Its no secret that the current AI boom is using up immense amounts of energy. Now we have a better idea of how much. A new paper, from a team at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, examined 2,132 data centers operating in the United States (78% of all facilities in the country). These facilitiesessentially buildings filled to the brim with rows of serversare where AI models get trained, and they also get pinged every time we send a request through models like ChatGPT. They require huge amounts of energy both to power the servers and to keep them cool. Since 2018, carbon emissions from data centers in the US have tripled. For the 12 months ending August 2024, data centers were responsible for 105 million metric tons of CO2, accounting for 2.18% of national emissions (for comparison, domestic commercial airlines are responsible for about 131 million metric tons). About 4.59% of all the energy used in the US goes toward data centers, a figure thats doubled since 2018. Its difficult to put a number on how much AI in particular, which has been booming since ChatGPT launched in November 2022, is responsible for this surge. Thats because data centers process lots of different types of datain addition to training or pinging AI models, they do everything from hosting websites to storing your photos in the cloud. However, the researchers say, AIs share is certainly growing rapidly as nearly every segment of the economy attempts to adopt the technology. Its a pretty big surge, says Eric Gimon, a senior fellow at the think tank Energy Innovation, who was not involved in the research. Theres a lot of breathless analysis about how quickly this exponential growth could go. But its still early days for the business in terms of figuring out efficiencies, or different kinds of chips. Notably, the sources for all this power are particularly dirty. Since so many data centers are located in coal-producing regions, like Virginia, the carbon intensity of the energy they use is 48% higher than the national average. The paper, which was published on arXiv and has not yet been peer-reviewed, found that 95% of data centers in the US are built in places with sources of electricity that are dirtier than the national average. There are causes other than simply being located in coal country, says Falco Bargagli-Stoffi, an author of the paper. Dirtier energy is available throughout the entire day, he says, and plenty of data centers require that to maintain peak operation 24-7. Renewable energy, like wind or solar, might not be as available. Political or tax incentives, and local pushback, can also affect where data centers get built. One key shift in AI right now means that the fields emissions are soon likely to skyrocket. AI models are rapidly moving from fairly simple text generators like ChatGPT toward highly complex image, video, and music generators. Until now, many of these multimodal models have been stuck in the research phase, but thats changing. OpenAI released its video generation model Sora to the public on December 9, and its website has been so flooded with traffic from people eager to test it out that it is still not functioning properly. Competing models, like Veo from Google and Movie Gen from Meta, have still not been released publicly, but if those companies follow OpenAIs lead as they have in the past, they might be soon. Music generation models from Suno and Udio are growing (despite lawsuits), and Nvidia released its own audio generator last month. Google is working on its Astra project, which will be a video-AI companion that can converse with you about your surroundings in real time. As we scale up to images and video, the data sizes increase exponentially, says Gianluca Guidi, a PhD student in artificial intelligence at University of Pisa and IMT Lucca, who is the papers lead author. Combine that with wider adoption, he says, and emissions will soon jump. One of the goals of the researchers was to build a more reliable way to get snapshots of just how much energy data centers are using. Thats been a more complicated task than you might expect, given that the data is dispersed across a number of sources and agencies. Theyve now built a portal that shows data center emissions across the country. The long-term goal of the data pipeline is to inform future regulatory efforts to curb emissions from data centers, which are predicted to grow enormously in the coming years. Theres going to be increased pressure, between the environmental and sustainability-conscious community and Big Tech, says Francesca Dominici, director of the Harvard Data Science Initiative and another coauthor. But my prediction is that there is not going to be regulation. Not in the next four years.

This is today's edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology. How Silicon Valley is disrupting democracy The internet loves a good neologism, especially if it can capture a purported vibe shift or explain a new trend. In 2013, the columnist Adrian Wooldridge coined a word that eventually did both. Writing for the Economist, he warned of the coming techlash, a revolt against Silicon Valleys rich and powerful fueled by the publics growing realization that these sovereigns of cyberspace werent the benevolent bright-future bringers they claimed to be. While Wooldridge didnt say precisely when this techlash would arrive, its clear today that a dramatic shift in public opinion toward Big Tech and its leaders did in fact happenand is arguably still happening. Two new books serve as excellent reminders of why it started in the first place. Together, they chronicle the rise of an industry that is increasingly using its unprecedented wealth and power to undermine democracy, and they outline what we can do to start taking some of that power back. Read the full story.Bryan Gardiner This story is from the forthcoming magazine edition of MIT Technology Review, set to go live on January 6its all about the exciting breakthroughs happening in the world right now. If you dont already, subscribe to receive a copy. The must-reads Ive combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 Google has unveiled a new headset and smart glasses OS Android XR gives wearers hands-free control thanks to the firms Gemini chatbot. (The Verge)+ It also revealed a new Samsung-build headset called Project Moohan. (WP $)+ Googles hoping to learn from mistakes it made with Google Glass a decade ago. (Wired $)+ Its new Project Astra could be generative AIs killer app. (MIT Technology Review) 2 The US and UK are on a AI regulation collision course Donald Trumps approach to policing AI is in stark contrast to what the UK is planning. (FT $)+ The new US FTC chair favors a light regulatory touch. (Reuters)+ Hows AI self-regulation going? (MIT Technology Review)3 We dont quite know whats causing a global temperature spike But scientists agree that we should be worried. (New Yorker $)+ The average global temperature could drop slightly next year, though. (New Scientist $)+ Whos to blame for climate change? Its surprisingly complicated. (MIT Technology Review)4 Trumps administration is filling up with tech insiders More venture capitalists and officials are likely to join their ranks. (The Information $)+ These crypto kingpins will be keeping a close eye on proceedings. (FT $)5 What happened after West Virginia revoked access to obesity drugsTeachers and state workers struggled after a pilot drugs program was deemed too expensive. (The Atlantic $) + Weight-loss injections have taken over the internet. But what does this mean for people IRL? (MIT Technology Review)6 Would you buy a car from Amazon?The e-retail giant wants you to sidestep the dealership and purchase from it directly. (Wired $) + While its limited to Hyundai models, other manufacturers will follow. (Forbes $)7 Silicon Valleys perks culture is largely dead No more free massages or artisanal chocolate, sob. (NYT $)8 AI is teaching us more about the Berlin Walls murals From the kinds of paint used, to application techniques. (Ars Technica)9 For $69, you can invest in a rare stegosaurus skeleton The rare fossil is a pretty extreme example of an alternative investment. (Fast Company $)+ New Yorkers can swing by the American Museum of Natural History to see it. (AP News) 10 This New Jersey politician faked his Spotify Wrapped To hide his childrens results and make him appear a bigger Bruce Springsteen fan. (Billboard $)+ What would The Boss himself make of the controversy? (WP $)Quote of the day It could be far worse than any challenge weve previously encountered and far beyond our capacity to mitigate. Jack Szostak, a professor in the University of Chicagos chemistry department, tells the Financial Times about the unprecedented danger posed by synthetic bacteria. The big story A brief, weird history of brainwashing April 2024 On a spring day in 1959, war correspondent Edward Hunter testified before a US Senate subcommittee investigating the effect of Red China Communes on the United States. Hunter introduced them to a supposedly scientific system for changing peoples minds, even making them love things they once hated. Much of it was baseless, but Hunters sensational tales still became an important part of the disinformation that fueled a mind-control race, with the US government pumping millions of dollars into research on brain manipulation during the Cold War. But while the science never exactly panned out, residual beliefs fostered by this bizarre conflict continue to play a role in ideological and scientific debates to this day. Read the full story. Annalee Newitz We can still have nice things A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or tweet 'em at me.) + Deep down in the depths of the Atacama Trench, a new crustacean has been discovered.+ Living in this picturesque Antarctic settlement comes with a catchyou have to have your appendix removed before you can move in.+ Just when you thought sweet potato couldnt get any better, it turns out it makes pretty tasty macaroons.+ If youre looking to introduce kids to the joy of sci-fi, these movies are a great place to start.

Submitted by WA ContentsFrida Escobedo and The Met unveil design of a New Modern and Contemporary Art Wing United States Architecture News - Dec 13, 2024 - 14:45 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Mexican architect Frida Escobedo and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) have unveiled design of a New Modern and Contemporary Art Wing, which will house The Mets renowned collection of 20th- and 21st-century art.The Met noted that in the 154-year history of the Museum, architect Frida Escobedo is the first female architect to design a wing.In addition to providing a wing that blends in seamlessly with the rest of the museum, the Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing will expand the current gallery space by almost 50 per cent, creating over 70,000 square feet (6,503 square meters) for the exhibition of modern and contemporary art. It will also address accessibility, infrastructure, and sustainability needs throughout all floors.The Tang Wing will contribute to the Museum's rich heritage of promoting deliberate, daring, and creative design that is itself a work of art, drawing inspiration from The Met's numerous architectural styles, art holdings, and Central Park location.Exterior rendering of The Metropolitan Museum of Arts Tang Wing (view from the northwest corner)The renovated five-story wing will not rise above the original height of the 1,880 wing at the heart of the Museum complex, and it will stay inside the 123,000-square-foot (11,427-square-metre) footprint of the current structure.The 126,000-square-foot (11,705-square-metre) is anticipated to generate 4,000 union jobs during construction. The initiative aims to have 3040 per cent of business enterprises owned by women and minorities participate.Virginia and New York-based Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, executive architect Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLC, engineering companies Kohler Ronan and Thornton Tomasetti, and lead design architect Frida Escobedo Studio comprise the design and engineering team.The remarkable local, national, and international support for the project from both new and seasoned trustees and donors was demonstrated in May 2024 when the Museum announced a fundraising milestone of $550 million in private gifts for the wing.Rendering of The Metropolitan Museum of Art from aerial view featuring the Tang Wing at the southeast cornerOur goal has been to create a building that fully meets the needs and aspirations of The Met, weaving together vital connections between the Modern and Contemporary Art galleries and other areas of the Museum and at the same time expressing the special significance of the Tang Wings place in the city," said Frida Escobedo, Founder and Principal of Frida Escobedo Studio."The wing is in New York, yet of the world; it reflects the global nature of this great collection and also draws inspiration from The Mets unique surroundings.""Such an ambition can be realized only through close and consistent collaboration. We are deeply grateful to our extraordinary partners at The Met and to all the members of the expert design team," Escobedo added.Interior rendering of The Metropolitan Museum of Arts Tang WingInspired by the famous Central Park and the 21 structures that currently comprise The Met's campus, Escobedo's design skillfully incorporates a modern aesthetic into the Museum's 154-year architectural legacy.The scaled facade, which consists of a three-story base with a recessed fourth floor and an additional setback fifth floor, is inspired by the visionary 1971 master plan by Roche Dinkeloo, which calls for a rhythm of solids and voids, as demonstrated by the use of limestone and glass in the seven buildings designed by Kevin Roche.A limestone "celosa"an architectural screen that alludes to a universal architectural language spanning several cultures and centuriesdefines Escobedo's facade, continuing that overarching ambition for the Museum. Interior rendering of The Metropolitan Museum of Arts Tang WingIts stone lattice and mineral texture will produce a delicate surface that will delicately react to the sun's movement throughout the day. In addition to the sporadic use of floor-to-ceiling glass, Escobedo's design's materiality and composition carefully combine elements of Richard Morris Hunt's and McKim, Mead, and White's Beaux Arts Fifth Avenue facade with the distinctive design features of Roche's wings.Escobedo's interior design produces dynamic exhibition areas that blend together and can display pieces of various sizes and levels of intricacy. The ceiling heights, which range from 11 (3,35 meter) to 22 (6,70 meter) feet, enable the exhibition of expansive installations that contrast with smaller areas.The overall gallery space will rise by almost half with a redesigned building architecture and programming. A 1,000-square-foot cafe will also be located on the fifth level, where guests can stop for refreshments before continuing to explore the galleries of modern and contemporary art.All year long, both indoor and outdoor areas will offer the spectacular views that both New Yorkers and tourists have grown accustomed to. The famous vistas of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline will be brought within for four-season enjoyment thanks to the wide south-facing windows in the galleries on the fourth and fifth floors.Interior rendering of The Metropolitan Museum of Arts Tang WingAdditionally, both floors will provide direct access to the city and park, resulting in an additional 18,500 square feet (1,719 square meters) of outdoor space divided among the terraces on the fourth and fifth floors.The fifth-floor Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden will relocate to the fourth-floor terrace, giving guests another opportunity to take in artwork while taking in views of Central Park and the city skyline. Space for the seasonal Cantor Roof Garden will increase from 7,500 square feet (697 square meters) to around 10,000 square feet (929 square meters) in its new location on the fourth floor. Thomas Woltz of Nelson Byrd Woltz landscaping Architects will create the landscaping for the fifth-floor outdoor space, drawing influence from Central Park's multi-layered traditions. Visitors will be able to re-establish a connection with the natural world and the metropolis beyond in this outdoor space.Exterior rendering of The Metropolitan Museum of Arts Tang Wing (view from the southwest corner)The design of the Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing was assigned to David Chipperfield Architects in 2015. Due to financial constraints and the growing expenses of the project by David Chipperfield Architects, The Met announced in 2017 that it had put a seven-year halt to renovations. In 2022, Mexican architect Frida Escobedo was announced as the designer of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's new the Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing in New York.The Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing is scheduled to open in 2030.All renderings Filippo Bolognese, courtesy of Frida Escobedo Studio.> via The Met

Submitted by WA ContentsThe Never Hut by MAD embraces "the collective childhood memories of the community" in Foshan China Architecture News - Dec 13, 2024 - 14:16 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"MAD has revealed its latest installation, The Never Hut, at the Guangdong Nanhai Land Art Festival 2024 in Yanqiao Village, Nanhai District, Foshan City, China.The design offers a space that encourages reflection and community interactions by striking a balance between cultural narratives and imaginative play.Image Tian Fangfang"This project is about capturing the freedom and wonder of childhood while providing a space for the community to gather, reflect, and imagine what lies ahead," said Ma Yansong, the founder of MAD.A beloved playground for a nearby elementary school is being transformed by the project, which takes place in the center of a historic community with more than 600 years of history. By redesigning this area, MAD honors the community's shared childhood experiences while bringing vitality and meaning to the area. The installation was inspired by Yanqiao Village's famous architecture from the Qing Dynasty, its winding river systems, and the magnificent banyan tree at its entrance.Image Zhu YumengThree "tentacles" made from local fishing nets support the eye-catching flying saucer-shaped structure known as the Never Hut, which interacts with its surroundings by reacting to the breeze to produce a dynamic interplay between motion and stillness.The Never Hut offers a round, shaded area for rest, conversation, and connection beneath its broad, vibrant eaves. It creates a lively conversation between the past and present with its bold, cheerful colors that contrast with the historic setting.Image Zhu YumengIn addition to being a functional space, the Never Hut is a creative focal point that promotes community involvement. Whether it's taking in the cool air, thinking back on the village's history, or admiring the harmony between art and nature, visitors may savor moments of everyday life."The Never Hut is a celebration of imagination and community a space where childhood memories find a new home," said Ma Yansong.Image Zhu YumengImage Zhu YumengImages Tian Fangfang, Zhu YumengImages Tian Fangfang, Zhu YumengThe acclaimed Timeless Beacon, which has been on exhibit at Taiping Market since 2022 as a component of the Guangdong Nanhai Land Art Festival's "Art at Qiaoshan" series, is one of MAD's previous works in Nanhai District that this installation expands upon.As part of the Guangdong Nanhai Land Art Festival 2024, the Never Hut is now open to the public, allowing both locals and tourists to enjoy its creative fusion of art, culture, and community.Top image in the article Zhu Yumeng.All images Tian Fangfang, Zhu Yumeng.> via MAD

AHR-designed Hemel Hempstead scheme refused despite being recommended for approvalAHR Architects plans for the gasworks siteBerkeley has said a decision by a council in Hemel Hempstead to block plans to turn a former gasworks into nearly 500 homes shows what the government is up against at local level in its attempts to overhaul planning regulations.Dacorum Borough Council yesterday refused an application to build 476 private and affordable homes designed by AHR and LDA Design on the derelict Hemel Hempstead Gasworks.Berkeley said the site has been largely derelict for over 60 years and has been allocated for housing development in the councils Local Plan since 2013.But the scheme was turned down despite a recommendation to approve the plan from the councils planning department.Berkeley added: Dacorum has a severe housing shortage and delivered an average of around 680 homes over the last three years against an annual target of over 1,000.It said it plans to appeal the decision to the Planning Inspectorate in a process that will take many months and incur significant costs.The housebuilders chief executive Rob Perrins added: The government has made a hugely positive start to fixing our dysfunctional planning system and decisions like this shows what they are up against at local level.> Also read:AHR submits updated plans for 600-home Reading redevelopmentCouncils with severe housing shortages can block new homes on sustainable brownfield sites they have allocated for housing in their own local plans. It makes no sense and we encourage the government to keep up the pressure and continue doing everything it can to break down the barriers and get homes built.Berkeley said it had been working with the council for three years on the scheme which would have also included parkland, childrens play space and a mix of new natural habitats.The project team on the scheme also included ground investigation consultant Ramboll, daylight consultant GIA and structural engineer Patrick Parsons.Dacorum council has been contacted for comment.

The built environment has broadly welcomed the governments revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) despite some experts warning there may still be some issues for viability of schemes.Angela Rayner unveiled the governments finalised plans to speed up the planning system yesterday in its formal response to its NPPF consultation, which sought views on proposals to enable the construction of 1.5 million homes by 2029.The final document included requirements for new developments to be visually attractive, sympathetic to local character and history, and create a strong sense of place while ensuring inclusivity, accessibility and wellbeing.> Also read:NPPF: Government drops 50% affordable housing requirement for grey belt sitesRIBA president Muyiwa Oki said yesterdays revisions offer a promising path forward but called for greater involvement of architects and more resources for planning authorities.Enhanced emphasis on design quality and sustainability reflects a clear understanding of what constitutes good design, paving the way to create places where people truly want to live, he said.He added that moves to define the meaning of grey belt were significant and signal a willingness to tackle some of the most pressing barriers to large-scale development.But he said: Most importantly, this cannot become a solely numbers-driven exercise. In our cities, towns and countryside people deserve high-quality, well-designed homes that meet their needs and stand the test of time.Planning consultants have mostly welcomed Rayners decision to reduce affordable housing requirements on grey belt land, which had been criticised by developers as too onerous and threatening viability.Changes in the final document included a significant watering down of a previous requirement for schemes on the grey belt, a new land class defined as areas of the green belt which do little to protect the countryside, to contain 50% affordable housing.These schemes will now only need to include 15% affordable housing above local housing policies, up to a cap of 50%.Jason Lowes, planning partner at Rapleys, said it has to be recognised that 50% of nothing is nothing and we need viable development to come forward.But Lowes said concerns remained, including the need to do more to target development where housing is the least affordable and the lack of detail in the NPPF about the shortages of skills needed to get schemes built.There has been little said by the Government about the mechanics of actual delivery, or about the talent needed to build these homes, he said.We have known about the increase in planners to get through casework for some time but this does not solve the very real problem of building them.This could be the missing piece of the puzzle because 1.5m homes in five years when we are at fewer than 200,000 this year will require the construction industry to expand quite dramatically, and very quickly.Craig Pettit, planning director at planning consultancy Marrons, said youd be forgiven for being a little disappointed by the final document compared to the consultation draft but said there were still some fundamental positives.These included changes to the planning committee process, which would allow applications which align with local planning policies to be decided using delegated powers rather than needing to face a vote at a planning committee.For too long politics has been the driving force behind planning decisions, and while it should always have its place, trained professionals should be trusted to deliver housing and infrastructure in a sustainable, considered and strategic way. We can see that Labour is starting to tackle this issue, he said.Committees refuse planning applications for a variety of reasons, some of which are motivated by a fear of change rather than the rationale behind whether a development is necessary or will be beneficial. Seldom are applications that are recommended for approval by officers, rejected at planning committee for sound planning reasons.Pettit said the changes would allow planning professionals to do their job and help to relieve pressure on the system at a local level.Emelye Kenyon, director and head of environmental services at multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard, welcomed the governments clarification of the meaning of grey belt but said some issues remain.Developers will need to demonstrate that their site does not fundamentally undermine the purposes of the remaining green belt, which Kenyon said could prove difficult to overcome.There is still therefore a priority to be given to previously developed land in the first instance where brownfield land isnt an option for the scheme in question, she said.It does appear that this has been designed to ensure the protection of the wider green belt, but it is important to recognise it marks a significant step towards development being possible within the green belt.The hope remains that moving into the future, this planning reform meets that overall aim of progressing development forward in a way that creates positive transformation for communities, without impacting the natural spaces and biodiversity within the countrys green belt.Meanwhile, the UK Green Building Council said the updated NPPF had only made a small step towards achieving greener and healthier communities and proposed linking the framework with climate change policies.The groups co-head of policy and places Anna Hollyman said: Attention on high-quality, sustainable buildings is welcome, but this needs to be complemented by a Future Homes Standard which is fit for purpose and supports ambitious local authorities that want to deliver homes that are energy efficient and comfortable both now and in the future.The planning system should work with nature, not against it. Protecting and integrating biodiversity and providing access to nature is essential to achieving the goal of creating climate safe, healthy and thriving communities. This means conducting biodiversity assessments on all sites, rather than assuming a greenlight for all brownfield development.The changes to the NPPF, published in draft form in July, also confirmed increases in housing targets, which will once again be mandatory, with local councils now expected to demonstrate how they will meet a combined annual target of 370,000 homes. The previous housing targets, which were advisory, had a combined total of just 305,000.Under the finalised NPPF, areas with the highest unaffordability and greatest potential for growth will see targets increase, according to the government, while stronger action is planned to ensure councils adopt new plans.The target has increased by 7,300 in London, compared to the summer, and has also risen slightly in the South-east and East of England regions. The target has fallen in all other areas compared to the consulted version, with the biggest drop in Yorkshire and the Humber.

In October, the AJ100 practice resubmitted plans for the 74-storey tall building on the landmark site between RSHPs Leadenhall building and Norman Fosters Gherkin, reducing its footprint and opening up the lower levels.Backed by developers Stanhope and Aroland Holdings, the skyscraper will be 309.64m tall, the same as Renzo Pianos Shard, making it the UK and Western Europes joint tallest building. The proposal will replace Gollins Melvin Wards 1969-built 23-storey St Helens Building.The City of London Corporations planning officers had recommended approval for the reworked scheme, even though Historic England had branded the plans arguably worse than the previous proposal, warning the scheme would still seriously degrade the scale and character of the public realm around the site.The heritage watchdog was worried about harm to the significance of three neighbouring Grade I-listed buildings and said the slight reduction of the footprint would not meaningfully improve these impacts. The organisation also decried the introduction of a large digital screen.Historic England had also objected to the original scheme in February over concerns about design and form, particularly as experienced from nearby streets, rather than [the] overall height of the plans.However, following the amendments, neighbouring Lloyds had withdrawn its objection.The scheme was voted through today (13 December) by 16 votes to seven.The reconfigured design includes minor changes to the massing and layout of ground and lower floor entrances, including a reduced footprint for the skyscraper and a welcoming, fully accessible and inclusive public entrance directly from St Helens Square.AdvertisementIn July the City of Londons planning committee had deferred making a decision on the application due to concerns over its ground-level arrangements, including the impact of the cantilevered-hour-long meeting. There were two abstentions.The latest scheme supersedes a much earlier proposal for the 0.72ha site, known as The Trellis. Eric Parry secured consent in 2019 for that scheme, which was a similarly height but aesthetically different. That consent could still be built out as the application was technically implemented, due to demolition on site.The new development aims to deliver 154,000m of office space capable of accommodating up to 8,700 City workers, 1,340m of retail and commercial area, 3,130m of public viewing galleries, and 3,479m of cultural uses under the earlier plans. A dedicated space for the Museum of London is planned for the 72nd and 73rd floors.Earlier in the year, Eric Parry said of the updated plans: One Undershaft is a uniquely welcoming tall building in the City of London that provides free public access on multiple levels throughout the building. These include the London Museums education space and free viewing gallery on the uppermost floors and what will become an extraordinary new elevated public sky garden on the 11th floor.Weve listened to the feedback offered by stakeholders and neighbours and submitted a new design proposal for the lower part of the building that improves upon our earlier plans, with more space available in St Helens Square, a more strongly expressed public entrance to the building, a new public screen and temporary stage providing cultural experiences and intensified planting to the landscaped spaces around the base.AdvertisementCrucially, the benefits of the earlier proposal are retained.Construction is expected to take around five years, with enabling works starting next year and construction finishing in 2030. Source:DBOXEric Parry's revised 1 Undershaft scheme (July 2024)

The east London-based practice has joined forces with local practice Intervention Architecture to design 408 proposed build-to-rent homes for the major regeneration site, near New Street station in Birmingham city centre.The proposed homes would sit at the heart of the 17ha masterplan within a mixed-use building overlooking Manor Square.The 13-storey building with a part 18 and part 19-storey crown would include independent shops, bars and restaurants on the ground floor, a first and second floor leisure unit, with the vast majority of apartments on floors three to 13. The top floor includes a communal rooftop garden and pavilion.AdvertisementIn a design and access statement the architects said the scheme, which uses an industrial red and brown material palette from the Smithfield Design Code, aims to respond to the local context and provide a sense of retreat and home whilst still embracing the lively 24-hour nature of the site.Birmingham City Council, which owns the land, is expected to consider a reserved matters application early next year. Source:Lendlease/CityscapeThe council named Lendlease as its joint venture partner on Birmingham Smithfield in 2018, and grantedplanning permission in June for the construction company's 1.9 billion regeneration plans for the area, following a lengthy planning process.The 17ha masterplan, a revision of an earlier version, was drawn up by a design team including Prior + Partners and David Kohn Architects and submitted in October 2023.It provides for more than 3,000 new homes, offices, restaurants, cafs and bars on the brownfield site, and will see Birminghams historic Bull Ring Markets (which have been on the site for 800 years) housed in two new buildings.AdvertisementThe Manor Square site where Bell Phillips and Interventions housing would sit once housed a moated manor house. The building would face a proposed square which sits over the archaeology of the medieval moated site, and echoes the moat with circular landscaping. Source:Lendlease/CityscapeBell Phillips and Intervention Architecture's scheme for Smithfield BirminghamLendleases masterplan application was embroiled in controversy in the weeks leading up to its approval, with campaigners accusing it of falling far short of the citys green space guidelines.But Birmingham planning officers concluded that, while it fell below a policy-compliant position on open space, the Smithfield schemes overall benefits including a new market square by St Martins Church, 900 new full-time construction jobs, and city centre housing provision featuring high-quality architectural design outweighed the concerns over green space.An original application had been lodged in January 2023, but a revised masterplan was later submitted to address concerns over harm to the historic cityscape raised by Historic England.The design was led by Prior + Partners along with New York High Line lead James Corner Field Operations, and includes buildings by Stirling Prize-winners dRMM and Haworth Tompkins and up-and-coming local practices Intervention Architecture and Minesh Patel Architects.Delivery is scheduled to complete in four phases over 15 years.Selina Mason, director of masterplanning for Smithfield, said the Bell Phillips and Intervention Architecture plans kick-start the transformation of this iconic site, bringing much needed new homes and spaces.Mason added: Were proud to be playing a part in preserving Birminghams historic Bull Ring Markets, while also creating a vibrant new neighbourhood that will benefit the city for generations to come. Source:PixelflakesJanuary 2023 plans - the originally proposed open market building and rag and indoor market by David Kohn Architects and Eastside Projects. The scheme has been significantly alteredProject data - plot 4DLocation Smithfield, BirminghamLocal authority Birmingham City CouncilType of project Mixed useClient LendleaseArchitect Bell Phillips and Intervention ArchitectureLandscape architect LDAPlanning consultant TurleyStructural engineer Robert Bird GroupM&E consultant AECOMQuantity surveyor QuantemPlanning application reference 2024/07367/PA

8.1 /10 SCORE Our Verdict Our Verdict Best for: Back sleeper Combo sleeper Stomach sleeper Score Breakdown Performance 8.3 /10 Policies 8 /10 Durability 5 /10 Features 9 /10 Pros and Cons Pros Ultra-firm option Flippable hybrid design Affordable Great for back sleepers Cons Not for side sleepers Not for memory foam lovers Cooling cover is an extra cost Table of Contents In our experience, most mattresses we test fall within a firmness range of medium to medium-firm. Beds firmer than medium and beds softer than medium are far less common. That's where the Plank Firm Luxe mattress comes in. It sits right in the middle in terms of price, and it has some features that aren't available on the more affordable Plank Firm base mode -- specifically, it has coils for support.All three Plank mattresses are incredibly firm, which is exactly what you would expect given their name. I have tested around 300 different mattresses over a six-year period, and this is one of the firmest I have ever tried. While the Plank Firm mattress may not be suitable for most sleepers, it offers a lot for those who prefer a very firm sleeping surface. Dillon Lopez/CNETFirst impressions of the Plank Firm Luxe mattressSince our Reno team had already unboxed and tested the base model Plank Firm before receiving the Plank Firm Luxe, we all had a pretty good idea of what to expect.We did notice that the bed is slightly taller than the base model, and that's because it uses a bit more comfort foam(more on that later). Other than that, it was pretty hard to distinguish between the Plank Firm Luxe and the Plank Firm because they look almost the same with the same cover design, as well as having the same flippable feature.I am not a firm mattress fan because I sleep primarily on my side and enjoy a more plush firmness profile so none of the versions of Plank are really "for" me, but a bed like this makes me want to be a back sleeper because when I lay down on my back on this mattress I do find it very comfortable and supportive, I just can't fall asleep like that consistently.Video: Plank Firm Luxe mattress reviewWatch me review the Plank Firm Luxe mattress in this video. Plank Firm Luxe construction and feelI should mention that there are three different versions of Plank: the Plank Firm, the Luxe and the Natural. The construction of all three varies quite a bit, while still having the same general idea of a flippable, firm mattress.The biggest difference between the base model Plank Firm and the Firm Luxe is the support layer. On the base model, it uses dense foam, but on the Luxe there is a 6-inch-thick layer of pocketed coils. I was recently able to take a tour of the 3Z mattress factory in Phoenix, Arizona, where all the Plank mattresses (and several dozen others) are made and seeing the coil-making process was very cool. Basically, a thick wire (the thickness varies from bed to bed) is fed into a machine that forms lengths of wire into coils, then the coils are wrapped together with fabric.These coils provide the same level of support as innerspring mattresses while doing a better job of isolating cross-mattress motion, which is important for couples. Also, it allows for different configurations with firmer coils in places like the center third or the outer perimeter. We generally recommend coils as opposed to foam for anyone looking for extra support and durability over the life of the mattress, especially for heavier individuals. Dillon Lopez/CNETAside from the coils, the Plank Firm Luxe also has slightly thicker comfort foams on each side of the mattress, which makes the Plank Firm Luxe noticeably thicker than the base model.The additional foams don't really change the value proposition or the feel. The feel of the Plank Firm Luxe mattress is just a flat, responsive, firm foam. You don't really sink into this mattress at all and it is very easy to rotate between sleeping positions because of how responsive the foams are.I find that when I am lying down on my back or stomach the feel of the Plank Firm Luxe mattress is quite nice but it might not be everyone's preference.Plank Firm mattress firmness and sleeper typesSo I have mentioned several times already that this mattress is quite firm, and it is among the firmest beds I have ever tested. The only other beds I would compare to the entire Plank lineup of beds are the Airweave 30, the Saatva Classic in the firm model and the Titan Plus. So if you have tried other beds in the past that weren't firm enough for you I think the Plank Firm Luxe could be on your short list of options.The extra-firm side of the Plank Firm Luxe is indeed a true firm on our scale, a 10 out of 10. It has virtually no give, and it feels like the mattress is almost pushing up against you. I do think that when compared to the base model Plank Firm, the Luxe model is ever so slightly softer on each side. It shouldn't impact your overall decision, though.The firm side is a bit more accommodating, closer to a medium-firm that could open it up to certain combination sleepers who might spend a bit of time on their side at night.Being flippable makes the Plank beds a bit more versatile because you get two firmness profiles in a single mattress. If you try one side and it's too firm or too soft, you can try the other side, and one should work well for you. With other types of beds, if the firmness isn't right, you will have to deal with a returns or exchange process. That isn't to say you are guaranteed to like one of the sides of the Plank Firm Luxe, but your odds are high. Dillon Lopez/CNETPlank Firm Luxe mattress performanceEdge supportThe edge support of a mattress refers to how well the perimeter of the bed holds up under pressure. If the edge compresses too much, you can feel like you are going to roll off the mattress (or actually roll off), which can lead to poor sleep.Firm mattresses tend to perform better in this category because the mattress itself compresses less in comparison to soft mattresses and we found the edge support on the Plank Firm is very solid and it is not something I would worry about if you will be sharing this mattress.Motion isolationIf you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night because your partner tosses and turns a lot, having a mattress that does a good job of isolating cross-mattress motion is really important.We found a slight difference in the quality of the motion isolation between the firm side and the extra-firm side of the mattress, with the firm side being slightly better. If you are interested in Plank and want the best motion isolation, the base model Plank Firm is going to be your best bet because the other two feature coils.For very light sleepers, I might recommend a firm, memory foam mattress like Nectar or Dreamcloud.Temperature regulationBecause this mattress is so firm and you don't sink into it much at all, this will help it sleep temperature neutral and because this mattress uses coils it will be a bit more breathable than the base model because it's easier for air to travel through an open coil than dense foam. Plank Firm Luxe with the optional cooling cover. Dillon Lopez/CNETThere is an optional feature for the Plank Firm and the Firm Luxe that should appeal to hot sleepers, which is a "GlacioTex" cooling cover. This is the same type of cover you can get on the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe which is one of our favorite cooling mattresses. It will cost a bit extra but I think it can be a worthwhile upgrade for hot sleepers.The cooling cover does change the texture of the cover in a way that I would describe as "slick" and some people on our team really dislike the slick nature of this cooling cover, just something to keep in mind.Plank Firm Luxe pricing undefined Size Measurements (inches)PriceTwin 38x75$949Twin XL 38x80$1,149Full 54x75$1,399Queen 60x80$1.532King 76x80$1,732Cal king 72x84$1,732 The Plank Firm Luxe is more expensive than the base model Plank Firm and more affordable than the Plank Natural. Usually, coil models are more expensive than foam models, but you won't be paying that much more for the Luxe -- only $200 before discounts.Overall I think the Plank Firm Luxe is a very affordable bed, considering its specialized design and firmness profile and it will be discounted pretty much year-round. The usual discount for this mattress is 20% but it will sometimes get discounted even more to 25-30% around major holidays like Independence Day and Black Friday.Check out our mattress deals page for the most up-to-date prices and discounts on the Plank Firm mattress.Plank mattress policiesFree shippingThe Plank Firm Luxe mattress ships in a box right to your front door, and shipping is always free in the contiguous United States. Unboxing the mattress should be a quick and easy process. It is possible to unbox mattresses solo, but it is much easier with someone else there to help, especially for larger sizes.120-night trialAll three Plank mattresses come with a slightly longer than standard in-home sleep trial of 120 nights. So you get roughly 4 months to really test out the bed to see if it's supportive enough for you and is comfortable.Return policyWithin the 120-night trial period, you can return the Plank Firm Luxe mattress and get a refund. There is no upfront fee to initiate a return; however, they will deduct $99 from your refund, which helps facilitate the mattress pickup process.Like most brands, Plank will ask you to sleep on the bed for at least 30 nights before initiating a return because no matter how nice and well-suited your new mattress is to your sleep type, your body needs a bit of time to adjust to it.WarrantyAll Brooklyn Bedding mattresses (Plank is a sub-brand of Brooklyn Bedding) are backed by a standard 10-year warranty. This is the minimum duration of warranty you should expect for almost every mattress. Dillon Lopez/CNETFinal verdictThe Plank Firm Luxe mattress is not for everyone -- but for someone seeking an ultra-firm bed, I think this is a fantastic choice. I think the flippable design makes it versatile, and the coil support layer makes it more appropriate for heavier people. The price gap between the base model Plank Firm and the Firm Luxe is worth it for anyone concerned with durability or prefers a coil bed -- and the optional cooling cover makes it an excellent choice for hot sleepers, too.Firm beds certainly aren't for everyone -- many sleepers like me are side sleepers who prefer something plush -- but for back and stomach sleepers, I think the Plank Firm Luxe should be a strong consideration, especially if you have found beds too soft in the past.You might like the Plank Firm Luxe mattress if:You are a back sleeperYou want an affordable mattressYou want a hybridYou want a flippable mattressYou might not like the Plank Firm Luxe mattress if:You are a side sleeperYou are seeking a foam mattressYou want a pillow-top mattressOther mattresses from PlankPlank Firm: The Plank Firm is almost the same mattress as the Plank Firm Luxe, only it is slightly thinner with fewer comfort foams and it uses foam for support instead of coils. The Plank Firm is the most affordable option of the three Plank mattresses and is also going to be slightly better at isolating cross mattress motion which could be a benefit to couples.Plank Firm Natural: This mattress also gives sleepers virtually the same value proposition as the other two Plank mattresses: a flippable firm bed. The foams used in the Plank Firm Natural are significantly different from the others, opting for natural latex foam. Latex foam has a distinctive feel; it's incredibly spring and spongy, providing lots of comfort, cushioning and an almost buoyant sensation. This bed also uses certified organic cotton and wool, which is appealing to someone looking for an eco-friendly mattress. CNET/Jonathan GomezHow does the Plank Firm Luxe mattress compare to similar mattresses?Plank Firm Luxe vs. Layla Hybrid The Layla Hybrid is only similar to the Plank Firm Luxe because of its flippable design. It also features coils and instead of having an extra firm side and a firm side, it has a more traditional soft side and firm side.The soft side of the Layla Hybrid is great for side sleepers looking for lots of pressure relief and the firm side isn't actually all that firm; it's closer to a medium which makes it quite accommodating. It also has a responsive, airy memory foam feel that I think fans of memory foam will appreciate and be comfortable for people who don't like memory foam all that much because it strikes a nice balance.Plank Firm Luxe vs. Saatva Classic The Saatva Classic is a much different type of mattress than the Plank Firm Luxe, but if you are looking for something firm, the Saatva Classic is an excellent choice. It does come in three different firmness options, and it is not flippable. The firm model is easily on par with the extra-firm side of the Plank Firm Luxe and will provide back sleepers with tons of support.It also has a responsive pillow-top feel that I think most sleepers will find very comfortable. It uses two different layers of coils so it is nice and supportive and has generous policies, including a 365-night trial period and complimentary white glove delivery and mattress removal.Someone I know personally wanted a very firm mattress and ended up choosing the Saatva Classic on my recommendation and they are very happy with it.Plank Firm Luxe vs. Titan Plus The Titan Plus mattress is another bed from Brooklyn Bedding, the parent brand of Plank. This mattress is specifically designed for heavier individuals and uses extra thick gauge coils for added support and durability. You don't need to be a heavier person to be interested in the Titan Plus, especially if you want a firm bed. For the average-sized person, the Titan Plus has a comparable firmness profile to the extra-firm side of the Plank Firm Luxe, and both beds have very similar types of mattress feel. They are also comparable in price. The biggest difference is that the Titan Plus is not flippable like Plank.Plank Firm mattress FAQs Is the Plank Firm Luxe mattress safe? All of the foams used in this bed are Certa-PUR US certified, which means it's free of ozone-depleting chemicals and other chemicals like formaldehyde, so it is safe. Show more Does Plank have a return fee? Yes, if you decide to return a Plank mattress within the 120-nighttrial period will be $99 deducted from your refund. Show more

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