Style: Contemporary Minimalist with Ebony AccentsColor Combination: matte black, soft cream, sage gray, with dramatic green botanicalsWho is it for: Perfect for urban minimalists, design enthusiasts, or anyone seeking a sophisticated dining space that balances dramatic contrasts with serene simplicity. Ideal for those who appreciate clean lines and thoughtful restraint.Budget: $$Ebony Harmony Dining Room Shopping ListBelow we present a curated list of products presented on the board:1. Rex Oval Dining Table2. Dining Chairs3. Tabletop Candle Holder Set4. Artificial Magnolia Stems5. Ceramic Vase6. Charlestine 3 Drawer Sideboard7. Ceramic Textured Vase with Handles8. Print Wall Art9. Matte Black Oswal Pendant10. Hand Tufted Wool Rug11. Dorlis Fiberstone Pot Planter12. Faux Banana Leaf TreeTips and suggestionsColors That Work Together: The black furniture pieces create bold architectural statements, while cream boucl chairs provide soft contrast. The gray concrete-look table adds an industrial touch, unified by abstract black and white artwork.Furniture Foundation: The concrete-effect dining table with geometric black base serves as a sculptural centerpiece, while boucl upholstered chairs add inviting texture. The black sideboard with brass hardware grounds the space with practical elegance.Art & Accessories: Abstract black and white prints create graphic impact while maintaining the rooms minimalist aesthetic. The matte black vases and vessels add sculptural elements that complement rather than compete.Lighting: The modern linear chandelier with frosted glass globes provides architectural interest while maintaining visual lightness its black framework echoing the rooms darker elements.Bringing Nature In: A statement Bird of Paradise plant adds organic curves and dramatic scale, while seasonal branches in a black vessel bring warmth and movement to the tablescape.The Final Note: This dining room demonstrates how contrast can create drama without chaos. The careful balance of light and dark elements, organic and geometric forms, and smooth and textured surfaces results in a space that feels both bold and serene. Its minimalism with personality proving that simplified doesnt mean stark.

Is this sustainable?

People are fawning over the gadget at CES.

WIRED contributing photographer Tristan deBrauwere takes us behind the scenes at the largest consumer tech show in the world.

MacworldMacs have a high price so its understandable that many Mac users will want to put off replacing them for as long as they can. But just how long should you expect a Mac to last?You may also be considering buying a secondhand Mac and wondering how old is too old? For example, is that 2017 MacBook Pro for $300/300 a good deal, or would you be better off spending a bit more on a newer model?One factor to consider is the age at which most Macs start to experience issues, such as random shutdowns and degraded batteries that no longer hold their charge. Unfortunately, at one point repairing your Mac or MacBook will no longer be a viable option and you will need to look for a replacement.Another issue with aging Macs is that the software you need may not run on it. You may also find that Apple no longer supports the operating system software that runs on that Mac which could leave you open to malware and security vulnerabilities.In this article, we will address the above, as well as give advice about which Macs are still supported by Apple, the Macs that can still be repaired if required (Apple stops providing the required parts after a number of years), and the Macs that Apple considers obsolete and vintage. Being Vintage means Apple may have the parts available if you wanted to fix the Mac, but once Obsolete Apple will not provide parts if you want to try and fix the machine. When do I need to replace my Mac?There are a few indicators that your Mac has reached the end of its useful life:Apple no longer supports the latest version of the software it runs (which could leave you vulnerable).The apps you need to use no longer run on it.The Mac struggles to perform the tasks you need it to especially if you cant update the RAM or any other components.Something breaks and is too expensive to fix, or the parts arent available.The Mac is becoming unreliable. Unexpected shutdowns are becoming commonplace and youve tried everything to fix the problem to no avail.Which Macs are supported by macOS updates?Only the most recent version of macOS gets feature updates, but Apple usually maintains the last three versions of the macOS with bug fixes and important security updates, ensuring that the latest version of Safari will run, and that Apple Services, such as iCloud, are fully supportedThis means that Apple will currently provide support for these versions of macOS: macOS Sequoia, macOS Sonoma (macOS 14), and macOS Ventura (macOS 13). Prior to the arrival of Sequoia in September 2024, Monterey (macOS 12) was also supported, but now Monterey has fallen off that list and with it Mac from before 2017, and in some cases, 2018.If your Mac is running Sequoia, Sonoma, or Ventura you should be able to be confident that Apple will keep an eye on any security vulnerabilities and other problems with these operating systems. (Indeed, Apple issued a security update for Sonoma and Ventura on the day that Sequoia arrived, and has issued further since that date).However, if your Mac is running an older version of the operating system, such as macOS Big Sur, macOS Catalina or older, you will find yourself out in the cold when it comes to essential security updates to Apples software. If the software is too old you may also find that your other Apple products arent compatible with your Mac. Without the latest security update, you may no longer be able to use Apple Pay or other means to pay for services online, for example. And if you want to sync your iPad or iPhone with your Mac (rather than using iCloud) you will need a recent version of macOS. Since Catalina, syncing is done via the Finder, rather than iTunes. If you cant run Catalina you will need at least iTunes 12.8.2.3 and at least Mac OS X 10.11.6 (El Capitan) or your Mac will not recognize your iPhone or iPad.Its not just a case of updating your Mac to the latest version of macOS though. Each time Apple updates the Mac operating system more Macs fall off the list of those supported. Read: The latest version of macOS your Mac can run.If your Macs isnt in the list of supported Macs below, it wont receive important security updates:Macs supported by macOS Sequoia 2024s Sequoia supports the following Macs.MacBookAirfrom 2020 and laterMacBookProfrom 2018 and laterMacminifrom 2018 and lateriMacfrom 2019 and lateriMacProfrom 2017MacProfrom 2019 and laterMacStudio(all models)Read: Which Macs will run macOS Sequoia?Macs supported by macOS Sonoma 2023s Sonoma supports the following Macs.MacBookAirfrom 2018 and laterMacBookProfrom 2018 and laterMacminifrom 2018 and lateriMacfrom 2019 and lateriMacProfrom 2017MacProfrom 2019 and laterMacStudio(all models)Read: Which Macs run Sonoma?Macs supported by macOS Ventura 2022s macOS Ventura supports the following Macs:MacBook models from 2017 or laterMacBook Air models from 2018 or laterMacBook Pro models from 2017 or laterMac mini models from 2018 or lateriMac models from 2017 or lateriMac Pro (all models)Mac Pro models from 2019 or laterMac Studio (all models)Read:Can my Mac run Ventura?This means that the oldest Macs supported right now are from 2017, and in some cases, 2018and come September 2025 those Macs will no longer be supported. Which Macs arent supported by macOS?macOS Catalina is no longer supported by Apple software updatesWhen Apple introduced Sequoia in 2023 it dropped support for macOS Monterey. These Macs will not get security updates following the removal of support for Monterey: iMac (models from 2015)MacBook Air (models from 2015 and 2017 models)MacBook Pro (2015 and 2016 models)Mac mini (2014 models)Mac Pro (2013 model: cylinder/trash can)MacBook (2016 model)This adds to the list of Macs that arent supported with security updates, which includes: the 12-inch MacBook introduced in early 2015, the mid-2013 MacBook Air and the early-2014 MacBook Air, late-2013 MacBook Pro and mid-2014 MacBook Pro, or the 2014 iMac. All other Macs that pre-date those mentioned above are no longer supported by Apples software updates.If your Mac is a decade old then you certainly wont get security updates for it.Does it matter if my Mac wont run a supported macOS?Once you cannot update your Mac to run a supported version of macOS you are vulnerable to security breaches, which should obviously be a concern. You may also find that you cant carry out transactions on the internet if you want to pay for things on your out-of-date Mac. Its also probably that the software you need wont run on your Mac. Apple and other companies stop supporting older versions of the applications they make, so there could be issues with the versions of the software you are running. If you are experiencing random shutdowns, for example, it could be due to problems with an app you are running problems that will not be addressed by the developer because that version of the app is no longer supported.If you want to run fully supported software then you will need to update to a newer version of macOS and that may mean that you need to update your Mac. Although, there are workarounds to install a new version of macOS on an old Mac if you need to.Once Apple no longer supports your Macs with operating system updates, its probably a good time to replace your Mac.When do Macs become obsolete?But its not just software updates that determine the lifespan of a Mac. Its also a question of whether it will be possible to fix your Mac should something go wrong with the hardware. Apple has two standards that indicate hardware support is waining: Obsolete or Vintage. The first stage is Vintage: you might be lucky enough to get parts for this Mac, the second is Obsolete: you are out on your own when it comes to any attempt to mend the Mac if it goes wrong. If you look at Apples list of Obsolete Macs those being the Macs that Apple will no longer provide spare parts for you will see that the company stops providing parts for Macs that it hasnt sold for more than seven years. In fact, the company may not even provide parts for Macs that havent been sold for more than five years (considered Vintage by the company).This could mean that you wont be able to get a faulty Mac fixed because the parts arent available.Obsolete MacsObsolete Macs are generally Macs that Apple stopped selling more than seven years ago. Once a Mac is in Apples obsolete list you have little chance of getting it repaired if something does go wrong. You might be able to find spare parts yourself, but Apple wont provide them.Youll find more details about the exact models on Apples dedicated page, but the lists below will give you a general idea.Apple considers the following Macs and older Obsolete, with the 2014 iMacs (21.5-inch and 27-inch) added in the second half of 2024.11-inch MacBook Air (early 2014 and older)12-inch MacBook (2016 and older)13-inch MacBook Air (early 2015 and older)13-inch MacBook Pro (2016 and older)15-inch MacBook Pro (2016 and older)27-inch iMac (2015 and older) newly added21.5-inch iMac (2015 and older) newly addedMac mini (2012 and older) Mac mini Server (2012 and older)Mac Pro (2010 and older)Anything predating the Intel switch, obviously. Vintage MacsApple also has a list of Vintage Macs. These are Macs that Apple stopped selling between five and seven years ago. (If you live in France where a law means you can get support for spare parts for up to seven years after Apple stops selling a Mac).Apple Authorized Service Providers will repair vintage products for up to seven years, as long as parts are available.Apple lists the following products as being vintage, with the 2017 iMacs (21.5- and 27-inch), 2014 Mac mini, and the 2019 13-inch and 2018 15-inch MacBook Pros added in the second half of 2024.11-inch MacBook Air (2015)12-inch MacBook (2017)13-inch MacBook Air (2018)13-inch MacBook Pro (2017, 2018 & 2019)15-inch MacBook Pro (2015, 2017 & 2018)21.5-inch iMac (2013 & 2017)27-inch iMac (2015 & 2017)Mac Pro (2012)Mac mini (2014)Based on the above, wed suggest that if your Mac is more than eight years old, its time to look for a new one. And, if you see a 2017 or earlier Mac on sale, its not wise to buy it. In fact you will note that there are even 2018 and 2019 Macs on the vintage list. Read: Why you shouldnt buy a second hand Mac.See: Best Mac 2024: Every Apple Mac and MacBook comparedShould I fix my Mac or buy a new one?If your Mac is in the Obsolete category above and something goes wrong with it then you are going to struggle to get the necessary parts if you wanted to attempt to get it fixed as Apple wont provide the parts. You might be able to buy an old Mac on eBay or similar and scrap if for the parts, but wed suggest that it really wouldnt be worth the effort.If your Mac is in the Vintage list then Apple might be able to provide the required parts, but there is no guarantee. If you are lucky enough to get the part an Apple service provider might even be able to fix the Mac for you but the cost of the work is likely to be prohibitive.You might find that the Mac was included in part of a recall due to the issue you are experiencing, in that case, it might be worth enlisting in a repair program. However, if the time period in which Apple was offering the repairs has passed (which is unfortunately likely) then you will still have to find the money for the repair, which again might be prohibitive.Apple repair programsIf the Mac you own, or are considering buying would be affected by any of the problems listed below thats another reason to avoid it. Apples current Mac repair programs include:A recall for 15-inch MacBook Pro units due to a battery fault. September 2015 to February 2017 models affected.Service programs that have now ended:There was a keyboard services for some Mac laptops bought since 2016, but this is no longer running.A 13-inch MacBook Pro backlit service program for models from 2016-2018.A SSD service program for 13in MacBook Pro models from 2017-2018.A battery replacement program for 13in MacBook Pros from 2016-2017.We have more information about Apples product recalls and repair programs here. Plus, visit this page for more information on the above repair programs.Assuming your fault isnt one of those listed above, you may be faced with a pricy repair bill. We suggest that if your Mac is older than five years then repairing it will not be worth it unless of course there are important documents or photos on it that you want to retrieve in which case it might be worth looking at how to recover these files.Should I update my Mac or buy a new one?This is a similar question to the one above in as much as you will be weighing up whether spending money to improve your Mac might be more savvy than buying a new Mac.There are various ways you might be able to improve your existing Mac, including adding more RAM or changing from a hard drive to a SSD. If you can upgrade the components inside your Mac you may be able to speed it up and make it more capable of doing what you need. See How to upgrade a Mac. However, many Macs cant be upgraded at all. In recent years Apple has taken to soldering RAM in place and hiding components away to make access impossible (or at least impossible if you dont want to completely destroy your Mac attempting to get to them). With M-series Macs memory, GPU and CPU are all integrated onto the chip, so it is impossible to upgrade them. Nor can you update the SSD as it is soldered onto the motherboard. That said, there are ways to upgrade your Mac. Read: How to upgrade your Mac mini for ideas.If you decide to buy a new Mac check out our round-ups of the best Mac deals you can get:Best iMac dealsBest Mac mini dealsBest Mac Studio dealsBest MacBook Pro dealsBest MacBook Air dealsCan I update the RAM in my Mac?If you have one of the following Macs you might be able to update the RAM:MacBook (2008 to 2011 models)MacBook Pro (2009-2012 13in, 2008-2012 15in, all 17-inch models)iMac: The RAM can be updated in the majority of iMacs except for the 21.5in models from Mid-2014 and Late-2015, which had their RAM soldered into place. Mac mini: (2010-2012 and the 2018 model)Mac Pro: (all models)iMac Pro: RAM isnt user-accessible, but can be updated at an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.You cant update the RAM in any MacBook Air models.We explain which Macs have accessible RAM in this article and also look at how to update the RAM.What can I update in my Mac?It may be possible to update other components, including the SSD, hard drive, battery, logic board, hard drive, but this is only possible for a few Macs and the process is only for the expert. If youd like to try read: How to upgrade a Mac.If you are up for pulling your Mac apart and attempting to upgrade its components then by all means try, but make sure you back it up first and be prepared to admit defeat if it doesnt go as planned.As for whether it is worth upgrading your Macs RAM or any other component assuming you can get the parts rather than buying a new Mac? Perhaps it will buy you a few more years of use. However, wed be inclined to suggest that if your Mac is older than seven years it really isnt worth it (and, youll notice, the MacBooks that can have their RAM upgraded tend to be older than that).How long do Macs last?So, in answer to the question: How long do Macs last? Wed say five to eight years, but beware that you may not be able to replace any faulty parts in a Mac when more than five years have passed since Apple last sold it.Before you buy a new Mac, read our article about the best time to buy a Mac or MacBook.You may also want to read our Best Mac Buying Guide for help deciding which Mac to buy. We also have a guide to the Best MacBook.Wondering how long Apple supports iPhones and iPads for? Read How long do iPhones last and how long Apple supports iPads for.

This is todays edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of whats going on in the world of technology.The worlds first industrial-scale plant for green steel promises a cleaner futureAs of 2023, nearly 2 billion metric tons of steel were being produced annually, enough to cover Manhattan in a layer more than 13 feet thick.Making this metal produces a huge amount of carbon dioxide. Overall, steelmaking accounts for around 8% of the worlds carbon emissionsone of the largest industrial emitters and far more than such sources as aviation.A handful of groups and companies are now making serious progress toward low- or zero-emission steel. Among them, the Swedish company Stegra stands out. The startup is currently building the first industrial-scale plant in the world to make green steel. But can it deliver on its promises? Read the full story.Douglas MainGreen steel is one of our 10 Breakthrough Technologies for 2025, MIT Technology Reviews annual list of tech to watch. Check out the rest of the list, and cast your vote for the honorary 11th breakthrough.2025 is a critical year for climate techCasey CrownhartI love the fresh start that comes with a new year. And one thing adding a boost to my January is our newest list of 10 Breakthrough Technologies.As I was looking over the finished list this week, I was struck by something: While there are some entries from other fields that are three or even five years away, all the climate items are either newly commercially available or just about to be. Its certainly apt, because this year in particular seems to be bringing a new urgency to the fight against climate change. Its time for these technologies to grow up and get out there. Read the full story.This story is from The Spark, our weekly climate and energy newsletter. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Wednesday.A New York legislator wants to pick up the pieces of the dead California AI billThe first Democrat in New York history with a computer science background wants to revive some of the ideas behind the failed California AI safety bill, SB 1047, with a new version in his state that would regulate the most advanced AI models.Assembly member Alex Bores hopes his bill, currently an unpublished draft that MIT Technology Review has seen, will address many of the concerns that blocked SB 1047 from passing into law last year. Read the full story.Scott J MulliganMIT Technology Review Narrated: How covid conspiracy theories led to an alarming resurgence in AIDS denialismPodcaster Joe Rogan, former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr, and football quarterback Aaron Rodgers are all helping revive AIDS denialisma false collection of theories arguing either that HIV doesnt cause AIDS or that theres no such thing as HIV at all.These ideas were initially promoted back in the 1980s and 90s but fell out of favor, as more and more evidence stacked up against them, and as more people with HIV and AIDS started living longer lives thanks to effective new treatments. But then coronavirus arrived.This is our latest story to be turned into a MIT Technology Review Narrated podcast, whichwere publishing each week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Just navigate to MIT Technology Review Narrated on either platform, and follow us to get all our new content as its released.Ask our journalists anything!Do you have questions about emerging technologies? Well, weve got answers. MIT Technology Reviews science and tech journalists are hosting an AMA on Reddit tomorrow at 12 pm ET. Submit your questions now!The must-readsIve combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.1 Wildfires are sweeping through Los AngelesUnusually strong winds and dry weather are accelerating multiple fires around the city. (Vox)+ While California is no stranger to wildfires, these are particularly awful. (The Atlantic $)+ Five people are known to have died, and thousands have lost their homes.(NY Mag $)+ The quest to build wildfire-resistant homes. (MIT Technology Review)2 AI can now predict how the genes inside a cell will drive its behaviorScientists are hopeful it could usher in cell-specific therapies to fight genetic diseases. (WP $)+ How AI can help us understand how cells workand help cure diseases. (MIT Technology Review)3 The Biden administration is planning a further chips crackdownOne of its final acts will be a push to prevent sales of chips to China and Russia. (Bloomberg $)+ A group of tech representatives is begging the US government to reconsider. (Reuters)4 Elon Musks DOGE division wants to slash $2 trillion in federal spendingBut even he admits its a ridiculously ambitious goal. (WSJ $)+ He reckons he might be able to cut half that amount. (NBC News)5 Meta exempted its top advertisers from content moderation processesIt agreed to suppress standard testing for high spenders. (FT $)+ Mark Zuckerberg appears to be following Xs playbook. (Wired $)+ Maybe the two platforms arent so different after all. (The Atlantic $)6 How one teenager embarked on a nationwide swatting spreeAlan Filions false shooting calls sent police into hundreds of schools across the US. (Wired $)7 Blue Origin is limbering up to launch its new Glenn rocketIn the companys very first flight. (New Scientist $)+ If successful, the flight could prove Blue Origins worthiness as a SpaceX rival. (The Register)8 Grok could be getting an unhinged modeWhatever that means. (TechCrunch)+ Xs chatbot was one of the biggest AI flops of 2024. (MIT Technology Review)9 The secret to scaling quantum computing? Fiber optic cablesMixing quantum data with regular ole internet gigabits is one solution. (IEEE Spectrum)10 This robot vacuum has limbs All the better to clean your home with. (The Verge)+ A Roomba recorded a woman on the toilet. How did screenshots end up on Facebook? (MIT Technology Review)Quote of the dayI voted for TrumpI didnt vote for Elon.Preston Parra, chairman of the pro-Trump Conservative PAC, expresses his frustration with Elon Musks escalating involvement in US politics to the New York Times.The big storyThe weeds are winningOctober 2024Since the 1980s, more and more plants have evolved to become immune to herbicides. This threatens to decrease yields, and in extreme cases can wipe out whole fields.At worst, it can even drive farmers out of business. Its the agricultural equivalent of antibiotic resistance, and it keeps getting worse. Agriculture needs to embrace a diversity of weed control practices. But thats much easier said than done. Read the full story.Douglas MainWe can still have nice thingsA place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet em at me.)+ Andrew McCarthy has taken more than 90,000 pictures of the sun, which is pretty amazing.+ Sciences most famous dogs? Yes please.+ What better time to reorganize your kitchen cupboards than at the start of the new year?+ The Robbie Williams biopic Better Man is completely bonkersand a whole lot of fun.

Apple has responded to a lawsuit over its iPhone 15 camera technology, asking a court to strike claims based on a pre-trial agreement between it and a Boston-based camera maker.Cameras on the iPhone 15 Pro MaxIn September, Apple was the target of a patent infringement lawsuit from SiOnyx, for allegedly encroaching on patents for full-color night vision imaging sensors.At the time, it was claimed that Apple had infringed on the patents, referred to as "Pixel Isolation Elements, Devices, and Associated Methods," discussing improvements to photosensitive devices. By using silicon-based photonics, the complaint said that companies could create smaller, lower-cost, and higher-performance photonic devices for imaging purposes. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Architizer's 13th A+Awards features a suite of sustainability-focused categories recognizing designers that are building a greener industry and a better future. Start your entry to receive global recognition for your work!Vertical farms is a topic widely discussed in the past couple of years. It is one of those cases where architecture provides an actionable solution to wider issues that go beyond sustainability challenges, touching upon economic, political and societal aspects. Lack of sufficient food due to overpopulation, water scarcity and unexpected environmental factors are only a few of the matters vertical farms can allegedly solve.Before discussing farming, however, lets talk about pigs. One radical project, which addresses the wider issue of food production in cities, is Pig City by MVRDV. Conducting extensive research regarding the pork industry within the Netherlands as well as meticulous calculations on pork production in wider Europe and the grains and water necessary to support the livestock, the proposal sought to design alternative, more humane pig farms. Just for reference, in the year 2000, the average area required for each pig in organic farming was approximately 1,726 meters squared. If this standard were applied across the Netherlands, it would result in 75% of the countrys land being dedicated to such farms. In response, the proposal combines organic farming with all the associating production activities, creating an intensive concentration of farms and eliminating the need for costly and polluting transportation and distribution.As the T?F (The Why Factory) researchers very accurately stated, Either we become vegetarians, or we change production methods and demand humane farming procedures. Even though Pig City examines the economic viability of biological farming, I wonder whether the answer to food scarcity and negative environmental impact, is further construction. Architecturally, the concept of a vertical farm implies stacking, i.e., designing a building that occupies less footprint, while at the same time houses activities that would otherwise take up a lot more space. Additionally, vertical farms are usually controlled environments, where conditions that influence food production are effectively regulated.However, even though these new agricultural typologies provide an impactful solution to food challenges, they also serve and even encourage the ever-growing need for consumerism that plagues our planet. Perhaps, instead of trying to answer the question of how we can produce more food more sustainably, we need to evaluate this approach and turn towards a different paradigm.Asian Cairns Sustainable Farmscrapers for Rural Urbanity by Vincent Callebaut Architectures, Shenzhen, ChinaGEA by Taller ProyectualFood City is a book written by architect and academic C.J. Lim, originally published in 2014, that examines the reinstatement of food at the core of national and local governance. The book is split into nine chapters: Food + Business, Food + Community, Food + Culture, Food + Education, Food + Employment, Food + Energy, Food + Health, Food + Law, and Food + Transport. It provides an insight on 25 international cities, whose governance is described through the medium of food and re-evaluates the way in which cities can function spatially as well as politically. Through the book, C.J. Lim presents a speculative research study situated in the city of London. In a series of drawings, models and texts, the architect explores how a secondary infrastructure built over London can function as a living environment and a new food system.The Food Parliament is a fictional supreme food legislation body for London and its territories, which functions as a holistic ecology that is self-perpetuating, while engaging in dialogue with traditional London. It operates under three pledges: (a) it stands as an international center of excellence for food security, (b) it encourages local communities and individuals to participate in food cultivation, processing and distribution and finally, (c) it disseminates the new notion of health, which includes food security, good health, green space and fresh air.Through humorous illustrations and narratives, the book redefines governing bodies and political figures in an attempt to accentuate the polemic impact food has in politics and society. Some of the most notable speculative scenarios include a Ministry of Defense comprised of geese (farm animals known for their protective nature) as well as fences made of landscape, whose scent can keep specific insects and pesticides away. Additionally, an urban fish farm characterized as the Blue Carpet reintroduces dreamy traditional fishing practices, while Mr. Speaker the figure that shouts order, order within the London Parliament is tasked with cleaning the space using massive sprinkler systems that soar over the landscape. Finally, massive pyramidal structures, inspired from Westminster Hall and the coronation ceremony, become the new cultivation farms which gather seeds and water from the air, producing enough food for all the London burrows.From the moment humans practiced agriculture and settled on land, their relationship with food became increasingly complicated, intertwining with cultural, economic and political frameworks that define societies. Food transitioned from a basic necessity to a commodity, a symbol of power, and a driver of urban development. This evolution underscores the need to rethink how food systems are integrated into the fabric of our cities and governance structures in such a way that not only sustain human life but also respect the environment and foster community resilience.Architizer's 13th A+Awards features a suite of sustainability-focused categories recognizing designers that are building a greener industry and a better future. Start your entry to receive global recognition for your work!Featured Image: GEA by Taller ProyectualThe post Vertical Farms and Food Futures: Architectures Response to a Hungry Planet appeared first on Journal.

Architizer's 13th A+Awards features a suite of sustainability-focused categories recognizing designers that are building a greener industry and a better future. Start your entry to receive global recognition for your work!In 1997, Dennis Thresh Fong took the once sneer-inducing subculture of gaming and completely flipped it on its head. His victory in the Quake Red Annihilation tournament won him a cherry-red Ferrari that was previously owned by id Softwares John Carmack. It was a turning point an unbelievable moment that hinted at what the world would eventually recognize as a legitimate competitive discipline. By the time Thresh entered the ESL Hall of Fame in 2016, the message was crystal: esports wasnt some exclusive club reserved for people who knew how to build their own servers and overclock CPUs. It was a global industry that would soon eclipse many forms of traditional entertainment.Today, the esports sector has reached a level few could have predicted. Forecasts suggest revenues could hit 3.4 billion this year, driven by staggering audiences who assemble both virtually and physically to watch tournaments of games like Dota 2, League of Legends and FIFA. Millions of people gather online while thousands more meet in purpose-built arenas to watch professional gamers do their thing. Esports has become a platform for international diplomacy, branding and crucially a jumping-off point for some of the most innovative architecture in the world.The early esports competitions of the 1980s and 90s were played on arcade cabinets or around makeshift LAN setups in internet cafs and college dorms. Gamers built their own setups and hunched over screens in badly lit rooms. Yet, as games like StarCraft, Counter-Strike and Quake became global phenomena and the internet grew, local fan groups evolved into massive, transnational communities. It was South Koreas love of StarCraft in the early 2000s that really ramped things up. With dedicated TV channels being launched and players being recognized as celebrities, gaming became a mass spectator sport. Within a decade, streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube Gaming unlocked global reach and esports went viral. Now, as the industry continues to grow, cities all over the world are constructing architecturally ambitious arenas to house these incredible competitions.Allegiant Stadium by Manica Architecture, Las Vegas, Nevada | Photo by Jason ORear PhotographyUnlike traditional stadiums that have been honed over centuries around known parameters like a pitch, a court or a field, where players physically interact in three-dimensional space and spectators are fixed on a single point of action, esports competitions are primarily on screens and often, multiple players mean multiple focus points. The field can morph from a jungle in League of Legends to a sprawling sci-fi battleground in Halo. Camera angles shift instantaneously but players can remain seated for hours, completely inverting the rules of traditional sports.For architects, this means designing for multiple vantage points, ergonomic comfort and countless permutations. Most importantly, esports arenas must support highly complex technological ecosystems powerful servers, ultra-low-latency data backbones and cutting-edge broadcasting facilities that would rival top-tier TV studios. Beyond technology, flexibility is paramount. Stages and setups must be modular to accommodate different games, formats and audience sizes, while seating arrangements may need to shrink or expand, potentially overnight. Sight lines must take into consideration both live-action and digital overlays, as well as the vast audience that experiences these events from the comfort of their own home. In some cases, the architecture must include back-of-house training facilities, VIP lounges, live-streaming studios and even coworking areas for content creators, each with its own spatial and technical requirements.Co-op Live by Populous, Manchester, United Kingdom | Visuals by PopulousIn esports architecture, technology is the central nervous system, and one firm is leading the way. With a design portfolio that includes some of the most advanced esports facilities in the world, including Esports Stadium Arlington, Fortress Melbourne and the NBA 2K League Broadcast Arena, Populous is at the forefront of cutting-edge venue design for the ever-expanding live gaming experience.Populous are well known for their incredible sporting arenas, and their first forays into esports are also setting new standards. The Qiddiya City Esports Arena in Saudi Arabia stands out. Combining the largest combined total video screen area of any esports arena in the world, as well as 4D haptic seats where visitors will sense, feel and even smell the action taking place in front of them, the striking design creates an iconic venue, capable of adapting to multiple experiences and events. With a distinctive architectural identity, the 5,300-seat multifunctional venue will provide a best-in-class experience for players and spectators alike. Extensive sightline studies have been carried out to optimize seating in the main auditorium for the best views, and parametric design tools have been utilized to refine screen locations, resulting in an innovative digital chandelier placed centrally within the seating bowl for enhanced gameplay content delivery.Its not all plain sailing. While esports may spare us the grass maintenance of football pitches or the water demands of Olympic swimming pools, environmental scrutiny is rightly an issue. Data centers, high-end equipment and continuous streaming generate a significant carbon footprint. According to some estimates, information and communications technology accounts for around 3.7% of global emissions nearly on par with the airline industry.Sphere by Populous and ICRAVE, Las Vegas, Nevada | Visuals by ICRAVELatency can make or break an esports competition. Audiences expecting flawless 4K streams require bulletproof internet pipelines, multiple redundancies and data centers integrated into the architecture. Cooling systems become critical design challenges as massive server loads generate substantial heat. Architects and engineers are responding with a new ethos of sustainability. Arenas are adopting energy-efficient cooling systems that use recycled water or passive air strategies. Solar panels, high-performance insulation, responsibly sourced materials and state-of-the-art lighting systems help reduce the environmental impact. Advanced building management systems can modulate energy consumption in real time, while modular construction methods enable future upgrades without massive waste. Esports arenas, as future-oriented entities, are fantastic examples of green design and are set to revolutionize other entertainment venues that follow.The upcoming 2025 Olympic Esports Games will undoubtedly push architects and designers to up their game. Even more daring technological experiments are likely to emerge with holographic player introductions, AI-driven systems and a new era of arena that blur the boundaries between physical and digital architecture.In the centuries to come, historians may look back on this moment as the time when architecture had to rethink fundamental elements of spatial design: circulation, acoustic engineering and even the definition of a seat. Shifting from static structures to fluid, tech-driven environments that engage not only the body but also the imagination, these digital coliseums are the next evolution of cultural space places where human creativity, advanced technology and architectural innovation come together.Architizer's 13th A+Awards features a suite of sustainability-focused categories recognizing designers that are building a greener industry and a better future. Start your entry to receive global recognition for your work!The post Game Changers: Designing the Next Generation of Esports Arenas appeared first on Journal.

Bold and bright color photography is a trend that continues to captivate audiences with its ability to transform ordinary scenes into vibrant works of art. Mastering this style requires a mix of thoughtful composition, lighting control, and a keen eye for detail. Heres how you can elevate your photography with bold, striking colors.The power of saturationBold photography often hinges on saturationthe intensity of colors in your image. Striking the right balance is key. Over-saturation can feel overwhelming, while undersaturation can fail to deliver the desired impact. Look for naturally vibrant scenes, such as a bustling market, a neon-lit street, or a dramatic sunset, to start experimenting. Contrasting colorsUsing complementary colors creates dynamic energy in your images. For example, pair a bright orange subject with a deep blue sky, or combine vivid pink flowers with lush green leaves. When working with contrasts, focus on maintaining balancetoo much can overpower the image, but just enough creates a harmonious and engaging photo. Lighting for color impactGood lighting is critical for bold photography. Bright, direct sunlight can enhance vibrant colors but may also create harsh shadows. For more balanced results, shoot during the golden hour or use diffused lighting to soften tones while maintaining vividness. In studio settings, colored gels can create artificial boldness, adding a unique creative touch to your work. Highlighting a focal pointBold colors work best when they emphasize a clear focal point. Whether its a brightly dressed subject, a vibrant fruit stand, or a single dramatic flower in a muted field, ensure your main subject commands attention. Use shallow depth of field to isolate the subject, letting the bold colors pop against a subdued background.Textures and patternsColors are enhanced when paired with interesting textures and patterns. Look for peeling paint on a colorful wall, the woven detail of a bright tapestry, or even the shimmer of a colorful wet pavement. These details add depth and interest, making the colors even more impactful. Advanced tips for bold photographyPlan Your Wardrobe or Props: When shooting portraits, encourage your subject to wear bold, monochromatic outfits or accessories that align with your vision.Experiment with Reflections: Use puddles, windows, or metallic surfaces to capture and enhance bold colors in unexpected ways.Seek Inspiration in Everyday Scenes: Bold colors often hide in plain sightgraffiti, urban murals, or even the produce section of a grocery store can be perfect settings. Embrace the vibrancyBold and bright photography is about making a statement and capturing the essence of a moment in its most vivid form. You can turn ordinary settings into extraordinary scenes by understanding how to work with color, light, and composition. Step outside your comfort zone, embrace the vibrancy, and let your creativity shine.Not on 500px yet? Click here to learn about Licensing with 500px.The post Transforming ordinary scenes with vibrant colors appeared first on 500px.