Daring bright colors and contemporary designs are key essentials of Angharad McLaren’s woven textiles. Inspired by a dynamic mix of human and natural influences McLaren’s latest Shibori Pleat collection is influenced by water sport activities such as sailing and windsurfing.

Her passion for the sea and water-sports visually inspired McLaren to create a collection which features Dobby and Jacquard designs which are ideal for indoor and outdoor applications such as blinds, screens, wall panels, floor mats and furnishings. Her textiles are created using traditional techniques which are updated using the latest computerized hand-weaving and industrial technology. Materials range from organic natural fibers to neoprene to performance textiles such as recycled ropes which are appropriate for climbing. While recycling and being super eco-friendly McLaren has an ethical production method of repurposing existing materials into new woven patterns.

Product: shibori pleat collection
Designer: angharad mclaren
Producer: angharad mclaren

Wall cladding manufactured from COLORBOND® steel is a cost effective, thermally efficient and attractive design solution for commercial and industrial projects.

* Available in both single sheet form and insulated panel form.
* A wide range of color choices and cladding profiles to give building designers and owners creative freedom while meeting building code requirements.
* Excellent thermal performance.
* Backed by BlueScope Steel warranties to support your reputation.

Producer: colorbond

Wall cladding manufactured from COLORBOND® steel is a cost effective, thermally efficient and attractive design solution for commercial and industrial projects.

* Available in both single sheet form and insulated panel form.
* A wide range of color choices and cladding profiles to give building designers and owners creative freedom while meeting building code requirements.
* Excellent thermal performance.
* Backed by BlueScope Steel warranties to support your reputation.

Producer: colorbond

…”This is one fabulous faucet. Made of composite materials, it moves into any position like the human arm can, to direct water wherever you want it, at a variety of flows and sprays. No crappy flex hoses, no leaks, full power, easy, intuitive controls, multiple mounting options. A new concept for faucets. Truly a new life form.

producer: kohler.com
materials: carbon
period: 2009

Normally I do whatEVER it takes to nix lamps of all kinds in favor of recessed or trac. Made of soft, tactile silicone in red, lavender, graphite and white hues, these versatile, multifunctional and user-friendly lamps are fully flexible and adjustable, literally bending over backwards to meet your lighting needs. Will take exception to this little cutie.

Designer: Denis Santachiara
Producer: Antonangeli Illuminazione

trek lime is no lemon. here’s why. the people have spoken. after one month of online voting, 198 finalists, the Trek Lime wins the 2009 people’s design award—the fourth annual cooper-hewitt design museum competition. Introduced as the answer to the millions of American adults who do not ride a bike, the Trek Lime bike was […]

Do you feel bit dorky sporting a bicycle helmet? I do: an aesthetically dis-pleasing, strictly utilitarian experience. Helmets seemed made to be ripped off as soon as possible. That was before I purchased my new “Nutcase”. A Portland, Oregon company comes up with stylish helmet alternatives to go with your other cool gear. Gigantic daisies […]

ROHO collection sets new standard for bpa-free hydration bottles. The new line of reusable stainless steel bottles fuses modern art with functional design.

ROHO™ is the latest addition to the historically trusted and reputable line of BPA-free Thermos® products. Influenced by global, political, cultural and environmental issues, the new reusable stainless steel hydration bottles feature a variety of vibrant designs to reflect personal style without compromising safety. Offering safety and convenience advantages over current bottles on the market, the ROHO collection raises the bar of what is expected from a hydration bottle.

“Hydration bottles may have a trendy design on the outside, but many are still made with unsafe materials on the inside where attention to detail matters most,” said Kim Flanagan, ROHO brand manager. “The ROHO collection finally combines everything you’ve been looking for in a hydration bottle.”

Uniting innovative design and safety, the ROHO collection hydration bottles are made from 18/8 stainless steel and polypropylene, which means there is no BPA, no aluminum and no interior coating to be concerned about. The long neck shape of the bottle provides an ergonomic hand grip, while beverage capacity is still a generous 24 oz.

The initial ROHO collection will be available in 18 different designs with a variety of colors and graphics offering new ways to express individual style and personality. Each ROHO stainless steel bottle can be identified from other hydration bottles by the distinct leak-proof red flip-top lid.

The striking lid design also features a one-hand push button and an integrated carrying loop.

“The ROHO brand name was inspired by our signature red lid and our global focus,” said Flanagan. “Rojo means red in Spanish, making the brand fun, approachable and memorable.”

The ROHO collection will be available at Target stores and at Thermos.com.
Price: $14.99-$17.99.
Producer: thermos

World’s tallest skyscraper. formerly Burj Dubai. renamed Burj Khalifa in honor of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, president of the united Arab Emirates (UAE). The building officially opened January 4, 2010. The tower is being constructed by a South Korean company, Samsung Engineering & Construction [16] which built the Petronas Twin Towers and the Taipei 101. The tower is designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, who also designed the Sears Tower in Chicago and the Freedom Tower in New York City, among numerous other famous high-rises. The building resembles the bundled tube form of the Sears Tower, but is not a tube structure.

Current records:
* Tallest skyscraper to top of spire: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previously Taipei 101 – 509.2 m (1,671 ft))
* Tallest structure ever built: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previously Warsaw radio mast – 646.38 m (2,121 ft))
* Tallest extant structure: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previously KVLY-TV mast – 628.8 m (2,063 ft))
* Tallest freestanding structure: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previously CN Tower – 553.3 m (1,815 ft))
* Building with most floors: 160 (previously Willis Tower – 108)
* World’s highest elevator installation
* World’s fastest elevators at speed of 64 km/h (40 mph) or 18 m/s (59 ft/s) (previously Taipei 101 – 16.83 m/s)
* Highest vertical concrete pumping (for a building): 606 m (1,988 ft) (previously Taipei 101 – 449.2 m (1,474 ft))
* Highest vertical concrete pumping (for any construction): 606 m (1,988 ft) (previously Riva del Garda Hydroelectric Power Plant – 532 m (1,745 ft))
* The first world’s tallest structure in history to include residential space
* Highest outdoor observation deck in the world (124th floor)
* World’s highest mosque (located on the 154th floor)
* World’s highest installation of an aluminium and glass façade, at a height of 512 m (1,680 ft)
* World’s highest swimming pool (76th floor)

Designer: adrian smith ( note: the architects are the chicago office of SOM. smith left in 2006 to open his own firm: adrian smith + gordon gill

for more photos and information visit the e-zine section

It’s not difficult to find concept cars but not so for forklift trucks designed to be modern and aesthetic. Here are concept renderings and the resulting production model. A report says about the 2003 forklift: “this forklift sold more units in its first six months than its predecessor’s best year. The design launched a new brand look for the company and offers many features for the driver, inspired by our RXX concept vehicle.”

Producer: stihl ( unverified )