From a new Weylandts store in Port Elizabeth and an autonomous shuttle by Japanese brand Muji to a Christmas tree made from recycled champagne bottles and a stunning mountain outpost in the Swiss Alps, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 258.

1. Weylandts’ New Port Elizabeth Store

“I love the design of the new Weylandts store in PE,” says Features Editor Amelia Brown. “Themed around the concept of The Collector of Landscapes, the 1 300 m² double-volume store, with its A-frame roof, draws on muted landscapes and rich forests.”

Image credit: weylandts.co.za

2. Muji’s Autonomous Shuttle

“This little bus, designed by Japanese brand Muji, is just too cute,” says Editor-in-Chief Sumien Brink. “The bus is designed to withstand even the harshest weather conditions and is safe to run without a driver. We are truly living in the future.”

Image credit: dezeen.com

3.  Mountain Outpost by Herzog & de Meuron

“Architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron have proposed a design for a new mountain outpost in the Swiss Alps,” says Online Editor Lindi Brownell Meiring. “The renovation project includes the new summit station, which the firm describes as a flat crystal-like structure growing out of the mountain. It’s pretty mesmerising!”

Image credit: herzogdemeuron.com

4. Moët & Chandon’s Golden Tree

“This incredible Christmas Tree, which will be on display at the Silo District at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront from 29 November 2018, is made entirely from champagne bottles,” says Content Producer Michaela Stehr. “Sitting at an impressive four-storeys high with over 1 800 recycled champagne bottles collected from all over South Africa, the Moët & Chandon Golden Tree is wrapped in a shimmering gold ribbon created using over 2 000 discs. The Tree Lighting Experience on Thursday 29 November is open to the general public at no cost.”

Image credit: Supplied

5. Wooden Lamp by Lowe Furniture and Decor 

“This wooden pendant / standing lamp shade is manufactured in solid kiaat by local designer Velaphi Mpolweni, who recently won the Tsogo Sun Achiever of the Year Award,” says Managing Editor Samantha Charles. “The lamp is currently exhibited as part of the collection at South Africa’s Lifestyle Hub in Atlanta, USA.”

Image credit: @lowe_furniture_and_decor

Browse more like VISI picks of the week series – week 258 on picks of the week 53.

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MUJI, a Japanese brand known for its inventive approach to design, has finally released its tiny minimalist hut, which we previously featured here.

The trendy brand introduced these portable huts as a means of encouraging the idea of compact living without having to compromise on comfort and style. “It’s not as dramatic as owning a house or a vacation home, but it’s not as basic as going on a trip,” explains MUJI. The compact home offers a sense of ease and versatility because it can be moved and re-situated to a different location. “Put it in the mountains, near the ocean or in a garden and it immediately blends in with the surroundings, inviting you to a whole new life.”

The huts are made from burnt cedar wood, which is known for its durability, thanks to its use in traditional Japanese shipbuilding techniques.

The 9m² huts are spacious enough for four occupants to stay for a holiday or weekend away. MUJI huts go on sale in August 2017.

For more information, visit muji.com.

(h/t) designboom.com

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Japanese design studio Muji has, under three product designers, created three prefabricated huts made from different materials.

Konstantin Grcic’s aluminium hut, Jasper Morrison’s cork hut and Naota Fukasawa’s wooden hut went on display at Tokyo Design Week in October 2015.

These little cabins are designed to work within the confines of compact urban spaces (especially Grcic’s aluminium hut), or as alternative “weekend away” accommodation.

The huts will go on sale in Japan in 2016.

For more information, visit muji.com/jp/mujihut.

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