Photo credit: Hi Consumption
Want to make your walls light up without installing unsightly lights? If so, then you might want to check out the Brick Light by Italy-based company Simes. It’s designed to look like any other brick, and they’re even shaped like the surrounding bricks, but these are powered by LED technology that’s good for 30,000 to 100,000 hours of use each. Read more for a video of it in-action, additional pictures and information.
Cemtrex’s SmartDesk is touted as “the most advanced workstation on the market”. It features 72 inches of high-resolution, multi-touch displays, a STARK Gesture System, digital phone / webcam that integrates with most VOIP providers, an integrated document scanner, wireless smartphone charging, a built-in digital keyboard / multi-touch input trackpad, and of course a powerful Windows PC powered by an 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor. “The world is ready for a SmartDesk. It is 2018 but our workspaces have not evolved like most things we interact with on a daily basis like our smartphones, smart cars and smart homes,” said Cemtrex’s CEO and Chairman, Saagar Govil. Read more for a video review, additional pictures and information.
Photo credit: Hi Consumption
The term minimalism refers to when something is reduced to its necessary elements, and in the architectural world, designers focus on the connection between two perfect planes, elegant lighting, as well as the void spaces left by the removal of three-dimensional shapes. PAN Treetop Cabins, created Espen Surnevik and Finn-Erik Nilsen, in Norway exemplify this. The abstract design allows these living spaces to blend seamlessly with its naturally forest surroundings. Read more for additional pictures and information.
Photo credit: Katy Ann Gilmore
Los Angeles-based artist Katy Ann Gilmore uses math, physics, and simple lines to created mind-bending optical illusions, not Photoshop. She earned her BA in Mathematics, Art, and Spanish from Greenville College in Greenville, IL as well as an MFA in Visual Art from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA. Many of the organic shapes in her art use geometry and brings them together with nature like a topographic map. Read more for additional pictures and information.
Photo credit: Studio 10 | Chao Zhang
Studio 10 has just completed its M.C. Escher-inspired “Dream & Maze” guestrooms at “The Other Place” guesthouse in Guilin, China. The “Dream” room features the endless, floating Penrose stairs and several other objects that appear to be straight from the mind of Dutch graphic artist Maurits Cornelis Escher. “Anti-gravitational stairs lead to golden doors, behind which there could be a trail leading to a secret forest – or some other unexpected findings that surprises you,” said the design firm. Read more for additional pictures.
The use of smartphones, especially near bedtime, is associated with worse quality of sleep, according to a new study. “When we looked at smartphone use around the time when participants reported they went to bed, more smartphone use around that time in particular was associated with a longer time to fall asleep and worse sleep quality during the night,” said Dr. Gregory Marcus, author of the study and an associate professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. NITE by industrial designer Oliver Sinclair is basically a smartphone lock that also functions as an alarm clock and wireless charging. Read more for additional pictures and information.
Photo credit: Proarh Architecture
Issa Megaron by Proarh Architecture is nestled on the Croatian Isle of Vis, and appears invisible at first glance, but step closer? You’ll realize it’s a modern home fit for a single family, or just a Bond villain, with stacked vertical terraces, with two of them being living areas. You’re greeted with open-ended, unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape immediately once inside. Read more for additional pictures and information.
Sure, Apple updated its 2018 MacBook Pro models twice this year, with the latest being with AMD’s Vega GPUs, but as for a big redesign, we probably won’t see one until 2019. This bezel-less concept shows what such a refresh could look like, running a unified OS X that also works on iOS devices. Other rumored features include: 10nm Intel Cannon Lake processors, Face ID, and a Touch Bar with haptic feedback. Read more for a bonus video, additional pictures and information.
The Plugin House by the People’s Architecture Office (PAO) is basically a modular, affordable living space designed for those who reside in hard to reach areas of China. Mrs. Fan (above video) was the first to purchase one of these homes, and now, their latest project in Shenzhen follows up on it. At first glance, it may appear to be an optical illusion nestled in between historic buildings, but as you get closer, you’ll see its minimalist walled-in garden area, glazed windows, and an angular design. Step inside, you’re greeted with a spacious, bright, and airy loft-style design. These homes are priced from $20,000 USD, and range in size from 160 sq. ft. to 215 sq. ft. Read more for additional pictures and information.
Photo credit: Concierge Auction via CNBC
Just sold your company for a billions, and want a Versailles-inspired mega mansion? If so, then look no further than Le Palais Royal, located on Florida’s Gold Coast. This 60,000-square-foot home is covered in 22-karat gold accents and built to
withstand a Category 5 Hurricane, compelete with a backup generator system that can keeps things running for 10-days. Starting with the exterior, there’s six man-made waterfalls, a $4-million, 150,000-gallon resort-sized pool below, water slide, grotto, glass bottom Jacuzzi, biometric fingerprint scanners. and $500,000 gilded mahogany front doors. Read more for additional pictures and information.