Building materials

Vincent Decat's 'Living Series': Sculptural Furniture Inspired by Nature

The 'Living Series' by Vincent Decat redefines the relationship between functional objects and the dynamic principles of biological growth. Each piece within this collection is not merely designed for a purpose but crafted to reflect organic behaviors and transformations, thereby presenting furniture and household items as evolving entities rather than inert fixtures. This innovative approach ensures longevity not only through robust construction and material selection but also through fostering a sustained connection with the object's unique form, tactile qualities, and visual appeal.

Drawing inspiration from observations of natural organisms, patterns of development, and gradual changes over time, Decat's works—a chair, a table, and a tray—translate complex biological processes into artistic furniture. These creations exist in a fascinating space where functionality meets storytelling, each piece being either handmade or meticulously fabricated to highlight material experimentation and distinctive surface treatments. The series comprises three notable pieces: 'One Thing Led To Another,' a chair with a mineral-like topography and vibrant color contrasts; 'Came Uninvited,' a side table that alludes to biological mutation through its altered form; and 'Stage One,' a tray designed to evoke the nascent stages of growth and evolution.

These creations serve as a profound exploration of the intersection between nature and design, inviting contemplation on how man-made objects can mirror the organic world. Through the 'Living Series', Vincent Decat inspires us to look beyond the immediate function of everyday items and appreciate the deeper narratives and natural inspirations they can embody. This collection celebrates creativity and the interconnectedness of art, nature, and human experience, urging a more mindful interaction with our surroundings.

Erwan Bouroullec and Samsung unveil future-forward speakers at CES 2026

Samsung Electronics, in a notable collaboration with the distinguished designer Erwan Bouroullec, has launched its latest innovations in home audio, the Music Studio 5 and Music Studio 7 Wi-Fi speakers. Unveiled at the prestigious CES 2026 event, these speakers represent a significant leap forward in merging high-fidelity sound with sophisticated design, aiming to redefine how audio technology coexists with modern living spaces. The series prioritizes integration, harmonizing object with interior, sound with space, and cutting-edge technology with everyday life.

Samsung and Erwan Bouroullec Redefine Home Audio at CES 2026

In a groundbreaking showcase at CES 2026, Samsung Electronics, partnering with the acclaimed designer Erwan Bouroullec, introduced the revolutionary Music Studio 5 and Music Studio 7 Wi-Fi speakers. These devices are not merely sound systems; they are meticulously crafted pieces of technology designed to seamlessly blend into diverse interior aesthetics while offering unparalleled acoustic performance. Their development was guided by a vision to create speakers that operate flexibly within a connected ecosystem and intelligently adapt to the nuances of individual home environments.

A core innovation in both models is the integration of advanced artificial intelligence for sound processing. This AI intelligence enables features such as dynamic bass management and precise spatial tuning, allowing the speakers to automatically adjust their output based on their placement within a room and prevailing acoustic conditions. This eliminates the need for manual calibration, offering users a hassle-free, optimized listening experience.

The aesthetic appeal of the Music Studio series, conceptualized by Erwan Bouroullec, is characterized by a sleek, circular dot form. This abstract design motif subtly references musical notation, positioning the speakers at the intersection of functional electronics, sculptural art, and musical instruments. This thoughtful design philosophy ensures that the devices are not just audible but also visually harmonious elements within a home.

The Music Studio 7 emerges as the more immersive of the two, boasting a 3.1.1-channel configuration with strategically placed left, front, right, and upward-firing drivers. This setup delivers a profound sense of verticality and spatial depth from a single unit. Samsung’s proprietary Pattern Control Technology minimizes signal overlap, enhancing directional clarity, while AI Dynamic Bass Control refines low frequencies to prevent distortion. With hi-resolution audio processing up to 24-bit/96kHz, this speaker caters to audiophiles seeking a high-fidelity experience. It can operate independently or be expanded into broader stereo or surround sound setups by pairing with additional speakers or compatible Samsung TVs via Q-Symphony technology.

Conversely, the Music Studio 5, with its more compact and refined 'gallery-like' design, is conceived for settings where visual serenity is as crucial as acoustic precision. It features a 4-inch woofer and dual tweeters, complete with an integrated waveguide, ensuring balanced sound tuned by the experts at Samsung Audio Lab. Its AI bass control deepens audio without overpowering the space. Connectivity options, including Wi-Fi streaming, voice control, and Bluetooth through Samsung’s Seamless Codec, are integrated discreetly, preserving the speaker's minimalist visual integrity.

The defining characteristic of the Music Studio speakers lies in their integral role within a comprehensive, modular audio ecosystem. Through the Q-Symphony platform, multiple speakers and televisions can function in unison, creating a distributed sound field that transcends the traditional concept of a single audio focal point. This modularity allows for sound layering across an entire room, adaptable to varying layouts and expandable over time to meet evolving user needs. Control is centrally managed through SmartThings, reinforcing the notion of audio as an ambient, integrated system rather than a collection of disparate devices. This introduction at CES 2026 signifies a pivotal moment, proposing a new paradigm for consumer audio where technology and design converge to enhance the auditory and aesthetic dimensions of daily life.

The unveiling of Samsung's Music Studio speakers, a collaboration with Erwan Bouroullec, marks a significant stride in the evolution of home audio. These devices are more than just speakers; they are architectural elements that promise to integrate seamlessly into our living spaces, offering a blend of advanced acoustic technology and minimalist design. This approach suggests a future where technology is not just functional but also aesthetically enriching, adapting intelligently to our environments rather than demanding our adaptation to it. It challenges us to reconsider the role of electronics in our homes, moving towards a more harmonious and intuitive interaction with our daily tools. This innovation underscores a growing trend in consumer electronics: prioritizing user experience, design elegance, and intelligent adaptability, ultimately enhancing our quality of life through thoughtful integration.

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Takashi Niwa Architects Unveils Urban Sparkle Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

Takashi Niwa Architects has crafted the “Urban Sparkle,” a groundbreaking design for the Hokkaido Sachi Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This architectural marvel features an innovative roof structure that draws inspiration from the art of origami, utilizing folded steel to create a dynamic and visually striking presence within its urban setting. The design ingeniously integrates natural light and optimizes pedestrian flow, establishing a new landmark that seamlessly interacts with its surroundings and offers a unique dining experience.

The building's ingenious design allows it to be perceived differently from various vantage points, ranging from street level to the elevated views from nearby residential towers and passing metro trains. This multi-faceted visual engagement is achieved through a carefully articulated roof that functions not only as an identifying feature but also as a structural and spatial framework. The innovative use of thin steel plates, folded with precision, provides exceptional structural strength while maintaining a light and airy aesthetic, making it a pioneering application of such technology in Vietnamese architecture. The interior environment is further enhanced by strategic lighting, creating a harmonious blend of form and function that defines the restaurant’s unique identity.

The Origami-Inspired Steel Canopy

Takashi Niwa Architects' "Urban Sparkle" restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City showcases an impressive origami-inspired steel roof, a pioneering structural design in Vietnam. This unique 4mm folded steel plate roof provides remarkable rigidity and spans up to 6 meters, minimizing material usage while maximizing structural efficiency. The geometric folding principles allow for integrated skylights, which flood the interior with natural light and create a captivating interplay of light and shadow throughout the day. This design not only delivers a strong architectural statement but also intelligently directs natural light, guides circulation, and organizes the restaurant's distinct spaces, making it a prominent and recognizable feature in the cityscape.

The restaurant's design is notable for its innovative use of thin steel plate construction, marking a significant first for Vietnam. The roof's folded geometry allows for expansive spans and the seamless integration of skylights, which are strategically positioned to channel daylight across the interior spaces. This not only enhances the dining experience but also contributes to the building's energy efficiency. Local metalworking expertise played a crucial role in fabricating the complex roof structure, ensuring that the ambitious design was realized within budget while maintaining high-quality craftsmanship. The roof's unique form also subtly alludes to snow crystals, creating an abstract connection to Japanese culture and enhancing the overall thematic experience of the Hokkaido Sachi Restaurant.

Dynamic Illumination and Spatial Flow

The interplay of light is fundamental to Takashi Niwa Architects' design for the "Urban Sparkle," shaping both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the restaurant. During daylight hours, meticulously placed skylights within the folded roof naturally illuminate the interior, creating an ever-changing spectacle of light and shadow. As evening falls, artificial lighting takes over, transforming the building into a radiant beacon that projects light outward, captivating passersby and establishing a distinct presence in the urban environment. The reflective surfaces of the steel roof further enhance this effect, diffusing light and creating varied visual conditions that shift with the time of day and the observer's perspective.

Beyond its striking exterior, the folded ceiling within the restaurant creates a dynamic and immersive internal experience. Varying ceiling heights and compression points intuitively guide diners through the space, with circulation paths flowing seamlessly along the roof's geometric curves. This design approach creates a continuous spatial sequence, rather than a series of disconnected rooms, integrating dining, circulation, and performance areas into a cohesive whole. The "Urban Sparkle" stands as a testament to how architectural elements like folded geometry, thin steel construction, and thoughtful lighting can coalesce to produce a building that is not only responsive to its urban context but also highly adaptable and programmatically flexible. It achieves a clear architectural identity through its material efficiency, geometric precision, and the evocative interplay of light and movement.

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