My blog

Shenzhen's solar-and-wind-powered skyscraper

Tuesday, Mar 3, 2009 3:18AM / Standard Entry

March 2, 2009 Traditional architecture has been swept away and replaced by skyscrapers in China’s bid to modernize its cities and house its huge population and thriving business interests. Shenzhen in southern China’s Guangdong province has grown from a fishing village in the 1970s to a vibrant economic and financial centre - one of China’s most successful special economic zones. Now its skyline will be graced with a 49-storey solar-and-wind-powered tower.

Austrian architecture firm Coop Himmelb(l)au won the ‘Shenzhen 4 Tower in 1’ competition to design the new headquarters of the China Insurance Group. Their 200 meter building has a footprint area of 40 x 40 meters and is divided into clearly separated functions, with business offices at the top, meeting rooms, a conference center, recreation areas and gardens in the center, and public housing in the lower levels.

The facade's design is driven by solar and wind powered energy generation. The second skin of the building will be lined with photovoltaic cells and will feature mechanisms to provide natural ventilation, reduce wind pressure, shade the interior from sun and display multimedia banners. The use of sun and wind as renewable energy sources will increase energy efficiency and reduce reliance on fossil fuel energy.

Solar power has long been available for housing but is now increasingly being used in commercial design as we strive to reconcile growing demands for energy, dwindling natural resources and global warming.

Karen Sprey

Via Inhabitat.com, via World Architecture News.

Add a comment
Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic premier in Geneva

Wednesday, Feb 25, 2009 11:05PM / Standard Entry

The Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic features some marked stylistic differences which make it immediately recognisable: the new under-door mini-skirts featuring a prominent shape, which enhances the dynamism of its profile and the new 20” wheel rims with Image Gallery ( 3 images )

February 23, 2009 True to Maserati’s commitment to introduce a new model at each international car show, the GranTurismo S Automatic will premiere at the Geneva Auto Show next week. The major novelty is the combination of the automatic transmission with the most powerful wet sump Maserati V8 on the GranTurismo – until now offered as 4.2 litres with automatic transmission and 4.7 litres with an electro-actuated gearbox. The new model features a 4.7 litre V8 which develops 440hp (323kW) at 7000rpm and maximum torque of 490Nm at 4,750rpm. Thanks to smoothness of the ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox, the car remains consistent with the granturismo concept while at the same time offering peak performance.

The gearshift strategy applied to the Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic inherits some widely appreciated elements of the Quattroporte Sport GT S, such as the elimination of the kick-down in Manual mode.
The Skyhook suspension system featuring continuously adjustable dampers provides great driving comfort. Passive safety is further enhanced thanks to the introduction on the GranTurismo range of a new generation passenger air-bag with Low Risk Deployment functionality.
Consistent with the unmistakable design of all Maseratis, the Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic features some marked stylistic differences which make it immediately recognisable: the new under-door mini-skirts featuring a prominent shape, which enhances the dynamism of its profile and the new 20” wheel rims with “Trident” design, which recall the strength and elegance of the car.
A further enriched equipment package increases the on board pleasure for the driver and the three passengers, thanks to the Bluetooth® Wireless Technology, offered as standard, and the iPod® interface, available upon request, which complete the Maserati Multi Media System.

Add a comment
朵瑪酒坊三歲了

Friday, Feb 20, 2009 4:43AM / Standard Entry

朵瑪酒坊三歲了

親愛的顧客您好:

朵瑪酒坊三歲了。

為了回饋您的愛護，特別推出了三週年慶熱賣酒款特價活動。

歡迎來店選購

朵瑪酒坊 感謝您的熱愛與支持

Add a comment
朵瑪酒坊三歲了

Friday, Feb 20, 2009 4:43AM / Standard Entry

朵瑪酒坊三歲了

親愛的顧客您好:

朵瑪酒坊三歲了。

為了回饋您的愛護，特別推出了三週年慶熱賣酒款特價活動。

歡迎來店選購

朵瑪酒坊 感謝您的熱愛與支持

Add a comment
The 2009 Inaugural Luncheon Menu

Monday, Jan 26, 2009 2:17AM / Standard Entry

以下，引用香港知名葡萄酒評論報導人Rebecca（Rebecca Leung，梁淑意）小姐的部落格格文：「金睛火眼44」，主題是依官方新聞稿披露美國新任總統歐巴馬就職典禮宴會的主題菜單和酒單，另方面也揉合Rebecca對於其中酒款的體驗分享及餐酒搭配的觀點。

這三款酒都來自美國的最重要產區----加州，而且紅、白二款都來自加州傳統菁英區塊，其中白酒來自加州最知的Napa Valley那帕谷，而紅酒則來自加州最歷史悠久的Sonama索那瑪郡附近的Anderson Valley安德生谷 (行政區上屬於Mendocino門多西諾郡)。

其次有趣的是，選用的紅酒和白酒品種，都不是之前印象中的第一主流品種，白酒用Sauvignon Blanc而不是Chardonnay，是否與美國有個葡萄酒團體「ABC俱樂部」（ABC：對排斥夏多內飲者的稱號，Anything but Chardonnay的簡稱）有關，而刻意安排了不同的白酒？

其次，則是紅酒部份，則是選用了Pinot Noir。在美國和全世界，最居主流、也最國際化的品種是Cabernet Sauvignon，而最流行的口感是豐美的Merlot。然而自從電影【Sideway】（尋找心方向）大紅之後，美國人（特別是要彰顯自我品味的美國人），開始對於Pinot Noir投注了更多的目光，雖然在產量仍難居首（Pinot Noir不好種大家都知道，電影裡也以此來強調其纖細嬌貴和不凡），但在名流間已蔚為一股風潮。就好像智利在威權強人統治時代，其葡萄酒受到西方文化知識界的抵制，一旦強權跨台，加上國際名莊加持，喝智利酒對知識份子而言突然又變得「政治正確」了一樣。

我對其中最有疑惑的是氣泡酒部份，不但安排於最後，而酒名就逕稱California Champagne！OK嗎？美國和法國的雙邊貿易不是早已談妥了嗎？Champagne這個字不是不能用於法國Champagne以外的香檳區專屬用語嗎？不解！

奧巴馬正式宣誓成為美國第44任總統，締造歷史新一頁，作為舉世矚目的首個非洲裔美國第一家庭，他們以後的一舉一動都會是世界焦點所在，就是今天的就任午宴菜單和酒單，就職典禮委員會已早在幾週前向外發表新聞稿。以下就是香港時間的今早，奧巴馬與其內閣要員和國會議員等人士，在華盛頓Statuary Hall的就任午宴的菜單；而菜單是根據新任總統典禮的主題「自由的新生(A New Birth of Freedom)」配合：

(摘自inaugural.senate.gov)

The menu, created by Design Cuisine, a catering company based in Arlington , Virginia , draws on historic ties to the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln. Growing up in the frontier regions of Kentucky and Indiana , the sixteenth President favored simple foods including root vegetables and wild game. As his tastes matured, he became fond of stewed and scalloped oysters. For dessert or a snack, nothing pleased him more than a fresh apple or an apple cake.

The wines to be served during the luncheon were produced by some of the finest winemakers in California , the home state of Senator Dianne Feinstein, the Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. Each wine was selected to complement the flavors of the luncheon ingredients.

The 2009 Inaugural Luncheon Menu

First Course:

Seafood Stew

Duckhorn Vineyards, 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley

Second Course:

A Brace of American Birds (pheasant and duck), served with Sour Cherry Chutney and Molasses Sweet Potatoes

Goldeneye, 2005 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

Third Course:

Apple Cinnamon Sponge Cake and Sweet Cream Glacé

Korbel Natural “Special Inaugural Cuvée,” California Champagne

Add a comment