At CES 2026, Lenovo unveiled a new lineup of AI-powered business devices, including the ThinkPad X1 Aura Edition series, ThinkPad X9 15p Aura Edition, and innovative concept technologies like the ThinkPad Rollable XD and Lenovo Qira personal AI agent, emphasizing purposeful design, sustainability, and cross-device intelligence to enhance productivity and collaboration.
The article explores how studying animals and plants inspires innovative engineering solutions, from Velcro and water-walking robots to noise-reducing train shapes and shock-absorbing materials, highlighting the potential and challenges of bioinspired technology.
Green bus stops with living roofs are being implemented worldwide to combat urban heat, support pollinators, and integrate nature into cities, with potential to significantly increase urban green space and improve environmental health.
The PEBL Cabins project by Hello Wood, with a new larger version called the PEBL Grand, is set to be completed in 2025 in New York, showcasing innovative cabin design and architecture.
Originally Published 6 months ago — by Hacker News
Fairphone 6 is adopting a new, more sustainable design, reflecting ongoing efforts in the smartphone industry to prioritize environmental impact and innovative features, amidst ongoing debates about fingerprint sensors and facial recognition technologies.
Vienna has successfully integrated affordable social housing with climate-friendly features like solar panels, insulation, and green spaces, serving as a model for U.S. cities to address housing affordability and climate change simultaneously. The city uses innovative competitions and retrofits to promote sustainable development, and its approach is inspiring American policymakers to adopt similar strategies, despite challenges at the federal level.
Pointe Living is a nine-storey, environmentally sustainable apartment development in Sydney designed by Luigi Rosselli Architects, featuring unique layouts, private and communal outdoor spaces, and innovative use of recycled materials, aimed at addressing urban housing needs and enhancing resident privacy and quality of life.
Ukrainian architecture firm Makhno Studio has developed breathable clay panels that serve as both insulation and interior decoration, inspired by traditional Ukrainian mazanka houses. These panels, made from Ukrainian white clay mixed with plant materials, naturally regulate humidity and improve indoor air quality by absorbing dust and microorganisms. The project, which reflects a blend of Ukrainian traditions and modern design, is shortlisted for the Dezeen Awards 2024 in the surface design category.
The Gallery House, designed by Wim Goes Architectuur, is located in the Flemish landscape and is characterized by its honest and straightforward design, evoking tranquility, simplicity, and memory. The use of wood and hempcrete in the construction reflects a connection to the natural environment, while aluminum canopies protect the façade and regulate solar gain. The architecture integrates with the landscape, creating different atmospheres and interactions with natural elements.
Vallet de Martinis Architectes has designed an assisted living complex as an "extension" of the Sénart Forest in the suburbs of Paris, aiming to create a dialogue with the surrounding nature while preserving a link with the neighborhood. The two-storey complex features open communal spaces on the ground floor, private living units above, and unique landscape designs in central courtyards. The project emphasizes functionality, sustainability, and a connection to the forest, with a palette of pale brickwork and deep window reveals creating a material effect and filtered light.
Milan-based company Krill Design is creating furniture products made from a patented plastic-like biomaterial named Rekrill, which is fully organic, biodegradable, and can be reused and recycled. Using fruit peel, orange seeds, and coffee ground waste collected from businesses in Italy, Krill's designs include bookends, stools, clocks, bowls, and lamps. The company aims to reduce waste and carbon emissions by repurposing food waste that would otherwise be incinerated or dumped in landfills. While Rekrill is more expensive than common plastic, Krill hopes that as awareness of the environmental impact of unsustainable plastics grows, the material will become more widely used.
Fisker unveiled the production-intent Fisker PEAR, an electric vehicle with innovative features and a sustainable design. The highlight was the see-through A-pillar achieved through live video feeds from exterior cameras. The interior showcased eco-friendly materials and a minimalist design. The PEAR also features a distinctive Houdini trunk and starts at $29,900. The vehicle is currently on display at The Grove in Los Angeles.
Satechi has released its new Vegan-Leather MagSafe Wallet Stand, which can hold up to four cards and doubles as a kickstand for iPhones. Made of sustainable vegan leather, the wallet stand is available in four colors and is priced at $39.99.
German architects Julian Krüger and Benjamin Kemper have created a compact Digital House in Wismar, Germany, showcasing innovative plug-in construction techniques and sustainable design. The cabin features a repurposed aluminum facade and a precision-milled wood structure, allowing for swift assembly and future disassembly. The flexible design can be customized to meet specific needs, making it suitable for various architectural projects. The Digital House exemplifies the symbiotic relationship between digital planning, efficient production, and the use of renewable and recycled materials in construction.
Southern Living has unveiled its 2023 Idea House, a reimagined farmhouse located in the Leipers Fork area of Tennessee. The house, designed by a talented team of professionals, blends harmoniously with the surrounding landscape and emphasizes sustainability. The interior features a mix of vintage and custom-made furniture, Earth-conscious choices, and American-made pieces. The house includes various spaces for relaxation, entertaining, and work, both indoors and outdoors. The design also incorporates elements like a potting shed, a pool, and a barn that has been repurposed for poolside entertaining.