Be Open think tank

#BeOpenARCH Local architectural practice Enota Architects has developed a project of an extension for Hotel Natura, a touristic resort in Rogla, Slovenia. The design comprises a timber addition that integrates the facade with the roof. The facade is thus transformed into a stack of timber gable rooftops, an element known to be characteristic throughout the area. The timber on the facade is left untreated, which will allow it beautifully age with time blending with the appearance of the surrounding landscape.

#BeOpenNEWS BE OPEN Art launches a new competition for emerging artists, aimed to support those whose art best represents their regional, cultural and ethnic identities – BE OPEN Regional Art. With the beginning of year 2023, BE OPEN expert community team will start selecting those of the artists who best represent the artistic tradition of a certain region to feature in the BE OPEN Art gallery and offer them greater visibility. Each regional stage will last 3 months, therefore 4 stages will be run a year, with a winner named for each of them. BE OPEN Art will start with the Eastern Mediterranean region that includes such countries as Cyprus, Turkey, the Greek Dodecanese islands, and the countries of Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Israel, Jordan and Egypt. The regional winners will be awarded a money prize of EUR500, while a selection of artwork best representing the region will form an offline exhibition, in order to share the art with the wide public and celebrate the artists involved. For the first Eastern Mediterranean stage of the competition, the exhibition will presumably take place in Cyprus. Learn more at art.beopenfuture.com

#BeOpenDESIGN Sweden-based furniture designer Marc Hoogendijk has developed an indoor bench made using a methodology that “mimics function of human-made objects,” which he calls “technomimicry.” Titled Serpentin, the piece creates an illusion that it is manufactured out of a continuous single strip of wood that is wrapped around the bars of a wooden frame. The wood and wood fibers are sculpted in a way that endows the design with an inviting softness, so the bench looks very comfortable.

#BeOpenDESIGN Dubbed the Yukidaruma bag, or Snowman Carrier, this piece by Japanese leather specialist Tsuchiya Kaban was conceived by artisan Yuko Matsuzawa with the sole purpose of carrying a snowman. All details are taken in consideration. A strong waterproofing agent has been applied to the leather, from which the bag is crafted, and inner lining, giving the bag excellent water resistance qualities, while a waterproof zipper aimes to prevent potential leakage. With the bag’s interior lined with polyester fiber fabric like that found in insulated bags, the user can bring a snowman home without worry. Happy New Year! Thank you for being with us and see you next year! Bring it on 2023!

#BeOpenDESIGN Commissioned to create a Christmas tree for the Tokyo Midtown shopping centre in Roppongi, Tokyo, Japanese design studio Nendo turned to the theme of ‘glitter in the air,’ which they believe embodies the very essence of Christmas. Finished in matte champagne gold, the 7.5-meter-high conical tree with a polyhedral surface consists of numerous flat metal perforated panels, which resemble sparkling lights, moving in random rhythmic patterns. To achieve this effect, a total of 416 compact fans are installed behind each piece, individually controlled to blow air in coordination. The pieces not only sway and move with the wind but can also stop swinging in the air catching the wind at the programmed timing. More design-minded Christmas trees in our blog

#BeOpenARCH Set along the western boundary of the Milano Innovation District (MIND), a recently developed neighborhood bringing together cutting-edge scientific research and education, business, and leisure facilities, MoLo (short for Mobility and Logistic hub) is designed by MAD Architects as an integration of nature and architecture. The building is intended to perform as a welcoming entrance and education space for issues related to mobility. Here, visitors can drop off their cars to explore the district on foot and see innovative transportation technology in person. Expressing this concept, the team decided to adorn the main facades of the dazzling five-story parking structure, which is the centerpiece of the MoLo, with lush vegetation. This is intended to not only beautify the neighborhood but also capture airborne carbon. The use of vertical landscaping as a design element also allows the MoLo to visually blend into the verdant landscaping of its surroundings. More green walls in urban environments in our blog

#BeOpenART Back in 2015, Serpentine Galleries commissioned French artist Bertrand Lavier to create an art piece that playfully interprets traditional garden features. Named Fountain, the installation comprises a bunch of vibrantly coloured garden hoses with plastic nozzles arranged to resemble a classical fountain. Different types of nozzle create a variation in the pressure and dispersion of the spray into a shallow pool surrounded by a low white wall to collect the falling water. The bright colours and mass-produced forms of the hoses and nozzles appear in stark contrast with the Neoclassical facade of the Serpentine Sackler. via dezeen

#BeOpenDESIGN Italian designer Jody Del Bianco has reimagined an old school arcade cabinet and turned it into a minimalist wooden structure that would perfectly blend into any interior. Unlike conventional arcade machines, the concept only has the outer silhouette made of multiple layers of birch wood, which streamlines the design and minimizes space. The piece consists of six different elements that can be easily assembled, just like IKEA furniture.

#BeOpenDESIGN Japanese start-up Quantum has collaborated with agency TBWA HAKUHODO to reduce the disturbing amount of discarded scallop shells piling up in Sarufutsu Village, Japan. The area generates about 40,000 tons of shell annually, derived from marine waste when processing scallops for the food industry. The team used the husks to create a robust and lightweight head protector for local workers and employees to use in a variety of situations, from everyday use to work sites. Made from eco-friendly plastic fused with recycled shells, HOTAMET helmet has a design that pays homage to the shape of the scallop husks. By adopting a rib structure peculiar to seashells, the scallop helmet’s durability is increased by about 30% compared to the conventional shape. More sustainable applications of seafood waste in our blog

#BeOpenDESIGN The Christmas tree is both pagan and Christian, it can be found in supermarkets and at winter fairs to represent fertility and commerce and in living rooms to celebrate the spirit of family holidays. The exhibition Oh Tannenbaum (2004-2013) by German studio JJOO design plays with the iconic Christmas symbol to trigger the whole range of possible reactions, from enthusiastic approval to bemused consternation.