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As the Los Angeles area begins the formidable task of rebuilding after the most destructive wildfires in its history, the citys artists and art collectors are mourning what could amount to billions of dollars in irreplaceable art that went up in flames.The wildfires have altogether destroyed more than 13,000 structures, with many among those located in the affluent Palisades neighborhood home to many priceless art collections and the town of Altadena, which was home to a flourishing artist community.Some of those art collectors likely lost many of their acquisitions as the fires burned out of control for weeks, while local artists have watched as their studios and homes burned, destroying their work and jeopardizing their livelihoods.Theres part of me thats numb or in shock, said Brad Eberhard, an artist who ran Altadenas Alto Beta gallery, which also housed his own studio. Both burned down in the Eaton Fire. Every half hour I remember another thing gone.Alto Beta, a 550-square-foot (51-sq-meter) space in an Altadena shopping center, hosted exhibits focused on artists who had not had a showing in Los Angeles in the past three years.Eberhard lost between 50 and 70 of his own sculptures as well as about two dozen pieces of art from his friends and colleagues.When he returned to visit the gallery, all I recognized was an aluminum door frame, he said.Just days before the gallery burned down, Alto Beta had opened a show called Quiver exhibiting paintings from Mary Anna Pomonis, a Los Angeles-based artist. Pomonis described the work in the show as female-centered paintings rooted in devotional imagery.It felt like it was an appropriately dramatic response to work that I felt dealt on that scale of an epic narrative, she said.Many in the Los Angeles area have heard the fates of their homes but have been unable to return to see whats left, as tens of thousands of Angelenos remain under evacuation orders.Kim McCarty, a watercolor painter and owner of the Michaels Santa Monica restaurant with her husband, lost her home to the Palisades fire. Like many, she has not been able to return to assess the damage in person.Through their restaurant, which opened in 1979, the McCartys became acquainted with local artists and housed many pieces in their Malibu home from friends such as Roger Herman, a German-born artist who teaches at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Pippa Garner, an American artist who died in Los Angeles in December.(Im) sad to lose that all because its such a loving thing, said McCarty, who added she was not able to salvage any of her own artwork before she was forced to evacuate.Experts have estimated that the LA wildfires could be the most expensive disaster in U.S. history. AccuWeather has estimated at least $250 billion in losses due to the fires, although that figure could still change.It is too early to estimate much of the losses that are art-related, but there were perhaps billions of dollars worth of fine art in properties in affected areas, said Christopher Wise, vice president at Risk Strategies, an insurance broker and risk management consultancy.If you take a look at the size of the areas that are under threat or have burned, the scale of it really is staggering, he said.Still, Wise cautioned that the amount of losses remains unclear, as many collectors have yet to return to their homes.Despite the uncertainty created by the wildfires, the organizers of Frieze Los Angeles made the decision last week to go ahead with the international art fair, scheduled for late February.Frieze, which also holds annual fairs in London, New York and Seoul, has presented the Los Angeles edition since 2019, elevating the citys status as an art capital. The fair attracts galleries and collectors from around the world, especially those from the U.S. West Coast.Since the fairs founding six years ago, Frieze has been proud to support and be part of this vibrant community, said a Frieze spokesperson. The challenges the city is currently facing only strengthen our commitment to work alongside the community to rebuild and recover together.Frieze Los Angeles, in conjunction with several smaller art fairs, aims to send a message to the local art community by going forward despite the fires, said Marc Selwyn, the owner of Marc Selwyn Fine Art in Los Angeles.I think its important that people know that LA is open for business and art is something that can be a boost for people in these kinds of times, the gallery owner said.The world-famous Getty Museum, which survived the fires, led several major art organizations in standing up a $12 million LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund, which is set to provide emergency relief to artists and others who work in the arts.If there is a silver lining to be found in the disaster it may lie in how the Los Angeles artistic community has pulled together to help one another, said Eberhard. He has already been able to find homes in other galleries for most of the shows that Alto Beta was set to exhibit this year.I didnt know that the artist community was this caring. I really didnt, because artists are notoriously, and accurately, independent, self-reliant, like little islands, he said.Hannah Lang, Reuters

Costco is pushing back on a shareholder proposal that urges the wholesale club operator to conduct an evaluation of any business risks posed by its diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Investors were expected to vote on the recommendation during the companys annual meeting Thursday.The National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank based in Washington, submitted the proposal, arguing that Costcos DEI initiatives hold litigation, reputational and financial risks to the company, and therefore financial risks to shareholders.The think tank has made a similar proposal to Apple, and like some American companies that already scaled back or retreated from their diversity policies, cited a U.S. Supreme Court decision in July 2023 that outlawed affirmative action in college admissions.Costco officials could not be reached for comment on the DEI proposal.But Costcos board of directors voted unanimously to ask shareholders to reject the motion. The board said it believes our commitment to an enterprise rooted in respect and inclusion is appropriate and necessary. The report requested by this proposal would not provide meaningful additional information.The directors message to shareholders details how having diverse employees and suppliers has, in their view, fostered creativity and innovation in the merchandise and services that we offer and led to greater customer satisfaction among Costco members.Neil Saunders, managing director of consulting firm GlobalDatas retail division, said Costco can be confident the proposal will be rejected.I think people generally have confidence in Costcos management, and theres an attitude of Why rock the boat? Its sailing very nicely,' Saunders said.Costcos public stance in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs contrasts with the positions taken in recent months by other big consumer brands, including Walmart, McDonalds, and John Deere.Last week, more than 30 Walmart shareholders, including Amalgamated Bank and Oxfam America, asked the CEO of the nations largest retailer to explain the business impact of curbing the companys DEI policies, a move they called disheartening.Prominent technology companies, including Amazon and Metathe parent company of Facebook and Instagramalso have rolled back DEI initiatives, which are expected to face opposition from the administration of President Donald Trump.Emboldened by the Supreme Courts decision on affirmative action at colleges and universities, conservative groups have filed lawsuits making similar arguments about corporations, targeting initiatives such as employee resource groups and hiring practices that prioritize historically marginalized groups.On Monday, Trump signed an executive order aimed at terminating DEI programs within federal agencies. Conservatives have long condemned them, arguing they violate the U.S. Constitution by considering factors such as race, gender, and sexual orientation.As for Costco, the National Center for Public Policy Research alleged that at least 200,000 of the companys 300,000 employees worldwide are potentially victims of this type of illegal discrimination because they are white, Asian, male or straight. If only a fraction of those employees were to sue Costco, the legal costs could be significant, the center said.Costco has a chief diversity officer, but the companys executive ranks do not reflect the diversity of its customers. Nearly 81% of the executives Costco had in place last year were white, and 72% of them were men, according to data published on its website. Saunders said members of Costcos management team typically stay a long time given the companys solid and stable financial performance.In other ways, Costco has been a bit of a maverick in the corporate world. It doesnt have an official corporate public relations team, and it hasnt focused on building up online business as much as rivals Walmart and Target.The National Center for Public Policy Research intends to present a proposal at Apples February 25 shareholder meeting that goes beyond what the think tank wants from Costco. The centers resolution asks the tech company to abolish its inclusion and equity department, policies and goals, describing them as consistent with, if not more radical than, most corporate DEI programs.Apples board wants shareholders to vote down the proposal, saying the company strives to create a culture of belonging where everyone can do their best work.Anne DInnocenzio, AP Retail Writer

Architecture studio Gensler has placed glass-clad volumes on an aluminium base for the mixed-use Sixth and Guadalupe skyscraper in Austin, making it the city's tallest skyscraper. Located in downtown Austin, Sixth and Guadalupe is 865 feet tall (264 metres) and has an ascending program of retail, office, and residential, with terraces and balconies dispersed at different points of the construction.Gensler has completed a mixed-use skyscraper in AustinThe skyscraper has two glass-clad volumes, stacked, that sit atop an above-ground parking block clad in an illuminated, semi-transparent aluminium skin. A large terrace sits on top of the podium and another was placed at the joint between the tower's office and residential floors.Private residential balconies line the majority of the upper levels, while planes of glass curtain wall cover the building's angeled sides and the office floors.It contains retail, office and residential floorsAccording to Gensler, its design was shaped largely by Austin's Capitol View Corridor, zoning restrictions that require a clear sightline to the Texas State Capitol in Austin.As the sightlines slice through the city, they intersect with Sixth and Guadalupe's plot, resulting in its angled, "trapezoidal shape" and low podium.Read: Gensler unveils latest renovations to Chicago's iconic Merchandise Mart"There are various view corridors from around the city that you need to be able to see the Capitol from, and that's going to be in perpetuity," Gensler project architect Andrew Kao told Dezeen."One of those cuts through this building. So that trapezoidal shape you see for the tower is because of that."The building's design was largely shaped by Austin zoning restrictions that maintain an unobstructed view of the state CapitolAdditionally, half of the building fell under the city's Downtown Density Bonus Program zone, an Austin initiative that allows builders to increase a project's height or density in exchange for a "high-quality building", improved streetscape and community benefits.For Sixth and Guadalupe, these include targeted LEED Gold certification, Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) 3-star rating, efficient utilities and a "pedestrian-oriented" site, marked with a greenspace tucked into a corner of its lot.Shared outdoor amenity spaces are distributed along the building's towerThe building and its interior program were also shaped by "quite of bit of slope" according to project architect Tim Buckman. The slope ultimately allowed the team to separate the office levels from the residential levels internally, placing one entrance at a lower grade and the other at a higher."The office lobby is on Sixth Street, and it's actually a much lower elevation than the residential lobby," Buckman told Dezeen. "The idea is that residents never really come in contact with the office tenants."It is the tallest completed tower in AustinAdditionally, the building was designed for the outdoor lifestyle of Austonians, with the majority of its 349 apartments outfitted with a balcony, and the larger, lower greenspace acting as a shared park.Sixth and Guadalupe joins a number of skyscrapers under construction and recently completed in Austin, one of which is KPF's Waterline Tower, which will be the tallest in Texas once completed.Its design is geared towards the outdoor lifestyle of Austonians"It's kind of pointing towards where the city will probably end up going, just mixing program types on a vertical layout versus horizontally, just because land is getting more and more expensive downtown especially," said Kao."It's just the beginning of what might come. I think we're only going to keep going vertical. This is the test case for what could work."Dezeen examined the skyscraper trend and why some developers were chosing to scale back heights from initial design announcements.Other projects under construction nearby include a tower by HKS and urban renovations around the Texas State Capitol led by Page Southerland PageThe images are by Onward Group.Project creditsClient: Lincoln Property Company & Kairoi ResidentialArchitect: GenslerStructural engineer: Brockette/Davis/Drake, Inc.MEP engineer: Wylie Consulting EngineersEnvironmental engineer: Center for Maximum Potential Building SystemsLighting: Cline, Bettridge, Bernstein Lighting Design, Inc.Parking/Garage: Curtainwall Design Consulting; HWA Parking Fire/Life Safety: Jensen HughesLandscape architects: Studio DWG; Nudge DesignVertical transportation: Persohn/Hahn Associates, Inc.Additional engineering Services: RWDI; Lerch Bates, Inc.The post Gensler completes Austin's tallest skyscraper appeared first on Dezeen.

Promotion: kitchen and bath brand Kohler has unveiled its Anthem+ Digital Showering System that promises to create an immersive experience for its users. Controlled using a custom digital control, the shower system by Kohler enables its users to alter water, light, sound and steam offering the "ultimate shower control at the touch of a button", according to the brand.Kohler has unveiled its Anthem+ Digital Showering SystemThe system's intuitive digital control interface features a minimalist touch-sensitive surface equipped with a dial and buttons to eliminate the need for handles.The design is available in eight finishes: Polished Chrome, Vibrant Polished Nickel, Vibrant Brushed Nickel, Vibrant Titanium, Vibrant French Gold, Vibrant Brushed Moderne Brass, Vibrant Brushed Bronze, and Matte Black.The system is controlled by a digital control interfaceCapable of controlling up to 12 water outlets, the remote allows for control over shower sprays, rainheads, shower heads, hands showers and body sprays, as well as the ability to programme up to nine pre-sets."Anthem+ is one integrated showering system controlled by one digital control interface, providing ultimate shower control at the touch of a button," said the brand.Kohler has also designed its own speakers, created to work as part of its shower system and operated through its digital controller.Kohler has its own speakers for its shower systemSettings on the device also enable users to choose individual sprays including the control of up to two temperatures and the levels of warmth.Additionally, an optimised warm-up mode works to reduce water wastage purging cold water from pipes and holding the hot water for up to two minutes until users step into the shower.The system is controllable via its Kohler Konnect app, which allows for remote control of the system and the creation of default settings, pre-sets and experiences from a mobile device.A steam generator creates a spa-like showering experienceOther notable features of the app include the use of voice control via Amazon Alexa or Google Home, as well as the ability to monitor the shower duration and water usage to maximise water conservation.The system can also be paired with Kohler's steam generator and amplifier to create a spa-like showering experience that promotes wellness, along with its SoundTile speakers.Using water and steam, Kohler said the shower offers "11 experiences" which aim to "encourage preparation for the day or promote recovery and relaxation".Kohler says its shower system meets "aesthetic and functional goals""Whether you're designing for high-end residential properties, hotels, or resorts, elevate the value, appeal, and end-user experience through wellness-focused design," Kohler said."With customisable features and seamless integration, Anthem+ with steam allows you to create bespoke shower spaces that meet both aesthetic and functional goals," it added.For more information, visit the brand's global website here.The photography is courtesy of Kohler.Partnership contentThis article was written by Dezeen for Kohler as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.The post Kohler uses water, light, sound and steam for "multi-sensory" shower appeared first on Dezeen.

Within the Jewish faith, there is a practice called netilas yedayim shachris, which means "morning handwashing." The idea is that as one sleeps, spiritual impurities settle upon the body; thus the practice is to wash one's hands immediately after waking up, using a special cup to pour water over one's hands. The water is caught by a bowl. Because bathrooms are considered impure, this is typically done next to the bed.As you can imagine, this presents a UX challenge. The practitioner now needs to carry a bowl filled with waterwater now considered impureto a sink in order to dump it out. Right after waking up, when they're likely groggy. Spilling the water is a common problem, particularly with children.Thus Kosher Innovations, a Canada-based company that applies product design to Jewish needs, has invented this Smart Shissel ("shissel" means "bowl"). Once you pour water into it, it drains into a compartment within the bowl and cannot be spilled, even if you turn the bowl upside down:To drain it, there's a child-safe plug in the side that you open. There is one remaining hassle, in that the bowl has to be cleaned, and you cannot directly access the drain compartment. The company recommends the following: "Fill 1/10 of the [included] Smart Shissel cup with bleach and 9/10 water. Pour in during the day and let sit until night, emptying when getting ready for bed, before setting water for the morning." No one said religious adherence would be easy.

The Core77 Design Awards Medical & Healthcare category features equipment, devices, consumables, and technologies used for diagnosing, monitoring, treating, or preventing health issues. Products that are essential for maintaining well-being, managing chronic conditions, providing care, and ensuring public health. Elements can be utilized in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and homes.From Ben Beck's perspective forged over four decades as a designer, the rapid pace of acceleration in the world poses "multi-dimensional challenges." To meet these challenges, says Ben, "We might need to stay tuned to our ancestral heritage as we critically view the future."He's viewing that future through his lens as CDO of ELEVEN, a human-centered design studio that integrates research, strategy, design, and engineering under one roof. Since its founding in 1996, ELEVEN has generated $1.3 billion in sales of its licensed products. Ben's creative reach has touched a broad range of clients including Burton Snowboards, OXO, Herman Miller, Bauer Hockey, P&G, Whirlpool, Keurig, Staples, Sharp, Polycom, Samsung, Titleist, MGB, and Zoll Medical.Ben is also a co-founder of Healthcare Innovation Partners (HIP), a group of designers, engineers, doctors, and entrepreneurs dedicated to finding, developing, and delivering better healthcare products, medical innovations, and devices to the healthcare market. Ben is credited with over 70 patents, numerous awards including IDSA/IDEA, iF, Red Dot, Core77, and Good Design, and publications in Time, Newsweek, Boston Globe, Wall Street Journal, and Innovation. Ben is also a frequent guest speaker, juror, and critic at RISD, BC, MIT, WIT, MassArt, CES, and IDSA.While the challenges ahead may be complex, Ben remains optimistic, thanks in large part to his talented colleagues. "Our small yet diverse team of creatives at ELEVEN inspire me every day and give hope that the world can be a better place to live in the future."For this year's awards, Ben invites submissions that demonstrate thoughtful, holistic problem-solving and ingenuitydesigns that not only innovate but resonate with human needs and aspirations. As he aptly advises, "Projects that reflect profound insights into complete, thoughtful solutions are the ones that truly stand out." The 2024 winner, Aescape Robotic Massage System, designed by Whipsaw. Aescape was founded by Eric Litman, a highly accomplished serial entrepreneur and engineer. He smartly leveraged good design from the get-go, stating "We must make sure the machine is centered around the user experience. It must work better than a human and be gorgeous too."The 2025 Core77 Design Awards would like to see your medical and healthcare innovations no prescription required. Submit your work for consideration today. Enter your work in the Core77 Design Awards today.

We havent heard about them lately except when bad things happen, but autonomous vehicles are still pretty much the desired future of transportation. Safety concerns aside, who wouldnt want to just sit back and relax during an hour-long drive to and from work? Who wouldnt simply want to enjoy the journey from one state to another without worrying about the traffic or, better yet, your coffee breaks?This concept for a self-driving vehicle or SDV doesnt touch on the actual driving itself but on what you can do inside. Why not enjoy a sip of your favorite caffeinated brew while binging on a new TV series? This concept definitely tries to do that by putting a robot on your dashboard, complete with a flexible arm that serves you that coffee and a face on the steering wheel that makes it feel like youre actually communicating with someone, for better or worse.Designer: Yu Joung KimEven with all the hype around personalized and human-sounding AI in tech today, the AI inside self-driving cars remains oddly distant and impersonal. Of course, car makers are rightfully more focused on making sure autonomous vehicles are safe for both passengers and pedestrians, but those two goals arent mutually exclusive. The lack of a human element in many of the concepts they present paints a very cold and impersonal picture that loses its appeal after the novelty of the technology has worn off.fika, which supposedly means coffee break or tea time in Swedish, puts a face on those robotic cars, quite literally even. Admittedly, it might be a bit uncomfortable having a virtual face looking back at you from the steering wheel, but it gives the car some personality, turning it into something more like a friend than an appliance. That, however, isnt the most unique thing about it, which is the fact that it can serve you coffee.Yes, theres a coffee machine built inside the dashboard of this car, and it wont even make you reach for that cup and accidentally spill the hot liquid on yourself. It has a flat flexible arm that reaches up to grab the cup and then carefully hands it to you. Compared to this feat, even the color-changing surface of the dashboard sounds almost uninteresting.Yes, the concept is equal parts fascinating and disconcerting, but it does touch on one missing aspect in many of those future visions of self-driving cars. They always presume that people inside said vehicles will be traveling with other people, focusing on the social benefits of not having to mind the wheel or the road, while solo travelers are left to fend for themselves and seek their own entertainment. The fika concept not only tries to add a bit of character to an otherwise smart but flat car but can also potentially minimize the coffee stops you have to make and save both time and money along the way.The post Self-driving car concept puts a robot barista on your dashboard first appeared on Yanko Design.