In a world marked by rapid urbanization and the relentless march of concrete and steel, a unique sanctuary has emerged, standing as a testament to the power of spirituality and sustainable innovation. Côme Di Meglio’s MycoTemple is a transformative living structure that harnesses the astonishing capabilities of mycelium, creating a biodegradable domed space for physical and spiritual transformation.

Designer: Côme Di Meglio

At first glance, MycoTemple is a marvel of art and architecture, a five-meter-wide domed structure that seems to rise from the Earth itself. However, what truly sets it apart is its construction material: mycelium, the intricate underground network of fungi that has the remarkable ability to grow structures. Concealed within this mycelium marvel is a hand-carved wooden structure, hidden from view and only revealed as the mycelium gradually biodegrades over time, returning to the soil from where it came.

Stepping into MycoTemple is like stepping into another realm. Its thick, mycelium-based walls insulate visitors from the clamor of the outside world, creating a serene cocoon of tranquility. Within the semi-darkness, one becomes enveloped by an intriguing material, rich in textures and colors. Some areas feel rough, reminiscent of minerals, while others are soft and velvety, akin to the gentle touch of skin. Every square centimeter is a microscopic landscape meant to be explored, contemplated, and caressed. The immersive scent of the underwood establishes an intimate connection between visitors and the environment, enhancing the sensory experience.

The sensory immersion within this living organism, crafted into an architectural wonder, triggers a heightened state of awareness and a profound sense of presence. MycoTemple invites us to delve deep within ourselves, tapping into something primal and ancient that resides within each of us.

Beyond its artistic and architectural allure, MycoTemple serves a higher purpose as a space designed to foster a diverse range of collective experiences and communal events. It is a place for gatherings, concerts, and quiet moments of contemplation. Di Meglio envisions the dome as a vessel for emotions and dreams, and he notes, “All the emotions and dreams birthed in the dome will nurture this porous material.”

More than just a space for individual introspection, MycoTemple is designed to nurture our essential connection to the living world. It also serves as a place to strengthen our bonds with others. The shape of the dome itself harks back to ancestral dwellings, reminiscent of the caves where early humans sought shelter from external dangers. It’s a form that has been embraced by countless cultures around the world in sacred architecture—places where communities would gather in circles to share stories, ignite shared imaginations, and weave narratives that solidify their sense of belonging to a greater whole.

The gradual biodegradation of MycoTemple is an integral part of its aesthetic experience. It invites visitors to return throughout the seasons, providing an opportunity to witness the passage of time and the organic process of decay and renewal. It’s a reminder that all things are in a constant state of change, and it invites us to reflect on our transient existence.

The entire process of cultivating the mycelium, from its inception to the completion of MycoTemple, unfolded in Di Meglio’s artist studio in Marseille. Utilizing a low-tech approach and repurposed industrial waste, particularly sawdust, the design team grew the architectural-sized dome segments. This exploration of bio-material innovation showcases the potential of sustainable materials and practices in architecture.

MycoTemple is a testament to the power of innovation, sustainability, and spirituality coming together in harmony. It challenges our preconceptions about the permanence of structures and encourages us to reconnect with nature. As we stand in awe of this living sanctuary, we are reminded of the transformative potential that lies at the intersection of art, architecture, and the natural world. MycoTemple is not just a physical structure; it’s a journey of self-discovery and a celebration of the Earth’s remarkable regenerative capabilities.

I am a huge fan of Legos in the sense that I like looking at the finished products, especially if they’re pop culture-related. But I basically don’t have the patience to put those elaborate sets together so I actually am not tempted to buy any of these sets (aside from the fact that they can be really expensive). But I do like seeing videos of how they’re put together or looking at pictures of what it looks like upon its final build. If you’re a Super Mario fan, this upcoming new product to add to the LEGO Super Mario sets may be of interest, or for people like me, may be of interest to read about.

Designer: LEGO

The LEGO Super Mario Piranha Plant is made up of 540 pieces and when put together, you get exactly what its name says. The sharp-toothed Piranha Plant is one of the most annoying things you can get when you’re playing the game. Now you can commemorate this “villain” by putting together the LEGO set which is also camera-ready since you want to show off that you were able to finish this masterpiece.

The plant has most of the details and chracteristics that you see in the game, including spiky leaves, the polka-dot head, and the green pipe from which it grows. You even get two gold coins as well similar to the game and you can store it in the pipe. Once you finish it, it’s perfect for displaying in your desk, bookshelf, or if you’re a serious LEGO collector, add it to your display case. It’s just 9 inches in height so it won’t take up much space.

The LEGO Piranha Plant will be available this coming November and is priced at $59.99. It’s pretty affordable compared to the more elaborate hundreds or even thousands of dollar sets that LEGO has released. You can add it to other Super Mario themed sets like The Mighty Bowser and the Super Mario 64 Block.

In the world of automotive remakes, there are classics, and then there are those rare gems that redefine what a classic can be. The Boschert B300 Gullwing falls squarely into the latter category. This remarkable creation embodies the dreams and ingenuity of its creator, making the ride a desirable creation for car mod aficionados.

So, what makes the Boschert B300 Gullwing such a standout in the sea of customized vehicles out there? Well, it all starts with the base—a 1988 Mercedes 300CE. At first glance, you might mistake it for the modernized DeLorean. The unassuming Mercedes-Benz has undergone a transformation that takes it from the mundane to the extraordinary realm.

Designer: RM Sothebys

The most eye-catching feature of the modded B300 is its gullwing doors. These iconic doors harken back to the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300SL, adding an air of sophistication and intrigue to this unique creation. They’re not just for show; they’re fully functional and serve as a captivating entry point to the driver’s seat. Under the hood, the B300 retains its Mercedes-Benz heart, which has been tuned and enhanced to unleash its full potential.

Considerable reengineering efforts were dedicated to this bespoke vehicle. The initial doors of the donor car were carefully removed, necessitating a forward movement of the C-pillar by 9.9 inches (25 cm) to accommodate the installation of the new roof-hinged gullwing doors. These doors, impressively large, offer simultaneous access to both the front and rear seats. Additionally, 9.9 inches were skillfully trimmed from the rear overhang to enhance the vehicle’s road-handling capabilities. Furthermore, the sills were repositioned and the unibody was substantially reinforced.

A striking touch is the grafting of the front end of a Mercedes R129-generation SL onto the vehicle’s front. These structural modifications are substantial, and it’s evident that Zagato played a significant role in the design and execution. The final result is so refined that it could easily be mistaken for a creation from Mercedes themselves. Inside, the B300 maintains a classic vibe while incorporating modern conveniences. The cabin is a tasteful blend of vintage charm and contemporary luxury, creating a comfortable and stylish environment for the driver and passengers.

What truly sets the Boschert B300 Gullwing apart is its exclusivity. This one-off creation will be a prized possession for those dreaming of owning a piece of automotive history, that dream might soon become a reality. The Boschert B300 Gullwing is set to go under the hammer at an upcoming auction in November for an expected price of €250,000-300,000 ($265-318k) – about a tenth of the price of a real 300SL Gullwing.

It’s all but confirmed that Apple’s been working on a Max version of their HomePod speaker. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo mentioned earlier this year that Apple has internally developed their larger HomePod model, but has held back on releasing it – with a hopeful debut by or before 2024. Hinting at a possible 7-inch display (although there’s a fair chance 7 inches may fall short for the kinds of applications Kuo has mentioned), the analyst and credible rumor expert said: “The HomePod, which equips a panel, could enable tighter integration with Apple’s other hardware products, marking a significant shift in the company’s smart home strategy.”

While we await Apple’s Scary Fast event scheduled for October 30th, here’s a look at what this bigger HomePod could possibly look like. Apple did give the original HomePod a refresh this year, which means the HomePod Mini is due for a refresh too. The company hasn’t upgraded the AirPods Max in years either, so now seems like the best time to debut the new HomePod Max – a speaker that champions Apple’s product ecosystem while being an audiophile’s best friend and a truly versatile smart-home accessory.

Designer: Sarang Sheth

For a device with a $300 price tag, the HomePod has sure felt slightly disappointing – not in terms of audio, but rather in terms of that limited circular display on top. The circular display has served no purpose apart from visualizing Siri’s voice through gradients, and allowing users to toggle playback and control volume. A larger display on a larger speaker opens up a variety of possibilities. For starters, it opens up the possibility for a much more comprehensive interface that can alternate between playing music, providing a more visual Siri experience, serving as a smart Apple Home dashboard, and being the perfect device for Apple’s latest iOS trick – the Standby Mode.

The HomePod Max with Standby Mode

Current HomePods don’t really exploit their display to its full potential, but simply expanding that display wouldn’t necessarily work. Having an upward-facing screen is a usability issue because people need to walk up to it to really see what’s on it. Conversely, having a screen facing frontwards ends up compromising on the speaker’s front-firing capabilities. The optimal solution, is a tilted display that’s easy to view from a distance while still facing directly at you up close. It’s easy to tap on and interact with, and doesn’t impede the HomePod Max’s ability to disperse 360° audio all across your room.

HomePod Max in White

Other HomePod Max features include the kind you’d find on your iPhone or iPad. The device’s screen serves as a neat display for all sorts of actionable information. Apart from the Standby Mode, the HomePod Max also displays the weather, shows you a more intuitive chat UI with Siri, allows you to monitor aspects of your smart home, and even enables synchronization with Apple TV aside from Apple Music.

Weather on the HomePod Max

Siri on the HomePod Max

The HomePod Max seems like the only natural progression for Apple’s speaker range. Every product that Apple has launched a ‘Mini’ version of has seen a Max version too. The Mac Mini got a Mac Studio last year, the iPad Mini has had a larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the iPhone Mini series, although discontinued, has a rival in the ‘Plus’ variant of the phone. Similarly, the HomePod Max gives the HomePod and HomePod Mini a bigger sibling, while doubling down on a whole slew of features that the other HomePods don’t have.

Would this mean being able to pair multiple HomePods as a part of a 2.1 or 5.1 setup? Well, Apple’s a true master of Spatial Audio, and HomePods have been known to sync up rather well, so it’s entirely conceivable that the HomePod Max could serve as a thundering woofer while the smaller HomePods become tweeters to complete the experience. The entire experience is further enhanced by the fact that Apple’s speakers can calculate the size of the room and their relative position in it, optimizing sound in the process. Pair this with Apple TV, or even better, with the Vision Pro and you have perhaps the most immersive movie-watching experience money can buy!

A definitive launch date for Apple’s ‘bigger’ HomePod isn’t clear although Ming-Chi Kuo and other analysts have pretty much guaranteed that the company’s been working hard at a bigger HomePod and that it’s arriving sooner rather than later. Ming-Chi Kuo also has it on good authority that supplier Tianma will be developing the display panel for this HomePod Max. Until then, let’s see what Apple has in store for us come Monday, October the 3oth!

Wood has been the material of choice for furniture designers for ages galore. And no wonder! There’s something about wood that instantly adds a sense of zen and calm to any living space it is placed into. It puts your mind at ease while managing to radiate a feeling of warmth and tranquility. It’s a minimal material that holds a strong personality without any additional frills and tassels. I truly believe a well-crafted piece of wooden furniture can add a magical touch to even the simplest of living spaces. Minimal, clean, and almost always soothing, beautifully designed wooden furniture helps add the ultimate finishing touch to a room. And the Soul Sculpture Bench is a fine specimen of wooden furniture design.

Designer: Verónica Mar for Les Ateliers Courbet

Designed by Madrid-based designer Verónica Mar for Les Ateliers Courbet, the Soul Sculpture Bench is a minimalist bench that has a spiritual sensitivity, and is designed to balance and ground the energy of the space it is placed into. The bench goes beyond an ordinary tactile furniture design but instead intends to add a soothing and calming effect to any space.

The Soul Sculpture Bench is inspired by the recurring spiral patterns that are often seen and found in the universe, in the various galaxies, in the intricate DNA chains, and in the dynamic water currents. It aims to create a cohesive connection between nature and design, tying the two together seamlessly and subtly. As you look at the bench, you are reminded of the beauty of the vast universe, and of all the little bonds and connections that reside within it.

The wooden bench is designed to be a unique and versatile piece that can be placed seamlessly into both public and private spaces. It can merge perfectly with a private indoor setting, as well as a public area. It is designed to be a thought-provoking and conversation-starting seating solution, that encourages viewers and users to pause, reflect, and not only appreciate but discuss the dynamics of the vast universe, and the ever-changing natural world.