The University of British Columbia (UBC) has completed a significant expansion of the Beaty Biodiversity Centre on its Point Grey campus. This addition includes new areas dedicated to research, offices, and collections, distributed along the Main Mall, which serves as the university's main axis.
This expansion functions as the new home for the Conservation Science Initiative and complements the characteristic architectural style of UBC, which consists of a series of bar-shaped buildings framing landscaped areas. The project adds 4,400 square meters of gross area, both above and below ground level.
The construction site presented significant constraints, requiring the design team to work around mature trees, existing district energy infrastructure, pedagogical landscaping areas, and in compliance with the preservation guidelines of the Musqueam Nation. Furthermore, it was crucial to ensure seamless connection with the museum's previous underground levels, all without the need for ramps or steps, as floor heights needed to be perfectly aligned to facilitate the movement of researchers, equipment, and collections on carts.
To reach an agreement, over 40 workshops were held with various stakeholders. These included the Musqueam Nation, the UBC Campus and Community Planning department, UBC Facilities Operations, UBC Transportation Services, the UBC Properties Trust, along with the museum and research teams.
The floors designated for research have a logical layout: offices are located to the east, laboratory support is in the center, and laboratories face west towards the Main Mall. Natural light inside the building is ensured by vertical ribbon windows and the illuminated ends of the corridors. Collection storage areas and support rooms, which do not require natural light, were positioned in deeper locations or in the basement.
In this underground level, the museum collections and technical assistance areas extend towards a recently excavated courtyard, allowing spaces previously dependent on artificial lighting to receive natural light. The most delicate specimens were placed under the projection of the research tower to gain greater stability and protection, utilizing innovative safety methods, such as autonomous ventilation zones and 'dirty lab' environments without exhaust hoods.
The connection to the existing Biodiversity Research Centre required integration into its elevator and stair systems via a metal bridge. This involved creating openings in existing concrete walls and aligning complex structures. With six stories, the new research tower rises above the lower neighboring buildings, offering views of the mountains and water, engaging with the glass volume of the museum (known as the 'whale box') and the adjacent Fairview Grove, while maximizing the preservation of the courtyard area.
Regarding materials, the expansion maintains the visual language of the original centre: a technical louvered facade extends this vocabulary, serving as a mediator between the old and the new. The verticality and controlled transparency reinforce the tower's identity as an active research centre. Eleven trees that were removed for the construction were reused in the paving and paths of the courtyard, and a pollinator garden was planted in the autumn of 2025. Collaboration spaces are concentrated near the vertical circulation, encouraging informal meetings that drive interdisciplinary work among researchers.
If you are considering replacing an old printer or equipping a home workspace with more updated equipment, this is a good time to look for deals. Three options for multifunction printers available on sale on Amazon have been gathered, all featuring resources such as Wi-Fi, color printing, and additional functionalities like scanning and copying.
The Epson Ecotank L3250 is highlighted as one of the most popular multifunction printers from Epson in Brazil. Its EcoTank system uses refillable ink reservoirs, which results in a significant reduction in cost per page over time. This model offers color printing, copying, and scanning, in addition to Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless printing and being dual voltage, eliminating the need for power adapters.
For those looking for an affordable and functional option for daily use, the HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 2975 is recommended. With a compact design, it fits well on smaller desks and provides color printing, copying, and scanning services. HP's Ink Advantage system was developed to keep cartridge costs lower, promoting greater savings in continuous use.
The most complete model in this selection is the HP Smart Tank 583. It has a differentiating feature: the print head self-repair system, which ensures output quality even after long periods of non-use. In addition to having an ink tank instead of traditional cartridges, it integrates Wi-Fi, USB, and the functions of color printing, copying, and scanning, making it suitable for both residential and small office use.
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The latest test flight of the Starship rocket, developed by SpaceX, culminated in an impressive landing in the Indian Ocean. For the first time, the vehicle managed to survive the return, remaining intact even after colliding with the sea.
A rescue operation of the structure recently began. The company's intention is to tow the rocket towards the coast of Western Australia so that the results of the most recent launch can be analyzed. However, this plan may not materialize.
The thirteenth test flight of Starship occurred on July 24th. The vehicle, which is 124 meters tall, was launched from the Starbase facility located in southern Texas, United States. After takeoff, the Super Heavy booster fell into the Gulf of Mexico, while the upper stage traveled more than 16,000 kilometers before executing a controlled landing in the Indian Ocean.
According to SpaceX, the water landing was the smoothest ever achieved by Starship, allowing the spacecraft to remain almost intact and float for several days after the mission. In addition to confirming the controlled landing capability, the launch also placed 20 Starlink V3 satellites into orbit, proving that Starship already has the potential to rapidly expand the company's internet network.
Starship is described as the most powerful and largest rocket ever built, reaching approximately 124 meters in height. Both the Ship stage and the Super Heavy booster were designed to be fully and rapidly reusable, which SpaceX considers an advancement capable of transforming space exploration.
For those who wish to make their home smarter without complications, smart speakers with Alexa represent an excellent starting point. Amazon makes the latest version of the Echo Dot available in three different shades on the Brazilian store. All versions maintain the same full capabilities, including vibrant audio, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as priority access to the Alexa+ service.
The blue Echo Dot model features a modern and compact design, suitable for various rooms. It has powerful sound for its size, supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and integrates fully with Alexa, allowing control of music, smart devices, and answering questions. The benefit of early access to Alexa+ ensures that the user can experience the assistant's innovations right at launch.
The black version of the Echo Dot boasts a sober and elegant look, making it ideal for decorations that prefer more neutral tones. The functionalities remain the same: sound quality, full wireless connectivity, and constant availability of Alexa for assistance. With early access to Alexa+, the device is ready to receive future platform updates.
The white option of the Echo Dot is perfect for environments with a minimalist aesthetic or light color palette. In addition to its clean finish, this smart speaker preserves all the features of the line: voice command control through Alexa, music streaming playback, home automation, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Early access to Alexa+ is an important differential for those looking to stay ahead of the new features offered by the Amazon assistant.
Offers are available directly on Amazon, however, stock and commercial conditions may change at any time. If any of the colors attracts interest, it is recommended to visit the link to secure the product before conditions change.
