Gift Guide
December 14, 2020

15+ Gifts for Anyone That Loves Sparkling Geodes and Crystals

Crystals are beautiful rock formations that have amazed people for thousands of years. Some “grow” from water rich in dissolved minerals, while others grow from rock, such as geodes that have crystals on the inside. They come in many colors and forms, making them the source of inspiration for many artists and designers to create mesmerizing objects. Do you know someone that’s captivated by crystals?

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Architecture
December 13, 2020

Architects Renovate a Decaying Siheyuan To Thoughtfully Blend Tradition With Modern Design

Architectural restorations of historical projects are difficult to achieve. How do designers respect an original work while preparing it for modern use? Archstudio’s renovation of a Chinese siheyuan blends traditional and modern design practices in a project called Qishe. The name is a combination of two words: “qi,” which translates to seven in reference to the number of buildings in the complex; and “she” which translates to house.

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History
December 12, 2020

What Did the Romans Eat and Drink? Learn About Dining and Diets in the Ancient Empire

Have you ever wondered what the ancient Romans ate? After all, their lavish banquets are legendary, but the focus on the ultra-elite obscures a wider Roman culinary tradition. The diets and dining habits of everyday people throughout the Roman Empire varied greatly. Many provinces adapted their pre-Roman cuisines to take advantage of new trade networks within the empire. Italian wine was drunk in Gaul while grain from Northern Africa supplied populations across the Mediterranean.

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Drawing
December 12, 2020

Architecture Student Sketches Bird’s Eye View of Exquisite Imaginary Cities

Russian artist Aysylu Zaripova captures the complexity of buildings and cityscapes in intricate large-scale sketches. These fantastic drawings show the schematics for imaginary places from extreme perspectives so that they appear to be three-dimensional. While currently an architecture student at Kazan State University of Architecture and Engineering, Zaripova shares some of her best urban sketches on her Instagram where they've garnered thousands of likes and comments.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.