Top 10 WTF Posts of 2023
Sometimes, modern design makes you pause and ponder the designer’s thought process. Not in a bad way – just a “I wonder what made them think of this?” Whether it’s a Tesla-designed cardboard cat bed or a ravioli-shaped pool float, some designs garner a “WTF” whispered quietly or perhaps shouted out loud. Let’s take a look back at the top 10 posts that had our feelings bouncing between bewilderment, amusement, surprise, and appreciation for ingenuity.
10. A Circus Tent-Inspired Vacation Home for a Car Lover in Japan
Hitoshi Saruta of CUBO design architect had a client that loved their cars – so much so that the architect decided a typical, built-in garage wouldn’t do. Instead, he designed a 24-sided volume that resembles a circus tent and functions as the client’s vacation home. The first floor acts as a garage and living space while the second story houses the owner’s bedroom with a jacuzzi and waterfall shower.
9. Hikawa iPhone Cases Are Uncomfortably Comfortable Sculptures for the Hand
Bailey Hikawa takes a sculptural approach when it comes to designing these iPhone cases. Leaning more art than tech accessory, the cases are wild and amusing yet still functional and ergonomic. Would you go for the shrimp-encased cover or the Geta which gives you an ultra-secure grip?
8. Not Ready to Say Bye to Summer? Dive Into a Pool Full of Pasta!
These deliciously cute inflatable pool floats by NYC design studio Jumbo for The Standard Hotel makes us want to float around in the water with an actual bowl of pasta. They’re inspired by everyone’s favorite pasta shapes – macaroni, shells, farfalle, rigatoni, lasagna, tortellini, and ravioli – and make you feel like you’re floating in a giant “pot” of water.
7. A Puffer Jacket Reimagined as a Bag or a “Jacket” for Your Laptop
Laptops get cold too! Inspired by the iconic black puffer jacket that everyone dons as soon as the temps drop, designer Nik Bentel of his eponymous studio created a crossbody bag that can also be used as a laptop cover no matter what the weather is. A testament to his design philosophy (“How can we reimagine the use and potential of everyday, mundane objects?”), the bag is a statement piece, a conversation starter, and a tribute to the timeless winter staple.
6. These 3D-Printed Pavilions Are Architecture for the Anthropocene
Designed by architecture studio Hassell, in partnership with 3D-printing studio Nagami and creative collective to.org, these 3D-printed pavilions are a solution to the growing problem of global plastic waste that also helps alleviate the effects of climate change on housing. The structure is constructed with recycled plastic and engineered for inclement weather and harsh climates around the world.
5. Cinema Visiona: A Home Theater With an Undulating Landscape of Seating
Who says home theaters have to look anything like public theaters? Designed by Matter Make, the Cinema Visiona challenges the norms of scale and aesthetics, inviting you to embark on a cinematic journey like no other. The undulating seating encourages users to explore around to find their perfect spot that’s comfortable to their own preferences of sitting or lounging.
4. IWI Is an Adaptable Living Space That Extends or Compresses to Your Needs
This accessory dwelling unit (ADU) might be the ultimate solution for small space living. Designed by architects Juan Ruiz and Amelia Tapia, the IWI is a design project comprising two wooden modules that connect via an accordion-like folding structure. When expanded, the space acts as a small room that can function as an office, studio, yoga room, relaxation zone, workshop, guest room, etc. When not in use, it can simply be pushed back to minimize its physical footprint.
3. The Fiat Topolino EV Steers Design Details Toward Gen Z Drivers
The Topolino by Fiat makes the goal of owning a car easier for younger generations who don’t want to be tied down with years of car payments. While the mini-EV electric quadricycle is closer to a golf cart than genuine automobile, the compact vehicle is attractive for its modest price – $10,770, a steep contrast from the price tag of $48,000, or what Kelley Blue Book estimates is the average cost of a new set of wheels.
2. Tesla Designed a Cardboard Cybertruck for Cats
You never know, your car might secretly be a car aficionado. Thankfully, Tesla has just the thing for them: a pet bed made from cardboard that’s inspired by the angled Tesla Cybertruck. Cat owners know the joy that a cardboard box brings to their furry felines and this one takes it up a notch, reductive aesthetic and all.
And the most popular WTF post of 2023 is…
1. Can You Carry a Couch in an Envelope? IKEA’s SPACE10 Says Yes!
Couches are often bulky pieces of furniture that take up a lot of room to store and transport. The problem then begs the question, “Can a couch be designed to go flat, be put into envelope-like packaging, and then carried around by a human?” The answer is yes. Designed by SPACE10 in collaboration with Panter&Tourron, Couch in an Envelope is a lightweight, flat-packed seating design made for contemporary living.
