts’ via indiegogo

Currently, ‘MoonPass Lookouts’ is raising funds on its Indiegogo crowdfunding platform. Availability is limited, and priority to booking is based on access level and length of stay. By supporting the campaign early and opting for a more extended stay, visitors will be eligible for early access (once the campaign ends and the hotel stay reservation date portal is available). Reservations have no expiration date, so if you’re unsure of your dates right away, you can book your stay date in the future. To secure your position as a future guest at ‘MoonPass Lookouts’, support the Indiegogo campaign where you can learn more about booking and prices.

Reference

Interior Design

Dezeen launches China edition of Dezeen Awards

By Zarkon Group,12/06/2023

Dezeen has launched a new edition of Dezeen Awards to celebrate the best architecture, interiors and design in China. Start your entry today!

Dezeen Awards China is the first regional edition of Dezeen Awards, which has grown rapidly to become one of the most entered awards programmes on the planet and is a benchmark for international design excellence.

Dezeen Awards China to spotlight Chinese design talent

Launched in partnership with Bentley Motors, Dezeen Awards China will shine a spotlight on the best Chinese architecture, interiors and design, providing international recognition from around the globe.

Dezeen Awards China will be a celebration of Chinese design talent. It is therefore for architects, designers and studios based in China, rather than for projects by international firms that are built in China.

Multinational firms that have an office in China are free to enter, as long as the majority of the work on the project was completed by the Chinese office.

Just like the international edition, Dezeen Awards China is open to studios large and small and will celebrate both established names and emerging studios working in China today.

Judges include Rossana Hu, Alex Mok and Michael Young

Dezeen Awards China will be judged by a stellar jury made up of the top Chinese architects and designers, as well as high-profile international names with experience working in China.

Judges confirmed so far include architect Rossana Hu, interior designer Alex Mok and designer Michael Young. More names will be announced in the coming weeks.

Seventeen categories spanning architecture, interiors and design

There are 17 project categories to enter across architecture, interiors and design. The winners of these project categories will go head to head for the chance to be crowned one of three project of the year winners across architecture, interiors and design.

In addition, six China Designers of the Year awards will celebrate the leading emerging and established names working in China across architecture, interiors and design.

However, these awards are nomination-only and our judges will shortlist names – it is not possible to enter these awards.

Dezeen Awards China is open for entries now until 24 August 2023, but studios can save money on their entry if they enter before 13 July 2023.

Go to dezeen.com/awards/china to find out more about Dezeen Awards China, including how to enter and information on the categories and entry prices and deadlines.

Or, scan the code above using WeChat to access the WeChat mini app for all the information about Dezeen Awards China in Chinese and to download entry forms.

Dezeen Awards China launches in partnership with Bentley

Dezeen Awards China launched in partnership with Bentley, as part of a wider three-year collaboration that also includes headline sponsorship of the international edition of Dezeen Awards, which closed for entries last week, and a design competition to redefine the future of luxury retail that launched last month.

“We are thrilled to be working with Bentley to launch Dezeen Awards China, our first regional awards programme,” said head of Dezeen Awards Claire Barrett.

“We are looking forward to discovering a wealth of design talent and promoting it both locally and on a global stage, showcasing the country’s rising position as a design powerhouse.”

“We are delighted to be working with Dezeen to deliver a new global platform that will celebrate both new Chinese design talent and established names,” added Steven De Ploey, Bentley’s global head of marketing.

“Partnering with Dezeen in this way enables us to reward and support cutting-edge innovators in the design industry who strive to deliver transformational experiences and best solve the design challenges of our age.”

Winners to be announced in December 2023

Dezeen Awards China is open for entries until 24 August 2023

Shortlists will be announced in October and the winners will be revealed at a ceremony in December 2023.

Sign up to our Dezeen Awards China newsletter

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Questions?

If you have any questions about Dezeen Awards China, please email [email protected] or send a message to our WeChat account DezeenCN and someone from the team will get back to you.

Good luck with your entries!

Reference

Sustainable News

Robots monitor underwater environments without human intervention

By Zarkon Group,12/06/2023

Spotted: According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), our oceans have absorbed 90 per cent of all heat generated by rising greenhouse gas emissions and taken in 30 per cent of carbon emissions. Climate change, along with direct human activity like overfishing, is having a devastating impact on ocean biodiversity. Mapping these underwater environments provides experts with baseline data, with which they can monitor change and plan for mitigation. Belgium robotics company uWare is helping gather that data with autonomous underwater robots.

Called the uOne, the system’s robot inspects both built and natural environments, providing essential data to organisations with underwater assets, as well as those working to conserve and repair marine habitats. The robots are programmed for consistent, continuous monitoring of a certain set of geolocal parameters and run for up to four hours at a time, remaining stable even in harsh weather conditions.

The autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) deploy from shore or a boat and do not require users to be in the water. Monitoring routes are saved and repeated as regularly as required, with bespoke analyses of new locations or highly specific locations added whenever needed.

Video source uWare

UWare provides multiple data packages to clients. The initial gathering of data provides high-resolution imagery, depth and temperature readings, and other types of information tracking can be added to the drone’s capabilities depending on the environment being surveyed. The cloud-based uDataboard stores and tracks the data, and users can download raw files for in-house analysis. UWare can also provide visualisations and automated processing for easy, quick review and sharing of information.

AUVs are frequently taking on some of the more dangerous jobs in monitoring the health of the world’s oceans. In the archive, Springwise has also spotted remote-controlled robots monitoring underwater gas leaks and a jellyfish-like robot collecting rubbish.

Written By: Keely Khoury

Reference

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