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Amazon shares a first look inside its controversial new campus in Arlington, Virginia.
The opening of Amazon’s first building in Arlington’s HQ2 is imminent while the project’s second phase is on hold. Known as Metropolitan (Met) Park, the ZGF and NBBJ-designed development aims to establish the Virginia city as a tech hub and diversify the region’s employment opportunities. The project prioritizes environmental efficiency, incorporating features such as low-carbon concrete, mass timber, 100 percent renewable energy, and water conservation measures. Additionally, the construction materials have been significantly diverted from landfills. The building’s exterior reflects Amazon’s Seattle home while the interior features exposed concrete columns, timber ceilings, and a cafe-style design.
Art dealer Lisa Schiff files for bankruptcy after fraud and embezzlement accusations.
Lisa Schiff, a New York art advisor, is facing a second lawsuit from art collector Candace Carmel Barasch, alleging fraud and embezzlement. The initial lawsuit claimed Schiff operated a “Ponzi scheme” and failed to distribute $1.8 million in profits from an art sale. Schiff has filed for bankruptcy and assigned her business assets to repay her debts. The new lawsuit accuses Schiff of diverting more than $2.5 million from the Barasch couple to fund her lifestyle and other art purchases. Numerous artworks purchased through Schiff’s consultancy were either not initiated or paid for despite the couple wiring the funds.
Saudi Arabia announces two new major museums as part of the AlUla heritage site.
The development of the AlUla heritage region in Saudi Arabia is progressing rapidly with the launch of two significant museums: a contemporary art museum and one dedicated to the Incense Road. The institutions are part of a 15-year plan that includes 15 cultural assets. The contemporary art museum, designed by architect Lina Ghotmeh, will feature collections focused on artists from the regions surrounding the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and the eastern Mediterranean. The Incense Road Museum, designed by architect Asif Khan, will celebrate AlUla’s cultural legacy as a hub of exchange between civilizations along ancient trade routes.
