This article was first published in the December 2015 issue of WIRED magazine. Be the first to read WIRED's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
Get more of WIRED's annual round-up of the best gadgets, design, accessories, rides and sports gear in our Gear of the Year 2015 special .
ODD MATTER STUDIO NODE
Available in five designs, each featuring just two principal materials -- copper and an acrylic resin composite called Jesmonite -- Node was inspired by the minimalistic language of an electrical circuit. These sculptural Odd Matter Studio lamps neatly illustrate how the act of closing a circuit transforms electrical energy into light. £poa oddmatter studio.com
ARPER PARENTESIT
Available as a circle, square or oval, with a wide range of mono- or bi-chromatic colour options, Arper's acoustic panels combine to create a modernistic wall decoration while reducing extraneous background noise to enhance concentration. Each panel can be also integrated with a concealed wireless speaker or ambient light source. From £584 arper.com
ARTEMIDE SPECTRAL LIGHT
Conventional tungsten-filament bulbs under-represent the colour blue and skew red. Fluorescent tubes emit only scattered fragments of the spectrum. Philippe Rahm has created a custom lighting configuration designed to satisfy both the psychological needs of humans and the photosynthesis requirements of your plants. €tbc artemide.com
SONY HUIS
The inaugural winner of Sony's First Flight crowdfunding project, this remote pitches itself as the only one you'll need. Just point any controller (TV, hi-fi, lighting) at the HUIS's receiver and it will take over operating duties. The E Ink screen shows a suitable interface for each device, but can also be customised to display only buttons you want. ¥23,000 first-flight.sony.com
IKON BEATNIK
Enveloping the user to provide insulation from unwanted background noise, the Beatnik's high sides provide the perfect acoustics for its concealed 2.1 Bose sound system with integrated amplifier. Bluetooth connectivity (alongside the first chair-integrated Apple AirPlay system) allows audio streaming from a phone, tablet, laptop or TV. £tbc ikonfurniture.co.uk
STUDIO AYASKAN GROWTH
The novel, origami-based geometry of London-based designers Begum and Bike Ayaskan's polypropylene flowerpots allows them to grow as your plant does. The CNC-milled tessellating-triangle pattern allows the pots to expand by up to five times their original size, providing ample room for a growing root base while avoiding the need for regular re-potting. £tbc ayaskan.com
Photography: Sun Lee and Dave Lidwell
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
