Be Open think tank

#BeOpenARCH London-based Bua Studio has transformed a disused barn at Hlöðuberg, Iceland, into an artist studio and home for the owners. The team decided to retain the existing perimeter walls constructed of thick and relatively stable mass concrete, leaving them in a beautiful ruined state, enclosing a new walled garden. The original roof of corrugated steel was removed and a lightweight, two-storey timber structure was inserted within the walls. This allowed the architects to retain the quality of the existing concrete finishes externally, with their unique lichen growth and local pebble aggregate. The gabled shape of the construction echoes the initial silhouette, while the reflective corrugated Aluzinc cladding of the new volume takes the colour of the sky and meadow around the house, changing with the seasons and weather.

#BeOpenDESIGN Japanese knife manufacturer KAI Group has recently announced the launch of the world’s first paper razor. The new Kami-kamisori razor uses paper for the body and metal for the blade, reducing the use of plastic by 98% compared to conventional razors. According to the manufacturer, the new design is just as sharp and convenient to use as the conventional plastic razor. The product comes flat-packed and weighs a total of 4 grams, making it ideal for traveling and easy to use. It folds like origami to take the shape of a razor. The blade comes with a protective sticker, which you remove and wrap around the handle to secure it before use. Sustainable alternatives to traditional shaving razors in our blog

#BeOpenARCH Local Shomali Design Studio has conceptualized a spacious villa in the woodlands of Mazandaran, Iran, that employs land topography for the landscape design. The windows are large enough to provide enough natural light into the interior utilizing the interplay of light and shadow as a design tool. The tiered architecture comprises different interconnected interior and exterior levels. The space outside features an outdoor fire pit, outdoor seating area, as well as a table water fountain and pool.

#BeOpenDESIGN Hyang by product designer Dongkyu Kim is a device intended to replace a traditional incense burner. Relying on the fact that the steam is a healthier and cleaner alternative to the usual incense smoke, Kim has developed an incense humidifier. The gadget features an incense-like stick, which emits steam when inserted into the base holder filled with water. Hyang can be charged via a USB Type-C, so it need not be connected to a power source at all times, which makes it a portable solution. The product has won several awards such as the iF Talent Award in 2018, The Asia Design Award in 2019, and the Silver PIN UP Concept Design Award in 2019. More design-minded incense burners in our blog

#BeOpenARCH Commissioned to create a new entrance, a green area, and to renovate the existing basement in favor of the new space in a renovation project in Rovagnate, Italy, architect Stefano Larotonda has created an Underground Patio configured as an outdoor room. A perfectly circular opening leads into the patio, surrounded by reinforced concrete walls. The walls were formed using vertical wooden slats and subsequently sandblasted, after which the timber formwork gave the walls a satisfying textured effect. Concrete paving and gravel cover the ground, offering the perfect space for outdoor dining or gatherings with family and friends.

#BeOpenART Moscow-based artist Gregory Orekhov contemplates the symbolic meaning of crossroads with his eponymous installation located in the Moscow region, in the area of Nikolina Gora. Made of polycarbonate and painted over with marking paint, the project is a crosswalk over the river, among fields, which seemingly have no end. According to the author, Crossroads is an attempt to turn the world's attention towards heritage preservation and to remind people about the ability of choice. The object is situated at the intersection of historic events that took place here at the time of the Second World War, and those that are yet to come. It is a place where space and time intertwine.

#BeOpenARCH Sustainable skatehouse in Rosario, Argentina by architect Macu Bulgubure integrates a training ramp into its exterior design. Commissioned by a skater who wanted to practice in the comfort of his family dwelling, it features an outer wooden deck that turns into a skateboard ramp and then continues as a canopy protecting the interior from the intense sunlight. To connect the house’s indoor and outdoor spaces, the architect also used wood for interior finishes. Besides, the skatehouse is designed to be 100% sustainable. Electricity is generated by solar panels, the water comes from the river and rain-harvesting system, while the hot water is produced in a solar heater tank. Aspirational skateparks in our blog

#BeOpenDESIGN Kondititon conceptualized by product designer Oliver Perretta is a flexible piece of home fitness furniture, which aims to combine gym equipment with storage capabilities. It is a workout bench with a built-in compartment designed to store weights inside, and it can serve as a foot stool when not in use. The reclining seat of the bench allows users to perform resistance band movements such as rows, bicep curls, triceps extensions, and lateral raises. The designer plans to utilize aluminum extrusion in construction process to ensure a high strength to weight ratio for more intense workouts. The drawer slides on load bearing rails of over 100 kilograms and there are small castors under it to aid in pulling the drawer, which will be heavy with dumbbells in it. The drawer has organization inside that keeps the dumbbells from moving around. More design-minded home fitness furniture in out blog

#BeOpenNEWS Did you miss our creative open calls? We’ve got great news for you! The new open call #BEOPENFoodIdentity is dedicated to promoting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and in particular focuses on SDG2: Zero Hunger. Under the umbrella of zero hunger, SDG2 is not only about ending hunger, but also achieving food security and improved nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture all over the globe. Food is more than a means of survival. It is often used as a means of retaining our cultural, ethnic, religious or other identities. What we eat is an expression of who we are and where we come from. The traditional meals of a place touch on identity and ancestry. People also connect to their cultural or ethnic group through food patterns. The habitat areas define the foods available as well as ways of cooking, storing, recycling. Cuisines differentiate us, yet they educate us about our differences and similarities, while common meals are the oldest expression of goodwill. Share your vision of how food reflects your identity with the global community by joining our #BEOPENFoodIdentity Instagram open call and be the one to receive a €300 prize. The entries will close December 30, 2021. More details at beopensocial.com

#BeOpenARCH Revolving Bricks Serai by Farhaid Mirzaieis of A.P.P. Architects & Associates is an innovative office building in Arak, Iran, that as its name suggests, boasts an iconic rippling façade made of brick. The individual blocks, which have ends painted in turquoise and azure, are arranged according to parametric design, determined by an algorithm in a manner that allows natural light to penetrate the building while ensuring privacy for the occupants. via parametric-architecture.com