Tel Aviv-based designers Ami Drach and Dov Ganchrow have created the "MAN MADE" collection, bridging two million years of human innovation by 3D-printing custom handles onto authentic Stone Age hand-axes. Using Verogray performance polymer handles printed with Stratasys technology, the project "effectively joins the two most temporally distant making technologies: flint knapping and 3D printing." The ancient Acheulean stone tools—first used by Homo erectus almost two million years ago and representing the vast majority of human technological history—are digitally scanned and encapsulated in perfectly fitted cases that transform multipurpose prehistoric implements into specialized contemporary tools. Rather than focusing on specific utilitarian actions, the concept originates from the different stone hand-axe forms themselves, proposing various gripping and slicing possibilities through contemporary manufacturing techniques. The project celebrates humanity's incredible technological achievements by creating a direct material dialogue between our species' first sophisticated tools and our latest manufacturing capabilities, demonstrating how design thinking transcends millennia while honoring the fundamental human drive to create better implements for survival and progress.

Teenage Engineering has achieved their goal of creating "the cheapest computer case in the world" by engineering the Computer-2 down to a cost of zero dollars. Built from a single semi-transparent polypropylene plastic sheet, the mini-ITX case folds together like an origami project using living hinges and snap hooks, requiring no screws or brackets for assembly. The minimalist design accommodates a mini-ITX motherboard, SFX power supply, and dual-slot graphics card up to a specific size, with the GPU positioned above the motherboard in an unconventional layout. Complete with a carrying handle on top and featuring an 18-step assembly process, the case represents both a marketing experiment and design challenge that prioritizes radical simplicity over traditional manufacturing approaches. While the translucent chassis sold out instantly upon release, the project demonstrates how extreme design constraints can lead to innovative solutions—proving that sometimes the most expensive-looking design philosophy can result in a completely free product.

Google DeepMind has launched AlphaEarth Foundations, an AI model that functions as a virtual satellite by integrating massive amounts of Earth observation data into unified digital representations. The system analyzes the world's land and coastal waters in precise 10×10 meter squares, combining optical satellite images, radar, 3D laser mapping, and climate simulations to track planetary changes over time with unprecedented accuracy. The AI's key breakthrough lies in creating compact data summaries that require 16 times less storage space than other mapping systems, making planetary-scale analysis dramatically more affordable and accessible. With over 1.4 trillion embedding footprints per year now available through Google Earth Engine, the dataset has already partnered with 50+ organizations including the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, Harvard Forest, and Stanford University to create custom maps for real-world applications. The Global Ecosystems Atlas is using AlphaEarth to classify unmapped ecosystems like coastal shrublands and hyper-arid deserts, while MapBiomas employs it to track agricultural and environmental changes across Brazil's Amazon rainforest. Demonstrating superior learning efficiency with a 24% lower error rate than competing systems, AlphaEarth represents a revolutionary leap in geospatial intelligence that enables scientists to monitor crop health, track deforestation, and observe construction without relying on single satellite passes overhead.

Oppenheim Architecture has unveiled the New Boulevard Tower in Tirana, Albania, a residential skyscraper that embodies the city's ambitious transformation into a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly capital with over 65% of urban space dedicated to sustainable mobility. Positioned strategically next to a major public square and forthcoming park, the tower features a ground-level urban plaza that seamlessly connects the boulevard, square, and park to encourage pedestrian circulation and social gathering. Each apartment within the tower boasts continuous wrap-around balconies and abundant natural light, while the top three levels house penthouses offering panoramic views of Central Park and beyond. The building's cast-in-place façade combines textured surfaces with Tirana-inspired pigments that create a dynamic visual experience shifting with light, shadow, and perspective throughout the day. Sustainable design strategies including green rooftops and energy-efficient systems align with the city's broader environmental goals, while the tower represents Oppenheim's ongoing commitment to Albania's architectural evolution through their dedicated local studio staffed by Albanian architects, planners, and designers. As part of a portfolio that includes civic projects like the College of Europe and Besa Museum, Boulevard Tower demonstrates how thoughtful, site-responsive architecture can meaningfully contribute to a city's urban identity while creating spaces for culture and connection at multiple scales.

EBBA Architects founder Benni Allan has created Pulse, a mesmerizing installation for Houghton Festival that transforms the energy signals of surrounding trees into shifting light and sound patterns. Suspended as a glowing canopy within Norfolk's woodlands, the installation creates a serene sanctuary where festival-goers can pause and experience nature's rhythms made visible and audible. The innovative piece converts bioelectric signals from the forest into dynamic audio-visual displays, making visitors aware of their environment in unprecedented ways while offering a contemplative counterpoint to the house and techno music stages. Featured at the ninth edition of Houghton Festival, founded by legendary Fabric resident DJ Craig Richards, Pulse demonstrates how technology can reveal nature's hidden communications and create deeper connections between humans and their surroundings. The installation represents a growing trend of bio-responsive architecture where buildings and structures actively engage with living ecosystems, translating natural phenomena into human-perceptible experiences that bridge the gap between urban design and environmental consciousness.

Cracker Barrel has ignited a firestorm by unveiling its first logo change in 48 years, removing the iconic man leaning against a barrel image that defined the brand since 1977. The streamlined design features only "Cracker Barrel" text on a gold background, eliminating both the traditional imagery and "Old Country Store" tagline that anchored its nostalgic identity. The rebrand immediately sparked intense customer backlash across social media, with critics claiming the chain abandoned its heritage and values, while defenders argue it's simply a strategic business move to modernize amid financial struggles. Stock prices plummeted 7.2% in the days following the announcement, wiping out approximately $100 million in market value as investors reacted to the controversy. CEO Julie Felss Masino defended the change as part of a broader brand refresh to attract new customers, emphasizing that "our story hasn't changed" despite the visual transformation. The logo controversy highlights the delicate balance brands must strike between modernization and preserving nostalgic elements that define customer loyalty, particularly for heritage brands seeking to revitalize their market position while maintaining their core identity in an increasingly polarized cultural landscape.