Dezeen Showroom:materials take centre stage in German brand Gira's Espirit line of switches and sockets, which come in glass, stainless steel or linoleum-plywood. The Espirit range was designed to enable customers to create a home to reflect their personality, with eclectic mix-and-matched colour combinations.The Esprit range combines materials and coloursFeaturing a simple and timeless square shape, the Espirit design has a central plastic button in a frame made from either glass, stainless steel or linoleum plywood.Each material comes in a range of coloured finishes, ranging from chrome to anthracite and bronze for the metal and black, white or even umber or mint for the glass.It is built on square shapes and comes in a range of sizesGira describes the glass frames as bringing lightness and clarity to interior designs. The metal contributes a glint of luxury, and the linoleum-plywood which visibly layers the two organic materials suggests style and sustainability.The Esprit range is available in a range of sizes ranging from 1-gang to 4-gang and echoes the size and styling of Gira's Pushbutton sensor 4 smart control unit, allowing the two products to be placed harmoniously side-by-side.Product details:Product: EspiritBrand: GiraContact: architects@gira.comDezeen ShowroomDezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen's huge global audience. For more details email showroom@dezeen.com.Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership content here.The post Espirit switches and sockets by Gira appeared first on Dezeen.

It's been a year since Oklahoma City's Legends Tower was first announced. Here we outline the key facts about the supertall skyscraper that is vying to be the tallest building in the United States.The Legends Tower by architecture studio AO Architects (AO) has fascinated readers, provoking disbelief and curiosity from critics and the public alike. If completed, it would be the tallest building in USA and the sixth tallest in the entire world.How tall will the Legends Tower be?The Legends Tower is planned to be 1,907 feet tall (581 metres).The project was first announced in early January 2024 with a proposed height of 1,750 feet (533 metres), but at the end of that month, further plans increased the height by nearly 200 feet.What will Legends Tower look like?The proposed skyscraper will have a facade made up mostly of glass and will be surrounded at its base by a series of smaller towers.It will have a slight indent at its peak with a spire that will give it extra height, pushing it towards the mark that will make it the tallest skyscraper in the United States.What will be in the Legends Tower?Proposals for the project state that it will hold residential, hotel and office programmes, with an allotment of affordable housing included in the scheme.Where will Legends Tower be built?The skyscraper is slated for construction in the post-industrial Bricktown neighbourhood of Oklahoma City, located between the city's downtown core and its riverfront area.Legends Tower is part of the Boardwalk at Bricktown development, which will expand the entertainment programme typical of the neighbourhood's ongoing redevelopment. It is situated near a streetcar line and near an Amtrak station.Devon Tower is the city's current tallest skyscraper, almost half as tall as Legends Tower's proposed height. Photo via OKC ChamberOklahoma City is the largest city in the state of Oklahoma by population, but ranks only 20th in the United States, with just over 700,000 people. It is one of the nation's fastest-growing metropolitan areas.Currently, the tallest building in the city, and the state, is the 50-storey Devon Energy Center, an office tower designed by Pickard Chilton and completed in 2011. It is the 72nd tallest building in the United States at 844 feet (257 metres).When will Legends Tower be built?In April 2024, Oklahoma City's planning commission granted approvals for the skyscraper at it increased height after "full funding" was secured by developer Mattson Capital. In June, Oklahoma City Council approved an "unlimited height" for the skyscraper.Legends Tower is slated for a later stage in the wider Boardwalk at Bricktown redevelopment. Construction for the development was slated to start in fall 2024, but ground has not been broken on the project as of January 2025, according to its architect.Legends Tower will be clad in glass and have an illuminated spireIn December, local aviation authorities expressed concern over the height of the skyscraper in relation to local flight patterns, which led its developer to state it may be "little shorter" if needed.Initial statements from the development and design teams claimed that the overall development would take around five years to complete.Who is developing Legends Tower?Legends Tower is being developed by Matteson Capital, which is owned by Scot Matteson and based in Newport Beach, California.Matteson Capital's website lists a number of in-progress construction projects, such as the Miami World Center development. Completed projects it has worked on include the Icon Hotel in Houston and the Saphire Tower skyscraper in San Diego."We've been called crazy, like with our projects in downtown San Diego, or in Miami. But in Oklahoma, we think its an opportunity to do something really cool," Matteson told The Times last June.Who designed Legends Tower?Legends Tower was designed by California-based architecture firm AO. The studio has completed a number of mixed-used developments internationally, but nothing close to the scale of the proposed Oklahoma City skyscraper.Studio partner Bruce Greenfield told Dezeen that AO aimed to create "simple, clean, elegant" shapes for the development, but never set out to design the nation's tallest skyscraper.Read: "Just another out-of-scale, look-at-me, ego-trip design" says commenter"The tall tower morphed into the project over time, as [Matteson] gained investment and worked with the city," said Greenfield."You're gonna see it from all over the city. We didn't want it to be crazy or gaudy. We just wanted a nice graceful curve of the buildings and a distinguished top," he added, also saying he believes the final "character" will be close to the current renderings.New York-based engineering firm Thornton Tomasetti has been brought in to assist with the skyscraper. It said that the structure will have to undergo significant testing to stand up to the tornados commons to the region.Why is Legends Tower being built in Oklahoma City?Greenfield told Dezeen that he believes the skyscraper is in line with the development goals of the growing city."As Oklahoma City experiences a surge in market growth, characterized by increasing demand, population, and the development of employment hubs, the design for The Boardwalk at Bricktown has progressed in response to the dynamic expansion and advancement within this thriving urban landscape," said AO managing partner Rob Budetti.Stefan Al, author of the book Supertall, compared the project to the "if you build it they will come" model used for large buildings in places like Dubai as a way of attracting residents and investment.The skyscraper is part of the Boardwalk at Bricktown developmentAl also said that after the Covid-19 pandemic, there have been some shifts in populations away from traditional urban cores like New York and Chicago, which currently hold all of the top 10 tallest buildings in the US."This tower could be symbolic of new shifts that probably were going on prior to Covid-19, but may have accelerated since," he told Dezeen.What are the criticisms of Legends Tower?Some have cast doubt on the development, with the city's relatively small population and lack of large-scale infrastructure along with the perceived inexperience in supertall skyscraper construction of the developer and architecture studio as potential weaknesses in the scheme.The largest criticism has come from the economics of building a such a large structure in a small city.Oklahoma City University economist told CNN that the idea was a "pie in the sky" and that it was "not fathomable" that Oklahoma City was ready for a building of that size.Read: Everything you need to know about Saudi mega-project NeomTwo City Council members who voted against the approval, James Cooper and Joe Beth Hamon, both expressed concerns over the affordable housing aspect of the development. They stated that the processes for approval for local groups aiming to build more housing are usually more rigorous.Writing for Dezeen, architect and scholar Ryan Scavnicky said that Legends Tower represented an outdated view of city building in the United States."Instead, Oklahoma City might do better to chop the single tower into five sections and place them in the immediate vicinity. It could establish a wide grassroots buy-in to small, dense and affordable revitalization projects along established transit corridors."The post Everything you need to know about America's next tallest building appeared first on Dezeen.

A company called Sorako makes these precision screwdriver sets. The aim was apparently to cram as many tools as possible into the tightest possible footprint.Going over the company's materials, I was interested to see how the design of the bit holders evolved. In an earlier iteration of this set, the bit holders were deployed like this:Fairly clumsy. In the next iteration, they added a spring-loaded button mechanism:An improvement over the previous iteration, but a bit inelegant, and seems like the kind of thing that would break.For the latest version, they've gone with a push-to-open approach:The last one seems the best of the three, but I have a remaining UX gripe with the design:The graphics that show you which bit is which, are printed on the face of the bit holders. Once you deploy them, they lean forward and obscure the graphics, particularly if you've got this at desk level. Oughtn't the graphics be printed behind the bits, and perpendicular to the user's eyeline? What say you?

For LEGO enthusiasts, the joy of building goes beyond simple assembly- it is about exploring creativity, innovation, and the endless possibilities that come with snapping bricks together. Irrespective if youre a seasoned builder or a passionate collector, theres always a new challenge waiting to be tackled. Weve curated the top 10 LEGO builds that every enthusiast should experience.These sets are not just about size or complexity, they embody the spirit of creativity and craftsmanship that LEGO is renowned for. Each build offers a unique journey into the world of LEGO. So grab your bricks and get ready to dive into a world where imagination knows no bounds, as we explore the must-have LEGO builds that promise to inspire, challenge, and delight every LEGO lover.1. LEGO Bobs BurgersYou can now step into Bobs Burgers with this 2,991 bricks LEGO set. The build is quite impressive as it includes almost 3000 pieces. It recreates the familys home and restaurant with commendable accuracy and precision. It includes the familiar ground floor, which is so accurate, that you can almost hear the hum of the kitchen as Bob fusses over the latest Burger of the Day. The chalkboard has been recreated as well.The dining area has been built with its no-frills charm, as well as the cramped bathroom, and bustling kitchen. The upstairs section includes Tinas corner with all her belongings, and it also holds Genes keyboard and megaphone. Louises trusty Kuchi Kopi nightlight is also standing guard, making this space feel alive and authentic.2. LEGO Power Rangers MegazordMeet the LEGO Power Rangers Megazordan impression creation that invites fans to relive the magic and excitement of Saturday morning cartoons with an engaging and interactive twist. This set is far from a static model. It is a captivating and dynamic build that breathes life into the iconic Megazord. The set disassembles into the five legendary Dinozords: Mastodon, Pterodactyl, Triceratops, Sabertooth Tiger, and Tyrannosaurus.Each Dinozord boasts posable limbs, encouraging imaginative play and creativity. When assembled, they form the Dino Megazord, meticulously capturing every detail from the beloved TV show. This LEGO set not only transforms but also captivates, providing fans with a hands-on experience to recreate classic scenes or invent entirely new adventures.3. LEGO Lockheed SR-71 BlackbirdThis LEGO model of the SR-71 Blackbird brilliantly captures the essence and elegance of the legendary aircraft. Designed with meticulous attention to detail, the model replicates the SR-71s sleek, elongated silhouette, featuring a sharply defined nose and gracefully sweeping wings that highlight its aerodynamic capabilities.It isnt simply a display piece, this model incorporates functional elements such as working flaps, retractable landing gear, and a finely detailed cockpit, each aspect thoughtfully crafted to honor the original aircrafts extraordinary engineering. The model is complemented by a sturdy base, which includes a plaque detailing key specifications of the SR-71, adding an educational aspect to this impressive creation.4. LEGO MicroscopeEvery LEGO enthusiast needs the LEGO Microscope in their collection. This ambitious set, crafted from 1,316 meticulously chosen pieces, transforms bricks into a functional microscope that invites you to peer through and examine samples. It features an impressive height of 16.5 inches and is more functional than youd expect.It features a revolving nosepiece, working eyepiece, and adjustable sharpness controls, offering an interactive experience that inspires curiosity. The LEGO Ideas Functional Microscope not only moves and adjusts but also illuminates and magnifies. It includes three lenses in a revolving nosepiece to simulate different magnification levels, along with tiny bacteria models for examination.5. LEGO GramophoneFor music lovers and LEGO enthusiasts alike, the LEGO Gramophone is a must-have creation. Shaped like a vintage gramophone, this gleaming golden award has been synonymous with musical excellence since its debut in 1959. Thanks to LEGO enthusiast _ironman, this iconic piece of music history has been reimagined as a LEGO set.The design captures the essence of the real Grammy award, with a brass horn that glints with pride and tradition. It isnt simply a miniaturized tribute, this build carries a powerful message. It is inspired by the desire to encourage kids to pursue their dreams and it aims to instill the thought, One day, Ill get one of these, especially for children aspiring to make music their career.6. LEGO Minimoog SynthThe LEGO Minimoog Synth pays tribute to the iconic Minimoog synthesizer. The 1:1 scale LEGO model brings the legendary instrument to life. Designed by LEGO builder Eliot Obrien, it features all the details that would make any synth lover happy, including rotating knobs, pitch wheels, and fully pushable keys.The rear control panel even opens to reveal the circuits inside, nodding to the heart of the original Minimoogs magic. Assembling and putting this set together is a complete poetic experience, as it recreates the experience of an engineer designing the instrument for the first piece. Each piece snaps into place with purpose, connecting you to the energy of Robert Moog, the creator of the Moog synth.7. LEGO Tesseract SceneFor fans of cinema and intricate design, the LEGO Interstellar Tesseract Scene is a breathtaking addition to any collection. This set captures the mind-bending beauty of the iconic scene from the film Interstellar, where Matthew McConaugheys character enters a new dimension. The models dramatic flair comes from the Tesseract-inspired core, which is tilted at a distinctive angle.The design includes two dioramas: Millers planet and Manns planet, each with unique terrain elements for an authentic cosmic feel. The center includes Murphs room, where Cooper leaves messages for his daughter. The inclusion of Gargantua, the all-consuming black hole, and the Endurance ship ties the iconic scenes together, creating a cohesive, movie-inspired tribute to deep space exploration and cinematic brilliance.8. LEGO Salt & Pepper ShakersAdd a playful touch to your kitchen with the LEGO Salt & Pepper Shakers. It is a delightful creation for any LEGO lover. Designed to look like oversized LEGO 11 stud bricks, these shakers embody simplicity and functionality. They feature the iconic LEGO logo on the top, and they come in black and white, cleverly indicating their contents without the need for labels.These shakers are perfect for adding a themed touch to your kitchen or dining table. They have a stackable design, which allows you to have fun at the dinner table by stacking them like real LEGO bricks. It is designed to be a functional kitchen accessory and a conversation starter, bringing the joy of LEGO into everyday life.9. LEGO Bob Ross: Studio & Paintings KitLEGO builder Bricknificent has crafted the Bob Ross: Studio and Paintings kit, celebrating the beloved painter and art instructor Bob Ross. Renowned for his calming paintings and soothing video tutorials, Bob Ross has captured the hearts of many. This fan-created LEGO set features Ross as a Minifigure in his recording studio, seamlessly connected to an art gallery.The art gallery is designed to open and close, showcasing some of Ross most iconic artworks. Comprising 1,234 LEGO bricks, the set boasts a unique and foldable design. It can be displayed in its entirety or arranged as a closed-loop gallery, forming the shape of a heart. This imaginative set not only pays tribute to Rosss artistic legacy but also offers a creative and interactive experience for LEGO and art enthusiasts alike.10. LEGO Vintage Billiards TableCrafted by LEGO builder Golden Eye, this miniature yet functional LEGO billiards set perfectly captures the brilliance and grandeur of a full-scale billiards table. Despite its tiny size, it includes all the essential featurespockets, a gutter, and a cue standmaking it an adorable and interactive tabletop build.This meticulously designed set pays homage to classic pool tables, blending form and function in a way that appeals to both LEGO enthusiasts and billiards fans. It evokes the nostalgia and enjoyment of vintage recreational games, while also offering a fun and innovative challenge for builders. Whether youre a lover of LEGO or a fan of billiards, this set delivers a delightful experience that combines creativity with classic entertainment.The post Top 10 Miniature Masterpieces For The Dedicated LEGO Fans & Collectors first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Harmonic Villadesigned and visualized by Nourhan Essais where architectural brilliance meets the art of balance. This isnt just design; it is an experience. You can expect contemporary sophistication and a profound sense of calm. From the neutral tones to carefully curated textures, every element works in harmony to create a villa that feels both inviting and effortlessly modern.The foyer in the Harmonic Villa is as welcoming as it gets. A wooden wall-mounted table is paired with console seating underneath. Additionally, a vase of wild branches brings in the perfect touch of Mother Nature, while the mirror gives you a quick reflection as you step out the door.In the living room, we see a plush banquette sofa providing expansive seating space. This is paired with a sculptural accent chair that adds visual interest. An organically shaped stone coffee table easily steals the spotlight. All furniture is placed over a large textured rug.Our favorite part is the wild flowersplaced in small vases and allowed to hover over the seating. On the walls, there are wooden elements and a rustic piece of artwork. We especially love the recessed wall features highlighted with LED lighting. A wooden partitionseparating the area from the dining spacehouses the television and a marble slab.The Harmonic Villa dedicates a nook for the homeowners passion. A sleek white guitar and modern rustic console add a vintage vibe. Playing the piano here with outdoor views would be an experience like none other.Right next to this is the dining areadelineated with a rug. Plush upholstered chairs surround a central wooden table. A massive piece of textured art forms the focal point, while the floor-to-ceiling window, with minimal blinds, makes sure to illuminate the space with daylight. For the darker hours, we see an interesting chandelier adding organic forms.The home office in the Harmonic Villa is futuristic, with its dark wooden tones and sleek LED lighting. Theres also additional lighting with a flowerpot lamp.In another cozy seating area, plush seats and a compact console bring the space to life.

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This is todays edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of whats going on in the world of technology.Three questions about the future of US climate tech under TrumpDonald Trump has officially been in office for just over a week, and the new administration has already issued a blizzard of executive orders and memos.Some of the moves could have major effects for climate change and climate technologiesfor example, one of the first orders Trump signed signaled his intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, the major international climate treaty.The road map for withdrawing from the Paris agreement is clear, but not all the effects of these orders are quite so obvious. Theres a whole lot of speculation about how far these actions reach, which ones might get overturned, and generally what comes next. Here are some of the crucial threads that Im going to be following. Read the full story.Casey CrownhartThis article is from The Spark, MIT Technology Reviews weekly climate newsletter. To receive it in your inbox every Wednesday, sign up here.This quantum computer built on server racks paves the way to bigger machinesThe news: A Canadian startup called Xanadu has built a new quantum computer it says can be easily scaled up to achieve the computational power needed to tackle scientific challenges ranging from drug discovery to more energy-efficient machine learning.Why it matters: Xanadu envisions a quantum computer as a specialized data center, consisting of rows upon rows of these servers. This contrasts with the industrys earlier conception of a specialized chip within a supercomputer, much like a GPU. But this work is just a first step toward that vision. Read the full story.Sophia ChenVote for the 11th breakthroughEarlier this month, we unveiled our annual list of the 10 Breakthrough Technologies for 2025, encompassing everything from promising stem-cell therapies to robots that learn quickly. Now, were asking you to help us choose the 11th honorary technology we should keep an eye on over the next 12 months.Cast your vote for one of the four extra exciting breakthroughs before 1 April. Readers of The Download will be among the first to know once we announce your pick.The must-readsIve combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.1 Trump advisers were blindsided by Elon Musks teams offer to federal workersOfficials werent consulted about plans to induce civil service workers to resign. (WP $)+ The radical sweeping measures are just the beginning. (Vox)+ The email workers received cribs from Musks controversial Twitter memo. (Ars Technica)+ If Musk gets his way, the US government could end up like X. (NY Mag $)2 Meta has agreed to pay Trump $25 millionTo settle the censorship lawsuit Trump brought against it back in 2021. (CNN)+ Mark Zuckerberg predicts 2025 will be a big year for Metas government relations. (Insider $)+ Facebook is still focused on winning over creators to make it cool again. (The Information $)3 How tech workers are quietly fighting the rise of MAGAWhile their employers are shifting rightwards, workers are resisting. (NYT $)4 Microsoft and Meta have defended their AI spendingDeepSeeks success has raised serious questions about Big Techs AI budgets. (Reuters)+ Zuckerberg claims not to be worried by the Chinese startups rapid rise. (The Verge)+ How a top Chinese AI model overcame US sanctions. (MIT Technology Review)5 Mr Beast is getting serious about buying TikTokThe YouTuber is a part of an investor group thats secured more than $20 billion. (Bloomberg $)6 How the US plans to use space lasers to destroy hypersonic missilesIt bears more than a passing resemblance to Ronald Reagans 1983 program. (FT $)+ How to fight a war in space (and get away with it) (MIT Technology Review)7 Waymos autonomous taxi service is expanding to new US citiesSan Diego, Las Vegas, and Miami are on the list. (WSJ $)+ Self-driving Tesla taxis will hit Austins road in June, apparently. (TechCrunch)+ EV batteries boast an incredibly long lifespan. (IEEE Spectrum)8 The perfect cryptographic machine is possibleIts just a bit of a pain to build. (IEEE Spectrum)+ Cryptography may offer a solution to the massive AI-labeling problem. (MIT Technology Review)9 This mobile game is helping scientists identify new deep-sea speciesVerifying ocean creatures can take decades, but AI and gaming speeds up the process. (Bloomberg $)+ Theres an incredible amount of life down in the depths. (Quanta Magazine)10 How the internet fell in love with capybarasThe worlds largest rodent is a social media sensation. (New Yorker $)Quote of the dayHold the line! Dont resign!US federal workers rally together on Reddit to protest the Trump administrations offer for them to take deferred resignation.The big storyThe race to fix space-weather forecasting before next big solar storm hitsApril 2024As the number of satellites in space grows, and as we rely on them for increasing numbers of vital tasks on Earth, the need to better predict stormy space weather is becoming more and more urgent.Scientists have long known that solar activity can change the density of the upper atmosphere. But its incredibly difficult to precisely predict the sorts of density changes that a given amount of solar activity would produce.Now, experts are working on a model of the upper atmosphere to help scientists to improve their models of how solar activity affects the environment in low Earth orbit. If they succeed, theyll be able to keep satellites safe even amid turbulent space weather, reducing the risk of potentially catastrophic orbital collisions. Read the full story.Tereza PultarovaWe can still have nice thingsA place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet em at me.)+ Happy birthday to the one and only Phil Collins74 years young today.+ Great news for Britains loneliest bat: he may have found a mate at long last. + After years in the cocktail wilderness, the Black Russian is coming in from the cold.+ Death to members clubs!