The Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing, Dubai

"The Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing is a new 1.7 kilometer bridge, which will be the largest and tallest spanning arch bridge in the world. The bridge’s form, a simple arch, is the most basic of structural solutions for spanning great distances. This particular application of the arch, however, is informed by the culture, topography, light, and script of the region. The structure visually connects to the earth, and then takes a bold leap. As it descends, the bridge touches down to embrace and frame the opera house. The structure again rises up and makes a lighter arch before ending in a gesture reaching skyward. The bridge also incorporates two metro lines."

Source: flylyf

iVictrola iPod Amplifier: Get back into the groove with a new twist

"You might think that the gramophone died with Nipper the dog, but it’s remarkable to see something of a bygone era relive through the blitz of technology. The iVictrola iPod amplifier created and designed by Matt Richmond might appear to be an old-fashioned object that brings back the memories of a bygone era however, is an extremely convenient gadget of the iPod age. What looks like an antique at the first sight can play your iPod without using batteries or an electrical plug or a solar panel for that matter, but the device runs on an acoustic amplification based on its simple and smart engineering. Handcrafted from recycled walnut pieces from the high-end furniture, the horn is made from metal that actually maximizes the amplification to keep you grooving. Expected to be a limited edition device, the iVictrola iPod amplifier will be priced somewhere near $400 and will be available soon at Design Without Reach."

Source: Bornrich

Curved Spout Faucets by Gattoni

"The Techno collection of curved spout faucets by Gattoni blends contemporary aesthetics with innovation and timeless luxury. The Wabi faucets have been aptly described as the company’s “youngest product” in terms of design. Simple yet sensual, the curves of this arching spout recall tradition and function, but with a cool, contemporary twist. The curving shape is complemented by a matching lever – but the list doesn’t stop there. With a whole range of 31 pieces to choose from including washbasin, bidet, tub faucets, exposed and built-in shower mixers, shower heads, shower columns and other accessories, your bathroom can coordinate as much as you’d like for a modern, minimalist look, or combine select pieces with traditional or transitional bathroom elements for an elegantly eclectic look. Regardless of style, the chrome finish will complement any modern bathroom. Check out these uniquely curved faucets at Gattoni."

Source: Trendir

Airless Tires

"anyone who has ever driven a car dreads getting a flat tire, but what if your tires could never go flat? in recent years a number of companies and inventors have been working on creating airless tires that would be impossible to puncture. the most well known design in this field is the michelin tweel, a combination wheel and tire. the design was one of the first to emerge, bringing the idea of non-pneumatic tires to the public's attention. but michelin has been slow to roll out the technology beyond the test phase. in light of this, a company called resilient technologies has also been working on an airless tire. the company recently announced that prototypes of their honeycomb-like tires will ship in 2011 for use in the US military. this will no doubt help the airless tire field, as will other startup companies working on the task like britek. you can see their design below and a video explaining more. with this much competition in the field, we may see non-pneumatic tires on consumer vehicles in the near future.

http://www.michelin.com
http://www.resilienttech.com
http://www.energyreturnwheel.com"

Source: designboom

Carbon 451 Lamp by Marcus Tremonto

"American artist/designer Marcus Tremonto has created the Carbon 451 Lamp.When asked by art gallery owner Patrick Brillet to design a piece out of Carbon Fiber, we decided to celebrate and utilize the best of the materials true physical properties, its strength and lightness. The complexity of curves and required thinness could not be duplicated in any other material whilestill maintaining its ability to support itself completely…"

Source: Contemporist

Wood and Glass Staircases - Mistral staircase design by Siller

"These gorgeous wood and glass staircases by Siller are about as close as “interactive art” as you can get! Indeed you’ll feel like you’re scaling a sculpture as you make your way up the Mistral staircase design – a stylishly simple, barely there floating staircase. The minimalist design enhances every modern space with the clean, clear look of glass, which allows light and space to flow uninterrupted. Customizable to suit any space, large or small, these wood and glass staircases add instant chic to every home. Put a modern twist on your style and take it to the next level with the Mistral staircase. Check it out at Siller."

Source: Trendir

Key-Plus-Ring (Why Didn't We Think of That?)

Photo: Zachary Zavislak

"One day in June, Scott Amron came home and tossed his keys on the kitchen table. Then he paused, eyeing his pocket-jinglers, and had a Hudsucker-ish inspiration: Why not combine the key and the key ring? Amron makes a living turning far-out concepts into workable prototypes for outfits like Oxo and Polder Home Tools, so he rendered a design and posted it on his Web site,amronexperimental.com. Within a day the sound of head-slapping had reverberated across the Net. Within a week he was in touch with a manufacturer. Within a month he had more than 25,000 preorders for his key-plus-ring, which can be cut to fit almost any front door in the US. Only one problem: The design he posted used his own front-door key as a model; a resourceful thief would have no trouble making a house call. "I had to change my locks," Amron says. Small price to pay for an idea everyone wishes they had thought of first."

• Manufacturer: Amron Experimental
• Price: $7 for two

Source: Wired

Ducking Lounge Chair by Jung Myung Taek

Korean designer Jung Myung Taek has created the Ducking Lounge Chair.

The chair will be exhibited at the Tent London show in September, 2009.

Source: Contemporist

Qlocktwo by Biegert & Funk

"Qlocktwo is a new age clock designed by biegert & funk, It displays text that describes the current time using words like “IT IS TEN O’CLOCK” or “IT IS FIVE PAST TWO”. Individual minutes are conveyed through the tiny white dots in the corners of the clock. By hitting a switch the seconds appear as a giant dot-matrix display behind the letters.$1,800"

Source: Flylyf

The Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro by Philippe Starck

"French designer Philippe Starck used wood, glass and marble as core materials in his design for theHotel Fasano in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The 92 room hotel overlooking Ipanema beach enjoys a spirit of sophisticated casualness, with many furnishings in the vein of 1950s and ’60s Brazilian design, including pieces by Studio Branco&Preto, Sergio Rodrigues and exclusive creations by Philippe Starck himself.

Visit the Hotel Fasano website – here. Visit Philippe Starck’s website – here."

Source: The Contemporist