Star Citizen has finally hit alpha 4.0 after what its chief developer, Chris Roberts, admitted was a much longer than anticipated development process.Cloud Imperium Games space sim is considered one of the most controversial projects in all video games. Over the 12 years since its crowdfunding drive began, Star Citizen has been called many things including a scam by those who wonder whether it will ever properly launch. Its virtual space ships, some of which cost hundreds of dollars, are often the focus of criticism.Indeed, Star Citizen has now raised an eye-watering $767 million, according to figures from CIG. The developer makes revenue publicly available on its website. CIG calls this money funds raised.In March this year, CIG began talking about Star Citizens 1.0 launch being within sight, although theres still no release window for it. 1.0, Roberts has said, is what we consider the features and content set to represent commercial release.In a letter from the Chairman post, Roberts said: Long ago, lost in the mists of time before COVID, at CitizenCon 2949, we showcased the first in-game prototype of traveling from the Stanton System to the Pyro System via a Jump Point."After a much longer than anticipated development process, what was teased in 2019 becomes a reality for all players when we launch Star Citizen Alpha 4.0 to the live servers, as part of what we are calling the 4.0 Preview.Star Citizen Alpha 4.0 brings with it a full wipe and reset to all accounts. All players start fresh with their account hangars and wallets +20,000 aUEC (Alpha United Earth Credits, Star Citizens virtual currency used during the alpha stage). Headline additions include Pyro, the second Star System added to the Star Citizen Universe, the first jump point in the persistent universe, connecting the Stanton and Pyro systems together, an economy overhaul, and much more. Check out the patch notes over on the Roberts Space Industries website.In October, CIG said that Squadron 42, the standalone, single-player story game set in the Star Citizen universe, launches at some point in 2026, which, if it makes that release window, would be an incredible 14 years after CIG first launched Star Citizen's crowdfunding drive.Roberts, known for creating the Wing Commander series, has said Squadron 42 will offer 30-40 hours of gameplay. It stars Gillian Anderson, Henry Cavill, Gary Oldman, and Mark Strong.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Entering a new year is all about looking forward to what's coming next and reflecting back on what has already occurred. In the interior design world, that translates to predicting upcoming home trends and looking back on the projects that were completed this past year. And while it's never easy to pick a favorite, we asked a group of top interior designers to do the impossible and share with us their top residential projects of 2024. From custom new builds to full gut renovations, 12 top designers spill all the details on why the projects they shared will stick with them for the rest of their careers and what challenges they overcame to create such charming spaces. You'll find some recurring themes in the homes that display what styles homeowners were really loving this past year, such as bold colors, layered patterns, and timeless designs that'll age beautifully. Looking ahead, we can only imagine what these talented designers are going to create in 2025. But for now, this is 12 top interior designers' 2024 wrapped.For more interior inspiration: 1Amy Peltier's California Country EstatePeter Christiansen ValliMy favorite project that we completed this year was this master bedroom transformation in a historical Tudor home. We designed this 'California Country Estate' to be a space where timeless English tradition meets the serene sophistication of California living. We drew inspiration from the grand estates of the English countryside, while integrating elements with a relaxed, West Coast vibe, creating a space that is both refined and inviting.One distinctive feature about this bedroom was the square footage. The space was so large in fact it ran the entire width of the house including having a fireplace and a sitting room. In addition to the bedroom, there is a balcony and windows on three sides of the room allowing for a breathtaking view of the northwest mountain. We got to truly express ourselves creatively in every nook and corner adding small touches and details that elevated the space.Amy Peltier of Peltier Interiors2Breegan Jane's HGTV Dream HomeJoseph Bradshaw"Ive enjoyed working on the HGTV Dream Home for the past four years, but this years Dream Home was uniquely special for me because it offered a new perspective on purchasing long-term real estate investments with the idea that it can transform your life by supporting your lifestyle.This property backs up to a golf course, and its one of the first Ive worked on that had the ability to bring in nature in a visual way without the requirement of maintaining the greenery. It was the perfect illustration of how our homes can go beyond the physical walls and extend into the neighborhoods themselves.Additionally, with designer Brian Patrick Flynn, we ensured the home used a lot of color-drenching. This styling allowed for a bold personality in each room, and it expanded my ideas of color theory inside bedrooms. The headboards, baseboards, ceilings, and walls in two of the bedrooms were all done monochromaticallyeach in a different color and tone, and the interiors of the rooms also played off those shades. Its always interesting at this point in my career to continue to challenge myself and consider ideas outside of the box."Breegan JaneAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Redd Kaihoi's Artist's LairCourtesy of Redd Kaihoi"Picking a favorite is kind of like Sophies choice or asking who is your favorite child. They are all our favorites because each one teaches us something new and opens us to new experiences, but this one did linger, for the artistic creativity it allowed and the scale of the rooms.The client is an artist and has an artists eye. She has a large family and wanted a very comfortable lair to enjoy her many collections, but also a place where family and friends could easily come and relax surrounded by beauty. The living spaces have an almost Peggy Guggenheim studio quality, but a tad less bohemian, as if Geoffrey Bennison might have come along to do a refresh. The bedrooms are meant to be classic Colefax comfort. Clean and edited, yet sumptuous and practical. Stay in bed drinking lapsang and reading the morning away."Miles Redd of Redd Kaihoi4Jeff Andrews's Manhattan Beach Gut RenovationSam Frost

As part of a larger, multiyear project on this Manhattan Beach family home, we completely gutted and expanded the kitchen. The homeowners love to cook and entertain at home, so we outfitted this custom space with a full suite of integrated Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove appliances and double islands. This kitchen is really a study in contrast through both color and texture. The bleached oak of the cabinetry alongside the dark metallic finishes, and the combination of smooth stone countertops with highly textured fabric and backsplash creates a sense of juxtaposition and visual interest throughout the space.Jeff Andrews of Jeff Andrews DesignAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Allison Lind's Personal ProjectKara Mercer"My favorite project from 2024 was the gut renovation of my own home. The home was a neglected 1905 craftsman in a highly sought-after neighborhood (in Tacoma, WA). Every inch of the homes interior needed work. So not only did I get to come in and find creative ways to modernize while resuscitating some 1900s charm, but I also got to think through how this home would serve my family as our children (ages four and six) grow. The biggest struggle? Being designer and client. For my clients, I am decisive and can clearly see the vision. For myself, I was constantly running into decision paralysis. But now that its done, I am so thrilled with the resultsand, bonus, I have a lot more empathy for what my clients go through!"Allison Lind of Allison Lind Interiors6Jessica Helgerson's Central Park West ApartmentAaron Leitz"Im not sure I can ever say a project is my favorite because my favorite is always what Im working on at the moment. Its the design work thats the fun part. But I loved our Central Park West project so very much. The thing I loved about this one was how fully we were able to embrace our Korean clients cultural heritage with our design choices: Pojagi curtains, the work of Korean artists, inclusion of Korean antiques, the recurring chrysanthemum motif.At the same time, we modernized the dated apartment, bringing the kitchen out from the back of the house, and simultaneously created a warm, livable, approachable space that feels like a soft, warm hug and is a calming haven for our clients to escape from their busy city lives."Jessica Helgerson of Jessica Helgerson Interior DesignAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Cece Bowman's Colorful New BuildCarmel Brantley"This project was my favorite from 2024 because it was built from the ground up, meaning we were able to incorporate many architectural details to make the house special. In addition, the client pushed us to be creative with color, new ideas, and to be bold. The outcome was an incredibly detailed and beautiful design within a practical family home setting."Cece Bowman of Cece Bowman Interiors8Anne McDonald's Jewel-Tone RefreshTaylor Hall O'Brien"This project was a favorite last year because it goes to show the power of a jewel-toned palette. The home had been white-washed previously and painting the trim a deep teal in the living room, and the oxblood tone in the dining room just helped draw out the classic colonial architecture in a way that feels fresh, but not trendy. The plums, emeralds, and light blues that we used for the art and furniture perfectly balance the deeper paint colors, so nothing takes itself too seriously."Anne McDonald of Anne McDonald DesignAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Lucy O'Brien's Historic Shore HouseLaurey Glenn"I have to say one of my favorite projects we finished up was our historic shore house, styled by Stephanie Potts. The transformation was so shocking and the reinvention of dead spaces into a much better footprint for modern living was a feat of design and project management. We also had many bumps along the way that we had to critically think through to get the desired result."Lucy O'Brien of Tartan & Toile 10Kevin Sawyers's Years-Long Obstacle CourseMichele Lee Willson"My project in the resort town of Guerneville, CA, was my favorite that wrapped up this year. I love a challenge and this one was for the record books. Going in, I knew there would be no limitations on color, pattern mixing, or expressing the clients bold personality in the interiors as this was a repeat client.The things that got in the way were fires, floods, FEMA, and a pandemic. With all of those obstacles, the ground-up build took seven years. The entire team persevered to create a dynamic, and inviting home for the client, their friends, and family to enjoy for many years to come."Kevin Sawyers of Sawyers DesignAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Ariel Okin's Prep-Meets-Bohemian ColonialDonna Dotan"This project was such a joy to work on, for a young family looking to put down roots in a new town (they had just moved from Montana.) It was fun and colorful and layered and textured and it was just happy from concept to install!"Ariel Okin of Ariel Okin InteriorsTOUR THE ENTIRE HOME12Jon de la Cruz's Penthouse Game RoomJohn Merkl Photography"This penthouse game room was my favorite in 2024 because we really were able to be extra playful with color. Having a panoramic window on the top floor of the five-story house with breathtaking views of the adjacent marina and bay, we went with the bold sky blue and verdant green palette. Rubelli's Monet jacquard is an absolute favorite, so upholstered a custom-designed, 12-foot banquette and a back-to-back sofa to anchor the room. We worked with Mark Nelson to create the custom 'front lawn' inspired hand tufted wool carpet, and color blocked Sandra Jordan's Prima Alpaca flannel into drapery panels."Jon de la Cruz of DLC-ID

Did you know that Apple, for years, has had a system and process for sending threat notifications to users of suspected spyware attacks? Heres what that means, and new details on the guidance Apple gives users with a compromised device.Spyware victims tend to be high-profile targets, not the average Apple userLorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai writes for TechCrunch:In the last few years, Apple has beensending notificationsto targets and victims of government spyware, alerting them that they may have been hacked,and directing them to get help. Crucially, Apple doesnt tell the targets to get in touch with its own security engineers, but with thenonprofit Access Now, which runs a digital helpline for people in civil society who suspect they have been targets of government spyware.We first reported on these threat notifications back in 2021 when Apple published a support document about them. That document, which was last updated on October 24, 2024, is available here.It explains that if youre the victim of a suspected spyware attack, youll be notified in multiple ways:A Threat Notification is displayed at the top of the page after you sign intoaccount.apple.com.Apple sends an email and iMessage notification to the email addresses and phone numbers associated with your Apple Account.The good news is that most users will never receive a threat notification, because the types of attacks they warn against are usually reserved for high-profile targets. As Apple puts it, those who are individually targeted by mercenary spyware attacks, likely because of who they are or what they do.Threat notifications: next steps to takeApples support document further explains what you should do if you receive a threat notification:We strongly suggest you enlist expert help, such as the rapid-response emergency security assistance provided by the Digital Security Helpline at the nonprofit Access Now. Apple threat notification recipients can contact the Digital Security Helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a weekthrough their website. Outside organizations do not have any information about what caused Apple to send a threat notification, but they can assist targeted users with tailored security advice.So if youre a suspected target of spyware, Apple wont provide direct assistance itself. Rather, the company will direct you to the Access Now helpline. Apple notes: Outside organizations do not have any information about what caused Apple to send a threat notification, but they can assist targeted users with tailored security advice.Several cybersecurity experts TechCrunch spoke with praised Apples efforts in this area, saying that the introduction of threat notifications has been a game-changer.Apple also provides the following security recommendations for all users, which can hopefully prevent the need for ever getting a threat notification. Users should:Update devices to the latest software, as that includes the latest security fixesProtect devices with a passcodeUse two-factor authentication and a strong password for your Apple AccountInstall apps from the App StoreUse strong and unique passwords onlineDont click on links or attachments from unknown sendersHave you ever received an Apple threat notification? Had you ever heard of them before now? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

According to a shocking new book, Spotify has been promoting so-called "ghost artists" so it can avoid paying its piddling royalties to real artists.In an excerpt from "Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist" published inHarper's, author Liz Pelly reveals that the streaming platform has a secretive internal program that prioritizes cheap and generic music.Dubbed "Perfect Fit Content" or PFC for short, this program not only involved a network of affiliated production firms creating tons of "low-budget stock muzak" for the platform, but also a team of employees who surreptitiously placed tracks from those firms on Spotify's curated playlists."In doing so," Pelly wrote, "they are effectively working to grow the percentage of total streams of music that is cheaper for the platform."Piloted in the mid-2010s, PFC reportedly became one of Spotify's biggest profitability schemes by 2017.As one former employee told the author, playlist editors at the streaming service began to see a new column on their dashboards soon after the program officially launched that, along with stats like plays, likes, and skip rates, would show how well each playlist they made worked with "music commissioned to fit a certain playlist/mood with improved margins."Not long after that new column appeared on employee dashboards, managers began pushing their underlings to add PFC songs to the playlists they were crafting for the platform."Initially, they would give us links to stuff, like, 'Oh, its no pressure for you to add it, but if you can, that would be great,'" the ex-Spotify employee told Pelly. "Then it became more aggressive, like, 'Oh, this is the style of music in your playlist, if you try it and it works, then why not?'"Other former employees told the author that they wished they'd pushed back more against that pressure from higher-ups because, as one put it, "some of us really didnt feel good about what was happening.""We didnt like that it was these two guys that normally write pop songs replacing swaths of artists across the board," the former Spotify-er said. "Its just not fair. But it was like trying to stop a train that was already leaving."As it became clearer and clearer that many of the company's then-current editors were skeptical of the program, Spotify began bringing in new blood that didn't care about the ethics of it. By 2023, when Pelly was writing her book, the team overseeing the PFC model was responsible for "several hundred" playlists. Of those, more than 150 playlists bearing titles like "Deep Focus," "Cocktail Jazz," and "Morning Stretch" were populated almost entirely by PFC content.To make matters worse, a jazz musician Pelly spoke to who moonlighted as an ambient trackmaker for one of Spotify's PFC partners told her that he was offered an upfront fee of a few hundred dollars and told he would not own the master rights to the track.Because it was an easy gig, the musician composed a few tracks for the firm that were released under aliases on Spotify. After a few of the tracks began getting millions of streams, however, he realized that he may have been ripped off."Im selling my intellectual property for essentially peanuts," the musician told the writer.Perhaps most offensive about this entire alleged scheme, which Spotify seems not to have commented on in the excerpt published byHarper's, is that the company is doing so to avoid paying infinitesimally small royalties to real artists that generally only make a fraction of a cent per stream.Though Spotify has repeatedly denied that it creates music in-house and said in 2017 that such claims were "categorically untrue, full stop," CEO Daniel Ek tweeted earlier this year that "the cost of creating content" is now "close to zero" a bizarre statement to make for someone whose company claims to not be in the business of ghost artistry.Share This Article

If youre home for the holidays or simply on a much-needed vacation youre likely looking for a movie or two or ten to stream between family meals or hangouts with friends, and this year Netflix proved it was the place to go for a little bit of everything. Not all of its featured offerings are worth watching haters can find our list of the Worst Netflix Movies of 2024 right here but a lot of them are, and weve chosen a select few you wont want to miss.Netflixs movies are traditionally a mixed bag, as the streaming service, even in its more mature years, is still operating on the same throwing spaghetti at the wall ethos as it did when it first started making its own content. No matter what genre or sub-genre or niche aesthetic youre looking for, Netflix will have something in its labyrinth of overly specific categories. Were here to tell you which of them are worth checking out.This years offerings really ran the gamut, from animated childrens adventures about what happens after the sun goes down, to taut crime thrillers about wide-reaching conspiracy plots, tearjerkers about families coming together under difficult circumstances, documentaries made to look like video games, and one holiday rom-com about a sexy snowman who comes to life, these are the Netflix originals worth adding to your end-of-the-year catch-up list. And, yes, were serious about the snowman one. Its good.The Best Netflix Movies of 2024These are the Netflix movies worth putting on your end-of-the-year watchlist.Gallery Credit: Emma StefanskyREAD MORE: 10 Flops That Became Huge Hits on NetflixGet our free mobile appThe Worst Netflix Movies of 2024Netflix released a lot of movies this year. Some were great! These were not. Gallery Credit: Emma Stefansky

Look! Up in the sky! Its not a bird, or a plane, or James GunnsSuperman.Its our video breakdown of the trailer for GunnsSuperman and boy, do we have a lot to say about this movie.Its our first film in the new DC movie universe, but it also has a lot of references to the history of DC and Superman comics and earlier movies. In this video, well discuss dozens of Easter eggs, hidden DC references, and little details you might have missed in theSupermantrailer. Well talk about the new Superman costume, the new Superman actor, the the stuff that Gunn has taken from earlier movies and shows, the meaning of the new Superman logo on his chest, and the symbolism of beginning this trailer with the new Man of Steel crashing to Earth, broken and bleeding, but ready to get up and fight some more.Watch our full video on theSuperman trailer below:If you liked that video about all of the Easter eggs in the new trailer for James Gunns Superman, check out more of our videos below, including our wholesome (real tears!) reaction to Gunns Superman trailer, our deep dive into all the Easter eggs in Zack Snyders Justice League, and our look at the reboot of the DC Universe and what it means for the future of DC. Plus, theres tons more over atScreenCrushs YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe to catch all our future episodes.James Gunns Superman is scheduled to open in theaters on July 11, 2025.The 10 Most Ridiculous Tropes In Action MoviesGood luck finding an action movie that doesn't have at least a few of these stereotypes.Get our free mobile app80s Foods We Wish They Still MadeIf you grew up in the 1980s, you surely have fond memories of these popular (now discontinued) snacks.Filed Under: DC Comics, James Gunn, SupermanCategories: Movie News, Videos

Time zones: GMT (UTC +0), CET (UTC +1), EET (UTC +2)My client is seeking a motivated and experienced HR Projects Specialist for 6 months, to help drive the successful implementation of various (small) People projects within their organisation.Do you have a strong understanding of the people/HR space and the ability to help design, build and implement HR practices? If so, then this is an exciting opportunity for you!Your expertise in people and organisational dynamics will be critical in helping to create impactful programs (such as a Job Level roll-out, Workforce Planning Roll out, Recruitment Automation) and other initiatives.You will have the opportunity to work with a fun remote team, whilst working through (complex) challenges and drive transformational growth.The role:Manage People project change initiatives within the company, ensuring that changes are executed smoothly and efficientlyDesign and facilitate workshops and training sessions to promote project rollout and usage of new initiatives (communication plans, training documentation)Monitor project progress and identify and resolve any issues or roadblocks that may ariseProvide guidance and support to managers and team members during times of change, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and alignedPartner with team members to ensure that changes are effectively communicated and supported throughout the organisationWhat it takes:Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related fieldMinimum of 6-8 years working in a People/HR role, with people transformation, change management or organisational development experienceStrong understanding of human behaviour, organisational dynamics, and change management principlesStrong organisational and project management skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities effectivelyProven track record of implementing successful (small) transformation initiativesExcellent problem-solving, interpersonal skills and critical thinking abilitiesAbility to maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretionHigh level of attention to detail and ability to analyse data and metricsProficient in HR and other software systems (automation)With our client undergoing a period of change, this role requires someone who rolls-up their sleeves and takes accountability for driving some of the work.Must have excellent communication, project management, and HR problem-solving skills, as well as a deep understanding of how to build people practices.This is an independent contractor/B2B contract position for approximately 6 months, located in the European timezone.

Ready for a fresh set of puzzles? Click here for the January/February Puzzle Corner, brought to you with a special Mystery Hunt twist by guest editor Dan Katz 03.This column includes solutions to three September/October 24 problems. Find solutions to the other three problems here.

David Dewan came up with this solution (which Richard Lipesalso found on Wikipedia): Let N be any integer not divisible by 2 or 5. Consider repunits R1 = 1, R2 = 11, R3 = 111, , RN+1 and their residues modulo N. There are at most N different residues, so the set of N+1 residues modulo N must contain at least one repeat. Assume RA mod N and RB mod N with B>A are the same. Then (RB RA) mod N = (RB-A10A) mod N = 0. Since N and 10 are relatively prime, N divides RB-A. S/O4. Frank offers this sudoku problem: Many readers tackled it successfully. For anyone who got stuck, heres the answer key: Ten years ago I was doing what is now called AI, Richard Marks 58 writes. He noted that trying all possible iterations of a sudoku problem will tie up your Cray for a week. So I personally wrote the rules and coded this little AI program that solves any sudoko by the time you have released the Solve It button. Since I wrote the program from scratch, I guess you can say I solved S/O4. S/O6. On behalf of the MIT Chess Club, Justin Zhou 25 asked how White can play and mate in two (see below). Frank Model 63 says there are two cases to consider: when Black can castle, and when Black cannot. If Black can castle, then Blacks last move had to be Pc7-c5. In this case White can take en passant, Pb5-c6. If Black castles, then White plays Pb7#. If Black can castle, but makes some other move, then White plays Rf8#. If Black cannot castle, then White plays Ke6. Black cannot escape mate on the next move when White plays Rf8#. Steve Gordon noted that this problem illustrates the three special chess moves. The following was adapted from his analysis with his algebraic chess notation. Black last moved either a king, rook, or c5. If c5, then 1. bxc6 (en passant a.k.a e. p.). If Black can still castle queenside (1. Kc8 & Rd8, a.k.a O-O-O), then 2. b7#. If Black cannot, its king is still trapped on rank 8, so after any black move, 2. Rf8#. If Black last moved a king or rook, en passant is not possible for White, but Black cant castle either, so 1. Ke6 also traps the black king on rank 8, and after any Black move, 2. Rf8#. Note: To create this puzzle, the white bishop on g7 resulted from an underpromotion on h8.

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Zaha Hadid Architects has revealed a construction update for its Shenzhen Institute of Financial Technology in Shenzhen, China. The installation of the sculptural faade at the Shenzhen Institute of Financial Technology has begun on site.The 199-metre tower's composition is defined by its surrounding urban environment, and it is situated on a small site.In order to maximize the quantity of direct sunlight that reaches the district's streets and public plazas, set-backs have been incorporated into the tower's volume and the annual routes of the sun's rays across the site have been recorded and modelled.Image Xue LiangThe People's Bank of China's digital and international payment networks rely heavily on the Shenzhen Institute of Financial Technology.As an incubator and assessment center for financial technologies, the institute is a vital component of Shenzhen, the city at the vanguard of China's technology innovation, and it guarantees Shenzhen's continuous success in creating new digital innovations that propel the world economy.Image AtchainThe Shenzhen Institute of Financial Technology Tower, created by Zaha Hadid Architects, will house the institute's continued growth to support China's fintech sector, which is expected to expand at a rate of over 20 per cent annually over the next ten years.The institute's training campus, technology exchange, research and development labs, data centers, and management, support, and administrative departments will all be housed in the new 46-story tower in the center of China's tech sector, which is accessible from nearby metro stations.Image Xue LiangThe composition of the 76,000 square meter tower is determined by the surrounding urban environment. It is situated on a tight site in the center of Shenzhen's Futian district, which is home to many of China's most inventive technological enterprises.To maximize the quantity of direct sunlight that reaches the district's streets, public plazas, and existing neighboring buildings, set-backs have been incorporated into the tower's volume and the annual routes of the sun's rays across the site have been studied and modelled.Image Xue LiangThese distortions within the building's volume inform the tower's faades' varied levels of transparency and color. The faades, which are made up of angled and vertical glazing mullions in black and bronze, highlight the distinctive geometries created by the formal features of the design.Image Xue LiangTo encourage interaction and collaboration, a number of internal atria connect floors. These linked atria's foliage filters air pollutants, and the rooftop garden offers a range of covered areas for gatherings, events, exhibitions, and leisure.High-performance thermal insulation and self-shading exterior fins are integrated into the tower's shell. Each faade's distinct composition to reduce solar heat gain has been guided by an extensive analysis of exposure to direct sunlight.Image Xue LiangOver the course of the day, a smart building system will be able to predict the tower's occupancy levels and user habits. This AI-powered technology integrates hybrid natural ventilation and continuously modifies the tower's services to maximize energy efficiency and occupant comfort.Recycled steel and aggregates from nearby suppliers help to lower the tower's structure's embodied carbon.Image Xue LiangImage Xue LiangImage Xue LiangImage Xue LiangImage AtchainImage AtchainImage AtchainImage AtchainImage AtchainZaha Hadid Architects revealed design for its first project in Malaysia, the plans are developed in collaboration with JLand Group Sdn Bhd (JLG). In addition, the firm began construction on the lemiste Passenger Terminal in Tallinn, Estonia. Moreover, the firm released an update about the construction of West Kowloon Terminus development in Hong Kong.Project factsProject name: Shenzhen Institute of Financial TechnologyArchitect:Zaha Hadid ArchitectsDesign:Patrik SchumacherZHA Project Director: Joris PauwelsZHA Project Associate: Yitzhak SamounZHA Project Leads: Ping-Hsiang Chen, Alejandro Garcia GadeaZHA Site Team:Simon Yu, Jinqi Huang, Yushan ChenZHA Project Team: Iraklis Kourounis, Biagio Amodio, Maria Vergopoulou, Sharan Sundar, Beatrice Cordella, Nessma Al Ghoussein, Cristina Barrios Cabrera, Samantha PavicZHA Competition Project Director: Joris PauwelsZHA Competition Associate:Yitzhak SamounZHA Competition Project Architect:Yazhu LiangZHA Competition Project Leads:Alejandro Garcia Gadea, Haohao ChenZHA Competition Team: Iraklis Kourounis, Maria Vergopoulou, Sharan Sundar, Saman Dadgostar, Lorena Espaillat Bencosme, Uli BlumConsultantsLocal Architect:CSWADI (SD PD Stage) / CABR (CD Stage)Structural Engineers:CSWADI (SD PD Stage) / CABR (CD Stage)Quantity Surveyor:Hua Lun Cheng Construction ConsultancyGeneral Contractor: China Construction Second Engineering BureauFaade Engineering:SPESM&E Engineering: CSWADI (SD PD Stage) / CABR (CD Stage)MEP:CSWADI (SD PD Stage) / CABR (CD Stage)Fire Engineer:Shenzhen Electronics Institute Design Consulting Co., LtdLandscape Consultant:CSWADISite Supervision: CSCCProject Management:CSCCTop image in the article Xue Liang.> via ZHA