Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

With spas given the go-ahead to reopen their doors, relaxing spa hotel staycations are back on the travel agenda.

While the spa experience will look a little different you can expect increased cleaning frequency, therapists wearing PPE, and to book treatments, pool and relaxation area slots ahead of time a silver lining is that limited guest numbers to aid social distancing mean an even more peaceful atmosphere. Whether its a pampering countryside break or a city-slick urban recharge youre after, here are the best UK spa hotels to book...

Note: Steam rooms and saunas in England and Northern Ireland are allowed to re-open subject to social distancing measures Scotland and Wales are currently awaiting guidance on when theirs can open. At the moment, most hotel spas are only open to resident guests, some are implementing pre-treatment temperature checks, offering a stripped-back treatment list, and asking guests to change in-room and arrive robe-ready. Given that government guidance is liable to change quickly, wed recommend calling the hotel to double check the latest rules when you book.

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The Gainsborough has direct access to Baths ancient springs (The Gainsborough)

As famed for its pretty honey-hued Georgian buildings as the ancient thermal waters it was founded on, Bath makes for a brilliant wellness break. The place to bed down is the Gainsborough Bath Spa, which has 99 bedrooms with restful monochrome palettes and is the only hotel with a spa directly fed by Baths mineral-rich spring water. A handful of spa bedrooms even have the thermal water piped straight into roll top bathtubs.

The Spa Villages centrepiece is a dramatic sapphire mosaic-tiled thermal pool surrounded by Romanesque columns. This, combined with two smaller soaking pools, an ice alcove and relaxation terrace, forms an invigorating self-guided bathing circuit. Unknotting aromatherapy and Swedish essential-oil massages are on offer in 10 treatment rooms, and the gym and complimentary weekend yoga classes will keep active types happy. For the moment, the spas signature watsu-style aqua therapies are on hold.

Doubles from 340, room-only, including spa access.

thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk

Lime Wood

Set in the New Forest National Park, where wild ponies meander through woodland and violet-tinged heather scrub, Lime Wood is perhaps the ultimate rural retreat. The 13th-century lodge, transformed into a country house hotel with glorious grounds, has cosy lounges with roaring fires, an Italian restaurant helmed by Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder and 33 rooms with botanical artwork, antique furniture and bloom-festooned cushions.

Facilities at the calming, three-level Herb House spa include a 16 metre indoor lap pool (floor-to-ceiling glass windows mean front crawl comes with a side of forest views), two hydropools and 10 treatment rooms for unknotting massages using seaweed-infused VOYA or Bamford products reflexology sessions and OPI mani-pedis. Matt Roberts personal trainers are on hand in the Technogym to ramp up workout regimes, there are al-fresco pilates and yoga classes in the herb-filled rooftop garden, and delicious, healthy meals think freshly-pressed greens and ginger juices and nori rolls at Raw and Cure restaurant.

Doubles from 395, room-only, including spa access. Book now

limewood.co.uk

Calcot's hot tub at twilight

Calcot

Mayfair's COMO Shambhala Urban Escape feels a world away from the busy capital

COMO Shambhala Urban Escape

The hot tub at The Scarlet, Cornwall

The Scarlet

Bikes outside Babington House's Cowshed spa

Soho House Babington House Cowshed

The outdoor hot pool at Herb House, Limewood

Herb House, Limewood

Dormy House's modern spa

Dormy House

Rudding Park's glam steam room

Rudding Park

Recover from a night out in nearby Cardiff at St David's Hotel & Spa

St David's Hotel & Spa

A treatment room at Cowley Manor

Cowley Manor

Brave the outdoor pool at Hotel Portmeirion

Hotel Portmeirion

The Cheeky Nail Bar at The Ned

The Ned

Finn Lough is on the banks of Lough Erne

Finn Lough

The Mondrian spa embraces the Hollywood glamour of the hotel itself

Mondrian

The clean white of Clivedon's spa

Clivedon

The Roman Bath-style pool at Gainsborough Bath Spa

Gainsborough Bath Spa

Calcot's hot tub at twilight

Calcot

Mayfair's COMO Shambhala Urban Escape feels a world away from the busy capital

COMO Shambhala Urban Escape

The hot tub at The Scarlet, Cornwall

The Scarlet

Bikes outside Babington House's Cowshed spa

Soho House Babington House Cowshed

The outdoor hot pool at Herb House, Limewood

Herb House, Limewood

Dormy House's modern spa

Dormy House

Rudding Park's glam steam room

Rudding Park

Recover from a night out in nearby Cardiff at St David's Hotel & Spa

St David's Hotel & Spa

A treatment room at Cowley Manor

Cowley Manor

Brave the outdoor pool at Hotel Portmeirion

Hotel Portmeirion

The Cheeky Nail Bar at The Ned

The Ned

Finn Lough is on the banks of Lough Erne

Finn Lough

The Mondrian spa embraces the Hollywood glamour of the hotel itself

Mondrian

The clean white of Clivedon's spa

Clivedon

The Roman Bath-style pool at Gainsborough Bath Spa

Gainsborough Bath Spa

Surrounded by 132 acres of parkland by the tranquil River Maine, 40 minutes from Belfast, the atmosphere at the 124-room Galgorm is refreshingly relaxed and jolly (it has a 400-strong gin library for one thing). Accommodation ranges from business-style bedrooms to Scandi-style cottages and rustic log cabins. There are five restaurants, including laid back Italian joint Fratellli and fancy 3 AA Rosette-awarded River Room, plus rousing live music each night at Gillies Pub.

The propertys Spa Village is one of Europes largest thermal spas, and flashpoints include an outdoor infinity hydrotherapy pool, riverside hot tubs for leisurely soaks with a glass of fizz, an indoor pool, snow cabin, salt room, aroma grotto and herb caldarium. Massages use Aromatherapy Associates oil, and the Forest & Photo Therapy combines a massage with a no-touch Dermalux LED facial (where coloured lights are used to target concerns) and a mud mask. For post-relaxation fuel, order poke bowls and virgin watermelon margaritas at timber-dome restaurant Elements.

Doubles from 178, B&B, including spa access.

galgorm.com

Sink into a hot tub with unbeatable sea views at The Scarlet (The Scarlet)

A seaside break is an instant reviver, and the adults-only Scarlet, with its cliffside setting above Mawgan Porths butterscotch sands, eco-architecture and wonderful spa, is a breath of fresh air for the soul. The 39 rooms all pale wooden floorboards, decorated in mossy green and dusky blues each have a sea view, be it full-facing or from an upper-level sitting room.

The spa also has seascape panoramas from the indoor pool, outdoor natural pool (freshwater, filtered by a living reed bed filtration system) and two cliff top hot tubs. Hour-long ayurvedic treatments (tasters of the normal four-hour journeys), and hot herb and oat-filled poultice massages take place in six treatment rooms. Afterwards, laze in slumber-inducing hanging canvas pods, do outdoor yoga and tai chi, or head out surfing. A visit to the restaurant for a cream tea is a must (just be sure to layer jam before clotted cream, in keeping with the Cornish tradition).

Doubles from 210, B&B, including spa access.

scarlethotel.co.uk

Rudding Park has opened a spa roof garden (Rudding Park)

Historic Rudding Park, a quick drive from former spa town Harrogate, will suit spa junkies looking for a retreat with a modern, unstuffy vibe. The Georgian Hall turned 90-room property has comfortable rooms with colour-pop touches, 300 acres of gardens, a cinema, two golf courses and 3 AA Rosette Horto, where the likes of dainty Japanese seven-spice tempura courgettes and flower-strewn desserts are served.

Its the innovative spa, fed in part by natural spring waters, thats the real masterstroke. Alongside an indoor pool, juniper log sauna, rasul (for mud masks and scrubs), nail studio and gym, there are audio meditation pods, an AV relaxation room and Mandala colour therapy zone. Outside on the shrub-filled rooftop, theres even more: a hydrotherapy pool, steam room, glass-fronted sauna with astonishing panoramas of the Yorkshire countryside, sunlight therapy room and oxygen pod. Treatments run the gamut from Elemis and hot stone massages to flower wraps, and for something completely different, there are bolt-on CBD-experiences too.

Doubles from 348, B&B, including four hours spa access.

ruddingpark.co.uk

Go Grecian at Chewton Glen (Chewton Glen)

In 1990, long before it became de rigueur, Chewton Glen was one of the first country house hotels to create a purpose-built spa, and it has been winning accolades ever since. The straight-out-of-Austen hotel sits in 130 acres of grounds on the fringe of the New Forest National Park, and many ingredients used at the Dining Room come from the kitchen garden. Rooms range from traditional affairs with mallard-print cushions, mahogany furniture and rose colour palettes to kooky high-in-the-canopy tree house suites with hot tubs on the balconies.

Fresh from a revamp, the 1,350sqm spa has a 17-metre Roman-style indoor lap pool, a hydrotherapy pool and outdoor whirlpool. On the spa menu are Jessica mani-pedis, Mii make-up sessions and oil massages. Cant decide? Book a slot and the therapist will craft something bespoke. Junior spa treatments, a nine-hole par 3 golf course and tennis courts also make Chewton a good family pick.

Doubles from 370/tree houses from 1,150, B&B, including spa access.

chewtonglen.com

The indoor pool at Dormy House spa (Dormy House )

A real bucolic charmer, this 39-room hotel just outside Broadway village is about as cosy and convivial as it gets. There are lounges with deep leather armchairs and flickering fires to retreat to after yomps through the Cotswolds countryside, and slow-food Back Garden restaurant for comforting celeriac and truffle risotto and apple tarte tatin. Bedrooms blend clean-lined Scandi-style interiors with exposed wooden beams, which nod to Dormy Houses 17th-century farmhouse roots.

At the House Spa, theres a showstopper indoor infinity pool (candlelit for added zen), a bubbling hydrotherapy hot tub, well-equipped gym and thermal suite with Finnish cabin and salt steam room. The treatment menu includes Aaahhh! a sugar buff scrub and warm oil massage combo a soothing back cure massage (by Beata Aleksandrowicz), Gelish mani-pedis and from September a new flotation tank experience. Its hoped the full treatment list featuring Temple Spa and Natura Biss will be resumed soon.

Doubles from 269, B&B, including spa access.

dormyhouse.co.uk

South Lodge spa (Amy Murrell)

Read more here:
The best spa hotels in the UK for a relaxing staycation - The Independent

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020

If youre stuck at home and looking for something to do, join the thousands of people starting home improvement projects. We get some tips on this trend and how to get the best return on your investment when you embark on your own improvement project.

Are you considering a home remodel project? Are you in the middle of one? What questions do you have for our experts? Email charlottetalks@wfae.org

The COVID-19 pandemic has a lot of us spending much more time than normal in our homes. Many are working from home. And all this time in the same place has given us an opportunity to really see where we live.

Evidently, a lot of people dont like what they see because right now there is a wave of folks who have decided they need to spruce things up. Yes, home improvements and renovations are on the uptick.

But how do you renovate safely during a pandemic? If you plan to sell in the future, what colors and textures and trends will help? And which home fix-up projects give you the best return on your investment?

We talk to some pros about that and more.

Guests

Melissa Lee, principal designer, New South Home, an interior design firm in Charlotte

Kim Trouten, real estate agent with Allen Tate SouthPark

Chris Duncan, partner with Four Oaks Builders, a home building and remodeling company in Charlotte

Original post:
Charlotte Talks: Home Remodels And Improvements On The Rise In Quarantine - WFAE

Barcelona-based designer Sanna Vlker has curated a collection of seven furniture and homeware pieces, which were created during coronavirus lockdown to reflect the unique limitations and opportunities of the current moment.

The pieces in the project, called Km Zero, include two benches and stools, a teapot and ceramics set and a trio of vessels, and were created by seven different Spanish design studios.

Each product was crafted within one kilometre of the designer's home. The materials were sourced from within the same radius in order to explore the possibilities awarded by local production.

"In Spain, as lockdown started to ease, we were allowed to go for walks in our immediate neighbourhoods," Vlker told Dezeen.

"We couldn't exceed the one-kilometre limit but we could stroll around our closest streets during a few restricted hours each day. This is the moment where many of us discovered workshops and artisans located just a few hundred meters away from our homes and studios."

Precht designs Parc de la Distance for outdoor social distancing

Several of the objects deal with the loneliness of social distancing and the ways in which the pandemic has reminded us of the importance of community and collaboration.

Industrial designer Marta Ayala Herrera created a wooden bench with two individual, round seats separated by protruding armrests, to reflect on the isolation of the individual in Western society.

"The context in which we live rewards and encourages this tunnel vision and the construction of everyone's bubble," explained Herrera.

"However, the arrival of a crisis in the space where we live has exposed the shortcomings and inconveniences that this type of society offers us.

That's why, although the bench might appear to allow users to sit separately, the seats are actually dependant on their shared base in order to stand.

Madrid-based Paula Clavera focused more on the materiality of her immediate surroundings and forged her No2 stool from abandoned rubble and granite pieces found on the streets of the La Latina and Lavapis neighbourhoods.

These are stacked on top of each other and cobbled together into a Flintstone-like, three-legged seat, designed to represent the bricolage of buildings that make up these districts.

Beyond curating the project, Vlker also contributed a teapot, called Presence, which consists of a cylindrical body and a strainer with an oversized, doughnut-shaped rim.

When water is poured into the strainer, it slowly drips into the main body of the pot through a small hole at the bottom.

UNIT Fabrications builds social-distancing furniture for London primary school

"Presence is an object that explores the personal experience of truly slowing down," said the designer, who created the piece in collaboration with a local ceramics workshop.

"Through combining the tea ceremony with the soothing sound of water, the project reflects on time and on staying present. The piece questions our constant search for efficiency and optimisation and invites a shared moment of stillness by focusing on sensorial information."

Barcelona's Turbina Studio contributed a series of bowls and plates, in which perfectly smooth, concave shapes are embedded into roughly textured bricks to create the impression of fossilised artefacts.

The series, called Future Archeology, is made from fired clay and cast stone and hopes to make us consider whether the way towards a more sustainable future might be to look towards the past.

Omayra Maym's 1927 stool features a seat that has been formed by wrapping a piece of rope repeatedly around its geometric frame. The rope was made by a local artisan from a type of grass fibre called esparto, which is native to Spain.

Also featured in the collection is a bench by Isaac Pieiro, fashioned from a piece of bent, laminated wood that had been collecting dust in his studio, and a series of vessels, created by Jlia Esqu using offcuts from a nearby metal workshop.

"Producing and consuming locally has been on our minds for years but sometimes, until we're forced to act upon an idea, we don't fully commit to it," Vlker said.

"Due to the current situation, we are finally doing what we have been wanting to do for quite some time now. And at least for some time ahead, we will have to make use of our local resources and opportunities."

Vlker, who was born in Sweden, has curated a group exhibition for the past three years, focusing on different pressing social issues each time. In 2018, Perception focused on the impact that Instagram has on our experience of exhibitions and came complete with a mandated social media blackout.

And last year, the Sisters show focused on female empowerment, femininity and social justice.

With this year's agenda dominated by the pandemic, a slew of other designers have unveiled furniture and home objects for a "new normal".

Mexican architect Enrique Tovar has designed a foldable desk that can be carried to different locations, while UK brand UNIT Fabrications has developed a series of mobile screens for a local primary school to enact social distancing.

Photography is by David Leon Fiene.

More here:
Seven designers share objects created within a kilometre of home during lockdown - Dezeen

Home Design

Local architect Stephen Chung reflects on how the pandemic has shaken up the industry.

A rendering of the 288-square-foot studio Stephen Chung designed for his home. / Courtesy photo

Architect Stephen Chung has approached the world of design from just about every angle. A masters in architectural design from Harvard? He earned one. Experience working alongside renowned industry leaders? Philippe Starck was one such collaborator. A gig as a TV producer and host? Think: PBSs Cool Spaces! The Best New Architecture. In recent years, though, hes spent his time dreaming up sleek, modern residences and hospitality projects in and around Boston and Sarasota, Florida, with the eponymous firm he started in 2015. That changed dramatically, however, when the coronavirus pandemic hit. For Chung and virtually every other architect, interior designer, and contractor, many projects came to an abrupt halt, transforming the industry in ways that are yet to be determined. Still, never one to slow down completely, Chung decided to embark on yet another new design pursuit: dreaming up a glass-walled, two-story detached home office, a project that may symbolize the COVID-inspired ingenuity well see in the months and years to come. I have tremendous concerns. I think in the short term [design professionals are] going to have a hard time, Chung says. But I think there are opportunities, too. Were going to see a lot of innovation.

How did you spend your time during the states stay-at-home advisory?

Things were canceled, so with the combination of that and my kids being at home while I was trying to get things done, I said, Gosh, I wish I had an office where I could escape, but be on my property, so I developed this little [detached] home-office design. I called it my COVID-19 design studio. Id always dreamed of making a two-story fort for the kids and Id talked to a building inspector, so I knew what I could do on the edge of my property. So in my mind, I said, I could do a 12-foot-by-12-foot room on the ground floor, which would have a conference table and books. And then a ladder would take me to a second floor, where I would have a desk with a computer. It would be good for everybody because itd be quiet when I do my Zoom calls. I could get work done and go to the office, and my commute would be a minute. We should all really think about this home-office thing if were going to work at home. Just in terms of your well-being, I think having some space and air makes you healthier and more productive and optimistic. That sort of project makes sense for a lot of people, whether [the office is] detached or built into something existing.

The architect envisioned using inexpensive materials, including Sonotube foundation and plywood, to build the detached home office. / Courtesy photo

Whats another area of the home you foresee people rethinking in the wake of coronavirus?

Mudrooms. My brother is an ER doctor, and has a little portable sink attached to his garage. When he comes home, he washes his hands and puts his scrubs in a bin. So he has a makeshift decontamination zone before he goes into his house. If I were designing a house, I would think about an expanded mudroom where, [like my brothers home], there are places for disposing clothes, taking off shoes, and washing hands immediately. While many people have mudrooms, theyre not as expansive as what Im [imagining]. They need to be almost new entrances. Most homes have a symbolic front door, but [Ive found that] people rarely use it. Many use a secondary side entrance [instead]. Maybe we should consider that the main entrance, off of which would be a mudroom/transition space. Id be interested in exploring that with people.

How has the pandemic changed the way people feel about their homes?

If youre spending 98 percent of your day at home, youre really looking at every design. This should be a positive thing for design professionals because people [are wondering], Jeez, why is this like that? We have all become more aware and appreciative of good design and how it improves our health, happiness, and productivity. I hope therell be more people thinking through all these choiceseven details you dont normally see, like insulation between floors or interior walls [for sound proofing] so kids can go to school on Zoom and you can have a conference call. There are more good ideas coming from homeowners, too, because theyve thought, My kids are here, so I need this or The office needs to be farther away from this or My life is unique because of this. And thats good.

In addition to running his own firm, Chung teaches design courses at Suffolk University. / Photo by Raymond Forbes

Do you have any predictions for how hospitality design may also evolve?

There have been a lot of people in the industry speculating [about] how hospitality design will be affected going forward. Ive been thinking about the guest experience and how much more frictionless it will be. I think check-in will be automated and will require fewer staff to manage. Guest rooms will be larger to accommodate more activities. I could see each room having a kitchenette and a proper eating area, plus direct access to a private outdoor space, be it a garden or a terrace.

For dcor, easy cleaning will be a priority, and I would expect [to see] hard floor surfaces and washable wallcoverings. There may be more curved wall surfaces, which are easier to clean than right angles are. Interestingly, these changes may lead to an overall stylistic shift as well. For instance, guest rooms will lean toward modern and minimal with fewer surfaces, no crown moldings, and simpler base trims, handles, and doorknobs. Furthermore, there will be fewer knickknacks. There has also been a lot of talk about [incorporating] antimicrobial materials, but I dont think there is enough evidence at this time to go all in on its application.

What tools have you relied on to make designing during the pandemic easier for you and your collaborators?

Right now, I have clients from Ohio who want to build in Sarasota. Im in Boston, so were conversing [online] and Im using real-time animation software to walk them through the design. I can take it beyond blueprints and floorplans and show the building moving and the sun changing. I found this to be a really productive tool before [COVID], so when [the outbreak] happened, I said, Why not do it like this? Its more productive to have these kinds of meetings, where we go into buildings [virtually], walk around, change things, and [get a sense of] what its like to be in there.

Chung used real-time animation software to generate this rendering, which portrays daytime and views of a Florida project hes currently working on remotely. / Courtesy photo

Chung used real-time animation software to generate this rendering, which portrays nighttime and views of a Florida project hes currently working on remotely. / Courtesy photo

Originally posted here:
How Will COVID-19 Affect the Future of Home Design? - Boston magazine

They say first impressions are everything. From nailing a job interview to rubbing elbows at a cocktail party, first impressions make an impactand your home is no exception. Dont believe it? Consider the significance of curb appeal. Regardless of whether or not youre selling your house, everyone wants a home that turns heads and fetches compliments.

Not only does curb appeal increase the value of your house, but its a reflection of the people who live there, says Michael G. Davis. As owner, designer and project manager of Milwaukee landscape group Emerald Gardens, Davis is well aware of the value of curbside charm. The front of a home shows a bit of what its like inside. It offers a hint about the personality of the family that lives there.

Looking to up your curb-appeal game? Doing so doesnt necessarily mean monopolizing your time or breaking the bank. There are lots of easy ideas that spruce things up a bit.

Look at the front of your house and determine what can quickly be removed, fixed or hidden. Pull weeds from the walkway, adjust the crooked shutter, stash the garden hose in a decorative pot and tell the kids to put away their bikes (again).

Davis also suggests creating a budget as this helps prioritize tasks. For instance, if you cant afford to paint the house right now, power wash it instead. Budget your time, too, he adds. You can do more in the front yard if you have time to tend to it.

An easy way to achieve an eye-fetching landscape comes in the form of symmetry. Balancing key elements gives the eye a place to rest. If you have a large picture window, frame it with arborvitaes or flowering clematis perennials. Try setting identical planters on opposite sides of your entryway.

Planters are the perfect way to spruce up the front of a home, Davis explains. Best of all, they can be changed with the seasons. Switch out the flowers for plants that tolerate frost such as mums or kale grasses in late summer or early fall. Thats also a great time to plant trees and woody bushes, the designer says. During winter, plan which flowers and delicate plants youll buy in spring to keep your curbside appeal intact all year long.

LEARN MORE

When it comes to curb appeal, the entryway is key. Always accentuate the front door, Davis suggests, not the driveway or garage. Painting the front door in a unique color anchors the entryway while adding a touch of whimsy. Citrus colors are hot right now, while blues and greens complement colors found in shade gardens. Light pinks and corals work well with Lannon stone and Cream City brick.

Dress up your front porch with a bench or rocking chairs, adding matching pillows and an outdoor rug for texture. A new welcome mat, updated light fixtures and a bold address plate also make for easy improvements.

Milwaukee is loaded with homes that feature inspiring details. Illuminate columns, arches and gables so your home shines well into the wee hours. Its easy with todays solar-powered LED options. Pay attention to the style of the house, Davis notes. With a Victorian, use the light to enhance the details of the architecture. You can have a bit more fun with a ranch or a saltbox.

A little goes a long way when it comes to curb appeal. Mulch the front gardens, trim the bushes and edge the sidewalk. Add a few extras such as a decorative lantern on a shepherds hook, a front-door wreath or an interesting piece of yard art. Simply try not to overdo it, Davis says. If you add too much, the front yard loses appeal because nothing is special. Think cute and clean, not crazy and cluttered, and your curb appeal will go through the roof.

To learn more about Michael G. Davis design and landscape company, visit the Emerald Gardens page on Facebook or email Michael at emeraldgardensmgd@gmail.com.

Mark Hagen is an award-winning gardener, former caterer and Milwaukee lover. His work has appeared in Birds & Blooms and Home and Your Family magazines.

To read more articles by Mark Hagen, click here.

Mark Hagen is an award-winning gardener, former caterer and Milwaukee lover. His work has appeared in Birds & Blooms and Home and Your Family magazines.

Aug. 19, 2020

9:33 a.m.

Continued here:
Amp Up Your Abode with Easy Curb Appeal - Shepherd Express

The Lexus Design Awards are one of the worlds most uniquely structured design competition formats. Targeted around embracing new ideas that create a positive impact on the world, the Lexus Design Awards pride themselves on being a journey, rather than a process. This journey involves thousands of entries from around the world, 6 chosen finalists, 4 world-class design mentors, 4 elite judges, and a process that aims at nurturing and evolving the 6 design entries. The mentors, chosen for their expertise in their individual fields, guide participants through an intense 2-day Mentoring Workshop in New York City followed by one-on-one online sessions bringing their concept to its full potential. Lexus helps fund the production and prototyping expenses for all 6 finalist entries (to the tune of 3 million Yen), and a panel of elite judges choose a Grand Prix winner which will be announced on September 1st. This process is unique to the Lexus Design Award. Its mentoring system helps designers get critical exposure to the industry while getting the undivided attention of 4 industry-leading mentors. Yanko Design had the opportunity to speak to one of them Joe Doucet, of the Brooklyn-based design studio Joe Doucet x Partners.

After exchanging pleasantries and asking each other how we were coping with the pandemic, we spoke in detail about the Lexus Design Award 2020, Joes involvement as a mentor, and what I expected would be a simple 20-30 minute interview went into nearly an 80-minute long conversation on the design profession, Joes approach to designing and mentoring, on awards in general, designer ethics, and whether AI could threaten the creative profession (short answer: Yes, AI can definitely replace designers. The ones that survive will be the ones that embrace AI as a tool to empower their design abilities). Here are a few excerpts from our conversation.

Yanko Design: Hey Joe! Weve been long-time fans of your work (we even recently featured a futuristic face-shield you designed), but for the people who arent familiar with your work, do let our readers know a bit about you and what you do.

Joe Doucet: Hey! Thanks for this opportunity. Im Joe Doucet, designer and founder of Joe Doucet x Partners, a design studio based out of Brooklyn, New York. Were an award-winning design studio that handles a wide variety of projects spanning different categories. We pride ourselves in diving deep into understanding the product, the solution, and all ends of the process. JDxP works on a gamut of design solutions internally as well as in a consultary capacity for outside clients. We recently designed a luxury face shield that had the good fortune of being featured on your platform! A lot of companies have expressed interest in the design since the publication and were actually working on a product launch pretty soon! Im also a mentor for the Lexus Design Awards, providing guidance to the finalists and helping them evolve their concepts and turn them into truly world-class design solutions.

YD: That sounds pretty cool! How did this mentorship opportunity materialize? Whats the mentorship process like?

JD: The people at Lexus Design Award were kind enough to approach me. Whats really unique about the Lexus Design Awards is the fact that you get to be mentored by a group of designers, rather than just having a jury panel look at your design and pass judgment on it. Ive participated in my fair share of awards and been a jury on a few of them too, and theres a mechanical process that isnt true for LDA. The Lexus Design Award really embraces the idea of growing and nurturing designs that have the ability to impact the world. It all ties into the way Lexus values the power of design. The process starts with evaluating designs based on the kind of impact their underlying ideas have. These designs become a part of the finalists, and each final entry is individually coached by a set of mentors who help designers evolve their concepts into a proper, fleshed-out design solution. Finalists get the benefit of interacting with leaders in their field (Im honored to be a part of this roster too), and having their evolved work then judged by stalwarts like John Maeda, Paola Antonelli, Jeanne Gang, and Simon Humphries. Given that only a few designs make it to the Grand Prix Selection round, the judges really spend a lot of time understanding and scrutinizing the designs before evaluating them.

YD: Not many people know this, but you switched from being a graphic designer to a multidisciplinary designer. What sort of expertise do you bring to the table when it comes to mentorship? Are the mentors selected based on a set of criteria?

JD: Haha! Im surprised you know about me being a graphic design graduate! Well, ever since we started JDxP, Ive always involved myself in every aspect of the process, so I dont really limit myself just to one discipline. In fact, my area of expertise as a mentor for the Lexus Design Award is innovation. The Lexus team carefully curates their mentors to cover most aspects of the design world, so finalists get a different perspective from each mentor, and that way theres never really a clash of advice or of interest. Each mentor provides their own facet of advice and growth so the process is truly holistic. There isnt any other award program that approaches the judging process with this unique perspective. Lexus even provides financial assistance to help turn the concepts into proper prototypes. In the end, designers dont just win an award, they really learn a lot along the way.

YD: Does that mean a lot of the participants are design learners, students, or young designers? In this process of mentoring do their designs often change drastically?

JD: Oh yes, the award program sees a healthy set of entries from design students and young designers in general. A lot of young designers find the mentorship angle really lucrative, and its a great way to take your design concept and incubate it. Besides, the competition doesnt levy an entry fee and Lexus sponsors production and prototyping costs for the finalists, making it a great accelerator for design ideas. When were selecting the finalists, we usually look at the designs impact rather than just superficially analyzing the design. This helps us decide which design entries have true potential to live up to the award brief so yes, a lot of times the designs go through a dramatic makeover. Sometimes theyre purely conceptual, so in the process of making them real, the design does have to evolve and change. In the end, we retain the designs intent and impact, but help evolve the solution into something better.

YD: A lot of designs we see (even some finalists of this years award) exist as concepts that ignore real-world constraints but hold promise in a much more feasible future. Is it important to only design products/services that can be realized in the immediate future? What are your thoughts on conceptual designs?

JD: This is something I hold dear to my heart. I truly believe concepts are a window into the future and there really is no future without concepts, so I definitely believe in the power of creating something that doesnt or cant exist. Its what drives innovation! Concepts are a very important segment of the automotive industry too. Car companies use concepts as a tool to test features and gauge the markets response towards them. Those concepts never see the light of day, but their role in the design process is extremely important. In fact, concepts are one of the reasons I love Yanko Design so much too because I believe you were probably the first blog to focus so heavily on concepts that showed promise. Its remarkable that you guys still have such a heavy focus on conceptual designs. I disagree with the people who claim that designs should be rooted in reality because thats a very one-dimensional way of approaching anything. When we see an award entry thats conceptual, we always measure its impact and intent. The design goes through iterations thereafter.

YD: The Guiding Principle for Lexus Design Award is Designing for a better tomorrow. What are your thoughts on it? Is it a complicated process, navigating sustainability and making designs future-friendly?

JD: Its perhaps the single most important call-to-action for every designer today. We as designers often dont have that clarity thats needed when were designing products that will enter the world and probably stay there for years or even centuries to come. Its not about making better things, its about making things better. In fact, there was a study that was conducted close to 12-13 years ago that said 70-80% of the environmental impact of a product is determined in its design phase, so we as designers really have a responsibility to really think ahead about every aspect of what we make, how it affects people emotionally, how it affects production lines, what its afterlife is, what happens when it breaks, what happens when it needs to be replaced oh it definitely is complicated to navigate, but that should never be a reason to overlook it.

YD: I couldnt agree more. Im reading Ruined by Design by Mike Monteiro and he mentioned how design is one of the most impactful professions without an ethical code. Doctors, lawyers, accountants, they all have a code of conduct. Even crime is more organized than design is! How do you navigate this responsibility in the professional world when a client needs something that goes against your beliefs?

JD: We refuse. If theres a client thats dead set on asking for a product that they know has a net negative impact on the world, and theyre fine with it, we dont take them up. Eventually, it means one less bad product in this world, and thats a good thing.

YD: Getting back to the Lexus Design Awards The process of designing/mentoring obviously leads to a valuable exchange of ideas and information. Is there anything youve learned from your fellow mentors or from the 6 finalists?

JD: Oh absolutely! Im always thrilled to see the kind of problems these designers are trying to solve. This young crop of designers has such a unique life-perspective too, its always great to interact with them to see their fresh take on the problems theyre looking at solving. Its no secret that the younger generation is also more focused on sustainability and impact because it has consequences that will affect them in their lifetime, so thats amazing too. I often find that they end up inspiring me too!

YD: Are there any design values that the Lexus organization brings to the table in this competition?

JD: I think the awards theme speaks to this. Designing for a better tomorrow I believe is a value thats inherent to Lexus, and thats why theyre so incredibly invested in this new award format, where they bring mentors and judges to uplift designs and designers rather than just simply reward them. In their own way, theyre pushing for a better tomorrow too and for such a massive multibillion-dollar company to embrace this agenda of nurturing good design and dedicate time, money, resources, and efforts towards it each year, its truly remarkable.

YD: Alright, Joe! This was wonderful! Im honestly quite pumped to see that theres a massive multibillion-dollar company out there thats so invested in redeeming the design profession and actually doing something for the greater good! I hope our readers will be inspired enough to send in their designs too in the future! To wrap this interview up If you had to explain your design process/mantra in a few words, what would they be?

JD: This was really great! Thanks for reaching out, its an honor to play my part as a mentor of the Lexus Design Awards. As for my design mantra, its something Ive said earlier. Its not about making better things, its about making things better!

Click Here to Know More About the Lexus Design Award 2020 Finalists competing for the Grand Prix that will be announced on September 1st, 2020.

Think of the Feltscape as an isolation chamber that imitates the feeling of being within a womb. Designed by UK-based Thophile Peju & Salvatore Cicero, the Feltscape is a breathing cloud made of felt and recycled bio-plastic with an innovative robotic fabrication process. Equipped with sensors and kinetic mechanisms, the Feltscape can sense a users breathing patterns, allowing the isolation chambers smart membrane to react to its users breath. Creating a perfect atmosphere for reflection, meditation, and an escape from the immediate world, Feltscape provides a cocoon-like isolation experience that helps slowly and surely calm people down. Its organic design reflects inspiration from cocoons too!

The Pursewit is uniquely positioned to help the visually impaired not just be independent, but also develop vocational skills that help them make a living. Designed by Pakistan-based designer, Aqsa Ajmal, after her friend lost her vision in an accident, the Pursewit makes sewing more accessible with a design thats built around ease-of-use with an approach thats immediately intuitive and with a relatively shallow learning curve. The design scales the form of the sewing machine down, making it less cumbersome while also being simpler and safer. Ajmal hopes that the Pursewit will go beyond just helping the visually impaired be more independent by sewing or fixing their clothes, by also allowing them to take on a skill set that helps them earn a daily wage and be financially independent too.

Biocraft attempts at transforming mundane objects into living ones that interact with the environment. Originally named Bio.Scales, the Biocraft is a revolutionary material that combines natural biopolymers with emerging technology to create a new material that possesses capabilities like being able to extract CO2 from the air, rid the ambient environment of pollutants, or even disseminate nutrients into the atmosphere. Created by Paul and Garrett Sutherlin Santo from Los Angeles, Biocraft hopes to eventually replace materials like thermoplastics, eventually creating regular products that dont just exist to solve a problem, but rather serve a higher purpose by being living entities that have a positive impact on human health and the environment.

Akin to having a fire-extinguisher mounted on the walls of buildings, Flash Pak by Yaokun Wu of China aims at providing flood-prone areas with instant access to life-jackets. Designed to be attached to lamp-poles in areas susceptible to flash floods, the FlashPak sits in its protective housing at regular times, but in the event of a flood, naturally rises to the surface thanks to the life-jackets innate buoyancy. Floods, now an unfortunately common by-product of climate change, displaces millions each year, resulting in thousands of deaths annually. Solutions like the Flash Pak can turn a lamp-post (or any regular post) into a potential life-saving zone, giving people instant access to life-saving jackets during times of need. New jackets can easily be placed back in their housing once the flood subsides, and the Flash Paks automatic deployment during a flash flood makes it an incredibly effective, life-changing solution.

A quirky example of biomimicry, the L.I.C.K. by Irina Samoilova from Russia is a portable body cleaner that takes inspiration from the way felines clean themselves. The L.I.C.K. is modeled on a cats tongue, with a soft cleaning surface with unique papillae that helps people who are unable to have a bath to clean themselves. Designed for people with no immediate access to water, or with injuries/bandages/casts that require being kept away from water, the L.I.C.K. provides a unique tactile experience that helps keep the body clean. Designed to work just the way a cats tongue does, the L.I.C.K. can simply be run across the body while its specially designed papillae and U-shaped cavities help lift dirt off the body (while feeling great to the touch too!)

What if architecture, like software, could be open-sourced so that people can collectively develop something better together? The Open Source Communities, a Grand Prix finalist from Kenya-based BellTower, hopes to create universally available open-source home-design plans that can be used to design communities in developing and underdeveloped countries. These open-sourced homes can help provide a safe and secure haven for people in developing areas, while helping designers leverage the power of open-source planning to effectively allocate resources, allowing communities to even be sustainable, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly by design!

Click Here to Know More About the Lexus Design Award 2020 Finalists competing for the Grand Prix that will be announced on September 1st, 2020.

Excerpt from:
Exclusive Interview with Joe Doucet: Designer + Mentor of the Lexus Design Awards 2020 - Yanko Design

Adrianna Boris JackYou may have seen Adrianna on the LSC stage as Philia in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, or around town as Rizzo in Grease at Mariemont and Footlighters. Other favorite roles have included Julia in The Wedding Singer, Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest, and the Witch in Into the Woods. Thanks to Micheal and the whole team at LSC for bringing us together for this project!Carissa Griffith-Sloan Foley ArtistCarissa is no stranger to the LSC stage. She has appeared onstage in a number of LSC productions including The Drowsy Chaperone(u/s Drowsy),White Christmas (Martha), Young Frankenstein (Frau Blucher), and many others. Another favorite role was Grempkin in Peter and the Starcatcherat Footlighters. Carissa would like to thank her husband, John, for always being her favorite scene partner, and everyone involved with putting this production together.David Taylor Composer, PianoDavid is a keyboard player who enjoys the challenge of creating great sounds and performing. He has performed for many community theatre companies and high school drama productions in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas including several CMT productions. Favorite shows he has performed in and created the sounds for include The Producers, Young Frankenstein, The Toxic Avenger, Seussical the Musical, Big Fish, and Shrek. By day, David is a Financial Analyst for Coesia managing the forecasts and budgets for all of the North America, Mexico, and South America regions. Jacqlyn Schott AlgernonTheres magic in the number three and Jacqlyn couldnt be more elated to return to Lovelands stage for the third time as a part of such a fun trio! Three of her favorite past credits include Spider (James and the Giant Peach), Caroline Bramble (Enchanted April), and directing Ordinary Days. This fall, Jacqlyn will be reprising the role of director for Little Shop of Horrorsand hopes youre already planning on return visits to LSC so you too can be a star! As always, she thanks her loved ones for their never-ending support.Jill Gornet Lane/MerrimanJill is excited to be co-producing Gypsy, which is one of her favorite musicals. She was co-producer for Bugsy Malone, Jr., Dont Drink the Water and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Jill won an Orchid as the producer of The Drowsy Chaperone. She was last seen on-stage at LSC in Memphis (Clara/ensemble), White Christmas (quintet/ensemble), Will Rogers Follies (quartet) and Fiddler on the Roof (Rifke/ensemble). Retired from USPS, she sings with Sharonville Chorus at retirement/assisted living homes. Jill would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support.John Sloan GwendolenJohn is back once more at Loveland Stage Company. He has appeared in too many LSC shows to list them all, but favorites include: Young Frankenstein (Igor), Oklahoma! (Jud Fry), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Ching-Ho), and The Producers. He last appeared in The Drowsy Chaperone(Gangster #1) which was directed by his lovely wife, Carissa, and has directed the recent LSC productions of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum andDont Drink the Water. Thanks to Micheal for this opportunity. Enjoy the show and thank you for supporting the arts!Joshua Marcus Miss PrismThis is Joshuas first performance with Loveland Radio, but has previously been seen on stage in, The Drowsy Chaperone (George) and Cole, An Entertainment (Performer). He is excited to be a part of another amazing Loveland production. Joshua would like to thank his wife, Leah, and his children, Hanna and Samuel, for their love, support.Melinda Murray-Hubbard ChausibleMelinda is glad to be back once again with LSC after performances in Cole, An Entertainment andThe Drowsy Chaperone. She has also recently been seen as Sponge in Barts BardsJames and the Giant Peach,and was a costume assistant for the LSC production ofBugsy Malone, Jr. Dr. Hubbard is always up for something new, and this show fits the bill! She thanks her incredible family for supporting her and the amazing folks at LSC for this opportunity. Ya gotta get a gimmick!Thomas Cavano Lady BracknellTom has been involved with community theater in the Cincinnati area for over 30 years. He first performed with LSC in 2008 (The King and I). Since then, he has performed in numerous LSC productions, directed three award-winning shows (Spelling Bee, The Producers, and Young Frankenstein), co-produced many shows, the most recent being Memphis, and has taken an active role in off stage work including set construction, design, decor and stage crew.Vincent Eldridge CecilyVincent has thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this genderswapped version of The Importance of Being Earnest. He has been seen on stage as Gangster #2 in The Drowsy Chaperone at LSC, as part of the Octet in Sweeney Todd with Queen City Productions, as was in the Gender Bender last October with Mason Community Players. When hes not on stage, he enjoys learning the art of lighting and was the lighting designer for The Little Mermaid and Sorry, Wrong Number/The Hitch-Hiker. Outside of theatre he spends his free time painting and trying his best at woodworking. Hed like to give a shout out to the rest of the cast, the crew, and the director for making this a wonderfully fun experience!Bob Kessler Tech DirectorBob works as both a Director of Photography in the regional video community, and as an artist at Kessler Studios, a Loveland-based stained glass and mosaic firm. Bob has served as the Lighting Chair for the Loveland Stage Company since 2013, and has volunteered as Lighting Director on many plays at LSC: Cole: An Entertainment, Memphis, 9 to 5, Jekyll & Hyde, Fiddler On The Roof, I Remember Mama, Oklahoma!, and The Producers.Charlie Rader Camera OperatorDave Bauer Audio DirectorThe webmaster of LSCs award-winning website, Dave brings a lifetime of passion for all things music, sound and photography. By day, Dave works in schools in Southwest Ohio maintaining computer systems and making sure teachers have the technology they need. By nights and weekends, Dave is the owner of Technology Concierge Services and is the sound designer for two local bands. This is Daves first involvement in an LSC production.Greg Smith Lighting DesignAn Orchid award-winning Lighting Designer, Set Designer and Producer, Greg always enjoys doing lighting design for a musical at LSC. The opportunities for creativity are endless when working with such a talented cast and crew. Micheal Harris-Kiser DirectorMicheal is a multiple award-winning director, actor, and set designer. Studying acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Micheal has pursued his passion for theatre in various fields. He is co-founder of Stage and Steel in Pittsburgh, PA. He has performed with many groups throughout the city. His set designs have graced many a stage. He serves as secretary for the LSC board, as well as secretary for The Greater Cincinnati ACT board. He is extremely happy to bring this great musical to you.Nancy Hartman-Downing Camera OperatorNancy has been Owner/President of Cleveland Specialties Company since 1986, which designs and manufactures paperboard and plastic packaging products for the food and dairy industry. Her experience is in administration, sales, accounting and computer technology. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Baldwin-Wallace College. She currently serves as President for Loveland Womans Club. Nancy has been involved with LSC since 2006 doing fundraising, photography, publicity, ticket sales, program ad sales, as well as serving on the Board of Directors as Treasurer. She enjoys working with such a talented group and looks forward to continuing her involvement into the future.

More here:
Act 3 of the Importance of being Earnest - Loveland Magazine

Kitchen wallpaper ideas might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to a quick kitchen update, but we are here to change your mind about that. Wallpaper, much like paint, is actually such an easy way to add colour and pattern to your space, plus it can be super affordable too! You just have to be careful about where you hang it, avoid places that will get wet like behind a sink or areas where you cook, but apart from that there are no rules!

Keep scrolling to get inspired and for more inspiring kitchen ideas head over to our huge feature you will find plenty more looks to copy over there.

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

When your kitchen is predominantly white and sleek to boot, choosing a wallpaper is actually a dream. Why? Because a white kitchen is a blank canvas and therefore pretty much anything goes. What we love about this kitchen is that the chosen wallpaper Gable by Farrow & Ball shows village and farmhouse scenes which at first thought may not match due to being quite trad, yet the stylised design works really well in this modern kitchen.

(Image credit: Miss Print)

The inspiration for this Skylark wallpaper design from Miss Print is a birds eye view of our landscape. The lines represent the abstract shapes and patterns that can be found in our cities and the countryside that we know and love so much. The simplicity of the design and colour makes it ideal for a kitchen, especially one with contemporary units and accessories.

(Image credit: Little Green)

Although this Pomegranate Bazaar design by Little Greene is Baroque, the original was uncovered by the National Trust hiding beneath wall-hung tapestries in Wales. This particular colourway has a hint of seventies design to it. The cheerful colours mean you can have fun matching units and accessories to create a cohesive scheme throughout the kitchen and it looks fab with rustic wood too!

(Image credit: Elizabeth Ockford)

This stunning Bahama wallpaper from Elizabeth Ockford is so eye catching and therefore will really act as a focal point for your kitchen and will most certainly become the star of the show so to speak. When you choose a wallpaper as busy as this, keep the rest of the scheme simple. You could have white units as shown here, but equally, painted units in a colour pulled from the wallpaper would look as fabulous the green, pink, blue or orange would all work. Team with brass and wood accessories to add depth.

Interior designer, broadcaster and colour expert, Sophie Robinson, adores colour check out her IG feed for oodles of inspo! So when it came to decorating her kitchen, Sophie chose this bright and cheery Rabarber wallpaper. Designed on a dark background, the colours of the floral pattern really sing and it looks eye catching in Sophies country kitchen. The units are painted in Huntsmen Green by Zoffany that matches the wallpaper perfectly, and the dark wood worktop and floor both add a rustic element.

Read the original post:
5 kitchen wallpaper ideas to inspire a quick and easy makeover - Real Homes

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Will Morgan, Architecture Critic

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Extra Space Storage, 145 Corliss Street. PHOTO Will Morgan

The egregious leviathan of Extra Space Storage on Corliss Street best demonstrates the jarring trend towards constructional obesity. The 1,905th facility of the second largest self-storage company in the country is a six-story tall block of aggressive blandness, displacing over 100,000 square feet.

This unwelcome giant is the most prominent landmark as travelers approach Providence on I-95 from the north. Extra Space is illuminated at night, so that the building can be seen from much of the city, competing for attention with our noble State House.

Does the city really need a lot of new storage space on the edge of downtown? While an ugly and intrusive element on the skyline, the Extra Space container might be somewhat less objectionable if placed out on a suburban wasteland.

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Extra Space Storage. To quote Cat Stevens, "Where do the children play? "PHOTO Will Morgan

The construction of new buildings that are outsized for their locations is reaching a crisis point, especially on the East Side. Tall buildings may make sense for a concentrated business district downtown. But as the Fane Tower proposal amply illustrates, the day of stand-alone skyscrapers ought to be thing of the past. The problem is equally acute with smaller size projects that upset the balance between people, amenities, and civic responsibilities as opposed to expansion for its own sake.

The hotel proposed for the corner of Angell and Brook Streets illustrates this.

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Hotel proposed for Angell and Brook Streets. ZDS Architecture & Interiors

No matter how many stylistic adjustments are made, the hostelry's envelope is out of scale with the houses of the neighborhood, not to mention that constructing the hotel will mean razing of three handsome and substantial houses.

Brown is currently riding a building boom that threatens the very neighborhood that makes the school one of the most attractive campuses anywhere. Already in the late 1960s the construction of the skyline-despoiling Sciences Tower was an all-too-obvious indication of Brown's existential conflict of wanting to grow within a constricted College Hill.

The Watson Center, on the other hand, shows how to add needed facilities in three buildings while still maintaining a relatable ambience. The brilliant design of the Engineering Research Center ameliorates its otherwise bulky presence, and its thoughtful siting provides a park-like setback.

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This misleading rendering of the Brown dorms and wellness center suggests un-menacing coziness. William Rawn Associates

The chipping away of the city's premier historic neighborhood continues apace. Remember the half dozen Victorian homes that Brown tore down to make way for their new dormitory and wellness complex? (The university did move two significant mansions to make way for the totally out-of-scale Performing Arts Center, yet some older houses will be destroyed for another dorm on Brook Street).)

The health and residential group designed by the popular but often disappointing campus architect William Rawn is just another behemoth turning the Thayer Street area into an overcrowded urban mlange. What possibly might be acceptable if under-achieving structure on an empty lot near the medical school becomes a real assault when shoehorned into College Hill.

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Brown University dorms and wellness center, under construction, Brook Street. PHOTO Will Morgan

Perhaps the tendency to build according to appetite rather than digestive ability will abate with the coronavirus. Yet the East Side is being made over by a seeming disregard for what really makes a community work. Although not large blocks per se, the new housing at the corners of Angell and Butler, Hope and Wickenden, and Waterman and Wayland are simply too big for their streetscapes, and thus erode a vital townscape.

One of the worst cases of apartment house elephantiasis is being erected at the corner of South Water and Tockwotton Streets. Architect Eric Zuena (designer of the Angell Street hotel and the Homewood Suites downtown) has simply decorated a giant hunk of sellable space with some different surfaces and colors, plus Zuena's signature Mansard roof.

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Apartment block, South Water and Tockwotten Streets. PHOTO Will Morgan

But the real shortcoming of this urban disaster is it size. It is humongous, it dominates the waterfront, and it says nothing positive about Providence. Something that is this much of a hog of prime real estate needs to be better, much better.

To begin with, the skyline could be more distinctive, offering an identifiable silhouette that is more than just a horizontal line. The chintzy, lowest-common-denominator footprint could be broken up and offer more setbacks and terraces. Materials could be upgraded to make this more than just the usual developer's trope.

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What is so special about this chunky, clunky block? Was this design ever actually reviewed? PHOTO Will Morgan

An earlier scheme for this site envisioned by Kite Architects was also out of scale, but at least it was architecturally aspirational, more fitting of a purportedly visually literate city.

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Proposed development at Pike and South Water Streets. COURTESY Kite Architects

Why should we continue to encourage new buildings predicated on enriching development and real estate interests rather than for what they could contribute to the commonweal? These over-scaled intrusive buildings might force us to consider the kind of city we really want.

Read more:
The Invasion of the Over-Scaled BuildingsArchitecture Critic Will Morgan - GoLocalProv

The body that represents more than 537 local councils says there has been continuing silence from the Prime Minister's office about whether it can have a role in National Cabinet.

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) had been part of the cabinet's predecessor, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), for 28 years.

COAG was scrapped in March in favour of the National Cabinet, which was formed to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

ALGA president David O'Loughlin said local government should be in the meetings.

"We're not at all happy that we've been left off the list of people at that table," he said.

"We've only been left with an opportunity to speak once a year to the gathering of first ministers and treasurers."

He said while ALGA is on several councils and takes part in ministerial meetings below the National Cabinet level, many of those forums are under review.

He said the nation's councils had been severely impacted by the pandemic, having lost millions in revenue.

"We haven't been given a good reason why it's happened," he said.

"We do run aged care, primary health and public health offices, so there was certainly a strong interface that would have been helpful."

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Mr O'Loughlin said the councils will be an important part of economic recovery.

"We're exactly the right level of government to be able to run small scale, local, grassroots employment programs, including training programs to get the nation back on its feet," he said.

"Even with programs such as the building grant, wouldn't it be good if local government had known about it so that our planners could be ready for the influx."

The federal minister responsible for local government, Mark Coulton, said local councils would continue to have contact with the upper levels of government.

But he said it was unlikely they would get a seat in National Cabinet.

"National Cabinet is not just a replacement of COAG," he said.

"It's part of the reform process, and the decision not to have local government there was not only made by the Prime Minister but also by the state premiers."

The reform process is expected to be complete by September.

Mr Coulton said he understood the value of local councils in restarting the economy.

"Half a billion dollars went out the door last month to enable them to undertake projects that will stimulate the economies that have been impacted by COVID-19," the minister said.

"During the drought we made two rounds of $1 million each, as well as the bushfires last summer.

"The Federal Government goes to local government to have that ability to focus on local communities and put the assistance where it's needed most."

Councils themselves have voted to continue the push to be included in National Cabinet talks.

Hilltops Council has written to its local MP for the Riverina and the Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack.

The Narromine Shire Council has also resolved to write to several state and federal MPs to express their disappointment that council is not included in National Cabinet.

See more here:
Local government wants to be in National Cabinet back in the room where it happens - ABC Local