The last time we were excited about a speaker lays some years behind us, but last week a new piece of elegantly designed technology was presented to the world, which we really appreciate. Beside the Unmonday Model 4.3 in 2014, which had a more sturdy (heritage-like) design, Danish technology frontrunners Bang & Olufsen first hit the right nerve with us when they released three new additions to their BeoLap series in 2013, of which —to this very moment— the subwoofer still forms one of the most elegant creations in its sort. Last week, Bang & Olufsen returned once again with a new release, this time with a series of (one of the two wireless) speakers named the BeoSound 1 and BeoSound 2; being one of those scarce moments in which an applied technological object truly rises beyond its pragmatic function and aesthetic discours into something excitingly new.
The futuristically sturdy (for instance perfectly fitting recently created interiors like Voyager Espresso or the redesigned Siam Discovery — hopefully indicating a new trend in design which we really appreciate), yet elegant aluminum design profile of ‘BeoSound 1′ and ‘2’ forms a promising new chapter and remarkable step forward in its field. Through its conic shape they can be placed anywhere, allowing the remarkable, sculptural forms to be very much part of the interior: on a shelf, floor, by the coffee table or even outdoors. The iconic bodies hover slightly above the ground, letting the thumps of the bass units out beneath. They are slightly open at the top for acoustical reasons, but apart from that with a uniform expression on the aluminum surface.
With function also on the highest level, as with all B&O's creations, we are super inspired by how a totally new silhouette was created, paving a incredible new path in speaker design very likely to be followed by many in the years to come. [ Continue reading ]
Konstantin Grcic and Mirko Borsche presented their mobile club experience at Salone 2016
One of the highlights of last month's Salone del Mobile came from renown Munich-based creatives Konstantin Grcic and Mirko Borsche, who presented their one-off shared project named EPOCSODIELAK — a light machine that can turn any room into a raving club. The light and sound installation is the result of a chance creative collaboration between the two renowned German designers, internationally recognized in the product and graphic design fields respectively. Given the ambiguous moniker EPOCSODIELAK, the impressive machine is a 3x2x1 meter, free-standing Disco Totem. Made in black powder coated steel and chainlink fencing, it is equipped with a tight cluster of strobe lights, lasers, a fog machine and mix desks. Powered by a 1200 Watt dynamic sound system, the project proposes a self-sufficient sound/light unit, which has enough whack to turn any space into a state- of-the-art disco. With its design kept to a minimum, through the choices of non-complex industrial materials, next to on the other hand its surprising audio-visual power the machine marries both of Grcic and Borsche's individual talents to delightfully communicate in an iconic language within their fields of specialism. Both designers create through deliberate minimal touches with maximum effect in their own field and put that together resulted in this mobile disco experience boiled down to its bare essentials, still having maximum impact. We love it!
The installation was first presented by KALEIDOSCOPE and ZEITmagazin on the occasion of Salone, where 400 guests followed the invitation to KALEIDOSCOPE’s project space and celebrated the superlamp with a party that was quoted to be among the favorites of this year's edition in Milan. [ Continue reading ]
We have been following English photographer Alastair Philip Wiper for several years in which he consistently has portrayed some of the most beautiful industrial environments in the most beautiful manner. His eye always finds fascinating beauty in the at first glance practical machinery, whether it are weaving machines, the nuclear research centre CERN or a sonic weapon. Alastair's latest book is another remarkable collection of images, taking us into the world of Danish innovators Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen, who founded Bang & Olufsen in 1925. Named 'The Art of Impossible' it features 240 pages - for which Wiper both shot the images and has written the texts - taking the reader behind the company's iconic logo. Delving into the stories behind each of the breakthrough, historic Bang & Olufsen designs, as well as profiles on the designers behind each innovative creation - the remarkable book forms a both insightful as incredibly eye pleasing book on the cutting edge design house. [ Continue reading ]
The incredible 'Ways of Knowing' by photographer Daniel Stier is the product of a curious outsider's view into the world of science, which has resulted in a series, shot over several years, revealing a strangely fascinating yet highly aesthetic world. The self-initiated project by Stier shows research laboratories across Europe and the United States as well as still lifes of scientific tools taken in photographer's studio. The combination draws parallels between the work of artists and scientists. Both often-times searching to find answers to what move us by examining life - with their own specific tools. The blank expressions of the doctors and students demonstrating the machinery are haunting, almost surrealistic, as they sit seemingly indifferent inside or surrounded by intricate wires and metal constructions. Stier's sharp photographic eye - which reminds us of the work of another lover of heavy machinery; Alastair Philip Wiper - catches the details surrounding these enormous machines perfectly, creating frames which tell rich stories starting in the past and taking the spectator all the way into the future. [ Continue reading ]
A little under two weeks ago, the impressive next-generation smartwatch brand Vector Watch officially launched for the public in what other city then Basel - where at that moment Baselworld took place. With an aim to provide a more personalized and intuitive experience on a smartwatch device, the Vector brand is supported by a strong team of developers as well as the ex CEO of Timex Joe Santana, ex Nike Designer Steve Jarvis and Vector CTO Andrei Pitis. The launch event took place in the beautiful surroundings of the Gare du Nord venue - the old train station for Basel - a fitting location for a product that looks to meld traditional watch design with intuitive technology. With the vast amount of information and notifications we receive on our connected devices now a days, the London-based brand has developed the smartwatch device to simplify day-to-day activities and routines to give users the power to choose what they wish to focus on. Introduced as a stylish and desirable piece of jewelry rather than a gadget, the Vector smartwatch looks to fill the gap in the market left by fashion-focused smartwatches lacking technological innovation, and technology-orientated wearables. [ Continue reading ]
It took around three years to develop - and it became ready just in time for the Baselworld show: NOMOS Glashütte presents the so called DUW 3001, a super impressive new standard caliber from its Glashütte watchmaking workshops. At only 3.2 millimeters, this motor is incredibly flat - flatter than almost anything else that selfwinds and is produced in series in the watch industry - and also extremely accurate. The few other automatic calibers available are either less accurate or extremely expensive. But NOMOS Glashütte will remain in its established price category. Nearly all the parts in DUW 3001 are placed between the base plate and the three-quarter plate.The ratchet wheel, for example, is now placed entirely under the three-quarter plate - and so needed to be made flatter than before. To avoid friction between the wafer-thin parts, a special new material was used; it has excellent, low friction properties, is extremely even, and is easy to form and harden. So impressive! [ Continue reading ]
New York-based ISAORA recently released their first-ever Rainwear collection and we really love it. The collection is completely waterproof, though not resistant, and features three pieces that clearly represent ISAORA's guiding principles. Made in Portugal, the collection includes an amazing Mac Coat in black and bone color, a black Sportcoat and a Wetworker Tech 3L Field Jacket also in black and bone. By applying precision ultrasonic welding to fabrics from their technical apparel, ISAORA was able to eliminate their reliance on stitching, perforations, and taped seams during production. This technique yielded a rainwear collection that embodies the intersection between all- season wearability, emphatic minimalism, and leading-edge performance. Each piece features 100% 3L technical nylon from Japan, ultrasonic welding construction, ventilated eyelets under the arm and YKK Aquaguard zippers, creating completely waterproof garments that can be worn throughout the year, without compromising on its beautiful design. [ Continue reading ]
The Unmonday Model 4.3 speaker represents an extremely complete solution to a very specific problem. The goal in the creation of the speaker was to fabricate something truly wireless and flexible, without compromising on sound quality and design sensibility. As a result the system streams audio from any Apple AirPlay compatible device across one to five speakers allowing for mono, stereo, multi-room or surround sound. Even if there is no WiFi available. But besides being very pragmatic, the Unmonday Model 4.3 is also hand-made by professional craftsmen; from the vitro porcelain enclosure to the custom-made amplifier, the speaker needed to be perfect in every sense. The speaker is even designed to stay on top over time. It can be updated simply by swapping out the hardware and downloading software updates, without renewing either the durable porcelain housing or the driver. The Unmonday Model 4.3 is therefore a remarkable speaker in every aspect. [ Continue reading ]
The Lotus Dome by Daan Roosegaarde is a living Dome consisting of hundreds of ultralight aluminium foils that unfold in response to human behaviour. The high-tech work of art has been travelling the world since it was created in 2012. Having been on display at a number of historical locations abroad, the Lotus Dome is now facing a contemporary juxtaposition with the Rijksmuseum’s 18th-century period room. The Lotus Dome comes to life in response to a visitor’s body heat. Hundreds of aluminium flowers unfold, a deep bass sound fills the space and light projects the lotus flowers onto the walls. Roosegaarde calls it Techno-poetry. The smart Lotus foil was designed by Studio Roosegaarde and its designers. The foil is made up of different layers of Mylar, a type of polyester, which makes the leaves fold and unfold in response to light and heat. [ Continue reading ]
Our favorite Lapka has succeeded again, next to their first endeavor, in introducing yet another lovely hybrid of aesthetics and technology: the Breath Alcohol Monitor. The Lapka BAM is an accessory for your phone that allows you to track alcohol metabolism over time, compare your measurements with friends and share them with the world. The device fits in your palm and when you hold it in a fist and the edge of your hand becomes the mouthpiece. Just one blow connects the device to your phone and starts the measurement process. The overall appearance of the app reflects your reading. It adapts to your night, meaning if you take it a little too far, it will even check in on you the next morning. [ Continue reading ]
Bang & Olufsen recently introduced the very eye pleasing wireless speakers called the BeoLap 17, 18 and the BeoLap 19: a beautiful subwoofer that really stands out. "These new speakers usher in a new era of high-end sound," says Lars Fredgaard, director of the division of speaker Bang & Olufsen. "Until now, this level of performance was achieved only with speakers connected by cables. Our newest products use a robust wireless standard with sufficient bandwidth and channels for providing a listening experience as the artist intended. Higher sound quality without tasteful interior to disrupt, can now be realized in three ways." [ Continue reading ]
On the 16th of November the exhibition Nature Rewired has opened at Museum Het Valkhof in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. The exhibition showcases the fascinating creations of Dutch artist Christiaan Zwanikken. The installations of the artist, who lives and works in Portugal and the Netherlands, are hybrids of skulls and bones from nature and robotics from the hands of the artist, which are computer-controlled mechanism creating the moving dynamic within the works. Through his creations Zwanikken shares his vision on the future of man and nature, which is both confrontational and compelling. [ Continue reading ]
Say hello to the completely updated website and a new set of Cleartones by our good friend Hugo Verweij - with a newly illustrated world by yours truly Another Company.
The new set, the Cleartones Pure, is based on the 'sine wave'. The sine wave is the only sound in the world which can be called a pure tone. In fact it is the only sound consisting of a single frequency, without overtones. This seems a good starting point for a set of minimalist ringtones, but a single sine wave by itself doesn't sound very compelling. Hugo carefully sculpted it using techniques like frequency modulation and subtle effects can definitely bring it to life. [ Continue reading ]
The Long Distance Watch by Hong Kong-based designer Kitmen Keung explores how people’s perception can be diverted into an everyday object. The clarity of the secondary clock face has been delicately dimmed to appear like a shadow on the interface, acting as a quiet conscious reminder of the distance between the user and someone on the other side of the globe. [ Continue reading ]
The collaboration between the always inspiring Lapka, Jonathan Zawada and Jordana for the Lapka Diary is a lovely one. The project consists of 30 illustrations by renowned graphic designer Zawada and 30 diary notes on a broad field of spaces and objects in which a teenaged girl named Jordana has used her Lapka. The notes by Jordana are sincere and witty and show the broad versatility of the Lapka, combined with the playful black and white designs of Zawada making the project a fascinating hybrid of creativity inspired by Lapka. [ Continue reading ]
To celebrate their this year introduced Highlander Honey whiskey Dewar's collaborated with Sid Lee and The Ebeling Group for a campaign in which 80000 Highlander honey bees play the lead role, producing the key ingredient for the new liquor. Dewar’s Highlander Honey is the first modern honey flavoured whisky to come out of Scotland and was created by Dewar's master blender Stephanie Macleod. The campaign is both aesthetically and technically impressive and shows a fascinating variation on the swiftly expanding 3D printing technology as it focusses on the process of bees creating honeycombs in the shape of a whiskey bottle. [ Continue reading ]
We love how there is always a next level to everything. Recently we mentioned the fascinating use of 3D printing technology in the context of food, the designers of the aptly named Digital Grotesque astoundingly so have taken the technology and went way beyond most known earlier usage. The project was shown on a 1:3 scale at the Swiss Art Awards 2013 and will be fully launched early september. It features a fully-enclosed room, made using digital 3D printing techniques, with a mind bending eighty million surfaces which are totally gilded. [ Continue reading ]
Recent innovations made in the 3D printing technology really inspire us. A field of 3D printing technology that profoundly amazes is the use within the food industry. One of the designers using the technology is the New York-based Henry Richmond V. Young who earned a BFA in Product Design from Parsons the New School for Design and has a transdisciplinary approach in his work. With great interest in music, cuisine, and perfumery, his work grows to focus on experience and ephemera. Young's most recent project, Ad Tempus, is a series of dessert plating arrangements that aims to connect food and design. Young collaborated with chef Veronica Duboise to create the series, which is designed to adapt and evolve. [ Continue reading ]
Today we’ve received this lovely new tool called Lapka. Lapka is a tiny, beautifully designed personal environment monitor that connects to your phone to measure, collect and analyse the hidden qualities of your surroundings in a highly aesthetic and playful way. The precise sensors respond to the invisible world… [ Continue reading ]
We really like this Kickstarter project which envisions a new direction for plants in an urban environment. Plant-in City is a collaboration between architects, designers, and technologists who are building new ways of interacting with nature. The sculptural Plant-in City terrariums combine modular architecture, basic laws of physics, embedded technologies, and mobile computing to construct a Plant City where the aesthetic meets the pragmatic. [ Continue reading ]
Music for the road: Lowdi is a Bluetooth speaker for those who love simplicity…… [ Continue reading ]
Our good friend and inspirator Nalden’s Present Plus together with Amsterdam’s creative agency Momkai launched this nice little device called Lowdi. A portable, wireless speaker with the length of your average pencil, that connects to any device equipped with Bluetooth, allowing you to bring… [ Continue reading ]
