BE OPEN BLOG

“Better to have a meal without meat than a house without bamboo,” says a Far Eastern proverb. Thanks to its strength, sustainable nature, low cost, and high resistance to natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes, bamboo has grown to be a popular material for architects in Asia and beyond. Known as the building material of the poor in ancient China and India, today it is being increasingly integrated into modern architecture, its lightness and flexibility allowing to create arresting organic forms in the buildings of all types.

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Tokyo Toilet is a project by the Nippon foundation that consists in building 17 design-minded public toilets, accessible for anyone regardless of gender, age, or disability, throughout Shibuya City. As the project’s website reads, toilets are a symbol of Japan’s world-renowned hospitality culture. Through the power of design and creativity of 16 creators invited from around the world, the project aims for the realization of a society where all kinds of diversity are accepted.

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Rope has been used by men since prehistoric times. There is fossil evidence of manmade ropes going as far back as ancient Egypt. Flexible, weatherproof and strong material, it is of paramount importance in fields as diverse as construction, seafaring, exploration, sports, and theatre. For furniture design, the possibilities of ropes are equally endless. Designers weave, wrap, braid or knot, creating bespoke chairs of highly contrasting looks, all from one type of material.

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3D printing is a remarkable technology that allows turning graphic designs into physical objects. Although the previous generations of 3D printers used non-biodegradable materials such as plastics made from fossil fuels, new technologies are being developed that allow 3D printing to be done in environmentally responsible way. We have selected several impressive projects showcasing how designers use biodegradable and bio-based filaments to create objects that are both beautiful and functional.

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The first metal to be found by men in the so-called Metal Age, over 10,000 years ago, copper has since been used in numerous diverse ways: for the manufacture of tools and weapons, jewelery, automotive parts, and electrical systems. In architecture, copper coatings are greatly appreciated for their gracefully aging aesthetics, the signature greenish patina, and durability. Copper is not only literally, but also metaphorically green: the material can be recycled infinitely, practically without losing its properties, which makes it highly reusable for future generations.

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In the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis, the dystopian themes seem to be especially recurrent in the works of designerss and artists. Concerned by the vulnerability of the world as we know it today, they attempt to raise awareness of what we might expect in the years to come and envision wearables that would help us to survive in the post-apocalyptic future.

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Salt has long been used for flavoring and preserving food. It has also been used in tanning, dyeing and bleaching, and the production of pottery, soap, and chlorine. Salt is anti-bactericide and naturally hydrophilic, meaning it can help regulate humidity in the room. Today, it is widely used in the chemical industry. Yet, with more than 14,000 known applications for salt, its materiality is often overlooked. These designers and researchers showcase how this mundane mineral can be used as a precious and versatile resource for design and architecture.

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In our car-dominated society, bicycles is an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuel consuming and air pollution causing means of transportation. Worldwide, bicycles outnumber automobiles almost two to one, and the amount of cycling enthusiasts continues to grow. For those in love with this sustainable transport, we have prepared a selection of various wall-mounted bike racks – from minimal to whimsical – that will not only help store an ‘iron horse’ in a compact inner-city apartment but truly showcase it as a piece of art.

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Does the hassle of packing bulky deck chairs when heading to the beach still get on your nerves? Chaeck out these portable and lightweight designs that will take your beach experience onto the new level of comfort and relaxation. These chairs are easy to take along and convenient to use, and they will surely go great with an ice cold drink on your beach day.

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Dentists advise to replace a toothbrush every three months to ensure effective cleaning. This means each of us will use four pieces annually, generating an impressive amount of plastic waste during our lives – not to mention disposable toothbrushes we use while backpacking or staying a night at a hotel. To address this issue and encourage an eco-conscious lifestyle, product designers come up with creative toothbrush designs with sustainability at their core that can keep both our teeth and our plant clean.

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