Latest news with #Bauhaus-inspired
CNN
12 hours ago
- Business
- CNN
These surprising materials are the future of furniture design
From chairs built with mushroom mycelium and vegan leather sofas to fabrics originating from seaweed, unexpected materials have been slowly making inroads into our homes. With the industry under pressure to become more sustainable, designers and manufacturers have turned to out-of-the-box alternatives to make products that have a circular lifespan (ie. furniture or other household items that can be re-used, composted and ultimately do not become garbage). The market for circular home and living will reach up to €45 billion in 2030 (around $51 billion), driven by sustainably produced furniture and home goods containing sustainable materials, according to McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm. Earlier in the year, at Milan Design Week — a global event where new products are unveiled and trends are established — circularity and material innovation emerged as central themes. Design firm Particle, which has studios in New York and Los Angeles, debuted 'Parts of a Whole,' a collection of sculptural, Bauhaus-inspired dining room furniture made from repurposed textiles and denim, as well as a tablescape featuring 3D-printed candle holders and rubber accessories crafted from repurposed sneaker soles. Founded in 2020 by architects Krissy Harbert and Amanda Rawlings, the idea for Particle emerged while both were working on internal design projects at Nike, where they frequently experimented with industrial waste. 'We were using leftover materials — Nike has this Nike Grind rubber they use — and we started thinking about where and how else it could be applied,' Rawlings told CNN. Their work with upcycled furniture – particularly using sneaker waste – gained wider attention in 2023 with their 'I Got Your Back' chair and stools, made entirely from recycled footwear. 'Rubbers, plastics, footwear waste and recycled textiles hold vastly untapped potential. They are extremely versatile materials, which leaves space for a lot of different creative possibilities,' Rawlings said. 'Krissy and I are exploring how to extend their lifecycle — and doing it through homeware people genuinely want to live with.' Davide Balda, a multidisciplinary designer based in Milan shares a similar sentiment. During the festival, he presented 'Telare la Materia,' a project in collaboration with the Benetton Group that transformed unsold garments from the United Colors of Benetton's Green B line (designed to minimize chemical use in its fabrics) into new raw materials for architecture and design. One proposal in the project turns clay and textile waste into natural tiles and plaster. In another, traditional felt-making techniques are used to create a durable, flexible textile made from synthetic, animal, and plant-based fibers, for home furnishings. 'We're constantly asking ourselves: What does it mean to make something truly lasting in a throwaway world? And how can we design objects that don't become waste themselves?' Foteini Setaki, co-founder of the Dutch design firm, The New Raw 'Telare la Materia is an exploration into more sustainable ways to reduce the textile industry's environmental footprint and handle production waste locally,' Balda told CNN. 'Instead of exporting textile surplus to countries in Africa or South America — as is often the case — we can repurpose it into something meaningful and lasting.' For Balda, who identifies as an 'archeodesigner' — someone whose work centers on finding and creating new sustainable materials, and giving discarded ones new purpose — this approach isn't just a creative choice, but a moral imperative. 'I'm not interested in designing just another pretty lamp,' he said. 'Designers today need to challenge systems, rethink materials, and offer scalable, real-world solutions to issues like waste.' Meanwhile, The New Raw, a Rotterdam-based practice, unveiled a striking collection of outdoor furniture made entirely from recycled plastic sourced from local Dutch waste streams. The pieces are 3D-printed on demand. 'We're constantly asking ourselves: What does it mean to make something truly lasting in a throwaway world? And how can we design objects that don't become waste themselves?' one of the firm's co-founders Foteini Setaki said. 'Materials like the ones we use — but also biomaterials and other emerging alternatives — give us the tools to start answering those questions. They're not just about making things differently, but about reshaping the entire lifecycle of design.' This new approach must look good, too. 'Sustainable storytelling has to go hand-in-hand with beauty,' she said. 'It's important that people are (also) drawn to our products visually, not just because they're comfortable or align with their values.' Some design companies have explored the potential of plant-based materials. Chosen for their renewable nature, durability and biodegradability, they can be attractive alternatives to traditional materials such as wood or plastic. Polish studio Husarska unveiled their own dining set made from a new natural material, created in collaboration with 'The True Green,' which combines hemp and plant-based adhesives. Touted as a sustainable alternative to wood, hemp can sequester 15 to 25 tons of CO₂ per hectare annually — significantly more than temperate forests do in a year (they average 2 to 5 tons). Rockwell Group, a cross-disciplinary architecture and design practice founded by David Rockwell, made the humble cork the star of its exhibition 'Casa Cork' — a space crafted almost entirely out of the material, from the interiors to the furniture and lighting fixtures. The installation featured works by a wide-ranging group of designers, students, and hospitality professionals, each exploring a different creative use for cork. At its core was the mission of Cork Collective, a nonprofit initiative co-founded by the Rockwell Group that collects, recycles, and repurposes cork stoppers from restaurants and hotels across New York City. 'It's not a flashy material that turns heads… but cork is ripe for reinvention,' Rockwell explained over email. 'With Casa Cork, we wanted to create surprise and delight — turning something taken for granted into beautiful, functional objects.' Cork absorbs CO₂ and regenerates every nine years, making it inherently low-impact. And with an estimated 13 billion cork stoppers discarded each year, the material offers a vast — and largely untapped — opportunity for circular transformation. Other modest materials are also getting a second look. 'Enhance' — an exhibition curated by Italian design platform DesignWanted — challenged conventional ideas about what constitutes 'worthy' design matter by spotlighting material innovations aligned with seven key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) identified by the World Design Organization. The show featured a striking array of objects made from overlooked or discarded resources — think seashells, storm-felled wood, and un-recycled glass — each reimagined by designers into pieces that were as visually compelling as they were environmentally conscious. 'New materials are opening up different ways of what it means to design today,' said the curator Juan Torres. 'They reflect a mindset that sees design as a tool for responsibility — especially for the next generation.' None of this signals a total industry overhaul, Torres noted, at least not yet. Many of these solutions remain local, small-scale, and in the early stages of adoption. 'Big brands are paying attention, but they're still slow to act,' he said. 'The real change is coming from the ground up.' But while it might take a few more years to see them go fully mainstream, 'the shift is underway,' Torres said. 'And it's gaining speed.'
Scoop
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Auckland Live Adds Free Art Installation ‘Checkmate' To ‘We The Young' Festival Programme
Press Release – Auckland Live This September, Aotea Square will transform into a larger-than-life game board as Checkmate, a colossal interactive chess-inspired installation, lands as part of Auckland Live's brand new Youth arts festival, We The Young. Created by internationally renowned artists Amigo & Amigo, Checkmate invites visitors of all ages to step inside a whimsical world where oversized Bauhaus-inspired chess pieces tower above the crowd. More than just a game, it's a chance to immerse yourself in art, design, and movement – for free. Opening Saturday 13 September, and running until Sunday 5 October, this bold installation is one of over 20 performances, workshops and activations across We The Young, Auckland Live's first ever arts festival created exclusively for tamariki and rangatahi. With interactive art, family-friendly theatre, and loads of outdoor fun, We The Young is set to take over the city's iconic venues including Aotea Centre, Aotea Square, and Auckland Town Hall. Daniel Clarke, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Director of Performing Arts, leading Auckland Live says: ' Checkmate is a brilliant example of the kind of interactive art we're proud to bring to public spaces through We The Young. It's playful and beautifully crafted – inviting tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau to experience creativity on a monumental scale. This installation captures the spirit of the festival: imaginative, inclusive, and unforgettable.' Alongside Checkmate, the We The Young line-up features a playful mix of performances and experiences for all ages. Highlights include Creation Creation, a big-hearted theatre work tackling life's biggest mysteries through real interviews; Paper Planet, an enchanting interactive forest installation; and The Tantrum, a joyful dance-theatre show exploring childhood emotions. Little ones can enjoy Up and Away, a gentle sensory performance for pre-walking babies, while Pīpī Paopao brings waiata and Te Taiao to life through te reo Māori. There's also The Imaginarium, a one-day creative sensory experience for Disabled and non-disabled youth, the epic Stand Up Stand Out youth talent final, and physical theatre workshop s from Massive Company. For those at home, The Valentina offers a magical illustrated audio journey through space. A variety of free experiences can be enjoyed including A Taste of Art Battle – Young Guns, Little Language Lounge, and a live 95bFM Kids Show broadcast, along with free outdoor fun in Aotea Square, including Dance-O-Mat. With tickets across the festival priced to keep experiences accessible, and over half of them completely free, We The Young promises to be a landmark new fixture on Auckland's arts calendar. Tickets and programme details at ABOUT AUCKLAND LIVE Auckland Live is the premiere organisation for performing arts, culture, entertainment and events in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. As Aotearoa New Zealand's largest performing arts entity, we proudly present a programme of live arts and entertainment across our iconic venues: Aotea Centre, The Civic, Auckland Town Hall, The Cloud, Shed 10, Viaduct Events Centre, Bruce Mason Centre, and Aotea Square. Auckland Live is part of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, a Council-Controlled Organisation.
New York Post
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
'Futurama' actor John DiMaggio asks $1.99M for LA home
After more than a decade tucked into a secluded corner of the Studio City hills, Emmy-nominated voice actor John DiMaggio and actress Kate Miller are saying goodbye to their Los Angeles home, The Post has learned. A striking 1979 modernist residence designed by architect John Bleser, the dwelling is now listed for $1.99 million. Best known for voicing Bender in the culty cartoon 'Futurama,' DiMaggio called the move 'bittersweet,' adding, 'It's where we've been for a while.' Advertisement 13 Emmy-nominated voice actor John DiMaggio — best known as the voice of Bender in 'Futurama' — and his wife, stage and screen actress Kate Miller, have listed their architectural hillside retreat in Los Angeles for $1.99 million. David Fitzgerald 13 A still from Season 12 of 'Futurama,' which aired on Sept. 2, 2024. ©Hulu/Courtesy Everett Collection The couple, both native New Yorkers, moved into the house as a starter home, but it became much more than that. Advertisement 'We liked it so much. We ended up there for 14 years,' Miller said. 'A comfort zone is a wonderful place, but nothing ever grows there.' Set against the Verdugo Mountains, the three-story hillside dwelling offers sweeping valley views, open-concept interiors, a regenerating brook and decks. Bleser's Bauhaus-inspired vision remains intact, with carefully preserved original detailing and recent modern updates. 13 John DiMaggio with a figure of his Bender character. WireImage 13 The entryway. David Fitzgerald Advertisement Inside, the couple outfitted the space with work and play in mind. 'During COVID, I recorded a lot of things from home, and it was more of a studio slash office, in the house,' DiMaggio said. 'There's great work space in the house.' A life-sized replica of Bender — gifted to DiMaggio by the creators of 'Futurama' — currently stands watch inside the studio, a physical reminder of the show's long legacy. 'That's something that I got from 'Futurama' a long time ago that only a couple of people have gotten,' DiMaggio said. Advertisement 13 Designed by modernist architect John Bleser in 1979, the three-story home is a private sanctuary perched above the city with sweeping views of the Verdugo Mountains. David Fitzgerald 13 The office, which has been used as DiMaggio's studio to record. David Fitzgerald Outside, the property is a haven for wildlife — frequent visits from deer, owls and hawks have added to its peaceful, woodsy charm. 'It's a beautiful special place up there in the hills. And it's a really unique architectural piece of property,' Miller added. Originally designed with entertainers and creatives in mind, the roughly 3,000-square-foot residence includes a dramatic glass conservatory with double-height windows, two levels of entertaining space, and a private third-story retreat with bedrooms and outdoor lounge areas. 13 The home occupies roughly 3,000 square feet. David Fitzgerald 13 John DiMaggio and Kate Miller. Getty Images for STARZ The home's custom brook feature, lush landscaping and privacy fencing enhance its appeal, while its walkability to Ventura Boulevard and sushi favorites like Avi Cue and KazuNori add urban convenience. Advertisement Adara Salim of the Beverly Hills Estates holds the listing. DiMaggio's on-camera appearances span everything from 'Better Call Saul,' 'Modern Family' and 'Interview with the Vampire,' to voice work in 'Zootopia,' 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon,' 'Samurai Jack' and 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie.' 13 A lovely glass conservatory. David Fitzgerald 13 The living space. David Fitzgerald Advertisement 13 The home offers lush landscaping. David Fitzgerald Miller, a veteran of both stage and screen, has appeared in everything from 'Blue Bloods' and 'Hightown' to Broadway productions with Carol Burnett and Michael Sheen. Her voice roles include 'Sealab 2021,' 'Frisky Dingo' and major video games like 'God of War: Ragnarök.' The couple began dating in 2011. They also recently went into contract on their Palm Springs home, which they've owned for 11 years. These days, they're spending summers in the Hamptons and continue to maintain a home in Manhattan's West Village. Advertisement 13 One of three bedrooms. David Fitzgerald 13 An ensuite bathroom. David Fitzgerald 'John was born in New York and raised in Jersey, so we're East Coast people,' Miller said. Still, their hillside LA home holds a special place as they are still figuring out where they will permanently settle. Advertisement 'It's the house we bought when we first got married,' DiMaggio said. 'So there's a lot of nostalgia attached to it.' As for the life-sized Bender statue that currently resides in DiMaggio's studio? Miller offered one final note — with a laugh — to her husband: 'It will not come in the [new] house.'
Express Tribune
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Restaurant review: Da Noi knows how to marry flavours
In a city teeming with flashy new openings and formulaic café menus, Da Noi brings something far rarer to the table: restraint. Located in Karachi's ever-expanding upscale dining circuit, Da Noi feels like a restaurant with nothing to prove and everything to offer. From its minimal Bauhaus-inspired interiors to a menu rooted in refined simplicity, this is certainly not your run-of-the-mill eatery. We started with the roasted bell pepper soup, a velvety, indulgent opening note. While the pepper's smoky essence played a more supporting role to the soup's buttery base, the overall effect was comforting — exactly the kind of richness Karachi's cool evenings call for. The garlic bread alongside was excellent: crisp, fragrant, and generously portioned. The citrus quinoa medley arrived next, looking like a summer garden in a bowl. Bursts of watermelon, the crunch of candied walnuts, hints of maple, and the slight bitterness of rocket all played their parts. The quinoa could've used more spotlight, and the 'citrus' barely made itself known; the salad, on the whole, was a well-balanced starter and marked a welcome departure from the overdressed greens seen elsewhere. From the appetisers, the seared beef with spicy soy glaze stood out. Served medium, the meat was tender, with a delicate char that gave it an earthy edge. The soy glaze was amazingly just as fiery as the name might suggest, the umami competing with the spice, which worked well in its favour. Even for diners not typically drawn to red meat, this dish makes a strong case. The sundried tomato grilled chicken was another crowd-pleaser. Juicy, flavourful, and plated over a generous bed of fresh rocket and feta, the dish offered depth and texture. The baked potato on the side — crispy-edged and fluffy inside — was an especially welcome touch. This is the kind of plate that satisfies with its generous portion, but never feels overwhelming. If the meal had a weaker link, it was the pesto prawn linguine. While the prawns were cooked just right and the serving large enough to rival most mains in the city, the pesto lacked brightness. A squeeze of lemon or a little more seasoning might have added dimension, but it's a small complaint in an otherwise well-thought-out spread. Dessert came in the form of a cheesecake with fruit compote, or rather, fruit scattered neatly over the top. While purists might expect a true compote, the cheesecake itself was rich and decadent, with a biscuity base that delivered exactly the crunch you want at the end of a meal. Verdict: While the spice doesn't always deliver the bold heat it promises, Da Noi's strength lies in its sophisticated, velvety layering of flavours. This is a restaurant that trusts its ingredients and pairs thoughtful cooking with attentive service and an ambient dining experience truly considerate of its guests. Rating: 9/10 Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
Time Out
04-05-2025
- General
- Time Out
The revolutionary high-tech London building named one of Britain's most at risk from demolition
Every year the Twentieth Century Society (C20) puts together a list of Britain's most at-risk 20th and 21st architectural marvels. Earlier this month it published the 2025 edition of its Risk List, with the included structures ranging from a Brighton synagogue with a stained glass Holocaust memorial to a Bauhaus-inspired department store in Bradford. C20's 2025 Risk List intended to highlight 'outstanding twentieth and twenty-first century buildings across the country that are at risk from demolition, dereliction or neglect'. Among the 10 selected structures is one from London – and there's every chance you haven't heard of it. The Patera Prototype in Newham is the only structure in the capital to feature in C20's 2025 At Risk list. So, what exactly is it? Well, for starters, here's what it looked like back in its 1980s heyday: The Patera was made as a prototype for a new type of industrial structure designed to be replicable and moveable. It's a significant example of 'high-tech architecture', a style that emerged in the 1970s with the aim of incorporating high tech industry and technology into building design. High-tech buildings are often identifiable for having visible beams, pipes and cables, as well as for being very flexible in use. Famous examples include stuff like Lloyd's of London in the City or Paris' Pompidou Centre. Anyway, back to the Patera. The structure that currently sits in Newham was made in 1982 by Michael Hopkins Associates and Anthony Hunt Associates and it's one of only two remaining prototypes (the other is part of the Hopkins office in Marylebone). C20 describes it as being 'a prefabricated off-the-peg industrial structure… envisaged as a form of 'High-Tech Nissen hut''. The Patera Prototype is undeniably a fascinating piece of design – but it could soon be lost as a document of architectural history. C20 says that the structure is currently threatened by the redevelopment of the Royal Docks. The Patera sits in a boatyard workshop on Albert Island, which is earmarked for a major £300 million development. The structure was rediscovered in 2020, and C20 had a listing application rejected in 2021. It has sat semi-dismantled since 2022. C20 isn't suggesting that the docks' redevelopment is halted by the Patera – just that it is relocated and restored. The charity reckons that 'this early relic of the High-Tech movement [could] become a cultural or creative venue'.
