three good things to say about this chair. a chair that fits in your pocket. a great gift idea. a designer object that is in your budget. Designer: alejandro aravena Producer: vitra

For the pencil sharpener crowd a set of 12 multi-stripe pencils with rubber tops in a matching presentation box. 100% wood, 100% graphite, 100% rigid cardboard box. $12.00US Designer: Paul Smith (UK)

In 2009 Chicago’s Burnham plan celebrated its 100th anniversary. With Daniel Burnham, Chicago was lucky to have an urban visionary who not only had credibility but social clout amongst Chicago’s elite. Chicago is also lucky to have a visionary with all kinds of clout who is inspired by Europe, loves all things green, bikes all […]

Stitch was selected as a Best design in the concepts category of the 2004 American International Design Review. Now we learn Cappellini has put it into production. Fun folding chair completely manufactured with aluminum plate. Polished lacquer in white, blue, yellow, grey, red and black colors or in a multi-colored version in a fixed combination […]

As with many of the concepts shown in 2009 the Renault Megane Coupe foreshadows a production version that’s set to be released at a later date. Of course, don’t expect the gullwing doors or the futuristic interior to find their way into production, but you can get a general idea of what Renault has in store for us when it presents its answer to the VW Scirocco Coupe in a couple of years.

Measuring in at 4,51m or 177.5-inches in length, the compact coupe is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine delivering 200 Hp that’s matted to a six-speed manual gearbox. According to the French carmaker, while the prototype coupe sprints from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.2 sec, it manages to deliver an avg fuel consumption of just 6.5 lt / 100 km or 36.2 MPG (US).

As of Spring 2010, Renault is offering a total of seven powertrain configurations, encompassing both gas- and diesel-powered mills, as well as dual-clutch, manual and continuously variable transmissions. The new Megane CC will hit European dealerships this spring but not in U.S.

Producer: renault

many more images in the e-zine section

An Israeli design student, was shocked to see how kids with disabilities were deprived of the simple pleasure of pedaling around on a tricycle.

So he created an ingenious new version that’s far easier to ride for kids with motor-function disabilities. Rather than the two wheels in back, he moved these to the front, making the trike easier to get on. For stability, there’s a chest plate that the kid can balance on, thus eliminating the need for straps to hold a child upright. And finally, the wheels themselves can be locked using the pedals, providing an extra safety feature.

Designer: shabtai hirshberg

A home that makes the Smart car, standing side-by-side, look like a SUV. No, an 18-wheeler.

“Micro-Compact Home” [m-ch] was inspired by Japanese tea houses, yes, the Smart car and first class air travel. They are lightweight, modular, mobile and very minimal 2.65m (roughly 77 sq ft). That equates into a 266 x 266 x 266 centimeter cube ‘Home,’ Imagine that? It’s not for the claustrophobic, a dwelling non-the-less, for one or two people. This is not a tent, a trailer, but a home, in a super compact design.

Producer: via microcompacthome.

full story in e-zine section

High in concept, clean in lines. This is a nice dining table.

Hmmm, pets who are discouraged from lounging under the dinner table while you’re entertaining, good luck.

Designer: mike and maaike
Producer: Council

philippe starck, creator of high-tech lamps, modern-style furniture, and chic hotels, has revealed two highly-anticipated wind turbine designs for home use. “Revolutionair,” the sleek turbines were officially debuted after a lengthy 2 years of research and work. The “Revolutionair” turbine is “revolutionary” because they’re designed for homeowners. That means wind turbines in yards, gardens, or […]

Industrial. Creative. A sculpture? Quite fresh and unpredictable. An emergency laundry drier. Maybe a wall-hook for designer oven mitts? The Ciussai Radiator from Adhoc.

Designer: Stefano Ragaini and Giorgio Di Tullio
Producer: Adhoc