Be Open think tank

#BeOpenDESIGN Steady is a thoughtfully designed walking aid for elderly dogs, created by Hongik University students Jungmin Park, Chaewon Lee, in collaboration with fashion design student Seungha Baek. Designed to support pets with mobility issues like arthritis and disc problems, the device features retractable seatbelt-style straps that offer freedom of movement while locking in place to prevent falls. A soft belly-support harness and a compact two-wheeled walker provide comfort and stability without restricting natural behaviors like sniffing or marking. Steady also integrates sensors that track the dog’s walking patterns and sync with an app to help detect early signs of joint issues. For more innovative devices created to support injured animals, explore our blog.

#BeOpenDESIGN At the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale, Clouds Architecture Office presents Mars Hydrosphere, a visionary underwater settlement for 10,000 inhabitants beneath a Martian water reservoir. Combining tensile domes made from Earth-imported films and 3D-printed local regolith structures, the city uses water as a protective shield against radiation, thermal insulator, and psychological “liquid sky.” Anchored within a crater rich in subsurface ice, the design merges terrestrial engineering with Martian materials to create a breathable, pressurized environment that supports life while maintaining circadian rhythms through diffused sunlight. Serving as both habitat and life-support system, this speculative aquatic commons reimagines interplanetary migration and sustainable settlement amid Mars’ harsh conditions.

#BeOpenART Ana Brecevic’s Plasticum is a paper art series that addresses ocean plastic pollution through delicate, hand-cut forms of bleached corals and sea fans. Made from recycled paper, upcycled fabrics, and natural dyes, each piece contrasts the fragility of marine life with plastic-like adornments that evoke ocean debris. Drawing from her Franco-Croatian background and concern for the Mediterranean’s ecological decline, Brecevic transforms discarded materials into poignant symbols of environmental loss, offering a precise and visually striking critique of human impact on marine ecosystems.

#BeOpenDESIGN Jaekeun Lee’s Spiral Timepiece reimagines the calendar as a dynamic, cyclical form, replacing the rigid grid of traditional timekeeping with a flowing spiral of earth-like globes. As the first part of his ongoing Provisional Tempo project, the work visualizes time as continuous yet varied—each month marked by subtle shifts in lighting, spacing, and orientation to reflect difference rather than repetition. Using 3D rendering and NASA’s Blue Marble dataset, Lee crafts a rotating structure where time unfolds through motion and atmosphere rather than fixed units.

#BeOpenDESIGN Developed by a multidisciplinary team at Florida International University led by Sara Pezeshk and Shahin Vassigh, the Ecoblox Seawall Project introduces a modular, AI-driven system that reimagines coastal infrastructure. At its core are 3D-printed BIOCAP tiles, designed to mimic natural forms and create textured microhabitats for oysters, barnacles, and other marine life—turning static seawalls into dynamic ecosystems. By enhancing surface complexity, Ecoblox supports marine biodiversity while buffering against erosion and storm surges. Embedded with SMARTE, a real-time water quality monitoring system, the project equips coastal managers with actionable environmental insights. As it takes shape along Miami’s shoreline, Ecoblox stands out as a scalable, forward-thinking blueprint for climate-resilient, ecologically integrated design.

#BeOpenDESIGN Dust Order by London-based designer Roc H Biel transforms industrial wood waste—specifically compacted beech wood dust—into striking, sculptural furniture inspired by the elegance of classical Corinthian columns. At first glance, the granular textures mimic stone or sand-casting, but the materials are surprisingly light and agile. Using a blend of upcycled materials typically discarded as waste alongside 3D-printed composites, this innovative approach not only redefines waste as a resource but also challenges how we perceive material and form in sustainable design. For more sustainable wooden furniture, explore our blog.

#BeOpenDESIGN Winner of the Golden Lion at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, Canal Café by US studio Diller Scofidio + Renfro is a bold fusion of architecture, innovation, and environmental design that invites visitors to literally drink Venice. Part espresso bar, part functioning laboratory, the installation draws brackish water from the Arsenale lagoon and transforms it—via a hybrid system of bio-filtration, reverse osmosis, and UV disinfection—into some of Italy’s finest espresso, infused with the distinct character of the city itself. Canal Café reimagines Venice not just as a cultural icon, but as a living, experimental model for sustainable urban life on water.

#BeOpenDESIGN The Noova Calendar, designed by Berk Yıldız and Sineray Serin, transforms the abstract passage of time into a sculptural experience through two interlocking marble torus forms. Inspired by natural cycles and ancient sundials, Noova invites users to engage with time not as a rigid schedule but as a continuous, meditative flow. Handcrafted from natural stone, each piece is unique—merging permanence, elegance, and sustainability in a design that is both timeless and tactile. Housed in recycled packaging, it also reflects a commitment to environmental responsibility, making it as mindful as it is beautiful. Explore striking time-related designs in our blog.

BE OPEN Art is pleased to announce Wen Tong as its Artist of the Month for May 2025, as chosen by art lovers around the world from among those featured in our online gallery. Born in Jinan, China in 1998, Wen Tong immigrated to Canada at the age of two and now works from her studio in Oakville, Ontario. A graduate of the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and Computer Science, she also studied studio art—focusing on painting and printmaking—at Sheridan College.Wen's work aspires to counteract suffering through beauty and sensory engagement, offering viewers transcendent experiences. By creating pieces that serve as sacred relics, she shares profound stories of both joy and tribulation. At the end of 2025, the BE OPEN Art Community will select the Artist of the Year from the monthly winners. The recipient will be awarded a €1,000 prize and a dedicated promotional campaign to help elevate their artistic career. #BeOpenNEWS #BeOpenART

#BeOpenNEWS #BeOpenART BE OPEN Art is proud to introduce Art Limitless, a dynamic new section of its online gallery dedicated to promoting sustainability and inclusion in the arts. This curated space features a wide range of content—including competitions, lectures, and masterclasses—designed to engage marginalized and underrepresented groups, including people with disabilities, as equal participants. Art Limitless aims to foster collaboration, empower diverse voices, and support the development of sustainable, high-quality artistic work that drives social change and broadens access to the arts for all.

Happy World Environment Day! This year, the World Environment Day is dedicated to battling plastic pollution. Plastic pollution permeates every corner of the planet—even in our bodies in the form of microplastics. World Environment Day 2025 calls for collective action to tackle plastic pollution. By drawing inspiration from nature and showcasing real-world solutions, the campaign will encourage individuals, organizations, industries, and governments to adopt sustainable practices that drive systemic change. We encourage everyone to check the variety of events on the WED global map, join those near you, and add your own amazing initiatives to it!  Just like Muizat Akinbani from the University of the People in Nigeria, one of the honorary mentions in the Designing Futures 2050 competition!  Muizat enriched the WED map of Nigeria by placing their greatly designed sustainable waste management and recycling app SustainFlow on it!

#BeOpenNEWS We are proud to share the name of the Public Vote winner of the international competition Designing Future 2050, organised by BE OPEN Foundation to support young visionaries addressing sustainability challenges. The Public Vote Prize and €2,000 grant have been awarded to Komborero Victor Kangai and Tinotenda Chrispen Makoni (Zimbabwe), students of Physics, Maths, and Computer Science at the High Achievers Coach International Academy. Their initiative CALMs – Computer Aided Learning Management Suite aims to enhance access to education through a digital learning platform tailored to local needs. We congratulate Komborero and Tinotenda for their commitment to improving education through technology and innovation.

#BeOpenNEWS It is our honor to introduce another Second Prize winner of the international competition Designing Future 2050, organised by BE OPEN Foundation to support young visionaries addressing sustainability challenges. The Second Prize and €2,500 grant have been awarded to Adnan Hasyim Wibowo (Indonesia), a student at Universitas Indonesia’s SDGs Hub. His initiative AGASA – Algae for Sustainable Action: Blooming Sustainability Through Algae Installation explores the use of algae-based systems to improve environmental quality while engaging communities in sustainability education. We congratulate Adnan for his creative and ecological approach to sustainable development.

#BeOpenNEWS We are excited to reveal one of the Second Prize winners of the international competition Designing Future 2050, organised by BE OPEN Foundation to support young visionaries addressing sustainability challenges. The Second Prize and €2,500 grant have been awarded to Foday David Kamara (Rwanda), a student of Global Challenges at the African Leadership University, specialising in Sustainability, Enterprise, and Environment. His initiative Ecovironment: Transforming Plastic Waste into Sustainable Construction Materials offers an innovative solution to the global plastic waste crisis by turning waste into affordable, durable building materials. We commend Foday for his strong contribution to sustainable construction and circular economy thinking.

#BeOpenNEWS We are pleased to announce the First Prize winner of the international competition Designing Future 2050, organised by BE OPEN Foundation to support young visionaries addressing sustainability challenges. The First Prize and €5,000 grant have been awarded to Ajisafe Damilola Ifeoluwa (Nigeria), a Medicine and Surgery student at the University of Ilorin, actively engaged in youth advocacy, climate action, and health education. Her initiative Redefining Global Healthcare: Adjusting the SDGs for Scalable Practical Impact proposes a new approach to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals in ways that are locally relevant and practically scalable. We congratulate Damilola for her thoughtful and impactful work in reimagining healthcare for a sustainable future!

#BeOpenNEWS We are pleased to announce the Public Vote winner of the international competition Designing Future 2050, organised by BE OPEN Foundation to support young visionaries addressing sustainability challenges. The Public Vote Prize and €2,000 grant have been awarded to Komborero Victor Kangai and Tinotenda Chrispen Makoni (Zimbabwe), students of Physics, Maths, and Computer Science at the High Achievers Coach International Academy. Their initiative CALMs – Computer Aided Learning Management Suite aims to enhance access to education through a digital learning platform tailored to local needs. We congratulate Komborero and Tinotenda for their commitment to improving education through technology and innovation.

#BeOpenNEWS We are pleased to announce the Public Vote winner of the international competition Designing Future 2050, organised by BE OPEN Foundation to support young visionaries addressing sustainability challenges. The Public Vote Prize and €2,000 grant have been awarded to Komborero Victor Kangai and Tinotenda Chrispen Makoni (Zimbabwe), students of Physics, Maths, and Computer Science at the High Achievers Coach International Academy. Their initiative CALMs – Computer Aided Learning Management Suite aims to enhance access to education through a digital learning platform tailored to local needs. We congratulate Komborero and Tinotenda for their commitment to improving education through technology and innovation.

#BeOpenNEWS We are pleased to announce one of the Second Prize winners of the international competition Designing Future 2050, organised by BE OPEN Foundation to support young visionaries addressing sustainability challenges. The Second Prize and €2,500 grant have been awarded to Foday David Kamara (Rwanda), a student of Global Challenges at the African Leadership University, specialising in Sustainability, Enterprise, and Environment. His initiative Ecovironment: Transforming Plastic Waste into Sustainable Construction Materials offers an innovative solution to the global plastic waste crisis by turning waste into affordable, durable building materials. We commend Foday for his strong contribution to sustainable construction and circular economy thinking.

#BeOpenART #BeOpenNEWS Tania Calvo, a rising visual artist from Vanuatu, has been selected as BE OPEN Art’s Regional Artist of the Month for May in the Oceania stage of the 2025 competition. Deeply inspired by her multicultural heritage and Vanuatu’s vibrant artistic traditions, Tania’s work is a celebration of identity, self-expression, and cultural continuity. The BE OPEN Regional Art competition is open to emerging creatives from Oceania—which includes Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and the Pacific Island nations. Each month, one artist is selected from submissions from the region. Tania joins April’s winner, Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho of Aotearoa (New Zealand), and is now in the running to be named Regional Artist for Oceania. The title comes with a €3,000 prize, and the final selection will be announced in July, as BE OPEN continues its mission to empower the next generation of artists through visibility, opportunity, and cross-cultural dialogue.

BE OPEN Art is pleased to announce Wen Tong as its Artist of the Month for May 2025, as chosen by art lovers around the world from among those featured in our online gallery. Born in Jinan, China in 1998, Wen Tong immigrated to Canada at the age of two and now works from her studio in Oakville, Ontario. A graduate of the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and Computer Science, she also studied studio art—focusing on painting and printmaking—at Sheridan College.Wen's work aspires to counteract suffering through beauty and sensory engagement, offering viewers transcendent experiences. By creating pieces that serve as sacred relics, she shares profound stories of both joy and tribulation. At the end of 2025, the BE OPEN Art Community will select the Artist of the Year from the monthly winners. The recipient will be awarded a €1,000 prize and a dedicated promotional campaign to help elevate their artistic career. #BeOpenNEWS #BeOpenART