Punchdrunk partners with Pokémon Go creators Niantic to create AR adventures

The immersive theatre purveyor and the industry leader in real-world gaming aims to pioneer a new type of storytelling through live, interactive, “tech-empowered” experiences.

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Meet Desmond Palmer, a designer wanting to “solve people’s problems" with his "design abilities”

Despite only pursuing a creative path after graduating from university, Desmond Palmer's photographically driven design work is one to behold.

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Eyra kitchen utensils by Eyra and Sebastian Conran Associates

VDF products fair: Eyra has collaborated with Sebastian Conran Associates to design a range of ergonomic kitchen utensils suited to people with limited wrist mobility.

Eyra utensils are aimed specifically at making cooking easier for older generations who the brand say "demand better design" without compromising on a contemporary aesthetic.

Each utensil's handle is shaped and angled to cater for different grip positions, preventing its user from twisting their arms and wrists, and has a soft rubber finish that ensures the tool does not slip out of their hand.

This handle is teamed with glass-filled nylon heads, chosen by Eyra for being a strong, lightweight, durable and heat-resistant material.

"I started Eyra to make products for older people that work well and are delightful to own," says Susan Costello, co-founder of Eyra.

"Eyra really understands and are empathetic to this situation," added collaborator Sebastian Conran. "They've realised that getting old doesn't mean you have to put up with second best."

Product: Eyra kitchen utensils
Designer: Sebastian Conran Associates
Brand: Eyra

About VDF products fair: the VDF products fair offers an affordable launchpad for new products during Virtual Design Festival. For more details email vdf@dezeen.com.

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John Pomp designs hand-poured glass Tidal table to look like a puddle of water

American artist John Pomp has created a coffee table with a glass top and chunky steel legs, designed to resemble a "suspended" body of water.

Pomp, who is based in Philadelphia, created the Tidal Rectangular Cocktail Table with a hand-poured crystal glass top with curved edges.

The top rests on two L-shaped legs that also have rounded corners but are made of hand-forged steel.

Pomp said he referenced water and ocean tides when creating the design.

"My passion for the ocean and its beautifully fluid nature is also found in my love for molten glass," he told Dezeen, adding that he is an avid surfer.

"I was inspired by the relationship between the ocean and moon, and I wanted this piece to highlight the soft curves and flowing lines found in the ripples of an ocean tide," he said. "It embodies a puddle of water suspended in a moment of time."

Creating the piece was a challenge for Pomp, and he and his team spent two years researching and developing the design. Kilns were custom made to create to finished product.

"We designed and engineered custom kilns and furnaces just to produce this unique piece of glass," said Pomp.

"Creating this Tidal Collection has been a true labour of love."

Tidal Rectangular Cocktail Table measures 60 inches (152 centimetres) long, 30 inches (76 centimetres) wide and 16.5 inches (42 centimetres) tall.

It is available in different glass finishes, with dark glazing called Smoke and a bright green glass version called Emerald. The metalwork can also come in brushed brass, brushed silver and brushed copper.

Pomp, who is trained in the Murano glass tradition, has been a glassblower for over 25 years. He and his wife Anne lead in a multidisciplinary studio in Philadelphia's Fishtown neighbourhood with about forty craftsman and artists.

Other coffee table designs include a chunky stone piece by Martin Massé, steel tables by Australian studio BoardGrove Architects and Moooi terracotta tables by Simone Bonanni.

Photography is by Martin Crook.

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BMI Group report advises architects on how to remain central in the construction process

Dezeen promotion: Europe's largest roofing and waterproofing company BMI Group has published a report suggesting ways architects can "regain their influence" in today's construction industry.

The report, titled The Architect Effect, considers the various difficulties architects are currently facing in their attempts to be innovative, progressive and successful in their role.

It identifies three "gaps" in the industry, followed by three actionable ways that those affected can address these issues to ensure that their role remains relevant, influential and central to the construction process.

BMI's report grants insights into the changing role of the architect in today’s construction industry

BMI spoke to 1,850 architects from across Europe and Asia to identify ways the role of the architect is changing in today's construction landscape.

From this, the company identified what it calls "the architect effect" – defined as the positive outcomes that happen in a construction project when the architect is able to play an active role from start to finish.

Finding innovative roofing materials and solutions is an important part of the architect's role, as demonstrated with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands

"Faced with a much more complex and fragmented process when compared to predecessors, the modern day architect relies on a wider range of skills and aptitudes beyond just their technical competence," said BMI.

"The degree to which they are able to create great outcomes for clients and wider stakeholders can often now rest on their ability to influence other people involved in the process," it continued. "This loss of influence is a major threat to 'the architect effect'."

As BMI explains, this obstacle is most obvious when it comes to determining which innovative materials and solutions would grant the client with more opportunities for the roof of their building.

"It is a new frontier of innovation and potential, so it makes the perfect vessel for an investigation into the changing role of an architect," the company added.

BMI sees roofs, like that on the Eufemias Hage building in Oslo, as the "perfect vessel" for an investigation into the changing role of the architect

The first of the three key gaps identified in BMI's report, which readers can request for download from the company's website, is "the collaboration gap".

It found that 76 per cent of architects feel like they don't have total freedom to specify materials, systems and technology in construction projects, with one in five feeling like they have "no freedom at all".

The report offers advise on how architects could work more closely with other project members to open up conversations about new materials and solutions, as well as stressing the importance of networking and investing in management skills training.

The Royal Danish Yacht Club in Denmark is an example of the value of innovative roofing materials

Secondly, the "information gap", identifies that over one-third of architects feel a lack of case studies prevent them from specifying new materials.

Ways that this "information access barrier" can be overcome, according to BMI, include creating internal initiatives and rewards schemes for employees who create good case studies of their own projects, and getting manufacturers and suppliers in to showcase their materials.

BMI's report identifies three "gaps" that architects can address to ensure their role remains relevant

Thirdly, the "innovation gap" found that 51 per cent of architects haven't made use of emerging technology or processes such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 3D printing.

"Following a BIM process is a specific example of where knowledge of digital information exchange and Common Data Environments can bring you into a more influential position within a complex project," the report reads.

"In 27 per cent of the architectural projects where a BIM-model is used, a main contractor is involved. Despite this, architects remain the leading party for updating and accuracy of the BIM-model. This places you in control," it continued.

BMI weaves various roofing case studies and business case summaries into its The Architect Effect report to help readers better understand the "gaps" and the importance of innovative roofing materials.

More information on the work BMI does, and on their report, can be found via the BMI website.

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