The complexity of biology has long been a double-edged sword for scientific and medical progress. On one hand, the intricacy of systems (like the human immune response) offers countless opportunities for breakthroughs in medicine and healthcare. On the other hand, that very complexity has often stymied researchers, leaving some of the most significant medical challengeslike cancer or autoimmune diseaseswithout clear solutions. The field needs a way to decipher this incredible complexity. Could the rise of agentic AI, artificial intelligence capable of autonomous decision-making and action, be the key to breaking through this impasse? Agentic AI is not just another tool in the scientific toolkit but a paradigm shift: by allowing autonomous systems to not only collect and process data but also to independently hypothesize, experiment, and even make decisions, agentic AI could fundamentally change how we approach biology. The mindboggling complexity of biological systems To understand why agentic AI holds so much promise, we first need to grapple with the scale of the challenge. Biological systems, particularly human ones, are incredibly complexlayered, dynamic, and interdependent. Take the immune system, for example. It simultaneously operates across multiple levels, from individual molecules to entire organs, adapting and responding to internal and external stimuli in real-time. Traditional research approaches, while powerful, struggle to account for this vast complexity. The problem lies in the sheer volume and interconnectedness of biological data. The immune system alone involves interactions between millions of cells, proteins, and signaling pathways, each influencing the other in real time. Making sense of this tangled web is almost insurmountable for human researchers. Enter AI agents: How can they help? This is where agentic AI steps in. Unlike traditional machine learning models, which require vast amounts of curated data and are typically designed to perform specific, narrow tasks, agentic AI systems can ingest unstructured and diverse datasets from multiple sources and can operate autonomously with a more generalist approach. Beyond this, AI agents are unbound by conventional scientific thinking. They can connect disparate domains and test seemingly improbable hypotheses that may reveal novel insights. What might initially appear as a counterintuitive series of experiments could help uncover hidden patterns or mechanisms, generating new knowledge that can form the foundation for breakthroughs in areas like drug discovery, immunology, or precision medicine. These experiments are executed at unprecedented speed and scale through robotic, fully automated laboratories, where AI agents conduct trials in a continuous, round-the-clock workflow. These labs, equipped with advanced automation technologies, can handle everything from ordering reagents, preparing biological samples, to conducting high-throughput screenings. In particular, the use of patient-derived organoids3D miniaturized versions of organs and tissuesenables AI-driven experiments to more closely mimic the real-world conditions of human biology. This integration of agentic AI and robotic labs allows for large-scale exploration of complex biological systems, and has the potential to rapidly accelerate the pace of discovery. From agentic AI to AGI Owkins next frontier: Unlocking the immune system with agentic AI Agentic AI has already begun pushing the boundaries of whats possible in biology, but the next frontier lies in fully decoding one of the most complex and crucial systems in human health: the immune system. Owkin is building the foundations for an advanced form of intelligencean AGIcapable of understanding the immune system in unprecedented detail. The next evolution of our AI ecosystem, called Owkin K, could redefine how we understand, detect, and treat immune-related diseases like cancer and immuno-inflammatory disorders. Owkin K envisions a coordinated community of specialized AI agents that can autonomously access and interpret comprehensive scientific literature, large-scale biomedical data, and tap into the power of Owkins discovery engines. These agents are capable of planning and executing experiments in fully automated, robotized wet labs, where patient-derived organoids simulate real-world human biology. The results of these experiments feed back into the system, enabling continuous learning and refinement of the AI agents models. What makes Owkin K particularly exciting is its potential to tackle the immune systema biological network so complex that human intelligence alone has struggled to unravel it. By deploying AI agents with the ability to explore this intricate web autonomously, the project could reveal new therapeutic targets and strategies for immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases, potentially accelerating the development of groundbreaking treatments. Navigating challenges and ethical considerations of agentic AI Of course, such powerful technology comes with significant challenges and ethical considerations, including trust, security, and transparency. But we must tackle these challenges as agentic AI becomes more integrated into healthcare and research. For example, we can develop mitigation plans that include rigorous validation protocols, real-time human oversight, and regulatory frameworks designed to ensure safety, accountability, and transparency. By prioritizing ethical design and close collaboration between AI systems and human experts, we can harness the potential of agentic AI while minimizing its risks. The future of biological research with agentic AI Agentic AI has the potential to reshape not just healthcare, but the very foundations of biological research. By allowing autonomous systems to explore the unknown, we may unlock new levels of understanding in areas like immunology, neuroscience, and genomicsfields that are currently constrained by the limits of human comprehension. We could soon see a world where AI-driven labs operate around the clock, pushing the boundaries of biology at speeds and scales that far exceed human capabilities. This would not only accelerate scientific discovery but also create new possibilities for personalized medicine, disease prevention, and even longevity. In the end, agentic AI may be more than just another tool for researchers. It could be the key to understanding life itselfone autonomous decision at a time. Davide Mantiero, PhD, Eric Durand, PhD, and Darius Meadon also contributed to this article. This content was produced by Owkin. It was not written by MIT Technology Reviews editorial staff.

This is today's edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology. The AI lab waging a guerrilla war over exploitative AI Back in 2022, the tech community was buzzing over image-generating AI models, such as Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and OpenAIs DALL-E 2, which could follow simple word prompts to depict fantasylands or whimsical chairs made of avocados. But artists saw this technological wonder as a new kind of theft. They felt the models were effectively stealing and replacing their work. Ben Zhao, a computer security researcher at the University of Chicago, was listening. He and his colleagues have built arguably the most prominent weapons in an artists arsenal against nonconsensual AI scraping: two tools called Glaze and Nightshade that add barely perceptible perturbations to an images pixels so that machine-learning models cannot read them properly.But Zhao sees the tools as part of a battle to slowly tilt the balance of power from large corporations back to individual creators. Read the full story. Melissa Heikkil Have we entered the golden age of plant engineering? In the 1960s, biologists selective breeding of plants helped spark a period of transformative agricultural innovation known as the Green Revolution. By the 1990s, the yields of wheat and rice had doubled worldwide, staving off bouts of recurring famine. The Green Revolution was so successful that dire predictions of worse famine to comefueled by alarming population growthno longer seemed likely. But it had its limitsonly so much yield could be coaxed from plants using conventional breeding techniques. Now, more precise gene-editing technologies could shave years off the time it takes for new plant varieties to make it from the lab to federally approved seed products. Read the full story. Bill Gourgey This piece is from the latest print issue of MIT Technology Review, which is all about the weird and wonderful world of food. If you dont already, subscribe to receive future copies once they land. MIT Technology Review Narrated: Is robotics about to have its own ChatGPT moment? Robots that can do many of the things humans do in the home have been a dream of robotics research since the inception of the field in the 1950s. While engineers have made great progress in getting robots to work in tightly controlled environments like labs and factories, the home has proved difficult to design for. But now, the field is at an inflection point. A new generation of researchers believes that generative AI could give robots the ability to learn new skills and adapt to new environments faster than ever before. This new approach, just maybe, can finally bring robots out of the factory and into the mainstream. This is our latest story to be turned into a MIT Technology Review Narrated podcast, which were publishing each week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Just navigate to MIT Technology Review Narrated on either platform, and follow us to get all our new content as its released. The must-reads Ive combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 Donald Trump wants Elon Musk to maximize government efficiency Despite claiming to be a department, technically its more of an advisory board. (Wired $)+ It will allegedly operate outside of the federal government. (WSJ $)+ Expect Musk to treat the US government like his loss-making social network. (Bloomberg $)2 The crypto industry has already started lobbying Trump Executives are wasting no time in presenting the President-elect with their wish lists. (NYT $)+ Were witnessing the industrys nascent attempts to make itself institutional. (NY Mag $)+ The Trump Pump is showing no signs of slowing. (CNN)3 Advertisers are considering staging a return to X In a bid to curry favor with Musk and his political leverage. (FT $)+ Silicon Valley is decidedly more Trump-friendly than it used to be. (Insider $)+ Bluesky is starting to look more and more appealing. (Slate $)4 Major AI players are struggling to make new breakthroughs Funneling money into new products isnt having the desired result. (Bloomberg $)5 The worlds e-waste is actually pretty valuable Theres a lot of gold to be stripped out from those old circuit boards. (Economist $)+AI will add to the e-waste problem. Heres what we can do about it. (MIT Technology Review) 6 DNA testing is ushering in a new age of discriminationAnd you could be denied medical or life insurance because of it. (The Atlantic $) + How to delete your 23andMe data. (MIT Technology Review)7 How to build the perfect humanoid robotUnfortunately, theyll be found in factories and warehouses before they make it to our homes. (IEEE Spectrum) + A skeptics guide to humanoid-robot videos. (MIT Technology Review)8 The US is using AI to seek out critical mineralsAccess to regular supplies could lessen its reliance on China and Russia. (Undark Magazine) + The race to produce rare earth elements. (MIT Technology Review)9 Apples AirTags can now share their location with airlines Which should (hopefully) minimize the chances of losing your luggage. (WP $)+ Its next device? An AI wall-mounted tablet, supposedly. (Bloomberg $)10 This new mathematics benchmark is being kept secret To prevent AI models from training against it. (Ars Technica)+ This AI system makes human tutors better at teaching children math. (MIT Technology Review)Quote of the day Dont bring a watermark to a gunfight. AI researcher Oren Etzioni warns the industry to avoid putting too much faith in voluntary standards to actively prevent malicious actors from gaming the system, TechCrunch reports. The big story The great AI consciousness conundrum October 2023 AI consciousness isnt just a devilishly tricky intellectual puzzle; its a morally weighty problem with potentially dire consequences that philosophers, cognitive scientists, and engineers alike are currently grappling with. Fail to identify a conscious AI, and you might unintentionally subjugate a being whose interests ought to matter. Mistake an unconscious AI for a conscious one, and you risk compromising human safety and happiness for the sake of an unthinking, unfeeling hunk of silicon and code. Over the past few decades, a small research community has doggedly attacked the question of what consciousness is and how it works. The effort has yielded real progress. And now, with the rapid advance of AI technology, these insights could offer our only guide to the untested, morally fraught waters of artificial consciousness. Read the full story. Grace Huckins We can still have nice things A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or tweet 'em at me.) + Small changes can improve your life, from debobbling your clothes to oiling your keyholes.+ Woah: these fascinating deep sea creatures can turn back the clock on aging and revert to a more youthful form.+ TikTok is really into onions. Yes, onions. + As if filmmaking wasnt stressful enough, these movies were all completed in a single take.

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Deond, the studio co-founded by Ross Lovegrove and Ila Colombo, has designed an installation wrapped by three dimensional corrugated cardboards referencing " the rough, spiky seed of nature" in Dubai.The installation, named Enfold Pavilion, was showcased at the Dubai Design District (d3) during Dubai Design Week from November 5th to 10th, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.With an AI-infused "second skin" fabric that reacts to the state of the body, the installation delves into the idea of phy-gital therapy. It seamlessly blends the digital and physical worlds to produce a profoundly immersive experience.Established in 2023, Deond is a multidisciplinary practice that combines innovative vision with state-of-the-art knowledge. In order to promote a sustainable coexistence between the built and natural environments, they combine advanced manufacturing, interactive installations, and architecture in their pursuit of creating environments that are beautiful, useful, and sustainable.With an exterior that alludes to the coarse, spiky seed of nature and a calming, regenerative core inside, the installation is a perfect example of biomimicry in design. Its overall circular shape represents the holistic embrace that connects technology, body, and mind in a continuous sense of enclosure.Soft, natural light can enter the room through the perforated roof, which varies in size and density. The intensity of the light changes as the sun moves across the sky. In keeping with the exhibition's dedication to sustainability, the entire structure and finish are made of corrugated cardboard.The so-called phy-gital display, a volumetric 3D podium, is located inside the pavilion. It is made up of two digital screens that are integrated into the architectural skin of the pavilion and a group of transparent reflective wires.When the HUG (Holistic Unified Garment) bodysuit is viewed from a particular angle, the collection of wires creates a seamless, flowing garment.The volumetric garment can float and interact with the light thanks to this creative suspension system, which eliminates the need for large supporting materials and improves the conceptual and visual coherence of the body, technology, and space.Deond, HUG Holistic Unified Garment. Image DeondThe HUG bodysuit imagines new kinds of speculative tools that could help treat anxiety and de-accelerate the mind and body by fusing Eastern treatment methods with Western approaches to science and technology.The clothing stimulates the body's triggering points and imitates natural shapes using Al and 3D design tools.Deond investigates the potential advantages for both people and the ecosystem as a whole if the dichotomy of "Body as Machine/Body as Garden" were to vanish."Body as Machine is an idea developed in the West that attempts to prioritise technological acceleration and considers a body as a vehicle that doesnt know its limitations," said Ila Colombo & Deff Collective. "Body as Garden" enhances self-regulatory capacity. This perspective is nourished in the East, where the body is not viewed as a vehicle with many separate parts, but a whole a holistic environment.""What if technological acceleration could give us a chance to become closer to nature - to return to what has been neglected and forgotten? How can we envision embedded devices that prevent physical anxiety, acting as a protective, healing second skin? How should we merge technology and nature to bridge?," they added.Project factsProject name:Enfold: The Holistic Embrace of Body and TechnologyDesign by:Deond (Ross Lovegrove and Ila Colombo)Creative and Art Direction:Ila ColomboLocation:Dubai Design District (d3), Near the UAE flag, front facing the road between building 9-10Bodysuit garment sponsor:StratasysDigital content:Deff collectiveAll images Deed Studiounless otherwise stated.> via Deond

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The Trkiye Pavilion has announced the project and curators for the19thInternationalArchitectureExhibitionof the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennalein Venice, Italy.Commissioned bytheIstanbulFoundationforCultureandArts(IKSV), the exhibition, titled Grounded,curatedby Istanbul-based curatorCerenErdemand Berlin-based architectBilgeKalfa.The 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale will take place fromMay10 to November23 November 2025 at the Giardini, the Arsenale and various venues in Venice.TitledIntelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective, the exhibition will be curated by Carlo Ratti, an architect and engineer, Carlo Ratti is currently holding teaching positions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and at the Politecnico di Milano.Ceren Erdem, Bilge Kalfa. Image courtesy of theIstanbulFoundationforCultureandArtsAfter evaluating 48 projects, the Selection Committeewhich included Melike Altnk, N. Mge Cengizkan, Prof. Dr. Zeynep elik, Oral Gkta, and Dr. Sait Ali Kknarselected Grounded, which was curated by Ceren Erdem and Bilge Kalfa, from a shortlist of three finalists, each of whom was noteworthy for its distinctive design concepts and content.Grounded examines soil as a living archive, an ecosystem, a form of natural intelligence, a supportive model, and a repository of ecological and cultural memory.The project was selected because of its creative research proposal, which seeks to unearth fresh optimism for the future, primarily from Trkiye, while integrating significant artistic perspectives in an interdisciplinary approach that enhances its story, advances global understanding, and stimulates critical thinking.By highlighting the qualities of soil as a source of life, memory, and knowledge, Grounded will establish a connection between the past and the future.The Pavilion of Trkiye, Ghost Stories: Carrier Bag Theory of Architecture. Image Rachele MaistrelloThe exhibition's main goal is to remind us that this object, which is sometimes dismissed as inert and unimportant, actually holds important knowledge about historical civilizations, ecological systems, and the potential for coexisting peacefully with the natural world. It will do this through sensory experiences, scientific documentation, architecture, and artwork.Grounded will combine new research with traditional building techniques with the soil, as well as future visions that value life both above and below the soil equally.With the help of 21 sponsors and the purchase of the permanent location at Sale d'Armi, Arsenale, at the initiative of IKSV, the Trkiye Pavilion has participated in the International Architecture Exhibition since 2014.Ceren Erdem is an Istanbul-based curator who has worked on exhibitions and publications internationally. Some of her projects include Tack, Limb, Ilizarov, Depo, Istanbul (2023); All Else Is Far (2021) and Ad Infinitum (2019), Dirimart, Istanbul; Inverse Grayscale, Pasinger Fabrik, Munich (2016); Istanbul. Passion, Joy, Fury, Fondazione MAXXI, Rome (2015); Water Knows All My Secrets, Pratt Manhattan Gallery (2015) and Private Matters, apexart (2014), New York.Erdem has taken full-time roles at Dirimart, Istanbul, Tina Kim Gallery, New York, British Council Turkey, Istanbul, and Istanbul Biennial.The Pavilion of Trkiye, Ghost Stories: Carrier Bag Theory of Architecture. Image Rachele MaistrelloErdem received her Master's Degree in Modern Art: Critical and Curatorial Studies at Columbia University, New York, MFA in Visual Arts - Visual Communication Design at Sabanc University, Istanbul, and BSc in Industrial Product Design at Istanbul Technical University.Bilge Kalfa is an architect who owns Bilge Kalfa Architecture and is an adjunct professor at Berlin International University. In addition to furniture design that emphasizes natural, cyclical materials, Kalfa's expertise encompasses all stages of architectural and interior design.A graduate of Istanbul Technical Universitys Faculty of Architecture with a bachelors and masters degree, she also co-owns The Keep, an artisanal rug company. In 2010, she received a national architectural prize for the group project mkanmekan. She has completed numerous projects in Istanbul and Berlin, including the renowned Moda Sahnesi and Theater Hall at Boazii University, with her former business partner. Her approach aims to honour the interconnectedness of life and the environment as much as possible.At the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023, the Trkiye Pavilion hosted the exhibition, titled Ghost Stories: Carrier Bag Theory of Architecture curated by Istanbul-based architecture studio SO?, co-founded by Sevince Bayrak and Oral Gkta. The exhibition aimed "to question the taken-for-granted images and approaches to buildings and to reveal hopeful proposals for the future."Top image: The Pavilion of Trkiye, Ghost Stories: Carrier Bag Theory of Architecture. Image Rachele Maistrello.> via IKSV

The National Trust for Scotland plans to reopen historic cottage to the public in 2025Source: Ben AddySource: Ben AddySource: Ben AddySource: Ben AddySource: Ben AddySource: Ben AddySource: Ben AddySource: Ben Addy1/8show captionMoxon Architects has restored the Royal Picnic Cottage on the Mar Lodge Estate, a property once frequented by Queen Victoria during her Balmoral holidays.Situated within Britains largest National Nature Reserve, the project aims to safeguard this Category C listed structure for future generations. Originally built around 1850, the granite cottage has been removed from Scotlands Buildings at Risk Register following conservation efforts.The restoration used locally sourced materials and revived the cottages original architectural elements, including timber twig detailing and larch roof shingles, a rarity in Scotland.Andrew MacPherson, director of Moxon Architects, stated, As an architecture practice deeply invested in the regions heritage, we have proudly worked with The National Trust for Scotland to preserve a significant piece of local heritage on the Mar Lodge Estate. He added that the approach was one of minimal yet durable interventions to withstand the remote and challenging climate.Structural repairs included lime mortar repointing, harling of the walls, and the installation of conservation rooflights. The interior now features new timber flooring and restored fireplaces, with original roof timbers hand-oiled to a dark finish. Historic survey drawings helped guide the sympathetic reinstatement of the wooden porch, once a prominent feature of the cottage.Source: Ben AddySource: Ben Addy1/2show captionDavid Frew, Head of Mar Lodge Estate for the National Trust for Scotland, noted the cottages historical significance: Our archival research and archaeological survey showed that there used to be a porch on the property, and we have tried to reinstate this sympathetically with the help of our architects Moxon.He also highlighted the propertys royal connection, stating, The building is a fascinating look back at how the royals used to spend their free time, and were incredibly proud to see it restored.Set to reopen in 2025, the cottage will feature informational displays and custom furniture, inviting visitors to experience its 19th-century character amidst the surrounding woodland. The restoration was supported by funding from the NTS USA Foundation.

Nicholas Boys Smith has said the governments decision to shut down the Office for Place risks ministers marking their own homework on housing design.Yesterday housing minister Matthew Pennycook announced the arms length body would be scrapped, arguing its role could be more effectively and efficiently delivered within the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).Source: Tom CampbellOffice for Place interim chair Nicholas Boys SmithSet up in July 2021 by former housing secretary Robert Jenrick, the Office for Place was tasked with ensuring quality design in new housing projects and driving the adoption of design codes by local authorities.Transformed into an independent body in July last year with plans for a head office in Stoke on Trent, it was envisaged as an enabler for the governments house building targets by promoting public consent for new schemes.Boys Smith, the founder of Create Streets and the interim chair of Office for Place, said the decision to close the body was a mistake and questioned whether the drive for quality in planning policy would be lost.He said: Naturally I am hugely disappointed by this news and think that it is a mistake or I would not have set it up. In the, correct dash for quantity there needs to be an independent voice for quality. Will that voice now be lost within Whitehall? We will find out. I hope not.> Also read:Office for Place seeks permanent chief executive and new Stoke-on-Trent headquartersBoys Smith added that it was a huge sadness that the organisation would not be able to set up its planned office in Stoke on Trent. Other staff on its board included classicist architect Robert Adam and AHMM co founder Paul Monaghan.The body was planning to publish an annual review into place-making and regenerative developments across England which would assess how many councils had adopted design codes, and how successful they were in enabling more housebuilding with public consent.Boys Smith said: Will the Government still publish [the review]? Is there a risk of them marking their own homework?While he admitted the Office for Place did not have a magic wand to speed up the delivery of more homes, he said its role was to drive efficiency by promoting clearer, more visual and more clearly locally popular local policy to permit more homes with more public consent.Pennycook said the decision to close the body had been taken by himself and housing secretary Angela Rayner following last months autumn Budget and the re-setting of departmental budgets.He insisted the move did not mean the government was not downgrading the importance of good design and placemaking, or the role of design coding in improving the quality of development.Instead, he promised it would draw the bodys expertise into MHCLG and fully integrate good design and placemaking into the governments planning reforms.I also believe that embedding this work within MHCLG will allow experience to be better reflected in decision-making, as well as integrated within an existing delivery team in Homes England already focused on design and placemaking, Pennycook said.The decision was also criticised by Jenrick, who said by ditching the building beautiful agenda, Labour would reduce consent for new housing and ruin the character of communities.His comments were backed byMichael Gove, Jenricks successor as housing secretary under the previous Conservative government, who said on X that Jenrick hadput beauty at the heart of the case for new development, adding The Office for Place - a centre of architectural excellence - was central to that. I do hope ministers think again.What Nicholas Boys Smith said on the decision to close the Office for PlaceNye Bevan said that While we shall be judged for a year or two by the number of houses we build.we shall be judged in 10 years time by the type of houses we build.We set up the Office was Place to be independent, non-partisan and broadly based. For example, when I started the process, the then Chief Executive of the Power to Change fund, and now deputy chief of staff to Sir Keir Starmer, kindly served as my deputy chair.Naturally I am hugely disappointed by this news and think that it is a mistake or I would not have set it up. In the, correct, dash for quantity there needs to be an independent voice for quality. Will that voice now be lost within Whitehall? We will find out. I hope not.I guess my job now is to keep asking the questions.The Office for Place was going to publish an annual review into place-making and beautiful and regenerative development across England. How many councils have visual design codes and pattern books in place? Are they authority-wide? Can they demonstrate that they are locally popular? Are they linked to fast-track development to help us build more homes with public consent? Are the codes making it possible for attractive intensification of existing streets? Above all, is the publics confidence growing in our ability to create new homes and places without scarring existing neighbourhoods?Will the Government still publish this? Is there a risk of them marking their own homework?No one disagrees that we are going to need to many more homes. The most common request from councils is for more staff. This is not surprising given the highly discretionary and inefficient way we have ended up running our planning system. The Office for Place did not have a magic wand to fix this. But the Government doesnt have one of those either. We were designing the Office for Place as a force multiplier, helping move the democracy forward and work smarter by setting clearer, more visual and more clearly locally popular local policy to permit more homes with more public consent. This means that each individual planning application can be handled more efficiently without losing public good will.If you like, we were trying to help not just force more development water down the planning pipe but to widen the pipe.I wish the new government well in their important work. I am delighted that they are keeping important hooks in the planning system for beautiful and popular place-making. But will those hooks be enough without a small body committed to supporting councils put them into practice with enabling and popular local plans? We are going to find out.Above all I would like to thank my marvellous board, our expert advisors and the brilliant officials who supported us tirelessly. I am so pleased that they will be able to move to new roles. We also had plans to bring in national expertise to support the regenerative development of our home, Stoke on Trent. It is a huge sadness to me that we will not now be able to put those into action.I can only apologise to those in the place-making industry that our attempt to create a small, independent and powerful voice for the importance of place within governmenthashit the buffers. One day we willgetthere. And the mission to create new places and steward existing places to be happy and healthy, resilient and beautiful is never-ending.

The AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards celebrate architectural expertise and ingenuity in the physical and environmental adaptation and upgrade of buildings, and the reuse of building materials and structure in response to the climate emergency and changing requirements of use.The awards (formerly the AJ Retrofit Awards) were retrofitted themselves last year brought up to date with the introduction of brand-new categories, which the AJ adapted with the help of industry experts to make more appropriate to the discussion surrounding repurposing and renovating existing buildings.These range from adaptive reuse to positive addition, to decarbonisation and net zero. The 15 categories are listed below.AdvertisementAt this years inaugural awards held last September all shortlisted practices were able to present their projects to a panel of judges. This will be repeated in 2025.The awards saw Scottish practices coming out strong. Glasgow-based ODonnellBrown won top prize Retrofit of the Year for its Glasgow defurb of New Olympia House. The sensitive 1.7 million scheme has transformed a former Salvation Army Citadel in Bridgeton into 280m2 of commercial office space, announced on the streetscape by a sculptural metal entrance tower. Source: David BarbourNew Olympia House by O'DonnellBrownThe AJs editorial team said that the overhaul ticked all the boxes of what a good adaptive reuse should be: making careful interventions while improving the sustainability and lifespan of a building but, above all, creating something special for the community.Glasgow and Leeds-based practice Page\Park won the 2024 Practice of the Year accolade for its excellence in conservation and adaption of existing buildings, while Client of the Year was awarded to Historic England for pushing hard for over 15 years for the repair and transformation of the worlds first iron-framed building Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings into a social enterprise hub and leisure destination and in doing so creating a flagship heritage regeneration project.Have a retrofit project that similarly fits the bill? The deadline for entries is 7 February 2025 and your project must have completed between 1 July 2023 and 31 January 2025 (except for the Retrofit revisited and Future reuse categories).AdvertisementThe awards ceremony will be hosted again at The Brewery, London, on Wednesday 10 September 2025, the same day as AJ Retrofit Live. More details and entry requirements can be found here.AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards 2025 categoriesAdaptive reuse into mixed use The conversion and repurposing of an existing building to multiple uses other than that for which it was originally built.Adaptive reuse into office The conversion and repurposing of an existing building to a new use that must include workspace. The new use must differ to that for which it was originally built.Adaptive reuse into residential The conversion and repurposing of an existing building to a new use that must include housing. The new use must differ from that for which it was originally built. Excludes one-off houses.Adaptive reuse into other The conversion and repurposing of an existing building to a single use other than office or residential and other than that for which it was originally built.Climate resilience and adaptation Projects with a focus on adaptations/additions intended to deal with or mitigate environmental change and weather extremes. Can be adaptions to both/either built fabric or landscaping including increased shading, incorporation of green roofs, landscaping SuDS strategies etc.Conservation and historic The restoration or careful upgrade of ancient, historic or listed buildings and structures.Decarbonisation and net zero Projects involving the environmental upgrade of fabric and services of large or multi-occupancy buildings or multiple buildings across a property portfolio OR data-driven projects that have specifically or demonstrably targeted net zero benchmarks during their upgrade in anticipation of the grid becoming decarbonised. For example: council schemes to upgrade and electrify housing stock etc.Deconstruction and reuse New-build or retrofit projects demonstrating circularity and the reuse of building components, materials and structural elements from previous buildings. For example, reclaimed doors or flooring. Excludes reuse of a stripped-back concrete frame alone.Fit-out Projects focused on the rework and refresh of interior spaces, including shop and commercial fit-outs, employing low-carbon and circular economy principles.Future reuse Planned and future projects on the drawing board, particularly those looking to push the envelope in terms of retrofit and reuse.Meanwhile and grassroots Neighbourhood-based and community-initiated and/or led projects, or temporary retrofit projects for meanwhile use in anticipation of a larger retrofit scheme.Positive addition Projects that include new build adjoining an old/existing element. Must involve the renovation of the existing as well as a new-build addition that together extend the useful life of the whole. The existing needs to be larger in m2 than the new-build element. Excludes domestic projects.Private/individual renovation From domestic renovations and home extensions to other personal projects designed to improve private houses or properties.Project under 800,000 Retrofit on a budget and for smaller renovation or adaptive reuse projects.Retrofit revisited Open to retrofits over five years old, celebrating proven long-life/long-lasting projects. Can include projects that have previously been entered for an AJ Retrofit Award. Projects must have been completed before January 2020.

The AJ100 practice is drawing up a fresh masterplan to overhaul Croydons Whitgift shopping centre, Centrale shopping centre, and the surrounding town centre for site owner Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW).URW, which also owns Westfield Stratford and Westfield Sheppard's Bush, said yesterday (12 November) that a mixed-used, residential-led scheme would replace Allies and Morrisons original vision which featured a large shopping centre.That masterplan, which won consent in 2013, was never delivered. Last year the AJ reported last year that firms including KPF were being considered to lead on a new masterplan for the same site.AdvertisementHowever Allies and Morrison has been officially unveiled as the design lead and its revised masterplan will focus on delivering housing and pedestrian-friendly public spaces to create a more sustainable and better-connected town centre, URW says. The development could also include shops and cultural uses.Proposed housing tenures will include market sale, build-to-rent, student, co-living, and supported housing. No numbers have been put on the homes set to feature in the scheme.A consultation runs until 29 November to seek public views on the emerging plans for the 10.5ha site, which has now been branded The North End Quarter masterplan,Allies and Morrison partner Paul Eaton said: The masterplan framework focuses on revitalising the centre of Croydon; transforming it with green pedestrian-friendly routes and public spaces, high-quality homes and thriving retail and community spaces.URW chief operating officer Scott Parsons added that the new vision will drive major positive change, establishing a thriving heart of Croydon that is inclusive and welcoming for all.AdvertisementWe know there is a strong desire from residents, businesses and stakeholders to see progress in the town and our goal is to harness Croydons creativity, youth and connectivity to develop a scheme that leverages its strengths with a diverse economy across retail, finance, community and the arts.Speaking to the AJ last year, Parsons said URWs vision for the site would be much more focused on the sustainability side of things and include more retrofitting of existing structures, while avoiding this big Deathstar-type inward-looking Westfield thats all singing, all dancing.He added: Were looking at the whole of the Croydon estate and have structural engineers and specialist advisers on board to look at what we can repurpose and what can be adapted and reused [and] It will be a phenomenal mixed-use development opportunity but it will happen in a much more organic and feasible way rather than just getting the wrecking ball out.In May last year, URW took full ownership of the site after buying out its 50 per cent joint venture partner Hammerson, which once had its own Terry Farrell-designed scheme to regenerate Croydon.Plans for Croydon town have been in limbo for almost a decade. A previous 1.4 billion plan drawn up by Leonard Design Architects was axed in 2021 after Croydon Council deemed it no longer appropriate.Croydons mayor, Jason Perry, said of the new masterplan: The regeneration of Croydon town centre remains a top priority, and we have been working closely with URW so that our vision for the future of Croydon is aligned with the plans they are consulting on.

If you've had your Gmail account for years, there's a good chance that you havethousands ofunread messages. If you're close to using up your15GB of free storage, you've probably tried to delete some spammy emails or unsubscribe to those newsletters you stopped reading. But if the idea of cleaning out your Gmail inboxfills you with dread, and you don't want to start paying for extra storage, read on: We'll show you how to get your account back to inbox zero while keeping all your old email.All you need to do is create a second Gmail account to store all of your current messages. There's no restriction on the number of free Google accounts you can own, which means you can set one up as a dedicated archive account, and then transfer all your old emails to it.Transferring your Gmail messages is also a great strategy if you have a school or business Gmail account that you won't be able to access permanently. Most universities and businesses will deactivate your account once you are no longer a student or employee, so if you want to view your old messages and files, you'll have to port them to a personal account before you lose access.Completing the whole process of transferring your Gmail messages to a new account doesn't take too long, but it will depend on just how many messages you have. We'll walk you through the simple process of transferring your emails from your old account to a new one (including the important step of backing everything up first).For more about Gmail, learn about its new AI summaries or how to use emoji reactions. How much data can you store on Gmail?Fifteen gigabytes of free storage may sound like a lot when you make a Gmail account, but it gets filled up quickly. For starters, the 15GB isn't just used for email: It also includes the files you've saved in your Google Drive and Google Photos.If you frequently send or receive messages that contain large files such as videos, or if you find yourself uploading a lot of pictures and videos to your Google Photos, then it won't be long before you'll see the "Account storage is full" notification. This means that you will no longer be able to send or receive emails on this account, so you'll want to do something ASAP. The quickest solution is to upgrade to a Google One account. Even if you opt for the least expensive plan -- 100GB for $20 a year -- you'll still end up paying money to store old emails that you might not even need anymore.If you don't want to buy more storage, you can always delete your old emails. You can get back a surprising amount of storage space by putting large files in the trash. Gmail makes it easy for you to identify and delete files by size. Even so, that option might seem tedious; maybe you don't want to spend hours sifting through correspondence from a decade or more ago, deciding which memories to keep and which to get rid of forever.There's always the option to download large files to your desktop before you delete them from your Google account, but at some point, you'll probably run into the same issue with your local files and have to manage the storage space on your device.This brings us to our "nuclear option:" Transferring all your emails to a new Gmail account.How to transfer your Gmail messages to a new email accountBefore you start the Gmail transfer process, we recommend that you back up your emails. You can do this by downloading your emails either to your computer or an external hard drive. You can delete the backup after you finish transferring the emails to your new account if you like, but it's always a good idea to have an extra copy stored locally.To back up your Gmail messages, go to Google Takeout. Using our test Gmail account that held about 75,000 messages, we got a download from Google Takeout in about 2 hours.Once you've saved a copy of your emails, you're ready to begin transferring them. Here are the steps you need to take:1. Start by logging into your original Gmail account, clicking the "gear" icon in the top right and clicking See all settings.2.Select the Forwarding POP/IMAP tab, and then select the option Enable POP for all mail (POP stands for Post Office Protocol).3.You'll have several options under When messages are accessed with POP. To automatically delete the emails from your original account after the transfer, select delete Gmail's copy.4.Select Save Changes. Now it's time to create your new account and transfer all your messages there:If you haven't already done so, create your brand new, inbox-zero Gmail account -- we'll call this your archive account.1. Login to your new archive account, click the gear icon at the top and select See all settings.2.Select the Accounts and Import tab at the top, and then select Add a mail account next to Check mail from other accounts.3.In the pop-up window, enter in the name of your original Gmail account. Select Next.4.Select Import emails from my other account (POP3), andNext again.5.Enter the password of your original Gmail account. You might also be required to create a Google app password (see note below).6.Select 995 under Port.7.Check these 3 boxes:Always use a secure connection (SSL) when retrieving mail, Label incoming messages,Archive incoming messages (Skip the Inbox)8.Select Add Account. You'll probably need to create a Google app password to transfer Gmail messagesWe tested this Gmail message transfer process twice, and both times the standard password for the Gmail accounts did not work. After a bit of research, we determined that we'd need to create a temporary "app password" to sync the accounts.Google app passwords are 16-digit passcodes created for "less secure" apps or devices to access your Google account. They work exactly like your Google password.If your regular Google password doesn't work for syncing Gmail accounts, visit https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords to create an app password. Simply create a name for the password -- we used "Transfer Bulk Email" -- and then hit the Create button. You'll get a pop-up window with your new 16-digit passcode. Once you've created the app password, return to step 6 of the instructions above and use that new app password instead of your usual password.Important: Google will only display your app password once. After you've created it, you can't ask to see it again, so be sure to write it down or otherwise record it after it's been created.Google's own Help Center mentions that "app passwords aren't recommended and are unnecessary in most cases." So once you're done transferring your Gmail messages, we recommend deleting your app password.What happens after my Gmail accounts are synced?Once you've successfully linked your new Gmail archive account to your original account, your emails should begin to transfer automatically. The process could take several hours or days, depending on how many emails you have.In our test account with about 75,000 messages, we found that it took Gmail about 2 full days to transfer all of them from the original account to the new archived mail account.Important: After transferring your Gmail messages to your archived mail account, your original Gmail account will place all those messages in the Trash folder, which you'll need to empty manually. Clearing out those 75,000 messages from the Trash took about an hour. Before transferring Gmail messages, our test account was using a little more than 12GB, or 80%, of Google's free 15GB. After transferring, the account was only using 0.66GB, of which 0.06GB was from Gmail.What Gmail messages won't be transferred?We found that Gmail transferred all of our messages except for two categories -- Drafts and Spam.You'll need to decide what to do with your Drafts manually. Spam messages are automatically deleted every 30 days, so you can let Gmail handle that, or go into the Spam folder yourself after transferring your mail and delete or forward those messages.Once all of your emails have been imported to your new account, enjoy the experience of inbox zero. You've given your original account a new lease on life.At this point, there are two last steps: you'll want to stop the automatic transfer process so that you can continue using your original account, and you'll want to delete that app password if you had to make one.1.Login to your new account, go into your Settings and select See all settings.2.Select the Accounts and Import tab, and then select delete for your original account (under Check mail from other accounts.)3.When prompted to Confirm delete mail account, select OK.If you had to create a Google app password and want to delete it now, go back to https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords and click the trashcan icon next to the password you created.Congrats, you're done.One important final note: Google will delete accounts that have been inactive for more than two years. So make sure you don't completely ignore all your old emails after transferring them. If you don't plan to regularly use your archive account to send email, you can still keep the account active by signing in at least once every two years.

It's not Thanksgiving yet, but holiday deals are already heating up, with many merchants releasing big savings on kitchen, home, electronics, and other items you may be hunting for as gifts -- or for yourself. Check out amazing deals from our partners below, which will be updated throughout the holiday season.And don't miss CNET's 100 Days of Holiday, our ultimate guide to the holiday season, for more incredible deals and gift guides for everyone on your list.Early holiday deals to jump on now QVC Keep this one on the counter. Enjoy fluffy Belgian waffles with a crisp finish -- every time -- with the Ninja Waffle Maker Pro. The space-saving vertical design is engineered to heat evenly for consistent results, and it's nonstick for easy cleanup. Plus, with five shade settings, everyone in the fam gets the waffle they want. Pass the syrup, please! See at QVC Dreame/CNET Dreame Technology's new state-of-the-art robot vacuum, the X40 Ultra, redefines clean living. With powerful suction, a fully automated cleaning station, an antitangle brush and intelligent mapping technology, it has never been easier to keep your home sparkling clean without ever having to get your hands dirty. Tackling your home's most stubborn cleaning challenges is just a few taps away with Dreame's Dreamehome app, which gives you personalized control over the X40 Ultra's many features, including:Extendable and liftable side brushHands-free base stationSmart mop and washboard cleaningMopExtend RoboSwing technology12,000Pa Vormax suctionOmniDirt detection technologyRemovable mop for carpet cleaningPrecision mopping strategy See at Amazon Mattress Firm Don't miss Mattress Firm's Black Friday sale! Get a king-sized mattress for the price of a queen, or queen for the price of a twin. Save up to $700, plus get a free adjustable base on select mattresses, up to a $499 value. See at Mattressfirm Getty Images/Tharon Green/CNET No Wi-Fi? No problem! Cellular service lines for your smartwatch or tablet are now half-off, or only $5 per month, on Go5G Next plans. See at T-Mobile Pair Eyewear Pair Eyewear's mixed material frames will elevate your Gen Z giftee's style. Available in gold with a black base and in silver with crystal clear base, they'll let you take Pair's customizability to the next level and even match your jewelry to your glasses. Designed with ease in mind, they're compatible with any top frames in the same base shape. And now you can get new limited-edition holiday collection toppers. These frames come in Pair's iconic Kirby, Murphy, Wanda, Larkin and Finley styles, combining sleek new metal temples with the same acetate front you already know and love. Your Gen Z giftee is sure to love it. $85 at Pair Eyewear MyQ From the living room to the kitchen to the busiest doors and your garage, MyQ helps you keep an eye on your home. Get tailored movement notifications guaranteeing you see real-time activity right from your phone. Revolutionize your home monitoring with a camera that doesn't just watch, it acts. Featuring exclusive MyQ Smart Secure technology, these cameras can automatically lock doors and close your garage, notifying you the moment it detects any person during predefined times. Use the exclusive codeCNET10for 10% off your order through Dec 31. See at MyQ Lectric The Lectric XP 3.0 is your gateway to an elevated and powerful adventure. It takes Lectric's award-winning XP 2.0 design to the next level, providing the company's best ride to date. A quieter motor, increased torque, hydraulic brakes, longevity boosters and added suspension are only a few of the many notable upgrades with this epic e-bike design. Best of all, brand-new optimized gearing makes riding at higher speeds smoother than ever before. The XP 3.0 is also compatible with fan-favorite new accessory options, including the Yepp Seat and a Passenger Package that can hold riders up to 150 pounds. $999 at Lectric E-Bikes AncestryDNA / CNET Surprise your loved ones with a personalized journey into their roots and a deeper understanding of their genetic traits. Uncover the untold stories of your origins and connections to living relatives. AncestryDNA doesn't just tell you which countries your DNA originates from, but can pinpoint specific regions within them. A meaningful gift that's priced just right. $39 at Ancestry See more deals at CNET's 100 Days of Holiday.