Designing for All: Exploring Empathy, Inclusivity, Accessibility and Spatial Equity in ArchitecturePresented by:Save this picture!Camino de Santiago Trek French Arrival Ramp / CREUSeCARRASCO Arquitectos. Image Luis Daz DazThe concept of inclusive architecture has gained prominence as the built environment evolves to reflect and address the diverse needs of humanity. This approach prioritizes empathy, accessibility, and equity, striving to create spaces that resonate with individuals across a spectrum of demographics, abilities, and cultural contexts. It moves beyond merely meeting accessibility standards or incorporating universal design elements; instead, it embodies a paradigm shift that humanizes architecture and aligns it with fundamental social values. Through this lens, inclusive architecture fosters connections, embraces diversity, and ensures that physical spaces contribute to collective well-being.This article explores four interrelated themes Empathy, Inclusive Architecture, and Spatial Equity and Accessibility through selected articles published in 2024. Together, these themes reveal how architecture can respond to societal challenges and aspirations, illustrating its potential as a catalyst for social change. From designing for emotional connection to addressing spatial inequalities, the lessons of 2024 emphasize the responsibility of architects to create spaces that transcend functionality, champion inclusivity at every scale, and foster environments where everyone feels seen, valued, and empowered.Read on to discover these themes through ArchDaily's coverage over the last year. Related Article The Science of Design: How Neuroscience can Help Architects Shape the Built Environment Empathy: Designing for Emotional and Social ConnectionArchitecture that embodies empathy considers the emotional and social dimensions of human experience, forging connections between people and spaces. Articles such as Designing with Empathy: Architecture for Social Equity emphasize how architectural design can address disparities and foster equity by centering on users' emotional needs. Similarly, AI and the Human Vector in Architecture: Embracing Emotional Engagement and Empathy highlights the emerging role of artificial intelligence in amplifying architects' capacity to design spaces that resonate emotionally, bridging the gap between technology and humanity. Marina Tabassum's work, as explored in Light, Empathy, and Silence: The Architecture of Marina Tabassum underscores the power of simplicity and cultural context in creating spaces that evoke quiet introspection and connection. Together, these examples reveal the profound impact of designing with empathy, challenging architects to balance functional requirements with a deeper understanding of human behavior.Designing with Empathy: Architecture for Social EquitySave this picture!AI and the Human Vector in Architecture: Embracing Emotional Engagement and EmpathySave this picture!Light, Empathy, and Silence: The Architecture of Marina TabassumSave this picture!Inclusive Architecture: Creating Spaces for AllInclusive architecture extends beyond accessibility to encompass diversity and participation in every aspect of design. Interfaith Spaces: Architectural Responses to Religious Diversity showcases architectural responses to religious diversity, illustrating how architecture can promote coexistence through spaces that accommodate varying beliefs and practices. Public spaces tailored to children, as discussed in Empowering Children Through Public Spaces in Lebanon: In Conversation with Catalytic Action demonstrate the transformative potential of community-centered design in fostering inclusion. Meanwhile, the 7 Principles of Universal Design provide a framework for creating environments that are inherently accessible to the widest range of users, embodying the ethos of inclusivity. These examples collectively argue for an architecture that actively dismantles barriers, inviting individuals from all walks of life to engage with and benefit from the built environment.Interfaith Spaces: Architectural Responses to Religious DiversitySave this picture!Empowering Children Through Public Spaces in Lebanon: In Conversation with CatalyticActionSave this picture!How Do the 7 Principles of Universal Design Help Us Create Better Architecture?Save this picture!Spatial Equity: Addressing Inequities in the Urban LandscapeSpatial equity extends beyond physical accessibility to address systemic inequities in urban and social infrastructure. Articles like Architecture as a Tool for Social Innovation: Human-Centered Design to Combat Loneliness showcase the role of design in addressing social isolation and transforming urban spaces into hubs of connection. The practical challenges of gender equity in urban planning are addressed in Spatial Equity in Urban Infrastructures: Public Restrooms Addressing Women's Needs which highlights the significance of inclusive infrastructure. Queer Urban Design: Planning for Inclusive Cities further underscores how urban planning can champion inclusivity by recognizing and incorporating the needs of LGBTQ+ communities. By focusing on equity, these architectural approaches aim to rectify systemic disparities, ensuring that urban environments serve as platforms for inclusion and empowerment.Architecture as a Tool for Social Innovation: Human-Centered Design to Combat LonelinessSave this picture!Spatial Equity in Urban Infrastructures: Public Restrooms Addressing Women's NeedsSave this picture!Queer Urban Design: Planning for Inclusive CitiesSave this picture!Accessibility: Designing Spaces for Universal InclusionAccessibility in architecture transcends compliance with standards; it reflects a broader commitment to fostering environments that enable everyone, regardless of physical or sensory abilities, to navigate, interact, and thrive. How Can Buildings Work for Everyone? The Future of Inclusivity and Accessibility in Architecture highlights the evolving strategies that blend functionality with creativity to achieve truly inclusive designs. At Gallaudet University, the DeafSpace principles exemplify how architecture tailored for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community can enrich communication and social interaction, showcasing the transformative power of thoughtful spatial design. Similarly, Overcoming Barriers: 4 Residential Projects with Accessibility Strategies in Latin America demonstrates how local innovation can address unique challenges while ensuring equitable access. Together, these examples illustrate how accessibility serves as a cornerstone of inclusive design, reimagining spaces that embrace diversity and empower all users.How Can Buildings Work for Everyone? The Future of Inclusivity and Accessibility in ArchitectureSave this picture!Architecture Tailored for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community: Gallaudet University's DeafSpace PrinciplesSave this picture!Overcoming Barriers: 4 Residential Projects with Accessibility Strategies in Latin AmericaSave this picture!The Curb Cut Effect: How Accessible Architecture is Benefiting EverybodySave this picture!This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: Year in Review, presented by Gira.Minimalism with character and clear shapes reduced to the essentials. The Gira design lines are suitable for a variety of furnishing styles, in different colours and materials. With the introduction of the Gira E2 light grey recycled material, Gira is setting a strong example for sustainability and innovation in switch design.Every month we explore a topic in-depth through articles, interviews, news, and architecture projects. We invite you to learn more about our ArchDaily Topics. And, as always, at ArchDaily we welcome the contributions of our readers; if you want to submit an article or project, contact us.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorDiogo Borges FerreiraAuthorCite: Diogo Borges Ferreira. "Designing for All: Exploring Empathy, Inclusivity, Accessibility and Spatial Equity in Architecture" 20 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024539/designing-for-all-exploring-empathy-inclusivity-accessibility-and-spatial-equity-in-architecture&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

DOMEHOME House Expansion / EME157Save this picture! Luis AsnHouses, ExtensionMadrid, SpainArchitects: EME157AreaArea of this architecture projectArea:180 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2023 PhotographsPhotographs:Luis AsnManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: Vibia, Amorim, BORA, CORIZO, Cubro, HAY, HIDROBOX Lead Architects: Silvia Mndez-Vigo Chillida + Gerardo Macarrn Jaqueti More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Text description provided by the architects. The intervention expands a single-family home in Aravaca to create one more floor to introduce a new home. The renovation consists of making the terrace located on the top floor of the house habitable to house an independent apartment for the familys son.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The process of creating the new space began with the external appearance of the intervention. How to crown the previous house, which was made of brick and covered with a lot of vegetation, was the most important thing when starting the design. To prevent the height of the house from increasing excessively, we chose the domed shape. This way we were able to reach greater heights inside, giving the space more spatial dignity, and reducing the perception of its height from the outside. Furthermore, this domed crowning did not compete with the cubic shapes of the rest of the house.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!We wanted this new floor to be perceived as a different element, and that is why we chose to use cork. It also fits due to its lightness and its insulating properties in contrast to the solidity of the brick of the rest of the home. In addition, for the vault, we decided to use zinc. This whole process went very smoothly with clients willing to do whatever we proposed. As soon as the creation of the vault arose, and based on the need to prioritize the incredible views from this height, the interior space immediately took shape.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The house is 50m2 on the ground floor where the access, one bedroom, and a bathroom are located, and the upper floor with 130m2 divided into two areas: the private area and the public area. The private area has a bedroom and a bathroom. In the public area, the kitchen, dining room, and living room are located in one open room that extends to the outside with large windows to the north. This space also preserves a large circular skylight that previously illuminated the stairwell, which floods the entire room with light.Save this picture!Save this picture!The interior is resolved with few materials. Mortar floors, polished stainless steel for countertops and shower, and plywood and linoleum board for the rest of the furniture: kitchen, cabinets, shelves, even doors and stairs. Playing on the contrast between cold and warm materials. The structure of the original concrete beams and pillars, which was left exposed, also plays an important role and contrasts with the new structure of slender circular metal pillars painted sky blue so that they blend with the privileged views of the house.Save this picture!Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officeEME157OfficePublished on December 20, 2024Cite: "DOMEHOME House Expansion / EME157" [DOMEHOME Ampliacin de vivienda unifamiliar en Aravaca / EME157] 20 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1011308/domehome-house-expansion-eme157&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Kep West Outdoor Plaza and Restaurants / Bloom ArchitectureSave this picture! Greg MoHospitality ArchitectureKrong Kaeb, CambodiaArchitects: Bloom ArchitectureAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:2500 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2023 PhotographsPhotographs:Greg Mo, Oki Hiroyuki Lead Architects: Antoine Meinnel, Bloom Architecture More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. A NEW FRONTIER Redefining Kep's Reclaimed Shoreline The charming seaside city of Kep has long been a holiday destination for Cambodians and tourists. When the government initiated a plan to reclaim a 100m strip of land from the sea along its prized Western shoreline, the magic of the region appeared under threat. While the broad vision was for a public promenade along the entire coast, a local resort owner engaged us to design an ambitious private restaurant and recreation facility. Our challenge was to create an iconic building that honored Kep's environmental and cultural legacy, on the now barren, artificial landscape.Save this picture!As the first structure to be built on the reclaimed land, it was an incredible opportunity to define the look and feel of the entire area. It had the potential to become a landmark, a masterpiecean act of creation arising from the sea.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Our goal was to make the new building feel like a distinctive piece of public infrastructure, with private facilities integrated into it. To achieve this, we decided to split the project into three distinct structures arranged to form an outdoor plaza that could be used for events and public gatherings. Collectively called Kep West, the primary structure is The Wave, which hosts several restaurants and bars. Opening up, naturally, to the ocean, its giant rooftop slab twists in a gentle wave. At once a gesture to the rolling sea, and a subtle resistance to the relentless stability of the horizon.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!There are no windows and doors, with the exception of a glass-covered section that functions as an air-conditioned restaurant. The monumental single-story structure, along with a spiral staircase connecting to its rooftop, gives the impression of a single cast of concrete. With its waffle slab, columns, and fileted corners, the massive form tested the limits of working with the material.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The bold concrete work is one of three architectural layers present in The Wave. The second is a striking wall of locally-quarried pink sandstonethe same material on which its foundations lay. The wall provides contrast and protection from the compromised view behind as well as more enclosure for the functional facilities. Stepping into the structure gives the impression that one is alone with the ocean. The third is what we call the comfort layer. This consists of the comparatively temporary fittings, including the railings, blinds, glazing, fitted and loose furniture, AC, and audio-visual systems. This layer will inevitably change over time, with extended use and passing trends.Save this picture!While guests can enjoy panoramic views from within and on top of The Wave, the quintessential experience is a walk along the adjacent pier. Jutting out at the precise angle of the peak-season sunset, the pier splits into two levels. This is Kep's new frontier.Save this picture!In the years ahead, we expect that Kep West will influence the architecture of the entire locale. Despite the artificial landscape on which it stands, it is synchronized with the broader environment. Careful research and sensitivity to the surrounding natural and cultural conditions have led to its grateful acceptance, both by the landscape itself as well as the crowds that continue to flock towards the sunset.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Krong Kaeb, CambodiaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeBloom ArchitectureOfficePublished on December 20, 2024Cite: "Kep West Outdoor Plaza and Restaurants / Bloom Architecture" 20 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024927/kep-west-outdoor-plaza-and-restaurants-bloom-architecture&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Join the new Blender Compositing course here: https://cgboost.com/compositing Jump into our all-in-one masterclass for enhancing your renders and creating stunning VFX shots in Blender.Course author: Daniel Nees

Project Files: https://www.patreon.com/posts/118337515 . In this unreal engine Niagara tutorial, I am going to show you how to create a disintegration and re-integration effect for a skeletal mesh. Here, initially, the skeletal mesh shape will be disintegrated into particles and after a while, all the particles will be moved back to original location and restore the shape of the skeletal mesh. You can use this effect on characters as well. For something like vanish the character into thin air and re-integrate back like a ghost. // ! https://www.patreon.com/codelikeme Patrons will have access to project files of all the stuff I do in the channel and other extra benefitsJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClb6Jh9EBV7a_Nm52Ipll_Q/join Like my facebook page for more content : https://www.facebook.com/gamedevelopersclub/ Follow me on twitter : https://twitter.com/CodeLikeMe2 Follow me on reddit : https://www.reddit.com/user/codelikeme #CodeLikeMe #unrealengine #ue5 #ue4 #indiegamedev

Updated 2024-12-20T09:42:54Z Read in app Angle down iconAn icon in the shape of an angle pointing down. David Corenswet on the poster for "Superman." Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? The first trailer for James Gunn's "Superman" gives a first look at David Corenswet's hero.It also introduces a handful of other heroes, villains, and monsters.Here is the cast of the new DC movie and who they play.It's been over a decade since audiences last saw a solo "Superman" movie in theaters, but director James Gunn has finally revealed the first trailer for his new DC reboot.The film stars "Twisters" actor David Corenswet as the new version of the Man of Steel, as he takes over the role from Henry Cavill. The trailer starts with Superman crashing down in the snow before calling his dog, Krypto, for help.It then introduces audiences to the new iteration of the DC Universe as Clark Kent balances his life as a young reporter at the Daily Planet and as a superhero. It puts some of the focus on his relationship with Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) a fellow reporter, as well as Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), a nefarious tech billionaire.The action also sees Superman fighting a huge monster and a mysterious black-suited figure. Take a look below. David Corenswet plays the new Superman, taking the mantle from Henry Cavill.David Corenswet as Clark Kent and Superman. Warner Bros Pictures/DC Studios Corenswet is known for his roles in "Pearl," "The Politician" and "Look Both Ways." He also starred in 2024's "Twisters" alongside Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones.He told the "Manly Things (Sort Of)" podcast that he bulked up significantly for the role.Corenswet said: "Getting to bulk up for 'Superman'was...I was looking for an excuse to really throw on some weight. I thought 210 was going to make me happy, but then I got up to 238... I wasn't 238 when we started shooting. 238 was my max."He added: "It didn't feel great... I did it so quickly that my body just hadn't adjusted to the extra weight... But that was at the peak of my bulk, and then I slowly lost weight before we started shooting."I started shooting at about 228. I put on one of those sweatshirts, and I was like an XL or double XL, and I was like, 'I fill this out. This is amazing.' I didn't fit into any of my pants." Rachel Brosnahan joins Corenswet as Lois Lane, Superman's love interest and colleague.Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane in "Superman." Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios Rachel Brosnahan plays Lois Lane, a determined reporter at the Daily Planet and the love interest of Superman/Kent.The actor is known for her roles in "House of Cards" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," she reportedly beat actors like "Sex Education" star Emma Mackey, "Bridgerton" lead Phoebe Dynevor, and "Ready or Not" actor Samara Weaving to the role.In February, Brosnahan told Variety what drew her to the role, saying: "I have always loved Lois Lane. She's smart, ambitious, and can be funny. She knows she's the smartest person in the room more often than not." Nicholas Hoult is on villain duties as Lex Luthor.Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor in "Superman." Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images/Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios British star Nicholas Hoult originally auditioned to play Superman in the film, but Gunn decided to cast him as the hero's archnemesis, Lex Luthor, instead.Hoult told The Hollywood Reporter that he enjoyed working with Gunn on getting Luthor right.He said: "I was like, 'Oh, this is exciting where he imagines this character being, and hopefully I can bring the energy that he wants to what he's written on the page.'Yeah, you do want him to be imposing and dangerous. That's something about that character. Whenever you're playing the villain, I suppose you want people to feel that they are dangerous." Nathan Fillion plays Guy Gardner, one of the many Green Lantern superheroes in DC comics.Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner in "Superman." Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios Nathan Fillion voiced the Hal Jordan Green Lantern in several animated movies and starred in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" and "The Suicide Squad."In "Superman," he's playing Guy Gardner, a hot-headed member of the Green Lantern Corps. Isabela Merced plays another superhero called Hawkgirl.Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl in "Superman." Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images/Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios Isabela Merced is playing Hawkgirl, a hero with a complicated backstory involving reincarnation. She also appeared in the Sony Marvel movie "Madame Web" as another superhero, Anya Corazon, and had a very gross role in "Alien: Romulus."Edi Gathegi plays Mr. Terrific, whose intelligence is said to rival Batman's.Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific in "Superman." Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images/Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios Edi Gathegi is playing Mr. Terrific, a tech genius who uses his inventions to fight injustice. The actor has also played a superhero before Darwin in "X-Men: First Class." Anthony Carrigan plays another new DC hero named Metamorpho.Anthony Carrigan and his counterpart, Matamorpho. John Shearer / Getty Images / DC Universe Infinite Carrigan can briefly be seen as Metamorpho toward the end of the trailer although he's easily mistaken for another character, Brainiac, due to the alien-like design of his face.But it is definitely Metamorpho due to his purple crystal shoulder that can be seen on the right of the screen.The character is typically a hero in the comics, but this ominous shot might suggest he has a villainous role to play in the film.Carrigan is best known for his role in "Barry" but he has played two supervillains in DC shows "Gotham" and "The Flash." Krypto the Superdog as himself.Krypto the Superdog in "Superman." Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios James Gunn previously told fans on Instagram that his version of the character was inspired by his rescue dog, Ozu.He wrote: "Gosh, how difficult would life be if Ozu had superpowers?" - and thus Krypto came into the script & changed the shape of the story as Ozu was changing my life." MoviesCelebrityClose iconTwo crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.

Blackstone's outlandish holiday videos have become must-see TV for Wall Street and beyond.Love them or hate them, they are smart marketing, and other companies are taking notice.Business Insider went behind the scenes to see how they're made and who's in charge.On a Thursday in December, a small crowd stood outside the office of Blackstone's heir apparent, Jon Gray. A woman was holding a martini glass and asked the nearby film crew how she should toss its contents at her colleague.Laurie Carlson, Gray's executive assistant, wanted to know how high she should throw the liquid and worried aloud about the office equipment, including a printer.A member of the crew told Carlson to aim for the face for comedic effect. A minute later, Joe Lohrer, the head of US retail sales for Blackstone Private Wealth Solutions, was dripping wet, and the head of Blackstone's video team, Jay Gillespie, called for another take. Laurie Carlson throwing a martini in the face of Joe Lohrer. Alex Nicoll/Business Insider "This is the first stunt we've ever done in a holiday video," Gillespie, who's spent his career in the film industry as a director, producer, editor, and cinematographer, told a reporter on set.Since 2018, Blackstone has been releasing increasingly zany videos in time for the holiday season. Think of them as the house with the over-the-top Christmas lights: Some people love it, some hate it, but everyone is talking about it. It's become must-see-TV for Wall Street, and this year's video was among the zaniest. It included a series of mock reality-TV shows and ended with a country-western song-and-dance routine about leveraged loans and data centers.Blackstone's viral holiday video is the work of Gillespie's team, which has been quietly helping to transform the public face of the private-equity giant since he joined the firm full time in 2019. The video operation now includes about 20 full-time staffers and produces an enormous amount of content, including 2,200 videos this year alone. It is the brainchild of Christine Anderson, Blackstone's global head of corporate affairs, who also oversees the team as the head of marketing. From L: Laurie Carlson and Jay Gillespie watch a scene they just filmed. Alex Nicoll/Business Insider While the holiday video is the most outlandish, much of what Gillespie and his team produce for Blackstone differs from other financial firms. Rather than focusing on how smart its employees are, the videos seek to humanize them, including by dressing them up in funny outfits and letting them sing and dance. Watching its videos, one can learn that Joe Zidle, the chief investment strategist for the private wealth group, is a Deadhead, and Kathleen McCarthy, the cohead of real estate, rocked out to indie band The Beths at the Coachella music festival in April.It's arguably smart marketing in an era when being powerful and secretive can backfire, leading to questions and even conspiracy theories, especially for a firm as large as Blackstone, which manages over $1 trillion, making it the largest alternative asset manager in the world. On the "Today" show recently, Dan Roth, LinkedIn's editor in chief, said companies around the world are taking notice even if some of the videos can attract haters on social media."They are watching to see what he's doing, and they're copying it," Roth said of a recent Blackstone video in which Gray discusses the company's earnings as colorful emojis (a handshake, a bicep, a gold medal) pop up on the screen. "We are seeing companies in Australia, companies in Europe, doing exactly the same thing," Roth said. "It's wild."Origin storyBlackstone's holiday video tradition started in 2018 as a replacement for the New York holiday party, which was canceled because the investment firm, with more than 2,500 employees at the time, had grown too large.Gray, together with Anderson, decided to mark the holidays instead with a video that parodied their workplace in the style of NBC's sitcom "The Office." Gray, who had just been tapped as president and COO, would play the role of the loveable but incompetent boss Michael Scott, played in the show by Steve Carell. Christine Anderson Courtest of Blackstone The video was initially intended for clients and employees, not the general public. Even as the videos have gained a wider audience, however, the company has continued in the tradition of using them to poke fun at the firm's inner-office dynamics.One of the biggest jokes over the years was the firm's casting of Gray as the guy who drives his colleagues crazy with his special meetings and big ideas, several people who work with him said. Even the way he yells from his office for Carlson, his assistant, to jump on his latest pet project has a ring of truth to it, colleagues told BI."People tell me that I have an excess of enthusiasm, and many people I work with roll their eyes at it," Gray acknowledged to BI.Other inside jokes included CEO and cofounder Steve Schwarzman's relentless hawking of his book, "What It Takes," and the head of tactical operations David Blitzer's obsession with teams he owns, including the NHL's New Jersey Devils. In 2019, the video featured Bennett Goodman, the cofounder of GSO, wearing a Hawaiian shirt in the office while sipping on a tropical cocktail counting down the days till his retirement.Over the years, the audience for the video has grown. In 2023, it attracted 8 million views across platforms, up from just 60,000 views in 2018, a spokesman told BI. The production has also grown more ambitious, with 200 of the firm's 4,900 employees starring in it this year compared with 20 the first year.The video, which takes months to produce, is also popular inside Blackstone so much so that it has raised Gillespie's profile within the halls of 345 Park Avenue. Indeed, one sign of his newfound status was his appearance in this year's video as a reality TV show producer."People come up to me throughout the year, and they're like, 'My daughter is helping me rehearse so I might get a line next year,'" Gillespie told Business Insider. "People are really into lobbying to be in it." Steve Schwarzman shows off his cowboy costume before filming a scene. Alex Nicoll/Business Insider Blackstone TVGillespie, 38, has been working on and off with Blackstone since 2012 but was only hired full-time after working on the 2018 holiday video. After graduating from Bard, a small liberal arts college overlooking the Hudson River, in 2008, he went straight to work in reality television, documentaries, and some corporate work. At Blackstone, he oversees both full-time production employees and outside contractors.His team films, edits, and produces from Blackstone's headquarters at 345 Park Avenue. The company releases the content on its website and via email lists, as well as social media sites like LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and X.Some of what they produce is traditional: an executive sitting in an office opining on the state of the economy or a growing business opportunity. Gillespie appears to have a lot of freedom, however, to get creative.More recently, he has taken to interviewing the firm's executives using his iPhone in a series of walk-and-talk interviews the firm has dubbed "Between Two Meetings." In one recent episode, Gillespie catches the firm's head of private equity, Joe Baratta, in the hallway and asks about the company's portfolio of owned and operated companies. From L: Matt Anderson, Laurie Carlson, and Jon Gray film a scene at Blackstone's NYC headquarters. Alex Nicoll/Business Insider As Baratta starts to answer, a black bar with the word "REDACTED" appears over his mouth, and a closed caption appears on the bottom: "NOT APPROVED BY BLACKSTONE LEGAL AND COMPLIANCE." The audio of Baratta speaking is replaced with some loungey bossa nova as he walks through the halls to the elevator.The audience (hopefully) walks away from that video chuckling at corporate America, but also with a sense of what it is like to work at Blackstone. Before the censors cut him off, Baratta was explaining that he was coming out of the firm's "weekly private-equity Monday morning meeting," which includes the entire team from around the globe. Schwarzman had been at the meeting, Baratta says, telling them about his recent trip to Asia.In another series, Gillespie's video team interviews a series of managing directors. It's shot with upbeat music and spiffy editing like something you might see on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives." The series seems geared toward highlighting Blackstone as a place to work, with questions like," What qualities do you look for in junior employees?," and "How do you overcome a career setback?"Gray acknowledged that the videos can help with recruiting."I was interviewing someone yesterday who said they wanted to work here because of the holiday video," Gray told BI while filming a scene for the holiday video. "'You guys know how to make fun of yourself.'"Showing that you can laugh at yourself is an important "humanizing" touch, Gray said, adding, "It shows you're a human-scale place.""Jon Gray's baby"Blackstone declined to comment on the cost of its holiday video or its internal video team, but Anderson said the company is saving money with its approach instead of relying on outside contractors."We started realizing that by having an in-house team, you could produce this stuff so much more efficiently and cheaply, and then you could just use this stuff for more moments," she said.A BI reporter watched the filming of a few scenes adding up to 45 seconds in the final video. It took more than an hour to film these scenes, with a coterie of video and marketing professionals on set. Steve Schwarzman watches Jay Gillespie ride a makeshift horse for the 2024 Blackstone holiday video. Alex Nicoll/Business Insider A video professional who has worked with both Blackstone and other financial institutions confirmed much of what Blackstone's executives said about their video-production process.This person, who asked to remain anonymous to protect career opportunities, said Blackstone differs from other financial firms in its decision to forgo a costly production studio in favor of a team that shoots from wherever they can within the office. The end product takes viewers inside the firm's hallways and executives' offices, giving the videos a documentary feel.The video professional said too many financial firms are "trying to make one room with four walls look interesting." They also said few financial firms have realized the benefits of investing in full-time video teams.This person referred to Blackstone's holiday video as "Jon Gray's baby" and said Gray appears to have a great working relationship with Gillespie."They met and had a meeting of minds and just got each other," said this person, adding, "They brainstorm very well."Gillespie credited Gray and Anderson with having the vision to invest in video."It feels like if you're not fluent in video these days, you're missing something," he said. "I think Jon and Christine caught that really early."Gray is usually the first person to come up with the idea for the holiday video, Gillespie said. Sometime in the early summer, Gray will reach out to Gillespie and Anderson with some themes. Then, Gillespie, Gray, and Anderson work together on the script before shooting starts later in the fall.It's a far cry from the firm's first holiday party in 1985, which included just nine people, Schwarzman told BI. When asked about the new approach, the firm's billionaire founder took a philosophical view."This is like your home and this is where you spend more time than you do at your home," he said earlier this month while decked out in a 10-gallon hat between video shoots. "So you have to have a range of experiences from intense work stuff to more casual stuff to the theater of the absurd. So here we are, the theater."

Swissness Framed: Micromechanics and Minimalist Windows in Modern ArchitectureSponsored ContentSave this picture!Sliding Window / Switzerland - House EMGD - Ralph Germann architectes s.a. Image Nicolas SedlatchekEach region possesses a distinct architectural identity, serving as a cultural "fingerprint" that makes it uniquely recognizable. Italian design, for instance, draws from the Roman legacy using stone and light hues. Turkey is distinguished by intricate glazed tilework that adorns walls and ceilings, whereas Mexico embraces vibrant colors and textures through local materials and artisanry. Many of these elements are rooted in heritage-based practices, yet over time, they have been reimagined and transformed through new processes, giving rise to contemporary architectural expressions. In Switzerland, the concept of "Swissness" frames this core identitya fusion of watchmaking precision and functionality. Rooted in micromechanics, Swiss engineering, and craftsmanship converge in the design of modern minimalist windows, where clean lines and transparency redefine boundaries and shape the architectural language.Like any technological innovation, progress does not happen overnight. The minimalist window we know today results from an evolutionary process that began in 1945, marking the initial steps toward its current setting and variations. At that time, available technologies could not provide the sealing, insulation, and resistance properties we now take for granted. It was not until 1992after more than four decades of global advancements in glass manufacturingthat Eric Joray developed the Vitrocsa minimalist window in Onnen before relocating to Saint-Aubin-Sauges, where a former watchmaker's building was transformed into the company's headquarters. Based on micromechanics, his design merged traditional Swiss expertise with modern innovation, achieving aesthetic, functional, and durable designsall guided by harmoniously integrating indoor and outdoor spaces.Save this picture!In 1994, Joray patented its first sliding system, marking the start of ongoing advancements in modern windows. Two years later, this innovation led to the development of the 3001 range, recognized as a flagship in minimalist window design. The system supports up to 6 m surfaces with 26 mm double glazing, offering a versatile, integrated horizontal solution. Thanks to its durable materials, adaptability, and gradual evolution, it provides tailored solutions to different installation conditions, such as the V56 range, which is optimal for extreme climates and interior partitions. That same range has enabled large-scale glazed surfaces, incorporating double or triple glazing up to 56 mm thick to enhance technical performance and aesthetics.Following the first patent, the early decades of the 21st century saw significant advances that expanded the possibilities of creating functional spaces through applications that combined refined aesthetics, advanced technology, and Swiss tradition. This brought about the development of the pivoting system in 2001. As its name suggests, this system opens vertically on a right, left, or central pivot, framing views when closed and blurring interior limits, freeing the environment and favoring spatial continuity. Residential spaces such as living rooms, dining rooms, and common areas are highly compatible with this system, particularly when creating a welcoming environment where the space opens up and connects with the surroundings.Save this picture!Save this picture!Under the same premise, and only a year later, the company developed the guillotine minimalist window, which, in its basic configuration, consists of two vertically sliding frames. This innovation spurred the creation of various fixed and movable configurationsboth hidden and visiblethat emphasize the uprightness of the atmosphere, especially in double-height interior areas like art galleries or museums. The movable panels are designed to accommodate considerable vertical space and can support glass panes weighing between 500 kg and 1,000 kg depending on the projectwith manual or motorized operation options.By 2011, technical improvements led to the development of a new version of the sliding system, with an invisible frame on two rails. In 2021, an optimized version on a single rail was introduced. These advancements represent design elements that have become increasingly common in contemporary spaces, especially in rooms with a visual focus on landscapes. When installed on a single track, the frameless windows completely conceal the surrounding frame, addressing the desire for uninterrupted views while achieving flexibility, simplicity, and quality.Save this picture!Save this picture!Complementing the spectrum of minimalist windows, the turnable corner system introduced in 2012 is a distinctive option for smoother transitions between inside and outside, employing a roller mechanism that completely frees the glazed components from the passage. Its main feature is that the modules rotate at the corners to stow in a specific area, making it possible to design more open spaces and expand the range of vision from inside to outside and vice versa. The glass panels, each reaching up to 6 m in surface area and weighing 250 kg, slide independently, offering increased flexibility for terraces and inner patios.Save this picture!Vitrocsa's innovations, from its first patent in the 1990s to recent advancements such as the motorized turnable corner and curved system, underscore its enduring commitment to innovation throughout history. By leveraging its local team and global network of partners, Vitrocsa has maintained its authenticity while addressing the demands of ambitious architectural projects. Rooted in "Swissness" and an official member of SWISS LABEL, the company has successfully balanced tradition with technology, designing and manufacturing over a thousand custom components in-house. These components, which include concealed elements, mounts, and locking mechanisms, are crafted with the precision of high-end watchmaking. These bespoke components reduce the number of elements in minimalist windows, resulting in refined, functional, and durable design solutions for contemporary architectural projects.Save this picture!To learn more about Vitrocsa and the minimalist window, visit their website or refer to the product catalog.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorEnrique TovarAuthorCite: Enrique Tovar. "Swissness Framed: Micromechanics and Minimalist Windows in Modern Architecture" 20 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024621/swissness-framed-micromechanics-and-minimalist-windows-in-modern-architecture&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Living Room of Dawu Village / Not A StudioSave this picture! Y STUDIOChaozhou, ChinaArchitects: Not A StudioAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:1500 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Y STUDIO, Qinfang LiaoManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: Nippon Lead Architects: Yi GU More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Provide shelters for the villagers every day and nightThe design concept for Living Room of Dawu Village draws from shades of banyan trees.The original site was a quadrangle courtyard with a two-story teaching building, a one-story building with auxiliary rooms for teachers on one side. The entire school building is placed under a tall banyan tree of 300 hundred year old. "After witnessing this banyan tree, we had an inspiration that people in the village liked to gather under the tree for various activities such as chatting, eating, drinking tea, and enjoying natural breeze. This tree has become the soul of social interaction for the village. Therefore, the core ideal of renovation is to open up the entire courtyard, simulating a huge shade of trees ", said by Gu Yi, when he recalled his direct inspiration of the design a year ago.Save this picture!Save this picture!The space starts from the 300 year old banyan tree and extends outwards by dismantling a few walls and regenerate in advanced steel and wood structures to build a borderless communal center. Adhering to this design philosophy, the architect reorganized the original two-story teaching building by demolishing the public toilets near the river and the auxiliary rooms into corridors. An interesting curve extends from the platform on the first floor to connect with the second floor, creating a three-dimensional space resembling a bleacher, forming performing experience of people sitting under the banyan tree.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!A dialogue between old and newA thought for the traces of timeAnother highlight feature for Living Room of Dawu Village is the coexistence of new and old elements, interspersed in a completely new structure and form. The architect has preserved the plaque of the "Songchang Teaching Building" that has weathered 40 years, as well as a brick wall with graffiti paintings by children and a green wooden door. Chaozhou is close by the sea, so the wall tiles are made by mixing powdered shells with sand and then pressed into bricks, which is a unique construction technique in the area. When building a new door and window system made of washed stone material, the development of the materials also followed local traditions. At the same time, old objects such as stone tablets, nameplates, wood carvings, and stone pillars have been preserved to punctuate the importance of protection and sustainability in the new architecture. By this method, the architect pays tribute to the traditional ritual system embedded in Chaozhou culture, which emphasizes the importance of cultural heritage.Save this picture!Save this picture!Whether on the first or second floor, traditional wooden window frames and a large amount of wooden furniture has been introduced to create warm amibiance, and to reflect Chaozhou's appreciation for craftsmanship and nature as a city that inherits intangible cultural heritage.Save this picture!From a distance, this is a newly risen building. But when the villagers walk in, they will perceive the sense of familiarities through many details.Save this picture!Let the suns shine every dayLet the "shade" seep into daily lives of the villagers gentlyBuilding a seemingly lightweight and load bearing 'tree shade' structure is not easy. The entire span is almost 20 meters without a single exposed pillar. Ultimately, the structure was completed with a scale of 22 centimeters, creating a highlight spot for the project. "This should be considered as the most difficult project I have ever worked on", said Wang Jin from the structure team.Save this picture!Save this picture!A school building that has been sealed off by time has been opened up and renewed ingenuine details by Gu Yi's team. Villagers from Dawu or visitors who came here out of admiration are gathering here, a multi-functional architecture for everyone. The first floor ia planned in corridor, theater, handicraft workshop, and shared kitchen while the self-study room, tea house, and cultural heritage experiential room are placed on the second floor. Children study and play games here after school when parents could have tea here. The elderly spend time together while aunties who enjoy singing Chao Opera could rehearse and perform informal dramas. During festivals and holidays, everyone gathers here to worship ancestors, dance lions, sing Chao Opera, and have dinner party.Save this picture!Save this picture!Living Room of Dawu Village under the banyan tree is served as the public center in the town. Villagers can enjoy all their leisure activities outside their homes here. At the same time, it can also become the most ceremonial space to treat and entertain guests.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Architect Gu Yi aspires to design this public space to be open, inclusive, and peaceful. The renovated building should not be defined and can meet diverse requirements, applicable to any scenario. "You don't have to deliberately find any design techniques, what you ultimately experience is just an architect's original intention." This is a building for every village and indeed accommodate their daily activities, accompanied by breeze, sunshine even rain of every day. Just like Gu Yi and his friends, as well as the team of 'Dream home' cherish this big, old banyan tree, the new space could be adored by everyone.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Chaozhou, Guangdong, ChinaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeNot A StudioOfficeMaterialsMaterials and TagsPublished on December 20, 2024Cite: "Living Room of Dawu Village / Not A Studio" 20 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024865/living-room-of-dawu-village-not-a-studio&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save? / You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

A second trailer for Catly--a cat-raising game that debuted at 2024's The Game Awards but has since been met with accusations of AI use--has appeared on the game's Steam page.The trailer (which is not currently on YouTube) shows a number of features that provide a slightly clearer picture of what the game itself is about. In it, cats with both realistic coats and strangely colored fur prance the street, before the game's cat creator is revealed, which allows players to customize their cat's appearance.The game allows players to create cats with unnatural fur colors.Whether players want a realistic-looking calico coat or a dye job that makes their cat look more like a Pokemon, the cat maker appears to provide customization for both cats' physical appearances and their clothes. In fact, the game comes with a whole wardrobe of clothing and accessories for players to put on their digital felines.Continue Reading at GameSpot