Local studio DRM Arquitectura has designed a space-framed drive-through ice cream parlour lifted on inverted V-shaped columns in Buenos Aires, Argentina.The Veneciana Canning Ice Cream Drive Thru is situated on a busy roadside plot near National Route No. 58 that challenged the DRM Arquitectura team to create a calm atmosphere without disconnecting from the fast access road.DRM Arquitectura created an ice cream parlour in Buenos AiresFollowing the studio's three-part design concept product, person, place the 300-square metre (3,230 square foot) parlour was a "quick-build roadside stop" that serves as an "announcement sign" for travellers in the bustling area.The building is raised on two inverted V-shaped white columns and two simple columns to make it more visible, free up the ground floor, and create a semi-covered terrace with a view of the La Esperanza Golf Club.It has a drive-thru and is situated off a busy strreet"The metal structure is undoubtedly the protagonist of the space; making architecture from the structure is what we are passionate about," the team said.Set back from the perimeter of the building, the prefabricated columns create a large plan and absorb all of the horizontal load from the upper level, serving as the only link to the second story.It has a metal structure that creates a semi-covered terraceThe furniture and staircase "hang" from the space frame while the bar and floating circular restroom "folds" up from the floor."The ground floor proposes the dissolution of the building's limits both as a commercial strategy, aiming not to create barriers of entry and as a strategy to anchor to an environment with attributes valuable to the landscape, which can be incorporated as part of the buildings architecture," the team said.The staircase "hangs" from the steel structureMeanwhile, the upper floor is wrapped in a perimeter terrace shaded by a series of pergolas that control light and open dining space to the sounds and sights of the city. The interior of the upper floor houses an isolated children's play area.A service tower with mechanical equipment stacked on top of the staircase adds a vertical counterpoint to the horizontal building that is nearly square in plan.Read: Bonba Studio encases extension in Barcelona in white metal meshIn order to expedite construction, the 15-tonne structural frame was prefabricated while the foundation was poured, and was transported to the site and hoisted into place.Taking cues from the diagonal bracing in the trusses, the team replicated triangular patterns throughout the design including 45-degree patterns in the formwork of the precast white walls, perforated and sinusoidal white sheet metal, wood details, and welded tube ironwork.Mechanical systems and the metal ceiling were left exposed"Depending on the time of day, some diagonal patterns are illuminated, and others are not due to the concavities and convexities, generating permanent mutations in the facades," the team said.Other notable ice cream parlour designs include a compact Czech shop in Brno by Holky Rdy Architeckturu, a blue-tiled "theatre of gelato" in Melbourne by Ewert Leaf, and a black and white "Instagrammable" interior for a Milk Train shop in London by FormRoom.The photography is by Javier Agustin Rojas.Project credits:Architect: DRM ArquitecturaTeam: Dimaio Luciano, Rocca Nicols, Muerza Esteban, Ramiro Barraza, Augusto Latzke Blake, Lautaro Egui, Giuliana Scatuerchio, Sofa Prytoluk, Ignacio Llaneza, Fabin Bruno, Ezequiel Basso, Florencia Chumbes, Luca BinettiEngineering: Andres MoscatelliConstruction: Hernan Sotelo, Eduardo Tabaracci, Mauricio ChiarelloThe post DRM Arquitectura uses prefabricated structure for Buenos Aires ice cream shop appeared first on Dezeen.

A compact rammed-earth extension in Ecuador and a London home addition filled with vinyl records are among Dezeen's selection of the top 10 home extensions of 2024.Photo by JAG StudioEl Retiro, Ecuador, by Juan Alberto AndradeEcuadorian architectJuan Alberto Andrade proved even small extensions can make a big difference with the modestly sized El Retiro, which measures just nine square metres.Located in Guayaquil, the rammed-earth extension adds a social space to a multifamily housing complex, complete with an atrium built around a 25-year-old tree.Find out more about El Retiro Photo by Johan DehlinDrpa, Norway, by Vatn ArchitectureNorwegian studios Vatn ArchitectureandGroma added a curved two-storey extension to this 1930s home in Oslo, resisting the boxy and pitched-roof designs typically seen in the surrounding suburban area.Containing three bedrooms and an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, the extension was clad in white-painted timber to match the existing home, laid vertically instead of horizontally to give a subtle contrast.Find out more about Drpa Photo by Chris WhartonVinyl House, UK, by Benjamin WilkesDesigned to facilitate the owner's love for cooking and music, Vinyl House in London caught readers' attention with its butterfly roof extension and music room filled with 40 linear metres of records.The music room opens onto an open-plan kitchen and dining room, which has a window seat that extends to form a deep garden step.Find out more about Vinyl House Photo by Naho KubotaSprings Artist Studio, USA, by Worrell YeungArchitecture studio Worrell Yeung extended this Long Island house with a two-storey 74-square-metre addition, containing a painting studio on the upper floor and an exhibition space and garage on the lower floor.Intending to create the feeling of being perched in the trees, the studio wrapped the upper level with continuous windows supported by steel-rod cross bracing and slim steel columns.Find out more about Springs Artist Studio Photo by Raphal ThibodeauLe Petit Merlot, Canada, by NaturehumaineBehind the red brick street facade of this 1920s duplex in Montrealis a garden extension with large windows framed in red steelwork.Local architecture studioNaturehumaine designed the extension to be a contrasting contemporary addition to the original building but created continuity with a red colour palette, which gives the home its name, Le Petit Merlot.Find out more about Le Petit Merlot Photo by Thomas Seear BuddKaraka Tower, New Zealand, by Arete ArchitectsInformed by treehouses, local studio Arete Architects vertically extended a home inWellington, New Zealand, to create Karaka Tower.Connected to the main house by a polycarbonate corridor, the eucalyptus-clad tower contains an art studio and bedroom topped with a roof terrace.Find out more about Karaka Tower Photo courtesy of So ArchitectureHarriet's House, Tasmania, by So ArchitectureConcealed within this rectangular pale brick extension in Tasmania is a double-height living, dining and kitchen area with a vaulted ceiling covered in wooden slats.Built on an exposed red brickwork base, local studio So Architecture aimed for the extension to be a sanctuary that opens onto the sloped garden.Find out more about Harriet's House Photo by Francesca IveneOld School House, UK, by Bindloss DawesArchitecture studio Bindloss Dawes added a pitched timber extension to Old School House, designed to complement the appearance of the existing Grade II-listed home, which was originally built in 1864 as a local village school.The exterior was clad in English sweet chestnut that will weather and turn a silver tone, chosen by Bindloss Dawes to match the stonework in the original home.Find out more about Old School House Photo by Jennifer Hughes PhotographySolit-Garreau Residence, USA, by Studio BowerAiming to preserve the charm of the original home, architecture firm Studio Bower created a wood-clad gabled annexe in keeping with an adjoined 1940scottage in Washington, DC.The annexe's asymmetric roof follows the roofline of the cottage and both are clad in slate shingles, while an outdoor courtyard was designed to provide a connecting social space for the two structures.Find out more about Solit-Garreau Residence Photo by Rick PushinskyVerdant House, UK, by CANClad in corrugated hemp fibre panels, the extension at Verdant House in London was praised by readers for its geometry and green-painted structure.Architecture studio CAN established a connection between the internal spaces and the garden by adding a sweeping curved glass window that was informed by Victorian shop fronts.Find out more about Verdant House The post The top 10 home extensions of 2024 appeared first on Dezeen.

It is ironic that wind turbine blades, which typically last for 25 years, have decidedly un-green deaths. The fiberglass blades are not recyclable, and when they are decommissioned, they're typically crushed and burned as both fuel and raw material for producing cement. The crushing process alone burns a lot of energy, and burning the crushed parts as fuel creates CO2.Enter Reverlast, a Finnish company that's come up with a unique way to repurpose the blades. Company co-founder Johannes Peace, an engineer and sailor, realized that the fiberglass blades are made the same way as boats. And like boats, wind turbine blades are specifically fabricated to weather a harsh marine environment for decades.What the company does is use the blades for useful waterborne applications. "We repurpose turbine blades to build floating docks and pontoon structures," says company co-founder Ossi Heiskala. "This reduces the need for traditional pontoon materials like concrete and polyethylene plastic, making the solution even more environmentally friendly. Our prototype dock prevents roughly 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and the larger and more numerous the docks we build, the greater the impact."Peace and Heiskala launched Reverlast this year through Finland's Kiuas Accelerator, a startup incubator. For their first project, they're tackling a community sauna at Aalto University:The sauna itself is a traditional wood-heated barrel sauna, assembled from a pre-made kit. But instead of being placed on land, it will be installed on a dock that floats on pontoons made from four wind turbine blades. The pontoons are filled with polystyrene, and each weighs over 300 kilograms. The dock is more stable than a traditional floating pontoon dock and extremely durable. The fibreglass layer in the blade sections used for the pontoons is up to 6 centimetres thickfar more robust than the 1-centimetre layer typical in sailboats. "The pontoon is incredibly strongit won't break, that's for sure. Our job is to design the other parts to ensure they'll last for decades as well," says Heiskala. The dock pontoons were cut from the midsection of the blade. The narrow tip of the blade, in turn, could be used for lighter structures, such as swimming platforms, Heiskala envisions. "We're starting with floating docks because our team has a lot of expertise in that area. However, we already have more ambitious plansthe sturdier sections of the blades could be used for larger structures, like breakwaters," he explains. The sauna should be ready by next spring. And as they grow, Reverlast will have no shortage of raw materials: Ten to 20 turbine blades are decommissioned each year, and that number is scheduled to grow in the next decade. Wind turbine operators, who are responsible for the cost of decommissioning the blades, will be happy to have them taken off of their hands.

Imagine visiting a factory in China, and you see these things coming off of the line: It looks like they're getting ready for a war, doesn't it? They are, kind of, but a soft-power one. Chinese manufacturer FuninVR has been quietly spreading across the globe, seeding arcades in Asia, South Asia, Europe, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Africa, the Middle East, South America, etc. with their extensive range of VR simulators. These are an interesting category of industrial design, combining furniture, human factors and user interface design with kinetic energy, all in the name of entertainment. Because they are designed for arcade environments, these machines need to be as robust as college dorm furniture. Downtime for the operator means a loss of revenue. Additionally, they need to have as small a footprint as possible, as arcade profits are all about profit-per-square-foot. And, of course, the game designers have to do their jobs too, making the games as engaging as possible in order to draw repeat business. The company's YouTube channel shows off their staggeringly deep catalog, designed to simulate a wide variety of physical experiences. Here's one example, a cockpit that can rotate 360 degrees and seat two (you can charge more for two players):Here's how the company's employees blow off steam:Plenty more to see here.

Lets imagine for a moment that your mornings are dictated not by your mood or schedule, but by a coffee pod. You pick one from the box, click it into your machine, and hope it hits the mark. Sometimes it does; often, it doesnt. Thats the quiet frustration that many coffee lovers live withuntil something like the Xpod Coffee Pod Maker comes along. This Kickstarter-backed gadget flips the script, giving you the reins to brew exactly what you want, when you want it, and with beans that you trust.Coffee enthusiasts will instantly appreciate how Xpod dismantles the mundane predictability of pre-packaged pods. At its heart is a compact built-in grinder, a detail that speaks volumes about the priorities of its creators. Pre-ground coffee loses flavor the moment its exposed to air. The Xpod sidesteps this by grinding beans fresh for every cup, whether its a mellow Colombian roast or a bold Ethiopian blend. Honestly, its also a middle finger to Nespresso and Keurig who believe in trapping you within their ecosystem of pods. Here, you choose the coffee you want, while also choosing convenience. Sounds too good to be true, no?Designer: XpodClick Here to Buy Now: $189 $299 (36% off) Hurry! Discount only for a limited time.Fundamentally, Xpod aims to give users complete control over their coffee experience. Unlike traditional pod systems tied to pre-packaged capsules, Xpod lets you grind your favorite coffee beans right before brewing. This feature ensures optimal freshness and flavor. Whether you prefer a locally roasted blend or a rare coffee variety from halfway around the globe, the Xpod accommodates your taste. Aside from bringing your hand-picked blend to the convenience of a Keurig or Nespresso, the Xpod saves you money in the long run since you arent capitulating to the coffee machines subscription model (which is where they make their money). I bet Big Coffee doesnt want you to know this.The Xpod is unique from your standard coffee grinder in that it doesnt just finely crush your coffee beans, it weighs, calculates, grinds, dispenses, and compacts the coffee into a reusable stainless steel pod that you can then fit right into the coffee maker of your choice. Designed for durability and ease of use, these pods are FDA-approved and EN-certified, offering a safe and sustainable alternative to disposable plastic capsules. The eco-conscious design drastically reduces waste, addressing the environmental concerns often associated with single-use pods. Switching to Xpod doesnt just give you the ability to craft your own select coffee blends, it helps save hundreds of dollars on disposable pods each year, while also cutting down on landfill waste.Xpods patented auto-recognition system takes the guesswork out of coffee brewing. This intelligent feature identifies the capsule type and adjusts the grinding time and amount automatically, ensuring a perfect brew every time. For busy mornings or multi-user households, this functionality streamlines the process, making it accessible even to those less familiar with advanced coffee machines. Just add the coffee blend you love and the Xpod does the rest, preparing the pods that can be popped right into your coffee machine. The freshly ground coffee results in a better brew too, giving you the coffee you love in mere minutes without the hassle of setting up an espresso machine, french press, or pour-over.The built-in grinder allows precise customization, grinding 9-12 grams for Keurig pods, 11-13 grams for Vertuo pods, and 4-5 grams for Original pods. This versatility supports various coffee machines, including Nespresso Original, Nespresso Vertuo, and Keurig systems. A single press handles the entire process, going from bean to grounds to pod right within the Xpod. The coffee grounds get compacted (or tamped, technically), leaving you to simply apply the lid and your bespoke pod is ready.Xpods design feels like its cut from the same cloth as high-end kitchen appliances. The minimal design, the simple interface, the state-of-the-art tech your Xpod is manufactured alongside brands like Philips and Breville, matching the standards set by those world-class brands. The materials and finish give it a premium look, but theres substance behind the style. The tamper mechanism applies just the right pressure, the grinder is precise, and the pod-filling system is satisfyingly mess-free.As impressive as its technical features are, Xpod doesnt lose sight of the broader picture. Its about choice and freedom, but its also about the small joys that make routines feel meaningful. Imagine brewing a cup of coffee from beans you picked up on vacation, or experimenting with local roasters blends, or even tweaking your go-to coffee beans with some cinnamon, some vanilla, or a little pumpkin spice (I promise I dont judge). Thats the kind of experience Xpod wants to foster, and its hard not to appreciate that liberating approach.Xpods Kickstarter campaign has already surpassed its funding goal, with over $86,000 pledged at the time of writing. Backers can expect delivery by March 2025, with shipping available to over 25 countries. The machine comes in black, but crossing a funding goal will unlock the white color variant (sort of playing well against the latte and black coffee color palettes. Each Xpod is supported by a two-year warranty, comes with 2 reusable pods, 100 foil lids, cleaning tools, and the plug of your choice depending on your countrys socket style.Coffee pods have long been the hallmark of convenience, but lets face itbrands like Keurig and Nespresso have built entire ecosystems that keep you tethered to their pre-packaged, often pricey offerings. The Xpod Coffee Pod Maker feels like a small act of rebellion against that system. It hands you the tools to brew your own way, with your own beans, while still working seamlessly with their machines. Its like hacking the coffee matrix, except instead of coding, youre crafting better-tasting coffee and cutting out all the waste.Click Here to Buy Now: $189 $299 (36% off) Hurry! Discount only for a limited timeThe post Make Your Own Keurig or Nespresso Pods at Home with This Game-Changing $190 Gadget first appeared on Yanko Design.

Military-grade durability and off-grid living options give modern-day RVs that extra popularity amid adventurers demanding luxury and ruggedness without compromise. There are names like the EarthRoamer at the top of the ladder, but one builder in the western USA, Nevada-based Hunter RMV, is soon catching up. By delivering 66 chassis mobile homes that check all the boxes, the company assures comprehensive luxury and convenience at a significantly lesser cost than what the other top-tier names happen to roll out RVs for.The latest in action from the house of Hunter RMV is the Sherpa XLE that combines demanded luxury with military-grade chassis, converting the latter into an ultimate adventure ride for extreme adventures. Six-wheel drive Sherpa XLE is based on the Steward and Stevenson M1089A1 that has been part of the US Militarys Medium Tactile Vehicle fleet for about a decade from the mid-nineties to about 2006. Designed with off-grid living in mind, the RV has military hardware and amenities of a modern RV, which we detail below.Designer: Hunter RMVBased on the M1089A1 is a 22-foot tiny living abode made from composite panels. It on the inside, 18-foot of this is occupied by living space comprising a transforming dinette and kitchen. You get an electric lift bed that becomes a cozy queen bed for your retiring hours and lifts back off to leave you with a leather dinette area to spend your meal times and a few small get-togethers. The space is completed with a TV panel on the wall and a Bluetooth sound system to take care of the audio.The kitchen here comprises an induction cooktop, microwave oven, an air fryer, two refrigerators, and a Treager BBQ for an external barbeque setup. When youre not eating, sleeping or barbequing, you can head out for a shower, or maybe cleanup inside in the little washup zone also comprising a washer, drier, and a cassette toilet.What really springs the Sherpa XLE in the desirable off-roading companion is the storage it makes for the gear. With some handy options on the exterior, it happens to create a dedicated section for your gear in the rare of the vehicle. It has space for storing two bicycles and comes with a motorcycle lift to the garage. Desirous of taking you on journeys over the most extreme roads, to locations that you didnt think were possible in an RV is powered by a Caterpillar six turbo diesel offering 330 horsepower and 860 pound-feet of torque, the Sherpa XLE comes with 120 gallons of fresh water tank, 1,000 watts of solar panels on the roof, and 800 a/h batteries on board to keep you in the wilderness for as long as you desire. There is no word on the pricing of the Sherpa XLE. Hunter RMV will be building it to order only, so the price may vary according to customization.The post Hunter RMVs Sherpa XLE built on military-grade 66 chassis comes with amenities of modern, off-grid RV first appeared on Yanko Design.

From 2-in-1 laptops to a top-spec stylus, we've thought of everything.

Tavern celebrates its second anniversary.

We strapped babies into bassinets that rock, swing, vibrate, react to crying, or transform into a stroller attachment.

Two regions in the left hemisphere of the brain, which are crucial for language, are different in people who are good at reading and are likely to be shaped by the habit.