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Dlandstudio’s Sponge Park would bring greenery and people to a contaminated area while simultaneously contributing to its recovery. Image provided by dlandstudio.
Dlandstudio’s Sponge Park would bring greenery and people to a contaminated area while simultaneously contributing to its recovery. Image provided by dlandstudio.
This diagram shows the many agencies with jurisdiction over the proposed Sponge Park area. Image provided by dlandstudio.
This diagram shows the many agencies with jurisdiction over the proposed Sponge Park area. Image provided by dlandstudio.
Founded in 2005 by Susannah C. Drake, dlandstudio architecture + landscape is an inderdisciplinary design studio based in Brooklyn. Its design for a "Sponge Park" along the Gowanus Canal, a federal Superfund site, envisions a "working landscape" that will improve the environmental conditions along the park over time. Image courtesy of dlandstudio architecture + landscape.
Founded in 2005 by Susannah C. Drake, dlandstudio architecture + landscape is an inderdisciplinary design studio based in Brooklyn. Its design for a "Sponge Park" along the Gowanus Canal, a federal Superfund site, envisions a "working landscape" that will improve the environmental conditions along the park over time. Image courtesy of dlandstudio architecture + landscape.
Design*Sponge managing editor Amy Azzarito.
Design*Sponge managing editor Amy Azzarito.
DISHMOP SPONGE Washing up is rarely as enjoyable as the eating that precedes it, which makes us appreciate simple cleaning tools that somehow manage to bring a little levity to the sudsy process. Dutch industrial designer Gijs Bakker made the Dishmop for Droog (the company he co-founded in 1993), and using it is not unlike taking tongs the serving dish to sneak the last meatball. Simply grasp the round sponge between the ends of the steel utensil, secure, and start scrubbing.
DISHMOP SPONGE Washing up is rarely as enjoyable as the eating that precedes it, which makes us appreciate simple cleaning tools that somehow manage to bring a little levity to the sudsy process. Dutch industrial designer Gijs Bakker made the Dishmop for Droog (the company he co-founded in 1993), and using it is not unlike taking tongs the serving dish to sneak the last meatball. Simply grasp the round sponge between the ends of the steel utensil, secure, and start scrubbing.
Sponges and gentle brushes serve as great assistants when looking to remove grime and stains around caulking.
Sponges and gentle brushes serve as great assistants when looking to remove grime and stains around caulking.
The 510 Cabin is one of Leggitt's designs, executed with the help of student apprentices.
The 510 Cabin is one of Leggitt's designs, executed with the help of student apprentices.
One of the best ways to combat the grime in between window blinds, hinges, etc. is with a sponge or cloth that has been dampened in either mild soapy water or a mixture of vinegar, water, and baking soda.
One of the best ways to combat the grime in between window blinds, hinges, etc. is with a sponge or cloth that has been dampened in either mild soapy water or a mixture of vinegar, water, and baking soda.
The cover of Murakami Versailles.
The cover of Murakami Versailles.
An installation of mismatched handmade shelves makes a display area for another enigmatic assortment of objects, including a Wanders Sponge vase (1997), made by soaking a real sponge in clay, which burns away when the piece is fired. The same technique was used on the silver-plated teddy bear above it. The dolphin and Buddha figures—perhaps a reminder of Wanders’s role in mainstreaming kitsch—illustrate the designer’s interest in ordinary, popular decorative objects.
An installation of mismatched handmade shelves makes a display area for another enigmatic assortment of objects, including a Wanders Sponge vase (1997), made by soaking a real sponge in clay, which burns away when the piece is fired. The same technique was used on the silver-plated teddy bear above it. The dolphin and Buddha figures—perhaps a reminder of Wanders’s role in mainstreaming kitsch—illustrate the designer’s interest in ordinary, popular decorative objects.
Image converted using ifftoany
Image converted using ifftoany
Pendant by Matthew Fairbank Design.
Pendant by Matthew Fairbank Design.
Clock by Ding3000 for Discipline.
Clock by Ding3000 for Discipline.
The structure of the coop was inspired by the new bus shelters and newsstands in New York City.
The structure of the coop was inspired by the new bus shelters and newsstands in New York City.
A Burrow bedframe is joined by two Burrow nightstands (total $2100) and Fairy Tale Castle, Gold wallpaper from Rebel Walls ($924). “We used every type of wallpaper–paste, peel and stick, sponge back—but paste is the easiest, and more forgiving,” says Kara.
A Burrow bedframe is joined by two Burrow nightstands (total $2100) and Fairy Tale Castle, Gold wallpaper from Rebel Walls ($924). “We used every type of wallpaper–paste, peel and stick, sponge back—but paste is the easiest, and more forgiving,” says Kara.
William Lamson's Solarium.
William Lamson's Solarium.
These sponges get the job done and look good doing it.
These sponges get the job done and look good doing it.
Soft Rocks by Tanya Aguiñiga.
Soft Rocks by Tanya Aguiñiga.
The Anita shelf as seen on The Blog on the Bookshelf.
The Anita shelf as seen on The Blog on the Bookshelf.
For more information on the Uncensored campaign, please visit sonatauncensored.
For more information on the Uncensored campaign, please visit sonatauncensored.
Each piece is wiped with a wet sponge to smooth the surface.
Each piece is wiped with a wet sponge to smooth the surface.
Andre Dekker of Rotterdam-based Observatorium.
Andre Dekker of Rotterdam-based Observatorium.
Here’s What Dwell Readers Bought the Most of in 2020: Cozy loungewear might not be a surprise, but who knew a cat-shaped dish sponge would be so popular?
Here’s What Dwell Readers Bought the Most of in 2020: Cozy loungewear might not be a surprise, but who knew a cat-shaped dish sponge would be so popular?
Vintage ads abound in A Graphic History of LEGO Packaging.
Vintage ads abound in A Graphic History of LEGO Packaging.
Bent rosewood pieces, layered and finished with a mahogany veneer, lend this piece a warm richness that hasn't faded a bit since it was constructed in the 1960s. For more information, contact Assemblage.
Bent rosewood pieces, layered and finished with a mahogany veneer, lend this piece a warm richness that hasn't faded a bit since it was constructed in the 1960s. For more information, contact Assemblage.
Also on display from Schildt was her Umbrella Stand for Design House Stockholm featuring a sponge base to soak up the drops.
Also on display from Schildt was her Umbrella Stand for Design House Stockholm featuring a sponge base to soak up the drops.
After trimming, the final step before glazing is wiping down the piece with a wet sponge. This smooths the surface and gives it a hand-finished texture.
After trimming, the final step before glazing is wiping down the piece with a wet sponge. This smooths the surface and gives it a hand-finished texture.
Residence designed by "a href="http://www.axelrodarchitects.com">Axelrod Architects, honorable mention in the New Practices San Francisco 2009 competition.
Residence designed by "a href="http://www.axelrodarchitects.com">Axelrod Architects, honorable mention in the New Practices San Francisco 2009 competition.
Residence designed by "a href="http://www.axelrodarchitects.com">Axelrod Architects, honorable mention in the New Practices San Francisco 2009 competition.
Residence designed by "a href="http://www.axelrodarchitects.com">Axelrod Architects, honorable mention in the New Practices San Francisco 2009 competition.
Whalepooner PLYprint from The Utility Collective and Hub Strategy, $85.00.
Whalepooner PLYprint from The Utility Collective and Hub Strategy, $85.00.
Skyscrapers on Transparent Yellow
Skyscrapers on Transparent Yellow
A pair of Bishop Chairs, designed by Philippe Starck for Dedon.
A pair of Bishop Chairs, designed by Philippe Starck for Dedon.
Before: After purchasing the home in 2006, the architect repainted the breakfast area’s sponge-painted walls (decor by previous owner shown above), but knew that a more substantial intervention was needed.
Before: After purchasing the home in 2006, the architect repainted the breakfast area’s sponge-painted walls (decor by previous owner shown above), but knew that a more substantial intervention was needed.
Beach chalet, at 388 square feet, designed by Studiomama.
Beach chalet, at 388 square feet, designed by Studiomama.

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