In Britain, as our government has promised, were going to have a council housing revolution, the building of as yet unknown numbers of homes at genuinely affordable rents, a return to policies of 50 and more years ago in order to address the well-known housing crisis. Which is welcome. Luckily there are, close at hand, outstanding examples of how this might be done, in cities and countries on the continent of Europe.Moore points to Vienna, the city known for its ambitious development model for social housing, and Barcelona as two examples of what he says is a healthy "willingness to experiment" to be applied back home in the UK. The new Labour Party government has promised to usher in a "revolution" in council housing to deliver the up to 100,000 new homes needed per year to match current needs that have been made worse for years by bad policies and a lack of funding.The same set of issues are plaguing efforts back across the pond in New York City, where Moore's American counterpart Michael Kimmelman recently considered some "radical" alternatives being pursued as part of NYCHA's complicated new plans.

Proposed tariffs by the incoming Trump administration may increase the prices of many items at the store. But for architects and advocates working on more efficient and sustainable buildings, theres fear that tariffs could impact specific materials and machines that are key to their work. Higher costs from tariffs, some say, may slow down the pick up of these techniques of residential and commercial construction, and make such buildings more expensive and less attractive to build.Firms could be hard put to keep pace with the cost of procuring materials like mass timber and products such as heat pumps after the proposed blanket tariffs are enacted, explains FastCompany. This would add stress and uncertainty to the already lagging American building industry, which is considered behind Europe as far as efforts to increase efficiency standards are concerned. Domestic manufacturing would have to rise to the challenge or risk falling back into the wrong kind of "American Exceptionalism" that is both environmentally unproductive and at odds with a global consensus on building sustainability.

What does it take to design a home that fully embraces its breathtaking natural surroundings while maintaining the comforts of modern living?This question defines the ethos behind Cortina 10, the recipient of the Best in Show Award in the 2024 Best of LaCantina competition. Nestled in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, Cortina 10 by KA Designworks exemplifies how architecture can transcend mere shelter to become an experience one that is inseparably tied to its environment.This ski-in/ski-out residence not only offers access to the trails of Telluride Ski Resort but also maximizes views and airflow, capturing the essence of the mountains through a seamless indoor-outdoor design facilitated by LaCantinas folding doors.Perched on a steep lot surrounded by multiple 14,000-foot peaks, Cortina 10 leverages its unique position by embracing the topography and orienting the residence to highlight panoramic views. Entering the home is itself an experience in spatial design. Guests are invited through a glass aperture that frames the surrounding forest, immediately guiding their gaze upwards via a floating staircase with white oak treads and metal railings.This staircase leads to the great room, the homes centerpiece, where the architects have designed a viewing podium overlooking the space. This multi-functional living room, flooded with natural light and wrapped in glass, offers a nearly 180-degree vantage point over the mountainous landscape, making the interior feel like an extension of the outdoors.In such a setting, the transition from indoor to outdoor living becomes essential to the design. LaCantina bifold doors, measuring 14 feet wide and floor-to-ceiling in height, open the great room entirely onto an expansive deck, seamlessly merging the two spaces. This wraparound deck, equipped with comfortable seating, a fire pit, an outdoor kitchen, and a hot tub, acts as an elevated viewing platform, inviting residents and guests to savor the mountain air in all seasons.LaCantinas remarkable ability to open entire walls allows us to seamlessly merge indoor and outdoor spaces, inviting the beauty of nature right into the heart of the home, the KA Designworks team explains. This approach allows Cortina 10 to blur the line between architecture and landscape, offering an immersive experience where interior spaces flow effortlessly into the environment.KA Designworks design approach was about more than creating an appealing aesthetic; it was about elevating the experiential qualities of the space as well. In mountain environments where the terrain drops away from the site, creating an environment that feels connected to its surroundings can be challenging. Cortina 10 is perched on a steep lot, where the landscape feels distant and the connection to nature is limited, says the architectural team. In such a setting, transforming decks into vibrant outdoor living spaces becomes essential to the design ethos.By integrating LaCantinas folding doors, the architects ensured that outdoor areas could become true extensions of the home, accessible and usable regardless of the season. The doors, which open the main living area along multiple bays, enable fresh air and sunlight to pour in during the warmer months while closing securely to maintain thermal comfort in winter.KA Designworks selection of LaCantina doors went beyond functionality; it was also a choice driven by craftsmanship. The doors minimal threshold profile creates a seamless transition that enhances the feeling of connection to the outdoors.The folding doors fit snugly within a standard 26 wall, which not only streamlines the structure but also maintains clean, consistent exterior wall detailing. This level of precision, according to the architects, ensured a consistent and polished exterior wall detailing that enhanced the homes visual appeal.LaCantinas doors are also engineered to support the homes energy efficiency. These doors excel in thermal performance too, the architects emphasize. We were able to bask in those breathtaking views without compromising on energy efficiency or overall building performance.In a climate that demands durability and performance, the thermally-broken frames of the doors provide excellent insulation, preventing heat loss in winter while still allowing for expansive glass that maximizes views. This feature was critical to the success of Cortina 10, as it allowed the designers to prioritize both style and sustainability.On the lower level, the integration of LaCantina doors continues to support the homes connection to the landscape. A large family and game room opens onto a second deck that is directly adjacent to the ski trails, providing easy access to the slopes while offering an informal gathering space.This level also includes a ski locker area, a bunk room, and two en-suite bedrooms, each designed to offer guests an immediate connection to the outdoors. By utilizing LaCantinas customizable door systems, KA Designworks created openings that not only fit the specific needs of the space but also maintain a cohesive aesthetic throughout the residence.Ultimately, Cortina 10 stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful design and high-quality materials. Its not just about creating a space; its about crafting an experience that celebrates the interplay between architecture and nature, says the design team.The integration of LaCantina doors transformed this home from a structure nestled in the mountains to a dynamic living experience that invites the outdoors in. As occupants move gracefully between spaces, they experience a fluid connection to nature that transforms everyday living, making Cortina 10 an exemplary winner of the 2024 Best of LaCantina competition.To learn more about how LaCantina Doors can elevate your next project, click here.Photography by Dallas and Harris PhotographyThe post Mountain Masterpiece: KA Designworks Visionary Home Wins Best in Show in LaCantina Competition appeared first on Journal.

A new exhibition at the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) in Montreal showcases photography, travel diaries, and sketches from the archives of Arthur Erickson, one of Canadas most renowned 20th century architects.A new exhibition at the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) in Montreal showcases photography, travel diaries, and sketches from the archives of Arthur Erickson, one of Canadas most renowned 20th century architects. Being There: Photography in Arthur Ericksons Early Travel Diaries was curat...

Major changes are underway at Newark Liberty International Airport. Last month, renderings dropped for a revamped Terminal B. This month, visuals were shared of a 2.5-mile-long elevated rail structure that will replace the existing AirTrain Newark.This month, Port Authority shared new plans to build a 2.5-mile-long elevated rail structure, dotted by three new stations, that will replace the existing AirTrain Newark mass transit system. PANYNJ has selected Tutor Perini Corporation and O&G Industries to design the line and its accompanying stat...

Baldurs Gate 3was instantly recognized by the industry at large as one of the greatest games ever made as soon as it was out, and in the time since then, its legend has only grown. Unsurprisingly, the acclaimed RPG has also continued to sell at an impressive pace, and seems to have crossed another major sales milestone.As per a report published by the Irish Independent,Baldurs Gate 3has sold over 15 million units worldwide across all platforms. In February earlier this year, Larian Studios director of publishing Michael Douse stated that the had sold way over 10 million units at the time, so clearly, it has maintained impressive momentum with its sales.The report also states that account filings by Larian Studios show revenues of 427 million for theBaldurs Gate 3developer in 2023 (up from 22.7 million in 2022). That also entails 249 million in profits prior to tax. As a result of its hefty profits, the company also paid out 28 million in dividends.Larian is currently working on yet more features forBaldurs Gate 3that will be added with future free updates, though you shouldnt expect any furtherBaldurs Gatecontent from the studio beyond that in the form of expansions or a sequel. Instead, Larian has two new projects in development, both of which are based on its own IP.Larian Studios has confirmed that its next game isnt going to be Divinity: Original Sin 3though it will eventually happen at some point, apparently, so fans of the series need not worry. Either way, its going to be a while before the developer is ready to talk about its next project, so stay tuned for more updates.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circleisnt out yet, but weve known for a while that its going to get an expansion at some point following release. In August, Bethesda announced that developer MachineGames was also working on a post-launch expansion for the title calledThe Order of Giants, but details beyond that have been few and far between.Speaking in a recent interview with MinnMax, creative director Axel Torvenius remedied that (sort of) by providing some very brief details on what you can expect from the expansion, calling it a narratively-driven unique experience that will fit in with the base games campaign neatly.What we can say about the DLC at the moment is that it will be a very heavily narratively-driven unique experience that fits in very good with the main campaign, Torvenius said.Details beyond that are scant, so we still dont know, say, roughly how long this expansion will be, or even when it will release- though presumably that information will be shared in due course one the game itself is out.MachineGames has also confirmed that the game wont feature a Photo Mode, and stated that it will be the studios biggest and longest game to date.Indiana Jones and the Great Circlelaunches on December 9 for Xbox Series X/S and PC, before coming to PS5 next Spring.

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