Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Colorado Water Garden Society members, including Jim Arneill of Centennial, will conduct tours of the ponds at Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. in Denver, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on April 20. They will also have advice for prospective water gardeners.

Installation coming to museum

Abstract Expressions, a new sound and garden installation, will open on the terraces of the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver in May, envisioned by artist Nathan Hall, in collaboration with Kevin Phillips Williams, assistant curator and horticulturist, Denver Botanic Gardens. The museum is at 1250 Bannock St. in downtown Denver. See clyffordstillmuseum.org.

Highlands Ranch Concert Band

The Highlands Ranch Concert Band will present Natural Wonders Across America at 3 p.m. on May 7 at Littleton High School Auditorium, 199 East Littleton Blvd. Rob Yost will conduct. Free.

Arapahoe Philharmonic

Summer Songs of Support will be a fundraising concert, banquet and silent auction held by the Arapahoe Philharmonic at 7 p.m. on June 2 at The Dome at AMG, 6295 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Greenwood Village. Tickets, $75. Featuring Sauel Chang, piano; Jackson Bailey, violin; Jacob Martin, cello.

Benefit craft fair

A craft fair to benefit the ACC Foundation will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 6 in the first-floor, west-side Summit Room at Arapahoe Community College, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive in Littleton. Vendor registration fee benefits ACC Foundation and Study Abroad Programs.

Dog walks

Historic Littleton Inc. leads dog walks along a different section of the City Ditch. Meet in Ridgewood Park, 2492 West Euclid Ave. See some of the oldest sites in Littleton. Tour guide is Rebeca Kast, with Dog-Mayor Murdoch and friends. Questions? email historiclittleton@gmail.com. Park in small lot at Lower Ridgewood Park. Dogs are welcome. Tours are free. Donations are welcome. Next one is at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 7.

Spring Show

The Arapahoe Community College Art and Design Department is hosting its annual Spring Show at Aspen Grove April 20-May 7. Reception: April 20, 5-7 p.m.7301 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton.

Lone Tree

The Mary Louise Lee Orchestra will perform music of Natalie Cole at 8 p.m. April 21 at Lone Tree Arts Center. Tickets: $31-$45. See lonetreeartscenter.org.

Artists invited

Douglas Land Conservancy announces Plein Air Community Day at Sandstone Ranch Open Space. Artists, both professional and casual are invited. Five awards will be given at the end of the day, to young artists. See douglaslandconservancy.org.

Stories on Stage

Stories on Stage will perform Confessions of a Wedding Singer at 2 p.m. on May 7 at Su Teatro, 721 Santa Fe Drive, Denver. Virtual performance May 11 and after. Tickets: $24. 303-494-0523, storiesonstage.org.

Book launch

Mary Taylor Youngs new Bluebird Seasons will launch at The Bookies, 4315 E. Mississippi, Denver, at 2:30 p.m. on May 7.

The Little Prince

The Little Prince by Rachel Portman will be presented at Lamont School of Music April 20-23 in University of Denvers Newman Center. bit.ly/lamontopera.

Art in Highlands Ranch

Ken Caryl Art Guild Exhibit will be at St. Andrew UMC, 9203 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch, from May 5 to June 14.

Vintage Theatre

The Inheritance by Matthew Lopez runs through May 14 at Vintage Theatre, 1468 S. Dayton St, Aurora. Part 1 and Part 2 add up to three hours with intermissions. See website to arrange timing for tickets: vintagetheatre.org.

Aurora Fox

Treasure Island: a New Musical for a New Generation, directed by Nick Sugar will run April 28 to May 21 at Aurora Fox Arts Center. Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. See aurorafox.org.

Original post:
Water gardeners to show off ponds | Castlerocknewspress.net - Castle Rock Newspress

Are you looking to add value to your home? If so, then outdoor design is an excellent way to do it. With a few simple changes, you can transform your outdoor space into one that will be the envy of all your neighbors and enhance the overall look and feel of your property. Read on to explore some of the top outdoor design ideas that are sure to increase the value of your home. From adding decorative features like landscaping or water features to making more practical improvements such as installing new fencing or patios, these ideas will help you make the most out of any backyard project. So let's get started!

Installing a deck or patio is one of the best ways to add value and functionality to your outdoor space. Decks are great for entertaining guests and providing additional seating, while patios offer more of an intimate setting. Both options can be constructed from a variety of materials such as wood, composite, and stone. This addition can not only increase curb appeal of your home but also adds an area for outdoor living. When installed correctly and properly maintained, decks and patios can last for decades. And while they may require time and effort to install, the return on investment is worth it.

A well-built deck can be a great addition to any home, providing extra space for entertaining or relaxing. But if your deck is looking a little worse for wear, it may be time to give it a makeover. A fresh coat of paint or stain can really bring life back into an old and worn-out deck, while adding new furniture or decorations can make the space more inviting and elevate the ambience. Additionally, if youre looking for ways to maximize your space, consider building benches or creating planter boxes that can also serve as storage units.

Adding attractive landscaping is one of the most popular outdoor design ideas for homeowners looking to increase the value of their homes. From planting trees or shrubs to using specialty plants or flower beds, there are so many creative ways you can spruce up your outdoor space. Not only does this add beauty and color to your yard, but well-maintained landscaping can also help boost property values by as much as 20%.

Planting shrubs and trees along your property line is a great way to add privacy, block noise from neighbors, and create attractive views. Installing pathways made of brick or stone can also help draw the eye away from any potential problems in the landscape, like unsightly fences or power lines.

Grass Landscaping: An important part of any outdoor design is the grass. Grass adds a natural beauty to your outdoor space, while also providing a soft surface for walking and playing. Installing sod or seed can create an instant green lawn, but its important to choose the right type of grass for your region - some thrive in wetter climates while others do best in dry, sunny areas.

Concrete Landscaping: Along with the natural elements, you can also use concrete to create interesting and unique designs. Using stamped concrete, pavers, or other materials helps bring a more finished look to your outdoor space while also providing an easier surface for walking and maintenance. Adding retaining walls can help contain soil erosion and increase usable space in larger yards.

Adding a water feature is a great way to create an inviting outdoor atmosphere. From ponds and fountains to swimming pools or hot tubs, there are countless ways you can use water in your design. Not only does it add beauty, but it also helps increase the value of your home by making it more attractive to prospective buyers. Additionally, a water feature can be used to create a peaceful and calming atmosphere or to make your outdoor space more entertaining and charming.

Ponds: Adding a pond is one of the most popular ways to add a water feature to your outdoor design. This addition can increase the value of your home while also creating an inviting environment for wildlife. From fish and frogs to turtles and birds, ponds are great for attracting wildlife to your backyard.

Swimming Pools: Swimming pools are perfect for those looking for more of an active water feature. Not only do they provide entertainment during summer months, but they can also be enjoyed year-round in some areas, especially if you have a heated pool. Whether you choose in-ground or above-ground options, swimming pools offer endless possibilities for fun and relaxation.

Hot Tubs: Hot tubs are another popular addition to any outdoor space. They provide a great way to relax after a long day or even entertain friends and family. With so many different styles available, you can find the perfect hot tub to fit your needs and budget.

Lighting is an important aspect of any outdoor design project that should not be overlooked. Not only does it help set the mood for your outdoor living area, but it also provides necessary illumination for safety purposes. From solar-powered lights to string lights or landscape lighting, there are many creative ways you can use lighting in your outdoor area.

Solar-Powered Lights: Solar-powered lights are a great way to add a warm ambiance to your outdoor space without breaking the bank. They operate using energy from the sun and come in a variety of styles and shapes. Plus, they are environmentally friendly!

String Lights: String lights are perfect for creating an inviting atmosphere in your outdoor living area. You can use them to line pathways or hang them around deck railings for a festive look.

Landscape Lighting: Landscape lighting is ideal for emphasizing special features in your yard like trees, flowerbeds, gardens, or water features. There are many different types of landscape lighting available such as flood lights, spotlights, and path lights.

There are many creative ways you can use to design and enhance your outdoor space. From choosing the right types of plants and grasses to adding water features or lighting, there are endless possibilities when it comes to landscaping and creating beautiful outdoor living areas. With careful planning, creativity, and a bit of hard work, you can create an inviting outdoor space that reflects your own unique style.

Things to remember whiledesigningoutdoors

Deep RootedDesigns | The Ultimate San DiegoOutdoorLiving Space

Do You Like to CookOutdoors? Heres How toDesignanOutdoorCooking Space

Designing an All-SeasonOutdoorDining Space

Read more from the original source:
The Top 4 Outdoor Design Ideas to Improve Your Home's Value - fine homes and living

This installation is part of a design exhibition in London.

Apr 21, 2023

Acclaimed Artist Recreates Water Lilies From Iconic Bricks| This installation is part of a design exhibition in London.

While LEGO bricks are usually thought of as a toy, there are a myriad of other uses for these colorful interlocking pieces. So much so, that an acclaimed Chinese artist is using them as a medium for some of his greatest work.

Ai Weiwei, an artist and activist, just opened an exhibition at the Design Museum in London, UK, on April 6, reported Euronews. Titled Ai Weiwei: Making Sense, the exhibition features large onsite installations including his Water Lilies #1, the largest artwork made from LEGO bricks. The piece utilized 650,000 LEGO bricks in 22 colors to recreate one of Claude Monet's famous paintings.

In the original painting, Monet depicts the lily ponds in his garden which is seen as a celebration of nature, according to The Smithsonian Magazine. But Ais recreation has a different meaning.

There is a dark spot in the installation, symbolizing a door, put there by the artist as a tribute to his father and the years the family lived in an underground dugout in exile in China. The artist's early life colors the way he sees the world.

Without a personal narrative, artistic narration loses its quality. In Water Lilies #1, I integrate Monets impressionist painting, reminiscent of Zenism in the east, and concrete experiences of my father and me into a digitized and pixelated language, Ai said in a statement.

Toy bricks as the material, with their qualities of solidity and potential for deconstruction, reflect the attributes of language in our rapidly developing era where human consciousness is constantly dividing, he said.

Ai is an artist, architect, filmmaker, designer, and a political activist. His early life steered him in all these directions, reported Euronews.

Ai was born in Beijing, China, in 1957 but grew up in the far northwest of the country where he lived in primitive conditions. Thats because his father, Ai Qing, a famous Chinese poet was denounced by the government and the family was sent to a labor camp where they lived for 16 years.

As harsh as this life was, Ai was exposed to art and literature and this greatly influenced his life choices. After the end of the cultural revolution, the family returned to Beijing where Ai enrolled in the citys film academy. Ai was one of the founders of Stars, an early avant-garde group.

He moved to the US to study in 1981 where he was influenced by the works of contemporary artists like Andy Warhol. Thats when he began creating conceptual art by altering everyday objects, a style he still uses today.

Ai returned to China in 1993 where he worked as an artist and activist and he became an outspoken critic of the Chinese government. He was arrested in 2011 and detained for 81 days. He now lives in the west where his art is a testament to his commitment to social justice.

(Courtesy The Design Museum)

The Making Sense exhibition in the Design Museum is Ais first solo show in eight years. While the Water Lilies installation which is 15 meters long and covers an entire walls the centerpiece, there are dozens of other pieces that explore the themes of past and present and construction and destruction, reported The Guardian.

These include a Han dynasty urn with a Coke Logo and a sculpture of an iPhone cut out of a jade ax head as well as a piece that was made from thousands of fragments of the remains of the sculptures destroyed in 2018 when the Chinese government demolished Ais studio.

According to Euronews, the exhibition also features three works revolving around toilet paper that capture the Covid-19 lockdowns when people became dependent on ordinary objects. The exhibition opened on April 7 and will run through July 30, 2023.

(Courtesy The Design Museum/ Ed Reeve)

Bonnie has dedicated her life to promoting social justice. She loves to write about empowering women, helping children, educational innovations, and advocating for the environment & sustainability.

See the original post here:
Acclaimed Artist Recreates 'Water Lilies' From Iconic Bricks - Goodnet

TRENTON Governor Phil Murphy today announced a proposed investment of nearly $100 million for projects to develop or update parks and preserve open space, including a new initiative to fund construction of inclusive playgrounds for differently abled children. The funding, announced during Earth Week 2023 through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protections (DEP) Green Acres Program, will enhance the quality of life for residents across New Jersey, especially in many overburdened communities.

The proposed investment includes $92.2 million in funding subject to approval by the Garden State Preservation Trust, and an additional $7.7 million for Urban Parks projects, bringing the total to $99.9 million. The investments are especially timely as this years national Earth Week theme is Invest in Our Planet.

The projects recommended for funding to the independent Garden State Preservation Trust will help build and update New Jerseys outstanding parks, recreation, and open space inventories while providing for construction of inclusive playgrounds, said Governor Murphy. These grants and loans will benefit numerous communities across the state by providing opportunities to engage in healthy activities, enjoy the outdoors, and spend quality family time together.

"From our incredible Green Acres investments in local parks, to our historic investments in the restoration of natural resources throughout the state, the Murphy Administration has put its money where its heart is,said Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette.This Earth Week, with Governor Murphys vision and leadership, we are again investing in our planet with Green Acres awards in every county, accelerating our work to ensure that our neighbors across New Jersey can connect with nature and one another at quality open and recreational spaces."

Green Acres funding allows governments and nonprofits to leverage millions of additional preservation dollars through matching federal, state, county, and local funds, as well as from private sources. For the first time, Green Acres is providing non-matching grants to incentivize projects in Adversely Stressed Overburdened Communities in Urban Aid municipalities.

BY THE NUMBERS

The $92.2 million in projects recommended to the Garden State Preservation Trust includes:

After approval by the Garden State Preservation Trust, the Legislature must formally appropriate the Green Acres funds for these projects that will establish, expand, or revitalize new and existing parks; acquire land; improve waterfront access; develop athletic fields and playgrounds; improve parking lots; create open space; and enhance land stewardship.

In addition to these projects, DEP has approved $7.7 million for park development projects serving Adversely Stressed Overburdened Communities in Urban Aid municipalities, further emphasizing the Murphy Administrations commitment to environmental justice. These communities are so designated because they have a combined stressor total higher than the 50th percentile for total environmental and public health stressors.

Funding for these projects comes from both the DEPs Green Acres Program, funded by the Corporate Business Tax, and the Urban Parks Program, which is funded by a state budget appropriation.

URBAN PARKS PROJECTS

Sixteen municipalities in nine counties have been recommended to receive funding for projects in their communities. Among them:

INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND PROJECTS

New this year, the Green Acres Jakes Law Pilot Program provides 75% matching grant funding to county governments to construct Completely Inclusive Playgrounds in compliance with standards established by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. The eight Completely Inclusive Playground projects recommended for funding are:

GREEN ACRES PROJECTS

Major local projects recommended for matching grants of $1 million or more include:

Atlantic County:

Bergen County:

Cumberland County:

Essex County:

Hudson County:

Mercer County:

Middlesex County:

Passaic County:

Union County:

New Jersey has long been a leader in preserving open space and creating parks. The Green Acres Program, the oldest of its kind in the nation, was created in 1961 as the result of an innovative bond referendum. To date, the Green Acres Program has protected more than 720,000 acres of open space and provided hundreds of recreational facilities around the state.

Green Acres projects create jobs and stimulate economic development by making communities more attractive places to live and work, consequently boosting civic pride. They also improve air and water quality, providing New Jerseyans a better quality of life.

The DEP is a partner in the Governors Population Health Challenge, which calls on state agencies to promote health through their policies. Studies have found that investments in parks and recreational amenities positively impact health and fitness, resulting in less strain on the health-care system. Studies also demonstrate that people are likely to be more physically active if they live close to parks and recreational facilities.

To learn more about the Green Acres Program, visit http://www.NJGreenAcres.org

Continued here:
Office of the Governor | Governor Murphy Announces Nearly $100 ... - NJ.gov

PRESS RELEASE

Published April 19, 2023

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2023 / Ximen Mining Corp. (TSXV:XIM)(FRA:1XMA)(OTCQB:XXMMF) (the "Company" or "Ximen") announces that it has received the Final Mines Act Permit for its Kenville Gold Mine project in southeastern BC.

"The Kenville Gold Mine, which began operations in 1888, was one of the first underground gold mines in British Columbia. After years of working on this particular permit, the Kenville Gold Mine is now on track to becoming one of the greenest and environmentally-friendly gold mines in Southern BC. While there is still very much to do, our team's tenacity has brought us this far, and we are ready for the next phase of milestones that will finally bring this gold mine to fruition." States Anderson CEO Ximen Mining Corp.

Ximen Mining Corp's - Kenville Gold Mine - Manager Lloyd Penner

A Mines Act Permit was issued to the Company for the Kenville Mine Project approving the following work:

The permit is comprehensive and includes several conditions for Health and Safety, Geotechnical, Environmental Land and Watercourses, and the Reclamation and Closure Program. Items to be addressed before starting include:

Several other items are required once operations commence, as is typical for permits of this type.

The Company is very happy to have this permit in hand and can finally focus on developing the Kenville gold mine project. Design work for water management infrastructure is underway and the Company is looking forward to starting the mine development and finally getting the project underway.

Photo of ore-type vein material from Kenville.

Photo of rock truck and scooptram to be deployed at Kenville mine.

Technical disclosure in this news release has been approved by Dr. Mathew Ball, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and VP Exploration for Ximen Mining Corp.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Christopher R. Anderson"

Christopher R. Anderson, President, CEO and Director 604 488-3900

Investor Relations:Sophy Cesar,604-488-3900,[emailprotected]

About Ximen Mining Corp.

Ximen Mining Corp. owns 100% interest in three of its precious metal projects located in southern BC. Ximen`s two Gold projects, The Amelia Gold Mine and The Brett Epithermal Gold Project. Ximen also owns the Treasure Mountain Silver Project adjacent to the past producing Huldra Silver Mine. Currently, the Treasure Mountain Silver Project is under an option agreement. The option partner is making annual staged cash and stocks payments as well as funding the development of the project. The company has also in addition acquired 100% interest in the Kenville Gold mine near Nelson British Columbia which comes with surface and underground rights, buildings and equipment.

Ximen is a publicly listed company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XIM, in the USA under the symbol XXMMF, and in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin Stock Exchanges in Germany under the symbol 1XMA and WKN with the number as A2JBKL.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval and the exercise of the Option by Ximen. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the possibility that the TSX Venture Exchange may not accept the proposed transaction in a timely manner, if at all. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at http://www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Ximen Mining Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/750054/Ximen-Receives-Final-Mines-Act-Permit-for-the-Kenville-Gold-Mine--Nelson-BC-Canada

News network reaching more than 1,500 media outlets in 98 countries. The newest, fastest-growing and most disruptive newswire available today.

Go here to read the rest:
Ximen Receives Final Mines Act Permit for the Kenville Gold Mine ... - Digital Journal

There Is a Land Beyond the River by Gyun Hur, 2021Hurs use of yellow refers to the racialized color for Asians in America as well as the golden color of bells in the lyrics of the Christian hymnthe exhibits namesake.

Photograph courtesy of Gyun Hur

In the fall of 2022, Rachel Parishs public exhibition Emergence installed temporary monuments at Grady Hospital, the Georgia State Capitol, the Tabernacle, and the Gulchlocations closest to four springheads that mark a system of waterways buried beneath downtown Atlanta. It was the start of a multiyear series of artistic works conceived by Flux Projects, dubbed Flow, to explore Atlantas complex relationship with water. Creations by local and national artists, says Fluxs executive director Anne Dennington, will illuminate Atlantas lost waterways, address water in the struggle for racial equality, and consider waters role in spiritual and cultural rituals, all in hopes of reconnecting the city to the life-sustaining resource.

Hannah PalmerOn Memorial Day weekend, Hannah Palmers multimedia installation Ghost Pools will explore the history of Atlantas public swimming facilities with memorials to two pools that were closed rather than integrated. Palmer will outline the pools in their former, now underutilized spaces, install low diving boards, and collaborate with visual, sound, and performance artists to transform the sites into community spaces to explore and reflect on this complicated, often painful past.

Gyun HurIn 2024, Gyun Hurs time-based installation will explore the spiritual and cultural roles of water in grief and healing by commemorating the 2021 Atlanta spa shootings. While the shape of her installation is yet to be revealed, it will be a continuation of her artistic exploration of loss and beauty. In 2021, Hur created teardrop-shaped glass vessels that hold Chattahoochee River water in memory of the victims in order to grapple with her emotional proximity to the tragedy as an immigrant daughter of the Atlanta Korean community. She sees the rivers constant movement as a choreography of letting go while generating life, as she writes in her artist statement: In childhood memories from South Korea, rivers were sites of mourning, washing, and rejoicing. In the larger context, rivers hold ecological memories of abundance, eradication, borders, and power.

Jonathon KeatsJonathon Keatss Atlanta River Time will feature two erosion calendars entitled The Erosion of Time. Set to go public in 2024 and 2025, each will have a series of stones inscribed with dates that will be erased over time by the flow of water, marking environmental flux. One will be placed in Browns Mill Village, a new development by Habitat for Humanity, where Sherwood Design Engineers reestablished a headwaters tributary of the South River in the central community space. The other will be in Zonolite Park, where the South Fork Conservancy and Pond & Co. are carving out wetlands along the south fork of Peachtree Creek, a tributary of the Chattahoochee River.

Core DanceUnder the direction of artistic director Sue Schroeder, Core Dances Braiding Time, Memory and Water will be a collaboration with Keatss Atlanta River Time. Set to an original score, dancers and spoken-word artists will be choreographed to followor be braided intothe flow and sounds of a water site. Because of the fluctuations in the waters flow, the rivers and creeks will act as timekeepers in rhythmic synergy with the performers.

This article appears in our April 2023 issue.

Advertisement

Read this article:
The water bearers: Meet the five Atlanta artists of Flux's "Flow" project - Atlanta Magazine

The House of Lights / CUBISM Architects

+ 24

Facebook

Twitter

Mail

Pinterest

Whatsapp

Or

Text description provided by the architects. Cantilevered planes and projected volumes fulfill the demand for a sense of openness within the enclosure. Brick and concrete are exposed on the elevation to emphasize the character of the house. To allow penetration of natural light and fresh air, a clean composition of internal volumes and voids was designed which also enables the spaces to flow into each other while merging with the outdoors. The house is in a north-facing site and is essentially a two-story structure with courtyards and light wells. The route from the foyer directly leads to the passage which flows to the kitchen, dining, and family living spaces with the formal living space to the left and glazing on the side walls to give a glimpse of the open-to-sky green courtyard to the right.

Beyond the kitchen to the left, are located the maids quarters and a table tennis room. An artificial pond followed by seating with a lush plantation looks back towards the house. At the first story level, a master bedroom and two other bedrooms in addition to a home theatre and a gym room are linked by a wide corridor. The focus is to design a space that allows the client to live a relaxed open lifestyle with verandas, terraces, and a courtyard. The house embodies a hierarchy of privacy with a public facade that seeks not to attract undue attention and shelter its occupants while opening out to courtyards and terraces. It acts as a screen and provides calm and protects from the frantic pace of life in the city.

The entrance to the home is a space built with green landscaping and stone. The addition of exposed concrete blocks along with the plantation serves as a visual treat as they lead up to the main porch. The wooden ceiling in the sit-out area and the raw textured flooring blend with the landscape beautifully to provide a stunning experience to the user. The union and subtraction of geometries create an interesting play of lights and shadows, dramas in solids and voids. The entrance foyer has a mild colored background with the bright mustard seaters really brightening up the space. The foyer visually leads up to a feature wall with marble accentuated with wall decors to welcome people upon entering the house. The foyer leads to the wide passage that flows into the other spaces of the home. The house is designed where every space was able to relate to nature and the exterior. The corner space is chamfered to provide a view of the garden.

The double-height dining hall provides ample natural light with two attractive garden spaces on either side offering a multitude of spatial experiences for the user. An opulent ambiance is created with the use of both marble and wooden flooring. The rich blue fabric of the dining chairs contrasts and complements the contemporary palette used throughout the interior spaces. The family living space is a light-filled space, double height for an expansive view with a small garden space filled with lush plants as the backdrop. The staircase which is cladded each with wood and marble for the two alternating risers gives access to the upper floor. The skylight on the ceiling above with wood finish frames matches the wooden steps and breaks the monotonous white ceiling. By placing a large mural of rich colors of red and blue hues contrasts and co-relates with the interior spaces and adds character to the space. The skylight open present in the toilet area along with plants makes the space bigger and provides the user the feel of calmness and sophistication. Natural light flowing through from the sky adds on to the patterns created by the walls and flooring.

The garden space at the south corner of the site features a water cascade wall that fills with splashing water sounds thus creating a serene environment for enjoying one's evenings. This space is also double heightened with a balcony overlooking the garden from the first floor. The stone features add a sense of exposure. The west end of the site is filled with an artificial koi pond with a lush plantation surrounded by it. The deck area provides access to the table tennis room enclosed by glazed sliding doors. The courtyard space is a perfect area for having a relaxing time with family and being close to the greener surrounding. The seating space around the garden area is surrounded by lush plantations and water bodies contributing to the creation of an ambiance with nature.

A swing is installed in the garden at the east corner of the site flanked by plantations. The swing is placed in a way that offers an unobstructed view of the building blending in with the garden through floor-to-ceiling windows. The open-to-sky court with double height has creepers climbing through and around the grill, with a view out to the landscape that offers a calm aura for the user utilizing the space. The double-height courtyard with plantation and open to the sky really opens the space and is aesthetic to the eye. The careful placement of the custom-made curved seater in contrast to its surrounding catches one's attention. The grills with several patterns and bricks spread the climbers and create a natural visage and its shadows create various patterns throughout the day on the floor.

Read the original post:
The House of Lights / CUBISM Architects - ArchDaily

Bonsai Aerial Adventures has officially started construction on a zipline across the Colorado River from Eagle Rim Park to Las Colonias Park.

Bonsai CEO Thaddeus Shrader said Monday Bonsai broke ground on construction a few weeks ago. The build-out will take several weeks, he said, although its too early to give the zipline a precise opening date.

Were very excited to get it installed for use this summer, Shrader said.

Construction is underway on both the landing pad at the butterfly pond, near the Bonsai building, at Las Colonias Park and the take-off pad at Eagle Rim Park, Shrader said, but construction shouldnt affect park-goers at either park.

The zipline is being installed as part of a deal in which Bonsai agreed to build a zipline worth at least $600,000 after receiving $1 million in incentives to move its headquarters into Las Colonias Business Park, near where the landing pad is under construction.

Construction was originally expected to be finished by August, 2021, but has been pushed back several times because of engineering and other complications.

According to the ziplines operating agreement, which Grand Junction City Council approved in November, 2021, rides on the zipline will cost $18 for youth 17 and under, with $1 to go to the city, and $21 for adults, with $2 to go to the city.

The city of Grand Junction leased the ground the zipline is being built on to Bonsai for $1,069 per year for 25 years.

The new logo and name Riverfront Zip Adventures are posted on the Bonsai Design Facebook page. The main part of the logo is in the shape of a butterfly to pay homage to the butterfly pond at Las Colonias.

Bonsai released a statement Monday, saying: Bonsai is excited to be underway with their art installation which serves as the landing of Grand Junctions Zipline across the Colorado River. They are underway with construction on both the launch and landing zones, located at Eagle Rim Park and Las Colonias Park, respectively. Bonsai has worked to minimize park zone closures and will be expediting their installation process for the next 6 weeks. Get ready Grand Junction, as this summers float season will include a swollen river from all the snow weve received, but also a new amenity at the rivers edge!

Read this article:
Construction underway on Las Colonias zipline - The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

(Todays article is by Contributing Writer, Heather Ryerson)

The earth has welcomely come alive at Ijams Nature Center after a winter slumber with flowers blooming and trees beginning to green. The osprey have returned from their seasonal migration, and the spring peepers (a frog species) are singing their futile mating songs. A newly renovated and now handicapped-accessible universal pond in front of the visitors center is showing signs of life again and served as a perfect centerpiece for Fleurish: A Sustainable Fashion Event where guests were presented with sustainable and avant-garde fashion for a cause.

Ijams website describes the event: Fleurish is a collaborative runway show showcasing how sustainability, conservation, and beauty intertwine with our lives and our future. Local designers, hair stylists, and makeup artists join forces to create amazing designs that incorporate sustainable materials and innovative recycling methods, and reusing what was once discarded.

The following 18 designers worked hard to put together sustainable, creative, and beautiful designs. Seating lined the runway path, and some guests took advantage of the opportunity to throw blankets on the grass and enjoy the fashion and entertainment picnic-style. The runway show kicked off just as the sun began to set. With over 60 models, there were many ohs and ahs as they moved through the crowd. Each model represented a team of hair and makeup specialists and a designer or design team. You will soon see professional photos from the event along with the designer for each ensemble on the Ijams website.

The evening began with a cocktail hour and music by local favorite Rica Chicha, who recently performed at the Big Ears Festival. Guests also enjoyed the fiber bombs, upcycled fiber art installation, by Victoria Walsh and Craft Appalachia. I had the privilege of meeting Danielle Johnson, who made one of the larger pieces on display.

The runway show began at 7 with comments from Sarah Brobst and ended with remarks and thanks from Amber Parker, CEO of Ijams. The musical entertainment during the show and after was from the creative and talented Brent Hyder. Brent is described as a live-looping artist, one-man-band, creating chill times and good vibes.

Fleurish is a fundraiser for the Nature Center and is the brainchild of Ben Prager in partnership with the staff at Ijams, primarily the talented Sarah Brobst, Visitor Services Director at Ijams and artist. Amy Lee is the Media and Marketing Director of Fleurish. The event raised $10,000, double what they raised last year, and attendance at this years event more than doubled. Ben told me he feels Fleurish is a way to bring creatives together to demonstrate their talents and allows them to do something for the greater good. He smilingly compared it to a playdate with other creatives.

Next years event will be held on April 21 at Ijams. The theme will be Funk vs. Punk. This announcement elicited cheers and excited chatter from the crowd. Ben encouraged audience participation for next years show by choosing funk or punk for your own outfit. Im already planning mine. Some steampunk fashion may be in my future!

If you have questions about Fleurish or want to contribute or participate, contact Sarah Brobst at sbrobst@ijams.com or fleurishknoxville@gmail.com. If you want to be part of the Ijams family and support their outstanding work for the community by preserving the land and creating space for visitors to enjoy the outdoors, click here!

I have added a handful of the photos I took at the event. Please check back on the Ijams website soon for professional photos and information on the designer/design by Kara Hudgens Photography and the Fleurish marketing team.

n

Go here to read the rest:
Ijams presents the Second Annual Fleurish 2023: Keep Growing - Inside of Knoxville

Assessment of shear strength under dry and hydrated conditions

The interface shear tests were designed to understand the effects of overburden stress levels represented through normal stress variations, grain shape effects through natural and Msand having significant difference in their particle shape and hydration effects through dry and wet tests. The shear response of GCL-River sand and GCL- Msand interfaces in dry condition at different normal stresses is presented in Fig.6. Variation of shear stress with displacement is shown in Fig.6a and MohrCoulomb failure envelopes are shown in Fig.6b. Most of these initial tests were repeated to confirm the reproducibility of results. For both GCL-River sand and GCL-Msand interfaces, peak shear stress increased with the increase in normal stress, which is indicative of increased interlocking mechanism between the fiber of geotextile and sand particles under enhanced confinement effect of overburden. Further, the plots show that higher peak shear stress is attained for GCL-Msand compared to GCL-River sand interfaces. Since the test conditions and gradation are maintained identical, the difference in the shear behaviour can only be related to the shape of the sand particles. The internal reinforcing fiber of GCL resist the applied shear force, contributing to the overall shear strength. They transmit the shear force from upper layer to the lower layer of GCL. The post-peak reduction in shear stress can be linked to the extension of reinforcing fiber at large shear strains, which causes loss of tensile strength, leading to the reduction in the interface shear strength11,12,13. The values of interface friction angle () and interface adhesion (ap) for dry GCL-sand interfaces computed from the best-fit lines of the failure envelopes considering peak interface shear stresses at different normal stresses shown in Fig.6b are listed in Table 2. All GCL-sand interfaces showed lesser friction angles compared to sand-sand shear tests. Friction efficiency of GCL-sand interfaces, which is defined as /, is always less than 1.0, as shown in Table 2.

Shear response of GCL- sand interfaces under dry condition (a) stressdisplacement response, (b) failure envelopes.

Bentonite improves the hydraulic performance of GCL, giving it the ability to self-heal. Upon hydration, bentonite increases its volume by 600%, which creates significant impact on the shear strength of GCL. Figure7 shows the crystalline swelling mechanism of bentonite as explained by Ruedrich et al.27. In field, suction of moisture from the interfacing subgrade can lead to bentonite hydration in GCL. The fluctuating groundwater level and infiltrating rainwater can result in abrupt rise of water content of subgrade, thereby negatively impacting the shear strength of GCL-sand interfaces. The worst-case scenario for this reduction of interface shear strength would be the completely saturated condition of the sand subgrade. In this study, interface tests under saturated conditions were conducted to examine the impact of bentonite hydration on the computed interface shear strength parameters. The water content in sand was maintained at 18% in these tests to achieve complete saturation and the GCL specimens were hydrated by suction of moisture from the sand. The normal stresses used for this set of tests were 7kPa, 30kPa and 100kPa. The low normal stress of 7kPa was used to permit high swelling of bentonite and high normal stress of 100kPa was used to facilitate the extrusion of bentonite on to the surface of GCL. Both these phenomena influence the interface shear behaviour of GCL-sand interfaces. The stress- displacement response of GCL-River sand and GCL-Msand under saturated subgrade condition are shown in Fig.8. A significant difference in peak shear stress of river sand and Msand interfaces was observed at higher normal stress of 100kPa, as seen from Fig.8a. When Fig.6a for dry tests and Fig.8a for saturated tests are compared, significant reduction in shear stress at all normal stresses was observed under saturated conditions. The hydration of GCL resulted in the swelling of bentonite, exerting tensile forces on the reinforcing fibers, and thereby impacting the interface shear strength. At higher normal stress, swelling of bentonite is opposed by the overburden stress, leading to the bentonite extrusion onto the interface through the voids of the nonwoven geotextile surface. Figure8c shows the swelling of GCL specimens with the hydration time for normal stresses of 7kPa and 100kPa. As stated earlier, higher swelling is observed in interfaces tested under 7kPa, which signifies the higher volumetric expansion of GCL upon hydration as compared to interfaces tested at a normal stress of 100kPa. At higher normal stress, the swelling is restricted and found to be 57% lower. The volumetric change is observed to be more for GCLs interfaced with river sand. Bentonite is extruded through the voids of the nonwoven surface of the GCL and forms a slimy layer at interface. The extruded bentonite along with the lubricating layer of water at interface, reduces the frictional resistance. Computation of interface shear strength for saturated conditions through Mohr- Coulomb failure envelopes is shown in Fig.8b and the values of interface friction angle () and interface adhesion (ap) are listed in Table 2. As observed, the adhesion and friction angles of the saturated interfaces are significantly lower than those of the dry interfaces. The interface friction angle was reduced by about 10 from dry to saturated condition, both for river sand and Msand interfaces and the interface adhesion was reduced by 710kPa from dry to saturated condition, for the reasons explained above. The reason for the reduction in frictional resistance with saturation is the slimy layer of extruded bentonite under saturated conditions and the interaction of sand particles with this layer, which restricts the efficient sand-fiber interlocking. The lubricating layer of water also reduces the frictional resistance at the GCL-sand interfaces under saturated conditions. Even though identical gradation was maintained for river sand and Msand in this study, Msand interfaces showed significantly higher friction angle and adhesion compared to river sand interfaces in all conditions due to particle morphology effects, which are explained in subsequent sections.

Crystalline swelling mechanism of clay minerals by hydration.

Shear response of GCL-sand interfaces under saturated condition (a) stressdisplacement response, (b) failure envelopes, (c) swelling-hydration time response.

The influence of sand grain shape on the shear response of GCL-sand interfaces is evident from the analysis of the test results. The availability of high-end imaging techniques and robust computational tools have made accurate quantification of particle shape possible. By using imaging techniques, soil-geosynthetic interaction mechanisms can be accurately analysed and the same can be correlated to the measured mechanical response to gain deeper insights. In this study, digital imaging techniques were employed to differentiate and quantify the shape parameters of sand grains and to understand the microlevel changes to the tested GCL surfaces to explain the interaction mechanisms at the interface.

The grain shape comprises of three multiscale componentsform (macro-scale), roundness (meso-scale) and surface texture (micro-scale)28. The form, a macro-scale component, describes the deviations in particle proportions. The meso-scale component, roundness, describes the undulations or corners along the particle outline. The surface texture, micro-scale component, defines the minute roughness characteristics on the particle surface. Several shape parameters were defined in literature to characterize the particle shape using particle images and computational techniques. The most widely accepted shape parameters are sphericity, roundness and roughness given by Wadell29,30, which were widely used by many subsequent researchers13,25. Sphericity representing the closeness of the grain shape to a sphere, roundness representing the smoothness of the grain boundary and roughness representing the micro-scale irregularities on the grain boundary, are collectively used to represent the overall grain shape. In this study, an algorithm is written in MATLAB to quantify Wadells shape parameters of sand grains. For this purpose, microscopic images of sand particles were converted into binary images through image segmentation in MATLAB and shape parameter quantifications were carried out on the binary images. Figure9 shows the microscopic and binary images of typical grains of river sand and Msand, both of 0.6mm size. Figure9b,d show the outline of the grain along with the centroid, for river sand and Msand grains, respectively. These grain outlines are plotted in the spatial domain of grain radius in pixels and angle in radians, to obtain the raw profile of the individual sand particles, as shown in Fig.10. The raw profile consists of the three multiscale features of the grain, which are form, roundness, and roughness, which are identified and marked for both the sand particles in Fig.10. While the macro-scale component encompasses the complete raw profile, the meso-scale component corresponds to the major peaks and troughs of the raw profile and the micro-scale component corresponds to the closely spaces clusters of minute deviations in the profile. The raw profile of the Msand particle shows more meso-scale and micro-scale components of shape, indicating the angularity and rough texture of Msand particle compared to the river sand particle. Further shape quantifications were carried out on the binary images of 200 individual particles in different size fractions for both the sands using MATLAB algorithm29 and the average values of shape parameters were computed. The average sphericity, roundness and roughness were obtained as 0.78, 0.38 and 0.0024, respectively for Msand and 0.84, 0.42 and 0.001, respectively for river sand31,32,33. The natural weathering and erosion processes responsible for the formation of river sand particles gave them higher sphericity and roundness compared to Msand particles which were stone-quarried. The average roughness value of the Msand particles is twice the average roughness of the river sand because of the mechanical process involved in crushing of rocks to manufacture the Msand.

Microscopic and binary images of typical sand particles (a) Microscopic image of river sand particle (b) Binary image of river sand particle (c) Microscopic image of Msand particle (b) Binary image of Msand particle.

Raw profiles of typical river sand and Msand particles with multiscale shape components marked.

The sharper elongated and rougher Msand particles generate higher friction upon interaction with other surfaces such as GCL as compared to river sand particles, which is confirmed from the results of interface shear tests. While the sands are being sheared on GCL, apart from the adhesion and friction between sand particles and GCL, there is another important mechanism that significantly contributes to the shear strength of GCL-sand interfaces, which is the sand-fiber interlocking. Through Fig.11, sand particle interlocking within the fibers of GCL can be clearly visualized for GCL-River sand and GCL-Msand interfaces. Using binary image segmentation and region properties function in MATLAB, fibers and particles were differentiated and the percentage area of sand particle entrapment on GCL surfaces was computed. Under dry conditions, the area of entrapment of sand particles for GCL-River sand and GCL-Msand interfaces was 3.44% and 2.29%, respectively at a normal stress of 100kPa. Without other influences, increase in particle entrapment must result in increase in the interface shear strength. However, GCL-Msand interfaces showed higher shear strength compared to GCL-river sand interfaces despite the relatively lesser entrapment. The reason for this higher shear strength is the shape of the Msand particles, which compensated for all other effects.

Images of tested surfaces of GCL showing particle-fibre interlocking (a) GCL-River sand (b) GCL-Msand.

In saturated tests, swelling and extrusion of bentonite greatly influenced the interface shear strength as well as the particle entrapment. Figure12a shows the tested surface of GCL after a saturated test in which extruded bentonite along with a lubricating film of water can be clearly observed. The extruded bentonite forms a slimy sticky layer at the interface, which reduces the friction at the interface. The slimy bentonite layer sticking to the fibers can be seen in Fig.12b, which is the photograph of the GCL dried after a saturated test. This layer causes higher sand particle entrapment because of its stickiness. The area of entrapped sand particles after saturated tests was higher and computed as 35.55% in GCL- River sand and 20.80% in GCL-Msand interfaces, at a normal stress of 100kPa. These results prove that bentonite hydration effects are more in river sand. Shear strength of GCL-Msand interfaces is higher compared to river sand particles even under hydrated conditions, because of the particle shape effects.

Images of tested GCL surface after saturated shear tests taken at 20magnification (a) bentonite extrusion under hydration, (b) extruded bentonite after drying up the GCL.

The interface shear tests, and image analyses carried out in this study bring out the benefits of replacing river sand in liners and capping systems of landfills with Msand and provide scientific explanations for the same. The practical benefits of this study lie in the reduced usage of natural sand in landfill construction, which has long-term environmental benefits. Cost of manufactured sand is much less compared to the cost of river sand, and hence the replacement has high economic benefits. Feasibility of production of specific gradation of Msand to derive maximum benefits in terms of interface shear strength is an added advantage. Findings from the present study can be used to derive empirical relations between the shape parameters of sand and the interface shear strength with GCLs using multivariable regression analysis. However, such relations will be more meaningful if the data includes tests with different GCLs and different water contents in the sand, which can be investigated in future.

View post:
Engineering benefits of replacing natural sand with manufactured ... - Nature.com