Architecture

Mirage Gstaad

Mirage Gstaad is a sophisticated outdoor sculpture in the shape of a log cabin by Doug Aitken on display in Switzerland. It reflects and interacts with the local landscape and the changing seasons. NUSSLI implemented this sculpture according to the artist’s specifications and it took NUSSLI engineers several weeks to develop it to meet all design requirements.

Mirage Gstaad is surrounded by mountains and remains in place throughout the winter requiring it to have a roof that can withstand massive snow loads. The entire facade is completely mirrored without the mounting system being visible. The NUSSLI team tested various mounting options and materials to ensure that the facade’s panels would not warp in high summer nor low winter temperatures and also that it would always have a uniformly flat reflective surface.

A timber substructure was erected on a temporary screw foundation which was then mirrored with composite panels using a special suspension system. All walls have a reflective surface on the inside and outside including the ceiling but not the floor. Mirage Gstaad measures 180 square meters and is located along a hiking trail at an altitude of 1100 meters. This location made it more challenging to transport building materials.

Working together with Vogelwarte Sempach (Swiss Bird Protection Society), vertical black lines were installed on the facade to counter the distraction from the reflective surfaces for migrating and breeding birds and to make the building more visible. The structure was also verified via 3D model for no interference with sunlight reflection during the year for neighbours as well as air traffic.

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Music

Throw My Hands Up


I should have known you were trouble

KIIARA FEAT. ASHLEY ALL DAY Dopemang
BAAUER Tep Tep
OF THE TREES Everglade March
CHAMPAGNE DRIP Show Me The Stars
WHAT SO NOT, SKRILLEX FEAT. KLP Goh
JON KENNEDY Iron Lung
SHLOHMO By Myself
CONGO NATTY FEAT. REBEL MC & 2NICE Rebel
MANU CHAO Bongo Bong (Ed Solo & Deekline Remix)
FORMER Hellth
FLUME, HWLS FEAT. SLOWTHAI High Beams
AYO JAY Let Him Go
MASICKA 10 Outta 10
JADU HEART The Cure
FLUME FEAT. KAI Never Be Like You (Martin Solveig Remix)
DJ ZINC That Sound
HIGH CONTRAST FEAT. CALLUM BEATTIE Save Somebody (S.P.Y. vs High Contrast Remix)
TROYBOI FEAT. BYP What We Do
TASKA BLACK, DROELOE FEAT. CUT_ Running Away
LUXE LAREDO FEAT. HONEY LAROCHELLE No Man’s Land (ill.Gates, R/D Remix)
SPIDERHOUND Throw My Hands Up

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Advice

Love Does Not Keep

No one is perfect. We don’t always do the best thing or the right thing. We sometimes do and say hurtful things. We cannot erase the past. We can only confess what happened and admit to being wrong. We can ask for forgiveness and try to act differently in the future. The best thing we can do with the failures of the past is to let them be history. Accept that they happened. Accept that it hurt and that it may still hurt. Acknowledge failure and ask for forgiveness. We can’t erase the past but we can accept it as the past. We can choose to live today free from the failures of yesterday through forgiveness. Because love does not keep a record of wrongs and love does not keep score. Forgiveness is the way of love. It is the choice to work together in order to move forward.

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Dialogue

Skip Hop Silver Lining

Asha loves her new Skip Hop Silver Lining Cloud Baby Multi Play Mat and Activity Gym and so do I, it’s of very good and cute design. One of the plush mobile toys though squeaks when squeezed and it was all over for Daisy the moment she noticed. Now that squeaky mobile is all she can think of and although Daisy has a whole basket full of fine squeaky toys it’s the new plush squeaking toy that’s best of all for being forbidden. Now Daisy fetches and brings her own favourite toys and lies in the center of the play mat and I have to remove her whenever I catch her, I’ve even caught Feather once lying on her side all spread out enjoying the new illicit comforts. Feather normally is such a dog’s dog, she’s happy lying on the cold hard floor right at my feet relaxed but guarding mom and baby from the world. Speaking of baby in three days this little cutie turns three months old.

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Thoughts

The Magic is You

Once you get to a certain point in your life, people start trying to tell you that magic isn’t real. These people are trying to quell your sense of wonder at the majesty of the world, and you mustn’t let them. Because magic happens all the time. Whenever you see something utterly beautiful in nature, and you take the time to notice it, it’s magic. When you recognize the love you have to give and the love you receive, it’s magic. Magic is in the look and touch and nearness of someone who matters to you. It’s magic even when something sad or terrible happens, because there is magic in the very fact that you care, and that you’re still there. Magic happens when you stand up for what matters. Magic happens when you don’t let anything ever beat you, no matter what. Magic happens when you are part of the force of love. It’s magic, no matter how dim the hope, how slim the chances, how great the cost. Magic happens every time you give, every time you love, and every time that you are strong. The magic only stops when you let it. The magic is in you and it is all around you. Because the magic is you.

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Thoughts

Our Strongest Human Need

Our strongest human need is not to fall in love but to be genuinely loved by someone else, to know a love that grows out of reason and choice, not instinct. We need to be loved by someone who chooses to love us and who sees in us something worth loving. But this kind of love requires dedication and discipline because it is the decision to spend energy and effort to benefit another person, knowing that if their life is enriched by our efforts, we too will find satisfaction, the satisfaction not only of being loved but of loving.

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Event

Every Day Forever

Tomorrow is my first Mother’s Day! I spent this morning’s entire dog walk planning and devising. For some reason I’m really excited about Mother’s Day, even more than Valentine’s Day, my two birthdays and Christmas. I guess Mother’s Day is my favourite because it has to do with Asha and I love her so totally, more than anyone and anything, alongside Feather and Daisy and Dylan. My first Mother’s Day. Shit. But I think it should be Mother’s Day every day, forever, until the end of time, what do you think? Too much? Anyway. Happy Mother’s Day to me, and to all you beautiful ladies with kids.

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