Apr 18, 2025Ravie LakshmananMalware / Email Security A new multi-stage attack has been observed delivering malware families like Agent Tesla variants, Remcos RAT, and XLoader. "Attackers increasingly rely on such complex delivery mechanisms to evade detection, bypass traditional sandboxes, and ensure successful payload delivery and execution," Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 researcher Saqib Khanzada said in a technical write-up of the campaign. The starting point of the attack is a deceptive email that poses as an order request to deliver a malicious 7-zip archive attachment, which contains a JavaScript encoded (.JSE) file. The phishing email, observed in December 2024, falsely claimed that a payment had been made and urged the recipient to review an attached order file. Launching the JavaScript payload triggers the infection sequence, with the file acting as a downloader for a PowerShell script from an external server. The script, in turn, houses a Base64-encoded payload that's subsequently deciphered, written to the Windows temporary directory, and executed. Here's where something interesting happens: The attack leads to a next-stage dropper that is either compiled using .NET or AutoIt. In case of a .NET executable, the encrypted embedded payload – an Agent Tesla variant suspected to be Snake Keylogger or XLoader – is decoded and injected into a running "RegAsm.exe" process, a technique observed in past Agent Tesla campaigns. The AutoIt compiled executable, on the other hand, introduces an additional layer in an attempt to further complicate analysis efforts. The AutoIt script within the executable incorporates an encrypted payload that's responsible for loading the final shellcode, causing .NET file to be injected into a "RegSvcs.exe" process, ultimately leading to Agent Tesla deployment. "This suggests that the attacker employs multiple execution paths to increase resilience and evade detection," Khanzada noted. "The attacker's focus remains on a multi-layered attack chain rather than sophisticated obfuscation." "By stacking simple stages instead of focusing on highly sophisticated techniques, attackers can create resilient attack chains that complicate analysis and detection." IronHusky Delivers New Version of MysterySnail RAT The disclosure comes as Kaspersky detailed a campaign that targets government organizations located in Mongolia and Russia with a new version of a malware called MysterySnail RAT. The activity has been attributed to a Chinese-speaking threat actor dubbed IronHusky. IronHusky, assessed to be active since at least 2017, was previously documented by the Russian cybersecurity company in October 2021 in connection with the zero-day exploitation of CVE-2021-40449, a Win32k privilege escalation flaw, to deliver MysterySnail. The infections originate from a malicious Microsoft Management Console (MMC) script that mimics a Word document from the National Land Agency of Mongolia ("co-financing letter_alamgac"). The script is designed to retrieve a ZIP archive with a lure document, a legitimate binary ("CiscoCollabHost.exe"), and a malicious DLL ("CiscoSparkLauncher.dll"). It's not exactly known how the MMC script is distributed to targets of interest, although the nature of the lure document suggests that it may have been via a phishing campaign. As observed in many attacks, "CiscoCollabHost.exe" is used to sideload the DLL, an intermediary backdoor capable of communicating with attacker-controlled infrastructure by taking advantage of the open-source piping-server project. The backdoor supports capabilities to run command shells, download/upload files, enumerate directory content, delete files, create new processes, and terminate itself. These commands are then used to sideload MysterySnail RAT. The latest version of the malware is capable of accepting nearly 40 commands, allowing it to perform file management operations, execute commands via cmd.exe, spawn and kill processes, manage services, and connect to network resources via dedicated DLL modules. Kasperksy said it observed the attackers dropping a "repurposed and more lightweight version" of MysterySnail codenamed MysteryMonoSnail after preventive actions were taken by the affected companies to block the intrusions. "This version doesn't have as many capabilities as the version of MysterySnail RAT," the company noted. "It was programmed to have only 13 basic commands, used to list directory contents, write data to files, and launch processes and remote shells." Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter  and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post. SHARE    

Given the outsized role AI has taken in discussions about the future of work, not to mention humanity, it is no surprise that a C-level role focused on this technology has emerged.  “There's this trend line when something is massive, important, game-changing from an industry perspective, and people don't know how to react to it, they name a C-Level title who is ultimately responsible and accountable for incubating new ideas, trying new ways of working, and pivoting an organization culturally,” Casey Foss, chief commercial officer at West Monroe, a business and tech consulting firm, tells InformationWeek.  West Monroe conducted a survey of 1,000 professionals at the director, vice president, and senior vice president levels to get an idea of what they expect the C-suite to look like in five years. The chief AI officer (CAIO) role played a prominent part in the responses; 40% believe that this position will grow in influence and importance over the next five years.  What exactly does the CAIO role look like today, and how will it have to change to keep up with the breakneck development of AI technology and its capabilities?  What Does a Chief AI Officer Do? When a new leadership role begins its rise to prominence, there is a lot of room for individuals and companies to define what it looks like. A CAIO’s job at one company might look quite different from another.  Related:“Some AI officers are identifying use cases. Some are heavily focused on the technology. Some are heavily focused on upskilling the people and delivering value through how they do the work,” says Foss.  For Ivalua, a cloud-based procurement software company, AI was so important that the company’s founder David Khuat-Duy shifted from his position as CEO to CAIO at the beginning of this year.  His first objective in his new role is to deploy AI internally at the company. Then, he wants to take those lessons learned to customers.  LinkedIn appointed its CAIO, Deepak Agarwal, at the beginning of this year as well. “To help LinkedIn use the best AI technology available for our purpose and goals, my team and I focus on developing and deploying cutting-edge AI solutions that enhance how members and customers connect, learn, and grow on the platform,” he tells InformationWeek via email.  Given just how quickly AI is advancing, a primary responsibility of CAIO could be keeping up with those changes and understanding what that means for their enterprises.  Vivek Mohindra, senior vice president, corporate strategy at Dell Technologies, a technology solutions company, works closely with John Roese, Dell’s CTO and CAIO. “John and I collaborated to set up what we call AI radar. We really track on a daily basis the changes in our landscape and think about what the implications of that could be,” he shares.  Related:CAIOs could be heading up efforts to build models internally or finding ways to leverage externally built models. And managing data is intrinsic to that task.” There’s a lot of data categorization, storage, cleaning that needs to happen,” says Khuat-Duy.  As CAIOs identify use-cases for AI and champion their implementation, they are likely to be spearheading the accompanying changes in process and culture. “Chief AI officers must also serve as internal advocates for AI while guiding teams through emerging regulations, ethical considerations, and increasing stakeholder expectations for what AI can achieve,” says Agarwal.  The regulatory and ethical dimensions of the job are no small piece. AI governance is integral to the CAIO’s responsibilities.  No matter how a CAOI is tasked with doing their job, the overarching goal is almost certainly going to be delivering value from AI to their enterprise. How Does the Role Fit into the C-Suite? AI is poised to touch every aspect of business operations, if it isn’t already. That puts the CAIO in a position that requires communication and coordination with other executives and their teams.  Related:Roles like CTO, CIO, and chief data officer are natural complements to the CAIO. Indeed, Dell’s CAIO is also its CTO.  “My weekly meetings with the CTO are extremely important both because the CTO's office builds out a lot of the architecture that we have to fit into but also we have a big impact on with that architecture has to look like in order to get the data to the right place,” says Craig Martell, chief AI officer at Cohesity, an AI-powered data security company.  They might find themselves in regular conversations with a chief people officer or chief human resources officer about sourcing talent and how AI is reshaping the day-to-day for existing talent.  Interaction with the CFO is inevitable. How much of the budget can a CAIO secure for their AI strategy? AI comes with cybersecurity concerns. Naturally, the CISO is going to want face time with a CAIO to understand how to mitigate those concerns. Of course, CEOs and boards are going to want to know how AI can drive an enterprise toward its business goals.  Martell also finds himself spending a good deal of time on compliance issues, particularly around data usage. “The chief AI officers are going to have to become much more legally adept,” he notes. That is going to mean coordination with chief legal and compliance officers.  How Could the Role Change? The AI landscape is no stranger to shakeups. DeepSeek came onto the scene, sparking an avalanche of discussion around the possibility of a cheaper model undercutting the more entrenched players.  The enticing possibilities of AGI and quantum computing hover in the future, albeit one of uncertain timing. Big questions about how to regulate AI are still open. What do all of these potential changes mean for the position that is meant to shepherd organizations’ AI strategies?  For now, the role is less about exploring the possibilities of AI and more about delivering on its immediate, concrete value.  “This year, the role of the chief AI officer will shift from piloting AI initiatives to operationalizing AI at scale across the organization,” says Agarwal.  And as for those potential upheavals down the road? CAIO officers will no doubt have to be nimble, but Martell doesn’t see their fundamental responsibilities changing.  “You still have to gather the data within your company to be able to use with that model and then you still have to evaluate whether or not that model that you built is delivering against your business goals. That has never changed,” says Martell. Will Chief AI Officers Face Pressure to Deliver? AI is at the inflection point between hype and strategic value. “I think there's going to be a ton of pressure to find the right use cases and deploy AI at scale to make sure that we're getting companies to value,” says Foss.  CAIOs could feel that pressure keenly this year as boards and other executive leaders increasingly ask to see ROI on massive AI investments.  “Companies who have set these roles up appropriately, and more importantly the underlying work correctly, will see the ROI measurements, and I don't think that chief AI officers [at those] organizations should feel any pressure,” says Mohindra.  Will Chief AI Officers Last in the C-Suite? AI is certainly not going anywhere, but what about the CAIO?  Khuat-Duy argues that there will continue to be the need for a central team that manages this technology. “Managing data and the architecture around LLMs is clearly something that needs to be thought [about] in a central, global way for a company,” he says.  Mohindra envisions the CAIO role at Dell as a temporary one.  “This role is finite by design. It is to launch and integrate AI until it becomes inseparable from how our company operates and it is embedded in the DNA of the company, at which point you really don't need a separate role to capitalize the momentum that one needs for an AI-powered enterprise,” he says.  That could mean the CAIO simply steps into a different position. Or, the role gets folded into another. “I think the most likely path is sort of a combination of data and AI,” says Martell. The fate of the role, like its current form, is likely to be dictated by the needs of individual companies.  

At first glance, the Bathhouse spa in Brooklyn looks not so different from other high-end spas. What sets it apart is out of sight: a closet full of cryptocurrency-­mining computers that not only generate bitcoins but also heat the spa’s pools, marble hammams, and showers.  When cofounder Jason Goodman opened Bathhouse’s first location in Williamsburg in 2019, he used conventional pool heaters. But after diving deep into the world of bitcoin, he realized he could fit cryptocurrency mining seamlessly into his business. That’s because the process, where special computers (called miners) make trillions of guesses per second to try to land on the string of numbers that will earn a bitcoin, consumes tremendous amounts of electricity—which in turn produces plenty of heat that usually goes to waste.   “I thought, ‘That’s interesting—we need heat,’” Goodman says of Bathhouse. Mining facilities typically use fans or water to cool their computers. And pools of water, of course, are a prominent feature of the spa.  It takes six miners, each roughly the size of an Xbox One console, to maintain a hot tub at 104 °F. At Bathhouse’s  Williamsburg location, miners hum away quietly inside two large tanks, tucked in a storage closet among liquor bottles and teas. To keep them cool and quiet, the units are immersed directly in non-conductive oil, which absorbs the heat they give off and is pumped through tubes beneath Bathhouse’s hot tubs and hammams.  Mining boilers, which cool the computers by pumping in cold water that comes back out at 170 °F, are now also being used at the site. A thermal battery stores excess heat for future use.  Goodman says his spas aren’t saving energy by using bitcoin miners for heat, but they’re also not using any more than they would with conventional water heating. “I’m just inserting miners into that chain,” he says.  Goodman isn’t the only one to see the potential in heating with crypto. In Finland, Marathon Digital Holdings turned fleets of bitcoin miners into a district heating system to warm the homes of 80,000 residents. HeatCore, an integrated energy service provider, has used bitcoin mining to heat a commercial office building in China and to keep pools at a constant temperature for fish farming. This year it will begin a pilot project to heat seawater for desalination. On a smaller scale, bitcoin fans who also want some extra warmth can buy miners that double as space heaters.  Crypto enthusiasts like Goodman think much more of this is coming—especially under the Trump administration, which has announced plans to create a bitcoin reserve. This prospect alarms environmentalists.  The energy required for a single bitcoin transaction varies, but as of mid-March it was equivalent to the energy consumed by an average US household over 47.2 days, according to the Bitcoin Energy Consumption Index, run by the economist Alex de Vries.  Among the various cryptocurrencies, bitcoin mining gobbles up the most energy by far. De Vries points out that others, like ethereum, have eliminated mining and implemented less energy-­intensive algorithms. But bitcoin users resist any change to their currency, so de Vries is doubtful a shift away from mining will happen anytime soon.  One key barrier to using bitcoin for heating, de Vries says, is that the heat can only be transported short distances before it dissipates. “I see this as something that is extremely niche,” he says. “It’s just not competitive, and you can’t make it work at a large scale.”  The more renewable sources that are added to electric grids to replace fossil fuels, the cleaner crypto mining will become. But even if bitcoin is powered by renewable energy, “that doesn’t make it sustainable,” says Kaveh Madani, director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health. Mining burns through valuable resources that could otherwise be used to meet existing energy needs, Madani says.  For Goodman, relaxing into bitcoin-heated water is a completely justifiable use of energy. It soothes the muscles, calms the mind, and challenges current economic structures, all at the same time.  Carrie Klein is a freelance journalist based in New York City.

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd" Czech architecture studio Jan Žaloudek Architekt has converted an old Baroque barn into a light-filled house with perforated gable wall in the Kamenná Lhota, Czech Republic.Named House Oskar, the 180-square-metre house is located on the South Bohemian settlement of Kamenná Lhota. The architect Jan Žaloudek created the House Oskar, which was constructed on a spacious garden that had once belonged to the nearby chateau. The remains of a Baroque barn, old trees that date back centuries, and a stone wall that encloses the large property and opens into the charming countryside all contribute to the site's extraordinary genius loci.Contemplation, Inspiration, RecreationThe architect constructed the home for himself and his family, emulating the ideas of reflection, inspiration, and leisure. He and his spouse, art scholar and author Jolanta Trojak, had long envisioned a location where people might reconnect with nature or withdraw inward to regain their mental and physical fortitude. In addition to encouraging relaxation, they wanted the area to be a source of inspiration and creativity, two things that are essential to their daily existence.They built an environment where even the most basic daily activities may be transformed into brief but meaningful experiences by paying close attention to every little detail. The House Oskar is a singular microcosm—a peaceful haven where people may read, write, eat, and create in harmony with the cosmos beyond their windows.Perfection, Imperfection, TimelessnessThe physical characteristics of the area and the limitations of constructing on a site that is protected by cultural heritage influenced the design of the house. In order to avoid overpowering the château and to give it a timeless quality, the architect meticulously incorporated the building into the surrounding environment and historical setting. The final building, which was inspired by the concept of a chapel—lacking in the village—is a tasteful fusion of inside and exterior, modern and ancient, perfection and imperfection.By referencing the vocabulary of regional agricultural structures, the design honors the traditional elongated shape of homes with gabled roofs. The distinguishing characteristic of the building is its perforated masonry, which features air and light holes present in neighboring historic buildings. The wooden shading panels on the other façades are inspired by this element, which also serves as a sunshade for the southern gable wall. Niches on each façade—allusions to Baroque morphology—permeate the house's compact form. These niches provide adaptable shading by forming loggias and entry vestibules. The house can either seal off to emphasize its meditative quality or open completely to the surroundings, bringing its occupants closer to the outside world.The materials used in construction respect the regional identity of the nearby buildings and scenery. Reinforced concrete components and insulated ceramic masonry make up the load-bearing structure. The white stucco facade mimics the texture and color of nearby structures. Whitewashed Czech fir and spruce are used to make the shade panels, and fired ceramic tiles cover the roof.Natural Cycles and LightNatural cycles and the passage of daylight are closely linked to daily life in the home. Residents may see the dawn and moonrise from the bedroom and the main living area, which opens onto a panoramic view of the orchard. The social area is connected to the courtyard and the barn ruins by the southern façade, which features an amazing circular window and a perforated gable wall. Huge openings that flow into wooden terraces, lush foliage, and the cool embrace of old stone walls perfectly blend the indoors and outside.The home is protected from village views by its entry alcove on the western façade. Echoing the curving shapes of the neighboring Baroque château, a domed niche in the northern gable lets light into the utility, bathroom, and bedroom areas.White shade panels can be used to control the amount of sunlight that enters the house during the day. A sunny room can be transformed into a mystical, enclosed area with captivating light and shadow play in a matter of seconds. The light changes direction at night, and the home beams into the surrounding landscape, lit by its incandescent recesses. Japanese washi paper lanterns and the flickering light of a wood-burning fireplace are used to enhance the interior's basic white lighting fixtures.Sacred InspirationThere is an original interior behind the house's classical morphology. Warm and rounded, the interior contrasts with the white exterior. Its holy theme is highlighted by the main space's unexpectedly large, seven-meter-tall vaulted roof. Large aluminum-framed windows and white stucco walls accentuate the room's ethereal feel. The two-meter-wide circular window that pierces the house's southern gable is another example of ecclesiastical architecture.A curving wooden kitchen with an island composed of Indian Shivakashi granite that resembles a church altar serves as the interior's main feature. The focal point of every everyday routine is this. A 19th-century wooden carving of the Madonna overlooks the dining area with an oak table and seats in the southern portion of the room. On the other side of this is a lounging spot with a long sofa that overlooks the courtyard with its barn remains and the surrounding countryside. A tapestry composed of undyed sheep's wool frames the sofa.The ground floor comprises one of the bedrooms, a laundry room, a bathroom, and a toilet in addition to the main living space. The architect's custom-made stone and wood furniture around the house gives it a unified look. This features matching bedside tables, a black granite bench in the entryway, and solid oak beds and closets.The upper level is intended to be a distinct apartment with a studio, bathroom, and bedroom. The attic is a confined, cocoon-like place that is perfect for reading, creating, and reflecting, in contrast to the ground floor, which has an open link to the outside world. Cultivated by arches and recesses, the white, tiny cavern is lit by small roof windows.Art in Every DetailThe family values art greatly, and their collection includes both modern and Czech Modernist pieces. This passion for art permeates every aspect of their house. In addition to a large-format modern painting by Antonie Stanová and sculptures by Michal Janiga, the bedroom has a 19th-century Japanese panneau. In the attic, stone sculptures by Vanda Hvízdalová are on exhibit on travertine platform.Every element of the home reflects the family's curatorial style. A wooden ceremonial mask from Gabon greets guests in the entry hall, and Martin Hanuš's original pottery and an African stool made from a single piece of wood are featured in the main living room. Isamu Noguchi created the sculptured Akari lights that light the attic and bedrooms. A sizable library of art books contributes significantly to the atmosphere of the house.A Living GesamtkunstwerkThe owners wish to share the House Oskar, which is named after the cosmopolitan composer Oskar Nedbal, who wrote his operetta Polish Blood at the nearby château. The public can hire this one-of-a-kind Gesamtkunstwerk or use it as a space for workshops, pop-up events, and artist residencies. Around the house, the owners hope to cultivate a lively community of imaginative and motivating people.Site planGround floor planAttic floor planEast elevationWest elevationSouth elevationNorth elevationProject factsProject name: House OskarArchitects: Jan Žaloudek ArchitektLocation: Kamenná Lhota, 391 33 Borotín, Czech RepublicCompletion year: 2025Built-up area: 180m2Gross floor area: 171m2Usable floor area: 154m2All images © BoysPlayNice.All drawings © Jan Žaloudek Architekt.> via Jan Žaloudek Architekt

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April 18, 20256 min readNASA’s Next Major Space Telescope Is Ready to Launch. Trump Wants to Kill It and Other Vital ScienceAmid harsh cuts, the Trump administration has proposed canceling the nearly ready-to-launch Nancy Grace Roman Space TelescopeBy Nadia Drake edited by Dan VerganoThe Nancy Grace Roman Telescope is designed to observe hundreds of millions of galaxies and thousands of supernovas to investigate dark energy and the universe's accelerated expansion. GSFC/SVSTechnicians at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center are nearing the finish line on the space agency’s newest flagship astrophysics mission. Called the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, the eagerly awaited $3.5-billion observatory could solve the secrets of the dark universe, spot untold undiscovered worlds and light the way toward finding alien life. It only awaits final integration and testing, a short hop down to Cape Canaveral, Fla., and a longer journey to a sun-circling orbit near the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). In a triumph for NASA, reliable sources say that Roman could launch as early as the fall of 2026, well ahead of its May 2027 target and potentially under budget.But a leaked draft of the president’s 2026 budget request, which Scientific American has reviewed, instead calls for canceling Roman.“This is nuts. You’ve built it, and you’re not going to do the final step to finish it?” says astrophysicist David Spergel, president of the Simons Foundation and former co-chair of Roman’s science team. “That is such a waste of taxpayers’ money.”On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.Roman isn’t the only casualty in the president’s draft NASA budget, which is still in flux and will ultimately require congressional approval. The proposal cuts heavily into the $25-billion space agency’s science division, home to missions that include JWST, the twin Voyager probes, the Hubble Space Telescope and a fleet of Mars rovers that have colored in our understanding of the cosmos and captured imaginations worldwide for half a century.The draft budget includes an almost 50 percent cut to heliophysics, which studies the sun and space weather, reducing it to $455 million; a more than 50 percent reduction in Earth science funding, which includes climate monitoring, taking it down to roughly $1 billion; and a 30 percent cut to planetary science and solar system exploration, resulting in $1.9 billion. The last cut kills the upcoming DAVINCI (Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging) mission to Venus and NASA’s beleaguered mission to bring rocks back from Mars. Notably, the document also cleaves off two thirds of the funding for NASA’s astrophysics division, which studies stars, galaxies and cosmology, dropping it to $487 million and specifying that “no funding is provided” for telescopes other than JWST and Hubble.Space policy observers expressed dismay at the budget cuts, particularly at the notion of throwing away a flagship space telescope. “This is a wholly unserious budget proposal,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, the ranking member of the spending committee for NASA, in a recent statement.Privately, space policy experts have been even less charitable about the proposal: “It sets back a program that is clearly the leading program in the world—in a historic fashion,” says a former government official, speaking to Scientific American on condition of anonymity because of concerns about retaliation. “You take that program and shoot it through the head.”NASA has refrained from saying much publicly. A spokesperson for the agency has only issued a statement that it has the draft “and has begun the deliberative process.” (The White House has not responded to requests for comment.) The agency received the draft on April 10, one day after Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump’s nominee for NASA administrator, insisted in his nomination hearing that the U.S. could send humans to the moon and Mars and “do all the other things” with NASA’s current budget. “I do believe the president is looking to usher in the golden age of science and discovery,” Isaacman said. Now observers suggest that instead of ushering in that golden age, the Trump administration simply seems to be trading in the entire universe.“If you want to take the most successful fleet of missions ever built, and the leadership that accompanies that fleet, and throw that all away, this is the budget to do it,” says another senior space scientist, speaking anonymously because of concerns about budgetary retribution from the Trump administration. “This budget is like, ‘Here is a shit sandwich with no side of pickle.’ You don’t even get the plate!”“It’s like 200 Hubbles”This isn’t the first time Trump’s White House has tried to zero out Roman—it’s the fourth. But in each previous instance Congress kept the program alive. Observers are hopeful that lawmakers will again rescue the telescope because space science has traditionally enjoyed bipartisan support.In 2020 NASA named the project, which until then had been called the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), after Nancy Grace Roman, an astronomer who played a pivotal role in developing Hubble. The Roman telescope has been ranked as a top priority in astrophysics since a National Academy of Sciences review in 2010—a status that was only bolstered two years later, when the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), which builds and operates spy satellites, donated two large, unused mirrors and associated optics to the mission.American astronomer Nancy Grace Roman at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland in the early 1970sNASA/Interim Archives/Getty ImagesDesigned to survey our own planet, the NRO’s 2.4-meter-wide mirrors match Hubble’s in size. But they have a shorter focal length that makes them better suited for doing wide-field imaging surveys that monitor millions of stars and take broad looks at exploding stars, early galaxies and large-scale cosmological structures. “Every Hubble image you see—make it 100 times bigger,” Spergel says. “It’s like 200 Hubbles. We will survey the entire sky, with Hubble-quality images.”The project was initially overbudget, but after a hefty course correction, the team is on track to deliver Roman ahead of its planned 2027 launch—and, if so, below cost. That comes on the heels of repeated criticism from federal and congressional watchdogs over price tags and schedule overruns for large space agency missions in the past two decades.“The team should be given an award, not beat up!” says the former government official. “This is what we want. This is exactly what we want to achieve.”Riddles in the DarkLike JWST, Roman sees the universe in infrared light—which means that it can spot very old, very faraway objects whose light has stretched into longer, redder infrared wavelengths as it has traversed the expanse. One of the mission’s primary scientific goals is to gather the multitude of observations we need to understand dark energy, the mysterious force that is causing the universe to balloon outward.“Roman has the sensitivity we need to understand what’s going on with the 70 percent of the universe that we don’t understand, which is dark energy,” Spergel says.Crucially, recent results from other surveys suggest that this still mysterious dark energy, whose force is seemingly pushing galaxies apart at an accelerating rate, might surprisingly weaken over time. And Roman is designed to be complementary to the European Space Agency’s Euclid telescope, which makes similar observations at visible wavelengths, and the U.S.’s powerful, ground-based Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which is coming online later this year in Chile. “These are not missions that do the same thing,” says Henk Hoekstra, an astronomer at Leiden University in the Netherlands, who studies dark energy. “We have this strange universe—would you trust a single result and build our whole understanding of the universe on just this one measurement?” Another Roman instrument—a starlight-blocking coronagraph—is a key prototype for NASA’s next major astrophysics flagship mission, the Habitable Worlds Observatory. That space telescope will look for signs of life in the atmospheres of faraway, habitable planets. Zeroing out Roman would mean losing all the information we’d get from that tech demo. And observers say the cut would also erode current and future astrophysics. Plus, pulling the plug on Roman would not only erode expertise; it would also damage international collaborations. For those to work, Hoekstra says, international partners need to trust that “people can’t just suddenly turn off the tap and say, ‘We’re not going to do this.’”Many of the budget’s proposed cancellations do exactly that.“Why do we even plan on doing great things if, on a whim, we can just decide ‘nah’?” the senior space scientist says. “These things take a generation to build and enable multiple generations of scientists. They should not be blithely thrown away.”

As layoffs continue to scar the video game industry, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle proves the value of keeping dev teams together for decades Ancient institutional knowledge is what enables the greatest games ever made. Image credit: Bethesda Feature by Jeremy Peel Contributor Published on April 18, 2025 If MachineGames is to be believed, the basement level of the Vatican is exempt from the strict Catholic doctrine that dominates the jurisdiction of the Holy See above ground. It's down there that you'll find the temples dedicated to faiths that sort of resemble Christianity if you squint a bit and turn your head on your side. And the underground boxing ring set up by Mussolini's plundering soldiers, who'll only let you in if you're wearing one of their infamous black shirts. The latter is an early test of your ability to get to grips with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's fistfighting system. It's faster than you expect it's going to be, is the thing: both Indy's blows and those in response flying like boulders at terminal velocity. Dodging will get you so far, but don't expect your opponent to keep their arms at their sides while you're pummelling them in the face. To find an advantage, you'll need to block and parry, using both hands rather than sticking to the right trigger, and grabbing hold of your target when they stumble - either to get more hits in, or shove them toward the baying crowd. Baying being the key term. The core Indiana Jones development team first made a name for themselves back in 2004 with The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay. That was a kind of first-person prison drama, about ingratiating yourself with fellow cons, instigating riots and stealing keycards, all in an effort to break yourself out of a triple-max security facility on a barren planet. Guns were a rarity - most of them registered to the DNA of the guard holding them, and so useless to you - and Butcher Bay was celebrated as perhaps the only successful example of hand-to-hand combat in an FPS at the time. In fact, FPS felt like a reductive term for this bold mixture of pugilism, stealth, adventure and conversation. Watch on YouTube The Riddick team went on to make The Darkness, to similar acclaim, and most of its key names either founded MachineGames or joined it later. Their entries in the Wolfenstein canon are notable not only for dual-wielding shootouts, but for the deep characterisation of BJ Blazkowicz and his found family at the Kreisau Circle, as well as the memorable non-combat sequences that brought the player within intimate proximity of detestable villains like Deathshead and Frau Engel. MachineGames perfected a knack for blending b-movie absurdity with real storytelling chops, growing braver with each new project over a decade and a half. Which brings us to Indiana Jones, MachineGames' opus. A game every bit as varied as Butcher Bay, if not more so; which boasts gunplay and action as slick as Wolfenstein's, but doesn't rely on it; that couldn't possibly have been made without the shared trust and creative shorthand that exists between a team who know each other as well as they know themselves. The punch-ups under the Vatican are a microcosmic demonstration of that team's journey: their long commitment to immersive first-person adventure, and the extraordinary ways in which their creative talent has amplified over time. The ideas that once fuelled Butcher Bay are transformed by a level of fidelity and polish that produces thudding impacts, grimacing faces and flying helmets. The sounds of skirmish are cleverly sequenced, signalling subtly to the player whether or not their blows are connecting. This is a Michelin Star standard of pretend punching, enabled by a team which has stayed together and worked wonders as a result. Look at the top-rated games of the last few years, and you'll notice that many of them also benefitted from this kind of rolling snowball of experience. Baldur's Gate 3 couldn't have redefined the western RPG had Larian not been layering its systems over the triumphs of the Divinity: Original Sin games. And Original Sin would never have happened were it not for the stubbornness of Larian boss Swen Vincke and his Belgian veterans. They've been riding out the ups and downs of their genre since before the millennium, and are only now seeing the fruits of that devotion. Would Baldur's Gate 3 have even been possible from a new stuido? | Image credit: Larian But the act of keeping teams together, which has always been a challenge in the volatile tech space, has become almost impossible in today's games industry. Since the soaring player numbers that followed the pandemic, game makers have endured a painful contraction. A common developer mantra of "survive til '25" now looks grimly quaint and naive, as a dry period of investment in video games continues unabated. Thousands of accomplished projects fight for player attention every year, and it's exceedingly common for studios to close after, or even before, the release of their debut games. The margin for error has become invisible to the naked eye, leaving even seasoned teams with little chance to course correct. It's a landscape in which the likes of Arkane Austin can be shut down after a single disappointing game, Redfall, seemingly mangled by a publisher push for multiplayer. The hivemind that produced Prey and Dishonored has been disassembled forever. The impact of that instability hasn't necessarily hit us as players yet. We're currently in the enviable position of cherry-picking from an unprecedented stream of five-star releases. Over time though, if publishers don't start to value institutional knowledge over short-term boosts to their share price, I suspect that top tier of releases - the Indiana Joneses, the Baldur's Gate 3s - will cease to occur. More developers will waste their time establishing new studios, filling out forms, designing logos, and repeating the mistakes of the dead studios before them. Newcomers to the industry won't benefit from the teaching of practiced programming or art or level design teams - because those teams will have been scattered to the winds. Building the kind of momentum that MachineGames has? That will become an impossibility. When Obsidian recently said that it plans to reach its 100th birthday as a studio by staying lean and making sensible bets, the plan sounded strange and radical. But it shouldn't. This is the way we get the greatest games ever made: by supporting studios and publishers who reject zero-sum projects; who do everything in their power to keep their creative staff together and look after one another. The best possible outcome, for developers and players alike, would be a Great Circle of 100-year-old game studios that spans the globe.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Star Wars is one of the biggest franchises of all time, which is why it should’ve been a guaranteed success for Ubisoft. However, despite being set in the galaxy far, far away, Star Wars Outlaws was a huge disappointment. Ubisoft have worked a lot to make the game significantly better, and now PS5 gamers can play three hours of Star Wars Outlaws for free ahead of its DLC release. How to play Star Wars Outlaws free on PS5 PS5 gamers can play three hours of Star Wars Outlaws for free on PS5 by downloading the newly added demo from the PSN store, as announced by Ubisoft. According to Insider Gaming, the demo is “approximately 30 GB in size”. If you didn’t play Star Wars Outlaws before due to middling reviews and impressions, then now is the perfect time to give it a shot. Granted, three hours isn’t much when the game can take tens of hours to beat, but it will let you briefly experience the characters and set up to the story, as well as briefly explore the first open-world planet. Ubisoft have also made a lot of improvements to the game’s performance, as well as made changes to the gameplay and required stealth sections since launch. In addition to the demo, Ubisoft has deals available on the PSN store for both the Deluxe and Gold editions. Below are the prices and what each edition contains via PSN store: Deluxe edition – £44.99 (50% off £88.99) – exp. April 24th Sabacc Shark bundle Rogue Infiltrator bundle Digital art book Upcoming cosmetic bundle Gold edition – £52.99 (50% off £104.99) – exp. April 24th Season Pass If you’re going to buy either edition, we’d definitely recommend the Gold so you get the Season Pass. Ubisoft has shown gameplay of the game’s first DLC expansion story, A Pirate’s Fortune, and it is set to come out on May 15th. In other gaming news, PS Plus players claim to be “cancelling” in waves following even more price increases. Related Topics Subscribe to our newsletters! By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime. Share

All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.Putting up walls can be a good thing. That is, if you’re talking about retaining wall ideas in your landscape design. “At the basic level, a retaining wall is a structure that holds or retains soil behind it,” explains Joe Raboine, director of Belgard Residential Hardscapes, an outdoor hardscapes company. “Though retaining walls are most commonly used to create a functional area out of a sloped terrain, they do serve other functions.”You might think that retaining wall ideas are all about function—after all, retaining walls prevent soil erosion and reduce the risk of flooding—but they are not all utility; these structures can enhance an outdoor space by creating levels, evening out a hillside, and even using pavers to produce a pathway. “They can also be used to create topographic interest or create smaller features, such as raised garden beds,” says Collin Koonce, director of landscape architecture and urban planning at BKV Group, a holistic architectural design firm, based in Washington, D.C. These builds can even double as seats or corral all your backyard greenery in a neat landscape.Aesthetically, a retaining wall can turn an unworkable incline on the land into usable, uniformed surfaces, notes Mauricio Lobeira, Monterrey, Mexico–based architect, interior designer and cofounder of Ten Plus Three. “Many retaining walls end up as garden or terrace backdrops,” he adds.What’s more, creating a retaining wall can boost the value of your house. “Flatter and uniformed surfaces are more expensive than steep ones,” Lobeira says. “Steep surfaces almost always have to have some sort of intervention in one way or another.” Retaining wall materials include concrete blocks, bricks, wall stones, railroad ties, or treated timbers, all of which offer plenty of hardscaping options that suit your house. Here, 52 creative retaining wall ideas that are a step above the rest.In this articleNatural rock retaining wall ideas​Natural rock is a popular retaining wall material thanks to its versatility and the easy way it blends into landscapes. Below, ideas for using rock and stone in retaining walls.Use rocks of varying sizes for a natural lookRetaining walls—cottagecore style. Photo: John Elk IIIUse rocks and boulders of various sizes to to create a retaining wall that blends into the natural environment. A woodsy yard with access to nature is a shoe-in for this rustic elevation.Consider sheets of natural stoneNatural stone imperfections give the retaining wall a surrealistic spin. Photo: jorgeantonioNatural stone retaining walls can be a slightly more expensive option compared to other materials like wood, for example, but they’re durable and create a timeless look. “The placement, pattern and repetition of natural stones and bricks can create a contemporary look,” Lobeira says. Stone options like granite and limestone give off a traditional aesthetic.Boulders offer a jagged lookStone by stone: Big boulders give landscaping organic structure. Photo: TimAbramowitzFor a rugged look, consider a retaining wall made from large boulders. In some cases, they can be less expensive compared to other options and complement a more rustic backyard. One of the biggest advantages of boulder walls is that they offer natural drainage.Make steps out of stoneSlate makes for sleek steps. Photo: Beau Lark/Corbis/VCGConsider a retaining wall that incorporates oversized stone steps into the design. Flagstone, bluestone, and fieldstone are all popular choices among homeowners. Premium materials, such as slate or granite, add panache.Create a rock wall gardenYou don’t need to move mountains to have a rock garden. Photo: peng songTraditionally, rock gardens include a hearty collection of rocks (obviously) and alpine plants, which are plants that grow in a mountain climate above tree lines. If you opt for a rock retaining wall, consider including these types of plants in the design to emulate a mountainous garden. Popular alpine plants include Primula, Dianthus, and thyme.Soften harsh edges with greeneryCascading greenery softens the harshness of retaining walls. Photo: Greg ThomasYou can also opt to let both greenery and flowers ‘spill over’ a rock retaining wall for additional visual interest, such as in this stone structure by Eden Garden Design. This will create a cascading effect that adds movement to the overall design and softens the stone’s rugged edges.Dress up the driveway with a retaining wall along the sidesA little retaining wall can go a long way. Photo: SiriGronskarUse a rocky retaining wall along your driveway to help keep your car’s path free from debris and create a formal entryway onto your property.Cacti offer a southwest feel to natural stoneA spiky surprise. Photo: RiverNorthPhotographyConsider planting cacti along a rocky retaining wall for a little southwestern flair. Organ pipe or candelabra cacti make great yard options, although it’s important to keep your region’s weather in mind as these plants generally like warmer climates.Adorn a retaining wall with a flower designJust because you’re using natural rock doesn’t mean you have to stick to purely organic motifs. Photo: Neil Landino Jr.Though this garden retaining wall was necessary for privacy, Janice Parker, founder of Janice Parker Landscape Architects, found ways to spice it up by creating shapes with the rocks, which were inspired by motifs in the surrounding landscape. “Find ways to work these shapes or motifs into your garden—in the surface paving with patterns and shapes, in the furniture, in the gates and fencing—you will find a way to express them,” she says.Carve out a focal pointPhoto: Archetype PhotoCurb appeal doesn’t stop with your front door. Just take this Pennsylvania home designed by Lauren Thomsen Design. Located on top of a hill, it’s visible from a lower vantage point, making the roof overhangs, exposed beams, and the ceiling plane prominent in the design. “The retaining walls counterbalance the top of the home and add structure and importance to the ground plane as well,” says Thomsen. The stone retaining walls create terraced vertical gardens and carve usable space into the hill to form a flat area for a pool—all while adding visual interest at any angle.Cheap retaining wall ideasRetaining walls don’t need to be expensive. The following ideas may work well in a budget-conscious project.Mix retaining wall materialsMix and match to give your outdoor space texture. Photo: valeriysurujiuCan’t decide between retaining wall materials? Use more than one. This also gives you a chance to minimize costs by buying less of an expensive material—like stone—and combining it with more of a budget friendly choice, like concrete.Gabion walls provide quality and affordabilityGabion walls were used as reinforcement for centuries. Photo: hadot“The most affordable way to retain soil might be a gabion wall,” says Arthur Furman, a cofounder of Side Angle Side in Austin. “This is simply a decorative wire mesh cage filled with stones or gravel.” (The name comes from the Italian word gabbione which means “big cage.) This affordable retaining wall idea can be a DIY project or handled by a professional.Use concrete blocksA light palette plays well with greenery. Photo: Nancy C. RossConcrete blocks are among the most affordable option for retaining walls. For a warm and welcoming design idea, such as a patio hugged in greenery, consider a cream-colored block—a nice middle ground between edgy grey concrete and natural stone.Brick retaining walls add classic charmStacked brick and right angles give landscaping order. Photo: grafartBrick is generally considered a mid-level material for a retaining wall—it’s usually priced less than stone but more than concrete. Price aside, a brick retaining wall adds classic charm to both front and backyard landscaping. Choose between traditional red brick (well suited for colonial-style homes) or a natural stone retaining wall that may look good with a craftsman exterior.Small retaining wall ideas​Large retaining walls aren’t the only to incorporate this landscaping feature. You can also use a smaller version to create a raised garden bed, highlight a section of your yard, or create dimension throughout your green space.Vertical sleepers for small retaining wallsBigger isn’t always better: Use vertical sleepers for separation. Photo: Tatiana TerekhinaIf you like the look of wood retaining walls, use vertical sleepers to create a small, fence-like wall—perfect for separating garden areas from the rest of the yard. Play around with different heights to add visual movement to the wall structure.Pair short retaining walls with prairie or native plantsUse the retaining wall as a pedestal for your native plants. Photo: Catto32A short stacked-stone retaining wall is the perfect complement for a prairie or native plant garden. Native plants have a distinctly wild look, so pairing them with natural stone creates more realistic imagery and a low-maintenance design.Steel retaining walls add a rustic lookYou can’t have rustic without rust. Photo: beekeepxA short steel retaining walls offer a distinct look to a project, and the rust color from the materials can add an extra pop to a garden. In some ways, this landscaping idea embodies a farm or agricultural setting where steel barns and tractors are common. For this reason, steel retaining walls may look good if you like farmhouse-style decor.Center a retaining wall around a treeThink of it as a giant tree planter. Photo: Andrija DobrasBuilding retaining walls isn’t necessarily the easiest DIY project, but if you’re eager to make one yourself, consider crafting a small retaining wall around a tree. (See more DIY retaining wall ideas below). Use it to hold soil at the base so you’ve got ample room to plant flowers and greenery.Unify different areas with a retaining wallShort stacks create just the right amount of separation. Photo: Katarzyna BialasiewiczA small retaining wall that encircles different areas of your yard can help unify the space into a coherent whole. In this yard, the open-ended retaining wall distinguishes the shrubs, while spilling into the gravel of the patio for an easy transition.Install a mini retaining wall in a cornerProp it up. Photo: EyeWolfElevation changes, big or small, can make a big difference in your landscape design. Adding a wee retaining wall to a yard that may not technically need one makes a statement and creates visual interest.Keep it minimalA teeny lift creates an impactful facade. Photo: U. J. AlexanderUse a short retaining wall to accent the subtle contours of your lawn in a classy, minimalistic way. Using rocks or other natural materials may help the wall blend seamlessly into the lawn.Transform a forgotten areaMake a natural retaining wall in an overlooked area. Photo: Greg ThomasThat dirt area that currently serves no purpose in your yard could be the perfect base for a short, natural retaining wall. “What was once an unsightly dirt ditch has been transformed into a vibrant habitat for butterflies, significantly enhancing the curb appeal of the property,” says Amy Hovis, partner-owner of Eden Garden Design, a women-led landscape design and build studio. Sedges are known for their resilience in shady, wet environments, making them a good option to strategically drape over a difficult terrain.Conceal the wall with ivyIvy and other similar plants can disguise a retaining wall. Photo: Greg ThomasIf a retaining wall isn’t what you envisioned for your backyard, don’t fret—you can still employ the functional design without sacrificing your desired aesthetic. Eden Garden Design often covers walls with fig ivy as a solution to this common design conundrum, explains Hovis. This works well on small retaining walls, seen here, but could also function on a taller one.Match a small retaining wall to your home’sA painted brick retaining wall mirrors the home’s facade. Photo: Rebecca McAlpin PhotographyAnother way to camouflage a small retaining wall is to match it to the exterior of your home. In this New Jersey home, a retaining wall is essential both to protect from potential storm surges and enhance overall curb appeal. “Instead of a long, steep staircase to elevate the home, tiered retaining walls create a series of elegant, gradual steps, blending purpose with design,” says Stephanie Kraus, principal designer of Stephanie Kraus Designs, adding that the brick wall was painted Dove White. “Beyond its functional role, the wall adds visual interest, curb appeal, and seamlessly integrates with the home’s classic aesthetic,” she says.Frame a flower bedThese retaining walls serve double duty as flower beds too. Photo: Bjorg MagneaSmall retaining walls can also function as planters. In this Sagaponack, New York, home, concrete walls showcase hydrangeas and accentuate the transition between the upper and lower levels of the yard. “This softens the grade change and adds vibrant color to the landscape,” says designer Philip J. Consalvo, principal of PJCArchitecture.Retaining wall ideas for sloped backyard​​Retaining walls are often used in sloped yards to create more functional space. The below ideas will help you make a slanted lawn.Concrete retaining wall with flower bedsLayered flora adds natural texture to soften the stone. Photo: laughingmangoFor a sleek design, look to a concrete retaining wall with built-in flower beds. The juxtaposition of industrial concrete and verdant flora adds a wow factor to a front yard. “Adding ornamental plants to the finished wall also embraces its natural surroundings,” Lobeira, the Monterrey, Mexico–based architect, says.Incorporate steps in the designMosaic stones step up the design. Photo: FotosearchSince retaining walls are often used in sloped areas to transform that part of the yard into usable space, consider adding steps to your retaining wall for easy access to the different levels of your yard.Light up for a glowLine the path with lanterns. Photo: romasetMood lighting is a surefire way to bring in a wow factor to your wall. Not only do lights work as safety mechanisms—especially important in a sloped area—they also add ambiance to your outdoor space. Keep in mind it’s easier to run electrical lines at installation as opposed to adding lights later. Talk to your contractor about light design upfront.Highlight the curves in your yardSinuous walls add interest. Photo: beekeepxConsider using retaining walls to create a sculptural element and turn your yard into a modern art piece. Accentuate the curves of your sloped lawn to spice up a basic plot.Create a deliberate contrastDelineate garden sections with a retaining wall. Photo: JenniferPhotographyImaging/Getty ImagesUse retaining walls in a sloped area to delineate different garden sections, suggests Hovis, the Eden Garden Design co-owner. This deliberate contrast highlights the botanical design and can be used to showcase different grasses and flowers. Whimsical accessories such as a birdbath can soften to the overall environment.Integrate a natural environmentPick materials for your retaining wall that will match the aesthetic of your home. Photo: Stock Studios PhotographyA retaining wall can turn an otherwise steep slope into lush usable space. “The retaining walls helped the overall design concept, which was to integrate the house into the natural slope of the site and its wooded environment,” says Consalvo, the principal of PJCArchitecture. To further integrate the environment, use natural materials such as oak and mixed hardwood. “The ties, the siding, and the woods all harmonize together, creating a seamless composition,” Consalvo adds.Use a strong concrete base for taller wallsPhoto: Scott ShigleyThe architecture and landscaping of this three-acre wooded, lakeside residence were designed in unison due to its almost 50-foot grade change. “The goal was to maximize views from the residence into the woodland and toward the water while creating seamless interior-exterior space,” says John Evans, partner at Hoerr Schaudt. A tall wall requires a strong base material such as concrete, while visually interesting stonework can soften its appearance and cascading plants minimize its surface area. “Aesthetics are critical, but make sure the walls are thoughtfully designed from a performance perspective—they need to be not only beautiful, but also functional, of course,” adds Evans.Carve out a new pathConnect different levels with a retaining wall. Photo: Matthew MillmanA retaining wall can also be used to connect terrains of different levels. For example, design meets function in this high-performance LEED Platinum house in Tiburon, California. “Looking for a solution to the problem of entering the house on a steep site, the design team literally bridged the gap between the sloped terrain and the interior of the house [with a concrete retaining wall]—resulting in a suspended outdoor room that gracefully connects the inside and outside,” explains Federico Engel, managing principal at Butler Armsden Architects.Wood retaining wall ideas​​Wood is an inexpensive and easily accessible material for retaining walls. Below, creative ways to put timber to use.Opt for blackClassic black elevates backyard design. Photo: sassy1902An all-black retaining wall recedes into the background, yet looks striking. The sleek hue works wonders for a landscape that benefits from a high-contrast, modern design.Treat wood to extend its longevityA timber retaining wall hugging a flower bed. Photo: John Keeble“Wood is an inexpensive and common choice for a retaining wall,” Raboine, the director of Belgard Residential Hardscapes, says. Since wood is an organic material, expect it to have a shorter lifespan compared to solid options like stone. You can extend the longevity of wood retaining walls by opting for pressure-treated wood and using a wood preservative. However, just be careful with planting too close to the wall as the chemicals in treated wood can harm flowers and greenery.Don’t ditch the white picket fenceA white picket fence and brick: An unexpected pairing that works. Photo: SteveLukerEven if you have a sloped lawn that could benefit from a retaining wall, you don’t necessarily need to compromise your dream of having a white picket fence out front, too. Layering materials is one of those ingenious privacy fence ideas that often gets overlooked. Add a white picket fence—or any wooden fence for that matter—on top of the retaining wall, then plant bright flowers and shrubs for that classic look.Lush greenery in wicker creates a cottage feelWicker retaining walls add indubitable charm. Photo: fotolinchenUse lush greenery, or even plant a lettuce garden, to create a cottage-like feel with wicker-style retaining walls that add to the charm. Other ways to create a fairytale backyard include stacked worn rocks paired with moss and native flowers.Backyard retaining wall ideasThese backyard retaining wall ideas will help you make the most of your outdoor space.Seamlessly blend the indoor and outdoor living areasHarmonious materials between the indoor and outdoor space creates a harmonious connection. Photo: Sharon RisedorphExpand your usable living space with a retaining wall that extends out of your home for a seamless indoor-outdoor area. Choosing the right materials is key, explains says Duan Tran, partner at KAA Design, an architecture and landscape design firm based in California. On this hillside property, poured-in-place board-form concrete walls create an outdoor terrace. “Simultaneously, these same walls permeate and extend into the home as indoor walls that further blur the indoor-outdoor material transitions one would usually see,” he says. “Additionally, other materials including flooring and wood siding also transition seamlessly between both worlds, allowing the home and outdoor elements to feel as one.”Create an entrywayA doorway adds another functional touch. Photo: Cathryn GallacherAnother way to make a retaining wall more functional is to include a doorway in the design. Either carve out an opening or add a rustic door to allow easy access between spaces. Frame the entrance with greenery for an added touch of whimsy in your garden.Include a modern fire pitCircle around a fire pit. Photo: Inti St. ClairTo get the most functionality out of every square foot of your backyard, double up the retaining wall’s purpose with a cozy fire pit. Think of it as a sunken, outside sitting room for year-round entertaining. Los Angeles landscape architect Patricia Benner, principal at Benner Landscape Design, stacked a stone wall that becomes a built-in stone seating area. “It has a nice, organic flow and makes the seating feel integrated with its surroundings,” she says.Add wall seatingInterior designer Mauricio Lobeira knows when fashion meets function: a retaining wall that’s also a concrete bench. Photo: Stephen KarlischIncorporating seating into your retaining wall design gives the structure utility beyond beauty. “The retaining wall’s function is vital,” Lobeira says of this retaining wall that is also a built-in concrete bench. These natural stone seating platforms are particularly welcome in smaller backyards.Flowing design ups the anteCascading water echoes thorough the backyard for a soothing effect. Photo: imagewerksA fountain, or another water feature, makes the retaining wall dynamic. Usually, water flows from a spillway inside the wall into a basin below. It is then recirculated back into the spillway.Stack tiered retaining wallsThink of tiered retaining walls as giant steps. Photo: ArtBoyMBTiered retaining walls are fantastic ways to dress up a hill or slope in your yard and make the space more usable. Walls like these also create greater possibilities for your garden design, opening up plenty of usable space for plantings.Expand patio space with a retaining wallThe retaining wall creates a natural border. Photo: irina88wSimilarly, you can use a retaining wall to reinforce or expand your patio area. Consider adding elements like a fire pit, outdoor kitchen, or Adirondack chairs to maximize the usable space.Create an infinity-edge lawnInfinity edge lawns help divide areas. Photo: Greg ThomasThis steel retaining wall creates an infinity-edge lawn and divides the backyard into two areas, the more formal lawn and the more natural, unmaintained area of the property, explains Hovis. “One lesson here is that framing is everything,” she says. “That sweet steel edge frames the lawn perfectly so that everything beyond it can be more alive and natural.”Contrast your retaining wall against a tree lineThe variance between the sharp angles and organic branches create a yin-yang dynamic. Photo: Wade SteelmanCreate contrast between your hardscape elements and the natural elements in your yard by pairing a retaining wall directly in front of a line of lush evergreen trees.Shrubs add a formal lookVariegated shrubs along a retaining wall add interest. Photo: Mark HerreidFans of a well-manicured, formal garden might like planting sculpted shrubs along their retaining walls. They add a welcome texture to the lawn and an air of luxury.Fountains add a peaceful elementThe retaining wall and fountain create a soothing spot. Photo: kasipatUse the retaining wall as an extension for a fountain or a water feature. Contrasting colors bring life to the yard, while the soothing sound of water creates ambiance for a calming outdoor garden.Frame a poolA retaining doesn't only have to support plants. Photo: Joe FletcherIf you have a backyard with different elevations, consider using a retaining wall to hold up a pool, such as in this design by Butler Armsden Architects. Framing your pool with a modern retaining wall will create a contrast between the natural and man-made elements of your yard.Create a property divideA retaining wall adds privacy. Photo: Paul CostelloIf your backyard is actually more of a side yard, a strategically placed retaining wall can maximize your property. This narrow bayfront lot, designed by Marshall Paetzel Landscape Architecture and Kramer + deConciliis Architecture, feels like a hidden oasis thanks to a retaining wall with a board-formed concrete finish and integrated path lights.Enclose an outdoor kitchenA retaining wall with a kitchen is an ideal hosting location. Photo: Niel Landino Jr.A retaining wall designates an outdoor living area, creating space to tuck away an outdoor kitchen or bar. In this backyard, designers Cullman & Kravis fit the bar to the space with storage, a refrigerator, a serving area, and lighting for use at night. “The wall is built with a ‘random rectangular’ pattern, creating interest with variations of color and texture,” adds landscape designer Parker, the founder of Janice Parker Landscape Architects, of the decision to use locally sourced natural fieldstone and granite.Add a modern touch with steelCorten creates a modern vibe. Photo: Chase DanielCorten weathering steel gives a retaining wall a modern look while shrubs blend the landscape and architecture. “The wall is used here as a planter to soften the hardscape and establish the entry courtyard and motor court,” says James LaRue, principal of LaRue Architects. This retaining wall also makes it easier to enter the Austin home, which sits on a sloped terrain.Combine function and style with stuccoStucco contrasts beautifully against Photo: Side Angle SideStucco isn’t just about adding durability, it can also lighten a landscape design and create deliberate contrast amongst greenery. “We used a skim coat, so you can sort of make out the grid of the stacked blocks within, but you could use a three-coat stucco on lathe to achieve an even more uniform, monolithic look,” says Furman, the cofounders of Side Angle Side, who designed this retaining wall with other co-founder Annie Laurie Grabiel. The pair chose a retaining wall design with reinforced CMU blocks, while slightly above-ground pool harmonizes with the walls.Do it yourself retaining wall ideasThese tips, tricks, and ideas will get you started if you plan to build a retaining wall yourself.Pick DIY materials wiselyLarge boulder may be preferable to other DIY materials. Photo: strickke/Getty ImagesWhen DIYing a retaining wall to your landscaping, it important to know what not to do. “I strongly recommend steering clear of rubber landscape edging or off-the-shelf steel edging, as they often detract from the landscape’s aesthetic appeal,” says Hovis. If you’re tackling the project yourself, she says to opt for large landscape boulders instead of smaller ones or wood timbers. “They maintain a higher visual standard,” she adds.Determine height based on the wall’s surroundingsConsider scale when planning a retaining wall. Photo: Sharon RisedorphWhen designing a retaining wall, it’s also crucial to consider height, especially in relation to nearby structures and vegetation. “This ensures that the wall blends harmoniously with its surroundings, maintaining a balanced and visually appealing composition,” says Tran, the partner at KAA Design. “Scaling the wall appropriately also plays a key role in creating a relatable human scale within the space.” A wall that’s too tall can overpower its surrounding environment and distract from its beauty. A successfully scaled retaining wall should enhance a space—not overwhelm it.Line up concrete plantersA series of concrete planters works like a retaining wall. Photo: BespalyiConsider crafting a retaining wall out of concrete planters. Use ridges to trick the eye into thinking that the series of planters is one elongated piece. The mix of natural and artificial elements is sure to make the scene pop.Adorn a retaining wall with a vertical planterHang vibrant bucket planters to dress up an ordinary retaining wall. Photo: diverroyFor an easy retaining wall DIY that doesn’t involve building the wall itself, consider creating a vertical garden. Stacked stone walls or block retaining walls make good choices for vertical gardens as they have plenty of nooks to tuck plants into. If you plan to create a vertical garden retaining wall, consider how much sun you expect the wall to get and be sure to integrate an irrigation system.Add drooping flowersFlowers are a delicate base to any wall. Photo: colimachonFor another simple DIY, plant drooping or “spiller” flowers near the edge of your retaining wall for stunning, cascading imagery. Consider including plants like moss phlox, creeping thyme, or rock cress.Embrace cascading greeneryThink of cascading greenery as a retaining wall accessory. Photo: SantaGigIf you don’t like the bright colors of flowers, you could incorporate cascading greenery instead. Plants like silver fall Dichondra, Delosperma cooperi ‘Ice Plant,’ trailing rosemary, or Lotus berthelotii make a great choice and a vibrant addition to a neutral-colored wall.Choose arid climate plants for low-maintenance greeneryNo fuss plants pair well with pebble-covered retaining walls. Photo: Chipper HatterIf you like the idea of dressing up your retaining wall but aren’t as confident in flower and plant-tending skills, try planting succulents on and around your retaining wall. Succulents like agave, Dudleya, and aloe are some of the best low-maintenance landscaping options.DIY concrete bag retaining wallConcrete bags sound uncouth, but the final retaining wall reveal is stellar. To make concrete, you typically have to mix cement with water and aggregates, put it into a mold, and let it dry and set. Generally, this is an integral step when making retaining wall blocks. However, this retaining wall idea challenges that entire idea. Bags of dry cement are piled together like blocks to build the wall, and then the entire structure is thoroughly sprayed with water from a hose. Once it sets, the bags are either burned or ripped off, leaving you with bag-shaped concrete blocks.Paint a retaining wall muralUnleash your inner artist with a retaining wall mural inspired by your backyard. Photo: BasieB and CrotographyHire a pro artist, or pick up a set of brushes yourself to reinvent a concrete retaining wall by painting a mural on it. Look for concrete paint or

Image: Nintendo LifeWith the announcement that the Switch 2 requires a new type of microSD card, the microSD Express, it seems that stockists are beginning to have some issues keeping up with Nintendo fan demand. You should have known we were a frenzied bunch of gamers! Yes, as reported by the fine folks over at Tom's Hardware, news from Japan indicates a huge surge in the popularity of this faster variant of SD card. Retailer Hermitage Akihabara announced on its website that it was selling 337 microSD Express cards per hour before running out of stock, as an example of the increase in demand for a card that previously hasn't seen anywhere near these sorts of sales figures. The article says (via Google Translate) that "the next shipment is still undecided, and even if it does arrive, the price will probably be quite high." Indeed, whilst those figures seem pretty crazy, online retailers and stores seem to be keeping up with demand in the main, and purchases being recorded appear to be legit buyers picking up one or two cards for personal use, rather than scalpers purchasing wholesale numbers. Phew! You can also relax, a little at least, if you ordered your Switch 2 in Europe via invite through your official Nintendo account when they dropped emails last week, as you already have a limited-to-one-per-customer 256GB microSD Express available to pre-order at your leisure. Images: Hermitage Akihabara, Nintendo Of course, the Express version isn't a new format, but it is more expensive than regular microSD cards thanks to faster speeds and lower power consumption - a factor that's critical for Switch 2's improved performance. All of this excitement certainly points to a console that's primed to do some serious numbers when it releases, and it's giving us a nice warm feeling inside to know that so many are out there are getting prepped for some next-gen Nintendo magic. Here's hoping it lives up to expectations. Have you nabbed a microSD card yet? What size did you go for? Let us know in the comments! The chosen few Your old Switch cards won't work, it's time for an upgrade [source gdm.or.jp, via tomshardware.com] See Also Share:0 0 PJ is a staff writer across Pure Xbox and Nintendo Life. He's been playing video games pretty much nonstop since the early 1980s, and enjoys boring people with tedious stories about how long ago that really is. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... Related Articles Round Up: The First Impressions Of Donkey Kong Bananza Are In He's finally back... Round Up: The First Impressions Of 'Drag x Drive' For Switch 2 Are In "A showcase for dual-mouse mode" Gallery: Here's Switch 2 Compared To (Almost) Every Other Handheld ...including the Steam Deck EA Reveals Price For Split Fiction On Switch 2 Pre-orders opening soon