Tagua Nut, often called a vegetable ivory. An alternative to elephant. Mainly grown in Ecaudor. Can be carved into sculptures, buttons, jewlrey, and industrial products. Decreases deforstation, and promotes the growth of Tagua palm trees. Despite the perspective of human management of nature a negative effect, Tagua nut Palm trees actually flourish with human management. Human interaction can actually be essential for the conservation of this tree species. PROPERTIES: Absorbs dye like a dream. Great for industial products, product design and fashion. Very hard, dense material. PROCESS: The Tagua fruit is collected from the trees and dried for four up to eight weeks, after which period they become hard Shells are cracked to extract the nuts, and each nut is cleaned and shaped as desired The Tagua is dye in...

“Graphic designer and visual artist Joshua Vides has created a chapel in a Las Vegas hotel, for couples to tie the knot in an "Instagram-worthy" setting. Vides' 800-square-foot installation is erected at the Palms Casino Resort. From 18 January 2019, it will be available to hire for wedding ceremonies, vow renewals and accompanying photos. The Guatemalan-American designer based the pop-up venue on another venue famed for shotgun weddings in Las Vegas: A Little White Wedding Chapel.” Via:  https://www.dezeen.com/2019/01/16/las-vegas-chapel-til-death-do-us-part-joshua-vides/

“Canadian studio MU Architecture has integrated a lake house into a steep site in southern Quebec, overlooking a secluded bay and private boathouse.”