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Bell Labs (Holmdel, New Jersey: 1957) History: As Silicon Valley titans like Apple seek to create their own corporate superstructures, it’s instructive to look back at Bell Labs, not merely a birthplace of American ingenuity but also a masterclass in corporate construction by Eero Saarinen. The man behind “the Versailles of Industry,” (the GM Tech Center), Saarinen built this ahead-if-its-time tech incubator with interconnected skyways and a mirrored ball exterior, a 472-acre campus where an impressive number of scientific discoveries took place. Status: Shuttered in 2007, the campus is owned by Somerset Development, which is trying to figure out ways to redevelop the site. Plans that have been floated over the past few years include scenarios that replace this iconic office complex with upscale homes. What You Can Do: Late last fall, Somerset committed to a $100 restoration plan, promising to develop the largest vacant office building in the country with a preservationist mindset, conserving features like the architect’s conversation pits while turning it into a more elaborate live-work space with medial offices, a library, restaurants, offices, and cafes. Looks like now may be the time to invest in your own Saarinen-designed office space. Image Credit: Lee Beaumont, Creative Commons
Bell Labs (Holmdel, New Jersey: 1957) History: As Silicon Valley titans like Apple seek to create their own corporate superstructures, it’s instructive to look back at Bell Labs, not merely a birthplace of American ingenuity but also a masterclass in corporate construction by Eero Saarinen. The man behind “the Versailles of Industry,” (the GM Tech Center), Saarinen built this ahead-if-its-time tech incubator with interconnected skyways and a mirrored ball exterior, a 472-acre campus where an impressive number of scientific discoveries took place. Status: Shuttered in 2007, the campus is owned by Somerset Development, which is trying to figure out ways to redevelop the site. Plans that have been floated over the past few years include scenarios that replace this iconic office complex with upscale homes. What You Can Do: Late last fall, Somerset committed to a $100 restoration plan, promising to develop the largest vacant office building in the country with a preservationist mindset, conserving features like the architect’s conversation pits while turning it into a more elaborate live-work space with medial offices, a library, restaurants, offices, and cafes. Looks like now may be the time to invest in your own Saarinen-designed office space. Image Credit: Lee Beaumont, Creative Commons
The more planning you do and the fewer changes you make, the higher chance you have of staying within your budget. Take the time to figure out what the scope of the project is and get a sense of how much work is needed so that you can make educated decisions when presented with options.
The more planning you do and the fewer changes you make, the higher chance you have of staying within your budget. Take the time to figure out what the scope of the project is and get a sense of how much work is needed so that you can make educated decisions when presented with options.
The BetaBox mobile prototyping lab is outfitted with a 3D printer, a CNC mill, a laser cutter, and other tools for innovating.
The BetaBox mobile prototyping lab is outfitted with a 3D printer, a CNC mill, a laser cutter, and other tools for innovating.
The look of the BetaBox was a collaboration between Nicholas Sailer, BetaVersity's director of creative, who studied industrial design at the College of Design in Raleigh, North Carolina; and Michael Hobgood, an architectural designer and the company's director of operations.
The look of the BetaBox was a collaboration between Nicholas Sailer, BetaVersity's director of creative, who studied industrial design at the College of Design in Raleigh, North Carolina; and Michael Hobgood, an architectural designer and the company's director of operations.
With white-board walls, the BetaBox is set up to encourage creative thinking.
With white-board walls, the BetaBox is set up to encourage creative thinking.
Students at work in the BetaBox on the Duke University campus in 2014.
Students at work in the BetaBox on the Duke University campus in 2014.
Sugar cubes “printed” by the Sugar Lab for 3D Systems.
Sugar cubes “printed” by the Sugar Lab for 3D Systems.
Hangar Meeting Table for MG LAB – This table premiered in 2012. It was designed with a space underneath the tabletop to stow away electronic devices that need to be close at hand without contributing to tabletop clutter.
Hangar Meeting Table for MG LAB – This table premiered in 2012. It was designed with a space underneath the tabletop to stow away electronic devices that need to be close at hand without contributing to tabletop clutter.
Dado Labs has developed a user-friendly smartphone interface that helps connect users to their home appliances. The company's first partnerships are with Char-Broil and Saber grills and the coffee-maker company Behmor.
Dado Labs has developed a user-friendly smartphone interface that helps connect users to their home appliances. The company's first partnerships are with Char-Broil and Saber grills and the coffee-maker company Behmor.
Giulio Iacchetti's barware will be displayed at WantedDesign 2014 as part of the Alessi Design Lab exhibit. Photo by Miroza and Olimpia Zagnoli.
Giulio Iacchetti's barware will be displayed at WantedDesign 2014 as part of the Alessi Design Lab exhibit. Photo by Miroza and Olimpia Zagnoli.
Husband-and-wife team (and former architecture students) Kyle and Liz Von Hasseln of the Sugar Lab show off their 3D-formed icing. The technology works the same as 3D-printed objects, only instead of polymers and adhesives, the couple uses a mixture of sugars and water to form their creations.
Husband-and-wife team (and former architecture students) Kyle and Liz Von Hasseln of the Sugar Lab show off their 3D-formed icing. The technology works the same as 3D-printed objects, only instead of polymers and adhesives, the couple uses a mixture of sugars and water to form their creations.
"Most of us overlap on informal and formal ventures all the time," Benson says. "I'm currently working on some pro-bono work with one of the downstairs neighbors on design research. The parking lot serves as a living laboratory at times as well."
"Most of us overlap on informal and formal ventures all the time," Benson says. "I'm currently working on some pro-bono work with one of the downstairs neighbors on design research. The parking lot serves as a living laboratory at times as well."
Haptic Lab continues to expand its offerings, including its new coastal quilt series, which will feature even more designs for the holiday season. Says the designer, “I want to privilege the real, physical world our bodies occupy through design; to make someone put down their iPhone for a moment, to play, and to experience a profound feeling of embodiment.”
Haptic Lab continues to expand its offerings, including its new coastal quilt series, which will feature even more designs for the holiday season. Says the designer, “I want to privilege the real, physical world our bodies occupy through design; to make someone put down their iPhone for a moment, to play, and to experience a profound feeling of embodiment.”
Self Growing Lab: Diaz Paunetto Arquitectos (San Juan) The other first-place prize went to an amorphous concept by Puerto Rican firm Diaz Paunetto Arquitectos. Built of a genetically manipulated bacteria laid on a structural frame, the concept could theoretically be manipulated and even expand on its own to meet the facility's shifting needs over time.
Self Growing Lab: Diaz Paunetto Arquitectos (San Juan) The other first-place prize went to an amorphous concept by Puerto Rican firm Diaz Paunetto Arquitectos. Built of a genetically manipulated bacteria laid on a structural frame, the concept could theoretically be manipulated and even expand on its own to meet the facility's shifting needs over time.
According to the firm, the lab structure is conditioned to adapt to its environment, so it can be installed outdoors as well.
According to the firm, the lab structure is conditioned to adapt to its environment, so it can be installed outdoors as well.
Originally funded via Kickstarter, the Constellation Quilt revels in the mysteries of the universe with its design of the Milky Way. Designed by Emily Fischer, this quilt is 5 feet by 5 feeet, 100% cotton, and is from Haptic Lab.
Originally funded via Kickstarter, the Constellation Quilt revels in the mysteries of the universe with its design of the Milky Way. Designed by Emily Fischer, this quilt is 5 feet by 5 feeet, 100% cotton, and is from Haptic Lab.
In the mususem's new iteration, a Process Lab will allow visitors to brainstorm design solutions through hands-on activities.
In the mususem's new iteration, a Process Lab will allow visitors to brainstorm design solutions through hands-on activities.
Although from afar this ivory quilt looks simple, up close, the quilt has detailed neighborhoods like New York City’s Battery Park and Los Angeles’s Studio City. Available at the Dwell Store, $450
Although from afar this ivory quilt looks simple, up close, the quilt has detailed neighborhoods like New York City’s Battery Park and Los Angeles’s Studio City. Available at the Dwell Store, $450
Haptic Lab is comprised of a small group of artisans and designers. An architect by trade, Fischer strove to move away from the strictly visual tendencies of architecture. “My mom was diagnosed with glaucoma and macular degeneration while I was studying architecture at the University of Michigan back in 2002," Fischer says. "As a design student, it occurred to me that architects and designers always privilege the visual over the tactile; design should ideally satisfy a wide range of sensation.”
Haptic Lab is comprised of a small group of artisans and designers. An architect by trade, Fischer strove to move away from the strictly visual tendencies of architecture. “My mom was diagnosed with glaucoma and macular degeneration while I was studying architecture at the University of Michigan back in 2002," Fischer says. "As a design student, it occurred to me that architects and designers always privilege the visual over the tactile; design should ideally satisfy a wide range of sensation.”
Col-lab: Jaehun Woo, Youra Cho, Sang Hoon Park (Seoul) The third-place project suggests a new, raised roof structure that would house the learning facility on the upper levels, in addition to a public gathering space for the Navy Yard on the lower level.
Col-lab: Jaehun Woo, Youra Cho, Sang Hoon Park (Seoul) The third-place project suggests a new, raised roof structure that would house the learning facility on the upper levels, in addition to a public gathering space for the Navy Yard on the lower level.
The above image shows a close-up of the planning that goes into a City Map Quilt. “City Quilts are a sort of bridge between my architectural education and the craft skills I learned growing up in rural Wisconsin," Fischer says. "I use GIS data, satellite imagery, and USGS and NOAA charts to design each quilt pattern. But the quilts aren't just translations of maps—I'm not a big fan of the ‘maps on stuff’ design trend—because they are hand-quilted and subject to idiosyncrasies scaled to the human hand.” Haptic Lab also designed and created the Constellation Quilt, which features the night’s sky.
The above image shows a close-up of the planning that goes into a City Map Quilt. “City Quilts are a sort of bridge between my architectural education and the craft skills I learned growing up in rural Wisconsin," Fischer says. "I use GIS data, satellite imagery, and USGS and NOAA charts to design each quilt pattern. But the quilts aren't just translations of maps—I'm not a big fan of the ‘maps on stuff’ design trend—because they are hand-quilted and subject to idiosyncrasies scaled to the human hand.” Haptic Lab also designed and created the Constellation Quilt, which features the night’s sky.
Taiwan studio KiMU Lab marries traditional paper fans with a powder-coated metal frame for its New Old Divider.
Taiwan studio KiMU Lab marries traditional paper fans with a powder-coated metal frame for its New Old Divider.
Industrial designer Giulio Iacchetti, who has designed for companies including Abet Laminati, Alessi, Danese, Elica, Foscarini, Globo Ceramiche, Jannelli&Volpi, Hastens, and Magis, will participate in the Alessi Design Lab exhibit. Here, his sketches of his range of barware.
Industrial designer Giulio Iacchetti, who has designed for companies including Abet Laminati, Alessi, Danese, Elica, Foscarini, Globo Ceramiche, Jannelli&Volpi, Hastens, and Magis, will participate in the Alessi Design Lab exhibit. Here, his sketches of his range of barware.
The Lab Gastropub - chemistry class meets updated college bar
The Lab Gastropub - chemistry class meets updated college bar
The Media Lab is located in the middle of Bard College campus.
The Media Lab is located in the middle of Bard College campus.
The Felds’ new kitchen is clean, modern, and laced with industrial touches (laboratory faucets, lab glass pendant lamps designed by Sand, stainless steel appliances) while animated by materials and crafted elements that radiate warmth: fir floors unearthed from beneath two layers of linoleum; a fireclay farm sink made in England; Carrera marble counters that extend up the walls; walnut shelving; and industrial mechanisms that put the hardware on display, such as the suspended rolling blackboard that conceals the water heater.
The Felds’ new kitchen is clean, modern, and laced with industrial touches (laboratory faucets, lab glass pendant lamps designed by Sand, stainless steel appliances) while animated by materials and crafted elements that radiate warmth: fir floors unearthed from beneath two layers of linoleum; a fireclay farm sink made in England; Carrera marble counters that extend up the walls; walnut shelving; and industrial mechanisms that put the hardware on display, such as the suspended rolling blackboard that conceals the water heater.
The Media Lab has been painted black to recede into the woods.
The Media Lab has been painted black to recede into the woods.
Descience Lab also crafted standalone furniture pieces to complement the overall scheme.
Descience Lab also crafted standalone furniture pieces to complement the overall scheme.
French designer and architect Matali Crasset (whose farmhouse renovation project Dwell featured in its March 2014 issue) poses with her geometric trays, which will be shown in the Alessi Design Lab exhibit.
French designer and architect Matali Crasset (whose farmhouse renovation project Dwell featured in its March 2014 issue) poses with her geometric trays, which will be shown in the Alessi Design Lab exhibit.
The RAD LAB team thoughtfully placed each cabin amongst the pines to ensure quality views and a secluded experience for guests.
The RAD LAB team thoughtfully placed each cabin amongst the pines to ensure quality views and a secluded experience for guests.
Oakland–based Building Lab effortlessly connected the patio to the living and bedroom areas just beyond the striking wall of windows.
Oakland–based Building Lab effortlessly connected the patio to the living and bedroom areas just beyond the striking wall of windows.
Den co-founders use their 384-square-foot cabin as a weekend getaway and building lab for future projects.
Den co-founders use their 384-square-foot cabin as a weekend getaway and building lab for future projects.
The powder room is now situated near the entrance. It is clad in panels made of lab-grade, chemical- and water-resistant material.
The powder room is now situated near the entrance. It is clad in panels made of lab-grade, chemical- and water-resistant material.
Maki presented the building as a white canvas -- “and the Media Lab will paint paintings on that canvas.”
Maki presented the building as a white canvas -- “and the Media Lab will paint paintings on that canvas.”
The entire brownstone is furnished with custom and unique pieces selected by the Uli Wagner Design Lab team, including these artworks in the top-floor living space.
The entire brownstone is furnished with custom and unique pieces selected by the Uli Wagner Design Lab team, including these artworks in the top-floor living space.

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