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7NEWS
12-08-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
‘World's best office chair' drops price at Officeworks: ‘An absolute winner'
A chair that has been dubbed the 'best in the world for office workers' has been dropped in price at Officeworks, where shoppers can pick it up for $699 for a limited time only. The Pago International Zeke Ergonomic Chair is available in seven different colours and is perfect for upgrading either your home or work space. With its ergonomic design, stylish look and impressive durability, the Zeke Ergonomic Chair is the ideal choice for anyone looking for a comfortable and supportive seating solution, especially at this reduced price. Suitable for eight plus hours of use, the 3D knitted mesh back provides breathable comfort and stable support, while the foam seat features a waterfall edge design to reduce pressure on your legs and improve circulation. When it comes to why shoppers love the chair so much, it is all to do with the comfort and durability. The seat is made from premium 9.5 cm thick high density moulded foam for high comfort. Not only this, but it has a trademarked premium Posturesure Synchro Mechanism with tension control that adjusts easily to the user's weight and ensures correct posture and comfort for extended periods of use. The chair has won a number of awards, including the German Design Award (2002), the IF Design Award (2002) and Reddot Design Award. Those who have invested in the Zeke Chair in the past have raved about it. 'Stylish, comfortable and easy to adjust. Excellent value,' one customer wrote on the Officeworks website. 'I was suffering back pain from my old chair. Upgraded to the Pago Zeke and it's been absolutely brilliant. Back pain has gone and love the comfort and sleek design,' said another. A third added: ' Discovered this chair via the manufacturer's website, came to Officeworks and couldn't believe the price. I was skeptical but decided I would return it if the chair was ugly. ' Turns out, the chair is an absolute winner. A hidden gem! Super stylish for the price. Very comfortable.' Others have said it's an absolute bargain when bought at just $699.
Tokyo Weekender
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
The Most Beautiful Libraries in Japan
Board any subway in Japan, and chances are that you will see a good number of people reading physical books, even among rush-hour crowds. As a country of devoted bibliophiles, Japan is just as passionate about crafting serene communal spaces to make reading accessible. Far from being mere repositories of books, many Japanese libraries are artistic masterpieces, worth visiting for their visual splendor alone. Keep reading for a list of Japan's most beautiful libraries, many of them brought to life by world-class architects. List of Contents: Library in the Earth (Chiba Prefecture) Tama Art University Library (Tokyo Prefecture) Ishikawa Prefectural Library (Ishikawa Prefecture) Kitakyushu City Central Library (Fukuoka Prefecture) Yusuhara Community Library (Kochi Prefecture) Minna no Mori: Gifu City Chuo Library (Gifu Prefecture) Obuse Town Public Library (Nagano Prefecture) AIU Nakajima Library (Akita Prefecture) Related Posts © Koji Fujii / TOREAL © Koji Fujii / TOREAL © Koji Fujii / TOREAL © Koji Fujii / TOREAL Library in the Earth (Chiba Prefecture) Straight out of a fantasy film, Library in the Earth is easily one of the most beautiful and tranquil libraries in the world. The subterranean site was previously just a patch of dry land sitting atop a valley filled with construction debris. However, it was restored into a lush valley by architecture firm Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP. The library is meant to resemble a water drop when viewed from above, and the gently sloping ceiling inside mimics the natural contours of the land. A pinhole top light casts ethereal projections of drifting clouds onto a desk beneath, transforming the room into a camera obscura of sorts. Only an hour's drive away from Tokyo, the library is located within Kurkku Fields, an agricultural site with farm-to-table dining, art installations, lodgings and farming experiences. courtesy of modlar courtesy of modlar courtesy of modlar Tama Art University Library (Tokyo Prefecture) Tama Art University is known as one of the top art schools in Japan, so it seems only fitting that its library is a stunning architectural gem. Designed by Toyo Ito & Associates, the structure embodies Ito's characteristic fluidity, connection to nature and transparency. Its most striking feature is the use of irregularly placed arches, made to evoke the feeling of walking through a forest or a cave. Although the library incorporates materials like steel and concrete, its style deviates from typical modernist rigidity, conceptualized as a dynamic and shifting space. It houses about 77,000 Japanese books, 47,000 foreign books and 1,500 periodicals, with a focus on art, design and architecture. courtesy of IF Design Award courtesy of IF Design Award courtesy of IF Design Award Ishikawa Prefectural Library (Ishikawa Prefecture) With a vast collection of some 1.1 million books, the Ishikawa Prefectural Library is a stunning atrium of tranquility. Designed by Mitsuru Senda and the Environmental Design Institute, the library's exterior is meant to resemble the pages of a book. At the center is a circular reading area with thematically divided sections of books, a digital installation that visualizes the collections, a corridor-style reading space called the 'Ring,' a children's area and more. A fun detail is that the library features 100 types of chairs, which readers can choose from depending on their mood. courtesy of Arata Isozaki Architectural Archive courtesy of osamu sukagawa / Mainichi Kitakyushu City Central Library (Fukuoka Prefecture) Completed in 1974, the Kitakyushu City Central Library is part of a complex that includes a children's library and literature museum. Designed by the influential architect Arata Isozaki, the structure can best be described as a blend of Post-Modernism, Metabolism and Brutalism. Its most defining feature is its two massive concrete vaults, topped with copper plate roofs. courtesy of osamu sukagawa / Mainichi courtesy of osamu sukagawa / Mainichi Inside, the exposed concrete ribs of the vaults form vast, cathedral-like spaces. You can also spot a gorgeous stained-glass window inspired by Edo period philosopher Miura Baien's book Gengo . Due to its unique beauty, Kitakyushu City Central Library was famously used as a shooting location for the 2013 Japanese film Toshokan Senso ( Library Wars ) and its sequel. courtesy of masaki hamada / architecture viva courtesy of masaki hamada / architecture viva courtesy of architecture viva Yusuhara Community Library (Kochi Prefecture) Designed by famed architect Kengo Kuma, this library is located in Yusuhara, a small town in Kochi Prefecture. It is often described as a 'village above the clouds' for its mountainous beauty. The town's library is, therefore, referred to as the 'Library Above the Clouds.' To construct the library's latticework — evocative of treetops — Kuma used sugi wood, which is native to the area. Visitors can enjoy the texture and scent of wood here, while admiring the intricate design of the ceiling. The library also features bouldering facilities and a café. Minna no Mori: Gifu City Chuo Library (Gifu Prefecture) The Gifu City Chuo Library is part of a cultural complex known as Minna no Mori Media Cosmos. This huge library is a dream for bookworms, architecture enthusiasts and anyone looking for a peaceful afternoon. Designed by Ito, the building houses a conference space, exhibition space, library and studios. Check out the second-floor library for a stunning 'forest of umbrellas,' featuring 11 large-scale half-globes made of triaxial woven fabric, each with its own pattern, hanging from the library's undulating ceiling, casting a soft glow over the space. The library's design is at once futuristic yet organic, minimalistic yet whimsical, making it a must-visit location. The facility even has its own Minna no Mori typeface, used throughout the building, for Japanese, English and numerals. courtesy of studio nasca courtesy of studio nasca courtesy of studio nasca Obuse Town Public Library (Nagano Prefecture) Designed by Nobuaki Furuya + NASCA, Obuse Town Public Library is a warm space that invites people of all ages. It features a distinctive, gently-sloped roof inspired by the surrounding Shinshu mountains, integrating the structure with the natural landscape. The structure's triangle plan was conceptualized with minimal partitions, creating an openness and flexibility perfect for this communal space. Rather than strictly being a place for reading, the library aims to foster interaction and creativity among its patrons. With lots of natural light and wooden accents, the space is a comforting presence in its neighborhood. AIU Nakajima Library (Akita Prefecture) Located at Akita International University , this library is not only visually stunning but also academically acclaimed. Its most notable feature is its semicircular shape, often described as a 'Book Colosseum.' Like Yusuhara Community Library, the AIU Nakajima Library sources its materials from locally grown wood — Akita cedar. Designed by Senda, the spacious atrium houses over 86,000 books, 53,000 of which are non-Japanese. Known as the 'library that never sleeps,' the establishment is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, serving as a reliable hub of knowledge for students. Related Posts The Top 12 Libraries in Tokyo Where To Find English Books in Tokyo: Bookstore Recommendations Tokyo's Best Spots for Reading Books: 8 Quiet Places To Escape the City Noise
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This laptop concept features a rollable screen that expands horizontally
Compal Electronics has introduced the Infinite Laptop, a concept device featuring a display that expands horizontally from 14-inches to 18-inches. Unlike most expandable display concepts, which extend vertically, Compal's design increases screen width, offering a wider aspect ratio that could benefit multitasking, content creation, and entertainment. The mechanism extends from both sides, ensuring structural balance and durability when fully deployed. The laptop also features LED arrays on the lid, which can display notifications such as emails or system alerts. While not essential, this addition provides quick, glanceable updates without opening the device. Compal is not the first to experiment with expandable laptop screens. Lenovo has introduced similar concepts, including the ThinkBook Plus Rollable and the recently showcased ThinkBook Flip, both of which explore different methods of increasing screen real estate while maintaining portability. Lenovo's designs have focused on adding secondary or folding displays, whereas Compal's Infinite Laptop aims for a seamless, side-expanding approach. Notably, Compal has already won an IF Design Award for their innovation, suggesting that consumers can expect the concept to soon turn into reality. As an Original Design Manufacturer (ODM), Compal primarily develops prototypes rather than selling products under its own brand. The Infinite Laptop, like many of Compal's past concepts, may serve as a reference design for major brands like Dell, HP, or Lenovo, who could refine and bring it to market. The company hasn't shared any technical details, but it seems pretty obvious that the extending display will make use of a rollable OLED panel. While it is uncertain whether this particular design will see mass production, expandable displays are becoming an area of interest in the laptop industry. As manufacturers explore new ways to enhance productivity without compromising portability, concepts like the Infinite Laptop could shape the future of laptop design, particularly for users who need larger workspaces on demand without carrying multiple devices.
