All posts by Intellicurious

News, Views and Reviews for the Intellectually Curious

Previews: The Guardian Weekly, November 25, 2022

Cop27's climate anticlimax: inside the 25 November Guardian Weekly | Cop27  | The Guardian

Cop27’s climate anticlimax: inside the 25 November Guardian Weekly | Cop27 | The Guardian

Cop27 ended in a now-traditional blur of last-minute horse-trading, resulting in the welcome agreement of a finance deal for developing countries affected by global heating. But progress on eliminating fossil fuel usage – the key to slowing climate change – again seemed beyond the international community.

As winter descends on Ukraine, we focus on some of the war’s ripples around Europe. Jennifer Rankin reports from Antwerp, where the continued trade in Russian diamonds shines a light on loopholes in EU sanctions on Moscow. And Emma Graham-Harrison is in eastern Poland, where people’s proximity to the war is helping people to put aside past differences.

Then, in features, Luke Harding speaks to the Ukrainian defenders of Snake Island – who famously sent an expletive-laden rebuttal to a Russian warship at the start of the conflict – and finds out what happened next.

Front Page: The New York Times – November 23, 2022

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In Blow to Trump, Supreme Court Permits House to Obtain His Tax Returns

Ending a long legal fight, the Supreme Court rejected the former president’s request that it block the I.R.S. from turning over the files.

Even the Saudi Team Is Stunned After Victory Over Argentina

Even the country’s de facto leader had downplayed expectations. After a win over Lionel Messi’s Argentina, one of the most shocking results in World Cup history, Wednesday will be a national holiday.

A Year After the Omicron Surge, Officials See a Reduced Covid Threat This Winter

Dr. Anthony S. Fauci said the administration was optimistic that “we’re not going to see a repeat of what we saw last year,” when the Omicron variant swept through the country.

Himalaya Hikes: 100 Miles On Mount Manaslu, Nepal

Kraig Adams – Manaslu is the eighth-highest mountain in the world at 8,163 metres above sea level. It is in the Mansiri Himal, part of the Nepalese Himalayas, in the west-central part of Nepal. The name Manaslu means “mountain of the spirit” and is derived from the Sanskrit word manasa, meaning “intellect” or “soul”.

Video timeline: 00:00 Introduction 3:53 Kathmandu sightseeing tour and trek preparation day 7:23 9 hour drive to Machha Khola 930 m / 3,051 ft 9:28 Day 1 – 15 km / 9.3 mi to Jagat 1,410 m / 4,625ft 14:02 Day 2 – 19 km / 11.8 mi to Deng 1,800 m /5,905 ft 18:26 Day 3 – 9.5 km / 6 mi to Ghap 2,160 m/ 7,086 ft 22:30 Day 4 – 16 km / 10 mi to Lho 2630 m / 8626ft 26:47 Day 5 – 7 km / 4.3 mi to Samagaon 3,530 m / 11,581ft 31:08 Day 6 – Acclimatization day hike to Manaslu Basecamp 4,800 m / 15,748ft 34:33 Day 7 – 8 km / 5 mi to Samdo 3,690m / 12,106ft 37:36 Day 8 – 6 km / 3.7 mi to Larkya Rest House 4,470 m / 14,665 ft 41:42 Day 9 – 15 km / 9.3 mi to Bimthang over Larkya Pass 5,160 m/ 16,929 ft 46:16 Day 10 – 21 km / 13 mi to Dharapani 1,860 m / 6,102 ft 50:05 5 hour drive to Besisahar 1,881 m / 6171 ft 52:19 Behind the scenes and hiking guide

Travel: A Tour Of The 18 Norwegian Scenic Routes

Norwegian Scenic Routes are 18 selected roads that run through landscapes with unique natural qualities, along coasts and fjords, mountains and waterfalls. The routes are intended as alternatives to the main roads, and the drive itself should be an enjoyable experience.

Home Tours: The ‘Dolphin Sands Studio’ In Tasmania

The Local Project – At the end of an undulating path is Dolphin Sands Studio, a small cabin that floats atop the dunes and looks out to The Hazards mountain range and the Peninsula beyond. From the open deck of the cabin, the doors open up to the main living spaces of the studio cabin.

Video timeline: 00:00 – Introduction to the Tiny Cabin on a Hidden Beach 00:31 – The Location of Dolphin Sands 00:45 – A Walkthrough and Around the Cabin 01:04 – The Spacial Components 01:24 – Conceived as a View Finder 01:59 – Utilising as Few Materials as Possible 02:20 – Room for Two 02:48 – Providing Protection 03:05 – The Triangular Form 03:28 – The Architects Proud Moments

Consisting of a kitchen, living space and bedroom – with an adjacent bathroom – the cabin home holds everything the occupants need in one space. Located on a hidden beach in Tasmania, Australia, Dolphin Sands Studio by Matt Williams Architects has been conceived as a viewfinder – giving the occupants unmatched views across the bay. Completing the architecture and interior design, the architect worked alongside the builder to consider how the triangular form of the remote cabin could embrace its surroundings.

This was done by employing a large south-southeast facing window and using as few materials as possible to create a calm space for the occupants. Built on an exposed site, Dolphin Bay Studio embraces its surroundings by inserting itself as one with the landscape. Conceived as a solid tent, the cabin home allows for protection from the elements while maintaining an immediacy with the landscape.

Employing sustainable materials, Matt Williams Architects establishes that the materials work in tune with the weather while not taking away from the experience of living in the unique beach cabin. Capturing the golden sunrise every morning, the position of the cabin home allows the occupants to completely embrace the spectacular views and become one with the community. Though Dolphin Sands Studio is small in scale, the location and proximity to the bay brings external space for the occupants to enjoy.

With a desire to reduce the impact on the terrain, as well as flora and fauna, the architect and builder created a minimally impactful home that inserts itself into the bay. Also offering an escape from the worries of everyday life and the bustling cityscape, the cabin is a uniquely designed home that considers more than its occupants. With an offer of serenity, sustainability and waterside living, Dolphin Bay Studio pushes towards what is possible when designing and living sustainably.

Views: Architecture Today Magazine – Nov/Dec 2022

AT September-October 2022 Front Cover

Architecture Today – November-December 2022:

View the digital edition

Isabel Allen’s Editorial for AT322 discusses how the Architecture Today Awards subverted the traditional role of the crit, transforming it into powerful tool for judging the merits and performance of buildings that already exist.

Buildings.

A sharp, trapezoidal marquee hoisted on spindly pilot is points the way towards the primary pedestrian entrance on the long eastern front.

Autumn Walks: Naples In Southwestern Italy (4K)

Naples, or Napoli for Italians, is a major port city in the south of Italy in the Campania region. With 4.4 million inhabitants (‘Neapolitans’), it is the third largest city in Italy. The chaotic city has everything for an inspiring city trip because of the rich history, the Italian cuisine and especially in the field of art and culture, the city has a lot to offer. In addition, a short distance from the city of Naples are famous places of interest such as Pompeii, Herculaneum and the Vesuvius volcano. South of the city lies the colorful and beautiful coastal strip of the Amalfi Coast and you can easily reach the beautiful islands such as Capri off the coast of Naples by ferry.