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Recorded on November 19, 2024 Whats Next for Mixed Reality: Glasses, Goggles, and More. Speakers: Mat Honan, Editor in Chief, and James O'Donnell, AI hardware reporter. We are barreling toward the next big consumer device category: smart glasses. After years of trying, augmented-reality specs are at last a thing. Facebook recently showed off its Orion smart glasses, and Snap has introduced its second-generation pair. The Pentagon is also working on mixed-reality headsets that can be used on the battlefield. Hear fromMIT Technology Revieweditor in chief Mat Honan and AI hardware reporter James ODonnell for a conversation about where our AR experiences are heading. Related Coverage

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. How the largest gathering of US police chiefs is talking about AI James ODonnell The International Association of Chiefs of Police bills itself as the largest gathering of its type in the United States. Leaders from many of the countrys 18,000 police departments and even some from abroad convene for product demos, discussions, parties, and awards. I went along last month to see how artificial intelligence was being discussed, and the message to police chiefs seemed crystal clear: If your department is slow to adopt AI, fix that now. From the expo hall, talks, and interviews, it seems theyre already enthusiastically heeding the call. Read the full story. This story is from The Algorithm, our weekly AI newsletter. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Monday. Roundtables: Whats Next for Mixed Reality: Glasses, Goggles, and More After years of trying, augmented-reality specs are at last a thing. If you want to learn more about where AR experiences are heading, join our editor-in-chief Mat Honan and AI hardware reporter James ODonnell for a Roundtables conversation streamed online at 2pm ET/11am PT today. Its for subscribers only but good news: this week our subscriptions are half price. Dont miss out! Read more about mixed reality: + We interviewed Palmer Luckey, founder of Oculus, about his plans to bring mixed-reality goggles to soldiers. Heres what he had to say. + The coolest thing about smart glasses is not the AR. Its the AI. + Snap has launched new augmented-reality Spectacles. Heres what we made of them. The must-reads Ive combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 The FBI is investigating threats texted to Latino and LGBTQ+ people They claim recipients will be deported or sent to a re-education camp. (WP$)+ ICE can already sidestep sanctuary city laws through data-sharing centers. (Wired$)+Trump has confirmed he plans to use the military for mass deportations.(NYT$)2 Chinese tech groups are building AI teams in Silicon Valley Despite Washingtons best efforts to stymie their work. (FT$)+How a US ban on investing in Chinese startups could escalate under Trump.(Wired$)3 How Apple will cope with looming tariffsThe fact CEO Tim Cook already has a relationship with Trump will surely help. (Bloomberg$)4 Two undersea cables in the Baltic Sea have been disrupted It looks like Russia is trying to interfere with global undersea infrastructure. (CNN)+A Russian spy ship had to be escorted out of the Irish Sea last weekend too.(The Guardian)5 An AI tool could help solve math problems humans are stuck onIts a good example of how blending human and machine intelligence can produce positive results. (New Scientist$)+This AI system makes human tutors better at teaching children math. (MIT Technology Review) 6 Robots still struggle to match warehouse workers on some tasks For all the advances robots have made, picking things up and moving them around remains a big challenge. (NYT$)+AI is poised to automate todays most mundane manual warehouse task.(MIT Technology Review)7 Perplexitys AI search engine can now buy stuff for you How long until Google follows? (The Verge)8 Dozens of states are begging Congress to pass the kids online safety actIt has currently stalled in the House of Representatives due to censorship concerns. (The Verge)+Roblox is adding more controls to let parents set daily usage limits, block access to certain game genres, and more.(WSJ$)+ Why child safety bills are popping up all over the US9 The US Patent and Trademark Office banned staff from using generative AIIt cited security concerns plus the fact some tools exhibit bias, unpredictability, and malicious behavior. (Wired$)10 NASA might have killed life on MarsA new paper suggests that adding water to Martian soil might have been a bad move. (Quartz$)+ The ISS has been leaking air for 5 years, and engineers still cant agree why.(Ars Technica)Quote of the day We are bleeding cash as an industry. Thomas Laffont, co-founder of investment firm Coatue Management, says venture capital firms are struggling to make money amid a boom in AI investments, theWall Street Journalreports.The big story How mobile money supercharged Kenyas sports betting addiction BRIAN OTIENO April 2022 Mobile money has mostly been hugely beneficial for Kenyans. But it has also turbo-charged the countrys sports betting sector. Experts and public figures across the African continent are sounding the alarm over the growth of the sector increasingly loudly. Its produced tales of riches, but it has also broken families, consumed college tuitions, and even driven some to suicide. Read the full story. Jonathan W. Rosen 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.) + I just learned a pertinent word for this season:abscission. + Only some people will getthis but if you're one of them, youll enjoy it.+ Why Late of the Pier were one of the mostexciting UK bandsof the 2000s.+ Whether you call them crisps or chips, theyre goddamndelicious.

Pearson House is part of The Foundation, a high-end retirement living project adjacent to Aucklands Domain. The villages first building, the Peddlethorp-designed Nathan Residences, opened to residents in October last year and work is currently underway on a second building, AbbottResidences.Pearson House colonnade.Image: SuppliedThe $17-million upgrade of the neo-Georgian Pearson House involved bringing the original colonnade back to life, linking the drawing room and a reading room and establishing a caf on the ground level. Upstairs has been redesigned to house a small cinema, billiard room, lounge, art studio, cardio studio and wellbeingsuite.The Foundation is a partnership betweenGenerus Living Group Limited and Foundation Properties Limited, the property-owning subsidiary of Blind Low Vision NZ, previously known as The Royal Foundation of the Blind. On completion in 2028, The Foundation will be home to an estimated 250 residents, with development costs at approximately $500million.Generus Living director Graham Wilkinson says Pearson House will serve as The Foundations private club. As a heritage property, Pearson House holds significant cultural value that represents a tangible link to the past. By undertaking conservation work, this remarkable property can bemaintained.Wilkinson says the company is committed to sustainable development and building villages which complement their natural surroundings. At The Foundation, contemporary buildings have been designed to complement the various adjacent historic buildings, including Pearson House and the JubileeBuilding.Interior designersMacintosh Harris have drawn inspiration from the neo-Georgian architecture of Pearson House in creating the richly textured interiors. I imagined how one would journey through the circulation spaces, and how that should be an uplifting experience, with bursts of light and colour along the journey, says Stewart Harris. This has been achieved with the use of colour, attention to lighting with crystals and chandeliers, and furniture inspired by the greats of 18th-century furniture makers. This, combined with selected wallcoverings and artworks, links the old with the new, creating a collection of the contemporary and thetraditional.Pearson House Maddington Room.Image: SuppliedSalmond Reed Architectsadvised on design development and the structural upgrading of Pearson House, particularly around seismic strengthening measures to determine more suitable solutions which were sympathetic to its heritagevalues.The buildings seismic upgrade involved removing four chimneys that penetrated through the roof plane, dissembling them and freighting the original bricks to Christchurch where they were slipped and reassembled onto lightweight, earthquake-safe chimneys, before being freighted back to Auckland and lifted back intoplace.Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taongasenior conservation architect Robin Byron says neo-Georgian architecture was favoured in New Zealand during the 1920s and 1930s. Pearson Houses purpose-built design by Gummer and Ford, one of the countrys top architectural firms, helped ensure the blind were a constant public presence in the city and resulted in a building valued for its contribution to the Aucklandlandscape.History of PearsonHousePearson House is named after publisher Sir Arthur Pearson, the founder of St Dunstans in the United Kingdom, a facility for the rehabilitation of serviceman blinded in the First World War(19141918).The building consists of a main block with two short wings, joined by an impressive front colonnade. The 50 men who lived there were housed in large dormitories and single rooms on the first floor. On the ground floor were dining and sitting rooms, one of which was often used for fundraising concerts. Easy access for the blind was an importantconsideration.The simple plan features one corridor at each main level with rooms adjoining. While some men lived there while receiving trade training, others were permanentresidents.The building was renamed in 1933 as a memorial to Sir Arthur Pearson and, until 1998, remained much the same as when first built, with the exception of the enclosure of thecolonnade.Pearson Housetimeline1890 Jubilee Institute for the Blind established1926 Pearson House completed1933 The building was renamed in 1933 as a memorial to Sir Arthur Pearson1982 Last resident moved out of Pearson House1983 Commercial space available to tenants. It was also head office to an entity called Bledisloe Estate Trust (BET), which subsequently became Foundation Properties Ltd. BET moved to the workshops building when Kaplan moved in 19981998 Converted to Kaplans International language school2024 Pearson House renovated by TheFoundation

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Los Angeles-based architecture practice Conner + Perry Architects has revealed a new Club James addition to Los Angeles iconic mid-century residence originally designed by John Lautner in the 1962.The development and completion of the accessory entertainment facility represents a fully collaborative effort between Goldstein and three design teams spanning nearly fifty years, which was initially envisioned by estate owner James Goldstein and renowned mid-century architect John Lautner.Club James: The newly completed accessory complex, Club James, emerges from the lush jungle landscape, its crystalline geometries playing against the surrounding wild flora and bright blue southern California skies. The infinity tennis court roof sits atop the canted glass enclosure of the office, which floats effortlessly above the lower terrace and poolConner + Perry Architects have unveiled the recently finished annex, Club James, at the Sheats-Goldstein Residence.The Sheats-Goldstein Residence, one of the most well-known mid-century homes in Los Angeles, is almost as iconic as the Hollywood sign itself.It has been praised by many in the fields of architecture and design and has appeared in countless movies, TV shows, fashion shows, and music videos.Club James Nightclub: Concrete seating with custom upholstered silver leather cushions surrounds the stainless-steel dance floor. The cantilevered DJ booth in the background is the control center for state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems that give the space a fully immersive nightclub experience. A portrait of owner Jim Goldstein in his iconic couture, shot by photographer Mikael Jansson, watches over the space near the main entryThe renowned Beverly Hills enclave has a lengthy and intricate construction history that started in 1962 with John Lautner and the Sheats family and continued with Lautner and current owner James Goldstein.Over the course of the last seven decades, the enclave has undergone numerous expansions and enhancements in partnership with three different architectural teams.Offices: Goldsteins office is located at the southwest corner of the building and features a unique canted frameless glass enclosure that heightens the dramatic sense of the space pushing out into the view beyond. A custom cantilevered concrete desk dominates the room providing a spectacular perch from which to look out on the city. Custom stainless-steel shelves and built-in concrete and leather cabinetry house basketball memorabilia and photographs of Goldstein with a variety of celebrity friends. Behind (Off-Camera, Right) are the offices of Goldsteins assistants, featuring glass clerestories and custom built-in concrete and leather office furnitureGoldstein worked with Conner + Perry Architects' Kristopher Conner and James Perry on the design, and since 2015, they have been in charge of the additions. Before that, the two collaborated as Project Architects with Lautner's associate and apprentice, Duncan Nicholson, who remained at the property after Lautner's passing in 1994.Adjacent to the original residence is Club James, the most recent development on the property. Because the planned hillside tennis court would require extensive construction, it was decided that the office and a new entertainment area should be housed beneath the new building.Club James Office: Behind the striking cantilevered concrete and stainless-steel desk of James Goldstein one looks out over the garden to the panoramic views of Los Angeles beyond as day breaks on the cityThe wood and cardboard model that hangs in the house today is a remnant of Lautner's original master plan, but Goldstein and Nicholson and then Conner + Perry Architects worked together to create the current Club James design.An entertainment area, a VIP room/library, offices for Goldstein and his staff, a movie screening room, an outdoor terrace with kitchen and dining amenities, a pool, and a spa were all added as the project progressed. Construction began in the early 2000s. The most recent outdoor terrace design by the current team was finished in 2023 and includes the main staircase, dining tables, locker room, pool, kitchen and BBQ areas, and restroom.Nightclub Bar: The clubs one-of-a-kind concrete bar cantilevers dramatically at one end pointing toward the hidden entry to the VIP Room/Library and Restrooms. In this image one can see the various treatments of each concrete surface. The floors are a pebble finish, matching the walking surfaces throughout the property both inside and out. The walls and vertical surfaces are board-formed with a 1-1/2 wide plank, a subtle variation of the wider plank utilized more sparingly in the original residence. The countertop is highly polished and waxed, as are all the other horizontal utility and seating surfaces. And the ceilings are board-formed but have been sand blasted to provide a subtler texture and expose more of the aggregate"The most rewarding aspect of this project is working with a client and patron like Jim who enjoys the process as much as the outcome and has the perseverance to pursue an architecture that will stand the test of time," said James Perry."It was a huge responsibility and an honor to take over the reins of this project and to be included in the lineage of amazing designers involved in the development and expansion of the property over the decades," added Kristopher Conner."It is a delicate balance to preserve and respect the genius of the original residence while developing designs that are in dialogue with it. We look at our work as an evolution of the visual language established by Lautner. The DNA of the house is there, but the expression is adapted to the environment and functions of the new spaces."Club James Office: View from inside the dynamic canted glass enclosure of the office looking east along the nightclub faade toward the lower terrace pool and lush vegetation surrounding the original residence beyond. Here you can see how the geometry and minimal frameless glass details give the sense of the interior pushing out into the open space beyondIn addition to creating these innovative and dynamic designs, Conner + Perry Architects is in charge of the original Sheats-Goldstein Residence's upkeep and restoration, as well as the James Turrell Skyspace installation "Above Horizon"s repairs and enhancements.Like Nicholson before them, Conner and Perry's designs seek to respect Lautner and Goldstein's architectural heritage by adhering to the principles of organic architecture, modifying fundamental concepts to suit new purposes, coming up with fresh details and forms, and designing areas that honor the human spirit's capacity for freedom.Club James: View from the lushly planted tropical garden pathway below, looking through the steel Arc sculpture by Bernar Venet, back up at Club James; with its hovering 100-foot-long concrete pool, cantilevered stair up to the nightclub and office level, and the infinity tennis court on the roof"The thing that differentiates this property from many other significant mid-century homes in LA is that it is not a static museum frozen in time or a private retreat," said Perry."It is full of life, with tours, and shoots, and events, all of which expose the public to this unique work of art; and it is alive in that it is continuously progressing and improving, with a lineage of three generations of architects and a team of consultants and trades people who make it all possible," Perry added.Lower Terrace Lounge: Built-in concrete seating with custom upholstered cushions wrapping around a cantilevered concrete table. The composition is emblematic of the firms design approach, adapting the visual language established on the project to new functions and contexts, continuing to blur the line between architecture and furnitureTo guarantee that this architectural gem and cultural icon will be conserved, accessible to the public, and able to inspire upcoming generations of designers, Goldstein has actually left the entire property, along with his extensive fashion and art collections, to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in an incredible act of philanthropy.Lower Terrace Formal Dining: Below the club and offices is the outdoor entertainment terrace, which features multiple dining areas each with dramatic concrete tables. The table in the formal dining area is an engineering marvel, its slender profile cantilevering approximately 11 feet in both directions from a single tapered center support"John Lautner's work is a radical advancement in his teacher Frank Lloyd Wright's search for a uniquely American architectural language; it is somehow both of its time and timeless, an expression of boundless optimism and freedom, an attempt to reconnect us to nature through an embrace of technological advancement with a deep appreciation of human craft," concluded Conner."The Sheats-Goldstein residence is one of the best examples of these pursuits, as Lautner was given the opportunity, the time, and the means to perfect the home over years of collaboration with Goldstein. James and I have had the privilege of continuing Lautner and Goldsteins work, while making our own unique contributions to the propertys legacy."Lower Terrace Restroom: Water cascades from the custom-fabricated cantilevering stainless-steel faucet into the all-glass sink as it is carried down the inside edge of the glass guardrail to a drain in the pebble finished concrete slab below. The sink is an homage to the Lautner-designed glass sink in the original residences primary bathroom, providing an unobstructed view into the lush tropical landscape beyondSheats-Goldstein Residence: The living room, the focal point of the home, immortalized in film and an icon of modern architecture. It is one of Lautners truest expressions of his interpretation of organic philosophy. The famous concrete triangle coffered ceiling with hundreds of tiny round skylights is at once massive and light. The frameless glass wall and continuity of the building with the landscape blurs the boundaries between the indoor and outdoor spaceSheats-Goldstein Residence: View of the original Lautner-designed residences main entrance vestibule with a koi pond garden featuring a waterfall and glass and concrete foot bridge. The entire entry procession and secondary spaces of the main floor are covered by a low-slung redwood ceiling that compresses the space giving it a more intimate scale and emphasizing the dramatic transition into the iconic living room space beyondLower Terrace Stair Detail: The stainless-steel handrail seems to delicately hover in mid-air, supported only by the frameless glass guardrails. The projects characteristic board-formed concrete provides a substantive yet refined backdrop for their dramatic angular geometriesSheats-Goldstein Residence: View stepping out from the living room onto the pool deck wrapped in pebble finished concrete. The powerful yet light triangulated concrete coffered roof structure hangs overhead, punctuated with tiny skylights that allow the sunlight to dapple through. The zero edge of the pool sits flush to the surface of the deck and was the first of its kind in the United StatesClub James Nightclub: Concrete entry into Club James looking back at the main entry stair. Here you can see the interplay of light and shadow with the complex geometries and the versatility and subtlety that the various treatments of the concrete surfaces bring to the spaceClub James Office: Looking out through the canted frameless glass enclosure of Goldsteins office at dawn, the dynamic angles and minimal custom fittings create a crystalline form that pushes out into the space over the terrace and pool. Featuring the "Tetra Chair" by Jude Chaaban and Aya ElmokadamClub James Office Detail: This all-glass detail is a modification of the door pulls in the original Lautner-designed residence, illustrating the new project's ties to the adjacent home. It is a prime example of how the organic philosophy's holistic approach permeates the entire design at every scale, and materials are expressed in their purest formsLower Terrace Stair: A concrete cantilevered stair winds from the terrace level down into the lush gardens below. As the architecture reaches out into the landscape it becomes more dynamic responding to the topography and wild fauna. The angular stainless-steel handrail floats above the structure supported only by frameless glass stanchionsLower Terrace Infinity Pool: The pebble concrete deck becomes the pool as a striking glass shard defines the corner overlooking the pool spillway, gardens, and views of the city and Pacific Ocean beyondNightclub: Below the court is a fully functioning private nightclub. This facility includes a full concrete and stainless-steel bar, state-of-the-art sound and light systems controlled from a cantilevered stainless-steel DJ booth, stainless-steel dance floor, a 26-foot-long LED display wall, and operable glass faade framing the panoramic view of the cityAbove Horizon Turrell Skyspace: The Skyspace oculus and window are opened up during the day, framing the brilliant azure sky. The artwork was originally intended by Goldstein to be a collaboration between James Turrell and John Lautner, however Lautner passed away before the design process could begin in earnest. The installation was completed in 2004 under the direction of architect Duncan Nicholson. Most recently the lighting and programming have been upgraded by Turrells studio in consultation with Conner + PerrySheats-Goldstein Residence: View of the operable frameless corner windows of the primary bedroom suite looking out to the view of Century City and beyond. The built-in concrete and leather lounge with swiveling cantilevered stainless steel and triangular glass cocktail tables, the exotic Bubinga wood floors, frameless glass, and exposed concrete were all part of the improvements to the original residence undertaken with Lautner and Goldstein between 1979 and 1994Lower Terrace: The newly completed lowest level of Club James. In the foreground, the new pool reflects the upper levels of the office and tennis court above in the dwindling evening sunlight. The outdoor entertainment terrace features multiple dining areas with dramatically cantilevered concrete tables, a lounge area, full bar, and a fully functioning catering kitchen with a custom concrete and stainless-steel bar-b-que. Bordering the terrace on the south edge lies a pool with a 100-foot-long infinity edge. At the cantilevered western end of the pool is a triangular spa separated from the pool by a nearly invisible acrylic wall. Adjacent to the spa is a fire pit and cantilevered concrete bench. A restroom with outdoor glass sink and a changing room were also addedSite planTennis court planRecreation roomSection AASection BBAfter working on the Goldstein property under Nicholson since 2007, architects James Perry and Kristopher Conner established their own firm, Conner + Perry Architects, and assumed responsibility as the property's architects of record.Future projects for the firm will include the estate's upcoming stages of development, which will include a theater and a guest house. James Goldstein left the whole estate to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in 2016, along with his large art and fashion collections.Project factsProject name: Sheats-Goldstein ResidenceClient/Homeowner:James F. GoldsteinArchitect (Current):Conner + Perry ArchitectsArchitect (Past):Nicholson ArchitectsArchitect (Original): Lautner AssociatesStructural Engineer:Andrew Nasser, Omnispan CorporationCivil Engineer:CRC EnterprisesSoils Engineer:Robertson Geological IncGeologist:Irvine Geotechnical IncMechanical Engineer:The Sullivan Partnership IncLandscape Engineer:Eric NagelmannLighting Designer:SJ LightingSound Consultant:Sound Investment AVGeneral Contractor (Current):Empire Group Fine Construction IncGeneral Contractor (Previous): Ostermann ConstructionMetal Fabricator:Breakform DesignGlass Contractor:Giroux Glass IncTennis Court Contractor:Zaino Tennis Courts IncElectrician:Erik RettedalUpholstery:Gina Berschneider, IncNumber of Floors:4Site Area: 2.22 acresSquare Footage:7,125-square-feet; 4,389-square-feet of patios and decksTop image in the article: Lower Terrace Stair: Elevation view of the main entertainment terrace cantilevered concrete stair; with a bar and lounge area behind, and leading up to the office and nightclub second level. The stair is an excellent example of the intense collaborative design process between the architects and owner James Goldstein: after the lounge area was completed Goldstein requested that the stair be redesigned to preserve the views as much as possible. In response Conner + Perry cantilevered the entire structure from a single point, and following Goldsteins suggestion added the triangular opening in the stair stringer, a detail which references similar motifs found in the original Lautner-designed residence.All images Joe Fletcher Photography.All drawings Conner + Perry Architects.> via Conner + Perry Architects

Submitted by WA ContentsNEXT architects completes Watchtower Einderheide for humans and animals in BergeijkNetherlands Architecture News - Nov 19, 2024 - 13:46 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"NEXT architects has completed a watchtower for humans and animals in Bergeijk, the Netherlands.Named Watchtower Einderheide, the 26-metre-high wooden watchtower was designed to observe and experience the surrounding forest, the tower elevates leisure visitors to new heights.Image Karl BanskiAdditionally, the wooden structure serves as a home for the different bat species that call the area home. Despite its simplicity, the design features a distinctive and iconic shape that adds to Einderheide's identity.The watchtower serves as a rest stop and a point of orientation for participants in the Einderheide forest area's recreational cycling and walking network.Image Karl BanskiThe location is ideal for housing a variety of bat species because it is situated along the bats' flight path. A variety of niches and cavities are made at different heights in the structure to support different kinds of habitats, including winter and summer homes as well as locations for mating and nesting.Image Karl BanskiAt a height of 26 meters, visitors ascend a spiral staircase to the lookout platform, where they can take in a comprehensive view of the surroundings.The notches at various elevations provide a startling view of the forest and trees as you ascend. The final element in the set of local symbols that provide the N69 provincial road with a distinct and identifiable identity is the understated yet distinctive landmark.Image Koen MolWith notches at various heights, the tower is primarily made of laminated wood. Since the wooden structure replicates the natural habitat of many tree-dwelling species, it fits in perfectly with the forest landscape and is the perfect material for the bat accommodation. The animals can land and crawl away thanks to the wood's roughness.Image Koen MolTwenty specially created habitats are incorporated into the facade to provide a home for a range of bat species, in addition to the winter shelter located in the tower's basement.Image Koen MolImage Koen MolImage Koen MolImage Koen MolImage Koen MolDrawing NEXT architectsProject factsProject name: Watchtower EinderheideArchitects:NEXT architectsLocation:Bergeijk, the NetherlandsClient:Gemeente Bergeijk en Provincie Noord-BrabantSize: 26 meter hoog/26 meters (height)Completion year: June 2024Design team:Michel Schreinemachers, Bart Reuser, Marijn Schenk with Bobby de Graaf, Douwe Strating, Angelos Chouliaris, Snia Cunha, Vyasa Koe,Monika PopkiewiczIn collaboration with: H+N+S Landschapsarchitects, Boskalis, WSP, Mos Ecologisch Advies en Onderzoek, Gemeente Bergeijk, KunstLoc Brabant, Elianne van Elderen (schrijver/dichter), Houthandel Van Dal (leverancier en hoofdaannemer), Reijrink Staalconstructie, Van De Sande (fundering).Top image Karl Banski.All images Koen Mol and Karl Banski.> via NEXT architects

Environmental audit committee to probe environmental sustainability of the governments plans for 1.5m homesA cross-party committee of MPs has launched an inquiry into the environmental sustainability of the governments plans for housing growth.The environmental audit committee will seek views on the nature and climate implications of Labours planning reforms. This includes the governments proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework as it seeks to build 1.5m homes over the five-year parliament.The government is proposing to re-introduce local housing targets and free up low-quality green belt land which it dubs grey belt for development.The committees first hearing will take place tomorrow (Wednesday).> Also read:Decision to scrap government design advisor Office for Place a mistake, says Nicholas Boys SmithToby Perkins, chair of the environmental audit committee, said: Britain has a housing crisis, a climate crisis and a nature crisis. All three must be tackled in tandem and addressing one must not be at the expense of another.The governments ambitious target to build 1.5 million homes in the next five years is significant and we must ensure that climate and nature protections underpin any such reforms to our planning system.Conscious that changes to the National Planning Policy Framework have already been proposed, the committee is prioritising this area as our first inquiry. We will be examining whether environmental protections are being sufficiently considered in the reforms, and if not, what the committee can recommend to government to ensure that they are.

Five-storey Spectra building to include robotics labs, destructive testing spaces and wind tunnelsBDP's completed Spectra building at the University of HertfordshireA corrugated facade is intended to reference the hangars of the De Havilland aircraft manufacturing company1/6show captionBDP has completed a 63m STEM education and research building for the University of Hertfordshire.The five-storey Spectra building is the largest single building on the universitys College Lane campus.The 15,000sq m facility brings together the universitys physics, engineering and computer science departments under the same roof for the first time.New facilities include dedicated robotics and cyber security laboratories, the latest in aeronautical and automotive simulators, wind tunnels and areas designed to accommodate destructive testing of experimental structures.BDPs design for the building has drawn inspiration from Hertfordshires aeronautical history, with its corrugated metal facade paying homage to the local De Havilland aircraft manufacturing company and its hangars.A corrugated facade is intended to reference the hangars of the De Havilland aircraft manufacturing companyJess Mailey, Architect Director at BDP, commented: Designing Spectra has been a remarkable opportunity to shape an environment that not only meets the needs of today but anticipates the needs of tomorrow.We understand fully the importance of collaboration across disciplines, and this building is encouraging innovation and providing the tools and spaces for the next generation of engineers, scientists, and researchers to thrive.The scheme is the first phase of the universitys 2030 Vision, a 180 million investment in new and upgraded facilities.The project team also included QS and project manager Atkins Realis and civil and structural engineer Aecom.