The Mazda CX-3 embodies the same obsession. It is the first compact SUV that combines Japanese precision with the passion of “KODO – Soul of Motion” design.

Take to the road and you’ll feel the agility of the latest SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY. The style of every last stitch at your finger tips. The versatility of being ready for both city and country drives. This is power. This is grace. This is an obsession with creating perfection.

Visit mazda.co.za to find out more about the Mazda CX-3 or to book a test drive.

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The next generation Mazda3 represents the new era for Mazda. It’s more than art. It’s design. Technology. Performance. An expression of yourself that lives beyond a canvas and an evolution of Mazda’s “KODO – Soul of Motion” design philosophy.

Visit mazda.co.za to find out more about the elegant and refined Mazda3 or to book a test drive.

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Now you can take your love of unique aesthetics beyond your living space and out into the world. When you drive the refined Mazda CX-5, you’ll experience the harmony of world-class design, elegant finishes and unmatched performance.

This is art on the road. Rich colour. Exquisite lines. It’s “KODO – Soul of Motion” realised: a design philosophy born of the belief that motoring aesthetic should come alive.

Visit mazda.co.za to find out more or book a test drive.

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From the mesmerising Morpheus Hotel in Macau to architecture-inspired poufs and a hot dog bus in New York, these are the top VISI team’s top picks of the week series – week 239.

1. Zaha Hadid’s Morpheus Hotel

“The facade of the striking Morpheus Hotel in Macau, designed by Zaha Hadid architects, pays homage to China’s traditional jade carving traditions,” says Content Producer Mary Garner. “This dramatic building forms part of a resort called City of Dreams, made up of a shopping district, casino, two theatres, 20 restaurants and four hotels.”

Image credit: Ivan Dupont via designboom.com

2. Note Design Studio’s Architectural Poufs

“Swedish brand Note Design Studio has created a collection of architecture-inspired poufs,” says Online Editor Lindi Brownell Meiring. “Before deciding on arches, the studio explored a range of architectural forms, including domes and silos. I love the end result.” For more architectural finds, take a look at the World Architecture Festival 2022 Shortlist.

Image credit: Matevž Paternoster via dezeen.com

3. Vilela Florez’s Bamboo House

“Designed by architectural firm Vilela Florez, this 180-square-metre, one-storey holiday house in Brazil is made of bamboo slats that have been laid diagonally between dark vertical ribs,” says Art Director Lené Roux. “What a spot for a summer getaway!”

Image credit: Maira Acayaba via dezeen.com

4. Helle Mardahl’s Candy Collection Lamps

“Based in Denmark, artist and designer Helle Mardahl’s Candy Collection, a series of ornate glass lamps, are all inspired by sweets,” says Managing Editor Samantha Charles. “I love that each lamp is handmade and entirely unique.”

Image credit: hellemardahl.com

5. Erwin Wurm Hot Dog Bus

“Austrian artist Erwin Wurm has, with the help of New York’s Public Art Fund, created a Hot Dog Bus that will deliver 50 000 free hot dogs in Brooklyn Bridge Park over the summer,” says Copy Editor Kay-Ann van Rooyen. “The body of the bus (a Volkswagen T2b Microbus) was created using a combination of styrofoam, urethane, putty and paint.”

Image credit: Liz Ligon via artsy.net

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From designer water bottles and a car with emotional intelligence to an entire kitchen unit made from recycled bottles, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 166.

1. ShooShoos’ A/W 2017 Collection

“We’ve featured ShooShoos’ adorable footwear for kids as a Pick of the Week before, but we just couldn’t resist sharing their brand-new collection,” says Online Editor Lindi Brownell Meiring. “As there are over 150 new styles to choose from, it was tough to pick my favourites!”

Image credit: shooshoos.com

2. Honda Emotion Engine Car

“This cute-as-a-button concept car called NeuV is equipped with an artificial intelligence system that picks up on the habits and emotions of the driver, which means it can do awesome things like detect the driver’s emotions based on their actions,” explains Freelance Junior Content Producer Cheri Morris. “It would then be able to make music recommendations based on the driver’s current mood.”

Image credit: dezeen.com

3. IKEA Plastic Bottle Kitchen

“How pretty is this kitchen unit designed by Swedish studio Form Us With Love?” says Acting Managing Editor Samantha Charles. “It’s IKEA’s first kitchen unit to be made entirely from recycled plastic bottles and upcycled industrial wood.”

Image credit: dezeen.com

4. Maison Christian Lacroix X Evian

“I love glass bottles with prints on them and this collaboration between Maison Christian Lacroix and Evian is just too pretty not to share!” exclaims Editor-in-Chief Sumien Brink. (You can read more about this collaboration on page 174 in VISI 87)

Image credit: evian.com

5. Emirates ecoTHREAD Blankets

“If I needed another reason to give Emirates the thumbs up, the airline’s new ecoTHREAD blankets made from recycled bottles would be a good one,” says Assistant Editor Tracy Greenwood.

Video credit: emirates.com

Browse more like VISI picks of the week series – week 166 on picks of the week 273.

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A new electric mobile office called the Nissan e-NV200 WORKSPACe is a collaboration between Japanese car brand Nissan and UK-based design group Studio Hardie.

The zero emission e-NV200 van has been kitted out with wireless phone charging, a touchscreen computer, a fold-out desk, wireless internet, Bluetooth audio system, smartphone controlled LED lighting, a mini fridge, and a state-of-the-art coffee machine, making it the world’s first all-electric office on wheels.

“The Nissan e-NV200 is already a smart, sustainable transport solution for forward-thinking businesses, making it the ideal vehicle to be used as the basis for a mobile work place,” said Gareth Dunsmore, Director of Electric Vehicles, Nissan Europe. “The e-NV200 WORKSPACe takes the ingenuity of our 100 percent electric van a step further and by enlisting the design expertise of Studio Hardie – renowned for its creative eco approach – the e-NV200 has been reimagined as an innovative, zero-emission working environment.”

Taking the idea of the “hot desk” to the next level, the e-NV200 WORKSPACe embraces the current notion of flexibility in the workplace, making it the perfect option for a modern freelancer.

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Nigerian craftsman Ojo Obaniyi has applied his seasoned weaving skill to transform his car into a mobile billboard for his small weaving business, exemplifying Africa’s untapped talent. 

From his small workshop in Ibadan, Nigeria, 40-year-old Ojo employed his20 years of experience in the trade to cover everything from the dashboard to the wheel caps of his Volkswagen bakkie with woven raffia palm. Pictures of the masterpiece along with his story went viral on the internet, capturing widespread attention across the world.

Passionate about his trade and his country, Ojo is driven by his devotion to encourage change in his community. “I wanted to prove a point that it is not only the educated elite that can make useful changes in society. We, the artisans, also have talents that can be used to effect change and make a positive impact in the world,” says Ojo.

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Student designers across South Africa shared their ideas for future retail space in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Student Designer competition and VISI’s own Annemarie Meintjes was there to judge the winners.

How will we shop in the future?

Under the auspices of the Pretoria Institute of Architects (PIA), Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) invited design students to answer this question by creating an alternative shopping experience – an inspirational space where customers can connect with each other and the brand. Be it in the shape of a pop-up showroom, a boutique, a coffee shop or a hangout, the brief was to attract a wider audience in conventional shopping centre environments.

The judging panel consisted of president of PIA Pieter Mathews, MBSA consultant architect Faan Nel, interior designer Wilna Strey, deputy editor of VISI Annemarie Meintjes and senior MBSA management members Selvin Govender, Florian Seidler and Phil Longbottom.  

“The response was amazing,” says Annemarie. “Incredible entries were received from a diversity of students from all parts of the country.”

So who won?

The PIA Ideas Conference (read VISI’s reportback here) was the perfect opportunity to host a prestigious awards ceremony on 23 May at the Brooklyn Theatre, alongside an exhibition of the award-winning designs.  

Frederik Engelbrecht was awarded R20 000 for his conceptual shopping space that aimed at tearing away the exterior. The winning design was inspired by the skeletal interior of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, focusing on the hidden details inside to allow customers an experience of the process of design. He also implemented the use of suspended objects to create a feeling of tension and exhilaration, luring customers to the core.

In second place, Mila Bolt received R10 000, and third-place winner Estelle Kruger was awarded R5 000. Each of the five finalists, who also included Billy Ernst and Armand Meyer, attended the two-day Ideas Conference as part of their reward.  

“The five finalists were selected based on how practically executable their scheme was, the understanding of the brand, as well as the ‘energy’ of the design,” explained Annemarie.

The link between architecture and automotive design is clear. Both can merge visionary ideas with practical form. Both are also inextricably linked to lifestyle choices. 

Originally published on MB Life.

Read more articles from our deputy editor Annemarie Meintjes.

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“You are banned from drawing cars for a week. Draw sculptures instead.” An unusual instruction for automotive designers, perhaps, but one that Volvo’s strategic design manager, Jonathan Disley, insisted had to be followed. 

Eight thousand hours later, the luxurious hand-built Universe Concept was born, its fluid lines and sculptural quality the result of Jonathan’s order. 

“It still honours the beautiful lines of classic Volvo models but without the edges; all lines are infinite, marking distinctive inspiration from Scandinavian furniture design, as well as Chinese writing,” he said. 

A striking feature of the car’s interior is the decor- and fashion-inspired design details. The leather seats have backrests made from first-class wool usually reserved for bespoke suits. When opened, the pockets reveal fine stitching and lining fabric in a strong accent colour. The walnut centre panel features a design in hand-painted blue-and-white china – a nod to Volvo’s new owner.

The Concept Universe luxury sedan was unveiled with a bang at the Shanghai Motor Show to reveal the Volvo design team’s answer to the question they set out to answer: a beautiful car should feel handcrafted, sparking a feeling of eternal beauty – an artful, timeless blend of design and technology. We’d love to take it for a spin.

www.volvocars.com

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With just months to go before the Olympic Games get under way in the capital city of the brand’s home country, Mini introduces two new special-edition models to spread contemporary London style around the world. The latest takes on the Mini character – the Mini Baker Street and Mini Bayswater – will go on sale in South Africa from March 2012.

Expressive design features and exclusive equipment inject each car’s exterior appearance, interior ambience and hallmark driving fun with its own distinctive flavour. The Mini Baker Street embodies the youthful, fresh and innovative trend-setting style of the brand, while the Mini Bayswater focuses primarily on the sporting verve and agile handling for which Mini is known.

Both special-edition models will be produced over a limited period and offered for sale worldwide. Locally, the Mini Baker Street will only be available in the Mini Cooper, while the Bayswater will be available in the Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S.

More information: www.mini.co.za

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