Be Open think tank

Cuddle bed by the Milan/Taipei-based duo WA+CH, founded by Weichih Chen & Fuhua Wang, is a bed inspired by a hug. It includes a flexible cushioned headboard with two foldable sides, the movement of which reminds the user of the gentle human interaction providing them with a sense of privacy and secureness of sleep experience as well as a warm and comfortable feeling. The headboards also feature large pockets perfect for storing smart devices and books that serve as integrated decoration and function at the same time. More bespoke bed designs in our blog.beopenfuture.com

PlaySetting is a collection of objects inspired by playground structures that are adapted into a more typical furniture typology by Detroit-based designer Joe Parr. Developed for his MFA at Canbrook Academy of Art, the series encourages playful participation in both personal and social interactions. For example, Swing Seat is an upright chair similar in shape to a playground swing. According to Parr, the seat challenges the instinct to seek relaxation by planting ourselves in a lounge chair. Instead, the dual motion caused by the chair rocking at its base and pivoting at its leather saddle encourages stimulation of the mind through the body. joeparrdesign.com

Oslo-based Haugen/Zohar Arkitekter, founded by Marit Justine Haugen and Dan Zohar, were commissioned to redesign the World War 2 memorial monument honoring the submarine Uredd in Ureddplassen, a frequently visited site just along the Norwegian Scenic Route Helgelandskysten. The new project features a striking rest area to admire Aurora Borealis in winter and the midnight sun in summer. The layout encompasses a concrete viewing terrace facing the sea, an amphitheater extending towards the shoreline, benches in the characteristic marble from Fauske and a toilet building located at the edge of the terrace, its sloping rooftop mimicking the silhouette of the surrounding mountain peaks. More outstanding Norwegian rest stops in our blog.beopenfuture.com

The Perspectives installation by British designer Giles Miller encompasses an elliptical-shaped pavilion covered with cedar wood shingles laser etched with initials, personal messages and poems which were collected from local schools and residents. Designed as a rest stop for ramblers along a scenic walking route in the Winterfold forest, UK, the structure is closed and protective at the rear. The cedar parts are set to age naturally in the forest. gilesmiller.com

The Black House by German architect studio Büro Wagner on Lake Ammersee in Munich maximizes its cozy 80 sqm footprint through smart multi-height levels arrangement on an open-plan layout. Designed to contrast the typical architecture found in rural Germany, the lake house is clad in charred wood. Externally, the spaces appear to be stacked, while internally they blend naturally to form large overlapping spaces. The bedroom and bathroom are situated on the basement floor, lit by natural light coming through the windows affixed halfway along the ground level. The kitchen and living space, their heights varying to lend the house its atypical charm, can be accessed via wooden steps. The exterior of blackened wood is complemented by oiled oak and sandblasted concrete to brighten up the space. buerowagner.eu

Seoul-based 1/Plinth studio has designed Louver Series, a furniture collection that is manufactured utilizing aluminum louver and extrusion frames. The aluminum louver is an architectural element which is usually found on buildings and engineering equipment and comprises a set of angled slats fixed at regular intervals to allow air or light to pass through. The collection consists of eight pieces: cabinet, shelf, desk, table, low table, chair, stool, and bench, but the same logic can be applied to numerous types of products. Each piece’s size and structure can be transformed to meet the user’s demands because of the flexibility of the utilized industrial materials. More furniture made from industrial aluminum in our blog.beopenfuture.com

Danish studio Effekt’s 45-metre-tall observation tower is the culminating feature of the 900-metre-long boardwalk in the preserved forest, Gisselfeld Klosters Skove, one hour south of Copenhagen, Denmark. The structure formed by a spiraling ramp has an hourglass profile which was chosen by the team over the typical cylindrical shape to enhance the visitor’s experience. On the one hand, this geometry increases stability of the tower, while on the other hand, it allows for better contact to the forest canopy. The tower’s top deck is 135 metres above sea level, making it the highest point anywhere in Zealand, according to Effekt, while the continuous ramp of the boardwalk and the tower makes the forest accessible to wheelchair users. More observation towers and platforms in our blog.beopenfuture.com

Final call for the participants of #BEOPENShadows Instagram challenge with a prize of €300! Share art, photography or video on the subject of shadows with hashtag #BEOPENShadows and seize the opportunity. The entries close on November 30th. Rules: beopensocial.com We would like to thank all the creatives who have submitted their works so far for their ability to find inspiration in the everyday life and transform it with their unique vision. Featured entries are by Bettina Koller, Vero Sitepu, Vince2x, Rashad Al-Karooni, Rhea Dobos, Michael Djumadi

German design studio Ambivalenz have designed the Fläpps System, a modular flat-folding shelving system that blends in into any home in the most functional way. The collection comprises a vast combination of widths, heights and shelves to choose from. Each stand-alone unit can be used separately or mixed and matched with other modules to create a wall system. When fixed at different heights and unfolded, the space saving furniture described by the team as ‘beautifully discreet’ can be used as bookshelves, a workplace, shoe storage, or a breakfast nook. This space-saving furniture can even be transformed into a chair or serve as a beautiful gap filler when folded. More outstanding shelving in our blog.beopenfuture.com

Our open call #BEOPENShadows dedicated to the subject of shadows in all fields of art is closing soon! From photography and painting to shadow art, art is impossible to imagine without shadows. Shadows can bring rhythm or depth into the picture, their contrasted outlines can even become the very subject of an artwork. This marvelous shot by Tokyo-based photographer Satomi Kikuchi could be a great example. facebook.com/satomikikuchi.photography Share visuals that reflect this topic via Instagram with the #BEOPENShadows hashtag and win €300. Rules: beopensocial.com