As part of our Surface Summer School lecture series, V. Mitch McEwen spoke to the students at the University of Pennsylvania’s Stuart Weitzman School of Design about her own efforts to help combat COVID-19 and the dual pandemic of white supremacy.

McEwen spoke about the ongoing initiative of Black Box Research Group, which works out of the Architecture Labs at Princeton University, to design Personal Protective Equipment using 3D printers and other tools in the SOA lab spaces. She also spoke on the myopic impact of European architecture on education, the lack of black architects (about one percent of the profession), and the innovative nature of the low-income class. “The reason I put these two pandemics into one is because nothing is ever dispersed evenly,” she said. Watch now and tune in tonight at 6:30 PM EST for a lecture by Morphosis founder Thom Mayne.

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Known for fanciful interiors that blend styles and eras, the Rome-based designer Achille Salvagni riffs on his deeply personal design process and the restorative power of his favorite artists. He brings us inside his own home, an early-1900s apartment in Quartiere Coppedè, which serves as a veritable showcase of his visions.

“In designing a home, I always start by getting to know the owners, and then analyzing their personality and needs. I think of myself as a therapist, delving deep into their lives, habits, and quirks, as their individual tastes and interests must always inform the outcome. Then, I paint a portrait of the client through the interiors—a deeply personal experience that calls for great introspection on their end. Only through understanding a client on this level do I feel comfortable making decisions.”

Leading voices across the creative industries have spoken out against police brutality and systemic racism as protests have swept the nation in response to the murder of George Floyd under police custody in Minneapolis. The Criterion Collection has followed suit—its streaming platform, the Criterion Channel, will remove its paywall on select titles that highlight Black lives. “We’re committed to examining the role we play in the idea of canon formation, whose voices get elevated, and who gets to decide what stories get told,” the company wrote.

Highlights include works by early pioneers of African American cinema such as Oscar Micheaux; classics by Maya Angelou, Julie Dash, William Greaves, Kathleen Collins, Cheryl Dunye, and Charles Burnett; contemporary work by Khalik Allah and Leilah Weinraub; and documentary portraits of Black experience by white filmmakers Les Blank and Shirley Clarke. Additionally, the company announced a $25,000 contribution (followed by a $5,000 monthly commitment) to support organizations that fight racism in America, such as bail funds, legal defense funds, and advocacy groups that address police reform.

Founded in 1817 in the heart of Germany’s Black Forest, Duravit is a leading manufacturer of designer bathrooms. Duravit operates in 130 countries and has been honored with numerous awards for its innovations at the nexus of design and technology. The company collaborates with leading designers including Philippe Starck, EOOS, Cecilie Manz, and Sieger Design.

Surface Says: With two centuries of experience under its belt, Duravit knows deeply what makes a top-tier washroom.

This resourceful student has discovered a way to print photographs on algae.

Scientists uncover how the human brain processes the color spectrum.

Sara Sallam’s facial jewelry protects wearers from surveillance technology.

Heatherwick Studio unveils its first-ever Maggie’s Centre in Leeds.