Tag Showcases

I wouldn’t be surprised if Tesla announced a Cybertruck 2.0 before even delivering the Cybertruck 1 (after all that’s sort of what they did with the Roadster)… however, this redesign comes from the mind of automotive designer Dejan Hristov, who’s probably waiting for his Cybertruck to deliver too.

The Cybertruck 2.0 concept focuses on getting right the few things that the first truck got arguably wrong. The first design was way too polarizing, and according to Musk himself, incredibly difficult to build at mass scale. Rather than focusing on a truck that’s tommy-gun bulletproof, the Cybertruck 2.0 adopts a less aggressively divisive design, opting for the use of gentle curves instead of sharp angles. Musk mentioned that the Cybertruck hoped to shatter the design monotony of the pickup category, and the Cybertruck 2.0 does that too with a pretty eye-catching design that has the potential for being iconic… but those mild curves definitely give the car a more ‘finished’ appearance rather than looking like something you find at the bottom of a box of cornflakes.

Designer: Dejan Hristov

The Cybertruck redesign has a remarkably improved silhouette while still retaining the cyber-ish design direction set by the original. For starters, it still has edge-lines that give the truck definition, along with LED-strip headlights and taillights. The metal used on the redesign is clearly not the same as the one found in the original Cybertruck, given its ability to be formed into 3D curves, and even be embossed (notice the Tesla logo on the front and the back?)

One could assume that either Tesla’s developed a way to bend their bulletproof space-grade metal sheets, or Musk just decided to cave and make the car out of a more manageable metal but provide a solid chassis that gives the car its brute strength. Aesthetically, this just seems like a better direction to go in given that your vision isn’t really clashing with current technologies.

The truck is accompanies by a redesigned Cyberquad that, like back in 2019, fits right in the truck’s bed. The quad’s design borrows from sports bikes with its tank-shaped form, and matches its companion truck with a similar paint job.

In true pickup fashion, the back of the truck has its storage bed that’s ideal for camping, tailgating, or storing a Cyberquad. It comes with its own shutter, just like the original, but look a little ahead and you’ll notice that the Cybertruck’s windscreen now extends all the way to the back, giving you a wonderful vertically panoramic view from inside the car. You won’t want to camp in the back with that view!

A major departure from the original Cybertruck is the presence of color options. Hristov visualized the new Cybertruck with colors to match the rest of Tesla’s lineup, carrying forward the same logic to the Cyberquad too. As interesting as the original Cybertruck was, its lack of color options was probably one of its most noticeable flaws. Musk believed in showcasing the truck’s cold-rolled stainless steel in its true rawness, leaving a lot to be desired in the CMF department. This redesign corrects that mistake with color options that allow the truck to stand out through a stunning color palette, not through that flat-planed design seen on the 1st gen Cybertruck.

In Hristov’s final reimagination of the Cybertruck, he gives it one last feature to blow everyone’s minds away – a frunk! A detail seen on every Tesla car before it, the frunk can now be accessed on the Cybertruck 2.0 concept by opening it like you would a drawer. The hood doesn’t pop upwards like conventional cars; instead, the grille unit on the front slides forward, giving you ample space for storing bags, backpacks, and brewskis. The truck also comes with a retractable spoiler at the back, and a panel on the front that lifts up to reveal the windshield wipers. The redesign also gets sleeker rear-view cameras that share footage to the dashboard, eschewing the archaic rear-view mirror.

As gorgeous as the Cybertruck 2.0 is, it’s probably just wishful thinking for now given how Musk has constantly backtracked on delivery dates for the truck announced in 2019. The Cybertruck is officially (for now) going to start delivery at the end of November, although Tesla hasn’t been clear on how many units will be delivered, or even what its final price is going to be (amid mass fear of a massive price surge). For now, the truck is actually making its way to Tesla showrooms across USA, so maybe that’s one good sign?

They say the teardrop shape is considered one of the most aerodynamic profiles ever, given how it effortlessly bends the air around it to glide through with minimal drag. The tail of a teardrop plays a crucial role in this process, explaining the importance of tails in birds, planes, and boats. The Porsche Mission S by Zhe Huang brings that feature to automotive design. Created as a hyper-racing MPV, the Mission S recreates the professional racing experience for regular folk with its 911-esque proportions, supercar-esque cockpit, and unique teardrop rear that takes the term ‘boattail’ to new lengths.

Designer: Zhe Huang

The Mission S was designed as a part of Huang’s internship at studiokurbos, Shanghai. Although unaffiliated with the Porsche brand, the Mission S builds on the German marque’s automotive legacy, channeling the same energy that Porsche had when it debuted the Mission X or even the 919. This isn’t your friendly-looking Cayman or 911. It eschews the rounded-headlight curvy design language for something that’s more purpose-built for a racetrack.

The car sports a rather smooth design with flowy surfaces that come together cleanly, instead of being overrun with vents, grooves, and other dramatic details you’d see in overtly aggressive racecars from the likes of Lamborghini. The Mission S doesn’t completely surrender its curves, but rather limits the use of them to the front fenders, keeping its silhouette rather simple. A highlight of its design is its unconventional tail, which tapers off when viewed vertically, resulting in a centrally-located edge-lit taillight. “The design inspiration comes from the waterdrop in ‘Three Body’, which gives the car an extremely dynamic and pure body shape like the Porsche 908 and Porsche Vision Gran Turismo,” Huang says.

The Mission S measures 5.6m (18.3 feet) long and 2.1m (6.8 feet) wide, allowing five passengers including a professional racer to sit inside its cockpit. It stands at 1.26m (4.1 feet) tall, matching the height of the 911, while having the occupants inside sit in a more supercar-esque posture.

Embracing its futuristic demeanor, light-strips make quite an appearance in the Mission S’ design, with their presence on the front in the form of the headlights, as well as the back where the centrally located taillight is also accompanied by lights on each side.

The Mission S experience can be divided between its two variants, rather appropriately named the White and the Black versions. For the faint of heart, the White version prioritizes comfort and friendliness… but if you’re looking to put the pedal to the metal and taste the adrenaline, the Black variant offers faster speeds, a more thrilling experience, and sports a spoiler at the back to maximize downforce for that asphalt-hugging speed experience.

Quite like the Mission X which was revealed in June of this year, it seems like the Mission S concept embraces an electric drivetrain too. It doesn’t discard the venting on the front, which would be a telltale sign of an EV, but rather retains it perhaps for cooling and airflow purposes. One rather elongated door on either side gives access to the Mission S’ interiors, which seat up to 5 people in a 1+2+2 format. The car’s windshield extends all the way from the front to the back, creating a bubble-like effect that is interrupted by the car’s same-color pillars and roof but still strives to offer a panoramic view for its occupants with windows that stretch from the front to the back, and that expansive windshield.

The Mission S aims to deliver the thrill of racing to non-racers with its S trifecta – Speed, Spaciousness, and a Subversive Experience. Although currently just a fan-made concept (with no official endorsement from Porsche), it serves as a great case study for a new car format – with a 5-seater design that doesn’t sacrifice spaciousness… and that gorgeous tail that allows the car to cut through air like a sizzling hot knife through butter!

In a world grappling with rapid urbanization and its environmental consequences, the Seoul Architecture and Urbanism Biennale has emerged as a beacon of hope, inspiring architects and urban planners to envision a future where cities are green, sustainable, and in harmony with nature. This year, the fourth edition of the biennale takes center stage in South Korea, and at the heart of it lies an exhibition that pushes the boundaries of architectural imagination. Italian studio Migliore+Servetto, led by Ico Migliore, a professor at the Politecnico di Milano, has brought together a group of talented students to present their visionary projects in an exhibition titled “FUTURABILITY: Timeless Utopias for Seoul.”

Designer: Migliore+Servetto

Since its inception in 2017, the Seoul Architecture and Urbanism Biennale has been a platform for addressing the urban and architectural challenges stemming from the staggering growth of South Korea’s capital. The city’s rapid urbanization, while a testament to its dynamism, has also posed considerable challenges. The Biennale has consistently championed the cause of making Seoul a human-centered and eco-friendly city.

The Biennale is structured around five key sections: a Thematic Exhibition, a Cities Exhibition, On-site Projects, Global Studios, and educational programs. These sections provide a comprehensive framework for engaging experts, institutions, and citizens in shaping Seoul’s future. In its fourth edition, the biennale builds upon previous themes such as “Imminent Commons,” “Collective City,” and “Resilient City” by focusing on “Land Urbanism and Seoul.”

FUTURABILITY: Timeless Utopias for Seoul – A Glimpse into the Future

From September 1 to October 29, 2023, the exhibition “FUTURABILITY: Timeless Utopias for Seoul” showcases the results of the New Interiors 2 Laboratory Course, guided by Ico Migliore at Politecnico di Milano. This master’s degree course encouraged students to contemplate Seoul’s future, imagining the city as a green and sustainable utopia that reintegrates its urban fabric with nature.

The exhibition unveils ten futuristic design scenarios for “inhabited bridges” spanning Seoul’s iconic Han River. These projects were chosen from an international pool of 40 submissions, including entries from esteemed institutions like the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, Pratt Institute in New York, Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and Aalto University in Helsinki. Out of these, two groundbreaking proposals have been selected for a detailed presentation, complete with drawings, renders, sketches, videos, and a 3D-printed model.

BACK TO NATURE – A Bridge to a Sustainable Future

The first winning proposal, aptly named “BACK TO NATURE,” is a collaborative effort by students Ala Zhyvulka, Alice Bazzucco, Giuseppe Addati, and Lorenzo Sardella. Their vision of the Han River bridge is a skeletal marvel, consisting of 13 dodecahedron-shaped modules joined using magnetic fields, allowing the bridge to float gracefully on the river’s surface. These modules serve as the stages of food production: Growing, Distribution and Consumption, and Upcycling.

What sets this proposal apart is its commitment to sustainability. The bridge not only provides a platform for food cultivation but also ensures that no resources go to waste. Any uneaten or discarded food is collected and recycled in a transparent sphere, promoting a circular economy.

The central core of the bridge is made from bio-based materials sourced from recycled food, providing a sustainable and porous foundation for the growth of nature. This unique blend of architecture and ecology is a testament to the harmony that can be achieved between humans, artificial intelligence, and the natural world.

THE BREATHING BRIDGE – A Living Organism

The second winning proposal, “THE BREATHING BRIDGE,” is the brainchild of students Wanqing Yue, Veronica Piunti, Wen Wen Liu, and Yue Zhao. This modular structure reimagines the bridge as a living being that not only connects people but also absorbs and transforms the energy of the city and its inhabitants.

Inspired by the natural breathing process, the bridge adapts to its environment over time. Its design mimics the contours of South Korea’s landscape, encouraging free body movement, recreational activities, and communal gatherings. Inside, galleries provide a serene space for relaxation and interaction, while the membrane covering the modules filters pollutants and harnesses solar energy, ensuring sustainability and environmental harmony.

Migliore+Servetto – Cultivating Cultural Seeds in Seoul

Beyond their involvement in the Seoul Biennale, Migliore+Servetto continues to make a significant impact on the South Korean architectural landscape. They have been invited to participate in the KIA Convention & Exhibition 2023, focusing on the evolution of urban architecture. Here, they explore the concept of “Cultural Seeds,” a concept they have been refining for years. Cultural Seeds represent cultural spaces within cities that activate urban fabric and promote long-term evolution.

Finally, Migliore+Servetto will take center stage at High Street Italy, a multifunctional space in South Korea promoting “Made in Italy” design. Their installation and remarkable performance, accompanied by participation in an international conference, underscore their commitment to fostering Italian-Korean synergies.

In a world where the future of our cities is increasingly uncertain, the Seoul Biennale 2023 and Migliore+Servetto’s visionary contributions remind us that the power of design and innovation can shape a more sustainable, harmonious, and beautiful urban future. As Seoul continues its journey towards becoming a green and sustainable utopia, these timeless utopias showcased at the biennale may become a reality, inspiring cities worldwide to follow suit.

The world premiere HP Imagine showcase event has now come and gone, and with it, HP announced (and subsequently released) a flurry of new products ahead of the Q4 holiday shopping rush. A rather large chunk of the conference focused on HP’s new suite of AI-powered software, but they also highlighted two new computers – including the brand’s newest foldable laptop, the Envy Spectre Fold, as well as the new Envy Move All-in-One PC which looks kind of like a portable iMac for Windows users.

HyperX, which is HP’s gaming arm, also has three new gizmos for streamers to play with this holiday season: the HyperX Vision S Webcam, the HyperX Audio Mixer Audio Interface, and the HyperX Caster Microphone and Camera Arm.

Designer: Hewlett-Packard (HP)

The HP Envy Move seems to be the flagship of HP’s late-2023 lineup, which makes sense given that it’s HP’s first computer to merge the power of a mid-tier desktop with the portability of a laptop, allowing it to be picked up and moved to any part of the home thanks to its built-in rechargeable battery. It’s not a cutting-edge gaming PC by any means, but its built-in 23.8″ 2K display, 13th gen Intel i5 CPU, 16 gigs of LDDR5 RAM, and 1TB of solid state (SSD) storage make it a solid workstation with light gaming and media capabilities at its $899.99 asking price.

If you’re a streamer, however, you’ll likely want to pay more attention to the slew of useful tools HyperX has made available, such as the HyperX Vision S webcam which records in 4K at 60 frames per second for a relatively affordable MSRP of $199.99. It’s also advertised to include a magnetic privacy cover for when you want your private moments to be completely private, worry free, without needing to take the entire thing down and set it up again later when it’s time to stream again.

HyperX has also introduced its new microphone and camera arm, called the HyperX Caster, which looks like a nifty tool to quickly get a wide variety of XLR and USB mics set up and ready to go on any desk – without all the usual hassle. It appears to have plenty of reach, and even contains a built-in cable management system to declutter your streaming area of any loose cables. Unlike most of the other products announced at Imagine, you’ll need to wait until February 2024 before you can get your hands on this one.

Also available starting in 2024 is the new HyperX Audio Mixer, a “professional-quality” USB audio mixer that is compatible with XLR mics – out of the box, at that. Whether or not it competes against comparable mixers like the Elgato Stream Deck (or Razer’s equivalent) remains to be seen, but given the rising popularity of streaming across nearly every social media platform and every interest category, it’s exciting to watch more manufacturers like HP enter the space with their own products.

Although not a LEGO Technic build, MoonGravity06’s LEGO RR Phantom comes with a ridiculous amount of detail that compares wonderfully to the original. You can take a look under the hood, stash items in the boot, move the windshield wipers, and even open the Phantom’s doors to see the interiors. My favorite part, however, is the touch-sensitive Spirit of Ecstasy statue that disappears inside the car’s chassis if you try and touch it… just like in the original!

Designer: MoonGravity06

MoonGravity06’s LEGO build is slightly unconventional in its appearance, but is a testament to just how creative you can be with LEGO bricks. The car’s entire outer body uses all sorts of black bricks to come together with remarkable accuracy. The grill on the front relies on LEGO katana swords, and the wheels (in the interest of authenticity) are 3D printed instead of being stock LEGO pieces. None of the windows have glass components (they’re all hollow), but that’s only because it would be rather difficult to find glass pieces matching MoonGravity06’s model and scale.

The fan-made build (which currently sits in LEGO’s Ideas forum with just under 1,000 votes) tries to stick to the original as much as possible without compromising on detail. While it’s common for fan-made LEGO builds to opt for a more minimal route, dissolving details rather than glorifying them, this Rolls-Royce Phantom is quite the opposite. For instance, the motor-powered moving wipers are a spectacular touch, as are the shining headlights and the locking doors (including the suicide-style doors on the back). The tamper-proof Spirit of Ecstasy statute is perhaps the most impressive feature, accurately mimicking how the statue disappears inside the car’s hood if someone tries stealing it. Look closely and you’ll notice that the Spirit of Ecstasy statue is, in fact, two LEGO wrenches fitted together!

“It is quite disheartening to notice the lack of homage paid to such legendary motor vehicles,” MoonGravity06 mentions. “The market is saturated with models that glorify contemporary supercars, leaving timeless icons like the Rolls Royce Phantom in a shroud of undeserved obscurity.”

“Guided by a deep-seated respect for the Phantom’s original design, I meticulously replicated each curve, each line, employing real bricks and actual photographs to ensure utmost authenticity.”

To that end, MoonGravity06’s build does rely on a few unconventional components. The grille, for instance, uses LEGO katanas, the Spirit of Ecstasy uses LEGO wrenches, and the Rolls Royce logo on the front is merely a printed paper sticker. The wheels, on the other hand, are 3D printed to match the Phantom’s design and scale. While most LEGO builders generally frown upon people using non-LEGO components, this direction arguably was motivated by MoonGravity06’s relentless pursuit of accuracy.

Each door physically locks shut, rather than relying on a snapping or spring mechanism

The rear door opens in Rolls-Royce’s signature backward ‘suicide door’ fashion!

“I am staunchly convinced that this concept deserves actualization because it aligns with the true essence of car design. It transcends beyond mere functionality; it’s about sculpting a marvel that commands respect and instills awe,” MoonGravity06 mentions in the LEGO Ideas forum. “At a time when many companies appear to have drifted from these values, this set serves as a potent reminder of the fundamental ethos of automotive design.”