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The RUX 40L: Compact, Collapsible Waterproof Storage

Most outdoor gear container systems, whether bins, bags or hybrids, are rather tall; they appear to be sized using pickup truck bed walls as a height guide.

RUX, the outdoor gear brand started by industrial designer Tony Richardson, produces a flexible, fold-flat outdoor gear container system. They’re a hit with overlanders and travelers, particularly their 70L model, which falls into the tall category of containers.

User feedback, however, prompted Richardson to design an alternative; not everything is going into the bed of a pickup. Thus the company has rolled out the RUX 40L Gear Box.

“Designed with a shorter, carry-on-friendly form factor, it fits where others can’t — from under-seat truck drawers to overhead bins, boat decks, van builds, and ATV racks.”

It also, Richardson reckons, makes a good case for quick access to just a single layer of goods, rather than having to dig through a deeper tote or box.

Like its bigger 70L sibling, it’s completely watertight, and collapses flat when it’s not needed. Check out all of its features below:

It runs $250.

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Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard Brings Portable Productivity Anywhere

The shift toward remote work has created a fascinating problem: how do you maintain productivity when your office could be anywhere from a cramped airplane seat to a bustling coffee shop? Traditional keyboards feel clunky and impractical when you’re constantly on the move, yet typing on glass screens remains a frustrating compromise that slows down even the simplest tasks.

Satechi’s OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand tackles this modern dilemma with a surprisingly elegant approach. Rather than cramming every possible feature into a bulky package, this compact typing companion focuses on the essentials that actually matter when you’re working away from your desk. The result feels refreshingly practical without sacrificing the quality you’d expect from a dedicated workspace setup.

Designer: Satechi

The keyboard’s most striking feature is how it completely disappears when folded. The slim profile slides effortlessly into any bag, taking up roughly the same space as a thin notebook. When you’re ready to work, the protective cover unfolds into a sturdy stand that holds tablets and phones with impressive stability. The transformation happens smoothly, without any fiddly mechanisms or delicate hinges that might break during travel.

Pairing multiple devices becomes surprisingly intuitive thanks to Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity that remembers up to three gadgets simultaneously. Switching between your phone, tablet, and laptop requires just a quick button press, eliminating the tedious reconnection dance that plagues most wireless keyboards. This seamless device hopping works equally well across different operating systems, so you’re never trapped in one particular ecosystem.

The typing experience prioritizes quiet operation without sacrificing tactile feedback. Each scissor-switch key delivers a satisfying response that feels substantial under your fingers, yet produces minimal noise that won’t disturb fellow travelers or coworkers. The low-profile design keeps your wrists comfortable during extended typing sessions, while the key spacing feels natural despite the compact footprint.

What’s most impressive is the adjustable stand’s versatility and rock-solid stability. The viewing angle adjusts through a generous range, accommodating everything from quick text messages to lengthy video calls. Devices up to 13 inches sit securely in both portrait and landscape orientations, maintaining their position even when you’re typing with enthusiasm or making quick screen adjustments.

The 360mAh battery delivers reliable performance through long work sessions, while USB-C charging keeps things simple and compatible with modern accessories. You won’t find yourself constantly monitoring battery levels or scrambling for proprietary charging cables when you’re already juggling multiple devices and deadlines.

This keyboard works best for professionals who refuse to compromise on typing quality while maintaining maximum mobility. The absence of backlighting and an integrated trackpad might disappoint some users, but these omissions help maintain the sleek profile and extended battery life that make portable work actually practical. Satechi has crafted a travel companion that quietly handles the fundamentals without drawing attention to itself, letting you focus on getting work done rather than wrestling with finicky accessories.

The post Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard Brings Portable Productivity Anywhere first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Amazon’s Zoox, the World’s First Purpose-Designed Robotaxi, Launches

Amazon has finally launched Zoox, their public robotaxi service, in Las Vegas.

Their vehicle is the world’s first purpose-designed robotaxi; competitor Waymo, which currently operates in Phoenix, San Francisco, L.A., Atlanta and Austin, uses retrofitted Jaguar I-Paces and Chrysler Pacifica minivans. In contrast the Zoox vehicle was designed by an in-house team, led by industrial designer Nahuel Battaglia.

“The idea for Zoox was never to make a car drive itself; it was about creating an entirely new mode of transportation,” says Jesse Levinson, Zoox Co-Founder and CTO.

Because the vehicle was designed from the ground-up, it frees riders from the cognitive dissonance that comes with seeing an unattended driver’s seat and the steering wheel turning by itself. There is no driver’s compartment at all. The vehicle resembles a gondola carriage more than a car, containing two bench seats facing each other.

The vehicle is completely symmetrical not just left-to-right, with sliding doors on both sides, but front-to-back; that makes it bi-directional, meaning driving “forward” or “backward” is merely a semantic distinction. The vehicle never has to make a U-turn (though it can). The light clusters at each end are identical, serving as headlights or taillights depending on which way it’s going.

As for the user experience: Zoox is currently operating along and around the Las Vegas strip, with fixed destinations limited to popular casinos and entertainment venues. Riders summon it via smartphone app, like an Uber, selecting their pick-up and drop-off points. The license plate of the vehicle is provided.

When the vehicle shows up, the doors open automatically, and a screen displays the passengers’ name/booking. The floor is low and easy to step into, designed to maximize accessibility.

Once passengers enter and take a seat, the vehicle won’t start moving until every passenger has their seatbelt on (there are cameras inside).

Passengers each have access to a screen with climate controls and a Help button; pressing the latter automatically connects you, via an audio link inside the vehicle, to a remote Zoox Support worker. Confusingly, there’s also an Emergency button above each seat, which does the same thing. The support worker has the ability to stop the vehicle.

There are USB-C charging outlets and wireless charging pads provided between the seats.

When it arrives at the destination, the doors again open automatically.

For now, the service is completely free. This is partly to encourage uptake, but also because Amazon has not yet gained regulatory approval to charge riders, which they’re currently applying for.

The service just launched this week, so you can expect to see Zoox-riding influencer videos popping up shortly. The company has also announced plans to muscle in on Waymo territory, specifically Austin and San Francisco, and both companies have announced plans to expand into Miami.

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LAVA’s Expo 2030 Riyadh Plan Reimagines the City as a Living Oasis

World Expos have a complicated legacy when it comes to lasting impact on their host cities. Sure, we remember the iconic structures like the Eiffel Tower or the Crystal Palace, but for every architectural triumph, there are countless examples of empty pavilions and dismantled infrastructure that served their purpose for six months and then became expensive maintenance burdens. LAVA’s concept master plan for Expo 2030 Riyadh attempts to break this cycle entirely.

The Laboratory for Visionary Architecture, led by Chris Bosse, has developed a master plan that treats the expo not as a temporary spectacle but as the foundation for a permanent global village. Strategically positioned between King Salman International Airport and Riyadh City, the six-square-kilometer site is designed from the outset to evolve seamlessly from expo grounds into a thriving residential and cultural district that serves the city’s long-term growth rather than just the event’s immediate needs.

Designer: LAVA

What makes LAVA’s approach particularly compelling is how it abandons the rigid urban grids that have dominated Western car-based planning for over a century. Instead, the master plan follows the natural contours of Wadi Al Sulai, using parametric modeling to create an organic network of spaces that work with the desert landscape rather than against it. Cool routes formed by reactivated wadis extend outward from a central plaza, creating shaded pedestrian pathways and natural cooling microclimates that address Riyadh’s harsh climate.

The site organizes around five major districts radiating from the central plaza like petals, each dedicated to specific themes: Transformational Technology, Sustainable Solutions, Prosperous People, Saudi Arabia, and Global Collaboration. Each district functions as a unique village with its own amenities and architectural language based on fractal geometry, where patterns repeat at different scales to create coherence without monotony throughout the development.

The mobility system prioritizes pedestrians and soft transport over cars, featuring the World Avenue Loop that connects all five districts through landscaped promenades and charming alleyways reminiscent of traditional souks. Elevated paths and shaded corridors ensure the site remains comfortably walkable even during peak heat, while connections to Riyadh’s metro network and major arterial roads provide broader urban integration that extends far beyond the expo boundaries.

Perhaps most importantly, the plan incorporates serious ecological regeneration through soil stabilization, nature-based water management, and extensive tree planting that reinforces the wadi system’s natural drainage and irrigation functions. This isn’t just about creating pleasant spaces for visitors but about establishing a sustainable urban ecosystem that can protect against flooding while supporting biodiversity in a desert environment.

LAVA’s master plan represents a fundamental shift in thinking about how temporary events can create permanent value for their host cities. By designing with nature rather than imposing upon it, and by planning for legacy from day one, the Expo 2030 Riyadh concept offers a compelling model for how future cities might grow, thrive, and endure in harmony with their natural environments.

The post LAVA’s Expo 2030 Riyadh Plan Reimagines the City as a Living Oasis first appeared on Yanko Design.

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5 Best Tech Gadgets That Double As Art Objects

Technology has finally learned to be beautiful. Gone are the days when cutting-edge gadgets meant ugly black boxes cluttering our carefully curated homes. Today’s most compelling devices disguise their intelligence behind gorgeous materials, sculptural forms, and craftsmanship that rivals museum pieces. These are no longer just functional tools.

The smartest designers now understand that true innovation means creating objects we actually want to live with. Whether it’s a clock that turns timekeeping into poetry or a security system that looks like modern sculpture, these five gadgets prove that the future belongs to technology that enhances our spaces rather than dominates them.

1. Qlocktwo: Poetry in Timekeeping

The traditional clock face feels almost primitive when compared to Qlocktwo’s revolutionary approach to displaying time. This German-engineered masterpiece transforms temporal measurement into visual meditation through its matrix of 110 precisely arranged letters. Words like “it is half past ten” illuminate in elegant typography, creating linguistic beauty from utilitarian glances at time.

Construction materials elevate this timepiece into genuine luxury territory. Options include brushed stainless steel, rich walnut wood, pristine Carrara marble, and precious metals like rose gold. The magnetic face attachment eliminates visible connectors, maintaining clean lines that satisfy discerning minimalists. Smart connectivity adds night mode and smartphone integration without overwhelming the meditative experience of watching time unfold.

What we like

Transforms mundane timekeeping into visual art that guests always notice and appreciate.
Premium materials, such as marble and walnut, create genuine luxury that improves with age.

What we dislike

High price point puts this beautiful timepiece out of reach for most potential buyers.
Text-based display requires more mental processing than quick traditional clock reading.

2. AuraFrame: Where Canvas Meets Concert Hall

AuraFrame masquerades as a classic oil painting frame while housing sophisticated display and audio technologies. The solid North American black walnut or European oak construction feels authentically luxurious, complete with that distinctive wood fragrance and satisfying weight that immediately distinguishes it from plastic tech products cluttering most homes.

The 20-inch paper-like display supports 256 levels of grayscale with anti-glare technology, mimicking actual canvas texture. Meanwhile, a 120W audio system creates 360-degree panoramic sound that seems to emerge naturally from the artwork itself. Classical music accompanies Renaissance masterpieces while ambient soundscapes complement contemporary digital art, creating multisensory experiences that traditional paintings simply cannot match.

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What we like

Genuine wood construction rivals traditional picture frames with authentic craftsmanship and materials.
Paper-like display technology makes digital artworks feel remarkably authentic rather than coldly digital.

What we dislike

Grayscale-only display severely limits the appeal of colorful contemporary artworks and photography.
Premium materials and sophisticated technology command a significant financial investment for most buyers.

3. Sculptural Surveillance: Security Reimagined as Garden Art

Swift Creatives Studio’s Sculptural Surveillance concept completely reimagines outdoor security monitoring by transforming utilitarian cameras into bold artistic statements. Each piece, crafted from powder-coated recycled aluminum, feels more like a contemporary sculpture than protective equipment. The range includes minimalist poles, playful knots, dynamic branches, and whimsical candy stick shapes.

These aren’t devices hiding function behind decorative facades; they’re genuinely artistic objects that happen to provide comprehensive security monitoring. The modular nature allows custom configurations responding to specific architectural needs while maintaining aesthetic coherence. Integrated LED lighting provides illumination and deterrence while high-resolution cameras capture footage from unexpected sightlines that traditional equipment might miss.

What we like

Transforms necessary security equipment into legitimate landscape art that enhances property aesthetics.
Modular design allows completely custom configurations tailored to any property’s specific architectural requirements.

What we dislike

Concept stage development means extremely limited availability for actual purchase and installation.
Artistic sculptural forms may compromise optimal camera placement for comprehensive security coverage.

4. SmartAir Minions Router: Networking Gets Whimsical

The SmartAir Minions Routers represent a delightful revolution in networking hardware aesthetics by transforming powerful dual and triple-band WiFi 6E technology into beloved characters from the Despicable Me franchise. These multi-gigabit capable devices challenge the industry’s utilitarian design approach that typically relegates routers to hidden closets or behind furniture throughout homes.

Hidden in plain sight at CES 2024, these whimsical devices invite proud display in living spaces while delivering cutting-edge connectivity performance. The character-driven design complements rather than compromises home décor, proving that high-performance networking equipment can be both functional and genuinely entertaining. Children especially delight in having their favorite animated characters powering their home internet connections.

What we like

Transforms boring networking equipment into beloved characters that kids and adults genuinely enjoy displaying.
Multi-gigabit WiFi 6E technology delivers serious performance despite the playful exterior design aesthetic.

What we dislike

Character licensing likely adds a significant cost premium over traditional router designs and pricing.
Limited appeal to households without appreciation for the Despicable Me franchise characters and aesthetic.

5. Terrazzo Wireless Chargers: Sustainable Luxury at Your Fingertips

Bentu Design’s W10 wireless chargers masquerade as artisanal terrazzo coasters, transforming mundane device charging into material appreciation and sustainable living. The terrazzo construction represents genuine innovation in waste reduction, mixing concrete with recycled ceramic particles, construction waste, quartz fragments, and other discarded materials into surfaces celebrating imperfection and randomness.

Four color options offer compatibility with diverse interior schemes, while Qi-compatible charging coils support various output levels. At just 10mm thick and 210 grams, these chargers feel substantial without overwhelming surfaces. The psychological satisfaction of using beautiful, sustainable objects for daily routines creates positive associations with technology that often feels disposable and temporary.

What we like

Transforms discarded ceramic waste into genuinely beautiful, functional objects with environmental consciousness.
Each piece remains unique due to random particle distribution, creating one-of-a-kind surfaces.

What we dislike

Uncertain waterproofing specifications may severely limit safe placement options near beverages and liquids.
Relatively modest charging speeds lag behind the latest fast-charging standards available in competing products.

When Art Meets Tech

The future of consumer technology belongs to objects that seamlessly integrate advanced functionality with genuine artistic merit. These five exceptional products prove we no longer need to choose between beautiful homes and connected living, between environmental responsibility and cutting-edge performance. They represent a fundamental shift in how we think about the relationship between technology and domestic space. This movement toward beautiful technology reflects our growing maturity as sophisticated digital consumers who expect much more from all our everyday connected devices.

Tomorrow’s best tech gadgets will be ones we display with pride, touch with pleasure, and live with as permanent additions to our most personal spaces. Beauty and intelligence finally walk hand in hand, creating objects worthy of both our homes and our digital lives. The days of hiding technology in closets and cabinets are officially over. We’ve moved beyond novelty phases where blinking lights and obvious tech aesthetics impressed anyone toward genuinely sophisticated design expectations that demand true design excellence.

The post 5 Best Tech Gadgets That Double As Art Objects first appeared on Yanko Design.

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permeable terracotta brick screens wrap kindergarten’s stacked volumes by NAN architects

NAN Architects Stacks Kindergarten’s spaces for Playful Learning

 

Located in the Lijia area of Yubei District, Chongqing, China, the Golden Bay Kindergarten by NAN Architects responds to both a constrained triangular site and the psychological needs of early childhood education. Positioned along the Jialing River, the project integrates spatial strategies that balance openness, play, and protection. The school’s design adopts a staggered stacking method in which each classroom unit is sequentially set back, creating terraces on every floor. These outdoor extensions function as transitional zones between inside and outside, offering continuity across levels so that each floor maintains the quality of being at ground level. This configuration encourages openness while supporting the psychological development of children through spatial variety.

 

The facade is defined by two complementary strategies. On the south and north elevations, large floor-to-ceiling glazing maximizes daylight and frames expansive views of the river. On the east–west axis, a permeable terracotta brick screen provides shading, reduces glare, and maintains privacy from nearby streets and villas. At night, the screen takes on a lantern-like quality, glowing softly and creating a distinctive visual presence. For children, the interplay of light and shadow contributes to an environment that is both stimulating and reassuring.

all images courtesy of NAN Architects

 

 

NAN Architects Balances Urban and Child-Centered Design

 

At the urban scale, the building presents different interfaces depending on orientation. The north side, facing the river and main road, houses circulation routes and auxiliary functions such as offices, meeting rooms, and stairwells, which are linked into an open walkway that doubles as a public viewing platform. The south side, oriented toward residential buildings, adopts a fragmented, playful massing that softens its visual impact and creates a more intimate relationship with the neighborhood. Through the combined use of staggered stacking and semi-transparent facades, the project reconciles site limitations with educational requirements. The concept by studio NAN Architects results in an architecture that supports children’s learning and growth while engaging with its broader urban and environmental context.

Golden Bay Kindergarten is located in the Lijia area of Yubei District, Chongqing

staggered stacking sets back each classroom unit in sequence

every level features its own terrace as an outdoor extension

floor-to-ceiling glazing on north and south facades maximizes natural light

the project by NAN Architects sits along the Jialing River

the configuration encourages openness and variety for children

terracotta brick screens define the east–west facades

at night, the facade glows like a lantern within the neighborhood

light and shadow enhance both safety and imagination for children

the building softens its presence toward adjacent residences

the design integrates educational needs with urban and environmental context

 

project info:

 

name: Chonqing Golden Bay Kindergarten
architects: NAN Architects

location: Chongqing, China

 

principal architect: NAN Xu

design team: ZHOU Dingqi, TANG Huilian, WANG Wenyu, YANG Huiling, CHEN Mengfan, MU Canqi, MA Qi

structural consultant: ZHANG Zhun

client: Hongkong Land, China Merchants Shekou

construction drawings: China Machinery Zhonglian Engineering Co., Ltd., China Coal Technology & Engineering Group Chongqing Design & Research Institute

materials: Reinforced concrete, terracotta brick, floor-to-ceiling glazing

 

 

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

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norman foster, sou fujimoto, lina ghotmeh and more design birdhouses at london frieze week

Architects’ birdhouses for charity on brain cancer research

 

Birdhouses designed by Norman Foster, Sou Fujimoto, Lina Ghotmeh, Frida Escobedo, and more are shown in the exhibition Architects for the Birds during London Frieze Week. Taking place at Christie’s London 20/21 Marquee Week between October 13th and 17th and during the Frieze Week between October 8th and 14th, 2025, the project led by Norman Foster brings together ten renowned architects to design homes for the birds for an exhibition and a charity auction supporting brain cancer research.  

 

Norman Foster initiated the collaboration with the Tessa Jowell Foundation, inviting nine other architects to interpret themes of sanctuary, care, and hope through miniature architectural birdhouses. The participating architects include Norman Foster, Renzo Piano, David Chipperfield, Grafton Architects, Sou Fujimoto, Lina Ghotmeh, Jacques Herzog, Frida Escobedo, Farshid Moussavi, and Kazuyo Sejima/SANAA.

all images courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2025 | photo by Michael Bodiam

 

 

Exhibition at Christie’s King Street during London’s Frieze Week

 

Each architect, including Norman Foster, who conceived the project, received an open brief allowing interpretation of the sanctuary theme, and the resulting birdhouses are set to be exhibited publicly at Christie’s King Street during London’s Frieze Week in October 2025, then sold at a private dinner auction. While specific construction details aren’t provided, each architect, including Norman Foster himself, likely approaches the birdhouses using materials and techniques consistent with their established design philosophies and architectural styles.

 

The scale shift from large buildings to small birdhouses poses technical challenges, as details that work at building scale may not function at miniature scale, requiring the contributing architects to rethink proportions and their joinery methods. The theme of sanctuary, care, and hope offers them a conceptual framework while allowing individual interpretation. Some architects focus on the protective aspects of shelter, such as Norman Foster’s tiered, lamp-like birdhouse, while others zero in on the nurturing qualities of home, including Frida Escobedo’s ladderized wooden open birdhouse and Grafton Architects’ playful resting rods. 

Norman Foster, Birdfeeder, 2025. Prototype | photo by Michael Bodiam

 

 

‘Architects for the Birds’ to support research on brain cancer

 

Named Architects for the Birds, the exhibition coinciding with London Frieze Week and the auction by Christie’s represents a rare and collectible design challenge through birdhouses by the most revered architects of the present time. Each birdhouse is slated to be auctioned at a private dinner at Christie’s to support the work of the Tessa Jowell Foundation to improve treatment and care for people with brain cancer across the NHS in the UK.

 

The Tessa Jowell Foundation focuses on brain cancer treatment improvement, specifically addressing what they identify as the leading cancer killer of children and adults under 40. The foundation was established following Tessa Jowell’s death from brain cancer. She served as the UK’s longest-serving Secretary of State for Culture, which explains the cultural connections that enabled this architectural collaboration.

Norman Foster, Birdfeeder, 2025. Prototype | photo by Michael Bodiam

Frida Escobedo, Bird Station – 01, 2025

Grafton Architects, A drawing of Éanlann for Architects for the Birds, 2025

Grafton Architects, Éanlann, 2025

Grafton Architects, A drawing of Éanlann for Architects for the Birds, 2025

Jacques Herzog, Utensils, 2025

Jacques Herzog, Utensils, 2025

Kazuyo Sajima, Tori no le, 2025

 

project info:

 

name: Architects for the Birds

architects: Norman Foster, Renzo Piano, David Chipperfield, Grafton Architects, Sou Fujimoto, Lina Ghotmeh, Jacques Herzog, Frida Escobedo, Farshid Moussavi, Kazuyo Sejima | @officialnormanfoster, @rpbw_architects, @david.chipperfield, @graftonarchitects, @sou_fujimoto, @linaghotmeh, @herzogdemeuron, @fridaescobedo, @farshidmoussavi, @sanaa_jimusho

foundation: Tessa Jowell Foundation | @tessajowellfoundation

auction: Christie’s | @christiesinc

event: London 20/21 Marquee Week, London Frieze Week | @friezeofficial

dates: October 13th to 17th, 2025

photography: Michael Bodiam | @michaelbodiam

The post norman foster, sou fujimoto, lina ghotmeh and more design birdhouses at london frieze week appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

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Ruby Law’s Unfolding Cube Transforms Terence Lam’s “White Summer” Concert into a Live-Stage Narrative

The Hong Kong Coliseum turned into a kinetic storytelling arena on September 10, 2025 when Ruby Law, founder of RULA Design Studio, unveiled a seven‑meter white cube that folds, glows and morphs throughout Terence Lam’s “White Summer” concert. The sculptural centerpiece sits beneath two circular LED screens, creating a striking contrast between the rigid square and the surrounding round light panels—a visual metaphor for the show’s theme of duality, where light and shadow, joy and melancholy intertwine .

From the opening act, the cube dominates the stage as a static, pristine block. Its stark white surface reflects the blinding summer sun projected from the overhead screens, casting deep shadows that echo the concert’s exploration of contrast. As the performance progresses, the cube begins to unfold, its panels swinging outward to reveal a glowing “+” symbol on the floor. This simple cross becomes a sign of unison, a visual cue that disparate elements are converging into a single narrative thread .

Designer: Ruby Law (photos by Right Eyeball Studio)

The circular LED screens above the stage act like abstract glasses, framing fragments of a love story that unfold in projected memories. Audiences watch tender moments turn bittersweet as Terence Lam, positioned outside the cube, observes past relationship scenes playing within the transparent interior. A backward‑running clock punctuates the segment, reminding viewers of the impossibility of reversing time with a loved one.

Colour gradually seeps into the scene, breaking the initial black‑and‑white palette. This shift mirrors the transition from memory to present emotion, while the audience’s light sticks synchronize with a smaller, 360‑degree flying prop—a miniature replica of the main cube—that changes hue in real time. The shared illumination blurs the line between performer and spectator, forging a moment of collective unity.

Aerial choreography defines the concert’s second half. Terence Lam lies on a bed as his “soul” lifts away, rising into a suspended space where his shadow drifts above him. The floating fragments of memory, rendered as weightless shapes, interact with the audience’s light, creating a sensation of gravity‑free movement. The design draws on Daoist ideas of transcendence, suggesting that letting go of past attachments can lead to a higher state of being .

Behind the spectacle, a dedicated engineering and construction crew rebuilt the flying mechanisms after a three‑year venue restriction. Their effort made possible the seamless transitions, rapid unfolding of the massive cube, and precise aerial lifts that kept the performance fluid and safe . The visual language of “White Summer” hinges on the interplay of geometric forms—square versus circle, static versus kinetic—and the emotional journey from recollection to renewal. Ruby Law’s modular cube not only serves as a stage prop but also as a narrative device, framing the concert’s story of love, loss and the hope of moving forward. The unfolding cube stands as a testament to innovative stage design, proving that a simple geometric shape, when engineered with imagination, can become a powerful conduit for storytelling.

The post Ruby Law’s Unfolding Cube Transforms Terence Lam’s “White Summer” Concert into a Live-Stage Narrative first appeared on Yanko Design.

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concrete walls shape circular ‘pictograma’ winery around rain-harvesting courtyard in mexico

rojkind arquitectos & amasa estudio’s circular winery in mexico

 

In Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe, Rojkind Arquitectos and Amasa Estudio introduce Pictograma, a circular winery designed to streamline wine production while reviving the region’s agricultural traditions. The 1,963-square-meter structure also produces olive oil, fragrances, lavender, and citrus. Its radial plan, inspired by the valley’s organic contours, arranges the entire production cycle, fermentation, bottling, barrel storage, and tasting rooms around a central courtyard, eliminating unnecessary circulation.

 

The building is shaped by twelve trapezoidal concrete walls and vaults, each separating and defining a specific function inside. This clear layout continues into the landscape design, which uses local plants, permeable brick paving, and a sloped facade built from soil taken from the site to connect the winery closely to its surroundings. At the center, the courtyard collects rainwater that runs off the vaults, directing it through channels in the walls so it can seep back into the ground.

all images by Edmund Sumner, unless stated otherwise

 

 

shaded porticos and brick vaults shape Pictograma

 

The design by Mexico City-based Rojkind Arquitectos and Amasa Estudio takes inspiration from 16th-century portico structures, using a shaded walkway around the building to encourage natural ventilation and cooling. The project combines traditional methods, such as building with brick vaults, with modern techniques like fiberglass and metal formwork. This mix creates concrete surfaces that feel rooted in historic Franciscan architecture while still appearing contemporary. The use of pigmented concrete also helps the building blend with the natural colors of the valley.

 

Beyond production, Pictograma integrates hospitality through its connection to the Banyan Tree hotel complex. The retreat offers panoramic views of the valley and continues the commitment to local, sustainable materials. The winery and hotel are designed to connect architectural innovation with the agricultural traditions and cultural context of Baja California.

Rojkind Arquitectos and AMASA Estudio introduce Pictograma in Mexico | image by Fernando Marroquin

a circular winery designed to revive the region’s agricultural traditions | image by Fernando Marroquin

its radial plan is inspired by the valley’s organic contours | image by Fernando Marroquin

the production cycle is arranged around a courtyard, eliminating unnecessary circulation.

the building is shaped by twelve trapezoidal concrete walls and vaults

the courtyard collects rainwater that runs off the vaults | image by Grupo UBK

separating and defining specific functions | image by Grupo UBK

the design draws from 16th-century portico structures | image by Fernando Marroquin

a shaded walkway encourages natural ventilation and cooling

concrete surfaces feel rooted in historic Franciscan architecture | image by Fernando Marroquin

pigmented concrete also helps the building blend with the natural colors of the valley

Pictograma integrates hospitality through its connection to the Banyan Tree hotel complex

designed to streamline wine production

designed to connect architectural innovation with the agricultural traditions | image by Grupo UBK

 

project info:

 

name: Pictograma

architect: Rojkind Arquitectos | @rojkindarquitectos, Amasa Estudio | @amasa__estudio

location: Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, México

area: 1,963 square meters

 

lead architects: Michel Rojkind, Agustín Pereyra, Andrea López

team: Ruth Diaz, Eli Ambris, Victor Cruz, Daniel Flores, Ricardo Hernández, Yoshio Fukumori, Fernando Franco, Victoria Grossi

AMASA Estudio team: Roxana León, Omar Valdés, Jorge Santiago, Sonia Santaella, Fernanda Corona, Karen Alcaráz, Diana Gómez Matehuala, Fernanda Rodriguez

landscape design: Alma du Solier

oenologist: Lucas Dacosta

branding + concept: Cadena y Asociados | @cadenaconcepts

interior design: SMARQ | @smarq.mx

structural engineering: Ing. Juan Felipe Heredia

lighting: Luz en Arquitectura

MEP: Ing. Germán Muñóz

renders: Hossein Yadollahpour

photographers: Edmund Sumner | @edmundsumner, Fernando Marroquin | @fernandomarroquint, Grupo UBK | @grupo_ubk 

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SpY’s suspended grid installation of black rectangles floats within turbine factory in hungary

MATRIZ installation reorders void inside former power plant

 

Inside the main hall of a former turbine factory in Hungary, Spanish artist SpY has introduced MATRIZ, a large-scale installation composed of a three-dimensional grid of suspended black rectangular elements.

 

The suspended sculpture organizes the void through a rigorous geometric structure. Floating corridors and vertical alignments emerge from the composition, defining pathways without enclosing them. By suspending the grid in equilibrium, SpY introduces a system that establishes order while remaining immaterial and functionless.

all images by Ruben PBescos

 

 

suspended geometric installation balances order and lightness

 

Visitors are invited to move through the spatial framework, where the relationship between body and structure becomes central. The repeated pattern produces shifting perceptions of scale, as distances and proportions appear to expand and contract depending on movement and viewpoint.

 

Through MATRIZ, the artist explores the temporary architecture of perception. By suspending simple forms in a precise arrangement, the installation transforms emptiness into a navigable environment that emphasizes orientation, rhythm, and equilibrium.

MATRIZ occupies the main hall of a former turbine factory in Hungary

SpY’s MATRIZ installation consists of a suspended grid of black rectangular elements

SpY transforms the void into a three-dimensional framework of floating forms

suspension creates a system in equilibrium, balancing order and lightness

corridors and vertical alignments emerge without solid walls

the structure defines pathways while leaving space open and permeable

proportions shift as viewers navigate the spatial pattern

the grid generates rhythm through strict geometric order

black forms hover in silence, creating an immaterial geometry

 

project info:

 

name: MATRIZ

artist: SpY | @spy__studio

location: Budapest, Hungary

commissioned by: INOTA Festival

photographer: Ruben PBescos | @rubenpb

 

 

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

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