For those who need a refresher course, here’s how the numbers break down: The 328 Hommage tips the scales at just over 1,700 pounds thanks to the use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics. Pushing that scant poundage around is BMW’s venerated inline six, backed up by a mystery transmission.

Designer: Thanva Tivawong

Originally conceptualized by Romanian architect Stefan Dorin, the tower will be the tallest building in Taichung, Taiwan. At its base, the tower will include a museum, restaurant, offices and a conference center, while the pods—filled with helium and powered by propellers—will glide up and down the tower, tethered to tracks, carrying 50 to 80 people that will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the island and the sea. Like a Ferris wheel from space, in vertical format.

According to the designers, the floating observatories are inspired by video games. To me, the whole thing seems to belong inside EVE Online. The design will be the base for the real project, which is scheduled to begin in 2012.

@ mori art museum, roppongi hills, tokyo

tokujin yoshioka‘s project ‘snow’ is a dynamic 15-meter-wide installation.
it consists of a scene depicting hundreds of kilograms of light feathers blowing all over
and falling down slowly is meant to remind us of the snow scape of our memories
and the beauty of nature which often exceeds our imagination. visitors to the exhibition
experience the feeling of looking at or walking through a snowstorm.

The world’s tallest tent at 490 feet (150 meters). They are building it in the capital of Kazakhstan, and it will include a leisure park, shops, restaurants and an artificial beach.

Nerocarbonio collection by Alberto Del Biondi is a unique combination of great creativity and innovation. It features a toilet and a bidet made completely out of carbon fiber.

Renshui has designed a futuristic faucet that uses an integrated chipset to control water temperature and a touch-based interface to control water flow.

As near as we can tell, the single biggest issue with the average run-of-the-mill yacht is the distinct lack of storage. No, not so much storage for your clothing or personal goods… we’re talking about a garage for that favorite supercar of yours, of course. Strand Craft has taken the issue to heart with its latest design, the 122 Super Yacht.

STRAND CRAFT is preparing to launch the extravagant 122 , a high performance streamlined 38 metre Open super yacht, with an amazing Art Deco interior that can be greatly personalized. Interior includes four double and very large staterooms, heads, reception and salon areas and of course comfortable crew cabins. There are 52″ LED TV´s and Bang Olufson sounds systems in all rooms.

The most stunning feature on this yacht is a special handcrafted supercar (Tender) powered by a 880hp twin turbo V12 engine with topspeed 375kmh can be housed in as a tender in the stern garage.

With a total of over 14.000 horsepower this amazing yacht brakes speeds over 50 knots.

As a concept, it’s full of features like self-repairing panels and a pushbutton that changes the exterior color, but we have to admit we’re digging those electroluminescent, spoked wheels.

Designed specifically for healthcare applications, the “Rada Acu” is the world’s first digital mixing valve that uses the latest T-logic digital intelligence technology to make your hand wash more hygienic and easy. Allowing you to activate functions such as Duty Flushing and Thermal Disinfection with a secure magnetic programming key, the digital mixing valve doesn’t even require the adjustment of water flow and temperature. Switching to three different modes, Clinical, Surgical and Patient, activated via a sprout sensor in the spout, the valve also displays feedback on a non touch-screen LCD display in all modes. First of its kind, the fully programmable accessory ensures complete safety with digital controls. Featuring a red and a blue sensor to increase and decrease the temperature respectively, which operate within a range of 60mm while programming, the Rada Acu presents a smooth surface that is not only good to look at but also easy to clean.

Of all the things that are usually covered here on BornRich, it’s the kitchens that loom so large in the future. We have had a glimpse of what our kitchens will hold in the future, but there’s an important aspect that has been added to our kitchen concepts – Text Message. FTK has integrated mobile technology into various kitchen appliances to make them work remotely through your cellphones. The user can defrost refrigerator or put dishes away in the oven if alerted by SMS.

Eco Factor: Self-sustaining tower designed for Olympic Games 2016.

RAFAA Architecture & Design has proposed a self-sustaining tower for the 2016 Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro. Dubbed Solar City Tower, the architecture will help Rio start a global green movement for sustainable development of urban structures.

The project features a solar power plant that by day produces energy for the city and the Olympic village. Excessive solar energy produced during the day will be used to pump seawater into a tower. After the sun sets, this water will be released and energy will be generated with the help of turbines.

During night the renewable energy produced by the tower can be used for lighting systems on the towers or to power the city. On special occasions, this tower can also turn into a spectacular urban waterfall, symbolizing the forces of nature.

The tower’s entrance area and the amphitheater can serve as a place for social gatherings and events. The cafeteria and other shops will be situated beneath the waterfall and offer a breathtaking view. The urban balcony, which is situated at the top of the 105m-tall tower, will provide visitors with a 360-degree view of the landscape.

Last year Melbourne’s iconic Southern Star Observation Wheel found a sad turn when it had to be shut down due to cracks and buckling caused by the intense summer heat. The $100 million wheel has since been decommissioned, but that hasn’t stopped designers from thinking about what to do next with the landmark. So why reinvent the wheel you ask? Because it could be transformed into an energy-generating windmill outfitted with solar sails!

Buro North, together with photographer Peter Bennetts and Fooch from Squint Opera, came up with a mind-bending way to re-adapt the wheel. They’ve transformed the simple observation deck into a futuristic windmill powered by solar-sail energy, complete with numerous, well-landscaped hubs for a new fleet of flying steam-powered trams. The base also features quite the garden, bringing nature back to the people with free roaming super flamingoes convening near street performers.

While this fantastical endeavor probably won’t be feasible anytime soon – we imagine flying trams are still some years away – the concept itself brings up key issues such as how to efficiently adapt, and re-function outdated infrastructure.

+ Buro North

The carbon fiber bodywork of the Concept Coupe is a modern aerodynamic interpretation of the aluminum-bodied Touring Coupe, and wraps around the capable chassis and drivetrain of the BMW Z4 M Coupe.

The  Mille Miglia Concept Coupe is a pure styling exercise – BMW has no plans for a production version.

The BMW press release follows the jump, with lots of pictures of this unique car.

Built for the five years before WWII, BMW’s sleek 328 roadster is coveted for both its beauty and rarity. Fewer than five hundred were made, and the car featured an advanced tube frame chassis, independent front suspension and a 2.0-liter inline-6 producing 80 horsepower. That might not sound like much, but the 328 weighed just 1830 pounds and could top 100 mph.

The car you see here is a one-off 328 roadster built specifically to race in the 1940 Mille Miglia. In an effort to improve the car’s performance, BMW designer Wilhelm Mayrhofer created an especially lightweight and aerodynamic body welded to the tube frame, allowing the engine and drivetrain to sit lower for a better center of gravity. Its design influence can be felt even today, specifically with the 2006 BMW Mille Miglia Concept Coupe.

Seized by the Russians after WWII, the 328 Mille Miglia Büegelfalte spent several years in Eastern Europe, although it was in BMW’s care for many years as well. The current owner purchased the car in 2001, and is now offering it for sale at RM’s Monaco auction on May 1. Hit the jump for more details on the car or browse through the beautiful high-res gallery below.

The PK Lounge chair by Cristian Wicha is a clear indication of the designer’s roots as a sculptor. The chair’s curves come as no surprise given Wicha designs surfboards as well.

This green Ekokook kitchen by Faltazi design is one of the most well-researched culinary concepts we have seen. Ekokook proposes that in the future, the general public will strive to become self-sufficient in their homes, and they will do so through conservation and reuse. Eco enthusiasts will drool over the abundance of green features and efficient functionality, and the hearts of design aficionados will beat a bit faster when they see the clean lines, polished renderings, and ultra-cool process video.

The Ekokook kitchen is complex and addresses many needs beyond cooking, such as the short-term storage of fresh vegetables, water conservation, container gardening, sorting waste, recycling, and composting. They have even made it simple to break down waste storage into categories of solid, organic, and liquid. There are also accommodations for energy-saving appliances, such as a twin-tier dishwasher, steam oven, and compartmentalized refrigerator.

The Home Core concept integrates the toilet bowl, sink, mirror and a vanity table into one. However, this is not the central theme for this all-in-one-loo. There is a water storage tank right below the sink, where you can choose to store the currently used water or allow it to drain off. (The stored water is meant for flushing the pot) Also, the water pressure from the tap can be moderated to four different levels, giving you the satisfaction of conserving some resource.

Designer: Dang Jingwei

Via Yanko Design

Businessweek reports that Apple and Microsoft are currently in negotiations to replace Google as the default search engine on the iPhone with Microsoft’s Bing.com. The talks have reportedly been underway for weeks.

Businessweek cites the increasing rivalry between Google and Apple as one of the reasons behind the discussions.

“Apple and Google know the other is their primary enemy,” says one of the people, who’s familiar with Apple’s thinking. “Microsoft is now a pawn in that battle.”

If the negotiations are successful, it could also mean that Bing could eventually replace Google as the default search engine for Apple’s desktop version of Safari as well.

With Google’s entry into the mobile phone business as well as Apple’s recent acquisition of a mobile ad company, the two businesses have encroached on each other’s territories. Apple has even been said to be working on distancing itself from Google’s Maps data in the iPhone.

Even if Apple and Microsoft do come to an agreement, Businessweek notes that this may just be a time buying move on Apple’s part who is reportedly working on their own “skunk works” search technology.

To create the chart, Velo gently scraped Wikipedia’s list of Crayola colors, corrected a few hues, and added the standard 16-count School Crayon box available in 1935.

Except for the dayglow-ski-jacket-inspired burst of neon magentas at the end of the ’80s, the official color set has remained remarkably faithful to its roots!

Ever industrious, Velo also calculated the average growth rate: 2.56% annually.  For maximum understandability, he reformulated it as “Crayola’s Law,” which states:

The number of colors doubles every 28 years!

If the Law holds true, Crayola’s gonna need a bigger box, because by the year 2050, there’ll be 330 different crayons!  Shortly thereafter, frazzled packaging designers rejoice, for to the rescue comes a revolution in household appliances: the new-fangled Replicator-Dissociator!  Load it with the Crayola plugin, and you’re seconds away from every shade in the rainbow – no boxes required!

THE GUNMETAL COMPASS
GUN METAL STEEL DUAL TIME ZONE CHRONOGRAPH 

CASE:
Stainless Steel
55.5mm x 42mm x 13mm
5 ATM

BAND:
38MM Genuine black leather with standard buckle

PRICE:

US$250

Designed by Fabrice Gonet, the Black Pearl is a limited run timepiece that includes a number of subtle pirate-themed additions, including the prerequisite skull and bones (etched in glass on the back), a tiny cannon, and some nautical navigation touches. Then there’s the fact that it costs as much as some pirate’s treasure…

There were only eleven made, each with the aforementioned $400,000 asking price.

Robert Chen, an analyst at Goldman Sachs, told Bloomberg that the next iPhone will launch in June (obvious to anyone in this world), but will also be remarkably different to what we’ve seen before.

“Apple’s going to put a lot of innovation, not just on the hardware, but also on the software of the new iPhone”

The “new plastic casing” will be touch-sensitive, much like Apple’s Magic Mouse, and according to Chen it will also have a 5.0-megapixel camera. The camera will undoubtedly be upgraded in the next iPhone model, so that’s not a far reach for Chen to make, but this new touch-sensitive casing sounds intriguing.

Egyptian naval architecture and design studio Pharos Marine has unveiled plans for a sleek new 60 metre eco-friendly superyacht dubbed the Orcageno, driven by an innovative hydrogen diesel-electric system that could theoretically deliver an incredible-sounding range of up to 13,000 nautical miles. Hydrogen fuel contains three times the energy of diesel fuel and produces no carbon monoxide or dioxide in the exhaust. The yacht is based around an advanced slender hull form with an axe bow, offering lower resistance due to low angle of entrance, inspired by Orca the killer whale and the gentler sperm whale (don’t ask us).

The interior features are just as stunning, with a spa and health centre positioned within the curved glass superstructure. A sun deck with Jacuzzi is surrounded by a leather-covered lounging area. The dining room is positioned forward with a fabulous view of the dual-level swimming pool and its hydraulically-operated glass sunroof. There are accommodations for 12 guests and 14 crew in total with the owner’s quarters being of course the most luxurious. The 13,000 nautical mile range is based on a cruising speed of 10 knots, while at the maximum speed of 18 knots the figure drops to a still impressive 7,100 NM.

The new line by Santambrogiomilano is called Simplicity. It is a collaboration between founder Carlo Santambrogio and designer Ennio Arosio featuring a series of iconic furniture pieces, beds, sofas and bookcases, along with architectural elements such as staircases and kitchens. They are all fashioned from ‘extraclear’ glass.

The release of this line coincides with the launch of their new showroom in the UK. They are currently seeking a permanent location for this incredible concept home.

There’s no doubt you’ve heard of chromotherapy bathtubs. Well, the shower people out there will really appreciate these new LED light shower heads by Visentin. Specializing in health and wellbeing, the Italian bathroom design company created these luxury shower heads to bathe you in a rainbow of therapeutic colored LED light. Hot hues include rejuvenating orange, renewing white, relaxing blue, healing pink or refreshing green, each with its own therapeutic qualities to transform your shower into a daily home-spa experience. Apart from the chromotherapy, it’s definitely handy to have a light in your shower enclosure. These round shower heads have a diameter of 430mm (17″) and are conveniently ceiling-mounted for a clean, modern look in your bathroom. You’ll wonder how you ever did without one! Learn more at Visentin.

安室奈美恵 – “PAST < FUTURE” first week on Oricon chart.

Position: #1
Total Sales: 330,742

If you want a little extra eye-candy in your Windows management, T3Desk is an alt-tab alternative that gives you 3D windows arrangement and more.

T3Desk works on all versions of Windows but it really shines in Vista and above where it can take advantage of Aero. After installing T3Desk you can use keyboard shortcuts to minimize and maximize windows to the edges of your monitor, arranging them in a pseudo-3D fashion. T3Desk can be tweaked in a variety of ways including how the windows are angled, animated, their level of transparency, the apparent distance from the viewer, and how they transition from the virtual desktop back into use.

You can drag windows and dock them to the four sides of the monitor, use Aero Peek to see which windows are on the virtual desktop, and set an always include/exclude list for applications to easily exclude applications from the effects of T3Desk.

Some caveats about T3Desk: the biggest issue is that it won’t work with multiple monitors. All 3D windows are pushed onto the primary monitor. Another minor issue is the inability to customize the application’s hot keys. Those complaints aside, it works as promised and provides an novel way to arrange and view open applications.

T3Desk is free and Windows only. Have a favorite application for tweaking the appearance of Windows and managing your applications? Let’s hear about it in the comments.

T3Desk [via Download Squad]

Designed by Julien Anglade, a design student at Strate College, who came up with a cruise ship concept that changes shape depending on navigation, stationary or at anchor offshore, the sides of its hull open at water on almost all its length, creating huge space to be enjoyed while cruising. Measuring 150 meters in length, the IKKAR includes a streamlined hull, adding to its energy-efficient design along with its rigid photovoltaic cells that can harness solar energy to sail in positive wind conditions.

The latest object to shoot high-def video from the edge of space is…an arm chair. To promote its REGZA SV LCD TVs (LED backlight, local dimming), Toshiba trekked into the Black Rock Desert with a helium balloon. Watch the result:

This is the first part of the ad. The second half for their Satellite T Series ULV laptops will come out next year.

Toshiba UK

Leica has introduced a “very special limited edition” version of its classic 35mm rangefinder system camera the M7 with the launch of the new Leica M7 Edition “Hermes”.

The second Hermes partnership that Leica has entered into, the special M7 comes in silver chrome with a choice of two calfskin leather finishes – orange and “etoupe”.

Just 100 of each colour will be made available, and each individual camera will have a special sequential serial number between 001/200 and 200/200.

The Leica M7 Edition “Hermes” set includes a Leica SUMMILUX-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH. wide-angle lens, a matching classic round lens hood, a LEICAVIT M rapid winder and a real leather carrying strap matched to the colour of the camera, all delivered in a linen-covered, silk-lined box.

Looks-wise there’s a few changes from the standard M7. The top plate is engraved with the Leica name in classic script, the red Leica logo has been nixed to stop a colour clash and the normally red “AUTO” and settings on the shutter speed dial have been replaced by the shade of the camera’s leather.

The Lecia M7 Edition “Hermes” will be available in the UK from December from authorised Leica dealers and the Leica Store Mayfair for an eye-watering £8550

It can be yours from Hermés Paris for just $560,000. *speechless…

Technical characteristics

Functions
Hours, minutes

Movement
Mechanical, hand-wound
Exclusive Calibre H1951
60 mm in diameter
6.7 mm thick
18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz)
200-hour power reserve, five series-coupled barrels
231 parts including 25 jewels
Hand-bevelled bridges and mechanisms
Bridges adorned with circular “côtes”, rhodium- and black gold-plated

Glass
Two half-spheres in BK 7 magnifying-effect optical crystal

Dial
In 750 white gold shaped to form a spiral
Openworked hands
Hand-engraved numerals

Clock
Exterior parts in 750 white gold
88 mm in diameter
Total weight: 1063 grams

Cocoon is located on a beautiful hillside, which enjoys excellent lake and mountain views. The location’s distinctive flair stems from the exceptional park-like setting; a green oasis into which Cocoon as a freestanding sculptural volume snugly nestles. The stainless steel mesh enveloping the building combines visual privacy with restrained elegance, while establishing a strong and unmistakable presence and adds a note of subtlety and sophistication to the overall composition.

The bold stand-alone building embodies an innovative conception of interior spatial organisation and interaction with the surrounding environment. With its spiral massing, Cocoon may be conceived as a sort of ‘communication landscape’. The space-planning concept dispenses with the traditional division into horizontal storeys. By eliminating the usual barriers to communication, this generates a unique spatial experience and working environment that unlocks a host of intriguing possibilities for interaction and co-operation.

A light-flooded, upwardly widening atrium forms the centrepiece of Cocoon. Around this, the circulation and communication ramp winds its way upwards in gently curving contours, to provide a fluid link between all the internal spaces. Internally, as the ellipses expand with each turn of the spiral, the skylight void opens up in a stunning spectacle.

Google’s philosophy that work and play are not mutually exclusive is definitely shown off in form of game rooms and themed.

the klein bottle house by mcbride charles ryan, have won the award for world’s best home
at this year’s world architecture festival awards. located in australia’s mornington peninsula,
the holiday home features a living room perched on a canopy of trees, and celebrates
the country’s traditional beach houses, while still functioning as a practical and useful
home.

Assuming that we’ll have electrified highways by the year 2030, Nissan has popped up an on-grid vehicle dubbed “V2G” (Vehicle–to-Grid) that will offer safe, sustainable as well as brisk commutation. The compliant vehicle is not only safe and swift, but it also features dynamic styling and quality production at a very low price. One can’t ask for more than that. The electric vehicle allowing endless opportunities for modification can also be transformed from a low-cost to a luxury vehicle for the rich and trendy.

The Frame Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
With the walls constructed of dark, solar protected glass, the abundant plant life of this Villamoda Galleries design is clearly visible at the right angles and the neatly kept vertical gardens appear as if they’re part of the hotel’s very structure and are a stunning blend of nature and architecture.

The main unit is the subwoofer and the control station. The smaller units are speakers and connect to the controller through bluetooth technology, they work as single cheek units and can be connected to store as one small butt. To activate the unit, one must tap the unit.

Tap the main unit to turn the speakers on. Once tapped, the unit shows that it’s received the command with a small red light (kind of like what happens when a cheek is smacked). This light goes away after three seconds. Rubbing the unit on either cheek in a circular motion turns the sound up (rotating right), and turns the sound down (rotating left.)

Designers: Younes Daneshvar and Javad Yazdani
Rendered by: Mohsen Tafazzoli

The innovative collection also includes Nobo fireplace radiator, inspired by 19th century Victorian fireplaces, with a modern twist for those who are traditional at heart. This Victorian fireplace version is priced at $2,150.

Showcased at Dutch Design Week 2009, the “ID Mouse” from the house of Intelligent-design is a Bluetooth mouse for all who demand perfection at their fingertips. Finished in hand-formed grade 1 titanium and high-quality plastic (resin), the wireless mouse integrates a 3-button neodymium scroll wheel for smooth and brisk scrolling on the web. Compatible with Window XP/Vista/7 and Mac OS X, the sleek mouse runs on two AAA batteries and allows laser tracking. Ideal for both left and right handed users, the ID Mouse can be obtained in white and black color for about $1,200.

The OLED lamp even senses when it’s light or dark out, and if it’s light, stores the energy produced by rocking in a battery pack until nightfall. The chair, designed by Rochus Jacob, rightfully shared first prize at the DesignBoom Green Life Competition, which you can read more about here.