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Fazeek Makes Waves With Ceramics and Cutlery
It’s likely that squiggles, waves, and blobs have dominated your Instagram feed for years, from Ultrafragola mirror selfies to curated still-lifes of wavy-handled mugs. Fazeek is keeping the whimsy alive with a new set of scalloped ceramic plates and bowls to accompany the Melbourne homewares brand’s like-minded wine glasses and coffee mugs. Each comes in a set of four on-trend hues—blue grey, pink, forest green, and white—that aim to inject a dose of fun and finesse to any table setting. Pair them with the brand’s newly launched Wave Cutlery in silver or brass for an extra punch. —Ryan Waddoups
Image courtesy of West of West…
West of West wins an AIA competition to design affordable housing in San Francisco.
West of West has emerged as the winner of an AIA competition aimed at reimagining the future of housing in San Francisco to address the city’s housing crisis. Their concept, named Sunset Steps, is a multi-family building designed to promote community living with 65 percent of the site allocated for shared greenspaces. The scheme features adaptable living units, sustainable materials, and natural light penetration, making it a potential community home for generations to come, although its realization remains uncertain.
Chanel will head to Manchester to present its Métiers d’Art collection in December.
Fashion brands have been expanding their horizons for destination runway shows. Case in point: Chanel announcing its next Métiers d’Art collection will be showcased in Manchester on Dec. 7. The English city, known as “Cottonopolis” for its textile industry during the 19th century, holds historical significance in contrast to Chanel’s association with Scottish tweed. The Métiers d’Art line has been previously presented in cities worldwide, reflecting Chanel’s commitment to artisanal heritage. The brand also plans to hold its first major event in China since the pandemic with a repeat showing of its cruise 2024 collection in Shenzhen on Nov. 2.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons…
New York City’s beloved Astor Place Cube is spinning again after a major restoration.
In the spring, the New York Department of Transportation secured the iconic Alamo sculpture in Astor Place with a metal support frame due to previous damage. However, after more than two months of restoration by Versteeg Art Fabricators, the colossal spinning cube by Bernard “Tony” Rosenthal is now back in its East Village location, looking shiny and new. Installed in 1967 as part of an exhibition series, the sculpture has been a favorite among locals, and this recent round of repairs is expected to ensure its stability for the next two decades.
Construction begins on a Memphis museum by Herzog & de Meuron and Archimania.
In June, construction began on the new Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, a collaboration between Herzog & de Meuron and local firm Archimania, replacing the existing building with a modern facility. The upcoming museum will offer 112,000 square feet of exhibition space, a 175-seat theater, and a spacious courtyard serving as a central public space. With 75 percent of the budget already raised, the museum aims to open in 2026, featuring significantly more gallery space and art-filled public areas compared to its predecessor. This transformation is part of a larger effort to connect Memphis’ historic core with the Mississippi River.
RIBA launches a Reinvention award to encourage adaptive reuse over demolition.
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has introduced a Reinvention award as a challenger to new architecture celebrated by the RIBA Stirling Prize. This new prize aims to promote the transformation of second-hand buildings, encouraging architects to refurbish existing structures instead of demolishing them for new construction. By reusing old buildings and improving their operational performance with low-carbon materials like timber, architects can significantly reduce emissions and contribute to a more sustainable future. The shortlist for the Reinvention prize includes impressive projects that exemplify this approach, signaling a shift in the architectural industry towards more environmentally conscious practices.
Image courtesy of Microsoft…
Today’s attractive distractions:
Insomniac? Get lulled to sleep by streaming Instagram’s terms of service.
Meet Aptos, Microsoft Office’s latest default font that’s replacing Calibri.
