Architectural Cases

Soroosh Riazi Isfahani, an innovative designer, has unveiled 'SLICE,' an experimental footwear project that ingeniously transforms discarded tennis balls into functional shoe components. The project leverages the inherent characteristics of used tennis balls, such as their springy rubber core and distinctive felt surface, to create a sustainable and visually striking line of shoes. By employing precision cutting techniques, each tennis ball is meticulously processed into curved bands and cup-like sections, which are then assembled to form the shoe's structure. This method not only highlights the original material's iconic fluorescent yellow color and white seams but also integrates the unique wear patterns from previous use, giving each pair a distinct narrative.

Unlike conventional recycling methods that often reduce tennis balls to anonymous raw materials, 'SLICE' preserves the integrity and recognizable form of the discarded objects. Isfahani's design philosophy emphasizes maintaining the composite nature of the tennis ball, thereby showcasing its pre-engineered qualities. The assembly process is made consistent through custom 3D-printed guides that ensure precise cuts, allowing the natural variations in the balls' condition to contribute to the final product's unique texture and appearance. This approach offers a compelling alternative for managing the estimated 400 million tennis balls discarded annually, a significant portion of which currently bypass recycling streams due to the difficulty in separating their rubber and felt layers.

The resulting prototype, a wearable shoe, directly reflects its innovative construction, with overlapping yellow sections and visible seam lines that evoke fragments of a larger design. While currently an experimental endeavor and a James Dyson Award entry, 'SLICE' presents a strong conceptual framework for sustainable footwear. Further research would be necessary to assess its long-term performance, including aspects like traction, water resistance, and material durability, to prepare the system for broader manufacturing. However, the project's core strength lies in its simple yet profound gesture: transforming a familiar object into a new, meaningful product without losing its original identity.

This initiative not only champions the principles of circular design and waste reduction but also invites us to reconsider the potential hidden within everyday discarded items. It exemplifies how thoughtful design can breathe new life into materials, fostering an appreciation for their intrinsic properties and encouraging innovative solutions for environmental challenges. 'SLICE' stands as a testament to creativity's power in driving sustainability, reminding us that even the most common waste can be a resource for inspiring new forms and functions, contributing to a more conscientious future.

The Augment 360 electric moped represents a significant leap in urban transportation, ingeniously combining the thrill of an electric ride with unparalleled post-use convenience. Developed by Finnish micromobility specialists Augment in collaboration with Munich-based designer Christian Zanzotti, this innovative vehicle distinguishes itself by its ability to transform into a remarkably compact, upright form. This design marvel not only addresses the practicalities of urban living, such as navigating tight spaces and indoor storage, but also reimagines the operational cycle of personal electric vehicles. Its lightweight yet sturdy construction, coupled with advanced engineering for effortless folding, makes it an ideal solution for city dwellers seeking both agility on the road and ease of storage at home or work.

Augment 360: A New Era of Foldable Electric Mopeds for Urban Living

In a groundbreaking collaboration between Finnish micromobility firm Augment and visionary Munich designer Christian Zanzotti, the Augment 360 electric moped has been introduced, setting a new standard for urban personal transport. The vehicle, unveiled recently, is engineered to seamlessly transition from a robust road-capable moped to a highly portable, self-rolling package, measuring a mere 350 millimeters in width when folded. This innovative design allows the moped to comfortably fit into elevators and be stored unobtrusively against walls indoors, catering specifically to the spatial constraints of apartment living in dense urban landscapes.

The moped's structural integrity is highlighted by its visible folding mechanisms, with a low aluminum step-through tube gracefully curving into the steering column. A tall seat assembly ingeniously houses both a detachable battery and a compact storage compartment. Distinct orange circular joints strategically mark the pivot points, offering a clear visual guide to its transformative capabilities. Upon folding, the wheels ingeniously tuck inwards around the central frame, converting the moped's extended wheelbase into a slender, vertical profile. This sophisticated engineering, particularly at the single-sided wheel supports, ensures that each wheel can independently rotate into its folded position, a crucial feature for the moped's compact transformation. This design prowess allows the 45 km/h L1e-B classified moped, which measures 1,555 × 609 × 1,010 millimeters when open, to shrink to a mere 1,265 × 350 × 1,180 millimeters when folded. Weighing in at just 36 kilograms with one battery, the Augment 360 stands out as a remarkably light option within its category, facilitating easy maneuverability through corridors and around tight corners, with minimal lifting required for brief stairs or doorsteps.

Equipped with 120/90-R10 tubeless tires, custom-developed for the vehicle, the Augment 360 presents a commanding road presence. These tires, featuring reinforced sidewalls, are designed to absorb minor road imperfections, with winter-compatible sizing extending its utility beyond dry conditions. Hydraulic disc brakes on both wheels, comprising a four-piston caliper with a 200-millimeter rotor at the front and a two-piston caliper with a 180-millimeter disc at the rear, ensure optimal stopping power. The moped is available in a 25 km/h City version and a 45 km/h L1e-B model. The faster variant boasts a 1.2 kW continuous motor, peaking at 2.14 kW, and delivering up to 105 Nm of torque, making it well-suited for urban traffic. A central digital display above the steering column, activated by an NFC card, provides key information and ride settings via a companion app, which also includes an electronic immobilizer that locks the rear wheel if unauthorized movement is detected. The removable 1,080 Wh lithium-ion battery, situated beneath the seat, offers approximately 50 kilometers of real-world range and recharges in about four and a half hours from a standard outlet. Weighing approximately five kilograms, the battery can be easily carried indoors for charging, allowing the moped to remain in a shared storage space, thereby enhancing both convenience and security for its users.

The Augment 360 signifies a thoughtful re-evaluation of urban mobility design, moving beyond mere speed and range to embrace the complete user experience, particularly post-ride. Its ingenious folding mechanism, while having practical limitations in extremely narrow spaces, bridges a critical gap between compact scooters and traditional full-sized mopeds. By retaining essential features such as a comfortable seat, robust tires, reliable braking, and a removable battery, while drastically reducing its parked footprint, the Augment 360 transforms from a dynamic street vehicle into a surprisingly compact, easily managed piece of equipment. This dual functionality offers a practical and elegant solution for urban dwellers, promising a future where personal electric transportation is as convenient to store as it is exhilarating to ride.