The hot new amenity at Microsoft's headquarters? An all-electric kitchen

Presented by   Microsoft’s headquarters outside Seattle is getting a massive makeover. The company is adding 3 million square feet and a vast new geothermal system that will power the campus and help it eliminate carbon emissions. But when Microsoft looked at what was producing the most fossil fuels on its campus, it realized the kitchens were a major culprit.   In response, it set out to design an entirely new, all-electric kitchen that will serve upwards of 10,000 meals a day. But one of the biggest challenges was the wok, which requires heat, fire, and motion—and the latter two are impossible to achieve on standard induction ranges. So Microsoft partnered with an equipment manufacturer to develop a wok-cooktop combination that allows both the motion a chef needs and the constant contact induction cooking requires. With the growing knowledge that gas stoves are terrible for the air we breathe, Microsoft’s move represents a radical rethinking of how kitchens operate. Read more in Nate Berg’s story here. — Co.Design Editors   Microsoft’s hottest new product is . . . a wok Preserving flavor profiles and grill marks while cooking without gas.   READ MORE   Nike’s new VP of digital design hails from Twitter and Netflix Dantley Davis, who helped build Netflix and re-energize Twitter, lands at Nike as digital design VP.   READ MORE   This giant balloon will take you to the edge of space—for just $50,000 The startup World View taps UK design agency PriestmanGoode to create an enticing experience that prioritizes views of the Earth above all else.   READ MORE   How to avert a branding identity crisis If your organization rebrands, but doesn’t actually transform, it’s in the throes of an identity crisis, writes Deroy Peraza, cofounder of the branding agency Hyperakt.   READ MORE

a message from google 3 traits digital leaders have in common Embrace the necessary success factors, and any organization can become a digital leader. Read more.

The case for building $1,500 parks A groundbreaking study showed that access to “greened” vacant lots reduced feelings of worthlessness and depression, especially in low-resource neighborhoods.   READ MORE       Enter the 2022 Innovation by Design Awards The 2022 Innovation by Design Awards honor the designers and businesses solving the most crucial problems of today and anticipating the pressing issues of tomorrow. The competition, now in its 11th year, features a range of blue-chip companies, emerging startups, and hungry young talents. It is one of the most sought-after design awards in the industry. There are 46 categories that capture every facet of design. Entries are judged on the key ingredients of innovation: functionality, originality, beauty, sustainability, user insight, cultural impact, and business impact. APPLY NOW

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