Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Perfect home for whiskered housemates


CatCube by Delphine Courier
Anyone who has been granted the privilege of acting as a human can opener and attention dispenser to a cat will naturally do anything to please their furry masters, hopefully without encroaching too much on their own aesthetic living style.


This idea is the brainchild of Belgian graphic designer Delphine Courier. After a shopping trip to a pet shop, she- like so many others – was appalled at the selection of items that pass for cat furniture, abominations that even the most devoted cat lover would have reservations about placing in their own home.

The solution: for her cat Pistache, Courier designed a retreat incorporating many positive characteristics. The icosahedron, made of recycled cardboard, is robust and provides an ideal hiding place for any cat. What’s more, it is available in several attractive designs, and it is affordable – a good thing, especially when we remember how much cats love cardboard as a claw-sharpening material. For those without cats of their own, the CatCube is the perfect present for any friend who shares living space with a feline companion.



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Sancaklar mosque in Istanbul

Dispensing with traditional forms and symbols, Sancaklar Mosque in Istanbul provides a setting for inner monologue as a search for meaning. Black-and-white photos of the building shell attest to the power of reduction.  
 
Architect: Emre Arolat Architects, Istanbul
Location: Karaaç Mahallesi, Sirtköy Mevkii, Büyükçekmece, Istanbul, Turkey
Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects
Photos: Cemal Emden / Emre Arolat Architects
Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

"I find it okay for mosques to be more modest in look these days – it's appropriate to the times", says Emre Arolat.

In the following 15-minute film, the architect provides a tour of the finished building in Turkish: 
Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects
Photos: thomasmayerarchive
Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects
Photo: Cemal Emden / Emre Arolat Architects
Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects
Photos: thomasmayerarchive
Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

Sancaklar mosque, Emre Arolat Architects

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

The 5 Skills That Will Increase Your Happiness






At Happify, we're translating the latest cutting-edge research into fun and interactive activities and games that help you build your happiness skills and form life-changing habits. Optimism, self-confidence, gratitude, hope, compassion, purpose, empathy—these are all qualities that anyone can own. You just have to learn how. And doing so will change your life.

Happify's S.T.A.G.E. framework helps you build five key happiness skills: Savor, Thank, Aspire, Give, and Empathize.

Savor

Savoring is a quick and easy way to boost optimism and reduce stress and negative emotions. It's the practice of being mindful and noticing the good stuff around you, taking the extra time to prolong and intensify your enjoyment of the moment, making a pleasurable experience last for as long as possible. So whether it's preparing a meal, pausing to admire the sunset, or telling a friend your good news—the idea is to linger, take it in, and enjoy the experience. Eventually it'll become a habit—one you'll never want to break. Research by Dr. Fred Bryant, a professor at Loyola University Chicago who coined the term “savoring,” shows that those who regularly and frequently savor are happier, more optimistic and more satisfied with life. Bryant describes savoring as three-fold, meaning we can savor the past (by reminiscing), savor the future (through positive anticipation) or savor the present (by practicing mindfulness). There are many savoring techniques—and you may find that you gravitate towards some, but not others. Researchers Bryant and Veroff have proposed a number of ways to do this, including savoring with other people, concentrating on the meaning of an activity, incorporating humor, and writing about their experience.

Thank

The simple act of identifying and then appreciating the things people do for us is a modern-day wonder drug. It fills us with optimism and self-confidence, knowing that others are there for us. It dampens our desires for “more” of everything—and it deepens our relationships with loved ones. And when we express our gratitude to someone, we get kindness and gratitude in return. In studies led by Dr. Martin Seligman, people have written gratitude letters to someone they've never properly thanked, and seen immediate increases in happiness and decreases in depressive symptoms. Bob Emmons, Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Davis, is a leading researcher in the field of gratitude and author of Thanks: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier. He believes everyone should try practicing gratitude because the benefits are so powerful: “First, the practice of gratitude can increase happiness levels by around 25%. Second, this is not hard to achieve. A few hours writing a gratitude journal over 3 weeks can create an effect that lasts 6 months if not more. Third, cultivating gratitude brings other health effects, such as longer and better quality sleep time.”

Aspire

Feeling hopeful, having a sense of purpose, being optimistic. Study after study shows that people who have created meaning in their lives are happier and more satisfied with their lives (Steger, Oishi, & Kashdan 2008). You too can feel more upbeat about your future and your potential. And who doesn't want that? Genuine optimism is a friend magnet. It also makes your goals seem attainable and your challenges easier to overcome. Bottom line: you'll not only feel more successful, you'll be more successful. A person's level of hope is shown to correlate with how well they perform tasks. Using one's strengths in daily life, studies have found, curbs stress and increases self-esteem and vitality. Another study found that participants who were asked to imagine their future in an optimistic light increased their levels of happiness over the next six months. Believing that your goals are within reach promotes a sense of meaning and purpose in life—a key ingredient of happiness.

Give

Everything about giving is a no-brainer. Obviously, when you give someone something, you make them happier. But what you might not know is that the giver—not the receiver—reaps even more benefits. Numerous studies show that being kind not only makes us feel less stressed, isolated and angry, but it makes us feel considerably happier, more connected with the world, and more open to new experiences. In one famous study, Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky asked students to commit five random acts of kindness each week for six weeks. Whereas the control group experienced a reduction in well-being, those who engaged in acts of kindness showed a 42% increase in happiness. We're happier when we spend money on other people than when we spend money on ourselves. And a 2006 study found that simply reflecting on nice things we've done for other people can lift our mood. Dr. Stephen Post, a bioethicist at Case Western Reserve University and founder of the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love, is a pioneer in the study of altruism and compassion. His research shows that when we give of ourselves, everything from life satisfaction to self-realization and physical health is significantly affected. Mortality is delayed. Depression is reduced. Well-being and good fortune are increased.

Empathize

Empathy is a powerful word packed with lots of different interpretations. It's the ability to care about others. It's the ability to imagine and understand the thoughts, behaviors or ideas of others, including those different from ourselves. If you care about the relationships in your life—and who doesn't?—learning the skill of empathy has enormous payoffs. When we empathize with people, we become less judgmental, less frustrated, angry or disappointed—and we develop patience. We also solidify the bonds with those closest to us. And when we really listen to the points of view of others, they're very likely to listen to ours. Strong relationships are essential to happiness, according to Drs. Ed Diener and Martin Seligman, and practicing empathy will go far in nurturing the relationships in your life. Richard Davidson, professor of psychology at University of Wisconsin—Madison, was the first to show that compassion is a skill that we can all learn. He says the brain is constantly changing in response to environmental factors, and this also extends to compassion for the self. Research by Dr. Kristin Neff, a pioneer in the field, suggests that people who have more self-compassion lead healthier, more productive lives than those who are self-critical.

Sign up for Happify for activities and games that will enhance your life, boost your happiness, and help you build lasting habits for a more fulfilling life.

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Angled and canted: Knarvik Community Church


Knarvik Community Church by Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
Photos: Hundven Clements Photography

The new community church in Knarvik – designed by Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter – stands in solitary splendour above the Norwegian town.

Fulfilling the purpose of a religious and cultural gathering place in one, the church has premises not only for worship but also for music, art exhibitions and cultural events. Its striking outer form is marked by sharply-cornered planes. In line with this design concept, Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter have also provided the church a pointed and angular spire. The simple timber facade underscores the building’s striking shape, with wood also acting as the key material on the indoor surfaces.

Photograph: Hundven Clements Photography

Photograph: Hundven Clements Photography

Photograph: Hundven Clements Photography

Photograph: Hundven Clements Photography

Photograph: Hundven Clements Photography

Photograph: Hundven Clements Photography

Photograph: Hundven Clements Photography

Photograph: Hundven Clements Photography
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Photograph: Hundven Clements Photography

Photograph: Hundven Clements Photography

Photograph: Hundven Clements Photography

Photograph: Hundven Clements Photography

Photograph: Hundven Clements Photography

Elevations: Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
Elevations
Floor plan: Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
Floor plan
Floor plan: Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
Floor plan
Site map: Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
Site plan

by editorial office Detail Daily on