Dutch design studio SEMdesign has developed a new product. We proudly present Fruit bowl ’128′. The fruit bowl that never looks empty.

This fruit bowl is handmade by gluing different pieces of recycled cardboard or plywood together. Because of the different levels in the fruit bowl you will be able to ‘play’ with the pieces of fruit and the space in the bowl. For instance, if you have only one apple left, you can put it on ‘the top shelf’ of the bowl. By doing this, the bowl will still seem full!

Finishing touch: the fruit bowl is made water and dirt repellent by an impregnation on water base.

Well, it is a good news that SEMdesign gives away a free manual to demonstrate how to do it, you can now make this beautiful fruit bowl by yourself, please click here to download and let’s try it out!

+ Designer: SEMdesign | http://www.semdesign.nl

Fruit bowl '128' by cardboard, image courtesy SEMdesign

Fruit bowl '128' by cardboard, image courtesy SEMdesign

Fruit bowl '128' by cardboard, image courtesy SEMdesign

Fruit bowl '128' by wood, image courtesy SEMdesign

Fruit bowl '128' by wood, image courtesy SEMdesign

Fruit bowl '128' by wood, image courtesy SEMdesign

Egypt-based design studio recently has completed the interior project for Katameya Heights Residence in Cairo, Egypt.  Located in Katameya Heights, this residence stands out amongst its fellow homes in more ways than one, as the architecture and interior design are made unique by their altered nature.

Katameya Heights Residence, image courtesy Alchemy Design Studio

Katameya Heights Residence, image courtesy Alchemy Design Studio

Alchemy's Mohamed Fares began his transition from ordinary to extraordinary with the exterior of the house. He accents the basic design with several details; the colours are slightly altered with a neutral grey tone and while this produces a significant effect on the overall mood, it remains in harmony with the rest of the compound. Slate tiles cover portions of the facade, playing a role in the more contemporary window dressings that were also adjusted. Several other elements add to the contemporary feel of the architecture including a shift away from brick complements to wooden strips and linear accents instead.

Katameya Heights Residence, image courtesy Alchemy Design Studio

Within the house more changes occur, the interior division was restructured to better suit the client's lifestyle and columns and slabs were used for a more elegant outcome. The main concept was to create a space that integrates living areas but also maintains privacy. The design approach is a contemporary one with minimalistic tendencies and a poetic flair.

Katameya Heights Residence, image courtesy Alchemy Design Studio

There are a few key elements in the design that particularly stand out, the first and most impressive of them all is the staircase. This design element is considered the grandest not only because of its creative nature, but because of the impact it had on the design of the house as a whole. Replacing the standard stairwell with a floor to ceiling chandelier by Melograno Blu caused a great challenge for workers in need of constant movement throughout the house as for most of the working time, there was no functional staircase. The result however, was worth the trouble. Standing out as a design masterpiece, the stairway offers a beautiful aesthetic and an interesting twist to what would otherwise be an overlooked structure.

Katameya Heights Residence, image courtesy Alchemy Design Studio

The kitchen is another important design aspect. Considered a "high-tech" kitchen it is kept within Boffi's style of sleek simplicity; appliances and other kitchen utensils are concealed behind clean lines and flushed cabinets while the finishes are a strict combination of black and stainless steel with an accent of a glass table. The design is meant to come alive through the use of its accessories as well as its capacity to welcome personal touches.

Katameya Heights Residence, image courtesy Alchemy Design Studio

The basement, the family space, is another notable area of the house. A finely-rough tiled floor and an overall neutral palette of whites, beiges and greys create an ideal setting for art and colourful furniture accessories such as cushions, stools and side tables. Brought together in a cosy setting, the back wall is entirely fixed with a shelving unit with a ladder attached on a rail for its harder to reach portion. While it is in itself an art or design piece, it also enables the homeowners to use it as a display case for their highly treasured souvenirs and collector's items.

Katameya Heights Residence, image courtesy Alchemy Design Studio

Katameya Heights Residence, image courtesy Alchemy Design Studio

The outdoor area of the house holds important design elements as well; with a partition entirely of glass, the interior of the house becomes a backdrop to the terrace and garden. The pool is designed in a linear fashion, bordering the house and stepping stones provide a Zen feeling that's matched with the rich wooden stripped pergola.

The ongoing delight of the design is in its endless details. The more it is experienced the more is discovered, every corner and crevice unfolds another layer and another facet. A truly exquisite design and close to the designer's heart, this Katameya Heights residence radiates creativity, wonder and splendour.

+ Project credits / data

Project: Katameya Heights Residence
Location: Katameya Heights, Cairo, Egypt
Designer: Alchemy Design Studio

+ All images and description courtesy Alchemy Design Studio

Kinetic Vapor, created by NunoErin for the Jackson Convention Complex, Jackson, MS USA, 2010. The project was commissioned by the Capital City Convention Center Commission.

Kinetic Vapor is an experiential artwork inspired by the sultry atmosphere and colorful palette of Mississippi. This monumental landscape reveals an elusive image of water vapor that is made of reflected light and is set in motion by color shifting LEDs. The installation spans a 100' section of the mezzanine wall overlooking the Jackson Convention Complex's East Lobby.

Kinetic Vapor engages visitors in experiential encounters with light and color. During the day a moving panorama of light draws the water vapor imagery in and out of focus, while individual hues blend across a textured aluminum surface built through the custom ombrae system. Each evening after sunset, programmed LEDs illuminate the complex with rich hues and soft movement inspired by Mississippi’s gentle rolling fog. The artwork's colorful glow creates a luminous atmosphere that heightens our senses and brings a high tech sense of place to Jackson, Mississippi.

Kinetic Vapor for Jackson Convention Complex, image courtesy NunoErin

+ Press release

Jackson Convention Complex unveils Jackson's newest work of public art, Kinetic Vapor

JACKSON, MS – Commissioners for the Jackson Convention Complex have unveiled Kinetic Vapor, a new work of public art that brings a high tech sense of place to the Jackson Convention Complex.

Kinetic Vapor is an experiential landscape of water vapor inspired by the sultry atmosphere of Mississippi. The artwork is made from aluminum wall panels, reflected natural light, and color-shifting LEDs that span a 100' x 9'6" section of the mezzanine wall overlooking the Jackson Convention Complex's East Lobby. Kinetic Vapor was created by NunoErin, an arts studio from Jackson, MS that is led by Nuno Gonçalves Ferreira and Erin Hayne. Kinetic Vapor was selected as the winning entry from a national art competition to develop site specific artwork for the Jackson Convention Complex.

Kinetic Vapor for Jackson Convention Complex, image courtesy NunoErin

Kinetic Vapor for Jackson Convention Complex, image courtesy NunoErin

Kinetic Vapor's elusive image of water vapor was created from thousands of rotated aluminum tabs that reflect ambient light as particular tones of light. As the light conditions in the Jackson Convention Complex change throughout the day, the artwork's luminance values fluctuate, causing the imagery to appear to shift over time.

Kinetic Vapor is a participatory artwork that engages visitors in experiential encounters with light and color. Visitors will discover that the artwork takes on new appearances when seen from the different viewing points within the Jackson Convention Complex. Through the custom ombrae system, visitors can explore how their perspective causes the imagery to fade in and of view and the color to wax and wane.

Kinetic Vapor for Jackson Convention Complex, image courtesy NunoErin

Kinetic Vapor brings an expressive nighttime signature to the Jackson Convention Complex. At sunset, 100' of programmed LEDs wash the aluminum panels with waves of colorful light inspired by the hues and rhythms of the Mississippi landscape. The evening lighting is created from energy-efficient LEDs that reflect the Jackson Convention Complex's commitment to sustainable design.

Kinetic Vapor for Jackson Convention Complex, image courtesy NunoErin

This commission celebrates Jackson’s identity as a vibrant, progressive community with a contemporary spirit. The Kinetic Vapor artwork will contribute to Jackson’s sense of individuality and help generate civic pride in the city’s public realm. The artwork's experiential dimensions also provide new mechanisms for citizen engagement with the arts that recognize the Jackson Convention Complex as a community landmark, cultural reference point, and patron of the arts.

+ Designer: NunoErin | http://www.nunoerin.com

+ About NunoErin

NunoErin is an art and design studio located in Jackson, MS. The Studio was founded in 2006 and is led by Erin Hayne, a designer from Mississippi, and Nuno Gonçalves Ferreira, a sculptor from Lisbon, Portugal. The studio develops artwork and design that offers interactive experiences and brings a unique sense of place to public spaces. NunoErin projects utilize sensorial materials and interactive technology to connect people with each other and their environment.

The Science tower and urban park in the heart of Copenhagen is the winning proposal for the extension of the University of Copenhagen’s Panum complex designed by C. F. Møller Architects, in co-operation with Rambøll (Engineer) and SLA (Landscape), and together with the following consultants: aggebo&henriksen, Cenergia, Gordon Farquharson and Innova-tion Lab.

The expansion will make a significant impact in the cityscape, with a science tower which will form an identity-creating, sculptural focal point for the entire Nørre Campus. The project also includes an urban park which will benefit both the Panum building and the surrounding city.

Unique landmark for the Nørre Campus

The new Panum building will become a new, unique landmark for both the Nørre Campus and the city – a true Copenhagen tower… It must be a Danish research center with international impact – able to attract the best sci-entists in the world.

Mads Mandrup and Mads Møller, both of whom are partners in C. F. Møller Architects

The Science Tower and Urban Park, courtesy of C. F. Møller Architects

The new Panum complex is part of a major co-ordinated initiative by the Danish University and Property Agency and the University of Copenhagen, based on a recently published strategy to create a new, dense urban campus, the Nørre Campus, which will bring together natural sciences and health sciences. The aim is to link the university more closely with the business community and the surrounding city, and to create modern facilities and a clear identity.

The Science Tower and Urban Park, courtesy of C. F. Møller Architects

The facade is built up in the form of a grid structure of storey-high window fields that break up the building’s large scale.

An inviting construction

One very important aspect is that that the science tower, with its location and the new forecourt on Blegdamsvej, will also enhance the profile and urban life of the entire area… It has been essential for us to create a building that will be in dialogue with the district of Nørrebro. Until now, the Panum building has had the air of a large, closed-off research institution with its back turned to the city. But now, through the new extension and its link with the existing Panum complex, we will be able to open up its inner universe of dynamic and exciting research to the outside world.

Mads Mandrup and Mads Møller, C.F. Møller partners

The Science Tower and Urban Park, courtesy of C. F. Møller Architects

+ Architect’s statement by C. F. Møller Architects

The extension of the Panum complex has been designed with the aim of creating the best possible environment for modern research and teaching. A parallel objective has been to create a building which will stand out as an identity-creating, sculptural linchpin for the entire Panum complex and the university’s Nørre Campus (i.e. the North Campus) as a whole. The new complex is also intended to act as the generator of a positive urban development in its immediate neighbourhood and in relation to the entire city.

At sixteen storeys tall, the Science Tower will provide the complex with a unifying and dynamic focal point in a clear and readable form. But just as a tree has its root network, the tower rests upon on a series of smaller buildings which contain the common functions: the auditoriums, classrooms, canteen, show lab, conference rooms and book café. The most striking part of the root network is the extensive science plaza, which will form the new social hub of the complex. The plaza accommodates the main entrance and will serve as the main social meeting-place, linking all functions between the new and the existing Panum complex.

The Science Tower and Urban Park, courtesy of C. F. Møller Architects

The new Panum complex will have an open and outward-looking appearance, with a transparent ground floor that will help to blur the boundaries between the building and the city. The public will also be invited to visit the top of the tower, where there will be a café, lounge and viewing points.

Between the buildings, new plazas will arise, together with internal garden spaces equipped with alcoves and seating. These will function as an extension of the study rooms and offices, but will also add new green oases to the city. A campus thoroughfare passing through the area, together with pedestrian and cycle paths, will create a vibrant urban park with intimate links to the surrounding city.

The Science Tower and Urban Park, courtesy of C. F. Møller Architects

With its organic forms, the building expresses signal power and innovation, but is also adapted to the existing Panum complex through its colour scheme, rhythm and gravity.
The facade is built up in the form of a grid structure of storey-high window fields that break up the building’s large scale.

The project will be pioneering in energy usage, with Denmark’s most energy-efficient laboratories, in which waste energy from the ventilation system will be recycled in the overall energy balance of the building to a hitherto unprecedented degree.

The Science Tower and Urban Park, courtesy of C. F. Møller Architects

+ Project credits / data

Project: The Science Tower and Urban Park
Location: Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark
Client: The Danish University and Property Agency
Size: 35.000 m²
Year:  – 2014
Architect: C. F. Møller Architects | http://www.cfmoller.com
Landscape: SLA | http://www.sla.dk
Engineer: Rambøll
Collaborators: aggebo&henriksen, Cenergia, Gordon Farquharson, and Innovation Lab
Awards: 1st prize in international architectural competition, 2010
Illustration: Mir | http://www.mir.no

“WEBART” Office is OneByNine studio‘s latest completed project situated in Warsaw’s Grochow area, Poland. The Grochow area is a multifunctional district with various functions: industrial zones, multi family housing, recreational parks and sport facilities.

The building is located on Kamionkowska street, among its specific mid-scale housing and office surroundings. The longer side is situated along the street with entrance from south.

"WEBART" Office, image courtesy OneByNine studio

"WEBART" Office, image courtesy OneByNine studio

"WEBART" Office, image courtesy OneByNine studio

The access is tarmac coated and lit with town light infrastructure. The western side of the building is joined with 4 story high multifamily building with no cellars, whereas the eastern – with 3 story industrial building.

Opposite to Kamionkowska street, multi family houses and office complex are located. Due to specific location, architectural and urban connotations of the area, the idea was to create a building which would fluently fill in with the surroundings.

The designed building is in strict reference to industrial climate of this part of the city with nearby optic industries PZO, hosiery manufacture CORA, Wedel`s chocolate factory and ammunition plant POCISK.

"WEBART" Office - FUNCTIONAL DIAGRAM, drawing courtesy OneByNine studio

"WEBART" Office - SECTIONS, drawing courtesy OneByNine studio

+ Project credits / data

Project: “Webart” Office
Design: OneByNine studio | http://www.onebynine.com/
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Gross internal floor area: 1200 sqm
Program: Office

+ All images, drawings, and description courtesy OneByNine studio

Designed by Spain and Kuwait-based architectural firm AGi architects, Complejo Parroquial de La Ascensión del Señor is the phase 2 religious building proposed for a Catholic Church in Sevilla, Spain.

Complejo Parroquial de La Ascension del Senor, render courtesy AGi architects

+ Architect’s statement by AGi architects

We propose a spiritual building based on two principles:

First of all, The Catholic Church mission since the last 2000 years, evangelical message diffusion and faith propagation.

The other principle would focus on adapting the building to the environment, a recently created neighborhood with some existing social conflicts.

Complejo Parroquial de La Ascension del Senor, render courtesy AGi architects

This space will be able to deal with The Holly and Human dimensions, without devaluating the religious character but descending to the human scale.

The main space of the church will be prolonged visual and spatially in the main patio of the complex. The natural light will flood it all from the same patio North East orientated.
Central void will be strengthened so to call for users attention.

Complejo Parroquial de La Ascension del Senor, render courtesy AGi architects

It will be seen as a massive volume reference for their inhabitants who will find it as an introspective place. In the other hand the building protects itself of frequent vandalism acts, so common on the surrounding public areas.

The roof unfolds as horizontal and sloped planes that sift the light qualifying different spaces.

We obtain thus the coherence between the Holly (God) and the human scale of every member of the assembly (man).

Complejo Parroquial de La Ascension del Senor - SITE PLAN, drawing courtesy AGi architects

Complejo Parroquial de La Ascension del Senor - L1 FLOOR PLAN, drawing courtesy AGi architects

Complejo Parroquial de La Ascension del Senor - L2 FLOOR PLAN, drawing courtesy AGi architects

Complejo Parroquial de La Ascension del Senor - ROOF PLAN, drawing courtesy AGi architects

Complejo Parroquial de La Ascension del Senor - SECTION, drawing courtesy AGi architects

+ Project credits / data

Project Name: Complejo Parroquial de La Ascensión del Señor
Type: Religious | 1150 sqm
Location: Sevilla, Spain
Date: 2010
Client: Archidiócesis de Sevilla
Architect: AGi architects | http://www.agi-architects.com
AGi architects Design Team: Dr. Nasser B. Abulhasan, Joaquin Perez-Goicoechea, Salvador Cejudo Ramos, Gwenola Kergall, Daniel Muñoz Medranda, Robert Varguese, Moyra Montoya Moyano
Consultants: Singek; Javier Drake Canela

+ About AGi architects

AGi architects is an international design firm providing comprehensive services in Architecture, Planning, Urban Design, Interior Design, Design Research and Consulting. An integration of skills allows the creation of places that provide lasting value for clients through distinctive and imaginative solutions.

AGi architects was established in 2005 by Joaquin Perez-Goicoechea and Nasser B. Abulhasan.

AGi architects has introduced exceptional design, management and technical approaches to its projects in the Europe and the Middle East from its offices in the cities of Madrid and Kuwait. With a multidisciplinary staff of over 30 professionals including architects, planners, landscape architects, interior designers and other specialists, individual members of the design team can be carefully selected to reflect the necessary skills for the scope and scale of the project. Great emphasis is placed on continuity so that work is client driven rather than project centered. Clients work with architects they know and over time, the team is able to develop a thorough understanding of the clients' business objectives and priorities and is able to make more effective contributions to their projects.

+ All images and drawings courtesy AGi architects