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10 Surprisingly Contemporary Buildings in Wales

Wales is known for its castles and stone cottages, but it’s also a land of contemporary architecture. Visitors will find sleek, stylish buildings designed by talented – and well-known architects – in urban areas, heritage attractions and even National Parks. 1. Caerphilly Castle Visitor Centre Blending modern with ancient, the Caerphilly Castle Visitor Centre was designed by Davies Sutton Architecture. Their goal when designing this modern building was to make it sympathetic to its surroundings but still a structure “of this era.” Welsh slate was used for the flooring and steel/lead for the roofs – a common feature in old castles. The pointed roof, a striking feature, rises up as if it were attacking the Gatehouse itself. The building faces south to maximize solar energy, and the adjoining moat’s thermal mass greatly reduces energy consumption. According to...

The Top 10 Art Galleries in Wales

Wales has become a bustling hub for UK art, with loads of fantastic art galleries found throughout the country. But where should you go if you want to visit the very best of them? Read on to find out… National Museum of Art, Cardiff This museum is home to artists from throughout the world, and regularly holds special exhibitions for some of the world’s most famous pieces. Split into three sections – Impressionist & Modern Art, Historic Art, and Applied Art – it offers something to every type of art lover. Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff This gallery is a shrine for modern Welsh art, exhibiting work from some of the country’s most famous names – names such as Kyffin Williams, Graham Sutherland and Josef Herman. Spread across three floors, there’s more than enough here to keep fans of contemporary art interested for a long while. Oriel Kyffin Williams, Anglesey This gallery is a...

The Boat International Young Designer Finalists of 2016

Boat International has announced their young designer finalists for 2016. The finalists have all been asked to expand on a 45-metre yacht with a complete arrangement plan and a deckhouse (optional). The young designers that have been named the finalists include: Baoqi Xiao: Offering a general arrangement, Xiao offers an entire upper deck as the owner’s cabin, and includes a saloon and a guest cabin. A sauna and spa were also included in the design. There is a beach club for entertaining as well as a cinema with ample space dedicated to the ship’s crew. Lujac Desautel: Layering spaces occupy this unique yacht with use of outdoor space being the centerpiece of the design. Terraces overlap with unique shapes, a diving board is built into one terrace, with a dance floor, outdoor living room and an open air cinema, too. Leah Gowoon Park: Park offers sun lounges on the fly deck with all...

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Representing Wales At the 2016 Canadian Music Week

This year’s CMW has a special focus on the United Kingdom and Ireland, giving Wales the first chance in 16 years to showcase their strong, eclectic musical talent. Among those vying for the attention of media and industry leaders at the event, Welsh musicians hope to stand out above the rest with originality and substance. Acoustic singer-song writer Dan Bettridge is one such musician, whose heartfelt serenading could easily be mistaken for that of a much more experienced artists. Catching this artist so early in his career is a real treat, and he’s the perfect representation of a fresh Welsh talent and perspective. Check out his EP, Hunter’s Heart, or his acclaimed single, Third Eye Blind. The Undivided, a four-man indie-rock group from South Wales, are also making the trip to Toronto. This band promises music “you can’t ignore”, evident in their explosive live...

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