Do you have a BIC ballpoint pen? Almost everyone does! It is the most famous and best-selling pen in history. About 60 pens are sold every second. Its success relies on its affordable price point, reliable ink refill, and worldwide availability.

California pen company ēnsso just unveiled a premium, yet affordable pen for all classic BIC ballpoint refills. The pen is machined from solid bars of space-grade aluminum and natural brass. The lightweight aluminum version is anodized in matte black for an understated and elegant aesthetic while the brass edition is heavier and offers a more tactile experience.

Both pens are exclusively available on Kickstarter for $29.

WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED ON MAY 5, 2021

eVolo Magazine is pleased to invite architects, students, engineers, designers, and artists from around the globe to take part in the 2021 Skyscraper Competition. Established in 2006, the annual Skyscraper Competition is one of the world’s most prestigious awards for high-rise architecture. It recognizes outstanding ideas that redefine skyscraper design through the implementation of novel technologies, materials, programs, aesthetics, and spatial organizations; along with studies on globalization, flexibility, adaptability, and the digital revolution. It is a forum that examines the relationship between the skyscraper and the natural world, the skyscraper and the community, and the skyscraper and the city.

The participants should take into consideration the advances in technology, the exploration of sustainable systems, and the establishment of new urban and architectural methods to solve economic, social, and cultural problems of the contemporary city including the scarcity of natural resources and infrastructure and the exponential increase of inhabitants, pollution, economic division, and unplanned urban sprawl.

The competition is an investigation of the public and private space and the role of the individual and the collective in the creation of a dynamic and adaptive vertical community. It is also a response to the exploration and adaptation of new habitats and territories based on a dynamic equilibrium between man and nature – a new kind of responsive and adaptive design capable of intelligent growth through the self-regulation of its own systems.

There are no restrictions in regards to site, program, or size. The objective is to provide maximum freedom to the participants to engage the project without constraints in the most creative way. What is a skyscraper in the 21st century? What are the historical, contextual, social, urban, and environmental responsibilities of these mega-structures?

eVolo Magazine is committed to continuing stimulating the imagination of designers around the world – thinkers that initiate a new architectural discourse of economic, environmental, intellectual, and perceptual responsibility that could ultimately modify what we understand as a contemporary skyscraper, its impact on urban planning and on the improvement of our way of life.

REGISTRATION

Architects, students, engineers, and designers are invited to participate in the competition. We encourage you to have multidisciplinary teams.

• Participants must register by January 26, 2021.
• Early Registration: USD $95 until November 17, 2020.
• Late Registration: USD $135 from November 18, 2020 to January 26, 2021.
• One registration = One project.
• Participants may submit various projects but must register each entry.
• There is no limit as to the number of participants per team. Individual entries are accepted.
• After your registration has been approved, eVolo will send the registration number (within 24 hours) which will be necessary to include in the submission boards.

SCHEDULE

• July 15, 2020 – Competition announcement and registration opens.
• November 17, 2020 – Early registration deadline
• January 26, 2021 – Late registration deadline
• February 9, 2021 – Project submission deadline (23:59 hours US Eastern Time)
• April 27, 2021 – Winners’ announcement

-> REGISTER YOUR TEAM

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

This is a digital competition and no hardcopies are necessary. Entrants must submit their proposal no later than February 9, 2021 (23:59 hours US Eastern Time) via email to skyscraper2021@evolo.us. 

The project submission must contain the following files:

1. Two boards with the project information including plans, sections, and perspectives. Participants are encouraged to submit all the information they consider necessary to explain their proposal. These boards should be 24″(h) X 48″(w) in HORIZONTAL format. The resolution of the boards must be 150 dpi, RGB mode and saved as JPG files. The upper right corner of each board must contain the participation number. There should not be any marks or any other form of identification. The files must be named after the registration number followed by the board number. For example: 0101-1.jpg and 0101-2.jpg.
2. A DOC file containing the project statement (600 words max). This file must be named after the registration number followed by the word “statement”. For example: 0101-statement.doc.
3. A DOC file containing the entrants’ personal information, including name, profession, address, and email. This file must be named after the registration number followed by the word “info”. For example: 0101-info.doc.
   All the files must be placed in a ZIP folder named after your registration number. For example: 0101.zip
4. If your files are larger than 20MB you can submit your entry using a file sharing service like wetransfer or Google Drive to skyscraper2021@evolo.us

JURY

Koray Duman [Principal, Büro Koray Duman]
Reza Najafian [Principal, ReNa Design]
Arto Ollila [Partner, Aarti Ollila Ristola]
Eric Parry [Principal, Eric Parry Architects]
Isa Ye [Founder, designverse. Founder, Young Bird Plan]

REGULATIONS

1. This is an anonymous competition and the registration number is the only means of identification.
2. The official language of the competition is English.
3. The registration fee is non-refundable.
4. Contacting the Jury is prohibited.
5. eVolo Magazine, as the competition organizer, reserves the right to modify the competition schedule if deemed necessary.
6. Participants retain all copyrights of their designs. eVolo Magazine is granted permission to publish in print and digital publications all projects submitted to the competition.
7. Entrants will be disqualified if any of the competition rules are not considered.
8. Participation assumes acceptance of the regulations.

AWARDS

1st place – $5000 USD
2nd place – $2000 USD
3rd place – $1000 USD

Winners, honorable mentions, and selected projects will be published in the forthcoming book EVOLO SKYSCRAPERS 4 to be released in 2021.

-> REGISTER YOUR TEAM

Winners and special mentions will be published by eVolo and several international print publications including the forthcoming book EVOLO SKYSCRAPERS 4. In addition, the results are covered by the most important online architecture and design publications and general media such as The Huffington Post and The Wall Street Journal.

Previous winners have been featured in the following print publications:

ABC Magazine – Czech Republic, About:Blank Magazine – Portugal, Aeroflot – Russia, Architect Builder – India, Architecture and Culture – South Korea, Architecture Design Art – Pakistan, Architektura Murator – Poland, AT Architecture Technique – China, Archiworld – South Korea, AWM – The Netherlands, Azure – Canada, B-1 – Thailand, Bauwelt – Germany, Blueprint – United Kingdom, BusinessWeek– USA, C3 – South Korea, CAAOH – Ukraine, Casamica – Italy, Casas y Mas – Mexico, Concept – South Korea, Courier Mail – Australia, Discover Magazine – USA, Donga – South Korea, Enlace – Mexico, Focus – Canada/Italy, Future Arquitecturas – Spain, Geolino Extra – Germany, Grazia Casa – Italy, Kijk – The Netherlands, L’Installatore Italiano – Italy, L’Arca – Italy, L’Uomo Vogue – Italy, La Razon – Spain, Le Courier de l’ Architecte – France, Le Fourquet – Mexico, Mark Magazine – The Netherlands, Maxim – USA, Mercedes Benz Magazine – Germany, Mladina – Slovenia, Modulo – Italy, Modulor – Switzerland, NAN – Spain, Natur + Kosmos – Germany, New Scientist – United Kingdom, Oculus – USA, Of Arch – Italy, Pasajes de Arquitectura – Spain, Peak Magazine – Singapore, Popular Mechanics – USA/Russia, Popular Science – USA, Puls Biznesu – Poland, Quo– China/Spain, Rogue Magazine – Philippines, RUM – Sweden, Salt Magazine – The Netherlands, Science et Vie – France, Sciences et Avenir– France, Shanghai Morning Post – China, Space – South Korea, Spade – Canada, Spazio Casa – Italy, Specifier Magazine – Australia, SMW Magazine – Taiwan, Stafette – Germany, Tall Buildings – Russia, Tatlin – Russia, The Broker – The Netherlands, The Outlook Magazine – China, The New York Times – USA, The Wall Street Journal – USA, Time Style and Design – USA, Travel and Leisure – USA, Vida Simples Magazine – Brazil, Vogue – Australia/USA, Vox Design – Poland, Wettbewerbe Aktuell – Germany, Wired – USA/Italy, Woongjin – South Korea, World Architecture – China

FAQ

Who can participate in the competition?
Everyone is invited to participate, including students and professionals from any country worldwide.

Can we submit more than one entry?
Yes, but each project must be registered individually.

Can we submit printed boards?
No, this is a digital competition and all submissions must be in digital format as outlined in the competition brief.

Is there a specific height requirement for the skyscraper?
There is no specific height requirement.

Is there a specific program requirement?
No, participants have complete freedom to establish their own program, site and conceptual agenda.

2021 SKYSCRAPER COMPETITION

2020 SKYSCRAPER COMPETITION OPEN FOR REGISTRATION

ArchitectScripta is organizing an International intensive workshop of Advanced Architectural Design under the Thinking Tank of .:ErrorGRiD:. based on Maya and Grasshopper techniques. The ArchitectScripta Summer Workshop 2017 is led by ArchitectScripta Principal Nefeli Chatzimina (currently teaching at the National Technical University of Athens, previous teaching at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles ), an allumni Graduate of Columbia University in New York City and Nikos Papavasileiou (ArchitectScripta Principal). ArchitectScripta Athen Workshop is organized under the auspices of the Hellenic Institute of Architecture and the Athens School of Fine Arts. Selected Participants will attend the computation design workshop, academic lectures, nal reviews and exhibition at Benaki Museum of Athens from 10th until the 20th of July 2017. Daily meetings will take place from 10am to 5pm at the Benaki Museum of Pireos 138 in Athens. As part of an ongoing academic research, ArchitectScripta Workshops introduce participants into contemporary discussions of formal exploration in Architecture and Art. Through technical attainment of design and digital production the ArchitectScripta Workshops give the opportunity to students of Architecture and Art, Professional Architects, Designers and Artists to challenge new design territories. Our goal is to explore innovative, potential architectural expressions of the current discourse around Form through computational tools (Autodesk MAYA, Grasshopper Rhino). We will focus on technique elaboration, material intelligence, formal logic eciencies and precision assemblies as an ultimate condition of design. The workshop will develop and investigate the notion of procient geometric variations at a level of complexity, so that questions towards geometrical eectiveness, accuracy and performance can begin to be understood in a contemporary setting. The workshop is a discourse based in the use of multi-layered techniques and production processes that allow for control over intelligent geometries, calibration of parts, and behavioral taxonomies, normalizing an innovative held of predictability.

ArchitectScripta Summer Workshop 2018
RECEIVING APPLICATIONS NOW : workshops@architectscripta.com
For more information follow : www.architectscripta.com
Participation cost is 480 euros.

The XS pocket fountain pen designed by ēnsso was conceived with mobility in mind. It is one of the smallest fountain pens in the world, but it grows into a regular size pen when posted- making it ideal for everyday carry. In addition, the cap is secured by o-rings, allowing a fast uncapping for quickly jotting down your ideas.

The XS has twelve facets that prevent it from rolling down your desk and it is available in several aluminum and brass finishes. It is equipped with #5 Peter Bock nibs made in Germany and it uses standard international ink cartridges or small aerometric converters.

The XS is available to pre-order on Kickstarter at 50% off from the future retail price.

Los Angeles-based REVOL Studio just unveiled a fascinating minimal pen on Kickstarter. Pen Comet is an elegant minimalist pen that re-thinks the traditional pen in every way. It featured an innovative all-magnetic cap connection that works like magic. Pen Comet is precision-machined out of space-grade aluminum anodized in three colors: space grey, gold, and black. An exclusive pen base complements the design for desk use.

The magnetic cap attracts the metal pen tip and protects it when not in use. This magnetic force is meticulously calculated so that the cap stays on when being transported, and effortlessly removed when needed.

-> Learn more about Pen Comet on their Kickstarter page.

Sofa “Corques” and lamp “Bella” from PER/USE, designed in 2014. Photo: Koelnmesse, Lucie Koldova, Martin Chum

“Das Haus – Interiors on Stage” is a special kind of installation. For the seventh year running, the international interiors show imm cologne has invited an international designer to use architecture, interior design and furniture in a simulated house in order to make a personal statement about contemporary living. At the next edition of imm cologne, the approximately 180-square-metre installation located in Hall 2.2 of the Pure segment will be built and fitted out in accordance with the ideas of the Czech designer Lucie Koldova.

“Following the transatlantic ‘Haus’ by Todd Bracher, we are returning to Europe with Lucie Koldova, and turning our attention to the Czech Republic – the home of superb glassware”, reveals the Creative Director of imm cologne, Dick Spierenburg. “We were particularly impressed with her lamp designs. They reveal an ideal combination of materials like wood, brass and copper with the lustrous quality of glass that has been blown to the limits of what is technically possible – they are remarkable. In 2018, we are focussing on the subject of light and emphasising its importance as a creative design element. With this in mind, we also want to let our prestige project ‘Das Haus’ shine in a special light – in the truest sense. And, as a highly talented designer of lighting products, Lucie Koldova is the perfect person to do this.”

Lucie Koldova’s poetry in glass

Bohemian glass, also known as Bohemia crystal, enjoys an unparalleled reputation around the world. In her designs, Lucie Koldova demonstrates how this tradition can be interpreted in a modern style and at the highest standard. In 2010, shortly after graduating from the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague, she achieved her international breakthrough with her lamp collection “Muffins” (for Brokis), produced in collaboration with Dan Yeffet in Paris. Their simple, elegant, sensual form and the attention to detail highlight the fine materials used and their high-quality workmanship. The designer’s knowledge and appreciation of the craft of glass production are expressed particularly strongly when combined with wood, marble or onyx. Lucie Koldova has been named “Czech Designer of the Year” and “Elle Decoration Talent”.

In 2009, the designer moved from Prague to Paris where, in 2010, she founded the Lucie Koldova Studio.She works for prestigious companies in the lighting and furniture sector including Brokis, PER/USE, La Chance and Haymann Editions. Today, the 34-year-old is once again working with her studio based in the city on the River Vltava. Her selection as the guest of honour for the internationally renowned, highly experimental design event “Das Haus” gives the designer from the Czech Republic a unique opportunity to realise the full potential of a structure’s interior design through the use of artificial or artistically arranged light.

A home: created by an atmosphere full of light

“Das Haus 2018” will be shaped less by walls than by lighting cells in which light, appearing in various forms and controlled in different ways, will not only mark out the space, but also support its function and a specific sentiment. “In my ‘Haus’, light will play the main role, and the furniture will complete the rooms – and not the other way around!”, says Lucie Koldova, summing up the new characteristics of “Das Haus” in a nutshell.

By designing different lighting layouts and specific light-related emotions in every lighting cell, Koldova is able to achieve interesting visual contradictions. Because we experience a variety of stressful situations in our everyday lives, the designer is trying to find a balance in her version of “Das Haus”. “People constantly swing back and forth between their feelings and moods; at home they should have the opportunity to feel calm and to rest. Light can help in these situations”, says Koldova. “An ideal living space therefore offers a wide variety of mood levels, because its rooms close the circle between the ideas in our emotional world and the demands of real life.” As a result, every room in Koldova’s “Haus” aims to represent a certain feeling and perform a practical role in everyday life in order to satisfy individual needs. Then, at its heart, a living room represents shared experiences.

“Das Haus” – half portrait of the designer, half future-focused concept

The “Das Haus – Interiors on Stage” installation is a simulated residential house at the international interiors show imm cologne. Every year, a new designer is nominated and, based on their plans and designs, the fair organises the erection of an approximately 180-square-metre house in the Pure Editions area, Hall 2.2. The furniture, colours, materials, lighting and accessories are also selected by the designer, rendering the finished house an individual configuration of interior design. The integrated concept should not just be future-orientated, but also practical and, above all, authentic. “Das Haus – Interiors on Stage” is therefore a portrait of a designer as well as a visionary concept; an example of how one can create one’s own world as an expression of one’s own personality. The project deals not just with contemporary furnishing trends but also with the aspirations of the viewing public as well as social change.

-> More information

Rug “Brush” from Chevalier édition, designed in 2016. Photo: Koelnmesse, Lucie Koldova, Martin Chum

Lamp collection “Muffins” from Brokis, designed in 2010 in collaboration with Dan Yeffet. Photo: Koelnmesse, Lucie Koldova, Martin Chum

imm cologne has named the Czech creative talent Lucie Koldova as the new “Das Haus” designer. Photo: Koelnmesse, Lucie Koldova, Martin Chum

Los Angeles design studio ensso unveils the titanium edition of  their minimalist UNO pen– a writing instrument with a simple and refined aesthetic with the utmost attention to detail. The design has been stripped down of all unnecessary components and with only 5mm in diameter it is one of the slimmest pens ever manufactured. Yet, it is amazingly comfortable to use because its grip section which doubles as a twisting cap is wider, like a traditional wooden pencil. The innovative cap moves up and down to protect or expose the pen tip. UNO accepts standard D-1 ink refills, which are widely available worldwide from many different manufacturers. It comes equipped with a super smooth 0.4mm black gel ink cartridge.

The aluminum edition of UNO was unveiled in 2016 to critical acclaim and was included in the permanent collection of design museums worldwide. The titanium edition has been re-engineered according to the new material properties with the intention to last a lifetime. This edition is exclusive to Kickstarter and won’t be available at retail.

Established in 2014, ensso has received the Red Dot Award, the Good Design Award, and the ICFF Studio Award.

Grotto interior view. Photo: Fabrice Dall’Anese

Digital Grotesque II – a full-scale 3D printed grotto – has premiered at the Centre Pompidou’s Imprimer le monde exhibition.

This fantastically ornamental grotto demonstrates how leaps in computation and fabrication technologies can make new architectural worlds tangible. It turns a computational form of 1.3 billion surfaces into 7 tons of printed sandstone.

The grotto is optimized to present highly differentiated and diverse geometries that forge a rich and stimulating spatial experience for the observer. A subdivision algorithm was exploits the 3D printer’s full potential by creating porous, multi-layered structures with spatial depth. A single volume spawns millions of branches, growing and folding into a complex topological structure. Hundreds of square meters of surface are compressed into a 3.5m high block that forms an organic landscape between the man-made and the natural.

Standing in front of the grotto, one is struck by a hitherto unseen richness of detail that is at times overwhelming. Digital Grotesque II is a testament to and celebration of a new kind of architecture that leaves behind traditional paradigms of rationalization and standardization and instead emphasizes the viewer’s perception, evoking marvel, curiosity and bewilderment.

Digital Grotesque II in figures:
Algorithmically generated geometry with 1.35 billion surfaces
156 GB production data
3D printed out of seven tons of sandstone.
280 μm layer resolution
Dimensions: 3.45m x 3.1m x 2.0m
Design development: 2 years / 3D Printing: 1 month / Assembly: 2 days

Architects:
Michael Hansmeyer and Benjamin Dillenburger

Team:
Michael Thoma, Philippe Steiner, Matthias Leschock, Alvaro Lopez, Demetris Shammas, Allegra Stucki, Florentin Duelli, Jan Francisco Anduaga, Katharina Wepler, Lorenz Brunner, Nicolas Harter, Dominik Keller, Max Spett, and Alexander Canario

Partners and Sponsors:
Chair for Digital Buildings Technologies, ETH Zurich
Department of Architecture, ETH Zurich
Centre Pompidou, Paris
Christenguss AG
Bosshard & Co. Ag
Elektro Suter GmbH

Digital Grotesque II is a commission by Centre Pompidou, Paris, for its permanent collection. Research for the project was carried out at the Chair for Digital Building Technologies, ETH Zurich. The geometry was calculated on the High-Performance Computing Cluster EULER at ETH Zurich. Components were printed at Christenguss AG.

Grotto detail. Photo: Michael Hansmeyer

Grotto detail. Photo: Michael Hansmeyer

Grotto interior view. Photo: Demetris Shammas

Grotto front view. Photo: Fabrice Dall’Anese

Grotto top view. Photo: Michael Lyrenmann