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Nov
4

watch how populous built the RC strasbourg stadium out of decommissioned aeroplanes

parts from 30 retired aircraft shape Populous’ stadium facade

Populous introduces a striking environmental innovation to Strasbourg’s Stade de la Meinau, repurposing sections of decommissioned Airbus A340 fuselages to form the facade of the stadium’s new south stand. The project marks a world first in sustainable architecture, transforming aviation waste into a sun-shading system that glimmers across the 4,050-square-meter surface of the stand.

Located in the city’s La Meinau district, the 11,712-seat South Stand, designed by Populous in collaboration with local architect Rey-de-Crécy, incorporates fuselage panels sourced from 30 retired aircraft. These are cut and adapted into 196 aluminum segments, arranged as a continuous brise-soleil to temper sunlight and lend the structure a shimmering skin. In use since September 2025, the stand is already hosting Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace matches while the rest of the stadium continues its phased transformation. ‘The idea for the facade sunshade was originally conceived during the Covid-19 pandemic, when planes were almost entirely grounded and airlines resized their fleet and flight operations,’ says François Clément, President of Populous France. ‘Our design concept sought to make use of decommissioned aircraft, using upcycled architecture to deliver the innovative concept at the heart of an environmentally sustainable design for the revamped stadium.’

all images courtesy of credit Rey de Crecy and Populous, unless stated otherwise

stade de la meinau in strasbourg embraces circular design

The project aligns with Strasbourg’s broader goals for climate-conscious urban development. ‘Faced with the challenges of climate change, we must develop a circular economy that respects the resources at our disposal,’ notes Pia Imbs, President of the Eurométropole of Strasbourg. ‘The reuse of the fuselages was decisive in our choice of project—it is a world first of which we are proud; it is the signature of the new face of the stadium.’

Expected for completion in August 2026, the full renovation will expand Stade de la Meinau’s capacity from 26,000 to 32,000 seats. For the south stand, the French team of Populous introduces a glass-fronted five-story atrium with bars, lounges, and two open ‘party decks’ overlooking the pitch. Future phases will redevelop the north, east, and west stands and introduce a public fan zone, another first for a French stadium, intended for community use throughout the week.

Populous repurposes sections of decommissioned Airbus A340 fuselages | image courtesy of Populous and Getty Images

incorporating fuselage panels sourced from 30 retired aircraft

transforming aviation waste into a sun-shading system

the stand is already hosting Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace matches

expected for completion in August 2026

the project aligns with Strasbourg’s climate-conscious urban development | image courtesy of Populous and Getty Images

future phases will redevelop the north, east, and west stands | image courtesy of Populous and Getty Images

project info:

name: Stade de la Meinau renovation

architect: Populous | @wearepopulous

location: Strasbourg, France

local architect: Rey-de-Crécy | @reydecrecy

client: Eurométropole of Strasbourg with Ville de Strasbourg, Région Grand Est, Collectivité Européenne d’Alsace, and Racing Club Strasbourg Alsace

completion: expected August 2026

The post watch how populous built the RC strasbourg stadium out of decommissioned aeroplanes appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Nov
4

solar-powered backpack with sleeping bag and pillow supports individuals looking for shelter

Category: Design Boom

Homemore project creates solar-powered backpack with pillow

This is the Makeshift Traveler, a solar-powered backpack by HomeMore Project that comes with a sleeping bag and pillow and supports individuals looking for permanent housing. An initiative by the HomeMore Project, the accessory is tailored to the needs of the individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness, allowing them to sustainably navigate their situation until they obtain permanent shelter. For the team, the Makeshift Traveler should be the last backpack that the user will carry on their back, the mark that signals the end of their journey on the streets.

Looking at the design of the solar-powered backpack, the hardshell exterior allows for a weatherproof surface so the individuals’ personal belongings are safe and stashed inside regardless of the environmental conditions. On top of it lies the solar panel that stores the energy within the accessory’s battery bank, letting the individuals charge their devices using a USB port. The latter part also features cables to charge the backpack as soon as the user has access to a wall charger. At the bottom of the MakeShift Traveler, the HomeMore Project team embeds a urethane-coated nylon pillow in their solar-powered backpack. In this way, users can rest without needing to bring an extra pillow, lockable using a double zipper system to ward off thieves and protect the individuals’ personal belongings, too.

all images courtesy of HomeMore Project

Makeshift traveler includes useful kits in the accessory

The pillow and panel aren’t the only ones individuals have when they carry the solar-powered backpack by the HomeMore Project. The Makeshift Traveler also includes an FM/AM radio and a pair of headphones, a rechargeable LED flashlight with three modes, a 24-ounce water bottle, a rain pocket coat, a hygiene kit, a security lock, and a pair of bombas socks. There’s also a foldable tent included to temporarily shelter the individuals from extreme weather conditions, and outside, strapped at the bottom of the solar-powered backpack, the team from HomeMore Project even adds a sleeping bag with a nylon outer and a fuzzy inside to keep the users warm day and night.

The HomeMore Project worked on developing the Makeshift Traveler for 18 months after gathering first-hand feedback and observations in the Tenderloin Neighborhood of San Francisco, California, where many individuals seek shelter on the streets. On October 1st, 2022, the team launched the solar-powered backpack, delivering more than 1,200 models to individuals experiencing homelessness across 25 cities in California. In 2025, they’re set to launch the fourth and upgraded design of the accessory, anticipating a delivery of over 2,000 models in 2025 alone. The team has also set up a contribution page to allow readers to donate a Makeshift Traveler to those who need it.

HomeMore Project’s solar-powered backpack comes with a rolled-up sleeping bag

the kit includes a hygiene pack, a rechargeable LED flashlight, some socks, and more

detailed view of the solar panel on top of the accessory

view of the embedded weatherproof pillow

in 2025, the team is set to launch the fourth and upgraded design of the accessory

project info:

name: Makeshift Traveler

initiative: HomeMore Project | @thehomemoreproject

The post solar-powered backpack with sleeping bag and pillow supports individuals looking for shelter appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Nov
4

This Seoul Studio Just Grew a Building From Mushrooms

Category: YankoDesign

Picture a world where buildings aren’t just constructed but cultivated, where walls grow in custom molds and construction materials come from nature’s own filtration system. It sounds like science fiction, but on the campus of Seoul National University of Science and Technology, that vision became reality in 2024 with the Mycelial Hut.

Designed by Yong Ju Lee Architecture, this project arrives at a critical juncture. The architecture and construction sector currently accounts for the highest carbon emissions among all global industries. After 10,000 years of evolution alongside humanity, architecture entered the 20th century prioritizing efficiency and economy above all else, adopting concrete and steel as its near-exclusive materials. This pursuit of industrial optimization, while enabling rapid development, detached architecture from its ecological roots and intensified the environmental burden of the built environment.

Designer: Yong Ju Lee Architecture

Following the era of environmental crisis and the pandemic, a new approach has emerged to redefine sustainability itself. Organism-based composite materials present fresh possibilities for architecture, challenging the non-recyclable and non-degradable nature of inorganic construction materials. The Mycelial Hut experiments with mycelium, the fungal network that serves as nature’s filter, to reinterpret what eco-friendly architecture can be.

But here’s where it gets really interesting. This isn’t about simply replacing one material with another. The project explores bio-integrated fabrication methods that align growth, decay, and design within a single process. Think of it as architecture that understands its own lifecycle from the moment it begins taking shape.

The Mycelial Hut demonstrates large-scale application of mycelium as a building material through customized molds fabricated by robotic 3D printing. This design-based research produces a bio-hybrid pavilion where a wooden frame serves as the structural backbone while customized mycelium panels form the external envelope. It’s a marriage of old and new, natural and digital, strength and adaptability.

The process itself reads like an experimental recipe. In the initial phase, various types of mycelium substrates were tested to evaluate their workability, growth, and strength. Based on these results, specific molds were fabricated using 3D printing. Then came the innovation that makes this project particularly fascinating: a new workflow combining industrial robotic arms was established to merge digital processes with natural growth systems. The result is a large-scale structure that embodies the coexistence of computation and biology. Robots and fungi working together. Algorithms guiding organic growth. It’s the kind of collaboration that wouldn’t have made sense even a decade ago, but now feels inevitable.

What makes the Mycelial Hut more than just an interesting experiment is how it addresses the real challenges of fungal material application. Mycelium is structurally weak compared to concrete or steel. It grows unpredictably. It needs specific conditions to thrive. These aren’t bugs in the system but features that demand smarter design thinking. By using geometry, custom molds, and a supportive wooden frame, the project demonstrates the feasibility of bio-composites for architectural construction without pretending the material is something it’s not.

The location matters too. Situated on a university campus, this bold installation makes the concept of sustainable architecture tangible and accessible in everyday life. It’s not hidden away in a research lab or showcased only at industry conferences. Students walk past it. Visitors encounter it. The project invites everyone to imagine a future where buildings respond to their environment because they’re fundamentally made from it.

We’re watching a shift in architectural thinking that goes beyond sustainability buzzwords. When your building materials can be composted after use, when construction happens through cultivation rather than extraction, when robots program molds for fungus to fill, you’re not just reducing environmental impact. You’re reimagining what construction can be. The Mycelial Hut suggests that the next revolution in architecture won’t come from stronger concrete or lighter steel but from learning to work with living systems. By combining digital fabrication with biological growth, Yong Ju Lee Architecture has created something that’s both cutting-edge and ancient, high-tech and earthy, experimental and surprisingly practical.

The real question isn’t whether we can build with mushrooms. The Mycelial Hut proves we can. The question is whether we’re ready to rethink our entire relationship with materials, growth, and the built environment. On a university campus in Seoul, that conversation has already begun.

The post This Seoul Studio Just Grew a Building From Mushrooms first appeared on Yanko Design.

Nov
4

ariostea’s mūra surfaces translate concrete into a unified porcelain stoneware system

Category: Design Boom

CERAMIC SURFACES FOR THE MID CENTURY STYLE

Ariostea, part of the Iris Ceramica Group, brings the raw visual language of concrete to ceramic surfaces with Mūra, a porcelain stoneware project for contemporary architecture. The surfaces are conceptually rooted in a tribute to the mid-20th-century artistic current — a movement that recognized and utilized basic construction elements like cement and iron rods as key sculptural components. Offering complete aesthetic and functional continuity, Mūra provides versatile solutions for both high-end residential and demanding commercial spaces. The project unites three technical format lines, from expansive Ultra slabs and traditional Classics sizes through to robust CM2 Outdoor, creating a monolithic system across any scale.

Mūra perfectly fits the mid-century style with raw aesthetics | all images courtesy of Ariostea

ARIOSTEA MASTERING MATERIAL AUTHENTICITY

Ariostea has mastered the process of translating raw material authenticity into durable technical ceramic surfaces. The three deep tones — Lunara, Sankira, and Ramia — avoid superficial artifice, instead intensifying the subtle tactile details honed by the brand over three decades of experience. The surface features fine veining that precisely mimics the characteristic bubbles that emerge and burst during the natural concrete drying cycle. This technical precision results in a vital quality that offers an honest, unfiltered engagement with the material’s aesthetic.

the project translates the raw visual language of concrete into ceramic surfaces

MŪRA OFFERS DESIGN FLEXIBILITY IN THREE DIMENSIONS

The versatility of the Mūra project is reflected in its three main formats, designed to ensure a flawless transition between different architectural applications, indoors and out. The Ultra line, with a minimal 6 mm thickness, is expressed through large slabs up to 270×120 cm in the Natural Plus finish. These grand dimensions are crucial for spaces demanding visual continuity and minimal disruption, and are particularly well-suited for creating custom furniture such as counters, tables, and vanity tops in the hospitality and retail sectors.

For interiors, the Classics sizes including 100×100 cm and 120×60 cm are available in 6 mm and 8 mm thicknesses. The Natural Plus finish gives the surface a tactile softness, recalling a polished concrete style. This line is enriched by the unique Tessura decoration, a discrete graphic element that mimics the footprint left by formwork, generating a refined, metallic-grey texture.

avoiding superficial imitation, the Lunara, Sankira, and Ramia tones intensify the authentic character of cement

Finally, the CM2 Outdoor solution features an increased 20 mm thickness and an Antislip finish to guarantee maximum safety and durability in external environments. Suitable for terraces, poolsides, and walkways, the 100×100 cm size is designed to withstand continuous stresses and can be installed dry on gravel, sand, or as raised flooring, ensuring high-performance continuity in any outdoor space. Mūra’s flexibility ensures it is perfectly compatible with the other references in the Ariostea catalogue, offering designers endless possibilities in composition.

details of fine veining that mimic the characteristic air bubbles of the natural concrete drying cycle

the Ultra line is suited for executing custom-crafted fittings, such as integrated staircases and bespoke counters

the Classics sizes, featuring the Natural Plus finish, introduce a tactile softness for high-end interiors

with its expansive Ultra slabs, Mūra addresses any architectural scale

Mūra represents Ariostea’s expertise in translating material authenticity into durable technical ceramic surfaces

project info:

name: Mūra

brand: Ariostea | @ariosteahightech

tones: Lunara, Sankira, and Ramia

sizes: 270×120 cm, 120×120 cm, 100×100 cm, 120×60 cm, 60×60 cm

thicknesses: 6 mm, 8 mm, 20 mm

finishes: Natural Plus and Antislip

The post ariostea’s mūra surfaces translate concrete into a unified porcelain stoneware system appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Nov
4

kong xiangwei’s art museum is a rolled concrete shell-structure in the woods

Category: Design Boom

kong xiangwei sculpts a Threshold to the Forest

At a bend along the mountain road in Jiuxian, China, the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Art Museum by Kong Xiangwei Studio occupies a narrow site shaded by oaks. The building marks the entrance to the Xi Valley Scenic Area’s forest art initiative — an open-air museum that threads artworks through the woods. Modest in scale yet deeply connected to its surroundings, the structure serves as both gallery and gateway, its form revealing itself gradually to those who arrive on foot.

From the road, the building appears as a folded concrete shell drawn inward by concave surfaces. Narrow openings along the base allow light to seep in and out, hinting at the valley beyond. Entering feels like passing through a small mountain opening into another realm, echoing the vision described in Tao Yuanming’s The Peach Blossom Spring. Inside, filtered light, the scent of oak, and the sound of wind combine to produce a calm, transitional atmosphere as a prelude to the larger landscape.

images © Kong Xiangwei Studio

an art museum from Local Construction and Living Craft

Kong Xiangwei Studio’s practice often favors ‘local construction,’ a method grounded in collaboration and site responsiveness which can be seen through this art museum. Here, the process began not with finalized drawings but with an open-ended experiment in form. The architect and his team used twelve-millimeter deformed steel bars as the framework, which are flexible enough to be bent and bound by hand, yet strong enough to define space.

Three villagers from nearby Maojiahe joined the construction, including a seasoned lathe operator whose mechanical intuition became essential to shaping the curves. Together they twisted and tied the steel into a three-dimensional sketch, gradually finding the building’s form through action. The process carried a sense of discovery, with each adjustment revealing new spatial possibilities.

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Art Museum stands at a mountain road bend in China

a cavity from rolled paper

The initial idea for the art museum, described by both the client and architect Kong Xiangwei, was ‘a cavity from rolled paper.’ This image guided the design’s pursuit of lightness and continuity. As the frame took shape, thin layers of concrete — just three to four centimeters thick — were cast over it to create a delicate shell. Achieving this level of precision in a rural setting demanded patience and ingenuity from the craftsmen, particularly Master Wang, who led the plasterwork with quiet skill.

Although the finish bears traces of hand and tool, the imperfections enhance the building’s tactile quality. Slight irregularities in the surface read as evidence of process rather than flaw. The resulting texture, somewhere between polished and rough, absorbs shifting light and allows the building to sit comfortably among the trunks and branches.

Kong Xiangwei designed the building as both gallery and forest gateway

its narrow site is shaded by oaks and opens toward the valley

the structure is formed through local construction with village craftsmen

steel bars were bent and bound to define the building’s fluid shape

the three- to four-centimeter shell carries traces of handmade precision

the concept began as a ‘cavity from rolled paper’ translated into thin concrete

project info:

name: Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Art Gallery

architect: Kong Xiangwei Studio

location: Xi Valley Scenic Area, Jiuxian Mountain, Wulian County, Rizhao, Shandong
design team: Kong Xiangwei, Cui Jun, Gao Zhuojian

The post kong xiangwei’s art museum is a rolled concrete shell-structure in the woods appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Nov
4

This Compact Portable Grill Hits 1,000°F in 10 Minutes and Looks Better Than Most Furniture

Category: YankoDesign

The Thaan Grill is one of those rare products that makes you question why nobody thought of this sooner. Charcoal grilling has always been a ritual of compromise. You either get the flavor and deal with the bulk of a full-sized grill, or you settle for the convenience of a portable unit that can’t hold a steady temperature to save its life. Thaan, the brand that’s been supplying fruitwood charcoal to Michelin-starred kitchens for years, just dropped a tabletop grill that refuses to ask you to choose between performance and practicality. It’s just debuted on Kickstarter, and if the specs hold up, this might be the first grill that actually deserves a permanent spot on your patio table instead of getting banished to the garage after two uses.

The thing that immediately stands out is how Thaan has packed professional-grade engineering into something that looks like it belongs in a Muji catalog. The grill’s triple-wall insulated body isn’t just for aesthetics, it means you can plop this thing onto a wooden table, a glass patio set, or even your apartment balcony without worrying about heat damage. The bottom-up airflow system, a feature borrowed from their commercial Thaan Grill XL, is the kind of detail that separates a decent grill from one that can actually hit restaurant-quality sears consistently. And because it’s designed around their own Thai-style fruitwood charcoal, which burns cleaner and longer than standard briquettes, you’re looking at 4 to 6 hours of cook time on a single load. For anyone who’s ever babysat a finicky portable grill, that’s a game changer. The removable ash tray and quick cooldown time mean cleanup isn’t a chore, which is half the battle with charcoal cooking.

Designers: David Lujan and Hudson Rio

Click Here to Buy Now: $429 $569 ($140 off). Hurry, only 56/100 left! Raised over $151,000.

The grill grates are 304 stainless steel, which means they won’t rust or warp under high heat, and the body is 430 stainless steel, chosen for its ability to handle thermal stress without degrading. The powder coating isn’t just for that sleek, matte finish, it’s high-temp rated so it won’t bubble or peel after a few uses. Even the handles are Bakelite, a material that’s sanitary, heat-resistant, and more durable than wood or plastic. The vermiculite insulation is the same stuff used in high-end fireplaces, so it’s lightweight but incredibly effective at containing heat. At 25 pounds, it’s heavy enough to feel substantial but light enough to toss in the trunk for a tailgate or a beach day. The dimensions, 18.75 by 10.75 by 8.5 inches, make it compact without sacrificing grilling space, offering 110 square inches of cooking real estate. That’s enough to handle a few steaks, a batch of skewers, or a mix of veggies without feeling cramped.

The real test for any grill is whether it can deliver on the promise of flavor… By positioning the charcoal tray closer to the grate and using a ventilated design, they’re maximizing heat transfer and smoke exposure, which is how you get that elusive crust and smoky depth that gas grills just can’t replicate. The bottom-up airflow isn’t just marketing fluff, it’s a feature that professional pitmasters rely on for consistent temperature control. Pair that with their fruitwood charcoal, which burns hotter and cleaner than standard lump charcoal, and you’ve got a setup that can actually pull off the perfect crust on a reverse sear or continuous waves of skewers for a crowd without turning into a temperature rollercoaster. It’s the kind of performance you’d expect from a grill twice its size, and that’s what makes the Thaan Grill interesting. This isn’t some gimmicky gadget designed to collect dust, it’s a tool that’s been thoughtfully engineered to bridge the gap between backyard BBQ and professional live-fire cooking.

What’s refreshing is how Thaan has considered the entire experience, not just the cooking. The grill’s minimalist design brings a sense of modern elegance to any outdoor setting, which is a big deal if you’re someone who values aesthetics as much as function. The insulated body heats up fast and cools down just as quickly, so you’re not waiting around for the thing to be safe to touch after cooking. The ash collection system is simple, just remove the tray, dump it, and you’re done. No fuss, no mess. It’s clear that this grill was designed by people who actually cook, not just engineers chasing specs. The fact that it’s built to last, with materials that can handle years of use, means it’s not just another disposable grill that’ll end up in a landfill after a season or two.

The Thaan Grill starts at $429, which includes the grill itself but also a 5lb box of Thai-style Charcoal. Sure, it’s on the pricey side when you compare it to the cheap mass-produced stuff you find on Amazon, but you’re paying for high-quality materials, great engineering, and a ridiculously compact design that quite literally embodies the EDC principle but applies it to the idea of having great food anywhere and everywhere. If you’re the type who treats grilling as more than just a way to cook food, if you care about the ritual, the flavor, and the experience of cooking over fire, this is the kind of tool that could easily become a centerpiece of your setup…at home, on the beach, or in the great outdoors.

Click Here to Buy Now: $429 $569 ($140 off). Hurry, only 56/100 left! Raised over $151,000.

The post This Compact Portable Grill Hits 1,000°F in 10 Minutes and Looks Better Than Most Furniture first appeared on Yanko Design.

Nov
4