The Canopy Pavilion by the Canal / AESEU Architectural Technology and Art studioSave this picture!© Timeraw StudioCommunity Center•Tai Xing Shi, China Architects: AESEU Architectural Technology and Art studio Area Area of this architecture project Area:  2400 m² Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2024 Photographs Photographs:Timeraw Studio More SpecsLess Specs Save this picture! Urban Regeneration by the Canal - Taixing, situated in the south-central region of Jiangsu Province, stands as the convergence of Huai and Wu cultures. Established in the first year of Shengyuan during the Southern Tang Dynasty, it is a millennium-old city with a rich history. Historically, Taixing County was characterized by an intricate network of waterways, thriving alongside and in harmony with the water, and its fortified walls were constructed in the shape of a turtle's shell. Encircling the city were two moats, both inside and outside the walls, with several winding watercourses resembling snakes in between, forming a pattern reminiscent of the Black Tortoise and White Snake, commonly known as the " City laid out in the shape of a turtle and snake." In recent times, with the city's growth, a new urban layout gradually emerged to the north and east of the old city, intersected by the Rutai Canal and Qiangxi River. Notably, the Rutai Canal, linking the Yangtze River in the west and the Yellow Sea in the east, has served as a pivotal regional waterway spanning Rugao and Taixing since ancient times.Save this picture!In 2023, Taixing City embarked on the "Double Water Nourishing City" supporting facilities project, utilizing the Rutai Canal and Qiangxi River as the foundation. The project involves renovating the disorganized factories, wharves, and shacks along the rivers to create a riverside scenic zone for leisure activities. This scenic zone encompasses numerous cultural squares, parks, and small ancillary garden buildings. The question arises: how can these unused buildings be put to good use? On the one hand, they can enhance services for citizens' riverside leisure activities; on the other hand, the operational revenue generated can alleviate the maintenance costs of public green spaces. This represents the trend towards operational management of urban assets against the backdrop of urban renewal. Consequently, Taixing City has decided to revamp and repurpose six idle ancillary buildings scattered along the parks by the two rivers, endowing them with commercial attributes to leverage their footfall-drawing potential and infuse more vitality into the riverside scenic zone.Save this picture!The value of architectural assets and waterside living - In the northwest direction of the north gate of the old county town, there lies a junction formed by the Rutai Canal and other waterways. Following partial rerouting of the canal in modern times, the construction of urban highway bridges in the vicinity and the development of high-rise residential areas have enclosed this area, transforming it into a relatively spacious waterfront spot within the community. The site features a children's playground beloved by residents, making it a must-visit destination for citizens taking strolls and engaging in fitness activities along the Rutai Canal.Save this picture!The site originally housed two independent two-story buildings with concrete frame structures. One building features a V-shaped floor plan, while the other boasts a zigzag floor plan. Together, these two buildings, along with the river channel, enclose an approximately triangular plot of land. To address the elevation differences within the site, stairs and flower beds have been incorporated into the current design.Save this picture!At the onset of designing this project, the owner's requirement was to impart operational capabilities to these idle urban assets. Often, this is mistakenly interpreted in isolation as necessitating a "tailor-made" design based solely on operational demands. The business needs appear to be prioritized in the design brief, with a tendency to conflate building renovation and interior refurbishment, which represents an all-too-common shortcut in urban renewal. Building renewal constitutes a vital component of urban revitalization: it aids in realigning the site's traffic and spatial connections with the city through renovation and reconstruction, and employs functional integration to reintegrate the building into the city's fabric. Additionally, renovation extends the lifecycle of buildings and enhances their adaptability to a broader range of business types. Furthermore, it delves deeper into the site's unique attributes and leverages them to boost the building's appeal.Save this picture!To capture the cultural and geographical essence of a site, one must revert to the perspective of the city. In this water-laden town, water serves not merely as a geographical feature but also as a cultural emblem deeply ingrained in the fabric of daily life. The teahouses lining the canal bustle with activity, offering a pot of tea, a plate of steamed silken tofu, a basket of steamed pork buns, and a bowl of fish noodle soup. Old tea enthusiasts wander over to the riverside teahouses with their enamel mugs, where the aroma of steaming Xuanbao small wontons blends with the sesame fragrance of Huangqiao sesame cakes, wafting towards the river's heart. They sip on "Langli tea" brewed with canal water while watching barges glide by, leaving ripples in their wake. These are taste memories nurtured by the canal.The clanging of washing sticks at the riverbank, the tapping of chess pieces under the eaves of riverside houses; children leaning over railings to count passing sandboats, morning joggers' silhouettes mirrored in the shimmering waves, elderly couples taking a stroll and pausing at the flood embankment, pointing to the newly erected buildings across the river and reminiscing about the ferry pier of yesteryears. These scenes and people collectively paint a unique and vibrant picture of life along the waterfront in Taixing.Hence, the primary objective of renovating this site is to honor and perpetuate this vibrant atmosphere, providing a comfortable and inviting environment for people to linger and gather. By fostering conditions conducive to meeting the diverse needs of citizens, the potential value of the architecture can be fully realized.Save this picture!Revitalization strategy - With these considerations in mind, let's revisit the original site and buildings. Serving as administrative offices, each building boasts a modest area and features just one staircase inside. The elaborate decoration of the building facades actually obstructs the indoor view of the canal. The outdoor area between the two buildings, segmented by varying heights, struggles to serve as an effective venue for events. These are the aspects of the buildings that necessitate renovation and upgrading.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!More crucially, the site requires a powerful spatial configuration to redefine and distinguish this area, establishing it as a significant destination along the riverside scenic corridor. We define this spatial configuration as a prominent, large-scale open area, aimed at strengthening the connectivity between the site and the public spaces of adjacent blocks. By analyzing the types of traditional public spaces along the canal, we discovered that the awning form exhibits strong applicability. Both the boat awning and the market awning on the shore exhibit a form that is both sheltered and open. This convenient and easily maintainable semi-outdoor public space can effectively adapt to the complex surrounding environment, while encouraging the emergence of temporary and diverse public activities. It is a common spatial outcome nurtured by canal culture. Furthermore, utilizing the roofs of existing buildings to create more platforms that offer both accessibility and river views is undoubtedly a morphological projection of the site's characteristics onto the architectural form, and also facilitates the creation of favorable conditions for shaping outdoor commercial spaces.Save this picture!The final design employs a large canopy to complement the originally fragmented site. This canopy extends over the triangular site and portions of the V-shaped building's rooftop, creating a flat and expansive area between the two structures, akin to a waterfront urban stage. The height difference of the site is seamlessly integrated into the surrounding stepped seating areas. The V-shaped building's rooftop achieves a more direct connection to the ground through the addition of stairs and setback terraces. Likewise, the newly added columnar staircase adjacent to the building on the northern side of the site becomes a dynamic element in the space, directing individuals to the rooftop platform of the L-shaped building. Besides providing a vast shaded area for activities, the canopy alleviates the oppressive feeling imparted by the surrounding dense high-rise residential buildings. As people move under the canopy, their gaze is directed towards the canal and the ships navigating through it, restoring the appropriate scale of waterside life. The concave shape in the middle of the canopy collects rainwater from the rooftop and directs it to a reserved oval drain below through a cantilevered stainless steel spout, creating a "dragon spitting water" landscape.Save this picture!Technical measures - After assessing the concrete frame structure of the existing building, structural reinforcement was carried out on the foundation, beams, slabs, and columns. Transparent peripheral protective structures, such as glass curtain walls, were reintroduced. The horizontally extended white aluminum panels suggest a layered, accessible roof that steps back progressively. For the large canopy spanning approximately 1,000 square meters, a combination of curved grid glued bamboo-steel structure and membrane structure was selected through technical comparison. The basic configuration of the roof consists of several full-length square steel beams and V-shaped columns. The grid units composed of engineered bamboo members facilitate the creation of a gradual curved surface.Save this picture!Save this picture!The curved mesh glued bamboo-steel structure imbues this enclosed space with structural expression and illumination, emphasizing the openness and airiness of the structure to foster a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. This stands in contrast to the confined interior of buildings, suggesting the equitable use of public spaces and leveraging technical expression to promote community interaction and sharing.Save this picture!Community space - Benefiting from the maturity of the commercial and residential districts surrounding the project, as well as its strategic location adjacent to water, we defined the building as Taixing Teahouse—a venue that embodies the local morning tea culture of Taixing during the initial project planning stage. This decision was made after a comprehensive assessment of various factors, including project scale, surrounding traffic conditions, and potential impacts on nearby residents. Leveraging the separation of two buildings, we designated separate areas for the morning tea hall and private dining rooms. In the morning tea area, the middle section of the V-shaped layout serves as an open kitchen, showcasing the production of morning tea as an intangible cultural heritage.Upon completion, this revitalized venue has garnered immense popularity among Taixing residents. The riverside morning tea hall is often fully booked, while private dining rooms offering a panoramic view of the canal have become a favorite gathering spot for families and friends. The small plaza underneath the canopy is utilized by residents at various times of the day and has also hosted numerous cultural events in Taixing. Additionally, the semi-outdoor terrace on the second floor and the rooftop terrace on the third floor under the canopy have transformed into outdoor spaces for leisure bars. Evidently, the transformed space has transcended its original singular function, and its aesthetic appeal has been acknowledged through daily use by residents. It has emerged as a neighborhood hub in the contemporary waterfront living environment, seamlessly integrating culture, nature, and even spiritual and emotional sustenance.Save this picture!Conclusion - In the process of renewing urban idle buildings and neglected spaces leftover from the incremental development era, the approach of merely pursuing commercial value by forcibly integrating untimely commercial format often proves unsustainable. The crucial solution lies in reverting to the essence of the site, by examining the relationship between the architecture and the urban fabric, deeply exploring the site's potential, and reestablishing its public character. Only when the space genuinely transforms into a delightful venue for public interaction and fosters an organic connection with the city can commercial vitality naturally emerge. This incremental renewal strategy, which prioritizes public use over commercial gain, not only respects the natural evolution of urban spaces but also achieves a harmonious coexistence between public and commercial values. It stands to become a pivotal approach in urban renewal.Save this picture! Project gallerySee allShow less Project locationAddress:Tai Xing Shi, ChinaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this office MaterialsMaterials and TagsPublished on May 16, 2025Cite: "The Canopy Pavilion by the Canal / AESEU Architectural Technology and Art studio" 16 May 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1030080/the-canopy-pavilion-by-the-canal-aeseu-architectural-technology-and-art-studio&gt ISSN 0719-8884

Valuation Is a Business Metric Too Many Architects Ignore Most architecture firm owners know how to measure a project’s success. But when it comes to measuring their firm’s value, most don’t know how to start or what data they need to build a rough estimated value. Yet that’s exactly the question more firm leaders need to ask—What is my business actually worth? To help answer that, BQE Software created a free Firm Valuation Calculator designed specifically for architecture and engineering professionals. In just a few minutes, firm leaders can get a snapshot of their current value and resources to understand the factors that influence it. Try the Firm Valuation Calculator More Than a Number Valuation helps you understand the health of your firm and uncovers ways to strengthen it. It is a tool that can be used throughout the lifespan of a firm, not just when you are thinking of selling. The calculator gives you a rough estimate of your firm’s worth and resources to help you increase that value for when you are ready to sell or transition to the next generation of leadership. Knowing your business valuation and what influences it helps identify what’s working, where there’s room to grow, and how to improve systems that impact profitability and long-term sustainability. According to the 2024 Zweig Group Valuation Report, firms with stronger operational systems and leadership continuity routinely see valuation multiples up to 2x higher than firms that rely on outdated processes or lack financial clarity. This is why we recommend firms conduct a valuation every year as one of the KPIs (key performance indicators) they track. You can see how your firm’s growth, improved operations, and leadership decisions impact the value of the business. Your valuation is a reflection of how well your firm is managed, how efficiently it runs, and how prepared it is for the future. It includes more than just revenue. We built this free tool to empower architects to better understand their firm as a financial asset and work on building the systems and processes to maximize its value. (Courtesy BQE Software) Find Out How Much Your Firm Is Worth. Make Better Business Decisions The Firm Valuation Calculator tool requests some basic information about your firm, like size and some financial metrics. Based on your input, it delivers a data-informed estimate of your firm’s worth. This formulaic valuation is accompanied by insight into what’s driving it and resources to help you increase the value. Firms that understand their valuation can make smarter decisions, whether it’s adjusting staffing, improving project delivery, or strengthening their leadership bench. The best time to know your value is before you need it. Don’t wait until you are ready to sell your business. That doesn’t leave you with the time needed to work on increasing the value so you get the highest return on the business you have built. Take the First Step Architecture is about designing the future. Your firm’s financial success deserves the same thoughtful planning. Whether you’re preparing for growth, succession, or simply want a clearer picture of your business health, the Firm Valuation Calculator is a simple, powerful place to start. Don’t Wait Until It’s Time to Sell. Know Your Value Now. (Courtesy BQE Software) Estimate Your Firm’s Current Value. Then Grow it. What to Do After You Get Your Valuation Review your score with your leadership team Identify one-to-two areas you could improve this quarter (e.g., overhead, project profitability, adopting firm management software) Set a calendar reminder to retake the calculator in six months to track progress Repeat every six months Find Out Where You Stand and Where to Improve

Shane Snider, Senior Writer, InformationWeekMay 15, 20252 Min ReadBYphoto via Alamy StockMicrosoft on Tuesday started layoffs of almost 3% of its global workforce, or about 6,000 employees across various departments. Many were shocked that the layoffs included the company’s director of artificial intelligence, Gabriela de Queiroz.De Queiroz took to LinkedIn to share the news in a lengthy post. “Bittersweet news to share: I was impacted by Microsoft’s latest round of layoffs. Was I expecting it? Maybe. These days no matter how hard you work, how much you advocate for your company, or how much visibility to bring -- none of that makes you immune to restructuring,” she wrote.Such a high-level impact in the AI department shocked many commenters -- considering Microsoft has poured billions of dollars into its AI ambitions, including $80 billion earmarked for AI initiatives in 2025 alone. “If they are willing to cut the director of AI, what hope do any of us have?” one Reddit commenter asked.Microsoft posted strong financial results in its most recent quarter, with its revenue up 13% at $70.1 billion. But even as revenues rise, companies are looking to offset huge capital outlays for emerging technologies like GenAI. Macroeconomic uncertainty is fueling the cost-cutting effort as well.Tuesday’s layoffs marked the largest Microsoft cuts since 2023, when the company cut 10,000 workers.Related:Bloomberg reports that the layoffs targeted layers of management. About 17% of the cut personnel were classified as managers. Product management and technical program management roles accounted for about 600 of the cuts at Microsoft’s Washington workforce, or about 30% of layoffs, according to the report.What CIOs Should KnowPradeep Sanyal, AI and data leader for IT consultancy Capgemini and a former CIO, says IT leaders should pay close attention and recognize the shifts in market-wide AI strategies.“CIOs should take note, though not necessarily panic,” he tells InformationWeek in an e-mail interview. “Micosoft’s layoff of a high-profile AI leader, even amid massive AI investment, signals a few things …”Sanyal says the companies are restructuring as they shift from experimentation to “operationalization.” The companies are cutting costs by reducing layers and chopping roles not directly tied to revenue generation, he says.Such a change in leadership at a top vendor will likely have implications for customers. “Even if Microsoft’s commitment to AI is strong, sudden leadership exits can disrupt both internal continuity and external partnerships. CIOs betting big on Microsoft AI should press for visibility into roadmap ownership and product stewardship.”Related:The high-profile job cut paints a picture of AI volatility, Sanyal says.“This is a canary moment. When even top-tier AI leaders are not immune, it highlights how volatile the AI labor market is, both inside and outside vendor walls. Enterprises need strong internal AI capability, not just reliance on hyperscalers.”He adds, “In short … Yes, be concerned, but as a strategic signal rather than a tactical red flag. It is a reminder to diversify partnerships, own your AIU vision, and stay nimble as the industry reshapes around the next wave of transformation.About the AuthorShane SniderSenior Writer, InformationWeekShane Snider is a veteran journalist with more than 20 years of industry experience. He started his career as a general assignment reporter and has covered government, business, education, technology and much more. He was a reporter for the Triangle Business Journal, Raleigh News and Observer and most recently a tech reporter for CRN. He was also a top wedding photographer for many years, traveling across the country and around the world. He lives in Raleigh with his wife and two children.See more from Shane SniderWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore ReportsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also Like

Shane Snider, Senior Writer, InformationWeekMay 15, 20252 Min ReadBYphoto via Alamy StockMicrosoft on Tuesday started layoffs of almost 3% of its global workforce, or about 6,000 employees across various departments. Many were shocked that the layoffs included the company’s director of artificial intelligence, Gabriela de Queiroz.De Queiroz took to LinkedIn to share the news in a lengthy post. “Bittersweet news to share: I was impacted by Microsoft’s latest round of layoffs. Was I expecting it? Maybe. These days no matter how hard you work, how much you advocate for your company, or how much visibility to bring -- none of that makes you immune to restructuring,” she wrote.Such a high-level impact in the AI department shocked many commenters -- considering Microsoft has poured billions of dollars into its AI ambitions, including $80 billion earmarked for AI initiatives in 2025 alone. “If they are willing to cut the director of AI, what hope do any of us have?” one Reddit commenter asked.Microsoft posted strong financial results in its most recent quarter, with its revenue up 13% at $70.1 billion. But even as revenues rise, companies are looking to offset huge capital outlays for emerging technologies like GenAI. Macroeconomic uncertainty is fueling the cost-cutting effort as well.Tuesday’s layoffs marked the largest Microsoft cuts since 2023, when the company cut 10,000 workers.Related:Bloomberg reports that the layoffs targeted layers of management. About 17% of the cut personnel were classified as managers. Product management and technical program management roles accounted for about 600 of the cuts at Microsoft’s Washington workforce, or about 30% of layoffs, according to the report.What CIOs Should KnowPradeep Sanyal, AI and data leader for IT consultancy Capgemini and a former CIO, says IT leaders should pay close attention and recognize the shifts in market-wide AI strategies.“CIOs should take note, though not necessarily panic,” he tells InformationWeek in an e-mail interview. “Micosoft’s layoff of a high-profile AI leader, even amid massive AI investment, signals a few things …”Sanyal says the companies are restructuring as they shift from experimentation to “operationalization.” The companies are cutting costs by reducing layers and chopping roles not directly tied to revenue generation, he says.Such a change in leadership at a top vendor will likely have implications for customers. “Even if Microsoft’s commitment to AI is strong, sudden leadership exits can disrupt both internal continuity and external partnerships. CIOs betting big on Microsoft AI should press for visibility into roadmap ownership and product stewardship.”Related:The high-profile job cut paints a picture of AI volatility, Sanyal says.“This is a canary moment. When even top-tier AI leaders are not immune, it highlights how volatile the AI labor market is, both inside and outside vendor walls. Enterprises need strong internal AI capability, not just reliance on hyperscalers.”He adds, “In short … Yes, be concerned, but as a strategic signal rather than a tactical red flag. It is a reminder to diversify partnerships, own your AIU vision, and stay nimble as the industry reshapes around the next wave of transformation.About the AuthorShane SniderSenior Writer, InformationWeekShane Snider is a veteran journalist with more than 20 years of industry experience. He started his career as a general assignment reporter and has covered government, business, education, technology and much more. He was a reporter for the Triangle Business Journal, Raleigh News and Observer and most recently a tech reporter for CRN. He was also a top wedding photographer for many years, traveling across the country and around the world. He lives in Raleigh with his wife and two children.See more from Shane SniderWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore ReportsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also Like

Take-Two Interactive Software let the cat out of the bag as it postponed the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI (now coming on May 26, 2026), and now we can see the impact of that on its outlook. The company reported its net bookings for the fourth-fiscal quarter ended March 31 hit $1.58 billion, up 17% from the same quarter a year ago. The results were in the top end of the company’s own guidance. Good results for NBA 2K25, Grand Theft Auto Online and Grand Theft Auto V, Civilization VII, Toon Blast, Match Factory, Empires & Puzzles, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online and WWE 2K25. The company said that giving Rockstar Games more time to finish Grand Theft Auto VI will improve quality, and it noted that its most recent trailer on GTA VI got 475 million views in 24 hours, up from the announcement trailer of 93 million views. GAAP net revenue was $1.582 billion, up 13% from last year’s fiscal fourth quarter. The GAAP net loss was $3.373 billion, or $21.08 per share, as compared to $2.9 billion, or $17.02 per share, for the comparable period last year. Analysts were expecting GAAP revenues of $1.55 billion and a loss per share of 5 cents. The GAAP results included impairment charges of $3.55 billion related to goodwill and $176.3 million for acquisition-related intangible assets. Net bookings are the company’s operational metric, and it’s defined as the net amount of products and services sold digitally or sold-in physically during the period. It includes licensing fees, merchandise, in-game advertising, strategy guides and publisher incentives. GAAP revenues don’t count revenue that is booked in the quarter but realized at later times. The largest contributors to net bookings were NBA 2K25 and NBA 2K24, Grand Theft Auto Online and Grand Theft Auto V, Civilization VII, Toon Blast, our hyper-casual mobile portfolio, Match Factory!, Empires & Puzzles, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online and WWE 2K25. As of March 31, 2025, Take-Two’s number of employees was 12,928, including 10,096 in-house development studio staff. That was up about 31 people since the previous quarter, and the rest of the company’s headcount was up about 49 people. About 22% of the staff were in low-cost locations (India, China, Turkey, Serbia, Chile, and Hungary). Take-Two Interactive chief executive Strauss Zelnick. “We achieved outstanding results in our 2025 Fiscal Year, with each of our labels contributing meaningfully to our performance,” said Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two, in a statement. “Our Fiscal 2026 outlook reflects continuing positive momentum, with Net Bookings guidance of $5.9 to $6.0 billion. As we bring our exciting lineup to market, including Grand Theft Auto VI in Fiscal 2027, we expect to achieve record levels of Net Bookings that will establish a new baseline for our business and set us on a path of enhanced profitability.” In an interview with GamesBeat, Zelnick tole me some context around the announcement of the delay of Grand Theft Auto VI. “We’re constantly seeking perfection here at Take-Two. Broadly and specifically, Rockstar Games sometimes requires more time. In this case, to deliver this groundbreaking project at the level that its fans demand.” I asked why it was such a precise date, in terms of the new date for launching the game on May 26, 2026. Zelnick said that, generally speaking, when Take-Two announces a specific date, they stick to those dates, historically speaking. While to me it looked like a long delay, Zelnick said that he would quibble that it was a long delay, as it was less than six months later. Since we didn’t know the original date Rockstar had in mind, we didn’t know it was a short delay. I asked if Zelnick felt like the industry was stabilizing, but he said Take-Two wasn’t reporting on how the industry was doing, only the company itself, and that it was a great fiscal year. I mentioned that in the previous quarter we had discussed the uncertainty around tariffs. He replied, “Well, you know that tariffs have been a moving target. So far, we don’t expect tariffs will have a meaningful impact, if any, on software pricing, and therefore sales [would not likely be affected].” He added, “Undoubtedly, tariffs could have an impact on console costs, on pricing, and anything that stands in the way of the growth of an installed base is bad news for us compared to the lack of encumbrances. So we’re hopeful that our situation will be resolved in such a way as to benefit consumers broadly.” I asked about the higher pricing of Switch 2 titles like Mario Kart World, which will sell on the Switch 2 for $80. While not commenting on Nintendo’s pricing, he said competitors have announced variable pricing, but the company has always had variable pricing itself. “Our job as a company, and I think the job of the industry is to deliver way more value given what we charge. And of course, interactive entertainment [delivers] so many hours of gameplay associated with titles that people love,” he said. He noted that the goal is to offer the best value in the business in terms of price per hours played. He confirmed that Borderlands 4 is launching on PC and consoles (Xbox and PlayStation) while the Switch 2 version is coming out later but does not have a ship date yet. He said that, beyond Grand Theft Auto VI, there was no significant movement in the company’s slate for upcoming titles. Take-Two expects growth in the fiscal year 2027, which is year GTA VI will launch now, to be positive at about 5% in the midrange but the company is not spelling out a number for expected bookings in that year. Take-Two said each of its labels contributed meaningfully to performance in the quarter. The company said, “2K posted a fantastic quarter, with the successful launches of Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, WWE 2K25, and PGA TOUR 2K25. NBA 2K delivered one of its strongest periods on-record, including recurrent consumer spending growth of 42%. Rockstar Games excelled once again, with the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series surpassing our forecasts; and Zynga continued to gain momentum, led by Match Factory, Toon Blast, and Rollic’s newest hit – Color Block Jam.” Recurrent consumer spending growth was up 14% over last year and accounting for 77% of net bookings. NBA 2K grew over 40%, while Grand Theft Auto Online and mobile both increased mid-single digits. All of these businesses greatly exceeded forecasts. For the fiscal year, Take-Two reported net bookings of $5.65 billion, which was also the top of guidance range of $5.55 billion to $5.65 billion. Recurrent consumer spending exceeded the firm’s outlook, growing 7%, and accounted for 80% of net bookings. NBA 2K grew high-teens; mobile increased mid-single-digits; and Grand Theft Auto Online declined modestly. Operating expenses increased 28% to $7.5 billion, due to the impairment charges recorded during our fourth quarter. On a management basis, operating expenses rose 11% year-over-year, slightly above guidance, due to higher development costs for titles not technologically feasible. The company spent approximately $169 million on capital expenditures, which was above forecast of $140 million, primarily due to higher game technology expenses. Division label results 2K: NBA 2K25 posted near-record performance and exceeded our forecast. To date, the title has sold-in nearly 10 million units — a 7% increase compared to NBA 2K24 during the same timeframe. Engagement grew significantly, with Daily Active Users, MyCareer Daily Players, and Average Games Per User increasing 30%, 40%, and 80%, respectively. The company was please with the performance of brand extensions for the franchise. NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition remains a top-5 performing title on Apple Arcade; NBA 2K Online in China continues to hold its place as the No. 1 PC sports game in the country; and NBA 2K All-Stars mobile title, which the firm developed in partnership with Tencent and launched on March 25, is maintaining the No. 1 spot on the iOS Sports Game Chart for both downloads and revenue in China. 2K’s release of WWE 2K25 was met with critical acclaim, including a score of 84 on Metacritic for Xbox Series X – an all-time high for the series on that platform. Visual Concepts introduced new features, including The Island, a highly immersive WWE-themed world where players can explore, compete in live events, and earn rewards. Consumer appetite for the franchise is growing, with recurrent consumer spending up 20% during the quarter. This includes strong performance from WWE SuperCard, which achieved near-record levels of net bookings in March. WWE 2K25 has been integrated regularly into WWE’s televised programming and was also a cosponsor of last month’s spectacular WrestleMania 41. In addition, 2K is bringing WWE 2K to Switch 2 this summer as well as bringing WWE 2K to mobile devices this Fall in partnership with Netflix. 2K and HB Studios successfully launched PGA TOUR 2K25, which earned a Metacritic score of 80 on PS 5 and is generating significant recurrent consumer spending growth compared to 2K24. During the period, 2K released Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, the new chapter in our esteemed strategy franchise. As stewards of the Civilization series, Firaxis Games strives to bring innovation with each new release. Take-Two said it is confident that the development team’s ongoing efforts to update key areas of the game will deliver outstanding results over the franchise’s typically long sales cycle. The teams are pursuing opportunities to expand the audience, including the recent launch of Civilization VII VR for Meta Quest 3 and 3S, as well as the title’s upcoming release on Switch 2, which will offer new mouse controls for a highly intuitive gameplay experience. Rockstar Games The Grand Theft Auto series once again exceeded expectations, and to-date, GTA V has sold-in over 215 million units. Recurrent consumer spending outperformed our forecasts, growing 5% year-over-year, led by an array of new modes, rewards, and vehicles for GTA Online, as well as ongoing demand for GTA+ memberships. Rockstar Games continues to expand the possibilities for engagement with the series through ongoing development of its FiveM creator platform. Red Dead Redemption 2 also outperformed, with Net Bookings growing 23% over last year. Rockstar Games continues to support Red Dead Online with a series of rewards that engage their community further. Zynga Zynga Poker is launching multi-table tournaments. Zynga overperformed during the period, and we are pleased that their momentum is continuing into Fiscal 2026. Peak delivered fantastic results. Match Factory exceeded our expectations, driven by first-class live-ops execution and the introduction of Mission Center, a limited-time event that drove significant player engagement. Net Bookings grew meaningfully over last quarter, and the title is generating profits. Net Bookings for Toon Blast grew 7% over last year, primarily due to the introduction of the Cannon Fest event. The company is also thrilled that the title achieved its largest quarter of Net Bookings since Zynga acquired Peak in 2020. Rollic’s newest hit, Color Block Jam, is scaling rapidly and is currently a top-10 downloaded game and among the top-grossing titles in the U.S. Apple App Store. In just four months of operation, the title has become profitable and is making an impressive contribution to our mobile Net Bookings. Take-Two said it is encouraged to see stabilization in Empires & Puzzles. Small Giant improved the title’s in-game economy to support faster player progression and developed fun new features based on player feedback, like Instant Power Summon, Hero Coach, and Visiting Outfitter. Zynga has numerous titles in development and soft launch that it said it is eager to bring to market worldwide. The direct-to-consumer business delivered record performance, as our teams continue to launch new offers, events, and enhanced personalization, which are driving better conversion. While Zynga have been implementing DTC in our titles for some time, the company believes there is an even greater opportunity to expand this highly accretive channel given recent beneficial court rulings. As the company approaches the three-year anniversary of its acquisition of Zynga, Take-Two said it is extremely pleased that the label has become an integral part of the company. Zynga’s core franchises are strong, and the company is energized by the team’s unique ability to launch hits in a highly competitive mobile market, demonstrating further the effectiveness of their multi-studio approach and continued excellence in Live Ops. Outlook for FY26 Portrait and lifestyle shoot at Zynga’s headquarters, San Francisco, CA, April 24-25, 2019. Pictured: a large group meeting with employees and their dogs. Take-Two said it estimates net bookings for the FY26 year ending March 31, 2026 is $5.9 billion to $6 billion, which represents 5% growth over Fiscal 2025 at the midpoint. This outlook assumes a continuation of our current positive trends, including healthy mobile performance and ongoing strength in NBA 2K, as well as the release of several eagerly anticipated titles, including Mafia: The Old Country and Borderlands 4. GTA VI expectations Back to Vice City, or Miami, for GTA6. Triple-A is getting expensive. Rockstar expects to release Grand Theft Auto VI on May 26, 2026, which is in fiscal year 2027. Take-Two said it believes affording Rockstar additional time for such a groundbreaking project is a worthy investment. Grand Theft Auto VI began development in earnest in 2020 following the massive success of Red Dead Redemption 2, and the title is now the most anticipated entertainment property of all time. Consumer anticipation is unprecedented, with Trailer 2’s cross-platform debut last week shattering records to become the biggest video launch of all time, with over 475 million views in 24 hours. This follows Trailer 1’s record-breaking debut of 93 million views in 24 hours on YouTube alone. Spotify streams of the track featured in the trailer, Hot Together, by the Pointer Sisters, surged by 182,000%, once again proving Rockstar’s ability to influence popular culture. The ambition and complexity of Grand Theft Auto VI is greater than any previous Rockstar title, and the team is poised to release another astonishing entertainment experience that will exceed players’ expectations. Largest contributors to net bookings are expected to be NBA 2K, the Grand Theft Auto series, Toon Blast, Borderlands 4, Match Factory, Empires & Puzzles, Words With Friends, the Red Dead Redemption series, and Zynga Poker. The company expects recurrent consumer spending to be flat compared to Fiscal 2025, and to represent 76% of Net Bookings. Our recurrent consumer spending forecast assumes high single-digit growth for NBA 2K and declines for mobile and Grand Theft Auto Online. Release slate for the next year Take-Two Interactive During Fiscal 2026, Take-Two plans to release 13 titles, including four within the immersive core category; five mobile titles, including WWE 2K for Netflix in the fall; and four new iterations of prior releases, including the recent release of Civilization VII VR for Meta Quest 3 and 3S, as well as Civilization VII for Switch 2. In addition, our labels will continue to provide new content and experiences that drive engagement and recurrent consumer spending across many of our key offerings. The company expects the net bookings breakdown from our labels to be roughly 45% Zynga, 39% 2K, and 16% Rockstar Games. Plan to deploy approximately $140 million of capital expenditures for game technology and office buildouts. On August 8, 2K and Hangar 13 will introduce Mafia: The Old Country. This linear, narrative-driven game is a premium experience in the vein of early Mafia titles, set against the stunning, authentic backdrop of 1900s Sicily. Pre-orders are off to a strong start following the debut of the first official gameplay trailer at PAX East last week, and we’re excited for its upcoming launch. 2K and Gearbox will launch Borderlands 4 on September 12th. Last month, during the PlayStation State of Play, our teams shared an extended look at the action-packed gameplay coming in the title. Players were treated to a first look at two of four new Vault Hunters as they tore a path through a secret black site in Terminus Range, showcasing the destructive power of an updated gear system. The Borderlands community reacted very positively, with the game trending on X, and becoming one of the most wish-listed games on Steam. 2K and Gearbox will also release Borderlands 4 for the Switch 2 in the future. The company will release the next iterations of the industry-leading annual sports franchises, NBA 2K and WWE 2K. Long-term outlook With a player-first approach and a deep commitment to quality, the company said it strives to create the best entertainment experiences for global communities and to redefine the art form. As the company brings its exciting lineup to market, including Grand Theft Auto VI in Fiscal 2027, the company expects to achieve record levels of net bookings that will establish a new baseline for the business and set it on a path of enhanced profitability. Pipeline FY26-FY28 The company is extremely optimistic about its upcoming pipeline, which includes approximately 38 titles between Fiscal 2026-2028. Looking ahead, the company currently expects to deliver 25 titles throughout Fiscal 2027 and 2028 including: 17 immersive core releases, including Grand Theft Auto VI and five sports simulation games; four mobile games; and four new iterations of previously released titles. GB Daily Stay in the know! Get the latest news in your inbox daily Read our Privacy Policy Thanks for subscribing. Check out more VB newsletters here. An error occured.

Understand the Full Benefits of a Knowledge Management System In this article:Effective knowledge management is more pressing than ever in today’s dynamic business environment. As organizations strive to capitalize on their collective expertise and data, implementing a robust Knowledge Management System (KMS) can be a game-changer. A KMS not only ensures that valuable information is preserved and accessible but also fosters a culture of learning and innovation. By exploring the full range of benefits a KMS offers, companies can unlock their potential for growth and competitiveness. Below, we delve into how these systems can transform various facets of an organization. 👋 Psst... Did you know you can get unlimited downloads of 59,000+ fonts and millions of other creative assets for just $16.95/mo? Learn more »Unveiling the Comprehensive Advantages of Implementing a Knowledge Management System The adoption of a Knowledge Management System holds the promise of far-reaching advantages for any organization. Primary among these is the ability to capture institutional knowledge — the valuable, often intangible, expertise accumulated over time. A KMS preserves this knowledge, preventing loss due to employee turnover and enabling new team members to come up to speed quickly. Moreover, a KMS serves as a powerful tool for decision-making. With ready access to historical data, case studies, and expert insights, managers and teams can confidently make informed decisions. This repository of organized information ensures that valuable lessons and best practices are recognized and replicated across the organization. Staff development and retention are significantly enhanced by introducing a Knowledge Management System. Employees feel more empowered and engaged when they have the resources to master their roles and contribute meaningfully to the company’s mission. User-friendly KMS platforms facilitate ongoing professional growth, nurturing a more competent workforce. The benefits of a Knowledge Management System extend beyond mere data storage; they include increased innovation. A well-implemented KMS can spark creativity by providing a collaborative environment where ideas are easily shared and refined, leading to more innovative solutions and practices. Enhancing Organizational Efficiency Through Centralized Information Efficiency gains are one of the most tangible outcomes of instituting a Knowledge Management System. A centralized repository of information allows for swift access to needed documents, procedures, and expertise, effectively eliminating the time-consuming process of searching through disparate data silos or querying busy colleagues.Get 300+ Fonts for FREEEnter your email to download our 100% free "Font Lover's Bundle". For commercial & personal use. No royalties. No fees. No attribution. 100% free to use anywhere. An organizational shift to a KMS can markedly streamline workflows and processes. Tasks that once required manual intervention and cross-departmental communication can be automated or simplified, reducing the margin for error and freeing up employees to focus on higher-value activities. This improved operational efficiency often results in cost savings and a better allocation of resources. The consolidation of data within a KMS not only aids in day-to-day operations but also assists in compliance and risk management. By maintaining a clear record of policies, regulations, and compliance documents, businesses can more readily navigate complex legal requirements, mitigating potential risks. Additionally, a KMS can enhance the scalability of operations. As a business grows, its knowledge base can expand seamlessly within the system, providing a robust framework to support the increased complexity and information needs of a larger workforce and client base. Fostering Innovation and Collaboration with Knowledge-Sharing Practices A Knowledge Management System at its core is a facilitator of knowledge sharing, unlocking the collective intelligence of the workforce. When employees freely share insights and expertise, a more informed and agile organization can rapidly adapt to market changes and new opportunities. The cross-pollination of ideas is another benefit that stems from an environment where knowledge flows openly. Employees from different departments or geographies can interact within a KMS, sparking discussions that may lead to breakthrough innovations or more effective problem-solving techniques. Maintaining a competitive edge in today’s economy often depends on a company’s ability to learn and innovate faster than its peers. A KMS creates the infrastructure needed to support continuous improvement initiatives, as lessons learned are systematically captured and made available for future endeavors. Collaboration tools integrated within a KMS can also enhance project management and coordination. Teams can work together on documents, share real-time feedback, and track project progress, ensuring that knowledge is shared and applied effectively. Overall, the strategic implementation of a Knowledge Management System can transform an organization’s approach to information sharing, decision-making, and innovation. It improves efficiency, drives performance, and establishes a foundation for continuous learning and competitiveness in the ever-evolving business landscape. Jack Nolan Jack Nolan is a freelance graphic designer with over 10 years of experience helping brands stand out through bold, impactful design. Specializing in logo design, visual identity, and digital illustrations, Jack has worked with startups, small businesses, and global clients to bring creative ideas to life. His passion for clean, timeless design is matched only by his commitment to understanding client needs and delivering work that exceeds expectations. When he's not designing, Jack enjoys hiking, experimenting with photography, and exploring the latest trends in design. 10 Must-Have Travel Tools for Designers in 2025Traveling as a designer in goes beyond simply stuffing your passport and sketchbook. Modern designers must remain connected, motivated, and...5 Steps to Respond to an Interview Request EmailCongratulations! 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Email continues to be the primary attack vector for cybercriminals targeting organizations across all industries. These attacks arrive disguised as legitimate communications, often mimicking trusted senders and creating a false sense of security that bypasses technical defenses by taking advantage of human error. Understanding the distinctions between business email compromise (BEC) vs phishing is crucial, as both represent sophisticated yet very different threat methods. The financial impact of email-based threats has reached unprecedented levels. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, BEC scams resulted in over $2.77 billion across 21,442 reported incidents in 2024 alone. What makes a BEC attack different from a typical phishing email is its highly targeted nature. While phishing often involves mass distribution of generic threats designed to lure people in, BEC attacks specifically impersonate executives or trusted partners to target individuals with financial authority. The 2023 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report also revealed that phishing attempts increased by 18% year-over-year, with 74% of breaches in financial services involving phishing as the initial attack method. Organizations can significantly strengthen their security posture through a combination of employee awareness training and effective security controls. Teaching staff how to identify suspicious emails represents a critical first line of defense, while implementing email authentication protocols provides essential protection.  DMARC solutions for businesses, like those provided by EasyDMARC, help organizations verify sender legitimacy, prevent domain spoofing, and block unauthorized emails before they reach employee inboxes, effectively neutralizing these threats before they can exploit various vulnerabilities. This multi-layered approach not only protects sensitive information but also preserves business continuity, shields organizational reputation, and maintains the trust that customers and partners place in your digital communications. In this article, we’ll go over what a BEC attack looks like, what makes a BEC attack different from a typical phishing email attack, recent trends, and what you can do to prevent these types of attacks.  Key Takeaways for BEC vs Phishing BEC attacks and phishing attacks are similar in that they both use social engineering tactics, typically involve email as an attack vector, and the end goal is often financial gain, data theft, or unauthorized access. While BEC attacks and phishing are similar, BEC issues are far more sophisticated and personalized to the target.  Best practices for preventing BEC attacks include training employees, using MFA, and implementing DMARC protocols.  What is a BEC Attack? BEC attacks are sophisticated email scams that target organizations, often with financial motives or to gain access to sensitive information. These highly targeted attacks involve cybercriminals impersonating executives, trusted vendors, or business partners to manipulate employees into taking actions that benefit the attacker. Unlike mass phishing campaigns that cast wide, generic nets, BEC attacks are meticulously researched and personalized. Attackers often spend weeks studying their targets’ organizational structures, business relationships, and communication patterns before launching their assault. They identify key individuals with financial authority or access to sensitive information, then craft convincing impersonations designed to exploit established relationships. The most common BEC scenario involves an urgent wire transfer request that appears to come from a company executive. For example, an employee might receive what looks like an authentic email from their CEO requesting an immediate wire transfer to a vendor. The message often emphasizes urgency and discretion, discouraging verification through normal channels. When the employee complies, the funds are transferred directly to the attacker’s account and typically moved multiple times within hours, making recovery virtually impossible. The financial damage from BEC attacks can be devastating. But beyond immediate financial losses, organizations face potential regulatory penalties, litigation costs, reputational damage, and lost business opportunities. In one case, a multinational corporation lost $47 million in a single BEC attack when an executive was tricked into authorizing multiple transfers for a supposed acquisition. How to Prevent Business Email Compromise Attacks The best way to prevent BEC attacks is by using a multi-layered approach, combining employee training, multi-factor authentication, and email security protocols. Employee Training Regular security training equips employees with the right tools to spot dangerous emails before they do damage. Teaching staff to adhere to email security best practices is a great way to ensure your employees are helping build a security-conscious culture. Multi-Factor Authentication Multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides multiple layers of defense through different authentication factors. These typically include something you know (like a password), something you have (such as a smartphone), and something you are (biometric data like fingerprints). Even if a password is compromised, these additional authentication layers prevent unauthorized access, dramatically reducing the risk of account infiltration. The multiple verification steps create a robust security mechanism that goes far beyond traditional password protection. Email security protocols like DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), SPF (Sender Policy Framework), and DMARC (Domain-based Message, Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) provide critical layers of protection against email spoofing and phishing attempts. These protocols work together to verify the authenticity of email senders and prevent unauthorized use of domain names. To best identify email security issues, users can use tools like SPF lookups, DKIM Record Checkers, and DKIM Record Generators. However, these tools can only go so far.  To ensure the best possible protection against BEC attacks, organizations must have DMARC properly set up to achieve the most secure email authentication. To do so, users can make use of online DMARC solutions to help them implement the strongest DMARC policies and get support with the continual monitoring of their domains.  Start Your 14-day Free Trial What is a Phishing Attack?  A phishing attack is one in which attackers impersonate trusted entities to trick victims into revealing sensitive information. They typically arrive via email, text messages, or social media, masquerading as legitimate communications from banks, service providers, colleagues, or other trusted sources.  Today’s phishing attacks have evolved far beyond the obvious grammatical errors and implausible scenarios of early attempts. Modern phishing emails often feature perfect spelling, convincing logos, and accurate sender information. They create a false sense of urgency, leverage fear or curiosity, and provide seemingly legitimate reasons for immediate action. The most common phishing scenario involves an email claiming to be from a trusted organization, alerting the recipient to a supposed account problem requiring immediate attention. Recent phishing statistics reveal that the most targeted industry in 2024 was the IT sector. This industry faces greater risk due to its critical role in infrastructure and access to valuable data. Cybercriminals exploit software vulnerabilities and employee susceptibility to phishing scams to gain access to sensitive information and important systems.  The Evolution of Phishing Since their inception in the 90s, phishing attacks have progressed significantly. Early attacks often contained obvious red flags like poor grammar and unlikely scenarios. Since then, cyber criminals have refined their tactics, creating more convincing messages that mimic legitimate organizations with increasing accuracy.  Modern attacks often include spear phishing, which targets individuals through the use of personal relevant information, clone phishing, which replicates legitimate emails but replaces attachments with malicious versions, vishing, involving voice phishing via phone calls, and pharming, which redirects website traffic to fake sites without user interaction. Today’s most sophisticated phishing attacks employ AI-generated content that can adapt to targets in real-time, creating highly personalized and convincing communications. According to SlashNext’s 2023 State of Phishing Report, AI-enhanced phishing attacks increased by 1,265% in 2022 alone, with attackers using machine learning to craft increasingly convincing messages. The Real Cost of Phishing The damage from phishing attacks extends far beyond initial credential theft, creating long-lasting consequences for organizations that fall victim to them. When attackers gain access to accounts or systems, they can steal sensitive data, including financial information and intellectual property. These breaches often lead to substantial financial loss, with the average cost of a data breach reaching $4.45 million in 2023.  Even more devastating can be the deployment of ransomware across corporate networks, as seen in high-profile cases where companies paid millions in ransom and still faced weeks of operational disruption. The repercussions continue to ripple outward as cybercriminals establish persistent access for extended campaigns, sometimes maintaining hidden footholds for months before being detected. Using compromised accounts, attackers frequently target an organization’s partners and customers, exploiting established trust relationships to spread their reach.  This cascade effect severely damages brand reputation and erodes customer confidence, as demonstrated when major retailers experienced phishing breaches that led to measurable customer churn and required expensive brand rehabilitation campaigns. The combined impact of regulatory fines, litigation, remediation costs, and lost business opportunities often transforms what seemed like a simple email attack into an existential threat for many businesses. Recent Trends and Emerging Threats Phishing threats continue to evolve at a rapid pace. Recent trends include: QR Code Phishing: Attackers embed malicious QR codes in emails that direct victims to credential-harvesting sites MFA Bypass Techniques: Sophisticated phishing kits that can intercept and replay authentication tokens in real-time AI-Generated Content: Using large language models to create highly convincing and contextually appropriate phishing messages Collaboration Platform Targeting: Focused attacks on workplace tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Google Workspace How to Prevent a Phishing Attack To best prevent phishing attacks, as with BEC attacks, we recommend a multi-layered approach, combining technical solutions like DMARC, human awareness including security training, and organizational processes like MFA.  Detecting email security vulnerabilities requires specialized tools such as SPF lookup utilities, DKIM record verification and generation tools, DMARC verification services, and phishing link checkers.  For optimal defense against phishing attacks, organizations should implement properly configured DMARC protocols to maximize email authentication security. Dedicated DMARC solutions like EasyDMARC offer assistance in deploying robust DMARC policies and providing ongoing domain monitoring support. Get Started Now Is Business Email Compromise the Same as Phishing? BEC and phishing attacks are closely related and often overlap, as both rely on deception to trick victims into taking harmful actions. However, they differ in execution, targeting, and sophistication. Similarities Between BEC and Phishing  Both use social engineering tactics to manipulate victims. Both typically involve email as the primary attack vector. The end goal of both is often financial gain, data theft, or unauthorized access. Differences Between BEC and Phishing  Targeting: BEC attacks are highly targeted, often aimed at specific individuals like executives or finance personnel, while phishing is usually broader and sent to large groups. Tactics: BEC relies on impersonation and pretexting without malware or links, whereas phishing often uses malicious links or attachments to compromise systems. Complexity: BEC attacks are generally more sophisticated and customized, requiring research and planning, whereas phishing is typically automated and generic. EasyDMARC Can Prevent BEC Attacks and Stop Phishing As cyber threats continue to evolve, organizations must understand the nuances between BEC and phishing attacks to build more effective defenses. Both attack types exploit human trust and communication habits, but BEC attacks stand out for their precision, research, and high financial stakes, while phishing typically relies on volume and opportunism. Regardless of the method, email remains the most exploited vector, making email security a critical priority. At EasyDMARC, we equip businesses with the tools needed to identify, categorize, and neutralize both BEC and phishing threats, as well as countless other attacks. By implementing email authentication protocols like DMARC, SPF, and DKIM, organizations can verify sender identity and prevent domain spoofing.  Our platform also offers powerful tools to help users detect weaknesses and take action before attackers can exploit them. Features like real-time alerting and aggregate reporting give organizations the visibility and agility needed to respond quickly and decisively to suspicious activity. Looking ahead, phishing attacks continue to rise year upon year, becoming increasingly targeted and convincing. Meanwhile, BEC attacks are growing in sophistication and financial impact. The most effective way to stay ahead of these evolving threats is by adopting a proactive, layered defense strategy that includes email authentication. With the right tools, policies, and training in place, organizations can significantly reduce their exposure and build long-term resilience against the next wave of email-based attacks. Frequently Asked Questions What is a BEC cyber attack? A Business Email Compromise (BEC) cyber attack is a type of email fraud that targets businesses and organizations to trick employees, executives, or partners into transferring money or sensitive information to the attackers. It typically involves the spoofing or compromising of a legitimate business email address to manipulate the victim into taking actions that result in financial or data losses. Attackers will often impersonate other people at the company, particularly management or higher-ups. What is an example of a BEC? BEC attacks almost always involve impersonation of a company employee, so they often begin with an email from an attacker impersonating someone at the company. In some cases, the attacker will target the company’s accounts payable department with an email containing a malicious link or attachment. Once the link is clicked, the attacker can gain access to the accounts payable email, making stealing money much easier.  Here is an example of what an email from a BEC attack may look like. “Hi [Employee Name],I need you to process an urgent payment of $100,000 to [Vendor Name]. This payment is time-sensitive, and we need it completed by the end of the day. Please wire the funds to the following account:Account Number: 1234567890  Routing Number: 987654321  Bank Name: [Fake Bank Name]Let me know once it’s done. This is very important.Best,  [CEO Name] What makes a BEC attack different than a typical phishing? A Business Email Compromise (BEC) attack differs from a typical phishing attack in several key ways. While both types of attacks use social engineering to manipulate victims into taking actions that benefit the attacker, BEC attacks are usually aimed at businesses, focusing on financial transactions or stealing confidential data. The emails appear legitimate, making it harder to detect, and often involve impersonating high-level employees. On the other hand, phishing is usually more generic and aimed at a wide audience, trying to trick victims into clicking on malicious links or downloading malware to steal personal information, such as login credentials. Phishing emails often include suspicious links or attachments, while BEC emails are more subtle and business-focused. Who do BEC attacks typically target? Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks typically target specific individuals within an organization who have access to financial transactions, sensitive company data, or the ability to authorize actions such as fund transfers. The attackers often focus on individuals who are more likely to be tricked into complying with requests that appear legitimate. What is the difference between BEC and EAC? BEC involves attackers impersonating executives or trusted partners to trick employees into transferring money or sensitive data. It’s highly targeted and often financially motivated. In contrast, EAC (Email Account Compromise) occurs when an attacker gains unauthorized access to an individual’s email account to steal information or monitor communications. While BEC focuses on financial fraud, EAC is generally more about unauthorized access and data theft. What is the best way to prevent BEC attacks? The best way to prevent BEC attacks is employee training. Teaching your employees what to look for gives them the knowledge needed to recognize when an email looks suspicious and trains them not to click on links or attachments in emails.  Other effective approaches include using multi-factor authentication and implementing email authentication protocols like DMARC, DKIM, and SPF. Services like EasyDMARC makes implementing these protocols easy, fast, and secure. 

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Pine Heath Townhouse / Studio Hagen HallSave this picture!© Felix Speller•London, United Kingdom Architects: Studio Hagen Hall Area Area of this architecture project Area:  284 m² Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2023 Photographs Photographs:Felix Speller Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers:  Fritz Hansen, panoramah!®, Bette, Haxch , A.J. Brett & Co Ltd, Anthony, Archie Shine, Artemide, Baina, Balsan, Bertazzoni, Cassina, Cavendish Equipment, Cielo, Crosswater, Elliots of Newbury, F&E Joinery, FLOS, Frama, Guzzini, +22 More SpecsLess Specs Save this picture! Text description provided by the architects. Set within a leafy enclave of the Hampstead Conservation Area in North London, a modernist townhouse now stands confidently refurbished for a young couple and their daughter, expertly designed by emerging architecture and interiors practice, Studio Hagen Hall. The home is part of a handsome cluster of nine properties, including five townhouses originally designed by South African architect Ted Levy, Benjamin & Partners in the late 1960s, representing a key part of progressive post-war design thinking in London's built history. Externally, each of the neighboring homes appears uniformly designed with subtle reference to Cape Town coastal developments in the 50s and 60s, but interiors have since been sporadically renovated, and the majority of them stripped of their modernist character. 'Pine Heath' is one of the last remaining houses to retain many original features still intact throughout.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Drawn to the original, mid-century charm and interiors of the home, the clients briefed Studio Hagen Hall to revive the tired terraced house into a warm, broken plan, polished home for their growing family, with a keen focus on upgrading its overall energy efficiency and performance. As long-time followers of the practice and admirers of previous completed projects, including Canyon House, the clients appointed Studio Hagen Hall in 2021 for its approachability, extensive experience in modernist restorations, and ability to deliver technically challenging architecture with warm, sensitive, and timelessly crafted interiors. Studio Hagen Hall was initially appointed to lightly refurbish the home, involving only the kitchen, bathrooms, and windows, but on careful inspection, realized that the home's true potential lay in much wider renovation. Studio Hagen Hall proposed a bespoke restoration encompassing the whole house that would improve operational efficiency and reduce overall project costs in the long term, and ultimately introduce a more sophisticated and pragmatic series of living spaces to suit a functional, life-long home.Save this picture!Alongside the aesthetic and energy-improvement brief for Pine Heath, spatial planning needed much consideration throughout the property. The new arrangement lays out a defined relationship between indoor and outdoor zones. A more logical connection is re-established between the entrance, kitchen, and living areas, and large amounts of storage and multi-purpose functionality are introduced into these communal spaces. Previously a three-bedroom home, Studio Hagen Hall has utilized the property's five stories to deliver a cleverly and subtly zoned floor plan, balancing social family space with distinct areas for rest, utility, work, and play. It now comprises an additional fourth guest bedroom suite-cum-gym in the basement, plus a new office and guest sleeping pod in the eaves of the property. The original central stairwell and timber-clad ceilings acted as a cue to reinstating the modernist characteristics of Pine Heath. The aged Paraná pine, a highly sought-after endangered species, formed the foundation for the project's material palette and further references Studio Hagen Hall's sensitive design choices to work around and preserve original, indelible detail throughout the home.Save this picture!Save this picture!Other intentional devices are employed by Studio Hagen Hall to improve sightlines and accentuate spatial flow between each room. In the bedrooms, old doors and openings have been replaced with floor-to-ceiling pocket doors maintained at 2.5 meters high, and subtly re-aligned to allow perfect views all the way from the front to the back of the house. Storage spaces in the bedrooms, once running laterally, now run perpendicular so that windows and views are completely unfettered and viewed through deep timber-lined portals. On entry, visitors are greeted by a generous hallway and a built-in cloak area complete with a bench, with direct vistas reaching the terraced patio and communal gardens to the rear of the home. Navigating this visual journey, occupants are carried along acute horizontal datum lines, and a tile grid that continues throughout the whole house; window sills, joinery, and spaces with angular changes cut at 45-degree angles, highlight Studio Hagen Hall's meticulous and exceedingly satisfying approach to spatial design.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The new bespoke kitchen nods to the client and Studio Hagen Hall's shared interest in quality craftsmanship, showcased in dynamic, yet sensitive, material detailing. Brushed stainless steel worktops sit deftly atop the bespoke cabinetry, individually fitted to mask all domestic appliances such as the fridge, dishwasher, and bespoke extractor fan hood. Custom-designed and milled sapele handles mirror existing mahogany accents throughout the house. Period details of the original modernist kitchen have been accentuated for contemporary use; textured, stippolyte glass cabinetry together with a sweeping curved timber fascia now envelopes the kitchen, aligning with the original horizontal window datum and framing the serving hatch to the dining area. Custom mechanical louvre window shutters are installed above the sink, providing privacy from the street when required. A warm yet refined palette forms the basis for the interior mood of Pine Heath. The joinery has been expertly crafted in a complementary veneer, subtly stained to match the original Paraná pine strip ceiling and stair cladding within the home. Studio Hagen Hall added textures and colors to elevate the atmosphere, with rich greens tying the house together, displayed in the raised living area, stairwell, and covering all of the bespoke upholstered furnishings in the living, dining, and sleeping spaces.Save this picture!Save this picture!Earthen colors come together to create dramatic interior focal points, in the color-drenched tiled bathrooms punctuated by browns, greens, and blues, selectively chosen to complement the cherry wood joinery, seamless mirror glazing, and bespoke barisol lighting. Microcement flooring flows through the upper floors, deepening the relationship between materiality and ambience. In numerical terms, Pine Heath now reads at a much higher thermal performance. Studio Hagen Hall retained the appearance of the original fenestration by replacing the original single-glazed aluminum windows with a custom hybrid solution, comprising timber frames with aluminum and vacuum glazing inserts.Save this picture!Beyond the upgrade to the glazing, insulation was added internally to key areas of the concrete and brick structure to drastically reduce cold-bridging. Trickle and adjustable air vents in each room provide fresh airflow via the new centralized mechanical extract ventilation system. The property also features integrated solar panels, an air-source heat pump, underfloor heating, and full roof insulation to meet and more than exceed standard energy efficiency requirements. An exemplar in sensitively considered architecture and interior design, Pine Heath demonstrates a deep understanding of how toLondon modernist house transformation.Save this picture! Project gallerySee allShow less About this officeStudio Hagen HallOffice••• Published on May 15, 2025Cite: "Pine Heath Townhouse / Studio Hagen Hall" 15 May 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1029797/pine-heath-townhouse-studio-hagen-hall&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save世界上最受欢迎的建筑网站现已推出你的母语版本!想浏览ArchDaily中国吗?是否 You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd" The Office of the Architects of the Judicial Branch of Santa Fe has completed a morgue designed with a horizontal line that aligns with the large flat roof in Vera, Province of Santa Fe, Argentina.Under a commodatum agreement with the Provincial Government, the Judicial Morgue of the Judiciary of Santa Fe is situated on a portion of the Regional Hospital premises in the city of Vera.Named Judicial Morgue for the City of Vera, given the particular location and how the general public views this kind of architectural program, the intervention's main goal was to create a modern area that invites approach rather than rejection—or even one that people using the building's adjacent services might not notice. For this reason, the building is discreetly hidden behind reachable embankments covered with natural vegetation, leaving the viewer with only a horizontal line that is in line with the large flat roof that encloses the reception area, office spaces, the actual morgue, and the perimeter of the intermediate galleries. Rooms facing the back of the concrete embankment or adjacent plots are prioritized from the inside.Even though the main structure is surrounded by the embankments, the building was positioned to be visible in its entirety from nearly every aspect due to the lot's proportions. Its conserved native forest, which is included into the concept, produces diverse experiences when walked about at ground level, through the pedestrian entry, or via the car access road. The deliberate image of the "fifth façade"—an abstraction made up of the entire roof structure, the vertical boundary along the street, the infrastructure areas, the vehicle access road, the perimeter lines of the embankments and pedestrian access—is given special attention.Wind, shadow, rain, sun, and vegetation all become protagonists, meticulously incorporated into the architectural concept, as environmental and climatic aspects were carefully studied in the creation of this unique program. The structure is arranged around galleries, which act as areas of transition between the outside and the inside and, more importantly, as sun control systems, which help to lessen the harsh environment of the area. Among other things, a Venturi tube at the pedestrian entrance circulates air to chill the inside and splits to cool the outside walls.Administrative offices, conference rooms, identification rooms, cold storage rooms, X-ray and picture interpretation rooms, inclusive locker rooms, autopsy rooms, loading/unloading garages, pathological waste storage, and a main hall and reception area are all part of the functional plan. An infrastructure equipment cluster that houses air conditioning condensers, refrigeration units, a chiller, a hydropneumatic tank, a generator, and an external guard room are examples of supporting spaces. These are surrounded by an exposed shell of reinforced concrete walls and roof and are situated outside the huge metal roof.The courtyard, the pedestrian entrance, and the encircling galleries are notable semi-covered areas. They all have enormous circular open skylights that let in rainwater or filtered sunlight, making the room feel cozy and inviting for both professionals and guests. A semicircular bench serves as a reflective seating space beneath the skylights. Similar to how the building is visually protected from the exterior by concrete embankments covered in vegetation and purposefully placed pedestrian openings away from the hospital, the interior is similarly protected by intermediate areas that are intended to lessen the proximity and animosity of the reinforced concrete envelope to the south. This is accomplished by paving a courtyard with loose river stones of various colors, which lessens the impression on the eye and permits future plants to grow in between the stones.The building's partially covered sections face the designated vehicle access road to the north, and vertical screens act as a physical barrier in front of the urban street's protected row of native trees that border the entrance. Using metal structures, sheet metal, circular-section tubes, and a reinforced concrete planter, the physical boundary between the lot and the street was given special design consideration. This creates an expressive, organic line that opens up urban sightlines and draws attention to the main gate and institutional signage.The autopsy room and its auxiliary spaces are the heart of a morgue, thus biosafety regulations and the best use of circulation and support rooms were taken into consideration when designing the spaces. To circulate air and safeguard the working staff, the facility has specifically built climate control systems (power capacity and unique filters). It has a digital X-ray machine, surgical-grade lighting, specialized storage equipment, and two cutting-edge stainless steel autopsy tables made by national suppliers. Filtered natural light is let in through micro-perforated metal panels, softening the space's clinical feel. The main views are of the north inner courtyard.The building's infrastructure includes a generator for continuous power supply, self-sufficient solar power, a single absorption pit and separate outputs for pre-treating liquid waste that eventually discharges into the sewer system, and connections to municipal water and electricity. Additionally, it has video surveillance, complete climate control throughout, and intrusion and fire alarm systems. Interlocking permeable pavers and intermediate chambers were used to address drainage and paving issues caused by the lengthy access road that connected the building to the city roadway.Aluminum window frames, gypsum rock walls, oxidized metal sheets for the galleries' and semi-covered areas' ceilings, flush-joint interior ceilings, exposed reinforced concrete for the external envelope, hermetically sealed double-glazing in specific geometries for the operational spaces, and reinforced concrete partitions covered in perforated and plain metal sheets are among the materials used in the building. At the site and car entrances, the vehicle access road has unique wood elements, precast stormwater drains, and articulated paving. The structure is decorated with polished 30x30 cm granite mosaic tiles, and the kitchens and bathrooms have custom black Brazilian granite countertops. Whenever feasible, national and local suppliers were used.All things considered, this project has presented a big challenge for the professionals in our office, but its completion allows us to keep trying new things in the future. By bringing compassion and respect to a function that is usually disregarded because of its negative implications, it enables us to "reconsider our relationship with the afterlife." In the end, it is a project that offers the balance of beauty and usefulness that is the ultimate aim of architecture by articulating and integrating spaces to make them livable and noticeable.Section AASection BBEast elevationWest elevationNorth elevationSouth elevationProject factsProject name: Judicial Morgue for the City of VeraClient: Judicial Branch of the Province of Santa FeArchitectural Office: Office of the Architects of the Judicial Branch of Santa Fe / (Architect Adelia Sebastián - Architect Carreras Luis - Tech. Gonzalez Javier - Architect Batlle Casas Barbara - Basualdo Gonzalo - Tech. Grippaldi Bruno - Architect Soriano Sebastián)Architect(s) in charge: Architect Adelia SebastiánTechnical Support: Architect Guillermo Goddio - Architect Ramiro SosaConstruction Company: Cocyar S.A.Construction completion year: 2024Lot area: 5,000 m2Covered area: 402 m2Semi-covered area: 980 m2Project year: 2022Location: Vera, Province of Santa Fe, ArgentinaProgram: Institutional (Judicial Morgue)All images © Ramiro Sosa.All drawings © Office of the Architects of the Judicial Branch of Santa Fe.> via Office of the Architects of the Judicial Branch of Santa Fe