Architecture News

Architectural Cases

Celebrity Style

Building materials

English

Building materials

Automotive Resurrection: Ben Tuna's Stained Glass Car Art

Slide 15
Slide 1
Slide 2
Slide 3
Slide 4
Slide 5
Slide 6
Slide 7
Slide 8
Slide 9
Slide 10
Slide 11
Slide 12
Slide 13
Slide 14
Slide 15
Slide 1

Ben Tuna, based in East Los Angeles, is reimagining the traditional art of stained glass, typically found in sacred architecture. He uniquely merges this age-old craft with the deteriorating forms of automobiles, bringing a profound artistic transformation to these unexpected canvases. Within Glass Visions Studio, a legacy established by his father Mark Tuna in 1979, Ben has cultivated a distinctive practice that harmonizes the meticulous artistry of architectural glass with the poignant beauty of automotive relics. His creations intricately weave together components such as Porsche chassis, reclaimed church stained glass, desert agate, and detached car panels, forming cohesive and captivating artworks.

Taking the helm of his family's studio in 2021, Ben Tuna, known by his moniker 'Glass Cowboy,' has steered the inherited techniques into bold, experimental territories, moving beyond conventional restoration and residential commissions. A prime example is 'Resurrection,' where a corroded Porsche 911 Carrera is reborn as a cathedral-like structure, its empty frame adorned with stained glass. Similarly, vehicles salvaged from the Los Angeles fires are transformed into poignant memorials. His recent work, 'Unearthed' (2026), substitutes traditional stained glass with slender cuts of agate sourced from the Southwest deserts, bestowing upon the car body a mineral luminescence rather than an ecclesiastical glow. These pieces transcend their original function, offering a meditative engagement with material decay and transformation, where the vehicle's past life as an object of speed and precision gives way to a static, reflective presence illuminated by color and symbolic imagery.

Tuna's artistic evolution extends beyond stained glass, incorporating other material languages. In 'Unearthed,' geological windows are crafted from thin slices of desert agate, altering the artwork's emotional resonance from devotional imagery to a deeper connection with natural time and color. His smaller 'door works' exemplify this philosophy, repurposing detached Porsche doors into wall-mounted art. These fragments, retaining their original contours and handles, become surfaces for contemplative viewing, enriching the dialogue between industrial design and artisanal craft. This innovative approach not only reclaims discarded objects but also elevates them into profound statements that highlight themes of loss, resilience, and renewed beauty.

Ben Tuna's work masterfully bridges disparate worlds, transforming decay into dazzling artistic expressions. His dedication to craft, combined with an innovative vision, invites us to find beauty in unexpected places and to reconsider the narratives embedded in everyday objects. Through his unique creations, Tuna reminds us that art has the power to resurrect, memorialize, and imbue even the most forgotten relics with new life and meaning, fostering a profound appreciation for transformation and enduring beauty.

LAYER and Daily Objects Introduce Node and Loft: A Modular Charging Solution
Building materials

LAYER and Daily Objects Introduce Node and Loft: A Modular Charging Solution

Swerv's Electric Trike: A Thrilling, Face-First Ride
Building materials

Swerv's Electric Trike: A Thrilling, Face-First Ride

Modular Brick Residence Blends with Rural Argentinian Landscape
Building materials

Modular Brick Residence Blends with Rural Argentinian Landscape

Building materials

Bugatti W16 Mistral 'Blanc Éternel': Digital Artistry Meets Automotive Craftsmanship

Slide 10
Slide 1
Slide 2
Slide 3
Slide 4
Slide 5
Slide 6
Slide 7
Slide 8
Slide 9
Slide 10
Slide 1

Bugatti introduces a distinctive interpretation of its W16 Mistral, named 'Blanc Éternel', which masterfully merges the precision of digital design with the elegance of traditional craftsmanship. This bespoke commission, a result of the 'Bugatti Sur Mesure' program and collaboration with Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM) Berlin, features an all-white exterior adorned with meticulously hand-applied black lines, echoing the car's digital modeling contours. This special edition marks the farewell to Bugatti’s W16 engine, linking the brand’s cutting-edge hypercars with a rich heritage of material artistry, reminiscent of a previous collaboration with KPM on the Veyron Grand Sport ‘L’Or Blanc’ fifteen years prior.

The creation of 'Blanc Éternel' highlights a fascinating design journey where digital blueprints are transformed into physical artistry. The W16 Mistral's form was initially sculpted using advanced digital tools and Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) software, generating precise three-dimensional linework. These hidden digital lines are now visibly translated onto the vehicle's pure white bodywork through a painstaking process. Skilled artisans meticulously tape and paint each line by hand, ensuring that the hood, doors, C-line, air intakes, and X-shaped rear lights are outlined with sharp black patterns, bridging the gap between virtual design and tangible beauty.

Beyond its striking exterior, the 'Blanc Éternel' integrates KPM Berlin porcelain into various components, adding both visual appeal and tactile luxury. Porcelain elements, such as the iconic EB emblem, fuel and oil caps, and engine-cover inlays featuring KPM’s royal scepter logo, demand exceptional precision due to the material’s significant shrinkage during firing. Inside the cabin, the intricate black linework continues across white leather surfaces, applied through a specialized hand-painting technique that ensures durability. Further porcelain accents enhance the interior, appearing on the speaker cover, kneepad inlays, gear-shifter shells, center-console armrest, and window-lifter buttons, creating a cohesive and luxurious experience.

This unique W16 Mistral, with its 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 engine producing 1,600 PS, represents the ultimate expression of Bugatti's W16 era, a limited series of only 99 units. The 'Blanc Éternel' stands as a testament to personalized luxury, where the very process of its digital conception is celebrated as an integral part of its aesthetic. It beautifully illustrates the synergy between sophisticated design tools, artisanal skill, and premium materials, showcasing how a hypercar can become a dynamic canvas reflecting its own genesis and the evolution of automotive design.

See More
BIG Designs Dymak's Headquarters as a Living Material Catalog in Denmark
Building materials

BIG Designs Dymak's Headquarters as a Living Material Catalog in Denmark

TOTO WASHLET: Redefining Bathroom Comfort with Smart Technology
Building materials

TOTO WASHLET: Redefining Bathroom Comfort with Smart Technology

From Engine Block to Rock Block: Repurposed Car Engine Heads Transformed into Unique Electric Guitars
Building materials

From Engine Block to Rock Block: Repurposed Car Engine Heads Transformed into Unique Electric Guitars

Building materials

CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati Unveils Visionary Hospital Campus in Brescia

Slide 8
Slide 1
Slide 2
Slide 3
Slide 4
Slide 5
Slide 6
Slide 7
Slide 8
Slide 1
CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati, in conjunction with Park Associati and Politecnica Building for Humans, has presented an innovative design for the new Main Hospital and Children's Hospital of ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Italy. This winning proposal envisions a comprehensive healthcare campus that integrates medical treatment, research, natural landscapes, and communal areas, all guided by the 'One Health' philosophy.

Transforming Healthcare: A Campus Blending Nature and Innovation

A Vision for Brescia's Future Healthcare Landscape

The team, spearheaded by CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati, has unveiled its groundbreaking design for a major healthcare institution in Lombardy. This future-focused campus will feature expansive gardens, luminous glazed structures, and accessible public pathways, creating a seamless integration of medical facilities with the urban environment.

The Winning Collaborative Endeavor

Announced at Teatro Grande, the successful bid for the new Main and Children's Hospitals of ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia is the result of a powerful partnership. CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati, Park Associati, and Politecnica Building for Humans joined forces with Openfabric, DOTDOTDOT, Eckersley O'Callaghan, and Studio Mattioli to secure this international design competition.

Integrating Health, Environment, and Community

This visionary project redefines the existing hospital grounds through the holistic lens of 'One Health.' It aims to forge profound connections between advanced medical care, cutting-edge research, the surrounding natural landscape, and the broader public sphere, emphasizing well-being on multiple levels.

Future Development and Capacity

Construction is anticipated to commence in 2028. Upon completion, the new facilities will centralize clinical and technological services within a vast 60,500 square meter complex, accommodating more than 745 patient beds, thereby significantly enhancing the region's healthcare capacity.

Harmonizing with Brescia's Architectural Heritage

The architectural blueprint gracefully builds upon the early twentieth-century masterplan by engineer Angelo Bordoni. Instead of erasing the historic hexagonal core and radial layout that define the Spedali Civili campus, the new design intelligently extends its foundational principles.

Main Hospital: Expanding Towards the City and Nature

The Main Hospital is conceived as three interconnected wings that gracefully extend outwards, embracing the city and offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains. At ground level, a transparent, fully glazed lobby opens onto a new public plaza, establishing a welcoming and prominent civic presence for the hospital.

Prioritizing Patient Well-being and Environmental Connection

Inside, the design places significant emphasis on abundant natural light, intuitive navigation, superior acoustic comfort, and captivating views of the Brescia Prealps. Patient rooms are meticulously planned to offer visual connections to the outdoor environment, while large, glazed winter gardens cap each wing, creating a serene transition between treatment areas and the natural world.

Innovative Facade for Optimal Comfort and Aesthetics

Developed in collaboration with Eckersley O'Callaghan, the building's facade is engineered to expertly manage solar gain and glare. This advanced design ensures optimal climate control while maintaining a visually open and inviting exterior, reflecting a commitment to both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Children's Hospital: A Dedicated Healing Environment

The Children's Hospital emerges as a distinct and independent structure, characterized by gently rounded volumes of varying heights. Its design incorporates internal courtyards, terraces, and gardens, seamlessly bringing outdoor spaces into direct contact with different hospital departments.

Playful and Family-Centric Design Elements

The entrance atrium of the Children's Hospital is thoughtfully designed to include engaging play areas, dedicated consultation zones, and comfortable gathering spaces for families. This approach creates an environment that prioritizes the unique needs of young patients and their loved ones.

A Unique Identity Tailored for Children

The distinctive geometric form of the Children's Hospital provides it with a unique identity within the larger campus. Its spaces are intuitively designed to be easily understood and navigated from a child's perspective, fostering a sense of comfort and familiarity.

Introducing the CareRing: A Continuous Integrated Pathway

The proposal's most striking spatial innovation is the 'CareRing,' an uninterrupted pathway spanning over a kilometer around the campus. This ingenious system serves multiple functions, enhancing both operational efficiency and public engagement.

Optimizing Logistics and Services Below Ground

Beneath the surface, the CareRing efficiently organizes logistics, essential services, and technical flows, strategically separating them from the clinical circulation pathways. This subterranean network ensures smooth operations without disrupting the patient environment.

Transforming Ground Level into a Vibrant Public Space

At ground level, the CareRing transforms into a vibrant green network of squares, therapeutic gardens, and public pathways. Designed in collaboration with Openfabric, this system aims to seamlessly connect the hospital with the city, simultaneously enhancing biodiversity and improving the local microclimate.

Sustainable Construction with Timber and Steel

The new hospital structures will utilize a hybrid timber and steel construction, employing dry construction techniques. This sustainable approach significantly reduces embodied carbon, aligning with modern environmental goals.

Adaptable Design for Evolving Medical Technologies

The choice of a hybrid timber and steel structure not only offers environmental benefits but also provides inherent adaptability. This design allows the campus to evolve and accommodate future advancements in medical technologies, ensuring its long-term relevance and functionality.

Seamless Digital Integration for Enhanced Experience

A sophisticated digital layer, developed in partnership with DOTDOTDOT, will provide seamless support for wayfinding, flow management, and environmental monitoring. Crucially, this technology is integrated without overshadowing the architectural experience, maintaining a human-centric approach.

Prioritizing Movement, Light, and Landscape

While technical systems are integral, the design deliberately keeps the focus on the fundamental elements of human experience: intuitive movement, abundant natural light, captivating landscapes, and the overall clarity and legibility of the campus. This ensures a healing and welcoming environment for all.

See More