Indian studio SJK Architects has completed The Light House, a home in Nagpur lined with openable wooden shutters that evoke traditional perforated screens or jaalis.Located in a dense urban area in the city, the five-storey home is designed to provide more space for a multi-generational family on a plot adjacent to their previous home, which was demolished to make way for a garden.Responding to Maharashtra state's warm climate and the family's memories of traditional Indian architecture, Mumbai-based SJK Architects stacked the home around a central atrium and added projecting balconies to its perimeter that are sheltered by openable wooden shutters.SJK Architects has completed The Light House in Nagpur"Hailing from north India, the family held deep nostalgia for haveli, large residences with communal courtyards called chowks, projecting balconies called jharokhas and intricate brick or stone lattice screens called jaalis, vernacular to many western and northern regions of India," said SJK Architects partner Vaishali Mangalvedhekar."These climate-responsive dwellings, along with the timber-based 'wada' residential architecture more predominant in Maharashtra served as an inspiration for the design of the new house," she told Dezeen.On The Light House's ground floor, a shared living and dining space sits at the base of the full-height atrium, overlooked from balconies on the upper floors.The five-storey home is designed around a central atrium with projecting balconiesThis communal living space's position not only marks it as the heart of the home but also helps pull daylight deep into the plan and creates visual connections between the more private areas for each part of the family above.The grandmother of the family has a bedroom at the back of the ground floor to enjoy its easy access to the garden spaces via sliding glass doors, while her two sons and grandson each have a dedicated floor above with ensuite bedrooms.Each bedroom extends onto a balcony partially sheltered by wooden screensPositioned on the edges of the plan, each of the bedrooms extends onto a projecting balcony.These balconies are divided to offer both fully outdoor space and areas partially sheltered by wooden screens, which help ventilate and shade the rooms as well as enliven the home's exterior.Read: Edition Office cloaks multi-generational Melbourne home with pale bricks"The lattices are an essential climate control device that diffuses the region's harsh sunlight and facilitates airflow, effectively cooling and ventilating the interiors," explained Mangalvedhekar."[They are] a single tool that satisfies climatic needs, creates an emotional connection with the family's roots and addresses privacy concerns while contributing to the overall aesthetic of the house," she added.Dark Accoya pine wood is used for the screens and interiorsThe dark Accoya pine wood used for these screens has been carried through the interiors in panelling for the living areas, furniture and balustrades.On the uppermost floor, a slightly smaller glass volume contains a spa, gym and jacuzzi finished in dark stone, wrapped by an area of planting and wooden decking overlooking the surrounding city.The shared ground-floor living space is overlooked from aboveElsewhere in India, architecture studio Cadence Architects recently completed a home in Tamil Nadu with semi-open terraces that were created by "carving out" sections of the facade.Other new Indian homes featured on Dezeen include the gridded House XO in Kerala by 3dor Concepts and the affordable Tiny House prototype by Harshit Singh Kothari and Tanvi Jain on the outskirts of Indore.The photography is by Niveditaa Gupta.The post SJK Architects wraps multi-generational Indian home with wooden shutters appeared first on Dezeen.

The Brutalist leads the Oscar nominations but as a film about architecture it's a little underwhelming, writes Will Wiles.You wait ages for an architectural epic and then two come along (almost) at once. Last year Francis Ford Coppola's misfiring fable Megalopolis was released, with a story about a visionary architect struggling to realise a utopian project in the face of political intrigue and opposition. Now, from director Brady Corbet, comes The Brutalist, in which a visionary architect rises out of the horrors of the second world war and the grime of post-war poverty to realise a utopian project in the face of personal disasters and opposition.The Brutalist and Megalopolis are very different films, but they are also very similar, not least in their relationship to a third film, in some ways the defining architectural drama: King Vidor's The Fountainhead (1949), adapted from Ayn Rand's 1943 novel of the same name, in which a visionary architect struggles to realise a utopian project in the face of scheming, petty rivals. The template, by now, is pretty clear: a singular genius, an architectural dream, and an unready world filled with meaner minds.The Brutalist has been eagerly anticipated in architectural circlesWriting for Dezeen about Megalopolis last year I remarked that its celebration of the blank-slate architectural prophet was oddly old-fashioned, a mid-20th-century sort of story rather out of step with the present. And The Brutalist roots its own version of the myth in that time and milieu.But perhaps it's not so old-fashioned after all. If we've been given not one but two retellings of the same parable, then it might have more relevance than expected. It's worth considering what that might say about architecture in the present moment.In The Brutalist which was written by Corbet and Mona Fastvold Adrien Brody plays Lszl Tth, a Bauhaus-trained architect who survives the Nazis and arrives in the USA immediately after the second world war. Eventually, after various trials, he comes to the attention of wealthy industrialist Harrison Van Buren (Guy Pearce). Van Buren makes himself Tth's patron, and commissions him to design a community centre on a prominent hilltop, dedicated to the memory of Van Buren's mother.Read: "There is no more controversial style of architecture" says The Brutalist director Brady CorbetThis ambitious project consumes both men. Tth, ravaged by trauma, is stubborn and self-destructive, self-medicating with heroin and occasional debauches. The handsome and mannered Van Buren, meanwhile, is vain, capricious and philistine. His appreciation for Tth's work comes not from the designs themselves but from the fashionable praise they attract.Although eager for Tth to realise a great work, "something boundless, something new", he lacks any real sympathy for the artist. Tth, dragged into the project by the force of Van Buren's personality, is fatally unsuited to the role of servant. The relationship is doomed.The Brutalist has been eagerly anticipated in architectural circles. I anticipated it eagerly myself. These are anti-intellectual times. Art and architecture are battered by cultural headwinds and punishing economic conditions. Here, it appeared, was a grand statement against all that, which in addition was sticking up for a scorned architectural style presently experiencing a wave of political antipathy.When a film like this addresses architecture, it is clearly talking about more than just bricks and mortarThe themes encompassed by The Brutalist couldn't be weightier: the Holocaust, Jewish identity, the American Dream, the immigrant experience, the nature of art and beauty. Uncompromising seriousness seemed written into its very fabric, not least its substantial three-hour, thirty-five minute run-time (with intermission), and its tremendous score by Daniel Blomberg.So when a film like this addresses architecture, it is clearly talking about more than just bricks and mortar or poured concrete and cut stone.Tth is making things that have outlasted the extremists who tried to murder him, and will outlast the vicious snobs who exploit and violate him, and all the other dolts and yahoos. It is the revenge of the intelligent on the unintelligent.Read: "Megalopolis is a reminder that the heroic conception of the architect is an intoxicating one"This is distilled in the moment when Tth confronts and insults the plodding commercial architect who Van Buren brings in to keep an eye on costs. In the cinema, this scene got a hearty laugh that was almost a cheer. It was the psychological moment the audience wanted, when the artist puts the value-engineer in his place. It is the kernel of the appeal of this whole fable.To ensure that we ordinary folk can relate, the artist in The Brutalist, is not a rarefied aesthete. Like Howard Roark in The Fountainhead, Tth is the genius as working man. Just as Patricia Neal finds Gary Cooper's Roark labouring in a quarry, Van Buren finds Tth shovelling coal. He's no egghead. His art comes out of pain and when he is thwarted he rages and smashes things up. Brody sells this with a magnetic performance, splendidly complimented by Felicity Jones as Erzsbet, his wife."My buildings were devised to endure [the] erosion of the shoreline," Tth says. He talks about them having an immovable "hard core of beauty", a phrase which gives the second half of the film its title. One can see the appeal of all this mass, solidity and permanence to film directors, whose medium is light dancing on reflective fabric.Tth's creation is a monumental, windowless hulkArchitecture in The Brutalist couldn't be weightier, earthier and stonier. Railcars groan under the burden of it. But is it anything more than a giant work of sculpture? Does it have life beyond endurance?Here is where things start to get a bit disappointing. Tth's creation is a monumental, windowless hulk. Is it beautiful? It doesn't matter, because it's a symbol. It just represents itself: a bold, uncompromising, obdurate creation, around which lesser men will cluck and cavil. It is the big, dumb object we are here to root for, just as for all his human failings there's never much doubt that in the film's moral cosmos the "ugly" Tth is meant to have our full sympathy and his creation our full support.We want to see the artist triumph, just as we want to see Captain America triumph. But the problem with this art-for-art's sake approach is that it surrenders any actual sense of what Tth is doing with his building and why.Read: Sacred Modernity showcases "unique beauty and architectural innovation" of brutalist churchesTth promises that within the unadorned shell, extraordinary interior effects of space and light will play out, but they are only ever glimpsed. One of the compromises he is obliged to make early on is to include a Christian place of worship, which makes him uncomfortable. This chapel appears to consume the entire project, which ends up surmounted by a tower bisected by a cross, and the light effects he creates are cruciform.What happens to the other functions? Presumably they are still there, but we don't see much of them. The film wants to portray Tth's architecture as spiritual, but it can't manage to do that without making it literally religious.We are encouraged to feel that the building that Tth designs is more than a building, but it ends up being rather less. It is just a gesture, a symbol.I am not convinced it makes a meaningful case for architectureThe outward message here is that architecture really matters: it's important, it's lasting, it should be made with an eye on the transcendent, not the bottom line. So it's strange that the actual building that Tth makes seems to matter so little.The aesthetic stakes the difference between success and failure are never really examined. A clunky coda tries to cover some of this with a curatorial lecture, which only really draws attention to the lack of explanation in the film. The Brutalist is a compelling human drama; as architectural drama it does not wholly convince.It's only natural that the architecture world should be enthusiastic about The Brutalist, when the profession is presently experiencing a good deal of indifference and scorn. And whatever their flaws, it's genuinely terrific to see two big, fascinating films about visionary architecture in less than a year. But while it might raise morale among the brutalists in the cinema, I am not convinced it makes a meaningful case for architecture. It's a depiction of creativity from the outside, not from the inside.Will Wiles is a design writer and the author of four novels, most recently The Last Blade Priest.The photography is courtesy of Universal Pictures.Dezeen In DepthIf you enjoy reading Dezeen's interviews, opinions and features,subscribe to Dezeen In Depth. Sent on the last Friday of each month, this newsletter provides a single place to read about the design and architecture stories behind the headlines.The post "As architectural drama The Brutalist does not wholly convince" appeared first on Dezeen.

Would you sit on a chair that only has one leg? Probably not willingly, and only if youve been tricked really hard. Chairs are meant to be stable after all, and many definitely look that part. Once in a while, however, we do come across a design that boggles the mind, causing a conflict between what youre seeing and what you know to be true.This classical wooden chair is one such design, though to be fair, its single leg isnt exactly just a wooden stick. Inspired by Brazilian folklore and using indigenous materials, this modular furniture adds a rather playful twist to your living space, while also inspiring the sharing of stories with the unique marks on the wood that come from its past lifetimes.Designer: Dimitrih CorreaAlmost every culture has myths about a trickster god or creature. The Greeks have Hermes, the Norse have Loki, and Brazilians have Saci, a one-legged black man who loves to play dangerous pranks but also rewards those who are able to trick and trap him in turn. Not exactly the most reassuring inspiration, but fortunately, its association with the Per Chair is pretty superficial.Like that mythical character, the wooden chair has only one leg on the front that spans the whole width. There are, of course, chairs with similar designs that similarly cause some hesitation from people. Practically speaking, however, its a rather safe design because it uses a cantilever system thats employed in even more critical structures like balconies, bridges, and towers. Its backrest is removable, transforming it into a stool, though with that same uncertainty and taunting appearance.You cant be blamed if you feel like youre being wooed to sit on it, especially with its warm reddish brown hues and a rattan woven seat and backrest. That wood is made of Peroba de Campos, a hardwood thats particularly popular in Brazil for its sturdiness and durability. Its widely used in fine furniture and decorative paneling because of its innate beauty and longevity.The Per Chair, however, has another story to tell, quite literally. No trees were cut down in making this quirky chair, and it uses recycled hardwood instead. It doesnt mask its old soul, though, and displays scratches and holes for everyone to see, making you wonder where the wood has been and what stories it had to tell as well.The post One-legged wooden chair steeped in Brazilian culture challenges your courage first appeared on Yanko Design.

You might want to check those answers, Peter.

Go-with-the-Flow allows easy cut-and-drag animation.

As President Trump moves to change federal policy so the US government only recognizes two genders and social media platforms become less safe for LGBTQ+ people, dating apps could become a refuge.

The best hearing aids weve tested to date require a visit to the ear doctorand a sizable investment.

We are starting to see how Silicon Valley wants to do business during the Trump administration.

MacworldAt a glanceExpert's RatingProsTwo integrated charging cablesEqual performance on all USB-C portsRubberized baseSmart displayConsOur Verdict This compact power bank might be Ankers best-ever power bank. And since the price is right, we give it an unreserved recommendation.Price When ReviewedThis value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefinedBest Pricing TodayPrice When Reviewed99,99Best Prices Today: Anker Powerbank (25K, 165W, Integriertes + einziehbares Kabel)RetailerPriceAnker99,99 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketWe have become accustomed to the brick format of power banks. Anker has rounded the edges with its new power bank, which not only looks more appealing but also feels better in the hand.The official name of the high-capacity battery pack is the rather plain Anker Power Bank (25K, 165W, Built-In and Retractable Cables). Although it is not part of Ankers high-end Prime line, the technical data is impressive: the 25000mAh battery capacity is very high but still approved for use in aircraft; 165W maximum output power; and four connections. The four connections are divided into three USB-C and one USB-A. Of these, one connection is on a retractable cable, one on a fixed cable that becomes a carrying strap, and two classic ports.Simon Jary / FoundryThe retractable cable pulls from the top of the power bank body and measures a respectable 2.3 feet (0.7m).Thomas Bergbold The maximum power of each USB-C connection is 100W. This refers to both the power output and the input power with which the power bank can be charged. The best thing about it: you dont have to pay attention to the connection, the power applies equally to all ports. The maximum output at USB-A is 33W.If you want to charge more than one device, the devices must share the maximum output of 165W between them. However, 165W can only be supplied by two devices; with three and four devices, the maximum output is limited to 133W. In practice, however, this is more than enough for most mobile Apple devices, drones and cameras.As you would expect, the charging power is high. The power bank charges an iPhone 15 by 53% in 30 minutes, an 11-inch iPad Pro by 36% and a MacBook Air M3 by 51%. We got it to power an M2 Pro MacBook Pro to a near full (92%) recharge.Thomas Bergbold The informative displaywhich shows the capacity, the current power in watts and the health status, among other thingsis very well done. When charging an iPhone, it displayed a maximum of 21W, 25W for the iPad Pro and 69W for the Macbook Air M3. You can also see the current power consumption at all times when charging.For example, with an Anker Prime 200W desktop charger, the maximum is 90W. We were unable to measure the promised 100W. Nevertheless, the power bank recharges quickly. The extrapolation on the display showed 1:27 hours, in the end it was just under 1:35 hours. An excellent score for a power bank.The power bank measures 6.2 2.1 1.9 inches (15.7 5.4 4.9cm) and weighs 21oz (595g).Thomas Bergbold PriceThe Anker Power Bank (25K, 165W, Built-In and Retractable Cables) is priced at $99.99 / 89.99. For a high-capacity battery pack boasting two built-in USB-C cables as well as two ports, this is an affordable price.It is available in either Silver or Space Black colors. Space Black is shown in our own pictures here. Thomas Bergbold Should you buy the Anker Power Bank (25K, 165W, Built-In and Retractable Cables)?There are no real negative points about this power bank. It offers great performance at a good price. In particular, the charging time and the form factor are pleasing in detail. But thats no longer enough to score points with customers. It is therefore the little things that make the new power bank our top recommendation among Anker power banks.For some it will be the informative display, others will be pleased that there is finally a rubberized base. But what nobody will want to be without after a short time are the two permanently attached charging cables. All in all, this is Ankers best power bank, with one of the best price-performance ratios on the market.

MacworldAt a glanceExpert's RatingProsFast charging timesLarge displayFolding kickstandConsNo wattage displayOur Verdict If you are looking for an inexpensive, powerful Qi2 power bank, the ESR power bank matches price and performance just right.Price When ReviewedThis value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefinedBest Pricing TodayPrice When Reviewed51,99 EuroBest Prices Today: ESR Qi2 Kickstand Power Bank 10KRetailerPriceESR62,99 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketThe ESR Qi2 MagSlim Kickstand Power Bank uses fast 15W magnetic wireless chargingthe same speed you find with Apples MagSafe. It also has a USB-C port that can simultaneously charge another device with a maximum of 27W and is used to charge the power bank itself. The charging performance meets expectations for a modern wireless power bank. An iPhone 15 is charged to 50 percent within 30 minutes using USB-C and 32 percent via the Qi2 charging pad. The 11-inch iPad Pro and MacBook Air M3 both charged to 36 percent using a USB-C cable, in line with expectations.The fold-out stand offers an adjustable angle of 45 to 70 degrees. A stand is always handy if you want to charge your iPhone at the same time as using it to watch or participate in a video.Thomas Bergbold The integrated LED display shows the charging process and battery status. Some power banks show you the wattage that the power is being output at, but this bit of information is lacking with the ESR. A built-in NTC sensor, which monitors the temperature in conjunction with an AI algorithm and a graph layer, protects the technology.This is designed to prevent overcharging and overheating. A case is not included, but a 24-month guarantee is. If black is too plain for you, you can choose from other colors including white, sky blue, titanium, and lavender via Amazon or direct from ESR.Thomas Bergbold PriceThe ESR Qi2 MagSlim Kickstand Power Bank is priced at $59.99 / 64.99, which we think is reasonable for this high-capacity battery pack. Check out all our reviews of the best magnetic and MagSafe power banks.A 60cm USB-C charging cable is included in the box.Thomas Bergbold If you dont need the high 10K capacity, the 5K Qi2 Kickstand Power Bank is a cheaper alternative. There is also available another model without the kickstand, which is therefore thinner and cheaper. If you need it for just one device and short hops, the 5K makes more sense, but it is always reassuring to know even more power is available to you with the 10K version.Thomas Bergbold Should you buy the ESR Qi2 MagSlim Kickstand Power Bank?You quickly learn to appreciate it when a wireless power bank not only charges the connected devices quickly but also has additional features such as a stand or display.An integrated stand is no longer a rarity these days, and ESR realizes this in a simple but functional way. However, the highlight is the large display, which provides clear information about the remaining capacity. The strong magnetic holding force and the attractive price are also convincinga harmonious combination.