Tag Archives: inflatable

An Inflatable Lamp That Adds A Pop Of Color To Any Room

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In the realm of design, creativity often finds inspiration in the most unexpected places. The SQUEEZE lamp stands as a testament to this philosophy, pushing the boundaries of conventional lighting by embracing air as a central design principle.

Designer: Eva Ausmann

SQUEEZE is not just a lamp; it’s a whimsical exploration of form and function. Crafted from TPU-coated nylon, the lamp embodies a harmonious fusion of material innovation and aesthetic appeal. The choice of materials ensures constant air pressure, creating a lightweight yet sturdy structure that is both dynamic and resilient.

One glance at this lamp, and you might mistake it for funky home decor. This inflatable lamp is not just a source of light; it’s a conversation starter, inviting onlookers to marvel at its unique design. The lamp’s agility is owed to welded joints in the TPU-coated nylon, and the material-specific properties of the stretched membrane, allowing it to seamlessly adapt to various environments.

This lamp goes beyond mere aesthetics by integrating practical features into its design. The lamp can be effortlessly attached to the edge of a table through the pressure created between two air cushions at the bottom, demonstrating an ingenious marriage of form and function.

Adding a touch of technological innovation, squeeze features an integrated air pressure sensor to control its light. The sensor reacts to the membrane being pressed, offering a unique and interactive lighting experience. This dynamic control mechanism adds an extra layer of engagement for users, making it not just a luminaire but a tactile experience.

Sustainability takes center stage with this lamp. When deflated and folded flat, the lamp not only becomes incredibly lightweight but also minimizes transportation costs and emissions. In the context of this luminaire project, the use of air as a design element showcases its potential to create resource-saving solutions, replacing traditional material-intensive constructions.

The lamp understands that personal style is diverse, offering the lamp in three different colors. Whether you prefer a subtle elegance, a vibrant pop of color, or a classic hue, Squeeze allows you to tailor your lighting to suit your individual taste and stand out in your interior spaces.

The minimalistic design of this lamp ensures that it seamlessly complements a range of styles – from modern to contemporary and minimal. Its soft geometry, combined with a splash of color, brings a playful yet sophisticated element to any space, making it an ideal choice for those who appreciate simplicity with a touch of flair.

Squeeze definitely stands as a beacon of innovation in the world of lighting design. Through its ingenious use of air as a central design principle, this lamp not only illuminates spaces but also illuminates the possibilities that emerge when creativity and functionality coalesce. It transcends the conventional, offering a unique and captivating addition to any interior.

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This inflatable factory for prefab building will reduce project timelines & costs + revolutionize construction

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A notable fact about the construction industry is that it’s always been consistent, – consistent with its techniques, technologies, and practices. Consistency can be a good trait to possess in most scenarios, but it doesn’t stand true for this one. In the construction industry, it could be considered a deteriorating one. After all, construction is responsible for 13% of the global economic output but has faced a productivity increase of only 1.0% annually for the past 20 years. But despite these depressing numbers, a revolution has been slowly encroaching on the world of construction, and that is – Prefabrication.

Off-site construction has been proven to reduce cost, time, waste, and risk, and in turn construction professionals are moving towards factory-based construction more and more. After all, according to a survey of over  800 architecture, engineering, and contracting (AEC) pros conducted by the SmartMarket Report from Dodge Data and Analytics – 66% report that prefabrication reduces project schedules, with 35% of them stating reductions of four weeks or more, whereas 65% report a reduction in project budgets, with 41% citing a reduction of 6% or more.  Yes, factory-based construction is revolutionizing the construction industry, but what if we revolutionize the very factories in which we construct prefabricated structures and homes? And, that’s where the construction startup Cuby steps in. 

Designer: Cuby

Now, let’s make it clear, what Cuby is actually offering isn’t the prefab buildings that are constructed in factories, but rather the factories themselves. Backed by the climate tech venture capital fund ‘At One Ventures’, Cuby’s vision is simple – inflatable factories. Inflatable architecture seems to be on a rising curve nowadays. We recently saw New York-based startup Automatic Construction invent a new technique called Inflatable Flexible Factory Formwork (IFFF), which utilizes an air pump and processor to construct homes by pumping concrete into an inflatable balloon-like structure. You could say Cuby’s inflatable factories are similar to it, but not quite. Cuby’s aim is to develop and operate turnkey, transportable factories that look like large pop-up huts!  The factory is basically a massive arched plastic shed, with lines of machines, workstations, and robotics arranged within it. The entire inflatable factory can be packed into 20 shipping containers, transferred to a new site, and assembled in a span of days. The plan is to set up these inflatable factories on or close to the construction site, to create a powerhouse that can produce multiple kits of parts to build multiple types of buildings at a high output capacity. What the Cuby intends to do is pick up what would traditionally be built on a construction site, and instead build it within the factories, allowing the construction process to be streamlined, quick, and efficient. Cuby is also building the tools and machines these factories will require for prefabrication and modular building.

Designed to be transportable and portable, Cuby’s factories will employ lean manufacturing techniques on or near the construction site itself. This innovative methodology will eliminate the risk of human error, reduce project timelines, and completely wipe out the logistical dilemma of shipping building components over vast distances. Cuby claims that the costs will be 30 to 40% less as compared to the conventional construction of a home. The evergrowing issue of the skilled labor shortage we are facing today will be tackled by the Cuby factories as well since they’ve been designed to be operated by relatively unskilled laborers. This basically means, the laborers require a certain level of skill, but they will also be able to operate machinery well above their skill levels. For example – a laborer who would be hitting nails on a conventional construction site can operate a laser cutter in the factory. These are Cuby’s USPs, and what they claim will set them apart from the other factory-based construction startups.

Now how do the inflatable factories actually construct homes? Much like most of the factory-based construction startups in the market, Cuby manufactures building components in the form of a ‘set kit of parts’. The kits include the typical and commonly used building components such as wall panels, and floor slabs. Cuby co-founder Aleks Gampel says that the building elements aren’t really groundbreaking, the kits are what you would usually find on a traditional construction site. But this was intentional on Cuby’s part. It is a commendable effort to streamline production, which in turn will reduce labor and construction costs, as well as project timelines.

Now, what is future plan of action for Cuby’s factories? It’s simple. The startup isn’t planning to compete against any of the construction giants, because that would be a foolish and expensive goal, instead, it will sell its factories to major developers for $5 to 7 million, who will in turn use them for their own big prefabrication projects. It’s a wise POA that will allow the Cuby factories to slowly but surely gain a monopoly in the arena of factory-based construction. The risk is less, the reward is high, and profits are even higher. It’s profitable not only for Cuby, but also for the builders who buy from them, and it will provide end-users with homes that they love, and are delivered excellently to them. Cuby will have its first two factories up and about soon enough. If the factories are a success, we could easily watch them connect together to build streamlined, efficient, dynamic, and precise systems for the construction industry.

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Inflatable tent can be pitched on the ground, water, and trucks

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Camping doesn’t appeal to me at all but there are a lot of people out there who would like to spend a night in the great outdoors one way or another. Tents and camping equipment have improved so much over the years and now it’s not just about pitching a simple tent on the grounds, although some still like to do that if they want to go rough and rustic. But if you prefer something a little more “sophisticated”, there are now a lot of options out there.

Designer: Life Cube

One such camping tool is the Life Cube tent, particularly the LC-8 model that will appeal to recreational campers. The previous version of this inflatable tent was ideal for disaster relief and military operations, the company decided to create a smaller and more portable version that can be used by campers and other occasional outdoor enthusiasts. And it can be used on the ground, on top of a truck, and even on the water. They also say it can fit up to 6 people although just from looking at the photos, it might be a little cramped.

If uninflated, all the parts and components of the LC-8 tent can fit into two carry bags that can fit into a car trunk, weighting just around 45kg. You would need around 10 minutes to set it up and inflate it if you’re using a 12-V inflator. Fully inflated, it’s around 8 x 7 feet with a 6.5 foot high roof. You can strap the body into the base and either pitch it on the ground, set it up on a truck bed, or use it as a floating base camp on a lake as long as you tie it to a dock or a tree. Around 2 (probably strong) people can carry it around once inflated.

The Life Cube LC-8 is a but more expensive than the usual tents as it is priced around $2,750. But if you’re often in need of a portable tent anyway, you’ll get your return of investment quickly. And since it’s also derived from the heavy-duty military-grade design of the original LC-12, then you know it should probably last for a long time.

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Inflatable concrete water tank can help communities get clean water

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If you live in a place where clean water is pretty much accessible, it’s probably something that you often take for granted. During times of crisis, it’s also one of the most overlooked needs but is pretty life-saving and life-changing. There are organizations that specifically help bring access to clean water to the families that have been displaced and affected by natural disasters and other calamities. The recent massive earthquake in Turkey and Syria has affected the lives of millions of people and we’re also seeing different technology and innovation that have come out to bring help to the countries and communities.

Designer: Deploy

A Turkish company is helping those whose access to clean water are still disrupted because of the earthquake. They have sent this unique thing called inflatable concrete tanks that are able to hold 3,698 gallons of clean water. They are made up of a patented material called “concrete canvas” that can be flat-packed for transport and then inflated when it reaches its destination. We rarely see the words inflatable and concrete used together so this is a unique kind of material that will be really useful for times when you need to store clean water for a long time.

Concrete canvas is a layer of cement that is put in between fabric and a PVC liner. It is flattened and can be transported through air to its eventual destination. There is a concrete base slab that will hold the structure and you need to use an air-pump to inflate it. There is also a hydrating process that will cause it to harden and it will take around 24 hours to make it solid enough to hold water. Upon inflation and hardening, it will turn into an eight-foot water tank that is also fireproof and waterproof.

The tank is meant to be low-maintenance, easy to clean, and self-repairing. You don’t need to spend a lot of manhours and other materials when installing it and maintaining it for however long it is needed. It can be a good tool to have for communities that may need to have storage for clean water and it actually has a lifespan of 20 years so hopefully, it will not take that long to get clean water back to the place.

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YD x KeyShot Inspiration Hub Design of the Week #1 – AirShock Inflatable Controller

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We kick off the YD x KeyShot Inspiration Hub’s first Design of the Week with this absurdly innovative PlayStation controller that opts for an inflatable design as opposed to those hyper-ergonomic solid forms. Blow air into the controller and it puffs up into a lightweight handheld device that conforms to the shape of your hand the way an inflatable neck pillow adjusts to your body’s contours. Would such a device even be feasible? We’d have to try it out to really have actual answers… but there’s no denying one thing. That this concept from Running Guy Studio is refreshingly different and catches the eye with its unique style and brilliant rendering.

Click Here to view all designs on the YD x Keyshot Inspiration Hub website!

If you don’t know what the YD x KeyShot Inspiration Hub is, it’s best to think of it as the ultimate destination to find the most inspirational design work, as well as to have your own work featured, so it can be seen by a global audience of thousands of designers and creatives… an ever-expanding encyclopedia of good design and great rendering

The hub helps fulfill YD and KeyShot’s broad goal of recognizing exemplary work from a distance and helping amplify it without having to rely on an algorithm, unlike with portfolio sites and social media. It relies on YD’s 20-year history of curating great ideas, concepts, and case studies and ties it to KeyShot’s powerful position as the design industry’s most powerful and preferred rendering software.

The Inspiration Hub’s jury panel will hand-pick and highlight an outstanding design each week, also awarding a ‘Design of the Month’ and ‘Design of the Year’, featuring them at the top of the hub’s page while giving winning designs a permanent badge and entering them into the Inspiration Hub’s ‘Hall of Fame’. Hall-of-Famers will also be featured on Yanko Design’s Instagram page and will win exciting prizes from KeyShot. Learn more about how to participate by visiting the hub, and also get your hands on a free trial of KeyShot 11.

Click Here to view all designs on the YD x Keyshot Inspiration Hub website!

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This portable chair will make your lungs work for your outdoor comfort

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Inflatable furniture isn’t a completely alien concept these days, but most of the time, it is more focused on air mattresses that stay in one place most of the time. The benefits of such a kind of bed are still arguable. Some definitely swear by their ergonomic and comfort advantages, while others warn of their short lifespans and harmful long-term effects. This particular air-filled piece of furniture, however, has a pretty different and specific objective that may actually appeal to a larger number of people than air mattresses. This inflatable chair is designed to be a portable seating solution you can set up in any outdoor environment, though its practicality and comfort are left to the readers’ imaginations.

Designers: Kim Seungwoo, Kim Siwon, Kim Chanwoo, Yoon Jonghoon

At long last, people finally appreciate outdoor activities, whether it’s engaging in exercise or simply kicking up one’s feet at a campsite. The latter is ironically a bit more stressful despite how it sounds, mostly because of the preparations and equipment needed to make a truly comfortable experience. You don’t have to go crazy over those, of course, especially if you just want to sit back and chill. All you really need is something to sit on, which is exactly what this concept tries to offer in a very portable manner.

The Bag Sofa is an inflatable chair designed for easy carrying to any location. Unlike something like an air mattress, it folds down to a very flat rectangular piece that you can carry around like a bag, hence the name. Part of the bag is made of hard pieces that form the structure or frame of the sofa, while soft cloth-like parts serve as the connecting materials that allow the chair to fold. It’s almost like those fabric-covered foldable boxes, except it’s shaped to form the semblance of a chair when unfolded.

The inflatable part forms the “filling” of the sofa that lets you actually sit on it and provide something soft enough to be a bit comfortable compared to wood or metal. The same fabric material is draped over the transparent inflatable bag to create a more pleasing appearance and protect the skin from sticking to the bag’s synthetic surface.

The idea for Bag Sofa is to be able to simply set up a seat anywhere outdoors and then pick it up again to move on. It may be an alluring concept, but it does raise the question of how easily you can inflate the thing in the first place. If you’re traveling extremely light with nothing but the folded chair, you will most likely have to rely on your own lungs to fill it up, which is contrary to the relaxing outdoor experience that the concept tries to sell.

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Portless Catamaran gives you an inflatable, two-level portable water party

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One of my favorite childhood memories is floating around in the pool on my small, inflatable, floatable toy. I was already satisfied floating alone there but of course when I grew older, I wondered if it would be more fun if I had a bigger one so some of my friends can float along with me. Well, that never really happened but little me would probably get a kick out of seeing all these large, inflatable devices that can hold more than just me in the pool and even in the ocean.

Designer: DDD Manufaktúra

Well if you want to have a party in the pool or in the ocean but you don’t have a boat, this inflatable Portless Catamaran can be a portable and affordable option. When it’s packed and deflated, you it’s just around 265 lb but once inflated and in the water, it’s actually a 14.8-foot catamaran that can accommodate up to six people (of a certain total weight of course). You get around 9 square meters on the main deck and 3 square meters on the upper deck. The latter can hold up to 350 lbs and can also serve as the shade for the main deck.

It can actually move around the water since it comes with an electric outboard motor (1-kW Epropulsion Sprit 1.0 Plus) and a 1.3-kWh lithium-polymer battery. It has a range of 16 nautical miles but the 200W solar panel can actually keep it moving around at 7 km/hour. There is a display that can show you how much battery is left and other important information you need to know, especially if you’re in the middle of the ocean. The catamaran is more for hanging around in the water while stationery though so you can’t really use it as a boat.

The standard Portless Catamaran has a single-piece body and is the easiest to inflate. The second version though has more parts that you can zip together. There are four individual pieces and should give you five or ten extra minutes to assemble. But the latter is easier to carry around since each piece is around 66 lb. There is also a deluxe edition that is bigger and can fit in eight people if you have a bigger family or party. They already include a swimming ladder and an electric pump and there are some more upgradable accessories you can add.

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A Skeleton T-Rex Eating a Person Inflatable Halloween Decoration

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Because one can never have too many Halloween yard inflatables, GOOSH has created a skeleton t-rex eating a person inflatable that’s almost too perfect not for me to buy three. Available on Amazon (affiliate link), the t-rex measures a respectable 7 feet tall, 6.5 feet long, and 3.5 feet wide. Hmm, must still be a juvenile.

It reminds me of the scene from Jurassic Park where the escaped t-rex eats lawyer Donald Gennaro while he’s trying to hide in the bathroom (previously immortalized by Mattel in toy form). I imagine this is sort of a retelling of Jurassic Park where the scientists decided to resurrect dinosaur skeletons with black magic instead of DNA cloning.

Fingers crossed they decide to make a whole bunch of different dinosaur skeleton inflatables as well; that way I can finally realize the undead dinosaur zoo Halloween yard decorating theme I’ve always dreamed of. Hey – we all have different dreams. And, based on the look she just shot me, my wife’s and mine are particularly different.

Skeleton Lovers Inflatable Halloween Yard Decoration: Deathly Afternoon Delight

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Perfect for my annual risque Halloween party, this Skeleton Couple inflatable decoration (affiliate link) features two skeletons apparently engaged in some boning of their own. My my! As far as sexy Halloween decorations go, this is certainly up there. Way up there. Possibly at the very top.

The couple measures 5.5′ tall, 4.5′ wide, and 6′ long, making it even larger than real life. Of course, if anybody from your homeowner’s association says they think it’s inappropriate, you can tell them to get their mind out of the gutter and that the couple is simply embracing. They’re totally doing it, though, at least in my mind.

What’s next, inflatable zombie and vampire couples getting it on? We can only hope. And by we, I mean me because I don’t want to be presumptuous and assume you have the same refined taste in Halloween yard decorations that I do. I hope you do, though, and I wish that we were neighbors.

[via DudeIWantThat]

A 35-Foot-Tall Michael Myers Inflatable Halloween Decoration

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Halloween: there’s no such thing as taking it too seriously. And to prove that, Etsy seller jkantiques is selling a 35′ Michael Myers inflatable yard decoration, perfect for letting all the neighborhood kids know you’re giving out full size candy bars. At least you better be, or your house is definitely getting egged.

The giant inflatable costs around $3,000 and is made-to-order, with about a two-week lead time (make sure to order now to ensure October delivery!). Need something smaller? They also sell 12-foot Michaels for $995, and will custom make any size in between. I want a 100-foot version! Granted, I want a lot of things I can’t afford.

Talk about being the talk of the neighborhood! And, knowing my neighbors, probably the biggest complaint of the neighborhood. Did you know I got a letter from the homeowner’s association last Halloween because my decorations where too gruesome? I didn’t have to pay a fine though, so wait till they see what I have in store this year!

[via DudeIWantThat]