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Belalu Dome Villa brings unique, sustainable charm to Bali

Nestled in the heart of Indonesia’s natural beauty in the lush jungles of Kedewatan, Bali, the Belalu Dome Villa stands out as an architectural marvel that blends seamlessly with its lush surroundings. Designed by Pablo Luna Studio, this villa offers a fresh perspective on sustainable luxury living, captivating visitors and design enthusiasts alike with its organic shapes and innovative approach.

The Belalu Dome Villa is a testament to the creative vision of Pablo Luna Studio, a firm known for pushing the boundaries of contemporary architecture while respecting the environment. The design is inspired by natural forms and traditional building techniques, resulting in a space that feels both futuristic and deeply rooted in its landscape. The villa’s dome structure is its most distinctive feature, providing not just aesthetic appeal but also practical benefits like improved airflow and natural insulation.

Designer Name: Pablo Luna Studio

One of the key highlights of the Belalu Dome Villa is its harmonious relationship with nature. The structure is carefully integrated into its site, using locally sourced materials that minimize environmental impact. The curved lines of the dome mimic the gentle slopes of the surrounding hills, allowing the building to blend in rather than stand out. Large windows and open spaces invite plenty of natural light, creating bright, airy interiors that connect seamlessly to the outdoors.

Inside, the villa offers a tranquil retreat with modern comforts. The open-plan layout maximizes space and flexibility, making it ideal for relaxation or entertaining guests. Natural materials like wood and stone are used throughout, enhancing the sense of warmth and connection to the environment. The interiors are minimalist yet thoughtfully detailed, providing a calming backdrop that lets the beauty of the surroundings take center stage.

Sustainability is at the core of the Belalu Dome Villa’s design. The dome shape not only reduces the need for artificial heating and cooling but also makes the structure more resilient against the elements. Rainwater harvesting systems and energy-efficient fixtures further reduce the villa’s ecological footprint. By prioritizing green building practices, Pablo Luna Studio demonstrates that luxury and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

For anyone passionate about architecture, interior design, or eco-friendly living, the Belalu Dome Villa by Pablo Luna Studio is a must-see. Its blend of innovation and tradition offers a compelling example of how architecture can respond to both human needs and environmental challenges. Its thoughtful design, rooted in both local tradition and modern innovation, provides a blueprint for the future of sustainable luxury.

The post Belalu Dome Villa brings unique, sustainable charm to Bali first appeared on Yanko Design.

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10 Best Audio Designs Redefining Sound In October 2025

The audio landscape continues to evolve in remarkable ways this October, with designers pushing creative boundaries between form and function everywhere. From transparent housings that celebrate internal engineering to modular systems addressing real-world safety concerns, these ten standout designs represent the most compelling audio products we’ve encountered this entire year. Each piece clearly demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform everyday listening experiences into something genuinely special and truly memorable today.

These selections showcase audio design’s expanding scope, which extends beyond traditional sound reproduction, incorporating health monitoring, accessibility features, and emergency preparedness into elegant solutions. The transparency trend reflects growing consumer desire to understand their technology rather than accepting mysterious black boxes. Whether through nostalgic analog rituals, cutting-edge AI integration, or inclusive accessibility features, each design addresses specific human needs while maintaining the aesthetic excellence that makes great products emotionally resonant and culturally significant.

1. Google Pixel Headphones Concept

Sidhant’s Pixel headphones concept masterfully translates the beloved Pixel Buds Pro aesthetic into over-ear territory. The signature pebble-shaped cans maintain Google’s design DNA while introducing sophisticated metal accents that elevate the overall composition. The Google monogram sits perfectly centered, creating instant brand recognition without overwhelming the minimalist approach that makes this concept so appealing.

The metal connecting elements between earpieces and headband strike an elegant balance, avoiding the polarizing territory that often plagues bold headphone designs. This concept demonstrates how familiar design languages can successfully scale across different product categories. The integration of Gemini AI promises intelligent audio processing that adapts to listening environments, making these headphones as smart as they are beautiful.

What we like

Seamlessly translates Pixel design language to over-ear format.
Sophisticated metal and plastic material combination.

What we dislike

Concept status means no actual testing of comfort or sound quality.
AI integration may raise privacy concerns for some users.

2. Nothing-Inspired Concept Earbuds

Jinkyo Han’s transparent earbud concept captures the essence of Nothing’s design philosophy while carving out its own distinct identity. The semi-transparent housing reveals internal components as intentional design elements rather than hidden engineering. This mechanical honesty creates visual depth that rewards closer inspection, transforming typically concealed circuitry into part of the aesthetic narrative.

The flowing contours and softly rounded edges avoid aggressive angles that might alienate potential users. This restrained approach to transparency feels more sophisticated than purely attention-grabbing designs. The concept succeeds because it doesn’t demand notice but gracefully accepts it when given, embodying the kind of confident minimalism that defines exceptional product design.

What we like

Transparent housing creates a unique visual appeal.
Refined geometry balances minimalism with functionality.

What we dislike

Exposed components might be vulnerable to damage.
Transparent materials can show dirt and wear more easily.

3. ClearFrame CD Player

The ClearFrame CD Player transforms forgotten music collections into contemporary art installations. Its crystal-clear polycarbonate construction frames album artwork while exposing the internal circuitry as part of the visual experience. The square silhouette creates perfect proportions that work equally well on shelves, desks, or wall mounts, adapting to diverse living spaces with remarkable flexibility.

Beyond mere nostalgia, this player addresses the growing desire for intentional music consumption. The ritual of selecting, inserting, and displaying a CD creates a more mindful listening experience than streaming’s infinite scroll. Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity and seven-hour battery life ensure modern convenience without sacrificing the tactile satisfaction that makes physical media special again.

Click Here to Buy Now: $199.00

What we like

Frames the album artwork as part of the listening experience.
Modern features like Bluetooth maintain contemporary relevance.

What we dislike

Limited to CD format in an increasingly digital world.
Transparent housing may show dust and fingerprints easily.

4. Battery-Free Amplifying iSpeakers

These ingenious metal smartphone speakers eliminate power requirements while delivering genuine amplification through pure acoustic engineering. Crafted from aircraft-grade Duralumin, they represent the golden ratio translated into functional audio design. The material choice ensures vibration resistance while the geometric proportions optimize sound dispersion throughout any room without electricity or charging concerns.

The portable design philosophy embraces simplicity without sacrificing performance. Compatible with optional directional mods, these speakers can be customized for specific acoustic environments. This approach appeals to users seeking reliable audio enhancement that works regardless of power availability, making them ideal for outdoor activities, travel, or emergencies where traditional speakers fail.

Click Here to Buy Now: $179.00

What we like

No battery or power requirements provide ultimate portability.
Aircraft-grade Duralumin construction ensures durability.

What we dislike

Limited volume output compared to powered speakers.
Sound quality depends entirely on the smartphone’s audio capabilities.

5. Vivia CD Turntable

Vivia brilliantly combines analog turntable aesthetics with CD functionality, creating something entirely new in the process. The motorized tone arm travels from disc edge to center during playback, mimicking vinyl’s visual rhythm while maintaining CD’s audio clarity. This theatrical element transforms passive listening into an engaging visual experience that makes each album feel more substantial and intentional.

The tactile volume knob and track selector controls reinforce the analog illusion while providing practical functionality. Users can manually position the tone arm to jump between tracks, recreating the DJ experience that made turntables culturally significant. This concept succeeds because it addresses the emotional disconnect many feel with digital music formats without sacrificing audio quality.

What we like

Creates an engaging visual experience during music playback.
Combines analog aesthetics with CD audio quality.

What we dislike

Mechanical complexity could lead to reliability issues.
Larger footprint than standard CD players.

6. AirPods Pro 3

Apple’s third-generation AirPods Pro represent a quantum leap in personal audio technology integration. These earbuds pack FDA-cleared hearing aid functionality, real-time translation across multiple languages, and heart rate monitoring into a familiar form factor. The acoustic performance rivals audiophile headphones costing thousands more, making professional-grade sound accessible to mainstream consumers for the first time.

The convergence of advanced technologies into a single device demonstrates Apple’s system-level thinking at its finest. Rather than incremental improvements, these earbuds redefine what personal audio devices can accomplish. The seamless integration of health monitoring, communication assistance, and audiophile-quality sound creates a product that transcends traditional category boundaries while maintaining the simplicity users expect from Apple.

What we like

Audiophile-quality sound at mainstream pricing.
Multiple advanced features are integrated seamlessly.

What we dislike

A complex feature set may overwhelm casual users.
Heavy reliance on the Apple ecosystem for full functionality.

7. Vervain Modular Speaker System

Melis Planalı’s Vervain concept addresses earthquake safety through modular audio design, creating something genuinely innovative in the speaker category. The tall tower configuration with detachable orange and white disk modules serves dual purposes as an entertainment system and an emergency device. Each disk functions independently, allowing family members to distribute speakers throughout their home while maintaining earthquake preparedness protocols.

The modular approach adapts to changing living situations without requiring complete system replacement. When seismic activity threatens, the speakers transform into emergency communication devices that could save lives. This concept succeeds because it acknowledges real-world challenges while delivering the audio quality people demand from their entertainment systems, proving that good design can address serious problems elegantly.

What we like

Modular design adapts to different room configurations.
Dual functionality as an entertainment and safety device.

What we dislike

Complex emergency features may increase manufacturing costs.
Multiple modules could be easier to misplace.

8. Wesley

These retro headphones champion wired audio’s superior quality while embracing classic over-ear aesthetics. The minimalist design philosophy keeps visual elements to essential components, creating a timeless appeal that transcends fashion trends. Multiple adapter options, including USB-C, 3.5mm, and 6.3mm, ensure compatibility across devices while enabling 48kHz lossless audio that wireless alternatives cannot match.

The timing of this release challenges wireless audio’s dominance by highlighting wired connections’ environmental and acoustic advantages. Longer lifespan and superior sound quality at equivalent price points make these headphones compelling for conscious consumers. The straightforward design approach proves that sometimes the best innovation involves perfecting established technologies rather than pursuing novelty for its own sake.

What we like

Superior audio quality compared to wireless alternatives at similar prices.
Multiple adapter options ensure broad device compatibility.

What we dislike

Wired connection limits mobility compared to wireless options.
Retro styling may not appeal to users preferring modern aesthetics.

9. Fender x Teufel ROCKSTER AIR 2

This collaboration merges Fender’s iconic visual language with Teufel’s German audio engineering expertise. The ROCKSTER AIR 2 ambitiously serves multiple roles as portable Bluetooth speaker, public address system, and musician’s practice amplifier. This versatility addresses real needs for DJs, performers, and casual users who want professional capabilities without purchasing separate devices for different applications.

Fender’s unmistakable aesthetic authenticity, combined with Teufel’s technical specifications, creates something unique in the crowded speaker market. The challenge lies in balancing these diverse requirements without compromising any single function. Success here would establish a new category of multi-purpose audio devices that acknowledge how people actually use their equipment across different contexts and environments.

What we like

Versatile functionality serves multiple audio applications.
Combines iconic design heritage with advanced engineering.

What we dislike

The multi-purpose approach may compromise specialized performance.
Likely higher cost than single-purpose alternatives.

10. Spectrum Headphones

Monica Bhyrappa’s Spectrum headphones address autism spectrum disorder through thoughtful audio design, creating technology that serves underrepresented users. The transparent aesthetic takes inspiration from Nothing’s design language while serving a specific functional purpose. These specially-tuned noise-canceling headphones help wearers manage sensory overload by filtering distracting sounds while preserving important audio information.

The accessible design approach represents technology’s potential to serve diverse human needs rather than assuming universal preferences. The transparent housing creates visual appeal while the internal tuning addresses real challenges faced by autistic individuals. This concept demonstrates how inclusive design can create products that work better for everyone, not just their intended target audience.

What we like

Addresses the real needs of the underserved autism community.
Transparent design creates a unique visual appeal.

What we dislike

Specialized tuning may not suit neurotypical users.
Limited market appeal could affect commercial viability.

The Future of Audio Design

October 2025 showcases audio design’s expanding boundaries beyond traditional sound reproduction into health monitoring, emergency preparedness, and accessibility features. These ten products demonstrate how contemporary designers integrate multiple technologies while maintaining aesthetic excellence that makes products emotionally resonant. The transparency trend reflects growing consumer interest in understanding rather than simply accepting their technology as mysterious black boxes.

The convergence of advanced technologies into single devices creates opportunities for more meaningful relationships between users and audio equipment. Whether through physical media rituals, emergency preparedness features, or inclusive accessibility considerations, these designs prove that exceptional audio products enhance lives beyond sound reproduction. The future belongs to designs recognizing audio equipment as intimate personal technology deserving thoughtful, human-centered development that addresses real-world challenges with elegant solutions.

The post 10 Best Audio Designs Redefining Sound In October 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

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bacterial cellulose transforms into translucent ruffled lighting sculptures

Polybion and Natural Urbano design bacteria-grown lamp series

 

Polybion and Mexico-based design studio Natural Urbano have introduced Lapso, a sculptural lamp produced from cultivated bacterial cellulose. The project represents the first interior design application of Celium, Polybion’s premium biofabricated material. Each lamp is hand-crafted from five sheets of cellulose grown through bacterial fermentation. The process results in surfaces with subtle variations in tone, density, and texture, ensuring that no two pieces are identical. The design approach treats these natural differences as defining characteristics, establishing each lamp as a singular object.

 

The lamp was first presented at The Biofab Fair by Biofabricate during the London Design Festival in September 2025, where it was highlighted as an early example of bacterial cellulose applied in lighting design. Following its debut, Lapso became available to order directly through Natural Urbano, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

all images courtesy of Polybion and Natural Urbano

 

 

merging biology, design, and art into living light sculptures

 

The lighting piece is designed to interact with its environment. When illuminated, the translucent material reveals gradients and layered textures, creating variations in depth and opacity. When unlit, the form emphasizes its material qualities, shifting between presence and absence depending on context and time of day. Lapso is produced in two versions: Natural, with a warm hue reflecting the untreated cellulose, and Humo, a darker variant achieved through dyeing. Both editions emphasize the biological origin of the material while expanding its aesthetic range.

 

Development of the lamp spanned more than a year of collaborative work between biotechnology company Polybion and design studio Natural Urbano. The process included testing of thickness, stitching, edge detailing, and light diffusion. The final configuration incorporates a removable screen that balances translucency with durability, while also allowing for replacement and long-term maintenance. Lapso marks Polybion’s entry into interior design and illustrates the potential of biofabricated materials in contemporary product development. The lamp is made to order, with a lead time of approximately two months, and is available for worldwide shipping.

Lapso – a sculptural lamp made from cultivated bacterial cellulose

a design collaboration between Polybion and Natural Urbano

Lapso series introduces Celium to interior design applications

each lamp is hand-crafted from five cellulose sheets

surfaces show unique textures, tones, and densities

no two Lapso lamps are identical

natural variation is treated as a defining design feature

the project is recognized as an early use of bacterial cellulose in lighting

translucent cellulose reveals gradients when illuminated

material qualities are emphasized when unlit

the lamp shifts with context, distance, and time of day

Lapso introduces biofabricated materials into lighting design

Natural model highlights the warm tone of untreated cellulose

Humo model introduces a darker variation through dyeing

 

project info:

 

name: Lapso – Celium
designer: Polybion | @polybion × Natural Urbano | @natural_urbano

design team: Sebastián Beltrán, Lorena Márquez

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post bacterial cellulose transforms into translucent ruffled lighting sculptures appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

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These ‘Camera Headphones’ Are So Weird, They Might Actually Be Genius

It’s one of those questions that seems obvious only in hindsight, like wondering why nobody put wheels on luggage until the 70s. For years, the tech world has been obsessed with cramming cameras and computers into eyeglasses, a form factor that is aesthetically sleek but functionally limited. The entire industry got so hung up on looking like Tony Stark that it overlooked a glaring reality: a massive chunk of the population doesn’t need, or want, to wear glasses. Smart glasses are a solution for a problem most people don’t have, built on a platform a third of adults don’t even use. They are a design choice driven by a sci-fi vision, not practical human behavior.

Headphones, however, are the complete opposite. They are clunky, utilitarian things that offer plenty of forgiving real estate to hide away batteries, sensors, and processors. More importantly, people actually wear them. Everywhere. On the train, at the gym, walking the dog, editing video at a coffee shop. Headphones are a far more ubiquitous wearable than glasses, especially during activities people might actually want to record, like exercise. For the 36% of adults who don’t wear glasses, smart glasses are a non-starter. But nearly everyone listens to something. So why did we spend a decade chasing the smart glasses dream before someone finally thought to slap a camera on a headset? That’s the question the MusicCam wants to answer.

Designer: VibeLens

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $399 (50% off) Hurry! Only 16 days left.

The MusicCam looks exactly like what you’d expect: regular wireless earbuds with a little camera pod sticking out. It’s not trying to be sleek or invisible. It just is what it is. But here’s where it gets interesting. These aren’t just any headphones, they’re bone conduction ones, which means they don’t actually go in your ears. Sound travels through your cheekbones instead, leaving your ear canals completely open. So you can hear traffic, other people, whatever’s happening around you while still listening to music or taking calls.

The camera part is what makes this thing either brilliant or batshit insane, depending on how you look at it. It’s a 6-axis HD camera that can record 2K video with 180-degree wide-angle coverage. The lens adjusts plus or minus 30 degrees, so you can actually frame your shots without doing weird neck gymnastics. And get this: it’s waterproof down to 20 meters. Not “splash resistant” or “can handle some rain” waterproof. We’re talking legitimate diving depth here.

Battery life isn’t industry-leading, but it’s good enough for a day’s worth of content capturing. You get 2.6 hours of continuous video recording or 15 hours just listening to music. The whole thing weighs 50 grams, which is heavier than AirPods but way lighter than any action camera setup you’d normally strap to your head or chest.

Controls are dead simple. Slide to power on, tap to record, swipe to switch modes. No fumbling with tiny buttons while you’re trying not to crash your bike or fall off a cliff. The 6-axis stabilization handles all the shaky camera work, so your footage actually looks watchable instead of like you filmed it during an earthquake.

But here’s what’s really smart about this whole concept. People already wear headphones everywhere. On trains, at the gym, walking around the city, riding bikes. It’s completely normal, socially acceptable behavior. Nobody gives you weird looks for wearing headphones in public the way they might for smart glasses. And when you’re doing the kinds of activities where you’d actually want to record something, cycling, running, hiking, swimming, you’re way more likely to have headphones on than glasses anyway.

The audio side is bone conduction, which means you’re not getting the same punchy, immersive sound you’d expect from something like AirPods Pro or Sony’s noise-canceling cans. Bone conduction is a different beast entirely. Sound travels through your cheekbones to your inner ear instead of blasting directly into your ear canal, and while that’s fantastic for staying aware of your surroundings (cars, people yelling at you, bears, whatever), it also means you’re sacrificing some bass response and overall richness.

These are built for situations where hearing the world around you matters more than perfect audio fidelity. For phone calls, the dual ENC (environmental noise cancellation) mics do the heavy lifting, filtering out wind and background noise so you don’t sound like you’re calling from inside a tornado. If you’re expecting audiophile-grade performance, you’re looking at the wrong product. But if you want decent sound while biking through traffic or running trails without getting flattened by a car you didn’t hear coming, bone conduction makes a lot of sense here.

The more I think about it, the more this makes sense. Headphones have room for batteries and processors and cameras in a way that glasses don’t. They’re already designed to stay put during movement. They don’t have to look fashionable or match your prescription. They can be bigger, chunkier, more utilitarian, and nobody cares because that’s what headphones are supposed to be.

There’s also something to be said for transparency here. When someone’s wearing obvious camera headphones, you know they might be recording. It’s not hidden or sneaky like a camera built into glasses frames. That could actually solve some of the social acceptance issues that killed Google Glass.

The weird factor is real, though. This thing looks strange. But so did AirPods when they first came out, and now they’re everywhere. Sometimes the weirdest ideas end up becoming completely normal once enough people start using them.

MusicCam is running a Kickstarter campaign right now, with early bird pricing at $199 (down from a planned $399 retail price). They’re promising December 2025 delivery and worldwide shipping. There are even bundle deals if you want to convince a friend to look weird with you.

Look, I’m not saying this is going to replace your iPhone or revolutionize how we think about wearable tech. But it’s definitely one of those “why didn’t anyone think of this before?” moments. The tech industry spent a decade trying to make smart glasses happen before someone finally said “screw it, let’s just put a camera on headphones.” Sometimes the most obvious solution is the one nobody sees coming.

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $399 (50% off) Hurry! Only 16 days left.

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mamluks as master designers: louvre abu dhabi exhibition unveils their artistic legacy

Louvre Abu Dhabi hosts Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire

 

Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire at Louvre Abu Dhabi is the first exhibition in the Gulf devoted to the Mamluk Sultanate (1250–1517). Spanning over two and a half centuries of history, the show, on view until January 25th, 2026, traces how a dynasty of former slave soldiers came to rule vast territories, leaving behind a cultural and artistic legacy of extraordinary reach. Curated by Dr. Souraya Noujaim and Dr. Carine Juvin, the exhibition builds on its earlier presentation at Musée du Louvre in Paris while expanding with works from regional collections shown exclusively in Abu Dhabi. 

 

Gathering over 270 works from 34 institutions worldwide, from metalwork and manuscripts to carpets, glass, and ceramics, the show reframes the dynasty as cultural innovators whose visual language resonates with contemporary design. During the preview of Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire at Louvre Abu Dhabi, designboom discusses the contemporary relevance of Mamluk art with Scientific Curator Dr. Carine Juvin. The curator describes the Mamluks as ‘great designers, great graphic designers. Their art is made of rich color, geometry, and complex motifs, which are still very appealing to the modern eye.’ 

Venetian School, A Venetian Diplomatic Mission Received by the Governor of Damascus Italy, Venice, 1511 Oil on canvas Paris, Musée du Louvre, Department of Paintings, INV-100 | all images by Daryll Borja-Seeing Things © Department of Culture and Tourism–Abu Dhabi

 

 

From Military Slaves to Cultural Architects

 

The exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi opens with a shadow play theater, evoking popular entertainments of the period, and situates visitors within the Mamluks’ origin story. They were young slaves brought from Central Asia or the Caucasus who rose to power in Cairo and Damascus. Juvin guided us through short ‘first-person’ biographies of key rulers, including Baybars, the founder of the sultanate, and Al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun, whose reign marked the dynasty’s apex. Objects commissioned under these rulers include inlaid incense burners, helmets, and mosque lamps that reveal how script itself became design, with radiating inscriptions symbolizing solar power. 

 

Blazons, meanwhile, functioned like proto-logos: emblems that identified emirs and were stamped on architecture, arms, and everyday objects. ‘The Mamluks had a remarkable ability to transform language and symbols into design devices of authority,’ Juvin explains during the tour.

Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire at Louvre Abu Dhabi is the first exhibition in the Gulf devoted to the Mamluk Sultanate

 

 

Society Beyond the Elite

 

Moving beyond rulers, the curator highlights a more complex society. Manuscripts commissioned by women, including a Qur’an ordered by a powerful court supervisor in 14th-century Cairo, and objects made for Qaytbay’s wife with distinctive garden motifs expand the narrative. Religious minorities also contributed to a shared aesthetic, from Coptic Bibles to Jewish pilgrimage scrolls. ‘I wanted to emphasize the whole Mamluk society, not just the governing elite,’ Juvin tells designboom. ‘Their art reflects exchanges with many cultures while still developing a strong identity.’

 

Trade routes, pilgrimages, and diplomacy positioned the Mamluk Sultanate as a hub between Asia, Africa, and Europe. Objects in Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire carry these stories through Chinese-inspired lotus blossoms on glassware, a Hajj certificate commissioned by a woman pilgrim, Mamluk metalwork unearthed in West Africa, and a Venetian painting depicting an embassy in Damascus with photographic precision. ‘The sultanate was really a node point in global exchange,’ Juvin notes, ‘and this cosmopolitanism is inscribed in their design.’

the show traces how the dynasty came to rule vast territories | image © designboom

 

 

Scenography as Storytelling

 

The Abu Dhabi edition, adapted from its first presentation in Paris, adds interactive screens, a gaming table for blazons, and architectural details that punctuate the display. These elements, Juvin says, were developed to ‘engage the public with individual stories inside the larger history.’

 

The exhibition culminates with the Baptistery of Saint Louis, a monumental 14th-century basin densely engraved with figures and animals, later repurposed in France for royal baptisms. Its hybrid biography, an Islamic masterpiece entwined with European history, mirrors the show’s central theme that revolves aroundthe mobility of objects and the power of design to cross cultures.

The four gospels in coptic Egypt, Wadi el-Natrun 982 (Year of the Martyrs) /1266 CE Ink and pigments on paper Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi

 

 

the museum’s mission to connect civilizations

 

For Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, the exhibition aligns with the museum’s mission to connect civilizations. ‘Our permanent galleries are a time machine, telling 10,000 years of humanity. These temporary exhibitions are our deep dives — into a moment, a rupture, a civilization. With the Mamluks, we wanted to show how connected they were and what universal relevance their story holds today,’ he tells designboom. He emphasizes the resonance of showing the Mamluks in the Gulf. ‘When we present them here, we are touching the heart of the Emirati, the Arab, the Muslim — but also revealing to international visitors the complexity and diversity of this society. It makes sense here,’ he reflects.

gathering over 270 works from 34 institutions worldwide

Lamp bearing the name of Sultan Barquq (r. 1382–1399) Egypt, Cairo C. 1386 (from the Mosque of Sultan Barquq) Blown glass, enamelled and gilded Paris, Musée du Louvre, Department of Islamic Art, OA 7568

blazons functioned like proto-logos

Double closing page of a monumental Quran Egypt, Cairo C. 1360–1380 Ink, pigments and gold on paper Dublin, Chester Beatty Library, CBL IS 1628

Shadow theatre puppet (ship and crew of warriors) Egypt 15th century, Parchment cut-out Stuttgart, Linden-Museum, 84682

the show reframes the dynasty as cultural innovators

Carpet decorated with three medallions Egypt, Cairo Second half of 15th century Knotted wool Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi

Chasuble Syria, Egypt or Iran (?) 14th century Lampas, silk and gold thread European addition: silk velvet, pearls, gold, glass, coral Copenhagen, The National Museum of Denmark, CXXXVII

image © designboom

Albarello with coat of arms decoration Syria, Damascus 15th century Fritware, underglaze painted decoration H. max. 15 cm, D. 31.7 cm Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi

Basin known as the “Baptistère de Saint Louis.” Signed: Muhammad ibn al-Zayn Syria or Egypt C. 1330–1340 Chased copper alloy, inlaid with silver, gold and black paste Paris, Musée du Louvre, Department of Islamic Art

 

project info:

 

name: Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire

location: Louvre Abu Dhabi | @louvreabudhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE

dates: September 17th 2025 – January 25th 2026

organisers: Louvre Abu Dhabi in partnership with Musée du Louvre | @museelouvre and France Muséums

curators: Dr. Souraya Noujaim (general curator), Dr. Carine Juvin (scientific curator)

support: Fakhera Alkindi, senior curatorial assistant, Louvre Abu Dhabi

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Masterpiece Story: The Acapulco Chair

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Masterpiece Story: Bureau du Roi by Jean-Henri Riesener

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Masterpiece Story: Parakeets and Goldfish Bowl by Louis Comfort Tiffany

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Masterpiece Story: Aubette by Theo van Doesburg

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Nomad Collection by Form Us With Love Turns Power Strips into Design Objects

Power strips and charging accessories remain some of the most overlooked elements in modern interiors, yet they’re essential to how we live and work today. Most electrical accessories are either hidden away in shame or contribute to the cable chaos that plagues contemporary workspaces. The result is a disconnect between our desire for clean, thoughtful design and the practical reality of keeping our devices powered and connected.

What makes the Nomad Collection by Form Us With Love particularly compelling is how it transforms these necessary evils into integral, beautiful elements of your space. This thoughtful approach to power and charging accessories puts emphasis on making electricity accessible while seamlessly blending form and function, turning what’s typically hidden into something you’ll want to display proudly.

Designer: Form Us With Love for Forming Function

The design philosophy centers on clean, minimalist forms that feel more like sculptural objects than utilitarian power strips. The Nomad Block features a compact, portable design with softened rectangular edges and a tactile matte finish, while the Nomad Strip offers a sleek, recessed solution for desks and surfaces. Both pieces use understated geometry and subtle branding that lets them integrate naturally into any interior style.

The material story adds meaningful depth to the aesthetic appeal. Each case is individually handcrafted in Småland, Sweden, from 100% recycled, traceable aluminum. This commitment to sustainability and local craftsmanship transforms everyday electrical accessories into objects with genuine provenance and environmental responsibility. The recycled aluminum finish feels substantial and premium, elevating the entire experience of using power strips.

Of course, the user-friendly features make these pieces as functional as they are beautiful. The Nomad Block includes a magnetic base for effortless attachment to metal surfaces, plus an adhesive mounting plate for non-magnetic installations. The three-meter cable provides flexibility to place power exactly where you need it, while configuration options let you choose between multiple sockets or a combination with dual USB-C ports offering 30W superfast charging.

The Nomad Strip takes integration even further with its recessed installation design. You get a discrete yet refined solution that sits flush with desk surfaces, complete with installation instructions and a cut-out template. This approach makes power and charging feel like a natural part of your workspace rather than an afterthought bolted onto the side.

That said, the real innovation lies in how the collection reframes our relationship with electrical accessories. Instead of accepting cable chaos or hiding power strips under desks, the Nomad Collection invites you to make these tools visible and celebrated. The pieces pair beautifully with the Nomad Lamp series, creating a cohesive ecosystem for power, charging, and lighting.

You’ll notice how every design decision supports the goal of transforming accessories into integral elements of your space. The handcrafted aluminum, flexible mounting options, and thoughtful proportions make these power strips feel like furniture rather than electronics.

The Nomad Collection demonstrates how thoughtful design can elevate even the most mundane objects. You can finally have power and charging solutions that enhance rather than detract from your carefully curated spaces, proving that sustainability and beauty make excellent partners in everyday design.

The post Nomad Collection by Form Us With Love Turns Power Strips into Design Objects first appeared on Yanko Design.