From a notable name in Mid-Century Modern furniture, Danish-American designer Jens Risom (who coincidently is turning 100 this week), comes a reissue of his T.710 Small Side Table. Originally designed in 1950, when Risom was experimenting with metal as a new material, the table can be stacked up to three high—thanks to its clever use of negative space. Contrasting wood grain and metal legs allow …
To get drivers to slow down at crosswalks, India is experimenting with painted optical illusions instead of speed-bumps. Created by artists Saumya Pandya Thakkar and Shakuntala Pandya, the street paintings appear to be 3D road blocks as drivers approach, forcing them to slow down in their confusion. As they get closer, it becomes apparent that the blocks are actually flat, so drivers don’t actually come …
In Zimbabwe, African architect Maxwell Mutanda is tapping into the resourcefulness of local businesses and street vendors to improve their working conditions. Instead of introducing new designs to their already set-up rigs, he gauges their needs and offers adaptable infrastructure that they can take and customize—including flooring, shelving, composting toilets and rain-catching umbrellas. This ideology goes beyond just Mutanda, though, as companies like Urban Think …