Apples first product of the year, the iPhone 16e, debuted this week. But there are five more launches expected in the next few weeks and months. Heres a look at whats coming.M4 MacBook AirApples most popular Mac has had a long wait for an M4 upgrade, but that wait should be over soon. A new M4 MacBook Air is expected to launch in the next few weeks in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes. Some of the feature highlights include:16GB base RAM, configurable up to 32GBsupport for two external displays with the lid open12MP Center Stage cameraimproved battery life thanks to M4s efficiency gainsnano-texture display optionNo design changes are expected for the M4 model, but it should prove a compelling upgrade nonethelessespecially for M1 users.The current iPad Air has only been with us since last May, but Apple already has an update coming soon. Per the companys quarterly earnings, it seems the last iPad Air has proven especially popularperhaps due to offering both 11-inch and 13-inch sizes.The next iPad Air will feature Apples M3 chip, a nice bump from the current M2. Its also expected to be compatible with a redesigned Magic Keyboard accessory, and will likely feature some other smaller enhancements too.The base iPad is long overdue for an upgrade. It was the only iPad not to be updated in 2024, and it wasnt even changed in 2023 either. The 10th generation model launched in October 2022, so its definitely time.Apple is expected to give its new 11th generation iPad an A17 Pro chip, like the latest iPad mini has, which will enable full Apple Intelligence support. It should support the new Magic Keyboard being built for iPad Air as well. Finally, per one report the iPad may gain the new C1 modem for 5G connectivity.HomePadThe new product Im most excited about is a brand new Home device that Ive been calling HomePad. According to Mark Gurmans reporting, the 7-inch square-like smart display will be a mix between an iPad and HomePod. It will serve as a smart home command center, but also offer tons of other functionality such as:Siri powered by Apple Intelligencethe brand new homeOS softwareFaceTime supportSafari, Music, Notes, and other Apple appswidgets like the iPhones StandBy modeand much morePending the final details, Im already planning to buy several HomePads to place around my home. Currently were expecting a release in April or May.AirTag 2Finally, AirTag 2 rounds out Apples new products expected in the months ahead.The original AirTag has been around nearly four years, debuting in April 2021. Its successor is highly anticipated and expected to include three primary upgrades:better rangemore modern wireless chipimproved privacy featuresOn this last point, Apples expected to make the speaker harder to remove, and hopefully implement other changes to combat misuse.Which new Apple products are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Apple is removing the option to enable Advanced Data Protection for iCloud users in the United Kingdom. This feature let users fully protect their data stored in iCloud with end-to-end encryption. However, a recent UK government order forces companies like Apple to put backdoors in its encryption systems.Rather than comply and compromise Advanced Data Protection, Apple is left with no choice but to remove the feature altogether. In a statement to 9to5Mac, Apple said that current users of ADP in the UK will eventually need to disable the security feature in order to keep using their iCloud account. Full statement after the break For UK users who have not previously enabled Advanced Data Protection, they will no longer have the option to do so. In the software set-up screens for Advanced Data Protection, an error message will be presented that says Apple can no longer offer Advanced Data Protection (ADP) in the United Kingdom to new users..You can see that new UI in action in this screenshot:For UK users with Advanced Data Protection currently active, Apple warns they will soon have to disable this feature to keep being able to use their iCloud account. Because of the end-to-end nature of the system, Apple cannot automatically do this. Apple will be releasing additional documentation soon to lay out the migration path for these customers. The company says it is gravely disappointed that it is having to take these steps. Heres the full statement from Apple:Apple can no longer offer Advanced Data Protection (ADP) in the United Kingdom to new users and current UK users will eventually need to disable this security feature. ADP protects iCloud data with end-to-end encryption, which means the data can only be decrypted by the user who owns it, and only on their trusted devices. We are gravely disappointed that the protections provided by ADP will not be available to our customers in the UK given the continuing rise of data breaches and other threats to customer privacy. Enhancing the security of cloud storage with end-to-end encryption is more urgent than ever before. Apple remains committed to offering our users the highest level of security for their personal data and are hopeful that we will be able to do so in the future in the United Kingdom. As we have said many times before, we have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services and we never will.With end-to-encryption unavailable, it allows UK government agencies to subpoena Apple to access data from any iCloud account they please, without restriction. Under the regulations of the new law, Apple is not even allowed to tell its users when this happens. The law even seems to restrain Apple from publicly commenting on such implications; notice how the companys statement above does not explicitly say why Apple is having to make these changes.One outstanding question is how other subsystems of iCloud will be impacted. Even with Advanced Data Protection off, some iCloud features are always end-to-end encrypted. This includes features like the password keychain, data stored in Apple Health, Wi-Fi passwords, Safari history, and more. For now, these features remain available with their data stored in the same end-to-end encrypted manner, as always. Apple has not yet explicitly said what will happen with this going forward. From the outside, it would seem that those features currently stand in opposition to the UK governments legal position. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

As Elon Musk wielded a chainsaw during a baffling appearance at a political event, the mother of several of his children is begging for help, saying he's not responding to an urgent issue around one of their kids' health.In a since-deleted post on X-formerly-Twitter, the 36-year-old songstress and producer Claire "Grimes" Boucher implored Elon Musk to "plz respond about our child's medical crisis." Although we don't know much about the situation, including which of their three children she's referencing or what the kid is going through, whatever is going on clearly has the "Oblivion" singer spooked."I am sorry to do this publicly but it is no longer acceptable to ignore this situation," she continued. "This requires immediate attention."Seemingly at wit's end, Grimes insisted that if Musk didn't want to speak to her directly he could "designate or hire someone who can do that we can move forward on solving" the "urgent" issue.The entreaties which came less than a week after conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair claimed that she'd secretly given birth to Musk's 13th child didn't end there.In another deleted post, Boucher refused to provide further details about the child or what medical issue they're having but seemingly had no such reticence about putting Musk's behavior on blast."I'm not giving any details but he wont respond to texts call or emails and has skipped every meeting and our child will suffer life long impairment if he doesnt respond asap," she wrote, "so I need him to fucking respond and if I have to apply public pressure then I guess thats where we are at."Though this isn't the first time Grimes has turned to social mediato get her ex's attention about their kids, this situation is, if she's to be believed, far more serious due to the mysterious "medical crisis" she mentioned.Whatever is going on, it is starting to seem that Musk's gross father was right on one count: he's not a good dad, and the way he handles his progeny is clearly harmful.Share This Article

Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency is gutting the the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has a long history of investigating the unelected White House advisor's EV maker Tesla.As the Washington Post reports, between 70 and 80 people or roughly ten percentof the small agency's headcount will be cut. As its name suggests, it's tasked with ensuring drivers and passengers are safe on American roads. The even smaller team that oversees autonomous vehicle regulations will be roughly cut in half.The NHTSA had previously investigated Tesla over its infamous driver-assistance software. While Tesla has reported more than 1,500 crash reports to safety regulators as of last year, the Trump transition team announced in December that it would drop the reporting requirement early indicators that the president and Musk would be coming after the agency.DOGE's gutting of the NHTSA is yet another example of Musk cutting down the regulators who have gone after one of his companies, highlighting his considerable sway in the White House and his unabashed willingness to use that influence to benefit his business interests.For years now, Tesla had its customers test its flawed driver-assistance feature misleadingly called "Full Self-Driving" on public roads. It remains to be seen how a gutted NHTSA will affect Tesla's future rollouts of software updates. For one, Musk has promised to deliver an "unsupervised" version of FSD before the end of the year, which could result in even more close calls and collisions.Even before DOGE stormed through the federal government, the NHTSA has been criticized for its lax rules surrounding software like FSD.The NHTSA also oversees vehicle recalls, many of which affected Tesla vehicles. The Cybertruck alonewasrecalled seven times in 2024.In short, it was only a matter of time until Musk and DOGE went after the regulator."NHTSA has been a thorn in Musks side for over the last decade and hes grappled with almost every three-letter agency in the Beltway," Wall Street automotive analyst Daniel Ives told the Associated Press last week. "Thats all created what looks to be a really big soap opera in 2025."It's not just Tesla that Musk is trying to clear the path for. Earlier this week, news emerged that DOGE would also be gutting the FAA to the benefit of his space company SpaceX. His team of underqualified younglings also slashed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which had the task of regulating his socialnetwork X-formerly-Twitter as it moves into the world of financial services.Even his brain-computer interface company Neuralink will have fewer pesky rules to contend with now that DOGE has gone after Food and Drug Administration workers who were reviewing the company.In short, to call it a conflict of interest would be an understatement. His own businesses are already directly benefiting from his "hostile takeover" of the US government, meaningthat the richest man in the world isn't just above the law; he's the one determining the rules.Share This Article

All jobs PHP Engineer Posted 1 hours ago MailerLite is one of the fastest-growing email marketing services. We help more than 1 million businesses around the world to keep in touch with their customers. Today, we are a team of more than 170 dreamers, adventurers, and world travelers passionate about what we do and believe in. Apply now MailerLite is one of the fastest-growing email marketing services. We help more than 1 million businesses around the world stay in touch with their customers. Today, we are a team of more than 160 dreamers, adventurers, and world travelers passionate about what we do and what we believe in. And we are ready for another talented person to join the party.Were looking for a PHP engineer who will help us implement new features and maintain our flagship product, MailerLite. Join us now! Why MailerLite?Wondering why we think youll love working for MailerLite? Here are our favorite 6 reasons!You'll be challenged with interesting tasksOur customers are sending millions of emails per day. Scaling the platform is a challenge that will definitely keep you energized.You'll grow, develop and evolveAs part of a team that's always looking for new, innovative ways to offer value for our customers, you'll constantly be experimenting, learning, and trying out new things.You'll take ownershipWe expect you to take full responsibility and ownership of your tasks. Team leads avoid micromanaging and minimize interruptions so you can stay focused on your assignments.You'll have experts at handWhenever youre stuck, your teammates with a wide range of different expertise are ready to help you grow. And theyd love for you to share your knowledge too!You'll pick where you work, every dayWe embrace the remote culture. Every day you get to choose what environment that makes you most productive.You'll have stabilityWe value a stable workplace! MailerLite has been thriving for over 10 years and our year-over-year growth continues to increase.What you will work onImplement new features with a focus on delivering impact and value to our usersMaintain our existing codebase that serves hundreds of thousands of users dailyWhat we expect from you4+ years of experience with PHP, JavaScript and HTMLExperience with at least one of these frameworks: ReactJS or VueJSWorking knowledge of LaravelProficient understanding of code versioning tools, such as GitAbility to write and optimize complex queries in MySQLKnowledge of Redis and queuesAbility to write clean code with test coverageAbility to build scalable applicationsLove for complex, advanced codebasesSelf-starter with an investigative mindset for thinking out of the boxProficient verbal and written communication skills in EnglishA sense of personal responsibilityBased in the EMEA region Nice to HaveFamiliarity with other languages (NodeJS, Golang, Ruby)Familiarity with ElasticSearchWhat we offerYearly gross salary range: $50,000-$80,000Remote-first culture with the team working remotely from all over the worldInternational health insurance provided with coverage in most countries. Monthly health care payout available in select countries where coverage is limitedCompany-paid retreats. Once per year we gather for a week in an exotic location to work, learn and have fun together31 days of vacation per year. We encourage you to unplug and recharge!12 paid sick days for your physical and mental well-being, no doctor's note required. Parents can use them to care for their sick children4 creative days. One paid day off per quarter to do something creative and fun12 parental days per year. Enjoy one paid day off each month to treasure time with your childrenParental leave. Enjoy paid bonding time at 100% of your salary when welcoming a new child into your family through birth or adoption - 3 months of maternity leave and 1 month of paternity leaveParenting budget of $1000. Celebrate the arrival of your little one, whether through childbirth or adoption, with a special gift from usJoy Budget. Annual budget to spend on whatever that brings you joyMacBook and other tools that'll help you to do your job efficientlyTeam AchievementsWe're incredibly proud of our team and love celebrating their accomplishments. At MailerLite, we believe in recognizing hard work, creativity, and collaboration.Here, we share some of the standout achievements that highlight the passion and talent within our team.Innovative developmentSuccessfully launched a new, feature-rich, drag-and-drop builder for creating professional landing pages.Rooted in researchOur team leveraged user research and prototyping to design effective onboarding flows for new users, demonstrating our commitment to user-centered design and seamless experiences.Scaling for the futureOverhauled our processing pipelines to efficiently handle massive data volumes, ensuring scalability, performance and insights for our users.Seamless integrationsImplemented integrations with Wix and Canva, enhancing platform interoperability and expanding third-party ecosystem support.Can't wait to receive your application! Apply NowLet's start your dream job Apply now MailerLite View company Jobs posted: 70 Related Jobs Remote Full-Stack Programming jobs

All jobs Senior Data Engineer Posted 1 hours ago Float is the worlds leading software for teams to plan their time. Launched in 2012, weve grown every year since, and remain proudly independent, self-funded and profitable.As a certified B Corporation, were committed to making a positive contribution to our team, customers, the environment, and the remote community. Were a team of 55 working 100% remotely who believe in living our Best Work Life.Youll partner with team members globally, including Australia, Mexico, Italy, Nigeria, Canada, and the USA. Review our data security guidelines about where we hire here.Hear what our team has to say by browsing our blog, or reading our Glassdoor reviews. Check out what our customers think of Float from our G2 reviews.Were on a scale up journey, and were seeking people who thrive in this stage, given the autonomy, and the opportunity, to do the best work of their career. Apply now Who We AreFloat is the leading resource management software for professional services teams. Since 2012, weve grown every yearindependently, self-funded, and profitably. Were rated #1 for resource management on G2 and trusted by 4,500+ customers worldwide.As a certified B Corporation, were committed to making a positive impact on our team, customers, the environment, and the remote community. Our 50+ person team works 100% remotely across the globe, with perks and benefits designed to support us in living our Best Work Life. You'll collaborate with teammates across Australia, Mexico, the UK, Nigeria, Canada, and the US. Learn more about our data security practices for employment or service contracts here. Browse our blog to get a glimpse of life at Float and check out our Glassdoor employer reviews. See why our customers love Float on G2 .Were on a scale-up journey, and were seeking people who thrive in this stage. We want Float to be the place where you have the autonomy and opportunity to do the best work of your career.Why Were Hiring For This RoleWere taking an exciting step toward integrating AI-driven pattern detection into Float, starting with our Resource Recommendation Engine. This initiative will help professional service teams make smarter resourcing decisions by learning from past successeslike identifying which teams consistently deliver successful projectsand optimizing for better outcomes. To bring this vision to life, we need a skilled Data Engineer with AI/ML expertise to help build the foundation of this effort. Youll be a key part of our new Intelligence Squad, working alongside a technical product manager and other team members to drive innovation. This is a rare opportunity to shape a critical new capability at Float, lead technical discussions, and have a direct impact on our product and business strategy. Were ready to elevate our AI strategy, and we need the right technical leader to make it happen. If you're excited by the challenge of building AI-powered solutions from the ground up, wed love to hear from you!Our Senior Staff Engineer, Roberto, explains the important role you will play within our Engineering team. Watch this video!Youll be working asynchronously with a bright, dedicated team from across the globe, with a strong focus on taking complex problems and creating solutions that feel simple and intuitive for our customers.What Youll Be Responsible ForEarly on, youll jump right into:Lead technical viability discussions: For the Intelligence squads initial deliveries, youll be responsible for leading discussions to learn more about the technical viability of the deliveries.Resource Recommendation Engine: Develop and test proof-of-concepts for this project.Analyse existing data: You will conduct a comprehensive analysis of existing data to uncover patterns, identify optimization opportunities, and support the squads next deliveries.Evaluate our data streaming pipeline: You will be responsible for implementing and maintaining any changes to it our data streaming pipeline.Once you are a bit more settled, we expect that you will jump into the following projects:Lead technical discussions related to optimization, pattern detection, and AI, serving as the primary point of contact for these areas within Float.Develop and implement advanced algorithms to enhance the Resource Recommendation Engine and other product features, initially focused on pattern detection and optimization.Design, implement, and maintain our streaming data architecture to support real-time data processing and analytics, ensuring data integrity and reliability.Establish best practices and standards for optimization, AI, and data engineering development within the organization.Mentor and train team members on optimization, AI, and data engineering concepts and techniques, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.Stay updated with the latest trends and related technologies, and proactively identify opportunities to incorporate them into Float's solutions.What Youll Need To Be SuccessfulWe want you to love your work and believe that these skills will allow you to succeed in the role. Applying these skills requires:Machine Learning & Algorithms: Expertise in ML, expert systems, and advanced algorithms (e.g., pattern matching, optimization) with applied experience in Scheduling, Recommendations, or Personalization.Programming: Proficient in Python or Java and comfortable with SQL and Javascript/Typescript.Data Engineering: Experience with large-scale data pipelines and stream processing (e.g., Kafka, Debezium, Flink).Data Governance: Skilled in data integration, cleaning, and validation.Databases: Familiar with vector and graph databases (e.g., Neo4j).Independent Decision-Making: Knows when to act independently and when to seek input.Written Communication: Clear documentation and collaboration in a global team.Problem-Solving Skills: Balances immediate needs with long-term extensibility.Team Engagement: Actively collaborates to improve processes and achieve shared goals.Continuous Growth: Self-motivated, adaptable, and eager to take on challenges.As a fully remote team, were looking for someone comfortable with asynchronous communication as the default, which means you have previous remote experience and are comfortable using tools like Slack, Loom, and Linear to communicate as needed. Dont worryyou will have significant deep work time since we have very few meetings.Why Join UsPay for this role is US $167,471 (Level 3). Heres a blog post with more information on how we determine our salaries.Were a global async remote company with a diverse team of people from all over the world who share a common belief in living our best work life. We believe deeply in the idea of transparency and share our Float Handbook publicly so potential new team members can see first hand our perks & benefits as well as our ways of working. If you feel like you can thrive at Float to do your best work, we would love to hear from you.Hiring Process For This RoleYoull find a lot of useful information about our interview process and what its like to join our global team on the Float careers page. The hiring process for this role looks like this:Initial First Meet (20 min): You'll meet with Julia, Talent Manager (hi, thats me!), to discuss your interest in the role and review your questions about working at Float.Take-Home Assignment (4 hours, paid): Youll complete a take-home technical assignment that will assess your ability to identify and communicate performance issues on a real application and suggest solutions. You will be paid an honorarium after completion of your take-home assignment, and will receive feedback on your assignment regardless of the outcome.Manager Interview (60 min)Co-Worker Interview (30 min): Youll meet with Christian (Services Team Lead) and Omar (Senior Application Engineer), to dive deeper into your skills and experience, and learn more about your ability to collaborate, communicate, and work cross-functionally.Founder Interview (30 min): Youll meet with Lars, Floats CTO and Co-Founder, to get to know you and see if you have potential to be a great addition to the team.Note: Industry research shows that women and those in traditionally underrepresented groups generally dont apply to jobs unless they check all the boxes for the role. If you feel strongly that you have what it takes for this role but dont check 100% of the boxesthats okaywe encourage you to apply anyway and highlight what you can bring to the table.Apply NowLet's start your dream job Apply now Float View company Jobs posted: 61 Related Jobs Remote Back-End Programming jobs

International School Of Design And Visual Arts Features A Sawtooth Facade In Barcelonahtml PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Barcelona-based architecture practice Circular Studio has completed a new design and visual arts university, featuring a sawtooth faade in Barcelona, Spain.Named LCI Barcelona 22@ Campus International Design and Visual Arts University, the nearly 12,000-square-metre structure serves as the European center for the global network of design and visual arts universities known as LCI Education.The building is situated in Barcelona's 22@ tech sector, which was formerly the industrial district of Poblenou and is currently experiencing major urban transformation.Fluidity, Connection and TransparencyOriginally intended to close the block bounded by laba and Sancho de vila street, the building possesses a unique parcel of land.However, the final design produced a prismatic shape, measuring 50 by 20 meters and rising seven stories, when the urban plan was modified to disperse building volume elsewhere in the district.The lengthy facades are oriented toward the south and northeast.The layout permitted the two original plots to be nearly completely covered below ground (2,500 sqm), leaving a strip of land with protected plane trees.In order to increase the public space, the ground floor is a permeable area that is set back from the building's perimeter. Its glass exterior improves transparency and visual coherence.Through a bridge-like aspect, the two entrances span the structure, connecting the street to an internal public area that serves as both a seating area and an access ramp.By blending the lines between the building and the surrounding landscape, this design creates an area where students and locals may socialize."Vertical Campus", Social Circulation and InterdisciplinarityConstructed as a "vertical campus," the structure can house up to 3,000 students from a range of artistic fields. By incorporating social channels that link every region, its design encourages interdisciplinarity.Classrooms, practical studios, administrative offices, a library, and student areas are all located above ground. Along the facades, circulation is arranged in a peripheral manner. In addition, these walkways serve as social areas, workspaces, exhibition spaces, and sun filters.The passages become an immersive experience as the facade's rhythm, which alternates between solid and empty, blurs the distinction between internal and outdoor.The structure is converted into a spacious, open area for pupils below ground. Along with offices, labs, and fabrication workshops, two sizable, adaptable halls accommodate a variety of events. The plaza above is naturally lighted by skylights and double-height areas.This floor's arrangement of the fabrication workshops promotes cooperation between many artistic fields.This level marks the start of the social walkway, which connects the ground floor and the first two stories with a metal staircase that passes through the entrance hall, which is four stories high.Circulation encircles the outside recessed facade between the third and fifth stories, leading to the "elevated plaza" at the center of the structure. This plaza has views of the sea and is shielded from the sun by an overhang.Natural Light Control and Mimicking the EnvironmentThe architecture of the structure adapts to its surroundings. Its shape serves as a sun control mechanism. The sawtooth facade, which is divided into five modules of varying sizes, uses the same technique to adjust to various orientations: maximizing indirect light while obstructing direct sunlight to avoid glare.The exterior is composed of 3mm aluminum panels that have been transparently powder-coated to preserve the metal's grain and reflecting qualities. White laminated panels complete the interior. By reflecting the shifting light throughout the day, the aluminum helps the building fit in with its surroundings.Sustainibility and Energy EfficiencyThe initiative reduces energy consumption by 60% by implementing a number of energy-saving techniques. The building received an A-energy certification, the highest rating, as a result of its strong thermal insulation and link to the district's urban heating and cooling network, Districlima.Throughout, recyclable and recycled materials have been employed, such as PET-based felt for the fake ceilings, steel for the structure, composite wood panels, and aluminum for the facade.The building's greywater is recycled throughout, while the green roof promotes biodiversity and acts as thermal insulation. The building's energy self-sufficiency is further enhanced by photovoltaic panels.As a result of these efforts, the building has received a BREEAM sustainability certification (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) "Excellent" rating.Image Pedro NogueraImage Pedro NogueraImage Julio MesaImage Julio MesaImage Julio MesaImage Julio MesaSite planFloor plan 1Floor plan 2Ground floor planPlans - 1st and 2nd floorPlans - 3rd and 4th floorPlans - 5th and 6th floorFloor plan 7SectionSectionSectionCircular Studio is a renowned Barcelona-based architecture and design studio that was founded in 2006. They operate on a wide range of projects, from interior design to architecture, under the direction of Ivan Serrano and Fernando Ansorena.Project factsProject name:LCI Barcelona 22@ Campus International Design and Visual Arts UniversityArchitects:Circular Studio/ Ivan Serrano Vidal / Fernando Ansorena MarencoArchitecture team:Victor Ruz, igo Ocamica, Aina SantanachLocation: Barcelona, SpainBuilt area:11.740,19m2Project Developer: LCI Education Spain SLUOwner & Construction Developer:Invesco LTDBuilder:Constructora del Cardoner SATechnical TeamM&E Engineer: L3J: Jaume Pastor RocaStructural Project: Otherstructures: Llus Escudero DomnechFacade Advisor:XMADE - Material and Envelope Design SL: Miquel RodrguezUrban and Lanscaping:Circular Studio + SBS - Simn y Blanco SLPArchitecture Construction Supervision:Circular Studio/Ivan Serrano Vidal / Fernando Ansorena MarencoStructure Construction Supervision:Otherstructures: Llus Escudero / Tahinel PimentelM&E Construction Supervision: L3J: Jaume Pastor / Gerard SolQuantity Surveyor & CM: Betarq: Ramn Cisa / Victor GarcaAll images Salva Lopez unless otherwise stated.All drawings Circular Studio.> via Circular Studio

Fran Silvestre Arquitectos Plays With Planes To Design A House On Sotogrande Golf Coursehtml PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Valencia-based architecture practice Fran Silvestre Arquitectos has designed a house in front of the Sotogrande golf course in Spain.The single-story house encourages users to feel the shadow between the ground floor and the roof above it.A large roof cantilever that provides protection from the powerful Cadiz sun as well as the torrential rains that come down from the Sierra de Grazalema, which receives the most rainfall on the Iberian Peninsula.The building's deep interior creates a wooden volume that gives each area the solitude it needs while yet delivering the ideal amount of warmth.The ground plane, the shadow cast by the architectural cantilever, the glass that provides effective inside climate conditioning, and, lastly, the comfortable limit of the wood are the four distinct limitations that emerge to define the house's spatiality.The house may be accessed from the top street, which is a key location with a unique perspective of the surroundings and the water reflection.This roof feature serves as both acoustic and thermal insulation. In addition to acting as an insulator and regulating the building's temperature, the water layer absorbs heat during the day and gradually releases it at night, lowering the demand for air conditioning and heating.The house had to have warm-toned materials, which was one of its needs. The skylights that light up the central areas and provide access to the upper water mirror are part of a central communication core that distributes the compact program internally.In order to create an unending pool that stretches over the golf course and a covered entrance that welcomes entry, the roof planes and the ground level plane are meticulously modified.Living between two planes and minimizing environmental effect while enhancing the sensation of something as basic as an inhabited shadow in Sotogrande is the goal.Ground floor planSectionGround floor planFran Silvestre Arquitectos also completed a villa that takes references from the ancient Greeks, Etruscans and Romans' domus - known as a type of town house occupied by the upper classes or wealthy people. In addition, the firm built a zigzagging house on a sloped topography, featuring an open pool at one end of a linear volume.Project factsProject name:House In SotograndeArchitects:Fran Silvestre ArquitectosLocation:Sotogrande, SpainProject team:Fran Silvestre, Carlos Lucas, Paco Chinesta, Neus Roso.Interior design:Alfaro HofmannBuilding engineering consultants:Agustn Jimnez SurezStructural engineers:Estructuras SingularesProject manager:Adn BolaosCollaborators: Mara Masi, Pablo Camarasa, Ricardo Candela, Estefania Soriano, Sevak Asatrin, Andrea Baldo, Angelo Brollo, Paloma Feng, Javi Herrero, Gino Brollo, Facundo Castro, Anna Alfanjarn, Laura Bueno, Toni Cremades, Susana Len, David Cirocchi, Nuria Domnech, Andrea Raga, Olga Martn, Vctor Gonzlez, Pepe Llop, Alberto Bianchi, Luca Domingo, Pablo Sim, Andrea Blasco, Laura Palacio, Carlos Perez, Jovita Cortijo, Claudia Escorcia, Ana Bono, Andrea Garca, Diana Murcia, Fran Ayala, Ana de Pablo, Sara Atienza, Jos Mara Ibaez, Valeria Fernandini, Sandra Mazcun.Construction area:802m2Plot area:3,520 m2General contractor: Mar State ConstructionAll images Fernando GuerraAll drawings Fran Silvestre Arquitectos.> via Fran Silvestre Arquitectos

Closing statements were made on Wednesday (19 February) by interested parties, including Tower Hamlets Council which has twice refused the scheme and lawyers representing the Chinese government.Housing and communities secretary and deputy prime minister Angela Rayner will now decide on the scheme, which was last rejected in December by the local authority, citing security and heritage fears.Last month, Labour home secretary Yvette Cooper and foreign secretary David Lammy signalled cautious support for the proposals on the basis that China introduces a hard perimeter to the embassy, which if built, would be the largest in Europe.AdvertisementIn a letter to the planning inspector, the senior government figures requested that China remove unrestricted public access to a proposed cultural centre holding medieval abbey ruins. As the plans stand, due to diplomatic inviolability, emergency services would need permission from the Chinese ambassador to access the small, paved forecourt and the pavilion - both classed as belonging to the embassy - in the circumstances, for instance, of a health issue with a member of public visiting the centre.The hard perimeter came up in oral evidence this week when David Chipperfield Architects' director Oliver Ulmer told the inquiry the cultural building had been designed to provide an active frontage with views from a new Cultural Exchange square at the east of the complex into Cistercian abbey ruins inside.Ulmer continued by saying that the public square in front of the embassy was fundamental to the design a statement seemingly countering Cooper and Lammys demands for the hard perimeter. He added: The [cultural] building represents the notion of exchange, sitting on the street mediating between the private campus and the public streetscape.Christopher Katkowski, representing the Chinese government, had told the inquiry on an earlier day (11 February) that his client had no desire or intention to change the scheme in the way in which it has been suggested.In November Chipperfields designs became the centre of a diplomatic spat, with prime minister Keir Starmer raising the issue of the Chinese embassy plans during his first face-to-face meeting with Chinas president, Xi Jinping.AdvertisementThe same month, reports emerged of a political tit-for-tat between London and Beijing over plans for new UK embassy buildings, including one designed by Eric Parry Architects, believed to have been put on hold by China.Local councillors, human rights groups and Hong Kong democracy activists have previously raised concerns over Chinas plans for the Royal Mint site, in view of the countrys alleged mistreatment of Uighur Muslims. Tower Hamlets has the largest Muslim population of any local authority in England and Wales, at 39.9 per cent.It is simply the wrong place for this embassy to be, said senior Conservative Tom Tugendhat in comments to the New York Times this week. He added: But it is also the wrong thing to have. We already have too much state repression, too much influence, too much aggression.David Chipperfield himself has previously been criticised for accepting the contentious commission (Is the new Chinese embassy Chipperfields most controversial job?).Asked by the inquiry chair this week why the practice had taken part in the design competition for the embassy, Ulmer replied: The office I work for has always been involved with the reconfiguration of very important historic sites, and so this is one that does really interest us from an architectural perspective.David Chipperfield Architects plans to rework the Royal Mint into a new complex for the Chinese Embassy (as submitted June 2021) - view of new entrance pavilionAlthough the Metropolitan Police last month withdrew its objection in relation to protests, concerns remain around the impact of residents on the site, as well as nearby information cables connecting the City and Whitehall to Canary Wharf.Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith told Times Radio this week (16 February): [The scheme] is alongside some very important cables that take data and information through Canary Wharf, to the City and to various government departments, and that is really one of the reasons why I believe China wants it there so they can get access to that.The US congressional committee on China has also criticised the proposals on security grounds and wrote on X: The PRCs mega-embassy in the UK raises significant security concerns: from interference and surveillance to risks for sensitive infrastructure like Londons financial services. We must work to urgently address this issue and work with our allies to protect national security. Source:David Chipperfield ArchitectsDavid Chipperfield Architects' proposed cultural centre for a new China embassyChipperfields scheme would refurbish the Grade II*-listed Johnson Smirke Building at the centre of the former Royal Mint site to include embassy space. A public square would be created in front of it, behind the sites gated entrance.The project also includes the restoration and revamp of the Grade II-listed Seamans Register, which was remodelled by RMJM in the 1980s. It would create a new Embassy House by splitting up and remodelling the conjoined, Sheppard Robson-designed Murray and Dexter House.The longer building, Dexter House, would contain flats for embassy staff. The buildings faade would be reconfigured to provide a calmer and more unified backdrop to the surrounding listed buildings. Meanwhile, Murray House would be repurposed into a new seven-storey Cultural Exchange building, clad in green ceramic.A UK Government spokesperson previously said: National security is the first duty of Government. It has been our core priority throughout this process.That is why the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Home Office submitted written representations to reflect these considerations and to note the importance of all states having functioning diplomatic premises in each others capitals.A final decision on this case will be made in due course by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government in her independent, quasi-judicial role.The Chinese Embassy said the original reasons for refusal by Tower Hamlets in December 2022 were without merit and have no basis in planning policy. Source:David Chipperfield ArchitectsThe design evolution from competition to pre planning to submission of a planned cultural exchange centre

Our Picks Most affordable pet insurance Lemonade View details See at Lemonade View details Best direct payment option Trupanion View details See at Trupanion View details Best for frequent vet visits Pumpkin View details See at Pumpkin View details Best full reimbursement option Figo View details See at Figo View details Best dental coverage options Embrace View details See at Embrace View details Best for exotic pets Nationwide View details See at Nationwide View details Best workplace benefit for pets with preexisting conditions Pet Assure View details See at Pet Assure View details Table of Contents Americans love their pets. Data from the Insurance Information Institute shows that 66% of US households -- roughly 86.9 million families -- own a pet. Yet only 5.7 million pets are enrolled in a pet insurance plan, a pet healthcare package designed to help you better afford vet costs. "As a veterinary surgeon and pet owner, I urge all my clients, friends, and family to insure their pets, just like I do," said Dr. Karyn Kanowski, a veterinarian atPangoVetin Roseville, California. "My own dog had both hips replaced several years ago and without pet insurance, there is no way I could have afforded $8,000 per hip." I learned this lesson firsthand when my wife and I spent over $12,000 to extend the life of Alfie, our Shih Tzu-Poodle mix who passed away in 2020. We didn't have pet insurance, so we ended up draining a lot of valuable savings. While we didn't have to turn to credit cards, it's easy to see how quickly vet bills can spiral into debt. Dog owners may pay up to $55,000 for care over the lifespan of a canine, while cat owners may pay up to $45,000, according to aSynchrony study. If you want to steer clear of tens of thousands in vet bills, pet insurance can help. We reviewed some of the top national pet insurance companies for price, coverage options, deductibles and other perks to help you find the best fit. The price you pay will depend on your pet's breed, age, health and gender, and could vary depending on where you live. It's always a good idea to shop around and compare multiple quotes to get the best deal to protect your family's pet. See at Lemonade Coverage type: Accident, illness, wellnessMaximum annual coverage: $5,000 $100,000Deductibles: $100 $750Pets covered: Dogs and catsIf you want to protect your pet, but don't have much wiggle room in your budget, we recommend Lemonade's pet insurance. Its $10-a-month price tag will get you coverage for major accidents, and its everyday illness and wellness coverage averages $28 a month for cats and $47 per month for dogs, according to the company's website.Lemonade's plans include accident and illness coverage, but if you're hoping to get reimbursed for preventative measures like annual exams, vaccines, routine dental cleaning and heartworm medication, you'll pay more for a preventative add-on policy.With plenty of options to customize your coverage, you'll likely be able to find a mix of deductible, coinsurance and max annual reimbursements that works for your budget. The only downside: Where you live can impact your eligibility. Currently, Lemonade offers pet insurance in 38 states and Washington, DC.Like most pet insurance, you'll pay upfront and receive a reimbursement. Lemonade leverages AI to process and approve claims, which means you'll receive your money fast. Users also love the company's app: It earns a 4.9 out of 5 stars on the Apple Store and a respectable 4.2 from Android users.Waiting period and eligibility requirements: 2 days for accidents; 14 days for illnesses; 6 months for cruciate ligament eventsDiscounts: 5% for paying annually; 5% multipet discount; 10% bundle discount (Lemonade offers other types of insurance including renters, homeowners, car and life coverage.) See at Trupanion Coverage type: Accident and illnessMaximum annual coverage: UnlimitedDeductibles: $0 $1,000 per conditionPets covered: Dogs and catsMost pet insurance requires you to make upfront and receive money back in the form of a claim. Trupanion's VetDirect Pay, however, pays your vet directly, lowering or eliminating your vet bill. There's a big catch though: It's not accepted at every vet office in the country. You'll need to check the company's website to see which vets in your area are on board.Another key distinction of Trupanion is the company's lifetime deductible per condition arrangement. For example, let's say your dog gets diagnosed with liver disease or your cat is diabetic. Once you meet the deductible for that condition, additional visits will not require any deductible.Trupanion also claims its price increases are significantly lower than many of its competitors. While rates do go up over time, the company says it won't automatically increase your premium on your pet's birthday, like other services may. Unlike other pet insurance companies, Trupanion doesn't offer a discount for multiple pets. So, if you have a gang of cuddly buddies at home, you may be better off with another company that can save you more cash.There are also limits to Trupanion's coverage. This insurance does not cover routine wellness visits but will aid you if your pet has an accident or illness that needs treatment.Waiting period and eligibility requirements: 5 days for accidents; 30 days for illnessesDiscounts: None See at Pumpkin Coverage type: Accident, illness, wellnessMaximum annual coverage: $5,000 UnlimitedDeductibles: $100, $250, $500 and $1,000Pets covered: Dogs and catsPumpkin's pet insurance offers comprehensive coverage that will reimburse you for many conditions other pet insurance companies deny, including dental disease, behavioral issues, parasite infection and hereditary disorders. The tradeoff? You'll also pay slightly higher monthly premiums in exchange. That said, if you're visiting the vet frequently, this insurance offers a higher maximum annual coverage than most.Pumpkin offers between 80% and 90% reimbursement coverage for dogs and cats with a deductible that ranges between $100 and $1,000. Opting for a lower deductible will raise your monthly bill. You can also join Pumpkin's Wellness Club --which starts at $14.95 for cats and $19.95 for dogs -- to save some cash on checkups, vaccinations, routine dental cleanings and more.Like most pet insurance, pre-existing conditions are not covered. However, a curable condition like a fractured paw or UTI will be covered if your pet remains symptom- and treatment-free for six months, with some exceptions for knee and hind leg ligament conditions.One drawback: Pumpkin's 14-day waiting period applies to accidents, too, which is longer than many competitors.Waiting period and eligibility requirements: 14-day period for accidents and illnessesDiscounts: 10% for multiple pets