Casa Baldo | Ruy TeixeiraLocated in Rio de Janeiro, Itana House presents an example of architectural renewal. The project involved the renovation and expansion of Casa Baldo, an original Oscar Niemeyer design, exploring the relationship between the built environment and the natural landscape. Siqueira+Azul undertook the task of transforming this site. By acquiring the neighboring property, the studio extended the possibilities of the urban lot, integrating a garden and leisure annex into the design. This intervention revitalized the property and redefined its relationship with the surroundings.Itana House Technical InformationOriginal House Architects: Oscar NiemeyerRenewal & Expansion Architects1-13: Siqueira+AzulLocation: Rio de Janeiro, BrazilArea: 800 m2 | 8,610 Sq. Ft.Project Year: 2017 2025Photographs: Ruy Teixeira, Andr NazarethThe faades of the main existing blocks receive a new element large pivoting panels. Their functioning is made feasible by the custom structural scheme in an iron square mesh. Siqueira+Azul ArchitectsItana House PhotographsCasa Baldo + Itana House | Andr NazarethEntrance | Andr NazarethEntrance | Andr NazarethPool | Andr NazarethPool | Ruy TeixeiraSide View | Andr NazarethGardenPatio | Ruy TeixeiraDining Area | Andr NazarethRooftop | Ruy TeixeiraCasa Baldo Renewal and ExpansionThe expansion of the compact Niemeyer-designed Casa Baldo was made possible by the acquisition of the adjacent property. This enabled the introduction of a garden marked by distinct vertical and horizontal delineations. This green space acts as both a visual and functional extension of the architecture.The new leisure annex appears to hover between the pool and the garden. Its planar design adds a dynamic element to the composition while maintaining a sense of lightness. This structure balances bold architectural gestures with sensitivity to context.Itana House: Integration of Independent VolumesItana House is composed of three distinct yet interconnected volumes. Pathways, walkways, and stairs link these constructions, creating a seamless flow between spaces. These circulation routes are more than just functional; they are architectural elements inviting movement and exploration.One of the most striking features is the circular oculus, which serves as an observation gap and a source of additional natural light. Positioned strategically, it provides views into the upper courtyard while enhancing the spatial experience of the interiors. The helical staircase, leading to a tower element with sliding glass panels, underscores the projects commitment to vertical integration. These design choices enhance usability and enrich the spatial narrative.Itana House: Design Details and Structural InnovationsThe projects faades underwent a transformation with the addition of large pivoting panels. These custom-designed elements, supported by an iron square mesh structural framework, allow for interaction with the outdoors while maintaining the integrity of Niemeyers original design. This intervention is functional and aesthetic, offering flexibility and enhancing the buildings appeal.A long bench, designed to outline the boundary of the slabs, serves as a bridge between indoor and outdoor spaces. This feature reinforces the continuity of spaces, blurring the line between architecture and landscape. Inside, natural lighting is optimized through the oculus and strategically placed openings.The leisure annex, constructed from natural materials such as stone and concrete, contrasts with the aesthetic continuity of Casa Baldo. This juxtaposition highlights the studios skill in balancing differentiation and harmony within the same project.Landscape Architecture and Urban HarmonyThe landscape design by Isabel Duprat plays a pivotal role in the project. The gardens vertical and horizontal delineations create a cohesive extension of the architectural design. By incorporating native plant species and structured layouts, the garden enhances the propertys privacy while offering expansive views of the surroundings.The integration of green spaces reflects a larger trend in urban renewal, where architecture seeks to mitigate the harshness of metropolitan environments. Duprats work emphasizes the importance of landscape architecture in fostering a dialogue between natural and built elements, making the garden an inseparable part of the projects identity.Itana House PlansLower Floor Plan | Siqueira+AzulUpper Floor Plan | Siqueira+AzulSection | Siqueira+AzulElevation | Siqueira+AzulItana House Image GalleryAbout Siqueira+AzulCredits and Additional NotesLead Architect: Lia SiqueiraArchitect: Felipe SiqueiraArchitecture Studio: Siqueira+Azul ArchitectureLandscape Architect: Isabel Duprat Arquitetura PaisagsticaLighting Design: Maneco QuinderStructural Design: AbilitEngineering: Stewart EngenhariaWindows Manufacturer: Panoramah!Waterproofing: CetimperSoftware Used: AutoDesk, Trimble Navigation, LightworksLighting Fixtures: FLOS, DimluxPlumbing Fixtures: DecaAudio and Video: EVOLUSOM

One of the few Gothic style buildings in the enchanting town of Cornwall, Connecticut is this large church-turned-residence in West Cornwall village. As West Cornwall developed in the second half of the 19th century into the largest district in town, residents here began to discuss the idea of building their own Congregational church, rather than travel to the central village church to attend services. In the 1870s, West Cornwall congregationalists raised over $4,000 to acquire a building lot and erect this fine church. Dedicated in January 1878, the wood-frame church is a rare example of the Victorian Gothic/Stick styles with clapboard siding, lancet (pointed arched) windows, a corner tower with belfry, vertical sheathing in the gables, and ornamental applied stickwork. The church closed in the 20th century and was converted to a private residence, and is presently for sale!

Mural on the Southeast Financial Center building in Miami, Florida. All images courtesy of Mantra and Justkids.art, shared with permissionMantras Murals Collect Enormous Butterflies in Building-Size Specimen CasesJanuary 10, 2025ArtNatureKate MothesFrench artist Youri Cansell, a.k.a. Mantra (previously) continues to brighten neighborhood streets and large cities alike with his vivid insect murals. Drawing on a fascination with nature and its preservation, he creates monumental specimen cases on buildings around the world, filled with a wide variety of butterflies.The artist recently completed his largest mural to date in Miami, positioned on the rooftop of the Southeast Financial Center building. Nestled into the surface of a characteristically organized case, a range of colorful butterflies rest alongside the structures utility systems.Detail of progress on mural in MiamiThe mural features numerous species, including the endangered Miami blue butterfly thats native to South Florida. Its always a pleasure to paint in Miami, a city that thrives on its vibrant mix of people and culturesmuch like the butterflies in my mural, which represent a diverse selection of specimens, the artist says.Additional recent projects include a giant glass-fronted display on the side of a building in Brooklyn and a towering, narrow composition in downtown Houston. Find more on Mantras website and Instagram.Houston, TexasBrooklyn, New YorkCrans-Montana, SwitzerlandBreda, The NetherlandsDetail of progress on mural in MiamiRombas, FranceDetail of progress on mural in MiamiNext article

sdecoret - stock.adobe.comNewsGenAI causing hyperscale datacentres to swell in size, research showsSynergy Research Group data shows impact that generative AI demand will have on the number and size of hyperscale datacentres in operation around the worldByCaroline Donnelly,Senior Editor, UKPublished: 10 Jan 2025 13:25 Hyperscale datacentres are getting increasingly larger in size, as operators look to bolster the amount of IT load their facilities can handle to accommodate the growing demand for generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) services.Thats according to figures shared by IT analyst house, Synergy Research Group, whose forecast data shows the average hyperscale datacentre is set to double in size over the next four years.The trend has always been for critical IT load of hyperscale datacentres to grow in size over time, but generative AI technology and services are power-hungry and have super-charged that trend, said Synergy, in a research note.Meanwhile, as the average IT load of individual datacentres ramps up, the number of operational hyperscale datacentres will continue to steadily grow.The companys data confirms there are already 1,103 hyperscale datacentres in operation worldwide, with 497 more set to come online within the next four years.Combine the ever-increasing number of hyperscale datacentres with a much-increased average size, and we now forecast that total hyperscale datacentre capacity will almost triple by the end of 2030, added Synergy.The companys hyperscale research is based on an analysis of the datacentre footprint and operations of 19 of the worlds major cloud and internet service firms.The number of operational hyperscale datacentres continues to grow inexorably, having doubled over the past five years, said John Dinsdale, chief analyst at Synergy Research Group.That installed base will continue to grow, but the most marked change in the market is the ever-increasing capacity of datacentres that are being brought online.The math is complicated as the mix of hyperscale datacentres continues to change old versus new, region by region, and owned versus leased but in aggregate, we will see GPU-oriented infrastructure leading to a doubling of the capacity of new hyperscale datacentres.This is the second time in recent days that Synergy Research Group has released figures that point to the transformative impact that the demand for GenAI is having on the datacentre market.That data revealed that the demand for GenAI services is one of the reasons why spending on datacentre hardware and software had hit a record high in 2024, as datacentre operators splashed the cash last year to bring online AI-ready server farms.While the ongoing success of public cloud has been the main driving force behind datacentre investments for well over a decade now, no one imagined a 2024 market for datacentre gear reaching over $280bn, said Dinsdale.Read more about GenAI impact on datacentresFigures from Synergy Research Group highlight how demand for generative AI and GPU technology has generated record amounts of spending in the datacentre hardware and software space during 2024At AWS Re:Invent 2024, CEO Matt Garman shared details of how its GenAItechnologies are helping enterprises accelerate the pace of Microsoft and VMware datacentre migrations.In The Current Issue:What do the home secretarys policing reforms mean for the future of the Police Digital Service?What are the security risks of bring your own AI?Download Current IssueFear the technologists, not the technology? The rise of the tech baron Computer Weekly Editors BlogBeyond Textbooks: why businesses must invest in grassroots stem initiatives WITsendView All Blogs

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) should embrace artificial intelligence (AI) to maintain its military advantages, which will require nurturing the countrys private AI defence sector and ensuring there is interoperability with the systems used by its allies, the Commons Defence Committee has said.In December 2023, the committee launched an inquiry examining how the MoD could meet the aim of strengthening the UKs defence and security AI ecosystem, as set out in the 2022 Defence AI Strategy.Highlighting the use of AI in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict including for the purposes of analysing battlefield data and intelligence, combatting disinformation, drone piloting and targeting identification the committee said that while the technology can offer serious military advantages, there is a mismatch between rhetoric and reality on the UKs AI capabilities.According to a report published by the committee on 10 January 2025, while the UK has natural strengths that could allow it to develop first-class specialisms in defence AI, the sector is under-developed and needs further cultivating.Developing a thriving defence AI sector will require improvements in digital infrastructure, data management and the AI skills base, and we urge the MoD to identify where gaps exist so that work can begin to address these issues, it said.We suggest some specific actions it can take, such as making AI a greater part of military education and making it easier for AI specialists to move between the civilian and defence sectors. MoD is also likely to need to work with smaller and non-traditional defence suppliers who currently face barriers to working with defence, and the department needs to adopt its ways of working to make itself a more appealing and effective partner for the sector.It needs to become more comfortable with risk-taking, rapid development cycles and working with non-traditional defence suppliers, it added.It also noted that military AI systems will be most effective if they are interoperable with those of the UKs allies, including Nato and the Aukus partnership with Australia and the US.It therefore calls for dialogue with allies over shared approaches to data collection, labelling and the ethical use of autonomous technologies, as well as joint working on skills and capacity building.Aside from further developing the UKs military AI sector and collaborating with allies, the committee said there also need to be cultural changes to the ways of working at the MoD.Harnessing AI for defence requires not just updated technology, but an updated approach, and in todays report, we call on the Ministry of Defence to transform itself into an AI-native organisation, fully integrating AI into its work and mindset, said sub-committee chair Emma Lewell-Buck.Our report finds that the UK is ripe with opportunity, and has the potential to become world-leading in defence AI, she said. But if we are to realise this potential, the Ministry of Defence must take a proactive approach and nurture the UKs industry. While the UKs Defence AI sector may not compete with the US and China when it comes to scale, we can offer valuable specialism and sophistication.Read more about military AIAutonomous weapons reduce moral agency and devalue human life: Military technology experts gathered in Vienna have warned about the detrimental psychological effects of AI-powered weapons, arguing that implementing systems of algorithmic-enabled killing dehumanises both the user and the target.Global majority united on multilateral regulation of AI weapons: Foreign ministers and civil society representatives say that multilateralism is key to controlling the proliferation and use of AI-powered autonomous weapons, but that a small number of powerful countries are holding back progress.AI interview: Elke Schwarz, professor of political theory: Elke Schwarz speaks with Computer Weekly about the ethics of military artificial intelligence and the dangers of allowing governments and corporations to push forward without oversight or scrutiny.The report added that while there are pockets of excellence at the MoD, AI is still treated by the department as a novelty or a niche interest rather than something that will soon be a core component of defence systems across the Armed Forces.It suggested the MoD should undertake mapping exercises to assess the adequacy and resilience of the digital infrastructure required to run AI products and systems, including computing power; secure cloud computing; datacentres; the availability of semiconductors; quantum computing capacity; and frontier AI models.In December 2023, the Lords AI in Weapon Systems Committee published a report on Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (Laws), which urged the UK government to proceed with caution when developing and deploying AI for military purposes.It said that while the government promised in its 2022 Defence Strategy to approach military AI in an ambitious, safe and responsible way, these aspirations have not lived up to reality, and must be translated into practice.The committee added that it was key that the government sought, established and retained both public confidence and democratic endorsement in the development and use of AI generally, and particularly in respect of Laws.Responding to the findings of that committee in March 2024, the government insisted its already acting responsibly with due caution, and that the MoDs priority with AI is to maximise military capabilityin the face of potential adversaries, which it claimed are unlikely to be as responsible.During a debate held in April 2024, Lords expressed mixed opinions towards the UK governments current position, including its reluctance to adopt a working definition and commit to international legal instruments controlling their use.

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Creature CommandosDCI just finished the finale of Creature Commandos, and while there were in fact individual episodes I liked quite a bit, how it all came together in the end wasvery strange. And not terribly satisfying. Spoilers follow.Im not just talking about the double fake-out of the evil princess, where if you examine that storyline too closely, nothing about anything she does makes very much sense. But rather the finale answered a question I had since the start.Why was Nina on this team?I thought this was all building to something, and I guess the answer to that question wasthere is no coherent answer. No answer in the show at least, but in the meta context, simply designing a tragic scene that makes us sad, even if the character being in the show did not make any sense.Creature CommandosDCWe learn Ninas backstory in the finale, which makes everything even more confusing. For instance:Nina was simply a girl trying to survive after being born with a horrible medical condition.She runs away to live in the sewers. She gets caught because shes a monster and her dad is shot in front of her.She does not murder anyone (I thought she was about to tear those cops apart) and shes not even actually accused of any crimes.She is thrown in a prison wing with a bunch of other actually violent monsters.Up until now, I can buy the well shes just treated as subhuman because shes different idea, but past this, it does not make sense that Waller puts her on the team which is tasked with first a protection mission against an army of chuds and a massively powerful sorceress, then assassinating a princess surrounded by her own army.MORE FOR YOUAgain, Nina has shown zero proclivity to violence. She is not even a criminal and Waller is smart enough to know that.Nina has no actual powers other than being able to swim underwater with gills. This makes her way more likely to die than other borderline immortal team members because a rip in her suit or a crack in her helmet and shell expire in short order. She almost dies many times and other team members have to risk themselves to save her. Not to mention this is also a 100% land-based mission except for a swimming pond at the end.This may produce a decent character arc for her protector, The Bride, but no, I do not buy that Waller the hardass, attempting to run a successful mission above else, is putting Nina on the team to thaw The Brides frozen heart when she has King Shark sitting right there who could probably eat a sorceress for breakfast.Creature CommandosDCAll of this culminates in the failure of the single job Nina is supposed to do, getting herself killed attempting an underwater assassination because Weasel cant keep his mouth shut. Is this sad? Yes, its very sad. But I agree with the post-finale analysis that Nina was written as a tragedy character. It felt like there was this idea theyd kill the nice one at the end, but they ended up writing her asnothing and no one before this, and her appearance on the team at all is baffling.I think one simple change could have fixed this, and its what I said before. When she sees her father shot, Nina could have finally snapped and killed a bunch of the police present. That would A) show she is capable of violence and B) still leave her sympathetic given that context, C) make it more logical shes on the team and D) may give her opportunities to actually be useful in the field. Of course none of this happens.Creature Commandos was okay in the end, but I hope it can fix some of these weird choices in season 2.Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram.Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.