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Minimalist Metal Storage Box Doubles as Mobile Seating

Small apartments and shared offices present constant challenges when it comes to furniture that actually works with your lifestyle. You need pieces that can adapt throughout the day, moving from storage to seating to workspace support without taking up permanent real estate in already cramped quarters.

Mark Braun’s NEXT unit for Mueller addresses these space constraints with a straightforward metal design that refuses to pretend it’s anything other than what it actually is. This industrial-inspired piece combines storage and seating functions while rolling smoothly wherever you need it most, making it genuinely useful for dynamic living situations.

Designer: Mark Braun for mueller

The entire unit is constructed from metal with a semi-matte finish that gives it a distinctly contemporary appearance. Four smooth-rolling castors support the geometric, boxy form, while a cut-out handle on the front provides easy access to the storage compartment. The finish resists fingerprints and scratches, maintaining its clean appearance through daily use.

NEXT functions as both storage container and seating surface, though the thin padding over the hard metal top makes it better suited for short sitting sessions. Think of it as a place to perch while putting on shoes, taking quick phone calls, or providing temporary extra seating when guests arrive unexpectedly rather than long-term lounging.

The internal storage capacity proves surprisingly generous despite the compact external dimensions. Books, magazines, office supplies, bags, and miscellaneous items fit easily inside, helping declutter spaces that can’t afford permanent storage solutions. The wheeled base means you can move your belongings wherever they’re needed most.

This mobility becomes particularly valuable in spaces that serve multiple purposes throughout the day. Roll the unit from bedroom to living room, office to meeting area, or studio to storage closet as your needs change. The castors handle the movement smoothly, even when the unit is fully loaded with your belongings.

Braun’s design philosophy emphasizes honest materials and straightforward functionality over decorative comfort features. Unlike traditional storage benches that hide behind wood veneers and upholstered cushions, NEXT makes no attempt to disguise its utilitarian nature, which actually enhances its versatility across different interior styles.

The semi-matte finish comes in multiple color options, allowing some degree of customization without compromising the essential industrial character. Whether you choose neutral tones or bolder colors, the unit maintains its distinctive presence while adapting to various aesthetic preferences and existing decor schemes.

NEXT represents thoughtful design for people who value adaptability over convention. The metal construction ensures durability, the wheels provide genuine mobility, and the clean lines work in contemporary spaces without demanding attention. It’s practical furniture that doesn’t apologize for being practical, which makes it surprisingly elegant in its honesty.

The post Minimalist Metal Storage Box Doubles as Mobile Seating first appeared on Yanko Design.

Vinklu Transforms A Tiny Urban Gap Into Bucharest’s Most Stunning Coffee Shop

Bucharest’s tight urban streets hide surprising opportunities for architects brave enough to look beyond obvious sites. Vinklu’s newest Boiler Coffee location shows us that great design thrives on constraint rather than sprawling real estate. The Chapel sits wedged between existing buildings on Bazilescu Street, occupying what most would dismiss as leftover space. This glass and timber insertion transforms a forgotten gap into something special. The architects conceived the project as an illuminated vessel, with sharp triangular geometry that pushes upward to escape the site’s narrow confines. Rather than accepting the limitations, this angular form creates unexpected vertical drama, turning what could feel cramped into something that pulls your attention toward the sky.

Walking past The Chapel, the transparent facade immediately draws attention. Glass walls dissolve the typical barrier between street and interior, making the coffee shop feel like an extension of the sidewalk. Natural light pours through from multiple angles, bouncing off warm timber surfaces and creating ever-changing shadow patterns throughout the day. The architects positioned seating strategically to take advantage of these light conditions. Morning commuters can grab quick coffee near the street-facing counter, while afternoon visitors settle into quieter corners that feel almost residential in their intimacy. After dark, the building’s character shifts completely. The transparent shell becomes a glowing sculptural object, with interior lighting transforming the space into an urban beacon that projects warm patterns onto the surrounding pavement.

Designer: Vinklu

Vinklu understands that successful coffee shops depend on circulation flow and social dynamics. The Chapel’s narrow footprint could have felt cramped, but careful planning creates distinct zones within the single space. The central service area anchors everything without blocking sightlines or movement. Customers naturally flow around this hub, creating organic meeting points and conversation areas. Bar seating along the windows provides solo visitors with street entertainment, while small tables accommodate groups without overwhelming the space. Every seat offers a different perspective on both the interior architecture and the surrounding neighborhood.

Raw timber beams remain exposed, celebrating the structural gymnastics required to span this unusual site. Glass panels reflect and refract light differently throughout the day, creating subtle visual interest without relying on decorative elements. The floor treatment transitions seamlessly from interior to exterior, further blurring the boundaries between coffee shop and street. These honest materials age gracefully and require minimal maintenance, practical considerations that matter for small business operations.

This isn’t Vinklu’s first collaboration with Boiler Coffee around Bucharest. Their Globalworth Square location, Boiler SQ, draws from Spanish market halls with different seating options clustered around a central service counter. What’s interesting is how each project feels tailored to its site while still feeling like part of the same family. Rather than repeating the same formula everywhere, the architects study each location’s quirks and possibilities. Building a recognizable brand through thoughtful design beats stamping out identical spaces every time.

The Chapel works because Vinklu treats a simple coffee shop like architecture that matters. Tight budgets and impossible sites don’t have to mean compromise when architects care about the outcome. The project takes something completely ordinary and makes it worth seeking out. Sure, Bucharest gets another great place to grab coffee, but the real win is seeing how smart design can breathe life into spaces that would otherwise sit empty. Small interventions like this prove that good architecture doesn’t need grand gestures or massive budgets to make a real difference in how people experience their city.

The post Vinklu Transforms A Tiny Urban Gap Into Bucharest’s Most Stunning Coffee Shop first appeared on Yanko Design.

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 is an updated version for stability running

One excuse that I’ve been giving myself to not start my daily running or walking routine is that I don’t have great running shoes. Friends have told me how important it is to have not just great-looking sneakers but a pair that brings comfort, stability, and cushioning. These qualities are just some of the important things to watch out for when buying your running shoes in order to have a good exercise experience and also take care of your feet while doing so.

The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 represents a significant evolution in the long-running Kayano series from ASICS, offering several unique features that set it apart from its predecessors and competitors in the stability running shoe market. The most notable upgrade is the FF BLAST PLUS foam midsole combined with a higher stack height that paradoxically reduces weight. This provides a blend of cloud-like cushioning and a responsive ride that is lighter than the previous version.

Brand: ASICS

Even with this increased cushioning, the latest Kayano shoes are actually 5 grams lighter for men and 10 grams lighter for women compared to the GEL-KAYANO 31. The latest version also has the rearfoot PureGEL technology, which is an updated version and a 65% softer version of their usual GEL system. This means you get significant improvement in the comfort level and the shock absorption when you’re running or walking. You also get a 4D GUIDANCE SYSTEM which gives runners adaptive stability with its dynamic pod that can intuitively respond under excessive load.

The shoe also has an engineered mesh upper that’s lightweight and breathable, reducing the need for additional overlays while maintaining structural integrity. It also has a reinforced tongue wing with a semi-gusseted design along the arch which lets it stay in place without additional weight. Another significant change here is the 8mm heel-to-toe drop which is lower than many traditional stability shoes and represents a move toward a more natural running experience while maintaining the stability features the Kayano line is known for.

The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 is specifically designed for runners who have “excessive pronation”, which means the foot lands on the outside of the heel, then rolls inward excessively, transferring weight to the inner edge instead of the ball of the foot. It’s also particularly beneficial for those who are dealing with shin splints, plantar fasciitis, bunions, or heel spurs. It is able to maintain the ASICS Kayano series’ reputation as a premium stability shoe while introducing modern technologies that enhance comfort, reduce weight, and improve the overall running experience.

The post ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 is an updated version for stability running first appeared on Yanko Design.

LEGO brings back the GameBoy with a clever lenticular screen and click-in cartridges

LEGO Game Boy has been in the rumor mill this year, and finally, the nostalgic recreation of the iconic handheld has arrived. The life-sized replica of the pocket-sized gaming machine released back in the late 1980s ushered in the era of portable gaming, long battery life, and a huge library of games. True to the original form factor, this 421-piece LEGO set comes with buildable Game Boy Game Pak cartridges for Super Mario Land and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening.

Measuring 5.5 x 3.5 x 1 inches, the dimensions are very close to the real thing. The semi-functional handheld console’s realism is pitch-perfect with the D-Pad, Start, Select, and the fuchsia A and B buttons. LEGO Group has even managed to replicate the curves and the button recess, which makes this collectible highly desirable. To keep the authenticity going, the alphabets are printed on the tiles rather than going for the sticker labels.

Designer: LEGO Group

The set, officially named the LEGO 72046 Nintendo Game Boy, is all set to arrive on 1 October 2025 for $60, with the pre-order window already open. It comes with the handheld’s mono speaker grille, serial number on the rear (which is an easter egg), battery housing latch, contrast adjustment button, volume dial, and the “Dot Matrix With Stereo Sound” inscribed on the top. The reason I say the LEGO set is semi-functional is that it displays one of the three preset start screens or Game Paks of either of the two included games.

To initiate one of these lenticular screens, just slide in the cartridge and flip the power switch. There’s the still from World 1-1 of Super Mario Land, and the cutscene in Link’s Awakening where you sit next to Marin on a log and have a pretty strange (one-sided) conversation. The third one is the tilting of the console, creating the illusion of the moment of the pixelated Nintendo logo, just like the real boot sequence. Tiling in the other two also creates the sense of movement as Link’s Awakening cutscene (briefly) comes to life and Mario moves across the side-scrolling level to add a sense of realism.

The only thing missing is the light and sound effect, or most importantly, the ability to play your favorite pixelated title on the LEGO-fied console. Since this GameBoy set is ideally meant to be displayed on your desk or living room shelf, it comes with a brick-built stand. The other included stand can be used to display the cartridges of the respective games.

To get the fun going, LEGO and Nintendo have also recreated the Game Boy’s original commercial aired in the US and posted it on Instagram. It goes without saying, putting together the set will be an enjoyable weekend activity for both creative people and kids.

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