A pink villa is taking root at the Lancôme Estate in Grasse, along with other news – SURFACE

DISPATCH DESIGNA daily look at the world of design. Editorial, January 31, 2024. Domaine de la Rose, Grasse, France. Photos: Cyril Weiner. Every day, we bring you carefully curated news from the world of design, prepared by our dedicated team of specialists. This is your guide to design events that arrives in your inbox before you've even had your morning cup of coffee. Subscribe now. Is there news that our readers should know about? Send it to us.

Villa in shades of pink

In Grasse, on the land of the Lancôme company, a villa in shades of pink is being opened. The green hills of Grasse have long attracted perfume companies looking to build their residences in the South of France. The pleasant climate of this city on the Côte d'Azur creates ideal conditions for well-kept gardens that inspire the creators of modern fragrances. For Lancôme, inspiration does not stop at the doorstep: the company has engaged Nem Architects to design the House of Roses — not only a visitor center but also a space for events, perfume distillation, and storage. The building is done in pink both inside and out, and the windows offer magnificent views of the fragrant gardens of the estate. Other buildings on the site were demolished to ensure good sightlines, the most impressive of which is the glass walkway that runs through the center of the villa, showcasing the beauty of the surrounding greenery.

Increase in cannabis sales

This month, cannabis sales have significantly increased as more people have decided to give up alcohol as part of the "Dry January" campaign. This campaign is noticeably impacting the growing cannabis market in the U.S., especially among young people who view marijuana as a healthier alternative to alcohol. Cannabis sellers are targeting individuals abstaining from alcohol in January by creating special products and marketing campaigns, highlighting studies that show about a third of Americans under 25 use cannabis during this time. At the same time, alcohol sales typically decline in January, reaching a post-pandemic low in major retail stores this month. The shift in alcohol consumption could pose a challenge for the spirits industry, especially now that more states are considering cannabis legalization. In particular, there is a growing interest among consumers in edible forms of cannabis, as more people perceive it as a less harmful product compared to alcohol.

Construction of the tallest tower

Oklahoma City could become the site for the construction of the tallest tower in the country, reaching a height of 1,907 feet. The new project, developed by Office AO and funded by Matteson Capital, is planned to be built in Oklahoma City, aiming to rival the height of One World Trade Center and become the sixth tallest building in the world.

Reconstruction of the Frick Collection

After disputes with local residents, the newly renovated Frick building will have only 14 bars. The Frick Collection reached a compromise with the locals regarding its plans to sell alcoholic beverages in the recently restored museum, designed by the architectural firm Selldorf Architects. Initially, the museum proposed 17 bars, but after protests from neighbors, it agreed to 14. These bars will be used for special events, and their dimensions will be six by six feet, providing over 204 linear feet of space for bartenders to work. Residents expressed concerns about the proposed hours of operation and the possibility of hosting outside events; however, the compromise included restrictions such as a ban on "happy hours." The Frick Collection is preparing to open at the end of this year after the renovations are completed.

Arrest of the CEO of the Royal Commission for Al-Ula

The CEO of the Royal Commission for Al-Ula has been detained on charges of corruption and money laundering. Amr al-Madani, who led the Royal Commission for Al-Ula in Saudi Arabia, was arrested for corrupt activities, raising concerns in the art community, especially considering the country's efforts to transform Al-Ula into a significant cultural and tourist center. Al-Ula is part of the "Vision 2030" plan developed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to promote art and culture in Saudi Arabia. A significant amount of investment has been made in the region, including a planned branch of the Pompidou Center and the Desert X sculpture biennale. Al-Madani is accused of personally benefiting from contracts held by his jointly-owned company with a research agency, as well as maintaining influence over these contracts after his appointment in Al-Ula. This arrest follows previous upheavals in the project's leadership.

New federal regulation

The new federal regulation only slightly tightens the requirements for the efficiency of gas stoves. The U.S. Department of Energy has announced new energy efficiency standards for ovens and stoves, focusing on electric stoves. The main emphasis is on improving their efficiency, which is expected to be 30 percent better than that of current models; about 97 percent of gas stoves already meet the new standards. These changes are expected to save Americans $1.6 billion on utility bills over 30 years and reduce carbon emissions by nearly 4 million metric tons over the same period. Similar requirements for new models will take effect in 2028. These standards follow a plan from September 2023, which recommended setting efficiency levels for household appliances. Last year, discussions about banning gas stoves due to their link to childhood asthma sparked much debate, but the new standards focus on energy efficiency.

New arrivals in entertainment

Today's exciting entertainment: minute-long soap operas that have become popular in China are making their way to the American market. TikTok is testing a new feature that could make all videos available for purchase. Carl Jung's archetypes are embodied in Joe Fairfax's corn sculptures. A researcher believes he has found the long-lost plane of Amelia Earhart using sonar equipment.