Natural wood panelling, picture windows and glass panels in the floor of Living Architecture's Balancing Barn simply immerse inhabitants in the surrounding landscape. The building, located in Suffolk, was the organisation's first project. Courtesy Living Architecture
Natural wood panelling, picture windows and glass panels in the floor of Living Architecture's Balancing Barn simply immerse inhabitants in the surrounding landscape. The building, located in Suffolk, was the organisation's first project. Courtesy Living Architecture
Natural wood panelling, picture windows and glass panels in the floor of Living Architecture's Balancing Barn simply immerse inhabitants in the surrounding landscape. The building, located in Suffolk, was the organisation's first project. Courtesy Living Architecture
Natural wood panelling, picture windows and glass panels in the floor of Living Architecture's Balancing Barn simply immerse inhabitants in the surrounding landscape. The building, located in Suffolk,

How a well-designed home can make us happy


  • English
  • Arabic

"Beauty has a huge role to play in altering our mood," says the philosopher and writer Alain de Botton. "When we call a chair or a house beautiful, really what we're saying is that we like the way of life it's suggesting to us. It has an attitude we're attracted to: if it was magically turned into a person, we'd like who it was."

A few years ago de Botton wrote The Architecture of Happiness - a philosophical and psychological tour of architecture that aimed to change the way we think about our homes and raised such questions as, "Could buildings improve our lives and ultimately make us happy?"

Drawing on his experience of growing up in a Swiss modernist apartment block and then adjusting to a mock-Georgian suburban house in England when he was a child, the book possibly proved the opposite: architecture can make you miserable. "Bad architecture in the end is as much a failure of psychology as of design," he concluded.

So what kind of house does he live in now? "I live in a contemporary building and much appreciate the solidity, the energy savings and the feeling of calm and efficiency. It enables me to be a more serene, kinder and more thoughtful individual."

Realising that building would make more of an impact than books, de Botton decided to take action. The result is Living Architecture, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to promote the value of modernism and bring high design beyond the realm of the rich with a series of contemporary holiday houses. The venture gives people the opportunity to live, eat and sleep in a space designed by a leading architectural practice.

Three Living Architecture houses are already up and running, and there are plans to add a new house each year. Visitors are given an information pack about the house design, explaining its influences and what the architects hoped to achieve.

"We have had guests from all over - many from the Middle East who come to England in the summer and are fed up of staying in third-rate flowery hotels and want something that is going to be stylish, comfortable, and will open their eyes to a new vision of the countryside. In our houses, they can enjoy a standard of a great hotel, but also the intimacy of their own house."

The Balancing Barn, designed by the Dutch architectural firm MVRDV, is a gleaming aluminium structure cantilevered on top of a hill in Suffolk. Nearly 30 metres long, it has four bedrooms, two of which have "in room" baths, something the architects were keen to include from the outset. An open living area at tree height has huge picture windows that immerse the inhabitant in the surrounding landscape. Simply defined interior spaces by Studio Makkink & Bey feature furnishings with a suitably Dutch theme and pictorial hints to the local countryside.

To challenge the notion of sea and countryside and to show that you can holiday in a very different area and still see it as beautiful, Living Architecture commissioned the Scottish architects NORD to design the Shingle House, situated on a huge shingled beach in the shadow of a nuclear power station. Taking the footprint of its predecessor, it has a tarred timber facade that evokes a welcoming cocoon-like appearance, while inside, soft furnishings give a homely feel. Winter guests will appreciate the wood-burning stove and sunken bath, where a floor-length window gives ground-level views of the dramatic landscape. Such attention to detail is evident everywhere, from the Peter Reed-designed bed linen to the slick Miele kitchen.

The Norwegian firm Jarmund/Vigsnæs Architects created the Dune House in Suffolk, whose four bedrooms have been designed almost as individual houses. This gives a sense of total privacy and cosiness for each occupant, who can come down to a large, open living-dining space. This illustrates Living Architecture's key approach to addressing the feeling of enclosure, contrasting with a more communal space.

All the houses share certain features, such as relatively playful layouts and unexpected roof shapes. Living Architecture is effectively turning housing on its head, proving that things can be done differently, using new ways to organise spaces and a relaxing, life-enhancing concept as key. By offering these affordable modern architecture samplers, Living Architecture hopes to inject some inspiration and ambition into domestic design.

"Developers are not alive to the possibilities of the present moment, either technologically or in terms of their spirit," de Botton says. "Nevertheless, we are very keen that the example of our houses filters down and becomes an inspiration to property developers. We invited a whole group of them to inspect our houses a few weeks ago and they were delighted and promised to rethink their ways."

The great American architect Frank Lloyd Wright was well aware of architecture's power on the mind. His use of fireplaces, large windows and open areas was a subtle nod to our ancestors' dwelling: the cave with a firepit overlooking the plains. His vision became an aesthetic that encouraged a more spiritual life, with beautiful spaces transforming its inhabitants, encouraging them to live life differently.

A key reason to update our notions of the residential vernacular is that people's lives have changed dramatically compared with our parents and grandparents. Separate dining rooms, kitchens and "rooms for best" are outmoded, and open-plan living areas are where we spend most of our downtime. Space and light are considered the ultimate luxuries as we crave large open and airy spaces to soothe our cluttered minds.

"It would be convenient if we could remain in much the same mood wherever we happened to be - in a cheap motel or a palace (think of how much money we'd save on redecorating our houses), but unfortunately we're highly vulnerable to the coded messages that emanate from our surroundings," reasons de Botton. "This helps to explain our passionate feelings towards matters of architecture and home decoration: these things help to decide who we are.

"Of course, architecture on its own can't always make us into contented people - witness the dissatisfactions that can unfold even in idyllic surroundings. One might say that architecture suggests a mood to us, which we may be too internally troubled to be able to take up. Its effectiveness could be compared to the weather: a fine day can substantially change our state of mind - and people may be willing to make great sacrifices to be nearer a sunny climate… Then again, under the weight of sufficient problems (romantic or professional, for example), no amount of blue sky, and not even the greatest building, will be able to make us smile. Hence the difficulty of trying to raise architecture into a political priority: it has none of the unambiguous advantages of clean drinking water or a safe food supply. And yet it remains vital."

One model that helped spark Living Architecture was the hugely influential Californian Case Study Houses programme, commissioned by Arts & Architecture magazine from the 1940s to the mid-1960s. These experimental dwellings were created by leading modernists including Charles and Ray Eames, Pierre Koenig, Richard Neutra and Eero Saarinen, who were asked to design inexpensive, efficient model homes for the housing boom after the Second World War.

Intended to illustrate the west coast lifestyle - namely sunshine, pools, openness and a fluid relationship between inside and out (thanks to a dry, desert landscape not dissimilar to the UAE) - its aim was also to show how an architecture that emerged as a socialist European movement could be adapted to American capitalism.

Closer to home, a natural island development off the coast of Abu Dhabi aims to provide the ultimate haven for discerning individuals requiring the very best in their homes. Launched by the ambitious Emirati developer Nadia Zaal, whose family firm is responsible for the prestigious Al Barari community in Dubai, Nurai combines environmental credentials with a contemporary aesthetic. It is expected to be one of the most sought-after living experiences in the region and a model for future developments at all social levels.

A carpet of greenery will unfold across the island, with sweeping structures underneath to envelop residents in their own world of private luxury, while other villas are situated right on the water. Al Barari (which means "wilderness") borders a wildlife reserve, ensuring unspoilt views. About 80 per cent of the project will be open, landscaped gardens, making it the lowest-density development in the region.

"We want to mark a new era of living in Dubai that embodies a peaceful state of mind," Zaal says.

"I think Dubai is learning every day about what makes a good city," says de Botton. "Initially, there was a desire just to go for glitter and size. Now, I see more and more schemes that try to be inspired by their context, low rise and energy efficient. This has to be positive, as Dubai cannot imitate the giant American gas-guzzling cities. This was for another age."

The Dubai-based designer Liza De Luna of Liza De Luna Interiors, is known for her calming spaces at Emirates Towers and DIFC that "reflect a dedication to improving the human experience through the built environment".

"I definitely subscribe to the philosophy that architectural environments alter or stimulate the way we feel. When I think of a built environment in the UAE that puts a smile on my face or uplifts me, it's the Yas Hotel. All the key components in the science of neuroarchitecture, which create a happy environment such as natural lighting, soothing colours and nature, are present."

The interior designer and television presenter Naomi Cleaver, whose latest book, The Joy of Home, reveals how to create the most perfect and practical home, says: "Good design is fundamental to our sense of well-being: this is what drives me as a designer - and it is a scientifically proven fact.

"Some of the best things people can do to enhance a sense of well-being is to design the interior of their space to connect in a meaningful way to the exterior, and to nature in particular," says Cleaver. "This can be translated as enlarging windows to amplify natural light or shaping windows in ways that capture particular views. Bringing nature indoors, too, really lifts a mood, either with plants or even landscape paintings or photography.

"Control and legibility are also key factors in a 'happy home', which can translate simply as good storage and a well-designed layout. If you live in a space that works really well for you and you feel is beautiful, you cannot fail to be cheered."

"The salvation of housing lies in raising standards of taste," concludes de Botton. "If one considers how rapidly and overwhelmingly this has been achieved in cooking, there is much to be optimistic about. Consumers have learnt to ask probing questions about salt or fat levels which it wouldn't have occurred to a previous generation to raise. With the right guidance, a similar sensitivity could rapidly be fashioned to the worst features of domestic buildings. My hope is that a holiday in a Living Architecture house will, in a modest but determined way, help to change the debate about what sort of houses we want to live in."

For more on the Living Architecture project, visit www.living-architecture.co.uk

COMPANY PROFILE

Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar

Based: Dubai, UAE

Founded: 2014

Number of employees: 36

Sector: Logistics

Raised: $2.5 million

Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20WallyGPT%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2014%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaeid%20and%20Sami%20Hejazi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%247.1%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%20round%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

'C'mon C'mon'

Director:Mike Mills

Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman

Rating: 4/5

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet

Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder

Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km

Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458. 

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Five famous companies founded by teens

There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:

  1. Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate. 
  2. Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc. 
  3. Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway. 
  4. Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
  5. Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
Unresolved crisis

Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly president was ousted, Moscow annexed Crimea and then backed a separatist insurgency in the east.

Fighting between the Russia-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces has killed more than 14,000 people. In 2015, France and Germany helped broker a peace deal, known as the Minsk agreements, that ended large-scale hostilities but failed to bring a political settlement of the conflict.

The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Kiev of sabotaging the deal, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said that implementing it in full would hurt Ukraine.

Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.

Last 10 winners of African Footballer of the Year

2006: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2007: Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla and Mali)
2008: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo)
2009: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2010: Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan and Cameroon)
2011: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2012: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2013: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2014: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2015: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund and Gabon)
2016: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City and Algeria)

How to increase your savings
  • Have a plan for your savings.
  • Decide on your emergency fund target and once that's achieved, assign your savings to another financial goal such as saving for a house or investing for retirement.
  • Decide on a financial goal that is important to you and put your savings to work for you.
  • It's important to have a purpose for your savings as it helps to keep you motivated to continue while also reducing the temptation to spend your savings. 

- Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

 

 

'Gehraiyaan'
Director:Shakun Batra

Stars:Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa

Rating: 4/5

Financial considerations before buying a property

Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.

“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says. 

Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.

Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier. 

How to get there

Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
 

UAE SQUAD

Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zawar Farid, Ghulam Shabber, Ahmed Raza, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Chirag Suri , Zahoor Khan

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4