html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd" Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has created the Blue Ocean Dome (BOD) for the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, addressing the urgent issue of marine plastic pollution and raising crucial awareness about it.Named Blue Ocean Dome, the pavilion stands out with its innovative design, comprising three distinct dome types: Dome A, Dome B, and Dome C. Each dome is specifically crafted to host captivating installations and dynamic exhibitions, promising an unforgettable experience for all visitors throughout the event. Image © Taiki FukaoThe project was commissioned by the Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives (ZERI), a global network of creative minds, seeking solutions to the ever increasing problems of the world.Rather than outright rejecting plastic, the pavilion inspires deep reflection on how we use and manage materials, highlighting our critical responsibility to make sustainable choices for the future.The BOD merges traditional and modern materials—like bamboo, paper, and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP)—to unlock new and innovative architectural possibilities.Dome A, serving as the striking entrance, is expertly crafted from laminated bamboo. This innovative design not only showcases the beauty of bamboo but also tackles the pressing issue of abandoned bamboo groves in Japan, which pose a risk to land stability due to their shallow root systems.Utilizing raw bamboo for structural purposes is often difficult; however, through advanced processing, it is transformed into thin, laminated boards that boast strength even greater than that of conventional wood. These boards have been skillfully fashioned into a remarkable 19-meter dome, drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese bamboo hats. This project brilliantly turns an environmental challenge into a sustainable architectural solution, highlighting the potential of bamboo as a valuable resource.Dome B stands as the central and largest structure of its kind, boasting a remarkable diameter of 42 meters. It is primarily constructed from Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), a cutting-edge material revered for its extraordinary strength-to-weight ratio—four times stronger than steel yet only one-fifth the weight. While CFRP is predominantly seen in industries such as aerospace and automotive due to its high cost, its application in architecture is pioneering.In this project, the choice of CFRP was not just advantageous; it was essential. The primary goal was to minimize the foundation weight on the reclaimed land of the Expo site, making sustainability a top priority. To mitigate the environmental consequences of deep foundation piles, the structure had to be lighter than the soil excavated for its foundation. CFRP not only met this stringent requirement but also ensured the dome's structural integrity, showcasing a perfect marriage of innovation and environmental responsibility.Dome C, with its impressive 19-meter diameter, is crafted entirely from paper tubes that are 100% recyclable after use. Its innovative design features a three-dimensional truss structure, connected by elegant wooden spheres, evoking the beauty of molecular structures.To champion sustainability and minimize waste following the six-month Expo, the entire BOD pavilion has been meticulously designed for effortless disassembly and relocation. It is anchored by a robust steel foundation system and boasts a modular design that allows it to be conveniently packed into standard shipping containers. After the Expo concludes, this remarkable pavilion will be transported to the Maldives, where it will be transformed into a stunning resort facility, breathing new life into its design and purpose.Recently, Shigeru Ban's Paper Log House was revealed at Philip Johnson's Glass House Venue. In addition, Ban installed his Paper Partition Shelters (PPS) for the victims of the Turkey-Syria earthquake in Mersin and Hatay provinces of Turkey.All images © Hiroyuki Hirai unless otherwise stated.> via Shigeru Ban Architects 

Muharraq Architecture City Guide: 10 Projects Through the Bahraini City's Developing Pearling PathSave this picture!Pearling Path - Muharraq. Image via Shutterstock - Kirk FisherThe Kingdom of Bahrain is being widely acknowledged recently through their worldwide architectural contributions at the Expo 2025 in Osaka, with their Anatomy of a Dhow pavilion by Lina Ghotmeh; or at the Venice Biennale, where the Heatwave exhibition was awarded the Golden Lion for Best National Participation. However, for the past few years Bahraini cities like Muharraq have been lending the stage for regional and international architects to discover their typical Persian Gulf architecture and add their own touches to the local sites. It's through the works of Leopold Banchini, Anne Holtrop, or Valerio Olgiati that the old has been brought back to life, along with the efforts of the local authorities and cultural figures. The city that has been experiencing many consecutive restoration and innovative projects, that delve into its narrow alleyways and tackle its heritage sites, influenced by centuries of passing rules from Portuguese and Persian to the Khalifah dynasty that settled at the end of the 18th century. In 2019, the works on the renowned Pearling Path made it a laureate for the Aga Khan award. This area of the old city joins together some local landmarks via a promenade linked through pocket parks, courtyards, and lit up by guiding lamps. This endeavor was successful in saving many decaying buildings that were on the verge of demolition and, through the injection of some contemporary projects and cultural programs, revived the area's priceless history. Explore Muharraq's traditional and contemporary architectural interventions through this curated project selection, which will grow as the city's revival works persist.  Related Article Visiting 2019 Aga Khan Award Laureates Historical ArchitectureBeit Sheikh Isa Bin Ali Al Khalifa Save this picture!Kurar HouseSave this picture!Siyadi MosqueSave this picture!Fakhro HouseSave this picture!Contemporary ProjectsArchaeologies of Green Pavilion / Anne HoltropSave this picture!Khalifeyah Library / SeARCHSave this picture!House for Architectural Heritage / Noura Al Sayeh + Leopold Banchini ArchitectsSave this picture!Pearling Site Museum and Entrance / Valerio OlgiatiSave this picture!35 Green Corner Building / Studio Anne HoltropSave this picture!Four Car Parks / Christian KerezSave this picture!We invite you to visit our list of Architecture City Guides. Image gallerySee allShow less About this authorHana AbdelAuthor••• Cite: Hana Abdel. "Muharraq Architecture City Guide: 10 Projects Through the Bahraini City's Developing Pearling Path" 31 May 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1030426/muharraq-architecture-city-guide-10-projects-through-the-bahraini-citys-developing-pearling-path&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

On Designing National Pavilions: Power and Identity at Universal ExhibitionsSave this picture!Czech Pavilion Expo 2025 Osaka / Apropos Architects Image © boysplayniceWhat can a pavilion’s architecture reveal about its country? At major World Expos, national pavilions are designed to answer this question, transforming into spaces laden with symbolism. Though temporary, these structures are rich in meaning, functioning as architectural expressions of political identity. Their forms and materials encapsulate national ambitions. Expo Osaka 2025, the latest chapter in this ongoing narrative, showcases how nations increasingly use built space to construct global images of themselves—sustainable, technological, culturally distinct, and geopolitically relevant. Save this picture!Over the decades, these pavilions have evolved into meticulously curated narratives where architecture, politics, and culture intersect to shape national identity. At Osaka 2025, this symbolic and diplomatic function becomes even more pronounced. Pavilions communicate not only who a nation is, but who it aspires to be. The environmental agenda, for example, has become a compelling vector of soft power. Japan’s pavilion exemplifies this shift, employing local wood, parametric design, and natural ventilation not just for function, but as metaphors of circularity and harmony with nature.Save this picture!Meanwhile, countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are embracing immersive technologies—augmented reality, responsive facades, and AI—to reframe their narratives. No longer defined solely by oil economies, they seek to position themselves as innovation-driven futurescapes. In this context, national identity is staged like a multisensory installation. Materials, sounds, aromas, lighting, and spatial choreography become tools for storytelling—none of them neutral, all of them charged with intent. Related Article Are World's Fairs a Thing of the Past? The Role that Architecture Played on One of History's Biggest Stages Architecture as a Political StatementPavilions transcend cultural or technological display to become instruments of political messaging. Architectural choices convey nuanced—or at times overt—signals about values, ambitions, and worldviews. Denmark’s Expo 2020 Dubai pavilion, with open ramps and fluid circulation, subtly suggests democratic transparency and inclusion, while Russia’s monumental spiral structure evokes nationalism and technological command. Here, architecture becomes a codified discourse: every curve, void, and surface reads like a political sign.Save this picture!This language continues at Osaka 2025. Israel’s pavilion, inspired by the ecological resilience of deserts, presents a narrative of innovation and perseverance amid adversity—an architectural response to both climate challenges and regional geopolitics. Bahrain’s contribution, by Lina Ghotmeh Architecture, focuses on the adaptability of maritime cultures. South Korea’s high-tech, futuristic pavilion reinforces its position as a rising digital powerhouse.In some instances, however, absence speaks just as loudly. In previous editions, countries like North Korea and Syria have boycotted the Expo as a form of political protest. These silent gestures are part of the same strategic vocabulary, where presence, form, and even withdrawal shape the geopolitical stage set by architecture.Save this picture!Sustainability on DisplayAmid the global climate crisis, national pavilions have also become key arenas for environmental diplomacy. Sustainability—once a peripheral concern—is now central to the architectural narrative of Expos. It’s no longer only about meeting green standards, but about crafting a spatial language that embodies ecological responsibility. This shift also challenges the very notion of ephemerality: where temporariness once defined these structures, reuse, intelligent disassembly, and material reintegration now drive their conception.This ecological turn is particularly evident at Expo Osaka 2025. With the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” the event encourages models of regenerative, cooperative, and resilient living. Sweden’s and Germany’s pavilions are designed for a second life, to be repurposed as schools or community centers. The U.S. pavilion, designed by Trahan Architects, incorporates steel, fabric, and HVAC components repurposed from Tokyo 2020 Olympics structures—materials slated for further reuse across Japan. In this framework, the Expo becomes a laboratory of environmental geopolitics, where sustainability itself is a form of soft power.Save this picture!Technological Spectacle as a National StrategyIn contemporary Universal Exhibitions, technology is no longer displayed as an end in itself but has become a narrative and experiential medium. Immersive installations, sensory interfaces, and AI-driven storytelling transform pavilions into interactive ecosystems, where visitors are both spectators and agents. This shift signals a significant change: it is no longer just about showcasing innovation, but about embedding technology into the dramaturgy of space. Architecture, in this context, ceases to be a static backdrop and merges with experience design, dissolving the boundaries between the built and the digital. Moreover, the way each country orchestrates these elements reveals its ability to envision desirable futures—and to position itself as a protagonist in the global technological transformation.Save this picture!At Expo Osaka 2025, this race for technological affirmation takes clear shape in pavilions such as that of the United Arab Emirates, which offers an interactive journey through environments responsive to human presence, narrative artificial intelligence, and real-time sensors that react to visitors’ actions—demonstrating a sophisticated technical mastery with implications across multiple spheres. In a similar vein, the Uzbekistan Pavilion stands out with an exhibition focused on empowerment, highlighting the country’s openness to innovation and its commitment to preparing for the future.Yet this immersion presents a growing tension: how to balance technological spectacle with architectural integrity. In some cases, architecture risks being overshadowed by its digital overlay, losing spatial coherence. The most compelling pavilions are those that fuse form, function, and innovation into a seamless whole, where technology becomes not an add-on, but an intrinsic architectural language.Save this picture!Intercultural Collaborations: The True LegacyWhile Universal Exhibitions are organized around national representation, they have also emerged as vital platforms for cultural exchange. Increasingly, national pavilions are designed by multicultural teams, resulting in more nuanced, inclusive, and inventive expressions of identity, not as a fixed essence, but as something fluid and co-constructed.Save this picture!At Osaka 2025, this collaborative ethos is exemplified by pavilions such as Switzerland’s, designed by an international team, and Indonesia’s, which brings together local architects and foreign consultants. These collaborations offer more than design efficiency—they signal gestures of quiet diplomacy. In a climate of resurgent nationalism, such exchanges underscore that innovation thrives through openness and dialogue. Each pavilion becomes a space of mutual learning, expanding the very meaning of global belonging.Save this picture!Ultimately, the lasting value of Expos may not lie in reinforcing national brands, but in fostering encounters—shared spaces where ideas, technologies, and cultures converge to respond to urgent global challenges. As architect Manuel Herz, designer of the Swiss Pavilion, puts it: “In a moment of global tension, every possibility for us to physically meet in a shared space and celebrate something that can still be described as a cosmopolitan spirit needs to be valued and utilized.” Amid so many crises, pavilions remind us that architecture is more than shelter or style—it is a vessel for connection, a space for learning, and a rehearsal for futures we must build together.We invite you to check out ArchDaily's comprehensive coverage of the Expo Osaka 2025. Image gallerySee allShow less About this authorCamilla GhisleniAuthor••• Cite: Ghisleni, Camilla. "On Designing National Pavilions: Power and Identity at Universal Exhibitions" [Projetando Pavilhões Nacionais: Poder e Identidade nas Exposições Universais] 30 May 2025. ArchDaily. (Trans. Simões, Diogo) Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1030539/on-designing-national-pavilions-power-and-identity-at-universal-exhibitions&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

Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo LifeI’m absolutely terrified of roller coasters. The lack of control you have, the speed, high heights, twists and turns - all this makes for something I’ve never been able to convince myself is worth the thrill. It was easy to get over my fear of flying in aeroplanes as there’s always something exciting and extraordinarily worthwhile waiting for me on the other side of the flight. Some things in life I would just never be able to do without flying far away in a plane. However, with roller coasters I couldn't say the same, until now. 'Mine Cart Madness' opened to the public at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka at the tail end of 2024, and is also now in the States at Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida. I’ve visited the smaller version of Super Nintendo World located at Universal in Hollywood, CA, a few times, and managed to ride their Mario Kart ride, Bowser’s Challenge, as well. Lots of Kong, but still needs more Dixie The MK ride is essentially a light-gun game with a heavy Augmented Reality element which forces you to wear 'goggles' making it hard to appreciate the physical environment you're riding through. You can take the 'goggles' off, but you lose the entire point of the ride in doing so, and the animatronic set pieces and environmental elements aren't all that exciting on their own. The game can be confusing at first and, for being a ride themed around a video game that traditionally encourages you to race fast, it's quite slow, too. Images: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life However, almost none of this can be said about the new Donkey Kong Country ride. I’m a much bigger DK fan than I am Mario, and even though this new Mine Cart ride is pitched as a more traditional roller coaster that sometimes even claims to go off the rails, my curiosity and love for the series had me clamouring to see what it had to offer. I’m thrilled to say it didn’t disappoint, even though it proved to be quite a bumpy ride at times. The queue for Mine Cart Madness takes you through a temple that reminded me most of Millstone Mayhem and Temple Tempest from the original Super Nintendo game. Most of the line is indoors or at least covered and was kept quite cool thanks to air conditioning, also featuring some themed water fountains if you need a drink. Here you’ll also find a few touchpoints for the Power Band that will net you digital collectibles if you’re using the Universal mobile app. The line is fairly simple with not much to see, aside from a surprising appearance from Cranky Kong and Squawks the parrot. Both are completely animatronic and fully voiced and bicker back and forth at each other. Not only do they help pass the time in line, they help lay down the story and what you can expect to see on the ride. Even though I had no one waiting in front of me, I stood here for quite a while and just listened to them chat, like a couple of good pals catching up after a long time apart. Images: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life Once it came time for me to sit down in my mine cart, I could feel my heart sink into my stomach as I remembered seeing the ride from the ground floor of the park and it going much, much faster than all of the other Nintendo-themed rides created up to this point. I was honestly pretty scared, but my love for the Kongs apparently knows no bounds, and it helped that I had a few pals with me (thanks, Brian from IGN and Marcus from Game Informer for keeping me calm!). The ride itself only lasts a few minutes, so I’ll refrain from spoiling too much as I really think if you’re going to do this, you should go in knowing as little as possible. Things really do go off the rails in some surprising and shocking ways, though. So much so that at one specific point on the ride, I thought it truly was the end for us. If you’ve seen the blueprints or caught the video of Miyamoto taking a tour of the park in Japan, you’ll likely have heard about the ride's big hook. If you've played a mine cart level in DKC, you'll know that platforming is very much a thing even in the mine cart, and that’s replicated here. Mine Cart Madness, never goes upside down (thankfully), but it takes you up and down some steep slopes and twists and turns every now and again, mimicking the feeling of flying off the rails and landing safely back on them. The jumps themselves didn’t feel as pronounced as I was expecting, as it seems to work more as a trick of the eye than your cart being hurled in the air. Honestly, that’s probably a good thing. Also, if you want a more authentic and adventurous experience, sit in one of the front seats if you can. Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life You’ll also meet a few of your favourite DKC buddies, and this alone kept me coming back to Mine Cart Madness for multiple rides. These animatronic set pieces make this ride a lot more fun than the Mario Kart ride to revisit, as it's so exciting to see these chimpanzees in action. There are more than just chimps to see, though, so if you're only familiar with the more recent Country games, there will be more surprises in store. For me, the ride was made even better at night as yellow and blue neon lights add a comforting glow to the experience. You’ll rush through a few indoor sections which make it feel like a dark ride at times too. There’s so much to look at that not once did I feel like I saw everything; if you swing your head around at different points, you may catch a nice glimpse of the park, a dainty splash of a rushing waterfall, or even a few adventurous Pikmin that broken away from the pack. This may just be a kink to be worked out, but every now and then I felt the ride could get quite bumpy. After exiting my mine cart, I heard other riders talk about how unexpectedly bumpy it was for them, too. I can’t imagine barreling down a mine shaft in a rusty rock wagon would be the most comfortable thing in real life, so maybe it’s just all a part of the experience. Something worth noting, though, no doubt. Images: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life What might be a downside for some is the fact that there’s no game element to this ride whatsoever. For me though, this was a huge win. Seeing the detail and quality in these animatronics, even just for a few short moments, is something I'll remember for a long, long time. It sounds silly, but this made me feel closer to the world of Donkey Kong Country than ever before - the Mario Kart ride didn’t leave this big of an impression. It's a huge step up in overall production and an experience I hope every diehard DKC fan can have in their life. As a member of the press, I was pretty much obliged to try it, but I think I finally understand the thrill people are chasing when they willingly choose to ride a roller coaster. If Nintendo and Universal decide to make their next ride even more intense, I hope I’ll be ready for it. Even if it had a name like 'Funky’s Crash Course.' Travel costs for this trip and early access to the park were provided by Universal. Let's use the Lens of Truth Share:0 1 Zion's been crafting videos and photos with our team for over half a decade now. While you'll usually find Zion playing RPGs, platformers, and adventure games, anything with a good story is sure to be right up his alley. For an on brand example: MOTHER 3 may not be recognized much by the Western side of Nintendo, but he still found a way to play it anyways and hopes it makes it way to the West officially so others can enjoy it more easily. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... Related Articles Shigeru Miyamoto Explains Why Donkey Kong Has Been Redesigned You want expressive? You got it Talking Point: The Switch 2 Pre-Order Situation Sucks, But Can Nintendo Do Anything About It? 503sier said than done Random: Miyamoto Can't Talk About Switch 2, Talks About Switch 2 Anyway I do what I want, bruv! Nintendo Partners With Samsung To Produce Main Chips For Switch 2 Samsung has also "pushed" for an OLED refresh, it's claimed

What happens right before two arcs of lightning smash into each other? An invisible blast of radiation a million times more energetic than a lightning discharge is unleashed in the form of gamma rays, before disappearing almost as quickly as it came.Yes, astronomy-minded friends, this is a gamma ray burst, almost like the cosmic explosions we see in deep space produced when stars go supernova — except right here on Earth (and thankfully, a lot less deadly).For the first time, a team of researchers in Japan have witnessed one of these earthly gamma ray blasts, known as terrestrial gamma-ray flashes, being produced by a lightning discharge, after two of them collided. The findings, published in a new study in the journal Science Advances, mark a major step forward in understanding how gamma rays are produced in the storm clouds that lourThunderclouds, on top of heaving with rain and crackling with arcs of electricity, are also brimming with gamma rays. But though this was discovered nearly three decades ago, the exact mechanism behind the phenomenon has eluded scientists, who until now have never tied a gamma ray flash, sometimes called "dark lightning," to a specific lightning strike. So far, the best theory is that thunderclouds act as natural particle accelerators that whip electrons to speeds approaching the speed of light, before colliding with air molecules to unleash gamma rays — and in some cases, even antimatter.Observing this in the wild, however, has been enormously challenging. Take the difficulty of predicting where visible lightning will strike and multiply it by a thousand, because that's how many discharges occur, approximately, before just a single gamma flash is produced. The flashes themselves last less than a millisecond, because the gamma rays instantly dissipate in the atmosphere."Most TGFs have been detected by satellites, but spaceborne observations can provide limited information," lead author Yuuki Wada, a researcher at the University of Osaka, told Gizmodo. "In this research, we performed a ground-based observation to see TGFs in detail."To pull off the feat of capturing dark lightning in a bottle, the researchers deployed a multi-sensor system to gather optical, radio frequency, and high-energy measurements coming from lightning storms. Their focus was on TV transmission towers, likely targets for a smiting from the heavens.Eventually, the moment came. A lightning strike split into two arcs, fated to meet. One arc, called a leader, struck downwards towards a tower, while the other leader rose up to meet it from the tip of the structure. Right then, the system detected a gamma flash just 31 microseconds before their collision, which occurred some 2,600 feet in the air. The ensuing gamma ray burst lasted all but 20 microseconds afterwards. But it was enough to synchronize, for the first time, lightning and dark lightning using ground-based observations."The multi-sensor observations performed here are a world-first; although some mysteries remain, this technique has brought us closer to understanding the mechanism of these fascinating radiation bursts," study senior author Harufumi Tsuchiya said in a statement about the work.More on lightning: Scientists Stumped by Mysterious Flashes of Light on VenusShare This Article

Got a project that’s too wild for this world? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, June 6th marks the end of the Main Entry period — click here to submit your work. What does the future of architecture hold? How will tomorrow’s buildings look, feel, and interact with the existing human-made environment? Which innovations are primed to help us reduce the footprint of construction, improve liveability, and redefine our idea of and relationship to space? These are the questions Architizer’s Vision Awards look to answer (or, at least offer some suggestions in lieu of concrete answers). Dedicated to the planned and unbuilt, which may or may not ever be, nominations represent one of our most unique human traits — the ability to imagine possibilities and impossibilities, to dream big and think well into unchartered territory. Unbuilt architecture, whether it is planned for construction or destined to remain on “paper,” should be more present in a newscycle of press releases for recently constructed or newly opened buildings. Indeed, many of the ideas presented in such projects directly respond to emerging crises exacerbated by our continued reliance on 20th-century practice’s approaches and materiality. Meanwhile, the evolution of architectural visualization allows architects to develop their wildest ideas and to communicate their boldest visions with more clarity and urgency than ever before. Kyathos I Mass Timber Arena by KAAF I Kitriniaris Associates Architecture Firm, Βεΐκου, Galatsi, Greece Many studios are looking to re-write the script with high tech innovations that simply would not have been possible in the recent past, or emphasize the urgent need to get back to traditional building styles that utilize natural resources and passive principles in a bid to bring down carbon emissions and other outputs with negative environmental impact. The Kyathos Mass Timber Basketball Arena proposal does both. It’s fitting that we should look at this concept in spring 2025. The Osaka Expo recently opened in Japan and features the largest free-standing wooden structure ever built. The Grand Ring encases the event site and a section of its coastal waters with a circumference of 61,035 square meters (656,975 square feet). To us, it reflects what is possible when modern engineering meets one of the world’s most sustainable materials. Likewise, realizing a size previously unthinkable with wood, Alexander Kitriniaris’ KAAF I Kitriniaris Associates Architecture Firm‘s plans for this Greek sports stadium offer a new vision for the athletic facility typology.  Kyathos I Mass Timber Arena by KAAF I Kitriniaris Associates Architecture Firm, Βεΐκου, Galatsi, Greece Employing a composite timber load bearing system, the project — commissioned by Galatsi Municipality — comprises a main court, spectator stands, internal mezzanine and gallery running the perimeter, changing rooms for athletes and referees, toilets, offices, and auxiliary spaces. Its total surface area is 4,000 square meters (43, 055 square feet), all of which complement the location. Designed for the site of an older, smaller wooden gymnasium, which fails to meet modern standards and is scheduled for demolition, the aesthetics reflect the surrounding Mediterranean flora grove. The name Kyathos refers to a type of painted pottery cup popularized in ancient Greece. The design of this was based on the petals of a milkweed belonging to the Euphorbia genus of plants. The countryside in this region is home to around forty such species, making the entire building an ode to indigenous nature and culture that has been here for millennia. When realized, it will stand in sharp contrast to the stereotype of arenas and stadiums most fans across the world have grown accustomed to, which often seem to have landed in situ, from another district if not planet. Kyathos I Mass Timber Arena by KAAF I Kitriniaris Associates Architecture Firm, Βεΐκου, Galatsi, Greece Above the main court level, the building’s structure is composed entirely of engineered wood, including glue-laminated timber, cross-laminated timber, and plywood. A timber support frame wraps the indoor gymnasium in a precise 45-by-30-meter (148-by-98 foot) rectangular grid. The roof is formed by ten identical isostatic frames. Symmetrical in design, these triple-arched assemblies combine beams and posts, reinforced where necessary by discreet metal connectors and stiffeners. Overhead, a lightweight polymer roof — waterproof, UV-resistant, recyclable, and printable — ensures durable protection while minimizing weight. In the renderings, an elegant lattice-like pattern, calls attention to these delicate considerations. At the heart of the design, the firm’s plans and visualizations emphasize, lies a bioclimatic structural shell (pictured below), conceived to provide constant shade while optimizing natural ventilation, daylighting, and passive cooling. Meanwhile, rainwater collected from the roof and shaped surfaces is reused for on-site irrigation, supporting the lush Mediterranean flora of the existing grove. Kyathos I Mass Timber Arena by KAAF I Kitriniaris Associates Architecture Firm, Βεΐκου, Galatsi, Greece This year, Saudi Arabia has begun working towards the World Cup 2034. Set to be held in November that year due to the incompatibility of regional climate and international football — or football at any level — the environmental price tag for this edition of the planet’s biggest soccer tournament is likely to be huge. While recent years have seen major strides taken to improve the impact of competitive sports, with last year’s Paris Olympics achieving more than 50% carbon reduction compared with the previous two Games, there are clear differences in what’s needed to host matches in cities like Jeddah and Riyadh. Not to mention the ultra-futurist urban experiment, NEOM — a metropolis that doesn’t exist yet.   Even during winter months, average temperatures across the desert state sit at a very hot 29°C. Humidity is high in coastal areas, while frost and snow are not uncommon overnight on higher ground. While it’s too early to tell the footprint of the vast mega-stadiums we’ve been promised for the competition, heating and cooling requirements are almost certainly going to be immense. We are, after all, experiencing a surge in global temperatures year-on-year and an increase in weather extremes of all kinds, and this will have significantly worsened in another ten years. More so, whether we’re powered with renewables or dinosaur fossils, high energy consumption of all types is not sustainable in the real sense.  Kyathos I Mass Timber Arena by KAAF I Kitriniaris Associates Architecture Firm, Βεΐκου, Galatsi, Greece Analyzing the legitimacy, authenticity and suitability of Saudi Arabia as a World Cup host nation is a conversation for another time. Perhaps another publication. But the fundamental point is we urgently need to rethink and reprioritize non-essential undertakings for the sake of the climate and our planet. When seen through this lens, the plans for Kyathos in Greece act as a symbol of progress and sets benchmarks for a future in which we acknowledge the need for our passions to be in balance with the Earth, rather imposing upon it. The fact this is achieved through an homage to a history in which we were more aligned to nature, and associated materials, but also utilizes modern engineering techniques and manufacturing methods of those materials, only accentuates the masterful vision behind this design.  Given the number of projects that will be designed between now and the stadium’s project 2028 construction date, and the ever-increasing concentration of carbon in our atmosphere, its urgent that we begin celebrating such plans now — while they’re still plans — rather than waiting for the design to become a physical building. After all, architecture starts before you put two bricks together (or, in this case, two pieces of timber). Learn More About Vision Awards Got a project that’s too wild for this world? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, June 6th marks the end of the Main Entry period — click here to submit your work. The post Hoop Dreams: Greece Tips Off a New Vision for Arena Architecture appeared first on Journal.

Lucia Member Oct 18, 2021 2,437 Argentina Developer: Capcom (original), NeoBards Entertainment (remaster) Publisher: Capcom Release date: May 23, 2025 Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC Genre: Action-adventure Price: $29.99 (US), €29.99 (EU), £24.99 (UK) Store links: System Requirements (PC)​ Minimum OS: Windows 10 (64-bit), Windows 11 Processor: Intel Core i3 8350K, AMD Ryzen 3 3200G Memory: 8 GB Graphic card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 960 (VRAM4GB) or AMD Radeon™ RX560 (VRAM4GB) DirectX: 12 Hard drive space: 25 GB Recommended OS: Windows 10 (64-bit), Windows 11 Processor: Intel Core i3 8350K, AMD Ryzen 3 3200G Memory: 16 GB Graphic card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1060 (VRAM6GB) or AMD Radeon™ RX570 (VRAM4GB) DirectX: 12 Hard drive space: 25 GB Click to expand... Click to shrink... Troubleshooting guide & Issue reporting (Steam): Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny :: Steam Community steamcommunity.com About the Game​Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny was originally released on the PlayStation 2. Although it's a sequel to Onimusha: Warlords, the game features a complete new protagonist and supporting cast and the game can be enjoyed without prior experience of the first game.The game improves on various aspects of the original Onimusha: Warlords, increasing the action and replay value thanks to featuring 4 additional playable characters and a branching story. The remaster updates the game to HD format and brings various quality of life changes and extra features. Story & Cast The game tells the story of Jubei Yagyu and his revenge journey againts Oda Nobunaga and his demonic Genma army for the massacre of his clan. During his journey Jubei will meet and cross path with the mysterious woman Oyu, the young ninja Kotaro, the master spearwielder Ekei and the gunslinger Magoichi, they each have their own aims and their own connections that will lead them to fight each other, and sometimes fight together. Experience 100 different scenarios across the game's branching story. Completionist note: it's imposible to see all scenarios in one playthrough, for more details click here. Gameplay Like in the original Onimusha: Warlords, the game features a mix of exploration and combat but now to a greater degree. The player fights using a normal sword but as they progress through the story they will collect an assortment of short and long range weapons, from diverse element-based weapons to bows and firearms. Defeated Genma monsters will provide the player with demon souls that they can absorb to obtain various benefits depending on their color. Yellow souls will restore your health, blue souls restore magic power, red souls can be used to upgrade your gear and the rare purple souls can be used to unleash your 'Onimusha' transformation after absorbing five of them. The player can build and deepen Jubei's relationship with each of his allies by performing certain actions and exchangin gifts of their liking with them, this will unlock special scenarios and eventually giving you control to play as them during certain points of the story. For more details about the Gift Exchange system, click here. New Features & updates​ New "HELL" Mode : an extremely difficult mode where you die in a single hit. Gallery: the gallery from the original now supports higher resolution & zoom functions. Over 100 new special artworks have been added. You can listen all 43 songs of the original soundtrack. All assets updated to high definition Switch between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratio on the fly during gameplay. Easy Mode is now available by default. All cutscenes can now be skipped from the start. Mini-games available from the start. Alternative costumes available from the start Added auto-save feature Weapons can be swapped without having to open the menu. Bonuses ​You can get a special outfit for Jubei if you have save data from Onimusha: Warlords. To switch Jubei's outfit select Special Features → Jubei's Outfit and select between Normal and Special from the title-screen menu. This will only alter the appearance. Your status will be the same as the armour you equip in-game. By pre-ordering the game you get the Onimusha 2: Orchestra Album Selection Pack. It includes five tracks selected from the Onimusha 2 Orchestra Album Taro Iwashiro Selection. Select Special Features → Gallery → Original Soundtrack to access these tracks from the title-screen menu. This product is also available as part of the Onimusha bundle. (Acquire this bundle before July 1, 2025, 04:00 (UTC), to receive a limited-time bonus!) You also get a pack of items that contains 3 herbs, 2 medicines, 1 secret medicine, 2 special magic liquid, 1 perfect medicine, 1 talisman and 10,000 red souls. The content will appear after meeting Takajo in the early game. If you have already met Takajo, the content will appear when you select "Load Game". While you can only get this item pack once, you can also get the items in-game. The content listed in the DLC may become available separately at a later date. Bundle ​You can purchase Onimusha: Warlords and Onimusha 2: SamuraI's Destiny together. Bundle links: Media​ Announcement Trailer​Pre-order Announcement Trailer​ ​ Message from the Director​Gameplay with the Director​   Last edited: Yesterday at 8:21 AM Threadmarks Gift Exchange guide New Index OP OP Lucia Member Oct 18, 2021 2,437 Argentina Gift Exchange​ A core gameplay mechanique introduced in Onimusha 2 is the Gift Exchange. Alongside the player's standard item inventory, there exists a separate inventory exclusive for gift items that can be given to Ekei, Magoichi , Kotaro and Oyu. A total of 125 gifts can be found throughout the game, and each will elicit a different response depending on who it is given to. All 125 Gift locations (items name may differ in the remaster). View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BopXanIz40 As said above, gifts will elicit different response to each character depending on how much they value it, for example the Vodka gift will have an A-rank value for Ekei but a B-rank value for Magoichi. As detailed in the video above, each character has a pool of unique gifts/items per rank that they can give you at random in exchange for a gift of that rank. The video and doc below details what rank value each gift has per character. Doc with each gift rating value (item names may differ in the remaster): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kYJJ7yifduP0IcRArk-xuBqTEVJKnOadTfEdagBEu1I/edit?usp=sharing View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiGmPPmrPAw  Last edited: Yesterday at 9:36 AM New Index Threadmarks Scenario Route guide New Index OP OP Lucia Member Oct 18, 2021 2,437 Argentina Scenario Route From the Onimusha wiki: While there are many scenarios that are guaranteed to occur throughout the game, many other optional scenarios can be triggered by raising the friendship of one or more characters by repeatedly giving them gifts that elicit positive reactions. These optional scenarios can provide additional character development of a certain sub-character, reward the player with additional items, and can unlock playable sections for those characters, though the playable section for Oyu is mandatory regardless of her friendship. While some optional scenarios can occur on their own, others are a part of a split route, with only one out of multiple scenarios being possible to trigger per-playthrough (E.g: Three separate characters can aid Jubei in the Imasho Gold Mine, but only one can do so per playthrough). However, there are restrictions to this system. Due to the split scenario routes, it is not possible to trigger all scenarios in a single playthrough as there are multiple instances of split scenario routes that can only trigger a single scenario, with it even being possible for none of them to trigger in one case. Another restriction is that even if the friendship level of all four sub-characters is at the minimum level required to trigger their optional scenarios, only one sub-character can have most of their optional scenarios triggered per playthrough, this depending on which sub-character has the highest friendship. The only exceptions are each sub-character's playable sections and some scenarios that also involve whoever has the highest friendship (E.g: Chapter 7-10 only requiring either Ekei or Magoichi to have high enough friendship). As a result of these restriction, at least four separate playthroughs are required to trigger every scenario in the game. -------------------------------- Note: the Scenario Route keeps track of all the scenarios you triggered in previous playthroughs so you can just focus on the ones you missed, you still have to meet their requirements to trigger them in your subsequent plays. The following guides contain spoilers, recommend to read after your first playthrough or for returning old players.   New Index shadowman16 Member Oct 25, 2017 41,569 Magoichi you swine! (for some reason that's been stuck in my head for decades... I love the cast for 2). Very excited to replay this one, it was always one of my absolute favourites in the series... Half because of Gorgandates (legend) and half because I felt legit robbed when you never got to defeat Nobunaga in Oni1.  KyouG Member Oct 26, 2017 642 I loved Onimusha HD, and I have been greatly looking forward to playing this. Will make use of the gift guide on my second playthrough, lol.   Tengrave Avenger Oct 26, 2017 1,108 Great OT! The best Onimusha.   ramenline Member Jan 9, 2019 1,673 Started playing the PS2 version yesterday, I played Oni 1 a few months ago and enjoyed it overall. Nice and breezy with great backgrounds. Will probably save 3 and 4 for when we're closer to Way of the Sword dropping  Aeana Member Oct 25, 2017 7,573 I love this game so much. Super excited.   Sumio Mondo Member Oct 25, 2017 10,746 United Kingdom A PS2 classic returns! Can't wait to play it this weekend.  Western Yokai Member Feb 14, 2025 172 This will not get a physical release, right?   RayCharlizard Member Nov 2, 2017 4,475 Western Yokai said: This will not get a physical release, right? Click to expand... Click to shrink... There isn't one announced but who knows if this gets a Limited Run or something down the line.   AlexDS1996 Member Jul 14, 2022 3,958 Excellent thread! Looking forward to playing it at midnight.   demi Member Oct 27, 2017 16,574 My name is Goooogandantessss   Sumio Mondo Member Oct 25, 2017 10,746 United Kingdom Tengrave said: Great OT! The best Onimusha. Click to expand... Click to shrink...   Chackan Member Oct 31, 2017 5,451 "Juuuubeeeeeeiiii" Fucking finally. Played Onimusha 1 HD when it came out on the Switch, and have been waiting since then for this one! Hope they don't take another 5 or 6 years with Onimusha 3...  ResinPeasant93 Member Apr 24, 2024 2,489 My favorite Onimusha. Still have my PS2 copy   Koivusilta Member Oct 30, 2017 629 Finland The best Onimusha and one of my overall favorite PS2 games, so glad it's finally getting a re-release! Can't wait to dig in tomorrow after work. Completed Clair Obscur just in time, too! Looking at the Motohide Eshiro gameplay video, I'm glad to see they changed the Onimusha transformation so that it's now manually activated like in Onimusha 3, so you don't waste your transformation if you accidentally collect the fifth purple orb. Attack charging is also a bit different now, since the game originally used the pressure sensitive shoulder buttons for it. PS. I really wish they go back and add Genma features into the Warlords remaster, even if it was paid DLC.  G_Shumi One Winged Slayer Member Oct 26, 2017 7,650 Cleveland, OH Great OP! I recently played Onimusha 2 & 3 on PS2 last year, so I'll probably wait for a sale (or an eventual physical release please!). But I do have one sage advice for Onimusha 2: rotate the analog sticks in order to open the heavy door! If you get far enough in the game, you'll know what I mean.  Tagovailoa Member Feb 5, 2023 1,586 Love this game! Just beat Oni 1 remastered in one sitting yesterday while home sick from work. Looking forward to getting to this sometime this weekend. I have beaten this game 5+ times and never got 100% scenario completion.  RiZ IV Member Oct 27, 2017 933 Wow, I didn't realize this was coming out tomorrow. Onimusha 2 was one of my favorite PS2 games. Will definitely pick this up.   GwyndolinCinder Member Oct 26, 2017 5,703 JUBEIIIIIIIIIIII   coldsagging AVALANCHE Member Oct 27, 2017 8,077 Tengrave said: Great OT! The best Onimusha. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Facts.   The Silver Member Oct 28, 2017 11,584 Haven't replayed this in so long. Hope the bring back and expand on the structure of Oni 2 in the new one, it has a lot of potential   Annie85x Member Mar 12, 2020 2,949 Oni 2 was my fav. Super excited to jump back in over the weekend 😍   Timodus Member Oct 27, 2017 383 My first and favorite Onimusha. I'm glad I can finally play it with the Japanese voices.   OP OP Lucia Member Oct 18, 2021 2,437 Argentina https://x.com/OnimushaGame/status/1925673157190463524 @OnimushaGame said: Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny launches tomorrow. Prepare to reclaim your destiny! Today, we're celebrating with this amazing piece from @hieumayart featuring our protagonist, Jubei! Click to expand... Click to shrink...   thetrin Member Oct 26, 2017 10,725 Grand Junction, CO Awesome game. Loved it when I played it on PS2. I am curious to see what people who are playing it with fresh eyes think of it.   stn Member Oct 28, 2017 6,414 Definitely getting this! I started playing the OG on PS2, but the controls are so bad that I'll play this instead.   OP OP Lucia Member Oct 18, 2021 2,437 Argentina https://x.com/OnimushaGame/status/1925703394737467771 @OnimushaGame said: The web manual for Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is now live. Check it out to prepare for tomorrow's release! Access the manual here 👇 https://manual.capcom.com/onimusha2/ Click to expand... Click to shrink...   Zor Member Oct 30, 2017 14,095 So I was going to replay the first game before this as I own the remaster, but I just realised I own Genma Onimusha and never ever actually played it. Is Genma considered the best version just for people that like a more difficult experience or do its benefits/improvements range beyond that? Just wondering which the best version of the first is.  LetalisAmare Member Oct 27, 2017 4,363 Just started. The 16:9 is zoomed in or cropped whatever you call it. I'll stick to 4:3.   OP OP Lucia Member Oct 18, 2021 2,437 Argentina Zor said: So I was going to replay the first game before this as I own the remaster, but I just realised I own Genma Onimusha and never ever actually played it. Is Genma considered the best version just for people that like a more difficult experience or do its benefits/improvements range beyond that? Just wondering which the best version of the first is. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Yeah, Genma is the best version of Oni 1 and it's an overall harder game than the OG, it has one new location, 2 new bosses (one of them is a RE-Nemesis type stalker).   Count of Monte Sawed-Off Member Oct 27, 2017 5,057 Best Onimusha.   Zetta The Fallen Oct 25, 2017 8,521 Buying it just to show support and will eventually play it much later on. Hoping this sells a lot so we can get 3.   Jawmuncher Crisis Dino Moderator Oct 25, 2017 44,845 Ibis Island Great OT, fixed the title though. No need to include the platforms in the title since they're in the OP   giancarlo123x One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 28,013 $30? That's easy money.   TΛPIVVΛ Member Nov 12, 2017 4,125 Surprised its out! Just crept up on me! View: https://youtu.be/D9joJuEcJAw  Type VII Member Oct 31, 2017 2,980 Downloaded on PS5 and ready to go when I get home from work this evening. It's a shame there's no physical release, but between this and Capcom Fighting Collection 2, I'll be partying like it's the early 2000s all weekend.   Aske The Fallen Oct 25, 2017 6,318 Canadia Golden Evil Statue!!!!!!   AlexDS1996 Member Jul 14, 2022 3,958 I've just played a little over an hour and it's perfect. That counter attack is always satisfying. The game looks great to me and the sound is really nice too.   Tagovailoa Member Feb 5, 2023 1,586 Aske said: Golden Evil Statue!!!!!! Click to expand... Click to shrink... New players are not going to have a good time  Zolbrod Member Oct 27, 2017 3,965 Osaka, Japan By far the best game in the series! Can't wait to play it again!  NovumVeritas Member Oct 26, 2017 11,143 Berlin I just played a little bit docked on Switch, this looks very oversharpend, any one else? Is that the use of the AI filter they used?   Hystzen Member Oct 25, 2017 2,674 Manchester UK It's best onimusha for a 1/3rd of game then they ditch the hub concept and character interactions it turns rushed and bland   OP OP Lucia Member Oct 18, 2021 2,437 Argentina I wish the 4:3 ratio also applied to cutscenes.   Pez Member Oct 28, 2017 1,422 If this gets a physical release, I'm there. Will hold out until then.   joyfoolish Member Aug 25, 2024 197 I was wondering if the PS4 version looks good on PS5? Is it at least 1440p?   Rust Member Jan 24, 2018 1,443 What the heck is this stupid random mini-game? I think I've died more often opening a garage door than throughout the rest of the game. I really enjoyed the first one - samurai game ala Resident Evil? Sign me up! Whereas this one started okay, now it's turned into an incredibly linear experience. I'm hoping it'll change back, but I'm thinking it's entering the final act.  Jawmuncher Crisis Dino Moderator Oct 25, 2017 44,845 Ibis Island Pez said: If this gets a physical release, I'm there. Will hold out until then. Click to expand... Click to shrink... No Physical release is a big hit on this. Especially after they did the 1st game. Not even a Japanese Physical is surprising. Capcom was one of the stronger JP publishers still doing that at least, so it's a shame to see them seemingly ditching it.  Pez Member Oct 28, 2017 1,422 Yeah, they never did them for the DMC games on Switch either. There's a good chance this never gets a physical release. We'll see!  

Wildlife Studios and Winners Alliance today announced a major licensing partnership, bringing Naomi Osaka and other stars to the hit mobile game Tennis Clash. Tennis Clash has been played by more than 170 million users worldwide. Through the agreement, Wildlife Studios now holds rights to feature the names, images, and likenesses of select men’s and women’s players, marking the first time officially licensed players will appear in Tennis Clash. Launched in 2019, Tennis Clash is one of the most downloaded mobile sports games globally. Wildlife Studios – founded in 2011 – has released more than 60 games and surpassed 4 billion lifetime downloads across its portfolio. Starting May 23, users can compete as four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who debuts in a custom outfit inspired by her 2024 U.S. Open look. Wildlife Studios will introduce at least three more licensed player characters later this year, with more in development. The integration of real players brings even more realism and depth to the game, allowing fans to experience tennis in a more immersive, authentic, and personal way. Through interactive avatars, the sport’s top stars are connected with Tennis Clash’s massive global audience in ways that reimagine how tennis is played, promoted, and experienced. “Winners Alliance is proud to bring professional tennis players into a platform as dynamic and far-reaching as Tennis Clash,” said Eric Winston, president of Winners Alliance, in a statement. “Wildlife Studios has taken great care to reflect each athlete’s officially licensed identity, and this is just the beginning of what’s possible when gaming and athlete licensing come together at scale.” “We strive to make Tennis Clash as authentic and entertaining as possible, which is why we’re excited to partner with Winners Alliance to welcome some of the sport’s most beloved stars into the game,” said Giovanni Piffer, partnerships lead at Wildlife Studios, in a statement. “We’re eager to see how our players enjoy the new Naomi Osaka character and can’t wait to unveil the additional characters coming soon. Tennis Clash is giving gamers and tennis fans a new way to engage with the sport – closer, more personal, and more interactive than ever before.” Winners Alliance is a global, athlete-centric commercial solution dedicated to creating novel group licensing, sponsorship, partnership, content, investment and event opportunities for world-class athletes collectively. Wildlife is one of the world’s largest mobile gaming publishers. In over ten years, it has launched more than 60 games, including hits such as Sniper 3D, Zooba, Tennis Clash, War Machines and Colorfy. Founded by brothers Victor and Arthur Lazarte, the company’s games have been downloaded more than 4 billion times across the planet. 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.