Architecture
August 2, 2025

Shanghai’s Dynamic Grand Opera House Resembles an Unfolding Fan

Peppered throughout Snøhetta’s prestigious portfolio are several performing arts centers, found all over the world. Throughout the past 20 years, the Oslo-based architecture and design firm has conceived of such renowned projects as the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, the Busan Opera House in South Korea, and the Isabel Bader Center for the Performing Arts in Canada. Now, that expertise has been translated into the firm’s latest venture: the Shanghai Grand Opera House.

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Inspiring
August 1, 2025

Engineer Fixes and Installs Free Pay Phones in Parts of Rural Vermont Without Cell Service

According to Pew Research Center, 98% of Americans own a mobile phone. Despite how common they are, cell service can be spotty—or even nonexistent—in many areas, such as long stretches of rural Vermont. Patrick Schlott, an electrical engineer, realized this after moving to the area. Hoping to help the community, he used his skills to install free public telephones in strategic locations. “Think payphones without the ‘pay’ part,” writes Schlott.

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Art
August 1, 2025

Traditional Azerbaijani Weaving Reimagined as Unraveling, Melting, and Glitching Carpets

For Azerbaijani artist Faig Ahmed, a carpet can be more than a woven rectangle, square, or circle. Instead, it can exceed those traditional confines and seep onto the ground, gathering in viscous puddles; it can explode into layers upon layers of tufted thread; it can be interrupted with glitches and cascade like a wave; and it can even be shaped into a recycling sign.

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Inspiring
July 31, 2025

World’s Richest Woman Opens Medical School With Free Tuition To Help Underserved Communities

A new medical school has opened in the United States. And while it could stand out because of its notable founder, what makes it truly special is its approach to health and education. Alice Walton, currently considered the richest woman in the world, opened the school in her home state of Arkansas, and will cover the tuition for the first five graduating classes. The Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM)

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My Modern Met

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