BMW 328 Hommage

Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este, BMW unleashed its lovely 328 Hommage on the world as a tribute to its legendary 1936 328, the car that still holds the fastest average speed ever achieved at theMille Miglia. This week, they’ve pumped out a video of the car in motion, disguised as a behind-the-scenes look at its California photo shoot. As you might expect, the video just serves confirm our earlier conclusion: this car has some beautiful details.

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.

New traffic lights

Make this the fourth dimension using the sand-hour-glass as its model. LED lights trickle down to make an obvious statement, regarding the time left for the lights to change. Easy and intuitive.

Designer: Thanva Tivawong

 

Taiwan Tower

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

Carbon fiber toilet

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.

High Tech Faucet

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

Super yacht with garage

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.

Audi A9 concept

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.

Monami Hard Drive

Monami. A hard drive with a leather element that changes shape depending on the data stored inside. It’s only a concept.

World’s first digital mixing valve for your home

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.

Send an SMS to the future kitchen

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.

Concept lounge chair

The Sensation Urban lounger, by designer Alexander Christoff.

Behance

Defunct Ferris Wheel Envisioned as Giant Energy-Generating Windmill

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

Cristian Wicha’s surf chair

Cristian Wicha designs both furniture and surfboards.

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.

Eco Kitchen of the Future

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.

Future toilet

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

Diesel’s DZ1318 Gunmetal Compass Watch

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

HD3 Complication Bi-Axial Black Pearl Watch

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.

Hydrogen-Powered Yacht

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.

Glass Concept Home by Santambrogiomilano

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.

LED Shower Bathes

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.

Hermès × Tokujin Yoshioka make digital retail magic

IKKAR hybrid yacht

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.

Boule Crystal Spiral Clock is an Orb of Extravagance

The line of boule clocks is inspired by a clock exhibited in the Hermès Museum located above the boutique at 24, Rue du faubourg Saint-Honoré, in Paris. Hung from a stirrup, this clock sits enthroned on the former desk of Emile-Maurice Hermès (1871-1951), who patiently built up an exceptional collection of objects relating to the equestrian world.

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

Camenzind Evolution’s office building in Swiss

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.

8-bit Wedding Invitation