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Samsung’s 13-Inch E-Paper Housing Is Made from Phytoplankton Plastic

Printed signs get reprinted every week, while full LCD signage burns power all day just to show a static promo. E-ink has quietly solved this in e-readers by holding text without sipping battery, but it has not shown up in everyday public spaces where signs still get taped to shelves. Samsung’s new 13-inch Color E-Paper is a panel that tries to live in that middle ground, digital enough to update remotely, quiet enough to blend in.

Samsung’s 13-inch Color E-Paper is roughly the size of an A4 sheet, 1,600 x 1,200 pixels in a 4:3 aspect ratio, built to sit on shelves, counters, tables, and doors where paper signs still dominate. It uses digital ink and an embedded rechargeable battery to hold static images at zero watts, sipping power only when content changes.

Designer: Samsung

A grocery aisle, cosmetics shelf, or bookstore with weekly specials could run these panels instead of printed posters. Staff update prices and layouts from their phones using the Samsung E-Paper app, or centrally through Samsung’s VXT cloud platform, without ladders, tape, or stacks of paper. The signs look like printed cards but can flip to a new campaign in seconds.

The housing is the first commercial display enclosure to use bio-resin derived from phytoplankton, independently verified by UL to contain 45% recycled plastic and 10% phytoplankton-based resin. Samsung says this can cut carbon emissions in manufacturing by more than 40% compared to conventional petroleum-based plastics, and the packaging is made entirely from paper.

The panel maintains static content at zero watts and uses far less energy than conventional digital signage when it refreshes. An advanced color imaging algorithm smooths gradations and refines contours so posters, book covers, and product shots look closer to print than to a backlit screen. A 13-inch, 4:3 color e-ink panel with this power profile sounds suspiciously like the hardware you would want in a large-format e-reader or note-taking tablet.

Samsung is clear that this is a business display, part of a lineup that already includes 32-inch and upcoming 20-inch models aimed at replacing printed signage. Still, it is hard not to imagine what would happen if a future device borrowed this panel, pairing it with touch and pen input for textbooks, comics, sheet music, or ambient dashboards that can sit on a desk for days without a charge.

Some of the most interesting future-facing ideas show up first in places like retail signage. A 13-inch color e-paper display built with phytoplankton-based resin is, on paper, just a smarter sign for cafes and cosmetics counters. It is also a reminder that the ingredients for calmer, more sustainable reading and information devices already exist; they are just waiting for someone to assemble them into something you would want to curl up with on the sofa.

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Russo-Balt F200 electric van looks like Cybertruck’s beefed-up sibling

Cybertruck has made all the headlines in recent years for its futuristic looks and a mixed bag of reviews, lopsided between opposite poles. You either hate the sharply designed vehicle or love it to bits; there is no middle ground. Tesla has not left anything to chance or stayed within the conventions to craft the rugged SUV. The looks are unmatched, and so is the durability, with the former inspiring many design iterations.

Another futuristic-looking van has been spotted with the striking Cybertruck’s face. Designed by Russian startup Russo-Balt, the electric van has the telltale Tesla flair. I would even take the leverage and brand this one the lovechild of a Cybertruck and Weiqiao New Energy V90. The makers have named the van F200 and claim it is their original design. The last bit I would question openly, as it has borrowed Cybertruck aesthetics – anyone could tell!

Designer: Russo-Balt

The van is more than a pipedream or a prototype concept that would pass off with time. Russo-Balt plans to take it to the production lines by January 2027, and already, the F200 has been spotted on the roads. Interestingly, the century-old brand (a renowned automaker and railway carriage builder) that operated from 1869 to 1918, got a revival with new management. The electric vehicle comes in an unpainted stainless steel body, and the buyers can opt for the polyurethane wraps in a wide range of colors if the stainless steel look is too bland for you.

At the beginning of this article, we made the Cybertruck reference quite a few times, and the nifty details further reiterate the fact. The electric van gets full-width LED headlights and rear lights. Even the rear resembles Tesla’s electric truck bed cover. The chassis is made out of monocoque material, which makes it more robust than those on ladder-frame chassis. This gives the van a payload capacity of 2,205 pounds. Russo-Balt has complete trust in the body of the vehicle, and a 100-year warranty keeps the buyers at peace of mind from any structural damage.

F200 is powered by a single electric motor that delivers 200 hp to the front wheels. Power is extracted from the 115 kWh battery pack that has an estimated range of 249 miles. The EV can be fast-charged via the port at the front, which is a good feature to have. Keeping Russia’s cold weather in mind, the vehicle comes with a climate control system, rear air suspension, ABS, and ESP. The heating on the vehicle extends to the steering wheel, mirrors, and the windshield as well. A 360-degree camera with a live streaming feature adds to the safety and the ability to craft interesting content while on adventures.

The team behind the F200’s development brings its expertise in crafting stainless steel water dispensers to the four-wheeler, with material fabrication showing the intended results. Initially, the van will be made on an order basis with a starting price of around $85,200. Interested buyers can already make a refundable security deposit of $131 to secure their unit when it hits the production queues. Russo-Balt is also working on a second variant dubbed F400, which will have Four Wheel Drive electric motors assisted by a range-extending gas engine. In total, both of them will churn out 400 horsepower.

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DJI RS 5 First Look: The New Sweet‑Spot Gimbal For Solo Creators And Mirrorless Rigs

DJI’s gimbal lineup has always operated on a clear hierarchy. At the bottom, the Osmo Mobile series keeps smartphone creators happy with pocket-friendly stabilization. At the top, the RS 4 Pro hauls cinema camera rigs with carbon fiber arms and 4.5kg payload capacity. The middle ground, though, has been trickier to nail down. Too light and you’re pushing mirrorless setups to their limits. Too heavy and solo operators end up fatigued halfway through a wedding shoot. The RS 5 arrives as DJI’s latest attempt to find that sweet spot, and judging by the spec sheet, they might have actually figured it out this time.

Weighing 1.46kg with a 3kg payload capacity, the RS 5 matches the physical footprint of the standard RS 4 while claiming a 50% boost in peak motor torque and 14 hours of runtime on the standard battery. More interesting is what DJI has prioritized here: the RS Enhanced Intelligent Tracking Module (borrowed from the RS 4 Mini’s debut), an Electronic Briefcase Handle for high and low angles, and significantly faster charging that gets you back to work in an hour instead of waiting around for half a day. This isn’t about raw specs anymore. It’s about keeping solo commercial videographers moving efficiently through shoots without needing a full crew or endless battery swaps.

Designer: DJI

It’s one thing to hold a 3kg payload steady during a slow pan, but chasing a subject through a crowded event is a different beast entirely. That 50% peak motor torque improvement is where the RS 5 starts to justify its existence, especially when paired with their fifth-generation stabilization algorithm. This is the kind of power that prevents micro-jitters when you’re running or making sudden direction changes. It also means the native vertical switch, which lets you flip to a 9:16 aspect ratio in seconds, doesn’t come with a performance penalty. That’s a huge deal for anyone delivering social content alongside traditional horizontal video, as you’re not compromising stability just to get the shot framed for TikTok.

All that stabilization doesn’t mean much if your subject keeps drifting out of frame while you’re focused on your own footwork. The RS Enhanced Intelligent Tracking Module, pulled from the RS 4 Mini and beefed up, handles the tracking with aplomb. It tracks more than just people; you can lock onto vehicles, pets, or any object you tap on the screen from up to 10 meters away. Even better, it can re-acquire a subject if they’re temporarily obscured, saving you from a ruined take. The fact that it attaches magnetically without needing extra adapters is a smart touch, acknowledging that setup time is a real currency for solo operators. It’s a clever bit of product strategy, bringing a killer entry-level feature up to the commercial tier where it’s arguably needed most.

The dirty secret of every solo videographer’s kit is a bag overflowing with batteries and a constant, low-grade anxiety about runtime. DJI seems to have finally gotten the message. The RS 5 hits a full charge in just one hour with a 65W PD charger, which is a massive quality-of-life improvement. The standard battery gives you 14 hours of juice, but the optional BG70 High-Capacity grip pushes that to a claimed 30 hours. Even if real-world use cuts that down significantly, it’s enough to get you through the longest wedding day without a panic. They’ve also expanded the Bluetooth shutter control to include Panasonic and Fujifilm cameras, a long-overdue nod to the fact that the camera world doesn’t just revolve around Sony, Canon, and Nikon.

You’re probably a good candidate for the RS 5 if you’re shooting paid work with mirrorless cameras and your current gimbal makes you want to throw it into a lake by hour three. Event videographers, wedding shooters, small production houses, anyone who’s working solo but needs results that look like a full crew showed up. If you’re hauling around a RED Komodo or a cinema rig that pushes past 3kg, skip this and go straight to the RS 4 Pro with its 4.5kg capacity and carbon fiber construction. On the flip side, if you’re still shooting with your phone or occasionally pulling out a compact camera for vlogs, the Osmo Mobile or Osmo Pocket lines will serve you better. Those devices are far more portable, cost a fraction of what the RS 5 demands, and honestly, DJI will probably refresh them in the coming months with similar intelligent tracking features trickling down from this generation. But if you’re already committed to proper camera gear and tired of fighting your equipment, this sits right where it needs to.

So this all sounds great, but it always comes down to the hole it leaves in your wallet. The standalone gimbal runs $671 (£485), which plants it firmly in that prosumer middle ground. The real conversation, though, is about the Combo kit at $856 (£619), which adds the tracking module and the electronic briefcase handle. For a working videographer, that’s the package that makes sense. You’re not just buying a stabilizer; you’re buying back time and reducing on-set frustration. It’s a tool built for the specific pressures of the one-person crew, and that focus is what makes it a compelling piece of hardware.

The post DJI RS 5 First Look: The New Sweet‑Spot Gimbal For Solo Creators And Mirrorless Rigs first appeared on Yanko Design.

IKEA GREJSIMOJS Dog Lamp Dims When You Hold Its Head for Bedtime

Bedtime means juggling bright ceiling lights, harsh phone screens, and random night lights that feel more like plastic gadgets. Kids often want a light that feels like a friend keeping watch, while adults want something that does not fight the decor or scream “children’s product” when guests walk by. IKEA’s GREJSIMOJS tries to bridge that gap with a lamp that is both functional and playful without picking a side.

GREJSIMOJS is an LED table lamp shaped like a small blue dog, designed by Marta Krupińska as part of IKEA’s play-driven collection. It is meant for children but deliberately “far from childish,” with a rounded capsule body, soft legs, and a white dome that glows like a head, so it reads as a friendly companion even before you turn it on.

Designer: Marta Krupińska (IKEA)

Turning it on at night means pressing and holding the button on the dog’s head to dim the light seamlessly. The lamp remembers the last brightness level, so it always comes back exactly where you left it, whether that is a low night-light glow or a brighter setting for reading. The gesture is simple enough for a child to understand, but satisfying enough that adults do not feel like they are using a toy.

The light itself is a pleasant, glare-free glow that is gentle on the eyes. It is bright enough for bedtime stories or quiet play, but can be dialed down to a soft presence that makes the room feel safe without keeping anyone awake. Over time, that consistency makes the lamp part of the ritual, a signal that the day is winding down and it is time to rest.

Krupińska describes the lamp as a reliable friend that keeps you company and makes you smile every day, and the GREJSIMOJS collection is built around play and togetherness for all ages. The dog shape is abstract enough to sit on a grown-up’s bedside table without feeling out of place, yet expressive enough that a child can project personality onto it, which is a neat trick for polypropylene and LEDs.

The body is made from polypropylene with at least 50% recycled content, and the LED light source is replaceable with a lifetime of about 25,000 hours, roughly 20 years at three hours a day. It is mains-powered with a cord and adapter included, cool to the touch, and cleaning is as simple as dusting it with a cloth.

GREJSIMOJS is less about adding another gadget to a child’s room and more about choosing a bit of playfulness in everyday objects. It is a reminder that a lamp can be both a piece of design and a small character in the room, watching over the bed, joining in on shadow puppets, and quietly proving that functional lighting does not have to grow up completely.

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Canyon’s Hexagon Charger Makes Wireless Charging Actually Cool

When you think about wireless chargers, your mind probably goes straight to flat discs or boring black rectangles scattered across your desk. But VLND Studio just flipped that script with their Wireless Charging Station for Canyon, and the design world took notice. This isn’t just another tech accessory pretending to be minimal. It’s a genuine rethinking of how charging stations can look and function.

The Hexagon 310, as it’s officially called, is part of Canyon’s newly introduced Hexagon series. What makes it stand out? That distinctive hexagonal smartphone charging pad that gives the whole station its name and personality. While most charging stations try to disappear into your space, this one demands to be seen, but in the best possible way. It’s sculptural without being pretentious, technical without feeling cold.

Designer: VLND Studio

VLND Studio’s approach here is refreshingly practical. The 3-in-1 station delivers 15 watts of rapid charging power, which means your devices actually charge quickly instead of just sitting there looking pretty. The hexagonal shape isn’t just about aesthetics either. It creates structured storage areas that guide where you place your devices, reducing that annoying fumbling around trying to find the sweet spot for wireless charging. The geometry actually helps with alignment and optimizes the limited real estate on your desk or nightstand.

Let’s talk about what you’re getting functionally. The station charges three devices simultaneously using a Qi magnetic connection that’s compatible with Apple devices. Canyon includes a 20W adapter with changeable EU and UK plugs, so you’re covered whether you’re in London or Lisbon. There are LED indicators and backlighting, plus four types of protection (over-current, over-voltage, over-temperature, and foreign object detection) built in, because nobody wants their phone turning into a hand warmer.

The Red Dot jury was particularly impressed by how the symmetrical geometry unites functional organization with what they called “distinctly futuristic aesthetics.” That’s design-speak for saying it looks like it belongs in a tech enthusiast’s setup without trying too hard. The compact design ensures stability on any surface, and those rounded edges and soft curves give it an approachable, almost friendly presence.

What’s interesting about this collaboration is that Canyon, typically known for more budget-conscious tech accessories, partnered with VLND Studio to create something that punches way above its weight class design-wise. The in-house team at Canyon (including designers Vladlens Zabelskis, Elena Alekseeva, Dmitry Romanenko, Ilya Koloskov, Vladislav Olinov, and Igor Volkov) brought their engineering expertise, while VLND Studio clearly pushed the aesthetic boundaries.

The color options show restraint in the best way. You can choose from light grey with an orange accent, cool grey with blue, or an all-black version with green. That pop of color in the vertical support column adds just enough visual interest without overwhelming the minimalist vibe. It’s the kind of detail that makes you smile when you notice it but doesn’t scream for attention.

Canyon describes the Hexagon 310 as exemplifying their core vision: designing tech products that are as intelligent as they are visually compelling. That might sound like marketing fluff, but when you look at the actual product, it tracks. This charging station does more than organize your devices. It brings a little bit of joy to the mundane task of keeping your gadgets powered up.

For design enthusiasts and tech lovers alike, the Hexagon 310 represents something we don’t see enough of: everyday objects that work brilliantly while also being genuinely interesting to look at. VLND Studio and Canyon proved that wireless chargers don’t have to be afterthoughts in your space. Sometimes, they can be conversation starters.

The post Canyon’s Hexagon Charger Makes Wireless Charging Actually Cool first appeared on Yanko Design.

This 3-in-1 Cleaning Robot Fits in a Backpack

There’s something quietly revolutionary happening in the world of workplace maintenance, and it comes in a surprisingly sleek package. Meet Pulito, a cleaning system designed by Yilmaz Salman that’s challenging everything we thought we knew about keeping shared spaces spotless.

Most cleaning robots feel like expensive toys that promise the moon and deliver, well, a slightly cleaner floor. Pulito takes a completely different approach. Instead of being just another gadget you buy and forget about, it’s designed as a subscription-based service that actually makes sense for how modern workplaces function. Think of it less as a product and more as a cleaning partner that shows up ready to work.

Designer: Yilmaz Salman

What makes Pulito different is its three-pronged strategy for tackling workplace hygiene. The main unit houses a continuous air filtration system that quietly works away at improving indoor air quality while everything else happens around it. This isn’t just about appearances. We spend so much time indoors now, and air quality has become one of those invisible factors that affects how we feel and work without us even realizing it.

Then there’s the autonomous floor cleaning component, a detachable unit that handles the vacuuming and wiping without anyone needing to babysit it. It’s the kind of set-it-and-forget-it functionality that actually lives up to the promise. The robot navigates work areas independently, freeing up cleaning staff to focus on tasks that genuinely need a human touch.

And that’s where the third element comes in. Pulito includes an integrated storage drawer filled with specialized window cleaning tools designed for staff to use. Rather than trying to automate absolutely everything (because let’s be real, robot window washers still have a ways to go), it embraces a hybrid model where technology and human expertise work together. It’s a refreshingly honest approach to design that acknowledges the limitations of automation while maximizing its strengths.

The business model behind Pulito is just as thoughtful as the design itself. The rental service approach taps into the growing circular economy movement, where ownership matters less than access and sustainability. Recent projections suggest the service robot sector could hit $175 billion by 2030, and rental models are proving to increase operational convenience by 83% and sustainability by 76%. Those aren’t just impressive numbers. They represent a fundamental shift in how businesses think about equipment and resources.

For facility managers and business owners, the subscription model solves one of the biggest headaches with commercial cleaning equipment: the massive upfront cost and the inevitable maintenance nightmares. With Pulito, you’re essentially renting a service that includes the hardware, updates, and support. When something breaks or needs upgrading, it’s not your problem to solve. That’s a game changer for smaller businesses or startups that need professional-grade cleaning solutions without the capital investment.

The portability factor deserves attention too. Pulito’s main body features an ergonomic strap system that lets cleaning personnel carry it like a high-tech backpack between different zones. Look at those product shots of someone wearing it while navigating between buildings. It’s almost futuristic, transforming cleaning staff into something that feels more like tech-equipped professionals than traditional janitorial workers. There’s dignity in that design choice.

Aesthetically, Pulito doesn’t look like your typical cleaning equipment. The textured grey finish with those lime green accents feels contemporary without trying too hard. The perforated details on the air filtration unit give it an industrial-chic vibe that wouldn’t look out of place in a design-forward coworking space or a tech startup’s headquarters. It’s the kind of object you wouldn’t feel embarrassed to have sitting in your office lobby.

What Salman has created with Pulito is bigger than just another cleaning robot. It’s a complete rethinking of workplace hygiene infrastructure for the modern era. By combining autonomous technology, human collaboration, accessible pricing through subscriptions, and genuinely thoughtful industrial design, Pulito represents where facility management might actually be headed. Not a future where robots do everything, but one where smart design makes both human workers and automated systems more effective together.

The post This 3-in-1 Cleaning Robot Fits in a Backpack first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Ultimate 8‑in‑1 Desk Organizer Puts Wireless Charging, Speakers, and Lighting on One Magnetic Wood Base

Desks have a way of accumulating chaos. Chargers multiply, cables tangle, and what starts as a clean workspace turns into a collection of mismatched gadgets competing for outlets and attention. MODULO, a new Kickstarter project from Italian design duo Modulo Design Lab, approaches the problem with a different philosophy: one wooden base, magnetic modules, and a single power cable to rule them all.

Built around a CNC-milled wooden platform handcrafted in Italy, MODULO lets you snap together charging modules, Bluetooth speakers, e-paper displays, task lights, and organizers into one unified system. Each of the 8 different modules connects magnetically, drawing power and data through gold-plated connectors rated for 50,000+ cycles. The Modulo app ties everything together, so your phone charger, desk lamp, and notification display all respond to a single interface instead of separate apps and pairing routines.

Designer: Mauro Veccari

Click Here to Buy Now: $144 $180 (20% off). Hurry, only a few left!

I’ve seen plenty of desk organizers that promise to solve cable clutter, and most of them amount to glorified boxes with some velcro straps. MODULO actually rethinks the problem at the power distribution level, which is where the mess starts in the first place. The wooden base acts like a backplane in a computer case, routing electricity and communication to whatever you plug into it. Modules are active devices that wake up the moment they make contact with the base, whether that base lives on your desk, your nightstand, or your kitchen counter. That means swapping a wireless charger for a Bluetooth speaker takes about three seconds, and the app instantly recognizes what you have changed. There is something satisfying about that kind of hot-swap simplicity, especially if your setup needs to shift between work, sleep, and cooking duty without a nest of cables following you around.

The magnetic connection system uses pogo-pin style contacts, similar to what you would find on a smartwatch charging dock but built for higher current and data transfer. Gold plating keeps corrosion at bay, and the 50,000-cycle rating suggests they are serious about longevity. For context, that is roughly 13 years of swapping modules once a day, which is more than most people will ever need but solid insurance against the usual wear that kills magnetic connectors prematurely. The magnets themselves are strong enough to hold modules securely but not so aggressive that you feel like you are prying Lego bricks apart, which matters when you are reconfiguring things on the fly. You can move a base from your desk to your bedside table, drop the speaker and e-paper module on it, and in under a minute you have a smart alarm stack that looks intentional instead of hacked together.

Module selection covers the usual suspects but with some thoughtful touches. The USB-C charger sits vertically and doubles as a cable anchor, so your phone cable does not slither off the surface when you unplug, whether that surface is a desk or a nightstand. The wireless charging pad works with iPhones, recent Samsung flagships, and AirPods, handling up to 15 W for fast charging where supported, which makes sense for bedside charging or a quick top-up in the kitchen while you prep dinner. The Bluetooth speaker module packs enough power for background music or podcasts while you cook or get ready in the morning, so you are not yelling at your phone from across the room. Then there is the e-paper display, which becomes a bedside clock and alarm status screen at night, or a kitchen timer and recipe step indicator when you drag the base over to the counter.

The Light Tower module gives you an adjustable lamp with touch control for brightness and app control for scenes, and that versatility matters in different rooms. On a desk it behaves like a focused task light. Next to the bed you can set it to warm color temperatures and low brightness for late-night reading without frying your circadian rhythm. In the kitchen it can act as an accent light while the e-paper screen counts down the last three minutes on your eggs and the speaker reads out a podcast. Modulo also includes purely physical modules like pen holders and “Pocket Emptier” trays, which make as much sense by the front door for keys and wallets as they do on a workspace. Everything mounts on the same grid, so your catch-all area, your alarm station, and your cooking corner share the same visual language instead of looking like three unrelated tech piles.

Modules auto-pair when they connect to the base, so there is no manual Bluetooth dance or Wi-Fi provisioning every time you move the system. The app gives you a dashboard where you can adjust speaker volume, tweak lighting, choose what the e-paper display shows, and set up automations that match the room. In the bedroom you can schedule a wake-up routine that fades in the Light Tower, starts your favorite playlist at a low volume, and shows the weather and first calendar event on the e-paper screen. In the kitchen you can switch profiles so the same base now runs a cooking layout, with a large countdown timer on the display, a chime on the speaker when the timer hits zero, and maybe a quick glance at notifications while your hands are covered in flour. The point is that the hardware stays the same, while the personality shifts with the context.

Material quality separates MODULO from the usual injection-molded plastic organizers. Each base is milled from solid wood using CNC machines, then hand-finished in Italy. The default option is a light tone, but the first stretch goal at 10,000 euros brings in additional finishes for people who want something darker or richer on a nightstand or console table. The wood is structural, not a thin veneer, which gives the whole thing a furniture-grade heft that feels at home in a bedroom or living room, not only in a home office. Modules use matte-finish polymers for the housings, keeping weight down while maintaining a cohesive look. The contrast between warm wood and minimalist black modules works just as well next to a linen headboard or a marble countertop as it does next to a 34 inch ultrawide.

MODULO is live on Kickstarter now through February 5, 2026, with delivery targeted for July 2026. The Geek Kit starts at $148 during the launch special and includes a colored plastic base plus a light tower and pen holder, which is the budget entry point. The Wood Premium Kit sits at $416 for the launch tier and gets you a handcrafted 3×2 wood base, light tower, Bluetooth speaker, wireless charger, and smart notifier module. There’s also a doubled-up kit at $831 with two bases and a fuller module lineup for people running multi-desk setups or wanting spares. The Custom Edition kit lets you build your own configuration starting at $141 for the base, then adding whichever modules you actually need. Stretch goals include a battery pack add-on for portable use, colored pop modules for a less serious look, and an AI module running a local LLM to keep your thoughts organized, just like your desk!

Click Here to Buy Now: $144 $180 (20% off). Hurry, only a few left!

The post The Ultimate 8‑in‑1 Desk Organizer Puts Wireless Charging, Speakers, and Lighting on One Magnetic Wood Base first appeared on Yanko Design.

This 3D-Printed Roof Is Saving 2,000-Year-Old Roman Tombs

There’s something beautiful about watching cutting-edge technology come to the rescue of ancient artifacts. At the Archaeological Complex of Carmona in Spain, architects Juan Carlos Gómez de Cózar and Manuel Ordóñez Martín have created a stunning example of this intersection by designing a 3D-printed canopy that protects Roman tombs while barely making its presence known.

The project tackles a challenge that archaeologists face worldwide: how do you preserve delicate historical sites without turning them into enclosed museum pieces? These Roman tombs have survived centuries, but exposure to the elements continues to threaten their integrity. The solution needed to be protective yet unobtrusive, functional yet respectful of the site’s historical significance.

Designers: Juan Carlos Gómez de Cózar and Manuel Ordóñez Martín (photography by Jesús Granada)

What makes this canopy special isn’t just that it uses 3D printing technology, though that’s certainly impressive. It’s the way the designers thought about the entire system. Rather than simply throwing a roof over the tombs and calling it a day, they created what’s essentially a climate-control system disguised as architecture.

The canopy features a double-layer envelope that does way more than keep rain off ancient stone. Built into this roof are ventilation and air extraction components that actively regulate temperature and humidity. Think of it like a thermostat for history, maintaining the stable conditions these tombs need to survive another few centuries. The system works passively, meaning it doesn’t require constant energy input to function, which is both environmentally smart and practical for a site that needs long-term, low-maintenance protection.

From a design perspective, the structure manages to be both present and invisible. The architects minimized the number of supports needed, creating an open, continuous space above the tombs rather than a forest of columns that would obstruct views and interrupt the spatial experience of the site. When you’re standing there, you get shelter and the tombs get protection, but the visual focus remains on the archaeology, not the modern intervention.

The use of 3D printing technology opens up possibilities that traditional construction methods can’t match. The canopy’s components could be fabricated with complex geometries optimized for both structural efficiency and environmental performance. This level of customization would be prohibitively expensive or simply impossible using conventional building techniques. Plus, the printing process allows for precision and repeatability, ensuring each element fits together exactly as designed.

Another thoughtful touch is that the entire system is reversible. This might not sound exciting, but it’s actually a big deal in heritage conservation. The principle of reversibility means that if better technology comes along, or if the site’s needs change, this intervention can be removed without damaging the original tombs. It’s a humble approach to design, acknowledging that today’s cutting-edge solution might be tomorrow’s outdated method.

This project sits at a fascinating crossroads of disciplines. It required archaeological expertise to understand the site’s needs, architectural skill to design an elegant solution, engineering knowledge to make it structurally sound, and technological savvy to leverage 3D printing capabilities. The fact that two PhD architects pulled this together speaks to the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of modern design work.

For anyone interested in how technology shapes our relationship with the past, this canopy offers a compelling case study. It proves that preservation doesn’t have to mean freezing things in time or hiding them away. Instead, smart design can create conditions where ancient sites remain accessible and experiential while getting the protection they need.

As 3D printing technology becomes more accessible and sophisticated, we’ll likely see more projects like this one. The ability to create custom, site-specific solutions for complex problems is exactly what heritage sites need. These tombs in Carmona are getting a second chance at longevity, wrapped in a protective embrace that honors both their ancient origins and our modern capabilities.

The post This 3D-Printed Roof Is Saving 2,000-Year-Old Roman Tombs first appeared on Yanko Design.

V8 powered Genisis x Skorpio off roader is not just a pretty face

Virtually every newly launched car these days is an electric vehicle, but Genesis is not shying away from the capabilities of a V8 engine fitted inside a vehicle that rides any terrain like a boss. Taking the challenge to Ford, which is building an off-road supercar under wraps, the X Skorpio produces 1,100 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque for rugged terrain supremacy. A bold direction for Genesis to take on the likes of 911 Dakar and Huracan Sterrato, perhaps. The luxury vehicle division of Hyundai Motor has experimented in the past with creations like the X-Trail Mountain Rescue and GMR-001 hypercar, but this one is a bold leap forward.

The launch of the howling off-road concept fittingly took place on the dunes of the Rub’ al Khali desert, also known as the Empty Quarter. Home to the famous Dakar rally, the region is known for its extreme landscape spanning thousands of square miles. S suggested by the naming convention, the V8 beast is inspired by the anatomy of a scorpion. The underpinning highlight of the performance car is its lightweight construction from a combination of carbon fiber, fiberglass, and Kevlar.

Designer: Genesis

The visual similarities of the venomous animal include flared wheel arches that resemble pincer claws, armor panels that emulate the rugged exoskeleton, and a roof-mounted intake that seems a bit like a coiled-up tail.  The segmented armor panels serve to expose the internal mechanics for quick repairs and maintenance in challenging conditions where time is of the essence. The purpose-built tubular frame has a full roll cage with four-point harnesses. X Skorpio gets a long travel suspension, securing the 18-inch beadlock rims with the 40-inch off-road tires. The result is a sizeable ground clearance and good approach and departure angles.

Normally, on a vehicle like this one, focusing on power and ruggedness, the interiors take the hit. Not with the X Skorpio, though, which is draped in luxury and modern features. The bucket seats and the dashboard are done in leather and micro-suede for a premium feel. There’s a climate control system and a sliding infotainment screen that slides to the center or front for easy access.

There’s no timeline yet about the production horizons of this concept, but we assume it is going to manifest in some form or another in the near future. With the World Endurance Championship season this year and the Dakar Rally on the horizon, the X Skorpio is going to ride the dunes in the near future.

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This Mindful Seating Platform Turns Sitting Into a Ritual of Stillness and Connection

In contemporary interiors shaped by speed, productivity, and constant stimulation, seating has largely become passive. It is designed to hold the body while the mind drifts elsewhere. OSOLO challenges this condition. It is not a chair in the conventional sense, but a mindful seating platform, a ritual object that reconsiders how we sit, gather, and occupy space.

OSOLO emerges at the meeting point of two ancient cultures: Japanese stillness and Turkish hospitality. Though geographically distant, these traditions share a deep respect for simplicity, spatial awareness, and human connection. OSOLO translates these values into a contemporary design language, offering an alternative to chair-based living rooted in awareness rather than acceleration.

Designer: Gökçe Nafak

At the heart of OSOLO is the Japanese understanding of space. In Japanese spatial philosophy, emptiness is not absence. It is present. It allows rooms to breathe, objects to soften, and the mind to quiet. OSOLO reflects this belief through its low-profile form and restrained geometry. It does not dominate the room or impose visual hierarchy. Instead, it steps back, allowing architecture, light, and human presence to come forward.

This deliberate restraint transforms OSOLO into an object that reveals space rather than fills it. Its presence heightens spatial awareness, encouraging users to slow down and engage more consciously with their environment.

Inspired by the Turkish sedir tradition, OSOLO is inherently communal. Unlike single occupancy seating, it invites people to sit side by side, fostering shared presence rather than isolated comfort. In Turkish culture, seating is a social ritual. Stories are exchanged, time is stretched, and hospitality unfolds without urgency. OSOLO carries this spirit forward, existing not as an isolated object but as a platform for connection.

Hidden storage beneath the seating surface reinterprets the traditional cultural chest, integrating functionality without visual disruption. This discreet feature preserves the purity of the form while acknowledging everyday needs, allowing utility to exist quietly within stillness.

OSOLO is designed specifically for cross-legged, floor-adjoining sitting, offering an alternative to chair postures that often promote spinal compression and passive leaning. The platform supports the body’s natural intelligence by encouraging an aligned spine, open hips, and active posture.

By enabling balanced pelvic alignment, OSOLO reduces lumbar collapse and allows the torso to carry its own weight. The opening of the hip joints enhances mobility and helps release tension in the lower back, benefits often lost in conventional seating.

The platform’s elevation of approximately 20 to 25 centimeters from the floor is carefully calibrated to minimize pressure on the knee joints while maintaining the circulatory advantages associated with floor-level sitting. This height also isolates the body from direct contact with hard flooring, striking a balance between grounding and comfort.

Comfort is achieved through a dual-density foam system engineered for short to mid-duration activities such as meditation, reading, or creative practice. A high-density base layer ensures structural stability and pelvic support, while a softer upper layer distributes weight evenly to reduce localized pressure points. The result is a surface that remains supportive without collapsing, encouraging posture awareness rather than passive relaxation.

Upholstery surfaces are finished in breathable, high-friction textiles that prevent slippage during dynamic sitting positions. Removable covers allow for easy maintenance and long-term use, with materials selected to meet contract-grade durability standards suitable for both residential and semi-public environments.

The optional back support follows a soft contact principle. Rather than functioning as a rigid backrest, it provides gentle lumbar feedback during reading or meditation, supporting posture without encouraging full recline or slouching.

Available in four carefully curated colorways, OSOLO integrates seamlessly into a range of interior contexts while maintaining its minimalist identity. It is not designed to command attention, but to hold space. OSOLO invites a different relationship with furniture, one rooted in presence rather than performance.

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