elegant

the new trend that promises to be safer and more elegant

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For decades, iron bars became popular as an effective solution against theft and intrusions, especially on ground floors or in houses with windows accessible from the street. Although there is nothing written for tastes, the truth is that today it is not usually the most attractive remedy for the eyes (nor the most elegant). Happens the same with the gotelé (despite its benefits). That image of bars on facades is beginning to be left behind and more and more homeowners are opting for systems that offer similar, or even greater, protection, without giving up light, aesthetics or comfort. And precisely one of the options that is growing the most is laminated safety glass. What is laminated safety glass Laminated glass is a set formed by two or more sheets of glass joined together by one or several layers of an intermediate plastic material, usually polyvinyl butyral (PVB). This film acts as a kind of resistant “glue” that holds glass fragments together If the glass breaks, as they explain from Guardian Sun. That is precisely the key to its operation. And it is not an unbreakable glass, but a glass that, even if it cracks, does not come off or leave an open gap. The inner sheet holds the pieces in place, so that the window continues to act as a barrier and anyone trying to sneak in will take much longer to get through the window, when they do manage to do so. Image: Aluminios Garcilaso How to protect against theft Unlike conventional glass, which a burglar can break and break through in a matter of seconds, laminated glass significantly delays any forced entry attempt. “Laminated glass stands out for its ability to resist impacts, since it consists of several layers that hold the pieces together in case of breakage,” they count from Cerrajero Valencia. That extra time can make a difference, as most home burglary attempts last only a few minutes. In this sense, laminated glass does not completely eliminate the risk, but acts as a fairly effective deterrentespecially when combined with other reinforcements, such as multi-point locks or alarm systems. A regulation that measures its real resistance It should be noted that not all laminated glass offers the same level of protection. In Europe there is a specific standard, EN 356which classifies security glass according to its ability to resist manual attacks, whether accidental knocks, acts of vandalism or attempted theft with tools. This classification ranges from the lowest levels, designed for accidental knocks, to the highest levels, designed to resist burglary attempts with tools such as hammers or crowbars. The greater the number of glass layers and PVB sheets, the greater the thickness of the assembly and, therefore, its resistance. Therefore, before installing glass of this type It is important to define what level of protection is neededsince a window in an inaccessible attic does not require the same resistance as one on a ground floor with easy access from the street. Light, silence and less maintenance The good thing is that, since it is transparent glass, the house retains all the light. It’s not that the bars completely block the passage of light, but they do limit it a little. Furthermore, laminated glass hardly requires maintenancecompared to the iron of the bars, which if we want to keep it in perfect condition we have to paint it and take care of it against corrosion. Another clear advantage is acoustic insulation.. And the combination of layers of glass and PVB reduces the noise from filtering through the window, a plus for those apartments in very central areas with a lot of traffic and outside noise. Besides, glass reduces the risk of cuts in case the glass breakssince the fragments remain adhered to the sheet instead of spreading on the ground. How to install One of the most common questions is whether switching to laminated glass requires replacing the entire window. This is not always the case, since in many cases it is possible to maintain the existing frame and replace only the glass, as long as the carpentry allows it and is in good condition. This can reduce the cost considerablysince you don’t need to change the entire window. But to know whether or not it is necessary to change the window, it is best for a professional to take a look and assess whether the current frame is compatible with the weight and thickness of safety glass, which is usually greater than that of conventional glass. Cover image | mdreza jalali and Cabanyero In Xataka | France is suffocating at 40°C and without blinds: its desperate solution is to cover the windows with aluminum foil

Mexico touches the sky with a new and elegant skyscraper of 484 meters and 99 floors. It will be the highest in all of Latin America

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For decades, it seemed that “the sky is the limit” applied to architecture was a maxim that only Asia and the Middle East reached. In fact, in recent times the world has witnessed a frantic race to see who has the biggest (skyscraper) between Dubai and Saudi Arabia. But there are some notable exceptions like the one that is about to premiere in Monterrey: the Tower Risea skyscraper that will not only be the tallest in the Central American country, but will also lead the skies of all of Latin America. If we open the range to the entire continent, it is only overshadowed by the mythical One World Trade Center in New York. The project. The Rise Tower is a mixed-use skyscraper that is being built in Monterrey (Nuevo León). It will have a height of 484 meters, of which 408 make up 96 residential floors and the remaining 76 make up the architectural spire that crowns the structure. More specifically, it will house residences, offices, a hotel, commerce and leisure facilities in a single structure, as is usual in skyscrapers of these characteristics, thus turning it into a city within a building. It will be located in the Obispado neighborhood, on Constitución Avenue in front of the Santa Catarina River, in one of the densest and most representative urban corridors of the city. The project is in charge by Nest and Ancore Group, has been designed by the Ancore architecture team and Mexican architect Esteban Ramos. Pozas Design Group and Next are responsible for its luxurious interior. Rise Tower layout diagram. Rise Why is it important. The Rise Tower will surpass the Torres Obispadowhich is also in Monterrey and is still the tallest skyscraper in the country. But once completed, it will officially be the tallest building in Latin America, a title that gives Mexico symbolic and technical leadership in the urban and architectural sector. Without going any further, it also moves the Great Santiago Tower in Chile. The building also positions Mexico in the world leagues of vertical architecture, a race dominated by Asia and the Middle East. For Mexico it is also a demonstration that the region can conceive, finance and execute projects at the scale of the world’s large urban centers and at the metropolitan scale, it can function as an engine for the repopulation of the urban center that favors investments in infrastructure. Context. Monterrey has been consolidating itself as the laboratory of vertical urbanism in Mexico for two decades. Without going any further, the construction of the Obispado Towers in 2020 had already surpassed the 300-meter barrier that defines it as “supertall.” The Rise Tower itself has been evolving since its first plans, when he aimed “only” 350 meters. The project is part of the trend of mixed-use supertalls that began to emerge in Asia and the Middle East since the 2000s and is now beginning to materialize in Latin America. Monterrey is in an area with wind and seismic activitywhich adds a layer of technical complexity to any potential design. In figures. Some numerical data of this stratospheric construction: 484 meters high: 408 habitable meters and 76 meters from the spire It will be the 13th tallest skyscraper in the world 35 levels of offices, 22 floors of apartments, 10 levels of luxury hotel 4,300 square meters of green areas and 8,000 square meters of leisure spaces. In detail. The tower has a rectilinear shape with a reinforced structural core and a perimeter framing system designed to withstand lateral loadssomething essential given that Monterrey is in a region where there is seismic activity and a lot of wind. The building envelope consists of a modular aluminum and glass curtain wall system, an aesthetically striking and effective combination for thermal control and management of dynamic wind pressures at high altitude. The concept of the façade is quite reminiscent of the architecture of mid-20th century skyscrapers. Points out The Civil Engineer The initial sketches suggested a more robust metallic aesthetic inspired by the historic Torre Latinoamericana in Mexico City (the grandfather of Mexican skyscrapers, built in 1956), but with the progress of construction, a greater presence of glass has become evident. In terms of sustainability, the project already has LEED Silver, Green Globes, Building EQ and Well certifications from the International Well Building Institute. For when? Construction began in 2023 and by March of this year the Rise Tower exceeded 306 meters and reached the 52nd floor, but there are still 170 meters left. The construction pace is high and in accordance with the governor’s statements from Nuevo León, Samuel García Sepúlveda, the inauguration is projected for the summer of 2026, before the FIFA World Cup. Nevertheless, other specialized sources They suggest that it will be delayed until the end of 2026 or even 2027. In Xataka | If the question is whether a skyscraper can be erased without demolishing it, Paris has the answer: yes, in exchange for a fortune In Xataka | Cancun has a huge bottleneck in its tourist area: Mexico is going to solve it with a megabridge Cover | Chorizowithegg and Rise Tower

Hyundai’s electric sedan is silent, elegant, and gains a lot of autonomy

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Almost exactly two years ago my partner Alberto, a regular in these matters, was testing the Hyundai Ioniq 6 that the brand launched then. This time who gets behind the wheel of his successor, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2026)is yours truly, excited to experience the sensations of a sports sedan in which many things change. The update of this model affects both its exterior appearance – pay attention to the front – and its performance, which improves significantly to complete a most striking 100% electric vehicle. Shall we take a look at it? Technical sheet of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2026) Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2026) Body type Five-seater saloon. Measurements and weight. 4,925 mm long, 1,880 mm wide and 1,495 mm high. Wheelbase of 2,950 mm. 2,410kg Trunk. 401 liters Battery 63 kWh (Standard) 84 kWh (Long Range) Maximum power. 125 kW (170 hp, 350 Nm, RWD) 168 kW (229 hp, 350 Nm, RWD) 239 kW (325 hp, 605 Nm, AWD) WLTP consumption. 14.6 kWh/100 km WLTP autonomy Up to 521/680 km depending on battery. Environmental distinctive. Zero emissions. Driving aids (ADAS). Adaptive cruise control with level 2 automation and emergency braking, sign recognition, blind spot sensor, lane keeping, cross traffic alert, automated parking and emergency braking during maneuvers with pedestrian and object detection. Others Compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay via Bluetooth, two 12.3-inch screens and connection for two phones. Four USB type C inputs and one type A, OTA updates, software with its own maps that indicate the available autonomy, dynamic lights for the interior. Vehicle to Load (V2L) reverse charging. Electric hybrid. No. Plug-in Hybrid. No. electric. Yes. Ultra-fast charging up to 350 kW (from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes) Price and launch. Not available. More than a restiling The family is growing, those responsible for Hyundai began by warning us before we set off. These new Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2026) are confirmation of the firm’s clear commitment to electrification, which in fact prepares the Ioniq 3 for next year. But that will be next year, because this Ioniq 6 begins by taking an important leap in the WLTP autonomy, which reaches 680 km in its version with long-range battery (84 kW). In the case of the model with a standard 63 kW battery, that WLTP autonomy is estimated at 521 km, both figures already serious. We were able to test the Ioniq 6 with the N-Line finish, better equipped and with an even sportier appearance. To give it those more distinctive lines, we have a more aggressive bumper and slightly different side skirts. There are also other distinctive elements such as the wheels and the lights, which have their own lighting signature. In both cases there have been clear changes in the nose, which is sharper and adopts a “shark nose” type front. The headlights are compressed to the maximum to be reduced to four fine lines of LED Parametric Pixel, while at the rear also use is made of that striking design element that, together with that spoiler and rear bumpers, allows them to be distinguished even more. In this design there are optional elements such as digital rearview mirrors – in the model we tested they were conventional – and others that come standard such as integrated handles that contribute to aerodynamics. Which is precisely one of the strong points of this model, although there are no changes here: it remains at some (fantastic) 0.21 Cx. The 401 l trunk is perhaps a bit short – the 45 l front one can alleviate the situation a little – but this sports sedan approach logically imposes certain sacrifices. Regarding the interior, the space and qualities are surprising here, but above all the physical controls stand out. Faced with the rise of “everything touch” of some firms, at Hyundai They rescue buttons, dials and other physical elements which among other things allow get a better grade in the Euro NCAP tests. And we, to be honest, are happy: no matter how attractive a touch screen is, we also think that in some cases it is a solution to a problem that did not exist. Buttons, buttons, buttons. We like buttons. The “interactive” steering wheel also has four Parametric Pixel LED elements that indicate the status of various vehicle systems, and on the dashboard we have dual 12.3-inch screens integrated into a single floating screen. Here we have, as in its predecessor, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. We tested the first one for navigation with Google Maps during the route, and we verified that the quality and response of the panel was perfect during the trip. We were only able to test the BOSE sound system, but it certainly shows promise. Somewhat hidden behind the steering wheel, on the right side, is the gear lever. I was not very used to that position and I must admit that to avoid confusion I needed to check if I had positioned the gear appropriately. The problem is that to see the position of the steering wheel spokes they can cover that line of sight. It’s a minor detail and that check will probably be irrelevant once we get used to the vehicle, but at first it’s something that caught my attention. Between both front seats, the bridge-type center console dominates everything, where we find the window controls and elements such as the wireless charging surface that allows us to comfortably recharge our mobile phone while we travel. At the top we have a generous sunroof that we can open or close with just the push of a button. The Ioniq 6 has a dual-zone automatic climate control to adjust temperatures independently. The controls (this time yes) are centralized on a lower touch panel, under the dual screen. If wireless charging doesn’t suit us and we prefer cables, we will be well served. In addition to the USB-C sockets (one of them with a charging capacity of 100 W) and USB-A, we even have a conventional … Read more

selling Bugatti to Rimac would be the most elegant way to release ballast

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According what was published by BloombergMate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti after the merger of Rimac with Porsche, wants to take absolute control of one of the most prestigious brands in the world of luxury supercars. This could be a golden opportunity for Porsche, which have more serious problems to worry about, can release ballast by getting rid of the luxury car brand. How the Bugatti cake is divided. Right now, Rimac Group already controls 55% of the company, compared to 45% held by Porsche. According to information published by BloombergRimac would be trying to buy their piece of the Bugatti pie for more than 1.1 billion euros. “It’s no secret that we are in talks,” said the Bugatti CEO during an interview in Singapore. To launch the purchase offer, Mate Rimac has sought the support of international investors and, if everything goes as expected, the transfer of shares could be closed in 2026 and the brand would remain entirely in the hands of the Croatian businessman. Why do you want to stay with Bugatti? According to confirmed Rimac himself is tired of having to negotiate every decision made at Bugatti with those responsible for Porsche, and prefers to set the course in his own way. “I just want to be able to make long-term decisions, make long-term investments and act differently without having to explain myself to 50 people. When you deal with a corporation, there are so many factors. It’s families, a lot of families. It’s an emotional issue.” Porsche is thinking about it. Although Bugatti seems to have found its way with the latest launches, Porsche is not at its best, burdened by sales that They don’t stop falling in China and maneuvering to avoid tariffs from the USA. The Germans have invested a lot in electrify your carsbut sales have not taken off as much as they expected, so they have had to redirect their strategy and continue betting on gasoline engines in various models. For a brand like Porsche, selling its share of Bugatti now would be an easy way to recover part of its investment and take off the pressure of having to decide between two sides. Bugatti will continue to sound like gasoline. Mate Rimac seems to be clear that for an electric supercar brand He already has Rimacwhich is why it has confirmed that the cars that go on sale under the Bugatti seal will continue being internal combustion. “All customers expected Bugatti to go fully electric and digital under my leadership. And they got just the opposite. There will be no fully electric vehicles at Bugatti in the near future,” said Rimac. in an interview for Business Times. Bugatti’s CEO is convinced that millionaires who buy these supercars They do not want to be left with only “the silence of an electric motor”, adding that “even with the strength of the Bugatti brand and the design of the Tourbillon, if it were electric, we would have difficulty selling it. “Customers prefer pure combustion engines, but hybrid solutions offer performance advantages, regulatory ease and fewer requirements in certain countries.” Rimac is not the only one who thinks that supercar buyer He is very reluctant to electric motors. Lamborghini also has its reservations when it comes to taking the definitive step towards electrification. “We have to convince customers,” assured one of the spokespersons for the Sant’Agata Bolognese brand. In Xataka | Bugatti Veyron was a jewel that cost 1.7 million dollars: Volkswagen lost 6.7 million with each one it sold Image | Porsche, Bugatti

China has built the most elegant economic power lever in modern history: rare earths

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He Rare Earth Agreement announced last night says more than what appears to be a simple commercial truce: China has the most sophisticated geopolitical weapon we have seen. One that is capable of paralyzing entire sectors of any developed economy. And with the elegance of who closes a tap. China controls the entire ecosystem of Rare earth: The Ganzhou mines. Processing plants. He know-how technical. Specialized labor. Even the only American Mountain Pass mine Send your material to China to refine it. It is the same difference between having oil and controlling the refineries of the world. China has built a monopoly on elements that are the blood of the digital economy: Without neodymium there are no wind turbines. No Disposio there are no Tesla engines. Without Terbio there are no iPhone screens. Deng Xiaoping He saw it in 1992: “Middle East has oil. China has rare earths.” Three decades later, That prophecy is a reality and a definition of the present. And the interesting thing is that West has financed its own vulnerability. For decades, US and European companies outsourced the extraction and processing of “dirty” minerals to China, celebrating the margins that gave them that specialization. That dependence has had a strategic cost. And now… The same companies that built the supply chains to maximize their efficiency now discover that they also optimized their vulnerability. And China executes in a way we could call “civilized blackmail“. It does not close the whole tap, but it does slow down the supply with bureaucracy. Ask for forms, photos of the factories, customer listings, production details. That, in addition to a bureaucratic nuisance, is also to open a window to the industrial secrets of its competitors. Industrial espionage, but institutionalized, disguised as commercial policy. You take it or leave it. When he negotiates, he does it from a position of strength. The agreement, of only six months, works as a constant reminder. Each western company now knows that its production depends on Chinese benevolence. And if a geopolitical escalation of any kind arises, the industrial blackout can be almost instantaneous. The West now discovers that economic interdependence can become a lethal weapon, because China has shown that in the technological era, who controls critical materials controls the rules. The agreement last night postpones the moment in which the West will have to decide if he is willing to pay the price (economic and strategic) to recover his mineral sovereignty. China has won this pulse and has plenty of strength to win all the following. In Xataka | China monopolizes rare earths. An enemy has come out of home: the smuggers Outstanding image | Wikimedia Commons

China has just uploaded one of the keys to the future of its chips. It is a very elegant response to the US

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At the end of May, the US administration took a new step in its strategy to stop the Chinese semiconductor industry. After verifying that preventing access to its technology had not been enough to stop the country’s progress led by Xi Jinping, he decided Block EDA software exports. This software is essential to automate the design and key processes that allow progress in the manufacture of semiconductors and in the development of new lithographic technologies. China has taken less than two weeks to move and make your progress public. The context. On May 29, the United States notified the three giants of the EDA software industry (Cadence, Synopsys and Siemens) that They had to cease their services to Chinese groups. These three companies control more than 74% of the global market of these tools. In an attempt to isolate China from a fundamental element to advance in the semiconductor career, the Trump administration attacked one of the few flanks that remained to torpedo. The first answer. The reaction of Chinese software manufacturers EDA was immediate. Yang Lianfeng, president of one of the three main national companies in the sector, described the US decision as “The best development opportunity in history”. The Trump administration maneuver, which sought to close a door to China, ended up promoting the actions of national companies and accelerating processes that had been developing for years. Processes that, inevitably, they would culminate in a self -sufficient industry. The next step, upload to github. One of the particularities of EDA software is its closed nature. China has been keeping its advances in this field with zeal but, after the United States movement, it has not taken long to respond. The Chinese Academy of Sciences, one of the main scientific institutions of the country, has published in GitHub A document in which he explains his advances with Qimeng. This software uses Chinese language models to automate processes in semiconductor manufacturing. The development team states that it can do in days what a human team would have been for weeks. It is important to emphasize that Qimeng is an academic Open-Source project, without industrial purposes. However, Timming has been perfect. The small mouth. Modesty is a characteristic feature of Chinese philosophy. This was shown by Ren Zhengfei, leader of Huawei, publicly recognizing that His chips are a year behind those of the United States. The Academy itself has adopted a similar position, ensuring that (for the moment) its performance is comparable to the Intel proposals in the 1990s and Arm architectures of the 2010. The documentation also highlights the current challenges in the current design of semiconductors, including limited resources, ecosystem diversity and restrictions on the manufacture of this technology. China has a lot to show. It is quite naive to think that China’s current point in EDA software is just comparable to solutions ten years ago. If an academic and open source project is at this point, that of the Chinese EDA giants will have enough to demonstrate. The country is working in silence to Achieve self -sufficiency In an essential field to lead in semiconductors, and make part of their advances public is a clear message that they are working patiently. The country, comparing its product with the American, shows a deep respect for rival knowledge and wisdom (China has even a character to reflect this, and it is the Zhì 智), while making clear its pragmatism: if they cannot access the tool, they will create it themselves. In Xataka | China is moving whole buildings at the same time to build underneath. Because? Because it can

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