Hautlence and Black Badger bring a 3D glow to watch design

Carl F. Bucherer, a Swiss watchmaker, is celebrating its 135th anniversary with the launch of a new capsule collection featuring five all-black watches. This collection signifies a shift in the brand's aesthetic towards a more contemporary and fashion-forward approach, while still honoring its heritage. The most prominent design element across all five watches is their monochrome, pure-black color scheme, encompassing the cases, dials, and straps. The collection incorporates advanced materials and modern design choices. Three of the watches utilize forged carbon for their cases, offering a distinctive, tactile appearance. The remaining two feature diamond-like carbon-coated steel, which, with its brushed and polished facets, complements the forged carbon pieces. All watches in the capsule collection are equipped with black matte lacquered dials, and most have rhodium-plated wedge hands and index marks, with one exception featuring white numerals. A design consistent across the collection is the transparent case-backs, allowing visibility of the intricate movements within. Additionally, all five watches are fitted with hybrid rubber straps, each with subtly different molded finishes, enhancing the collection's modern feel. Samir Merdanovic, Chief Technology Officer at Carl F. Bucherer, emphasized that the uniform design codes of the capsule collection reflect the brand's embrace of a bolder, more contemporary aesthetic and a fashion-forward mindset. He noted that the brand's full name and 'energy star' motif are always present, ensuring brand identity remains strong. The introduction of forged carbon and carbon-coated steel cases marks a first for the brand, with three of the five watches housing in-house movements. Merdanovic also highlighted the balance between boldness and subtlety in the collection. He stated that the brand aimed for a collection that is impactful without being overtly flashy, respecting Carl F. Bucherer's 135-year history as a family-owned Swiss brand. He described the forged carbon as fascinating and tactile, while praising the sensitive and quiet integration of the brand's peripherally mounted complications. This approach, according to Merdanovic, demonstrates that technical impressiveness and material boldness can coexist with clean minimalism, embodying the core philosophy of Carl F. Bucherer. #CarlFBucherer #LuxuryWatches #Watchmaking #MonochromeDesign #SwissWatches #ForgedCarbon #DiamondLikeCarbon #WatchDesign #WatchCollection

Village Handcrafted Cabinetry, a company based in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, has been creating custom cabinetry and wood products for over three decades. Founded by Joseph Trave, the business specializes in designing, building, finishing, and installing a wide range of custom items, including bathroom vanities, cabinet doors, kitchen cabinets, pantries, and walk-in closets. The company caters primarily to mid- to high-end residential clients, working with designers, builders, remodelers, and a small percentage of retail customers. Joseph Trave's passion for woodworking began at a young age, leading him to establish the company in 2000. Starting from a 400-square-foot garage, the business has expanded significantly to occupy over 60,000 square feet of manufacturing space. In 2003, Trave acquired another local cabinetmaker's business, Village Woodshop, integrating its machinery and employees. The company later moved to Lansdale in 2006, establishing a showroom and a larger production facility. Over the years, the company has navigated economic challenges, including recessions and a pandemic, through the dedicated efforts of its four-person management team, which includes Joseph Trave as CEO, his wife Gina as director of marketing, Gary Marks as director of finance and purchasing, and Jennifer Marks as director of Human Resources/payroll. Village Handcrafted Cabinetry prides itself on its ability to produce custom products entirely in-house. All cabinet construction utilizes mortise and tenon joinery. The company also produces its own moldings, offering an extensive library of 1,200 profiles and the capability to create custom profiles to match existing designs. The manufacturing process incorporates advanced technology, including CNC equipment for both panel processing and solid-wood machining. Automated loaders and unloaders are used with their Stratos 3-axis machining center and Weeke Vantage 2000 CNC processing center, facilitating efficient production of nested panels and raised panel doors. Further technological investments include TigerStop stations for producing stiles and rails, and a miter fold machine for creating precisely joined corners and face frames. For sanding, the company uses a Timesavers multi-head flat sander and an MB Roba Tech sander, which is capable of sanding both flat and profiled parts. A sophisticated dust collection system gathers sawdust, which is then burned to provide heat for the facility during winter, showcasing an environmentally conscious approach to waste management. The company also features an in-house finishing lab, referred to as the “finishing kitchen,” where skilled artisans perform custom color matching. Clients often present complex finishing challenges, and the team meticulously creates samples under bright lights to ensure exact color replication, with both the company and the client retaining a sample for consistency. A newer addition is a small in-house metalworking shop, which handles minor fabrication for items like hoods and floating shelves, ensuring proper separation from woodworking operations for safety. Despite its current 60,000 square feet of production space, the company produces approximately seven to ten kitchens per week and is exploring further growth opportunities, including potential acquisitions or additional facilities. #cabinetry #customCabinets #woodworking #CNCManufacturing #residentialDesign #kitchenDesign #handcraftedLook #productionEfficiency #woodDustCollection

The Marvel 3D collection from Atlas Concorde expands the existing Marvel universe, a comprehensive stylistic project that has focused on surfaces inspired by Italian and international marbles for over a decade. This new capsule collection is specifically designed for wall installations, aiming to re-establish marble as a premium designer surface. It integrates the realistic aesthetics of marble- and travertine-inspired products with the contemporary trend of three-dimensional reliefs, imbuing the collection with a modern sensibility. The collection draws inspiration from five elegant looks already present in the Marvel world, including Marvel Meraviglia, known for its understated elegance derived from Calacata Meraviglia marble, and Marvel Travertine, which captures the grandeur of travertine in porcelain tiles. These five field tiles share a common thread of color harmony and refinement, featuring a lightly textured surface. The white marble interpretations include Calacata Meraviglia, characterized by subtle grey veins, and Calacata Bernini, a refined Apuan marble. For travertine variations, Light Majestic presents a compact light grey background with intense tone-on-tone veins, while Travertine Sand offers a warm beige with ivory and hazelnut accents, and Travertine White provides lighter shades with delicate sandy hues. Marvel 3D graphics, based on simple lines, are realized through three distinct surfaces: a lightly bush-hammered texture (Field) and two soft three-dimensional textures (3D Crease and 3D Reed). The advanced industrial technologies used in crafting the 3D surfaces ensure that the contrasts and color variations of the five looks are softened, resulting in a more discreet and elegant appearance while retaining their inherent character. The matte Field tile, common across the range and subtly textured, harmoniously complements the two three-dimensional reliefs, forming a versatile and modern trio. The collection's versatility is a key feature, as the final aesthetic changes based on the illumination angle and the orientation (horizontal or vertical) of the slabs, creating dynamic interplay of light and shadow and offering extensive decorative possibilities. The slabs' 50×120 cm format also simplifies installation by reducing the number of joints compared to conventional wall tiles. 3D Crease introduces a geometric, modern, and sophisticated pattern, providing new architectural applications for marble with a contemporary edge. The three-dimensional effect fluctuates with lighting and tile direction, creating interesting chiaroscuro from a distance, while up close, the slightly bush-hammered texture lends a realistic and sculptural quality. The Field surface, with its subtle three-dimensional texture and matte finish, offers an understated elegance suitable for wall installation. Its state-of-the-art enameling technique ensures a pleasant tactile experience. The Field finish can be used independently as a wall cladding or paired with matching floor tiles from other Atlas Concorde collections. 3D Reed features a more organic, irregular, and natural relief, mimicking the imperfections of hand engraving to achieve a handcrafted effect that varies with the original material's hardness. This flexible design allows architects significant creative freedom, with laying direction and room lighting profoundly influencing the outcome. For instance, the nature of the relief enables vertical slab installation to completely conceal joints. Beyond their unique aesthetics and light interaction, Marvel 3D solutions offer practical advantages over traditional marble, including ease of cleaning, stain resistance, zero maintenance requirements, and scratch resistance. Furthermore, Marvel 3D products seamlessly integrate with other Atlas Concorde collections, allowing for cohesive 'total look' designs with floor tiles from the Marvel Meraviglia and Marvel Travertine series, or as standalone elements combined with wood-effect solutions (Entice) for warmer interiors, or the concrete-look Boost Balance collection for a more modern aesthetic. #Marvel3D #AtlasConcorde #WallTiles #MarbleEffect #3DReliefs #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalSurfaces #LuxuryFinishes #HomeDecoration

The article details a collaboration between the avant-garde watch brand Hautlence and the creative design agency Black Badger, resulting in the creation of the Vagabonde x Black Badger watch. This timepiece stands out by integrating Black Badger's James Thompson's expertise in luminescent materials, particularly his proprietary 3D luminescent composite known as Badgerite. Thompson, often referred to as the 'Master of Glow,' utilizes vibrant colors to create a striking contrast against the sleek, dark aesthetics of Hautlence’s watch case. The genesis of this collaboration was Thompson's observation of the 'empty space' surrounding the time display system in a Hautlence model. He viewed this negative space not as an emptiness but as an architectural element that lent character to the piece, seeing it as a perfect canvas for his distinctive touch. This perspective aligns with Hautlence’s brand philosophy, which emphasizes playful design, three-dimensionality, kinetics, and a unique interplay of volumes. Hautlence’s team found the collaboration to be a natural fit, as Thompson’s approach resonated with the core identity elements they sought to highlight during the brand’s repositioning. These elements include the brand's signature TV-screen-shaped case, the deliberate use of volumes, the dynamism of movement, and a commitment to maintaining a sense of playfulness in their designs. With a production volume of 150 to 200 pieces per year, Hautlence has the flexibility to explore and cultivate this sense of fun and experimentation in their creations. The design of the Vagabonde x Black Badger watch is intentionally built upon contrasts. This is evident in the interplay of shapes, where sharp angles meet rounded, organic forms. The tension between the bright, luminescent colors and the deep black of the watch components is a central theme. Furthermore, the watch merges cutting-edge luminescent materials with an aesthetic reminiscent of 1980s arcade games, creating a unique visual experience. This delicate balance of conflicting elements, according to Hautlence, is what elevates the watch to a work of art. #WatchDesign #Hautlence #BlackBadger #LuminescentMaterials #WatchCollaboration #AvantGarde #LuxuryWatches #ProductDesign

The fashion industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the adoption of digital tools, particularly 3D rendering. This technology is fundamentally changing how garments are conceptualized, developed, and presented, offering numerous advantages over traditional methods. 3D rendering allows designers to visualize, test, and refine their ideas in real-time, drastically cutting down development timelines, minimizing material waste, and introducing unparalleled flexibility into design workflows at every stage of production. A key enabler of this digital shift is the reliance on cloud-based infrastructure to handle resource-intensive tasks. These systems facilitate the rapid processing of complex visual data, overcoming the limitations of local hardware and accelerating delivery schedules. Cloud render farms, which involve multiple computers working collaboratively to render large digital assets remotely, are a critical component of this infrastructure. By utilizing these external networks, designers can maintain high visual quality without overloading their local systems, making advanced rendering capabilities accessible even to smaller studios. 3D rendering provides superior design accuracy and real-time flexibility compared to traditional sketch-based design. It precisely simulates fabric drape, garment movement, and how colors appear under different lighting conditions, eliminating the need for physical prototypes in early stages. Designers can instantly adjust cut, proportion, and details, fostering continuous creative development and immediate feedback among team members. This iterative process enhances communication, improves decision-making, and significantly reduces the number of costly revisions typically associated with physical sampling. Furthermore, 3D rendering offers substantial cost savings and speeds up the development cycle. Physical prototyping is both time-consuming and expensive, requiring materials, labor, and transportation. Digital iterations, conversely, incur no material waste or shipping costs, transforming a process that once took weeks into days or hours. This acceleration is particularly beneficial for fast fashion, which demands rapid production cycles in response to seasonal trends. The benefits extend beyond development, as digital assets created during the design phase can be repurposed for e-commerce imagery, advertising, and social media, reducing the need for traditional photoshoots and expanding marketing output at a lower cost. In terms of sustainability, 3D rendering plays a crucial role by significantly reducing the need for physical samples. Each digital prototype saves fabric, trims, and transportation, thereby lowering the environmental impact of the design process through reduced material consumption and emissions. Digital tools also enable more precise planning, allowing designers to refine every detail before physical production, which minimizes overstock and improves inventory accuracy—major contributors to fashion waste. For consumers, 3D rendering enhances the digital shopping experience by providing detail-rich product pages. Features such as 360-degree views, fabric zoom-ins, and augmented reality try-ons help shoppers better understand how garments will look and fit, reducing guesswork and increasing satisfaction. These rendered visuals are consistent across various platforms and adaptable to different uses, from desktops to mobile devices, and even AR/VR environments. Strong visuals ultimately lead to higher purchase intent and lower return rates. Personalization and customization are also supported at scale through 3D tools, allowing shoppers to digitally explore different colorways, prints, and fits before making a purchase. This level of engagement fosters consumer interest and supports made-to-order models, which help reduce unsold inventory. For manufacturers, this means more accurate specifications and fewer post-sale adjustments, improving overall efficiency. Fashion shows have also embraced this digital evolution, with designers now utilizing virtual lookbooks, CGI campaigns, and immersive digital presentations. These formats offer greater creative freedom, reduce logistical complexities, and eliminate travel and expenses associated with traditional shows. Rendered environments can be tailored to suit each collection's tone, giving designers more control over narrative and experience, and opening up broader audiences without additional infrastructure. Platforms like CLO3D, Browzwear, and Blender are integral to modern fashion workflows, providing the necessary tools to build, test, and animate garments in realistic environments. To meet the computational demands of these applications, brands increasingly rely on scalable rendering services like RebusFarm. These services process complex visual data and generate high-resolution assets efficiently, enabling teams to maintain speed and consistency without hardware limitations and ensuring smooth integration of digital rendering into daily operations. Early adopters such as Balenciaga, H&M, and Tommy Hilfiger have successfully integrated 3D rendering into their operations. Balenciaga utilized virtual runways for immersive digital experiences during lockdowns, while H&M reduced fabric waste by 30 percent through digital prototyping, demonstrating that efficiency and creativity can coexist. These examples highlight how digital rendering enhances both operational performance and creative output, offering scalable solutions for both large enterprises and smaller teams. Ultimately, 3D rendering has become a foundational element in fashion design, enabling precision, speed, adaptability, and sustainable growth, thereby preparing brands for a dynamic market with agile and efficient systems. #3DRendering #FashionDesign #DigitalFashion #Sustainability #CloudComputing #ECommerce #Personalization #VirtualShows #FashionTechnology

The interior design landscape is currently undergoing a significant shift from the previously dominant minimalist aesthetic of bright white walls, beige accents, and sparse decor. A new trend, dubbed "Dark Glamour" by Benjamin Moore, is emerging, characterized by deep, moody hues, rich jewel tones, dusky neutrals, and metallic accents, often with a gothic undertone. This shift emphasizes creating spaces with more color and emotional depth, moving away from a strictly neutral palette. Local interior designers are embracing this change, offering insights into successfully integrating these richer palettes into home environments. Tammie Ladd, owner of Tammie Ladd Design, highlights the importance of incorporating living elements like plants to prevent dark spaces from feeling too heavy. She also stresses the significance of contrast, drawing parallels to black-and-white photography, where a balance between light and dark elements—such as a dark floor with white walls or dark cabinetry with lighter hardware—creates visual interest and energy. Ladd illustrates this by describing a home study she designed with midnight blue walls contrasted by an untouched warm-toned wood ceiling, noting the complementary energy between blue and orange tones. Kasey Dobbins of Foxwood Design Co. shares a similar perspective, suggesting that for those hesitant to paint entire walls dark, painting the ceiling can be an effective alternative. She advises against an all-black-and-white scheme, preferring rooms within a mid-tone range for a more inviting feel. Dobbins encourages homeowners to select colors they are inherently drawn to, suggesting that personal comfort and preference should guide color choices, allowing homes to reflect individual personalities. Lighting plays a crucial role in these richly colored spaces. Ladd acknowledges the contribution of lighting specialists, emphasizing that strategic lighting can transform a dark room. Dobbins advocates for a layered lighting approach, combining various sources such as can lights, ambient sconces, and table lamps to create depth and warmth. She also provides practical advice for naturally low-light areas like basements, recommending medium-tone colors over very dark or stark white options, as white can make such spaces feel institutional. Beyond color and light, texture is another essential element for enhancing moody interiors. Ladd favors velvet for its calming properties and visual interest, while Dobbins is drawn to nubby bouclé fabric. Other textural elements like woven shades, sisal rugs, and waffle weave blankets can also enrich dark spaces. The article notes that even sheepskin throws, when used judiciously, can contribute to this textural complexity. Grasscloth wall coverings, reinvented with contemporary colors, are also recommended for adding a sophisticated textural layer. For luminous touches, natural stone, mirrored materials, and metals are suggested, particularly to complement candlelight. This trend towards rich colors and textures is seen as a corrective response to the previous monochromatic design extreme, aiming to reintroduce warmth and energy into living spaces, offering numerous options for homeowners to create refreshingly moody and personalized interiors. #InteriorDesign #DarkGlamour #ColorTrends #HomeDecor #TexturalElements #LightingDesign #MoodPalette #DesignTips #SpokaneDesigners

Swarovski has revealed the second installment of its Designers of the Future initiative at Design Miami/Basel, showcasing three innovative crystal-related projects. This year's award recipients are Anjali Srinivasan, Studio Brynjar & Veronika, and Yuri Suzuki, who have spent the past six months developing new crystal-based works, following their announcement as winners earlier this year in Paris. Each designer or studio had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Swarovski's crystal world at the company's headquarters in Wattens, Austria, leveraging Swarovski's expertise and materials to bring their visions to life. Glass artist Anjali Srinivasan's project is an installation inspired by human gestures. She seamlessly integrated her glass artistry with Swarovski’s crystal craftsmanship, specifically utilizing the company’s 'Touch Crystal' technology. This innovative feature allows the crystal to respond to human touch with light, blurring the lines between a solid object and interactive visual effects. Srinivasan's installation is a monumental crystal wave, standing six meters tall and supported by a mesh structure. It incorporates 3,000 Swarovski crystals and 5,000 pieces of glass, which she produced at her studio in Dubai. This project aims to explore the intersection of optical and physical phenomena, pushing the boundaries of human-centric design. Studio Brynjar & Veronika, an Icelandic duo, contributed a dynamic interpretation of crystal with their installation titled 'Currents.' This piece explores the interaction between light and crystal, bringing the material into a domestic setting through three distinct elements. They re-envision common household items, such as a standard window blind, by incorporating prisms that project rainbow-colored light when illuminated. Additionally, their crystal tiles are designed to diffuse a liquid reflection of their surroundings when they come into contact with water. The third component of their installation features a collection of crystal sticks, designed to highlight the transparency and light-refracting qualities of the gems, showcasing new uses and applications for crystal in everyday environments. Japanese sound artist Yuri Suzuki approached crystal from an acoustic perspective, blending his sonic practice with Swarovski's signature material. His research delved into how crystal vibrations can be translated into sound. The result is a mechanical, interactive 'crystallophone' comprising 16 brass mechanical ‘notes,’ each fitted with a handmade crystal form that represents tones ranging from C1 to D3. Suzuki collaborated closely with engineers at Swarovski’s Wattens facility to execute this complex project, which stands as a testament to the fusion of art and technology. Nadja Swarovski highlighted the excitement of seeing a diverse group of emerging talents from around the globe explore their visions of future living through these beautiful and thought-provoking crystal works. The collective installations demonstrate Swarovski’s ongoing commitment to innovation and its remarkable capacity for experimentation with its unique material. The company's continued engagement with initiatives like Designers of the Future, alongside its ventures into fashion, home collections, large-scale installations, and micro-crystal creations, underscores its dedication to research and development, constantly challenging perceived limitations of crystal as a medium. #Swarovski #DesignersOfTheFuture #CrystalArt #DesignMiamiBasel #AnjaliSrinivasan #StudioBrynjarVeronika #YuriSuzuki #InteractiveDesign #MaterialInnovation

The article introduces the updated Graff Eclipse watch, which features an all-black monochromatic design. This iteration of the timepiece incorporates a case crafted from titanium and diamond-like carbon, contributing to its lightweight, tough, and durable characteristics. The design maintains Graff’s bold aesthetic codes, reimagining the distinctive patterns of diamonds as a single black stone set on the crown. The dial features a textured Graff logo, providing a subtle touch of ornamentation. The watch weighs 27 grams and has a slender case measuring 7mm, which gives it an appealing lightness. Despite its minimalist appearance, the timepiece is technically sophisticated, housing an automatic movement and offering a 42-hour power reserve. Francois Graff, CEO of Graff, highlights the Eclipse watch as their most iconic timepiece. He describes its sleek, 'blacker-than-black' design, combined with the super-slim titanium DLC case, as both elegant and sophisticated, making a powerful statement. He also notes the inclusion of a black diamond on the crown, emphasizing the watch’s commitment to its dark aesthetic. This new dark watch is the latest addition to Graff's broader family of timepieces. This collection includes the MasterGraff Skeleton, known for its technical intricacies, and the elegant GraffStar. The article positions the Graff Eclipse as a significant development within the brand's offerings, appealing to those who appreciate a blend of aesthetic boldness, technical precision, and understated luxury. The use of advanced materials like titanium and diamond-like carbon underscores the watch's contemporary design and engineering. The article focuses on the watch's visual appeal and functional features, along with its place within Graff’s product line. #GraffEclipse #LuxuryWatches #BlackWatches #TitaniumWatch #DLCcoating #AutomaticMovement #WatchDesign #HighHorology

The shift to working from home has transformed personal living spaces into hybrid offices, prompting a reevaluation of household products and their functionality. Recognizing this new paradigm, New York-based Smart Design embarked on developing a four-piece transitional lighting collection in collaboration with 3D printed lighting manufacturer Gantri. The collection, known as the Aim Collection, was conceived to address the challenges of integrating professional work environments into compact home settings, where space is a valuable commodity. Industrial Design Director Dan Grossman highlighted that the design inspiration stemmed from the need to adapt existing home spaces, such as dining tables, into effective workspaces. This led to the creation of four distinct lighting solutions tailored for various work-from-home scenarios: a floor lamp, a directional task light, a lantern, and an upcoming clamp light. The core principle of the Aim Collection is adaptability, with each light designed to offer simple yet ingenious solutions to modern living challenges. For instance, the Aim Task Light allows users to effortlessly transition between directional task lighting and ambient lighting by simply adjusting its arm. Grossman further noted the intricate connection between mood and lighting, and how traditional task lighting, often designed for specific creative or productive tasks, needed to be reimagined to provide a more comforting experience in an often-stressful work-from-home context. Despite the apparent simplicity and intuitive nature of the Aim Collection's aesthetics, its manufacturing presented significant technical challenges for Gantri. Prior to this collaboration, Gantri had not produced 3D-printed lights incorporating moving parts. The partnership between Smart Design and Gantri leveraged the engineering expertise of both teams to overcome these manufacturing hurdles. A notable challenge was integrating the power cord within the movable arm of the Aim Task Light, requiring the development of internal hardware with round pivots and tension screws to minimize friction and prevent the cord from dislodging. Grossman emphasized that achieving this level of complexity with articulated joints and pivots through 3D printing was a considerable undertaking, necessitating extensive prototyping and testing to refine material constraints, tolerances, weight, and balance. The Clamp Light, another intricate component of the collection, also demanded the production of multiple moving parts. Smart Design's consumer research underscored the relevance of such a flexible lighting solution, as it revealed that work often occurs in unconventional home settings. The Clamp Light was designed to be highly portable and adaptable, featuring a hinge for easy adjustment and a clamp mechanism that allows it to be attached to various surfaces like shelves or table edges, transforming any spot into a makeshift desk. Ultimately, while 3D printing is central to the production process, Grossman stressed that it serves as an efficient means to an end. The primary objective was to create functional, intuitive products that resonate with customers, regardless of the manufacturing method. The Aim Collection, in alignment with Smart Design's overarching philosophy, prioritizes function and the inherent beauty of simplicity, aiming to provide users with valuable and significant lighting solutions that are easy to understand and use. #SmartDesign #Gantri #3DPrinting #LightingDesign #HomeOffice #FurnitureDesign #ProductInnovation #WorkFromHome #IndustrialDesign

The French manufacturer Focus is making it easier for architects and interior designers to specify eco-friendly fireplaces with its Ecodesign Ready label. This initiative aligns with the European Union's Ecodesign program, which aims to reduce emissions across Europe and will be implemented for wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves on January 1, 2022. The Ecodesign Ready characteristics include a reduction in particulate emissions and unburned gases, decreased energy consumption, increased energy efficiency, and control using EU-recognized measurement methods. Focus operates globally, with approximately 60 percent of its sales outside France. The company has adapted to stringent international requirements to maintain competitiveness. One notable innovation is the Slimfocus, a DEFRA-approved fire designed for urban areas where wood-burning restrictions are in place. The Slimfocus features a cylinder of flames, with options for a suspended, pivoting hearth or a fixed, base-supported unit. Its minimalist design makes it suitable for various placements within a room, showcasing a stylistically revolutionary approach. Focus has built its reputation on continuous research and development, and its product catalog now includes 17 gas models. These gas fires are designed to authentically mimic the appearance of real wood flames while eliminating the associated drawbacks. All gas fires are equipped with CE-certified gas burners compatible with natural gas or propane, ensuring ease of use and high performance through state-of-the-art combustion systems. The company has also adapted several leading models for outdoor use, reflecting a trend towards merging interior and exterior design schemes. The pivoting, suspended Gyrofocus, Ergofocus, and Emifocus models are now available with anti-corrosion coatings and a choice of resistant black paint or a rust finish that develops a natural patina over time. Gas fires come with remote control functionality, allowing for easy adjustments and simple operation. For wood fires, models with a thermal efficiency of 70 percent or more offer an excellent renewable energy solution. To enhance the customer experience, Focus provides an augmented reality app that enables clients to visualize a fireplace in their own home before purchase. With a presence in over 70 countries and a selection of 70 models, Focus fireplaces are distinguished by their unique designs, advanced technology, and energy efficiency. The range offers a suitable fireplace for diverse projects, from seaside retreats to snow lodges and sauna cabins, underscoring the brand's commitment to both aesthetics and sustainability. #FocusFireplaces #EcodesignReady #EcoFriendlyDesign #SustainableHeating #FireplaceDesign #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalDesign #GasFires #WoodBurningStoves

This article presents an in-depth conversation with architect Bjarke Ingels, marking nearly ten years since his last interview with Archinect. The discussion focuses on BIG's extensive work in 3D printing and its implications for the architectural profession, as well as the emerging role of artificial intelligence in design. The interview begins by exploring BIG's latest collaboration with construction technology specialists ICON: a collection of pre-designed, 3D-printable homes for ICON's new CODEX catalog. Ingels details the philosophy behind these designs, which originated from investigations into how single-family homes could leverage 3D printing technology. He explains the three distinct collections within CODEX: the 'Storm' collection, featuring hurricane-resistant designs; the 'Fire' collection, offering resilience against wildfires; and the 'TexNext' collection, reimagining traditional Texan typologies like shotgun and porch houses through a 3D printing lens. These collections aim to provide affordable, customizable housing solutions that respond to specific environmental challenges and regional aesthetics. The conversation then delves into how previous 3D printing projects, such as the Mars Dune Alpha simulation habitat, the hospitality project with Liz Lambert, and the 100-home Wolf Ranch development, have informed BIG's approach to the CODEX collection. Ingels highlights that these earlier experiences demonstrated the potential for organically delivering large-scale communities. The traditional method of viewing demonstration homes and purchasing a plot for later construction is contrasted with the efficiency of having 3D printers on-site, capable of delivering a wider variety of customized homes on demand. This approach, termed 'home delivery on-demand,' offers increased customization for a broader audience and can be applied to both large developments and individual plots. Ingels also discusses the specific circumstances where 3D printing offers advantages over conventional construction methods. He points out that innovations driven by the challenges of building on the Moon and Mars, such as ICON's new robotic arm printers, are now yielding benefits for Earth-bound construction. These advanced printers can create taller, more complex structures with reduced site preparation, increasing quality and speed while lowering costs. For the immediate future on Earth, low-rise structures, particularly single-family homes, are best suited to leverage 3D printing's benefits, including effortless customization and freedom of form, which represent significant improvements over traditional methods. Furthermore, the article explores the concept of new business models for architects. Ingels suggests that the product-based model, exemplified by CODEX, allows architects to refine and improve their designs over time, similar to product manufacturers. This contrasts with the traditional service-based model where each project starts from scratch. He envisions a future where architects could generate ongoing royalties from their intellectual property, even after retirement, as seen with his co-founded design practice, KiBiSi. This product-oriented approach also enables continuous feedback and iteration, leading to enhanced quality and efficient delivery. Finally, the discussion addresses the impact of artificial intelligence on architectural practice. Ingels reflects on the progression of design tools, from crayons to rulers to mice, each offering new possibilities while requiring a shift in control. He posits that AI represents the next evolution, allowing young designers to leverage a creative force comparable to that of a large, experienced team. AI eliminates barriers to entry for delivering complex visions with precision and skill, much like modern digital camera technology has democratized film production. Ingels expresses excitement for architecture-focused AI systems like ICON's 'Vitruvius,' acknowledging that while these technologies are in their early stages, their rapid pace of improvement, driven by global collaboration and learning, promises a future of immense potential for the architectural profession. #BjarkeIngels #BIG #ICON #3DPrinting #ArchitecturalInnovation #ArtificialIntelligence #HomeDesign #SustainableArchitecture #FutureOfArchitecture

The Klydoclock is presented as a sophisticated design element for the home, inspired by curated collections found in places like the official MoMA store. This clock distinguishes itself with a unique two-display setup: one dedicated to showing the actual time, and the other to an animated pendulum. Its appeal lies in the integration of thousands of unique animations, which provide a constantly changing visual experience, making it an unconventional and engaging addition to any interior space. The physical design of the Klydoclock emphasizes elegance and quality. Standing at 30 centimeters high and 18 centimeters wide, it is versatile enough to be placed on a shelf, table, or mounted on a wall. The construction combines bent plywood and painted aluminum, contributing to its minimalist yet striking aesthetic. Power is supplied via a standard 12V USB-C adapter, which is included in the package. A remote control, described as superior in design and craftsmanship to an Apple TV remote, is also part of the package, underscoring the manufacturer's attention to detail and commitment to a high-end user experience. The quality of the displays further reinforces this focus on design and visual fidelity. The operational features of the Klydoclock revolve around its dynamic visual content. While the lower display consistently features a visually diverse animated pendulum, the upper display offers a vast library of animations. These animations always incorporate the hour hands and markers (numbers or dots) to indicate time, but they are complemented by a wide array of visual themes. The manufacturer provides thousands of free animations, with a commitment to adding new ones indefinitely, ensuring the clock remains fresh and engaging over time. For those seeking additional customization, special animation editions are available for purchase at €9.99. These premium animations are acquired via a code entered into the clock's settings after purchase on the Klydoclock website, with free new animations being automatically downloaded daily over Wi-Fi. Beyond visual animations, the Klydoclock incorporates an audio dimension. Animations are often paired with ambient sounds relevant to their themes, such as wind or crackling fire. Each animation also has its own hourly chime, although all sound features, including volume and complete muting, are customizable. A night mode feature allows users to set specific hours during which the displays dim or turn black, revealing only softly backlit red clock hands, mimicking aircraft instrument displays. Users can also control how animations alternate, from random changes every minute to displaying a single animation continuously, and can create custom folders for selected animations to suit different occasions or moods. The Klydoclock is available for purchase directly from its official website, klydoclock.com, priced between $329 and $349, depending on the chosen wood shade. Available finishes include Dawn Oak, Twilight Walnut, and Midnight Ebony, designed to complement various interior aesthetics. A significant benefit of ownership is the inclusion of unlimited access to daily free animations without any subscription fees, a policy noted as uncommon for smart devices that typically rely on cloud content. The article concludes by positioning the Klydoclock as an ideal choice for those seeking a unique, conversation-starting design piece that enhances an interior space with both its aesthetic and dynamic capabilities, providing long-term entertainment and visual interest. The product has been observed to maintain its appeal and novelty over several months of use. #Klydoclock #DesignClock #HomeDecor #SmartDevice #AnimatedDisplay #InteriorDesign #TechnologyReview #MoMAInspired #CustomizableAnimations

Apple has launched an elaborate floral installation across all 24 of Selfridges’ iconic London window displays, transforming the department store into a vibrant, blooming showcase. This immersive experience is designed to bring the floral faces of the Apple Watch to life, marking a significant collaboration between the tech giant and the historic British retailer. The installation, unveiled today, features a vast collection of sculpted flowers, ranging in size from 200mm to an impressive 1.8m in height. Each flower integrates a unique configuration of the Apple Watch, encompassing the Apple Watch Sport, the standard Apple Watch, and the premium Apple Watch Edition. This artistic endeavor follows previous Apple displays at Selfridges, such as 'Butterflies' and 'Chromosphere,' all conceived to celebrate the opening of Apple’s store-within-a-store concept at Selfridges in April. The series draws direct inspiration from the Apple Watch user interface, translating its digital designs into tangible, large-scale art installations. The creation of these floral sculptures involved a meticulous and time-intensive process. Artists photographed a variety of blooming flowers, including yellow poppies—a nod to Selfridges’ distinctive branding—using stop-motion techniques. Some flowers required over 24,000 shots, accumulated over 285 hours, to capture their full unfolding. For the window displays, all eight variations of the original flowers were scaled and hand-painted by artists. The sculpting process mirrored the intricate detail of the initial photography, emphasizing a dedication to craftsmanship. In total, the installation comprises a remarkable 24 large flowers, 50 medium flowers, 5,525 small flowers, and an additional 240 ‘small-plus’ flowers. The larger and medium flowers were crafted from cast resin, while the smaller components were produced using 3D printing technology, showcasing a blend of traditional artistic methods and modern manufacturing techniques. The detailed central stamens of the flowers were also hand-sculpted to create master tools, subsequently reproduced from cast resin for the larger pieces, ensuring a high level of fidelity to the natural forms. The smaller flowers were 3D scanned, scaled down, and 3D printed, then finished with scenic paint and fine flocking details before being assembled into the lush dioramas. Paul Deneve, Apple’s vice president of special projects, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating that the Apple Watch face flowers inspired this beautiful design and its realization in Selfridges’ historic windows. Linda Hewson, Selfridges’ creative director, highlighted the collaboration as a continuation of the store’s tradition of partnering with prominent designers. This project is particularly notable as it marks the first time since Selfridges launched its window displays in 1909 that all of its windows have been dedicated to a single product. The installation effectively symbolizes the growth and evolution of Apple's products, transforming a small digital design element into a grand, beautiful physical manifestation. #AppleWatch #Selfridges #FloralInstallation #WindowDisplay #TechArt #RetailDesign #ArtOfCraftsmanship #WearableTechnology #LuxuryRetail

Hamilton has launched its new Khaki Field Expedition line, an enhancement to its existing Khaki Field watch collection, renowned for its durability and robustness. The new models integrate a bi-directional rotating compass bezel and a screw-down crown, features designed to optimize performance in outdoor and challenging conditions. These timepieces were unveiled in Zermatt, Switzerland, a prominent resort town situated in the shadow of the Matterhorn, emphasizing the watches' suitability for diverse outdoor activities, including hiking and skiing, and their resilience in extreme weather. The Khaki collection's origins trace back to World War II, when Hamilton, then based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, dedicated its manufacturing capabilities to supplying the U.S. armed forces with essential, high-quality timepieces and navigational instruments. The Khaki Field series specifically draws its heritage from watches produced for Army soldiers. According to Vivian Stauffer, CEO of Hamilton, the brand aimed to develop a product that aligns with Hamilton's core values and the 'field DNA,' catering to individuals who pursue outdoor adventures. The updated case design reflects this focus on outdoor utility. The Expedition line offers variety to cater to a broad range of preferences while maintaining its specialized field watch characteristics. It is available in two case sizes: 37mm and 41mm. Each size comes with a selection of three dial colors: black, white, and blue, allowing for personalization. Additionally, customers can choose from three bracelet combinations, offering further customization for both aesthetic and functional needs, whether in natural or urban settings. Key technical specifications of the new watches include a brushed stainless steel case for both sizes, featuring a screw-down crown that ensures the movement remains protected from moisture. This design choice contributes to a water resistance rating of 10 bar (100 meters), a crucial attribute for a field watch that may encounter wet environments. The bi-directional rotating bezel, marked with cardinal points (north, south, east, and west), facilitates navigation by enabling users to determine their location and direction using the sun. This compass functionality is intended to be user-friendly, allowing for straightforward operation. Powering both the 37mm and 41mm models is the Hamilton H-10 automatic movement. This movement boasts an 80-hour power reserve, providing extended autonomy, and incorporates a Nivachron balance spring. The Nivachron balance spring is a significant feature as it is designed to minimize the impact of magnetic fields on the watch's accuracy, a common concern in various environments. The H-10 movement is based on the ETA C07.611, reflecting the shared lineage within the Swatch Group, as both ETA, a Swiss movement manufacturer, and Hamilton are subsidiaries of the same conglomerate. The watches are finished with either a green or brown leather strap with a pin buckle, or a stainless-steel bracelet with a folding clasp. The retail price for models with a leather strap is $995, while those with a stainless-steel bracelet are priced at $1,045. #HamiltonWatches #KhakiFieldExpedition #FieldWatch #AutomaticMovement #SwissMade #OutdoorAdventure #WatchReview #Timepiece #NavigationTool

This article from the Levi Strauss & Co. Unzipped blog commemorates the 30th Anniversary of the Dockers® brand by highlighting a significant historical innovation: the introduction of Go Khaki with Stain Defender in 2001. The article underscores Levi Strauss & Co.'s longstanding commitment to technological advancement in fashion, tracing it from the invention of the blue jean to contemporary innovations at the Eureka Innovation Lab. Go Khaki with Stain Defender represented a revolutionary step in casual wear through its integration of nanotechnology. This cutting-edge technology involved treating fabric at a molecular level, creating an invisible defense against liquid spills. The manufacturing process entailed chemicals in the nanotechnology forming a molecular bond with the cotton fibers, resulting in high-tech microfibers capable of resisting liquid mishaps. This innovation aimed to provide consumers with durable and easy-to-maintain clothing suitable for the demands of the new millennium. The article emphasizes that despite the advanced technology, the Go Khakis maintained the comfort and ease synonymous with the Dockers® brand since its inception in 1986. Dockers® has consistently aimed to provide men with reliable garments for various aspects of their lives, and the nanotechnology-enhanced khakis were no exception, offering both functionality and style. Tracey Panek, the Historian for Levi Strauss & Co., authored the piece. Her role involves managing the company's Archives, answering historical inquiries, and assisting various departments, including designers, brand managers, and executives, with historical materials. Panek's background includes 14 years as Historian and Archivist at AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah, and an earlier career start at AirTouch Communications, which launched cellular service at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The featured innovation of Go Khakis with Stain Defender is presented as an example of Levi Strauss & Co.'s continuous effort to meet consumer needs by providing clothing that enhances daily life. This historical retrospective serves as a testament to the company's legacy of pioneering textile technology and its ongoing pursuit of innovation in the apparel industry. #DockersExhibit #Dockers #Khakis #Nanotechnology #Heritage #TraceyPanek #FashionInnovation

Signify myCreation, a leading lighting company, is revolutionizing the lighting industry through advanced 3D printing technology and a strong commitment to sustainability. The company empowers brands, startups, and designers to create personalized luminaires tailored to specific identities, visions, and needs. This is achieved through an intuitive online configurator that allows users to select from a diverse range of shapes, colors, textures, and lighting specifications. The platform offers over 190 design variants, facilitating the creation of lighting solutions that seamlessly integrate into retail, hospitality, business, and residential spaces. Additionally, all functional lighting solutions are designed to be energy-efficient and can be integrated with connected systems for further energy savings. Signify myCreation is returning to Milan Design Week 2025 with an elegant bar installation at Milan’s Palazzo Giureconsulti. This installation, designed in collaboration with Dekker Zevenhuizen and Triboo, will be illuminated by a curated selection of award-winning luminaires. The exhibition will feature the Gleam and Smooth luminaires, along with the Voila table lamp, showcasing the platform's ability to combine functionality with sophisticated aesthetics and environmental responsibility. A new addition to the Smooth Spotlight series, promising superb adaptability, will also be previewed. The Gleam luminaire, designed by Sebastian Bergne, is a refined bulb-based pendant light known for its serene, heptagon-inspired silhouette and its ability to add a touch of wonder to everyday objects. Available in multiple sizes, the Gleam design aligns with the 3D print grain, with all printed parts made from ISCC Plus certified bio-circular materials. Its minimalist and delicate nature allows it to create intimate atmospheres or serve as a striking interior accent. The Gleam lighting pendant family, recognized with a 2025 iF Design Award, reinterprets the simple glowing pendant globe through alternative geometry and Bergne’s distinctive flair. The flexibility of 3D printing enables horizontal form lines that create a skeleton of uninterrupted harmony, with each piece possessing a unique presence and allure, available in three sizes and one texture. The Smooth Spotlight series, also a recipient of the 2025 iF Design Award, is designed for hospitality and residential settings, offering superior customization in both colors and textures. This allows for the creation of unique lighting formulas to highlight spaces effectively. Its printed components are made from 65% recycled and ISCC Plus-certified bio-circular materials, while the heatsink is crafted from 85% recycled aluminum, ensuring durability and longevity. The minimalist spotlight includes a honeycomb accessory to reduce glare and improve light distribution. Its circular design ensures it can be upgraded throughout its lifespan. The Voila collection of table lamps features charmingly proportioned designs with a vibrant color palette and playful presence. These lamps, reminiscent of 1960s interior design with their petite mushroom silhouettes, are crafted from bio-circular materials like biomass and natural waste, processed into sustainable polycarbonate. The single light source shines both upward and downward, creating a mesmerizing diffused light with a mandala effect through the crafted underside of the lampshade. The Voila lamp, an iF Design Award winner in 2022, is available in various colors such as white, bronze, gold, pink, and green, subtly complementing any interior space with its lightness and versatility. Signify myCreation emphasizes eco-friendly practices by incorporating at least 65% recycled and bio-circular materials in all its products. The 3D printing process reduces material waste and carbon emissions through local, on-demand production, minimizing transportation impacts. The company actively collaborates with research institutions, startups, and industrial organizations to advance 3D printing technology and sustainable practices, having produced nearly 2 million luminaires globally. At Milan Design Week 2025, visitors can explore the potential of personalized, smart, efficient, and sustainable lighting solutions at Signify myCreation’s pavilion. The initiative plans to expand its offerings and improve user experience through enhanced configurators and advanced product roadmaps, aiming for ambitious sustainability goals such as increasing climate action revenues to 72% and achieving zero waste to landfill. Signify myCreation sets new standards in circular lighting design by blending cutting-edge technology with artistic expression and a commitment to sustainability. #LightingDesign #3DPrinting #SustainableDesign #InnovativeMaterials #MilanDesignWeek #CircularEconomy #ProductDesign #SmartLighting #BioCircularMaterials

The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight (BB58) Navy Blue is a new release from Tudor, a brand that has seen significant growth in popularity since its re-entry into the U.S. market in 2013, particularly for its vintage-inspired timepieces. This new model is an all-blue version of the highly sought-after BB58, a watch named after the year Tudor's first dive watches were introduced, 1958. While earlier modern BB58 models, launched in 2018, featured black dials, the Navy Blue edition draws inspiration from a series of blue-dial watches that debuted in 1969. These 1960s blue-dial watches were specifically developed for the Marine Nationale, the French Navy, built to stringent military specifications, thus explaining the "Navy" blue color scheme. Maintaining authenticity to vintage styling, the Black Bay 58 Navy Blue features a 39mm steel case. This size is a deliberate choice, reflecting the smaller dimensions common in watches manufactured during the 1950s, a design trend that is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Another element contributing to its vintage aesthetic is the domed crystal. The watch also incorporates "snowflake hands," a distinctive feature of Tudor's diver's watches since 1969. These hands were originally designed to optimize readability in challenging conditions, and in the new model, this functionality is further enhanced by the application of Super-LumiNova. This luminescent material ensures improved visibility of both the hands and the applied markers underwater or in other low-light environments. The watch is engineered to be water-resistant up to 200 meters (approximately 660 feet), making it suitable for professional diving. Powering the BB58 Navy Blue is the in-house automatic MT5402 movement. This movement is equipped with a silicon balance spring and an adjustable balance, contributing to its precision. It holds a COSC certification, signifying its status as an official chronometer and guaranteeing an accuracy within -2 and +4 seconds per day. A notable feature of the MT5402 movement is its 70-hour power reserve, providing what is colloquially known as "weekend proof" capability. This means the watch can be removed on a Friday and worn again on Monday without the need for manual winding or resetting. For strap options, the Black Bay 58 Navy Blue offers a range of sporty choices. Consumers can select between a blue jacquard fabric strap, a blue synthetic "soft touch" strap designed to conform comfortably to the wrist, or Tudor's signature riveted steel bracelet. The bezel, which is made from anodized aluminum, also features a matching blue color. Tudor has also extended its warranty policy to a five-year guarantee for all watches sold after January 1, 2020. This guarantee is transferrable and does not require registration. The pricing for the Tudor Black Bay 58 Navy Blue is $3,375 when purchased with a soft-touch or fabric strap, and $3,700 for the version equipped with a steel bracelet. #TudorWatches #BlackBay58 #NavyBlue #DiveWatch #VintageWatch #LuxuryWatch #WatchMovement #COSCcertified #SwissWatchmaking

3form introduces its new Biophilic Graphic Patterns collection, drawing inspiration from Pando the Tree, a colony of Aspen trees located near 3form’s headquarters in Salt Lake City. This collection of three distinct graphic patterns—Aspen, Heartwood, and Serotina—aims to blend precision with nature’s inherent irregularities, reflecting the brand’s fascination with the texture and history of the Aspen trees. The Vice President of Design at 3form, Christian Darby, highlights that the collection celebrates the balance between perfection and imperfection, using digital printing to achieve grounded and realistic natural patterns. The patterns are designed for commercial spaces seeking to integrate biophilic elements, offering an abstract interpretation of natural designs while retaining intricate details. These graphics are applied to 3form’s translucent Varia and Etched Glass materials, which allow them to cast dynamic shadows and transmit light through their negative spaces, mimicking natural light effects. The versatility of the graphics extends to their customizable scale, empowering designers to create various aesthetics. For instance, a small, repetitive application of the Aspen pattern can foster a calming environment in healthcare waiting rooms, whereas a magnified version can produce a dramatic effect in corporate lobbies, showcasing the adaptability and potential for diverse design outcomes. The Aspen pattern is inspired by Utah’s tall, slender Aspen trees. It features rows of tree trunks with textured cutouts that resemble white bark. From a distance, it appears as a delicate pinstripe, but a closer inspection reveals the complexity of bark shapes and varying trunk thicknesses. Aspen is available in three colorways—Grove, Popple, and Rustle—allowing for different degrees of abstraction depending on the application. Heartwood, in contrast, offers a magnified view of an abstract tree trunk, highlighting its individual lines and curves within an asymmetrical circle. When repeated, Heartwood resembles irregular polka dots, but in large-scale installations, its dynamic rings become prominent. Heartwood is offered in Bark, Rings, and Sap colorways, which can render the pattern dramatic or playful on 3form’s translucent surfaces. Serotina, the third pattern in the collection, is the most delicate, depicting Black Cherry leaves through their veins and stems rather than solid forms. This design allows for maximum natural light transmission through its negative space, creating an intricate and airy feel. Available in Golden, Mountain, and Wild, these nature-inspired colors contribute to a serene atmosphere in commercial settings. The Biophilic Graphic Patterns collection is designed to complement 3form’s 2022 Color Collection, which includes nine muted hues such as mossy greens, deep blues, cool grays, and sandy golds. This synergy enables designers to create wellness-driven interiors that prioritize both beauty and comfort, whether through large-scale installations or intricate repeated patterns. The collection underscores the importance of natural elements in modern design, offering versatile solutions for various commercial applications. #BiophilicDesign #GraphicPatterns #InteriorDesign #3formMaterials #ArchitecturalSurfaces #NatureInspired #CommercialInteriors #SustainableDesign