DESIGN DISPATCH

Ferrari Injects Rosso Corsa Into Bang & Olufsen Classics, and Other News

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Image courtesy of Bang & Olufsen

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Ferrari Injects Rosso Corsa Into Bang & Olufsen Classics 

Bang & Olufsen’s classic speakers are veritable studies in minimalism that often blend into their surroundings, but the Danish brand’s latest launch demands to be seen—and heard—at full volume. That’s because it partnered with Ferrari to reimagine a quartet of its greatest hits in the Italian automotive mainstay’s Rosso Corsa shade. The bold red unites the reinvented Beosound 2 home speaker, Beoplay H95 headphones, Beoplay EX earphones, and portable Beosound Explore speaker while imbuing the standard aluminum finish with a rich luster. 

“You could go out and design a completely new speaker, but that would of course take years,” says Christopher Østergaard Poulsen, Bang & Olufsen’s SVP of business development and brand partnering, who hints at even more cross-pollination with Ferrari to come. “We’re lucky to be in a position where our designs are so good that people want to work with us.” —Ryan Waddoups

A proposed new stadium for the Philadelphia 76ers by Gensler. Image courtesy of 76 DevCo

Gensler has addressed criticism surrounding a Philadelphia 76ers stadium project.

Gensler, the architecture firm working on the $1.3 billion Philadelphia 76ers stadium project, has publicly addressed criticisms from the Design Advocacy Group (DAG). Jordan Goldstein, a managing principal at Gensler, clarified that the project is designed for year-round activity, not just game days. He also stated that the design would not obstruct SEPTA’s Jefferson Street Station but rather elevate the arena above it. Goldstein dismissed the claim that the new stadium would be a “gigantic blank box,” stating that the project aims to replace a non-functioning mall and improve neighborhood access. He emphasized that the project is still in its conceptual phase and aims to be a major job creator, potentially employing 12,000 people. Despite the clarifications, the project still faces opposition from community organizations concerned about gentrification.

Research suggests that coffee grounds can greatly improve the strength of concrete.

Australian engineers from RMIT University have found that incorporating roasted used-coffee grounds into concrete mixtures can significantly improve its strength. The study, published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, revealed that three different samples of coffee grounds increased the concrete’s compressive strengths by up to 30 percent after undergoing pyrolysis to break down organic compounds. This research is in its early stages, but holds promise for reducing organic waste in landfills and mitigating the carbon footprint of concrete, which is extensively used in global construction. Additional mechanical and durability tests on the samples are planned for further validation.

Chapel 9 by SO-IL. Renderings courtesy of DARCSTUDIO

SO-IL shares renderings for 9 Chapel, a residential high-rise near Downtown Brooklyn.

SO-IL has released renderings for 9 Chapel, a 14-story residential high-rise located near Dumbo, Brooklyn. The building will feature 27 one- to four-bedroom residences, each designed with at least two exposed facades and many featuring both covered and uncovered patios for year-round use. The exterior will feature an undulating perforated metal skin that absorbs light, concrete exterior walls reflecting a wave pattern, and loggias for extra outdoor space. The building will offer a range of amenities, including a shared lounge, a state-of-the-art fitness studio, and bike storage. The project aims to establish a new architectural landmark that’s clearly visible from the Brooklyn Bridge.

The long-troubled Ace Gallery will auction off its remaining artworks to pay creditors.

The long-troubled Ace Gallery in Los Angeles is auctioning off its remaining 300 artworks online, overseen by ThreeSixty Asset Advisors, a firm specializing in liquidating distressed assets. The auction, which runs until September 13, aims to generate a minimum of $230,000 for creditors still unpaid since founder Douglas Chrismas filed for bankruptcy in 2013. Chrismas, who once attracted major artists to the gallery, has been embroiled in at least 55 lawsuits and multiple bankruptcy filings. He was also arrested in 2021 for embezzling more than $260,000 from the gallery and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted. The auction’s inventory highlights the gallery’s decline, with only 18 lots estimated to fetch over $10,000 and many works by unidentifiable artists.

Seven suspects accused of stealing Maurizio Cattelan’s gold toilet may face charges.

Seven individuals are under investigation for the 2019 theft of Maurizio Cattelan’s 18-carat gold toilet, named America, from Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. Thames Valley Police have submitted a file of evidence to the UK Crown Prosecution Service, which will decide on pressing charges. The toilet, valued at £4.8 million ($6.06 million), was part of an exhibition at the 18th-century estate and had previously been on display at the Guggenheim Museum in New York. Visitors to the Blenheim Palace exhibition had to book time slots to use the fully functional golden toilet. Cattelan commented on the theft as “Robin Hood–inspired” but also “deadly serious” given the toilet’s value and symbolism.

Image courtesy of Courvoisier

Today’s attractive distractions:

David Kennerley’s new book chronicles the fliers that captured ‘90s queer history.

Yinka Ilori brings his colorful touch to a new Courvoisier-inspired bar in Cognac.

AI may hold the power to overhaul how we use and benefit from note-taking apps.

A Harvard professor identifies newly discovered metallic spheres as interstellar.

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