Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube787kWatch on YouTube Nightdive Studios' The Thing: Remastered has been sitting on a 2024 release date for a while now, and while a post from the developer yesterday confirmed that it will definitely be coming in December (it is the last month of the year, after all), an Xbox Wire line-up might have given us an even more specific date (thanks for the heads up, IGN).Titled 'Next Week on Xbox: New Games for December 2 to 6', the Xbox Wire post lists Nightdive's remaster with a 5th December release date for Microsoft's latest consoles and Game Pass. Now, this is yet to be confirmed by the developer and there's obviously no guarantee that the Switch version will arrive on the same day, but this certainly seems like a real possibility.Quiet announcements like this aren't all that rare an occurrence these days, with releases split between different platforms. So, while we're slightly surprised that we haven't seen a "The Thing: Remastered comes to consoles on 5th December" post, there's every chance that a not-so-shadowy shadow drop is planned for tomorrow.That said, we're not about to completely defrost our horror excitement just yet as we say, the Switch version might not land on the same day. But December is in full swing now, so there are only so many days left before we get to go hands-on with this one, all the same.Before that happens, however, why not catch up on everything that has gone into the making of the game? Earlier this year, we sat down with some members of the Nightdive team to discuss remasters, Switch performance and all things horror. You can find the full interview below. "We were working on getting the rights to this game for several years"The how and the whyAre you hopeful that The Thing: Remastered will come our way tomorrow? Let us know in the comments.[source news.xbox.com, via ign.com]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:00 Jim came to Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite his insistence that The Minish Cap is the best Zelda game and his unwavering love for the Star Wars prequels (yes, really), he has continued to write news and features on the site ever since. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesSwitch Is Getting A New Star Trek Game For Christmas'Star Trek: Legends' beams down on Xmas DayThe First Review For Fantasian Neo Dimension Is InFrom the creator of Final Fantasy133 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's 'Cyber Deals' Switch eShop Sale (North America)Every game we scored 9/10 or higher62 Switch Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's Black Friday Sale (Europe)Every Switch game on sale that we rated 9/10+

Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)Its been six years since the first Fitness Boxing was released, during which time weve had two main games and two spin-offs based on Fist of the North Star and Hatsune Miku. Now its time for the third proper entry in the series, and thankfully regular Fitness Boxing players will find some new stuff in here to freshen up their daily routine. There are new modes, new tasks, and even a new way to explore the Fitness Boxing lore. Yes, it turns out theres lore now, apparently.The main workout mode returns and brings with it the same strengths and weaknesses it always did. Those who played the previous games will know exactly what to expect here: after picking your workout of choice (or accepting the Daily Workout chosen for you based on your required time, intensity, and target body areas), you repeat a series of punching and dodging motions to the beat, almost like a violent rhythm game.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)This part is by and large business as usual. There may be a few new options here and there to make things feel a little different but otherwise anyone whos bought either of the first two Fitness Boxing games will be in very familiar territory here. Thankfully, for those who were expecting a little more from the third entry in the series, there are some new modes this time which mix things up a little.Sometimes youve had a long day and cant be doing with all the leaning, ducking, and dodging malarkey the game sometimes makes you do, especially in the more intense workouts. For such couch potatoes, the new Sit Fit Boxing mode is the answer. As the name suggests, Sit Fit Boxing allows you to stay firmly seated on your chair or, lets face it, slumped on your sofa while performing a modified set of instructions.Your in-game trainer sells Sit Fit Boxing to you as a mode for folks who are less physically inclined or may have trouble performing standing exercises, but you can very much add 'lazy sods' to that list too, because after a long days work we appreciated the option to collapse on the couch and swing at the air for a while. Naturally, it could be argued that youre not getting much of a workout in this mode, and thats fair: we certainly worked up far less of a sweat than in the standing workouts, but we suppose every little bit helps.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)We got far more out of Mitt Drills, which is much closer to what we had in our heads when the first Fitness Boxing was originally announced. If you like the idea of boxing-based exercises but havent been keen on the fact that the series has essentially been Just Dance with punches instead of pirouettes, Mitt Drills takes away the rhythm element and offers a more straightforward punching programme.There arent many of these Mitt Drills but we love what there is of them. Instead of waiting for an icon to pass a line before you throw your punch, you can instead punch as soon as your trainer lifts their boxing mitt. In a sense, theres still a game element here in that if you take too long to punch you dont get a Perfect rating, but youre shown your upcoming combination on the side of the screen, meaning it isnt really a reaction test because you know whats coming.The great thing about Mitt Drills is that theyre generally of a higher intensity than the standard workouts because theres less pausing and waiting for the next move. You can fire through them, performing your combos at a fairly fast pace if you want to. Theres even a rapid punch section at the end where your trainer just holds both mitts up and you can go Fist of the North Star on them by flailing wildly: theres clearly no skill involved in this bit, but its a nice little final spike for the heart rate.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)Speaking of the trainers, there are six to choose from this time, which is fewer than before. Some of them return from previous games, meaning anyone fascinated by Bernardos Popeye-like arms can rest assured they wont miss out this time, while newcomers Monica and Stella tick the flirty and mysterious boxes respectively for those who like to pretend their trainers are real people theyre trying to get to know. And if youre that type of person, then does Fitness Boxing 3 have a treat for you.An odd new feature called Box and Bond is unlocked when you spend enough time with one trainer. As you continue to do workouts with them youll fill a gauge which, when filled, unlocks a new Box and Bond chapter. These are special sessions where your personal trainer will share their thoughts and feelings on certain topics with you, giving you more insight into their character. Dont expect anything wild they dont give their detailed analysis on Middle Eastern conflict or anything like that, most of them just talk about fitness but for those who like playing along with the idea that their trainer is an actual person, its a nice added touch.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)By taking on the games daily and weekly missions you can earn coins which can then be spent on unlocking new outfits and any of the games 20 licensed music tracks. And when we say licensed, we mean Imagineer has seemingly found someone whos never played a MIDI keyboard in their life and then given them a licence to have a go at recreating each song. Wed have hoped that after two games like this the quality would have improved but the new tracks here are still abysmal.On paper, its a fine mix of songs from the likes of Britney Spears, Fall Out Boy, and Billie Eilish (lets just ignore What Does the Fox Say), but sadly people tend not to listen to music on paper. In practice, the results with no hint of hyperbole for comic effect here genuinely sound like bad polyphonic ringtones from the early 2000s. Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins is a particular lowlight the guys in his late 70s, please make sure he never gets to hear this or the next danger zone will be in his ticker.ConclusionThe awful music aside, Fitness Boxing 3 brings some much-needed variety to what could have been another by-the-numbers release with new songs and not much else. The Sit Fit Boxing and Mitt Drills modes give options to those who want to be less or more active respectively, and the extra trainer options are ideal for players who like to pretend theyre dealing with an actual person. And even better, because Mitt Drills isnt rhythm-based, you can put your headphones on and listen to your own tunes.Mitt Drills is our new favourite modeSit Fit Boxing gives a lighter workout, is useful for accessibilityWide range of main workouts which can be tailored to your needsExtra trainer features add a human touch (not literally, thankfully)The music sounds like someone punted a piano through the window of a cat cafeGood 7/10 Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.

Spotify Wrapped, the streamers highly anticipated annual listening recap, has arrived. In addition to its usual personalized summary detailing your favorite artists, songs, podcasts, and more, the company this year is introducing two new features, including most notably, an AI-powered podcast of your 2024 Wrapped created with Googles AI summarization tool, NotebookLM. Spotify is also rolling out a new data story called Your Music Evolution, which lets you see how your musical interests evolved over the past year. While Spotify previously built its Wrapped features in-house, the addition of a Notebook LM-powered podcast now sees Spotify working with an outside partner on a flagship Wrapped feature. Using Googles Gemini AI, this years Wrapped will allow you to explore a personalized audio overview of your music listening in 2024, including things like your top songs, top artists, top genres, and more. The result is meant to feel like youre listening to a podcast about your Wrapped.The addition follows a breakout moment for Googles AI notetaking tool, which went viral in 2024 as people began using the services new Audio Overview feature to create conversations between two AI hosts who riff on whatever topic youve fed into the app. Though designed to help you summarize notes and research, people began feeding all sorts of content into NotebookLM, like blog posts, books, or even diary entries, leading to interesting insights and sometimes hilarious commentary. An AI-powered Wrapped podcastImage Credits:SpotifySpotify says it was inspired to work with Google on the new Wrapped feature after seeing how consumers reacted to the AI technology. When you play your Wrapped podcast, accessible from the Home screen on Spotifys app, the AI hosts will compliment your music taste and summarize your listening activity. You can also save the AI-created audio clip to your mobile device or publish it to social media.The feature will be available for a limited time to both free and paid users in English in the U.S., U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, and Sweden. This year, Spotify is also expanding its social media integrations to include a way to share to both your TikTok feed and your TikTok Stories an ideal destination for sharing the new personalized AI audio experiences.Image Credits:SpotifyWhile the AI podcast will likely be a hit on social media, its inclusion in Wrapped feels somewhat iterative. The launch follows last years Wrappeds addition of Spotifys popular AI DJ feature, which offered AI-generated commentary around your top artists and songs. This year, youre again getting an AI narrating your musical history, but now have two AI speakers instead of just one.The AI DJ feature will also integrate your Wrapped into its own spoken commentary and stories. The AI DJ is available in both English and Spanish. Image Credits:SpotifyAnother AI feature is aimed at Premium subscribers, who can enter prompts to generate AI playlists based on their Wrapped experience, building on the existing AI playlist feature, launched in April. For instance, you could prompt Spotify to play more artists like your top 5 Wrapped artists. Image Credits:SpotifyMeanwhile, Wrapped didnt introduce as much in terms of new personalized data stories as it has in previous years, when the company experimented with fun, designed-to-go-viral features like those identifying your music personality, matching you to a town that shares your musical tastes, identifying your audio aura, or turning your listening history into a game you can share with friends, among other things.Instead, its big addition on this front is the feature called Your Music Evolution, which will track up to three distinct musical phases you went through during the year. For a year that saw Beyonc doing country, the celebration of a Brat summer, a continued Taylor Swift Eras tour, an Oasis reunion, and a number of notable collabs, Spotify will have a lot to choose from when it comes to tracking users changing interests. The feature will also come with a personalized playlist that will be available from the Wrapped feed in Home. Image Credits:SpotifyAudiobooks are another new addition to Wrapped in 2024. Now available across a range of global markets, including the U.S., U.K., Australia, and others, Spotifys audiobooks catalog doubled this year to over 300,000 titles. Spotify Wrapped will include a new audiobooks editorial hub and will offer a dedicated Wrapped experience for authors and publishers who want to see how Spotifys users engaged with their work in 2024, similar to the experience it already offers for podcasters.Image Credits:SpotifyOther areas of the Wrapped experience have also been tweaked or updated. For instance, your Top 5 Artists Story will now show your Longest Listening Streak. When you share music or podcasts, Spotify will tell you if what youre listening to was in your top 100 songs, top 20 artists, or top 5 podcasts. The company is also bringing back Top Listeners, which shows what percentile youre in for your favorite artist a feature that lets users brag to friends how theyve been into a favorite artist long before anyone else.Image Credits:SpotifyArtist video clips will return, too, with thousands of artists sharing messages to top fans, including Billie Eilish, Usher, Sabrina Carpenter, Karol G, Peso Pluma, Chappell Roan, ROS, and others. This year, Wrapped will also add Podcaster Clips, or video messages from podcasters like Emma Chamberlain (Anything Goes), Ashely Flowers (Crime Junkie), Markiplier (Mark Fischbach, Distractable), Steven Bartlett (Diary of a CEO), and others. And in celebration of Top Artist Taylor Swift, a couple of Easter Eggs in the app will illuminate Spotifys buttons with Era-themed animations like sparkles for Fearless or seagulls for 1989 (Taylors Version), among others. Fans will also have access to a Top Artist AR friendship bracelet on Snapchat and Swift will receive a Global Top Artist badge in the app. Image Credits:SpotifyTop Spotify lists of 2024The company today also revealed its top lists for 2024, including the following (in order of popularity):Top Artists (Global): Taylor Swift (26.6 billion streams, 2nd year in a row), The Weeknd, Bad Bunny, Drake, Billie Eilish (back for the 2nd time since 2019)Top Songs (Global): Sabrina Carpenters Espresso (1.6+ billion streams), Benson Boones Beautiful Things, Billie Eilishs Birds of a Feather, FloyyMenor and Cris Mjs Gata Only, and Teddy Swims Lose ControlTop Albums (Global): Taylor Swifts The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology, Billie Eilishs Hit Me Hard and Soft, Sabrina Carpenters Short N Sweet, Karol Gs Maana Sera Bonito, Ariana Grandes Eternal SunshineMost Viral Songs (Globally most shared on social media): Die With A Smile by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga, Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish, Beautiful Things by Benson Boone, Lose Control by Teddy Swims, Good Luck, Babe! by Chappell RoanTop Podcasts (Global): The Joe Rogan Experience, Call Her Daddy, Huberman Lab, This Past Weekend with Theo Von, The Diary of a CEO with Steven BartlettMost Anticipated Podcasts (U.S. shows with the highest consumption in week one): Mind the Game with Lebron James & JJ Redick, Talk Tuah with Haliey Welch, Drowning Creek, Hysterical, Datelines Murder in the Hollywood HillsTop Audiobooks (Global): A Court of Thorns & Roses by Sarah J. Maas (also the top global author), The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien, Im Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy, A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas, and It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover.Spotify Wrapped 2024 is almost here, but first lets explore all the copycats

Cyberattacks are on the rise, and the victims are high-profile. According to a KPMG survey, close to half of companies with $1 billion or more in annual revenue recently suffered a security breach. Surprisingly, an overabundance of security tools may be contributing to the problem. In a separate poll, 43% of businesses said their teams were overwhelmed with alerts.Piyush Sharma is well-acquainted with cybersecurity tool overload. As an engineering director at Symantec, Sharma led the development of several app control, endpoint security, and integration management products, and was responsible for ensuring that these tools played nicely together.Organizations struggle with tool fragmentation, where disparate security solutions operate in silos, making it difficult to achieve a unified defense strategy, Sharma told TechCrunch. Additionally, the sheer volume of vulnerabilities and alerts overwhelms security teams, leading to inefficient resource allocation and extended remediation times. These challenges are compounded by limited budgets and the need to meet stringent compliance requirements.This didnt make Sharmas job easy and he thought he might know a better way. So, along with GE veteran Vipul Parmar and Om Moolchandani, Sharma launched Tuskira, a platform to unify disparate security tools.Tuskira was founded to solve the challenges of managing fragmented, reactive security systems, Sharma said. The companys mission is to preempt threats and optimize security operations, helping businesses stay ahead of evolving cyber risks.Tuskira looks for exploits and misconfigurations in a firms security stack, providing analyses across code, cloud environments, apps, and infrastructure. The platform also optimizes security tools in addition to aggregating them, Sharma says, delivering ostensibly improved monitoring capabilities. By focusing on reducing attacker dwell time and strengthening defenses proactively, Tuskira offers a more comprehensive and efficient solution compared to competitors who often address threats in isolation, Sharma said. Tuskira is built for enterprises across industries such as finance, healthcare, technology, and government, providing actionable insights and measurable improvements to their security posture.Tuskira is Sharma, Parmar, and Moolchandanis second cybersecurity venture. In 2019, the trio founded cloud security startup Accurics, which Tenable acquired in 2021 for $160 million.Now, Tuskira isnt the only security tool aggregator on the market. Avalor is another; it acts as a source of truth for security assets, allowing security teams to track risk data.Be that as it may, San Francisco-based, roughly-50-person Tuskira managed to win over investors with its pitch. The company recently closed a $28.5 million funding round co-led by Intel Capital and SYN Ventures with participation from Sorenson Capital, Rain Capital, and Wipro Ventures.Thats an impressive feat considering the current state of cybersecurity funding. In Q3, investors poured just $2.1 billion into cybersecurity startups, 51% less than they invested in Q2, per Crunchbase. Partnering with these investors brings strategic guidance and connections that help accelerate Tuskira as we emerge out of stealth, Sharma said. The funding will be used to advance Tuskiras AI technology, expand integrations, and enhance customer onboarding processes. Tuskira is well-positioned to sustain any headwinds as we raise the capital.

Breakdown & ShowreelsNautilus: VFX Breakdown by DupeBy Vincent Frei - 04/12/2024 Experience the magic beneath the waves with the visual effects made by Dupe that take Nautilus to new depths, capturing the mystery and majesty of Captain Nemos journey!WANT TO KNOW MORE?Dupe: Dedicated page about Nautilus on Dupe website. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2024

Iceland-based startup Euler offers AI-powered defect detection software for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing. The company, which recently launched from stealth mode, has integrated its process monitoring tool within Fusion, Autodesks cloud-native CAD/CAM 3D design software.Available as an Autodesk Fusion App, Eulers Software as a Service (SaaS) tool leverages existing 3D printer camera data and AI algorithms to achieve automated, live 3D printing analysis without expensive monitoring equipment. It can detect common process defects, predict and mitigate 3D printing failures, filter data into actionable insights, and make system-to-system comparisons for industrial-scale applications.Using Fusions versioned, granular data management, the Euler App connects real-time sensor data from 3D printers with detailed design files, feeding the information back into the design software. This creates an integrated process chain spanning CAD design, preparation and post-processing, supporting rapid iteration for industrial manufacturing applications.Eulers AI tool in Autodesk Fusion. Image via Autodesk.Autodesk integrates Eulers AI softwareEulers Autodesk App identifies and analyses common powder-based 3D printing defects like spatter, recoated issues, burn marks, smoke, warpage, and poor powder distribution. It can anticipate process failures during 3D printing, automatically triggering in-situ mitigation actions to prevent issues with the final part.The tool also uses artificial intelligence (AI) to translate complex, raw data into actionable insights that can be monitored and reported to ensure consistent and reliable production. This allows those without specialized expertise to more effectively supervise the 3D printing process, lowering the barrier of entry to high-quality additive manufacturing. Users can also upload images of powder bed layers for Euler to analyze, increasing accessibility and removing the need for expensive equipment.Additionally, Eulers system-to-system comparisons enable manufacturers to analyze and standardize the performance of multiple 3D printers, ensuring consistent quality at an industrial scale.Eulers defect detection interface. Image via Autodesk.Over the past few months, Autodesk has been beta-testing Eulers offering on a Renishaw RenAM 500Q four-laser LPBF 3D printer at its Boston Technology Center. According to Autodesk, the direct onboarding process of the tool is straightforward. The team claimed it seamlessly connected the 3D printer to the Euler Cloud platform.Autodesks Machine operators reportedly found that Eulers automatic AI insights offer incredible value for its 3D print jobs. For instance, the tool identified a periodic fluctuation of 3D printing spatters during testing. This revealed a 3D printer hardware defect which could have gone undetected and resulted in insufficient part quality.According to Autodesk, Eulers integration of process monitoring and data bridges the communication gap between design and manufacturing teams. It reportedly fosters a shared understanding of process capabilities and limitations, ensuring designs are practical and manufacturable.Periodic defects in a print job analyzed by Euler. Image via Autodesk.live process monitoring for 3D printing Live monitoring and quality assurance tools are vital for ensuring 3D printed parts meet the required quality for demanding applications like aviation, aerospace and defense. Therefore, Euler adds to a growing number of companies offering live defect-detection capabilities.Chicago-based 3D printing quality assurance software developer Phase3D is a key player in this space. The firm recently launched Fringe Qualification, a new tool for Fringe, its metal 3D printing in-situ inspection platform. This new offering allows users to certify and control the quality of metal parts as they are being 3D printed on LPBF systems. It provides simultaneous and automated layer-by-layer inspection across multiple 3D printers to ensure high quality during high-volume production.Phase3D Fringe platform uses structural light to measure a height map of each material layer before and after melting. This creates live visualizations of 3D printing anomalies, allowing engineers to make informed decisions about build cancellation. Earlier this year, the company commercialized its True Layer Thickness toolkit. This measures, in microns, the quantity of metal powder distributed across a 3D printers build platform. As such, the 3D printing inspection tool allows users to guarantee an even material distribution of each layer, preventing issues during metal additive manufacturing.Phase3Ds Fringe structured light in-situ monitoring technology. Photo via Phase3D.Similarly, Californian metal 3D printer manufacturer Velo3D offers its Assure Quality Assurance and Control System. This is compatible with the companys Sapphire 3D printers and provides live monitoring of the LPBF 3D printing process. Defects are automatically detected as they occur, with quality control and build report summaries generated for each print job. Multi-sensor, physics-based detection algorithms are also used to trace quality during production, streamlining the part validation process.Elsewhere, Ceramics 3D printer manufacturer 3DCeram recently introduced CERIA, its AI tool to enhance ceramic 3D printing. Designed to support the entire additive manufacturing workflow, the platform features CERIA Live, which provides continuous monitoring and adjustments during 3D printing, ensuring an uninterrupted production flow is maintained.All the news from Formnext 2024.Who are the leaders in additive manufacturing? Vote now in the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards!What does the future of 3D printing hold?What near-term 3D printing trends have been highlighted by industry experts?Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to keep up with the latest 3D printing news.You can also follow us on Twitter, like our Facebook page, and subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry Youtube channel to access more exclusive content.Featured image shows Eulers AI tool in Autodesk Fusion. Image via Autodesk.

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Park Court Jingu Kitasando Tower | Kawasumi-Kobayashi Kenji Photograph OfficeIn the heart of Shibuya, Tokyo, surrounded by the lush greenery of Meiji Shrine, its outer gardens, and the Shinjuku Imperial Garden, Park Court Jingu Kitasando The Tower is a symbol of architectural innovation. This project by Hoshino Architects redefines urban living by harmonizing nature, community, and sustainability within the dense urban fabric of Tokyo.Park Court Jingu Kitasando Tower Technical InformationArchitects1-5: Hoshino ArchitectsLocation: 4-6-8 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, JapanTopics:TowersArea: 55,655 m2 |599,000 Sq. Ft.Completion Year: 2023Photographs: Kawasumi-Kobayashi Kenji Photograph Office, Photo provision by Mitsui Fudosan ResidentialThe design creates a woven exterior, further accentuating the delicate, soft, curved geometries throughout the entire building. The eastern facade has a regular, linear shape, which creates a sharp expression that is rich with a variety of appearances, depending on the angle of view. Hoshino ArchitectsPark Court Jingu Kitasando Tower PhotographsAerial View | Kawasumi-Kobayashi Kenji Photograph OfficeView from the Park | Kawasumi-Kobayashi Kenji Photograph OfficeStreet View | Kawasumi-Kobayashi Kenji Photograph OfficeStreet View | Kawasumi-Kobayashi Kenji Photograph OfficeFacade Detail | Kawasumi-Kobayashi Kenji Photograph OfficeInterior Space | Kawasumi-Kobayashi Kenji Photograph OfficeLobby | Kawasumi-Kobayashi Kenji Photograph OfficeLiving Room | Kawasumi-Kobayashi Kenji Photograph OfficeLiving Room | Kawasumi-Kobayashi Kenji Photograph OfficeRooftop | Kawasumi-Kobayashi Kenji Photograph OfficeThe NEST Vision: Conceptualizing a Woven SanctuaryAt the core of Park Court Jingu Kitasando The Towers design is the NEST concept, which merges organic vitality with the unique urban surroundings. This approach materializes in a facade that mimics a woven nest, accentuating both softness and strength.The western facade showcases delicate curves that respond to the natural setting, creating a fluid and organic appearance. In contrast, the eastern facade adopts a linear, sharp geometry, offering dynamic visual variety depending on the angle of view. Together, these contrasting forms establish the tower as an iconic presence, both up close and from afar.The design further integrates functionality and beauty through innovative lighting. At night, the wavy top of the tower is illuminated to create a striking three-dimensional effect, while soft lights highlight the greenery, ensuring the building remains inviting and cohesive with its environment after sunset.The woven concept carries into the interiors, where the entrance lounge and atrium are defined by a three-dimensional weave of walls and floors. A bold staircase and a dramatic chandelier guide visitors through the space, which features a vaulted ceiling tracing elongated lines that enhance the grandeur of the interior.Material choices, particularly wood, create an atmosphere reminiscent of being inside a tree. This interplay of natural textures and sculptural elements fosters a serene yet dynamic communal experience.Environmental and Urban IntegrationPark Court Jingu Kitasando The Tower transcends conventional high-rise architecture by seamlessly blending urban functionality with ecological sensitivity.Set amidst a varied landscape, the project leverages its sites elevation to introduce greenery, pathways, and water features that weave the urban and natural worlds together. The use of diverse tree species enhances the areas biodiversity, extending the habitat for local wildlife and enriching Tokyos green infrastructure.Sustainability lies at the heart of the projects design. Rooftop solar panels supply energy for essential building functions, ensuring operational resilience during emergencies. This emphasis on green energy complements the ecological ethos of connecting fragmented urban greenery.The ground-level design fosters openness, inviting the community into the space while maintaining residential privacy. A pastel green wall gently demarcates public and private zones, facilitating walking and leisure activities for residents and visitors alike. This accessibility strengthens the buildings role as a community hub within Tokyos bustling urban context.Architectural Impact and LegacyPark Court Jingu Kitasando The Tower is more than a residential building; it is a pivotal node linking Tokyos transit systems with its green sanctuaries. This dual function enhances the quality of life for residents and contributes to a more interconnected urban landscape.The tower succeeds in harmonizing aesthetics, functionality, and environmental considerations. Its facade design elevates its visual appeal and establishes a deeper connection with its surroundings. Internally, the balance of grandeur and warmth underscores the importance of human-centric design in high-rise architecture.Park Court Jingu Kitasando Tower Image GalleryAbout Hoshino ArchitectsHiroaki Hoshino founded Hoshino Architects, an architectural practice established in Tokyo in 2012. With extensive international experience, Hoshino has worked in London, Dubai, and Tokyo, blending global design perspectives with a deep respect for local historical, cultural, and environmental contexts. A qualified architect in both the UK and Japan, he began his career at Hopkins Architects in London, serving as Representative in Japan before founding his own practice. Hoshino Architects is renowned for its innovative residential, hotel, resort, retail, and office projects across Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and beyond, consistently pushing boundaries to create architecture that is sustainable, timeless, and deeply connected to its surroundings.Notes & Additional CreditsBuilding Levels: 27 above-ground and 1 basement levelMaster Design Architect: Hoshino Architects INC.Lighting Designer: Izumi Okayasu Lighting Design OfficeContractor: Joint Venture of Shimizu Corporation & Fujita CorporationClient: Mitsui Fudosan Residential Co., Ltd.

Now it its 12th year,ANs Best of Design Awards honors built and unbuilt work across a range of scale and typologies within the architecture community. This year,AN introduced some new changes to the program: expanding large categories like Adaptive Reuse into more function-based subcategories, making a new category exclusively for projects by emerging architects, opening up eligibility to any firm worldwide, and expanding the jury to include a larger cohort and more international members. Its no wonder that the volume of submissions this year went up, setting a new high record for the program. The jury carefully considered complexity, rigor, context, and uniqueness when reviewing entries. From the discussion and its results, one trend emerged among the applications, winners, and finalists: dedication and care to humble services. This year, ten library projects were awarded wins, honorable mentions, and editors picks in Best of Design, which is a 60 percent increase in libraries represented in last years program. Other quiet yet useful spaces like a Computer Room for schoolchildren or dedicated campus space for underrepresented communities were awarded special mentions. Both applicants and jurors appreciated the dignity and detail paid to these oft overlooked spaces.Of course, large buildings and projects were also awarded in this years Best of Design, including in the previously released editors picks and upcoming winners. Gathered here are projects the jury felt were deserving of a special spotlight. Here are the honorable mentions of 2024s Best of Design Awards.JuryAlexandra LangeDesign CriticAdaptive ReuseCommercial(Angie McMonigal)Book DepositoryGenslerDetroitAdaptive ReuseEducation(Nick McGinn)Western Kentucky University Commons at Helm LibraryGensler+Luckett & FarleyBowling Green, Kentucky Adaptive ReuseHospitality(Andrea Calo)Reel em InnLake|FlatoRockport, TexasAdaptive ReuseResidential(Alex Attard)Dar San RokkuValentino ArchitectsZebbu, MaltaBuilding RenovationCommercial(Andrea Calo)4000 Medical ParkwayMark Odom StudioAustin Building RenovationResidential(Conor Harrigan)Gwathmey LegacyMartin Architects Amagansett, New YorkCivic(Sandra Pereznieto)Pilares Quetzalcatl a|911Mexico CityCommercialHospitality(Douglas Friedman)Kona VillageWalker WarnerKailua-Kona, HawaiiCommercialOffice (Large)(Jeremy Bittermann)843 N Spring StreetLEVER ArchitectureLos Angeles CommercialOffice (Small)(Bruce Damonte)Crane Cove WarehouseObata Noblin OfficeSan FranciscoCultural(Johannes van Kan)Ravenscar House MuseumPatterson Associates Christchurch, New ZealandEducationHigher Education(Angela Hau)Saint Anns Computer CenterLea ArchitectureNew York(Nic Lehoux)Greenhill SchoolRosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation CenterBohlin Cywinski Jackson Addison, Texas Emerging Architects Project Award(Zelig Fok)Ambient ArchitectureclovisbaronianColumbus, Ohio(Courtesy UltraBarrio)The Line Is The Medium UltraBarrioHoustonExhibition Design(Shephotoerd)Taiwan International Book Exhibition Netherlands PavilionMVRDVTaipei, TaiwanFacades(Courtesy SHoP Architects)The Wharf DCSHoP ArchitectsWashington, D.C.Higher EducationInstructional(Millie Yoshida)Horse Island Research StationGOABranford, Connecticut(Robert Benson)Trinity University Business & Humanities DistrictLake|Flato Houston Higher EducationRecreation & Leisure(Alexander Severin)Duane L Jones RecitalSUNY Old WestburyThink! Architecture + DesignOld Westbury, New YorkHigher EducationResidential(Jason ORear)Anchor HouseMorris Adjmi ArchitectsBerkeley, CaliforniaInfrastructure(Corey Gaffer)Treetop Trail at the Minnesota ZooSnow Kreilich ArchitectsApple Valley, MinnesotaInteriorHotel(Alex Marks)Hotel HenriettaFarouki FaroukiNew OrleansInteriorInstitutional(doublespace photography)Robarts Library Reading RoomSuperklTorontoInteriorResidential (Renovation)(Adrian Gaut)Brooklyn Heights TownhouseStarling ArchitectureNew York InteriorRestaurant & Bar(Patricia Chang)Best Quality DaughterLake|FlatoSan Antonio, Texas(Kylie Fitts)SwayMichael Hsu Office of ArchitectureAustinInteriorWorkplace (Large)(Read McKendree)TIDALA+INew YorkInteriorWorkplace (Small)(Guy Ferguson)Stzuminus NustumaatStudio RoslynStzuminus First Nation, Vancouver Island Landscape(Timothy Schenck)Gansevoort Peninsula at Hudson River ParkField OperationsNew YorkLibrary(Jane Messinger)Boston Public Library - Roslindale BranchLeers Weinzapfel AssociatesBostonResidentialMixed-use(Courtesy Patrick TIGHE Architecture)Yale Mixed-UsePatrick TIGHE ArchitectureLos AngelesResidentialMulti-unit(scar Caballero)The VillageSordo MadalenoQuintana Roo, Mexico ResidentialSingle-unit(Joe Fletcher)Hill House MontecitoDonaldson + PartnersMontecito, CaliforniaRestoration & Preservation(Colin Winterbottom)The Virginia Mae CenterWashington National CathedralSmithGroupWashington, D.C.Social Impact(James Brittain)Centennial CollegeA-Building ExpansionDIALOGScarborough, Ontario(Albert Vecerka/ESTO)Davis CenterLeers Weinzapfel AssociatesWilliamstown, Massachusetts Student Work(Courtesy Lawrence Technological University)AxiRotaLawrence Technological UniversitySouthfield, MichiganTemporary Installation(Variante Artistica)Angelus Novus VaultSOMVenice, Italy(Tom Harris)Garden RoomDRAWINGSLake Forest, Illinois UnbuiltCommercial(Courtesy The Miller Hull Partnership)Maritime Innovation CenterThe Miller Hull PartnershipSeattleUnbuiltCultural & Civic(Courtesy University of Arkansas Community Design Center)Foodscapes-Urban Agricultural Plan for the Fayetteville Public LibraryUniversity of Arkansas Community Design CenterFayetteville, ArkansasUnbuiltEducation(Courtesy OBRA Architects)UIJEONGBU KINDERGARTENOBRA ArchitectsSeoul, South Korea UnbuiltLandscape, Urban Design & Master Plan(Leo Neves/Courtesy NV2A Group)The Underline Phase 3Field OperationsMiamiUnbuiltResidentialMulti-unit(Courtesy FreelandBuck)CMADUFreelandBuckLos Angeles(Courtesy West of West)Two AdamsWest of WestHoustonUnbuiltResidentialSingle-unit(Courtesy University of Arkansas Community Design Center)Adult Family Home PrototypeUniversity of Arkansas Community Design CenterUrban Design & Master Plan(Courtesy Dept./Utile)Houston Concept Neighborhood Framework PlanDept.+UtileHouston

Sergey Nivens - stock.adobe.comNewsMicrosoft hit with 1bn UK legal claim over anti-competitive cloud licensing tacticsA legal claim, valued at more than 1bn, has been filed with the UKs Competition Appeal Tribunal regarding Microsofts controversial cloud licensing tactics ByCaroline Donnelly,Senior Editor, UKPublished: 03 Dec 2024 15:09 Microsoft has found itself on the receiving end of 1bn legal action, filed on behalf of thousands of UK businesses that were allegedly over-charged for running its Windows Server software in its competitors cloud environments.The action has been filed by competition lawyer Maria Luisa Stasi and her legal team at complex disputes resolution firm Scott+Scott with the UKs Competition Appeal Tribunal.It is claimed that UK firms could be owed more than 1bn in compensation because of Microsofts controversial cloud licensing tactics, which have been the subject of scrutiny by competition regulators and trade organisations across the UK and Europe for some time now.Specifically, Stasi and her team allege that UK businesses were charged more for running the Windows Server software in cloud environments hosted by Microsofts main public cloud rivals, namely Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform and Alibaba Cloud.All UK businesses and organisations that bought licences for Windows Server via Amazons AWS, Google Cloud Platform, and Alibaba Cloud may have been overcharged and will be represented in this new opt-out collective action, said Stasis representatives in a statement.An opt-out collective action makes it possible for a class actions such as this to proceed against a company like Microsoft without first needing to get those allegedly affected by the allegations involved and on-side first.In a statement, Stasi said the lawsuit aims to challenge Microsofts anti-competitive behaviour for the benefit of all UK business and organisations who have found themselves paying more to access the same software just because they choose to run it in someone elses cloud.Put simply, Microsoft is punishing UK business and organisations for using Google, Amazon and Alibaba for cloud computing by forcing them to pay more money for Windows Server, said Stasi.By doing so, Microsoft is trying to force customers into using its cloud computing service, Azure, and restricting competition in the sector.This lawsuit aims to challenge Microsofts anti-competitive behaviour, push them to reveal exactly how much businesses in the UK have been illegally penalised, and return the money to organisations that have been unfairly overcharged.Computer Weekly contacted Microsoft for a response to the news of this legal claim, but a representative for the company said that it has no comment to make at this time.Scott+Scott partner James Hain-Cole said that the company is proud to be supporting Stasi in her efforts to secure compensation for those affected and hold Microsoft to account for its conduct.Collective actions level the playing field and allow organisations to fight back against anti-competitive behaviour from some of the biggest companies in the world, said Hain-Cole. [This] case against Microsoft aims to do exactly that.News of the legal action comes after Google filed a complaint with the European Commission (EC) over Microsofts cloud licensing practices in September 2024, and several months after the software giant reached a $22m settlement with the Cloud Infrastructure Service Providers in Europe (CISPE) trade body that resulted in it dropping a similar complaint against Microsoft with the EC.Read more about Microsofts cloud licensing practicesAfter regulator Ofcom raised red flags about the anti-competitive behaviour of Amazon Web Services and Microsoft, the UK cloud market was referred to the Competition and Markets Authority.Microsoft has dismissed the idea its cloud licensing practices are affecting its two biggest competitors, but stakeholders claim the CMA's latest working paper could signify a day of reckoning over its pricing strategy.In The Current Issue:Interview: James Fleming, CIO, Francis Crick InstituteStage is set for legal battles over Big Tech dominanceFive reasons why and when cloud storage is the answerDownload Current IssueAWS re: Invent 2024 - MongoDB charts wider MAAP CW Developer NetworkRisk of Trump and Big Tech deregulation Cliff Saran's Enterprise blogView All Blogs