Could white paint help Barcelona cope with frequent heatwaves?
Spain is warming at a faster rate than any other European country. In an effort to protect city-dwellers from worsening heatwaves, the Spanish government is considering painting Barcelonaβs iconic buildings white. Barcelonaβs cityscape has long been hailed by urban planners and architectural novices for its practical design and abundant...
Current in Design
Designer Gyuhan Lee upcycles McDonaldβs bags into lamps
These nongreasy upcycled lamps were made from McDonaldβs paper bags by Gyuhan Lee. Theyβre a fun example of how packaging and waste can be repurposed to become useful decoration. Fancy yourself a midnight snack? Craving the golden arches of fast food convenience? Single-use packaging could be worth more than...
Why cork is becoming sustainable designβs favourite material
Members of the design world are on a mission to locate materials that bring us closer to achieving sustainability targets, while also being beautiful and long-lasting. Cork is becoming a prime candidate. When we think of cork, weβre likely imagining popping open a celebratory bottle of champagne or pinning our...
Utrechtβs newest apartment block will become a vertical forest
The Dutch city of Utrecht is getting a new apartment building covered in 10,000 plants and trees. It will emit 41 tons of oxygen annually once it is completed in 2024. In imagined depictions of a utopian future, itβs very often that we see views of cities full of...
Coca-Cola launches AI art contest using ChatGPT-4 and DALL-E 2
Coca-Cola is launching a competition prompting AI fans to create digital art using its iconic imagery. The best submissions will be showcased on billboards in Manhattan and London. The possibilities for generative AI are pretty much endless, and yet the assignment here is to create the coolest image possible⦠featuring...
Three ways bioplastics are being turned into everyday objects
Once we find the right formulas, the use of eco-friendly bioplastics can be applied to create virtually any object. From its uses in the fashion industry to valuable pieces of art and even furniture-making, letβs take a look at some of the latest designs using bioplastic. I probably donβt have...
ChopValue is turning throwaway chopsticks into furniture
The Canadian-based company has just diverted its hundred-millionth chopstick away from landfill. These throwaway items are being transformed into furniture and even resturant interiors at McDonaldβs. When tucking into some lunchtime ramen, we scarcely think about how our chopsticks came to be or where they will ultimately end up. Well, for an item that serves its entire life purpose in around a half hour, North America reportedly imports between 40...
Paper pins to replace traditional Remembrance Day poppies
Looking to reduce the waste produced by a commemorative day celebrated across the UK, the Royal British Legion embarked upon a three-year journey to replace the traditionally plastic poppies with upcycled paper pins. Every year in November, 45 million poppy pins are sold in Britain as the nation prepares to celebrate Remembrance Day. The design we see pinned to the lapels of businessmen, TV presenters, and football pundits annually has remained...
NEOM provides fresh updates on its latest luxury island project
The Saudi-based architecture firm NEOM has gotten to work on a handful of futuristic projects in recent years. Now, itβs announced new details of its plan for Shushah Island. Those involved with urban planning are now faced with major challenges in light of our mounting environmental and resource crises. Experimentation, innovation, and consideration of nature will be vital when building architectural landscapes of the future. Striving to become a kingpin in developing...
Elijah Mckenzie-Jackson’s β321 pingβ is an evocative piece about US gun violence
Renowned for creating art rich in social commentary, Elijah McKenzie-Jackson has just unveiled his newest piece β321 pingβ - which intends to highlight the staggering number of victims who succumb to gun violence every day in the US.Β βAs an artist, I feel it is my duty to use my work to spark conversations and bring attention to important social issues,β says 19-year-old Elijah McKenzie-Jackson.Β Wise beyond his years, the British-born...
