Comment on Brain games may not boost mind power

As part of a National Association for Urban Renewal project that will run until 2030, the Maison de l’enfance à Albertville (Savoie, France) is the first step in an ambitious urban development masterplan in the area. Translated House of Childhood, the building was designed by Tectoniques Agency and is functional, inviting, striking and environmentally friendly. With a commitment to early childhood, this initial project is a multipurpose facility with a dynamic, open floor plan that incorporates a municipal daycare center, a family daycare center, space for nursery assistants, a leisure area and a school restaurant. Related: Adorable prefab nursery in Greece mimics a tiny urban village According to a press release, the House of Childhood is, “set in the heart of the Bauges, Beaufortain, Lauzière and Grand Arc mountain ranges,” making for a natural backdrop in nearly every direction.

A federal court has turned down the EPA’s efforts to lessen carbon emission regulations for coal plants. The move has been celebrated and welcomed by opponents of the Trump administration’s actions to weaken environmental protection laws. Many critics of the regulations say that the rollback would give coal plants too much power in deciding their carbon control actions or lack thereof. The ruling now reduces the list of actions that the newly inaugurated President Joe Biden has to take in his first days in office.

The Swedish city of Gothenburg is developing the world’s first large-scale zero-emissions city zone. In collaboration with Volvo Cars, Gothenburg’s Green City Zone initiative will be open to economic activities, allowing people to participate in businesses while supporting a sustainable environment. The developers hope to make the city one of the world’s largest-scale testing grounds for zero-emission technologies.

In the Copenhagen suburb of Albertslund, the former Vridsløselille prison site will take on new life as an attractive mixed-use district with a strong emphasis on nature. The development plan for the 160,000-square-meter district will combine the design proposal by Danish architectural firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects and landscape architects BOGL with the scheme put forth by COBE Architects.

Designers are increasingly turning to alternatives to plastic, and one popular replacement comes from fungus. Experts are experimenting with mycelium for everything from construction materials to fashion and now sporting equipment, such as bicycle helmets. A new project allows the consumer to ‘Grow It Yourself’ to avoid plastic without sacrificing durability. Created by NOS Design and Agustin Otegui in collaboration with Diego Mata and Axel Gómez-Ortigoza, the Grow it Yourself Helmet is 100% compostable, breathable and impact-resistant. Related: World’s first “living coffin” made of mycelium is used in a burial Made from a combination of hay and mycelium, the helmet literally grows from natural materials that will decompose back into the soil in about one month after the helmet’s lifecycle.

By Brandy McDonnellWatch Oklahoma native Garth Brooks croon an a cappella rendition of the iconic hymn "Amazing Grace" at President Joe Biden's inaugural ceremony today in Washington, D. C. And yes, he showed in boots (plus jeans and cowboy hat) to perform at the affair:">The Country Music Hall of Famer, who was born in Tulsa and grew up in Yukon, performed just after Biden's first speech after being sworn in as the 46th president of the United States.