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In a city where luxury storefronts and urban heat dominate the pedestrian experience, an unexpected structure quietly shifts the atmosphere, both literally and metaphorically. The Climacool Teahouse, a collaboration between architecture firm line+ studio, adidas, and sustainability lab ZERO, emerges as a striking yet serene installation nestled in Chengdu’s Taikoo Li. Temporary in nature but lasting in impact, the teahouse offers a new way to think about architecture’s relationship with climate, material, and culture.

Constructed entirely from bamboo and assembled in just five days, the teahouse is more than a spatial experiment; it’s an environmental gesture. Rooted in the principles of vernacular architecture and adapted through modern techniques, the project proposes a different kind of public space: one that responds to its surroundings with lightness, breathability, and emotional tactility. It’s not built to last forever, but it is built to leave a lasting impression.

Designers: line+ studio

At the heart of the installation is a circular grove of live bamboo, forming the core of the pavilion. These fresh stalks are bent radially inward and fixed between a lightweight ground anchoring system and a digitally fabricated canopy ring above. The effect is immersive: visitors find themselves stepping into a vertical forest, shaded and gently enclosed, while still surrounded by the vibrancy of the city. Hovering above, an LED ring references the movement of air and atmospheric change, subtly illuminating the space and guiding visitors’ visual focus upward.

This design, interestingly, grew from a limitation. The original concept for the pavilion was a suspended, floating structure meant to evoke lightness and air. However, city safety regulations forced a rethinking of the approach, prompting the designers to ground their idea, literally, into something vertical and planted. What resulted is arguably more powerful: a living, growing form that grounds the installation in place, while still playing with notions of suspension and airiness.

The architecture itself is composed of two concentric cylinders: an inner core of living bamboo and an outer shell made of woven bamboo strips that form vertical surfaces, seating, and a subtle interface with the surrounding plaza. The material selection is deeply intentional. Bamboo, a renewable and fast-growing resource, is a nod to both regional craftsmanship and ecological responsibility. It is also the project’s main structural and environmental agent, used not just for aesthetic unity, but for its flexibility, ease of assembly, and climatic performance.

Cooling is an integral part of the design. Integrated misting systems, dry ice, and underfloor fans work together to generate a perceptible level-5 breeze, offering thermal comfort to those within the pavilion and even to passersby in the surrounding plaza. Beneath the central canopy, mist is released downward; around the perimeter, additional nozzles cool the bench zones. Floor-embedded fans create upward air movement, enhancing the effect and mirroring the high-performance qualities of adidas’s Climacool product line, for which the installation was partially conceived.

However, the use of dry ice, while visually dramatic and effective in generating cool air, raises environmental considerations. The release of carbon dioxide may not align with broader sustainability goals, but given the project’s overall low-impact structure and short lifespan, it seems likely the team weighed these factors carefully and minimized their use. The misting and fan systems themselves rely on concealed mechanical and electrical infrastructure, cleverly integrated into the bamboo seating and structure to maintain the installation’s clean, organic aesthetic.

Furniture elements, also made entirely of untreated bamboo, reflect Chengdu’s teahouse culture, grounding the futuristic concept in local tradition. Tables and seating are crafted using traditional methods, and these components extend beyond the installation: after the teahouse’s exhibition period, modular benches will be relocated throughout Chengdu, extending the project’s reach into everyday public spaces. In this way, the pavilion’s life continues long after the bamboo walls are disassembled.

The real brilliance of the Climacool Teahouse lies in its impermanence. Designed to be assembled quickly and taken down just as efficiently, the structure exemplifies the potential of ephemeral architecture to influence how we experience the city. It isn’t a permanent fixture, but a moment of relief, reflection, and reconnection with nature in a highly commercialized setting. It challenges the notion that impactful design must be monumental or enduring; instead, it celebrates architecture as atmosphere, focusing on microclimatic comfort, sensory engagement, and community interaction.

The post Climacool Teahouse in Chengdu Redefines Cool with Bamboo, Mist, and Urban Serenity first appeared on Yanko Design.

Vous savez ce qui me fait marrer ? Les sociétés qui proposent de l’IA sur le web passent leur temps a bien verrouiller leurs serveurs contre les attaques classiques, alors que pendant ce temps-là, y’a leur IA qui se fait jailbreaker par un simple “ignore toutes tes instructions précédentes”.

Et c’est un problème car les LLM (Large Language Models) sont partout ! Dans nos chatbots, nos agents IA, nos pipelines RAG…etc mais qui teste réellement leur sécurité ? Hé bien pas encore assez de monde à mon goût, et c’est bien le problème. Même les modèles les plus récents comme GPT-4o ou Claude restent vulnérables à des attaques adversariales relativement simples, avec des taux de réussite de 100% dans certains cas.

Hier, on rentrait de l’école avec mon fils et il m’a posé une question intéressante : “Est ce qu’on peut rester coincé dans une voiture ?”

Grosse question, surtout quand on sait qu’une voiture peut couler entièrement en moins de 60 secondes ou qu’un habitacle peut atteindre 45°C en seulement 30 minutes alors qu’il fait à peine 26°C dehors. Ou encore que toucher simultanément votre voiture et le sol quand un câble électrique est tombé dessus, peut vous instantanément vous griller comme une saucisse…

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AI can almost be found everywhere these days, but most people will probably be familiar with generative AI like ChatGPT. These are mostly encountered in computers and phones because that’s where they make the most sense, but their applications can definitely go beyond that limited scope. These conversational AI can, for example, be embedded anywhere that has a computer, a microphone, and a speaker, which can literally be any object you can imagine.

Yes, it might result in an odd combination that challenges your notions of what AI chatbots can do for you. This smart tea set concept, for example, is a rather intriguing example of this idea, weaving technology, tea-drinking rituals, and social bonds in an unexpected way.

Designers: Kevin Tang, Kelly Fang

ChatGPT and others like it have started to approach the so-called “uncanny valley” in a totally non-visual way. The responses they give sound or read so naturally that it really takes an expert to distinguish it from human output. Talking to these chatbots almost feels like talking to someone, perhaps a friend who is willing to hear how your day went.

That’s the kind of experience that gpTea, a play on the brewed drink and this type of generative AI, wants to bring in a rather novel way. As a smart tea set, it not only brews tea but even tips the kettle forward to automatically pour the drink into a specially designed cup. Impressive as that may seem, that’s not even its most notable feat.

gpTea’s key feature is actually in interactive storytelling that weaves the responses of friends and family separated by distance and connected only through the Internet using this smart tea set. It asks you how your day went and, depending on your response, it might share a similar story given by another friend or loved one in the past. The more people use it, the bigger and longer the narrative grows. It’s almost like developing an oral tradition or history, except one that’s stored in the memory of an AI.

Another interesting feature of gpTea is the glass cup itself, which has a circular display at the bottom. The AI also generates images related to the story it’s telling, making it feel like you’re using magic to see the scene inside the cup. Admittedly, it’s a rather convoluted and complex way of sharing stories with friends when you can just talk to each other, but it’s still an interesting application of AI that actually tries to build connections between humans who are physically far apart.

The post AI-powered smart tea set creates narratives from stories shared by friends first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Modeled on the mythical Apple of Eden orb from the smash hit game series Assassin’s Creed, this limited-edition speaker from Gravastar comes with a gorgeously grungy design, and even sports the assassin hood on top to complete the visual metaphor. I was walking by at IFA 2024 when my eyes first saw the Gravastar booth – known for its beautiful steampunk tech designs, the company’s booth was sure to impress. I walked over, and the first thing my eyes saw was this almost sentient-looking orb facing my way, playing music. As a passionate gamer myself (I just finished replaying AC Odyssey a few months ago), the speaker instantly stood out. It had a piercing personality, with an oxidized metal finish well known in the game, given its ancient Greek origins.

The special-edition speaker is a variant of the company’s existing Mars Pro, but uplifted with a special colorway, an assassin hood, and a special Assassin’s Creed box. Announced just months ago, the speaker is limited to just 1000 units, of which the company says only 20 or so are left.

Inspired by the Apple of Eden, the speaker’s golden, orb-like shape features intricate patterns and glowing LEDs that could easily make you feel like you’ve uncovered a piece of ancient tech from the Assassin’s Creed world. Its sharp aesthetic isn’t an afterthought either—it’s a deliberate tribute to the game’s rich lore, which will resonate deeply with fans.

Built from a zinc alloy, the Mars Pro has a solid, hefty feel with a meticulously hand-painted exterior to give it that grunge appeal. This metal build not only makes it durable, but it also minimizes vibrations, ensuring the sound stays clear even at higher volumes. And, of course, there are GravaStar’s signature tripod legs that make the speaker look more like a futuristic drone than a traditional Bluetooth speaker. The legs provide excellent stability and elevate the design, making it more of a centerpiece than a background device.

Under the hood, the speaker packs a 20W system with a built-in subwoofer and two full-range drivers, providing rich, immersive sound. Whether you’re blasting out action-packed game soundtracks or mellow acoustic tracks, the Mars Pro handles a wide range of frequencies with precision.

Bass is strong but balanced, thanks to a dedicated passive bass radiator at the back (visible if you take off the hood). This makes it ideal for a variety of listening experiences—from gaming marathons where you need to hear every in-game detail to casual music sessions. It also supports Bluetooth 5.0, offering a stable connection with minimal lag. You’ll have no problem streaming high-quality audio from your phone, laptop, or other devices. Battery life is solid, too, with a 6,000mAh battery that provides up to 15 hours of playtime, perfect for long listening sessions without needing to recharge constantly.

What makes this edition truly special is its limited availability. GravaStar has a history of releasing attention-grabbing, limited-run designs, and this Assassin’s Creed collaboration fits right into that mold. Fans of the franchise will appreciate the thoughtfulness behind the design, while collectors will want to grab it for its exclusivity alone. With only a limited number of 1000 units being produced, this speaker feels more like a piece of memorabilia than just an everyday Bluetooth speaker.

Even the packaging has been designed with the collector in mind, featuring Assassin’s Creed-themed artwork and presentation that further highlights its appeal. From unboxing to placing it on your shelf, it feels like you’re handling a genuine artifact from the game.

All in all, the Mars Pro Assassin’s Creed edition serves as a fine example of how gaming culture and high-end audio can blend seamlessly. With a $329.95 price tag, it’s both a collector’s dream and a speaker that delivers on its promises. Sure, it might not unlock ancient secrets or manipulate time, but it will make your playlist sound legendary.

The post We saw the Gravastar Assassin’s Creed Speaker at IFA 2024 and it’s Just Gorgeous first appeared on Yanko Design.

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