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This Isn’t Architecture AI—It’s the Future of Wellness Living in Tulum
According to the architects, Miguel Valverde and Daniel Villanueva of Guadalajara-based firm V Taller, the collection of mesmerizing vacation residences comprising Babel Tulum owes its uncanny valley effect to their use of a single material. A pale pink plaster mimics chukum, a Mayan building material made from tree resin, and instills cohesion among the rhythmic undulation of arched balconies and windows.
Residents of the 59-unit complex can choose from a full suite of wellness amenities that begin with the architecture itself: the circular form prioritizes the distribution of natural light and views of the surrounding landscape. Sound baths, a meditation altar, massage cabins, a steam room, and an on-site vegetarian restaurant round out the list. Inside each unit, interiors studio Carlos y Pablo forge a calming sense of place through use of sandstone plaster, parota wood, art from photographer Manuel Zúñiga, and ceramics by the artisans behind Jalisco studio Encrudo. —Jenna Adrian-Diaz
The former Cheim and Read gallery. Image courtesy of Serhant…
Cheim and Read, which closed in December after 26 years, is selling its 6,000-square-foot Manhattan building for $14.995 million through Serhant. Known for championing female artists like Joan Mitchell and Jenny Holzer, the gallery’s space features five skylit showrooms with ceilings up to 24 feet high. Gallery owners John Cheim and Howard Read bought the building for $1.875 million in 2000 and are selling it to avoid becoming landlords. Maria Bueno, the gallery’s longtime director, will open her own firm, Bueno and Co., nearby in the fall.
More than 100 Ukrainian museum representatives convened in Berlin to urge donors to recognize their role in rebuilding the country and pledge to create a modern, inclusive cultural sector. The two-day conference, From Crisis to Future: New Responsibilities for Museums in Ukraine, produced ten proposals for upcoming UNESCO and Ukraine Recovery conferences. The proposals emphasize the crucial role of museums in reconstruction and highlight the need for better integration into reconstruction programs and the creation of secure storage and digital preservation systems. Despite extensive damage to heritage sites, Ukrainian museums continue to operate by both adapting to wartime conditions and transitioning to online platforms.
A rendering of the updated ICA LA’s Mohn Family Building. Image courtesy of ERAS…
The Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (ICA LA) is planning to purchase and enhance its East Seventh Street building with a café, outdoor space, and new artist studios. The $5 million purchase is supported by a $4.4 million gift from the Mohn Family Trust. As part of the plan, ICA LA aims to sustain its presence in the downtown Arts District, provide affordable studio spaces, and foster a vibrant community. The project signifies ICA LA’s commitment to the neighborhood and includes a new residency program for emerging chefs and artists.
The University of the Arts in Philadelphia will close on June 7 due to financial instability, with official word reaching many students and staff only after media reports. Declining enrollments, increased expenses, and missed revenue targets contributed to the closure, compounded by the immediate revocation of accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The school faced significant infrastructure costs and cash flow constraints, leaving no viable path to remain open. Efforts to support students in transferring to other institutions are underway, with town halls planned to address concerns and next steps.
Emirates is implementing new tools to prevent extreme turbulence incidents after recent mishaps on other airlines resulted in injuries and a fatality. The airline is joining the International Air Transport Association’s turbulence information-sharing platform and providing pilots with Deutsche Lufthansa AG’s latest mobile navigation system. Emirates will equip 140 aircraft with software to share turbulence reports across participating airlines and ensure all new Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets join this initiative.
