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In their vernacular forms the country cabin and beach house are most often envisioned as rough and woody as well as shingled and white-washed, respectively. Finding inspiration in Woodstock, NY and Fire Island, NY, Italian architect Andrea Salvini’s conceptualizations of the classics have been updated aesthetically and to the era of eco-efficiency.

Designer: Andrea Salvini

The Crab House’s updated stilt design was inspired by- you guessed it, the legs of a crab. The architectural verticality of this project is in response to an effort to preserve the existing garden area.

Inspired by the work of Andrew Gellar, the Hexagon beach house is striking and unique.

The Modern Cabin’s design was developed through minimizing and stylizing the lines and architectural elements of the classic American cabin.

Source:yankodesign.com

How many people you know are so devoted to a single design that they build their whole company, their whole life around it? A designer by the name of Jonathan Ward has done just that, having started a business with his wife Jamie that turned into the nations leading Land Cruiser Service center in 1996, they eventually caught the eye of My. Toyoda who asked them to create three running prototypes of what became the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser.

What happened in between there to make this wondrous dream unfold, and what went on afterward? After the couple’s business “TLC” provided sales, service, parts, and restoration to the Land Cruiser community for several years, Jonathan began to work as a consultant for Toyota and the company began working on special projects for Toyota like outfitting vehicles for special events. This is where Mr. Toyoda asked Jonathan to create the three prototypes, and Jonathan did so, paying homage to the original Land Cruiser tradition in his original sketches than what ended up becoming the 2007 FJ Cruiser.

It was at this point Jonathan and crew asked themselves what might happen if they were to “revisit the FJ40 [their] way.” From there they created ICON, a brand new vehicle “without peers for a journey without boundaries.” This vehicle has several models, each of them with classic styling, modern performance, and timeless utility. Sounds alright to me!

Jonathan adds the following note:

Without the support of enthusiasts and patrons like yourself, such an extreme expression of design and utility would never have been possible.

Thanks for your support.

ICON is a US based privately owned company. We are members in high standing with the BBB, registered with the Bureau of Automotive Affairs, and SEMA members. Dun and Bradstreet rated.

Take a peek at their fantastic website over at http://icon4×4.com/

Designer: Jonathan Ward

Source:yankodesign.com

Some days you just have to go simple. I know that you know if you read posts by me specifically, you’ll find a lot of flipping out over how amazing simple design can be. Minimalistic design is my favorite. Today, I’m privileged to present a bench so simplified, I don’t think there’s a way to improve upon it. How about that? This is the all wood BOTANIST bench, from Orange22.

There are two finish options available on this simple sitter, one Satin Walnut Finish (BOT-BEN-WAL), the other Satin Rift Oak Finish (BOT-BEN-RIFT), and both are made of sustainably cut wood (which I assume here means it was made from trees that were cut down and replaced by new trees,) and are completely American made. Dimensions: 60L x 18D x 18H 55LBS

Designer: Orange22 Design Lab

Source:yankodesign.com

The antenna issue of the iPhone 4 is legendary and making light of the situation is the Icon iPhone Case with its not-so-subtle antenna extension! On second thoughts its a stark reminder of those bulky phones we used to use. Anyways if the icon doesnt catch your fancy, you can splurge on the colorful hues of the Iro Cases. Incidentally Iro means color in Japanese and love the taxi version!

The Icon case is made with premium quality silicone, and comes with free protectors and the Iro cases crafted with high quality polycarbonate and feature UV coating for extra protection. Both the cases will be available by this year-end. Im booking mine now!

Designer: Essential TPE

Source:yankodesign.com

The Icon Battery mania won’tdie down! After a successful launch, an awesome giveaway; the Essential TPE team is back offering our readers 10% off. Although they give us five solid reasons to buy the pack, the biggest reason ever is that we are not Paul S., who won the recent giveaway! Jealous much? Get yours here. Promotional period ends 31st December 31, 2010 @ 11:59 pm PST.

Designers: Essential TPE

Know your Icon Battery

• The battery is able to extend your iPhone talk time up to 3 hours and audio play back up to 18 hours.
• It uses EL film on its front panel to display its power status clearly.
• The Icon has been entitled by the Taiwan Good Design (GD-Mark).
• It is a Work with iPhone licensed and certificated product by Apple.
• It is a Lithium-Ion Polymer Battery.

Source:yankodesign.com

During the summer of 2010, organizations expressing concern for the environment around the world headed out to the ocean to collect marine debris. Once they had a bunch, the sent it (I’m assuming in a zip-lock bag) to appliance mater Electrolux to see what they could do with it. Basically, Electrolux took out the mould and got moulding. With this debris, Electrolux created “Vacs from the Sea.”

Each model vacuum you see here is obviously unique, having been made from debris cleaned out of the sea in an effort not only to make the sea a cleaner place to be, but also to create awareness for the world. Awareness for everyone to see how terribly polluted the vast wakes of water are, but if you ask me, awareness for everyone to see how AWESOME that stuff is and how they should drive their boats out there and get it. Colors!

Designer: Electrolux

Source:yankodesign.com

That’s the question this fabulous designer by the name of Jeongche Yoon is asking. This is an electric car that not only paves the way for the future with its energy saving functionality, but with its plug-n-play app-market outlook for the future of car interactivity! This tiny car saves space by not being excessive, saves energy by being electric, and aims to have high consumer appeal and be fun, fashionable, and affordable.

Inspired by the relatively-new Smartphone industry, this car concept connects to people with the open-source marketing of an app store. Null has a docking station at the back where physical “apps” (functional modules) can be docked so that people can have the details they choose on their car simply and with as little an amount of effort as pressing a button. Standard specifications and big changes.

Take a peek at the images below and jam to the amazing music of the video presentation, and think about the car market today. What can you do to your auto that’s both legal and affordable? Not much! You can Pimp Your Ride, but that’s really out-of-league for most people who don’t have massive wads of cash, or you can put bumper stickers on your bumper. What else besides painting your car to be wild can you do?

Not much, that’s what. Not much at all. Jeongche Yoon, make a future of automobile customization for everyone a reality!

Designer: Jeongche Yoon

Source:yankodesign.com

Keeping your wits during an emergency evacuation of a building is easier said than done. If its a hotel or an unfamiliar mall, following the leads can be difficult and even confusing at times. The LED Escape Light is a portable LED electric torch meant to tackle this issue of unfamiliarity. It comes with a built-in projector that projects a map to guide you out accurately. I like the handy stand that it is housed in, with an easy grab-and-run vibe.

The LED Escape Light won a Liteon Award as well.

Designers: Li-Yu Chiao, Cheng-Cheng Chun, Ming-DaYang, Kung-Yi Kuang, Huai-Yi Hsieh, Ching-Chang Chuang, Yu-Hung Chien, Shaio-Chung Cha & Yu-Hung Chien

Source:yankodesign.com

The Future Living house is a testament to the will of design. It took twenty six designers (a feat in itself) to create it. Every technologic leap was analyzed to make sure anything proposed was possible by 2050. It’s a paradigm shift in home resource creation and location. Water uses gravity to generate pressure. Energy is harvested from solar and wind apparatuses. Air, water and waste are cleaned using a living bio wall and everything is recycled when possible.

Design Team: Cornelia Bailey, Tanushree Bhat, Marilee Bowles Carey, Anthony Caspary, Eric Diamond, Xiaonan Huang, Reenu John, Na Rae Kim, Paolo Korre, Eugene Limb, Hsin-Cheng Lin, Miguel Angel Martinez, Nikhil Mathew, Elise Metzger, Mahdieh Salimi, Kshitij V. Sawant, Owen Schoppe, Jessica Striebich, Hannah Swart, Traci Thomas, Helen Tong, Sally Wong, Yixiu Wu, HyeKyung Yoo and Gene Young of IIT Institute of Design

Source:yankodesign.com

Seoul is one city that is conscious of the fact that we need to ride more bicycles and loosen up the traffic congestion. To advocate their intent Seoul Design Fair hosted the Seoul Cycle Design Competition 2010, where entries from around the world we welcomed. The mission was to provide a cycle for the city dweller, so that he can adopt cycling into his daily routine and lead a healthy lifestyle. The city on its part, promises to provide all the infrastructure needed to promote it. Lets take a look at main features of 15 of the best entries in random order!

15) Bike 2.0 by Nils Sveje, Inoda Sveje design studio & IPU Produktudvikling

Main Features: comfortable ride with energy leveling and the stepless gearbox, option of adding seat-tube battery for speed, two wireless control-units (that work with two wireless rings on the handlebar) help control your ride.

14) Beik by Lukas Jungmann

Main Features: Audi branding, folding mechanism, articulated frame steering and the untypical frame setup.

13) Tribune by Thring Lukas, Lukas Thring & Florian Vecsey

Main Features: electric operated tricycle-recumbent bike, powered by a generator and an electric motor, external battery increases drive capacity, lockable little boot to store items above the rear wheel, adjustable headrest and pedals, flexible backrest, front and back lights for safety, ergonomic design.

12) Ridenpush by You Ho Jeon

Main Features: a riding cycle with a wagon can transform into a push cart when heavy, intended for the elderly.

11) Ufold by Andr Costa

Main Features: a cross between a mountain bike size and a city bike, easy to use folding system, handle in the frame makes it easy to push, when closed, central joint in the two piece frame, safety trigger and an angle two piece frame help in aligning the wheel when opened.

10) Full Circle by Sanghyun jeong & Jun-Tae Park

Main Features: compact sized city bike, large wheel size (508mm, 20inch), no chains but free wheel gear directly connects to its pedal, most of its parts can be folded, including saddle and handle bars.

9) Molecule by Yongjin Lee

Main Features: body is modeled on the river Han of Seoul, unique shape.

8 ) Helo by Junkyo Lee

Main Features: unique body, integrated lock design to prevent theft.

7) ROOnighT by Yong-Bum Lim & Park Jong-Soon

Main Features: harnesses energy from the cycling to power its lights at night, the polycarbonate frame emits light through O.L.E.D, transforming the bicycle into a night light for the street its parked in, intended for a public sharing system for bikers.

6) X Bike by Woogyeong Go, Dong-ha Kim & Kyeongpyo Cho

Main Features: looks like the letter X, no chain technology.

5) Carrier Bike by Shin Hyung Sub Shin

Main Features: a convenient carrier, shelf located in the middle of the bicycle, designed to help carry the users luggage.

4) SE:CUrity Lock System by Sang Yong Park & Jae Yong Park

Main Features: the steering features a number lock system, locks by pushing the handles down, locks into the front wheel of the cycle, unique body design.

3) T-bike by Jung Geun Tak & Shinhyun Kang of T.A.K studio

Main Features: iconic design, folding handlebars double up as a lock, embedded GPS, E-INK and EPD technology used in the embedded monitor, adjustable seat via a lever with the seat height index (indicator), seat height can be adjusted while being seated.

2) Sideways Bike by Michael Killian

Main Features: two wheel steering bicycle with independently steerable wheels, travels sideways, unique and distinct motion, best suited for children from age 7.

1) Trileaf by Jihyeong Kim

Main Features: eco electric tricycle, can be used in a public rental system, has a tilting mechanism and a steering in the front, electric motor in the rear, emergency raincoat box built under the seat.

Bonus Entry!

How can we not have a bonus entry! By The Way all the images and credits go to our friends at Designboom, who have complied the event for Seoul Design Fair.

Viento – Urban Folding Bicycles by Gil Sheffi

Main Features: folding cycle, super-formed aluminum frame, hubless pedal system, hollow main axis, neatly folded look.

Source:yankodesign.com

The scene is this; youre a weary traveler, jet-lagged and waiting to catch your connecting flight. You need rest and sleep pods & Business Class Lounges are out of your reach. The thing with airports and highly sensitive places is that the threat of terror-attacks and medical influences is surreal. So peace of mind while catching 40 winks can be a problem. According to Anna, the solution is to carry an emotionally secure objectmuch like the teddy bear from childhood. In this case its the Polo Backpack. It comes with pillows and a sleep-cover, to provide you the emotional security youd like while resting. Im not a fan of covering my face while sleeping, even with a netted cover as this, but if its the kinda reassurance youre looking for, then who am I to complain.

Designer: Anna Perugini

Source:yankodesign.com

The scene is this; youre a weary traveler, jet-lagged and waiting to catch your connecting flight. You need rest and sleep pods & Business Class Lounges are out of your reach. The thing with airports and highly sensitive places is that the threat of terror-attacks and medical influences is surreal. So peace of mind while catching 40 winks can be a problem. According to Anna, the solution is to carry an emotionally secure objectmuch like the teddy bear from childhood. In this case its the Polo Backpack. It comes with pillows and a sleep-cover, to provide you the emotional security youd like while resting. Im not a fan of covering my face while sleeping, even with a netted cover as this, but if its the kinda reassurance youre looking for, then who am I to complain.

Designer: Anna Perugini

Source:yankodesign.com

Babies brush your shoulders off, you’re about to be rolling in the most pimp baby vehicle I’ve ever set my sights on. This project is called “Stroller Bumbel” and it’s a whole new look at transporting babies from place to place. Designer Ascanio Afan de Rivera asks why the baby stroller form has only gone a few steps from its origin in all its years of existence? Why oh why? Even when the original isn’t broken, there’s room for improvement. Or at least experimentation. Here’s a new one for ye.

This stroller adapts. Working as a different bit of containment for kids from birth until they’re 2 years old. Based on an 11 piece system that folds into several different forms as well as collapsing down into a trunk-ready smaller size.

Designer: Ascanio Afan de Rivera

Source:yankodesign.com

I have a love/hate relationship with the city of Angels. I’ve lived here since 2002 and in that short time, I’ve come to accept some of L.A.’s defining qualities. Sure, the traffic gets to me, the pollution and the ever looming threat of the “big one” but what will it really be like in 2030? Newsweek has a cool interactive feature offering glimpse called The Future Of Work. Three visions by three firms – Michael Maltzan Architecture, Gensler and cityLAB.

Website: The Future Of Work by Newsweek

Source:yankodesign.com