DESIGN DISPATCH

Saudi Arabia Makes Moves Towards Hosting the 2034 World Cup, and Other News

Our daily look at the world through the lens of design.

King Salman International Stadium. Image courtesy of Populous.

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Saudi Arabia embarks on an infrastructure spree as 2034’s World Cup draws near.

As part of its 2034 World Cup bid, Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans to build 11 new stadiums and enlist the cities of Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, as well as Neom. The capital, Riyadh, will host eight of the 15 stadiums, including the new 92,000-capacity King Salman Stadium for the opening game and final. The proposal also emphasizes environmental sustainability and human rights, despite ongoing international criticism of Saudi Arabia’s record in these areas.

Jensen Architects will restore a San Francisco school that houses a Diego Rivera mural.

The San Francisco based firm Jensen Architects will revitalize the city’s former art institute campus. Now owned by BMA-Institute, a nonprofit founded by Laurene Powell Jobs, the 94,000-square-foot site will continue to offer arts education and serve as BMA’s headquarters, preserving the historic Diego Rivera fresco housed within. The restoration is set to begin in 2025, with construction expected to take two to four years.

John Legend's Rove Concepts Collection. Image courtesy of Rove Concepts.

Thanks to sculptor Kevin Kresse, the Capitol will get its own Johnny Cash statue.

A statue of Johnny Cash will be unveiled in the U.S. Capitol next month, replacing one of racist politician James P. Clarke. The new statue, created by Little Rock sculptor Kevin Kresse, will depict Cash with a guitar and Bible, and will join the statue of civil rights leader Daisy Bates. 

Brazil’s Balneário Camboriú enters the arms race for the world’s largest supertall tower.

The Brazilian city of Balneário Camboriú plans to build the world’s tallest residential tower: the 100-story, 1,785-foot Triumph Tower. The project, once completed, will surpass New York City’s 1,550-foot Central Park Tower and challenge the proposed 1,907-foot Boardwalk at Bricktown in Oklahoma City. Currently, Santiago’s 984-foot Gran Torre Costanera holds the title for South America’s tallest building.

John Legend drops a vintage-inflected interiors collection with Rove Concepts.

With his Journeys collection for Rove Concepts, John Legend has become the latest celebrity to expand into homewares and furniture. The collection is inspired by Legend’s personal style and home life, and features soft textures as well as a balance of modernist and organic forms.The collection is available online and in the brand’s select showrooms across North America.

Today’s attractive distractions: 

Yoshiyuki Katayama reveals the world of tiny bugs who hang out on big flowers. 

The internet applauds Hawk Tuah girl’s endeavors to “get the bag” for her fame.

NASA’s Voyager 1 is 15.2 billion light years away from Earth—and broken.

Spirit eyes snacks and checked bags as a chance to compete with major airlines.

 

 

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