
Dutch architecture firm UNStudio has recently joined forces with Swiss paint manufacturer Monopol Colors to develop the world's coolest white paint to "protect buildings and urban structures from excessive solar radiation," according to a press release. "Designing with the future in mind also means that buildings last longer in the face of environmental change, that they are more resilient to change, and that they endure environmental strain," said Ben van Berkel, Hon. FAIA, UNStudio founder and principal architect, in a video posted on Vimeo. Due to its high total solar reflectance (TSR) rating, which measures the amount of irradiated sun's energy reflected by an object, this fluorocarbon-based exterior paint can ensure "the substrate heats up less and radiates less heat," according to UNStudio. The paint's molecular structure, which Monopol Colors says is comparable to that of Teflon, provides protection against ultraviolet rays and abrasion, and helps to retain façade's color and gloss finishes. The coolest white is 2.5 times stronger than its standard polyester-based counterparts and is specifically suited for metallic façades such as steel and aluminum. The team says the paint can last for more than 40 years. [UNStudio]

3D printed from stainless steel and finished by hand, this futuristic, touchless bathroom faucet by North American manufacturer DXV won the KBIS 2019 Best of Show Award. Dubbed "Blade," the faucet features a circular opening in its spout, from which swirling water flows as the user approaches. This faucet is currently in the concept development phase. [DXV]
IKEA wants to help people to a better life at home through cleaner air. Introducing the air purifying curtain GUNRID, a textile that breaks down common indoor air pollutants. Learn more: https://t.co/cjQwW4BiNk pic.twitter.com/trmVNZGUWF
— IKEA USA (@IKEAUSA) February 19, 2019
IKEA has produced a curtain that can potentially purify indoor air. Dubbed "Gunrid," the "affordable and space-saving air purifying" solution is treated with a mineral-based coating, which helps to break down airborne particles, such as formaldehydes. Similar to photosynthesis, Gunrid's cleansing properties can be activated by both electric and natural lighting. “Besides enabling people to breathe better air at home, we hope that Gundrid will increase people’s awareness of indoor air pollution, inspiring behavioral changes that contribute to a world of clean air,” Lena Pripp-Kovac, head of sustainability at Inter IKEA Group, said in a press release. “Gundrid is the first product to use the technology, but the development will give us opportunities for future applications on other textiles,” she added. IKEA expects to debut Gunrid in its stores as early as next year. [IKEA]

Back in December 2018, ARCHITECT featured "Design as Second Nature," an ongoing exhibition at the Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo in Mexico City, which focuses on 40 years of Zaha Hadid Architects' (ZHA's) research in design and construction technology. As part of the show, a collaborative VR tool called Project Correl by Zaha Hadid Virtual Reality Group invited visitors (up to four at a time) to work simultaneously to create a virtual structure. According to ZHA, users could freely select, scale, move, and place building components; however, algorithms guiding the placement of each component had been preset by ZHA. The exhibition will display 3D-printed scaled models of these virtual experiments through March 3. [ZHA]

Have you recently launched a new product or collection? Want to publicize it to potentially thousands of architects, designers, and industry professionals? Are you exhibiting at the 2019 AIA Conference on Architecture? If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, submit your product(s) to ARCHITECT's Spring 2019 Product Call for editorial consideration for our May print issue, our website, or both. Entries must be finalized before 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, March 8, 2019. [ARCHITECT]

ARCHITECT's 13th Annual R+D Awards program is now open for entries. Register your submission online by the early bird deadline of April 19. Winners will be featured in our July print issue and online. [ARCHITECT]

Architectural Lighting's 2019 AL Light & Architecture Design Awards is currently open for submissions. The program honors outstanding and innovative projects in the field of architectural lighting design. The entry deadlines are: Wednesday May 15, 2019 – early entry; Friday May 31, 2019 - final entry. [AL]