Tag Archives: aluminum

teenage engineering desktop PC case exudes raw power with a retro-futuristic vibe

Posted on by

Unless you’re a PC gamer, you most likely want to hide your desktop PC’s tall chassis from sight. Either that or you have opted for more recent desktops that are embracing modern, sometimes minimalist designs that you’d actually want to flaunt on your desk. People’s tastes vary, of course, and some computer users might not be so taken by the smooth and polished bodies of these elegant towers. Fortunately, you don’t have to feel stuck between flashy and bare with this new variant of teenage engineering’s unique and head-turning computer case, designed to be simple yet also expressive, now with an almost brutalist character that makes it feel like a post-apocalyptic computer of the future.

Designer: teenage engineering

teenage engineering designs have always been notable for their unorthodox nature and artistic personalities. Almost like a teen, there is a certain rebelliousness to its products, going against the status quo and thinking outside the box. Nowhere is that more evident than in the computer-1 desktop PC case that is like a nod to the days when computer users had to assemble every part of the PC in their garages or rooms.

The computer-1 case isn’t distinctive only because of its pure orange RAL 2004 powder-coated finish, which is definitely the most unexpected color for a desktop PC. Its claim to fame is that, unlike the chassis you’d buy from computer stores, this one has to be assembled even before you can cram in a mini ITX motherboard and other components. Flat-packed as sheets of metal with a few other parts, this makes the computer-1 more efficient to make and ship, not to mention giving owners a little adventure in piecing everything together.

teenage engineering is now offering this one-of-a-kind computer case in a new color, embracing a more “normal” raw anodized aluminum finish. It isn’t as shiny as, say, an Apple Mac Pro, and it really emphasizes that raw appearance. On the one hand, the overall design looks like something you might have cobbled up on your own due to a lack of materials available. On the other hand, that unfinished appearance does give it a distinctive personality, like a computer that’s built to be able to rough it out, regardless of what load you throw at it.

In all other aspects, it’s exactly the same computer-1 case that the brand launched quite a while back, meaning it has the same space-saving footprint and accessible price tag. And, of course, that means you’ll also have to do that nerve-wracking bending step when putting it together, but that’s pretty much part of the appeal of this rather quirky desktop PC box.

The post teenage engineering desktop PC case exudes raw power with a retro-futuristic vibe first appeared on Yanko Design.

Metal Biomechanical Spine Armor Is Battle Cyborg Ready

Posted on by

Developed and built by Etsy shop BionicConcepts, this biomechanical metal spine armor features everything you’d look for in new spine armor, like cool looks and light-up effects. The cyberpunk-style spine is constructed from aluminum and will be worn daily by yours truly. I just need to cut a huge hole out of the back of my sofa first so I can relax comfortably.

Available in raw aluminum and black finishes, the cyborg spines start at around $710 for a silver (raw metal) model with a single color light, up to $910 for one with a black finish and RGB lighting. I’m probably going to compromise and get the silver with RGB lighting for $837, with a special request to mark the box it comes in ‘NOT ANOTHER CYBORG SPINE HONEY, I SWEAR.’

Don’t have the money to buy one of these spines? Head to the junkyard and get the parts to construct your own. Just make sure you’re up to date on your tetanus shot first. Also, maybe not trying to visit the junkyard after regular business hours under the cover of darkness because I was definitely shot at.

This mini handheld grater makes it easy to add flavor and joy to your meals

Posted on by

Grating ingredients is not exactly something one would consider enjoyable or even satisfying. It doesn’t require much skill compared to slicing and dicing, and the common tools for grating aren’t that fun to work with, either. Why should you have to use a large metallic weapon just to add a touch of cinnamon to a plate? They say, however, that every little thing matters, and that’s especially true for garnishes and grated ingredients. Quite appropriately, this grater is also little, small enough to securely fit in the palm of your hand, almost like a toy. And just like a toy, it is designed to add a bit of fun to your kitchen and dining life while you add a bit of cheese or lemon zest to your dish.

Designer: Gensuke Kishi for Tsuboe

Click Here to Buy Now: $21 $25 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, sitewide Pre-Black Friday sale ends Nov 14th.

Your typical graters are large pieces of metal that are often unwieldy to use except in the hands of a total pro. Sure, larger graters that tower over your plate have a place in larger kitchens, but the average use of graters at home rarely goes that far. Plus, even the most common grater is cumbersome to use, leading to hurt fingers and hurt feelings.

In stark contrast, the irogami grater is simple in all aspects that you wonder why home kitchen graters aren’t made this way, too. Instead of multiple pieces of metal bent and curved at different places, the grater is a single sheet of aluminum alloy that curls backward in one corner. The design makes it look almost like a sheet of paper, particularly a colorful sticky note or memo pad, that speaks to both its playful and serious demeanor.

That curled corner isn’t just an embellishment, though. It’s actually designed to rest snugly on your index finger so that the whole grater nests securely in the palm of your hand. Compared to those cumbersome graters that you have to hold tight at their handles, this form gives you a firmer grip. As a bonus, that curl also makes it trivial to hang the grater on rods and bars, though there’s also a hole for a hook if you prefer it that way.

Using this playful grater is like a game itself. Simply move the piece of cheese or stick of cinnamon from left to right and watch the tiny pieces fall down on your food. That’s really all there is to it! There are no holes where pieces of food get stuck and hide, making it easier to clean the grater. Of course, that also means the hand holding the grater remains clean since it’s more than enough for only one hand to get a bit dirty.

This simple yet genius grater comes in a variety of lively colors that perfectly complement its cheerful design. Sure, it might not fit the rest of your fine, silver-clad kitchen tools, but the typical monstrous and rough grater never really fit in either. More than just color and simplicity, however, this grater brings fun and life to your food, both in its preparation as well as its inevitable consumption.

Click Here to Buy Now: $21 $25 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, sitewide Pre-Black Friday sale ends Nov 14th.

The post This mini handheld grater makes it easy to add flavor and joy to your meals first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lazlo is a handsome ballpoint pen that celebrates the joys of writing

Posted on by

You don’t need complex mechanisms to elevate the ballpoint, as this innovative pen beautifully demonstrates.

It has almost been 85 years since the first ballpoint pen was revealed to the public and patented by inventor Lazlo Biro. Since then, the writing tool has become a staple of everyday life, making writing more accessible and more common. Unfortunately, the proliferation of cheap ballpoint pens has also made both the act and the tool more mundane, taking for granted one of the key accomplishments of human civilization. Every now and then, a new pen appears that reminds us of the unique experience of writing, and the Lazlo is one such instrument that brings back those feelings with a pen whose simplicity and beauty belie the ingenuity inside and the quality writing experience it delivers.

Designers: Odin Ardagh and Noah Bier of Makers Cabinet

Click Here to Buy Now: $68 $105 (35% off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left!

Many ballpoint pens today employ complex mechanisms and components in an attempt to make the writing experience more pleasurable. Unfortunately, it has the opposite effect of making the pen more prone to malfunctions and less likely to last a long time. Most of the time, making things simpler is actually the solution, and this pen named after the Father of Ballpoint applies that philosophy but with a special twist, literally and figuratively.

The Patent Pending Mechanism – Diametrically opposed neodymium magnets rotate bi-directionally to engage and disengage the cartridge to create an unparalleled crisp click.

The Lazlo pen utilizes a patent-pending dipole magnetic mechanism that extends or retracts the ballpoint with a simple twist of the knurled top of the pen. There are no springs involved, reducing the chances of the pen breaking due to wear and tear or broken parts. You still get a satisfying snap when you twist the cap, though, and some might even be tempted to use the pen as a makeshift fidget toy while letting ideas percolate in your head. The pen’s minimalist aesthetic makes it a good fit for any stationery or desk theme, but you still have a choice of materials and their corresponding weight. The anodized space-grade aluminum blends well with many laptops of the same hue and is the lighter option at only 40g. The precision-machined solid brass, on the other hand, has a bit of heft at 65g but ages gracefully with a patina over time. Whichever variant you choose, you are guaranteed a well-balanced tool that will feel comfortable and stable in your hand.

A Satisfying, Balanced Weight – The profile is marginally tapered, forming an elegant shape which is both comfortable in your hand and balanced in weight.

Longevity Tested to 80+ Years of Use.

Featuring Schmidt – The Schmidt MegaLine ballpoint refill is a highly sophisticated writing module based on a gas-pressurized system. This enables you to not only write upside down but also in the most extreme environmental conditions.

The Drop Stand.

Unlike most ballpoint pens, Lazlo is designed not just with durability and longevity in mind but also with sustainability. Its all-metal construction means that every part of the pen is recyclable. The steel clip that lets you conveniently carry the Lazlo pen in your front pocket is easily removable, and so is the front cap that gives easy access to the refill inside. It uses widely-available Schmidt MegaLine ballpoint refills, which utilize an innovative gas-pressurized system that lets you write even upside-down. The pen is also now compatible with Euro-Style cartridges, expanding your choices of refills. This means you won’t have to keep on buying new pens just because the ink has run out. Everything about the pen is designed to make it easy to repair, maintain, and preserve, ensuring that it will be around for years.

Even the packaging is made from sustainable and recyclable materials, including the cork drop stand that comes with every pen. You could, of course, also opt for a metal drop stand that matches the pen’s brass or aluminum body. There is also a Lazlo Sheath designed specifically for the pen, made from premium Badalassi Carlo leather that ages well with the pen itself. Whether you prop it up on a stand, keep it in your pocket, or display it in its leather bed, the all-metal Lazlo ballpoint pen will look striking in its simplicity, serving as a visual reminder of the simple joys of writing with a good pen.

Click Here to Buy Now: $68 $105 (35% off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left!

The post Lazlo is a handsome ballpoint pen that celebrates the joys of writing first appeared on Yanko Design.

Neo-Primitive Chair proves nature and artifacts can coexist in harmony

Posted on by

RIMOWA Lee Sisan Neo-primitive

Through the decades, Rimowa has released very distinctive luggage and bag designs, most of which are much-coveted among social media and travel influencers. The famous luggage maker has been seen collaborating with luxury brands, artists, and designers to release interesting pieces and it’s not stopping anytime soon. We have spotted a few memorable ones and even those inspired designs that can be a perfect alternative because Rimowa isn’t exactly cheap. While the most successful collaborations are all with sports or fashion brands like Supreme, Off-White, Anti Social Social Club, and BAPE, there are also a few quieter collabs like this one with Sisan Lee, a South Korean designer and artist who is bent on exploring the relationship between humans, nature, and artifact. Lee believes objects can co-exist with nature in harmony, so he works with different materials to deliver unique items with functions that people can use and enjoy.

Designer: Sisan Lee

RIMOWA Lee Sisan Neo-primitive Aluminum Chair Exhibit

Sisan Lee has teamed up with premium-quality luggage brand Rimowa for a collaboration that was meant to be showcased at the “As Seen by” exhibit in South Korea. The designer utilized Rimowa’s very own grooved aluminum sheets, the same ones used on the brand’s prized carrier luggage pieces. He also thought of using tree branches and then transforming them into aluminum using sand casting–resulting in a luxuriously-styled chair that will probably make you remember you’re not yet traveling as you used to.

RIMOWA Lee Sisan Neo-primitive Aluminum Chair Components

These aluminum branches act as legs and support for the thin aluminum backrest, whose design is the pattern for the luggage cover. It’s actually the cutout of the main form of the luggage before assembly, while another sheet of aluminum is also used for the seat and then combined with other sheets by bolts. The aluminum chair stands tall with a silver finish, looking like another expensive furniture item to behold and cherish.

RIMOWA Lee Sisan Neo-primitive Aluminum Chair Design

Artifact (aluminum) and nature (branches) are blended to prove that harmony can create a stunning piece of functional art. The effect is a mysterious atmosphere of two different materials and components, forming an alluring object you can’t ignore. The choice of aluminum makes the chair sturdy and durable even if it looks sleek and fragile with very thin materials. It may look brittle, but like the famous Rimowa luggage series, the Neo-Primitive Chair is made with strength and solidity. This thing measures W410 x D 520 x H 1800cm and is ready to look pretty and perfect in your industrial-style home.

This Neo-Primitive Chair is considered an organic piece of furniture as it brings together nature and manufactured articles. The cast aluminum branches offer strength, support, and stability for anyone who dares to sit on the aluminum throne. The name Neo-Primitive is a perfect description for this piece that gives old materials a new lease in life.

RIMOWA Lee Sisan Neo-primitive Aluminum Chair Materials

RIMOWA Lee Sisan Neo-primitive Aluminum Chair Components

RIMOWA Lee Sisan Neo-primitive Aluminum Chair Design

The post Neo-Primitive Chair proves nature and artifacts can coexist in harmony first appeared on Yanko Design.

Keychron Q3 is a handsome mechanical keyboard you can customize to your heart’s content

Posted on by

Most computer users take their keyboards for granted, especially laptop owners who have little choice on the matter anyway, at least when not at home or in the office. For those whose lives and livelihoods depend on typing away on a keyboard most of the day, however, choosing the right keyboard is almost like a religion. In addition to the comfort promised by ergonomic keyboards, there are also other factors like key travel and even acoustics that drive some people nuts if they aren’t right. It’s hard to design one keyboard that meets all needs, but this new mechanical keyboard lets buyers mix and match parts that they like and comes with a slightly better sustainability story, thanks to its rather peculiar design.

Designer: Keychron

Mechanical keyboards are still a matter of debate in general, with some people cursing the louder sounds they make compared to regular keyboards. Conversely, many professional computer users, from programmers to writers, swear by this kind of keyboard because of the accuracy and comfort they actually provide by using mechanical switches instead of rubber membranes. And if you feel that those still aren’t enough, then this customizable keyboard might be the deal for you.

Although you can buy a fully assembled Keychrone Q3, its real appeal is the ability to mix and match the parts that you want, including the keycaps and the switches underneath. That means that you can pick the “intensity” of the sound your keyboard makes, from the softest “Red” to the loudest “Brown.” You can also choose the colors and materials of the keycaps, from typical ABS to more durable PBT.

Unlike your typical keyboard, however, the Keychron Q3 can almost be considered a work of art as well. That is thanks to its all-metal body, specifically 6063 aluminum that is CNC machined, anodized, sandblasted, and more. And in case you were worrying about the noise, Keychron took special care that the metal body wouldn’t make you the most unpopular person in the room.

Even though there is still plenty of plastics used here, the aluminum body and the customization options make this keyboard a bit more sustainable than most of its peers. The body itself will last a long, long time and can be recycled when its end of life does arrive. But since the other parts can also easily be replaced, it will take an even longer time before it has to be retired from service in the first place.

The Tenkeyless (TKL) Keychron Q3 isn’t just all looks and sounds, of course. Designed specifically for designers, programmers, and gamers, the design ditches the extraneous numpad and incorporates a lot of features that its users can customize to fit their workflow. There’s even a physical knob that can be mapped to changing the volume to changing brush size. The Keychron Q3 almost sounds like the keyboard lover’s dream, no pun intended, and looks handsome on your minimalist desk to boot.

The post Keychron Q3 is a handsome mechanical keyboard you can customize to your heart’s content first appeared on Yanko Design.

Grovemade gives the classic mouse pad a well-deserved update

Posted on by

Now you can have an elegant mouse pad that will age gracefully with you and might even have a place for your favorite pen as well.

Not every computer user needs a mouse pad, especially those that have grown used to even less ergonomic touchpads. Those that do need a mouse pad, sometimes because their mouse won’t work on glossy surfaces, are often at a loss looking for the perfect mouse pad that will last them for years rather than months. Even worse, the choices for mouse pads that will match whatever minimalist design you have going on your desk are even slimmer. Fortunately, there are some boutiques that make it their mission to create exactly those kinds of desk and computer accessories, and this newest leather-toting mouse pad is the latest to come our way, offering a mouse pad that will probably age better than the mouse you’ll be using it with.

Designer: Grovemade

This leather mouse pad is actually a redesign of the brand’s earlier design, a much-needed and overdue update considering how the rest of its desk collection already got their facelift by now. The designers were particularly concerned that the 2014 mouse pad didn’t stand the test of time and the elements, a major disappointment for something like leather that’s supposed to last for ages. Fortunately, the studio now knows better and is now able to make use of a material that they didn’t consider years ago.

Aluminum had properties that made it favorable as a part of the mouse pad, particularly because of its ability to maintain its form despite weather changes and years of use. It turns out that some people actually look for glass or metal mouse pads, so rigidity wouldn’t be a problem. Despite that hard metal chassis, Grovemade’s mouse pad still looked and felt soft, thanks to the cork foot at the bottom and the vegetable-tanned leather on top.

Another major part of the redesign can be in the pen tray, an optional but popular feature of these leather mouse pads. The designers went through various iterations of ideas in order to better match the “floating” theme of the rest of the redesigned desk collection, leaving behind the “hump” of the 2014 original. The best answer turned out to be the simplest, using a gentle slope elevating the pen wooden pen tray, with the nook sitting flush against its leather surroundings. The mouse pad’s edges overshoot the tray and the cork foot just by a bit, further giving it that floating illusion.

The end result is a mouse pad that is both simple and handsome, making it a proud addition to any minimalist workspace. The genuine leather will, of course, develop scuffs and patina over time, which is actually a much sought-after trait. Along with slight variations in color and wood grain, this makes each Grovemade leather mouse pad unique and special. And thanks to that aluminum interior, it’s going to last a lot longer, too.

The post Grovemade gives the classic mouse pad a well-deserved update first appeared on Yanko Design.

This prefab house is an energy-efficient & modular dwelling made entirely from aluminum!

Posted on by




Prefab architecture is the future of the home construction industry – they reduce the impact on the environment, have a much faster turnaround time, and are relatively cost-effective. A shining example of what the future will look like is the Pi House that was assembled in 45 days on a wooded hillside in the Mexico City Colonia of Bosques de las Lomas. The highly energy-efficient home was built with an ingenious, fully customizable modular construction system, and only aluminum was used for the frame.

The prefab dwelling comes flat-packed in multiple boxes and can be assembled in 45 days without the help of heavy machinery. It uses extrusion-die aluminum framing that’s anchored with rebar to the ground or a poured concrete foundation. Just like a Lego set, there is a network of steel doughnuts that spans lengths of up to 30 feet to support the structure.

The aluminum studs link seamlessly to joists and the exterior cladding is clipped onto the frame. It’s a method that could be extended to 45 feet which makes it modular and easier to expand in case the home belongs to a growing family. Pi House can be shipped anywhere, the system allows it to be the perfect structure for single-family homes as well as larger projects like social housing.

Pi Home can be fully customized right from the interior to furniture selection and even the fabrics to the veneer of the wall panels. The walls and floors are composed of MDF with the wood veneer clipped to the aluminum structure. Insulation between the exterior cladding and interior walls gives the home an energy-efficiency rating as high as R30 depending on its thickness.

The rear curtain wall system opens to an outdoor patio raised above the wooded landscape. Retractable screens allow for shade and privacy in the living area. The main bedroom on the second floor takes advantage of the curtain wall’s openness. The first prototype is a luxurious version that is furnished with state-of-the-art appliances and high-quality materials.

The Pi Home is adaptable to different site conditions and has been engineered to withstand the earthquakes that are common to Mexico City. Double-glazed windows facing south provide both insulation and adequate heat gain for the cooler climate of the city’s higher altitude in Bosques de las Lomas. “You have all of this midcentury inheritance, but truly, when you visit these houses in California, it was all very aesthetic, but it was unlivable on a hot or cold day. We have to take the step and accomplish having efficient thermal living inside the house,” elaborates Aragonés.

Personally, I love the wraparound veranda the most. It is bordered with glass which creates additional outdoor space. The walls and joists have thermal and waffle insulation packages that meet California’s high R22 sustainability standards. This achieves a complete thermal break to prevent leakage of heat through the structure.

The sweeping windows are all double-glazed and using aluminum for the construction makes it a far more sustainable structure compared to traditional homes. Aluminum is one of the most easily and widely recycled materials giving the house an especially circular life cycle while those made with concrete are the biggest global contributors of carbon emissions for the construction industry.

“It’s important to emphasize this being not only a modular system, but a construction system, so it can transform according to the site’s topography and dimensions. If you need to adapt it for a particular project or landscape, you’re easily able to adjust the construction system,” adds Rafael Aragonés who is the son of architect Miguel Aragonés and an associate in the studio.

The Pi House has received an international patent in Switzerland for being the first-of-its-kind structure for aluminum houses and once the International Code Council building certified the process, Taller Aragonés will expand the market to California, New York, and Texas. The aluminum frame, speed of assembly, and cheaper shipping make it about a third of the cost of a typical construction — which is why I called it the modern home affordable of the future that will help more people become homeowners faster while reducing the carbon footprint at a family level.

Designer: Taller Aragonés

The World’s Lightest Chair Weighs Only 3.66 Pounds

Posted on by

Chairs: they make a terrible noise when you pull them out from under the dining room table because they’re heavy and you’re too lazy or not strong enough to pick them up (both in my case). Enter the ULTRALEGGERA chair designed by Oskar Zięta, a chair that weighs only 1660 grams (~3.66 pounds), and is made entirely from lightweight aluminum. But will it be able to support me after Thanksgiving dinner?

THe ULTRALEGGERA features a laser-cut backrest and seat to further shave off weight and comes in four colors: natural aluminum, white, painted silver, and black. Unfortunately, for those interested that weren’t born with silver spoons in their mouths, what the chair lacks in weight more than makes up for in price, with a single chair costing over $900. For reference, I was able to buy about forty folding chairs for that, and still, nobody came to see my band play.

[via Dude I Want That]

Full Dragonscale Gauntlets: Dungeons & Dragons Just Got Real

Posted on by

Ready to take your next cosplay to the winner’s circle at a convention? Or maybe you just want to spice up your next Dungeons & Dragons session. Well, Etsy shop DraconicWares has the gauntlets for you. I mean, provided the gauntlets for you are anodized aluminum dragonscale gauntlets. I think we can all agree, everyone should own at least one pair of in their lifetime.

Similar in style to these previously seen fingerless gauntlets, these models are made to your exact finger and wrist measurements with full finger scaling, all attached via anodized aluminum (AA) rings. The palms are made of chainmail mesh with AA rings as well as synthetic rubber rings to ensure a snug fight and solid grip on your Axe Of Unforgiving or Chalice Of Bloodthirst.

Unfortunately for anybody seriously interested in the gauntlets that didn’t just collect a king’s ransom, the made-to-order armwear costs $600 a pair. That’s not chump change, and if the rest of a suit of dragonscale armor is priced accordingly I may have no choice but to meet my enemies in battle wearing little more than dragonscale gauntlets and my favorite track pants.

[via DudeIWantThat]