The latest edition of our Dezeen Debate newsletter features a slender home in Wisconsin by Johnsen Schmaling Architects. Subscribe to Dezeen Debate now.Johnsen Schmaling Architects designed Curtain House, a slender home in Wisconsin, withwood and metal louvres, to reimagine the "typological conventions" of infill architecture.It received mixed reactions from readers with one commenter remarking that it "does not in any way relate to its surroundings", while another praised it as "really nicely done".Yntegra Group creates "first-of-its-kind" floating padel court in Miami HarborOther stories in this week's newsletter that fired up the comments section included a floating padel court in Miami Harbor, a Miami skyscraper by ODP Architects and a family home in East Dulwich by London studio Open Practice Architecture.Dezeen DebateDezeen Debate is sent every Tuesday and features a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Read the latest edition of Dezeen Debate or subscribe here.You can also subscribe to our other newsletters; Dezeen Agenda is sent every Tuesday containing a selection of the most important news highlights from the week, Dezeen Daily is our daily bulletin that contains every story published in the preceding 24 hours and Dezeen In Depth is sent on the last Friday of every month and delves deeper into the major stories shaping architecture and design.The post Dezeen Debate features "out of place" infill housing in Wisconsin appeared first on Dezeen.

This year's Design Miami was characterised by experimental work, but that wasn't always the case at the fair, art-design duo the Haas Brothers tell Dezeen in this exclusive interview.By embracing the avant-garde, galleries and designers at Design Miami have begun to carve out a style that blurs the boundaries between design and art, according to twins Simon and Nikolai Haas."It's a total movement, and it's very recognisable," said Simon Haas. "In the last 10 years, the trajectory at Design Miami is clear and that defines a movement.""I see the work at Design Miami as its own subset in the creative world," added Nikolai Haas.The Haas brothers are artists and designers based in California. Photo by Elio TolotThe Haas Brothers referenced designers like Misha Kahn and forerunners such as Wendell Castle, as well as galleries such as Carpenters Workshop Gallery, Southern Guild and The Future Perfect.They said the fair has been increasingly becoming more experimental and allowed makers to push the boundaries of what could be shown there.The brothers are known for their fantasy-laden works, including a series of furniture and sculptures based on the 1992 animated film Ferngully and a collection of alien-like objects with tentacles made from porcelain accretions."We've always pushed what can be shown""Design Miami was our first market and we've always pushed what can be shown there, to the point where one year we almost got kicked out of Design Miami because they said the work wasn't 'design' and, fair enough, it wasn't," said Nikolai Haas."We understood that pushing boundaries was a relevant conversation and now, the fact that the Nasher has commissioned five large-scale sculptures feels like a stamp of approval on the art side," he added. "Now we're moving in both directions."The Haas brothers showed The Strawberry Tree lighting fixture at Design Miami 2024. Photo by Kris TamburelloFor this year's Design Miami collectible furniture fair in Miami Beach, the twins showcased a massive bronze tree on a stone pedestal, crowned with petals made from thousands of Venetian beads woven together by a group of craftspeople in California using a biophilic system devised by Simon Haas.The piece was originally commissioned by the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, and represents, for the Haas Brothers, a "stamp of approval" for their aesthetic to move between art and design.The pair say that their style has evolved alongside work that first coalesced at Design Miami a decade ago, taking advantage of the increasingly experimental nature of the fair."Decadent without being wasteful"According to the designers, this experimental style pays homage to design tendencies while also embracing a playful approach to modern materials that have become more widespread."It's using design as a jumping-off point to express yourself in the same way that you would express yourself with a painting," said Simon Haas."And I don't really see the difference, honestly, except that you get to live with and use the piece of art in this sphere, and that's how I like to interact with art anyway."Read: Haas Brothers imagine Wild Things homeware as desert creatures"I'll say it's decadent without being wasteful, like an ornate early-modern Italian house," he added.Having a function is often identified as the key distinguishing feature between design and art, but the Haas brothers seek to challenge conventional ideas of practical use."Cuteness is functional," argued Simon Haas. "For example a baby is pretty difficult to deal with, and a puppy is hard to deal with. But the cuteness makes you want to take care of it."The Haas Brothers, who have backgrounds in design and carpentry, are known for their sculptural works that are often infused with colour and figurative.Read on for the full, edited interview with the Haas Brothers:Ben Dreith: This year you brought one of your works, The Strawberry Tree, from Nasher Sculpture Center into Design Miami. How does this represent a capstone moment in your attempts to bridge design and art?Nikolai Haas: Design Miami was our first market, and we've always pushed what can be shown there. To the point where one year we almost got kicked out of Design Miami because they said the work wasn't "design" and, fair enough, it wasn't. We understood that pushing boundaries was a relevant conversation and now, the fact that the Nasher has commissioned five large-scale sculptures feels like a stamp of approval on the art side. Now we're moving in both directions.Simon Haas: We missed being here too. When there was a risk of us getting kicked out of the fair, I will say that Design Miami championed us and made sure we stayed in. I think everyone together was very interested in creating a movement.Ben Dreith:It's funny, there is a street here that separates Design Miami from Art Basel, and it feels like you two are waltzing across it.Nikolai Haas: Wherever the centre of our spectrum might be, Design Miami will always be the home base. It's its own solar system.Simon Haas:What's cool about both of these fairs is they're a testing ground for galleries. It's experimental.Ben Dreith: And by experimenting with the boundaries of art and design at Design Miami, do you think you and others have created a movement separate from "art" or "design" more generally?Simon Haas: Exactly. It's a total movement, and it's very recognisable. In the last 10 years, the trajectory at Design Miami is clear and that defines a movement.Nikolai Haas: Design Miami has been around for 20 years. The first 10 were more about collectible, historical works. But now, the contemporary work has become so much more experimental. Everyone is in [Design Miami] saying "functional sculpture". I understand the wording, call it whatever you want. However, I see the work at Design Miami as its own subset in the creative world.Ben Dreith: What are some attributes of this movement you're tracing?Simon Haas: Paying homage to design, even if it's abstract, while focusing on the emotional impact of a piece of furniture. It's not pushing the boundary between art and design. It's using design as a jumping-off point to express yourself in the same way that you would express yourself with a painting. And I don't really see the difference, honestly, except that you get to live with and use the piece of art in this sphere, and that's how I like to interact with art anyway. I'll say it's decadent without being wasteful, like an ornate early modern Italian house. It lasts.Nikolai Haas: The work will last. We build with the front end as expensive as possible, in a way that will be absolutely impossible even in 2030. This happens all the time, for example, mid-century buildings used a lot of cast concrete but now this is considered a decadent thing, using so much concrete. This can't ever exist again. For us, it's about about capturing this moment and preserving it in the work. Everyone's gonna look back at this and be like, Wow that was a wild moment in time'. I do think it has a defining aesthetic, and the people here are riffing off of each other to further define it.Simon Haas:If I were to make a comparison, I'd say it's like Art Nouveau.Ben Dreith:There is a lot of figurative work, which reminds me of the decadent work of the early 19th century. Do you really consider the work decadent?Simon Haas: We've reached a place where we have the luxury of having had modernist materials for a long time now and now we get to play with them. For example, modern buildings today don't have the same magic that the gorgeous modern steel structures had, because they were experimental then. I think now furniture design is entering a more experimental place, where we have access to every kind of material. It's definitely decadent. But what's nice about periods of decadence is that art and design flourish. If stuff gets tight then we can't afford to build stuff in the same way. That's what's beautiful about design, to me, is that this spectrum. It's not form versus function, it's how flexible you can be with the spectrum of decadence.Ben Dreith:Is there any one material that you've seen that's driving some of the material experimentations you spoke about?Simon Haas: I'd say YouTube, actually, because it's not just the material, it's the easy access to information and finding out how to make something. I have watched YouTube tutorials on how to crochet, and so now I crochet.Ben Dreith: Many people would say that this work shouldn't be considered design because it doesn't function in a way that relates to everyday people. However, I often think that function can go beyond the body. Cross-culture exchange, for example, is a function of collaborative design at times. How do you think about function?Simon Haas:Cuteness is functional, for example: a baby is pretty difficult to deal with, and a puppy is hard to deal with. But the cuteness makes you want to take care of it. So it's serving a purpose. Beauty does the same thing. Sometimes we use function as a punchline.Nikolai Haas: For the Strawberry Tree, the problem was creating work in a place that has no studio space by having a community in California help to assemble the complicated beadwork. We could send a tote bag with beads and string, and someone could use that and take it and make parts for us to assemble into something much larger. The function was to make work available in any place, at any time. We also try and make work to be engaged with. Now that we've been a part of it for a while, you start to see other artists that are striving to use function in their work, and they're very inelegant at it, because they haven't been doing it like the rest of us have.Ben Dreith: In places like Design Miami and Art Basel, inaccessible from a financial point of view, the design/art divide seems most important to marketing.Simon Haas: The market is the main definer. Function versus form comes up all the time, but the truth is, we don't care all that much.Ben Dreith: Who are some other people who define this movement and moment of design art? Maybe we can call it De-Art?Simon Haas: I like that. I'd say, Mischa Kahn. Humans Since 1984 are good examples.Nikolai Haas:Wendell Castle was a forefather of this. David Weissman, he's more on the decorative side. Campana Brothers. And also the galleries, Southern Guild, Carpenters Workshop, Future Perfect, Fumi. They almost invented it out of thin air.The top photo is by Magda Wosinska.Design Miami took place from 3 to 8 December. For more global events in architecture and design visitDezeen Events Guide.The post "We almost got kicked out of Design Miami" say the Haas Brothers appeared first on Dezeen.

Since its completion, the Shard has been the tallest skyscraper in the UK and Western Europe. But, now a new skyscraper is set to be constructed of the same height. Designed by Eric Parry Architects and in collaboration with Aroland Holdings and Stanthope, and dubbed the 1 Undershaft, this supertall structure will feature a height of (1,015 ft). It will match the Shards official height, making it one of the tallest European skyscrapers outside of Russia.Designer: Eric Parry Architects, Aroland Holdings, and StanthopeThe skyscraper will be located in London and will be equipped with a chunky design with greenery at different points. It will accommodate 154,000 sq m of floor space, spread over nearly 74 floors. Most of these floors will be office space. The building will also include the highest publicly accessible viewing gallery in Europe, as well as an education center for schoolchildren near the top. It will also contain a free-to-access garden area on the 11th floor, as well as some pleasant landscaping.Tall buildings can generate huge amounts of value in our cities, said Eric Parry Architects. 1 Undershaft is a generous building with the aspirations to be a next-generation classic of its kind, both for the public and occupants. A strong and compelling civic quality is woven throughout the design, defining and setting it apart as the clusters totemic centerpiece. The building is modelled to provide a series of urban horizons; street level, elevated public garden, amenity floors, and the London Museum classrooms and viewing gallery at the apex of the building. Our redesign of the lower levels has improved both the public realm and engagement on three active frontages, making the base of the building more animated and attractive.The 1 Undershaft is still a concept currently, but it will be completed in the early 2030s. It truly is something to look forward to in the architectural realm, and will give some interesting company to the Shard!The post Londons Newest Skyscraper Promises To Be As Tall As The Shard at 1015 Feet first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lenovos ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition ushers in a fresh energy that demands attention as soon as you lift it in one hand. The design balances sophistication and everyday functionality with recycled carbon fiber and magnesium elements that feel solid and strong from the moment you crack open the lid. It weighs just 2.17 lbs (986g) and measures 14.37mm thin, making it Lenovos lightest X1 Carbon yet, yet it radiates durability, delivering a premium aesthetic that catches the eye.Designer: LenovoUnboxing Experience: Compact, Gorgeous, and ThoughtfulThe first impression starts well before you power on the X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Editionit begins with the packaging. Lenovo has truly refined this unboxing experienceand I dont use the word elevated lightly, but in this case, Lenovo has done just that. The care and precision in crafting the box, from its compact size to its perfectly tailored cutouts, enhances the excitement of revealing the X1 Carbon itself, making it feel like an experience designed with intention. The box itself feels as premium as the laptop inside, crafted with FSC-certified materials, free of plastics, and designed with bamboo and sugarcane-based elements.What immediately struck me was how compact and perfectly tailored the packaging felt. The interior layout is meticulously designed, with precise cutouts holding the X1 Carbon snugly. The slimness of the box complements the thin profile of the laptop itself, making the unboxing process feel intentional and elegant. Its rare to find cohesive packaging with the productalmost as if Lenovos design team approached it as part of the laptop experience.The textures, cuts, and alignment all reflect an attention to detail thats often overlooked. Pulling the X1 Carbon out of its place feels like lifting a piece of finely crafted hardware from its display case. The simplicity and sustainable materials make the unboxing as delightful as the laptop itself.First Impressions: Ultralight, Sleek, and SophisticatedSliding this X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition into a compact backpack is effortless, and its Eclipse Black finish makes an immediate impression in a coffee shop or shared workspace. The ThinkPad logo, subtly cut into the top cover, adds a bespoke, premium feel to the design. Its precision-cut detail enhances the overall aesthetic while creating a tactile experience when holding or opening the laptop, reinforcing the premium craftsmanship that defines the X1 Carbon seriesits a detail that sets it apart and gives the laptop a distinctive character. The design stays true to the timeless lines that define ThinkPad devices, then pushes further with aerospace-grade materials. This approach merges a lightweight feel with the reassuring sturdiness Lenovo is known for, showing off the brands craftsmanship in every hinge and seam.Weighing under 1kg (2.17 lbs) and measuring just 14.37mm thin, it defines portability without compromise. Lenovos use of sustainable materialsrecycled carbon fiber for the top cover and 90% recycled magnesium for the palm rest and bottom coverreinforces its focus on eco-friendly design while achieving MIL-STD 810H standards for durability.The Display: Vivid, Fluid, and EngagingOpening up the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition reveals a 14-inch 2.8K OLED display that feels bold and luxurious. With a 28801800 resolution, 100% DCI-P3 coverage, and Dolby Vision compatibility, the display delivers vibrant, true-to-life visuals with stunning contrast. Blacks feel deep and cinematic, courtesy of HDR True Black 500, while the 400-nit brightness ensures excellent clarity, even under bright conditions.The 120Hz refresh rate adds fluidity to everything, from scrolling documents to video playback. Its 16:10 aspect ratio provides more vertical space, perfect for working on spreadsheets, presentations, or creative projects. Lenovo also includes Eyesafe certification, reducing blue light exposure to minimize eye fatigue during long sessions.Audio: Dolby Atmos Creates a Personal SoundstageLenovos additions to the audio experience turn the X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition into a personal theater on the go. Hidden beneath the keyboard, upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers wrap music, video, and calls in immersive sound rarely found in laptops this slim. Paired with Dolby Vision, the combination creates a cohesive watch-and-listen package ideal for content creators and movie lovers.For conferencing, Dolby Voice steps up with advanced features. Dual-array microphones capture crystal-clear audio while intelligently suppressing background noise. Spatial audio capture dynamically picks up multiple voices, while Privacy Mode focuses on a single speakerideal for busy offices or cafes. Dynamic leveling keeps voices consistent, ensuring clarity even as noise levels fluctuate.Performance: Seamless Multitasking Powered by AIUnder the hood, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor (Series 2) and Intel Arc Xe2 GPU. This hybrid architecture features performance and efficiency cores that optimize workloads seamlessly, whether youre tackling creative projects, juggling spreadsheets, or attending virtual meetings. With 32GB LPDDR5x memory and a 512GB PCIe Gen 5 SSD, the laptop handles multitasking effortlessly. This configuration, courtesy of Lenovo, is the setup for our review unit, showcasing the impressive balance of speed and storage for professional workloads.AI takes center stage with Intels NPU 4.0, capable of delivering up to 47 TOPS (trillion operations per second), a measure of the chips ability to handle complex AI tasks like real-time transcription, video enhancements, and power optimization. Microsoft Copilot+ integration enhances productivity with features like Studio Effects for better camera performance and Live Captions for real-time transcription of up to 44 languages. Cocreator lets you turn ideas into visuals, processed locally for security and speed.Smart Modes: Adaptive, Intuitive, and ThoughtfulLenovos Aura Edition Smart Modes add thoughtful AI-driven customization to your experience. Shield Mode prioritizes privacy with screen privacy guards, alerts, and automatic VPN prompts when connecting to Wi-Fi. Attention Mode blocks distractions, silences notifications, and locks out specific websites for better focus. Collaboration Mode enhances video calls with tools like background blur, virtual presenters, and low-light improvements.Wellness Mode promotes healthier work habits with posture reminders and eye health nudges. At the same time, Power Modes allow users to switch between Battery Saver, Adaptive Power, and Performance settings for tailored energy efficiency.Battery Life: Reliable Power with Fast-Charging ConvenienceLenovo claims the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Editions 57Wh battery can deliver up to 18 hours of life under ideal conditions, such as video playback with lower screen brightness. However, real-world usage often tells a different story, depending on workloads and display settings. In my hands-on experience, battery performance varied, with around 7-8 hours under typical conditions, including productivity apps, video calls, and browsing with 10-20 open tabs at 60% brightness. That said, more testing will be needed to fully evaluate battery life for the final review, particularly under heavier workloads or with the OLED display running at higher refresh rates.What Im expecting is a notable improvement in battery life over its predecessor. While the previous Alder Lake model struggled to reach five hours under Wi-Fi tests, this generation seems capable of hitting 10-12 hours for light workloads. However, more hands-on testing will be needed to confirm this, especially with OLED display settings potentially impacting overall endurance. The Intel Core Ultra processors efficiency contributes significantly here, managing power dynamically without sacrificing performance. If you find yourself running low, Lenovos rapid-charging support will recharge the battery to 80% in under an hourperfect for tight schedules or short breaks. If youre running low, Lenovos rapid-charging support brings the battery to 80% in under an hour, giving you peace of mind on short breaks.Sustainable Design: Purpose Meets ProgressLenovo has taken tangible steps toward sustainability without compromising quality. The X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition incorporates a host of recycled materials:Top Cover: Recycled carbon fiberPalm Rest & Bottom Cover: 90% recycled magnesiumSpeaker Enclosures, Battery Packs, and Keycaps: 90% post-consumer recycled plasticPackaging: FSC-certified, plastic-free, and made with bamboo and sugarcane-based materialsDespite its eco-conscious build, the laptop maintains Lenovos hallmark durability, passing rigorous MIL-STD 810H testing to handle shocks, vibrations, and extreme temperatures.Connectivity: Comprehensive and ConvenientEven with its slim profile, the X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition doesnt skimp on ports. Dual USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports handle high-speed charging and data transfers, while two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports ensure compatibility with older peripherals. An HDMI 2.1 output makes connecting external displays seamless, and the Nano-SIM slot allows for optional mobile connectivity.Other features include Wi-Fi 7 for blazing-fast wireless connectionsa personal favorite for me, as I recently upgraded my internet to 5Gbps on Frontier, powered by three Eero Max 7 units, which are Wi-Fi 7 ready. Bluetooth 5.4 ensures low-latency peripheral pairing and future-proofs connectivity for years to come.Wrapping Up: A Powerhouse for Modern ProfessionalsThe Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition delivers a masterclass in balancing portability, performance, and purpose. Its bold OLED display, Dolby-driven audio, and AI-enhanced performance make it a standout option for creative professionals, frequent travelers, and business users. The tailored Smart Modes and eco-conscious design only enhance its appeal, proving that innovation can coexist with sustainability.Lenovos attention to detailfrom the refined build to thoughtful AI integrationsresults in a laptop that feels forward-thinking and reliable. This ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition delivers the performance, design, and versatility needed for creating, collaborating, and enjoying content with style and precision.The post Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition: A Hands-On Look at Power, Style, and Smarts first appeared on Yanko Design.

Modders take it upon themselves to make inventive transitions to the existing ideas, giving them a new lease of life and possible direction that manufacturers themselves may not have crossed. A case in point is the new BBook AI Original Edition: a portable laptop-style gaming device featuring the internals of a PlayStation 5. The modded Sony game console in the new portable body comes attached to a 17.3-inch 4K display, and weighs close to 5kg dead weight.Almost twice as heavy as the original console, a first look at the BBook AI reminds me of the gaming laptop I owned back in 2008. It is a visually intriguing creation nonetheless, for it has made it possible to play your favorite game like Astro Bot even when you do not have the convenience of an external screen to plug your PS5 into.Designer: UFDTechThe brainchild of Chinese modders, the battery-less laptop-style BBook AI Original Edition is in itself a fully functional PlayStation 5 that you can use on the go, or perhaps setup traditionally with an external screen at home. Powered by an eight-core AMD CPU, and a 36 Compute Unit AMD RDNA 2 GPU, features 16GB of GDDR 6 unified memory, 825GB of PCIe 4.0 storage, and an attached 17.3-inch 38402160 IPS display with 100% DCI-P3 coverage and a meagre 60Hz refresh rate.All this resides within the 3D-printed body of the BBook AI Original Edition. From how it appears in the pictures, the BBook AI will have its own keyboard and a USB Type-A 10 Gbps port for connectivity. As previously mentioned, this laptop-like PS5 can connect to an external display, if needed. It comes with an HDMI 2.1 port on the side for that. If you want to do that, then there is essentially no convenience of the BBook AI. The idea of portable gameplay is compromised, and if ought to do that, you might as well invest in the original PlayStation 5.That said, convenience is also compromised by the fact that the BBook AI Original Edition does not have a built-in battery. So, when you have to play a game on it, you would have to rely on AC power to run it. If you dont mind the idea of a PlayStation 5 in a laptop form factor, measuring 13.3mm thick, and weighing 5kg with its adaptor; you are in for a pretty loud its sound system capable of reaching 71.3 dB 3D printed gaming laptop you can get your hands on for $2,750.The post Chinese modders create laptop-style PlayStation 5 with its own screen but no battery first appeared on Yanko Design.

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