Casio’s G-SHOCK lineup has never been one to shy away from bold ideas, and the G5600BG-5 adds an eco-friendly twist to the brand’s signature toughness. Watch enthusiasts and green-minded shoppers are always looking for that perfect blend of style and substance. With this model, you’re not just getting the durability G-SHOCK is famous for but also a little piece of Casio’s sustainability story right on your wrist.

At the heart of the G5600BG-5 is an innovative use of factory waste resin that would usually get tossed aside. Casio collects the leftover resin scraps from making other G-SHOCK components, powders them, and then mixes them into a warm beige base. You’ll spot unique flecks of white and olive green throughout the band and bezel, so every single watch ends up with its own subtle pattern and color blend.

Designer: Casio

That means no two G5600BG-5 watches are exactly alike, giving each one an individual character. It’s not just marketing hype: these variations come directly from recycled resin sourced from Casio’s own factory waste, so your watch will have a truly one-of-a-kind design. If you’re someone who likes a little surprise or a personal touch in your accessories, this detail is bound to catch your eye.

On the style front, the G5600BG-5 stands out by keeping things understated but fresh. The beige body, accented with those olive and white speckles, gives off an effortlessly versatile vibe. Whether you’re heading out on a weekend hike or just need a reliable daily driver, the look fits right in. It’s a great pick for anyone who likes their gear to hint at adventure without shouting about it.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a proper G-SHOCK without the technical chops to back up the unique appearance. The G5600BG-5 boasts the famous shock resistance that’s kept this brand ticking for decades, along with 20 bar water resistance for peace of mind during swims or sudden downpours. The display is designed to be easy to read even in low light, with a backlight that’s just a button press away.

Where this model truly flexes its green credentials is with the G5600 Tough Solar system. The watch charges up from even modest indoor lighting, virtually eliminating the hassle of battery replacements and making it a friend to the forgetful among us. The fact that both the band and bezel are made from recycled resin scraps is the cherry on top for anyone keen on reducing their environmental impact.

This isn’t Casio’s first foray into recycled resin watches, but the new colorway with a beige base and olive green flecks is a refreshing take on last year’s model. For longtime G-SHOCK collectors and newcomers alike, the G5600BG-5 is a standout: practical, unique, and packing just a little bit of history in every piece.

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EcoTech Lab, under the leadership of architect Logman Arja, has unveiled ClayPonic V1—a forward-thinking, sustainable urban farming system that challenges conventional approaches to food production. Developed in response to pressing global issues such as climate change, soil degradation, and water scarcity, ClayPonic V1 harnesses the potential of a 3D-printed hydroponics system made from clay. Its vertical, modular design maximizes space efficiency, making it well-suited for dense urban environments where land is limited.

Designer: EcoTech Lab

ClayPonic V1 merges traditional ceramics with advanced 3D printing technology, offering a unique solution that promotes food self-sufficiency and also enriches the sensory experience of urban agriculture. The system is designed to be immersive, engaging users through touch, sight, and even scent, as plants grow in a visually striking vertical arrangement.

In addition to its environmental benefits, ClayPonic V1 aims to transform urban farming into a therapeutic and educational activity, encouraging communities to reconnect with nature and understand the value of sustainable food production. Through this innovative approach, EcoTech Lab envisions a future where cities are greener, healthier, and more resilient.

EcoTech Lab’s innovative system is developed as part of its commitment to environmental design advocacy and is purposefully crafted to foster a deeper connection between people and nature by engaging all five senses. Visitors are invited to visually appreciate the flowing, organic shapes of the ceramic structures, which are both functional and artistic elements within the urban landscape. The tactile experience is also important—users can run their hands over the textured surfaces as they plant seeds or harvest crops, gaining a direct, physical connection to their food’s growth process.

As they move through the space, the air is filled with the natural aromas of fresh herbs and blooming flowers, creating an immersive olfactory experience. The gentle sound of water trickling through the hydroponic system adds another sensory layer, providing a soothing auditory backdrop that enhances relaxation and mindfulness. Finally, the result and reward is getting to taste the freshly harvested produce, offering a literal and figurative fruition of the multisensory journey. In this way, EcoTech Lab’s design transforms urban farming into a holistic, engaging, and restorative practice that reconnects individuals with the rhythms of the natural world.

Logman Arja’s ClayPonic V1 goes beyond food production, functioning as both a learning environment and a catalyst for conversations about the future of agriculture. The system demonstrates how advanced farming techniques, such as 3D-printed clay hydroponics, can positively influence urban spaces and foster community resilience.

By incorporating a vertical, space-efficient design, ClayPonic V1 showcases the potential to integrate fresh food cultivation into dense city environments, making nutritious produce more accessible to urban populations. Through hands-on engagement and educational opportunities, it encourages communities to rethink food systems and actively participate in shaping a more sustainable and self-sufficient future.

The post ClayPonic V1 Is A 3D-Printed Clay Hydroponics System Revolutionizing Urban Farming first appeared on Yanko Design.

There are all sorts of technology-centric solutions available today that try to make you productive or at least keep you sane, but the staying power of pen and paper can’t be underestimated. It’s not just your typical gel or fountain pen and Moleskine or Leuchtturm notebook, either. Even the venerable Sticky Note, probably best known under the commercial name “Post-Its,” remains a staple in such systems, which probably explains the wall of colorful squares littering some people’s office cubicles and desks.

Of course, that’s not to say that there’s no advantage to going digital, especially in this day and age of the Internet, smartphones, and AI. Trying to bridge the gap between analog and digital, Rocketbook introduced its own spin on sticky notes to offer an experience that revolves around reuse, helping to save the planet in its own small way.

Designer: Rocketbook

The design of the sticky note is genius in its simplicity. Despite its small writing area, it offers more flexibility because of the simple fact that you can easily rearrange the squares in ways that make sense to you or your team. Its small size is also a key strength because you can stick it in places where even an A5 or B5 sheet of paper would be obtrusive and look awkward. Thanks to its adhesive surface, you don’t have to rely on magnets or clips either; simply stick them anywhere they’re needed.

Of course, that also means they’re even more wasteful in the long run, given how they’re used and just thrown away. Worse, people tend to hoard pads of sticky notes “just in case,” only to throw them all away because they’ve lost their stickiness. The Rocketbook Sticky Notes solves both problems using solutions that, in truth, have been around for quite a while now, especially thanks to the brand popularizing the whiteboard-like paper experience.

Just like its reusable notebooks, Rocketbook’s Sticky Notes employ a special type of paper as well as Pilot’s erasable FriXion pens, but rather than rubbing out the ink, you use water and a piece of cloth to wipe away the marks. This makes these sticky notes practically immortal since you can reuse them over and over again, or at least until Pilot discontinues this pen line.

It’s not the only reusable sticky note in the market, but what makes Rocketbook’s design a bit more approachable is the paper-like feel and pliability of the material. It’s not some hard, rigid square that reminds you more of whiteboard rather than paper, so each note is as thin and as flexible as the real thing. It also employs a special adhesive strip, just like regular sticky notes, except this one is also reusable: simply rinse off the area to make it sticky again.

The Rocketbook mobile app acts as the bridge between the physical and digital realms. Going beyond simply taking a photo of the notes, it has the ability to automatically send those images as well as transcribed notes to your cloud storage of choice. It practically archives all those transient thoughts so you will never really lose them, giving you the peace of mind and confidence to explore and play around with ideas and keep on top of things without creating unnecessary waste.

The post Rocketbook reusable sticky notes put a sustainable spin on a productivity classic first appeared on Yanko Design.

Remember those charming kerosene lamps that cast a warm, flickering glow during power outages or camping trips? There was something magical about their gentle illumination, despite the smoke and fire hazards they posed. The IGGY portable mood light captures that nostalgic charm while bringing it firmly into the present day, combining the classic silhouette of traditional storm lamps with modern, sustainable technology that makes it perfect for today’s lifestyle.

What makes IGGY special is how thoughtfully it honors its heritage while eliminating all the drawbacks of its predecessors. The familiar lamp shape immediately evokes feelings of warmth and comfort, but instead of a potentially dangerous fuel tank, you’ll find a sleek solar panel that harnesses free energy from the sun. The lightweight yet sturdy construction maintains the rugged dependability of old-time storm lamps without the weight, mess, or environmental concerns of kerosene.

Designers: Ferenc Laufer and András Húnfalvi (Flying Objects), video by Lilla Hajnal (Brick Visual)

Taking IGGY from the patio to the dining table or bedside couldn’t be easier. Its versatile design makes it at home in virtually any setting, whether you’re creating the ambiance for an outdoor dinner party or need a gentle reading light that won’t disturb your partner. The lamp’s portability means you can bring that cozy glow exactly where you need it, transforming ordinary spaces into intimate environments with just the right amount of illumination.

I particularly love the thoughtful details that make IGGY both beautiful and functional. The knurled dimming knob gives you precise control over brightness, allowing you to adjust the mood from a soft whisper of light to a more practical glow. This tactile control feels satisfyingly substantial under your fingers, a small but significant touch that connects you physically to the lamp in a way that touchscreens never could.

The clever tiltable base adds another dimension of versatility to this already flexible light source. Position it upright on a table, tilt it to direct light toward a specific area, or even mount it on a wall when you need both hands free. This adaptability makes IGGY perfect for everything from reading nooks to outdoor gatherings, and workshop tasks to romantic dinners, it’s ready to serve however you need it.

Environmental consciousness is woven into every aspect of IGGY’s design. Beyond its solar-powered operation (with battery charging as a backup option), the lamp’s construction prioritizes sustainability through its minimal parts count and complete recyclability. When the product eventually reaches the end of its life cycle, it can be fully disassembled and recycled—a refreshing departure from the disposable mentality that dominates so many consumer products today.

IGGY proves that we don’t need to abandon the comforting aesthetics of traditional designs to embrace modern, eco-friendly technology. By reimagining the classic kerosene lamp for today’s needs, it delivers both the emotional warmth of nostalgic design and the practical benefits of contemporary innovation, all while treading lightly on our planet.

The post Eco-Friendly Portable Light Combines Solar Power with Nostalgic Kerosene Lamp Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

Have you ever walked into a space and felt immediately at ease, without quite knowing why? The subtle interplay of light and acoustics shapes our experience of interiors in ways we often perceive subconsciously. Abstracta’s Vika Wall-Mounted Acoustic Lighting, created in collaboration with renowned designer Khodi Feiz, masterfully addresses both elements with a single elegant solution that transforms walls into functional art pieces while enhancing the sensory quality of your spaces.

Imagine soft, ambient light emanating from what appears to be a sculptural wing gracefully folded against the wall. This is the essence of Vika—a thoughtful fusion of sound absorption and illumination that creates atmospheric harmony without drawing attention to its technical sophistication. The fully integrated LED lighting remains hidden within the folded panel, casting an indirect glow that bathes surrounding surfaces in warm illumination while the panel itself works quietly to absorb both low and high-frequency sound waves.

Designer: Khodi Feiz x Abstracta

The genius of Vika lies in its versatility across different environments. In expansive lobby walls, the fixtures can be arranged in repeating patterns, creating visual rhythm while taming echoes that typically plague large, open spaces. Office corridors transform from mere passageways into serene transitions between work zones, with each Vika unit contributing to both the visual cadence and acoustic comfort of the journey between destinations.

Meeting rooms benefit particularly from Vika’s dual functionality. The sound-absorbing properties minimize distracting background noise and improve speech clarity during presentations and discussions, while the gentle, indirect lighting creates a focused yet relaxed atmosphere conducive to productive collaboration. The psychological impact of combining proper acoustics with thoughtful lighting cannot be overstated as it can fundamentally change how people interact within the space.

Restaurants and hotels find Vika equally valuable for creating intimate dining and hospitality experiences. The panels dampen the clatter of dishes and the murmur of conversations that can otherwise create a cacophonous environment, allowing guests to converse comfortably without raising their voices. Meanwhile, the ambient lighting contributes to the establishment’s atmosphere, enhancing the overall sensory experience without competing with feature lighting or architectural elements.

The environmental consciousness behind Vika adds another dimension to its appeal. The sound-absorbing core utilizes recycled PET bottles, transforming plastic waste into functional beauty. Covered in Texfel fabric available in various colors, the panels offer design flexibility. Lighter hues reflect more light for brighter illumination, while darker tones create more subdued, intimate lighting effects. This adaptability allows designers to fine-tune both the acoustic performance and lighting ambiance to suit specific project requirements.

What truly distinguishes Vika is how it transforms necessary technical elements into objects of desire. Rather than treating acoustic panels and lighting as separate utilitarian components to be hidden or minimized, Feiz has created a harmonious form that celebrates their integration. The wing-like shape appears to float against the wall, creating visual interest through its gentle curves while performing its dual function with quiet efficiency. This thoughtful approach to functional aesthetics exemplifies how thoughtful design can solve multiple problems while enhancing the beauty of our built environment.

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Working from home or in an office without proper climate control can be a real challenge, especially during those sweltering summer months. We’ve all experienced the discomfort of trying to focus while feeling like we’re melting into our chairs. Traditional cooling solutions often feel like choosing between energy-guzzling air conditioners or noisy desk fans that blast papers across your workspace and dry out your eyes.

Enter the innovative Cooool Vase concept, a clever desk accessory that reimagines how personal cooling can work in our daily environments. This thoughtful design combines the decorative appeal of a flower vase with the practical functionality of a personal cooling system, addressing the common problem of overheated workspaces without the drawbacks of conventional solutions.

Designers: Rudolph Schelling Webermann, Christian Stapelbroek

The magic happens through a brilliantly simple mechanism that mimics natural cooling processes. A quiet fan at the base pulls warm air into the vase, where it passes through a water reservoir hidden inside the structure. As the air travels through and around the water, it cools naturally before being gently released from the top, creating a pleasant microclimate right where you need it: in your immediate workspace.

What makes this concept particularly clever is the choice of terracotta as the primary material. This natural clay enhances the cooling effect through evaporation, much like ancient cooling techniques used across cultures for centuries. The porous nature of terracotta allows for a subtle, continuous evaporative cooling process that requires minimal energy compared to mechanical alternatives.

You’ll appreciate how this design blends seamlessly into your workspace aesthetic. Unlike the plastic, technical appearance of most desk fans, the Cooool Vase looks like a purposeful decorative element. You can even place fresh flowers or plants in the top section, adding a touch of nature to your desk while enjoying the cooling benefits. This combination of vase and desk fan means one less item cluttering your workspace.

The whisper-quiet operation makes this concept ideal for shared workspaces or video calls. No more apologizing for background noise or turning off your cooling during important meetings. The gentle, natural airflow feels refreshing without creating that uncomfortable direct blast that conventional fans produce. Your documents stay put, your eyes remain comfortable, and your workspace maintains its professional appearance.

The post Desk Vase and Fan Concept Keeps You Cool With A Blend Style and Sustainability first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Sakeb Carpenter’s Pencil is a carefully considered reinterpretation of the traditional carpenter’s pencil, designed with sustainability and cultural heritage at its foundation. Inspired by local craftsmanship and grounded in environmental responsibility, it reflects a deep respect for materials, making processes, and the people behind them.

Visually, the pencil holds onto a raw, dusty appearance that mirrors the environment in which it was conceived. Its texture and finish feel unrefined in an intentional way, aligning with the aesthetics of a workshop rather than a design studio. Interestingly, their matte texture and chunky form give them an almost crayon-like appearance, playful yet practical, inviting users to engage with them in an intuitive and creative way. This authenticity reinforces the pencil’s identity as a working tool rooted in tradition.

Designer: Raghad Saqfalhait and Mariam Dahabreh

Made from recycled sawdust and bio-based binders, the pencil is a direct response to waste generated in woodworking. The sawdust, collected from Palestinian carpentry workshops, is transformed into a usable material that forms the body of the pencil. This approach not only repurposes discarded material but establishes a cyclical process: once the pencil is used, it can be melted and recast—even using its own shavings. This allows the pencil to be continuously reused, extending its lifespan and reducing waste throughout its lifecycle.

The pencil’s form follows its function and context. It is thicker than standard pencils, mirroring the proportions of traditional carpenter’s tools. While this may appear unconventional at first, the thicker body serves a clear purpose. It enables users to make bold marks, shade broad areas, and focus on larger ideas, especially useful during the early phases of ideation or sketching. For carpenters and designers alike, the pencil supports a mindset focused on the overall picture rather than small details.

Each Sakeb Carpenter’s Pencil is handcrafted, a deliberate choice that embraces analog production methods. This process ensures that no two pencils are identical. The uniqueness of each piece reflects the individuality of the makers and the variability of natural materials. It also connects users to a slower, more intentional form of production, contrasting with mass-manufactured tools that often lack a personal touch.

Even the act of sharpening the pencil draws from carpentry. Instead of using a conventional sharpener, users file the pencil using sandpaper. This method complements the nature of the material and reinforces its connection to woodworking practices. It becomes a subtle ritual that ties the pencil to the tools and techniques used by the carpenters whose waste materials helped create it.

Visually, the pencil holds onto a raw, dusty appearance that mirrors the environment in which it was conceived. Its texture and finish feel unrefined in an intentional way, aligning with the aesthetics of a workshop rather than a design studio. This authenticity reinforces the pencil’s identity as a working tool rooted in tradition.

The post This Sustainable Sawdust Pencil Transforms Carpentry Waste Into Pure Creativity first appeared on Yanko Design.

Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), in collaboration with bioSEA, a local ecology and biomimicry design firm, have developed an innovative building material inspired by the remarkable heat-regulating properties of elephant skin. These “fungi tiles,” made from mycelium and organic waste, offer a sustainable and energy-efficient approach to keeping buildings cool, particularly in tropical climates.

Designer: Nanyang Technological University

Elephants, lacking sweat glands, rely on the intricate wrinkles and crevices of their skin to dissipate heat. This unique texture allows them to retain water, which then evaporates to provide a cooling effect. Inspired by this natural design, the research team created tiles with a bumpy, uneven surface using computational modeling and algorithms to optimize the texture for heat regulation. The “fungi tiles” are created by mixing the root network of oyster mushrooms (mycelium) with bamboo shavings, along with oats and water, and then packing this mixture into hexagonal molds featuring the elephant skin-inspired texture. The tiles are then left to grow in the dark for two weeks, followed by another two weeks in the same conditions outside the mold. Finally, they are oven-dried to remove moisture and halt further growth.

Laboratory experiments have demonstrated the effectiveness of these biomimicry-inspired tiles. The cooling rate of the textured mycelium tile was found to be 25% better than a completely flat mycelium tile, while its heating rate was 2% lower. Notably, the cooling effect of the elephant skin-inspired tile improved by a significant 70% in simulated rain conditions. This enhanced cooling in wet conditions is attributed to the hydrophobic nature of the mycelium-bound composite. The “fungal skin” that develops on the tile’s surface repels water, allowing droplets to remain in the crevices rather than immediately rolling off, leading to more effective evaporation and cooling.

Eugene Soh, a researcher at NTU and the study’s first author, explained that the tile’s design effectively slows down heat absorption while also allowing for rapid cooling of the underside. The water-repellent surface further enhances the cooling process by holding water droplets for longer evaporation. This innovative approach to building materials offers several potential benefits. By utilizing mycelium, a renewable resource, and organic waste like bamboo shavings, the “fungi tiles” present a more sustainable alternative to conventional energy-intensive building materials. Furthermore, their passive cooling capabilities could significantly reduce the energy consumption associated with air conditioning, contributing to a greener and more energy-efficient built environment, especially in tropical regions. While still in the early stages of development, these “elephant skin” mycelium tiles hold immense promise for the future of sustainable building design, offering a unique blend of nature-inspired innovation and environmental consciousness.

The post “Elephant Skin” Mycelium Tiles can cool down buildings first appeared on Yanko Design.

Vertical gardening is the method of growing plants within compact spaces, which makes it an ideal solution for smaller living environments. As our homes get smaller, particularly in urban areas with limited outdoor space like apartments with only a balcony, we still crave greenery. One solution to this problem is growing vertical gardens that can thrive in smaller gardens, patios, or even small outdoor spaces, offering a way to grow vegetables, herbs, and other plants in tight spaces. Studies indicate the global vertical garden construction market is valued at USD 1.30 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 3.04 billion by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.90%.

Unlike traditional horizontal gardening, vertical gardens utilize vertical space. Two main types of vertical gardens include green façades, where plants climb specially designed structures from the ground or elevated containers, and living walls, which feature pre-planted panels attached to a vertical surface. By mitigating the urban heat island effect, reducing smog, and fostering healthy habitats for birds and insects, vertical gardens are becoming a popular choice for sustainable urban development. Vertical gardens not only create an intriguing design pattern but also offer numerous additional benefits:

Improves Air Quality

Vertical gardening enhances air quality and provides natural insulation for your home. It also encourages you to grow your own produce. With better exposure to sunlight, plants thrive, and the overall environment benefits. Vertical gardens can lower both indoor and outdoor temperatures, reduce CO2 levels, and increase oxygen levels. They also remove harmful VOCs and pollutants from the air, contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment.

Growing plants above the ground helps reduce the risk of pest infestations and diseases, promoting the growth of healthier plants. Additionally, vertical gardens improve air circulation around plants, reducing the likelihood of fungal diseases and prevent moisture buildup.

Elpo is a smart biofilter that functions as both an indoor garden and an air purifier and is designed to enhance indoor air quality and maintain healthy moisture levels. Created by designers Kārlis Vītols, Lolita Epnere, and Buka Bērziņa, Elpo was inspired by the growing need for better air filtration in collaborative spaces, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic shifted focus to indoor environments. It combines nature and technology to improve the air we breathe.

The biofilter uses plants that absorb airborne toxins and gases and purify the air through their roots. Equipped with smart technology, Elpo features automated lighting, fans, and irrigation to care for the plants. In addition to improving air quality, Elpo serves as a stylish room divider, enhancing office or home spaces. Its modular design allows users to create a custom biofilter system, spanning any room’s width while offering both functionality and a sleek, modern aesthetic.

Maximizes Space

Vertical gardening maximizes limited space as you can grow more plants in a smaller area and by implementing efficient watering systems. Since plants grow upward in a vertical direction, this method fully utilizes the available space and can be successfully incorporated into balconies, blank indoor walls, or other compact areas.

It’s also an effective solution for creating screens that block unsightly views. Another advantage is that it eliminates the need for bending or kneeling, making it easier to access plants and reducing strain, which makes it ideal for those with limited accessibility.

Heatherwick Studio designed the Xi’an Tree, which is a striking vertical park and viewing point in Xi’an, China. Resembling a tree, it features stepped terraces that offer visitors spectacular views. Located in the Xi’an Centre Culture Business District (CCBD), south of the historic city center, the park is nestled between ancient temple ruins and a tower. The 56 terraces host various plant species, reflecting the biodiversity of the Silk Road, with microclimates supporting different ecosystems.

The design of the Xi’an Tree and the district draws inspiration from Xi’an’s Terracotta Army, with over 100,000 ceramic tiles created in collaboration with local craftsmen. The district’s aesthetic incorporates elements of traditional Chinese temple roofs, blending modern architecture with cultural heritage.

Reduces Noise

Plants can absorb sound waves and act as a barrier between the source and the listener, which helps create a quieter and more peaceful environment. This makes them especially useful in noisy neighborhoods. Vertical gardens are also ideal for spaces like home offices or libraries, where lower decibel levels are crucial for maintaining focus and concentration. The best plants for this purpose are small, compact, and low-growing.

In addition to sound absorption, plants also provide natural insulation. They are particularly effective at blocking low-frequency sounds, and the layers between the plants and walls add extra insulation, further enhancing noise reduction.

Loop Design Studio’s Playground Restaurant in Chandigarh, India, blends the city’s brutalist heritage with playful biophilic design elements. Located in the commercial hub, the space features a cinder block wall with an irregular pattern, merging concrete with vibrant greenery. Overhead, a translucent glass ceiling allows soft light to filter through, creating an airy atmosphere.

Concrete planters are used to create a vertical garden, and vines are used to soften the industrial aesthetic, while vintage Edison bulbs provide a warm, golden glow throughout the restaurant. The interior mixes rustic charm with modern design, featuring mismatched wooden tables and walls lined with audio cassette tapes. Cinder block shelves are filled with plants and lighting fixtures, enhancing the cozy, inviting ambiance. By embracing Chandigarh’s concrete roots and natural elements, Playground Restaurant provides a refreshing and unique dining experience.

Aesthetically Pleasing

Introducing greenery into your home, whether through plants or herbs, adds a vibrant and refreshing touch to any space. Vertical gardens, with their living walls, are both functional and visually striking, offering a beautiful display of color, texture, and patterns created by different plant varieties. These green features serve as eye-catching focal points that enhance the ambiance of any room, bringing life and energy into the environment.

The best part about vertical gardens is that plants can flourish in soilless vertical setups, allowing you to enjoy the satisfaction of growing and harvesting your food. Also, a thoughtful arrangement of plants can create intriguing patterns, transforming spaces like living rooms, hallways, or entry foyers into stunning focal points.

Living In the Noom is designed by Sanzpont Arquitectura, and is a remarkable fusion of nature and luxury. This eco-conscious community features four-story houses with a unique triangular shape, surrounded by vertical forests on the building’s facade. The design emphasizes wellness, sustainability, and flexibility, with solar panels on the rooftop and an urban garden for residents to grow food. The community’s green spaces cover 70% of the area, offering a sanctuary-like environment for its residents.

The Noom project incorporates several sustainable strategies, including rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment, biodigesters, and natural ventilation to reduce energy consumption. The vertical forests not only provide greenery but also purify the air and help regulate indoor temperatures, reducing the Heat Island Effect. Apartments are designed to maximize natural light and ventilation, ensuring comfort while cutting energy use by up to 85%.

Reduced Water Consumption

One of the key benefits of vertical gardening is its ability to maximize water efficiency by directing water straight to the roots, minimizing evaporation, and ensuring even distribution. The vertical structure also improves drainage and aeration and prevents overwatering alongside waterlogging. Additionally, it enables rainwater harvesting and also provides the perfect set up that supports the growth of drought-tolerant plants.

Drip irrigation, for example, delivers water precisely where it is needed, reducing waste. Furthermore, incorporating recycled or greywater, which is treated wastewater from sinks or showers, makes irrigation more sustainable.
The innovative use of materials and the design of vertical gardens also help retain moisture, ensuring plants have consistent access to water when needed.

When people seek to enhance their living spaces, modular vertical gardens have become a popular choice. These systems not only introduce greenery and improve air quality but also provide fresh herbs while maximizing space efficiency. With the increasing demand for fresh produce in compact areas, modular vertical gardens provide an affordable and low-maintenance solution.

Many modular vertical gardens feature pre-planted seed pods and self-watering systems that operate without electricity. Transparent sections allow roots to receive adequate light, while integrated grow lights support plant health in dim settings. Some models even repurpose wastewater from air conditioning units and include mesh covers to prevent debris buildup.

With expandable configurations and larger water tanks available, vertical gardens present a practical and sustainable approach to urban gardening, making them ideal for homes and shared spaces. When selecting a location, it is important to choose a wall that receives plenty of sunlight and consider using local plants for the best results.

The post What are Vertical Gardens? The Eco-Friendly Design That’s Taking Over first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lighting fixtures often serve as the jewelry of interior spaces, but rarely do they combine such thoughtful engineering with historical craft references as the Sorpresa chandelier. Created by renowned designer Samuel Wilkinson, this innovative light fixture draws its inspiration from an unexpected source: the traditional wool winder, a tool that has been part of textile crafting for centuries. The name “Sorpresa” (meaning surprise in Italian) perfectly captures the delightful moment when this chandelier reveals its full form.

What makes this lighting piece truly special is its ingenious expanding mechanism that transforms it from a compact package into a voluminous pendant light with a single gesture. Like watching a flower bloom, the Sorpresa unfolds to reveal its full glory, creating an almost theatrical moment that captivates anyone witnessing it. This magical transformation speaks to our love of objects that can surprise and delight us beyond their primary function.

Designer: Samuel Wilkinson for Astep

The designer’s choice to reference wool winders wasn’t merely aesthetic but deeply thoughtful. Traditional wool winders (also called yarn swifts) have been essential tools for fiber artists for generations, helping transform loose skeins of yarn into manageable balls. Their expanding wooden frames, typically made of sanded wood and connected with simple mechanisms, create a rhythmic, sculptural form when in use. Wilkinson has brilliantly captured this functional beauty in a contemporary lighting context.

Crafted from warm-toned sanded oak, the chandelier’s structure creates a beautiful contrast with its off-white transparent mesh covering. This thoughtful material combination gives the lamp a weightless quality despite its substantial size when expanded. The horizontal patterns in the mesh diffuse the light beautifully, casting gentle shadows that add texture and depth to any space. The overall effect is one of airiness and approachability, a statement piece that doesn’t overwhelm its surroundings.

Beyond its striking appearance, the Sorpresa addresses a practical challenge in the lighting industry – the environmental impact of packaging and shipping large-volume lamps. Rather than requiring assembly from flat-packed components (which can be frustrating for consumers), this chandelier arrives pre-assembled but compressed. Upon unboxing, it automatically expands to its full form, reducing both packaging materials and shipping space while delivering an enchanting unboxing experience for the new owner.

Environmental consciousness extends to every aspect of the design. The chandelier incorporates recycled and recyclable materials throughout, features a removable cover for easy maintenance, and allows for complete disassembly at the end of its life cycle. Instead of using embedded LEDs that would eventually require replacing the entire fixture, Wilkinson opted for a standard bulb socket, making the lamp both serviceable and adaptable to future lighting technologies.

The wool winder’s humble origins make this chandelier all the more fascinating. It’s a beautiful example of how traditional crafts can inspire cutting-edge design. For collectors and interior designers, the Sorpresa represents a perfect balance between statement pieces and functional lighting. Its ability to transform makes it particularly suitable for spaces where flexibility matters, from dining rooms where ambiance is crucial to entryways where first impressions count.

The post This Wool Winder-Inspired Chandelier Unfolds Like Magic first appeared on Yanko Design.