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Diptyque’s Latest Fragrance Is a Portal to the Seaside
During his childhood, Diptyque co-founder Yves Coueslant spent summers in the seaside pagoda that his father built in Do Son, near the picturesque Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. Specifically, he recalls the cool sea breeze mixing with the slightly spicy scent of the tuberoses his mother loved dearly. The two flavors commingle in the French perfumer’s latest eau de parfum, called Do Son, a special take on a core fragrance that carries a slight marine accord mixed with orange blossom and jasmine. It’s a soothing olfactory experience that transports one’s mind to the seaside and comes pristinely packaged in Diptyque’s signature bottle awash in a crisp blue shade best described as turquoise fading into the sky from a distance.
Transamerica Pyramid lobby. Rendering courtesy of Foster + Partners…
Foster + Partners will embark on a $250 million makeover of the Transamerica Pyramid.
“The Transamerica Pyramid is getting the biggest makeover in its 50-year history. Owner Michael Shvo and his partners have hired architect Norman Foster to redesign the iconic tower’s interiors and plan to invest $250 million to renovate the 1972 building and expand its Redwood Park. The owners also plan to roughly double the size of neighboring 545 Sansome St. and add a new facade to create a modern office building at the cost of around $150 million. The plans amount to not only the largest investment in downtown San Francisco since the pandemic began, but one of the largest building redesigns in the city’s history—and to one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.” —[H/T San Francisco Chronicle]
The Buffalo Bills will receive $1.4 billion to replace the aging Highmark Stadium.
“New York State officials have reached a deal with the Buffalo Bills to use $850 million in public funds to help the team build a $1.4 billion stadium—the largest taxpayer contribution ever for a pro football facility. Under the deal, the state would finance $600 million of the construction costs, while Erie County, where the stadium will be built adjacent to its current home, would cover $250 million. The remainder would be financed through a $200 million loan from the N.F.L. that was approved on Monday, plus $350 million from the team’s owners.” —[H/T The New York Times]
The Chicago Architecture Biennial will open a new gallery at Chicago Cultural Center.
“The Chicago Architecture Biennial has announced the opening of the CAB Studio, a new, year-round exhibition space located on the first floor of the Chicago Cultural Center. The studio will be a space to explore design and present innovative ideas. It will host exhibitions, programs, and events, along with youth and family activities. CAB Studio will open with the exhibition, Architecture of Reparations, by New York-based collaborative Riff Studio, including designers Isabel Strauss, Rekha Auguste-Nelson, and Farnoosh Rafaie.” —[H/T Archinect]
Welcome center for Grand World Phu Quoc. Photography by Hiroyuki Oki…
Vo Trong Nghia completes a stunning bamboo welcome center at a Vietnamese resort.
Composed of 42,000 pieces of bamboo culms, a series of domes, arches, and grids coalesce in breathtaking fashion to create a wondrous arrival experience at the Grand World Phu Quoc resort in Vietnam. Located on the tropical island of Phu Quoc in Gulf of Thailand, the structure’s ingenious design by Vo Trong Nghia Architects optimizes the natural surroundings with built-in skylights in the thatched roof that stream filtered light inside and a grid system that cools the interior with a refreshing breeze. Upon entry, guests are ushered through two soaring halls sculpted in the form of a lotus and bronze drum—traditional symbols that honor Vietnamese culture. [H/T Dezeen]
Lizzo is entering the burgeoning shapewear market with a new label called Yitty.
“Another stitch is added to the fabric of the global shapewear market. American musician Lizzo, née Melissa Jefferson, is launching a brand with Fabletics called Yitty which will sell shapewear, loungewear, and athleisure. At launch, the line will include three types of products ranging in compression level. Jefferson, who is the brand’s founder and chief executive, said that what distinguishes her foray into shapewear is that the products are designed to be the outfits themselves, rather than just as items concealed beneath another garment.” —[H/T Business of Fashion]
Chilean artist Cecilia Vicuña will mount a major installation at Tate Modern in the fall.
“Chilean artist and activist Cecilia Vicuña—who has tackled issues such as environmentalism and feminism over her 50-year career—will take over Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall this autumn (Oct. 13–April 16, 2023). Vicuña will create the next Hyundai Commission in the vast cathedral-like space that has previously hosted works by artists such as Kara Walker and Olafur Eliasson.” —[H/T The Art Newspaper]
Images courtesy Fabien Barrau…
Today’s attractive distractions:
Scientists discover new freshwater species including wolverine fish and a blind eel.
Eerie scenes by Fabien Barrau show beloved landmarks after the climate apocalypse.
This architect faithfully illustrates each of her hotel rooms using vivid watercolors.
Discarded fishing containers become street furniture in the hands of Takuto Ohta.
