Little Big World (December 16, 2024): Alaska is the largest and northernmost state in the USA. It’s also my new favorite place in the US so far.
have been there a while back for a documentary shoot and extended my stay for a bit to collect some material for this epiosde. Unfortunately the wheather was not too great for a large amount of the time there, but I guess that’s part of the deal in Alaska… Either way, enjoy this trip though amazing glaciers, beautiful vilages and breathtaking sceneries. A time-lapse & tilt-shift & aerial video by Joerg Daiber
The Local Project (December 15, 2024): Located in the Wakatipu Basin on New Zealand’s South Island, Kārearea House by RTA Studio, which takes inspiration from the region’s majestic native falcons, is the most breathtaking home shaped by nature.
00:00 – Introduction to the Most Breathtaking Home 01:12 – The Location Centred Brief 02:36 – Approaching the Home 03:09 – Walkthrough of the House 04:11 – Restrained Interior Styling 05:44 – The Kitchen Design and Appliances 07:21 – A Balanced Material Palette 08:29 – Curating The Views 09:21 – Proud Moments
What defines it, however, is the site’s staggering 360-degree views to The Remarkables, Coronet Peak and the Crown Range, and the architects’ response to these multifaceted aspects. “We’ve done a few houses in this area and, over the years, we’ve developed an approach that’s firstly about identifying the significant views,” says Richard Naish, founder of RTA Studio.
Though Naish acknowledges that the perspectives are a gift, he believes good architecture is more about the control and release of views. This philosophy underscored RTA Studio’s approach to crafting the most breathtaking home shaped by nature. The roof lines played heavily into this idea; designed to follow the contours of the land and echo the surrounding topography, the roof dips in parts and soars in others, creating views both vast and precise.
Monocle on Saturday (December 14, 2024): Join Georgina Godwin, Tyler Brûlé, and Latika Bourke for a roundup of the week’s news and culture in this Christmas special, broadcast live from our festive market. Plus: a conversation with Monocle’s Paris bureau chief, Simon Bouvier.
The Economist (December 12, 2024): The EconomistFast forward into the future, when building in space is normal, from huge satellites and spacecraft in orbit, to entire cities on the Moon and Mars. Could robots guided by AI make it happen?
Video timeiine: 00:00 – Future of building in space 00:43 – Machina Labs 02:15 – Could we 3D print in space? 02:44 – Infrastructure on the Moon 03:25 – AI & robotics on Mars 04:41 – History of AI in space 05:41 – Challenges to space technology
Monocle Radio Podcast (December 12, 2024):What will it take to resurrect Syria’s once-stunning built environment? Also in the programme: the humanitarian view from Odessa with Jan Egeland, the secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, and the results of a new poll from the European Council on Foreign Relations on attitudes towards EU-UK relations.
Plus, we examine the global implications of Kenya’s illicit gold trade and take a dram from the seasonal whiskey menu at the Fife Arms.
Monocle Radio Podcast (December 11, 2024):Following the overthrow of the Assad regime, what will happen to the millions of Syrians who were granted asylum abroad? We give you the latest and look at why strikes are continuing.
Plus: Emmanuel Macron’s grand coalition talks, China sends its largest fleet in nearly 30 years to the Taiwan region – and we meet Finland’s ambassador to the UK, Jukka Siukosaari, and Business Finland’s director for western Europe, Jukka Holappa.
Monocle Radio Podcast (December 10, 2024): Following the collapse of the Assad regime, the UN Security Council meets to discuss what comes next in Syria.
Also in the programme: the UK’s prime minister, Keir Starmer, makes a historic visit to Cyprus; we meet the president and CEO of Future Caucus; and a flick through the new handbook launched by Monocle last night. Plus: Fernando Augusto Pacheco on 2025’s Golden Globes.
CBS Mornings (December 9, 2024): Saturday was a special day in Paris as Notre Dame Cathedral held its first mass in more than five years after a fire in April 2019 destroyed much of the cathedral’s roof. Senior foreign correspondent Seth Doane has been following the renovation over the years.
Monocle Radio Podcast (December 9, 2024): The latest on Syria as Bashar al-Assad flees to Moscow and rebels claim Damascus. Plus, the future of Yoon Suk Yeol, Romania’s cancelled election and Saudi Arabia’s new date-based soft drink.
Monocle on Saturday (December 7, 2024): Join Georgina Godwin and Charles Hecker for a round-up of the week’s news and culture. Plus: a conversation with Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls, writer and director of ‘Grand Theft Hamlet’.
News, Views and Reviews For The Intellectually Curious