Italian architect and designer Massimiliano Malagò presents Copia New Yorkea, a chair that translates the structural logic of coreless exoskeleton skyscrapers into furniture form. The piece combines brass, velvet, 3D printed PLA joints, and gold thread, situating itself between functional object and critical inquiry.

The design employs an isomorphic process, mapping the spatial and structural qualities of high-rise architecture onto a domestic seat. A brass grid frame recalls the column-free curtain wall of corporate towers, within which a suspended fabric cocoon creates the seating surface. Modular 3D printed nodes join the frame, reflecting the parametric connectors typical of high-rise engineering systems. Unlike biomimicry, where natural forms inspire architecture, Copia New Yorkea reverses the process by drawing directly from architectural typologies. By adapting the monumentality and logic of the skyscraper to the intimate scale of the body, the work raises questions about the transfer of design languages across scales and contexts.

all images by Helene Helleu

Massimiliano Malagò Explores Power & Privilege Through Design

The chair’s enclosed form resonates with historical precedents such as the sedan chair, once used to transport elite individuals. Massimiliano Malagò draws a parallel between these vessels of privilege and modern skyscrapers, both of which serve to elevate, conceal, and project authority. ‘Their reflectivity and transparency are curated, not democratic. Nor is any of the scale of them proportional to the merits of those who inhabit them,’ notes the designer. ‘Copia New Yorkea reframes the curtain wall not just as an aesthetic, but as a social and political skin.’ The brass grid and textile cocoon become both structural and symbolic, framing the chair as a reflection on architectural skins and their social dimensions.

The project traces its origins to Malagò’s experience at OMA in New York, where questions regarding the narrative strategies used to justify skyscraper design sparked a broader reflection on isomorphic design methodologies. Later, during his time at Bond NY, he experimented with translating texts into architectural forms, a method that informs his current practice. Copia New Yorkea continues this trajectory, positioning isomorphic design not as a stylistic exercise but as a critique of how architectural references are deployed. Through this translation of high-rise engineering into a furniture object, Malagò opens a dialogue on the role of analogy in design, the politics of architectural form, and the legitimacy of transscalar methodologies in contemporary practice.

Copia New Yorkea chair by Massimiliano Malagò translates skyscraper logic into furniture design

brass, velvet, PLA joints, and gold thread define the chair’s material palette

3D printed nodes connect the brass structural exposed skin

the joints reference parametric connectors in high-rise engineering

a suspended fabric cocoon creates the seating surface

the enclosed seat recalls the sedan chair of elite transport

dense velvet clouds mirror the views of a skyscraper’s translucent curtain walls

the clouds operate like a bitmap on a planar surface

project info:

name: Copia New Yorkea
designer: Massimiliano Malagò | @massimilianomariamalago

photographer: Helene Helleu | @helenehelleu

photography coloring: Tom Keelan | @tom_keelan

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Gioco, a new creative space for children, has opened at the Triennale Milano as part of the larger redesign of the Piano Parco entrusted to AR.CH.IT Luca Cipelletti. Designed by smarin, the project introduces a flexible, interactive environment of modular blocks of cork to be reconfigured and used for hands-on exploration. The initiative comes with the institution’s commitment to accessibility and family engagement, following the strategic plan and the Triennale Manifesto for families, which was introduced in 2025.

The project can be found within the renovated Piano Parco in Milan, and welcomes children and their caregivers throughout the day. The space is at once a structured educational setting and a free-use area. While it accommodates workshops led by the Triennale Education Department, it also invites informal playtime in-between.

images © smarin studio, unless otherwise stated

cork modules for play

With his Gioco space for the Triennale Milano, French studio smarin emphasizes adaptability and material honesty. Furnishings use modular cork blocks and flat pine surfaces chosen for their durability, along with their sustainable and tactile qualities. Assembled without nails or screws, these lightweight elements can be rearranged to create seats, desks, partitions, or loungers, allowing the interior to shift quickly between a workshop, playroom, or contemplative retreat.

The layout’s flexibility encourages spontaneous interaction. When the room is cleared for larger activities, the blocks can be neatly stacked and stored, maintaining a sense of openness without sacrificing function. This design supports both individual creativity and group learning, lending a space that is adaptable as the activities it hosts.

Gioco opens as a new creative space for children at the Triennale Milano

smarin designs for families

Gioco also integrates practical amenities for families visiting Triennale Milano.  Stroller parking, lockers, a water dispenser, and child-friendly restroom facilities ensure comfort for visitors of all ages. Nearby, Cucina Triennale adds a children’s menu, extending children’s inclusion outward into the rest of the Triennale.

The installation’s library extends the invitation to explore. Its collection includes illustrated books in Italian and English, silent picture books, and volumes introducing Italian Sign Language, with augmented and alternative communication options to broaden accessibility. Triennale Junior Albums offer interactive activities that link the space to current exhibitions, enriching the visit beyond play.

smarin designs the interior of Gioco with furnishings by smarin

the project is part of the larger Piano Parco renovation at Triennale Milano

modular cork and pine furnishings by smarin encourage hands-on play

lightweight blocks can be rearranged into seats desks or loungers

a library offers illustrated books, silent books, and Italian Sign Language titles

workshops and family programs connect Gioco to Triennale exhibitions

project info:

name: Gioco

furniture design space: smarin | @smarin_studio

location: Piano Parco, Milan, Italy

architecture: AR.CH.IT. Luca Cipelletti | @lucacipelletti

event: Triennale Milano | @triennalemilano

photography: © smarin

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Ferretti Group unveils nine yacht and boat models, including from Riva, Pershing, Ferretti Yachts, Itama, and Wally, during the Cannes Yachting Festival. Between September 9th and 14th, 2025, visitors to the coastal city were able to hop on a total of 26 boats, six of which were brought over for a public debut. The premieres have shown how the group is working on new hull layouts, updated propulsion, and onboard systems, depending on the type for cruising, sport use, and sustainable boating, but the design star that reigns is the modular designs of most of the models. The Riva stand showed a large number of boats, starting with the Aquariva Special, an updated version of the classic runabout, and the Riva Cento, a limited edition based on the Rivamare, which introduced upgraded systems on board. Another launch was the Riva 58’ Capri, a sport open yacht, and the Riva 112’ Dolcevita Super with wide interior areas and a design made for direct sea access. 

Visitors also saw the Riva El Iseo, the Group’s first fully electric boat built by the Sarnico yard, as well as the Ferretti Yachts 800, a flybridge yacht with a layout built for privacy and open views, and the Itama 54, an open boat made for fast cruising with large outdoor areas. Two models presented earlier in Venice were also present, including the Ferretti Yachts 940 with large glazed walls and the Pershing GTX70 sport utility yacht that links indoor and outdoor zones. In sailing, the Wallywind110 was displayed in the Port Canto section, displaying its updated design for performance sailing. It has been a challenge unveiling nine models in one event, but it is the kind of test that the Group has confronted well. During the roundtable interview designboom was a part of at Cannes Yachting Festival, Alberto Galassi, the Ferretti Group’s CEO, says, ‘In ten years, we’ve come a long way. We’ve been launching five or six models every year – sometimes eight, sometimes nine. It’s not easy, but it’s the only way. You have to innovate and keep up with new tastes. If you compare boats from 20 years ago with today’s, there’s a huge difference; a world apart, as we say. You have to please the customer. You can’t tell them, Buy my boat because I think it’s right. You need to listen: to customers, to competitors, to trends, to where fashion is going.’

all images courtesy of Ferretti Group

Ferretti Group’s Riva unveils four reconfigurable models

Riva leads the most number of premieres from the Ferretti Group: the Aquariva Special, Riva Cento, Riva 58’ Capri and Riva 112’ Dolcevita Super. Each boat model uses layouts and fittings that can be changed or combined, developed with Officina Italiana Design. Across the four projects, Riva combines fixed hulls with parts designed to be replaced, folded, or rearranged. Swim platforms, tables, sunpads, garages, furniture, and skylights use hinges, hydraulic lifts, or tracks so that users can change a space from storage to seating or from dining to sunbathing. The modularity supports different activities without changing the boats’ main structures, and it also lets the yard offer options to the owners in terms of colors, powertrains, and layouts. The result is a fleet where each model keeps its size and propulsion data but lets buyers set furniture, deck covers, and service areas, to name a few. 

The Aquariva Special and Riva Cento have a momentous place in the Ferretti Group’s portfolio. The former continues the line of the Aquarama, while the latter, a limited edition, celebrates the 100th Rivamare unit. For the Aquariva Special, the designers introduce small elements that can be configured. The swim platform at the stern is wider and can receive extra steps or ladders, while the helm station lets owners choose between analog instruments or a digital panel. Seat cushions are available in several colors, and the windscreen frame allows for different glass shapes if required. With the Riva Cento, the deck shows clear modular work. The stern platform is an electro-hydraulic structure that folds down to form a beach area. Inside it holds fenders, Seabobs and a gangway. The central cockpit has a C-shaped sofa under a bimini top built into the seat frame. An electric table can be raised for dining or lowered to make a sunpad, and below deck, a dinette follows the hull form and converts into a double bed. Cushions onboard the water vehicle are offered in biscuit or in a mix of aquamarine and white.

bow of Ferretti’s Riva 58′ Capri at Cannes Yachting Festival 2025

Foldable design elements on board the new boats

Riva continues with the 58’ Capri, which is the start of a new line of sport open yachts. Its structure is based on the Rivale platform, but parts come from the 68’ Diable, showing an interchangeable method. The deck has a fixed hard top covering the whole area, and inside it a retractable bimini runs on electric controls for shade options. A powered intake forward supplies ventilation and can be opened or closed. Then, there’s the Dolcevita Super, a flybridge yacht built at La Spezia. Its decks use modules that enlarge or change shape, and at the stern, the 35 m² beach club links to folding terraces, expanding to 59 m².

Behind a sun sofa, lockers with ventilation hold two Seabobs. The flybridge has freestanding chairs, a bar, and a retractable television facing a central sofa, and these pieces can be moved or replaced without changing the base deck. The interior also follows a modular scheme: the main lounge can be set with dining aft and a lounge forward, or with sofas at the entry and dining in the center.

the Riva 58’ Capri is a sport open yacht

The other models that the Ferretti Group unveiled during the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025 include Itama 54, Pershing GTX70, Ferretti Yachts 940, Ferretti Yachts 800, and Wallywind110. Each boat uses layouts, furniture, and fittings that can be adapted, folded, or removed, starting with Itama 54’s bulkheads and furniture that can be reconfigured between storage and living use. Its main deck introduces a double-cockpit layout with two C-shaped sofas, and these seats form two separate areas but can also be joined for one larger zone. A large sunpad is set flush with the deck and can be fitted with cushions or left free to enlarge the walking space. 

The top cover is removable, guests can access the bow through the windshield next to the pilot’s open-air helm, and the passarelle to access the water vehicle is retractable. With the Pershing GTX70, the compact sport utility yacht uses separate modules on the main deck. Its stern has two levels: a beach area that expands when side terraces are opened and a cockpit shaded by the sportfly. A folding door and an up-down glass panel slide to combine this area with the galley and living room for a single open space or several closed zones. Above, a sundeck is split into three modules for sunbathing, dining, and a helm station, and furniture can be shifted or removed according to use. Below deck there are three cabins with en suite bathrooms, separated by light partitions that allow optional storage fittings.

view of Riva 112′ Dolcevita Super

The Ferretti Yachts were also present at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025. The Ferretti Yachts 940’s exterior zones are organized in modular sections that can host seating, sunbathing, or dining, depending on the kind of event. Furniture on the aft deck is freestanding, so owners may change its position or replace items, and large glass surfaces form the sides of the saloon and can be combined with sliding doors for different degrees of openness. Downstairs, movable panels make the guest rooms usable as offices or lounges. As for the Ferretti Yachts 800, a modular stern platform is offered in two sizes, and inside, the saloon may include an optional sliding door on the starboard side. The flybridge also uses detachable furniture and a rail system for shading panels, letting owners configure dining, lounging, or navigation stations.

The Wally Yachts also revealed the Wallywind110, a sailing yacht built from carbon fiber. Its deck contains a sea terrace that folds out from the hull, increasing usable space. The cockpit seating is mounted on tracks and can be moved for social or navigation use, and below deck, the plan includes four cabins, with the VIP suite designed as a flexible module that converts between twin and double layouts and includes an office area. Light panels, carbon supports, and oak finishes form an interior system that can accept future fittings without changing the structure. The carbon mast and rig are built as independent elements connected to the hull with high-strength mounts, allowing upgrades or replacements without a major rebuild.

deck view of Ferretti’s Riva 112′ Dolcevita Super at Cannes Yachting Festival

Modular designs show prominence in the models that the Ferretti Group introduced at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025,  and Alberto Galassi lets us in on the design well the team draws from when they produce a new model. ‘I love being ‘contaminated’ by friends from other industries,’ the Group’s CEO says during designboom’s roundtable interview with him at Cannes Yatching Festival 2025. ‘I talk with contemporary artists, designers, and people like Domenico Dolce (of Dolce & Gabbana), who is like a brother to me. He shares trends, shows me how top clients behave, and tells me what they want, which informs us on how to design our models.

It’s also incredible when a contemporary artist or architect shows you where style is heading, from fashion to buildings to furniture. Things change at the speed of light, so we adapt. Even the car brand Ferrari gives us insights about trends in sports cars, and the team’s feedback is priceless. How do we make this feedback happen? By constantly evolving. It is also by hiring young people, listening to what they like. My own taste can’t evolve that fast, so I also listen to the younger generation because they inform our design choices. You need to listen: to customers, to competitors, to trends, to where the fashion is going.’

the foldable bulwarks extend the platform to make the guests closer to the sea

view of Ferretti’s Riva Cento on view at Cannes Yachting Festival

Riva Cento’s stern platform is an electro-hydraulic structure that folds down

inside the stern holds fenders, Seabobs and a gangway

exterior of Pershing GTX70

the compact sport utility yacht uses separate modules on the main deck

the stern has two levels: a beach area that expands and a cockpit shaded by the sportfly

there’s a sundeck is split into three modules for sunbathing, dining, and a helm station

project info:

group: Ferretti | @ferrettigroup

brands: Riva, Itama, Pershing, Ferretti Yachts, Wally | @rivayacht, @itamayacht, @pershingyacht, @ferrettiyachts, @wallyyachts_official 

models: Aquariva Special, Riva Cento, Riva 58’ Capri Riva 112’ Dolcevita Super, Itama 54, Pershing GTX70, Ferretti Yachts 940, Ferretti Yachts 800, Wallywind110

event: Cannes Yachting Festival 2025

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Ohsnap releases MCON, an attachable smartphone controller that slides up to reveal the buttons and joysticks for on-the-go gaming. The accessory clings onto the back of the device using a magnet, so users don’t need to play their games on their phones using a separate or wireless controller. There’s a set of thin discs called pucks on the accessory, which contains the magnet arrays compatible with MagSafe or an adhesive adapter. The controller measures 5.67 inches in length, 2.67 inches in width, and less than three-quarters of an inch in thickness. 

It is small enough for a pocket or bag. MCON has fold-out grips that lock into place during play. The structure includes an internal launch spring, so when a user presses two buttons together, the spring activates an auto-sliding system. This system moves the controller out from behind the phone and also tilts the phone screen into a viewing position. Ohsnap designed MCON to work with different smartphones regardless of their camera bump heights. At the moment, vertical flip phones are not yet supported, but optional plates are in development.

all images courtesy of Ohsnap

Accessory with hall-effect joysticks resistant to drifting

The attachable smartphone controller MCON connects to the personal device through Bluetooth, which allows fast pairing and low input delay. There’s a pair of hall-effect joysticks for navigation that are resistant to wear that often causes drift in other controllers, and the team says that the buttons are built for quiet operation. The auto-sliding system combines mechanical and electronic elements, with the spring remaining hidden in production units. When activated, the controller slides into place while adjusting the angle of the phone screen. Grips use a friction-based fold-out mechanism, which locks to hold steady during gaming. Charging is done with a USB-C cable, and a 30-minute charge supplies several weeks of normal use. MCON can also connect to non-Bluetooth devices via USB-C.

MCON is built with a rigid body that houses its mechanical and electronic parts. The pucks are 2.5 mm discs with steel plates and embedded magnets, and they can be stacked to adjust the distance between the controller and phone, giving clearance for camera bumps or cases. A 2 mm adhesive MagSafe adapter is supplied for phones or cases without built-in magnetic rings. For large camera bumps, two pucks are stacked on the controller plate. For smaller bumps, one puck or none may be needed. If a user has a case, the case thickness may replace one puck. Android phones or older iPhones can gain magnetic compatibility by applying the included adhesive adapter. At the present time, Ohsnap has begun the delivery of the attachable smartphone controller MCON.

MCON is an attachable smartphone controller that slides up to reveal the buttons for on-the-go gaming

the accessory clings onto the back of the device using a magnet

rear view of the accessory

MCON has fold-out grips that lock into place during play

view of the accessory when it reveals the buttons

the accessory also comes with deployable grips

project info:

name: MCON

brand: Ohsnap | @ohsnap

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Hello Wood introduces PEBL grand, a rotatable and modular wooden cabin with a mirror-like facade. Because it is a movable camping structure, multiple units of the same pebble-shaped home can be relocated and assembled together. In a way, it addresses the common limitation in traditional architecture, where buildings are typically fixed in their orientation and configuration. The core structure uses Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). It consists of multiple layers of wood planks glued together with grain directions alternating at 90-degree angles. 

This creates a material that’s robust and dimensionally stable, similar to how plywood gains strength from its layered construction, but much thicker and sturdier. The CLT core gets wrapped in insulating and waterproof layers, creating a sandwich construction for weather protection and insulation. It allows the wooden cabin PEBL Grand to maintain comfortable interior conditions while protecting the structural wood from moisture and temperature variations.

all images courtesy of Hello Wood | photos by György Palkó and Márton Bognár

Stone, aluminum and wood for the facade

Even the exterior of the wooden cabin PEBL Grand is modular. Hello Wood says that the home can receive different surface treatments: wood for natural environments, stone for rustic settings, aluminum for modern contexts, or even mirrored surfaces for dramatic visual effects. CNC machines can cut complex three-dimensional shapes with millimeter precision, allowing the company to create curved and irregular geometries that may not be possible to achieve with traditional construction methods. The low-poly design language refers to the angular, faceted surfaces. 

The aesthetic choice serves both functional and visual purposes. The angular surfaces shed water effectively, create light and shadow patterns, and allow for efficient manufacturing using CNC cutting techniques. Despite the compact footprint, the interiors of the wooden cabin PEBL Grand maximize functionality and space. It includes a king-size bed, dining area, kitchen, bathroom, and even a panoramic infrared sauna, essentially placing the amenities of a luxury hotel suite into a cabin in the woods.

Hello Wood introduces PEBL grand, a rotatable and modular timber-made cabin with a mirror-like facade

prefabricated architecture that arrives fully assembled

The PEBL Grand reimagines prefabricated architecture since the units arrive fully assembled and ready for immediate installation. For international projects, the cabins ship flat-packed in standard shipping containers. The Hungarian company developed the concept of the wooden cabin PEBL Grand over four years, starting with a custom airplane-shaped cabin called the Jet House for a client’s daughter before it evolved into a commercial system. 

The team says that the project is an experiment in how architecture can adapt and evolve to meet the current structural demands, including mobility, sustainability, speed, and experience. As a response, the Hungarian design studio has created a piece that embodies the future of small-scale architecture using sculptural aesthetics, a unique structural system, and an environmentally conscious approach. For them, it not only opens up new paths in architecture but also offers practical solutions for different needs in various locations around the world.

multiple units of the same pebble-shaped home can be relocated and assembled together

the core structure consists of multiple layers of wood planks glued together

even the exterior of the wooden cabin PEBL Grand is modular

Hello Wood says that the home can receive different surface treatments including stone and aluminum

view of the exterior

detailed view of the front

view of the kitchen and dining area

view of the bed and the bathroom

panoramic view of the interiors

sink and shower area

the geometric window allows the owners to see the outside from inside

there’s an integrated sauna room within the structure

the low-poly design language allows for angular, faceted surfaces

project info:

name: PEBL Grand

company: Hello Wood | @hellowood

photography: György Palkó, Márton Bognár | @gyorgypalko

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Following last year‘s unveiling, Nokken and Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) being the rollout of the Softshell, a 387-square-foot cabin designed for adaptable environments. To suit the spirit of glamping (more than camping but less than a hotel stay), the project combines prefabricated design and the transportability of a typical tent.

The Softshell is constructed from a timber frame clad in canvas panels, its sharply pitched form recalling a familiar A-frame cabin. The canvas outer is made from a cotton-polyester blend, and comes in khaki, dark green, or navy colorways. Inside, the modular, hybrid structure offers a kitchenette, bathroom, window, and sitting area, while the verticality of the frame makes space for a hammock-like sleeping loft suspended in netting.

images courtesy Nokken

modular design for easy assembly anywhere

According to Nokken cofounder Nathan Aylott, the Softshell cabin project with BIG responds to the dominance of yurts and bell tents in the glamping sector. ‘Over the last fifteen or twenty years, the marketplace has been dominated by bell tents or yurts. They’ve almost become the default option if you’re setting up a glamping site,’ Aylott explains. With this Softshell option, BIG and Nokken introduce a format that is immediately recognizable as a cabin but lighter in footprint than typical prefabricated structures.

Each unit ships in four crates, allowing operators to install the cabin without extensive construction infrastructure. Assembly is designed to be straightforward: two people can raise the frame in a few hours by joining precut timber ends and slotting them into metal bolts. Such a modular strategy means that the Softshell is possible to assemble in sites where conventional building is prohibitively difficult.

Nokken and BIG roll out the Softshell cabin

softshell: a collaboration born from prototypes

The Softshell cabin-tent, created with Nokken, builds on BIG’s earlier experiments in small-scale hospitality architecture. In 2017, the firm developed the Klein Cabin, a 183-square-foot prototype with a sharply angled roofline. While that project never entered full production, its silhouette informed the Softshell’s profile. Meanwhile, Nokken has built a reputation for its compact prefabricated cabins, and has adapted the design to prioritize flexibility and customization.

‘The Softshell is a blank slate inside,’ says Aylott. ‘We made it non-brand specific because we’re a hardware company. We make items for operators, hotels, and land owners to adopt and pivot to match their own brand. That allows for interpretation through landscape, finishes, and interior choices.’

The base is priced at $22,500, with pre-orders now available through Nokken’s website, and delivery worldwide. Operators can expand the cabin’s functionality with optional add-ons, including acoustic insulation, kitchen modules, and deck extensions. Future upgrades under development include thermal insulation for colder climates, a woodburning stove, and a loft extension with an en suite bathroom.

the pitched roof creates height for a sleeping loft made of netting

the interior includes a kitchenette, bathroom, and sitting area

canvas panels wrap around a timber frame with an angular profile

optional add-ons include insulation, kitchen modules, and a deck extension

name: Softshell

architect: Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) | @big_builds x Nokken | @the__nokken

partner (BIG): Finn Nørkjær

creative director (Nokken): Nathan Aylott

co-founder (Nokken): James Van Tromp

previous coverage: December 2024

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Hotcake is a modular system designed to enable collaborative music-making regardless of location. The project integrates a speaker unit called Cake with a wearable device named Butter, combining 3D spatial audio with haptic feedback to reproduce the sense of playing together in the same space. Designers Woojin Jang, Eunhye Jang, Hyeryoung Jeong, Ilyeo Lee, and Chaeeun Kim join to realize the creative project.

all images courtesy of Woojin Jang, Eunhye Jang, Hyeryoung Jeong, Ilyeo Lee, Chaeeun Kim

Combining Sound and Touch for Remote Collaboration

The Cake system consists of three modular speakers and a subwoofer station, which together generate spatial sound for immersive group sessions. Each module receives live audio signals from the station via a 2.4GHz RF channel, while wired Ethernet ensures stable, low-latency performance. This configuration minimizes delay or interruptions, allowing participants to remain synchronized even across long distances. The Butter device translates sound into vibrations, giving users a tactile sense of rhythm alongside the auditory experience. The design includes additional features such as metronome mode for maintaining tempo and a built-in microphone for direct communication.

Hotcake enables collaborative music-making from anywhere

Hotcake Merges Acoustic and Physical Musical Experience

By combining modular sound hardware with haptic wearables, Hotcake recreates both the acoustic and physical dimensions of live music. The design enables remote jam sessions that balance sound fidelity, timing accuracy, and embodied musical interaction.

Hotcake system combines modular speakers with wearable haptics

Cake is the speaker unit at the core of the design

the design integrates 3D spatial audio with haptic feedback

three modular speakers connect with a subwoofer station

the setup minimizes delay for synchronized remote sessions

wired Ethernet ensures stable, low-latency performance

together, Cake and Butter recreate the feel of playing live

the system recreates both acoustic and physical dimensions of music

Butter is a wearable that translates music into vibrations

Butter provides a tactile sense of rhythm during play

project info:

name: Hotcake
design team: Woojin Jang | @woojinjid, Eunhye Jang | @ihaveaspirit, Hyeryoung Jeong | @hyeryoung2, Ilyeo Lee | @leeilyeoo, Chaeeun Kim | @rlaeunoia

The post hotcake’s modular speakers and wearables bring remote jam sessions to life appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

TonerBox is an expandable home gym system and fitness equipment container that doubles as a piece of furniture. When in use, the box unveils weights and storage and transforms into a tri-fold workout bench. After use, the bench becomes a compact box, concealing the gym equipment without any large machines or taking up too much space. Owners can also sit on it after their workout since the wooden box is sturdy enough to hold their weight.

For the bench, the folding system uses a hinge design that allows for seamless opening and closing in a few seconds without needing any tools. The bench is made with an aluminum frame and has non-slip feet to keep it in place during exercise. The bench stands 35 cm high, and the team says this height works for both weight lifting and cardio training. The outside of the home gym system is made of oak plywood, giving TonerBox the look of regular furniture.

all images courtesy of TONER

Fitness equipment includes weight plates and dumbbell bars

Inside the TonerBox kit, there’s a bench, weight plates, dumbbell bars, resistance bands, and a mat, completing the expandable home gym system. All items fit into or attach to the main unit for easy storage, while the weights are stored on a rack built into the box to keep the items organized and in one place. The workout bench is ideal as a step for cardio or a bench for weight training, while the rack is suitable as storage for the plates, dumbbell bars, bands, collars, and a mat. All plates are rubber-coated to protect the floor, while the Olympic dumbbell bars have textured (knurled) handles for grip and spinning sleeves to avoid wrist strain.

There are four quick-release collars to allow fast changes of weight plates, so users don’t need to screw them in or adjust anything, and the three bands come in five, 10 and 15-kilo resistance. An exercise mat is also included in the TonerBox kit, and overall, the total weight of the home gym system is 60 kilos. The team says they’ve made the kit for home users who want to exercise regularly but don’t want to go to a gym. It suits those who want to go for strength training, cardio, flexibility, and mobility exercises, as it allows full-body workouts at home. So far, the TonerBox team has yet to launch the campaign for the expandable home gym system.

view of the kit when it is closed

inside the kit, there’s a bench, weight plates, dumbbell bars, resistance bands, and a mat

detailed view of the weight plates

when in use, the box unveils different sets of weights, and the surface transforms into a tri-fold workout bench

the bench comes with non-slippery feet

video documenting the fitness equipment system

for the bench, the folding system uses a hinge design

users can use the chair for exercises, too

since the chair doubles as a piece of furniture, users can sit on it as well

the box doesn’t take up so much space

the workout bench is made with an aluminum frame

project info:

name: TonerBox

team: TONER

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: Matthew Burgos | designboom

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Boss Design introduces Beau, a modular seating system defined by its generously soft form and a comfort-first design ethos. Designed to be sat into rather than simply on, the sofa invites users to relax, connect, and collaborate across a variety of interior settings — from the workplace and hospitality to education and retail environments. Oversized, cushiony, and tactile, Beau’s organic silhouette offers a visual softness that echoes its physical comfort. With units that wrap and flow around a space, the system enables designers to compose furniture landscapes that feel expansive yet intimate.

‘A lot of furniture is designed for us to sit ‘on’, but our ambition with Beau was always to create something people can relax ‘into’ – seating so soft and relaxed that it moulds to the form of the sitter and makes them feel like they are at one with the piece,’ says Aaron Clarkson, Beau’s lead designer.

soft, sculptural forms define the Beau modular seating system by Boss Design | all images courtesy of Boss Design

A 25-YEAR LEGACY OF DESIGN THAT FEELS GOOD

Beau continues Boss Design’s long-standing mission to transform everyday spaces into environments that are both purposeful and inviting. Founded in 1983, the British brand has grown to manufacture in eight countries across five continents, supporting projects for clients such as BT, British Airways, Jaguar Land Rover, and NatWest. With a focus on craftsmanship and longevity, Boss Design’s portfolio embraces forms that are tactile, adaptable, and aesthetically understated. The launch of Beau perfectly encapsulates this legacy, demonstrating the company’s ongoing drive to redefine comfort and functionality, ensuring that every piece contributes positively to the user’s well-being and the overall spatial dynamic.

Beau’s generous curves bring comfort and cohesion to open-plan interiors

A COMFORT-FIRST DESIGN PROCESS DEFINES BEAU’S MODULAR SEATING

The creation of Beau was an ambitious undertaking, rooted in a comfort-forward design process. As lead designer Aaron Clarkson explained, the goal was never to create typical contract furniture that people sit on, but rather something so soft and cushiony that users could truly relax into. To achieve this level of comfort, the design team embarked on an intensive experimental journey.

A custom-built, adjustable plywood jig became their indispensable tool, allowing them to rigorously test countless combinations of suspension and foam. Layers of foam, varying in material, density, and thickness, were trialed repeatedly until the ‘perfect sit’ was achieved. Working through dozens of configurations, they assessed comfort using intuitive, human feedback — specifically looking for that unmistakable “ooh” or “ahh” response that signals full-body ease.

modular configurations of Beau encourage conversation and connection

The final construction combines a serpentine sprung seat, a webbed backrest, and precision-cut layers of foam mounted on a traditional plywood frame. The result is a deep, resilient sit that molds to the user and reliably returns to shape. Only then, with the internal structure perfected, did the aesthetic development of Beau begin. The design, as described by design director Mark Barrell, is ‘sculpted rather than engineered,’ taking inspiration from the gentle, rounded softness of ‘dough rising and overspilling the pan.’

sculpted like dough, Beau’s oversized shapes convey softness at a glance

The modular system includes a wide array of components — from single and two-seat units to sitting chaises, benches, end arms, end tables, and a 120-degree corner module. The latter allows for fluid layouts that open up space and encourage informal conversation, particularly when arranged around a central table. Optional charging points integrated into the tables also support digital connectivity.

Upholstered in textured fabrics such as bouclé or twill weave, Beau’s expansive surfaces offer a visual calm that makes space for other statement pieces. Used alongside designs like Remi or Amelia, it creates layered interiors where form, tactility, and function converge to support comfort at every level — from first glance to full recline.

designed for sitting ‘into’, not just ‘on’

a system of benches, chaises, corners and tables form seating landscapes with Beau

the 120-degree corner unit introduces flow and flexibility to modular layouts

tactile fabrics like bouclé enhance Beau’s sensory appeal

Beau continues boss design’s language of organic, comfort-forward furniture

project info:

name: Beau

brand: Boss Design | @wearebossdesign
designer: Aaron Clarkson

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Almaty-based designer Daniyar Uderbekov introduces UDRB, a modular sneaker concept that integrates 3D printing with traditional Central Asian footwear references. The project explores sustainability through material reduction, disassemblable construction, and cultural continuity.

Unlike conventional glued footwear, UDRB is fully modular and dismantlable. The design allows each component to be repaired, replaced, or recycled, extending the lifespan of the product and simplifying end-of-life management. The sneaker references the makhsi or ichigi, traditional leather boots from Central Asia and the Caucasus, adapting their construction for contemporary use.

all images courtesy of Daniyar Uderbekov

Eco 3D Printed Sneakers reinterpret traditional leather boots

The sneaker is composed of three main elements: a 3D printed TPU sole, a leather inner bootie, and a climbing rope lacing system. The sole is lightweight, flexible, and cushioned, with the potential for customization to match an individual footprint. Because it is produced from a single material, it can be fully recycled. The leather inner bootie draws from the form and function of the makhsi, offering natural breathability and comfort. It can also be worn independently as indoor footwear. The climbing rope lacing, a reference to the mountain landscapes surrounding Almaty, replaces rigid hardware and allows the shoe to be secured in a lightweight, adaptable way. In assembly, the leather bootie is placed into the TPU sole and secured by wrapping the rope, creating a stable yet flexible fit.

The design emphasizes glueless construction, reducing environmental impact while enabling repairability and recyclability. Durable natural leather contributes to longevity, and the replaceable rope system further supports circular use. By reinterpreting traditional footwear through modern fabrication methods, designer Daniyar Uderbekov bridges contemporary technology with cultural heritage.

UDRB is a modular sneaker designed by Almaty-based Daniyar Uderbekov

UDRB sneaker merges sustainability, heritage, and technology

UDRB is conceived for consumers who value sustainable and repairable products, adaptable and lightweight travel gear, and design that reflects cultural identity alongside modern innovation. Its hybrid nature, combining low-tech leather craftsmanship with high-tech additive manufacturing, aligns with the principles of the slow fashion movement, presenting an alternative to disposable consumer culture.

The project also outlines potential for future development. Variations may include interchangeable soles designed for different terrains, seasonal adaptations such as insulated versions for winter, and broader material and pattern customizations. Collaboration with local artisans would further integrate craft traditions into the system. Through its modular construction, reduced material palette, and cultural grounding, UDRB proposes a design framework where sustainability, heritage, and technology operate together in a single product.

the project combines 3D printing with references to traditional Central Asian footwear

UDRB explores sustainability through material reduction and disassemblable design

UDRB is constructed without glue, enabling full modularity and recyclability

the sneaker is built from three elements: TPU sole, leather bootie, and climbing rope laces

rope laces replace rigid hardware, creating an adaptable fit

assembly places the leather bootie into the TPU sole, secured by wrapping the rope

the 3D printed sole is lightweight, flexible, and fully recyclable

each component can be repaired, replaced, or recycled to extend the product’s lifespan

the sneaker reflects slow fashion principles, opposing disposable consumer culture

project info:

name: UDRB sneakers
designer: Daniyar Uderbekov | @danikassel

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