Urban skylines are constantly changing, with modern, unique structures rising amidst more traditional buildings. From decade to decade, new developments have long breathed fresh life into cities, awing residents with their aesthetics and innovations.
The Sky Pool (London, UK)
Londoners who enjoy luxury, fancy themselves good swimmers and have somewhat of a daredevil streak may want to consider moving into the Embassy Gardens development in the city's Nine Elms district. Once completed, the building will be the first to have a “sky pool” situated 10 stories high. The 25-meter-long pool will connect the development's two apartment buildings. Even more thrilling, the Ballymore Group, the developers of Embassy Gardens, plan to make the pool entirely transparent. But not to worry: The pool's glass is 8 inches thick.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)
Dubbed “the universal museum in the Arab world,” the Louvre Abu Dhabi is the result of a joint agreement between the United Arab Emirates and France to help establish the UAE as the next great art destination. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, the building will be covered by a white dome that is “an emblematic feature of Arabian architecture, evoking mosque, mausoleum and madrasa,” the museum says on its official website. While the opening of the museum has faced repeated delays, it is expected to open to the public sometime this year.
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (San Francisco, CA)
After undergoing a three-year-long transformation, SFMOMA will reopen to the public in May 2016. It will boast three times the previous exhibition space and an architectural design “that weaves the museum into the city as never before,” the museum announced late last year. Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta's new design expands upon the 225,000-square-foot building that was originally designed by Mario Botta. This recent iteration of SFMOMA will create 45,000 square feet of free public access to the ground-floor galleries.
The Agora Garden (Taipei, Taiwan)
This twisting residential tower aims to be as eco-friendly as it is visually provocative. Situated in the Xinyi District in Taipei, and designed by architect Vincent Callebaut, the two helicoidal towers will grow ample vegetation and have a photovoltaic pergola that transforms sunlight into electricity for the building.
Zlota 44 (Warsaw, Poland)
Polish-born architect Daniel Libeskind's latest project wants to redefine the skyline of Warsaw with Zlota 44, a high-rise residential tower. Offering luxury amenities for its tenants, the building aims to set “a new standard that reflects both the successes and aspirations of the Polish people.”
Economic inequality remains one of the most pressing issues in today's world. To measure the gap between the rich and the poor in each country, the Gini index is used. This coefficient reflects how income is distributed within a society: the closer the index is to 100, the greater the inequality. Let's explore which countries currently have the highest Gini index values
This year has been pivotal for Bitcoin, the world's leading cryptocurrency. One of the key milestones was the approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. In April 2024, Bitcoin also experienced a halving event, which is typically seen as a positive development for the digital asset. This year, the cryptocurrency is up 57%, and analysts remain optimistic about its future. However, they highlight four key factors that could influence Bitcoin's trajectory, both for better and for worse
Analytical periodical US News and World Report has presented its ranking of the best countries in the world in terms of quality of life, based on a survey of nearly 17,000 people. The list considers factors such as economic and political stability, a strong labor market, income equality, family-friendliness, safety, the quality of education, and healthcare systems. Let's find out which countries made it to the top of this list.
