David Adjaye’s First New York Skyscraper: 130 William

Every once in a while NYC gets a skyline addition that contributes to the city in almost untold ways. 130 William is just that. Architect David Adjaye’s in-development masterwork happens to be his first skyscraper ever, and it stretches up 800 feet, comprising 66 stories and 244 residences. Rather than use glass and steel, Adjaye employs custom, hand-cast stonework on the facade, both unexpected and …

Winemakers Tap Scientists for Better Bubbles

Funded by the Wine Australia organization, with additional support from several winemakers, a new scientific study is underway to improve Tasmanian wine quality and bubbles—as well as increase cost efficiency during the maturation process. Led by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, the study explores various winemaking techniques and specifically the practice of autolysis, which dates back to the Romans. This process, frequently used in premium …

Elvis Presley’s Drummer D.J. Fontana Defined Rock’n’Roll Rhythm

When D.J. Fontana joined the roster of talented musicians supporting Elvis Presley, drummers in touring bands were a luxury. Playing off Presley’s sound, rather than disrupting it, Fontana laid the groundwork for the same rhythms employed by pop and rock stars today. As the Los Angeles Times notes, Fontana’s style was about being “a propellant gear in a musical engine.” He didn’t use innovation to …