Category Archives: Views

France View: Argelès-sur-Mer – Capital Of Camping

One of the most popular holiday destinations for French people is the campsite. Argelès-sur-Mer, in the eastern Pyrenees, is the town with the largest amount of camping accommodation in Europe. In the summer, this Western corner of the Mediterranean sees its population increase tenfold. We meet two brothers who run a campsite in Argelès.

Argelès-sur-Mer is a town on France’s Mediterranean coast. It’s known for the long Argelès Beach with its seafront promenade. In the Catalan-style old town, 14th-century Notre-Dame del Prat Church has views from its bell tower. Valmy Park to the south includes trails, a 19th-century castle and the Aigles de Valmy bird zoo. To the north, Mas Larrieu Natural Reserve is home to herons, gulls and bee-eaters.

Front Page: The New York Times – October 8, 2022

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U.S. Job Growth Eases, but Is Too Strong to Suit Investors

The gain of 263,000 was shy of recent monthly totals but still robust. Stocks fell on fears of a harder, longer Fed campaign to fight inflation.

In Record Numbers, Venezuelans Risk a Deadly Trek to Reach the U.S. Border

Two crises are converging at the perilous land bridge known as the Darién Gap: the economic and humanitarian disaster underway in South America, and the bitter fight over immigration policy in Washington.

Biden Administration Clamps Down on China’s Access to Chip Technology

The White House issued sweeping restrictions on selling semiconductors and chip-making equipment to China, an attempt to curb the country’s access to critical technologies.

Tours: Pepper Tree House In Unanderra, Australia

Creating a sustainable extension for the family home of client and builder Souter Built, Alexander Symes Architects motivates sustainable living through every detail. Featured as part of The Sustainability Series, Pepper Tree Passive House is a personal project crafted between cousins and sees the extension explore a passion for passive house and sustainable living.

Video timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 00:41 – Unanderra Country 01:12 – The Builder and The Owner 01:42 – Building Around The Pepper Tree 02:17 – A Walkthrough Pepper Tree Passive House 02:56 – A Two Fold Concept and Brief 03:22 – Exploring The Concept of A Passive House 03:43 – Using Resources In Respectful Ways 04:00 – Wood Is Good 04:31 -Using Minimal Intervention on The Existing Home 04:59 – The Challenges Faced 05:20 – The Positives of Being The Building & The Client 06:00 – Moments To Celebrate

Following a twofold brief, Alexander Symes Architect created an office space, guest house and entertainment area with recycled and renewable materials that echo the ethos of likeminded sustainable buildings. Extending the family home over a slopping landscape and around a tree protection zone, both architect and builder worked cohesively with each other to reflect the positive aspects of sustainable design. What transpired from this effort was an office space, living area, kitchen and guest living space that wrap around the home’s namesake, the pepper tree.

Covered by the canopy of the pepper tree, the garden was transformed, seeing hand-poured pavers lead guests up towards the passive house. Evidence of the passive house concept is also seen at the home’s entrance; wood and convict bricks are used similarly throughout the interior design, seeing sustainable living enhanced through natural thermal heating and cooling. Due to its north-facing position, the convict bricks add a thermal structure throughout, soaking up the natural heat of the sun, whilst the shade of the canopy does the same in the warmer months.

From planning to building to completion, Pepper Tree Passive House passionately showcases the skillset required for sustainable living, alongside Souter Built’s philosophy for sustainable building. Through the architecture and design choices, guests and clients alike can see firsthand how using recycled materials, instead of depleting natural resources, can leave a better footprint for the future of sustainable buildings.

Exhibition Tour: ‘Golden Boy Gustav Klimt’ (2022)

Walk through our exhibition ‘Golden Boy Gustav Klimt. Inspired by Van Gogh, Rodin, Matisse. Explore how Klimt developed his unique style and how the Austrian artist was inspired by the work of Van Gogh, Toorop, Rodin, Whistler, Toulouse-Lautrec, Monet, Matisse and many other artists. Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) is one of the most fascinating artists of western art history. He is world-famous for his golden and decorative paintings and his portraits of strong women. But who was this ‘golden boy’, and what is the story behind his talent?

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

From 7 October 2022 – l8 January 2023

360° Views: The Coast And Skyline Of Miami, Florida

Miami, officially the City of Miami, is a coastal metropolis and the seat of Miami-Dade County in South Florida. With a population of 442,241 as of the 2020 census, it is the second-most populous city in Florida and the eleventh-most populous city in the Southeastern United States.

Miami is one of the state’s – and the world’s – most popular vacation spots. The trendy nightlife of South Beach, bejeweled by the eye candy of the Art Deco district. The bustle of Calle Ocho and the highly caffeinated energy of Little Havana. The plush hotels of Miami Beach and the historic hideaways of Coral Gables.

Front Page: The New York Times – October 7, 2022

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Blunt Criticism of Russian Army Signals New Challenge for Putin

An official in a Russian-occupied region of Ukraine suggested Russia’s defense minister should shoot himself because of his army’s failings, an unusually blunt and public rebuke of Kremlin leadership.

In Global Slowdown, China Holds Sway Over Countries’ Fates

The lender of choice for many nations over the past decade, Beijing now has the power to cut them off, lend more or forgive some of their debts.

2022 Village Walks: Saint-Paul De Vence, France (4K)

Medieval walls encircle narrow streets and capture the heritage of more than a thousand years. Picking out the marks of history, either alone or with a guide, is to enter into the soul of Saint-Paul de Vence.

The fountain at the heart of the village fills St-Paul’s medieval vaults with music. To quote the poet Verlaine: “The fountain’s silvery murmur plays on.”

Filmed in August 2022.

2022 Walks: Streets And Piazzas Of Rome, Italy

Filmed in October 2022.

Rome was called the “Eternal City” by the ancient Romans because they believed that no matter what happened in the rest of the world, the city of Rome would always remain standing. Exploring the city centre by foot surrounded by glorious monuments and colossal remains takes you back in time to the “glory that was Rome”.

With its unparalleled history, Rome is the third most visited city in Europe and the fourteenth worldwide. It attracts visitors from all over the world who are impatient to discover the city’s impressive monuments and archaeological sites; not to mention its renowned cuisine and its lively atmosphere.

When exploring the Colosseum, visitors will easily imagine how the gladiators fought for their life in the arena, cheered by the crowd. In the Circus Maximus, travelers will picture the chariots crashing into each other in order to be first in the race, and in the Roman Forum visualise what the Roman public life was like.

Front Page: The New York Times – October 6, 2022

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In Rebuke to West, OPEC and Russia Aim to Raise Oil Prices With Big Supply Cut

Led by Saudi Arabia, the oil cartel OPEC Plus pledged to reduce output by two million barrels a day.

OPEC Move Shows the Limits of Biden’s Fist-Bump Diplomacy With the Saudis

OPEC’s decision to curb oil production was a signal that President Biden’s influence over his Gulf allies was far less than he had hoped.

U.S. Aims to Turn Taiwan Into Giant Weapons Depot

Officials say Taiwan needs to become a “porcupine” with enough weapons to hold out if the Chinese military blockades and invades it, even if Washington decides to send troops.