Designed for Miele, the “Nexus” by Irish designer Claire Regan is a kitchen concept that encourages multifunctional activities and allows maximum efficiency within the limited space. Designed to facilitate all the activities of a modern kitchen, the Nexus comes integrated with a sink unit, waste management system and herb garden, together with induction surface, Ultra-sonic dishwasher unit and lounging/seating area. It allows people of limited strength to cook while seated and becomes a dining table for a small family.

The sink unit apart from the traditional deep sink, with “pot filler” tap on a long hose, also includes a shallow, sloped sink with a slot to drop vegetable peelings directly into the bin for compostable waste underneath. In addition, five waste bins, including non-recyclable kitchen waste, recyclable paper, recyclable cans, recyclable glass and compostable waste, of equal width trashes all the kitchen or even household waste in a sustainable manner.

While the Ultra-sonic dishwasher eliminates need for harsh detergents and copious amounts of water as it produces ultrasonic waves in water that in turn create cavitation bubbles to do the dishes in a more hygienic way. Moreover, ultrasonic washing can also be used to remove 99 percent of leftover pesticides from fruit and vegetables.

The Nexus makes full use of space available, as parents can help their children with homework or even entertain guests on the semi-hexagonal seating area without taking a break from cooking. The seating can comfortably accommodate two people lounging and two seated upright. If this is not enough, the Nexus incorporates Miele oven and storage for your utensils and other kitchen accessories.

[Cheers Claire]

Amalgamating power, performance and driving dynamics in a single vehicle, Porsche has developed a new sports car that has everything required for a thrilling ride. Called the “Porsche 911 Turbo S,” the sports car generates power from a 3.8-liter six-cylinder boxer engine, enhanced by two exhaust gas turbochargers with variable turbine geometry, to reach a top speed of 195mph and take you from 0-62 mph in just 3.3 seconds. Featuring seven-speed Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) (Porsche’s Double-Clutch Gearbox), the 911 Turbo S allows all-wheel drive and ensures safety with Dynamic Engine Mounts and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV), together with a mechanical differential lock on the rear axle.

Touting ceramic composite brakes, 19-inch wheels in RS Spyder design with central locking, a three-spoke sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles and adaptive sports seats, the new Porsche sports car also presents cruise control, a CD/DVD changer and exclusive leather upholstery. Despite the fact that the “S” segment integrates a number of high-tech components, it still manages to maintain the 11.4 liters/100 kilometers (24.8 mpg) mileage of the “regular” 911 Turbo. Ranging between $193,343 (Coupe) and $204,090 (Cabriolet), the new Porsche 911 Turbo S will hit the road by May 2010.

Via: Gizmag/Diseno-art

Exploring new possibilities of 3D technology, the Gesture Cube is an interactive device that uses spatial movement tracking and doesn’t require a touch or physical interaction on part of the user. You may access music, movies, the web and contacts by just waving your hand around the motion-detecting device, thanks to the GestIC® technology, which “enables touch free 3D gesture control on 2D screens from mobile phones, tablet PCs, picture frames and MP3 players all the way to 3D devices like Gesture Cube.” Featuring five screens on each side of the cube, the device concept allows unlimited possibilities to enhance your life with effortless interaction. The Gesture Cube not only touts the latest technologies but also presents an artistic look to become a sculpture in modern spaces. Check out the video after the jump.

Via: Gesture Cube/Engadget

With people giving preference to work over their health, scales keeping a constant eye on our weight have become an integral part of our lives. Addressing the issue, designer Kwon Sunman has come up with an innovative product that combines a scale with a rug to monitor your health on a regular basis. The “Rug with Scale” not only tells your current weight by illuminating the figures, but also stores the previous data, so you could easily measure the ups or downs in your health. Moreover, you may remove the textile part for cleaning, allowing a neat and hygienic rug every time you enter the bathroom.

Via: Red Dot/Designboom

With the latest innovations in technology, modern gadgets have become as sleek and stylish as they may well give your jewelry a run for its money. Ukrainian designer Ekateryna Sokolova has popped up with a trendy Bluetooth headset called “Crystal” that features an exterior faced with Swarovski crystal, which is partly transparent and partly opaque, reflecting the light to create a blazing design. The headset comes integrated with a light diode that glows within to light up the entire handset case, as soon as you receive a call.

[Cheers Ekateryna]

Life-sized dining tables consuming a large portion of compact living spaces usually turn into a bane in contemporary city apartments. However, the “EGO” from Baita Design is a dining table set with a difference that makes the most of idle space underneath, as the middle section of the table rises to store your plates, cutlery, napkins, fruits, flowers or whatever you want. The lower section of the table comprises a closet with drawers to keep what you want, while a number of shelves store wines and other beverages alongside. Finished in Corian, wood and transparent acrylic, the dining table accompanies some simple lines chairs to complete the set, which brings lightness to the entire unit.

Via: Baita Design

Breaking away from traditional bicycles, Italian designer Peter Dudas has come up with a hybrid bike that presents a simple, but at the same time exotic, design to stimulate your imagination. Amalgamating the latest bicycle materials with high technology, the minimalist bike is primarily finished in carbon that apart from making it flexible and durable also reduces the way for easy controls. Running on hubless wheels, the city bike removes the transmission chain for a clean, elegant and sporty design. Featuring a saddle and handlebar made in aluminum, coated with carbon, the bike hides the gear and break cables in the frame with a system of gear wheels. Ideal for inter city commuting, the hybrid bike just meets all the needs of trendy bikers.

Via: Peter Dudas

Inspired by the recent economic crisis, the “Famiglia Grande” by designer Kacey Wong is a portable shelter that provides refuge to the homeless. Intended toward the middle class and above, the shelter unfolds a number of cases to become a bed and desk, so the users could maintain their lifestyle even when forced to live on the road due to the economic meltdown. Users can move the mobile units like a cart with minimum fuss and place them in a park or marketplace for an overnight halt.

Via: Dezeen

Traditional helmets may provide foolproof protection, but they too get damp during longer rides and become more of an obstacle than an advantage to the rider. Providing a solution, Dublin-based Notion studio has created a trendy head gear named “Air Helmet” for snow-sports that not only protects the user but also allows air ventilation to keep the user fresh and set all the time. Featuring an exterior finished in hard plastic and an interior in breathable textile padding, the new helmet combines the characteristics of military, bicycle or climbing head protection, keeping the participants fresh and geared up for the adventurous snow-sports.

Via: Design by Notion/Trendhunter

Working on your conventional workstation in your home office for longer durations often becomes tiring both physically as well as mentally. Keeping you up and going, designer Yuji Fujimura has come up with an ergonomic workplace that allows a comfortable body posture during extended work sessions. Dubbed the “Lounge Chair Workstation,” this concept chair is bent to support the natural curves of your body, while an integrated flexible stand mounts your portable systems at a comfortable height. Moreover, you may take a nap to refresh your body and mind during long working hours.

Via: Asylum