Blog — Page 143 of 281

Architecture and Action

Cambridge

Is the way buildings are designed significant?

Does it affect you, your well-being and the world at large?

Some say that if a building becomes “architecture” then it effectively morphs into becoming a piece of art. Over the time, the function of the desicipline has changed along with the advancement of technology and the challenges we see ourselves confronted with. For me, architecture has always been inextricably linked to design, i.e. the notion that form follows function.

However, so much more has entered the equation, i.e. shortage of housing, carbon emissions and footprints, social injustice, the effects results from migration, et cetera.

The book explores the history of art building design, its significance and positioning as well how its education has changed over the years. It is fascinating how now these days one is required to not only conducted extensive research but work on such topics like resource management, cause and effects of the movements of refugees, usage of materials and the ever-present challenge of climate change.

Building design is no longer passive and relegated to the drawing board – the profession has evolved and demands a holistic, pro-active approach, the manifestation of which includes technological, historical and scientific components and the effects of which ripple through all facets of our lives.

The tome is much less dry than its cover suggests and exemplifies through the presentation of past and current projects, elaborations and essays from a wide range of luminaries from realms as diverse as history, art, technology and science the value, need for action and responsibility of the discipline.

I specifically found the way how MIT’s Department of Architecture has changed its approach to the structure of its faculty and shift of focus fascinating as well as how idealism and even utopianism plays a role that should not be underestimated.

Water of Life – Bakery Hill

Now, this instalment of our series is a special one – special because Bakery Hill is the one distillery that almost got away. I have pursued the oldest and most established single malt distillery on Australia’s mainland for quite a while and every time I came across a bar that had their offerings on the shelf, I partook and savoured every drop.

Bakery Hill Distillery, whose emissions have not only accumulated accolades but have met such an extensive demand that they had to curb their export endeavours to focus on satisfying the local appetite for its exquisite drops.

Having learned more about Bakery Hill and their approach to distilling, this does not come as a surprise as not only all facets are informed by a quality first and borderline scientific approach, but minuscule attention to detail is paid when it comes to maturing their single barrel whiskies, the content of which will only be released when it has met their internal benchmark set by founder and ex-chemist now chief alchemist David Baker.

We have had the pleasure of being guided by Andrew Baker, Operations Manager and distiller from Bakery Hill Distillery, through the history of Bakery Hill Single Malt whisky. The evening could not have found a more suitable ambience as it was held within the stylish and classy confines of the recently opened Highlander Whisky Bar, which we have covered before.

The evening started with the warm, fruity and welcoming Single Cask Classic Malt. Given that it is a no age statement, young drop, it is not surprising that after the nostrils are tickled by a melange of fruit and yeast, alcohol heat cuts through waves of vanilla and before it finishes with a spicy oaky crescendo. While it is not overly complex, it is on the flavourful side of things and hinting of what was to come next.

Bakery Hill Double Wood took things to the next level: Matured in ex-bourbon casks before being finished in French oak casks, this drop is an example par excellence for combining layers of subtle flavour nuances, the total of which is much bigger than the mere sum of its individual components: The aroma is already an experience in itself with sweet vanilla dancing with passion fruit and sweet spices, which seamlessly transitions to what materializes on the palate: Orange chocolate meets nuances of mango, plums and culminate in an unexpected spicy finish.

Expectations were now high as we had not even progressed to the Peated Malt expression I had been looking forward to.

Matured in American Oak, the peated golden drop is not exactly peat forward – au contraire – on the nose the aromas of peat are framed by fruity and earthy undertones, which interweave in an intriguing manner. The first impression that it is reminiscent of the peated, more sophisticated Speyside whiskies is confirmed by what materializes on the roof of the mouth: Earthiness dominates is pierced by hints of fruity and a subdued smokiness, only to arrive at a charismatic elongated finish. A brilliant drop that again raised the bar.

However, the ultimate highlight was yet to come: Andrew Baker was so kind to share a sample of Bakery Hill’s limited Sovereign Smoke expression and boy, was I in for a treat.

To fully savour the experience, I paired the whisky with a Hop Nation Jedi Juice IPA and while I got a weak spot for well-matched boilermakers, this one proved to be one that will be hard to rival.

Bottled at 50% ABV, the limited-edition Sovereign Smoke hints at Islay heavyweights on the nose, however, there is a twist to it as the peated barley is imported from Belgium and adds coastal peat aromas that are reminiscent of the Hebrides yet are enriched by salty nougat and sugary undertones.

Matured in ex-bourbon barrels, the palate is serenaded with complex nuances that run the claviature from salty ends of the spectrum to sweet via detours to malty territory.

It is testament to Bakery Hill’s art of distilling that even Sovereign Smoke with its higher peat level maintains their trademark distinct sweet DNA at its core, culminating in an elongated finish that is smoky in the most subtle manner, framed by tobacco and brown sugary sweetness.

Delicious.

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Photos by @k.a.vv

Water of Life - Sullivans Cove Special cask release and Hobart Gin

It is a shame that the world started to appreciate the liquid emissions of Tasmania’s Sullivans Cove distillery as it makes it harder and harder to get a hold of their excellent regular releases, let alone the rarer special editions.

Sullivans Cove’s Special Cask is reserved their rarest variant, the uniqueness of which has been cultivated to be awarded to the styles that do not fall into the French / American oak dichotomy (and occasional Double Cask release) their main releases are usually fall into.

Not that there are any Sullivans Cove expressions that are not delectable, but the Special Casks are usually the cherry on top with each release and the single cask it will be derived from being unique, no matter if it is wine barrels, virgin oak, refills, or something else entirely – the common denominator is that you are getting something unique and, well, something that will usually sell out in record time.

I was lucky enough to get a taste of the TD00263 Special Cask release. With floral notes tickling the nostrils and hinting at what the palate was to be caressed with, what materialized on the taste receptors was an interesting melange of fruity flavours, caramel and honey, which culminated in an elongated oaky finish. Excellence in liquid form and a shame that it won’t enter the regular core range.

Given my appreciation for Sullivans Cove’s whiskies, it should not be further wondrous that I was intrigued when I learned about the release of their gin range, specifically Hobart No.4 ( www.hobartno4gin.com ), which is a Tasmanian barrel aged Single Malt Gin based on the pillars of four native Australian botanicals – that being lemon myrtle, anise myrtle, wattle seed and Tasmanian pepper berry.

Finding a good sipping gin that does not demand the adage of tonic can be challenging, yet I’d find it sacrilegious to add anything to Hobart No. 4 as its texture, body and overly malty character make it a delight to have it neat.

While other distilleries use gin, moonshine and other emissions to tide them over while they wait for their whiskies to mature, the refined Hobart No. 4 with its malt spirit base and dry finish is a complex accomplishment that plays in a league of its own.

While the gin market shows no signs of slowing down when it comes to the mushrooming of new distilleries, Sullivans Cove has set the benchmark when it comes to showcasing what gin can be by itself with the perfect calibration of the ingredients creating a much bigger whole than the sum of its individual constituents would suggest.

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Image from company website

Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA and the Secret History of the Sixties

Tom O’Neill

Penguin / William Heinemann

I think it is safe to say that Charles Manson, the case around him, the man, the myth, the legend will always have a place on the firmament of Western pop culture.

While there have been a myriad of books on his story and its implications – some more reliable than others – this solid tome by the journalist Tom O’Neill is based on decades of research on the fraudulent Manson trial, shedding light on the covert influences of the 1960s and how the shaping of a nation was manifested through the manoeuvring of intelligence agencies.

The book continues where Sanders’ The Family and Vincent Bugliosi’s Helter Skelter stopped and while there is a good share of what could be considered conspiracy theories apart from the known facts about Manson’s unholy odyssey, the attention to detail and interpretation of events gives reason to believe that Manson had a lot more going on in than anyone ever could fathom and that there was more to what was portrayed as motiveless murders.

Tom O’Neill examines the involvement LAPD and the FBI, and microscopically analyses how they not only contributed to muddying the waters but – as with the CIA – played an integral role in creating fertile ground through experiments with hallucinogenic drugs.

Even for the initiated, there should be an array of new facts and theories to discover that give Tom O’Neill’s approach credibility, yet it at times borders on the fantastic and sensationalism, a e.g. when details are shared about characters that were involved in the lead up and the trial itself.

Needless to say that Tom O’Neill does not resolve all the mysteries and unanswered questions, but his fascination, meticulous research and obsession raises a lot of interesting questions about facets and the narrative of the Manson case that so far have been largely and perhaps deliberately ignored, which makes for an intriguing read.

Adventures in Quantumland: Exploring Our Unseen Reality

World Scientific Publishing

I have been following philosopher and physicist Ruth Kastner explorations on what constitutes and lies underneath of what we refer to reality for quite a while.

This tome of hers is divides into two components: While the first half follows a stringent thread, the second one is collection of essays and treatises authored by herself and other contributors, each zeroing in and elaborating on a distinct issue previously covered in the first half.

What makes Kastner’s book an enticing read is that it is accessible without the need to having completed a master’s degree on the sujet: The language is not plagued with technical terms and the way Kastner makes her cases are relatable, clear, succinct and brief without the subject matter being “dumbed down”.

Now, quantum theory has always intrigued me and the way Kastner moves us through the subject is captivating and if I was pressed to simmer it down to its essence, I’d say that it focuses on the fact that a transfer of measurable energy, i.e. a “quantum” requires an interaction between an emitter and absorber with the interactions being present, incipient and actual, with every incipient potential occurring instantly and simultaneously throughout the universe.

In a nutshell, Dr. Kastner theory means that no real photon can leave an emitter until a real absorber is selected out of the incipient possibilities. If you follow her train of thought, it is an interesting yet debatable conclusion.

I found Kastner’s musing on quantum mechanics and mind or more specifically the possibility of free will interesting, i.e. quantum mechanics not only freeing us from determinism but is being volitional, as well as the analogies she draws between her take a quantum mechanics and ancient Greek and Hind metaphysical phenomena. Now these might be pure speculation, but it adds another layer to her theory.

Summa summarum, I’d recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in quantum related theories, as it explains the notion of transaction theory from different angles and offers food for both the initiated as well as the ones with in-depth knowledge.