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Animism Objects: Fusing Japanese Craftsmanship with Modern Audio Technology

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Animism Objects, a visionary project by VOID Inc., redefines audio aesthetics by integrating the rich heritage of Japanese craftsmanship into cutting-edge loudspeaker technology. This initiative stems from the San'in region, a place deeply rooted in Japan's foundational myths, where the natural world is seen not merely as a resource but as an integral part of daily existence, cultural memory, and sacred rites.

Embrace the Harmony: Tradition Meets Innovation in Sound

Crafting Sound: Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Contemporary Design

VOID Inc., headquartered in Tokyo, introduces Animism Objects, a distinctive loudspeaker brand that seamlessly blends time-honored Japanese materials and artisanal methods with modern audio devices. This innovative collection is slated for its grand unveiling at the London Design Festival in 2026.

San'in's Legacy: Nature's Influence on Material and Technique

The essence of Animism Objects is deeply rooted in the San'in area, a region where Japan's mythological narratives have been handed down through generations for over a millennium. In this landscape, nature transcends its role as a mere commodity, becoming an essential component of everyday existence, historical memory, and spiritual practices. The region is also a custodian of techniques and materials perfected over centuries. These include Washi, a traditional paper meticulously crafted from natural plant fibers; Aizome, the ancient Japanese art of indigo dyeing; and Yakisugi, a woodworking method that involves charring cedar surfaces to enhance their resilience and fire resistance.

Tactile Narratives: Materials that Speak Volumes

These age-old processes imbue the speakers with distinctive material qualities, each retaining visible traces of its creation journey. The surfaces exhibit natural variations inherent in the raw materials and bear the unique imprint of the artisans' skilled hands. This connection links the finished products to a profound legacy of knowledge, meticulous care, and ritualistic practice. Every technique bestows upon the speaker a unique tactile and visual character, transforming each piece into a work of art that tells a story.

The Animism Collection: A Symphony of Three Editions

The inaugural Animism Objects collection features three exclusive editions: Washi, Aizome, and Yakisugi, with each variant limited to just ten sets. These distinct finishes forge varied connections between the speaker's modern form and the traditional craftsmanship applied to its surface. The conceptual foundation of the project draws inspiration from Animism, interpreted here as a philosophy where humans, nature, and objects coexist in an interwoven relationship. The London exhibition will showcase this concept through the harmonious integration of traditional Japanese artistry, advanced technology, and contemporary design. By weaving established materials and techniques into audio products, Animism Objects explores how ancestral wisdom continues to shape and inform modern design. This project elevates craftsmanship beyond mere preservation, presenting it as a vital material and cultural practice that can inspire novel objects and redefine their relationship with daily life.

A' Design Award 2026: Showcasing Innovations in Digital Devices and Home Appliances
Building materials

A' Design Award 2026: Showcasing Innovations in Digital Devices and Home Appliances

Redefining Living Spaces: The Kifisia Apartment Transformation
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Redefining Living Spaces: The Kifisia Apartment Transformation

DEBRIS Pavilion: Transforming Tehran's Construction Waste into Architectural Innovation
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DEBRIS Pavilion: Transforming Tehran's Construction Waste into Architectural Innovation

Building materials

Kren. Transforms Reclaimed Greenhouse into Luminous Festival Hub 'Shed'

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In an inventive endeavor for the independent music festival Loud Places, the London and Vienna-based design studio Kren. has unveiled 'Shed,' a captivating, bespoke installation. This project ingeniously repurposes a disused greenhouse, transforming it into a vibrant focal point and a welcoming communal space within the festival grounds, located just a few hours from London. 'Shed' not only alludes to its humble domestic origins but also symbolizes its role as a radiant beacon, drawing festival-goers together and providing an intimate setting for interaction.

As an experiential light sculpture, 'Shed' seamlessly integrates into the festival environment, serving as a gathering spot during the day and morphing into an illuminated enclosure after sunset. The structure's distinctive yellow framework and ethereal translucent panels act as dynamic backdrops and foregrounds, their interplay shifting and blurring as dusk descends. A consistent glow emanates from within, creating an inviting atmosphere. By ingeniously adapting a salvaged greenhouse, Kren. exemplifies its core design philosophy: exploring the transformative capabilities inherent in ordinary items, breathing new life and purpose into them.

Embracing a resourceful approach to design, Kren. showcases the creative potential of working with existing materials, addressing contemporary challenges of resource scarcity. This adaptation reflects the studio's cross-disciplinary ethos. Drawing inspiration from Derek Jarman's intimate greenhouse bed in his 1980s Bankside loft, 'Shed' reinterprets the greenhouse archetype as a sanctuary for closeness and congregation. Traditionally associated with plant cultivation, here its function evolves to encompass gathering and enclosure. Much like Jarman's personal intervention, 'Shed' establishes both a central landmark and a secluded space within the vastness of the festival meadow. By foregoing the greenhouse's typical thermal glazing, the project highlights the fundamental yet effective structural qualities of the form, rather than its heat-retaining properties.

The greenhouse, in this context, embodies the essence of a primitive shelter, while simultaneously functioning as a mesmerizing light installation. Its inherent structure provides both form and protection, within which customized industrial lights are strategically placed. As night descends, these lights cause the translucent thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) panels to become backlit, transforming the entire structure into a luminous, diffused screen. Lights, suspended just below eye-level along the roof ridge, effectively delineate the interior space. Consequently, when the space is inhabited after dark, the silhouettes of people animate the walls, projecting a soft glow outwards towards the rest of the festival. Complementing the adapted aluminum frame and custom lighting, PVC curtains, typically utilized in industrial cooling systems, define the entry points, secured with cable ties. This thoughtful material selection pays homage to the agricultural legacy of the greenhouse while also capturing the innovative and DIY spirit characteristic of music festivals and club culture.

This innovative installation by Kren. skillfully recontextualizes a commonplace structure, turning a reclaimed greenhouse into an engaging, luminous, and communal haven at the heart of the Loud Places festival. It demonstrates a commitment to sustainable design, creative problem-solving, and the power of light to shape and define space, offering a memorable experience for all who encounter it.

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Mellow Cafe: Industrial Aesthetics Meet Serene Blue in a Compact French Coffee Shop Design
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Mellow Cafe: Industrial Aesthetics Meet Serene Blue in a Compact French Coffee Shop Design

The Allure of Subterranean Dwellings: Merging with the Earth
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The Allure of Subterranean Dwellings: Merging with the Earth

HUT-SPOT Pavilion: A Modular Refuge for Biodiversity and Human Connection
Building materials

HUT-SPOT Pavilion: A Modular Refuge for Biodiversity and Human Connection

Building materials

Designboom's Dynamic Hub at Paris Design Week 2026

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Designboom transformed a space in the Marais district of Paris into a vibrant hub for creativity and connection during Paris Design Week 2026, offering a unique blend of intellectual discourse, practical making, and community engagement.

Where Ideas Converge: Designboom's Pop-Up Studio Ignites Paris Design Week

A Dynamic Nexus in the Heart of Paris for Design Week Initiatives

For the duration of Paris Design Week 2026, Designboom established a lively temporary studio at 72 Rue des Archives in the historic Marais. This dedicated space became a focal point for a diverse array of activities, drawing together individuals from the design, architecture, and art communities. Throughout the week, it hosted engaging podcast recordings, interactive workshops, crucial meetings, and various social gatherings, facilitating rich exchanges among designers, architects, artists, collaborators, and friends of Designboom.

Exploring Utopian Concepts Through Engaging Podcast Dialogues

The temporary studio buzzed with activity from its inception. Beyond its role as a social gathering spot, it functioned as a fully operational studio for a series of podcast sessions organized in partnership with INDX|Global. These sessions brought together prominent architects, designers, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions on contemporary design philosophies. A central theme explored was the concept of utopia, with insights shared by leading Indian architects and designers. This focus aligned seamlessly with Designboom's 2026 editorial direction, which delves into 'Utopian Optimism' and the potential of utopian ideals to inspire novel ways of living.

An Evening of Informal Connections and Creative Exchange in the Marais

Mid-week, the studio underwent a transformation, adopting a more relaxed atmosphere for the paris.designboom apéro. This informal evening event welcomed the broader Designboom community for drinks, food, and lively conversation. The space filled with familiar faces and new acquaintances, providing an opportunity for designers, architects, partners, and creatives to connect. Attendees, often accustomed to Designboom's editorial content, had the chance to meet the individuals behind the platform. While design-related discussions were plentiful, the primary emphasis was on fostering connections and sharing experiences, with conversations spanning projects, exhibitions, Parisian life, travel, and future endeavors.

Customization and Japanese Craftsmanship: A Hands-On Workshop Experience

As Paris Design Week drew to a close, the studio evolved into an interactive workshop venue. Clarks Originals and Topologie collaborated to host a unique customization experience, drawing inspiration from Katagami, the traditional Japanese technique of paper stencil cutting used to create intricate patterns. Participants had the opportunity to personalize iconic items such as the Clarks Wallabee shoe and Topologie's Konbini bag. Guests selected pre-cut stencils and colors to apply their chosen designs to the vamp of the Wallabee, gradually crafting unique patterns. A similar process was applied to the Konbini bag, where motifs were screen-printed. The workshop concluded with guests adding personal touches, such as laces and fobs for the Wallabee and straps for the Topologie bag.

Looking Forward: The Genesis of a Traveling Design Showcase

Over the course of the week, 72 Rue des Archives served as a vibrant microcosm where various facets of Designboom's mission converged. More significantly, this event marked the inaugural step in a new traveling series of talks, exhibitions, and gatherings designed to journey from one prominent design city to the next. Paris Design Week thus became the pivotal starting point, a period dedicated to bringing the diverse and dynamic Designboom community together for an unforgettable experience.

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