Architectural Cases

Presented at the CES 2026 exhibition, Lava Tech Brands unveiled an inventive product named Lollipop Star, which cleverly redefines how we experience audio by integrating it into a common sweet treat. This pioneering confectionery utilizes advanced bone-conduction technology, enabling sound to travel directly through the user's teeth and jawbone to the inner ear, bypassing traditional speakers or headphones. This innovative approach creates a deeply personal and immersive listening encounter, merging the tactile sensation of taste with an intimate auditory experience.

The operational principle of the Lollipop Star involves a miniature electronic component housed within the lollipop's stick, which generates subtle vibrations. These vibrations are then transferred through the user's teeth to their inner ear via bone conduction—a method typically seen in specialized audio devices. The listening process is entirely discreet, producing no external sound. To activate the audio, users simply position the lollipop towards the back of their mouth and lightly bite down with their molars, transforming the vibrations into discernible musical rhythms and melodies. Each flavor variant of the Lollipop Star is uniquely paired with a specific music artist and an exclusive audio track, making each lollipop a collectible, one-time media item. The product's translucent colors and elegant packaging are designed to emphasize its artistic and conversational appeal as much as its consumable nature.

Amidst the array of efficiency-driven and problem-solving technologies showcased at CES, Lollipop Star distinguishes itself by offering a delightfully whimsical experience rather than a practical solution. It features no complex screens or buttons, only an intuitive physical interaction that harmonizes taste and auditory stimulation. This playful invention serves as a compelling reminder that innovation can also stem from pure creativity and the capacity to evoke joy and wonder, prompting a moment of delightful surprise in a world often preoccupied with utility.

This innovative confectionery demonstrates how technology can be seamlessly integrated into everyday objects to create unexpected and engaging sensory experiences. It highlights the potential for playful design to captivate and entertain, reminding us that advancements aren't always about solving problems, but sometimes about enriching our lives in novel and enjoyable ways. The fusion of taste and sound opens up new avenues for interactive entertainment and personal connection, fostering a positive outlook on future technological integrations into our daily routines.

In a remarkable architectural endeavor, HCCH Studio has reimagined a previously overlooked area in China's Mount Luofu, transforming it into an innovative and welcoming rest area for cyclists and tourists alike. This circular concrete structure, dubbed 'Resting Loop with Views,' exemplifies a harmonious blend of modern design and natural surroundings, providing both practical facilities and breathtaking vistas. Its strategic placement and thoughtful construction have successfully converted a simple buffer zone into a vibrant public space, fostering interaction with the picturesque creekside environment.

Situated on a stone platform amidst the rugged terrain of Mount Luofu, the pavilion occupies a site that once served as an informal parking area at a sharp bend in the roadway, acting primarily as a transitional space between a highway and a river. The design intervention by HCCH Studio has fundamentally altered this perception, giving purpose to the residual space. The pavilion now caters specifically to the needs of cyclists, offering secure bicycle parking, refreshment options, and most importantly, designated viewing points that allow visitors to fully appreciate the stunning landscape. This thoughtful consideration for its users and the environment has been central to the project's success.

The pavilion's striking design centers around a circular concrete ring, approximately 16 meters in outer diameter, which is elegantly elevated above a recessed plaza. This unique 'donut' configuration is punctuated by a series of vertical cuts that create distinct oval openings. These strategically positioned apertures frame dynamic views of the adjacent river, the rolling hills, and the expansive sky, allowing the natural beauty of Mount Luofu to become an integral part of the architectural experience. The interior of the pavilion is organized into two distinct levels of circulation. The lower level is dedicated to social activities, featuring comfortable seating arrangements and a café, creating an inviting atmosphere for relaxation. In contrast, the upper level serves as a continuous, looping promenade, offering elevated and uninterrupted panoramic views across the site, encouraging visitors to explore and engage with their surroundings from a different perspective.

Further enhancing its integration with the natural setting, the exterior of the concrete ring was meticulously cast using bamboo-textured formwork. This innovative technique left an impression of raised bamboo sections, each roughly 7 centimeters in diameter, on the concrete surface. This tactile finish pays homage to the local vegetation, introducing a natural and organic quality to the otherwise robust material. In stark contrast, the interior surface of the ring maintains a smooth, seamless finish, creating an abstract and contemplative spatial experience. The transition between these two distinct textures is deliberately highlighted along the edges of the oval openings, where irregular profiles dramatically emphasize the interplay of rough and smooth surfaces, drawing attention to the pavilion's unique material narrative.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the pavilion houses essential amenities within three supporting concrete volumes located in the sunken plaza. These structures discreetly accommodate a small café, a public restroom, and a storage area. Openings within these volumes are precisely aligned to establish visual connections between the interior and exterior spaces, further reinforcing the spatial continuity that defines the entire site. The exterior of these volumes is finished with a dark, hammered surface that visually complements the stone paving of the plaza and the sculptural seating elements, known as 'Social Stone,' created by artist SU Chang, weaving together a cohesive and thoughtfully designed environment.

Initially envisioned as a serene addition to the mountainous landscape, the pavilion has unexpectedly blossomed into a vibrant hub, drawing in a steady stream of cyclists and tourists. Its prominent visibility from the roadway and the unparalleled elevated views it offers have played a crucial role in transforming this erstwhile buffer zone into a bustling public area. The project successfully accommodates diverse activities, from moments of tranquil rest to dynamic movement and keen observation, all within the captivating creekside environment. This innovative architectural intervention by HCCH Studio not only addresses a functional need but also enriches the visitor experience, creating a memorable destination that harmonizes with nature.