bike – DesignApplause

yves behar designs unagi model eleven the smartest e-scooter in the world.

Nov 19, 2021

at 232 pounds, the beautifully designed model eleven is the lightest full-suspension, dual motor scooter in the micro-mobility scooter space. and it’s smart!

while the scooter isn’t autonomous, with an onboard advanced driver assistance system (adas) just like a car, the scooter knows the difference between a stoplight, stop sign, person, car or inanimate object, and provides both audible warnings with its integrated audio system, as well as visual warnings on the display.

the round touchscreen display provides turn-by-turn navigation and with its integrated led ring that animates in different colors to alert battery, collision detection, lane departure warning, adas, signaling, and other functions. the audio system provides instructions and warnings during navigation and if you’re not using the gps navigation feature, riders can connect to the scooter via bluetooth to play music.

gps is also built into the scooter as a theft deterrent. if the motion-activated alarm doesn’t stop a thief, the gps tracker displays its location and riders can remotely lock the scooter via the scooter’s smartphone app.

the mechanical side of things – the frame, forks, and handlebars – boasts the first two-wheel object to use a space age material designed in switzerland called long carbon composite that allows molds and shapes traditional carbon fiber is incapable of.

the wheels are unique – the motors are integrated into each wheel-well and each tire is hot-swappable making replacement seamless. the tires are foam-filled and puncture resistant.

the version with an adas for object detection will be $2,500, while the simpler model starts at $2,100. both come with different color options including stealth black, electric yellow, a matte black, mint green, and desert sand.

[ fuse project ] [ unagi ]

revolutionary greg lamond lightweight prolog does not look/ride like an e-bike.

Nov 5, 2021

it’s been almost a year since lemond introduced its revolutionary prolog ebike and throughout the year the reviews have been glowing. this recreational ebike sports quite a lot of carbon fiber technology and unlike almost all ebikes it doesn’t look like one and is really fun to ride. at 26 pounds it’s the lightest ebike on the road at this writing.

greg lamond is a well known former professional road racing cyclist, entrepreneur, and anti-doping advocate. a two-time winner of the road race world championship and a three-time winner of the tour de france (1986, 1989, and 1990), lemond is considered by many to be the greatest american cyclist of all time.

lamond also has a fascination for technology, especially carbon fiber where he made history in the 1991 tour de france when he and his teammates rode carbon fiber bikes built by craig calfee and were branded as lemond bikes. a short time later trek bicycles picked up the lemond brand and they released what would become one of the nation’s top road brands until parting ways in 2008. he also has a research and development company, lamond carbon. he holds licenses to two patented technologies which will irrevocably disrupt the industry.

for now greg is releasing the new dutch and prolog models of ebikes. as patents become formalized, heads up for road, gravel, mountain, and adventure models that will combine revolutionary components and prototypic lemond aesthetics. here’s the prolog:

above> monocoque carbon fiber cockpit / a monocoque carbon fiber handlebar and stem encase the headlight and creates a strong yet minimal form.

above/below> headlight / an always on integrated 500 lumen headlight within our monocoque handlebar-stem provides visibility for the road ahead // tailight / rear and side visible 70 lumen taillights ensure safety in groups and traffic. Both lights offer static and strobe settings.

above> carbon fiber frame and components / prolog’s carbon fiber frame, fork, fenders, seat post, and monocoque handlebar-stem makes it one of the lightest ebikes on the market.

above> integrated motor / a 250 watt rear hub motor powers prolog up to 20 mph and is part of the mahle x35+ smart ebike system embedded throughout the frame. at just 7.7 pounds, it’s one of the lightest systems on the market.

above> 11-speed drivetrain / an 11-speed shimano grx drivetrain provides the gearing and performance needed to traverse any terrain- with or without a motor.

above> custom fenders & tires / custom lemond carbon fenders and panaracer tires come standard.

above> upgrades — electronic shifting / the revolutionary shimano di2 shifting system solves the challenges drivetrains present to the power-delivery equation in cycling. di2 gives you instant, accurate, lighting-fast shifts the first and every time, at the push of a button. even in the most extreme conditions, shifting is precise and controlled. you can change gear even under heavy load while climbing or accelerating. with di2, you are in complete control.

above> upgrades — lemond lc30 carbon wheelset / the lemond lc30 rim is our new carbon fiber rim developed in partnership with munich composites, a german aerospace components manufacturer.

above/below> colors — blanc / matte finish with black decals // colors — noir / matte finish with silver decals // colors — rosa / matte finish with red decals

[ prolog official site ]

production motorcycles turn into icons but what about custom bikes?

Feb 15, 2019

above/below > white falcon / ian barry / 2013 / unique

how can one-off machines compare to production models beloved by the masses? can we draw any conclusions looking at a few very exceptional motorcycles ? and if you’re more comfortable comparing another category of objects go ahead, the rules apply to anything:

[ the production objects ]
production motorcycles can be judged somewhat objectively: by their performance, innovation, their pedigree, their impact on the larger motorcycle world.

above> vincent black shadow / built 1948 – 55 / hunter s. thompson once remarked that “if you rode the black shadow at top speed for any length of time, you would almost certainly die.” the 50-degree v-twin was completely baked in black enamel and produced enough grunt to carry riders to 125 mph in an era where the 100 mph benchmark was barely attainable. the vincent employed extensive amounts of aluminum throughout, and its motor hung from the cross-bar, acting as a stressed member. this kept weight down to 450 pounds, which meant the vincent black shadow would balance a see-saw with contemporary 500cc singles. innovative front forks, a four-speed transmission and finned brakes at both front and rear rounded out a package widely regarded as the world’s first superbike.

above > harley-davidson xr750 street tracker / built 1970 – 79 / essentially a parts-bin special slapped together to meet changing ama dirt-track rules, the xr750 is an example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. after years of domination, harley’s racing department were forced to completely rethink their efforts for the 1970 season. so in under a year they did — and in doing so created the winningest race bike in the history of the ama. thankfully, homologation rules stipulated that 200 race-ready road-goers be made available to the public; a legend was born. evel knievel began jumping the xr-750 at the height of his career between december 1970 and october 1976 (although a failed practice jump was made in january 1977 and captured on film). prior to the failed practice jump, knievel jumped either cars or trucks (or a combination of the two) on the xr-750.

above> ducati desmosedici rr / built 2007 – 08 / only 1,500 models of this street-legal version of ducati’s 2006 motogp entrant were produced. the all-new 200 hp, 90-degree “double-l twin” v-4 engine would scream through its vertical exits in the rear tail all the way to its 10,500 rpm redline and 194 mph top speed. componentry was top notch all around with ohlins, brembo and marchesini put to the task of keeping riders alive and justifying the $72,500 sticker price. the desmosedici rr is often regarded as the ultimate ducati experience, a mechanically and aesthetically faithful reproduction of a genuine motogp racer — it even came with sponsorship stickers, were you so inclined.

[ the custom objects ]
custom motorcycles, as they divert toward art, demand a more subjective judgment: the celebrity of the artist, a track record of recognized style and quality, and in the artworld’s subjective judgment, the black and white of the price of the art for confirmation.

above> white falcon / built in 2013 / acrylic, 7075 + 6061 aluminum, brass, cloth, chromally, copper, enamel, epoxy, glass, light-emitting diodes, leather, magnesium, nickel, pyrex, rubber, silver, springs, stainless mesh, stainless steel, steel, titanium, 1967 works ‘squish head’ velocette venom thruxton engine, gp carburetors, avon venom tires, 21″ wm1 avon, 19″ wm2 borrani, archimedes mount / 33 x 30 x 73 inches – sold for a rumored $750,000 at the kohn gallery in los angeles.

below> bsa 500 black / hazen motorworks

“every bike that I create is 1 of 1, made by my own 2 hands here in my workshop, each bike is unique and never replicated. i push myself to make something new with every project and build the most interesting designs that i can think of in the most elegant way possible.” ~ max hazen

below > captain america / built c 1967 – 68 / arguably the most famous iconic custom bike because of the 1969 movie, easy rider. called “captain america” and before it was customized it was a 1952 harley-davidson hydra-glide police bike built by two chopper builders, cliff vaughs and ben hardy. the bike kept its original h-d panhead engine. two captain america bikes were made but before the movie aired one was stolen and parted and the other bike was crashed in the last scene of the movie.
[ npr backstory ] [ captain america sells for $ 1.3 million ]

[ 51 most iconic motorcycles of all time ] [ art demystified: what determines an artwork’s value ? ] –

possibly best bike lock just got better. abus bordo alarm.

Jan 25, 2018

the world’s first alarmed folding bike lock

with the bordo alarm, abus, the security expert for mobile safety, is bringing the world’s first alarmed folding bike lock into the market. with electronics that have been proven for years on abus motorcycles locks, these provide a precise 3d movement sensor that triggers a 100-decibel alarm should an attack be attempted and thus deters thieves.

bordo alarm “the sound of security”

[ specs ]

100 db alarm

intelligent alarm system

90cm length

plus cylinder which can be keyed alike with other plus cylinders

level 10 security

designed and made in germany

msrp $169.99

curve light 2 by bookman.

Nov 1, 2017

about >
curve rear light is a bright, usb rechargeable bike light. it has a maximum brightness of 37 lumen and a run time of up to 24 hours.

it has a quick and simple attachment solution. just hold the light against the handlebar or saddle pole and simply pull the elastic band around the tube and click the clasp to fasten. fits saddle poles up to 42 mm in diameter.

a single click switches the light on or off. to change mode, just double click. the button, which also doubles as the clasp, is situated on the top.

the completely weather resistant light will show you the way through rain, hail or snow.

technical >
led
1 x 1w cree led, 2 x 0.1w led

battery
650 mah rechargeable lithium ion battery

measurements
height: 57 mm
width: 30 mm
depth: 35 mm excl. strap
protrudes 28 mm from the handlebar
weight: 46 g

modes brightness (lumen) run-time (hours)
steady 100% 37 2.5
eco mode steady 18 4.5
flashing 100% 37 12

[ https://bookman.se/ ]

bmw i vision of the future concept does just that. ces 2016.

Jan 5, 2016

several years ago, with the debut of the i3, bmw offered the most refined of the electrics and in 2016 presents yet another evolved look, this time of a fully autonomous car.

at ces 2016, the bmw group is introducing a new concept known as the i vision future interaction. the statement, vehicles with highly automated driving are an important milestone on the road to vision zero, the idea of accident-free individual mobility. the i vision future interaction is based on the i8 concept spyder that was shown at the 2012 edition of the beijing motor show, and it was built to highlight what the sports car of tomorrow could look like inside.

above/below> ces16 concept is doorless and topless so you can enjoy the goods

above/below> most new features are centered around a technology called airtouch that lets the driver control the car’s navigation, entertainment, and connectivity functions with simple gestures made with a flat hand. the driver receives pivotal information on the heads-up-display ‘hud’ – a panoramic 21-inch screen, which shows speed and speed limits and navigation within the field of vision on the front windscreen.

there are three driving modes – pure drive, assist and auto. pure drive creates a driver-focused environment while in assist mode, the car is driven manually but the driving aids automatically kick in if they sense that a collision with another car or with an object in the road is imminent and unavoidable. in auto mode the interior creates an opportunity to relax and unwind thanks to innovatively designed seats and expanded content is available on the central information display.

surely the focus is on the i vision future interaction technology as the i8 concept spyder at the show is not equipped with doors. there’s no technical details on engine so we don’t know if this i8 is powered by a gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid.

the concept car combines intelligent lightweight construction with the advanced drive technology of bmw edrive. it is finished in e-copper orange exterior paint, with highlights being accented in frozen grey (kidney-shaped grille, tank cover and front and rear sills), and in high-gloss black below the entrance. the bmw i vision future interaction uses the lifedrive architecture with the carbon-fibre reinforced plastic life module producing a very lightweight passenger cell.

click on above picture to engage lightbox | 12 images

[ official press release ]
“vehicles with highly automated driving are an important milestone on the road to vision zero, the idea of accident-free individual mobility. this increases the aspirations of drivers for the user friendliness of vehicles, for the presentation of information and for digital networking of the information. occupants are increasingly also wanting to communicate with the outside world supported by unrestricted quality and in the scope they are normally accustomed to.

at the ces 2016, the bmw group is using the concept car bmw i vision future interaction to show what the user interface of the future might look like – including support from high-resolution vehicle displays where the content responds to the situation. in order to make the interaction of the passengers with the vehicle as intuitive as possible, all functions are controlled using touch-sensitive surfaces, gestures and voice.

interior compartment responds flexibly to the demands of the future. the vision car is based on the bmw i8 concept spyder. the interior has a thoroughbred, sporty and flexible profile. on the one hand, it supports the driver in manual driving mode with a clearly defined focus. on the other hand, when the vehicle is in its highly automated mode, the interior provides an opportunity to relax in the innovatively designed seats and to make proactive use of the time gained through the expanded content available on the central information display.

just as the vehicle adjusts automatically to drive mode and the surrounding environment, the digital content is optimally presented at any given time. drivers look at data such as the charge status of the vehicle batteries or the routes offered before commencing the journey on their smart phone, smart watch or mobility mirror. these are then automatically transferred to the appropriate menus, map displays and driver information on the panorama display in the bmw i vision future interaction. the transition from mobile device to display in the vehicle takes place seamlessly. innovative instruments, panorama displays, 3d views.

the bmw i vision future interaction

the driver receives key drive information on the high-resolution head-up display, which reflects the most important data such as speed, speed limits or navigation information within the field of vision on the front windscreen. the instrument cluster is located directly behind the steering wheel and information is shown here in three-dimensional display (autostereoscopically). as well as the usual information about speed, consumption and range, the driver is also provided with information here about vehicles on the road ahead or oncoming vehicles which are not yet in his or her field of vision. the driver is consequently able to respond at an early stage to all conceivable traffic situations. this also applies during highly automated driving. if the driver needs to take over command of the vehicle, the system provides an appropriate alert. the technology acts predictively so that the driver has at least five to seven seconds to respond.

information prepared to suit the situation

the central panorama display is the most striking interaction element of the bmw i vision future interaction. it extends from the centre console across the entire passenger side and appears to flow harmoniously out of the dashboard panel. the display height of eleven centimeters means that the dashboard panel is not higher than in the bmw i8 and it permits an optimum view to the front of the vehicle. the high-resolution panorama display in the bmw i vision future interaction is almost 40 centimeters wide while the screen diagonal is 21 inches.

when the driver gets into the vehicle, this panorama seamlessly displays the content which is provided by the vision of the open mobility cloud from bmw and it can also be seen automatically using the bmw connected app on a smart phone or other digital end devices. the display adjusts automatically, in response to the drive mode of the bmw i vision future interaction. in future, for example, the system could switch automatically from pure audio to video transmission during phone conversations, if vehicles are driving in fully automated mode. drivers and passengers also have the option of unrestricted access to web content, mails or audiovisual offerings.

while the driver remains active at the steering wheel, information in reduced scope is displayed on the large panorama display in order to minimise distraction and maintain the focus entirely on what is happening on the road. the number of control elements is reduced to a minimum in the bmw i vision future interaction. the most important of these elements – the drive mode selector switch – is located on the left-hand side of the steering wheel. this is used to select between the three drive modes. the “pure drive” mode meets the typical bmw high aspiration for sheer driving pleasure at all times.

assistance systems are used passively here and they only give warning alerts without actually intervening in the control of the vehicle. the “assist” setting provides optimum networking with the surrounding environment.

the best route is calculated in real time and fed into the navigation system. the vehicle supports the driving performance of the driver and intervenes actively if there is danger of an event such as a shunt accident, or if an obstacle on the road appears to be a safety risk. when the vehicle is in “auto mode”, the vehicle itself takes over control of sideways and forward orientation, accelerates independently, brakes and steers – without the driver having to intervene at all.

in the near future, this could already be permitted on certain approved stretches of road, for examples sections of german motorways or in car pool lanes in the usa.

the bmw i vision future interaction proactively gives drivers an alert if they are in a zone for highly automated driving. the driver can then change the drive mode as appropriate. the steering wheel is illuminated in blue in the highly automated drive mode. the colour scheme therefore provides a visual cue that the driver is in this drive mode. if the vehicle leaves the approved lane for highly automated driving and has to take control of the steering wheel again, a red light signal conveys this requirement. the bmw i vision future interaction is therefore already providing an indication today of what the control functions might look like in the future in highly automated vehicles. interaction with airtouch, sensitive surfaces and voice.

the development engineers are using new human-machine interfaces to control and select the content on the large panorama display, and this offers a large number of new options for interaction. one of them is airtouch, gesture control for all communication, information and entertainment functions in the vehicle. it allows the big screen to be operated like a touchscreen – without actually having to touch it.

sensors are installed in the area of the dashboard panel which responds to hand movements. a movement of the hand can be used to go to a position on the panorama display and the selected icon is highlighted visually. if the hand is moved forward (push gesture), the icon is activated or the menu displays the next level.

airtouch has a second option for carrying out this confirm action. an airtouch switch is located on the steering wheel which briefly illuminates if a menu or icon can be activated. a tap is sufficient to select the desired program in this way or to select a preset. there is also a similar button for the passenger located on the side panel. this enables passengers to use one hand to navigate through the menu and very quickly confirm inputs with the other hand.

the menus in airtouch are not in the form of lists but appear as large tiles. four of these tiles are located beside each other on the display. the system provides car occupants with context-sensitive option menus – for example, if music is currently running on a streaming service, buttons are displayed on one of the tiles that allow you to go forward or backwards to titles, stop playing or start again. the intelligent menu control of airtouch reduces selection steps. airtouch recognizes which control steps are necessary next and shows these in the display. this allows the driver to concentrate on what is happening on the road or offers additional convenient control options if the vehicle is driving in highly automated mode.

touch-sensitive surfaces in the wide and generously proportioned central console offer an additional control element. a sensitive control surface is provided beneath the leather upholstery which can be used by the driver or passenger in order to navigate through the menus or option lists by tapping, swiping or sliding movements – as in a smart phone or tablet. the entertainment and information systems in the bmw i vision future interaction can also be conducted by spoken control commands, in other words by recognition of natural language.

the character of the interior changes depending on the drive mode. if the driver changes to highly automated mode, the color of the steering wheel is not the only thing that changes. when the vehicle takes over control, lots of additional space suddenly becomes available for the people inside. the steering wheel moves forward by several centimeters and this opens up more space. at the same time, the contoured, sculpted sports seat changes its character. elements in the side upholstery give the seats a lounge profile which enables the driver to turn more to the right in order to look at the panorama display in a more relaxed position. the new freedom of movement is also supported by an extended headrest and the generously dimensioned central armrest.

the objective is to enable drivers to make relaxed and effective use of the freedoms offered by highly automated driving – and when drivers want to take the wheel themselves and enjoy sporty driving fun, the ideal enablers typical of bmw are provided in the ergonomic design of the seat and steering wheel. this extends through to support from vehicle technology which shows information like the ideal line or braking points on a selected stretch of road in the bmw head-up display.

open sportiness of the bmw i vision future interaction

the athletic design of the bmw i vision future interaction reveals the qualities of an open two-seater which unites dynamic driving, efficiency and visual elegance with a rather special aesthetic appeal. the concept car combines intelligent lightweight construction with the advanced drive technology of bmw edrive. it is finished in the exterior color of e-copper orange, with highlights being accented in frozen grey (kidney-shaped grille, tank cover and front and rear sills), and in high-gloss black below the entrance. the bmw i vision future interaction uses innovative lifedrive architecture which is structured with separate function units that operate independently of each other.

the life module made of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (cfrp) forms the very lightweight passenger cell. meanwhile the drive modules, which are primarily manufactured from aluminum – drive train, chassis and safety structure – take over the functions relevant for driving. the characteristic binary division of the lifedrive concept is also reflected in the design and deliberately emphasizes the basic elements. highly expressive surfaces and precise lines create a harmonious transition from one module to another.

the headlamps designed with bmw laser light technology are a defining element at the front. they are configured in the u-shaped design of bmw i. the flat engine bonnet is styled with a v that opens up to the windscreen. it forms the starting point for the typical black belt, which continues on the rear cover and constitutes a characteristic feature of the bmw i models. the side view is defined by the short overhangs typical of bmw vehicles. they combine with the wedge shape of the sills to generate the athletic character – contours and lines create a sense of strong forward motion even when the vehicle is at rest. similar to the front, the rear of the vehicle is flat, while a powerful rear diffusor, air vents in a three-dimensional design and the u-shaped tail lamps with led technology give the impression of exceptional breadth to the bmw i vision future interaction and define its sporting aspirations.

a top priority for designers was to integrate the architecture of the large panorama display into the basic concept of the interior design and to accommodate elements in the surface structure which are typical for bmw i vehicles. the instrument dashboard therefore has a structure which is comprised of overlaid pentagons and hexagons. this design is a hallmark of bmw i and is simultaneously a symbol for the seamless networking of the bmw i vision future interaction.

the interior compartment is styled with a mix of color and material made up of plastic, carbon and leather, which creates an aura of high quality, emotionality and thoroughbred pedigree. the seats are upholstered in leather amido and textile, and a leather core made of natural leather. the same leather is also used on the dashboard, combined with a monofilament technical textile which also provides the floor covering for the bmw i vision future interaction. dark leather amido is combined with semi-aniline leather in ice grey to cover the central console. buttons on the steering wheel made of polished aluminum emphasize the high-tech character of the bmw i vision future interaction.

[ bmw group ]

2016 german design award select winners.

Nov 23, 2015

above> german design award installation at ambiente 2015 | click on image to engage lightbox | 18 images

the 2016 winners of the german design award have been made public. the gda is this one of the best award programs around. a very wide breadth of product submissions for cars, motorcycles, med & industrial equipment, architecture, it seems like everything. they’re also one of the best at showcasing winners in a huge installation at ambiente, a heavy investment in print and well represented online. this represents a heavy monetary investment in design. the above slideshow is a glimpse at 2015 during ambiente 2015. the german design award is hosted by the german design council who celebrates its 60th year in 2015

below are a sampling of 2016 winners.

above> lichtgrenze

category> event / light installation for 25 years fall of the wall celebrations in berlin 2014
client> kulturprojekte berlin gmbh für die stadt berlin
design> whitevoid / christopher bauder

award> gold 2016
jury statement> michel casertano | dr. angelika nollert | prof. hartmut a. raiser

from the 7th to the 9th of november 2014, berlin remembered the 25th anniversary of the fall of the berlin wall and the reunification of the city. in line with the festivities, there was a fascinating light installation that marked the former path of the wall with illuminated balloons along a 15.3 km stretch. on the final evening of the installation 8,000 balloon caretakers released the balloons into berlin’s night sky, each carrying a personal message. a moving project with enormous symbolic and charismatic power that made an impact far beyond the borders of germany. the project was realised through private financing – not by the city, which meant that there was a comparatively small budget. this is an impressive demonstration of the fact that one can create something extraordinarily effective even with limited means.

above> tentsile tree tent: stingray.

category> sports, outdoor activities and leisure
producer> tentsile
design> tentsile / alex shirley-smith

award> gold 2016
jury statement> prof. stefan diez | nicolette naumann | silvia olp

the tentsile stingray is a new kind of tent that is hung between three trees, poles or branches and floats in the air, extending the radius of experience from two to three dimensions. the occupants (up to three people) are not only protected from the weather, but from wild animals and insects as well. the form changes according to the tent’s tension, making it seem almost like a living creature. this fascinating tree tent is an innovative outdoor tool that totally reinterprets the leisure tent system. at once functional and poetic.

above> aerfast 20th anni by storck.

category> transportation / racing bike
producer> storck bicycle
design> storck bicycle / mario kuban

award> gold 2016
jury statement > johannes barckmann | prof. andrea lipp | jürgen lewandowski

for its 20-year anniversary, the legendary bicycle manufacturer is releasing selected models as a limited edition set. the models have special anniversary paintwork and high-quality components. the set also includes a platinum handlebar and a seat with special supports. the frame is adorned tastefully with the master’s signature. a polo shirt with the brand name and a certificate signed by markus storck himself round off this exclusive set. the combination of technical perfection and dynamic styling reflects storck’s authentic passion for designing bikes: absolutely functional, absolutely carbonic! absolutely perfect.

above> timber structure sports center

category> architecture
client> kogakuin university
design> ft architects / hiroko tominaga

award> gold 2016
jury statement> mårten claesson | dr. michael peters | stefan von terzi

this pair of extraordinary buildings on the campus of the kogakuin university in tokyo houses a japanese archery facility and a boxing club. the two wooden structures made of native, local woods each cover a space of around 7.2 m x 10.8 m. this is about the size of a traditional japanese temple, and these spaces are similarly open and minimal, which has a positive effect on the athletes’ concentration. the special quality, however, is the support-free roof construction, which was planned and realised based on traditional japanese wooden structures. a fascinating statement that contributes to keeping this architectural style alive in the cultural memory. the way these buildings have transformed functionality into aesthetics can only be described as sensational.

above> bentley – exp 10 speed 6

category> transportation / concept car
producer> bentley motors
design> bentley motors

award> gold 2016
jury statement> johannes barckmann | prof. andrea lipp | jürgen lewandowski

the designers of the exp 10 speed 6 achieved a fantastic reinterpretation of the british legend and a self-aware statement of luxury and extravagance on the highest level. this is particularly apparent when looking at the interior. the door panels are not covered with leather matching the material used for steering wheel and seats like usual, but instead are covered with high-quality wood. the possibilities in high-quality processing and craftsmanship are demonstrated here. the exterior inspires with a progressive/elegant design vocabulary that transports the classic car into the future. muscular, athletically shaped surfaces that are inspired by aerodynamic shapes such as aircraft fuselages and aerofoils convey dynamism, power and speed. an extraordinarily beautiful automobile that perfectly combines aesthetics and precision – and is unmistakably a bentley. it couldn’t be done better!

above> takata maxi

category> baby and child care / children`s car seat
producer> takata
design> takata / reiner nett

award> gold 2016
jury statement> prof. stefan diez | nicolette naumann | silvia olp

in this excellently designed children’s car seat, children stay both safe and comfortable, even on long trips. this is ensured by the stabile casing and the exceedingly soft padding on the seat itself and the arm supports. the microfiber fabrics are toxin-free and can be cleaned easily. the seatbelt guide has an auto-lock feature, guaranteeing that the belt stays in position, while the airpad safety technology protects the head. parents may enjoy the practical one-handed operation for size adjustment and belt fastening. a well-designed product, considered down to the last detail and visually appealing.

above> karuun® | kc collection

category> material and surfaces / innovative material based on natural rattan
producer> out for space
design> out for space / peter kraft, julian reuter, moritz fuhrmann, miriam bröckel

award> gold 2016
jury statement> nicole huffer | ruwen kaminski | jun.-prof. dr.-ing. jens krzywinski

karuun® is a highly innovative material that provides transformative new dimensions for the design possibilities of rattan. the composition of natural rattan can be understood as a bundle of small tubes, which makes it absolutely unique. the company out for space uses this special quality to inject natural filler material into the material. the result – karuun® – offers increased rigidity, fantastic bending properties, weather-resistance and a wide range of coloration possibilities. the kc collection gives a foretaste of what is possible with karuun®. and it is already an extremely impressive collection. all in all, a promising material that is also very sustainable. exciting.

above> smartintego

category> building and elements / digital lock cylinder
producer> simonsvoss technologies
design> ergon3 design / peter trautwein

award> gold 2016
jury statement> ruwen kaminski | jun.-prof. dr.-ing. jens krzywinski

with this new product line, simonsvoss offers the perfect solution for integrated access control systems. smart intego can be immediately connected to existing complex access control systems — and the smart intego manager makes it easier than ever by auto-configuring the system components and saving a significant amount of time and effort in comparison to other systems. the digital lock cylinder offers various additional functions such as audit trail, time zone management, event management and door monitoring.

above> illa kogelhof by paul de ruiter architects

category> architecture / residential
client> private client
design> paul de ruiter architects / paul de ruiter

award> winner 2016
jury statement> mårten claesson | dr. michael peters | stefan von terzi

villa kogelhof is designed to be completely energy self-sufficient and is located on a swath of land declared a conservation area by the government. the minimalist building, designed with straight lines, rests on v-shaped pillars to take away as little as possible from the protected habitant for plants and animals. the interior of the house is no less minimalist due to surrounding glass panels that enhance the home’s sense of openness and connection to nature. a great design that perfectly plays up interior and exterior, while redefining the standard for natural living.

above> notabag

category> lifestyle and fashion / combination of a bag and a backpack
producer> notabag
design> notabag / adnan alicusic, ilaria gregianin

award> winner 2016
jury statement> prof. stefan diez | nicolette naumann | silvia olp

notabag is a cleverly-designed combination of carrier and rucksack that can be carried on your arm or back, as desired. a simple motion is all it takes to change the rucksack into a bag or vice-versa. an internal back serves to store your wallet and keys. that means that everything is easy to find without having to rummage around for it. notabag transforms and closes all on its own, meaning that it doesn’t need any additional buttons or closures. if the bag isn’t needed it can fold down to almost nothing. a practical, amazingly designed product for daily use.

above> form

category> furniture / chair and table collection
producer> normann copenhagen
design> normann copenhagen / simon legald

award> special 2016
jury statement> prof. oliver grabes | sebastian herkner

form is a modern cup chair made using plastic mould casting, which is available with and without armrests and also as a bar stool in two different heights. the back and seat are ergonomically shaped and promise comfort and relaxation. form is an example of a flexible design that in principle fits on all frames – even those yet to be developed in the future. the series has now been expanded with a dining table in two sizes – the perfect accompaniment to the chairs.

[ 2016 winners ]

curve. urban bike light from bookman.

Nov 10, 2015

here’s a pretty cool light set, the [ curve ] from bookman. it’s blazing bright and super simple to use. well suited for urban venues as the light is visible seen even from the side. what’s new is the curve rear light that will complete our curve light set.

the light is usb rechargeable. it has a maximum brightness of 37 lumen and a run time of up to 24 hours.

a simple attachment solution: just hold the light against the handlebar or saddle pole and simply pull the elastic band around the tube and click the clasp to fasten. fits saddle poles up to 40 mm in diameter.

a single click switches the light on or off. to change mode, just double click. the button, which also doubles as the clasp, is situated on the top. the completely weather resistant light will show you the way through rain, hail or snow.

led: 1 x 1w cree led, 2 x 0.1w super bright led
battery: 650 mah rechargeable lithium ion battery

measurements:
height: 57 mm
width: 30 mm
depth: 35 mm excl. strap
protrudes 28 mm from the handlebar
weight: 46 g

bookman + notabag reflective bag & backpack.

Sep 29, 2015

Our friends from Bookman, the Swedish bicycle accessory brand Bookman and German Notabag are bringing you the Notabag Reflective Bag & Backpack this Fall. The product is a clever combination of a bag and a backpack made from high visibility reflective material. With a pull of the straps it quickly transforms from a bag to a backpack and is ideal for cyclists since its design lets you use both hands for riding. The Reflective Bag & Backpack makes the cyclist really stand out on the street at night, and it also works great for pedestrians and skaters.

“Dieter Rams’ Ten Principles of Good Design were my mantra during the process of developing Notabag. I’m somewhat obsessed with simplicity and functionality, and wanted to apply that approach to every aspect of Notabag.” Adnan Alicusic, founder of Notabag.

“When Adnan approached us with his enthusiastic personality and showed us the Notabag, I knew right away that I wanted to do something together with him. The Notabag was already near perfect but making it reflective adds a useful function for cyclists. Not only does it enhance safety, but it also gives the bag a sharp look both in daylight and when lit up by beams of headlights.” Mattis Bernstone, Creative Director of Bookman.

The Notabag Reflective Bag & Backpack is available from [ bookman ] [ notabag ] and selected retailers worldwide from October 2015. RRP: €30/$35.

honda’s new stop-action ‘power of dreams’ ad.

Sep 21, 2015

The spot, called “Paper,” weaves together roughly 3,000 hand-drawn illustrations using stop-motion filming that takes viewers through a paper-flipping, historical journey of Honda products. The ad was shot by a stop-motion artist Adam Pesapane, aka Pes. His videos include 2013’s “Fresh Guacamole,” which was nominated for an Academy Award in the best animated short category.