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24th Jun 2020 18th Jul 2020 Jennifer De Burca
House Design and Wellbeing
DISTRICT DIRECTOR: Brendan O'Sullivan / EDITOR: willie warren
The recent lockdown required to protect us all from the Covid-19 virus gave us a renewed appreciation of the importance of nature in our lives. In lockdown, many gained a new awareness of the simple pleasures that nature offers; the slower pace and the almost total absence of cars meant we could again hear the sweet song of the birds, gather afresh to hear the dawn chorus and seek out the soothing sounds of flowing water.
We have truly learned, as never before, that we are children of nature. We are also becoming increasingly aware of species extinction and the degradation of our natural environment; the once familiar call of the corncrake possibly never to be heard again.
"through this long evolutionary journey, we humans have developed a close affinity with nature."
Over the past 40,000 years, the human body and brain have been conditioned and shaped in an outdoor environment. We have evolved from a nomadic existence to becoming cultivators of the soil and, through this long evolutionary journey, we humans have developed a close affinity with nature.
Such adaptation to our environment, resulting from our close association with nature and with natural patterns, has become biologically encoded in our bodies and brains.
However, in the past 100 years or so lifestyles have really changed – mainly through urbanisation. Nowadays, in the developed world the majority of us spend over 90% of our lives indoors, often staring at a computer screen for up to eight hours a day.
Our inherent tendency to react and respond to nature is called biophilia, from bio, meaning "life," and philia, meaning "love of". Biophilic research, often undertaken by psychologists, takes a systematic and deliberate approach to measuring and quantifying the effects that contact with nature has on our physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Roger Ulrichs Brick wall experiment
Many researchers are now investigating how nature impacts our daily lives, and learning from this research has influenced how best to design our homes to enhance our health and wellbeing. In an experiment by the American psychologist, Roger Ulrich, in 1984, he undertook a study of patients recovering from gallbladder surgery. Some patients were assigned hospital rooms that had a view of a brick wall, while others were assigned rooms that overlooked a grove of trees. The patients who were assigned rooms with a view of the brick wall had slower recovery times, required stronger painkillers and expressed greater dissatisfaction with their care. By contrast, patients with a view of nature had shorter hospital stays, fewer post-operation complications and required less potent painkillers.
The Owl in its home
Many architects and designers now seek to design buildings that are not only robust and warm, but that also enhance our health and wellbeing. The work of two Irish architects, Louise Sliney and Lester Naughton is used here to highlight some of the design insights gained from biophilic research.
These characteristics include:
Prospect and Refuge
Dynamic & Diffuse Light
Prospect focuses on the perception of long distances to the front or views from a building, while Refuge refers to enclosed spaces that provide protection and security. When we lived in caves, we sought out secure locations for shelter and sleep, while also being able to keep a watch out for possible predators. This information is encoded in our genes and we intuitively seek the same in our homes.We refer to certain rooms as being cosy and secure, while at the same time seeking other rooms with a view to the outdoors. A space with good Prospect facilitates close contact with and views of nature and feels open and freeing. Many houses and extensions are now designed to bring the outside inside. This is often achieved by extending windows and doors to floor level to afford the occupants immediate contact with the natural world. Closeness to nature has been shown to significantly improve our mental health and wellbeing.
In Louise Sliney's refurbishment of a traditional cottage, full advantage is taken of the beauty of the surroundings. The careful positioning of windows and glazed doors allows the occupants expansive views -Prospect – of nature as shown. The sliding doors facilitate direct contact with nature. The existing stone walling has also been maintained, thus enhancing the feeling of proximity to the natural world in all its splendour.
Studies in biophilia show that we are naturally drawn to sunlight. The experience of natural light affects how people respond psychologically, and how we relate to changing patterns of day and night and to shifts in the seasons.
Access to daylight affects our circadian system – our natural day and night cycles. Sunlight changes colour from yellow in the morning to blue at midday and to red in the afternoon/evening; the human body responds to this daylight colour transition, from dynamic activity in the morning to restful activities in the late evening. The response is apparent in body temperature, heart rate, and circadian functioning. Being more aware of the importance of daylight for our health and wellbeing, many designers position the main living areas to capture daylight and sunlight. The work of Lester Naughton shows how daylight can be brought into the centre of the house through, for example, the use of roof-light windows and bright colours, bathing the occupants in natural light and thus enhancing their health and wellbeing.
Natural light in the Kitchen
Biophilic design is, therefore, an invitation to befriend nature and the natural world and in doing so to befriend and mend our own minds and hearts. Biophilic design also has the potential to transform our ethical relationship with nature and to encourage us to tend and respect our natural environment.
Permission to use photographs granted by Louise Sliney Architects, and by Lester Naughton Architects, with photography by Gerard Conneely.
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storiedkerry says:
24th Jun 2020 at 12:14 pm
John Burns' story on House Design & Wellbeing is a thought-provoking and modern way of looking at landscape. The illustrations very effectively explain the words.
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Apple Watch Series 2: Waterproof, GPS, and a Super-Bright Screen
By Mike Prospero 2016-09-07T17:46:02Z
The Apple Watch Series 2 is waterproof, has a 1000-nit display, and built-in GPS—but what about battery life?
Apple's new smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 2, will go on sale later this year starting at $369. Here's a look at its specs and features.
Design and Display
The second-generation Apple Watch still has the same square design as the original, but is now swim-proof (water-resistant to 50 meters), as opposed to the mere splash-proofness of the first Apple Watch. It will also be able to track swimmers' laps in the pool.
It also has a display that's rated at 1000 nits, which is eye-searingly bright, but will make it a lot easier to see the screen in sunlight.
MORE: Our Favorite Smartwatches for iOS and Android
More Powerful Processor
The Series 2 has a new dual core processor that's 50 percent faster than the original, as well as a GPU that's twice as powerful.
Built-in GPS in the Series 2 means that you'll no longer have to tote your iPhone with you when you go for a run, as the watch will be able to track your position itself.
Watch OS 3
The Apple Watch 2 will run Watch OS 3, with apps that launch instantly, more easily-swappable watch faces, double-tapping messages to respond quickly, activity sharing, and a Breathe app that helps watch wearers learn to calm themselves by breathing deeply. In addition, a new feature will let you call emergency services and contacts even faster.
Ceramic Case
In addition to aluminum and stainless steel, the Apple Watch Series 2 will be offered with a ceramic case.
Special Nike Edition
Apple partnered with Nike for a runner-specific Apple Watch, called the Watch Nike+. This mode will have a perforated band that's available in rather bright colors, such as black and neon green.
Just Do It Sundays will encourage runners to get out and go for a run on Sundays. In addition, you'll also be entered in the Nike Run Club, which provides access to live runs around the world.
There was no mention made of the Series 2's battery life, which leads us to think that it will be the same as the original. However, a brighter display and built-in GPS will definitely affect its endurance.
The Apple Watch Series 2 will start at $369, and be available for pre-order on Sept. 9. The Nike+ model won't be available until late October, though.
In addition, the original Apple Watch will be rebranded as the Series 1, and get an upgrade to the same processor as the Series 2, and its starting price will drop to $269.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


New Sonic Arts has launched its 2018 Black Friday Sale, offering a 40% discount on selected products for a limited time.
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HomeFeaturesEmerald City Trapeze offers fantasy, flight
Emerald City Trapeze offers fantasy, flight
Nichole Hine April 18, 2014 aerialistEmerald City Trapezetrapeze
Emerald City Trapeze is a company in Seattle that offers classes in flying trapeze and aerial arts. Emerald City Trapeze also has a professional flying trapeze team called the ECFlyers and they will be performing a show in May, at which performers formerly from Cirque du Soleil will be present.
"We are going to have aerial performers from San Francisco, Italy and local performers as well," aerialist and owner of Emerald City Trapeze Kari Kirkland said. "There is simply nowhere in the Pacific Northwest that you can be 15 feet away from flying trapeze artists and enjoy such an intimate show for such a reasonable price."
Kirkland is an aerialist and also teaches flying trapeze classes at ECT. Kirkland was not always into being an aerialist though.
"I did a lot of triathlon, and competed in Ironman a number of times" Kirkland said. "I have discovered that the muscles I used for triathlon are served extremely well by aerial and trapeze, especially in the upper body. I tried flying trapeze for the first time while taking my best friend to a beginner class on her birthday. It felt very natural to me."
"Flying is a mental and emotional trip! It takes tremendous focus and acuity, but is also a beautiful release," Kirkland said. "It's a lot about letting go of feeling like you need to be in control all the time. There are so many moving parts, and small things change all the time. This can be a tough thing to get through, especially if you're a Type A personality!"
Kirkland left her job as a private chef and began working at ECT with her future husband, instructor and owner Gary Kirkland.
"I ignored the third rule of flying trapeze: Never date a trapeze instructor. I began dating the instructor who caught me on my first trick," Kirkland said.
One year to the day later, they married at the ECT in a trapeze wedding that will be featured in an upcoming episode of TLC's show "4 Weddings."
"My husband and I work really well together and run the business as a team," Kirkland said.
If students want to get involved in flying trapeze, there are a few ways one can do so. They can book an appointment online at Emeraldcitytrapeze.com or call 206-906-9442.
Kari and many other instructors teach classes in flying trapeze seven days a week. They also teach aerial artist classes utilizing hoop, silks, static trapeze and dance pole. Most classes are for beginners, and there are a few classes that are reserved for more advanced flyers.
Kirkland encourages everybody to try flying trapeze.
"For most first-time flyers, the first flight is difficult for many reasons—whether it's dealing with fear, adrenaline, or just a mental block about what they are about to do! " Kirkland said. "Some people find the hardest part for them is climbing the ladder! [But] many people are able to push through their fear and discover a new passion."
Kirkland is enthusiastic about her job and believes that ECT changes lives on a daily basis.
"People literally walk out the door with a completely different sense of themselves and their capabilities after class. To be a part of that alone makes everything that is challenging about the job absolutely worth it."
Tags :aerialistEmerald City Trapezetrapeze
Letter to the Editor #1, Vol. 103, Issue 17
Paul Fritt's organ-building celebrated April 27


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By the Spotliter team • Posted June 10, 2014 & filed under Article, iOS 8, News
Four Major Headaches Apple Fixed Shows It's Listening To Complaints For Once
by Michael Grothaus, Fast Company, 2014-06-06
When Tim Cook took to the stage at WWDC this week you could tell something was different. Usually the keynote is dedicated to showcasing all the front-end, user-centric features of the next iOS and OS X, with the new developer tools taking a backseat at private labs during the week. But this time Cook revealed that a full third of the keynote would be dedicated to showcasing the greatest features of the iOS 8 SDK–something Cook boasted was the "biggest release since the launch of the App Store."
It turns out that wasn't just hyperbole. As WWDC winds to a close here are what developers told us are four of the massive changes to the iOS SDK that will make coding for it better than ever. What's most surprising? In an uncharacteristically sympathetic way for Apple, they seem correspond to the most prevalent developer complaints.
1. iOS 8 Is More Open Than Ever
"It appears that Apple really listened to a lot of the issues being raised by the app development community and has responded with a release that is focused on addressing our concerns, which is reflected in their claim of 4,000 APIs in the iOS 8 SDK," says Kris Ramanathan, CEO and cofounder of Netomat, the company that makes the critically praised Spotliter photo and video app for iOS.
Ramanathan's assertion is something that I'm not used to hearing from developers, who always seem just a bit dissatisfied after each WWDC. However this year things seem different and virtually every developer I spoke with agrees with Ramanathan's statement.
Tags: featured iOS8 netomat Ramanathan spotliter


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Brexit Britain Europe World
British health minister Hancock joins race to replace May as prime minister
By Reuters News Service May 25, 2019 0374
Matt Hancock outside Downing Street
British health minister Matt Hancock said on Saturday he would enter the contest to be the next leader of the Conservative Party, the fifth candidate to say they would run to replace Theresa May as prime minister.
Hancock follows former foreign minister Boris Johnson, who is seen as the favourite, current foreign minister Jeremy Hunt, International Development Secretary Rory Stewart and former work and pensions minister Esther McVey in joining the contest.
"I'm going to run to be the next prime minister because I believe from the bottom of my heart we need a leader for the future not just for now," Hancock told BBC radio.
"Of course we have to deliver Brexit and I will."
May said on Friday she would step down as Conservative Party leader on June 7 after admitting defeat in her bid to get parliament to pass a divorce deal she agreed with the European Union (EU).
The opposition Labour Party said it wanted an election as soon as possible. Labour's finance spokesman John McDonnell confirmed on Saturday the party would bring a vote of no confidence in the government if it looked like it might pass.
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Happy Monday, loves! I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend and is meeting the week with a smile. So, as much as I love watching the runway at spring and fall fashion shows, there's nothing as inspiring as seeing real women style their favorite pieces the real way aka street style. While I've posted about this before, I still frequently feel compelled to share the incredible looks that inspire me as worn by the everygirl. From teddy coats and chic sneaks to fashionably worn berets and perfect palazzos, the idea that style can't be bought has never been so true. Fashion "It Girls" are self-made style superstars, not because they wear only the latest and greatest of what's out there but more appropriately because they embrace their own knowing, stay true to themselves and let their natural light shine. Sometimes it takes a little introspection to discover who that really is for you but no matter what it takes to find it, to quote a well said truth,...don't ever let anyone dull your sparkle sweetheart! Wishing you all a beautiful day and thanks so much for stopping by!