Revery Architecture has shared renderings of the soon-to-open Butterfly Tower and First Baptist Church in Vancouver.This more than 600,000-square-foot project encompasses a new 57-story luxury residential component and the rehabilitation of a historic church dating from 1911 on its downtown site.Image credit: Hayes DavidsonImage credit: Hayes DavidsonThe firm and client Westbank say they have been targeting a LEED Gold certification for their effort. The designs sculptural facade affects a cloud-like impression against its urban backdrop in order to lend the development a light and ephemeral quality.Image credit: Hayes DavidsonPerhaps the most exciting component is its all-season indoor lap pool, which is placed between the podium's roof and the towers main amenity suite. A galleria serves to visually connect the tower with the church beginning at the street level. The social housing building also evinces the "same spirit of community connectivity, participation, and stewards...

Sonic X Shadow Generations Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Movie Pack is now available on all platforms. Available standalone and with the Deluxe Edition, it features a new stage in Shibuya, based on the upcoming movie, and, of course, Keanu Reeves as the voice of Shadow. Check it out below.As indicated in the trailer, theres a small story to the DLC, which seemingly sees Shadow transported to an unknown dimension and taking on a new form. While meant to explain away his appearance, Shadow still possesses abilities like Chaos Control.Retailing for $5.99, the DLC currently has a Mixed rating on Steam, with 68 percent of its currently 299 reviews positive. Criticism revolves around its short length (only one playable Act) and the inability to use the movie look in the base game.Nevertheless, it is Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog, which may be enough for some fans. Sonic X Shadow Generations is available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch and has sold 1.5 million copies. Check out our review here.

The next Virtua Fighter has officially been revealed, but Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio hasnt forgotten about Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. It recently announced that the port would arrive on January 28th, 2025, for PC, retailing at $19.99 (with pre-orders receiving a 20 percent discount). Check out the latest gameplay trailer below.Alongside the base game, theres the 30th Anniversary Edition, which costs $49.99. It includes a Swimsuit Costume Set, the Anniversary Sound Collection, secret setting documentation, the Legendary Pack, the Ryu Ga Gotoku Series Collaboration Pack, and a special title. You also get a wallpaper set for R.E.V.O. and the series 30th anniversary.As for pre-orders, they receive the Sega Hardware Customization Item 3-Piece Set, which provides classic consoles like the Sega Genesis, Saturn, and Dreamcast as back attachments for all characters.Stay tuned for more details on Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. before its release next month. In the meantime, those playing Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown on PS4 can download the Version 2.0 update. Learn more about its features in the trailer below.

Justin Hill International Chapter ChairThank you all for a wonderful year! I have been reflecting on the past years activities and the many people who have contributed to the work we have done this year. I would like to thank the International Chapter Institute staff, and the current International Chapter Councillors all of whom have worked together to deliver some excellent results.I would like to thank the current Chapter Councillors for all of their efforts and time given over the past year, many of whom join us online for meetings at various times of the day and night depending on their time zones. It was wonderful to meet face to face in Hobart, Tasmania this year and collaborate with both the Tasmania Chapter, SONA and the creative directors of the Australasian Student Architecture Congress Ground Matters on Bl?ck Party, a combined celebration of International and Tasmanian Chapters awards presentations and the closing party for Ground Matters!This year we are joined by Amy Learmonth as EmAGN (Emerging Architects and Graduates network) representative on International Chapter Council, we are working to grow our EmAGN membership and engagement with this demographic within the International Chapter and having Amy in this role provides a vital connection back to the National EmAGN committee and to our emerging architect members. We have advocated for and been successful in changing criteria of the Emerging Architect Prize, the prize is now to be awarded annually rather than biannually, and further the International Chapter winner will now also be eligible to proceed to the national competition.In addition, this year we have hosted Boarding Pass events in Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, collaborating with the respective Institutes of Architecture in these countries. These events are always an engaging evening, an opportunity to connect with colleagues and share experiences working in architecture internationally. I encourage you to attend the next Boarding Pass event in your international region more on that next year!It can be a challenge to connect when living and working internationally and the International Chapter is delighted to be hosting some Festive Gatherings online to ensure all of our members can connect with us and share in some festive trivia. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet International Chapter Councillors in your region and our leadership team, representing you as members. Those who are not yet members are welcome to join and find out more.Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to all of our International Chapter members for their contribution to the industry this year and wish everyone a safe and relaxing holiday break.The post A MESSAGE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER CHAIR appeared first on Australian Institute of Architects.

Daniel Lane Tasmanian Chapter PresidentIn preparation for the recently held Presidents Lunch, which celebrates our Chapter Fellows, Life Fellows and Councillors, I have been reflecting on the past years activities and the many people who have contributed to the work we have done this year. I would like to thank the Tas Chapter Institute staff, Jen, Fi, Katie, Loren and Nina. Its amazing to see how much work is undertaken by this committed team. It really is not until you are in this position (Chapter President) that you realise what is actually being done. An incredible amount of work is undertaken, and it is often unseen; so, I would like to recognise that and thank them for that work.I would like to thank the current Chapter Councillors. This year we have tried to instigate some change. For many years, we have unfortunately seen the demise of many chapter committees, but this year we have tried to rectify that. It is not easy, and it wont happen overnight, but I would like to thank our councillors for jumping into and assisting many of the committees by taking the first steps in re-invigorating their existence. In addition, this year we have looked at getting back to our roots and focusing on the issues that relate directly with practice. We have all had our issues with planning, with heritage, and with the exorbitant amount services engineering requirements for projects. I need not go on!So, we have provided strong advocacy at both a local and a state level to identify our concerns and to attempt to overcome some of the situations we are currently facing. Through these meetings and discussions, we believe our voice has been heard. We have been invited to the table, and we firmly believe our concerns are being considered and acted upon.Changes will be made. Some have already been seen, and some are on the way which will hopefully assist with our endeavours.Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to all of our Tasmanian Chapter members for their contribution to the industry this year and wish everyone a safe and relaxing holiday break. I look forward to working with you all again in the new year.The post A MESSAGE FROM THE TAS CHAPTER PRESIDENT appeared first on Australian Institute of Architects.

From a photogenic distance, Mount Fuji is a nearly perfect, usually snow-capped cone, protruding out of the Japanese island of Honshu and into the clear blue skies. But another view reveals the site of Mount Fujis last confirmed eruption, which began on December 16, 1707, during Japans Hoei era.The image of a tranquil Fuji became enshrined in Katsushika Hokusais 19th-century woodblock series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, which, according to Franz Lidz in Smithsonian, juxtaposed the mountains calm permanence with the turbulence of nature and flux of daily life.But viewed from the southeastthe least admired view, according to anthropologist Frederick Starran imperfection hints at the mountains turbulent past. This excrescence, as Starr puts it, is the site of the 1707 eruption.The Hoei eruption, as its known, was anything but tranquil. It was likely triggered by an 8.6-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Japan on October 28, one of the most violent seismic events in Japanese history. A drawing depicting the Hei eruption Public domain via Wikimedia CommonsThe earthquake triggered massive tsunamis that killed thousands of Japanese and compressed magma chambers in Mount Fuji, building pressure and blocking off release vents simultaneously. Over the next 49 days, hot magma from deep within the volcano mixed with cooler magma, and stress within the volcano built until, on December 16, the pressure became too intense and the volcano began to erupt.The destruction was immense. The eruption spewed tons of tephrarock fragments ejected from the volcanointo Yokohama and Tokyo, some 60 miles east of Fuji. The cities were blanketed in over an inch and half of ash. The volcano released nearly 30 billion cubic feet of ash, leaving the atmosphere so densely clouded that residents had to light candles to see even during the daytime. Flows of mud, rock and other debris known as lahars devastated farms and villages in the volcanos proximity, and the buildup of ash in rivers and streams caused further flooding.While no official death toll was issued for the eruption, which lasted until January 1, many residents suffered respiratory problems related to the ash, especially in densely populated cities. In the countryside, devastated farmlands meant low food supply and starvation. Famine lasted a decade.The Hoei event was Mount Fujis biggest eruption in the Holocene epoch, the past 11,700 or so years of Earths history. On the volcanic explosivity index, the eruption scored a five out of eightvery large, based on the amount of debris displacedcomparable to the Mount St. Helens eruption of 1980.Although Fuji hasnt had any confirmed eruptions since Hoei, it might not be quiet forever. It is still considered an active volcano. Japanese authorities have produced predictions about where craters are likely to occur on Mount Fuji, as well as evacuation areas and guidelines for the tens of millions of residents in Tokyos metropolitan area should it erupt again.Meanwhile, the mark of the Hoei eruption is still evident on Fujis face, a reminder of its fiery past. As he hiked up the volcano a century ago, Starr described it as a regular crater-cone, bare of vegetation, composed of fresh-looking cinders the result of the last great eruption. Even that once spewing cavity is tranquil now, too, a silent witness to one of historys most violent volcanic explosions.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: Japan, Mountains, Natural Disasters, On This Day in History, Volcanoes

Capcom exploring further IP revivals following Okami, Onimusha revealsPublisher tells investors it will focus on "reactivating dormant IPs" in addition to new launchesImage credit: Capcom News by James Batchelor Editor-in-chief Published on Dec. 16, 2024 Capcom is planning to revive more of its dormant franchises following the reveal of an Okami sequel and the return of Onimusha last week.In a press release for Onimusha: Way of the Sword on the company's investor relations site, the publisher hinted that more of its classic IP will return in the coming years, although it stopped short of naming specific properties."In addition to regularly releasing major new titles each year, Capcom is focusing on re-activating dormant IPs that havent had a new title launch recently," the publisher wrote."The company is working to further enhance corporate value by leveraging its rich library of content, which includes reviving past IPs like the two titles announced above, in order to continuously produce highly efficient, high-quality titles."Capcom announced both Onimusha: Way of the Sword and an untitled Okami sequel during The Game Awards last week.While both series have received remasters in recent years, there has not been new Okami since 2010's Nintendo DS spin-off Okamiden. And while Onimusha received a browser game, Onimusha Soul, in 2012 and a virtual reality title Shadow Team earlier this year, there has not been a new fully-fledged Onimusha since 2006's Dawn of Dreams.The announcement of the Okami sequel was paired with another notable return, namely bringing the game's creator Hideki Kamiya back into the fold at the head of a brand new studio, Clovers.

Apple hopes to release a foldable 18.8-inch creaseless iPad by about 2028, Bloombergs Mark Gurman writes in todays Power On newsletter. The companys industrial design group has reportedly managed to create prototypes of this device that have a nearly invisible crease and would essentially be like two iPad Pros side-by-side.Rumors of a folding iPad have been floating in the ether for years, now. Recent ones include a smaller model that Apple would release in 2026 or 2027. Gurmans write-up today has strong echoes of the gargantuan 20-inch folding iPad / MacBook hybrid he detailed in 2022. That doesnt seem to mean that it will run macOS, but Gurman claims that it will have elements of both Macs and iPads and that iPadOS should be advanced enough to run macOS apps by 2028.Considering that Macs run iPhone and iPad apps now, its not outrageous to think the street could go both ways in time. It might help the value proposition, too; the 13-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,299, and whatever financial damage an iPad twice that size could incur would be a little easier to take coupled with the salve of being able to run macOS apps on it.Gurman says a foldable iPhone is still in the works, though he doesnt expect that before 2026 at the earliest, as other rumors have said. He also says information from his sources lines up with an alleged Apple internal display roadmap that made the rounds recently, tipping the 18.8-inch foldable iPad and Apples plans to release OLED MacBook Pros in 2026, followed by a MacBook Air OLED update in 2027.

Hello! Im here from the future. And I have some news. 12 months from now, all the Big Tech CEOs are still in their jobs, everybodys using folding phones, Apple made a TV, and Nvidia is the most valuable company in the history of the universe. Wild year, huh? Or maybe not? Its hard to remember. Time travel messes with your memory a little.On this episode of The Vergecast, the second installment of our two-part 2025 preview, we debate some seriously iffy storylines from the end of 2025. David, our resident time traveler, brings us some big stories that either did or didnt happen in the year to come, and Nilay Patel and Wall Street Journal columnist Joanna Stern have to help figure out whats real and what isnt. Will someone really buy Snap? Is GTA VI going to be the biggest game ever? Will Bluesky continue to ascend and leave Threads in its wake? Nobody knows yet, not even the time traveler, but we have some thoughts and ideas.As was the case with last weeks episode, were keeping score. Heres how it works: each host has to decide, for each 2025 news story, whether itll be real or not by the end of the year. Every correct guess earns you a point; every incorrect guess costs you one. At the end of the year, well total the scores, combine them with last weeks guesses, and buy the winner the coolest gadget of 2025, whatever that turns out to be. (Were going to need your help deciding, too, but well come back to that.)Dont read the below until youve listened to or watched the episode, but for the tape, here are our predictions:Tim Cook is still the CEO of Apple. In fact, all four Big Tech CEOs are the same. (Nilay, Joanna, and David all say yes.)Nvidia is the most valuable company in the world. (Nilay says no, Joanna and David say yes.)Somebody acquired Snap. (All say no.)OpenAI is officially a for-profit company. (All say yes.)OpenAI is a profitable company. (All say no.)The government is breaking up one of the big tech companies. (Nilay and David say yes, Joanna says no.)Weve had a huge, society-sized AI scandal. (All say yes.)One or more of Max, Paramount Plus, and Peacock no longer exists. (All say yes.)Netflixs live stuff is working, and it basically killed cable already. (All say no.)GTA VI is a huge, giant, smashing success. (Nilay and David say yes, Joanna refuses.)Folding phones are legit mainstream now. (All say no.)The Pixel 10 is by far the best and most successful Android phone. (All say no.)The Nintendo Switch came out, and its kind of a dud. (all say no.)Apple is actually making a TV. (Nilay and Joanna say no, David says yes.)The new Alexa? Its sick. Everybodys using it. (Nilay and Joanna say no, David says yes.)Waymos currently having its big moment. (Joanna says yes, Nilay and David say no.)BlueSky is more relevant than Threads. (All say yes.)BlueSky is actually as big as Threads. (All say no.)Apple launched a search engine. (Nilay and Joanna say yes, David says no.)