Views Archives - Isrealli

How this Hong Kong apartment’s views informed its interior design

October 14, 2020 [email protected]_84 Apartments, design, hong, informed, interior, kong, Views

a kitchen with a dining room table: Tommy Hui designed this Wong Chuk Hang apartment, aptly named the Bird Hide, to make the most of its panoramic views. Photography: Steven Ko

Tommy Hui designed this Wong Chuk Hang apartment, aptly named the Bird Hide, to make the most of its panoramic views. Photography: Steven Ko

A good view is a terrible thing to waste. And the view from the 690 sq ft Wong Chuk Hang flat that Tommy Hui Shui-cheung was hired to renovate is truly spectacular: a sweeping panorama of Bennett’s Hill and Aberdeen Harbour, with folds of greenery rolling into the sea.

“We wondered how to focus the interior on the views,” says Hui, founder of local architecture firm TBC Studio.

The clients, a young couple – a nurse and an urban planner – plan to have children, but for now they wanted a sanctuary where they could relax with family and friends. Hui worked with them to create a design he calls the Bird Hide, a reference to lookouts built to observe nature, birds especially, at close range.

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Hui wanted to make the flat as calming as its views, so he chose a relaxed palette of blond wood, complemented by a creamy pastel blue-green – the colour of the sea on a sunny day.

diagram, engineering drawing

© Provided by South China Morning Post

“We separated the living room and the dining room into two material finishes: wood veneer on one side and paint on the other,” says Hui. “For the paint, it needed to be a colour that wasn’t too dark, something more natural and cosy.”

The layout needed small changes, too. The flat’s front door opens directly into the dining and living area, so Hui used a slatted partition to create a foyer offering a gradual transition into the flat.

The next challenge was the kitchen. As in most Hong Kong flats, the small kitchen was closed off from the living and dining areas.

“It felt quite narrow,” says Hui. “So we demolished the solid partition and changed it into a glass wall so you can see through to the windows and the living space.”

Although open kitchens are now fashionable, Hui notes that they are not always practical.

“Enclosed kitchens are more functional for a lot of Chinese families because there can be a lot of smoke or smells from the cooking.” With the glass wall, he says, “it feels open but it can still be closed”.

Inside a Hong Kong home infused with Japanese aesthetics

A hallway leads from the living and dining areas to the bathroom and bed-rooms. The living room’s wood veneer wall wraps around the corner, leading to a built-in cabinet in the passage Hui designed to showcase the couple’s keepsakes. Across the hallway is a toilet and a bath-room, which the clients were inspired to separate after travelling to Japan.

“In Japan, these are often separate so they can be used by two people at the same time,” says Hui.

In addition, Japanese hygiene practices have long revolved around concepts of purity and impurity. Bathing

garden

Sky Garden tower proposal would soar above Hamilton’s CBD offering views up and down the Waikato River

October 12, 2020 [email protected]_84 CBD, garden, Hamiltons, offering, proposal, River, Sky, soar, tower, Views, Waikato

Move over Auckland, Hamilton could be moving in on the tower-in-the-CBD market.

That’s the lofty goal developer John Heskett is reaching for in his third attempt to build a major tourism project in Waikato.

It’d be based around a 100-metre-high timber tower, the highest building in the heart of Hamilton’s CBD, next to the Waikato Museum on Victoria St.

Dominico Zapata/Stuff

Developer John Heskett is in the concept phase of a plan to bring the Sky Garden tourism project to Hamilton.

It would feature a bungy and slide off the tower with a swing over the neighbouring Waikato River.

READ MORE:
* Sky Garden tourist tower proposal prompts call to protect cultural and environmental values
* Sky Garden tourism tower developer vows to go for resource consent a third time
* Region’s small change from infrastructure fund

Supplied

Concept drawing of the Sky Garden tourism tower when it was proposed for Hangatiki, Waitomo. The project will be redesigned to fit into Hamilton’s CBD.

At the top there would be a viewing platform, restaurants, cafes and a cocktail bar. The roof would be used as a green space with a garden, lawn and mini golf course for families.

The project is still in the concept phase and would need further feedback from the Hamilton City Council, community and iwi.

It would not be a carbon copy of the $20 million Sky Garden plan for Hangatiki, near Waitomo Village, which was declined in July. Nor would it look like the first version promoted closer to Te Kūiti.

The Waitomo version was 70m high.

“We need to redesign it for Hamilton, to make it taller, but it will still be built out of timber and have the tower as its centre piece,” Heskett said.

Dominico Zapata/Stuff

John Heskett said the revised Sky Garden project for Hamilton is in its early stages of planning but could cost between $20m-$30m.

He initially looked at a site near Horotiu, north of the city. The council also suggested Victoria St as an option.

“There is the Waikato Regional Theatre being built nearby in the CBD and bringing the Sky Garden into the heart of the city could be a good fit.”

Heskett said he was compelled to continue finding a home for the project after numerous calls of support, after the Waitomo proposal was declined in July.

“I’ve lost count of how many offers of other sites I’ve had, people want to see it become reality.

“Raising capital for this [Hamilton] project has been the easiest of the three, we’ve got $500,000 ready for a new consent.”

The project’s inability to mitigate cultural aspects was the stumbling block at Waitomo.

“So I am meeting with my cultural adviser this week and one of the first conversations will be with iwi, to check that the site is okay to use.

“We want to put a swing over the Waikato River but we know the river is special to iwi, so we need to consult on that concept first.”

kitchen

Ex-My Kitchen Rules stars Romel Kouyan and Joshua Bonwick DEFEND Pete Evans’ views

September 29, 2020 [email protected]_84 Bonwick, defend, Evans, ExMy, Joshua, kitchen, Kouyan, Pete, Romel, Rules, Stars, Views

‘We need more people like Pete Evans’: Ex-My Kitchen Rules stars Romel Kouyan and Joshua Bonwick DEFEND the conspiracy theorist’s harmful views and passionately declare they ‘stand right behind him’

By Jabeen Waheed For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 03:06 EDT, 29 September 2020 | Updated: 03:10 EDT, 29 September 2020

Former My Kitchen Rules contestants Romel Kouyan and Joshua Bonwick have passionately defended the show’s former judge Pete Evans’ controversial views.

In clips shared to Instagram on Tuesday, the pair praised the conspiracy theorist and anti-vaxxer, 47, for leaving behind his fame and fortune to ‘expose what’s going on’ during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Singing Pete’s praises, Bonwick, 27, declared that the world was ‘in need of more people like him’ while 43-year-old Kouyan admitted he ‘loves everything he stands for’ and was ‘right behind him’.

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‘We stand by him’: Former My Kitchen Rules contestants Romel Kouyan [top] and Joshua Bonwick [bottom] have passionately defended the show’s former judge Pete Evans’ controversial views

The pair leapt to Pete’s defence while discussing the draconian lockdown measures in coronavirus-riddled Melbourne.

Josh expressed relief that he wasn’t currently living in Melbourne where people didn’t have a ‘bill of rights’ and a ‘constitution that protects your human rights.’

He immediately cited Pete as a hero for ‘exposing and shining a light’ on the pandemic.

‘He has thrown away every single thing that everyone in the world is trying to attain. He had success, he’s famous, he was on TV and had a million dollar a year job. He’s thrown it all away to expose what’s going on!

Pete’s fans: In clips shared to Instagram on Tuesday, the pair praised the conspiracy theorist and anti-vaxxer, 47, for leaving behind his fame and fortune to ‘expose what’s going on’ during the COVID-19 pandemic

Singing Pete’s praises: Bonwick, 27, declared that the world was ‘in need of more people like him’ while 43-year-old Kouyan admitted he ‘loves everything he stands for’ and was ‘right behind him’

‘We need more people like Pete Evans. The more backlash that you get means you’re on to something,’ he added.

Romel shared the same views as Joshua, adding: ‘He is definitely one of the smartest individuals I have ever met in my whole life. I love what he stands for.

‘What I admire about him is that he’s not afraid to hold back. He could easily say, “you know what? I’ve got a career online, so I’ll keep my opinions to myself and just look after my family.”

‘But he’s going on a huge platform and sharing these opinions.’

‘He’s thrown away everything to expose what’s going on’: Josh immediately cited Pete as a hero for ‘exposing and shining a light’ on the pandemic

Romel shared the same views as Joshua, adding: ‘He is definitely one of the smartest individuals I have ever met in my whole life. I love what he stands for’

Romel defiantly continued: ‘It actually upsets me seeing the backlash he receives because the

house

Workhorse surges 16% after President Trump views Lordstown’s EV pickup Endurance at the White House

September 28, 2020 [email protected]_84 Endurance, house, Lordstowns, pickup, president, surges, Trump, Views, White, Workhorse

Endurance electric pickup truck by Lordstown Motors — The Endurance.
Lordstown Motors

Workhorse surged 16% on Monday after it was reported that President Trump viewed the Lordstown Motors 2021 Endurance pick-up truck on the South Lawn at the White House.
Workhorse owns a 10% equity stake in Lordstown Motors, which is targeting a 2021 launch of its electric pick-up truck.
DiamondPeak Holdings also jumped 12% on the news, as the SPAC has previously announced that it will merge with Lordstown Motors, bringing the company public once again after Workhorse spun it off in 2019.
Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

President Donald Trump’s viewing of the 2021 Endurance electric pick-up truck produced by Lordstown Motors spurred a 16% jump in shares of Workhorse.

Workhorse owns a 10% equity stake in Lordstown, which was spun off as its own independent company from Workhorse in 2019.

Eamon Javers of CNBC tweeted on Monday, “Now pool reporters have been brought out to the South Lawn, where they send this report: ‘The president was already on the South Lawn when we arrived. He is looking at a Lordstown Motors 2021 endurance truck.” The White House subsequently published remarks and video of the company’s visit.

Read More: UBS: Buy these 23 stocks across major themes that are poised to outperform amid uncertainty and conflicting signals in the market

Lordstown is targeting a 2021 launch of the Endurance pick-up truck, and is planning to go public with a SPAC later this year.

Shares of DiamondPeak Holdings also jumped on the news, by as much as 15% in Monday trading. The company said it would acquire Ohio-based Lordstown in August.

Source Article …

house

White House views coalesce behind pre-election vote on Trump Supreme Court pick

September 22, 2020 [email protected]_84 coalesce, Court, house, pick, preelection, Supreme, Trump, Views, vote, White

WASHINGTON — A consensus has formed within the West Wing to push for a vote on President Donald Trump’s coming Supreme Court nominee before the election, with aides and advisers saying they are increasingly optimistic that they will be able to pull off the speedy confirmation.

Some outside advisers had initially argued that waiting to hold a vote until after Election Day could be the most politically advantageous strategy, said a person familiar with the thinking. Having the seat vacant could motivate conservatives to turn out for Trump to ensure that it got filled and save senators in tight races from having to make a controversial vote so close to the election.

But the momentum in the past 48 hours has swung toward getting a vote done as soon as possible, with those inside and outside the White House arguing that the quicker the process, the more likely they are to fill the seat, senior administration officials said. An official said it now looks like a “strong possibility” that there will be a vote before Election Day as consensus grows among Republican senators to move ahead with the nomination.

Ultimately, the timing will be up to Senate Republicans. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky refused to specify a timeline Tuesday, saying instead that he would proceed with a vote when the nominee emerges from the Judiciary Committee, chaired by Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Graham has said he would announce timing for a committee hearing and a vote after Trump names a nominee.

Trump and White House aides have been in regular contact with McConnell and his staff, officials have said.

If Trump names his pick to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Saturday, as he has indicated he will, the Senate would have less than 40 days before the election to confirm a nominee — a speedy schedule by recent standards, although not unprecedented. Trump met Monday with one possible nominee, federal appeals Judge Amy Coney Barrett, and he is scheduled to meet Friday in Miami with another front-runner, federal appeals Judge Barbara Lagoa.

Trump said Monday that one reason he wanted a vote as soon as possible was that he doesn’t want to have a tie in any future court rulings. The court, now at eight members, is scheduled to hear oral arguments in a case involving the Affordable Care Act on Nov. 10, and the justices could have a role to play in the election if the results are contested.

“So let’s say I make the announcement on Saturday — there’s a great deal of time before the election,” Trump said Monday. “That’ll be up to Mitch in the Senate. But I’d certainly much rather have the vote. I think it sends a good signal. And it’s solidarity and lots of other things.”

If Republicans lose control of the Senate, they would still be able to vote on a nominee during the lame-duck session

house

House Hunting in Norway: Eco-Friendly With Fjord Views for $1.9 Million

September 16, 2020 [email protected]_84 EcoFriendly, Fjord, house, Hunting, million, Norway, Views

A Modern Four-Bedroom on Norway’s Southern Shores

$1.9 MILLION (17 MILLION NORWEGIAN KRONER)

This four-bedroom home sits on a hillside in the town of Stavern, a popular summer destination on the Vestfold coast in southern Norway. Designed by the architect Rune Breili and built in 2016, the 3,423-square-foot house has many energy-saving features, including solar panels, smart-house wiring, LED lighting and under-floor heating.

The glass-fronted upper level and rooftop terrace offer panoramic views of Larviksfjorden, a five-mile-long fjord that takes its name from the nearby town of Larvik. At least four lighthouses can be seen from the main suite upstairs, said Knut Leinaes, a broker and partner with Leinaes & Partners, which has the listing.

A granite staircase leads to the main entrance, which is sheltered by an Accoya wood enclosure. The wood, also used for much of the home’s exterior, is treated to be extra durable.

The door opens into a tiled foyer and hallway. To the right is the open living area, with oak parquet floors, white walls and, at its center, a glass-walled staircase with wood steps that appear to float. A small dining area is set up at one end of the room, and a bigger dining table and living room are on the opposite side. Sliding glass doors open onto a terrace that runs the length of the house.

The kitchen, situated against a side wall, has custom furnishings by Multiform, a Danish kitchen crafter, with sleek white cabinetry and an island with a recessed induction cooktop. A glass door opens onto a large patio with a covered barbecue station.

A hallway leads to three bedrooms, all of which have access to the terrace. The bedrooms share a large bathroom with glossy tile flooring and a vaulted ceiling with skylight.

A second living room on the upper level maximizes the water views through a wall of 13-foot floor-to-ceiling windows. Doors on either side of the room open onto separate roof terraces. Opposite the living room is the main suite, with a similar wall of windows (this one with electric blackout blinds), a dressing room and a bath with a vessel sink and large walk-in shower. A free-standing soaking tub is positioned near the windows in the bedroom.

The home’s lower level, with a family room, wine cellar, half bath, laundry room and storage area, can be accessed from the attached two-car garage.

The 0.19-acre property has ornamental plantings set amid natural rock outcroppings. Located on a cul-de-sac in a residential neighborhood, the house is about a mile from several beaches, as well as the shops, restaurants and cafes of Stavern, Mr. Leinaes said. TORP Sandefjord Airport is about a 25-minute drive northeast.

Stavern’s population of roughly 5,000 swells dramatically in the summer with vacationers, many of whom live in greater Oslo, about 90 minutes away, Mr. Leinaes said. In addition to the beaches, attractions include a historic naval base that now houses art galleries and museums, and a coastal path that follows the water for