Magazine

The pursuit of wellness through hydrotherapy is a practice that dates back to the ancient Romans, who used to spend several hours a day in hot baths to relax and purify the body from toxins. In recent decades spas and hot baths have become increasingly popular, also thanks to the understanding of thermal springs' positive effects on the health of the body and mind. But wouldn't it be nice to be able to enjoy the benefits of hydrotherapy without having to leave home?

Your own home can become an oasis of well-being by turning your bathroom into a private spa, renovating your basement or using the outdoor space to install an outdoor hot tub immersed in the greenery of the surrounding nature. Or if you then have a rooftop terrace you can enjoy a refreshing soak in the sky: what could be better than a moment of relaxation with a picturesque view?

In recent decades the concept of "living" has undergone many transformations, in step with the changes that have taken place in society and people's lifestyles. Today the home is no longer just a place for relaxing and getting away from the world, indeed it is increasingly becoming an environment for a full range of activities that in the past were the prerogative of others spaces. The increasingly common trend of smart working, less and less subordinated to spatial and temporal constraints, means that the home can be transformed into a workspace. Similarly, sports and cinema can become indoor experiences thanks to the tools and applications offered by technology. Organising secret concerts or dinners with strangers (social eating) is becoming increasingly widespread in the home, making it a true gathering place.

The Pantone Colour Institute has announced the colour that will accompany us throughout 2019 and that will dictate trends in the fields of fashion, design and furniture, even for the outdoors. After 2018's bold Ultra Violet, this year's choice fell on a more delicate shade, though just as full of verve, an elegant nuance between pink and orange. Indeed, the Pantone colour for 2019 is Living Coral, a colour that recalls the liveliness of the coral reef, chosen by the famous colour-brand to inaugurate a year promoting environmental sustainability, a theme that is also important for contemporary architecture, nature and optimism.

More and more people love to spend their time gardening, growing vegetables and, more generally, staying outdoors, even seeking out green spaces in the city. At the same time, the desire for community is growing, as confirmed by the many experiences of "life sharing" in various areas: from cars to homes, travel, urban gardens and apartment building spaces. This is the case of roof terraces, modern forms of hanging gardens where the passion for do-it-yourself greenery often combines with the desire to share spaces and services in apartment complexes.

Garden Design is the art of designing and landscaping gardens, parks and green spaces, a skill that is increasingly requested to professionals in the sector.

Far from being a purely decorative element, a garden represents a place where people can connect with nature, enjoying the physical and psychological benefits that contact with greenery provides. For this reason, the organisation of the green space, besides reflecting the aesthetic sense of the designer or owner, should be based on a well-defined project that takes into account some fundamental variables like the surroundings, the climate and the time available for its maintenance.

The veranda is an intimate environment, a wonderful space that deserves to be enjoyed all year round. While in the summer it can become a place where you can find shelter from the sun without giving up the benefits of the open air, during the cold season it is necessary to take a few steps to make the veranda an outdoor space that you can fully enjoy many months a year. In addition to using PVC closures, the right outdoor heating system will make your veranda a usable and – above all – comfortable environment, even during the coldest days.

So let's take a look at the most suitable solutions to create a wonderful heated veranda for the winter.

Once again this year, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has recognised international architectural excellence by awarding the RIBA International Prize, just as coveted as the famous Pritzker Prize. The award follows rigorous deliberations by a jury of experts who selected 20 worthy projects as recipients of the RIBA Awards for International Excellence, decreeing the winner on 28 November.

While we are used to spending time in the garden or on the terrace outdoors during the summer, enjoying nature at its most lush and lively, there is no reason why the space has to go into hibernation once the winter comes. To the contrary, the arrival of the cold season marks the beginning of a new cycle where the outdoor space takes on a different identity, changing in structure, furnishings and colours. Moreover, taking care of your garden or balcony during the winter will let you have the outdoor space of your dreams once the summer is back.

Protecting the spaces against the elements, doing some maintenance on the structures and carefully choosing materials and furnishing accessories are fundamental activities when talking about a garden or a terrace. Let's take a look at some tips for beautiful winter outdoors.