Elissaveta M. Brandon

As temperatures skyrocket, Barcelona has devised a simple (and replicable) way to keep people cool

Barcelona set up 163 climate shelters to help residents stay cool in the scorching summer months.

As temperatures skyrocket, Barcelona has devised a simple (and replicable) way to keep people cool

Inside the gargantuan engineering feat of London’s $25 billion Elizabeth Line

A subway is nothing without its tunnels: A whopping 9 million tons of soil was excavated to build the Elizabeth Line, and 99% of that was reused.

Inside the gargantuan engineering feat of London’s $25 billion Elizabeth Line

See the retro icons that let you turn your computer into a 1984 Mac screen

If you’re feeling nostalgic for 1980s Apple, British designer Ben Vessey has just the thing for you.

See the retro icons that let you turn your computer into a 1984 Mac screen

COVID-19 relaxed red tape in cities. Then the bureaucracy returned

The fight over a parking lot in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a microcosm of a bigger problem that’s playing out across the country: Cities are designed for cars, not people, and not even a global pandemic has changed that.

COVID-19 relaxed red tape in cities. Then the bureaucracy returned

This Japanese designer turned discarded fishing containers into groovy furniture

Japan’s declining fishing industry has left behind a constellation of discarded fishing containers. Now some of them have been reborn as chairs.

This Japanese designer turned discarded fishing containers into groovy furniture

Floating solar farms could be worth $10 billion by 2030, but they have a dirty secret

A new farm in Portugal has a clever idea.

Floating solar farms could be worth $10 billion by 2030, but they have a dirty secret

After smart homes and smart rings, meet Can Go, the world’s smartest cane

Developed with usability expert Don Norman, Can Go is designed to strip away the stigma of mobility aids.

After smart homes and smart rings, meet Can Go, the world’s smartest cane

See Lego’s stunning new set, which turns Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ into 3D art

It’s ‘Starry Night,’ but in 2,316 pieces.

See Lego’s stunning new set, which turns Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ into 3D art

Lavaforming: One architect’s wild idea to construct buildings from molten lava

3D-printed bricks made of magma? It’s not as far-fetched as you think.

Lavaforming: One architect’s wild idea to construct buildings from molten lava

These designers turned old puffer jackets into comfy chairs

It probably feels like sitting on a cloud.

These designers turned old puffer jackets into comfy chairs

Millions of plastic COVID-19 tests end up in landfills. This biodegradable test could be a game-changer

No more plastic waste. No more nose swabs.

Millions of plastic COVID-19 tests end up in landfills. This biodegradable test could be a game-changer

I haven’t bought a single piece of furniture this year. Here’s how

My building’s bulletin board has become a go-to place for sustainably sourced secondhand furniture: zero shipping costs, no carbon emissions involved.

I haven’t bought a single piece of furniture this year. Here’s how

A portable wind turbine that fits in your backpack? Yes please

Humans have been harnessing the wind for centuries, but Shine is a radical departure from large-scale projects like windmills or wind farms.

A portable wind turbine that fits in your backpack? Yes please

This portable device can turn saltwater into drinking water at the touch of a button

MIT researchers developed the suitcase-size device for regular people, so it can be used in remote islands and refugee camps.

This portable device can turn saltwater into drinking water at the touch of a button

Furious about the fall of Roe v. Wade? Here’s how to design a protest sign that goes viral

Dozens of protests have erupted around the U.S. since the bombshell leak signaling the end of Roe v. Wade. If you’re thinking of joining the crowd, here’s what you can do to make your poster stand out.

Furious about the fall of Roe v. Wade? Here’s how to design a protest sign that goes viral

Why this chicken coop was built on wheels

The first robo coop-raised chickens are about to land on your supermarket shelves this summer.

Why this chicken coop was built on wheels

Ikea unveils a new Swedish meatball—for insects only

Swedish Seedballs are made of soil, clay, and wildflower seeds—and can help you grow native plants in your backyard.

Ikea unveils a new Swedish meatball—for insects only

This bird-shaped monitor drops dead when your indoor air is bad

Canairi uses a simple mechanism to alert you when the CO2 levels get too high indoors.

This bird-shaped monitor drops dead when your indoor air is bad

A bold new design journal is upending the status quo: ‘Design should feel more like jazz’

The biannual publication has been pushing for a more equitable understanding of design for two years.

A bold new design journal is upending the status quo: ‘Design should feel more like jazz’

Jony Ive’s design lab announces the first 4 winners of its ambitious climate challenge

A high-tech harness that can capture cows’ methane and the first 100% recyclable outdoor clothing are among the winners of the inaugural Terra Carta Design Lab award.

Jony Ive’s design lab announces the first 4 winners of its ambitious climate challenge

Impact

JetBlue is staging a hostile takeover of Spirit. What would a merger mean for flight attendants?

Why Australia has had only one mass shooting since 1996

This fund wants to give you $100,000 to launch your climate tech startup quickly

News

90% of Asian Americans worry about being attacked as anti-Asian violence and hate crimes spike

Joby Aviation stock jumps after air taxi company nabs critical FAA certificate ahead of schedule

The polling is clear: Americans want background checks

Co.Design

This ingenious tool helps cities avoid rabid NIMBY arguments over housing

Ex-Nike designer builds a boot that could prevent 80,000 amputations a year

As temperatures skyrocket, Barcelona has devised a simple (and replicable) way to keep people cool

Work Life

Your constructive feedback helps no one if you trigger this emotional reaction

Your BIPOC employees are sick and tired of getting asked this question

How to future-proof your job by thinking like a futurist