(Credit: Art. Lebedev Studio)

We've seen some mighty impressive interior decorating from geeks over the years: offices inspired by Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, apartments and home theatres that are dead ringers for a Star Trek set.

Well, if the "Thermosaurus" radiator is for real, it could make for some pretty hot Jurassic Park-themed abodes.

Design firm Art. Lebedev Studio posted renderings of the gadget on 1 April — yes, that date gives us pause — saying the device is a "heat exchanger" that "installs like your regular central-heating radiator" and "is highly efficient and energy savvy, thanks to its complex structure that includes a skull, spine, ribs, legs and tail bones". The studio also posted a nice page of sketches and other ephemera that supposedly went into the design of the Thermosaurus.

So is it for real, or is it a prank? Or maybe just an exercise in developing a concept?

Well, given the sort of unusual things that people produce these days, it's not inconceivable that something like this could actually see the light of day. And the studio has produced many other products, including the storied Optimus Maximus keyboard.

Still, the absurdity of a T. rex in mittens (not to mention the flowery red hand crank — as charming as it is) would seem to suggest a gag. Responsible journalists that we are, however, we've got an email out to the studio, and we'll update this post if we hear back.

For now we're content with this real idea that's been really skilfully rendered. It's good for a chuckle, or an "oh" and an "ah". And, hey, if it ever did go into production, we'd be tempted to acquire one and remodel the office.

Via Geekologie

Via CNET News.com