The Sennheiser Accentum earbuds are a best in class for their price. Jack Wallen/ZDNETWhat's the deal?The Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless Earbuds have received a 35% discount on Amazon. At the time of this writing, you can purchase the pair for $130 in either black or white.ZDNET's key takeawaysThe Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless earbuds are available on Amazon for $199.These earbuds offer brilliant, rich sound with all-day comfort and excellent active noise canceling.However, they only get around eight hours of playtime (with ANC off).I've been a fan of Sennheiser for a long time, starting decades ago when I bought one of my first audiophile-grade headphones. I loved their high-quality sound and appreciated the engineering that went into a well-made pair of headphones. Since then, however, that relationship has seen its share of ups and downs.Also:The best noise-canceling earbuds: Expert tested and reviewedOne instance involved a less-than-stellar pair of earbuds that offered tinny, hollow sound, too-delicate wires, and lack of substance. But that didn't sour my opinion of the company because every time they hit a home run, it is so far out of the park that the ball is forever lost. details View at Amazon Such is the case with the Accentum True Wireless earbuds. When I opened the package and flipped the lid on the clamshell case, my first impression was that they looked sleek, but there wasn't really anything that stood out design-wise.Then, I connected them to my Pixel 8 Pro and launched "Analog Kid" by Rush, my go-to tune when I test earbuds, earphones, and speakers. It took me eight measures to realize Sennheiser had done it again. These earbuds are just fantastic.More on that in a bit. First, the specs:Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless earbuds tech specsDriver type: 7mm dynamicFrequency response: 5 Hz - 21 KHzSensitivity: 107 dBSpeaker THD: <0,08% (1 kHz / 94 dB)Hybrid noise-canceling circuitry with dual micsTransparency mode to hear external soundsBluetooth 5.3 (with LE audio and Auracast support)aptX, LC3, ACC, SBC decodingIP54 water resistant (earbuds only)Six hours of continuous playback with noise canceling on (eight hours with noise canceling off) and an additional 20 hours from the charging caseWireless charging supportWeight: 0.5 ozI compare every pair of earbuds I test to the Denon PerL Pro, which is still the best-sounding pair I've heard to date, and sells for around $350. Given that the Accentum buds cost roughly $150 less, it was a safe bet they wouldn't stand up to the PerL Pro.They did.I'm not going to say they beat the PerL Pro on every level, but this was as close as any I've tested. The Accentum earbuds offer deep, rich sound with a soundstage to best any earbud at this price point.Also: These $80 earbuds changed my mind about low-cost headphonesUsually, with similarly priced earbuds, I have to install the companion app on my phone to adjust the EQ to get them to achieve a sound profile that accommodates my taste. With the Accentum buds, the default sound was fantastic. They reproduced just the right mixture of lows, mids, and highs to create a state of aural bliss. And no matter what piece of music I threw at these earbuds, they didn't blink and produced smooth and beautiful noise for my ears to enjoy."Analog Kid" by Rush sounded agile, with beautiful separation and tone."Halcyon and On" by Orbital was heavenly."Kingdom" by Devin Townsend was as brutal and dynamic as a prog metal song can be."Adagio for Strings" by Samuel Barber was just the right amount of heartbreak and zero distortion at the end of the first movement (which is a feat)."The Road Home" by Stephen PaulusI could close my eyes and feel as if I were right there before the choir.I can't praise the sound produced by these earbuds enough. But that wasn't the only thing to catch my attention. If there's one area where the Accentum earbuds outrank the Denon PerL Pro, it's comfort.Also: This small Bluetooth speaker is secretly a powerhouse with room-shaking audioThe Accentum earbuds fit perfectly, and can be worn for extended periods of time without issue. Because of how the Denon earbuds fit, they can put slight pressure on the back of the ear after an hour or two, so I only wear them when I know I'm having a short listening session. On the other hand, the Accentum buds have a natural and relaxed fit, and they feel as comfortable when you take them out as they did when you first put them in.As far as the noise canceling is concerned, I didn't bother testing the transparency mode because the ANC on these earbuds is fantastic. As soon as the music started playing, all sounds were drowned out and it was just me and the tunes. This ANC beats every pair of earbuds I've tested to date (even the Pixel Buds Pro).ZDNET's buying adviceIf you're choosy about how your earbuds' sound and are looking for an unrivaled fit, the Sennheiser Accentum earbuds are the way to go. At a price considerably lower than other earbuds with this high-quality sound, you cannot beat these.Yes, you can certainly find earbuds that sound a bit better than the Accentum buds, but you'll likely be paying at least $100 more for them. If that's not in your budget, you won't be sacrificing much with the Accentum earbuds, and there's no denying these are the most comfortable earbuds out there.Also:I tested Sennheiser's new mid-range headphones and they're so close to perfectThe Accentum buds' only drawback is their battery life. Eight hours is on par with other premium earbuds, but I'd like to squeeze out a little more juice. Still, I'll take an entire day's worth of battery life in exchange for great sound, high-performing noise-canceling tech, and all-day comfort.Featured reviews

Research reveals that certain actions can make you strongly second-guess your relationship, ... [+] propelling you towards divorce.gettyRelationships need to be nurtured, and when they arent, the effects are clear. They thrive on love, intentionality and support, but begin to wither away with neglect.A 2022 study published in Evolutionary Psychology examined these effects and found six primary behaviors that can drive couples to divorce. Alongside the deeply hurtful acts of infidelity, abusive behavior and a lack of personal effort to keep the spark alive, there were three actions that stood out as most harmful to a relationship.Here are the top three behaviours that can irreparably damage a relationship, according to the study.1. When A Partner Is Not CaringParticipants of the study felt that the most harmful behavior in a relationship is a lack of care. This includes acts of neglect, indifference and emotional disconnection, such as:Failing to show interest in a partners feelings or the relationship.Neglecting to spend quality time together.Ignoring a partners needs, preferences or opinions.Taking the partner for granted and failing to express appreciation.Evading emotional or physical intimacy.When one partner feels unseen or undervalued, it can lead to profound feelings of loneliness and resentment. A study published in the Journal of Divorce & Remarriage involving divorcing parents in the U.S. corroborates this, highlighting how insufficient attention from a spouse is a frequent reason for divorce.Neglect also signals a reduced commitment to the relationship, leaving the affected partner sometimes questioning their worth and the future of the marriage. In contrast, when a partner is perceived as caring, responsive and validating, it can enhance relationship satisfaction and strengthen the bond significantly.2. When A Partner Doesnt Treat Your Children WellAnother deeply damaging behavior is when a partner mistreats shared children or fails to fulfill their parental responsibilities. This can include the following:MORE FOR YOUNeglecting to spend time with the children.Exhibiting inappropriate or abusive parental behavior.Undermining the other parents authority or decisions.People worry more about an abusing partner physically harming their children, who are more vulnerable than them, the researchers write.From an evolutionary perspective, the well-being of children is paramount, and is one of the primary reasons why partners choose to be together. Consequently, researchers found that participants would strongly consider ending a relationship if their partner displayed harmful behaviors toward their children.Behavioral acts that indicate a reduced commitment to the relationship as well as a reduced capacity to reliably provide for ones partner and children, will have a negative effect on people, triggering negative emotions such as anger and disappointment, motivating them to reassess their relationships prospects, the researchers add.Loving parents instinctively prioritize their childrens safety, health and happiness, so a partners failure to do the same can create irreparable rifts. In contrast, showing a unified front as co-parents and actively engaging in their childrens lives creates a supportive family environment that can only strengthen the marital bond.3. When A Partner Is ControllingControlling behaviors, such as imposing ones will on the other person, restricting their freedom or manipulating them rank third highest among the most toxic actions in a marriage. In fact, research shows that when a partner is perceived and controlling and neglectful, it is associated with lower relationship satisfaction.Specific instances of such behavior include:Constantly criticizing or blaming a partner.Isolating the partner from friends, family or beloved hobbies and interests.Demonstrating excessive jealousy.Pushing the partner to make decisions prematurely.Control comprises ones sense of autonomy, which is a fundamental human need. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Family Therapy found that when this need is not met, it is strongly associated with relationship dissatisfaction and heightened conflict.Controlling behaviors not only harm the partners well-being but also undermine the mutual respect necessary for a healthy relationship. Over time, for the partner on the receiving end, this dynamic can exacerbate resentment, low self-esteem and a desire to escape.Recognizing and addressing such harmful patterns can potentially pave the way for deeper intimacy and respect. Small, consistent acts of carewhether its sharing moments of gratitude, aligning on parenting approaches or encouraging individual autonomycan rejuvenate a struggling relationship.However, its also important to recognize when your partner isnt willing to put in the inner work to truly change, and make the decision to walk away and prioritize your safety and well-being, and that of your children, if any.At the end of the day, most partners are looking to feel valued, loved and deeply supported in intimate relationships. This is the lifeblood of a long-term relationship, whereas neglect and controlling behavior can only contribute to decay. For their own good, partners in any relationship must make the commitment to growwhether thats together, or apart.Do you experience a lack of control in your relationship? Take this science-backed test to learn more: Relationship Control Scale

Nail The Interview: Answer Why Should We Hire You Like A ProgettyWe just couldnt let him get away from us. This is what we knew after interviewing one of four final candidates for a critical, and highly competitive, senior management role. He (whom well call Greg) framed his responses to all the interview questionsincluding the why should we hire you questionwith our needs in mind.Greg approached the interview questions with an its all about them perspective. And by strategically doing this, he made it so very easy for us to offer him the job. Ive observedand usedthis interview approach time after time, and it wins more job offers than any approach Ive ever seen.Scheduled interview time is valuable time. Getting in the room with decision makers for a job that you really want is, itself, a moment. It means you passed the initial screening stage. It means youve been deemed to have met the qualifications for the job. Many others were qualified for the job too, but (for one reason or another) they wont get invited to a job interview. But you did.More than using the job interview as a time to discuss information the interviewers already have access to such as your work experience, your accomplishments, your education and your credentials, youd do well to spend the time during your job interview letting interviewers know how all of those things position you to best help them.And whether you get asked directly or not, you certainly dont want to walk out of that job interview leaving any doubt about why they should make the decision to hire you.MORE FOR YOUWhy is the Why Should We Hire You Interview Question So Important?Heres the deal. There are really only two (you read that right-2) interview questions that you need to consider. Everything elseall the other possible questions and conversation pointsflows primarily from these two overarching interview questions.What have you failed at lately? andWhy should we hire you?When you prepare your thinking and mindset around these two questionsand maybe only these two questionsyou will indeed be prepared for anything else that comes your way during the job interview.But alternatively, if you try to remember too many scripted answers to too many different questions, you risk missing the mark by being too focused on youwhat youre supposed to say, what youve accomplished, your expertise and what you know instead of showing them how you think and framing your responses around their issues and their needs.How to Answer Why Should We Hire You Like a ProIts important to understand that even though the word you is in the question, every part of your answer should be about them. Think of it this way. When hiring managers and interviewers ask you why should we hire you, theyre really asking you questions that get to whats in it for them to hire you.They are digging to find out how it truly benefits them to add you to the team. So, the best thing you can doif you want to respond like a prois give them precisely what their looking for and make it all about them: their needs, their goals, their pain points, their priorities, their influence, their burdens, their security, their challenges and their struggles.Regardless of the situation, whether persuading someone to your idea, negotiating a deal or responding to job interview questions, you should be aware that the listeners are asking themselvesall along the waywhats in it for me (WIIFM) or whats in it for the organization (WIIFO).The pros know this. We know whenever were interviewing for any job or role, we have to give those with whom we are communicating the WIIFM. Neglect this communication strategy at your own peril.Before you show up to the interview, prepare your mindset and frame your thinking. Youll want to respond to the interview questionsany and all interview questionsby recognizing that the listeners (the hiring managers and/or interviewers) are listening for how your answers are focused on them.Following are ten sets of underlying (and often) unasked questions that pros weave in responses for when answering the why should we hire you question or some other version of it.The pros know that the regardless of the question actually asked, hiring decision makers are secretly thinking one of more of these questions:What makes you different? And how does this difference benefit us?Whats in it for us if we hire you (the organization/division/team)?Whats in it for me if I hire you (the direct supervisor to the role)? Will you make me look good?Can we trust you to care about us; can we trust you to have our backs? Can I trust you to care about me; can I trust you to have my back?Will we be better off if we hire you? How? Will I be better off if I hire you? How?What challenges will you lead us through? What solutions do you offer? What innovations will you help us implement?What burdens will you lighten for me? And will you offer to carry some of my load without complaining about carrying your own?Where will you create, add and demonstrate the most value?What problems are you going to help us solve? What processes will you help us streamline?What strategic priorities will you elevate? Why and how?By applying this approach and framework, youll be ready. Regardless of the interview questions youre asked, you can respond using the thinking and framing that youve already shaped from the ten sets of questions above. Just remember that no matter the question asked, your goal is to respond with answers that provide the listener the WIIFM and/or WIIFO.Remember this. Internalize this, and you wont ever come off rehearsed or scripted in your interviews. And you wont be blindsided by not having a response to a question that you didnt memorize.Most Interview Questions Contain Hidden QuestionsThere is a whole bunch being asked with this single interview question of why should we hire you. And interviewers are looking at a whole bunch of different angles with your answer(s).But thats not the only question where this happens. Most all job interview questions contain hidden questions. Dont be lulled into assuming that the questions youre being asked are as singularly focused as the actual words might suggest. You dont want to be so laser focused on any particular question that you offer up a limited response that fails to address the question(s) beneath the question.Whether in job interviews or anywhere else, contemplate whats actually being asked. Instead of practicing responses to specific questions that you can never really know will be asked, considerwhat is the why of it all? What is the point of the question? andhow you can answer in a way that helps the interviewers perceive your response(s) as adding value, elevating the conversation and demonstrating deep understanding for what they care about.For all interview questions you will ever face, ensure that your responses reflect your understanding of and appreciation for whats actually happening within the organization.Dont Ever Leave Interviewers WonderingWhy Should We Hire You?You have them right there. They are right where you need them to be to have the conversation youve wanted to have. When you have the person or people who will make or finalize the hiring decision directly in front of you, you doggone well better make sure they arent left wondering why they should hire you.Why should we hire you? When youre giving the interviewers the WIIFM, youre doing this right. By framing your responses to the interview questions on them, you expand the dialogue around their needs, their goals, their pain points, their priorities, their influence, their burdens, their security, their challenges and their struggles. This will help you win out much more often than youll ever lose.Related articles:The Most Important Question Successful People Ask In A New Job3 Things Strategic Thinkers Do To Get Hired In Senior Management PositionsHow To Gain Confidence And Get Interviewers To Offer You The Job

Blake Lively filed a legal complaint against her "It Ends with Us" costar, Justin Baldoni.Taylor Swift and Hailey Bieber appeared in the complaint.Lively's complaint said Baldoni and his team conspired to damage her reputation.In a new legal complaint, Blake Lively said that her "It Ends with Us" costar, Justin Baldoni, who also directed and produced the film, conspired to damage her reputation and credibility.The complaint also mentions Taylor Swift and Hailey Bieber.Lively named Baldoni and six other defendants in her complaint, including the CEO and cofounder of his production studio, Wayfarer Studios. She also named communications crisis manager Melissa Nathan of The Agency Group PR and Baldoni's publicist, Jennifer Abel.In the complaint, Lively said Baldoni and his team created a "multi-tiered plan" using "social manipulation" to "destroy" her reputation."This plan went well beyond standard crisis PR. What Ms. Nathan proposed included a practice known as 'Astroturfing,' which has been defined as 'the practice of publishing opinions or comments on the internet, in the media, etc. that appear to come from ordinary members of the public but actually come from a particular company or political group,'" according to the complaint.The complaint says that Baldoni and his team discussed controversies around Swift and Bieber as strategic suggestions while conspiring against Lively.Bryan Freedman, an attorney for Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, said Lively's complaint was a "desperate attempt to 'fix' her negative reputation."Baldoni and his team considered leveraging backlash around Swift and the 'weaponization of feminism,' the complaint says Blake Lively's complaint included a reference to Taylor Swift. Andreas Rentz/TAS24 Nathan's communications company shared a "Scenario Planning" document with Baldoni and others that outlined potential strategies "should [Ms. Lively] and her team make her grievances public," the complaint says.The complaint includes a copy of that document, which Lively's attorneys obtained through a civil subpoena.The planning document discussed what Baldoni's team could do if Lively's husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, publicly defended her against critics. It included a reference to Swift, who is a friend of Lively. The pair have attended Kansas City Chiefs football games together and have been photographed by paparazzi while hanging out."As part of this, our team can also explore planting stories about the weaponization of feminism and how people in BL's circle, like Taylor Swift, have been accused of utilizing these tactics to 'bully' into getting what they want," the planning document says, according to the complaint.The complaint says Baldoni used a social media post about Bieber and bullying as an example strategy Blake Lively's complaint alluded to Hailey Bieber. Karwai Tang/Getty Images Lively's complaint also contained screenshots of text message conversations between Baldoni and his team, which were also obtained through a civil subpoena. According to the complaint, Baldoni sent a text message to his publicist, Abel, in early August."A few days later, on August 5, 2024, Mr. Baldoni set the narrative for the social media campaign, sending Ms. Abel a screenshot of a thread on X that had accused another female celebrity of bullying women," the complaint said. "Mr. Baldoni stated, 'this is what we would need.'"The social media post included two pictures of Bieber and insinuated she had bullied other women. That narrative gained traction on social media in 2023 and resulted in widespread backlash against Bieber.A representative for Lively referred Business Insider to a statement she shared with The New York Times."I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted," she said.Lively also said neither she nor her representatives planted negative stories about Baldoni or Wayfarer Studios.Baldoni's attorney said the accusations in Lively's complaint were "completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media."Representatives for Bieber and Swift did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

The upcomingMarvel 1943: Rise of Hydraputs players in the shoes of Captain America and Black Panther as they become uneasy allies to stop the Nazis during WWII. If that wasnt already enticing enough for you, the game comes courtesy of Skydance and Amy Hennig, a director and writer on titles like the first three Unchartedgames andLegacy of Kainseries. Up to now, Marvels crop of triple-A games have all been set in the relative present, but Hennig spoke with Entertainment Weekly about how the game is informed by the WWII setting. As she tells it, it let her and co-writers Marc Bernardin and Todd Stashwick tell a story in the vein of action-adventure films set in that era. Think of a guys on a mission movie where Nazis get killed or beat up, and it sounds like youll have a good idea of what to expect here. The ultimate aim, according to Hennig, is to provide players with the look, feel, and sound [of] watching a great Marvel movie or TV show, but youre driving the action. SinceMarvel 1943is a globe-trotting stories, players will go to a variety of locations, including occupied Paris and Azzuris home nation of Wakanda. In the game, its isolated from the outside world and protected by an impenetrable jungle, but Hennig said the Wakandans are pulled into the war. Much as theyve taken a non-intervention stance, the world is getting smaller, and they have to protect their interests. [] You can shoot down planes that maybe want to fly over Wakanda, but how long can you stay in the shadows? That question will be explored through Azzuri and Steves eyes, plus their respective primary allies, Wakandan spy Nanali and Howling Commando Gabe Jonesall four are said to be playable throughout Marvel 1943,so theyll all likely have something to say on the matter. Marvel Games/Skydance As for Cap and Panther themselves, Hennig said this Steve is still a bit green as a soldier, whereas Azzuris got more experience and maturity under his belt. The trailer from earlier this year gave an idea of how that first meetup will go, but like all guys on a mission movie, theyre united by their concerns about the same events that are transpiring. Nothing brings people together quite like fighting Nazis, which could ultimately be the core message of the game and Marvel stories in general: Good people have to work together to overcome evil. If you separate, then youre not going to succeed. Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is expected to release in 2025 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

De Kikker Community School / Dok ArchitectenSave this picture!Courtesy of SolarixSchoolsAmsterdam, The NetherlandsArchitects: Dok ArchitectenYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 Save this picture!Text description provided by the architects. The Netherlands' largest coloured solar facade graces De Kikker community school in Amsterdam An icon of sustainability and innovation in Amsterdam. Amsterdam welcomes a new sustainable masterpiece: De Kikker community school, located in Nieuw-West, now features the Netherlands' largest coloured solar facade by Solarix. With 1,444 m of facade panels in vibrant green and yellow tones, finished with textured glass, De Kikker blends a lively aesthetic with advanced solar energy generation. This innovative facade transforms the school into both a visual landmark and a milestone in sustainable energy solutions. Following an extensive renovation, the school building has been transformed into an iconic example of sustainability and innovation. The custom-designed facade panels by Solarix form the heart of this impressive project. Reinier Bosch, Creative Director & Co-founder of Solarix, explained: "New generations deserve colourful and dynamic examples of sustainability. Let's show our children that a cheerful, colourful solar facade not only enhances schools like De Kikker but also contributes to their future and the planet's."Save this picture!About the project - The renovation of De Kikker, originally designed by Liesbeth van der Pol of Dok Architecten, was initiated by the Municipality of Amsterdam. During the summer of 2024, the building underwent a complete transformation. The outdated bright green cladding was replaced with customdesigned, colourful Solarix solar panels. The Municipality involved Dok Architecten to ensure the new facade design, including the solar panels, perfectly matched the revitalised building. The result is a striking, colourful facade made of solar panels in varying shades of green and yellow, finished with textured glass. This new exterior provides the building with a vibrant and cheerful appearance, perfectly aligned with the playful character of the two schools, daycare centre, and public health facilities housed there. At the same time, the design maximises solar energy generation. A total of 1,444 m of facade panels were installed, 160 m of which are dummy panels. Innovation and safety - The solar PV system at De Kikker uses advanced inverters and optimisers from Huawei. To ensure safety, the solar facade incorporates Rapid Shut Down technology, enabling the panels to be de-energised to zero volts in case of an emergency. This system was developed in consultation with the Amsterdam Fire Brigade. The Huawei inverters comply with the new international IEC 63027:2023 standard for arc fault detection, a critical safety feature that prevents fires caused by arc faults. The arc fault detection system, combined with optimisers, was rigorously tested by TNO. This makes De Kikker not only a sustainable but also a safe example project, especially since it involves primary schools. During installation, 507 optimisers were fitted to enhance the performance of each Solarix panel. Kuijpers Installatietechniek managed the entire installation process, including a string design accommodating 20 different panel types. Eight 6000W inverters were installed. While roof-mounted south-facing panels typically yield higher energy output, De Kikker's faade installation generates over 170 kWh of energy on a sunny dayenough to power approximately 22 households.Save this picture!Sustainability and collaboration - For the facade renovation, the Municipality of Amsterdam partnered with Dok Architecten, Kernbouw (main contractor), Kuijpers (PV installation), and Solarix (panel design and development). The focus on sustainable development underscores a commitment to building a better future for the next generations. Staircase artwork As part of the renovation, local residents, students, and artist Robin de Kruiff collaborated on a colourful artwork for the school's outdoor staircase. The piece symbolises teamwork and shared responsibility, aiming to inspire everyone to enjoy and maintain it. Festive opening and community event on 22 November On Friday, 22 November, the transformation of De Kikker and the adjacent square will be celebrated with a festive opening. The event will include the unveiling of the new family centre, FC De Kikker, and the staircase artwork. The neighbourhood celebration will bring together schools, local residents, and all involved parties to honour the sustainable transformation of De Kikker. Come and be inspired by this iconic project, showcasing how sustainability, safety, and beauty can go hand in hand.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Amsterdam, The NetherlandsLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officePublished on December 22, 2024Cite: "De Kikker Community School / Dok Architecten" 22 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024876/de-kikker-community-school-dok-architecten&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

JD House / Studio Arthur CasasSave this picture! Leonardo FinottiHousesPraia da Baleia, BrazilArchitects: Studio Arthur CasasAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:965 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2020 PhotographsPhotographs:Leonardo FinottiManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: Core, Eurocentro, ICC Escadas, Marvelar, Ornare, Pedras Bellas Artes, Tresuno, Uniflex Lead Architect: Arthur Casas More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. Overlooking the sea, a sand-colored volume mimetically accommodates itself amidst the lush green vegetation, in full integration with nature. Facing the Baleia beach, on So Paulo coast, JD House is the ideal spot for a family composed of a couple and their 4 adult sons to meet each other and rest. The clients, who are used to hosting friends and tend to visit the coast weekly, desired spacious and private environments -- although still connected to the natural surroundings. To achieve this, a large span in the living room was designed, with only one circular pillar at its end, supporting the entire slab and the external cover cantilever. The result brings a great visual permeability inside out: both beach and dense lateral landscaping seem to penetrate the residence, as interior and exterior are well connected. To solve this structural challenge, we designed a large inverted prestressed beam, which also serves as a guardrail for the upper floor suites.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!As a way to further expand the social area, the space introduces different ceiling heights. In the center of the space, on a double height, a skylight zenithal opening illuminates the suspended white wall, radiating natural light throughout the room. Connecting the three floors, the striking wooden staircase is defined by the rhythm of vertical metal struts along its entire length. The surrounding area is complemented by normal height, in an inviting mood. On one side, right in the access to the residence, there is a home theater room, delimited by an amorphous wooden piece of furniture that resembles a sculpture; on the other side, there is a dining room, surrounded by wooden fins that allow natural ventilation and follow the ceilings alignment. With a minimalist decor, the selection of neutral-tones furniture allows nature to assume a leading role at the space. Stone, wood, linen, metal, velvet and suede are some of the textures that blend in harmony in the environment. In the composition between national design and imported pieces, the highlight goes to the Rino dining table - designed by Arthur Casas for Etel - and to the Shorty sofa - designed by Vladimir Kagan. At the front of the house, covered by a pergola, a generous veranda and a swimming pool make up the outdoor area, where it is possible to contemplate the landscape. As a protection solution for this terrace, retractable awnings were inserted inside the structure, which allows full sunlight entrance when retracted. The landscaping was designed to blend with the restinga, a typical coastal vegetationSave this picture!The lower floor of the house has a games room, with home theater, spa and two guest suites with a private garden. The upper floor has four suites distributed by its extension, in addition to the master suite in front of the house, with a direct view to the beach. The concrete brick facade allows easy maintenance, in addition to offering a dynamic look: each floor is covered by a different piece in beige tones, in order to highlight the volumes of the house. Upper floor has horizontal pieces, while ground floor has vertical prism pieces. The flooring is almost completely defined by the same surface: the Limestone Mont Dore stone, with the exception of wet areas and stairs. The materiality is complemented by wood: oak is present in the ceilings, stairs and inside the fins of the dining room; Accoya, a resistant wood to the weather condition on the coast, is present in the front panels, folding doors and the fin linings.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officeStudio Arthur CasasOfficePublished on December 22, 2024Cite: "JD House / Studio Arthur Casas" [Casa JD / Studio Arthur Casas] 22 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1020647/jd-house-studio-arthur-casas&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

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The past year has been a momentous one for Fortnite, marking its biggest expansions ever with a pile of diverse new game modes, and a partnership with Disney that we still don't know all the details of. Chapter 5 kicked off in December 2023 with the launch of Lego Fortnite, Fortnite Festival, and Rocket Racing, and Epic has added several major new modes since then, like Reload in the summer, and OG and Ballistic earlier this month. There's more Fortnite now than there's ever been.Naturally, it hasn't been all good or all bad--there have been mistakes, and there have been triumphs, and there's been everything you can imagine in between. But one thing is for sure: Fortnite is a very different game at the end of 2024 that it was at the beginning. Let's take a look back at the good and the bad from this year in Fortnite. Love: Epic-created metaverseSince the start of Chapter 5, Fortnite has introduced Lego Fortnite Odyssey and Brick Life, Rocket Racing, Fortnite Festival, Fortnite Reload, Fortnite OG, and Fortnite Ballistic. While they haven't all been smash hits, all these modes have been a net positive for Fortnite, both individually and as a whole. Even Rocket Racing, which flopped, is actually pretty fun--it just has no framework to speak of that might keep casual players hooked.As somebody who's squarely in the "it's time to settle down" phase of his life, the diversification of Fortnite is working for me in a big way. The more varied fun I can have with Fortnite, and the more ways Epic comes up with for me to use the cosmetics I've bought over the years, the less I'm going to be inclined to waste my SSD space on the competition. It's a win for me and Epic both. Hate: User-created metaverseIt's been nearly two years since Epic unleashed the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN), which granted content creators much more powerful tools for creating worlds and games in Fortnite Creative than they had previously. And so far, very little has come of it--the charts remain dominated by the same sort of boxfight deathmatch maps as always, and there has been very little in the way of innovation because the most prominent creators are usually either chasing trends or working for hire to build maps for third-party corporations. While Epic's own portion of the metaverse is doing well, the rest of it isn't up to par just yet. Love: Battle royale getting weirdChapter 5 in battle royale was unusually divisive, thanks to the overpowered boss medallions that were first introduced in Season 1, the laser-like Waterbending mythic in Season 2, the disproportional focus on vehicular combat in Season 3, and finally War Machine's abominable jetpack in Season 4. The gimmicks in Chapter 5 were unusually intense and over the top, even by Fortnite standards, and I had a blast with all of them--though I agree wholeheartedly with the consensus that it's for the best if we never see that jetpack again.Thanks to the introduction of the permanent OG mode and other new shooter modes to attract the attention of folks who aren't into those sorts of gimmicks, it frees Epic to continue to go hog-wild in the core battle royale mode. The detractors can simply avoid that stuff by playing OG instead and not having to deal with it, and the people who do like the gimmicks can keep on keeping on. It works out for everybody. Hate: InflationInflation hit Fortnite very hard in the past year, thanks to a multi-pronged approach from Epic to increase the price of everything. It began in late 2023 with the increased price of V-Bucks, and continued into the new year with two major changes in Epic's item shop philosophy: Aside from some Icon skins (skins of real celebrities like Shaq) and ultra-customizable skins like the Skratch Company set, Fortnite stopped released new collaboration skins that have multiple style options.In Chapter 5 Season 4, for example, Epic released 21 new non-Icon collaboration skins. Only three of them had any style options at all, and those three only had toggleable features--Iron Spider's helmet, Black Cat's mask, and Spider-Woman's webbing. These days, Epic defaults to selling additional styles separately, as we've just seen with the Platinum Festival skins, which are minor recolors of existing skins being sold for 1,800 V-Bucks each. In the past, styles like that would have been added to the existing skins as a value-add to motivate new purchases, but those days are over.And on top of that, Epic developed a troubling habit of bundling collaboration skins with accessories for a higher price and not allowing you to buy them on their own. Once a rare practice, Epic pulled this move at least 30 times in 2024, mostly on collab skins. There were only five total examples of Epic trying this tactic in 2023, and four of them were the TMNT skins the company released at the very end of the year.And, finally, on top of all that, bundle prices have gone through the rough. These used to max out at 2800 V-Bucks, presumably because you can buy that exact amount. But all the big collaboration bundles in 2024 went past that, with 3400-3800 apparently becoming Epic's preferred price range for big bundles. Fortunately for everyone, Epic seems to be retreating from this new standard a little bit with most of the new bundles in December. Love: The return of ambient live eventsEach season during Chapter 5 ended with some sort of community live event that took place during battle royale matches, starting with the combined effort to break the chains on Pandora's Box at the end of Season 1. This was similar to how Fortnite approached these events back in the day, before Epic switched to mostly just doing instanced events like Collision in Chapter 3 and the Big Bang at the end of Chapter 4.But these ambient events are great, because they last a while--it took a whole weekend to open Pandora's Box, so it was easy for everyone to get involved because there wasn't one set time for it. And it's also nice to have that feeling that the island is evolving while we're on it: something that was harder to pull off with those instanced events. Hate: The apparent demise of Rocket RacingIt's hard to figure what exactly went wrong with Rocket Racing, which has been hovering around 3,000 concurrent players for a while now--a very low number for an Epic-supported mode. But it's been months since the Rocket Racing Twitter had any activity, and while Festival and Lego modes were getting anniversary updates, Rocket Racing has just been quietly hanging out with no real movement, beyond the addition of new car cosmetics in the shop. It's hard to imagine Epic ever actually abandoning the mode completely, but it's certainly in limbo at the moment, and we have no indication of what Epic may or may not be planning for it. It's a bummer, because it's a fun mode--it just has no hook. Love: New cosmetic typesConfession time: I've spent too much money on Fortnite, going back to when I was unemployed a few years ago and binge-played Fortnite for several weeks straight to help me quit my longtime cigarette habit. So I'm definitely one of those people who have too many Fortnite skins. Because of that, I'm a harder sell than I used to be. But Epic has managed to introduce new types of things to the item shop that I actually want--I've become a purveyor of jam tracks, instruments, and car skins (my Fast & Furious cars crossing over from Rocket League has been delightful), and I've even bought several pairs of kicks. Anything that makes my digital action figures look goofier pleases me, and all these new cosmetic types accomplish that, while also adding some new flavor to Fortnite as a whole. Hate: Epic's draconian attempts to control player progressFortnite's battle pass has always been pretty easy for anyone to complete, whether you play regularly or just show up at the end of the season and grind out all the weekly quests. Epic, naturally, would prefer that you stick around for the duration, and the company has made repeated attempts over the years to make it harder to get through the battle pass quickly. With so many different modes for earning XP now, though, it's tough for them to do that without being really annoying and obvious about it, such as with the weekly XP throttling we saw Epic try when Chapter 6 launched earlier this month. They walked most of those changes back, but this same story keeps playing out over and over--I'm sure we'll be at it again when Season 2 starts in February. Love: The death of exclusivity Fortnite's exclusive battle-pass cosmetics made sense before we all realized that Fortnite would become a World of Warcraft-esque forever game, but now it's kind of awkward to have skins like Darth Vader and Indiana Jones permanently locked to new players. Starting with the Marvel-themed Chapter 5 Season 4, new battle-pass cosmetics will no longer be permanently exclusive, and that's an overdue change. Hate: The neverending argument about exclusivityUnlike some folks, I don't believe Epic will be bringing back old battle pass content any time soon--but, frankly, I don't think I really care either way. Epic just brought back the old Renegade Raider and Aerial Assault Trooper skins to the item shop, and despite being a collector I felt absolutely no desire to get them. I already have the gingerbread-themed re-do of Renegade Raider, which is way more fun. And in a holiday season that's bringing us Santa-themed skins for Mariah Carey, Shaq and Snoop Dogg, not to mention Cyberpunk 2077 items, basic old Fortnite skins like these aren't worth even considering.So if anything ever happens with old battle passes, I'll probably be generally apathetic about it--I'm content with my piles of stuff from the shop. But in the meantime, I'm extremely tired of this being a non-stop topic of debate. Epic has to comply with so many rules set by so many governmental regulatory bodies in so many different countries, and navigating that minefield is beyond my pay grade, and certainly it's beyond that of those who are fighting about this on Reddit every day. That debate is all noise, and we're far past the point where it's fun anymore.