Month: October 2016

Montreal’s Oldest and Most Important Square to be Redesigned by Nippaysage

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Courtesy of NIPPAYSAGE

Courtesy of NIPPAYSAGE

Viger Square, Montreal‘s first large square, is getting a makeover. The redevelopment project is being led by landscape architects NIPPAYSAGE, which will begin the first phase of redesign in 2017. 

Historically, the 30,000 square foot center has always contributed to the liveliness of the city, and it was the largest square in Canada in the 19th century. Now coinciding with the adjacent redevelopment of retail and office spaces at the Viger Hotel, the city hopes for a major revitalization of the area. 


Courtesy of NIPPAYSAGE


Courtesy of NIPPAYSAGE


Courtesy of NIPPAYSAGE


Courtesy of NIPPAYSAGE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyYGtIWpRZQ

The square’s previous design and development reflected the planning ideologies of the time, including highway-like roadways surrounding the square, the separation of the blocks with concrete walls, a large number of compartmentalized spaces, a lack of openness, light and natural sightlines, and a shortage of programming and other efforts to encourage people to use the space. All of these factors inevitably contributed to the abandonment and eventual occupation of the square by a marginalized population, said Michel Langevin, a partner at NIPPAYSAGE, in the press release.


Courtesy of NIPPAYSAGE

Courtesy of NIPPAYSAGE

NIPPAYSAGE’s goals for the project include user-friendliness, inclusiveness, anchorage of the surrounding area, and a “commemorative element.” The eastern end of the square will feature basketball courts, a skateboard park, and numerous playground structures. Another section will feature a more traditional look with sprawling parks and large trees. 


Courtesy of NIPPAYSAGE

Courtesy of NIPPAYSAGE

Courtesy of NIPPAYSAGE

Courtesy of NIPPAYSAGE

The landscape architects intended to showcase public art and lots of green. On Daudelin Block (nearby the square) a new cafe, currently under construction by Provencher_Roy architects, will also bring some energy to the area. Moreover, the square will also serve as a venue for concerts, festivals, and other types of performances. 


Courtesy of NIPPAYSAGE

Courtesy of NIPPAYSAGE

In addition, the firm has managed to preserve 18 pergolas (minus their roofs) along with the Mastodon sculpture, which were all originally designed by Charles Daudelin. NIPPAYSAGE hopes for these to add to the composition of the overall park, integrating them into its new sustainable landscape. 


Courtesy of NIPPAYSAGE

Courtesy of NIPPAYSAGE

Lighting for the square was designed by Lightemotion, who intended for the light to showcase certain works of art without overwhelming the vegetation. 


Courtesy of NIPPAYSAGE

Courtesy of NIPPAYSAGE

NIPPAYSAGE was first recognized when it won a Canadian competition for the design of the Promenade Smith in Montreal.

News via: v2com

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Pure Nature – Snæfellsnes, west Iceland by skarpi -…

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Pure Nature – Snæfellsnes, west Iceland by skarpi – www.skarpi.is Best View On Black

The waterfall “Kirkjufellsfoss” and Mt. Kirkjufell in Grundarfjordur, west Iceland. I had a long sleepless night driving around Snæfellsnes, visiting many of my favorite treasures of Iceland, during sunset and dawn.

Contact me at: skarphedinn.thrainsson@gmail.com regarding publication requests.
All rights reserved – Copyright © Skarphéðinn Þráinsson

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vPPR converts 130-year-old store into cafe with scalloped details

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Cafe by vPPR Architects

Architecture studio vPPR has borrowed architectural details from a historic department store in Surrey to design the interiors for Café M, which features a scalloped counter and pendant lighting. Read more

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1st Congress Tower / Costa Lopes

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© Fabrice Fouillet

© Fabrice Fouillet


© Manuel Correia


© Fabrice Fouillet


© Manuel Correia


© Fabrice Fouillet


© Fabrice Fouillet

© Fabrice Fouillet

From the architect. The project equates itself around four fundamental conditions: the program for a banking institution – corporate and generic offices but with a socio-cultural area – with an inevitable intensive occupation of the available plot; the prime location in Largo Lumeji, with its strong public profile, one of the joints in the city’s urban expansion from the downtown; the near context, rapidly changing and unpredictable, with general verticalization and space closure; and the will to safeguard or even increase, a priori, the public space of the city.


© Fabrice Fouillet

© Fabrice Fouillet

In response, the project summarizes four key steps.

Within the plot size, one organizes a prismatic volume of 27 floors with a width of around 30 meters and a height of 110 meters above the ground, with five underground floors for parking. However, the office tower is lifted off the ground, resting on stilts, which three floors void, transparent and more articulated, organizes the socio-cultural areas (bank branch, auditorium and art gallery, supported by a cafeteria), expanding and qualifying the public space of Largo Lumeji. The tower rationalizes 18 floors of equipped open-space offices interrupted by 4 technical floors and topped by two floors for administration. Finally, the expression of the tower results from the programmatic contingency, striated floor to floor, with recessed glazed fronts and opaque cornices, protruding and undulating. Very elegant.


© Fabrice Fouillet

© Fabrice Fouillet

Detail

Detail

© Manuel Correia

© Manuel Correia

Day or night, even with the surrounding verticalization, the 1st Congress Tower gets strong aesthetic and urban autonomy, without disregarding the ethics of the public space. At distance, by its strong visual identity. By near, with its inherent constructive quality and, above all, the openness of inner and outer spaces of the ground floors, delivering space for the public use of citizens.


© Manuel Correia

© Manuel Correia

Section

Section

© João Freire

© João Freire

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7 Good Reasons You Need Humor At Work

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“Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand.”   ~ Mark Twain ~

Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to spend a lot of time around someone that doesn’t have a sense of humor? It feels  like there is a certain amount of tension happening and you likely have the urge to get out of this person’s company as soon as possible.  The same thing holds true for a humorless workplace. Not only is it a place where we don’t want to be, it is not the most productive environment.  There are widely held beliefs that humor not only makes a work environment a healthier, happier place to work but also a more productive one.

habits_happyRecognizing the importance of humor to a healthy, productive workplace, many organizations are keeping people like Michael Kerr, humorist, speaker and author, busy travelling around the globe leading the way to assist people to laugh.

Here are 7 reasons that humor at work could have you laughing all the way to the bank.

It’s a Great Stress Buster

Humour is a great antidote to excessive stress build up. There is nothing like a good laugh to help us relax and see the lighter side of things.  Not only does humour increase our own stress, it is contagious and helps others release their stress. Workplaces in which humour is encouraged, are more relaxed places than those who try to take on a more serious tone.
Motivates and Builds Morale

One of the best and most effective ways to build up a positive, motivational atmosphere in the workplace is to encourage the use of humour.  It is so much easier to show up to work when you know there will be fun and laughter rather than to go into a somber, dull and serious place.  Laughter goes a long way towards our motivation to give our best for the organization.

Builds Stronger Relationships

It is much easier to approach someone who has a strong sense of humor and have shared a laugh with previously.  We feel more relaxed and confident around that person.  The fear of making a mistake and being judged diminishes and we feel more open and willing to share.  When we have a workplace full of people who are comfortable with one another, decision making becomes easier and less stressful.

A Great Way of Showing Appreciation

In humorless workplaces, even showing appreciation can be a stressful event.  A great approach to show appreciation for someone is to add humor to the situation.  This is why “roasts” are a popular way to give someone a sendoff or to honor them.  Some people have a difficult time displaying emotions and affection, therefore humor becomes a vehicle to exhibit how someone has deeply impacted them.

Builds Stronger Teams

In order to build strong teams, we need to break down barriers that cause people to be suspicious and fearful of one another.  Humor gives us a relatively easy and effective way to share and build up strong lasting bonds between people. Any team that is able to enjoy a good laugh together is one that is well on the way to developing a strong, positive working relationship.

Good for our Health

“Laughter is the best medicine” is more than just a cute saying. There are studies showing the people who have a strong sense of humor experience less illness and recover quicker when they do become ill.  In our body’s, laughter reduces the serum cortical, a hormone released when experiencing stress, and triggers the release of endorphins; and the body’s feel good chemicals. A good bout of laughter can release tension and leave muscles relaxed for quite some time afterwards.  It also increases blood flow, decreasing chances of having heart and other cardiovascular problems.

Helps Create Smoother Changes and Transitions

Change and transition naturally evoke feelings of uncertainly and discomfort.  This means stepping out of our comfort zone, which aids experiencing a certain amount of anxiety.  Humor helps to lubricate and make those changes easier as it takes our mind off of the “if’s” and focusing on the worst case scenarios. Humor avails us to connect with colleagues and forms a bond and buffer that eases some of the uncertainty and fears of moving forward. It helps us rise above our worries and assists us to see a lighter, brighter side of a situation.

The post 7 Good Reasons You Need Humor At Work appeared first on Change your thoughts.

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White Arkitekter A/S Designs Sea-Based WWII Memorial with Moving “Tides”

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Courtesy of White Arkitekter A/S

Courtesy of White Arkitekter A/S

White Arkitekter A/S has revealed its plans for Arven fra Havet, or Legacy of the Sea, a World War II memorial to be built at the Mindelunden site in Ryvangen, Denmark. Arven fa Havet will honor the 2,000 Danish sailors and more than 800 Danes who died in merchant ships serving the Allies, and in Operation Overlord, respectively. 

Currently, the Mindelunden site is a graveyard bound on one side with dense bushes and trees. With the new memorial, the site will be better framed by creating a symmetrical boundary, mimicking the proportions of the low tombs, but at a larger scale to represent the common grave of all sailors, the sea.


Courtesy of White Arkitekter A/S


Courtesy of White Arkitekter A/S


Courtesy of White Arkitekter A/S


Courtesy of White Arkitekter A/S


Courtesy of White Arkitekter A/S

Courtesy of White Arkitekter A/S

Courtesy of White Arkitekter A/S

Courtesy of White Arkitekter A/S

The walls of this silent monolith hover still above a pool of water.  The profile and texture of the concrete exterior will patina, helping to embed the monument as a timeless addition to Mindelunden. Two axes cut through the enclosed space, one oriented North-South, an important direction for maritime navigation; the other directly connecting Copenhagen and Normandy, where many sailors lost their lives during ‘Operation Overlord’.


Courtesy of White Arkitekter A/S

Courtesy of White Arkitekter A/S

Inside the memorial, a narrow path restricts visitors. Beneath the surface of the pool lie other pathways, broken and shattered, which at times become accessible with the rise and fall of the water, like that of the tides. Engraved on each path are fragments of oral history: the voices of the sailors lost at sea.


Courtesy of White Arkitekter A/S

Courtesy of White Arkitekter A/S

Generally, the memorial will be a space of solitude, with the exception of one day of remembrance, when the water changes from a barrier element into an interface of connection. On this day, visitors are able to place flowers and candles on the surface of the water as a signal of respect, turning the space into a symbol of hope and confidence for the future.

News via White Arkitekter A/S.

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Balls of goo turn into “lively beings” in OY’s Space Diaspora music video

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DMP

German animator Moritz Reichartz created a new world filled with fluid forms and dancing goo figures for a track by OY. Read more

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7 Foods Scientifically Proven To Make You Happier

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You’re reading 7 Foods Scientifically Proven To Make You Happier, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

7 Foods Scientifically Proven To Make You Happier

foods that improve your mood

Good times, bad times, everybody roller-coasters into their own good moods and bad moods.  However, if you’ve become chronically pessimistic with your personal outlook or, even completely grouchy on most days then, a red flag may have to be raised — or not.

See if your mood can be improved simply by incorporating these 7 foods in your daily eating plan:

1. Chocolate. In 2013, a study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology observed and graded the effect of chocolate on the mood of 72 healthy, middle aged participants.  Participants given high doses of chocolates have significantly higher levels of self-rated calmness and contentedness compared to subjects under placebo treatment.  The researchers recommended for chocolates to be studied as a treatment for anxiety and depression.

Anandamide and caffeine in chocolate is credited for its happiness giving composition.  So, if you’re in a bad mood, take a bar or two and everything won’t seem so bad anymore. However, if you’re trying to lose a few inches at the same time, dark chocolate gives you the better choice.

2.Coffee. If caffeine is making chocolate such a powerful mood enhancer then, naturally, coffee can have the same effect.  Well, isn’t that the reason why most people reach for a cup because it has become such an integral part of their diet plan? In fact, coffee, unlike chocolate which has only been linked to improved moods, improves both mood and cognitive performance — that includes attention span, focus and memory).

More recent studies, however, show that how much caffeine you consume also affects how it positively affects your brain.  Apparently, too much is never good.  Beyond normal caffeine intake, the positive effects of coffee become to taper off and decline.

3.Walnuts.  In a study published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology in 2015, walnuts were found to improve the moods of young male subjects, specifically concerning anger and hostility.

The mood enhancing effect of walnuts has long been attributed to its high magnesium content which helps enhance the levels of serotonin in the brain.  Low serotonin has been linked to several neurological functions that includes mood, normal heart functioning, feeling of pain, and even libido.  Walnuts are real brain food too.  You need just 5 pieces or less to feed your brain with Omega-3 fatty acids.

4.Fatty fish.  Other foods that contain high levels of Omega-3s are salmon, sardines, trout and tuna.  Omega-3s are known to promote overall brain health, which strongly supports how this essential nutrient affects all brain functions that include your mood, memory and capability to manage stress.  Include fatty fish in your weekly diet plan and you won’t have to worry about letting your emotions get in the way of your rationale mind in going about your daily routine.

5.Leafy greens.  These contain high levels of antioxidants — in great and highly varied amounts.  Antioxidants have natural anti-inflammatory properties that help your mind fight symptoms of anxiety and depression.  Depression has been linked to chronic inflammation and by addressing this problem, you are also enhancing your mood.

Leafy greens also promote healthy digestion and aids in metabolism.  The mood enhancing effects of increased serotonin levels, therefore, are greatly affected by enhancing digestive health.  These group of vegetables are rich in B vitamins too which improve nerve health and therefore affects normal brain functioning.

6.Lentils.  Rich in folate, a B vitamin, making this rich source of protein part of your regular diet can also help enhance your mood.  Patients suffering from depression have been found to have lower than normal levels of folate.  These days, folate, along with magnesium, are regularly recommended as supplements for people with psychiatric or mental health problems.  Dark, green, leafy vegetables, beans and chickpeas are also rich sources of folate.

7. Yogurt.  Since improving gut health is essential in enhancing serotonin production levels, the probiotics found in yogurt can help promote good bacteria to overcome potential stomach infections that can get in the way of a good mood.

 Conclusion:

Sometimes, it could just be the little things which your mind and body are subjected to that could be making you feel bad and unusually grouchy — the amount of sunshine you’ve been getting, the level of physical activity you’ve been having or, the kind of food you are filling up with.  When you fuel up with these 7 foods, you are also enhancing your chances of celebrating a fun-filled day rather than a stressful one.

Lisiana is a renowned independent researcher and is studying the impact of technology in the beauty industry. She is passionate about beauty, makeup ideas, fashion, fitness, health and skincare industry. She holds a Ph.D. in beauty and has been writing on beauty and skin care related topics from past 10 years. In her recent period, she got an opportunity to explore on beauty product Lamour Skin Cream. She has experience of researching as a passion and as well as profession.

You’ve read 7 Foods Scientifically Proven To Make You Happier, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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Fall can come and go in the blink of an eye at Rocky Mountain…

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Fall can come and go in the blink of an eye at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. This early fall picture captures the beauty of the park in autumn, but snow is already beginning to fall in the upper elevations. Soon, most of the park will be covered in a blanket of white. Photo by Vikas Garg (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).