Need to Know
20 : 04 : 18

Milan – Glass specialist AGC and Japanese architect Moutosuke Mandai collaboration at Milan Salone 2018 celebrates a new material: sound-generating glass.

The material, currently under development at AGC, uses a new type of laminated glass that has been manufactured to emit clear sound rather have the usual characteristics of glass such as resonance and reverberations.

Soundscape features shards of glass suspended from the ceiling by metal rods. Each shard emits different sounds from nature, such as water droplets or rustling leaves. As users walk through the space, they experience a multi-layered auditory experience, where sounds can be sensed differently depending on where they are located in the exhibit.

The installation presents a glimpse into the possibilities that the glass offers as an auditory materialm especially in the landscape of a future city.

For more on Milan Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2018, look for our forthcoming material innovation debrief.

Global – Pornhub has launched its Visionaries Director’s Club, which will see it partner with a host of creatives ‘in an effort to diversify porn production and help create more varied content’.

The first in the series, entitled The Gift, features an all-female cast and has been directed by US rapper M.A. Young. In line with our Beyond Product Placement microtrend, the film will feature music from M.A’s upcoming album, called Her Story.

Although there is currently no indication of who the other participating creatives will be, Pornhub has stated that the initiative will pay ‘particular attention to Pornhub’s female audience’.

Barcelona – Building on the evolution of designer bunks, The Student Hotel (TSH) has expanded its remit beyond hostels to student-only residencies that look nothing like traditional university halls.

With its first two sites in Barcelona, TSH Campus offers more luxurious surroundings and services than regular dormitories, with a communal rooftop pool and terrace, super-fast free Wi-Fi, La Forestera restaurant, and a large common area with a games room. Catering to different price points, the residency offers three room types – standard, studio and superior studio.

The co-living environment has a similar aesthetic to the rest of The Student Hotel’s hostel locations, with bold interiors and accent features that are ideal for photo opportunities. It continues a trajectory in culture of creating and curating interior spaces, whether that be a restaurant or a museum exhibition, to be attractive for social media.

Global – A recent study published in the Journal of Cleaner Production predicts that the carbon impact of the whole Information and Communications industry (ICT) including PCs, laptops, monitors, smartphones and servers, is expected to triple over three decades.

The research suggests smartphones are particularly damaging due to the sourcing and manufacturing processes involved in developing new products. Mining the rare materials used inside the devices represents 85% to 95% of the device’s total CO2 emissions for two years. This is coupled with the fact that manufacturers are continuously attempting to outdo existing products and competitors by introducing annual improvements, resulting in a larger strain on the environment.

As consumers become more aware of the environmental impact of their smartphone, it begs the question of whether modular technology will ever take off.