By

Towel drying radiator adds aesthetic look to your bathroom

I live in a country where more often than not, the towel dries even before we leave the bathroom (since it’s just too hot most of the time). So towel-drying wall radiators are not that common in most households. In fact, it was just a few years ago when I encountered one when I was traveling outside the country and I didn’t even know what it was. I thought it was just some tubing where I could hang my towel or clothes while taking a bath. Most of them look similar though, using multiple tubings for its basic design.

The Zehnder Archibald towel drying radiator, designed by Leo Salzedo, stands as a testament to the fusion of art and functionality in modern bathroom design. Its unique construction from a single curved steel tube not only offers a sleek aesthetic but also ensures efficient towel warming. Unlike traditional towel radiators composed of multiple joined tubes, the Archibald’s seamless design provides a minimalist yet striking presence in any bathroom.Its sinuous form, reminiscent of a sculptural piece, allows it to hold up to four towels simultaneously, ensuring they are warm and dry when needed.

Designer: Leo Salzedo for Zhender

Instead of just looking like a functional piece of furniture in your bathroom or bedroom, you have something that looks more like aesthetic hangers while still maintaining an industrial feel. You do have the option to change the finish to match diverse interior styles, in case the industrial thing is not what you’re going for. The finishes include chrome and other powder-coated colors. They’re also available in both electric and hydronic (central heating) models, catering to various installation preferences.The electric version operates at 200 watts, while the hydronic model offers a heat output of approximately 233 watts (795 BTU), making it suitable for maintaining a comfortable bathroom climate.

While I may not have much use for a towel radiator in my own home—where the climate does most of the drying for me, the Zehnder Archibald made me pause and appreciate how even the most utilitarian objects can be reimagined as sculptural statements. It’s a reminder that great design isn’t just about necessity; it’s about intention, experience, and even a touch of surprise. For those who live in colder climates, or simply value the feeling of a warm towel after a shower, the Archibald offers not just warmth, but beauty. It’s proof that functional objects don’t have to fade into the background—they can, in fact, be the centerpiece.

The post Towel drying radiator adds aesthetic look to your bathroom first appeared on Yanko Design.

By

Steam Deck Mod Crams Handheld PC Into a Keyboard-Topped Bento Box

Even though the Steam Deck does not have the same level of modularity as the Nintendo Switch, its Linux foundation and relatively open hardware have made it a favorite canvas for modders and creative tinkerers. With its hardware now feeling a bit dated, the scene is filled with inventive approaches that push the boundaries of what Valve originally planned. Some of these mods transform the Steam Deck into something completely new.

One mod, in particular, gives the Steam Deck a unique makeover, trading its portable game console persona for a more versatile form factor. Drawing inspiration from the classic Japanese lunch box, this Bento Steam Deck mod turns the keyboard into the main event, shifting attention away from the now-absent screen. The result is a device that feels more like a compact, portable PC than a traditional handheld gaming system.

Designer: Michael Gutensohn (michaelthatsit)

While the Steam Deck has the guts to compete with basic laptops, its original design is clearly tailored for gaming and not much else. Adding a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse can help, but the small built-in display quickly makes you wish for an external monitor. At that point, the device loses its portability, quietly becoming just another desktop-bound computer.

The Bento mod tackles this limitation with a fresh perspective. At first glance, it looks like someone simply placed an Apple Magic Keyboard atop a wide, nondescript box. In reality, that wide box neatly houses the Steam Deck’s internals, including its battery and cooling solution. True to its bento box inspiration, the inside is divided into dedicated compartments, with one side left empty to stash accessories or additional tools.

The real magic happens when you connect a pair of AR glasses, such as the Xreal Air, to the Bento Steam Deck. This setup gives users a large, immersive, and private virtual display, all while keeping things genuinely portable. It is true that this mod sacrifices the Steam Deck’s handheld convenience since you need to set it down to use, but the payoff is a much more comfortable typing and computing experience. For gaming sessions, a wireless controller can always be added to the mix.

There are still some aspects that could be refined, like finding a way to store a mouse in the spare compartment or perhaps resizing the box for better cooling. The Bento Steam Deck mod puts usability and straightforward design first, drawing inspiration from the simple, practical nature of the lunch box it is modeled after. It stands out as a clever, approachable twist for anyone looking to get more from their Steam Deck.

The post Steam Deck Mod Crams Handheld PC Into a Keyboard-Topped Bento Box first appeared on Yanko Design.

By

casa em pedrantil: helder da rocha arquitectos reveals portugal’s landscape in layers

a home unfolds in northern portugal

 

Helder da Rocha Arquitectos presents its newly completed Casa em Pedrantil, sited within the undulating terrain of northern Portugal. The home waits behind a hill on Rua de São João, its silhouette withheld from view at first. When the team first arrived on site, the only clear vantage point was from a small rise near the road. It was from there, just two or three meters of elevation, that the western landscape unfolds. That moment became the foundation for everything that followed.

 

The initial design was a grand gesture, cutting through the hill to open the site from the street. This plan was eventually tempered by the cost of excavation, retaining walls, and structural reinforcement proved too high. But the instinct remained. And the revised approach held onto that original sense of revelation, finding another way to guide the eye toward the distant view.

images © Ivo Tavares Studio

 

 

Casa em Pedrantil: a cluster of scattered volumes

 

Rather than alter the slope, the Portugal-based design team at Helder da Rocha Arquitectos allow it to shape its Casa em Pedrantil. A series of independent volumes were introduced across the site, placed in response to the land’s existing contours. The structures, finished in a pale cappotto insulation render and anchored with bands of exposed concrete, settle onto the terrain with restraint.

 

Their arrangement is loose, without formal symmetry, but carefully considered. Each volume steps and shifts in height, bringing variation inside and out. The layout is not intuitive at first, but gradually makes sense as one moves through it, just as the landscape is gradually revealed.

the house is hidden from view at street level behind a natural rise in the terrain

 

 

the subdued material palette

 

The journey through Casa em Pedrantil is designed with a particular cadence. First the hill, then the pathway, and then the slow appearance of built forms. The house holds back from offering too much at once. Even the garden plays a role in shaping this experience, with initial plantings that restrict the panorama. The architecture works like a lens slowly brought into focus.

 

Eventually, the sequence opens up to a single large window in the living room, oriented west. This is the only aperture with generous dimensions, and it is placed with care. There is no competition, no redundancy. In the soft light of late afternoon, the view appears just as it did from the top of the hill during that first visit.

 

The material palette is subdued. The smooth, rendered facades do not catch much attention, but the raw concrete at the bases and around the openings offers weight and texture. These elements also anchor the forms visually to the site. The materials are consistent throughout, avoiding embellishment and allowing shadow and proportion to carry the composition.

the western landscape is revealed gradually as visitors move through the site

volumes are placed gently across the slope to avoid heavy earthworks

the exterior is finished in cappotto with exposed concrete accents

the landscaping is designed to delay and control the unfolding panorama

each volume varies in height to create a dynamic spatial experience

a single large window in the living room frames the western view

 

project info:

 

name: Casa em Pedrantil

architect: Helder da Rocha Arquitectos | @helderdarocha.arquitectos

location: Penafiel, Portugal

builder: Avelar e Pias
engineering: Massa Cinza Engenheiros
landscape: SL Paisagistas

completion: 2025

photographer: © Ivo Tavares Studio | @ivotavaresstudio

The post casa em pedrantil: helder da rocha arquitectos reveals portugal’s landscape in layers appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

By

World’s First Self-Balancing Exoskeleton Allows People to Walk Again

Perhaps this will one day be a common sight in hospitals and homes:

That’s Eve, the world’s first self-balancing personal exoskeleton, according to French robotics company Wandercraft. Eve’s mission is to restore walking independence to those with severe mobility issues. Once a user dons it, Eve allows them to stand and walk, with AI tackling the self-balancing. The company says it requires five training sessions to get the hang of.

Eve caused a stir last year, when it was featured in the 2024 Summer Olympics Torch Relay in France. Paralympian Kevin Piette donned the exoskeleton to carry the torch through a village outside of Paris.

The exoskeleton has made its way ‘Stateside, where it’s currently undergoing trials at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx and the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in New Jersey. The trials allow adults with spinal cord injuries to walk again.

The company says they still have regulatory hurdles to clear, but that pending further validation, they expect Eve to become commercially available.

By

Fooscade replaces rods and minifigs with custom-made controller that has mini boots for your fingers

The ball’s deep in the opponent’s half, and I’m sliding the rods left and right in a frenzy, trying my best to get little Messi to score a winner. Foosball, really hooks you in! Hours slip by on a weekend without realizing the time. And when I’m not at the table, I’m glued to FC25 on the PlayStation. Basically, it’s all about football: plastic or pixelated, doesn’t matter. Adding to this collection will soon be the Fooscade, an arcade-style take on the game we love so much.

Of course, there is an inspiration behind the Fooscade, which requires you to put two fingers into the little boots of the controller and then play. The inspiration is the Pong game that has been combined with some nuances from foosball to bring football to the table without the rods and minifigs. This controller lets you play the game like air hockey, minus the physical contact and a puck.

Designer: Hong Hua & Yixuan Liu

According to the designers, Fooscade pays homage to the soccer styles from the 1990s to the early 2000s – the golden era with its geometric patterns and bold color combinations. All of the components of the game are virtual. The two cleats, a puck for a ball, and the air hockey-like gameplay. All you have handy is this controller, which has two mini football boots you put your index fingers in and control the elements on the table-esque display. We have in the past seen many clever alternative controllers, but this iteration is going to be a different experience, and absolutely unique gameplay for football enthusiasts.

The controller can be used to slide and spin – to mimic the movement and footwork of a player in a real game – which creates a very interesting experience that’s not seen before in arcade-style gaming. So, the Fooscade controller is like an arcade version of a foosball table. By moving the finger left and right or rotating the controller, you can change the distance between the virtual feet. It can be challenging to adjust in the beginning, but once you get used to it, it should make for an interesting game of football.

The controller is 3D printed from PLA filaments and based on aluminum rails. The display is based on an acrylic board surface and the electronic components are pretty raw and visible at the moment. This is surely not the final version. We are definitely going to see someone’s modification (suggested through trials and testing) before the final version rolls out in the market. However it may turn out, the objective of the Fooscade is simple (as is with other football game alternatives): maneuver the ball using the custom-made controller and beat the opponent by scoring more goals. Each game lasts only two and a half minutes, so you better sharpen your fingers before competing!

 

The post Fooscade replaces rods and minifigs with custom-made controller that has mini boots for your fingers first appeared on Yanko Design.

By

This Minimalist Wall Desk Combines Refined Utility with Subtle Presence

Minimalism in furniture design often gets unfairly dismissed as bland or lacking substance, but genuine minimalism is far from empty. When done right, it is about stripping away distractions and focusing on what truly matters. It is about creating objects that fit seamlessly into daily life, giving people just what they need without taking away from the things that make a space personal or inviting.

Anker Bak’s Wall Desk is a perfect case in point, showing that reducing something to its essentials can actually bring out both character and utility. Drawing inspiration from his time spent in the compact homes of Japan, Bak manages to translate the constraints of small spaces into an opportunity for thoughtful design. The Wall Desk is not just about saving space but also about respecting it.

Designer: Anker Bak

Every aspect of the Wall Desk is carefully considered, from its clean surface to its honest materials. The tabletop is available in oak or laminate, supported by slender stainless steel brackets that give the illusion of floating. The surface itself is finished with a gently curved edge, making it pleasant to the touch and comfortable to sit at, even for extended periods. This attention to tactile detail adds a personal layer of enjoyment to everyday routines.

One of the most distinctive features is the optional solid oak drawer. Designed to echo the desk’s quiet aesthetic, it fits neatly below or above the main surface, depending on preference. When placed on top, it can serve as a simple laptop stand, elevating the screen for better ergonomics. When tucked below, it offers storage that disappears into the desk’s silhouette, keeping workspaces neat and distraction-free.

For those who value a workspace that does not take over the room, the Wall Desk provides a solution that is both practical and beautiful. With its compact footprint and intentional details, it delivers an elevated everyday experience without shouting for attention. Whether installed in a home office, a hallway, or even a bedroom, it adapts to its surroundings while maintaining its identity. Its shape and materials allow it to blend effortlessly into both modern and traditional interiors.

Despite its simplicity, the Wall Desk holds its own within any room. The design is pared back, but not anonymous; it has a presence that is felt rather than loudly announced. By combining honest materials, an intuitive shape, and clever features, it manages to create a workspace that feels both refined and welcoming. The result is a desk that fits naturally into life, offering comfort and functionality without ever compromising on style.

The post This Minimalist Wall Desk Combines Refined Utility with Subtle Presence first appeared on Yanko Design.

By

Scooter and urban mobility system brings integrated transport solution

I live in a country where cars are the priority and proper public transportation is only secondary to the concerns of the government and other stakeholders. The result is of course we also have one of the worst traffic situations in the world, not to mention the environmental impact of all those vehicles on the road every day. There is a need for smarter, safer, and more integrated transport solutions. Of course bicycles, scooters, and other alternatives are already there but there’s always room for more ideas.

Xalo: Safety in Motion is a forward-thinking design system that responds directly to this need. This concept is able to merge cutting-edge safety technology with user-friendly features, all while aligning with new road traffic regulations. At its core, Xalo is a comprehensive mobility system that includes an electric scooter and a multifunctional urban hub. It’s built for everyday riders who demand both performance and peace of mind in crowded city environments. More than just a means of transportation, Xalo is designed to be an extension of a safe, regulated, and harmonious urban landscape.

Designers: Roberto Del Gesso, Andrea Dalle Fabbriche, Tommaso Triggiani

The electric scooter in particular has several standout features, specifically in its handlebar area. It has an e-ink display that is subtly integrated and angled for easy peripheral visibility. The low-energy screen is able to provide real-time navigation and trip information without distracting the rider. The navigation cues are delivered through both sound and vibrations in the handlebar grips, allowing riders to stay focused on the road. Located at the front of the scooter, the secure compartment for the helmet opens automatically when a ride is initiated, encouraging and enforcing helmet use as part of new road safety laws.

The urban hub meanwhile is a multifunctional unit that has features like preventing improper parking and providing a charging station. Scooter docking is streamlined through a guide rail system, aligning the vehicle perfectly with the charging connector situated above the front wheel. Once docked, two metal cylinders lock the front wheel, preventing unauthorized movement unless a ride is actively in progress. It is able to seamlessly blend into modern cityscapes since it’s designed with aesthetics in mind.

With an emphasis on mandatory helmet use, visible identification plates, regulated parking, and insurance coverage, Xalo ensures that both riders and cities can embrace electric scooters with confidence. It’s not just about moving from point A to B but it’s about moving safely, smartly, and sustainably.

The post Scooter and urban mobility system brings integrated transport solution first appeared on Yanko Design.

By

Dometic’s Designey Coolers Use a Different Manufacturing Method

Yeti leads the cooler market, with an estimated 37% market share and double the revenues of the nearest competitor. On a recent trip to a big-box, I was not surprised to see other cooler brands attempting to mimic Yeti’s design aesthetic. Yet there is at least one cooler brand (that you won’t find in American big-boxes) that is trying to compete without copying, and relying instead on unique design differentiators. That’s Swedish brand Dometic.

Yeti’s coolers, like most of their competitors’, are rotomolded. This production process yields thick, tough, one-piece cooler bodies that are hollow. Insulating foam is injected into access ports that are drilled into the cooler body, and concealed beneath design features like handles and drain ports so that consumers can’t see them.

If there’s a downside to rotomolding, it’s that the parts it yields are quite heavy. Dometic has instead chosen to injection mold their coolers, producing separate inner and outer shells. These are fitted together, foam is squirted between them, and the shells are then ultrasonically or thermally welded together. The wall thicknesses are thinner than with rotomolded, yet do not sacrifice thermal performance, the company reckons. And their process yields coolers about 30% lighter than competing products.

With injection molding, you can also get more design detail into a part than you can with rotomolding. Dometic has taken advantage by molding their Recon coolers to stack together, taking a cue from the overlanding world. Their lids are designed to be opened from either side, improving access, and the lids can also be removed entirely.

The drain plug on their smaller 16L model can be swapped out for a spigot or a faucet, turning it into a water cooler.

Stackability, lighter weight and a clean, modern design aesthetic make Dometic’s offerings stand out in a market of Yeti-emulators. (In head-to-head ice retention tests, though, Yeti remains the indisputed leader.

One place you won’t catch a break is on the price. These are just about as pricey as Yeti’s offerings. (Direct side-by-side comparisons are tricky because the capacities of the two brands’ models don’t jive.)

By

Volvo’s New, Smarter Seatbelts Take Actual Passenger Specifics Into Account

Two companies that made world-changing innovations in safety are Volvo and Festool. Volvo invented the three-point seatbelt in the ’50s, and released the design as open-source; today every passenger car in the world has them. Festool pioneered track saws and dust collection, and while their designs were not released as open-source, the expiration of their patents means most power tool manufacturers have now jumped into that game. In short, countless lives have been saved by the innovations of these companies.

Now Volvo is pushing seatbelts even further, with their Multi-Adaptive Safety Belt. By harnessing car crash data from their vehicles, Volvo has learned that seatbelts should not behave the exact same way with every crash and every user. “Modern safety belts use load limiters to control how much force the safety belt applies on the human body during a crash,” the company explains. These load limiters rely on deformable metal parts within the retracting mechanism to deliver one of three different levels of restraint. The variance in these three levels is meant to compensate for both crash severity and occupant size.

Volvo reckons these three settings, which are tailored to the 50th percentile male, are not accurate enough to compensate for the variety of body sizes and crash types. For instance a short, skinny teenager and a six-foot-tall pregnant woman require different levels of restraint.

By relying on a host of interior and exterior sensors in the vehicle, the Multi-Adaptive Safety Belt thus provides 11 different load-limiting profiles. These take into account everything from crash direction and severity to occupant height, weight, shape and even sitting position. “For example, a larger occupant in a serious crash will receive a higher belt load setting to help reduce the risk of head injury. While a smaller occupant in a milder crash will receive a lower belt load setting to reduce the risk of rib fractures.”

The new design will debut in the 2026 Volvo EX60, an EV. No word on whether they plan to release the design open-source or will keep this in-house as a competitive advantage.

By

Rock Shoes lets you wear boulders (with moss!) on your feet

I’m pretty “conservative” when it comes to shoes. Most of the time I wear sneakers and even they sport the common and usual kind of designs. So if you ask me if I would be willing to wear a rock or boulder, my answer would probably be not. But if you’re the type of person who likes that specific brand of footwear that most people don’t like, then you may be interested in this “daring” kind of shoe that would definitely get people talking when they see you.

In a daring fusion of sculpture and footwear, artist CANYOAN and Bravest Studios have unveiled the Rock Shoe, a surreal slipper that looks like you’re cushioning your stride atop a mossy boulder. Bravest Studios is actually known for fearless collaborations like their “Toe Slides,” and this time they dive deeper into the interplay of sculpture and utility. The design thrives on contrast: solid stone appearance, yet lightweight and soft to the touch which is actually a visual paradox that challenges our understanding of what footwear can be.

Designers: CANYOAN and Bravest Studios

These shoes are molded from lightweight, closed-cell EVA foam, which provides a soft, pillowy sensation and spring-back resilience that mimics real rocks compressing under weight but returning to shape afterward. In fact, each pair of these unique shoes are hand-painted with layered, realistic moss patches as if you were actually wearing rocks that have moss growing on them. The rock-like shell is formed through panel joins that enhance the rough, naturalistic silhouette. While visually cozy, these closed shoes may be less breathable for summer wear but may be ideal for colder seasons.

Even though they appear hefty and clunky—like chunks of solid rock strapped to your feet—these shoes are surprisingly soft and lightweight, thanks to their high-quality foam-like material. Because of EVA foam, the Rock Shoes provide a cushiony, almost cloud-like feel when worn, offering comfort that sharply contrasts their rugged exterior. The closed-cell structure also gives the material excellent resilience; it compresses gently under pressure but immediately rebounds, allowing the shoes to retain their original form even after extended use. This not only enhances durability but also ensures that the unique sculptural silhouette of each pair remains intact over time, making them as practical as they are visually striking.

The Rock Shoe is not just footwear but also an artistic statement. They invite wearers to explore the gray area between practicality and imagination. These shoes preserve the playful spirit of wearable art, if you’re the adventurous type who’s willing to wear not just shoes but “rocks”.

The post Rock Shoes lets you wear boulders (with moss!) on your feet first appeared on Yanko Design.