Friedman Benda in New York is currently presenting Formation, the first US gallery exhibition by Italian design studio Formafantasma. Opened to the public on June 6th and running until August 1st, the show signals an entry into the American gallery landscape for Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin, whose studio has built a reputation for research-driven work grounded in material and cultural investigations.

Comprising tables, chairs, and lighting made primarily from Cherry wood and brushed aluminum, Formation centers on the idea of the archetype, specifically the typical pieces that make up the language of the home. ‘One of the words that kept on emerging from our conversation with the gallery was the idea of the archetype,’ Farresin explains at the show’s opening in New York. ‘There is an element in this group of works, which is the plank. That’s the most basic archetype where you construct furniture. And that’s where the collection originated.’

installation view courtesy Friedman Benda and Formafantasma | photo by Izzy Leung

formation: friedman benda becomes a living space

The works by Formafantasma are composed within Friedman Benda’s gallery to recall a living space, though it is intentionally reduced in language. The designers note that Formation makes no attempt at theatricality. Instead, there is an attentiveness to proportion and placement. Each element draws from the familiar forms of chairs, shelving, and tables without directly reproducing historical models. ‘We wanted to address the domestic environment.’

The lighting pieces serve as an especially pointed reflection on how archetypes evolve. Made with flat LED panels encased in wood and metal, they mirror the ratio and glow of laptops and mobile devices. ‘Instead of the bulb, the new archetype of lighting is actually the panel,’ Farresin notes, describing our changing archetypes. ‘The iPhone, the laptop. That is the lighting that affects most of our lives.’

installation view courtesy Friedman Benda and Formafantasma | photo by Izzy Leung

Material conversations and cultural inheritance

The choice of Cherry wood is central to Formation. Sourced from a lineage of American cabinetmaking, the material speaks to a larger cultural inheritance. Trimarchi and Farresin reference the Shaker tradition, Frank Lloyd Wright, and George Nakashima, not just for their aesthetics but for the clarity of their values and their dedication to material truth. ‘The decision to work with Cherry wood is also a reference and an homage to a lot of American designers we love,’ he says. ‘The work has been informed by the fact that we are here in the United States, showing our work.’

Against the warmth of the Cherry wood, brushed aluminum appears cool and precise. More than formal, this contrast speaks to Formafantasma’s interest in how older materials might coexist with the language of digital culture. The two materials remain distinct, yet they are in constant dialogue across each object.

installation view courtesy Friedman Benda and Formafantasma | photo by Izzy Leung

textiles in the domestic environment

Subtle textile elements appear throughout the exhibition as acknowledgements of domestic labor and memory. ‘A lot of textile work is often overlooked in the domestic environment,’ the designer continues. ‘I’m thinking about table linen. And white is very subtle. We thought it was beautiful to include that. It made us think about the work of the many women that informed our life.’

The inclusion of these textiles introduces a softer, slower register to the space. They draw attention to touch and surface, but also to the social histories embedded in fabric which have long defined the heritage of furniture-making.

installation view courtesy Friedman Benda and Formafantasma | photo by Izzy Leung

installation view courtesy Friedman Benda and Formafantasma | photo by Izzy Leung

installation view courtesy Friedman Benda and Formafantasma | photo by Izzy Leung

installation view courtesy Friedman Benda and Formafantasma | photo by Izzy Leung

installation view courtesy Friedman Benda and Formafantasma | photo by Izzy Leung

project info:

exhibition: Formation

design: Formafantasma | @formafantasma

gallery: Friedman Benda | @friedman_benda

location: 515 W 26th St 1st Floor, New York, NY

on view: June 6th — August 1st, 2025

photography: © Izzy Leung, courtesy Friedman Benda and Formafantasma

The post formafantasma reflects on american domestic furniture archetypes at friedman benda NYC appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Kurahito Craft channel on YouTube shows how to transform a hard slab of wood into a flexible, see-through lampshade cover and more. Instead of using ingredients to make the wood soft or using a piece that has already been altered, either in form or through components, the Japanese content creator uses just a piece of timber for the project. He needs the help of a table saw for the process, too. He begins the flexible wooden lampshade cover by shaping the main material into an oval. To do this, he uses another piece of wood as a guide, also called a fence.

The craftsman holds everything in place with a clamp. He adjusts the height and angle of the blade, then lowers it before starting the cut. He trims along the fence, resulting in a rail-like shape. This is risky, so people who want to try it at home should proceed with caution. The creator makes the cuts in small steps. After completing one side, he measures and processes the other until the form looks like the letter M. He uses a hand plane to smooth the sharp corners. After that, the process that he describes as ‘yaruki’ begins for the flexible wooden lampshade cover.

all images courtesy of Kurahito Craft Channel

technique allowing designs suited for specific functions

Kurahito Craft keeps on cutting the wood until the shape starts to resemble a centipede. However, it still breaks when it bends. He then switches to a thicker piece of wood and changes the design; this time, cutting all four sides instead of adding more oval cuts. He repeats the earlier process and then smooths the surface using a sanding machine. He uses a flat plate to continue cutting the pieces. The result gives him a flexible wooden lampshade cover that looks like a flower or a gas burner. When he bends it this time, it doesn’t break and keeps its shape. 

When it’s time to test it out, the content creator fits a lightbulb in the middle, and the now cut timber is able to hold its new shape. The flexible wooden lampshade cover isn’t the only end result of Kurahito Craft’s project. Designers can adopt the technique to make structures and modular fixtures from wood instead of using other components or additives. The approach also allows users to create designs that are suited for specific functions or what they need, with the flexible wooden lampshade cover as just an example.

the slab of wood can bend without breaking

there are no additives added to make the wood malleable

view of the flexible wooden lampshade cover

the creator uses a flat plate to continue cutting the pieces

the now cut timber is able to hold its new shape

the content creator fits a lightbulb in the middle

project info:

channel: Kurahito Craft

The post kurahito craft transforms slab of wood into a flexible and see-through lampshade cover appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Aiming to support independent makers gain global visibility, the designboom shop offers a curated, high-quality marketplace. This dynamic space aids in the discovery and collection of original, dare say boundary-pushing products from the world’s most exciting designers and studios – from sculptural lighting to statement furniture, smart home technology, and beyond.

Since launching in 2015, the designboom shop has become a trusted destination for design lovers and emerging talents alike. Every listing is a chance to spotlight original work, while the platform empowers creatives to sell their designs directly to a global audience! Whether you’re shopping for original pieces or ready to showcase your own, the designboom shop invites you to be part of a design-forward future.

Are you a designer or studio with work to share? Submit your products today and join a curated platform seen by millions across the global design community!

Brighten your space with these eleven lighting designs

See what designboom shop has to offer to brighten and style up your room:

Natura Lotus Ceiling Lighting by Moono

Name: Natura Lotus

Studio: Moono

Price: $399

Natura Lotus is a harmonious blend of organic design and refined functionality. Inspired by the flowing forms of Moono, its softly curved wooden petals converge towards the center, creating a delicate, floral silhouette that brings a touch of natural elegance to any ceiling. This ceiling-mounted light is designed to provide a warm, ambient glow, transforming interiors with its subtle beauty. Its modular concept allows for versatile arrangements, making it suitable for various room sizes and styles.

Wololow UFO Night Light by Wololow

Name: Wololow UFO Night Light

Design: Wololow

Price: $248

Wololow UFO Night Light is an advanced night light designed in Space Age style. It includes 3 light modes and 7 light colors. This faithful and carefully proportioned miniature — with the added functionality of a lamp — acts as a pleasant and fun reminder of the times of the Space Age. With the right color, brightness and brightness, there is no doubt that the pleasant glow of the UFO will not keep anyone company.

The light Soy Luxe table lamp by Heliograf

Name: The Light Soy Luxe table lamp

Design: Heliograf (Angus Ware and Jeffrey Simpson)

Price: $229

The playful Light Soy fish lamp is designed to stop plastic pollution at the ‘sauce’. The shade is made with ocean-bound plastic collected in regions that contribute up to 80% of ocean plastic. Featuring touch-control dimming, battery power and USB-C. The Luxe edition features a black aluminium base, silicone charging cable and premium packaging.

The Mycena lamp by ARBIO

Name: The Mycena lamp

Design: ARBIO

Price: $65

The Mycena lamp has been designed with a cozy and magical light for children’s rooms. Inspired by the bioluminescence of Mycena mushrooms, its luminescent shade continues to glow softly after the light is turned off, providing children with a comforting presence in the dark.

Connection Clamp Lamp 4 by Ilse Bouwens

Name: Connection Clamp Lamp 4

Design: Ilse Bouwens

Price: $217

For the design of Connection Clamp Lamp 4 (or CCL 4), designer Ilse Bouwens investigated material properties. This minimalist design is the result of 2 material encounters: by clamping the flexible polypropylene lampshade into the 4 rigid aluminium tubes, a unique light object is created. The aluminium tubes, in a sense, take the lead in shaping the polypropylene. Whether hang on the wall or used as a standing design lamp,  CCL doesn’t disappoint with its special play of colors and shapes.

Meer-inspired lamp by Traum

Name: Meer-inspired Traum Lamp

Design: Traum

Price: $420

The design of the Traum lamp, created by its designer to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his hometown, is inspired by two iconic symbols of the city: the ocean waves and the sea lions. Both elements, with their distinct shapes and fluid movements, are integrated into the lamp’s form, creating a sense of harmony and motion that reflects the essence of the city.

Spare tablelamp by JAN PAUL

Name: Spare

Design: JAN PAUL

Price: $221

Spare is constructed from 25 classic clear light-bulbs that are stuck together like a cluster of bubbles, while one clear LED-bulb connects them all to the power-source and burns. This bulb then lights up the other ones, which function as a lampshade, diffusing and spreading the light. After +/- 50 years all the bulbs are burned up!

This shelf emanates a light that will never go out by ilsangisang Design Studio

Name: This shelf emanates a light that will never go out

Designer: Jong-su Kim

Studio: ilsangisang
Price: $64

South Korea-based studio ilsangisang designs a versatile shelf featuring an integrated lighting fixture. A graphic beam of light is formalized to become a folded surface so that even when switched off, the shelf is continuously ‘illuminated,’ spotlighting your precious items. The shelf can be both displayed on a tabletop or mounted to a wall.

Natura Lotus Pendant light by Moono

Name: Natura Lotus Pendant Light

Studio: Moono

Price: $488

Moono is a sculptural sliding pendant light, handcrafted from natural laminated oak or walnut and infused with the elegant strength of solid brass. Designed and produced in Georgia, it reflects a deep commitment to material honesty, minimalism, and precision engineering. What makes Moono unique is its invisible sliding mechanism, embedded entirely within the wooden body. A gentle glide shifts the position of the lamp with surprising softness,  creating a dynamic yet quiet interaction between user and object. Available in two sizes — 111 cm and 88 cm — Moono is ideal for contemporary interiors, creative studios, residential spaces or galleries that seek to blend function with story.

Platzen Lamp by Traum

Name: Platzen Lamp

Studio: Traum

Designer: Carlos Martín Giacinto

Price: $399

The Platzen lamp by Traum is crafted from authentic wood veneer sourced from northeastern Argentina, treated with a proprietary resin formula that enhances flexibility and durability. Its distinctive shape is created by intertwining two zigzag-cut sheets of wood, forming a visually striking volume that evokes motion and organic flow. Thanks to the HARZ LTZ technology, the lamp retains its color and strength even under sunlight and in humid conditions.

Moono Sliding Pendant Light by Moono

Name: Moono Sliding Pendant Light

Studio: Moono

Price: $4400

Crafted from premium oak or walnut wood, complemented by brass and aluminum accents, Moono Sliding Pendant Light by Moono combines timeless elegance with modern functionality. The sliding mechanism allows for effortless light direction control, making it both a functional light source and a dynamic art piece. Available in two sizes (111 cm and 88 cm), Moono is designed for versatility, fitting seamlessly into various interior styles. Its eco-friendly lacquer finish highlights the natural beauty of the wood, while the LED technology ensures efficient and customizable illumination.

The post ten years of designboom shop: eleven highlight lamp designs for sale appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

In Barrel Swimwear Store project in Korea by Niiiz Design Lab, lighting is positioned as a central design strategy rather than a supplementary feature. Developed for a swimwear-focused brand, the project required a distinct approach from standard fashion retail environments. Lighting functions as a critical element in spatial composition, with variations in color temperature, intensity, and brightness directly influencing the perception of space.

Instead of adopting typical high ambient lighting to enhance product visibility, the design reduced general illumination to establish a subdued spatial quality. Focused lighting was applied within oversized fitting rooms, where users could evaluate products under conditions tailored for clarity and comfort. This zoning strategy emphasized the role of fitting areas as central to user experience, directing circulation toward them, and encouraging physical interaction with products.

reflective wave-patterned stainless steel panels on the ceiling visually expand the space | all images by Mong Sang

Niiiz Design Lab implements Indirect Light and Reflective Surfaces

To implement a low-light environment without conventional ceiling fixtures, Niiiz Design Lab’s team integrated indirect lighting within a linear sculptural installation extending along one wall. The installation, constructed from semi-translucent blue acrylic, references the concept of an indoor swimming pool. The material filters light softly across the surface, contributing to a cohesive spatial identity.

Ceiling treatment was aligned with the lighting concept and broader spatial narrative. Wave-patterned stainless steel panels were used to introduce reflectivity, which visually expands the compact volume and offsets the low ceiling height. This finish also supports the distribution of indirect light and contributes to the immersive underwater reference.

curved surface with continuous material finish eliminates visible boundaries between the walls and floor

Matte Finishes and Curved Transitions Enhance Spatial Balance

In contrast, flooring was designed to reduce reflectance. Matte mosaic tiles, evoking swimming pool surfaces, were selected to absorb rather than bounce light, ensuring balance in the lighting composition. The junctions between wall and floor surfaces were softened by using continuous materials and curved transitions, eliminating sharp visual boundaries and enhancing spatial coherence.

The resulting environment integrates lighting and material logic to support the brand’s identity and functional needs. The store’s design addresses site-specific constraints, including limited ceiling height and floor area, while delivering a spatial experience aligned with the swimwear category.

indirect lighting is embedded within a sculptural wall installation

the blue acrylic wall and ceiling evoke the sensation of being submerged underwater

lighting serves as the primary spatial strategy in Barrel Swimwear Store

large fitting rooms feature enhanced lighting for the best product evaluation

matte-finish mosaic tiles, reminiscent of pool tiles, absorb rather than reflect light from above and around

wave-patterned stainless steel panels mimic a body of water

the semi-translucent blue acrylic wall references the indoor pool concept

mosaic floor tiles reduce glare and evoke pool textures

curved detailing enhances spatial continuity and immersion

project info: 

name: Barrel_Swimwear Store

designer: Niiiz Design Lab | @official_niiizdesignlab

location: Korea

client: The Nature Holdings

construction: JHD Studio | @jhd_official

photographer: Mong Sang | @mongsang._

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: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post steel interiors ripple like waves in niiiz design lab’s korean swimwear store appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

During its NYCxDesign Week 2025 exhibition, MSCHF recycles parts of a Mercedes-AMG sports car into furniture that’s not for automotive use. That’s actually the name of the show: Not for Automotive Use. For the first time since its founding, the art collective opens its garage door to the public. The spot becomes a three-day showroom, taking place in MSCHF’s Greenpoint, street-level workshop. When visitors stroll inside, it’s dark except for the rays of spotlight beaming onto the collection. There’s a chair made of seatbelt straps and a clothes rack made of such, too.

Soon, visitors realize it’s a seatbelt fest, at least for the few pieces, including the lighting design shaped like a drawing compass, the ping-pong table, and the three-decked shelf. The Mercedes-AMG sports car tire? MSCHF turns it into an electric fan for the exhibition. The pedal? A trash can. The headrest remains a chair, while the headlights are embedded into a vehicle-looking couch designed as a Mercedes-AMG sports car. MSCHF also creates a grill with the recognizable star emblem of Mercedes-Benz, and the last in the exhibition is a hanger imprinted with the AMG logo.

Casey Neistat for the Not for Automotive Use | all images courtesy of MSCHF; campaign photos by Kyle Berger

parts sourced directly from manufacturers

The MSCHF and Mercedes-AMG exhibition during NYCxDesign Week 2025 is a homage to Italy’s Radical Design counterculture movement of the 1960s. The art collective experiments with the materials they have at hand, all of which come from the engineered components of the car company’s vehicle. MSCHF likens its approach to Achille Castiglioni (1918-2002), the Milanese designer who integrated a tractor and bicycle seating into his chair design. That tribute comes through, starting with the seatbelt straps around the chair. MSCHF says that the exhibition pieces made with Mercedes-AMG parts are conceptual explorations, just like their other stunts in the past. 

Each work is custom-made using parts sourced directly from AMG manufacturers. MSCHF says that after the exhibition, the Mercedes-AMG collection is available on a made-to-order basis in limited quantities. There’s even a series of merchandise, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, work jackets and trousers. They come with detailed scans of original AMG vehicle components. There are also accessories like a custom fragrance tree shaped like an apple tree. It’s a subtle nod to Affalterbach, AMG’s birthplace, whose name translates to apple tree on the brook in old German. The Mercedes-AMG collection and exhibition runs in MSCHF’s Brooklyn studio from May 14th and 17th.

there’s a chair made of seatbelt straps from a Mercedes-AMG vehicle

there’s also a seat made of headrests

the art collective turns the car pedal into the foot of a trash bin

the headlights become the face of a sports-car-looking couch

detailed view of the seat made of headrests

for the first time, MSCHF opens its garage for the NYC exhibition

view of the chair made of seatbelt straps

exhibition view with the ping-pong table (left), grill (middle), and chair with seatbelt straps (right)

the exhibition runs between May 14th and 17th, 2025

project info: 

exhibition name: Not for Automotive Use

art collective: MSCHF | @mschf

company: Mercedes-AMG | @mercedesamg

event: NYCxDesign Week 2025 | @nycxdesign

dates: May 14th to 17th, 2025

location: 62 Bayard St, Brooklyn New York, US

campaign photographer: Kyle Berger | @kyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyle

The post not for automotive use: MSCHF recycles parts of mercedes-AMG’s sports car into furniture appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Cadillactus by Roger Reutimann is a site-specific public sculpture that integrates formal characteristics of the 1959 Cadillac with botanical features reminiscent of a cactus. The work utilizes automotive materials and fabrication techniques to explore hybridity between mid-century industrial design and organic morphology.

Positioned along the primary approach from Palm Springs Airport, California, to the downtown area, the installation is designed as a vertical structure that references both vehicular aesthetics and native desert flora. The chrome-finished tailfins and bullet-shaped lighting elements are configured to evoke the appearance of cactus spines and nocturnal blooms. These illuminated features activate at night, transforming the sculpture into a light-based landmark.

all images courtesy of Roger Reutimann

illuminating cactus spines turn Cadillactus into light sculpture

The surface treatment, achieved through the application of automotive paints and finishes, responds to changing desert light conditions throughout the day. Constructed primarily from steel and fiberglass, the structure leverages industrial processes common in car manufacturing, including the use of powder coating and metallic patinas. For the sculpture’s form, designer Roger Reutimann follows a modular approach, merging repetition and symmetry with asymmetrical, cactus-inspired deviations. The piece’s structural core supports radial extensions that suggest branching or flowering, while maintaining material coherence with its vehicular references.

Cadillactus was recognized with the 2024 CODAworx People’s Choice Award for public art. It reflects a synthesis of sculpture, design, and engineering, and contributes to the urban identity of Palm Springs through site-responsive formal language.

Cadillactus combines 1959 Cadillac styling with cactus-inspired forms

the sculpture features chrome tailfins and bullet-shaped lights

designed by Roger Reutimann, Cadillactus explores hybrid form and material

the sculpture is located on the route from Palm Springs Airport to downtown

the piece is constructed from steel and fiberglass using industrial processes

nocturnal lighting transforms the sculpture after sunset

project info:

name: Cadillactus
designer: Roger Reutimann | @roger_reutimann_artist

location: Palm Springs, California

materials: Stainless Steel, Fiberglass, Automotive Paint

dimensions: H=14 feet, W=7 feet, D=7 feet

The post roger reutimann turns 1959 cadillac components into lighting cactus sculpture in california appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

The Horn Series is a collection of furniture constructed from discarded speaker components, developed by Juyong Shim as an exploration of alternative material functions. The project, unveiled at SaloneSatellite, Milan Design Week 2025, reinterprets the form and structural logic of the speaker horn, an object rendered obsolete by technological shifts, by integrating it into functional, sculptural designs for domestic use.

The series includes a stool, a table, shelving units, and lighting fixtures. Each piece incorporates salvaged components such as horns, speaker frames, and structural housings. These elements are employed not as decorative additions but as primary structural and visual features, contributing to the identity of each object.

a sculptural collection of furniture crafted from repurposed objects | all images courtesy of Juyong Shim

Juyong Shim repurposes unused and surplus speaker parts

The design process begins with the manual collection of unused and surplus speaker parts sourced from suppliers and abandoned inventories. Designer Juyong Shim’s selection is based on material integrity and structural viability. These salvaged components are combined with new materials such as steel tubing and industrial hardware, assembled through processes including cutting, welding, bolting, and powder coating. The overall method emphasizes low-intervention construction and direct, intuitive assembly.

By reconfiguring speaker elements into utilitarian forms, Horn Series examines how material memory can be retained beyond original function. The project reflects on the transition from industrial sound equipment to domestic object, and how perceived notions of waste and purpose can be reconsidered through material reuse.

the lighting fixture is constructed from a reused speaker horns

welded and bolted assemblies highlight direct construction

the lighting’s fabric element can be suspended in various configurations

the stool transforms disused audio components into functional seating

the Horn Series bridges utility and sculptural presence

the stool cover is made from original speaker mesh fabric and is available in variations

the stool’s design merges sculptural form with structural tension

the table is constructed by stacking and combining reused speaker components

multifunctional design merges table and lamp into one, offering a space-saving solution

the table & lighting can also be used as a ceiling light, offering versatile installation options

the trolley’s design transforms a reused speaker horn into a mobile storage unit

a customizable shelving system is designed for flexibility, allowing adaptation to any space

project info:

name: Horn Series / Furniture
designer: Juyong Shim

The post horn series by juyong shim turns discarded speaker components into sculptural furniture appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Highsnobiety brings back Not In Milan with Classics Reinvented exhibition, a series of activations and capsule collections during Milan Design Week 2025. At MAGMA Eventi Milano near Fondazione Prada, the cultural brand congregates limited-edition pieces and reimagined classic objects like chairs from NM3, Parasite 2.0, CARA \ DAVIDE, and more. Even designboom presents, showcasing four historic lamps viewed as design icons, including Flos’ lamp with Philippe Starck as well as Giova, Gae Aulenti’s debut in the field of lighting design.

The lush shade of red becomes the primary color that runs throughout Highsnobiety’s Not In Milan exhibition. It’s the hue of the carpet that presents the smart #5 BRABUS car before visitors enter the space at MAGMA. The box stands holding up the objects on display, including the classic lamps selected by designboom, have this deep color. The stage where Levi’s hosts its listening sessions is a red cube as well. Here, artists Yoniro, Salvatore Versace, and Imer6ia perform at night in front of the lingering visitors, adding an electric zing to the industrial space.

all images courtesy of Highsnobiety

Talks, music and activations inside Magma space

Slam Jam and Public Possession open the party on April 7th for Highsnobiety’s Not In Milan exhibition, featuring music by Sedef Adasi and Public Possession DJs. The next day, Levi’s keeps the conversation flowing by hosting talks about design classics. That night, the world premiere of the smart #5 BRABUS takes place. It’s a perfume journey on April 9th when the scents of L’Artisan Parfumeur share the exhibition space with its Art of Play event in the evening. 

The same night, UGG discusses its SS25 collaboration with Reese Cooper in a talk. April 10th is packed with Levi’s Listening Session between 7pm and 10pm. Right after that, Highsnobiety’s Not In Milan extends outside MAGMA when the cultural brand occupies Milan’s iconic Plastic club to pre-conclude the days-long exhibition during Milan Design Week 2025. The following evening, FILA closes the exhibition, showcasing archival pieces and designs and tennis and culture in the midst of serving drinks and playing music.

Highsnobiety showcases their apparel and accessories inspired by the city’s design codes

Collaborations with Bar Basso and the attico

Outside MAGMA, Highsnobiety’s Not In Milan exhibition unfurls. At the renowned Bar Basso, the cultural brand puts their collaboration on display, paying homage to the city’s iconic aperitivo institution with a capsule collection inspired by decades of design, ritual, and the timeless Negroni Sbagliato. Highsnobiety also collaborates with The Attico in a capsule collection that depicts their subtle love for Milan. 

It comprises archival imagery, faded hues, and design details inspired by the city’s layered and growing identity. The cultural brand takes advantage of Milan Design Week 2025 to showcase their apparel and accessories inspired by the city’s design codes. These items are now available on their site and app, from design pin sets and hats to travel tumblers and clothes. Highsnobiety’s Not In Milan exhibitions occurs between April 7th and 11th, 2025, at MAGMA Eventi Milano, which is aa 560sqm warehouse and art gallery space near Fondazione Prada.

view of Ray and Charles Eames 670/671 Lounge Chair with Ottoman for Herman Miller

lush shade of red is the primary color that runs throughout Highsnobiety’s Not In Milan exhibition

Marcel Breuer’s Wassily Style Spaghetti B3 Chairs

at the renowned Bar Basso, the cultural brand puts their collaboration on display

Highsnobiety’s Not In Milan exhibitions occurs between April 7th and 11th, 2025

Highsnobiety brings over its collection, featuring apparel and accessories

project info:

name: Not in Milan: Classics Reinvented

brand: Highsnobiety | @highsnobiety

presentations: designboom, NM3, Parasite 2.0, CARA \ DAVIDE | @designboom, @nm3.xyz, @parasiteparasite, @_caradavide_

program highlights: Slam Jam x Public Possession Opening Party, Levi’s® Roundtable Talks, world premiere of smart #5 BRABUS, L’Artisan Parfumeur: Art of Play, UGG Presents: Terra Incognita with Reese Cooper, Levi’s® Listening Session, HS Soundsystem CamperLab Underground, Fila X Hs Presents: A Toast To Disruption | @slamjam, @public_possession, @levistraussco, @brabus, @ugg, @camperlab, @filaeurope

collaborations: Highsnobiety In-Line Collection, Bar Basso, The Attico, Fila, Slam Jam x Public Possession | @theattico

producer: Fasten Seat Belt | @fastenseatbeltofficial

dates: April 7th and 11th 

location: MAGMA Eventi Milano at Via Vezza d’Oglio 14

The post highsnobiety celebrates not in milan with classics reinvented, activations & design collections appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Rubix Square is a public space intervention designed by Shanghai-based studio 100architects, located in a residential district in Fuzhou, China. The project integrates geometric structures, sport-oriented installations, and lighting design to generate a continuous user experience that shifts between daytime activity and nighttime illumination. At the center of the space is a three-story structure modeled after the Rubik’s Cube. This element is reinterpreted as an occupiable volume, allowing for circulation through stairs, platforms, and surfaces that support climbing and movement. The structure provides a spatial focal point and serves as a vertical play installation.

The surrounding components include four additional installations, each associated with specific recreational functions. The Hashtag is a ground-level grid containing swings, slides, and lighting elements. Basket Triangle repositions basketball hoops at varying heights and angles, introducing alternative play configurations. Wall Ball functions as a football-inspired target wall with holes of graduated difficulty, promoting different levels of interaction. Heli-Skate offers a mini skate zone intended for balance-based activities, particularly for younger users. These structures are organized within a unified ground plane composed of painted concrete, stone paving, and EPDM rubber surfacing. The ground treatment incorporates geometric motifs, like grids, arcs, and color blocks, to visually tie together the various elements. Additional components, such as square planters and integrated wooden benches, provide moments of rest and shade, enhancing user comfort.

all images by Rex Zou

100architects’ Rubix Square Introduces Layered Spatial Layout

Lighting plays a significant role in the transformation of the space after sunset. The design team at 100architects embeds fixtures to highlight the geometric contours of each installation, emphasizing their form and creating a layered visual environment. The central Rubik’s Cube structure is internally lit, with its facades illuminated by shapes such as circles, triangles, and crosses. The Hashtag structure functions as a neon light maze, while the other installations are outlined in accent lighting that maintains visibility and reinforces their spatial identity. Basket Triangle and Wall Ball are subtly highlighted to accentuate their sculptural forms, while Heli-Skate pulses with cool tones embedded in its curves, like light traces frozen in motion.

From an aerial perspective, the site reads as a luminous grid system, while at ground level, the arrangement creates an immersive environment for physical engagement and visual exploration. Rubix Square combines elements of play, urban design, and lighting strategy to support a dynamic 24-hour program of use within the public realm.

the central Rubik’s Cube-inspired structure anchors the space

climbable platforms invite movement through the vertical installation

circulation paths traverse stairs, ledges, and vibrant surfaces

the unified ground plane blends color blocks, curves, and grids

the project integrates play, structure, and light into the urban fabric

painted concrete and EPDM rubber define circulation and play zones

the Cube glows from within, featuring illuminated geometric symbols

lighting highlights the structural edges as night falls

aerial view of Rubix Square reveals a glowing geometric grid

night lighting creates a layered visual experience across the space

Rubix Square supports 24-hour use through design and illumination

neon lighting transforms The Hashtag into a nighttime maze

Basket Triangle’s structure is enhanced with soft accent lighting

Heli-Skate pulses with embedded lighting for an atmospheric effect

project info:

name: Rubix Square

architect: 100architects | @100architects

location: Fuzhou, Jiang Xi, China

area: 1400 sqm

design team: Marcial Jesús, Javier González, Yuntong Liu, Mónica Páez, Lara Broglio, Ponyo Zhao, Keith Gong, Cosima Jiang, Michelle Aldora, Jango Zhang

project management team: Matias Hernandez, Jenny Fan, Eva Jiang

photographer: Rex Zou | @rexzou

videographer: Lalo

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: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post layered geometric rubix square by 100architects blends play installations with lighting appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Amsterdam-based studio VOUW introduces Bloomlight S, a responsive lighting object designed for domestic settings. The piece bends subtly and unfolds in response to nearby movement, creating a moment of interaction through presence, light, and motion, without requiring apps or interfaces.

Rather than reacting to sound or voice commands, the object responds to proximity and gesture. When a person approaches or takes a seat nearby, the light gently inclines and opens, resembling a blooming flower orienting toward sunlight. Bloomlight S continues VOUW’s investigation into Slowtech, a design philosophy that prioritizes deceleration and reflection over efficiency. Unlike conventional smart devices focused on function, this piece emphasizes presence. It remains inactive in the background until engaged by human proximity, responding without prompting further interaction.

all images courtesy of VOUW

Bloomlight S Balances Technology and Tactility

The object is hand-assembled in VOUW’s Amsterdam studio and represents the studio’s first product intended for residential settings. It features sensor-based activation, operates independently of WiFi or mobile applications, and emits a soft 2700K light. Materials include aluminum, glass fiber, steel cable, ASA, and custom electronics. The design prioritizes durability and long-term use.

The first edition, limited to 100 signed and numbered units, is set to be presented during a studio event on June 18th, 2025. The initial 25 purchasers will be invited to a private dinner hosted in the studio by cultural curator Yuki Kho. Bloomlight S functions not as a conventional lamp but as a responsive object, returning to stillness in the absence of human presence.

Bloomlight S responds to nearby movement with gentle unfolding

Bloomlight S acts as both functional object and sculptural centerpiece

a domestic lighting object that interacts through presence and motion

the lighting by VOUW activates quietly, emphasizing human presence

made from aluminum, glass fiber, ASA, and custom electronics

the lamp gently bends as someone walks by, mimicking the gesture of a flower sensing touch

Bloomlight S takes a folded position with closed petals when unapproached

Bloomlight S operates without WiFi, using built-in sensors for activation

project info:

name: Bloomlight S
designer: VOUW | @vouwstudio

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: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post VOUW studio’s living lighting blooms like a flower in response to human movement appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.