Sparrow Design

14/02/2026

13/02/2026

Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava designed the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The 15,000 square meter pavilion stands as a “symbolic interpretation of the flow of movement,” designed with carefully curated lines and spaces that blend with its surroundings of greenery, shaded arcades and cantilevered pavilions. The National Monument is set to provide an immersive, multi-sensory experience for visitors from an architectural standpoint, as well as integrated cinematic features, to introduce them to the history, culture and future innovations of the UAE.

To translate the main theme of the pavilion, which is “wings that depict the flow of movement,” the roof structure consists of a hybrid system between shell and portal frame, consisting of 28 wings. The wings can be opened within 3 minutes, covering a range of 110 to 125 degrees. In terms of mechanism, 46 hydraulic actuators activate the rotation of the wings, acting as pistons. Once activated, hydraulic oil is forced through these actuators, causing the pistons to extend to open the wings to their full power. Calatrava's commitment to sustainable design is highlighted by photovoltaic panels produced in the UAE and integrated into the roof structure. In addition to being aesthetically attractive once combined with the open wings, the latter also serve as protection from rain and sandstorms when closed, and absorb sunlight to accumulate energy once open.

04/01/2026

25/11/2025

05/09/2025

The Japan Railways (JR) Group logo was designed in 1987 by the Nippon Design Center (NDC), with Yoji Yamamoto as the art director and Yusuke Kaji as the creative director. The logo was created following the privatization of the Japanese National Railways (JNR) on April 1, 1987, when it was split into seven for-profit companies collectively known as the JR Group. The design brief required the logo to incorporate either “JR” or “NR” (abbreviations for Japan Railways or Nippon Railways) or propose entirely new concepts. The chosen “JR Mark” features a stylized, connected “JR” letterform, symbolizing speed and stability, and is designed to be recognizable at high speeds and in both directions of train travel.

Each of the seven JR companies. six regional passenger operators (JR Hokkaido, JR East, JR Central, JR West, JR Shikoku, JR Kyushu) and one freight company (JR Freight), uses the same logo but with distinct color schemes to differentiate them. For example, JR East uses green, JR Central orange, and JR West blue. The logo’s design, often in orange or red with a white background, resembles a bold, geometric sans-serif font similar to Shin Go or New Rodin, though it’s likely a custom or proprietary design.

The logo’s simplicity and geometric shapes ensure scalability and recognizability across applications like signage and train vehicles. To maximize impact, the Nippon Design Center proposed applying the logo to ten thousand vehicles nationwide from the first day of privatization, supported by the “JR Mark Vehicle Application Guidelines.” This unified visual identity was strategic, aiming to reassure customers of consistency and quality across the regional companies, marking a shift from the bureaucratic JNR logo to a modern, efficient design reflective of Japan’s transportation infrastructure.

31/08/2025

Probably the most beautiful staircase constructed in modern time—the marble steps at the Hôtel National des Arts et Métiers in Paris.

31/08/2025

Not many 10-year-olds can take award-winning wildlife photos but Jamie Smart is no stranger to national recognition - now she has been globally recognised for her talent

Jamie, from Llandrindod Wells, Powys, first picked up a camera at the age of six and became the youngest ever winner of Biaza's photographer awards in March 2025

Now the young photographer has been highly commended and ranked in the top 100 of this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition

To see the award winning photo, tap the link: https://bbc.in/3JFEPCT

15/07/2025

07/07/2025

02/07/2025