Architonic Concept Space IV has been developed in FluidSolids®, an innovative new material by Beat Karrer

Architonic doesn’t do things by halves. For its Concept Space IV – the latest in a series of technologically innovative and architecturally led fair stands installed at the best design events internationally – it commissioned leading Swiss designer Beat Karrer to create an physical environment that is both structurally and materially striking, as well as ecologically smart. The result: a new kind of presentation space embracing a brand new material technology – FluidSolids®. (more…)

Eneco Headquarter Rotterdam; photo by Matthijs van Roon

Hofman Dujardin Architecten, an Amsterdam-based architectural practice run by Barbara Dujardin and Michiel Hofman have collaborated with Fokkema & Partners Architecten on the interior design of the recently completed new headquarters for a sustainable energy company Eneco. Located in Rotterdam, the 14-storey 25,000-square-meters building itself was designed by Dam & Partners Architecten and features a light-reflective façade incorporating planted tufts of greenery which frame windows on the lower levels of the building.

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Sleeping on the bridge: alternative usage of a former connection of two buildings; Photo © Pierre Kellenberger / Architonic

At a former industrial site in the North of Zurich, young people show the potential of an open floor plan, how to build sustainably using recycled materials, how to be resource conscious, and demonstrate that food from Aldi – a discounter – can well be in line with an ecological and anti-consumption attitude. (by Susanne Fritz)

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Stereoscopic House by pencil office; photo courtesy of the architects

With sustainability high on the agenda, a Singapore-based practice pencil office have recently completed this detached, weekend house located on Singapore’s popular resort island of Sentosa. Overlooking the ocean, the Stereoscopic House incorporates a number of environment-friendly solutions such as; low-E glazing, solar hot-water heating, extensive cross ventilation, rain harvesting systems, and evaporative cooling. (more…)

'Dutch Tap Water' carafes by Lotte de Raadt; photo by Maarten de Raadt

To raise environmental awareness and draw attention to the green credentials as well as far-reaching benefits of relinquishing the bottle and switching back to the tap, the young Dutch designer and recent Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Lotte de Raad has created this series of three simple glass carafes whose lid references the origins of the water they’re intended for. (more…)

Amunt - Architekten Martenson Und Nagel Theissen - the winners of this year's AR House Awards

Earlier last week, architects Bjorn Martenson, Sonja Nagel and Jan Theissen of Amunt practice have been announced the winners of the first prize in this year’s edition of AR House Awards for their passively heatable and partly pre-fabricated single family home project, ‘Just K, Zero Energy House‘.

Organised by Architectural Review and held at the Laufen Forum, the AR House Awards were awarded for the second time. Here, the winning trio explains why they decided to build the house as a solid wood construction, what is the difference between designing a public building or a private house and what does the award mean to them. (more…)

'Kami' collection of pots and vases by ett la benn

Berlin-based design studio ett la benn has created a series of eco-friendly hand-moulded vases, pots and pendant lights which were presented at the ‘Poetry Happens’ exhibition at Ventura Lambrate in Milan. (more…)

'Hemp Chair' by Werner Aisslinger, shown in Milan at the Ventura Lambrate during this year's Salone Internazionale del Mobile; photo by Michel Bonvin

The increasing focus on eco-friendly and sustainable products has led to many ingenious and, sometimes, unexpected inventions frequently incorporating state-of-the-art technology. With this in mind, Berlin-based architect and designer Werner Aisslinger has recently designed a ‘Hemp chair’ – ‘world’s first monobloc chair made of natural fibres’.

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