Pétanque Social Club in Marrakech. Photography by Fernando Marroquint, courtesy of Pétanque Social Club…
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A New Social Club in Marrakech Rooted in Century-Old Spirit
Hidden within Marrakech’s former French Quarter, a new haven for creative types has opened its doors. A three-year wait built high anticipation for the arrival of the club, which is named for a nearly century-old pétanque club that formerly occupied the space. Owner Kamal Laftimi—the mastermind behind such local restaurants including Café des Epices and Nomad—acquired the space in the face of the city’s aggressive development push and tapped the principals of Diego and Alexeja Art & Design Studio to revitalize the club while preserving its historic character.
The designers responded by reworking the club’s windows to let in more light and create a sun-washed interior, in the process repurposing the existing shutters as tabletops. A healthy amount of vintage goods abound throughout, including club chairs sourced from the renowned five-star hotel La Mamounia. Antique photos of the preceding club’s members now decorate the walls, while crystal chandeliers, mirror balls, and an ample dose of velvet creates a luxuriant atmosphere. —Jenna Adrian-Diaz
Satellite One, a new terminal planned for O’Hare International Airport. Rendering courtesy of SOM and Norviska…
SOM, Ross Barney Architects, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects, and Arup have unveiled designs for Satellite One, a new concourse at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Inspired by the orchard that once occupied the site, the terminal features a tree-like structural system to reduce congestion and improve passenger visibility. The design includes a P-shaped form connected to Terminal 1 via a bridge, with high ceilings, daylighting strategies, and an expansive oculus for a better travel experience. Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson announced the project, which is currently under budget and already under construction.
A climate activist is arrested after gluing her hand to a Monet painting at Musée d’Orsay.
A climate activist vandalized Claude Monet’s Le Bassin aux Nymphéas at Musée d’Orsay in Paris. The individual glued his hand to the painting’s protective glass and scrawled a protest message. The incident led to the museum’s temporary closure and sparked debates on the impact of such protests on cultural heritage. Authorities arrested the activist, who is facing legal consequences for the act.
Georgina Hilton of Christie’s at a recent auction. Image courtesy of Christie’s…
On May 30, Christie’s auction house revealed the ransomware group RansomHub accessed client names and personal identity information during a hack. Financial or transactional records were not compromised, but data from passports and driver’s licenses were exposed. Later that day, RansomHub auctioned the stolen data on the dark web, although cybersecurity expert Brett Callow expressed doubts about the auction’s success. Callow believes this tactic aims to pressure Christie’s and other potential future victims by creating a perception of ongoing risk.
The Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) is facing potential legal challenges after Miami city commissioners voted to repeal a 2023 law permitting its 1,800-foot digital billboard. The billboard, twice the size allowed elsewhere in Miami, may be subject to removal if it violates the museum’s lease terms. Despite obtaining a city permit, the repeal could expose PAMM to legal disputes. Critics argue the billboard disrupts neighborhood views, but PAMM maintains it complies with all regulations and enhances community engagement.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri, is planning an expansion managed by Malcolm Reading Consultants. This follows a Cooper Robertson study projecting annual visitors to reach one million within a generation. The museum, last expanded by Steven Holl Architects in 2007, is seeking design proposals through a competition to enhance community engagement and accommodate future growth.
El Anatsui with his record collection. Photography by Moz Photography, courtesy of Efie Gallery…
