Given their visual allure, its an obvious jump for objects of design to make their way to the big screen. But seeing a piece of architecture or industrial design on film can be more than just a different view. These five films about design and designers dig into the stories of the making of places and products, but also the peopleand controversiesbehind them.Modernism, Inc.: The Eliot Noyes Design StoryThis documentary details the widespread impact of architect Eliot Noyes on 20th-century corporate America. A modernist architect and industrial designer, Noyes is best known for his long tenure as a consultant design director for IBM. In addition to designing the companys famously smooth Selectric typewriter, Noyes essentially designed IBMs corporate identity, integrating design throughout its products, management, and marketing. The film explores his unique perspective, and also the ways his thinking has become infused in the form and function of modern corporations around the world.Stardust: The Story of Robert Venturi and Denise Scott BrownStardust profiles the partnership and marriage of two pioneers of postmodern architecture. Lauded as much for their influential designs as their academic imprint, Venturi and Scott Brown carved unique careers in architecture, and the nature of their partnership was seen through a skewed lens for decades. The film is a professional biography of their designs, but also focuses on the rife sexism in the architecture industry and the often imbalanced credit the pairs work would receivesuch as when Venturi was named alone as the 1991 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate. Directed by Venturi and Scott Browns son, Stardust exposes the fallacy of seeing Scott Brown as just the wife and not the equal partner.E.1027: Eileen Gray and the House by the SeaA dramatized retelling of the conflict surrounding one of the worlds most renowned early Modernist homes, and the controversy that has shrouded its reputation. Designed in 1929 by the Irish furniture designer Eileen Gray, E.1027 was a seaside villa on the French Riviera that she intended to be a place of respite for herself and her lover, architect Jean Badovici. The film centers around the homes controversial interior murals, which were later added by the famed architect Le Corbusier after Gray and Badovici separated. The murals brought the house to the attention of the world but enraged Gray, who saw the famous architect usurping her authorship of the home. Referred to as a docufiction by directors Beatrice Minger and Christoph Schaub, the film is a mix of archival footage and scenes recreated with actors. Fittingly, most of the film was shot inside the home itselfwhich has fortunately been preserved.The BrutalistA historical drama set in post-war Philadelphia, this film follows the story of an architect and Holocaust survivor eking out a living as an immigrant laborer. Hes been forced by circumstance to abandon his innovative and successful career in architecture, until a wealthy industrialist hires him to design an ambitious community center. Personalities and cultures clash. Drug addictions ensue. Kindness is countered with betrayal. Design nerds will surely swoon over scenes of the community centers design and construction, as well as vivid moments inside a marble quarry in Carrara, Italy. Newly released in the U.S., the film has already garnered several awards nominations and is expected to be an Oscar contender for best film of the year.MegalopolisThis science fiction epic from writer/director Francis Ford Coppola takes an extravagant stab at the trope of the visionary architect pursuing Utopia. Set in an alternate and class-riven 21st-century New York known as New Rome, the story follows a starchitect who proposes a utopian plan for a new city, only to be opposed by the citys corrupt mayor. (The architect also has the secret ability to stop time, but thats another matter.) The film, which Coppola had been trying to make since the early 1980s and eventually self-financed for more than $120 million, has been critically panned and bombed at the box office. But sometimes even bad films are good. Its a flamboyant, absurd, star-studded spectacle that fully embraces the clearly fictional concept of an architect whos actually able to reinvent the world. As the films protagonist says in the trailer, My plan is a city that people can dream about. Dream on!

The workplace is at an inflection point. Rapid advancements in AI, intensifying polarization, eroding employee perks and protections, and shifting employee expectations are transforming the role of HR in unprecedented ways. These trends demand bold, strategic responses from HR leaders who must balance technological adoption with human-centered leadership, global instability, and increasing demands to do more with less.After taking last year off, Im back to weigh in on the evolving landscape of HR and people operations in the new year. You can check out past year predictions for 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020. (Looking back, I had more hits than misses, although Im still haunted by that Metaverse pick. Alas, Zuckerberg.)So, what will the HR landscape look like in 2025? From redefining job roles in the age of AI to reimagining the workplace, HR leaders are navigating uncharted territory. The future demands agility, and HR is again at the helm of this change.Here are seven key trends reshaping the future of work.1. AI Automation Will Reimagine Your JobWill AI take your jobor make it better? In 2025, the rise of agentic AI and automation is poised to reshape job roles, deconstructing traditional responsibilities and redistributing tasks between humans and machines. This shift is already underway: A McKinsey report notes that AI could automate up to 70% of routine tasks in sectors like finance, retail, and customer service.The coming result is a hybrid workforce model, where AI agents handle routine tasks while humans focus on complex problem-solving. For HR leaders, this evolution means redesigning roles to reflect these synergies, updating performance metrics, and realigning recruitment strategies to prioritize creativity, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and the ability to learn.This transformation offers opportunities and challenges. Companies leveraging AI effectively see improved productivity, yet employees often express understandable concerns about job security. By addressing these anxieties with transparent communication and robust reskilling programs, HR can ensure automation enhancesnot replaceshuman contributions.2. Well need to get serious about AI and hiringWhat happens when your next interview isnt with a person? Companies including EY are already using AI avatars to allow candidates to practice interviews. Chipotle partners with Paradox to create a virtual team member called Ava Cado, and expects conversational AI tools to reduce time to hire for restaurant positions by 75%. This is just the beginning.In 2025, AI-driven avatars will be used by more companies to conduct interviews at scale. A recent study by Resume Builder found 70% of companies will use AI for hiring in 2025, with 24% saying they currently use AI for the entire interview processa statistic surely to be appreciated by law firms, as Ill explain in the next prediction.Expect job seekers to match this embrace of AI.Job applicants are already using tools like BulkApply.ai, Sonara, and LazyApply to mass apply to numerous jobs. Companies are seeing as much as 3X increase in job applicants according to a report by recruiting software company Ashby, overwhelming recruiting teams and clogging applicant funnels.As organizations grapple with these challenges, onsite interviews will make a comeback as a safeguard against AI-driven deception and to evaluate interpersonal skills that technology cant measure.Ethical implications loom large. Misuse of AI could lead to discriminatory practices or undermine trust in the hiring process. HR leaders must create protocols to verify candidate authenticity while maintaining fairness and equity.Were already in uncharted territory, and the clone wars are just beginning.3. AI in Hiring Will Go Under A Legal MicroscopeHiring decisions made by machines will come under fire this year. The rapid advancements of AI are outpacing its regulation, but the policies are catching up.Last year the European Union approved the EU AI Act, including heavy fines for employers using AI as an emotional recognition system. In the United States, things are even more complicated, as current AI regulations have been driven more on a state-by-state basis, with California striking down an AI safety bill that would have mandated a kill switch for rogue AI technologies.This lack of overarching rules and regulations will make it increasingly difficult for HR teams to ensure compliance while under immense pressure to adopt AI tools and realize their benefits.The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has declared that employersnot software vendorsbear responsibility for discriminatory AI outcomes, placing HR leaders in the spotlight.A study by the Brookings Institution highlights the risks: Poorly designed algorithms can perpetuate biases in hiring, excluding qualified candidates based on gender, race, or socioeconomic factors. This year, organizations face heightened pressure to audit their AI tools for compliance with anti-discrimination laws, or risk financial penalties and reputational damage.Proactive measures are non-negotiable. HR teams must collaborate with legal experts to evaluate hiring technologies and ensure transparency. Equally important is educating leadership about the potential risks and ethical considerations of AI-driven recruitment.4. DEI Strategies Will Evolve Amid BacklashAs political headwinds intensify, diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are becoming both a target of controversy and a litmus test for organizational values.While some companies including Walmart scale back their efforts under societal pressure, others are strategically reframing their approach to avoid backlash. Despite the political discourse, the financial argument for DEI remains robust. World Economic Forum research shows companies with above-average diversity scores drive 45% average revenue from innovation, while companies with below-average diversity scores drive only 26%.HR leaders face a choice: Adapt and evolve these initiatives or risk losing credibility with employees and stakeholders. Strategies must be measurable, impactful, and shielded from performative tendencies. True impact requires measurable goals, transparent progress reporting, and initiatives that resonate with employees at every level.HR leaders must navigate this complexity with both pragmatism and purpose, ensuring their strategies reflect substance over symbolism.5. Leaders will prioritize efficiencyDo more with less. This mantra has become the defining ethos of corporate America heading into 2025. Inspired by Elon Musks high-profile DOGE cost-cutting strategies, organizations are embracing efficiency as the ultimate goal. AI and automation tools are leading this charge, promising faster workflows and reduced redundancies.But at what cost? The relentless drive for productivity risks alienating employees, undermining morale, and increasing burnout. The pendulum has swung firmly away from the employee-first ideals of The Great Resignation, leaving HR in a precarious position.Success will depend on creating strategies that prioritize technological integration while safeguarding the employee experience. The question is no longer whether organizations can do more with less, but whether they can do better with lesswithout losing their most valuable resource: their people.6. Learning & Development Will Take Center StageIs your organization prepared for the generative AI revolution? In 2025, Learning & Development (L&D) is no longer a supplemental function but a critical driver of organizational success. As automation transforms industries, the World Economic Forum estimates that 50% of all employees will require reskilling by 2025 to remain competitive in the labor market.Leading companies are already adapting. Walmart, for example, has pioneered skills-based training programs aligned with individual career trajectories, setting a benchmark for others to follow. This approach resonates with employees: LinkedIns Workplace Learning Report found that 94% of workers would remain longer at organizations that prioritize their development.Microlearning platforms are emerging as key enablers, offering short, targeted modules designed for maximum engagement and efficiency. Yet, HR leaders face the challenge of ensuring these programs align with broader organizational objectives. By embedding training into corporate strategy, companies can build a workforce that thrives amid rapid change.7. Certain Entry-Level Roles Will Face ExtinctionWhat happens when machines take over entry-level jobs? Automation is rapidly reshaping the labor market. These shifts are eliminating tasks traditionally performed by early-career professionals, such as data entry, research, administrative work, and basic analysis.This erosion of foundational roles creates a critical challenge for organizations and job seekers alike. Without entry-level opportunities, young professionals risk missing out on the experiences that build essential skills. For HR leaders, the solution lies in innovation: rotational programs that expose employees to multiple departments, hybrid roles blending human oversight with AI, and structured mentorship initiatives.One way to solve for this is to redesign career pathways to include mentorship programs, internships, and AI-human collaboration opportunities, ensuring that young professionals continue to build essential skills.2025 and Beyond: HRs Role in Building the AI-Enabled Future WorkforceThe next chapter of work in 2025 is neither purely technological nor purely humanits the seamless integration of both. HR leaders who rise to the occasion will shape workplaces where innovation thrives, employees feel valued, and organizations achieve unprecedented success.The stakes couldnt be higher in this first year of broad AI adoption: The choices made today will define the talent landscape for a generation.

The architectural designer Antony Gibbon recently designed the Burl Treehouse. It is a series of rounded treehouse pods, that allow guests to experience nature in a unique and surreal manner while focusing on sustainability. The treehouses are currently concepts, and they merge organic aesthetics with a minimal and subtle design. They are inspired by the natural shape of tree burls the rounded and textured growths on tree trunks. The treehouse is floating in the air, seamlessly merging with the lovely forest setting.Designer: Antony GibbonThe treehouses are offered support by slender vertical slits and suspension cables. They are anchored to the trees, which reduces the disruption and damage to the forest floor while allowing the pods to seemingly float in the air. You can access the pods through the timber suspension bridges. The interior of the pod is made using light-toned cedar and ash wood, forming a warm and inviting vibe. The exterior is clad with charred wood shingles, showcasing the traditional Japanese technique of shou sugi ban, which adds a visually fascinating look to the pods.Each cabin features a bedroom with built-in storage, a small bathroom with a shower, and interior furnishings which make it seem spacious and cozy. Every pod has been equipped with a central circular window, allowing the space to be filled with natural light, and offering panoramic views of the surrounding forest.However, we do wonder how the treehouses will fare in extreme weather conditions, and the kind of strain they could create on the natural supports. However, currently, the treehouses do seem to be an interesting upcoming eco-tourism retreat. Lets see how it goes!The post This Floating Cabin Concept Is The Forest Treehouse Retreat Of Your Dreams first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Marshmallow apartment is where pink dreams come to life. Its where every curve, every texture, and every shade whispers elegance. And the design is as soft as it looks! From the blush-toned backsplash to the cloud-like sofathis apartment is quite like a love letter to modern whimsy. Come on in; lets explore this pastel paradise.The standout piece in the living room is the curved blush sofa. It has a light baseaccentuated with a darker, really feminine print. The cloud-like shape of the sofa is what adds this sense of softness to the ambiance. The mismatched cushions add asymmetry.In front of the couch, we see an organically shaped pink lucite coffee table. Lucite is a design secret to keeping the space feeling open (as the eye can see through it), while the tint of pink keeps the ambiance elegant. The coffee table books and mini sculptures add visual interest.In one corner, theres a statement pink chair. This blends soft upholstery with metallic accents. The Tokyo flower market art leaning against the wall provides a fresh and modern aesthetic. Finally, a wavy white floor lamp adds a fun and sculptural element.The kitchen features a pink geometric tile backsplash. This sets the tone for a subtly playful ambiance. A sleek stainless steel faucetwith hints of pinkprovides functionality but also adds to the beauty of the space. We especially love the ornate wall moldings, infusing Parisian elegance into the space.The soft pink cabinetry blends into the space. And the mosaic flooring introduces texture and movement. For the accessoriessubtle elements like a white teapot, glass pitchers, and a marble tray enhance the soft luxury.The sculptural pink dining table joins the kitchen and living room. This is paired with rounded, upholstered chairs with cylindrical backrests, which offer comfort as well as a soft aesthetic. The focal point in this space is the translucent, petal-like chandeliercreating a whimsical feel. Not to forget the decorative ceiling medallion at the top, adding an architectural element.Finally, the sheer white curtains filter light beautifully. Plus, they add an airy and ethereal feeling to the space.

Musk's finally made a flying car.... kind of.

I spent nearly a year with Woosh's smart air filter, which can give you a better idea of when to replace your home's HVAC filter.

Natcha Wongchanglaws Couchsurfing photos explore how travel turns transient encounters into meaningfuland vulnerablemoments.

The US has intensified its campaign to counter Chinas ambitions in technology leadership, with the Biden administration initiating a high-stakes investigation into Chinas expanding dominance in legacy semiconductor manufacturing.The US Trade Representative (USTR) is probing whether Chinas practices backed by extensive state support constitute unfair competition, endangering American industries and national security.

Take a look at our latest curated selection of architecture and design firms currently hiring onArchinect Jobs: This week'sfeatured employer highlightincludes job openings inNew York City,Los Angeles, and Miami.For even more opportunities, visit theArchinect job boardand explore our active community ofjob seekers,firms, andschools.In Los Angeles,Bestor Architectureis hiring for a Mid-Level Designer with three to five years of experience. Applicants should have a fluency inRevit, AutoCAD, Rhino, V-Ray, physical model-making, and Adobe Creative Suite. One should have extensive experience in commercial, residential, and/or institutional projects. The firm is seeking individualswith a strong work ethic and excellent communication skills.Beats By Dre by Bestor Architecture. Photo: Jasper SanidadInterdisciplinary architecture and design firmRockwell Grouphas five positions available in New York City and Los Angeles: an Interior Designer with three to six years of experi...

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work throughArchitizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.Nipple Mountains.This is the informal name for Shanghais Twin Hills project. After seven years in the making, the hill was finally completed in September 2024, turning the flat coastal, barren land a remnant of a steel factorys pollution into a hiking destination. The two mountains, apart from being artificial landscapes, were also hollowed out, housing a carpark within their cavernous interior and acting as a true project of terraforming.Terraforming in architecture refers to designs that move and re-configure the basic ground layer that makes up a region. It is most widely known as land-sculpting and is an increasingly alluring practice, since it creates environments that blend harmoniously with nature while maximizing space and avoiding urban sprawl. In fact, apart from its spatial benefits, landscape structures also offer thermal insulation and reduce the urban heat island effect. The following projects exemplify an architecture of terraforming, where the ground becomes an integral part of the design, blurring the line between where the building begins and the landscape ends.Landscape restoration of the Vall den Joan landfill siteBy Batlle i Roig Arquitectes, Garraf, Spain The project is situated in the Natural Park of Garraf, which was originally the destination for most of the urban waste produced by Barcelona and its metropolitan area. Before its restoration, the landfill was comprised of steep slopes filled with waste, while (ironically) was surrounded by a lush variety of vegetation found in the National Park in which it was set.The new morphology drew inspiration from the layout of the cultivated terraces found in Italian gardens and hillsides, creating plots in different levels that eventually turned the whole site into an unconventional Metropolitan Park. Part of the site was also converted into an agricultural landscape through the use of specific hydraulic systems and vegetation. The driving force behind this transformation was mainly to raise public awareness and showcase new practices that society should adopt towards the environment.Digging the Light (Qanat Villa)By Kalbod Design Studio, Yazd, Iran This underground project is located close to the village of Ernan, within the Iranian desert and adjacent to a mount where human tracks from 12,000 years ago were found. The program is comprised of a residence, a school and a water reservoir, also taking advantage of the nearby qanats a series of underground historic water canals. The home as well as the public classrooms and library are sunken underground, thus becoming thermally insulated through the earth and indirectly lit through a series of skylights. Finally, the water reservoir is connected with the existing qanats, irrigating the agricultural fields and providing fresh water to the community.ET Flight 302 Crash Site Memorial Monument & Park DesignBy Alebel Desta Consulting Architects and Engineers, Gimbichu, Ethiopia The memorial park stands as a peaceful environment and tribute to the victims of the Ethiopian Flight 302 that crashed into the ground in March 2019. The design re-sculpts and reveals the environment around the primary crash, blending in with the existing agricultural land to convey the story of the victims who are buried beneath the earths surface. Sloping surfaces are manipulated creating a building / landscape that features an array of underground or semi-underground spaces for reflection. Apart from its commemorative purpose, the proposal considers the nearby community, serving as a place for gathering, a reading area and a playground.Apfelhotel Torgglerhof: In full bloomBy NOA, Saltusio, ItalyIn 2020, eighteen new suites and a wellness spa were added to the hotels existing structure, carefully designed to fit into the farmyards landscape and complementing the rural surroundings. The new additions are tucked beneath a green rooftop, which appears as a natural continuation of the surrounding topography. In truth, it is a steel canopy, planted with local plants and flowers.The House Under the GroundBy WillemsenU, NB, Netherlands Prior to the new home, the meadow was home to a small goat house, discretely build within the vast plot of land, sitting at the edge of a nature reserve. The challenge for the new dwelling was its full integration to the surrounding landscape as well as working around the strict zoning requirements. In response, the design approach was to lower a part of the structure into the ground and turn the section above the surface into a hill, shielding it from the public eye.The house operates optimally, since by burying most of it underground, the residents can benefit from the natural insulation and summer cooling of the hills, while a skylight placed on the curved roof, allows ample natural light to enter the space. Finally, the roof becomes part of the areas rich vegetation, contributing to its high biodiversity as well as providing a good water buffer for the residence.Agg HabBy i/thee and Roundhouse Platform, Clarendon, TexasThe Agg Hab, or Aggregate Habitat, is a prototypal papier-mch structure for an eco-dwelling home, partially immersed into the ground. The construction process involved digging two mirrored convexo-concave holes, each four-and-a-half feet deep, which were then cast with multiple layers of an organic, papier-mch mixture consisting of various recycled papers and non-toxic glues. The casts were then removed and flipped over to form the roof of these semi-subterranean houses. The specific project is unique, derived from the earth itself, following cues of the contours and materials found on site.Each of these projects offers a unique approach to merging human needs with ecological stewardship, reminding us that architecture can do more than shape the skyline; it can shape the ground beneath our feet, creating spaces that honour the lands history, restore its vitality and redefine how humans can (literally) inhabit the earth.Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work throughArchitizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.Featured Image: Landscape restoration of the Vall den Joan landfill site By Batlle i Roig Arquitectes, Garraf, SpainThe post Terraforming the Future: 6 Examples of Architects Literally Reshaping the Earth appeared first on Journal.