Tag Archives: educational

Unbuilt Visions and Architectural Narratives of Frank Lloyd Wright in Southwestern Pennsylvania

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Photo Credit: THE NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM

Saturday, April 13, marked the grand opening of “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Southwestern Pennsylvania” at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. This collaborative effort between The Westmoreland Museum of American Art and Fallingwater, guided by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, showcases a detailed exploration of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural vision through both his realized and unrealized projects.

Designer: Frank Lloyd Wright

Photo Credit: THE NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM

The exhibition, curated by Scott W. Perkins and Jeremiah William McCarthy, who are recognized for their expertise in American art preservation and curation, provides an intricate look at Wright’s proposals from the 1930s through the 1950s, considering their potential impacts across various landscapes. Noteworthy are the animated reconstructions of five projects that were conceived but never executed. These include innovative designs such as the transformation of the Point in 1947, a futuristic self-service garage at Kaufmann’s Department Store in 1949, and the Point View Residences planned in 1952 for the Edgar J. Kaufmann Charitable Trust.

Photo Credit: THE NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM

Enhanced by state-of-the-art three-dimensional rendering technologies that parallel those used in contemporary cinema, these animations by Skyline Ink Animators + Illustrators bring Wright’s unrealized ideas to life. The experience is augmented in a dedicated viewing theater, complete with a specially composed musical score by Daniel May and Marty Ashby, which accentuates Wright’s meticulous attention to material detail, textures, and the interplay of light and shadow.

Photo Credit: THE NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM

Aileen Fuchs, the president and executive director of the National Building Museum, expressed her enthusiasm for the exhibition, noting its fit with the museum’s dedication to showcasing innovative and inspiring works. The exhibit highlights Wright’s architectural genius and encourages visitors to explore the ‘what might have been’ of his unrealized projects.

Photo Credit: THE NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM

The exhibition also underscores Wright’s significant influence in Pittsburgh, a connection initiated by Edgar J. Kaufmann, Sr., who introduced Wright to the city in 1934 and advocated for his involvement in various civic projects. This partnership often aligned with the goals of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, which aimed to tackle urban challenges and enhance the city’s cultural landscape.

Photo Credit: THE NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM

“Frank Lloyd Wright’s Southwestern Pennsylvania” will continue to engage visitors until March 17, 2025. It enjoys the support of The Heinz Endowments, The Hillman Exhibition Fund of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, and donors like Wendy and David Barensfeld. Contributions from The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, The Museum of Modern Art, and the Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library at Columbia University further enrich the exhibition.

This display commemorates Wright’s architectural legacy and functions as an educational platform. It merges historical context with contemporary technological displays to invite visitors to appreciate the blend of artistic expression and architectural innovation.

The post Unbuilt Visions and Architectural Narratives of Frank Lloyd Wright in Southwestern Pennsylvania first appeared on Yanko Design.

Mixed Reality Magnifying Glass for Kids Shows the World in a Different Light

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When people talk about augmented or mixed reality, they most likely imagine strapping bulky visors to their heads and blocking their eyes. Although that is definitely the primary way to experience an immersive fusion of the physical and the digital, mixed reality actually goes beyond living in virtual worlds or seeing apps floating in front of you. You could, for example, point your smartphone somewhere in the real world and see a glimpse of digital information through that small window. Limited as that experience might sound, it can actually open up a whole new world to discover, especially if it allows children to learn more about the world they live in, giving them access to flora and fauna that they would have never encountered in the wild.

Designer: Junwoo Lim

To a child’s eyes, the world is both magical and mysterious, and that’s just for the things they can actually see. Our planet has a lot more treasures and oddities than they could possibly imagine, but most of them are out of reach due to urban development and safety considerations. At most, kids can learn about them through books, videos, and other flat media that, while informative, lack the proper context that young minds need to truly appreciate the scale of these earthbound creatures.

Mono is a mixed reality device concept that unlocks that world and allows kids to not only learn but also enjoy discovering these nuggets of knowledge in a way that doesn’t take them away from their current environment. Using mixed reality technologies, the gadget overlays virtual creatures like insects and animals on top of real-world objects, making them look like they’re actually there on the roof or in your hand. This allows kids to see them in their proper scale, observe their natural movement, or even see them interact with each other, all while still having access to additional text information layered on top of this view.

The device comes in a design that looks like a toy magnifying glass, an object that has long been associated with exploration and discovery. Instead of a transparent lens, it has a camera on one side and a screen on the other. Theoretically, the user can put the screen close to their eye the same way they would use a real magnifying glass, though that raises questions about the safety of that method. The controls for the device are simple enough for a child to understand, including a single button for power and a slider for zooming in and out to understand the scale of the creature being observed.

The Mono concept design tries to fill in an educational need for kids to learn more about the world in a safe and engaging environment, but without weighing down their heads with headsets. It demonstrates how mixed reality can be more than just an entertainment medium or a productivity tool for adults, but something that kids can also benefit from. A magnifying glass design definitely carries that exploration vibe, though it’s questionable whether it’s an appropriate one given how kids are likely to put the screen right in front of their eyes.

The post Mixed Reality Magnifying Glass for Kids Shows the World in a Different Light first appeared on Yanko Design.

How this sensorial playpad focuses on sustainable design to adapt with your growing child

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For all the parents and caregivers out there, if you’re looking for a game-changer in the world of play mats, then you’re in for a treat. Let’s dive into the wonderful world of the Stokke PlayPad, a play mat that’s all about fun, comfort, and learning. Trust me, you won’t want to miss out on this awesome creation! 

The Stokke PlayPad is a game-changer in modern playtime. Say goodbye to dull, simple mats that do nothing to stimulate your child’s imagination. This play mat is jam-packed with interactive elements that will keep your child delighted for hours on end as it adapts to your children’s changing interests, abilities, and personalities, assisting them in their growth throughout their childhood.

Designer:  Marius Kindler

Imagine this a soft, cushioned surface ideal for small hands and knees to explore. The Stokke PlayPad is made of high-quality materials to provide optimal comfort for your little adventurer. No need to be concerned about discomfort or irritation—your youngster will have a comfortable and secure play place to enjoy. 

The PlayPad’s interactive aspects are an excellent combination of visual and audio engagement. This play mat is a sensory delight, with vibrant designs and diverse textures. Your youngster will be able to touch, feel, and explore a variety of hidden surprises, which will encourage curiosity and fine motor skills. 

The Playpad is made up of two layers: an upper sleeve made of recycled polyester and EVA foam with embossed icons and a lower sleeve containing the LED and sensor grid. These two layers are detachable, allowing you to wash and clean any mess your toddler makes on it. 

This PlayPad is also all about convenience. It’s lightweight and foldable, so you can take it with you everywhere you go. Are you paying a visit to friends or family? Are you going on a picnic? Not a problem! Simply pack up the PlayPad and your child will have a familiar play environment wherever they go. 

We are all aware that playtime is about more than just having fun; it is also about learning and development.  The embossed icons provide visual and tactile cues to your child’s visual exploration and cognitive recognition. To interact with. The brilliant colors and contrasting shapes draw their attention and aid in the development of critical cognitive and perceptual abilities. The sensors and LEDs spread across the pad are powered by a battery, a speaker offers audio feedback and directions, and an RFID reader allows you to select and switch between numerous games and activities so kids never get bored!

This PlayPad is not only for your children but also for you to interact with them and create memories together. By placing different discs on top of the play base, you can switch between different play modes. Each play disc activates a unique setting for the PlayPad’s sensors, speakers, and lights, enabling the stated play activity. 

The variety of available play discs keeps the PlayPad appealing throughout childhood, and adding additional discs to the collection allows families to upgrade over time based on the child’s age, abilities, and interests. So that parents can provide their children with more play with fewer toys.

It is a perfect combination of all things that you need in a play mat that’s fun, comfortable, and educational. It’s designed with love and care to provide your child with a stimulating environment where they can learn, grow, and let their imaginations run wild. 

Since the PlayPad is both an interactive toy and a home interior piece, it was a natural fit to work with Stokke, a well-known luxury brand known for creating long-lasting items with a design sense that reflects its Scandinavian background and excellent material and craftsmanship standards. Most young families prefer Scandinavian minimalism, which is reflected in the PlayPad’s materials and colors.

This is a great way to unwind with your little ones and keep them engaged throughout the day. It is a practical and sustainable way to keep your children learning subconsciously throughout their childhood.    

The post How this sensorial playpad focuses on sustainable design to adapt with your growing child first appeared on Yanko Design.

YouTube Originals launches a star-studded slate of COVID-19 content

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YouTube’s Originals division is working on a slate of COVID-19-related shows. They’ll range from educational content to dance performances and a social media mystery series, and the lineup includes stars like Karlie Kloss, Ken Jeong, Yungblud and Jos...

Netflix puts free documentaries on YouTube for students and teachers

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To help teachers and students learning from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, Netflix is making a handful of documentaries available for free on its Netflix US YouTube channel. At the moment, there are 10 documentary films and series available, incl...

Amazon #AtHome brings free content to Fire TV and Fire Tablet devices

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To help keep users entertained while they stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic, Amazon is bringing curated content from over 100 partners to a new #AtHome section on its Fire TV and Fire Tablet devices in the US. Fire users will have access to free...

mTiny robot review: Screen-free coding for kids

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My five- and seven-year-old constantly fight over who gets the iPad first. We have one, and they get to use it in tiny doses, usually when I'm at my wit's end. Their favorite app? ScratchJr, MIT's go-to coding tool for kids. They like to code. No. Th...

Amazon offers teachers a place to sell resources they create

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Amazon has opened a storefront and publishing platform for people to buy and sell K-12 educational materials. People who create such resources can upload them for others to purchase.

Sphero Mini Activity Kit offers a mini-bot and 15 lessons for $80

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For years, Sphero has pushed to bring robotics into the classroom. Now, the company wants to bring robotics and coding lessons to the living room, too. Today, the company unveiled the Sphero Mini Activity Kit: 15 step-by-step activities that can be d...