The Design Dispatch offers expertly written and essential news from the design world crafted by our dedicated team. Think of it as your cheat sheet for the day in design delivered to your inbox before you’ve had your coffee. Subscribe now.
Thanks to Allied Works and Reed Hilderbrand, Penn State has a picturesque art museum.
The new Palmer Museum at Penn State, designed by Allied Works and landscaped by Reed Hilderbrand, showcases 11,000 works in a modern facility overlooking Nittany Valley. The institution’s staggered volumes, local sandstone cladding, and irregular fenestration integrate seamlessly with the adjacent arboretum. Inside, the galleries feature vibrant colors and thoughtful layouts, enhancing the display of diverse artworks from Mary Cassatt to Keith Haring.
Max Mara vows to protect employees from the “psychological abuse” of fur protestors.
In an internal communication, Max Mara Fashion Group confirmed it has been fur-free for several seasons, following pressure from environmental organizations like LAV and the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade. The confirmation came in the form of an internal communication to employees of its commitment to a fur-free policy and legal protections against harassment from activists. The fur-free policy aligns Max Mara with other luxury brands like Armani, Burberry, and Prada, who have also abandoned fur.
A Washington photographer brings a $300,000 copyright suit against Zillow Gone Wild.
Photographer Jennifer Bouma has filed a $300,000 copyright infringement lawsuit against the blog Zillow Gone Wild for using two of her photos without permission. Bouma took and copyrighted the photos in 2021 and discovered them on Zillow Gone Wild’s platforms in April 2022, but negotiations for a licensing agreement have so far proved unproductive. Her lawyer, David C. Deal, criticized the site’s practice of leveraging photographers’ work for financial gain without proper compensation or regard for their intellectual property rights.
Airbnb eyes rental property management and reviving experiences for revenue growth.
Airbnb plans to expand its services beyond short-term rentals to include co-hosting and a relaunch of its experiences, aiming to boost revenue and diversify its offerings. Co-hosting, set to launch this fall, will connect homeowners with time to manage listings with those who have properties but lack time.
Banksy’s latest—a menagerie of zoo animals—puzzles critics and onlookers in London.
Banksy’s latest works in London, featuring a goat and elephants painted on walls, have sparked widespread speculation about their meaning. Theories range from commentary on the U.K.’s political unrest and the scapegoating of immigrants to reflections on the environmental crisis and support for Palestine. Adding to the intrigue, Banksy has also unveiled a new piece with three monkeys swinging from a bridge in Brick Lane.
Today’s attractive distractions:
Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre’s Gin & Juice enlists the talents of Ini Archibong.
Arc’teryx and Skip are taking pre-orders for those $5,000 robot hiking pants.
Bettina Korek’s “Favorite Things” include a $440 Barbara Kruger shopping bag.
An Auntie Anne’s pretzel perfume is launching next week, if that’s your thing.
