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 Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 should be a massive turning point for the games industry, although some veterans believe it won’t be the game-changer it should be. While Larian is now leaving the game behind after the release of Patch 8, New Blood Interactive CEO Dave Oshry believes the game has left a mark that is changing the industry. Speaking on a new episode of the Quad Damage Podcast, Oshry explained that we now live in “a post-Baldur’s Gate 3 world”. Via GamesRadar, the beloved indie publisher believes Larian’s success should result in more “deep-a** CRPG” games. “[Larian has] proven that people are not stupid,” Oshry said on the podcast. “They don’t want dumbed down RPGs, and that publishers can “sell 50 million copies of a deep-ass CRPG that will take you fucking months to beat.” Oshry explained that companies like “Microsoft should fund” more CRPGs, using Pillars of Eternity 3 as an example. Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity series—which recently saw an awesome spin-off called Avowed—was a spiritual successor to the original Baldur’s Gate games, and Oshry knows that a third game would succeed. “Microsoft should fund a Pillars 3,” he said. “Josh [Sawyer] really wants to do Pillars 3.” While Larian is hard at work on its next RPG that will probably take us years to complete, the impact of BG3 is yet to really happen for the wider industry. Yes, Hasbro wants to make another Baldur’s Gate game that continues to “raise the bar” without Larian, but will other game developers follow suit? That’s the real question: while Larian has proven that gamers want games with real value instead of battle pass-filled, free-to-play games that jump on trends. However, the success of Larian doesn’t mean that companies like EA, Activision and others will follow suit, which is unfortunate. Nevertheless, the Baldur’s Gate 3 community itself is still going strong. As the game’s official support ends, massive mod teams are creating custom campaigns that take players back to areas from the second game, and Larian has left players with a seemingly endless amount of content to chew through. Subscribe to our newsletters! By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime. Share

For designer John Bambick and his husband and business partner, Michael Bentley, the inspiration for their space started down the hallway. Their Manhattan apartment building is home to a motley ensemble of residents that could’ve come straight from Central Casting. “The guy across the hall works in stage production, the woman down the hall does screenplays,” says Bambick, rattling an array of artistically inclined neighbors in the Greenwich Village building. “Some of the residents have rent-stabilized apartments and have been there for 30, 40, 50-plus years,” echoes Bentley. “Very real New Yorkers, and, especially, very real Village-ites.”From left, John Bambick and Michael Bentley in their Manhattan home The couple, who moved into their rental in 2021, embraced the prewar building’s mulifaceted spirit from the get-go. “The lobby isn’t super pretty. You have some of the character that’s still there [under] 100 layers of paint. There’s 2,000 packages while you’re trying to get to the elevator…,” shares Bambick. “We love how when you enter our space, you’re transported into something that’s thoughtful, but also loose and fun and very comfortable, and not too perfect and not too precious.” With an art curation replete with finds from auction-house favorites and emergent artists alongside personal works, the 850-square-foot apartment reflects the pair’s latest chapter as newly(ish) minted New Yorkers. “Considering that we didn’t move to New York until 2019, to have that glimpse into what the Village used to be became the starting point for how we wanted to decorate it,” says Bambick.Bambick juxtaposes an Instagram find—Hikaru Akieda’s untitled canvas portrait painting—with Jonny Niesche’s acrylic, mirror, and voile work called Schein Blossom Kansai Hanam from The Hole. “I think we found [Akieda when] he was an art student,” shares Bambick, who had to wait for school break to end to obtain the work. The credenza is the USM Haller Mid-credenza, the vintage Accolay ceramics were purchased at Paul Bert Serpette, and the vintage chest of drawers is from Hollar & Squall. The table lamp was purchased at auction, the stoneware bowl is by William Marshal, from Freeforms, and the vintage flushmount light is from Amsterdam Modern. Benjamin Moore’s Creamy White is on the wall at right. In an art filled corner of the living room, the haunting work Face Off, by Chinese painter-sculptor Xue Jiye and obtained from Black Dragon Press, holds court with a 1976 print called Sans Titre by Jean-Pierre Pincemin, 55 Sunrises by Sho Shibuya, and Margaret Maclean’s porcelain anemone. The adjustable desk lamp is from Zara Home. “We really have mixed emerging artists coming out of school with some stuff we found at galleries,” shares Bambick. In the living room, Farrow & Ball’s Salon Drab clads the walls, creating an impact that’s anything but what the name implies. A RH sofa sits front and center, framed by a glazed ceramic table lamp from the 1950s, and a vintage Karl Springer lucite lamp. The jute rug is by S.R. Home, the brass sconces are from Etsy, and the two custom steel lounge chairs feature Mitchell Denburg fabric, while the custom lounge chair is upholstered in Marci Mohair from Yarn Collective. The Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Barcelona table was purchased at auction. Untitled NRA by Felix Gonzalez-Torres hangs on the wall.

Chinese scientists have achieved a milestone in clean energy technology by successfully adding fresh fuel to an operational thorium molten salt reactor, according to state media reports.AdvertisementIt marks the first long-term, stable operation of the technology, putting China at the forefront of a global race to harness thorium – considered a safer and more abundant alternative to uranium – for nuclear power.The development was announced by the project’s chief scientist, Xu Hongjie, during a closed-door meeting at the Chinese Academy of Sciences on April 8, the official Guangming Daily reported on Friday.The experimental reactor, located in the Gobi Desert in China’s west, uses molten salt as the fuel carrier and coolant, and thorium – a radioactive element abundant in the Earth’s crust – as the fuel source. The reactor is reportedly designed to sustainably generate 2 megawatts of thermal power.Some experts see the technology as the next energy revolution and claim that just one thorium-rich mine in Inner Mongolia could – theoretically – meet China’s energy needs for tens of thousands of years, while producing minimal radioactive waste.AdvertisementDuring the April 8 meeting, Xu said China “now leads the global frontier”, according to Guangming Daily.

It's a wonderful day for MapleStory fans, and those with a deep nostalgic love for early 2000's MMOs. MapleStory Classic World has been announced as part of the game's 20th anniversary celebration, a recreation of the original version of the game with select quality of life improvements. Read more

Image: NintendoThe first Nintendo Direct dedicated to a single Switch 2 game has come and gone, giving us a 15-minute deep drive (c'mon, that's a keeper!) into everything we can expect from Mario Kart World when it launches alongside the system on 5th June. If you've been keeping up with hands-on impressions following the Switch 2 Direct and the subsequent Switch 2 Experiences, the MKW Direct probably didn't tell you much you didn't already know, but it did give us an extended look at the titular world, the courses within, and confirmed the return of Battle Mode and more. Let's take a look and round up all the details from the Mario Kart World Direct. On this page: Nintendo Direct: Mario Kart World: Every Announcement - How Would You Rate It? Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct (April 2025) - The Full Presentation If you're keen to catch up, here's the full 15-minute MKW Direct, originally broadcast at 6am PT / 9am ET / 2pm BST / 3pm CEST / 11pm AET on Thursday 17th April 2025. Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube808k Nintendo Life Live Reaction And if you fancy a little watchalong with Felix and Zion, here are their live takes as the Direct happened. Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube808k Mario Kart World Direct Round Up Okay, enough waffling - let's drive right into things... The New Courses Image: Nintendo First up, we got a look at a selection of the new courses, including some specific callouts: Mario Bros. Circuit Crown City Salty Salty Speedway Starview Peak Boo Cinema - Dracula Waluigi!! We also saw some old favourites highlighted: Toad’s Factory Peach Beach Wario Shipyards / Galleon We got further confirmation of returning courses that have been reworked and integrated into the world (big up for Koopa Troopa Beach!), and Day or Night racing was also confirmed. Grander Prix Characters Image: Nintendo Next up, an overview of some of the main characters. This included regulars such as: Mario (shocker!) Luigi Peach Bowser Yoshi ...plus some less expected new drivers: Goomba Spike Cow Lakitu Check out the enormous roster of confirmed characters in our guide: Every character in Switch 2 Mario Kart Game Modes We then got a closer look at the "two main styles of race" — Grand Prix and Knockout Modes — both of which allow 24 racers. Cars that shoot Bullet Bills and attacks from Hammer Bros. were highlighted as hazards to avoid, natch. Grand Prix Image: Nintendo In GP mode, you choose a cup and race four courses. So far, so Mario Kart. The difference here is that you'll have to drive between courses rather than just being plopped on the next starting grid after passing the checkered flag. While not stating it outright, the trailer essentially confirmed that completing all the Grand Prix cups would unlock "a certain colourful course", too. (That's Rainbow Road.) It's about drive, it's about Ice Flower Knockout Tour Image: Nintendo This part covered known details, giving us another look at the elimination-style 'rally' mode, Knockout Tour. The Direct showed off Golden Rally, Ice Rally, Moon Rally, and Spiny Rally - epic six-course races that eliminate the four karters at the back of the pack every checkpoint. We loved this new mode when we went hands-on with the game. The World Wide Road Items Image: Nintendo Next up, items. Plenty of old faithful in the mix, plus some newbies. Here's what was shown: Coin Shell (drops coins in your path) Ice Flower (freezes enemies when thrown) Hammer (you throw hammers that remain on the ground for a short while) Mega Mushroom (a returner that makes you big) Feather (a vintage item which gives you a big jump, letting you avoid attacks9 Kamek (transform rivals into other racers/things) Support Features A brief look at some returning accessibility features for new Mario Kart players, including Smart Steering, Auto-accelerate, and Tilt Controls. As with Mario Kart 8, everyone can get involved. Food By picking up snacks on the road, you can unlock costumes. Regional cuisine unlock regional threads inspired by the meal. You find this fast food at drive-thru joints around the world. Global fusions New Tricks Image: Nintendo Two new moves here that should prove invaluable. The first is Charge Jump, a mini turbo/trick you charge up by holding down the slide button while moving in a straight line. If you jump towards a wall, you can Wall Ride for a bit. More interestingly, you can now Rewind during a race! This reverses your movement, so you can go back and nail a jump or shortcut you missed. HOWEVER (big however), everyone else keeps moving forward when you rewind, so you'll need a pretty decent lead to make using it worthwhile. This can be used in Free Roam mode and also in races. Get ready to Rewind Modes Image: Nintendo Time Trials Groundbreaking. You can download Ghost data from other online racers. VS Race Another returning mode, although this time with up to 24 racers in up to four teams. You can choose from the Classic ruleset (three laps of the same course) or go Tour style and race between tracks. You can also customise your routes between courses. Battle Mode Okay, now we're talking. Balloon Battle is back (where you compete to burst your opponents' balloons), as is Coin Runners (where you work to collect the most coins before the time runs out). Let battle commence! Free Roam Image: Nintendo While playing a version of Bob-omb's Battlefield from Mario 64, various locations around the (Mario Kart) world were showcased with a breathless 'go anywhere, do anything' vibe. In terms of new details, we saw P-Switches dotted around the world which initiate missions involving collecting coins, racing to a destination and more. There are "hundreds" of these switches around the world, apparently. You can also find hidden coins (we saw the Peach Medallion), hidden panels, and "more" around the world, and the Photo Mode will let you capture your exploration and expression with special frames and poses. Unlocks and missions and friends, oh my! Multiplayer Image: Nintendo Four-player splitscreen is back, and it looks like the frame rate will take a hit (it looked like 30fps to our eyes, but that's unconfirmed at the moment. There's also the local wireless option, which lets you link up to eight Switch 2s together, with two players per console (if you like), meaning you can have 16-player local meetups. Heading online raises the per-race player count to 24 players. You can also play with friends online, with Free Roam accessible whilst waiting for your pals to join. Alternatively, you can just go for a cruise and use GameChat to speak with your friends. The game is compatible with the Switch 2 camera, and you'll be able to see your friends' faces onscreen even if four of you are playing locally - which should stop all the "Who's that in front of me?" questions before you whack a green shell up their tailpipe. Poll Aaand that was it. Lots of known information there, if you've been keeping up to date with all the latest info, but a decent recap nonetheless. We just want to play it, to be honest! Mario Kart World is out in a matter of weeks now, so keep your eyes on NL's road if you're keen to stay ahead of the competition - and let us know below how you'd rate the Direct as a whole. How would you rate the Mario Kart World Direct, on a scale of 1-10? (134 votes) 10 - Outstanding4%9 - Excellent10%8 - Great13%7 - Good14%6 - Not Bad10%5 - Average16%4 - Poor16%3 - Bad7%2 - Terrible  0.8%1 - Abysmal4%Didn't watch it, but polls get my motor running4% Up Next: 2nd April (Switch 2) Related Games See Also Share:0 1 Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 before joining the site full-time the following year, rising through the ranks to become Editor. He can currently be found squashed beneath a Switch backlog the size of Normandy. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... Related Articles Switch 2's Backwards Compatibility List Provides Updates On Two Titles Here's what you can expect Where To Pre-Order Nintendo Switch 2 Where to buy Switch 2 consoles, accessories & games Here's Why Switch 2 Joy-Con And Pro Controllers Don't Have Analogue Triggers Nintendo thought instant input was the "better option"

Instagram on Thursday announced that it’s rolling out Blend, a new feature that lets you create a custom, personalized reels feed for you and your friends. Blends are invite-only and can be created with a singular friend or with a group chat. The custom feeds are refreshed with new content each day. The launch doesn’t come as a surprise, as TechCrunch reported in March 2024 that the social network was developing the feature. Once you join or accept a Blend invite, you will be able to browse through reels picked for each person in the chat. When someone in the group reacts to a reel, Instagram will notify you so you can keep a convo going in the DM (direct messaging) chat.  The idea behind the feature is to explore what sorts of reels your friends are into, while also connecting with them and discovering new content together. Blend aims to introduce a new social element to Instagram, bringing it closer to its roots of sharing moments with friends, something that’s been overshadowed in recent years by an influx of influencers and ads. Image Credits:Instagram With the launch of Blend, Instagram is giving users access to a feature that isn’t available on TikTok, which is one of Instagram’s biggest rivals. For Instagram, Blend could be a way to boost reels’ discovery and watch time on the social network, as it’s encouraging users to watch short-form content together. To create a Blend, you need to open a one-on-one or group DM chat and tap the new Blend icon at the top of the chat. Then, you need to select “Invite” to invite people from your DM chat to join the Blend. The Blend will be created when at least one member of the chat accepts your invite. You can revisit a Blend by going to the DM chat and tapping the Blend icon. It’s worth noting that Blend is somewhat similar to Spotify’s functionality of the same name, which allows people to combine their tastes into one shared playlist that refreshes daily. Topics

As the dark shadow of Galacticus drapes over Manhattan, The Silver Surfer says it best… “Your planet has been marked for death.” Nothing ambiguous there. The long-awaited reboot of Marvel’seminal property, The Fantastic Four, is finally here. The studio has just released a new trailer for its upcoming sci-fi adventure, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set to blast into theaters July 25, 2025. Set within a retro-futuristic, 1960s-inspired world (think The Jetsons), the film introduces Marvel’s “First Family,” as they are billed: Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). Stylized doesn’t do them justice. In the film, they are forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond as they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal. And even more stylish. Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne and Sarah Niles also star. Matt Shakman (WandaVision) directs, with Kevin Feige producing and Louis D’Esposito, Grant Curtis and Tim Lewis serving as executive producers. So far, we know capital T, Clear Angle Studios, Digital Domain, Framestore, ILM, Sony Pictures Imageworks, The Third Floor, and Wētā FX are handling the film’s visual effects. Source: Walt Disney Studios Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.

HVAC Exhaust | © Elimende Inagella via Unsplash If you’re troubled by certain dubious things happening with your HVAC system, you’ve likely wondered, “How much is this going to cost me?” Heating and air conditioning prices have shifted due to ongoing supply chain changes, inflation, and the rising demand for energy-efficient systems. Whether it’s a faulty thermostat, a refrigerant leak, or a failing compressor, the price of repairs varies considerably. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about HVAC repair costs 2025 based on rough national averages, system-specific pricing, the most common repairs, and some additional factors that will affect the picture. General Factors The cost you’ll pay for HVAC repair will vary significantly depending on the type of issue, system, and location. Minor repairs can run as little as 75-150 dollars, while more complex repairs can fly up to nearly 3,000 dollars or more. In urban areas like California and New York, where more is charged for labor, the total will run you more than in rural states, such as Montana or Nebraska.  System Types Another major cost determinant is, of course, the type of HVAC system you have. They all have their own components, complexities, and needs in the event they become damaged. Air conditioners: These are designed specifically for cooling.  Furnaces: These are designed only for heating and run on gas, oil, or electricity.  Heat pumps: These are used both for heating and cooling homes, thus combining greater functionality. Ductless mini-split: These are wall-mounted units on the inside, with another unit on the outside. They are used for both heating and cooling and control the temperature in individual rooms. Age of the Unit Older units using an R-22 refrigerant, which is being phased out, may also cost more due to limited availability. Older systems, in general, are more prone to breakdowns and require discontinued parts. They’re also less energy-efficient and run up your bill more. Accessibility Labor becomes more difficult and time-consuming if your unit is in a tight attic, crawl space, or on a roof. A standard one-hour repair could take multiple hours to complete if it’s located in a cramped attic. Emergency Situations If you need a repair right away because of an emergency or you want a repairman to come out on the weekend or late at night, you can expect to be charged an extra fee, such as nearly double the price. Warranty Coverage If your system is still under manufacturer or labor warranty, you may only have to pay for labor or nothing at all. This could save you hundreds of dollars. Common HVAC Repairs HVAC Repairs  HVAC systems can fail in various ways, from a minor hiccup to a total failure. Here are some of the most commonly encountered cases. Thermostat Repair or Replacement These devices control your HVAC’s temperature settings. Common issues are dead batteries, sensor malfunctions, or software glitches in the case of smart models. The solution is to replace or reprogram it. Refrigerant Recharge This heating or cooling chemical absorbs heat from inside your home. Homes often run low on refrigerant due to leaks or improper charging. Various tools, such as bubble tests and UV-discoverable applications, can detect leaks.  Capacitor or Contactor Replacement These are electrical components that help start the system and keep motors running. They encounter wear and tear over time, power surges, or overheating. The capacitor, which stores electrical energy and needs to be replaced, would also need to be replaced, while the contactor switches power to the compressor and fan. Blower Motor This pushes air through your ducts to heat or cool your home. Sometimes, the motor burns out, the bearings are bad, or the fan blades get dirty. You have to repair the motor or clean the internal components. Compressor The compressor pressurizes and circulates refrigerant through your HVAC system. It may encounter an electrical failure, suffer internal damage, or overheat. If this happens, consider replacing it. Ductwork This is the system through which conditioned air is passed to deliver air to various parts of your home. It often has:  Leaks Holes Poor Insulation Disconnected Sections These will need to be sealed, ducts reconnected, and damaged segments replaced. Frequently, though, these systems were originally built in too cramped a space with too many sharp turns, which simply renders efficient air delivery impossible. So, the system will need to be modified or rebuilt. Evaporator or condenser coil Coils are responsible for heat exchange. Evaporator coils absorb heat, while condenser coils release it. Coils can become dirty or corroded, so it’s important to clean or repair them. Electrical repairs like wiring, boards, and fuses HVAC systems rely on a series of electrical circuits and control boards. Sometimes the fuses blow, they short-circuit, or the control boards don’t operate as they should. These parts can be replaced. Smart HVAC Systems Smart Thermostats These have rapidly grown in popularity, especially in newer homes and tech-savvy households. These units integrate with Wi-Fi, smart thermostats, and even voice assistants to give homeowners greater control over their home’s temperature, energy usage, and air quality. With innovation, however, comes complexity. More components mean more potential problems. Unlike traditional systems that rely on analog thermostats and simply relay switches, smart HVAC systems operate using an ecosystem of interconnected devices and sensors. These include:  Smart Thermostats Zoning Modules Occupancy Sensors Circuit Boards Proprietary Software All of these can be potential points of failure. Common issues are: Software or firmware bugs that prevent the system from responding to commands Connectivity loss with the home network or app interface Sensor malfunctions that misread temperature or humidity Synchronization failures between indoor and outdoor units Remote access errors, especially after router upgrades or password changes Smart Technology Adds to the Maintenance Costs Troubleshooting smart HVAC systems often requires more than just mechanical know-how. A technician may need to diagnose software issues, reset devices through proprietary apps, or even contact the manufacturer for remote diagnostics. This can add an extra hour or so to a standard repair, translating to 100-300 dollars extra for labor. This may only be done by a certified technician for the Smart brand. This limits your options, meaning you can’t shop around for a better deal.  As for the parts, smart thermostats alone can cost 200-400 dollars to replace, especially if they’re high-end models like the Nest Learning Thermostat or Ecobee Premium. If the issue lies with a proprietary control board or sensor, you may need to purchase the part directly from the manufacturer, which usually comes at a premium. If the system is under warranty, the replacement may still require you to pay labor fees. This complexity means regular maintenance will be more crucial. This includes firmware updates, battery replacements for the sensors, and periodic software checks as part of your upkeep routine. A minor glitch could turn into a costly service call. GuidesHVAC by ArchEyes Team Leave a comment

Rockefeller had more of it. Mellon did more with it. Barnes had more interesting ideas about it. But in the annals of great early 20th-century art collectors, no other plutocratic culture vulture quite measures up to Henry Clay Frick—not, at least, when it came to an eye for the good stuff. When the Pennsylvanian coal baron moved into a spacious, Thomas Hastings–designed mansion on Fifth Avenue in 1914, he brought with him an already substantial trove of paintings, which he continued to augment it right up to his death, five years later at the age of 69. He didn’t bother with such trivial distinctions as movements or styles; he didn’t even organize the work by theme or by era. He just bought solid-gold masterpieces, over and over, and put them wherever he felt they looked best. And then, after he was gone, he invited the world to come have a look. Updates include new lighting, additional seating, and more provisions for accessibility. (Nicholas Venezia) After a prolonged separation, Frick’s house and his masterpieces—1,800 of them, in total—have at last been reunited and are once again viewable to the public as the old man intended. Nearly five years in the making (and accompanied by no small amount of controversy, not the least over a since-scrapped proposal to demolish its eastern garden), the renovation of the Frick Collection by Selldorf Architects with Beyer Blinder Belle (BBB) has added more space for art, curators, and for people, bumping the size of the venerable campus by fully 10 percent to 196,000 square feet. And, as of April 17, it is now reopened to the public. For the first time, museumgoers can ascend the staircase to see additional rooms on the second level. (Joseph Coscia Jr.) Upstairs quarters of the Frick family—previously office space—were restored and now house galleries. (Joseph Coscia Jr.) For museumgoers already familiar with the beloved institution, what awaits them is something astonishing: Like the common recurring dream of discovering a heretofore-unknown room in one’s apartment, the building has undergone a kind of magical, dimensional mitosis, growing on the inside while appearing to remain largely the same from the street. Changes have not stripped the museum of its historic character, as seen in the West Gallery. (Joseph Coscia Jr.) Skilled plaster workers, woodworkers, and other craftsmen played a major role in the renovation effort. (Joseph Coscia Jr.) For those who have never been before, the revelation will be hardly less remarkable. The Frick—“the world’s favorite museum,” as its (obviously biased) director Axel Rüger called it during a preview event—has always been New York’s great offbeat cabinet of curiosities; it is the only thing that comes close to the kind of small, exquisitely curated musée des beaux arts one often finds in second-tier European cities. (New York’s Hispanic Society Museum is a close second; incidentally, it is also being renovated by Selldorf and BBB.) Walkable in an hour or two, the works on display from Velazquez, Rembrandt, Whistler, Turner, and Titian also reward a whole day’s worth of contemplation, a process to which the refurbished environment is especially conducive. Selldorf’s rework is the result of many hands, including a small army of skilled plaster workers, woodworkers, and other craftsmen who, in coordination with BBB, “supported us, led us, goaded us along the way,” as Selldorf put it. The updates include new lighting, in particular above the celebrated long gallery; additional seating in the upstairs galleries; an actual cafe; more and better bathrooms; more provisions for accessibility; an auditorium, maybe Selldorf’s finest moment here, an almost Joseph Urban–ish flourish whose clamshell twist combines art deco showiness with pristine acoustics by Arup. No one arriving for the first time would guess just how peculiarly incommodious, if sometimes charmingly so, the museum used to be. Frescoes remain a highlight of the museum and art-viewing experience. (Joseph Coscia Jr.) More astonishing is that all these changes have in no way stripped the house of its character. On the contrary: Admirers now have access to even more of the original interior, with the upstairs quarters of the Frick family—previously reserved as office space—restored and made an integral part of the exhibition experience. Now, for the first time, explorers can ascend the staircase to see additional rooms repurposed as cozy galleries. From the lavish baroque frescoes in the old nursery to the new vitrines with decorative pieces seldom exhibited in the past, the warren of former boudoirs and studies doubles down on the peculiarly intimate, privileged art-viewing experience that has always set the museum apart. Looking out to Central Park over the parterre (also recently restored), surrounded by exquisite wall treatments (same), museumgoers can escape into a complete, Gilded Age fantasy. The reception hall staircase is new, but was designed to seamlessly integrate with the historic interiors. (Nicholas Venezia) Of course, it’s a fever dream made possible by complex technical choreography. The $220 million project includes substantial new construction, cleverly concealed within the existing complex and hosting a suite of conservation studios, offices, an education space, and a new gift shop. (ADA access, including at the main entrance, was also included.) A new back-of-house corridor links the library reading room to the museum with its own internal connection to the much-improved main lobby; previously the journey required a hike around the block. Above, within the new tower—clad in Indiana limestone that perfectly mimics the historic facade—staffers can see how this surgery was carried out, including where an exposed steel beam sticks out somewhat awkwardly in front of a service elevator. Yet for the average visitor, movement between the historic home and the new spaces is so seamless as to make it almost impossible to tell where, exactly, one is in the overall scheme, at least without a 3D, color-coded sectional drawing to clarify where the old portion ends and the new one begins. (Full disclosure: I have seen such a drawing. It is still almost impossible.) Selldorf has even taken care to give the new lobby its own staircase, less grandiose certainly than its pendant in the mansion proper, but nonetheless charged with a distinctly prewar glamour, as through parasol-clutching, cloche-hatted dames were about to come swanning down it. The auditorium at The Frick (Nicholas Venezia) A suite of conservation studios, offices, an education space, and a new gift shop were also part of the renovation. (Nicholas Venezia) All these infrastructural gymnastics were necessary to make way for the new galleries upstairs, and, more broadly, to support and expand the Frick’s overall mission. Along the way, they have also yielded a museum which furnishes more than ever a mysterious synchrony of environment and art. Now back in his proper venue, Bronzino’s lad with his absurd codpiece glowers beside the staircase, daring visitors to ascend where the velvet rope used to hang, while Ingres’s coquettish young woman presides over one of the bedrooms, head inquisitively cocked. Holbein’s Cromwell and Moore flank the mantle as before, looking somehow still more comfortable in their luxurious enmity, and even the faces on the coins now showing in one of Frick’s former studies seem glad to be out of storage. It was fun, of course, to see some of these same works installed at the Frick Madison, the pop-up within Marcel Breuer’s building for the Whitney Museum of American Art where they were temporarily billetted and where they took on a new and novel sort of life. But honestly, after so much, it’s great to have the gang back together. Ian Volner has contributed articles on architecture and design to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Architectural Record, among other publications. He is the author of numerous books and monographs, most recently Droese Raney X Design.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, relies on a lot of energy. As its adoption grows and people become more adept at harnessing its power, increasingly strong ties are being created between the tech and energy industries. Whilst this may be a good thing, it also brings about new challenges and legal considerations. After all, the long-term success of digital infrastructure depends on two core issues. Technical and operational constraints naturally need to be considered but, at the same time, a significant emphasis should be placed on stakeholders establishing clear legal contracts and investment safeguards from the start of a project. It's understandable why individuals might get caught in the hype and excitement of a new idea, when a proactive approach to identifying and clearly allocating project risks and rewards upfront is crucial for successfully navigating the complex legal environments over the years and decades in which these projects come online. Training a single large language model can consume as much electricity as a small town. Data centres currently make up around 1.5% of global electricity demand.  The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that electricity demand from data centres will more than double by 2030, a hunger primarily driven by AI. This surge could require new global energy capacity equivalent to roughly four times the United Kingdom's current total electricity consumption. This increasing energy demand is concentrated primarily in the areas where data centres are or will be located, straining local power grids and requiring either substantial and rapid grid infrastructure upgrades or, more commonly, a race between data centre owners and operators to secure reliable and sustainable energy sources dedicated to their operations. While AI demands significant power, it also holds promise for improving energy management. AI can potentially optimise power grids, integrate renewable energy sources more effectively, predict equipment failures and enhance energy efficiency across various industries and buildings. This could help offset some of the overall impact on global energy demand. However, the energy sector has been slower in adopting AI compared to the tech and financial services industries. Further integration is expected here too.  The legal and contractual framework for AI-energy projects is intricate and, in many areas, novel. It involves navigating diverse regulatory systems, supply chain complexities and geopolitical uncertainties. This leads to complex negotiations concerning risk allocation, pricing mechanisms and responsibilities avoiding downtime. Furthermore, the regulatory landscape for both AI and energy is constantly evolving, making compliance and contractual certainty a moving target.In this dynamic and complex environment, it is crucial to anticipate, during the contract drafting phase, how disputes could arise and what mechanisms are needed to avoid them, or resolve them early and quickly if they cannot be avoided. Contracts should be meticulously written to foresee potential issues while maintaining enough flexibility to allow for an inevitable degree of unpredictability during a project which will last for decades. That means parties need to clearly define their responsibilities, establish performance metrics (and how those will be tracked) and allocate risks effectively. Importantly, once a contract is signed parties need to immediately and consistently apply and enforce it. It should go without saying – you could argue that the fact it needs saying tells its own story - but incorporating robust governance and dispute resolution methods is essential, with international arbitration recommended for these multi-party, multi-contract projects given advantages such as neutrality, privacy and enforceability in cross-border contexts.  It is also prudent to proactively consider investment protections (including through investment agreements with host country governments and under public international law treaties) as well as potential restructuring scenarios, including upon events like force majeure, changes in law or financial distress. This foresight can help protect investments and ensure the continuity and long-term success of these critical projects in the face of unwelcome challenges.  This is important not only for the participants in the particular projects but also for the wider energy and tech sectors which will be impacted significantly by the availability of this important technology and the speed at which its adoption can grow.   Charlie Morgan is a partner in Herbert Smith Freehills's disputes practice with a focus on tech, energy and venture capitalism.