Tropical Architecture: The Dominican Republic

The house reveals itself slowly. On a remote stretch of the Dominican Republic coast, a stone footpath winds its way through a dense landscape of old-growth trees, zamia, and native flowers. Gradually, a timber structure comes into focus, its undulating form seemingly afloat above the jungle floor.

Only upon stepping past that wood-clad volume, under a 70-foot-wide span and up into the central courtyard, do you see the ocean. 

That progression is all expert choreography on the part of architect Bryan Young, principal of the Brooklyn-based studio Young Projects and nowadays very much a name to know. “Every decision facilitates the experience of the landscape,” he notes of the property, which includes two additional houses of his design. One is a low-slung string of four adjoining stucco bungalows, the other a monolithic enigma—chamfered at the corners and covered in graphic, almost pixelated tile, earning it the name Glitch House. Together this trio of buildings provides the ultimate escape, a place for friends and extended family to come together and decompress, as envisioned by his intrepid clients, Mike and Sukey Novogratz, a New York City couple with wellness on the brain.

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Tours: Desenzano Del Gardo, Italy (4K Video)

Desenzano del Garda is a resort town on the southern shore of Lake Garda, in northern Italy. The remains of the Roman Villa include elaborate mosaic floors. The Antiquarium is home to artifacts excavated at the villa, such as kitchenware and lamps. In a former convent, the Rambotti Archaeological Museum displays items from the Paleolithic to the Bronze Age, including a plow. Desenzano Castle has sweeping lake views. 

Travel & Culture: Paris And ‘Les Parisiens’ (Video)

#Paris has been a source of fascination for centuries and the #French capital is one of the most visited cities in the world. By day or by night, it’s a beautiful city packed with towering #monuments, inspiring #museums and romantic cafés and yet, #tourists often say Paris would be so nice if it weren’t for the Parisians. So where does this bad reputation come from? In this episode of French Connections Plus, Florence Villeminot and Genie Gordula turn the spotlight on the City of Lights and its peculiar inhabitants: les Parisiens.

Morning News: Bipartisan Infrastructure Package, Minneapolis, Police Bans

President Biden took a preemptive victory lap yesterday over his massive $1 trillion+ infrastructure package, touting a bipartisan agreement he says he’s brokered.

Plus, Minneapolis prepares for Derek Chauvin’s sentencing.

And, why many Pride parades have banned uniformed police officers.

Seaside Walks: Bali – North Crete, Greece

Bali is a seaside village in the Mylopotamos municipality, Rethymno regional unit, Crete, Greece. It is part of the community Melidoni. Located on the site of ancient Astale, and the harbor of Axus, in more recent times the sleepy fishing village of Bali has been transformed into a popular beach tourism destination.