0 Commentarii
0 Distribuiri
7 Views
Director
Director
-
Vă rugăm să vă autentificați pentru a vă dori, partaja și comenta!
-
WWW.FASTCOMPANY.COMThis housing market map shows Zillows revised 2025 home price forecastWant more housing market stories from Lance LambertsResiClubin your inbox?Subscribeto the ResiClubnewsletter.This week, Zillow economists announced they expect U.S. home prices, as measured by the Zillow Home Value Index, to rise 2.9% between October 2024 and October 2025.This is an upward revision to our outlook from last month. Opposing forces are working to keep home values climbing, but only at a modest pace. Inventory remains very low by historical standards, which, paired with expectations for declining mortgage rates and modest improvements in other leading indicators of home sales, is helping to buoy home value appreciation, wrote Zillow economists. At the same time, modest increases in new for-sale listings and persistently high mortgage rates are combining to limit price growth.While Zillow economists predict a 2.9% increase in national home prices over the next year, they only expect a gradual increase in existing home sales in the coming year, with an estimated 4.3 million sales in 2025, up slightly from the 4.1 million transactions recorded in 2023 and 4 million projected for 2024.Among the 400 largest U.S. housing markets, Zillow expects the strongest home price appreciation between October 2024 and October 2025 to occur in these 10 areas.Atlantic City, NJ: +6.5%Kingston, NY: +6.1%Augusta, ME: +6.1%Pottsville, PA: +5.9%Knoxville, TN: +5.8%Vineland, NJ: +5.7%Lewiston, ME: +5.7%Concord, NH: +5.6%Bangor, ME: +5.3%Muncie, IN: +5.3%Meanwhile, Zillow expects the weakest home price appreciation between October 2024 and October 2025 to occur in these 10 housing markets.Lake Charles, LA: -7.8%Houma, LA: -5.8%Lafayette, LA: -4.0%Johnstown, PA: -3.9%New Orleans, LA: -3.8%Eureka, CA: -3.4%Beaumont, TX: -3.1%Odessa, TX: -3.0%Shreveport, LA: -2.9%Hammond, LA: -2.9%While Zillow expects home prices in Florida to rise over the coming year, some housing analysts remain skeptical. After all, Florida has experienced a significant increase in active inventory and months of supply this year, which could signal potential pricing weakness. Indeed, condo prices are currently declining in most Florida housing markets. And some Southwest markets, such as Punta Gorda and Cape Coral, are also seeing outright declines in single-family home prices.0 Commentarii 0 Distribuiri 5 Views
-
WWW.FASTCOMPANY.COMThe hidden money lessons in the Thanksgiving classic Planes, Trains & AutomobilesTheres a reason why the 1987 film Planes, Trains & Automobiles is a beloved staple of the Thanksgiving season. John Candys performance of Del Griffith is both hilarious and heartfelt, and the frustration Steve Martins character Neal Page feels about his thwarted travel is eminently relatable. The fact that this riotously funny film also offers a sweet and nuanced view of grief, kindness, and generosity is what elevates the film beyond just a road trip comedy. But Planes Trains & Automobiles also offers some surprising lessons about money within the heartwarming story. If this classic film is on your Thanksgiving watch list, here are some hidden money lessons to look out for while you laugh.Wealth cant protect you from frustrationWhen we meet advertising executive Neal Page at the beginning of the film, he is at an interminable meeting in Manhattan two days before Thanksgiving. Neal is anxiously checking his watch (an 18-karat gold Piaget Polo 8273) because time is running out for him to make his flight home to Chicago.Everything we are shown about Neal in the first 10 minutes of the film indicates his high level of wealthfrom the posh office building where his meeting is held to his well tailored suit to the fact that he is willing to pay a man $75 (or $208 in 2024 dollars) to take over his cab. And from how Neal acts throughout the film, it becomes clear that he is accustomed to having money pave his way.But Neals first money lesson is that cash doesnt guarantee a seamless travel experience. Del Griffith accidentally takes his cab (and Neal is still out the $75 he paid the original passenger for it). When he gets on the plane, Neal finds that his seat assignment was bumped to coach from first class and hes stuck next to Del. And then a blizzard in Chicago reroutes the plane to Wichita.At every turn, Neal keeps trying to buy his way out of the travel annoyances, only to be thwarted. Part of his aggravation throughout his misadventures stems from the fact that his financial privilege cant help him get home any faster.Seek nonfinancial solutions to problemsAlthough shower curtain ring salesman Del initially seems like an irritating and irresponsible thorn in Neals side, he shows his travel savvy when the plane lands in Wichita. While Neal is trying to get transferred to the next flight home, Del has already figured out that there wont be another plane to Chicago anytime soon and that they will need a hotel room for the night.Del also realizes that other travelers have already booked up all the available rooms, which means Neals usual solution of spending money wont help. But Del has something Neal doesnt: a personal connection. Del is able to get a room for them both because he once sold shower curtain rings to the Braidwood Inn and remained friends with the proprietor.Throughout the film, we see Del solve problems by connecting with other people. He raises some cash by playfully selling some of his wares as jewelry and finds a truck driver who is willing to give them a ride the rest of the way to Chicago after their wrecked rental car is impounded in the middle of Illinois.Although Del certainly causes a number of Neals problems on the epic journey to Chicago, he also offers solutions that work when money will not.Money can insulate you from relationshipsOne of the most iconic scenes of the movie sets the table for what may be the most important money lesson of all. Neal loses his patience with Del and mocks him in a diatribe that starts out funny but quickly becomes cruel. Dels dignified response reiterates the characters commitment to kindness and his rejection of cynicism.Its true that Neal would be more comfortable if hed gotten what he wanteda hotel room by himself away from his annoying traveling companion. And under normal circumstances, Neal could have purchased that comfortable solitude. But when Del stands up for himself after Neals mean comments, it becomes clear that Steve Martins character has missed out on something by preferring the independence his money affords him: real connection with others.Del makes friends wherever he goes, from the fellow passengers on the Greyhound bus (who join him in singing the Flintstones theme) to the Wichita cab driver who takes the scenic route to show off his home town, to Neal himself, who reluctantly bonds with him over the two-day journey.Had Neals trip home gone according to plan, he would have missed out on Dels friendshipand never learned to appreciate what he has. The independence money offers him may feel more comfortable, but it costs him important insights and connections.Whats worth more than $17 and a good watch?When John Hughes wrote Planes, Trains & Automobiles, he wanted to make viewers laugh at the relatable issue of trying to get home in time for a family holiday. But he also created a film that makes the audience question the real value of money.The wealthy ad executive played by Steve Martin believes he can buy his way out of frustrating situations, only to be stymied by issues that money cant solve. John Candys traveling salesman understands the value of personal connections and friendship. And both the characters and the audience learn that the insulating power of money can keep you from forming new relationships.Be like Neal and Del this Thanksgiving and open yourself up to new experiences and friendshipbut maybe exercise caution before putting your hands between two pillows. Just in case.0 Commentarii 0 Distribuiri 5 Views
-
WWW.DEZEEN.COMK+M Arquitectura y Urbanismo slots red pergola behind historic building in PeruLocal studio K+M Arquitectura y Urbanismo has completed Espacio Libertad, a red timber pavilion that provides an "open stage" for a long-standing cultural institution in Lima, Peru.The wooden pergola fills a 700-square-metre courtyard behind a neoclassical mansion in the district of Milaflores, home to the headquarters of the French cultural association Alianza Francesa de Lima.Espacio Libertad is a timber pavilion in LimaStanding over seven metres tall and matching the roofline of its neighbour, which was given heritage status in 2007, the "contemporary shelter" also aims to give the association a new presence on the street and act as a meeting place for the Franco-Peruvian community.The pavilion's enclosure is formed by 20 stilt-like columns running around its perimeter. A crisscrossing canopy with 14-metre wooden beams is secured to the columns with metal joints.It was built in a courtyard behind a cultural institutionThe structure is covered with a thick transparent polycarbonate sheet, which protects the space from sun and rain, and features curtains that can be drawn to create partitions for performances or concerts."We were looking for an intervention that would not only provide a multi-purpose space but also create a new facade for the building when viewed from the road", said Marta Morelli, co-founder of K+M Arquitectura y Urbanismo."The strategy was to not touch the existing building, but instead to introduce a new contemporary structure. The pavilion creates a dialogue with its neighbour through its height and rhythm of vertical elements, without competing with it," Morelli added.The seven-metre-tall pergola was designed to be used as an open stageThe pergola has been placed in the centre of a new garden, which includes paving, new planted areas and shrubs and vegetation designed to improve the "environmental quality" of the courtyard.The structure is glued-laminated timber, made of pine imported from Chile and stained a deep red using natural oils. The colour mirrors the association's branding and architectural features in the main building, such as its exterior columns.Read: Guillermo Acua Arquitectos Asociados creates bird cage-like house on Chilean coastAccording to Morelli, glulam is not widely used in Perum but was chosen due to the material's longevity and limited maintenance requirements. The studio worked with timber manufacturers to hide structural reinforcements and joints in the assembly.K+M Arquitectura y Urbanismo secured the commission after being invited to take part in a private competition run by Alianza Francesa de Lima. Morelli said the brief was open, and the studio was simply asked to adapt the courtyard into a cultural space, for various events and activities.It has a crisscrossing roof structure"This project has given birth to a new cultural hub, serving as an "open stage" both literally and metaphorically. It not only hosts performances, plays, talks, and open-air concerts but also offers a free and open platform for a wide range of cultural and artistic interventions that might not fit within traditional venues like galleries, theatres, or concert halls", said Morelli."By doing so, the Espacio Libertad has exceeded expectations and enriched the cultural landscape of our city", she continued.The glued laminated timber structure that was stained red with natural oilsThe existing Alianza building was constructed in 1926 and was originally used as a religious school for girls before the school moved to the outskirts of Lima. The building was sold to the association in 1974.K+M Arquitectura y Urbanismo was founded by Marta Morelli and Sharif Kahatt in 2010 and is based in Lima. The studio has completed housing, office and cultural projects in different cities around Peru.Recently, Roman Bauer Arquitectos renovated and expanded another cultural institution using traditional building techniques.The photography is courtesy of K+M Arquitectura y Urbanismo.The post K+M Arquitectura y Urbanismo slots red pergola behind historic building in Peru appeared first on Dezeen.0 Commentarii 0 Distribuiri 7 Views
-
WWW.DEZEEN.COMKientruc O tops sculptural Thu House with large thatched roof in VietnamAn oversized thatched roof shelters the geometric concrete forms of this house in Vietnam, which has been completed by local architecture studio Kientruc O.Named Thu House, the 877-square-metre dwelling in Ho Chi Minh City is designed for a client who wanted a home that would evoke their childhood in the countryside.To achieve this, Kientruc O focused on creating a close relationship with nature, both through a large open living and dining area overlooking the garden and a concrete-paved courtyard at the heart of the home.Kientruc O tops has created the sculptural Thu House in Vietnam "We aim to bring two distinct and powerful expressions of nature into a single house for people to appreciate and experience through various nuances," the studio told Dezeen."One is a gentle, intimate nature represented by the garden with tropical fruit trees and herbal bushes, and the other is a strong, clear nature with distinct manifestations of elements such as the sun, moon, wind, and water," it added.To maximise the connection to Thu House's large garden, its rooms are all pushed to the edges of the plan, organised around a paved courtyard at its centre.It is topped with a large thatched roofSet at an angle, this courtyard separates the open living area to the south from the bedrooms and kitchen to the north. At its eastern end, it connects to a circular entrance foyer wrapped with glass bricks.A large concrete beam crosses this courtyard overhead, supporting the waffle structure of the living area's roof to enable the unobstructed, 21-metre-wide view across the garden.The timber waffle structure of the roof is exposedThe living area, which is served by a small kitchen tucked in its northeastern corner, sits on a concrete floor that steps down to blend with a garden patio."We integrated a rectangular void into the middle of the house, seemingly by chance, but functionally it serves as a component between the public areas and the private areas," the studio told Dezeen."This component is large, volumetric and hollow in the middle to create a 'pause' between activities. It is tilted at a 30-degree angle relative to the horizontal order of the house to create different usage areas," it added.Read: Britsom Philips reconfigures Belgian home with minimalist interiors and thatched roofThroughout the home, the timber waffle structure of the large roof has been left exposed to contrast the sculptural concrete walls, some of which are punctured by small irregular openings to allow in light and air from the garden.The two bedrooms of Thu House occupy a barrel-vaulted volume, fully lined in dark timber and finished with full-height sliding glass doors that open out onto private planted patios.A barrel-vaulted volume contains the bedroomsTo the east of the plan, a staircase housed within a curved concrete form leads up to a mezzanine containing a study, while to the west a wooden ladder leads up to a small library housed within gridded shelves that form an extension of the roof's structure.In the centre of the home's garden, a separate circular, thatched volume contains an additional bathroom incorporating a section of perforated timber wall.There is an external bathroomKientruc O was founded by m V in 2003. Previous projects by the studio include a preschool in Vietnam's mountainous Son La Province sheltered by a large curving roof.Other homes with thatched roofs include Villa VD in Belgium by Britsom Philips and Nieby Crofters Cottage in Germany by Jan Henrik Jansen and Marshall Blecher.The photography is by Oki Hiroyuki.The post Kientruc O tops sculptural Thu House with large thatched roof in Vietnam appeared first on Dezeen.0 Commentarii 0 Distribuiri 7 Views
-
WWW.CORE77.COMThis Cordless Ultrasonic Cutter is Like a Power X-Acto KnifeThis C1 Ultrasonic Cutter, by Chinese tool manufacturer Hanboost, is designed to make delicate cuts in plastic easy. The cordless, rechargeable-battery-powered tool vibrates at 40,000 HZ, allowing you to slice with ease; it seems like the ideal tool for cleaning up 3D prints.It takes standard 30-degree angle hobby knife blades, though changing them does involve an Allen key. The company claims it'll cut through a lot more than plastic:The C1 has gone gangbusters on Kickstarter, racking up $522K-plus at press time, with 10 days left to pledge. Prices start at $109.0 Commentarii 0 Distribuiri 5 Views
-
WWW.CORE77.COMNew Furniture Category: Modular Armchair-Based Workstations / Gaming StationsThis looks like a simple, slightly odd armchair. But the amount of innovation it represents is actually staggering.In 2020 Sawyer and Andrew Bates, two brothers from Canada with no background in furniture design, cobbled together a plywood workstation designed to mate with Ikea's popular PONG chair. "We love the sitting position of the PONG," they write, "and thought it would make a phenomenal workstation for a laptop." It may not look like much, but their Lap Desk was popular with consumers; the Batemans sold thousands of units. They then pushed things further: What about other accessories that could connect to an armchair? They tackled that problem by designing their own chair, the Envy Armchair. From there they created an extensive ecosystem of plug-in accessories that slot into the dogholes. There is a full desk, which pivots out of the way:A half desk: A split desk: A mousepad:A height-adjustable headrest: A cupholder: A controller caddy: A microphone mount: A laptop riser:A headphone hook:A coat hook: They've also designed a companion Ottoman. Which can be fitted with a laptop holder: And a monitor mount. In short, the Bateman brothers have created a modular gaming station or workstation for those who prefer not to sit at a desk. It's essentially a new category of furniture, and today the brothers run their company, Bateman Labs, to manufacture it all.My hat's off.0 Commentarii 0 Distribuiri 6 Views
-
WWW.YANKODESIGN.COMUnique 71-Meter-Tall Vertical Village In Tirana Will Include House-Shaped Puzzle Piece ComponentsDesigned by Network of Architecture and Atelier4, this mixed-use high-rise in Tirana, Albania, is a 71-meter-tall structure called the Puzzle Tirana Tower. It is made up of house-shaped blocks that protrude out quirkily from the facades. It is designed to be a vertical village and will include 32,700 square meters of commercial space, penthouses, apartments, and a hotel. It is currently a concept, but once constructed will include stacked volumes that mimic the shape of the archetypal village house with a gabled roof.Designer: Network of Architecture and Atelier4The house-shaped blocks will project from the facade, maintaining distances between 0.5 and three meters. They will be built in different colors, orientations, and forms, showcasing varied layouts. They are essentially puzzle pieces that will seamlessly and gracefully click into the structure.The concept of the project comes from the fusion and densification of two worlds: urban and rural, into a single architectural intervention, said studio founder Lukas Rungger. The proposal celebrates the concept of abstracted puzzle pieces, always different but still similar, through its varying orientations the fragments collectively shape the facade, interweave with each other and create a common built collage.The tower will be incorporated with local plants and shrubs forming surreal hanging gardens, loggias, and extra space for residents. A big house-shaped void will be included, to make it look like the missing piece of the puzzle. This will be carved in the center of the tower and will accommodate cantilevered balconies.The puzzles work as value-added spaces for each housing unit, Rungger said. Depending on the individual needs of the inhabitants, it can transform into a loggia, an open-air cinema, a relaxation zone, a playground, a fireplace and many more versatile functions.The first two floors will include the buildings commercial spaces. This can be accessed through a triangular entrance at the ground level. The tower will include multiple sculptural elements, as well as a central foyer. The foyer will contain staircases that offer access to the upper floors. The basement levels will accommodate a multi-level underground car park. The second to the sixth floor will host a hotel, as well as apartment units. The seventh to the sixteenth floors will include apartments only.The post Unique 71-Meter-Tall Vertical Village In Tirana Will Include House-Shaped Puzzle Piece Components first appeared on Yanko Design.0 Commentarii 0 Distribuiri 6 Views
-
WWW.YANKODESIGN.COMModular cat tower lets you personalize your pets playgroundProducts for cat owners have become such a hit these past years. Previously, it was just mostly for dogs but now cat parents also have a lot of options to choose from. Cat towers are popular in particular especially for those who live in areas where their fur babies dont have outdoor areas to play around in. While you can buy those that are already assembled or can be easily assembled, it would also be nice to have something more flexible.Designer: Lin SeongminThis is the idea behind the Petterior stacking cat tower concept. Its a modular design that can fit the personality of their cat and the owners design preferences as well. It also is able to become a space for your playful cat to enjoy their freedom even though your living area may be a bit limited.The set has different elements that can be put together including various flat surfaces, round, or rather oblong shaped beds, and various connectors and screws. You can assemble and disassemble these on your own according to your preference. It should also probably come in various colors to also match the color and aesthetic the cat owner is going for.The fact that its modular also means that in case some of the parts get lost or broken, you need to only replace those parts or you can buy other parts to make the cat tower different. Its a concept that cat lovers will probably embrace especially the ones that want to have their pet accessories still match their spaces look while at the same time giving their pets the fun and freedom.The post Modular cat tower lets you personalize your pets playground first appeared on Yanko Design.0 Commentarii 0 Distribuiri 6 Views
-
WWW.FACEBOOK.COMThe Witcher 3's best questsWhile the main questline is good fantasy storytelling, it wouldnt carry weight or consequence without being grounded in mundanity first.Frying pans, spectral whales, and flubbing our lines round out our favorites.0 Commentarii 0 Distribuiri 6 Views