Europe closely watching u.s. in-flight electronics approval.
europe closely watching u.s.inflight electronics approvals. faa finding many currently flaunt rules with no consequences. via guardian [RK]
Marmaray project: world first tunnel between asia and europe.
first test train through the marmaray tunnel
A railway tunnel underneath the Bosphorus Strait has been opened (29 October 2013) in Turkey, creating a new link between the Asian and European shores of Istanbul. The Marmaray tunnel is the world’s first connecting two continents. It was inaugurated on the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. [ story ]
fatih sultan mehmet bridge looking from asian side to europe. tunnel crossing near this landmark
over 40,000 artifacts discovered during excavation
Work began in 2004, but archaeological excavations delayed construction. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long championed the undersea project, first conceived by an Ottoman sultan in 1860. The underwater section runs for 0.8 miles (1.4 km), but in total the tunnel is 8.5 miles (13.6 km) long and and is designed to withstand earthquakes. [ 40,000 artifacts ]
installing tunnel into bosphorus seemingly easiest phase of project
Parsons Brinckerhoff, who’s role was design/construction supervision and D-B contract administration provides an enlightening video of lowering the tunnel into the Bosphorus. [ video ]
Most recent videos below…
german car companies thinking about the cities of the future.
German car companies are thinking about the cities of the future. Audi has its Urban Initiative, BMW has a multi-year city future project in cooperation with the Guggenheim, now gathered together in a show at the Guggenheim in New York. Volkswagen’s effort to look at future cities is a multi year partnership with the Museum of Modern Art and its junior branch in Queens, PS One, where the company has built the VW Dome, an inflatable hemisphere that looks like some Cold War era radar station. The efforts began in the aftermath of storm Sandy about a year ago. Inside the dome ( photo above ) on Saturday were the latest elements of the effort: presentations by architects and planners addressing an urban future where 75 per cent of the world’s population will live in cities and most will be poor. [ audi ][ bmw / guggenheim ] [ vw / moma / ps1 ]
Superyacht. Zaha hadid.
above> 295-foot JAZZ yacht (left) next to the 420-foot concept yacht | renderings & video courtesy of zaha hadid architects | click > enlarge
Zaha Hadid’s latest is a yacht—five yachts, actually, each of them a variant on a family of boats with a fluid, biological look. Each can also be customized in comfort features and other outfittings by the company of Blohm+Voss, which also did a Philippe Starck design earlier.
420-foot concept yacht
The idea of the Unique Circle Yachts allows for variation of a genotype and its phenotypes. The company says, “Zaha Hadid’s design is malleable to suit the very individual wishes and needs of a potential customer.”
Hadid’s office describes the Unique Circle Yachts this way:
The overall design is informed by fluid dynamics and underwater ecosystems, with hydrodynamic research shaping the design of the hull. The exoskeleton structure of the upper section is an interwoven network of supports that vary in thickness and lend a natural aesthetic to the yacht’s external appearance; evoking the organic structural systems of natural marine formations and connecting the various levels and decks of the ship seamlessly via expressive diagonals.
Whereas traditional yacht designs adhere to a strict horizontal order, this exoskeleton creates an intense connectivity between the various decks and elements of the design. The fluid design language of the master prototype has been applied to the five subsequent 90m variations of the Unique Circle Yachts, creating a design with the highest correlation between the various options.
295-foot JAZZ yacht
main cabin
owner’s cabin
>model of concept
Architect
Zaha Hadid Design
Design
Zaha Hadid
Patrik Schumacher
Design Team Thomas Vietzke, Jens Borstelmann, Daniel Widrig, Sofia Daniilidou, Ben Grubert, Phillip Mecke, Patrick Euler
Naval Engineering Michael Von der Heide, Thomas Sperling
L.O.A > 90.0M (295 FT)
Beam (Max) > 16.0M (52FT)
Draught > 4.2M (13FT)
Speed (MA X) >16.0 KN
Cruising Speed > 14.0KN
Range > 5000 Nautical Miles
Class > Lloyd’s Register
Propulsion > 2X2160 KW | diesel via gearbox to fixed prop
Manoeuvring System > 1 X Bow thruster
1> concept
2> JAZZ
3,4> JAZZ aft
5,6 > main cabin
7,8,9 > owner’s cabin
[ official release ]
The design concept, launched at the latest exhibition of Zaha Hadid’s work at the David Gill Gallery in London, is based around the sculptural form of a master prototype conceived for a 128m yacht. In addition, the Unique Circle Yachts by Zaha Hadid Architects for Blohm+Voss is a family of five individual 90m yachts that creatively explore the design philosophies of the master prototype within the technical requirements of a fully-engineered yacht design.
The overall design is informed by fluid dynamics and underwater ecosystems, with hydrodynamic research shaping the design of the hull. The exoskeleton structure of the upper section is an interwoven network of supports that vary in thickness and lend a natural aesthetic to the yacht’s external appearance; evoking the organic structural systems of natural marine formations and connecting the various levels and decks of the ship seamlessly via expressive diagonals.
Whereas traditional yacht designs adhere to a strict horizontal order, this exoskeleton creates an intense connectivity between the various decks and elements of the design. The fluid design language of the master prototype has been applied to the five subsequent 90m variations of the Unique Circle Yachts, creating a design with the highest correlation between the various options.
The 90m JAZZ yacht is the first of the five Unique Circle Yachts that has been technically specified and detailed by the naval architects at Blohm+Voss. Its lineage from the 128m master prototype is evident, with further technical refinements to address the specifications required for ocean crossings.
In addition to JAZZ, four further 90m yachts have been designed to fulfil the different requirements and individual requests of their designated owners. Each design will vary in layout according to the owner’s preferences.
The design process was very much a collaborative one, with Blohm+Voss and ZHA working together to address the practical challenges of designing a yacht while remaining true to the design language of the master prototype. The resulting designs are the synergy of Hadid’s design vision and the technical expertise of Blohm+Voss, allowing a flexibility and customisation in the eventual design of the yacht.
“As a dynamic object that moves in dynamic environments, the design of a yacht must incorporate additional parameters beyond those for architecture – which all become much more extreme on water. Each yacht is an engineered platform that integrates specific hydrodynamic and structural demands together with the highest levels of comfort, spatial quality and safety.” explained Zaha Hadid.
Blohm+Voss has the proven experience, the in-house technical expertise, and the capacities to offer tailor-made solutions for the most demanding buyers in the superyacht market. The naval architects of Blohm+Voss are forever pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation. In recent years Blohm+Voss has built many of the world’s most prestigious mega yachts. These include the groundbreaking 394-foot “A “designed by Philippe Starck , the “Eclipse”, designed by Terrence Disdale, which at 533 feet (162.5 m) is the world’s second largest private yacht. Other Blohm + Voss superyacht projects include, the “Mayan Queen IV” and the “Palladium”.
Dr. Herbert Aly, CEO and Managing Partner of Blohm+Voss says: “On an aesthetic level, a superyacht is a great design task as everything is customised down to the last detail. A superyacht is by definition an exercise in total design, where every detail is looked at with attention and refinement. In the past, in the era of steam liners, there has been an attempt of utilising ship building elements in architecture. Zaha Hadid and her team have taken this ethos and created a bold new vision and a new benchmark in the design of superyachts.”
Aly adds: “The idea of the Unique Circle Yachts allows for variation of a genotype and its phenotypes, offering a range of possible solutions based on an cognate platform. As a result Zaha Hadid’s design is malleable to suit the very individual wishes and needs of a potential customer which lies at the heart of Blohm+Voss’ approach to yacht design. The strength of the design lies not just in its functionality and form, but also its effortless adaptability.”
Zaha Hadid Architects and Blohm+Voss have transformed yacht design; creating an innovative concept and developing this vision into a fully seaworthy prototype that offers dynamic new possibilities for naval architecture.
[ zaha hadid architects ] [ blohm+voss ]
DesignworksUSA creates next generation first class seats.
click > enlarge
Nice. BMW Group subsidiary DesignworksUSA had been asked by Singapore Airlines to deliver more luxury to its First Class passengers. The next-generation First Class Design for the Asian airline has just been released.
images courtesy of designworksUSA
[ official release – edited ]
The BMW Group subsidiary DesignworksUSA and Singapore Airlines take off together. Design for the next generation of seats in First Class, Singapore Airlines delivers a lounge vibe with comfortable armchairs, high quality materials and soft colors.
Not new territory for the creative teams of DesignworksUSA: With its interior design for Boeing Business Jets, Embraer and Dassault Aviation, DesignworksUSA has given the industry a new impetus in recent years. The modernized design for seating and booths will be on display in September for the first time aboard the new Boeing 777-300ER on flights from Singapore to London.
Luxury atmosphere above the clouds.
Design challenges of a special kind align with today’s requirements in aviation with its high security standards, the luxury preferences of the passengers to reconcile. The overall atmosphere was redesigned, with more privacy and more personal storage space for luggage and travel accessories. Laurenz Schaffer, President of DesignworksUSA says, “In this project we were working studios in Los Angeles, Shanghai and Munich together very closely. Our global presence and our long-standing presence in Asia helped us to meet the requirements of Singapore Airlines to connect with the expectations of international passengers.” DesignworksUSA brings the expertise from many years of cooperation with premium customers from different areas of mobility, including BMW and Rollce-Royce Motor Cars, Yachts Intermarine and Zeydon.
Seats to lounge Islands.
The First Class passengers can indulge in lounge Islands now. In order to shield visually and acoustically, the outer walls of the seating area has been increased. The wall encloses the passenger seat like a protective arm. To sleep the chair is transformed into a generous bed where you can lie comfortably on the side. No matter what position – ergonomic perfection characterizes the new generation of seats. With a width of just 89 centimeters and a length of 208 centimeters, is now the seat of one of the most spacious in the new market. Much inspiration came from the interior design of the automotive industry with its terms of passenger comfort, interior design and usability. The design team brought calm with large and elegantly curved lines, with warm, modern shades of brown in the seating islands that convey a sense of living. Cool gray and metallic shades outside the boundaries privacy clearly from the environment.
The seat is upholstered with fine leather. The atmospheric lighting is discreetly incorporated into the design. Extensive testing with partners helped to optimize the light color and intensity. A series of personal storage compartments with bold colors inside makes moments of surprise. Elegant tables require no folding mechanism and can be easily and silently open and close.
[ DesignworksUSA ] is a creative consultancy that’s been driving innovation for forty years. Acquired by BMW Group in 1995, DesignworksUSA enables its parent company as well as internationally-renowned clients outside the automotive industry to grow their businesses through design and a portfolio of creative consulting services. With clients including Coca Cola, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, HEAD, HP, Intermarine, John Deere, Microsoft, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Siemens and Varian Medical Systems, DesignworksUSA is deeply immersed in a broad cross-section of industries. Combining cross-fertilized knowledge with strategic long-term perspectives and global context provided by studios in Los Angeles, Munich, and Shanghai, DesignworksUSA draws upon its unique and vibrant resources to create the future.
[ Singapore Airlines ] Founded in 1972, the company began with a fleet of only ten aircraft, the airline has established itself as an airline in the world elite. Today there are more than 100 passenger aircraft going to 22 cities in 18 countries. The route network includes Singapore Airlines Cargo and SilkAir and covers 106 cities in 40 countries. In October 2007, the airline wrote aviation history. As the first company to put the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, into regular service. In 2004, the A340-500 flew for the first time the longest non-stop scheduled flight in the world between Singapore and New York.
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W hotels designers of the future 2013. Design miami basel 2013.
seung-yong song, bethan laura wood and jon stam | click > enlarge
Continuing its commitment to innovation in design, W Hotels Worldwide unveiled the works of the 2013 W Hotels Designers of the Future Award winners during Design Miami/ Basel (June 11-16, 2013). Now in its fourth year, the collaboration between W Hotels and Design Miami/ seeks to give emerging designers a global platform from which to showcase their work.
This year for the first time the three winning designers were sent to specific new or renovating W Hotels to solve a particular design challenge or need. In addition to being showcased at Design Miami/ Basel, the newly commissioned, site-specific works will later be installed at W Hotels in Verbier, where the W brand’s first ski retreat will debut later this year; Bangkok, which opened in December 2012; and Mexico City, which will soon undergo renovation.
“Design has been core to the DNA of the W Hotels brand since our inception in New York City nearly 15 years ago,” said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection. “The W Hotels Designers of the Future Award allows us to work with the best emerging design talent from around the world, while providing a global platform of exposure for these young talents during Design Miami/ Basel and beyond.”
For this year’s commission, the winners, including Seung-Yong Song (Korea), Jon Stam (Canada) and Bethan Laura Wood (UK), have unveiled their interpretation of the brief, entitled “Making Connections.” Each designer’s project facilitates exchange between local communities and the international visitors who pass through them, whether for business or leisure. The goal of these projects is to deepen the appreciation for the distinct regional characteristics found in each destination.
“The W Hotels Designers of the Future Award has become an important incubator for emerging talents, allowing the winners to develop a project and directly interact with the receptive audience at Design Miami/ Basel,” said Marianne Goebl, Director of Design Miami/. “This year, the award is brought to yet another level by incorporating a research trip. We are thrilled to see the designers’ experiences reflected in their projects in a meaningful and engaging way.”
[ Making Connections ]
Seung-Yong Song’s Wheeljek Collection was created for W Bangkok and takes its inspiration from the fluidity and flexibility of the city’s ubiquitous street food carts. Observing the ingenuity of the design of this everyday object, Song was struck by the many uses of the carts in the bustling capital; it is at once a means of transporting goods, a kitchen, a restaurant and a bar. His collection takes the street cart concept and transforms it into an object which can be adapted to suit the user’s needs and modified into various forms and sizes, from cart to table to storage.
Designed for W Verbier, Jon Stam’s Claude Glass is an abstract timepiece that captures the landscape of the small Swiss village throughout the seasons. Stam has collaborated with local photographer Guido Perrini to capture Verbier within a digitized black mirror where one can speed up or reverse time by turning the object. As most tourists experience the destination during its world renowned ski season, Claude Glass provides a medium for a different kind of travel, showcasing the picturesque locale all year long.
Bethan Laura Wood’s Crisscross is a glass fixture created for W Mexico City and designed to evoke a cascade of floating flowers. The work combines a range of influences taken from the city, from its colorful markets and graphic displays of flowers to the Aztec-meets-Deco architecture and triple-relief Baroque detailing. Wood has enlisted the specialist skills of two different worlds of glass – artisan Pedro Myver, a Pyrex master in Italy, and Nouvel Studio, the Mexican colored glass specialists – to make work that crosses the boundaries of local and global, acting as a conduit for creative communication.
[ designers of the future ]
Started in 2006 at Design Miami/ Basel, the Designers of the Future Award recognizes up-and-coming designers and studios that are expanding the field of design. Each year, three designers or studios are selected as a way to honor a variety of approaches in the constantly evolving landscape of contemporary design. The Award moves beyond pure product and furniture design to acknowledge technologically and conceptually vanguard pieces that work across multiple disciplines, offering the next generation of design creatives the opportunity to present newly commissioned works to an influential audience of collectors, dealers, and journalists at Design Miami/ Basel.
The W Hotels Designers of the Future Award also draws attention to design practices that exemplify new directions for the design field, and as W Hotels continues to grow globally, the Award provides the W design and innovation teams with access to the world’s brightest talent in contemporary design. The objective for W Hotels is to create a vision of how guests may conceptually interact with cutting-edge and technologically advanced design solutions throughout hotel Living Rooms (the W brand’s re-interpretation of the hotel lobby) and guestrooms globally.
The winners were selected by an international jury that included Jan Boelen of the Design Academy Eindhoven and Z33; Tony Chambers of Wallpaper* magazine; Aric Chen of M+ Museum Hong Kong; Alexis Georgacopoulos of Ecole Cantonale d’art de Lausanne (ECAL); Marianne Goebl of Design Miami/; Benjamin Loyauté, author, curator and journalist; and Mike Tiedy of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, parent company of W Hotels Worldwide.
Qualifying candidates for the W Hotels Designers of the Future Award must have created original works in the fields of furniture, lighting, craft, architecture and/or digital/electronic media. Candidates must have been practicing for less than 15 years and have produced a body of work that demonstrates originality in the creative process, while also exhibiting an interest in working in experimental, non-industrial or limited-edition design.
Previous winners of the W Hotels Designer of the Future Award, including Philippe Malouin, Markus Kayser, Tom Foulsham, Asif Khan, Beta Tank, Graham Hudson, Mischer’Traxler, Random International, Studio Juju and Zigelbaum & Coelho, continue to celebrate their successes. W Hotels guides each award winner from the conceptual stage to a level, which ultimately provides a global platform whereby they can expose their work to guests and design enthusiasts alike.
[ w hotels worldwide ]
W Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and the industry innovator with 44 hotels and retreats, including 16 W-branded residences, in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations around the world. With more than 14 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track to reach 60 hotels by 2017. [ w hotels residences ] @WHotels #WDOF
[ design Miami/ ]
Design Miami/ is the global forum for design. Each fair brings together the most influential collectors, gallerists, designers, curators and critics from around the world in celebration of design culture and commerce. Occurring alongside the Art Basel fairs in Miami, USA each December and Basel, Switzerland each June, Design Miami/ has become the premier venue for collecting, exhibiting, discussing and creating collectible design. [ design miami blog ] @DesignMiami #DesignMiami
Hard charging tesla goes coast-to-coast stations next year.
the network right now | red (installed) grey (coming) | maps courtesy tesla
In promoting what he claimed to be a national network of “superchargers” for his Tesla electric cars, Elon Musk said when the zombie apocalypse comes, you’ll still be able to drive your Model S electric sports sedan coast to coast in the US. Those superchargers with solar panels will be off the grid.
The chargers cost an estimated $250,000 apiece—the price of an Aston Martin. The chargers are incompatible with all industry standards and work only with Tesla’s Model S—but they are way faster.
summer 2013
fall 2013
winter 2013
2014
2015
above> video courtesy of tesla | below> video courtesy of mike anthony autosports
[ official full release ]
Tesla dramatically expands supercharger network, delivery convenient, free long distance driving throughout U.S. and Canada.
MAY 30, 2013 – Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA) today announced significant expansion of the Tesla Supercharger network. Supercharging enables Tesla Model S drivers to travel long distances, for free, indefinitely.
The expansion of the network builds upon the success of the Tesla Supercharger network that covers California and Nevada on the west coast and the Washington, DC to Boston region on the east coast. The Tesla Supercharger network has enabled an estimated 1 million miles of driving since going live in October 2012. Superchargers are designed for city to city travel, enabling Model S electric vehicle drivers to travel for about three hours, take a 20 to 30 minute break to grab lunch or a soda or coffee, and get back on the road charged up. For free.
With the accelerated rollout of the Tesla Supercharger network, Model S drivers can expect:
> Triple the number of Tesla Supercharger stations by the end of next month, including additional stations in California, coverage of the northwest region from Vancouver to Seattle to Portland, Austin to Dallas in Texas, Illinois and Colorado. There will also be four additional eastern seaboard stations, expanding the density of the network to provide for more convenient stopping points.
> Within six months the Tesla Supercharger network will connect most of the major metro areas in the US and Canada, including expansion into Arizona, additional stations in Texas, Florida, and the Midwest, stations connecting Ottawa to Montreal, and across North and South Carolina into Georgia. It will also be possible to travel diagonally across the country from Los Angeles to New York using only the Tesla Supercharger network.
> A year from now, the Tesla Supercharger network will stretch across the continent, covering almost the entire population of the US and Canada. The expansion of the network will mean that Model S drivers can take the ultimate road trip — whether that’s LA to New York, Vancouver to San Diego, or Montreal to Miami – without spending a cent on fuel.
In addition to the expansion of the Tesla Supercharger network itself, Tesla is improving the technology behind the Tesla Supercharger to dramatically decrease the amount of time it takes to charge Model S, cutting charging time in half relative to early trials of the system. The new technology, which is in beta test mode now and will be fully rolled out to customers this summer, will allow Model S to be charged at 120 kW, replenishing three hours of driving in just over 20 minutes.
[ about tesla ]
Tesla Motors’ (NASDAQ: TSLA) goal is to accelerate the world’s transition to electric mobility with a full range of increasingly affordable electric cars. California-based Tesla designs and manufactures EVs, as well as EV powertrain components for partners such as Toyota and Daimler. Tesla has delivered more than 10,000 electric vehicles to customers in 31 countries.
[ forward-looking statements ]
Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding future Tesla Supercharger locations, timing and capabilities, are “forward-looking statements” that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations, and as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those projected. Various important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including potential difficulties in finding suitable Tesla Supercharger sites, negotiating leases or obtaining required permits for such locations, as well as the risks and uncertainties identified under the sections captioned “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results Of Operations” in Tesla’s Form 10-Q filed on May 10, 2013. Tesla disclaims any obligation to update information contained in these forward-looking statements.
NTSB to hold forum on lithium ion batteries in transporation.
ntsb to hold forum on lithium ion batteries. public forum set for 11 > 12 april 2013. via fox business [RK]
787 dreamliner takes to sky in first flight check.
787 dreamliner takes to sky in first flight check. roughly two-hour flight test “went according to plan. via washington post [RK]
Designer katrin schnabl and bike shop jc lind partner with Luminaire(x).
click > enlarge
On Saturday, 9 March 2013, LuminaireX introduces two new partners to the experimental, ever-evolving, dynamic design community. Katrin Schnabl, the eponymous women’s designer brand by Katrin Schnabl, will present her Spring 2013 collection, celebrating women with modern classic clothing typified by bold colors and shapes and enhanced by exquisite tailoring. Visitors will also experience LIMB, a limited edition series of framed, knitted plastic membranes, each hand knit from a distinct variety of recycled plastic bags and suspended from a welded frame. The work draws from the tension of negotiating contradictions in desire and activity, between the individual, the environment and the community.
katrin schnabl
LIMB | katrin schnabl
A bit of a surprise, and a fun one at that, the other partner is a bicycle shop. JC Lind, a truly unique bike shop, dedicated to spreading the European biking culture to Chicago and North America. At LuminiaireX, on display will a specialized cargo bike along with two stylish and practical city bikes designed for everyday urban transportation – a literal form and function pairing.
christiania trike
vanmoof m2 6
antibodi | patricia urquiola | moroso | 2006
By joining hands with these two like-minded partners representing the best of their fields, LuminaireX continues the company’s tradition of collaborating with others to expand the understanding of design for the public it serves. LuminaireX will also continue to offer great design at affordable prices. Notably, these designs represent some the same celebrated designers found in Luminaire’s showrooms, including Patricia Urquiola, the Bouroullec Brothers, Konstantin Grcic, Philippe Starck and many, many more.
8> christiania trike ( on display )
9> vanmoof m2 3 ( on display )
10> vanmoof m2 6 ( on display )
11> pilen lyx step over
12> pilen lyx step-through
13> yuba mundo ( child seats not included )
14> winther wallaroo
[ about luminaire ]
Luminaire is more than a furniture showroom. It is an interactive design research center, a playground for the soul, an esplanade for discovery. More than anything else, however, it is a resource focused on creating environments that affect people’s lives. The component parts of this unifying philosophy – the necessity of design education, the desire for limitless inspiration and the requirement for impeccably detailed execution – affect every item in our collection and reflect our dedication to make good design accessible to all.
[ about luminaire chicago ]
Since its opening in 1989, Luminaire Chicago has captivated visitors with expertly curated environments and an exceptional event program with many design luminaries including Massimo Vignelli, Jasper Morrison, Maarten Van Severen, Patricia Urquiola, Naoto Fukasawa, Amanda Levete, Bouroullec Brothers, Konstantin Grcic, Claudio Silvestrin, and Piero Lissoni to name just a few. The three-level, 21,000-square foot showroom displays the latest collections from the world’s most preeminent designers, consistently evoking the company’s philosophy of how good design can affect people’s lives.
luminaire(x) | 301 west superior / floor 2 | chicago | 312 664 9582 | mon > sat 10 > 6