Gironda Residence | © Simone Bossi Located just steps from Piazza del Popolo in Ravenna, the Renaissance-era Casa Guaccimanni holds centuries of architectural and historical weight. Constructed in the fifteenth century for the Venetian podestà Nicolò Giustinian, the building evolved through noble ownership and later became home to Vittorio and Alessandro Guaccimanni, sons of Risorgimento figure Luigi Guaccimanni. Architecturally, the structure is characterized by a tripartite plan with a central corridor flanked by large rooms, an interior courtyard with a double loggia, and decorative elements spanning Renaissance to Neoclassical periods. Once concealed beneath plaster, its frescoed veranda and exposed wooden ceilings speak to a layered history of intervention, concealment, and rediscovery. Gironda Residence in Casa Guaccimanni Technical Information Architects1-13: Giovanni Mecozzi Architetti Location: Casa Guaccimanni, Via Armando Diaz, Ravenna, Italy Client: Emanuela Docimo Project Years: 2022 – 2024 Original Structure: 15th Century Photographs: © Andrea Sestito, © Simone Bossi, © Omar Sartor The new and the old never touch, but gently brush against each other, maintaining a distance capable of generating tension. – Giovanni Mecozzi Gironda Residence in Casa Guaccimanni Photographs © Omar Sartor © Andrea Sestito © Andrea Sestito © Andrea Sestito © Omar Sartor © Simone Bossi © Simone Bossi © Simone Bossi © Omar Sartor © Omar Sartor © Omar Sartor © Andrea Sestito © Omar Sartor Design Intent: Reversibility and Temporal Tension The recent architectural project by Giovanni Mecozzi Architetti centers on the noble floor of the palazzo, reinterpreted as a contemporary residence named Gironda. Rather than imposing a new visual regime onto the historic shell, the intervention operates with restraint, foregrounding the building’s original character while establishing new spatial and material conditions. At the core of the project lies a design philosophy rooted in reversibility. Mecozzi’s intervention resists permanence. The furnishings and spatial devices introduced into the historic rooms are self-supporting and detached from the structure. No new element makes physical contact with the floors, ceilings, or walls, preserving the integrity of the original surfaces. This strategy avoids irreversible alterations and allows the architecture to remain temporally flexible. Architect Giovanni Mecozzi articulates this approach succinctly: “The new and the old never touch, but gently brush against each other, maintaining a distance capable of generating tension.” This spatial tension is not decorative but conceptual, prompting occupants to consider the relationship between historical continuity and contemporary transformation. The design does not attempt to erase time but rather exposes its layers through careful juxtaposition. The project draws conceptual and chromatic inspiration from Ravenna’s early Christian and Byzantine mosaics. Rather than replicate ornamental motifs, Mecozzi extracts abstract qualities such as color, luminosity, and surface texture, integrating them as subtle spatial references throughout the residence. Gironda Residence Material Strategy Access to the residence is organized through a longitudinal hallway that bisects the plan, connecting a balcony on the north façade with a loggia overlooking the garden to the south. This corridor becomes a spine for circulation and orientation, punctuated by entries into five main rooms: the kitchen, veranda, and three independent suites. Each suite functions as a self-contained spatial environment. The original large rooms have been reimagined with integrated volumes housing diverse domestic functions: bathrooms, saunas, walk-in closets, reading nooks, and home cinemas. These new programmatic layers are embedded within freestanding furniture structures, which operate more as inhabitable objects than architectural partitions. Color becomes an operative tool for spatial differentiation. The three principal suites, the Gold Room, the Blue Room, and the Green Room, are introduced chromatically through thresholds that face the main corridor. This prelude of color sets the tone for each room’s unique interior experience. Within, glossy glass tiles, gilded surfaces, and a reduced palette of materials establish a scenographic yet restrained environment. The flooring, a Venetian terrazzo installed during earlier restoration work in the 2000s, has been retained. Its beveled borders and rounded corners respond to the proportions of each room, reinforcing a visual continuity that binds the new interventions with the inherited context. In contrast to the historical envelope, the furniture and spatial devices employ a language of monochromatic forms and minimal detailing, occasionally verging on neoplastic abstraction. This tension between old ornament and new abstraction is one of the project’s defining features. Furnishings curated by Atelier Biagetti, known for their theatrical and ironic sensibility, further enrich the atmosphere. These pieces do not mimic the historical setting but create moments of visual friction and playful ambiguity, enhancing the multi-temporal character of the interiors. Architectural Significance and Cultural Dialogue The Gironda residence exemplifies a growing discourse in contemporary architecture around adaptive reuse that neither mimics nor erases the past. Rather than treating heritage as a constraint or an aesthetic to be curated, Mecozzi engages it as an active agent in spatial transformation. The project is a case study in reversible architecture, where temporality is embedded in the design, not just its historical references. This intervention prompts broader questions about the role of preservation in contemporary practice. Can architectural interventions occupy historic contexts without becoming parasitic or nostalgic? Mecozzi’s project suggests that they can adopt a posture of critical distance and conceptual clarity. Gironda does not attempt to restore Casa Guaccimanni to a previous state or impose a singular vision of modernity. Instead, it crafts a dialogue between past and present, structured through spatial strategies, material choices, and chromatic cues. In doing so, it opens a new chapter in the building’s ongoing life, one that is fully contemporary yet deeply rooted in architectural memory. Gironda Residence in Casa Guaccimanni Plans Floor Plan | © Giovanni Mecozzi Architetti Golden Room Layout | © Giovanni Mecozzi Architetti Door Detail | © Giovanni Mecozzi Architetti Gironda Residence in Casa Guaccimanni Image Gallery About Giovanni Mecozzi Giovanni Mecozzi is an Italian architect based in Ravenna, Italy, and the founder of Giovanni Mecozzi Architetti, a multidisciplinary studio specializing in architecture, interior design, and landscape projects. After graduating from the University of Ferrara with an architecture degree, Mecozzi gained international experience working in Spain, including collaborating with Mendaro Arquitectos in Madrid. Upon returning to Italy, he co-founded GMA, focusing on projects emphasizing the relationship between architecture, the client, and the context, with a particular interest in renovating and transforming historical buildings.  Credits and Additional Notes Design Team: Giovanni Mecozzi, Cecilia Verdini, Filippo Minghetti Construction: EdilcostruzioniElectrical Systems: Elektra ServiceMechanical and Hydraulic Systems: Nuova OLP Structural Alterations: Not applicableCustom Furniture: Idea LegnoCurtains and Fabrics: Selezione Arredamenti, Ravenna Lighting: ViabizzunoResin Coatings and Flooring: Kerakoll Rugs and Carpeting: Centro Moquette, Rimini Bathroom Furnishings: Salaroli, Ravenna Furniture, Artwork, and Design Objects Selected by: Atelier BiagettiFurniture Designers: Alberto Biagetti and Laura Baldassarri #gironda #residence #giovanni #mecozzi #renovation

Unity The battle to play Borderlands Online continues, as dedicated archivists ask for help in pursuit of the long lost MMO The team working on bringing this game back is now asking for help from experts to get the game playable. Image credit: 2K China News by Connor Makar Staff Writer Published on May 30, 2025 The Borderlands Online archival saga continues, with the small group of people hoping to get the game playable putting out a call-to-action for those with coding experiencein order to break through the game's character selection screen. Previously, we covered YouTuber, game designer, and dataminer EpicNNG managing to get to the game's class selection screen, but it seems he and his small team working on the archival project have hit a brick wall. Not in terms of skill, but in terms of time. They have a version of the game at their finger tips, they just need more hands to get the build working. He states: "Number 1: We know that we have the full game, we have confirmed we have the full game. Number 2: We know that we can get in eventually, it is just a matter of when." To see this content please enable targeting cookies. In this call-to-action, a lengthy video detailing the journey so far, EpicNNG showed the perilous task as his small team went through old Chinese Borderlands Online websites in the search for a way to actually play the game. Doing so, they found ghost links and viruses, so it's worth emphasising here that you should only really help out with this effort if you know what you're doing. The video is covered in statements making it clear that this is purely for archival purposes, and that he nor his team are looking to infringe on 2K's intelectual property as to avoid the possibility of a cease and desist. However, it's made equally clear that this project may be nearing a dead end thanks to the release of Borderlands 4 and the potential actions of 2K's legal team, unless it gets more people on board to help. It's worth noting that this article was only written following an exchange of DMs with EpicNNG, in which he stated that he understood the potential risks of this call-to-action being further publicised and was happy with it being covered nonetheless. In the video, EpicNNG acknowledges that time is of the essence here, pointing to Activision's take down of the H2M Call of Duty mod in fears it would suck attention away from the next Call of Duty. The worry is that, unless the team gets the game working soon, 2K would fear a similar thing with Borderlands 4 and send out a Cease and Desist. This archival project, if successful, would be somewhat of a white whale for the video game archival scene. Not only is archiving any game difficult, Borderlands Online is a Chinese-only MMORPG that has been dead for years. Getting it working is an admirable goal. Here's hoping that folks that can help see it and lend a hand before it's too late. Though, if you're a greenthumb when it comes to Unity or video game software in general, maybe it's best to leave it with the experts and wish them luck. #battle #play #borderlands #online #continues

Warning: contains finale spoilers for Dept. Q See it? Blink and you won’t have, but it was there for a good half second: a smile on the face of DCI Carl Morck. It’s a rare enough occurrence across nine episodes of this Netflix crime drama to make it worthy of note. Matthew Goode’s irascible detective frowned, scowled and spitted out sarcasm through his new department’s search for missing prosecutor Merritt Lingard, until the show’s very last moment, when he smiled. He’d earned it. Three months earlier, Morck’s cold case unit had rescued Lingard and used dirt dug up during the investigation to blackmail the Lord Advocateinto a funding hike, a new work car, and fast-tracked DI status for Syrian copper and calmly proficient muscle Akram Salim. And now, Morck’s partner Hardy, formerly thought to have permanently lost the use of his legs after they were both shot in the line of duty, was walking again. It was a happy ending, or at least as happy as things get in a dank Edinburgh basement filled with unsolved case files detailing terrible crimes. With major Dept. Q finale spoilers, let’s dig into the revelations about Merritt’s kidnappers, what we learned about the Leith Park shooting, and more. Who Kidnapped Merritt Lingard and Why? Merritt’s kidnappers were Lyle and Ailsa Jennings, respectively the younger brother and mother of Harry Jennings, Merritt’s boyfriend as a teenager. She was being held on their property on her childhood island home of Mhòr, in a pressurised hyperbaric chamber inside a condemned building that was formerly part of Ailsa’s husband’s oceanography business Shorebird Ocean Systems – the logo for which was the cormorant symbol identified by Merritt’s brother William as on the hat of her stalker and kidnapper. Ailsa was a twisted and abusive mother to Harry and Lyle, as well as a murderer who killed her husband by burning the house down by flicking lighted matches at him while he slept. As a result, Lyle grew up to be a violent psychopath whose teenage crimes were covered up by the family and by the island’s police officer John Cunningham. John knew that Lyle was responsible for Merritt’s disappearance, but didn’t know she was still alive, having believed Lyle when he lied that Merritt had died by falling off the ferry from the mainland, just like Lyle’s brother Harry had done years earlier. Lyle and Ailsa blamed Merritt for Harry’s death because he jumped from the ferry while being pursued by John, who was chasing him because he was suspected of having severely beaten Merritt’s brother William into a coma during an interrupted robbery of the Lingard home. The robbery plan had been seeded by Merritt to steal her mother’s jewellery from her alcoholic father in order to sell for money to run away from home. In fact, Lyle was the one who had attacked William, being unhinged and thinking that he was protecting his brother. Harry and Ailsa covered up Lyle’s guilt and before his death, Harry took the blame. Lyle Jennings, Godhaven, and Sam Haig Lyle, who had a history of stalking, breaking-and-entering, and animal murder, spent time in youth psychiatric facility Godhaven, where he stalked another patient named Sam Haig. The pair fought, and Sam injured Lyle’s eye so severely that it was left permanently discoloured. Years later as an adult who had become an investigative journalist with no online presence, Sam sought Lyle out to apologise for the injury and invite him to come climbing at his favourite spot. Lyle used the information he had on Sam to assume his identity and stalk Merritt Lingard, who didn’t recognise him as an adult. He pretended to be investigating corruption at Merritt’s workplace, and targeted her, eventually starting a sexual relationship still pretending to be Sam. When Merritt told Lyle-as-Sam that she was leaving to go to Mhòr on the 10am ferry the next day, Lyle used that information to kidnap her during the crossing. Merritt’s brother William, who had been unable to speak since his teenage coma, had spotted Lyle on the ferry and because of Lyle’s distinctive hat, recognised him as the man who’d been stalking their house. He tried to communicate this to Merritt by throwing his own hat, and then struck her when he became afraid. It was when Merritt went to retrieve William’s hat that she was taken. Join our mailing list Get the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox! Two days after Lyle kidnapped Merritt, he returned to the mainland to tie up loose ends and kill the real Sam Haig. He lured Sam to a remote spot, beat him to death, staged his corpse to look as though he had been climbing, and threw it off a cliff. Eventually, Morck and co. worked out that somebody else was pretending to be Sam Haig when they had evidence that Merritt had been with “Sam” at a hotel at the same time that the real Sam was having an affair with his friend’s wife at a different hotel. What Happened to Lyle and Ailsa Jennings? Merritt’s kidnappers both died – Ailsa by her own hand as she shot herself in her car before being taken into custody by the police, and Lyle by Akram’s hand, or rather, his trigger finger. After Lyle shot buckshot into Morck’s shoulder, Akram threw a knife at him, disarmed and shot him. Previously, Lyle had brutally killed Constable John Cunningham with a hammer when he learned that Merritt was still alive. Mark Bonnar’s character Stephen Burns had disallowed the appearance of a key witness in the Graham Finch murder trial after Burns’ daughter was run off the road by one of Finch’s goons as an intimidation tactic. Prisoner Kirsty Atkins was willing to testify that she had previously met Finch’s now-dead wife at a shelter for survivors of domestic violence, and that Finch routinely hit her. Because Burns wouldn’t allow her testimony, Finch was acquitted of his wife’s murder despite clearly having been guilty of it. Perhaps he also passed on the information about Kirsty Atkins to Finch’s lawyer, which led to Kirsty being viciously attacked and partially blinded in prison on Finch’s orders to keep her quiet. Who Is the Leith Park Shooter? We still don’t know who shot PC Anderson dead, and attempted to shoot Morck and Hardy dead at the Leith Park flat. If we can take the contents of Morck’s dream as gospel, then the shooting was done on the orders of Leith Park criminal kingpin Eugene Errington, whom we’ve yet to meet. According to Morck’s dream, in which he shot Errington’s muscle Charlie Bell in the head, Errington has a baby with Caroline Kerr – the witness who was intimidated into withdrawing her statement about the shooting. We also know, or at least have a pretty good idea, that PC Anderson was a corrupt officer working for Errington, and that he may even have been the one to stab the victim – thought to have been a police informant – in the head. Anderson was a top recruit pretending to be a klutz, Morck realised, in order to cover up the fact that his fingerprints were all over the victim’s flat. He also lied about being at the flat for a routine welfare check after being alerted by the victim’s daughter – that was a quick-thinking ruse to explain his presence when Morck and Hardy showed up there unexpectedly. The last we saw of the Leith Park case, Moira looked to be taking it away from its lead investigator and possibly closing it, unsolved, which may point to her also having been compromised by Errington. As Hardy was one of the shooting’s victims, surely that can’t be the case file that she gave to Hardy to investigate without Morck in the season’s closing moments? Dept. Q is streaming now on Netflix. #netflixs #dept #ending #explained #merritt

The In-Side Collection of outdoor furniture by Thomas Heatherwick resembles an impossible shell, formed to protect a creature not from this world. The shapes warp naturally around themselves, for a surprising finish at the end: a burst of bright multicolored spots made of recycled plastic, growing in great numbers across the surface. A beautiful example of rotational molding, this collection produced for Magis brings innovative technology and imaginative design together in harmony. Following several months of testing the rotational moulding technique using a blend of two types of recycled polyethylene, Magis observed that while the exterior of the material seemed fairly standard, slicing it open exposed an unexpected, unevenly speckled interior. “The idea behind this new collection is to use waste materials and reveal their inner beauty in an unexpected way,” says Heatherwick. The thought and experimentation that went into the In-Side Collection is exemplary of Heatherwick’s style – rigorous research goes into materiality, production methods, and detailing. This collection features rippled molding on the outside, a clever use of the capabilities of rotational molding. Coupled with the colored flecks on the interior, the material is a blend of post-consumer and post-industrial recycled polyethylene, part of extensive research into the impact recycling can have on our collective waste streams. Discarded bottles can now become luxury furniture through imagination and work. Flecks gain traction on the inside of the chair, adding pops of confetti-like color in contrast to the soft, muted exterior color palette of Sage, White, and Terracotta. The collection features an armchair, sofa, and low table, all rated for outdoor use. Organic form reigns supreme, not staking any claim on the natural environment but instead blending in, adding interest and elegance to any landscape. Thomas Heatherwick is a British designer focused on the human experience. He explores architecture, urban planning, product design and interiors projects, centering the axis of his studio around originality, inventiveness, and identity. Since 1994 when his studio was established, he has challenged convention, sustainability, and a strong sense of materiality at the forefront of his work. As our world becomes more globalized, his ideals of democratic design and cleverness of craft remain evocative of another time, while his aesthetic decisions stay cutting-edge. Since 1976, Magis has been pushing the boundaries of design, striving to incorporate the values of respect, honesty, and loyalty to their work. Based in the Veneto, a region of Italy known for it’s high-quality craftsmanship and level of finish within design, they strive to employ Italian craftspeople from as close to the locale as possible. This ensures that they can maintain close relationships with suppliers, and produce as much local commerce as they can. In their Code of Ethics, rare for a furniture brand, they detail their commitment to their employees, customers, and suppliers in that order, establishing where their commitments lie overall – to their people, ensuring Magis products will be made well by respected artisans for decades to come. To learn more about the In-Side Collection by Thomas Heatherwick for Magis, head to magisdesign.com. Photography courtesy of Magis. #inside #collection #offers #pop #color

© Sergey Omelchenko via Unsplash Older buildings possess irreplaceable quality, architectural value, and history that new buildings may lack. However, they are often neglected due to perceived renovation costs or structural integrity. With the right plan, these buildings can be transformed into valuable investments. Below are seven of the best strategies for making good investments in aging buildings. 1. Assess Structural Stability Thoroughly Even if you have not yet enrolled in a project, it is critical to understand the building’s structural integrity. Have a structural inspector or engineer examine any major foundation issues, load wall defects, roof, or plumbing issues. The report will tell you how much you need to repair and the estimated renovation cost. Consider also a building’s listings as historic, zoning codes, and compliance. There will be buildings under preservation or heritage statutes, which can be very restrictive in what can or cannot be modified. Knowing about such constraints upfront can allow you to plan better and spend your budget more appropriately. 2. Consider Adaptive Reuse This is an innovative way to transform existing building structures, such as old churches, schools, or textile mills, into thriving business offices or community spaces. The adaptive reuse supports the concept of sustainable architecture. Besides preserving the uniqueness of a building, it provides several economic and environmental advantages. Innovative reuse of older buildings, like redeveloping an aging warehouse as a hip loft space or an unused church as a shared workplace. This will tap into marketplace niches, reinterpret former designs for new purposes, and reduce demolition waste expense since existing infrastructure can be used. It will also likely be tax-credit qualified in most instances, making it a worthwhile investment. 3. Go Smart with Technology Integration With smart thermostats, lights, security systems, and energy monitoring systems included, the performance and appeal of your newly renovated building can be significantly enhanced. Upgrades help consumers be more practical, increase operational efficiency, lower energy expenses, and provide the high-tech benefit that distinguishes your building. Upscale renters willing to pay more for smart living experiences can also find smart features appealing. One example is the remote management features, such as the HVAC, which add more functionality to a property. Smart locks at the entry points also increase safety levels. 4. Going Green to Draw Modern Tenants © Pedro Miguel Aires via Unsplash Green restoration might give the structure more appeal to environmentally sensitive residents and lower future energy bills. When renters choose to live or rent, sustainability becomes a consideration, so green facilities are a significant advantage.  Use green materials, including insulation, and install energy-efficient appliances. Having those properties green-certified by LEED or ENERGY STAR will make those buildings even more marketable. Not only does that give your project respectability, but it will also make you a beneficiary of government incentives. 5. Mixed-Use and Flexible Occupancy Design Flexible, mixed-use design is one way to de-risk revenues and maximize rental yield. Split your building into office suites, co-living, pop-up event spaces, and retail storefronts. Modular furniture, movable partitions, and plug-and-play utility infrastructure facilitate flexible build-outs. It helps tenants arrange space to fit their needs, providing more opportunities. For example, ground floor cafe space can generate spill-over foot traffic for upstairs shared office tenants, and weekend community workshops that generate buzz and additional revenues. Diversification minimizes vacancy risk and allows you to re-mix tenants based on shifting market demand. 6. Emphasize Unique Architectural Elements Older homes possess unique design elements not found in new homes, like arched windows, detailing, ornamentation, or exposed brick. Rather than concealing these elements, emphasize them as part of restoring your property. This will make interested individuals see the building as one with great sentimental value, especially when you capture the historic relevance of the design. Emphasizing a property’s unique architectural elements can differentiate your property from the rest in an oversaturated housing market. The architectural elements give a property character and individuality that cannot be achieved in newer homes. 7. Involve the Community and Build Local Support Engaging residents, owners, and heritage organizations early in the conversion process can create goodwill among residents and ownership about the project’s success. Community support is especially helpful in getting permits, zoning variances, or adjustments because local backing carries much weight with city planning measures. Open a forum to provide regular social media updates or even a poll to engage people and their input to inform the stakeholders and become informed themselves in the process. If people feel heard and considered, they are more apt to be ambassadors for your work and spread good word-of-mouth. Endnote Transforming aging buildings into successful investments requires vision, planning, and respect for their heritage. Revealing structural integrity, location, sustainability, and visionary reuse, buried value in older structures can be unleashed. You need to plan the project well and work closely with competent contractors who will make the re-creation excellent. Adaptive Reuse by ArchEyes Team Leave a comment #tips #transforming #old #buildings #into

With millions of businesses now using Amazon Web Servicesfor their cloud computing needs, it’s become a vital consideration for IT security teams and professionals. As such, AWS offers a broad range of cyber security tools to secure AWS-based tech stacks. They cover areas such as data privacy, access management, configuration management, threat detection, network security, vulnerability management, regulatory compliance and so much more.  Along with being broad in scope, AWS security tools are also highly scalable and flexible. Therefore, they’re ideal for high-growth organisations facing a fast-expanding and increasingly sophisticated cyber threat landscape. On the downside, they can be complex to use, don’t always integrate well with multi-cloud environments, and become outdated and expensive quickly. These challenges underscore the importance of continual learning and effective cost management in the cyber security suite. One of the best things AWS offers cyber security professionals is a centralised view of all their different virtual environments, including patch management, vulnerability scanning and incident response, to achieve “smoother operations”, according to Richard LaTulip, field chief information security officer at cyber threat intelligence platform Recorded Future. Specifically, he says tools like AWS CloudTrail and AWS Config allow cyber security teams to accelerate access management, anomaly detection and real-time policy compliance, and that risk orchestration is also possible thanks to AWS’s support for specialist platforms such as Recorded Future.  This sentiment is echoed by Crystal Morin, cyber security strategist at container security firm Sysdig, who describes AWS CloudTrail and AWS GuardDuty as “the bedrock” for organisations with a multi- or hybrid cloud environment.  She says these tools offer “great insight” into cloud environment activity that can be used to identify issues affecting corporate systems, better understand them and ultimately determine their location for prompt removal.  Having made tons of cloud security deployments for Fortune 200 companies in his previous role as global AWS security lead at consulting giant Accenture, Shaan Mulchandani, founder and CEO of cloud security firm HTCD, knows a thing or two about AWS’s cyber security advantages.  Mulchandani says AWS implementations helped these companies secure their baseline configurations, streamline C-suite IT approvals to speed up AWS migration, eliminate manual post-migration security steps and seamlessly scale environments containing thousands of workloads. “I continue to help executives at organisations architect, deploy and maximise outcomes using AWS-native tools,” he adds. As a senior threat researcher at cyber intelligence platform EclecticIQ, Arda Büyükkaya uses AWS tools to scale threat behaviour analysis, develop secure malware analysis environments, and automate threat intelligence data collection and processing.  Calling AWS an “invaluable” threat analysis resource, he says the platform has made it a lot easier to roll out isolated research environments. “AWS’s scalability enables us to process large volumes of threat data efficiently, whilst their security services help maintain the integrity of our research infrastructure,” Büyükkaya tells Computer Weekly. At log management and security analytics software company Graylog, AWS usage happens across myriad teams. One of these is led by EMEA and UK lead Ross Brewer. His department is securing and protecting customer instances using tools like AWS GuardDuty, AWS Security Hub, AWS Config, AWS CloudTrail, AWS Web Application Firewall, AWS Inspector and AWS Identity and Access Management.  Its IT and application security department also relies on security logs provided by AWS GuardDuty and AWS CloudTrail to spot anomalies affecting customer instances. Brewer says the log tracking and monitoring abilities of these tools have been invaluable for security, compliance and risk management. “We haven’t had any issues with our desired implementations,” he adds. Cyber law attorney and entrepreneur Andrew Rossow is another firm believer in AWS as a cyber security tool. He thinks its strongest aspect is the centralised security management it offers for monitoring threats, responding to incidents and ensuring regulatory compliance, and describes the usage of this unified, data-rich dashboard as the “difference between proactive defence and costly damage control” for small businesses with limited resources.  But Rossow believes this platform’s secret sauce is its underlying artificial intelligenceand machine learning models, which power background threat tracking, and automatically alert users to security issues, data leaks and suspicious activity. These abilities, he says, allow cyber security professionals to “stay ahead of potential crises”. Another area where Rossow thinks AWS excels is its integration with regulatory frameworks such as the California Consumer Privacy Act, the General Data Protection Regulation and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. He explains that AWS Config and AWS Security Hub offer configuration and resource auditing to ensure business activities and best practices meet such industry standards. “This not only protects our clients, but also shields us from the legal and reputational fallout of non-compliance,” adds Rossow. AWS tools provide cyber security teams with “measurable value”, argues Shivraj Borade, senior analyst at management consulting firm Everest Group. He says GuardDuty is powerful for real-time monitoring, AWS Config for security posture management and IAM Access Analyzer for privilege sprawl prevention. “What makes these tools powerful is their interoperability, enabling a scalable and cohesive security architecture,” says Borade. Although AWS is a valuable tool for cyber security professionals, Borade emphasises that it’s “not without limitations”. He says the platform’s lack of depth and flexibility means it isn’t always suitable for modelling complex cyber security threats or handling specific compliance issues. Rather, cyber security professionals should use AWS as a foundational element of their wider tech stack.  Using the AWS Security Hub as an example, Borade says it can effectively serve the purpose of an “aggregation layer”. But he warns that incorrect configurations often result in alert fatigue, meaning people can become oblivious to notifications when repeatedly spammed with them.  Borade also warns of misconfigurations arising from teams’ lack of understanding of how cloud technology works. Consequently, he urges cyber security teams to “embed cloud-native security into the DevSecOps lifecycle” and “invest in continuous cross-functional training”. For Morin, the biggest challenge of using AWS as a security tool is that it’s constrained by best practice gaps around areas like workload protection, vulnerability management, identity management and threat detection. She says one classic example is the difficulty cyber security teams face when monitoring access permissions granted over time, leaving organisations with large IT environments dangerously exposed.  Using multiple AWS security tools also increases the attack surface for cyber criminals to exploit. Morin warns that hackers may look for “visibility gaps” by sifting through different AWS planes, helping them “mask their activities” and “effectively bypass detection”. To stay one step ahead of cyber crooks, she advises organisations to invest in runtime solutions alongside AWS-native tools. These will provide real-time security insights. Technical and cost issues may also impact AWS implementations in cyber security departments, warns Mulchandani. For instance, Amazon Macie may be able to create inventories for all object versions across different buckets, but Mulchandani says this creates a “mountain of medium-severity findings” to decipher. “Without strict scoping, licence costs and analyst time balloon,” he adds. “Costs can also increase when an organisation requires a new AWS launch that isn’t available in their region and they subsequently invest in a temporary solution from a different vendor. For those new to using AWS security tools, Morin says an important first step is to understand the cloud security shared responsibility model. She explains that the user is responsible for securing their deployments, correctly configuring them and closing any security visibility gaps. AWS, on the other hand, must ensure the underlying infrastructure provided is safe to use.  As part of the users’ role in this model, she says they should enable logging and alerts for AWS tools and services used in their organisation. What’s also key is detailing standard organisational operating behaviour in a security baseline. This, she claims, will let organisations tell suspicious user actions apart from normal ones. Many tried-and-tested best practices can be found in professional benchmarks such as the AWS Well-Architected framework and the Center of Internet Security’s Benchmark for AWS. “Make use of the work of those who have been fighting the good fight,” says Morin. Finally, she urges anyone working in cloud security to remember that real-time operations are essential. Runtime security can help by protecting all running applications and data from the latest cyber security threats, many of which are preventable through automated processes.  Starting small is a good idea, too. Mulchandani recommends that AWS newbies begin with AWS tooling, and if any gaps persist, they can then look for third-party offerings. “Do not try to procure and integrate 20-plus external tools upfront as this will cause numerous architectural, security and cost challenges,” he says. With the rapid pace of innovation across the AWS ecosystem, Borade urges anyone using this platform to stay up-to-date with the latest releases by participating in certification programmes, attending re:Inforce sessions and tracking the latest release notes from AWS. In the future, he expects automation, AI-fuelled insights, “tighter” third-party integrations, and identity orchestration and policy-as-code frameworks to dominate the AWS cyber security ecosystem.  On the whole, understanding the AWS platform and its role in cloud security is a vital skill for cyber security professionals. And AWS certainly offers some great tools for managing the biggest risks impacting its popular cloud platform. But cyber security professionals looking to leverage AWS in their day-to-day roles must be willing to get to grips with some complex tools, keep up-to-date with the latest releases in the vast AWS ecosystem and ensure their department budget can accommodate spiralling AWS costs. about AWS An AWS tech stack can aid business growth and facilitate efficient operations, but misconfigurations have become all too common and stall this progress. The AWS Summit in London saw the public cloud giant appoint itself to take on the task of skilling up hundreds of thousands of UK people in using AI technologies. Amazon Web Services debuts new Outposts racks and servers that extend its infrastructure to the edge to support network intensive workloads and cloud radio access applications. #how #cyber #security #professionals #are

In a revealing conversation with WIRED, Sahil Lavingia, a former DOGE staffer, shed light on the inner workings of the iconic meme currency community, detailing his dismissal after voicing concerns about the leadership dynamics. Lavingia’s insights highlight a complex web of communication and influence, suggesting that the decentralized ethos of DOGE may not translate into a truly egalitarian structure. With the cryptocurrency landscape continuously evolving, the implications of such revelations are profound. How do we balance the spirit of decentralization with effective governance in digital communities? Your thoughts could shape the future of how we engage in these spaces. #DOGE #Cryptocurrency #Decentralization #Blockchain

Electronic Arts has canceled its Black Panther game and closed down developer Cliffhanger Games. IGN, which first reported the news, cites an internal email in which EA Entertainment president Laura Miele notified staff about the changes made to “sharpen our focus and put our creative energy behind the most significant growth opportunities.”“These decisions are hard,” Miele wrote, per IGN. “They affect people we’ve worked with, learned from, and shared real moments with. We’re doing everything we can to support them — including finding opportunities within EA, where we’ve had success helping people land in new roles.”The email continues, detailing that EA will now shift resources to the historically successful Battlefield, The Sims, Skate, and Apex Legends series. Miele also said that a game based on Iron Man is still in the works, as is the third entry in Respawn’s Star Wars Jedi series and BioWare’s next entry in Mass Effect.EA previously laid off around 300 employees across both Respawn Entertainment and Electronic Art’s Fan Care teams in April 2025. Variety reported at the time that EA had effectively canceled the next Titanfall game and another unnamed game in “early-stage incubation.”Polygon has contacted EA for comment and will update this story with any further information we receive.Black Panther was first announced by Marvel Games, EA, and Cliffhanger Games in 2023. The game was part of a three-game deal that Marvel Games reached with EA that also includes an Iron Man game developed by Motive. EA established the Seattle-based Cliffhanger Games in 2023 to work on the Black Panther game, which coincided with the 57th anniversary of the hero. The studio, led by former Monolith executive Kevin Stephens, was staffed by developers known for working on series like Halo, God of War, and Call of Duty.According to a Marvel press release, the Black Panther game was set to be “an original, third-person, single-player Black Panther game...that empowers players to experience what it is like to take on the mantle of Wakanda’s protector, the Black Panther.”See More: #cancels #black #panther #game #closes

ZARA Nanjing Xinjiekou | © Seth Powers, ZARA Within the dense commercial fabric of Nanjing’s Xinjiekou district, AIM Architecture’s intervention for ZARA transcends the conventional boundaries of retail design. Rather than presenting a sealed envelope, the store engages directly with the public realm, positioning itself as an architectural node in the city’s pedestrian network. The project acknowledges the evolving role of high-street retail in an era increasingly defined by digital commerce. In this context, the store becomes a civic gesture, serving as a point of sale and an interface between the brand and the city. ZARA Nanjing Xinjiekou Flagship Store Technical Information Architects1-13: AIM Architecture Location: Xinjiekou, Nanjing, China Client: ZARA CommercialCo., Ltd Area: 3,450 m2 | 37,135 Sq. Ft. Project Year: 2023 – 2025 Photographs: © Seth Powers, ZARA We designed the ZARA Nanjing flagship as a seamless extension of the city, a space where retail, public life, and cultural engagement converge to reshape the role of the store in the urban landscape. – AIM Architecture Architects ZARA Nanjing Xinjiekou Flagship Store Photographs © Seth Powers, ZARA © Seth Powers, ZARA © Seth Powers, ZARA © Seth Powers, ZARA © Seth Powers, ZARA © Seth Powers, ZARA © Seth Powers, ZARA © Seth Powers, ZARA © Seth Powers, ZARA © Seth Powers, ZARA © Seth Powers, ZARA © Seth Powers, ZARA © Seth Powers, ZARA © Seth Powers, ZARA © Seth Powers, ZARA © Seth Powers, ZARA © Seth Powers, ZARA Contextual Integration and Urban Engagement A key architectural move is the introduction of a generous cantilevered canopy and fluid facade, softening the threshold between the street and the interior. This transitional zone is supported by a reconfigured streetscape and entrance plaza, inviting occupation beyond the function of shopping. These spatial devices are calibrated to intensify the porosity between inside and outside, fostering a continuity of urban experience. The architectural language, while assertive, avoids spectacle. Instead, it aligns with the rhythms of the street, suggesting a model for how retail environments might more meaningfully participate in the life of the city. AIM Architecture eschews traditional retail hierarchies in favor of a layered and adaptive spatial arrangement. The design is organized around a sequence of interrelated zones, each calibrated to support distinct experiential intensities. At the ground level, the introduction of ZARA Salon offers a refined, intimate encounter with the brand. This contrasts with the upper levels, where spatial arrangements and materiality adopt a more experimental and energetic tone. These programmatic shifts articulate a nuanced understanding of the store’s diverse user profiles and behavioral patterns. Central to the spatial composition is the double-height entrance plaza, conceived as a flexible platform for cultural engagement. Rather than being subordinated to commercial imperatives, this space opens itself to temporary exhibitions, artistic collaborations, and public events. The integration of a visible automated clothing transportation system along a glazed wall serves a dual function: operational efficiency and spatial expression. By revealing the store’s logistical mechanisms, the architecture foregrounds process as a form of engagement, reinforcing the store’s identity as an evolving machine. Material Expression and Architectural Language Material choices throughout the project articulate a sensibility rooted in clarity, tactility, and contextual responsiveness. The palette includes exposed structural concrete, red brick, stainless steel, solid wood, and ultra-clear glass. These materials are not merely applied as surface treatments but are used to express the building’s spatial and structural logic. One of the project’s most distinctive features is the red brick “mountain” staircase that extends toward the public realm. This element performs multiple roles: it serves as circulation, seating, display, and an urban landmark. Its textured materiality references the local architectural vernacular, grounding the otherwise contemporary design in its geographic and cultural context. Inside, the polished concrete floors and cassette ceiling system establishes a framework of disciplined neutrality, allowing the dynamic display environments and customer movement to animate the space without visual clutter. The approach to detailing reflects a commitment to architectural integrity. Junctions are resolved with precision, and structural elements are left deliberately exposed, contributing to a language of authenticity. The lighting strategy, developed in collaboration with Fagerhult, underscores spatial transitions and accentuates material contrasts without resorting to theatricality. Toward a New Retail Paradigm: Cultural Infrastructure The ZARA Nanjing Xinjiekou Flagship Store points toward a redefinition of the retail typology, aligning it more closely with the functions of cultural infrastructure. This is a project where architecture mediates between commerce and community, suggesting that the store can operate as a space of encounter, interaction, and expression. In a moment where physical retail must justify its relevance against the efficiency of e-commerce, AIM Architecture proposes a counter-model in which the store contributes to the public sphere, both spatially and culturally. The project offers an expanded understanding of what a flagship store can be through architectural interventions that encourage lingering discovery and participation. It is a space of consumption and a spatial framework for collective experience. ZARA Nanjing Xinjiekou Flagship Store Plans Ground Level | © AIM Architecture Upper Level | © AIM Architecture ZARA Nanjing Xinjiekou Flagship Store Image Gallery About AIM Architecture AIM Architecture is a Shanghai-based architectural practice founded by Wendy Saunders and Vincent de Graaf. It is known for its multidisciplinary approach that blends architecture, interior design, and urban design. The studio focuses on creating contextually responsive and experientially rich environments that engage with the cultural, social, and spatial dynamics of contemporary cities. Credits and Additional Notes Design Principals: Wendy Saunders, Vincent de Graaf Project Manager: Marta Pozo, Sacha Silva Project Architect: Ewa Szajda Design Team: Alba Galan, Davide Signorato, Emilio Wang, Gabrielle Liu, Guanlin Li, Haochen Yang, Jerry Guo, Song Jie, Kang Jin, Junger Xia, Kexin Gao, Mia Lei, Nora Liu, Victor Mongin, Wei Zheng, Weisha Dai, Qianqian Bao, Xiao Wen, Zhang Yi, Zhao Na Visualization: JIAO Yan Structural Engineer & Façade Consultant: bespoke. Sur-Mesure Engineering Studio General Contractor: Shanghai Choyoin Construction Group Co., Ltd Façade Contractor: Shanghai Choyoin Construction Group Co., Ltd Furniture: Caamaño AsiaFurniture and Complements Co., Ltd  Furniture and Complements Co., Ltd,  Lighting Supplier: Fagerhult Audiovisual Supplier: Inusual Comunicación Innovadora / ICI Technology Shenzhen Ltd. Zacaffè Design: Art Recherche Industrie Digital Experience: Bagel Affairs #zara #nanjing #xinjiekou #flagship #store

Be kind, rewind.Nintendo has released a new video detailing some of the planned features for the N64 app on Nintendo Switch Online.As shared by TodayNews, the video showcases three core features for N64 games on Switch Online, including the ability to rewind, a new CRT filter, and viewing / remapping controls as you see fit.Read the full article on nintendolife.com #nintendo #shares #video #detailing #new