Norman Foster is 84 and he Instagrams better than you:
Norman Foster only began to casually upload photos to Instagram in 2017. But don’t be fooled by his short tenure on the social media platform, writes ArchDaily.
What makes his feed more charming, they say, than Bjarke Ingels’, more impressive that Richard Branson’s, is a mix of je ne sais quoi, athletic prowess, and a taste of ‘he’s just like us!’
Foster posts behind-the-scenes images that reflect a full life – of exercising, spending time with family and taking holidays – as well as working.
If we are moving beyond the age of ‘cults of personality’ cultivated by the media, say ArchDaily, “it’s fascinating to see Norman Foster take full advantage of the one-to-one relationship between public figure and the public by openly showing us what he enjoys, treasures, and strives to achieve.”
Norman Foster’s Instagram feed.
Adorable koala drinking fountains help them hydrate:
In Gunnedah, a remote, rural part of Australia, six hours’ drive from Sydney, summer heat waves hit 45°C (113°F). To help local koalas survive the heat and drought, researchers are testing water fountains, writes Fast Company.
Koalas usually get their water from eating leaves, not drinking. But climate change means that the leaves no longer contain enough water. Eucalyptus leaves also can’t be eaten in huge quantities to try to access more moisture, because toxins inside them can make koalas sick.
The University of Sydney researchers tested fountain prototypes in trees, including a complicated platform. The koalas ignored it. But they did drink from a simple bowl – rigged up to automatically refill from a larger tank via a gravity-fed system.
Over the first 12 months of the study, koalas drank from the water stations on 400 visits, often ravenously.
“I have footage of animals drinking for seven, 10 minutes straight. That’s impressive for any animal, let alone one that is not supposed to drink much,” says Valentina Mella, postdoctoral research associate in life and environmental sciences.
The fountains could be useful throughout Australia, say the researchers, with the town of Campbelltown also starting to test water stations. The researchers have published tips for private property owners on how to build fountains of their own.
Successful products are often followed by copycats. Over the past year we have become aware of an increase in reproductions of the Linea range attempting to create a similar aesthetic at a lower price. This can compromise the overall durability and environmental credentials of projects being delivered, affect ongoing maintenance requirements, and in some instances pose a risk of injury to the public. The design of Linea is deceptively simple while delivering exceptional attention to detail. Details matter not only for beauty, but also for providing durability, and safety, that will last decades. Linea strictly uses the highest quality and sustainable materials, has passed rigorous strength tests, and is designed for longevity, with easily replaceable parts. The product range is the result of hundreds of hours of research and development …
Street Furniture Australia’s entire product range and manufacturing operation has received carbon neutral certification through Climate Active™. Achieving carbon neutral certification marks a significant milestone in our operation and the culmination of a four year long process of detailed measurement and analysis. Climate Active™ is the only Australian government-backed carbon neutral certification programme for businesses to measure, reduce, and offsets their carbon emissions. It is one of the most rigorous carbon-neutral programs in the world. An approved Emissions Reduction Strategy (ERS) is central to achieving certification through Climate Active. Street Furniture Australia has elected to use SBTi validated science-based targets to ensure their ERS is meaningful and aligns with the 2015 Paris Agreement – to limit global temperature rises to 1.5℃ above pre-industrial levels. For those emissions that can’t be …
Our Presentation Specialists bring a fun, interactive and informative workshop about our carbon neutral journey and latest products to your office. In 30 minutes (plus Q&A) you will explore materials and finishes, touch and feel samples, and bond with your colleagues over delicious treats in the comfort of your office. There will also be a mystery prize for a lucky winner (optional). ‘The presentation content was informative, engaging, interactive and relevant. Genuinely one of the better supplier workshops! It was efficient yet insightful. The interactive nature of it enhanced engagement with the team,’ Sam Westlake, Senior Associate, Hassell, Sydney. ‘Possibly our favourite product presentation to date! Engaging, great content and appreciated the physical samples and prototypes,’ Alexa Ongoco, Senior Landscape Architect, TCL, Brisbane. ‘Thorough presentation with actual product to see and …
A guide to surveillance in the city: Google sister company Sidewalk Labs has created a system of urban signage that reveals the technologies it is using to track people in public spaces. The signs are intended to be a visual representation of the privacy policies the company is developing to go along with its data collection technology. While the project goes some way to address privacy concerns around data collection, there’s still no way for people to opt out of being tracked in public. The signage is being trialled in Toronto, Canada, but could be taken up in other cities. To find out more about the signage design, purpose and placement, see the article by Fast Company. Image: Sidewalk Labs. Controversial designs for new Notre-Dame spire: The redesign of the …
Risky playgrounds could be better for kids: Studies show that kids develop greater risk detection, creativity, and self-esteem through riskier playgrounds, says Vox in an episode of By Design. Studies have found that risky outdoor play is a key part of children’s health, promoting social interactions, creativity, problem-solving, and resilience. Some communities are even experimenting with “adventure playgrounds,” a format with origins in World War II Denmark, where bomb sites became impromptu playgrounds. Filled with props like nails, hammers, saws, paint, tires, and wood planks, these spaces look more like junkyards than play spaces – and parents are often kept outside the playground while children are chaperoned by staff. Now, that question of keeping children safe versus keeping children engaged is at the heart of a big debate in playground …
Wanted, A New Public Space for Melbourne: The Future Park International Design Competition invites entrants to propose a new signature space for the city’s centre. The contest is organised by AILA and the University of Melbourne, with up to $20,000 in prize money to be allocated. Participants are challenged to think about how parks shape Melbourne’s urban form, and uncover new possibilities. Restricted to a 10km radius from Melbourne’s city centre, designers are asked to present a rationale for the location of the proposed space and consider how their design responds to challenges facing the city in the 21st century, including climate change, growing population, biodiversity and community. University of Melbourne senior lecturer in Landscape Architecture Jillian Walliss says the competition aims to enhance the role of landscape architecture in …
