Contemporary Mosques: Using Context as Driver over SymbolismSave this picture!Nurul Yaqin Mosque / Dave Orlando + Fandy Gunawan. Image Daniel Dian KristantoThe configuration of the mosque, the worshipping place for Muslims, traces its history to the courtyard of the religion's founder. The first mosques were, therefore, simple open spaces marked for ritual prayer use. Over the years and centuries, they would gain multiple standard, functional features, such as the mihrab, a niche that indicates the direction of prayer, and the minbar, a pulpit for the preacher to give the sermon. Other elements also became common, such as domes and minarets, which were historically used for the call to prayer. These had the additional purpose of signifying the function of the building as a mosque and were used by rulers and benefactors to elevate its grandeur.In contemporary times, mosques are not immune from architectural debate. Elements that have no religious function are questioned, as is the relationship between a mosque and its context. The discussion is especially stark in parts of the world with relatively new Muslim communities, where some theorists have advocated for the removal of symbolic elements on the basis that they are 'pastiche,' while others are nostalgic about the sentimentality associated with historical forms. Nonetheless, contemporary architects have been successfully elevating mosque architecture, fulfilling its functional requirements creatively, while allowing the building's context to drive the form. Read on to learn about seven mosque projects from across the world where stylistic dilemmas were overcome with careful contextual responses. Related Article The Award for Future Mosque Sancaklar Mosque / EAA - Emre Arolat ArchitectureSave this picture!According to the architect, the Sancaklar Mosque "aims to address the fundamental issues of designing a mosque by distancing itself from the current architectural discussions based on form and focusing solely on the essence of religious space." Situated in a hilly area in the suburbs of Istanbul, the mosque is set into the topography with only the entrance canopy visible from the outside as one approaches from above the hill. The external walls built of stone conceal a cave-like interior perfectly suited for quiet prayer and reflection.Gulshan Society Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANASave this picture!One major factor that determined the final form of this mosque was that only a small site was available for a congregation expected to be very large. Thus, the mosque was arranged across seven stories in a cuboid form that sits harmoniously with the surrounding urban context in the capital city of Bangladesh, Dhaka. The volume is enveloped with a screen structure that allows daylight and ventilation but which offers shade from the sun. Surrounded by buildings mostly painted white, the screen is constructed of white concrete. Its elongated grid resembles a pattern of windows and expresses the floor plates behind it. Very subtly, the openings in the screen spell out the Islamic phrase "there is no God but God" in classical Kufic Arabic script.Nurul Yaqin Mosque / Dave Orlando + Fandy GunawanSave this picture!The Nurul Yaqin Mosque in Palu City, Indonesia, takes its inspiration from its location projecting out into the bay. Conceived as both a mosque and a memorial to the 2018 tsunami disaster, it is composed of a stand-alone prayer hall facing the sea while the supporting functions are housed in an adjacent block facing the street. Evoking a sense of peace and harmony was an ambition of the architect. This can be seen in the very simple form of the prayer hall. The rectilinear volume is not entirely enclosed but is left open at low level all around. Ventilation panels at high level include the only religious ornamentation on the hall, in the form of the 99 names of God laser-cut into the stainless steel panels. Within the hall, the polished terrazzo floor shimmers like the surface of the sea beyond, which can be seen through the low-level opening in the wall, creating a continuity between the prayer space and the water.Al Gharra Mosque / Mohammed Ibrahim Shafee Architectural OfficeSave this picture!Al Gharra Mosque attempts to move away from traditional approaches of mosque design replicating the Prophet's house and first mosque and, instead, engages with architectural discourse. The site is located on a rocky hillside facing south towards Makkah and the direction of prayer, with the mosque and associated buildings following the contours of the inclined landscape. Rustic stone blocks feature in the landscaping and also in the solid mihrab wall, where they feature on both the interior and exterior, bringing the hillside in.Red Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANASave this picture!Unlike the Al Gharra Mosque, the Red Mosque in Keraniganj Upazila, Bangladesh, does take as its initial inspiration the first mosque of Islam. Hence, it takes the simple form of one space, rectangular in plan, with a roof supported on columns and glazed walls. The mosque sits in the grounds of a historic mosque, which was also refurbished. The red color of the roof, columns, and glazing frames comes from this existing structure. The glass walls and opening panels allow the outside to flow into the interior space, bringing in the leafy, wooded environment, and the forest of columns mimics the trees outside.Al Huda Nusantara Mosque / JXA StudioSave this picture!This mosque in West Java, Indonesia, shuns the use of domes and explicit symbols in favor of vernacular architecture and local materials. Its most prominent feature is the tiered tropical pitched roof which can be seen on approach to the entrance. A canopy creates a veranda to the front and sides of the main hall to deal with the climate and act as an additional prayer area when needed.Amir Shakib Arslan Mosque / L.E.FT ArchitectsSave this picture!The Amir Shakib Arslan Mosque is a small mosque of only 100 square meters which sits on a steep hillside. According to the architects, "rather than the traditional inert Cube/Dome/Minaret volumetric expression of normative mosque architecture, the design offers a lighter reading of the typology, an ephemeral tectonic presence." Part of the mosque is a refurbished historic space with stone arches and part of the task was its extension and reorientation towards the Makkah. The exterior interventions included converting a parking lot into a public plaza and an abstracted metalwork minaret to aid with wayfinding and marking the entrance.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorCite: Mohieldin Gamal. "Contemporary Mosques: Using Context as Driver over Symbolism" 21 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025921/contemporary-mosques-using-context-as-driver-over-symbolism&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! 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Apartments in Brazil: Interiors with Reused and Recovered MaterialsSave this picture!Paraso Apartment / RUNA + Elky Santos. Image Lauro RochaFrom the field of architecture and construction, the concept of material reuse is closely tied to circular economy and the reduction of carbon footprints, paving the way toward a more sustainable and responsible future. By incorporating recycling practices, recovery, restoration, and/or the reuse of demolition materials, resource efficiency along with the reduction of energy consumption makes it feasible to experiment with techniques, applications, and new materials that honor the memory of spaces while also bringing new life to both interiors and exteriors.While renovations have proven to be a specialty of architects of the future, the development of such interventions reveals the creation of spatial dynamics where the reuse of original materials often provides new living conditions. It also opens the door to more sustainable approaches linked to the future of construction and awareness of environmental care. Numerous examples from Latin American housing demonstrate how the circular economy concept forms the foundation of these initiatives. The reuse of materials such as ceramics, marble, furniture, wood, and others showcases the vast potential of interior design, engaging in dialogue with elements, techniques, or textures from other eras. This also promotes the development of everyday living practices that contribute to reducing environmental impact.Save this picture!In this curated collection, we present 5 interior apartment projects in Brazil where the reuse of materials and other architectural elements has been part of the project conception. Related Article Deconstruct, Do Not Demolish: The Practice of Reuse of Materials in Architecture Caco Apartment / CoarquitetosSave this picture!Undergoing a radical transformation, the proposal for the Caco Apartment in Braslia involved demolishing almost all internal walls and integrating the spaces, with a focus on natural lighting, ventilation, and spaciousness. By applying aesthetic and sustainable strategies, the original ceramic tiles were reused, transformed into fragments, and repurposed as cladding in the kitchen and bathrooms. This use of demolition materials reflects the commitment to sustainability and the appreciation of craftsmanship.Ibiapinpolis Apartment / Ana Sawaia ArquiteturaSave this picture!Located in a 1973 building in So Paulo, the Ibiapinpolis Apartment offers sweeping views of treetops visible through the living room windows. The renovation aimed to expand the spaces, creating larger, more open areas and uniting the kitchen with the living space. The kitchen presented a significant challenge due to limited natural lighting and excessive circulation space from the entrances. The solution involved reusing national travertine marble from the bathrooms to create terrazzo flooring for the kitchen, service area, and washroom. Rather than becoming waste, the material was repurposed into a pebble-like base, with cut pieces in varying triangle sizes incorporated into the design.RR Apartment / Nati Minas & Studio + Flip ArquiteturaSave this picture!The reuse in the renovation of this apartment was not only necessary but also a conscious choice, as it incorporated numerous elements such as marble flooring, wardrobes in private areas, and some existing furniture. Light colors and handcrafted textures took center stage, revisiting various materials and introducing new finishes to create a fresh atmosphere within a fluid design. As the designers stated, their goal was to respect what was already there and renew it to transform the space.Paraso Apartment / RUNA + Elky SantosSave this picture!In the Paradise Apartment, located in the southern part of So Paulo, the aim was to minimize demolition waste and construction costs. A material reuse strategy was implemented, involving solid bricks, ceramic floors, cement coatings, glass bricks, irregular mortar and concrete blocks, and wooden parquet flooring. All available materials on-site were either returned to their original function or repurposed. Using a small-to-medium-sized crusher, aggregate materials were created on-site for use in subfloors, plaster mortars, gypsum finishes, concrete countertops and floors, and tile cladding. Additionally, the team developed an economically accessible material for floors and countertops, called "entuhite", made from demolition debris. Old bathroom tiles were repurposed as paving and cladding for terrace areas.Bananeira Apartment / Ang Arquitetura + Estdio Pedro LunaSave this picture!In an old 1970s building, the apartment faced the challenge of adjusting its layout to meet the needs of its residents while maximizing the use of existing structures. The entrance hall, kitchen, and one bedroom were opened up to the living room to create a spacious and integrated area. A green tunnel marks the entrance, and furniture is used to delineate different spaces, while a brick wall runs through the dining and living areas, serving as a support for various objects. This wall was constructed using bricks salvaged from the demolition of a wall in another apartment undergoing simultaneous renovation. Additionally, a wooden shelf made from the apartment's old flooring was installed on the wall, and reclaimed bricks were reused throughout the extension of the main bedroom's wall.This article is part of an ArchDaily curated series that focuses on built projects from our database grouped under specific themes related to cities, typologies, materials, or programs. Every month, we will highlight a collection of structures that find a common thread between previously uncommon contexts, unpacking the depths of influence on our built environments. As always, at ArchDaily, we highly appreciate the input of our readers. If you think we should mention specific ideas, please submit your suggestions.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorAgustina IiguezAuthorCite: Iiguez, Agustina. "Apartments in Brazil: Interiors with Reused and Recovered Materials" [Apartamentos en Brasil: interiores que reutilizan y recuperan sus materiales] 21 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. (Trans. Pieiro, Antonia ) Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025883/apartments-in-brazil-interiors-with-reused-and-recovered-materials&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

Elvi Caperonis overcame over 100 rejections to secure a role at a Big Tech company.She feels that her strong rsum played a major part in finally landing the role.She shares her advice for crafting a strong rsum, such as by highlighting metrics and technical skills.Elvi Caperonis always wanted to work in Big Tech.She graduated with a computer science degree in 2005, followed by a master's degree in software engineering, and she was drawn to the allure of having a job that was both challenging and financially rewarding not to mention the enviable perks and prestige that came along with Big Tech companies."I aimed to work with intelligent people to build technologies that could positively impact the world," she told Business Insider. "I was very excited about the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge technologies like AI and machine learning."In 2017, after six years of tech consulting work and over three years at Harvard University as a techno-functional reporting analyst, Caperonis landed a full-time job as a business intelligence engineer at a top-tier tech company one of the Magnificent 7.But landing the job was far from easy, and the process was highly competitive. "I faced many rejections that allowed me to grow and learn how to make it happen," said Caperonis, whose employment history has been verified by Business Insider.Dealing with rejection after rejectionThe disappointment began in 2012 when Caperonis applied for a job at a Fortune 500 company. With two degrees and several years of relevant experience, she believed she was an overqualified candidate and a perfect fit for the opportunity.But when it came time to answer technical questions, "My mind went blank," said Caperonis, who spoke little English before moving to the US in 2011. "I knew the answers and could even picture the scenarios in which I'd used the technology, but I struggled to articulate my thoughts in English back then."She was rejected.As she persisted in her job search, Caperonis endured a series of rejections from prominent companies, including Stripe, Meta, Twitter, Oracle, Akamai Technologies, and many others in the tech industry. She estimates that over the course of five years of trying to land a Big Tech job, she received over 100 rejections."The rejections hurt a lot," she said. "Each one felt like a deep wound, momentarily leaving me heartbroken and hopeless."What Caperonis found even more painful was often being ghosted by employers after submitting an application or even having an interview.She never thought about giving up, though. "The weight of disappointment became a catalyst for growth," she said. She treated each application and interview as a way to gain insights about how to approach future opportunities.She thought she failed againHer job interview with one top tech company lasted about eight hours and included multiple rounds of behavioral questions. By the end of the day, she felt completely exhausted and feared she'd failed.But the tides had turned. "When the recruiter called me with the good news, I could hardly believe it I was so excited and happy," Caperonis said. "I realized my life was about to change."She recommends that anyone interested in Big Tech be very prepared to showcase their accomplishments and proficiency through their rsum.Here's the one she used, which she feels played a major part in landing the job:A strong Big Tech rsum: Her 3 tips1. Create a gateway to your brandThe professional profile summary at the top of the rsum is the first thing a recruiter will see, and it should be a carefully crafted gateway to your brand, said Caperonis. She noted it can "make or break your first impression.""With just five seconds to capture a recruiter's attention, this section should be your unique value proposition a chance to showcase your skills, experiences, and what sets you apart from other candidates," she said. In her case, Caperonis highlighted her ScrumMaster certification, nearly a decade of experience, and principles of honesty, discretion, loyalty, and sincerity through which she could help a company achieve its goals.2. Validate your capabilitiesCaperonis believes that the work experience section of the rsum is the most important element for Big Tech, and she incorporated results and metrics to make hers more compelling.Throughout this section, Caperonis added details to quantify her achievements such as "designed over 300 reports" to make the scope and impact of her work more tangible.3. Create a platform to demonstrate your competenceThe next most important section of your rsum is the technical skills section, in her opinion."I've seen that tech recruiters quickly skim through your rsum to see if you have the work experience required for the job, after they quickly review your 'tech stack' the technologies and tools required for the job."Caperonis's technical skills section for her Big Tech application included programming languages, project management tools, data analysis techniques, and interpersonal skills crucial for collaboration and communication within a team."My proficiency in business intelligence tools, such as Oracle Business Intelligence, and my prior work experience at Harvard University as a techno-functional reporting analyst were critical factors," in ultimately securing her role, she said.What she'd do differentlyLooking back, Caperonis believes she did a great job highlighting her experience and technical skills in her rsum. But if she were to revise it today, she'd showcase her accomplishments and proficiency better."I'd include more metrics that showcase the impact of my work in terms of money, time, and resources that I have helped companies save, instead of just plain statements about my responsibilities," she said.She also regrets not being more meticulous about proofreading before submission, as her rsum ended up containing a few grammatical errors. "In this competitive market, candidates must ensure their rsums are polished and free of grammatical mistakes," she said.To create a rsum that will help you stand out as a tech candidate, Caperonis said it's wise to use AI tools to analyze job descriptions, suggest relevant keywords, and format your rsum but stressed the importance of having a person, such as a career coach, give your rsum a once-over before you submit it."I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have the rsum reviewed and personalized by a real human," she said.

Sanofi's CEO said the pharma firm uses AI to help decide to move a drug to the next developmental phase.He said it's a "sobering" process because AI agents have no careers at stake."The agent isn't wedded to the project for 10 years," Paul Hudson said at Davos.Paul Hudson, CEO of the pharmaceutical firm Sanofi, has an argument for letting AI make top-level decisions in medicine: It has no attachments.Speaking at a panel in Davos on Tuesday, Hudson said Sanofi uses AI to recommend whether drugs should "pass through a tollgate," or essentially get approval to move to the next phase of development.He said that when Sanofi's senior decision-makers convene to discuss a drug, they start with an AI's recommendation for their choice."And we do that because it's very sobering, because the agent doesn't have a career at stake," Hudson said. "The agent isn't wedded to the project for the last 10 years. The agent is dispassionately saying: 'Don't go forward or go forward faster, or go forward and remember these things.'""And we're not used to having somebody without a career at stake in the room at a senior level," he continued.Hudson also said that Sanofi typically takes about 12 to 15 years to fully develop a drug and bring it to market and that it's been practically using AI for about three years. By his estimate, that means AI has been around at Sanofi for about a third of the "discovery" process for some drugs. That process is when manufacturers figure out what compounds should qualify as candidates for new medicines.The pharmaceutical company, which makes drugs like Lantus insulin jabs and Plavix blood thinners, spends about three billion euros, or $3.1 billion, on discovery within that timeframe, Hudson said.He and four other senior-level speakers, including Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman and Aramco CEO Amin Nasser, spoke positively about AI at the panel, saying people shouldn't be so worried that they might lose their jobs."The jobs that are at risk are the jobs where the human isn't interested in AI. AI doesn't beat human plus AI," Hudson said.Sanofi's press team did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

Project Files: https://www.patreon.com/posts/120449594 .Today I am going to start working on a compass bar system in unreal engine 5. A compass bar is what you see in games like assassins creed odyssey and origins on top of screen which shows points of interest and their direction relative to the player. In this tutorial we will figure out how to manipulate the material of the compass bar image in widget to response to players camera direction as player look around in the game. Menu System: https://youtu.be/CmYyFsNmwRM Map and Minimap: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNTm9yU0zou6xdEqL2QSSfanaZ3KA_vU7 // ! https://www.patreon.com/codelikeme Patrons will have access to project files of all the stuff I do in the channel and other extra benefitsJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClb6Jh9EBV7a_Nm52Ipll_Q/join Like my facebook page for more content : https://www.facebook.com/gamedevelopersclub/ Follow me on twitter : https://twitter.com/CodeLikeMe2 Follow me on reddit : https://www.reddit.com/user/codelikeme #CodeLikeMe #unrealengine #ue4 #indiegamedev

Laura Ortin Architecture Offices / Laura Ortn ArquitecturaSave this picture! David FrutosOffices InteriorsMurcia, SpainArchitects: Laura Ortn ArquitecturaAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:55 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2025 ManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: Hisbalit, KEIM, Artemide, BATHCO, Cermica Ferres, Efapel, Faro , Frama, GALA, Leds-C4, TIP TOE, Zucchetti Lead Architect: Laura Ortn More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. Our architectural studio, located in the heart of Murcia, is a sanctuary where the technical merges with the emotional, each design reflects a sensorial exploration and a commitment to sustainability.Save this picture!Save this picture!A workspace must be well thought out, it is important that it is a pregnant place, that is, where you want to stay, where you like to be. We spend many hours in our offices, shops, workshops, and we have to take care of them at the same level as our home. We have to think of workplaces as homes.Save this picture!Save this picture!When we acquired this space for our own professional office we immediately saw its strengths. Located in privileged place in the city town with two large glass facades. Privileged location, lighting... just amazing!Save this picture!We design this as an apartment, a house converted into a professional office. Three circles geometrically organize the space, a meeting area, a bathroom like a capsule and an eternal garden, a trellis parterre with light curved curtains allows a place of relax.Save this picture!Materials are the complement of the geometries in this case. The plaster projected on the ceiling and pillars helps the hygrothermal and acoustic balance, it also helps the cave effect so important to feel protected and improve concentration and work cohesion with clients and colleagues. The garage floor in cement finished in gloss reinforces our support to ennoble materials budgeted for other industries for use in something more domestic, delicate and elegant. Wood combined with steel is the perfect balance between wow effect and comfort. And the final punch, pink mosaic tiles mixed with red in the bathroom causes a surprise effect and a reverberation of color to the rest of the space that we find charming and seductive.Save this picture!Welcome to LAURA ORTN ARCHITECTURE FOR HAPPINESS, an open house for everyone, your architecture studio in Murcia (Spain) where every corner tells a story.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Murcia, SpainLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officePublished on January 21, 2025Cite: "Laura Ortin Architecture Offices / Laura Ortn Arquitectura" [Oficinas Laura Ortn Arquitectura / Laura Ortn Arquitectura] 21 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025599/laura-ortin-architecture-offices-laura-ortin-arquitectura&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

Nature, Published online: 20 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08606-xAuthor Correction: R-loop-dependent promoter-proximal termination ensures genome stability

Nature, Published online: 20 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08630-xMethane oxidation to ethanol by a molecular junction photocatalyst

A stunning composite image, made up of three years' worth of satellite photos, shows the ancient lava of Libya's Haruj volcanic field interspersed with patches of golden sand.

As Dallas Drapeau, Principal Artist in Games and Virtual Production with over 10 years of experience working on projects like The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and more, explains, theres a rising trend recommending the disabling of certain Unreal Engine 5 features, claiming theyre impossible to optimize.In his breakdown, the artist examines four case studies focused on foliage, one of the most prevalent types of geometry in any environment, to determine whether Nanite and Lumen are truly broken or if the projects simply arent fully leveraging their features.Dallas, a passionate teacher at Gnomon, often creates educational YouTube videos to share his expertise. Check out the ones below and see more on his YouTube channel:Also,join our80 Level Talent platformand ournew Discord server, follow us onInstagram,Twitter,LinkedIn,Telegram,TikTok, andThreads,where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.Source link The post Principal 3D Artist Debunks Common Myths About Unreal Engine 5 appeared first on CG SHARES.