• Supreme Court will hear case against Californias tough vehicle emissions standards
    www.fastcompany.com
    The Supreme Court on Friday said it would take up a business-backed appeal that could make it easier to challenge federal regulations, acting in a dispute related to Californias nation-leading standards for vehicle emissions.The justices agreed to hear an appeal filed by fuel producers who object to a waiver granted to California in 2022 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during Joe Bidens presidency. The waiver allows California to set more stringent emissions limits than the national standard.The case wont be argued until the spring, when the Trump administration is certain to take a more industry-friendly approach to the issue. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to boost production of fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal and repeal key parts of a landmark 2022 climate law.The high court will not be reviewing the waiver itself, but instead will look at a preliminary issue, whether fuel producers have legal standing to challenge the EPA waiver.The federal appeals court in Washington ruled that the companies lacked the right to sue because they produced no evidence that they would be affected by the waiver, which directly affects vehicle manufacturers.Ford, Honda, Volkswagen and other major automakers already are meeting the California emission standards, the administration noted in court papers.But the fuel producers told the high court that the appellate decision, if left in place, would imperil future challenges to administrative action.They said they met the legal test for getting into court. As a matter of common sense, lawyers for the companies wrote, automakers would produce fewer electric vehicles and more gas-powered cars if the waiver were set aside, directly affecting how much fuel would be sold.The EPA waiver was part of the Biden administrations efforts to reverse environmental rollbacks from Trumps first White House term and restore Californias authority to set tighter emissions rules.California has unique authority under the federal Clean Air Act to set tougher standards for cars sold in the nations largest state, which has prompted automakers to produce more fuel-efficient passenger vehicles that emit less climate-damaging tailpipe exhaust.In April, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejected the fuel producers case as well as a related challenge from Ohio and other Republican-led states and fuel producers. The appeals court hears many challenges to federal regulations.The Supreme Court did not act on the states appeal.The current fight has its roots in a2019 decisionby the Trump administration to rescind the states authority. Three years later, with Biden in office, the EPArestored the states authority.Other environmental regulations have not fared well before the conservative-majority court in recent years. In 2022, the justices limited the EPAs authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants witha landmark decision. In June, the court halted the agencys air-pollution-fightinggood neighborrule.Another ruling in June, overturning a decades-old decision known colloquially as Chevron, is also expected to make environmental regulations more difficult to set and keep, along with other federal agency actions.But the justices also have recently kept in effect environmental regulations to limit planet-warming pollution from coal-fired power plants, while legal challenges play out.Mark Sherman, Associated Press
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  • Nude palette envelops SKIMS NYC Flagship by Rafael de Crdenas
    www.dezeen.com
    SKIMS, the apparel brand founded by Kim Kardashian, has opened its first flagship store on New York's Fifth Avenue featuring interiors by Rafael de Crdenas.The SKIMS NYC Flagship has taken over a historic building with an ornately detailed stone facade, situated a block north of St Patrick's Cathedral and opposite Rockefeller Center.A giant mannequin presides over the SKIMS flagship on Fifth AvenueInside, De Crdenas has applied the brand's signature nude palette to softly curved surfaces, rounded arches and flooring throughout."The sumptuously soft but exactingly clean interior of the flagship sets off the landmark building's intricately historical facade," said the New York-based designer.Mirrors create infinite reflections of archways covered in nude-toned ultrasuede"The collaboration has produced an immersive and innovative brand experience for existing SKIMS customers, and new ones, to discover," he added.In the soaring ground-floor space, a giant mannequin presides over the displays of SKIMS' ultra-stretchy underwear, loungewear and shapewear collections.Tonal shapewear and underwear are displayed on matching mannequinsThe products are laid out on Corian display podiums and smaller mannequins are set into niches that match their tonal colourways, which are designed for a wide range of skin tones.Walls are covered in soft ultrasuede, with mirrored panels in-between that create infinite reflections where they face one another.One floor of the flagship is dedicated to menswear, which SKIMS launched last yearFitting rooms feature wraparound mirrors and light-box ceilings installed to "bathe customers in a soft, flattering light".One floor is dedicated to menswear, which SKIMS launched in 2023.Read: Rafael de Cardenas plays with pink at Glossier HQ in New York"This flagship is a dream realised for SKIMS," said Kardashian. "We've created a space that perfectly embodies our brand and elevates the customer experience.""New York City has always held a special place in my heart, and opening our first flagship here during the holidays is truly magical," she added.Rounded surfaces are found throughout the interior, including the sales counterKardashian founded SKIMS in 2019, and the brand has created pop-up retail spaces in cities including Paris and London since its inception.In 2022, SKIMS released an underwear line for people with disabilities, which combines easy-access closures with a range of sizes and colours to suit different skin tones and body types.The new flagship occupies a historic building with ornate exterior detailingDe Crdenas, whose firm was shortlisted for interior design studio of the year at the 2022 Dezeen Awards, has created spaces for a variety of household-name brands during his career.These include the New York headquarters for cosmetics company Glossier and a bar inside department store Nordstrom.The photography is by William Abranowicz.The post Nude palette envelops SKIMS NYC Flagship by Rafael de Crdenas appeared first on Dezeen.
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  • Legal battle to "defend integrity" of Frank Lloyd Wright's only skyscraper
    www.dezeen.com
    The Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy has filed a counterclaim and defence of its easement on the Price Tower by Frank Lloyd Wright in Oklahoma following the current owner's lawsuit against the organisation.The back and forth began after preservation organisation The Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy informed the owners of Wright's skyscraper the Price Tower that itsalleged "unapproved" sale of historical items such as custom furniture violated an easement that protected the integrity of the building's design.Local investment companies Green Copper Holdings, Copper Tree Inc, and owner Cynthia Blanchard subsequently closed the hotel inside of the building temporarily after the backlash, claiming the sale of the items was to cover operation costs.Blanchard's consortium then filed a lawsuit claiming the 2011 easement is now null and void. It also seeks restitution for damages and would prevent the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy from publically advocating for the easement.The Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy is defending the easement of Price Tower following "unapproved" sales of its items. Top photo by Lane PearmanThe Conservancy recently filed its response and counterclaims towards the lawsuit, emphasising the legal validity of the easement and preservation efforts as a whole."Easements are a critical tool for the preservation of American cultural heritage," said Conservancy president Safina Uberoi."We are defending our easement on PriceTower to preserve the integrity of Wright's design, so it can continue to serve as a source of inspiration for future generations."Read: Hotel in Frank Lloyd Wright skyscraper to close following "unapproved" sale of itemsAs part of its legal response, the Conservancy states the easement, which protects the design integrity of the property, was breached."The Conservancy's response also asserts counterclaims against Green Copper Holdings, LLC, Copper Tree, Inc., and Cynthia Blanchard for breaching the easement, indemnity under the easement, unjust enrichment, and requests declaratory and injunctive relief to ensure the easement is upheld and Ms. Blanchard is prohibited from selling off any further items from the Price Tower," said the team.Earlier this year, a local Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise reporter spotted Blanchard loading historical items onto a truck to be sold from the tower, which included a directory board, chair and other custom pieces designed by Wright, as well as a gate from the local Shin'enKan property by architect Bruce Goff.The response includes a counterclaim against the lawsuit issued by the tower's ownersCompleted in 1956 and located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, the 19-storey Price Tower is considered to be Frank Lloyd Wright's only skyscraper and one of two high-rise buildings by the architect.Recently, a theatre designed by the architect was restored on the Talisen property and manufacturer Lindal Cedar Homes released purchasable house designs informed by Wright's Usonian philosophy.The photography is byWarren LeMay via Flickr unless otherwise stated.The post Legal battle to "defend integrity" of Frank Lloyd Wright's only skyscraper appeared first on Dezeen.
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  • Core77 Weekly Roundup (12-9-24 to 12-13-24)
    www.core77.com
    Here's what we looked at this week:Modernism vs. nature: Bjarke Ingels Group designs the Softshell, a tent-like structure for glamping. An explosion of VR simulators, by FuninVR.Xreal's AR Glasses are a fraction of the price of Apple's Vision Pro.The all-new electric Popemobile, by Mercedes-Benz.Roof hacks: A leafblower vs. sheets of ice.A floating sauna, made with unrecyclable wind turbine blades.A science-y Yule Log alternative: NASA's Rocket Engine Fireplace.Brilliant furniture design: Simone Giertz's swivel-arm chair valet.Ox Delivers' flatpack EV truck creates prosperity in Africa.Boelon's hi-tech "Luxury" Kitchen Sink.This Ensven Modular Bed Rocker turns beds into rocking beds. An obscure industrial design classic: Angelo Lelii's Polifemo floor lamp, inspired by Greek mythology.The Cardyhedron is an RPG dice set alternative in a credit card form factor. It's killing it on Kickstarter.The Lemmo One, by industrial design firm Springtime, is an "E+Bike."
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  • An "E+Bike" by Industrial Design Firm Springtime
    www.core77.com
    This Lemmo One, by industrial design and mobility firm Springtime, is an "E+bike." It's so named because it's an ordinary bike until you slap the removable battery onto it. "Through a break-through and patented innovation, the bike can be both ridden as an E-bike as well as a conventional bike," writes Springtime. "This is achieved by a removable battery pack (Smartpac) and by adding a clutch to the hub motor, which can completely take away any resistance from the motor (Dual Mode Hub).""The Smartpac can easily be taken off the bike and be used as a power bank for your mobile devices." The bike is up for pre-order at 450 (USD $472), but it appears to be EU-market-only.
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  • This Spacious All-Black Tiny Home Makes For An Excellent Starter Home For Small Families
    www.yankodesign.com
    Designed by New Zealands Cocoon Tiny Homes, this lithe light-filled home is called the Long Black. It showcases a wonderful layout that is both spacious and flexible. It is created for a small family, and equipped with two bedrooms, and space for a gym or home office. It is based on a triple-axle trailer, featuring a length of 39 feet. It is big for a tiny home and is finished in black painted iron cladding, exuding a dark and classy aesthetic, which is topped with a metal roof.Designer: Cocoon Tiny HomesDouble glass doors welcome you into the home, leading into the living room. The living room is spacious, equipped with a sofa and a TV unit with some storage. The kitchen is placed adjacent to the living room, and it features a breakfast bar for two people, as well as a fridge/freezer. It also contains a propane-powered stove, a sink, an oven, and loads of cabinetry.The kitchen leads to a small hallway which accommodates the bathroom. The bathroom is furnished with a shower, vanity sink, and a flushing toilet. A small secondary room is placed next to the bathroom, and this has a separate entrance. The entrance consists of a single glass door, which leads outside. This room can be used as a home office, a small gym, or even a nursery.A loft area has been placed above the spare room. This room can be utilized as another bedroom or for additional storage if required. This room can be accessed via a removable ladder. The other end of the house accommodates the master bedroom, which features a double bed and some storage. This has its own entrance as well double glass doors that offer access to the outdoors as well. Since the bedroom is located downstairs, it has sufficient headroom to stand upright, which is a bonus in tiny homes. The Long Black serves a modern tiny home with a sense of spaciousness that is not commonly seen in tiny homes. It makes for a suitable dwelling for small families and couples.The post This Spacious All-Black Tiny Home Makes For An Excellent Starter Home For Small Families first appeared on Yanko Design.
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  • This Impressive Science Museum In China Looks Like A ManMade Cloud Rising From The Earths Surface
    www.yankodesign.com
    China is getting a new museum called the Hainan Science Museum. It was designed by the renowned architectural firm MAD and will be completed in 2025. The museum looks more like a large cloud than a simple architectural structure. It resembles an updraft of warm air rising from the Earths surface to form a cloud. The curving exterior is made up of 843 individual pieces of silver-colored fiberglass-reinforced plastic.Designer: MADThe structure is designed to withstand the demanding local tropical climate. The plastic facade sections contain open seams and water-guiding grooves for damage. They are supported by a steel framework and concrete, which provides efficiency and reduces waste.The shapes and structure of the Hainan Science Museum have been carefully designed to avoid unnecessary space and materials, says MAD. The core, floor plates, and main structure are directly connected with the curved facade, ensuring efficient use of resources. The design optimizes everything to reduce waste including integrating circulation and function layout with the building structure.As you enter the museum, you are welcomed by an intriguing interior. The interior looks like a DNA Helix, according to MAD. It occupies around 500,000 sq ft, spans over five floors, and has a basement level. It is designed like a descending ramp, ranging from top to bottom, creating an alluring vision. A large skylight is placed at the center, allowing daylight to enter the museum.An elevator takes visitors from the entrance to the top floor, then begins a gentle decline, moving around the winding interior ramp. Visitors have access to views of the lovely landscaped garden on the right and gallery spaces on the left.The science museums construction began in 2021 and should be completed by next year. It is part of a large development movement in the popular tourist area of Hainan. This effect also includes another interesting structure by MAD a spaceship-like library called the Wormhole Library.The post This Impressive Science Museum In China Looks Like A ManMade Cloud Rising From The Earths Surface first appeared on Yanko Design.
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  • Warehouse Chic Living Room with Shopping List
    www.home-designing.com
    Style: Warehouse Chic with Industrial-Modern ElementsColor Combination: exposed brick red, cognac leather, charcoal gray, cream, with black metal accents Who is it for: Perfect for urban dwellers, loft enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates the raw beauty of industrial architecture combined with modern comfort. Budget: $$Warehouse Chic Living Room Shopping ListBelow we present a curated list of products presented on the board:1. Leather Sectional Sofa2. Estral Nesting Coffee Table3. Round Concrete Side Table4. Hersey Arm Chair5. Flatweave Beige Rug6. Grenier TV Stand7. 6-Light Black Metal Sputnik Chandelier8. LED Picture Light9. Faux Snake Plant in Pot10. Wall Mural Faux Bricks11. Matra Plush Velvet Curtains12. New York Crossing Print Wall Art13. Dash Line Pillow Cover14. Cotton Cable Knit Pillow Cover15. Knitted Throw Blanket16. Faux Succulent Plant in Ceramic PotTips and suggestionsColors That Work Together: The warm red exposed brick wall creates an authentic industrial foundation, while the cognac leather sectional adds rich warmth. Charcoal gray curtains and accents provide modern contrast, balanced by cream textiles that soften the industrial edge.Wall Details: The exposed brick wall serves as a stunning architectural feature, enhanced by black-and-white urban photography that pays homage to city architecture. The art pieces are thoughtfully framed in black to complement the industrial elements. The iconic bridges and city structures echo the rooms industrial DNAFurniture Picks: The substantial leather sectional anchors the space with its warm tones, while the modern accent chair adds a mid-century touch. The nested black metal coffee tables with circular tops add geometric interest while maintaining visual lightness.Bringing Nature In: A statement snake plant adds organic elements and height to the space, while small succulents provide subtle green accents, yet does not overwhelm the industrial aesthetic.Smart Lighting: The modern sputnik chandelier in black metal with glass globes makes a dramatic statement while providing ambient lighting. Its geometric form complements the industrial theme perfectly.Textile Layers: use cream textured rug or other warm colors to soften the space, while cable knit pillows and a cozy throw blanket can add warmth and tactile interest. You can add more playful colors for the throw pillows here.The Final Note: This design shows that industrial spaces dont have to feel cold or impersonal instead, it can be transformed into warm, sophisticated environment , and respect their architectural heritage while embracing modern living.Ready to create your own warehouse chic space? Tag us in your industrial-inspired transformations or reach out for more styling tips.
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  • Samsung teases first look at new mixed reality headset in partnership with Google
    www.creativebloq.com
    The Android XR platform will support both VR headsets and AR smart glasses.
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  • Leaked iPhone 17 Pro design raises eyebrows
    www.creativebloq.com
    Is Apple really taking design cues from Google?
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