Nature, Published online: 21 November 2024; doi:10.1038/d41586-024-03806-3Microorganisms on a sample of asteroid are clearly terrestrial despite strict protocols to avoid contamination.

President-elect Donald Trumps America First plan to enact huge tariffs on imported goods threatens to jack up the cost and slow down the development of US cleantech projects. On the campaign trail, Trump pledged to enact 10% to 20% across-the-board tariffs on all overseas products, 60% to 100% tariffs on Chinese goods, and 25% to 100% tariffs on products from Mexicothe last in part to prevent the flow of goods from Chinese companies setting up manufacturing plants there and in part to force Mexico to halt migration into the US. These plans could easily add billions of dollars to the prices that US companiesand therefore consumerspay for batteries and electric vehicles, as well as the steel used to build solar farms, geothermal plants, nuclear facilities, transmission lines, and much more. This is going to raise the cost of clean energy and that will slow down the revolution, says David Victor, a professor of public policy at the University of California, San Diego, in reference to the otherwise accelerating development of low-emissions industries. Trumps campaign rhetoric certainly hasnt always translated into enacted policies. But he has consistently asserted that tariffs will force companies to produce more goods on American soil, restoring US manufacturing, creating jobs, and easing the federal deficitwhile inflicting economic pain on international economic rivals like China. Tariffs are the greatest thing ever invented, Trump proclaimed at a rally in Flint, Michigan, in September. But despite what Trump says or understands about tariffs, they are effectively a domestic tax paid by the US businesses purchasing those goods and passed on to American consumers in the form of higher prices. (Plenty of Republicans agree.) Many economists and international affairs experts argue that such trade restrictions should be applied judiciously, if at all, because they can boost inflation, trigger retaliatory trade policies, chill investment, and stall broader economic growth. The precise impact of Trumps proposed tariffs on any given sector will depend on how high the incoming administration ultimately sets those fees, how they compare to existing tariffs, where else the goods in question can be purchased, how companies and nations respond over time, and what other policies the administration enacts. But here are three areas where the costs of materials and products that are crucial to the energy transition could rise under the plans that Trump sketched out on the campaign trail. Batteries China is one of the worlds largest producers of EVs, batteries, solar cells, and steel, but in part due to previous trade restrictions, the US doesnt rely heavily on the nation for most of these products (at least not directly). But theres one exception to that, and its batteries, says Antoine Vagneur-Jones, head of trade and supply chains at BloombergNEF, a market research firm. China absolutely dominates the battery sector. According to a 2022 report from the International Energy Agency, the country produces around 85% of the worlds battery anodes, 70% of its cathodes, and 75% of its battery cells. In addition, more than half of the global processing of lithium, cobalt, and graphite, key minerals used to produce lithium-ion batteries, occurs in China. The US imported some $4 billion worth of lithium-ion batteries from China in the first four months of this year, according to BloombergNEF. A Stihl employee assembling rechargeable batteries for tools.BERND WEI'BROD/PICTURE-ALLIANCE/DPA/AP IMAGES The US already has a variety of tariffs on Chinese goods in place. President Biden preserved many of the ones that Trump enacted during his first term, and he even increased a number of them earlier this year. The White House said the action was taken in response to what it described as Chinas unfair trade practices. But it was just the latest action in a long-running, bipartisan quest to counter Chinas growing economic strength and grip on key components of the high-tech and cleantech sectors. Still, Trumps proposed 60% to 100% tariffs would far exceed the ones currently set on batteries, which stand at 28.4% for EV batteries. On a $4 billion purchase, those border fees would add up to $2.4 billion at the low end, more than double the added cost under the current tariff rate, or (perhaps obviously) $4 billion at the high end, all else being equal. Vagneur-Jones notes that even with a 60% tariff, Chinese batteries are so inexpensive that they would remain cost competitive with US-produced ones. But this would still represent a big jump over current costs for companies that need to buy batteries for EVs, home solar systems, or grid storage plants. And because China is such a dominant producer, US businesses would have limited paths for purchasing those batteries from other sources at similar volumes. Steel Steel is used in just about every single cleantech or climate-tech project today. Strong and durable, it forms vital parts of wind turbines, hydropower plants, and solar farms. All that steel has to come from somewhere, and for the most part, its not the US. Last year, the US imported 3.8 million tons of steel mill products valued at $4.2 billion from Mexico, according to data from the International Trade Administrations Global Steel Trade Monitor. Steel imported to the US from Mexico, the nations second-largest supplier of the metal alloy, generally isnt subject to significant tariffs, so long as it was originally melted and poured in Mexico, Canada, or the United States. So a 25% to 100% tariff on the same value of steel would cost US companies an extra $1.1 billion to $4.2 billion (all else being equal and without accounting for fees on certain steel products.) (Earlier this year, the Biden administration did impose a 25% tariff on imports of steel from Mexico that were originally melted and poured in other nations, as part of an effort to prevent major suppliers like China from sidestepping tariffs. But those taxes apply only to a small fraction of shipments.) Rolls of galvanized steel.ADOBE STOCK Meanwhile, Trumps 10% to 20% tariff on all nations could add up to that same amount to the cost of steel from other suppliers around the world, depending on how those compare to each nations existing tariffs. That may, for example, lump up to $1.6 billion onto the nearly $8 billion worth of steel the US imported last year from Canada, the nations largest source (all else being equal and without accounting for fees on certain steel products.) Those fees would boost the costs for any US company that uses steel that isnt supplied by domestic producers, including cleantech businesses building demo projects or commercial-scale facilities. Plenty of projects will be spared, though. Those that are receiving various federal loans, grants, or tax incentives are generally already required to source their steel from the US, in which case they wouldnt be affected by such tariffs, explained Derrick Flakoll, a North America policy associate at BloombergNEF, in an email. But competition to secure limited supplies of domestic steel is likely to get more intense. The US dominated global steel production during much of the last century, but its now ranked a distant fourth, generating about one-twelfth as much as China last year, according to the World Steel Association. We went down the path of globalization, says Joshua Posamentier, co-founder and managing partner of Congruent Ventures, a climate-focused venture firm in San Francisco. We are now utterly dependent on all the other parts of the world. Electric vehicles The US is the worlds largest importer of EVs, purchasing nearly $44 billion dollars worth of battery, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid cars and trucks last year, according to the World Trade Organization. Its the biggest export market for Germany and South Korea, according to BloombergNEF. If Trump enacted a 10% to 20% tariff on all foreign goods, it would add between $4.4 and $8.8 billion in costs on the same volume of EV purchases (all else being equal and without adjusting for nation-by-nation fees already in place). His still higher proposed tariffs on Mexico would addsubstantially bigger premiums on vehicles built in the country, which exported more than 100,000 EVs produced by auto giants including Ford and Chevrolet last year, according to the Mexican Automotive Industry Association. Meanwhile, BMW, Tesla and Chinese companies BYD and Jetour have all announced plans to produce EVs in Mexico. A Porsche employee checks the paint on the body of an all-electric Porsche Macan, at the automaker's plant in Leipzig, Germany. JAN WOITAS/PICTURE-ALLIANCE/DPA/AP IMAGES While China is the worlds largest manufacturer of EVs, Trumps hopes of levying a 60% to 100% tariff on the nationsgoods probably wouldnt have a huge impact on that sector. Thats because the nation already imports very few Chinese EVs. Plus, President Biden himself recently ratcheted up the tariff rate to 100%. The broader impacts on EVs will likely be further complicated by the incoming Trump administrations reported plans to roll back federal rules and subsidies supporting the sector, including parts of the Inflation Reduction Act. Repealing key provisions of Bidens signature climate law would work against the goal of countering Chinas dominance, as those federal incentives have already triggered a development boom for US-based battery and EV projects, says Albert Gore, executive director of the Zero Emissions Transportation Association.It would undercut a lot of investment into manufacturing across the United States, he says.The big concern Applied sensibly, tariffs can help certain domestic industries, by enabling companies to compete with the lower costs of overseas producers, catch up with manufacturing innovations or product improvements, and counter unfair trade practices. Some US cleantech companies and trade groups, including solar manufacturers like First Solar and Swift Solar, have argued in favor of stricter trade restrictions. Earlier this year, those and other companies represented by the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee petitioned the federal government to investigate potentially illegal trade practices in Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. They alleged that China and Chinese-based companies have circumvented trade restrictions by shipping goods through distribution hubs in those countries and dumped goods priced below production costs in the US to seize market share. Neither the companies nor the trade association responded to inquiries from MIT Technology Review concerning their view of Trumps proposals before press time. Nor did the American Clean Power Association, which represents developers of solar farms and has opposed recent duty increases, which can drive up the costs of such projects. Over time, Trumps tariffs may indeed compel companies to bring more of their manufacturing operations back to the US and help diversify the global supply chain for crucial goods, UC San Diegos Victor says. The tariffs are likely to fuel more mining and processing of critical minerals like lithium and nickel in the US, too, given both the increased costs on imported materials and the administrations plans to roll back environmental and permitting rules. They love extractive sectors, says Jonas Nahm, an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. But the big concern is that Trumps plans to boost tariffs, cut government spending, and enact other policy changes could stall the broader economy, says Rachel Slaybaugh, a partner at DCVC, a San Francisco venture firm. Indeed, the combined effects of Trumps proposals, including his pledge to deport hundreds of thousands to millions of workers, may drive up US inflation more than 4% by 2026 while cutting gross domestic product by at least 1.3%, according to an analysis by the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a nonpartisan research firm in Washington, DC. The tariffs alone could cost typical households an extra $2,600 per year. They may also trigger retaliatory measures by other nations, including China, which could impose their own steeper fees on US products or cut off the flow of crucial goods. Slaybaugh expects to see a continued slowdown in venture investments into cleantech companies in the coming months, as investors wait to see how aggressively the Trump administration implements the various pledges he made on the campaign trail. That pause alone will make it harder for startups to secure the capital they need to scale up or sustain operations. Even if the tariffs do eventually push US businesses to produce more of the goods currently being delivered cheaply and efficiently from elsewhere, it leaves a big problem when it comes to the clean energy transition: Given the higher expenses of US labor, land, and materials, it will simply cost far, far more to build the modern, low-emissions energy and transportation systems the nation now needs, Nahm says. At this point, after China has spent decades and vast sums locking down global supply chains, scaling up production, and driving down manufacturing costs, its foolhardy to believe that US businesses can easily step in and crank out these essential goods in relative global isolation, as Victor and his colleague, Michael Davidson, argued in a recent Brookings essay. Collaboration and competition, not hostility, are how we can catch up to the worlds largest supplier of clean technology products, they wrote.

Elon Musk criticized the F-35 program on Sunday. Musk's comments come as he prepares to advise Trump on government efficiency in 2025.The GAO expects the F-35 program to cost about $2 trillion over its entire lifespan.Elon Musk, who's set to start advising President-elect Donald Trump on government efficiency in 2025, criticized the Pentagon's F-35 program in two brief social media posts on Sunday.The billionaire reposted a video montage of coordinated drone swarms on X, writing: "Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35."He added a "trash can" emoji to his post. When another X user defended the F-35's capabilities, Musk responded that the prized jet is a "shit design."It's unclear if Musk intends to use his new position to impact any plans or costs for the F-35, the Pentagon's most expensive fighter program to date.But he mentioned Defense Department spending in a column in The Wall Street Journal that criticized federal government budgets."The Pentagon recently failed its seventh consecutive audit, suggesting that the agency's leadership has little idea how its annual budget of more than $800 billion is spent," Musk wrote in the column with Vivek Ramaswamy, who is to lead Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency with him.Musk and Ramaswamy wrote that the intention of their department is to eliminate the "sheer magnitude of waste, fraud, and abuse that nearly all taxpayers wish to end."As for the F-35, costs for the Lockheed Martin-developed stealth jet have hit about $485 billion, after a 10% bump this year due to what the Pentagon said was a need to improve its engine cooling.Around 1,000 of the planes have been delivered to the US military and its allies, out of a total of over 3,000 aircraft planned for production over the F-35 program's lifetime.The jet's operational lifespan is estimated to last until 2088, and the Government Accountability Office thus expects the F-35 program to cost over $2 trillion to produce and sustain.Musk, the Pentagon, and Lockheed Martin did not respond to requests for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.Musk has said before that the US should consider remote-piloted alternatives to manned jets, both to keep up with the rise in drone warfare but also to help Air Force procurement stay competitive."The competitor should be a drone fighter plane that's remote controlled by a human, but with its maneuvers augmented by autonomy. The F-35 would have no chance against it," Musk tweeted in February 2020.In response to Musk's tweets, a Lockheed Martin spokesperson told Fortune that the F-35 is "the most advanced, survivable, and connected fighter aircraft in the world, a vital deterrent and the cornerstone of joint all-domain operations."As we did in his first term, we look forward to a strong working relationship with President Trump, his team, and also with the new Congress to strengthen our national defense," they added.A Pentagon spokesperson also told the outlet: "We have combat-capable aircraft in operation today and they perform exceptionally well against the threat for which they were designed. Pilots continually emphasize that this is the fighter they want to take to war if called upon.""In the next 10 years, there will be 700 F-35s in Europe and only 60 of these will belong to the US," they also said.

Alex Cooper, the host of "Call Her Daddy," signed a $125 million deal with SiriusXM in August.Cooper said that how you approach a negotiation is more important than what is said.A negotiation expert said negotiators should seek a "relational" approach in discussions.Alex Cooper, host of the hit podcast "Call Her Daddy," recently shared her tips on negotiation one of which she learned from her mom.Cooper, who signed a $125 million deal with SiriusXM in August, said in an interview with Forbes on Friday that her top tip for negotiation is to practice the conversation."I'm always practicing before I go in because you don't want the thing you're leading with to be your nerves," she said.Although it's "nerve-racking" to go to someone in a position of power and negotiate for more, "half of business is the way that you're presenting," said Cooper, who launched the advice and relationship podcast in 2018.At this point in her career, Cooper, 30, said she knows she can walk into any room in business and close the deal."Half of it has nothing to do with my business IQ it's really just my emotional EQ. Half the time, I'm leading with EQ, not IQ, because that's what moves the needle," said Cooper, who also owns a media company targeted at Gen Zs."So I think practicing what you want to say to someone, and how you are going to approach it, and how you are being confident and calmthat goes farther half the time than what's actually coming out of your mouth," she continued.Cooper said she also writes out"That helps, though, because then the first time that you're projecting it to someone, you're like, 'Oh, I've done this so many times,'" she said. "Now you get to practice your swag, how you're sitting, is my leg crossed, am I using my hands, and am I making eye contact? That's how I go about it."Cooper's three-year deal with SiriusXM is more than double the value of her 2021 deal with Spotify, which was worth $60 million, per Variety.The deal allows SiriusXM to oversee the advertising and distribution of her "Call Her Daddy" podcast from 2025. It also covers her podcast network, Unwell Network, which includes shows from influencers such as Alix Earle and Harry Jowsey, per a statement from SiriusXM.Last year, "Call Her Daddy" was ranked the number two podcast globally on Spotify, behind "The Joe Rogan Experience."The podcast was originally known for conversations about sex, but has since grown to cover a range of topics from body positivity to relationships. It has featured A-list guests such as Miley Cyrus and Hailey Bieber. In October, Vice President Kamala Harris was also a guest on the show.In the same statement, Scott Greenstein, president and chief content officer at SiriusXM, said that the audio entertainment company is the "perfect home for Alex to continue her amazing growth trajectory.""Alex is the voice of a new generation, and I can't wait to see what we do together in the years to come," he added.However, industry insiders told Business Insider in August that SiriusXM will only shell out $125 million if her "tremendous value" is fully realized over the next three years.A representative for Cooper did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI sent outside regular business hours.The art of negotiationNegotiating is a critical skill to master, whether to seal a business deal or secure a job offer.Leigh Thompson, a professor at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and the author of the new book "Negotiating the Sweet Spot: The Art of Leaving Nothing on the Table," previously wrote for BI that successful negotiators are "relational" instead of "transactional." This means they treat the discussion as a conversation between people with a shared interest instead of a hard-nosed transaction-focused approach.She added that negotiators should seek mutual gains for both parties. "Successful negotiators think about how to expand-the-pie and grow-the-sandbox, not just how many toys they're entitled to," she wrote.When it comes to landing a job offer, Chris Williams, a former vice president of human resources at Microsoft, previously told BI that signing bonuses, higher commissions, more paid time off, and healthcare benefits are among the things to negotiate."I try to remember something I once heard: If your counteroffer doesn't make you feel a little guilty like you've gone a little too far you haven't pushed enough," he said."So negotiate that job offer, and get what you deserve."

Samsungs Galaxy Z Fold 6 is making waves this Black Friday season with an incredible deal that allows you to save up to $1,500 on this innovative device. Originally priced at $1,899, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 256GB is now available at a record low price of $399, which is absolutely unmissable.See at Samsung.comThe savings come in two options. First, you can take advantage of instant savings, which offers $800 off both the 256GB and 512GB models. This means you can get the 256GB version for just $1,099 and the 512GB version for $1,199. If youre looking for an even deeper discount, you can combine lower instant savings with a huge trade-in offer. This combination allows you to save an astounding $1,500, bringing the price of the 256GB model down to just $399 after applying $300 in instant savings and a whopping $1,200 trade-in credit. For the 512GB version, the price drops to $519, a significant reduction from its original price of $2,019.This deal is unparalleled; you wont find such a discount anywhere elsewhether on Amazon, Best Buy, or Walmart. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 was launched in July 2024, and its crazy to see such a steep price cut so soon after its release. Purchasing directly from Samsungs official site comes with additional perks: youll earn 1.5% cashback on your purchase which adds to your overall savings. Moreover, theres a great offer of up to 47% off on the Galaxy Watch Ultra.InnovationThe Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a significant leap in smartphone innovation and showcases Samsungs commitment to pushing the boundaries of mobile technology. At the heart of this device is its huge 7.6-inch AMOLED display which offers a resolution of 2160 x 1856 pixels and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This combination enhances the visual experience with vibrant colors and sharp details but also allows for seamless scrolling and interaction. The external display measures 6.3 inches and provides users with quick access to notifications and apps without needing to unfold the device. The foldable design itself is a marvel of engineering which allows the phone to transform from a compact smartphone to a tablet-like experience.Underpinning this design is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor from Qualcomm which is specially optimized for the Galaxy Z Fold 6. This chipset delivers top-tier performance and enables users to multitask effortlessly across demanding applications. With 12GB of RAM, the device handles everything from gaming to video streaming with ease. The battery life is equally impressive with a robust 4,400 mAh battery that supports all-day usage.The camera system on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 also reflects its innovative spirit: it includes a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens that supports 3x optical zoom. This configuration empowers users to capture stunning images in various conditions, including support for 8K video recording, which is particularly appealing for content creators and photography enthusiasts. Samsung has integrated AI features that enhance photography by optimizing settings based on the scene being captured.See at Samsung.com

For the past few years, Marvels been pumping out comics based on franchises from 20th Century Studios. The Alien and Predator franchises have gotten the core focus, and both monsters have also made their way to the Marvel Universe through some crossover books. Naturally, things arent stopping there, and everyones favorite big game hunter will soon duke it out with Marvels prime A-lister, Spider-Man. Come 2025, Peter Parker will be hunted again in the Predator vs. Spider-Man miniseries. After the recently-ended Predator vs. Black Panther, the Predator still find themselves in need of some good prey, and go to the Big Apple with their sights set on Spidey. Ben Percy, whod already written the aliens fights against Panther and Wolverine, will pen this new clash, with art courtesy of Strange and Avengers Assembles Marcelo Ferreira. In the last crossover, the Yautja targeted Panther to steal some of Wakandas Vibranium, so whats the reason for going after Peter? Thats currently unclear, but Percy teased whats about to go down is one of the best comics Ive ever written. And for those who remember, this crossover also brings things full circle: in 2022, Marvel had variant covers pitting its various heroes fighting the Predator, Peter and Miles included. Whatever endgame this is all building to, like someAlien vs. Predator vs. Marvelevent, thePredator vs. Spider-Manis a nice little profile boost for ol Preds. Were supposed to be gettingPredator: Badlandsnext November, which will make the alien the lead protagonist instead of a monster the human characters have to overcome. Its actually one of two Predator movies coming next year20th Century hasnt revealed the second yet, but both films and this new miniseries comic make it clear that 2025 will belongs to the Yautja. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

The Intersection of Nature and Design: Maison Forestier's Philosophy on LightingSponsored ContentSave this picture!Forestier collaborates with renowned designers to create lighting pieces that blend geometric and organic shapes, enhancing any interior space. Image Courtesy of ForestierRead in a void, Maison Forestier's remit of an ongoing 'quest for perpetual originality and mastery of the delicate balance between nature and design' may sound a little abstract. But the Parisian lighting brand has since its topiary-inspired inception by Bernard Forestier in 1992 carved a beatific niche in its industry, uniting passion, freedom and discovery to fashion radiant wares that meld unique aesthetics with keen functionality, to suit a diverse range of settings.Save this picture!Meeting the makersIts lighting pieces from pendant, table and floor lamps, to chandeliers and tealights, created in collaboration with impresario designers as lauded as Arik Levy, Noe Duchaufour-Lawrance, Elise Fouin, Emmanuel Gallina and countless other luminariesmerge geometric and organic shapes to winsome and poetic effect, in robustly tactile and delicate forms.It's an approach explored in brilliant clarity with a new collection by the German-born and Holland-based Jette Scheib, dubbed LYS. As with her previous series for Forestier Cymbal, Oyster, Grass and Parrot Scheib's undulating designs are directly inspired by vegetation and, in this case, the royal lily flower. I wanted this flower, steeped in positive symbolism, to become a luminous, sculptural centerpiece. 'This remarkable flower, cherished across centuries and continents, radiates beauty and significance,' explains Scheib. 'Different lily colors carry distinct meanings, symbolizing purity, love, eternity, hope and celebration, making it a perfect muse. I wanted this flower, steeped in positive symbolism, to become a luminous, sculptural centerpiece.'Save this picture!Save this picture!The natural connectionIn practice, this has manifested into a series of three lampshades of different sizes and compositions, rendered in warm, organic wood veneer on the top side of the designs, or metal in the moodier black versions, and cultivated raffia on the underside. The smallest iteration is diminutive: three serenely hanging folds in a compact 50cm-diameter. The medium and large designs at 60cm and meter-wide diameters are more dynamic in aesthetic, unfolding like petals at sunrise. My goal was to capture the lily's mystical quality, not merely wrapping leaves around a bulb but creating a glowing blossom where each petal radiates light. She's at pains to acknowledge that a channelling of nature's alluring and variegated shapes not least those of flowers isn't exactly fresh ground for product designers. But by eschewing a single bulb, and instead integrating LED-compatible light sources within each set of unfurling petals, Scheib has created illuminated marvels, emanating an irresistibly multifaceted and inviting ambience: 'My goal was to capture the lily's mystical quality, not merely wrapping leaves around a bulb but creating a glowing blossom where each petal radiates light, hiding the mechanics to preserve the piece's poetry and allure.'Save this picture!Save this picture!A light to live byCrucially, LYS channels a philosophy that is as warmly holistic as it is functional. A means to demonstrably uplift the atmosphere in our homes places the designer refers to as both workshops and sanctuaries as well as connecting the user to the natural world both spiritually and practically. 'Conscious living calls for thoughtful selections of items and materials that enhance well-being and connection with nature,' she explains. By aligning itself so fundamentally with the organic materials and seamless designs exemplified in LYS, both Forestier and its collections are 'embodying a responsibility to ourselves and the environment. This isn't just a trend it's an essential way forward.'Save this picture!Save this picture!At its core, Scheib's LYS lighting emphasizes a deep appreciation for organic forms mirroring Forestier's dedication to creating enveloping, evocative lighting that brings nature indoors, while also giving the user reason to pause and decompress. As with any great piece of design, LYS is crafted wholly successfully to evoke a deeper emotional response.'LYS is more than a lamp it's an art piece, a poetic gesture,' concludes Scheib. 'It invites you to pause, smile and dream. With its gentle glow and organic elegance, LYS is designed to bring moments of joy, calm and inspiration into everyday life.' It's a luminous approach, brilliantly realized.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorTom HowellsAuthorCite: Tom Howells. "The Intersection of Nature and Design: Maison Forestier's Philosophy on Lighting" 25 Nov 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1023660/the-intersection-of-nature-and-design-maison-forestiers-philosophy-on-lighting&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Flat Point Seongsu Store / stof.Save this picture! Donggyu KimRetail, ShowroomSeongdong-gu, South KoreaArchitects: stof.AreaArea of this architecture projectArea:680 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Donggyu Kim Lead Architects: Seongjae Park More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. Flat Point, a living design brand that adds a touch of uniqueness to customers' spaces with its minimalist design approach, has relocated and expanded its showroom from Samseong-dong to a two-story space in Seongsu-dong. The new Seongsu-dong showroom set slightly back from the bustling main street, allows for a slower, more reflective atmosphere. Spanning around 660 square meters, the L-shaped building connects two former factories, featuring rough finishes on its facade and an outdoor staircase leading to the rooftop, capturing the essence of Seongsu-dong's industrial past.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Design Studio stof sought to visualize the intriguing scenery created by layering the brand's unique colors onto Seongsu's distinct local character. Through contrasts in time, shifts in perspective, and layers of essence, the design establishes a sequence from neighborhood to space, from space to product, layering the values and emotions of Flat Point onto Seongsu-dong. stof visualized the 'contrast of time' that arises from blending the rawness of Seongsu-dong with the modern identity of the brand through contrasting finishes. The facade features a striking division between the existing white tiles and a bright STO texture, with the clean interior contrasting the rough exterior, providing a backdrop that accentuates the brand. This design captures the temporal contrast between Seongsu's past and present.Save this picture!A circular staircase, visible through the glass facade, creates a structural identity that draws the eye from the outside. Inside, it serves as a vertical connection between the first and second floors, enhancing the user's experience with various levels through the display platform with different height transitions. The second-floor concept space, "Dream House," introduces a dark wooden ceiling contrasting the first floor, shifting the mood and altering the way customers perceive and interact with the products.Save this picture!Save this picture!The brand's minimalistic character is reflected in a single surface finished with uniform materials, connecting walls, floors, and the staircase's handrails across interior and exterior spaces. Additionally, thin layers of metal and wood with contrasting textures create a functional aesthetic, adding depth to the brand's identity in shared design language for essential elements within the space. Flat Point and its users will endlessly find inspiration and contemplation in this new space, rich in design heritage and lifestyle.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:44, Achasan-ro 13-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South KoreaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officestof.OfficeMaterialsSteelConcreteMaterials and TagsPublished on November 25, 2024Cite: "Flat Point Seongsu Store / stof." 25 Nov 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1023943/flat-point-seongsu-store-stof&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream