Category Archives: EZ 33

Breathing Space, EZ 33

Up, Up and Away!

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Gliding through the clouds is not novel, but venturing beyond the stratosphere is.

Imagine watching the ground fall away at your feet as you climb higher and higher into the azure blue sky, protected by a luxurious capsule with five other passengers and two crewmembers. Above you is an enormous helium balloon, expanded to the size of a football field that pulls you further and further away from the ground, until the blue sky dissolves into the blackness of space. Behold, the marvelous curved expanse of planet Earth greets your eyes.

Such a scene could soon be a reality as a start-up company of Tucson, Arizona commercialises high-altitude ballooning, an activity normally restricted to astronauts. World View Enterprises offers an accessible and affordable way to take passengers into space for an experience similar to human spaceflight through suborbital quests. No special training is required; all you need is USD75,000 for a reservation. The sum is quite reasonable when compared to Virgin Galactic’s USD250,000 price tag for a trip to space. Moreover, it is safer than space exploration ventures such as those by Virgin Galactic because participants of high-altitude ballooning experience far less cosmic radiation which has been documented to cause cataracts in astronauts.

A World View Venture lasts for approximately six hours from lift-off to landing. The journey from launch pad to the zenith is a gentle ride in the pressurised gondola suspended by a helium balloon which gradually expands as it floats further away from Earth. For the next two hours as the balloon hovers over the stratosphere, passengers can see the curved horizon of the planet framed against the backdrop of the cosmos. The magnificent view can spark off the ‘overview effect’, a concept coined by space philosopher Frank White to describe the inexplicable euphoria one has when seeing the world from space.

The NASA veterans and Biosphere 2 designers who lead World View Venture’s expeditions are experts in high-altitude ballooning, human spaceflight as well as environmental control and life support systems. The company’s partner and vehicle developer, Paragon Space Development Corporation is reputed for the manufacture of life support equipment designed for hazardous and extreme environments. If you are part of the voyage, be at ease knowing that dire situations depicted in the film Gravity are unlikely to unfold as their projects have been successful for decades. Just relax at the refreshment bar and share the magnificent view of your home planet on social media in real time through the gondola’s built-in internet access, documenting the memories of a lifetime.

Image courtesy of World View Enterprises, Inc. 
Breathing Space, EZ 33

Eclectic Charm

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A touch of modern, a hint of retro and a whole lot of character

Penang’s beach district of Tanjung Bungah is home to some of Malaysia’s most luxurious super-condominiums. With rumours of well-known Asian movie and pop stars having holiday homes here, clearly having a Tanjung Bungah address is glamorous to say the least.

It is not just enough to own a super-condominium. It is the manner in which one chooses to accentuate the confines of such a place that make the distinction of style, class and luxury. One of the hottest super-condominiums in Tanjung Bungah is the Infinity Beachfront Condominium. With a built up area of 4,000 sf on average, it poses quite the challenge to home owners who wish to bring out the best of the space.

One such homeowner at Infinity Beachfront Condominium reached out to Splendid Interior Décor to turn the empty shell into a space that reflected their personal style and living comforts. Splendid Interior Décor (Splendid), a reputable and award-winning interior decorating firm based in Penang is no stranger when it comes to working on high-end, luxury properties.

After discussing with the homeowners about their likes, dislikes, expectations and budget, the team from Splendid, led by Darren Tan, took to the task of creating a unique concept that would perfectly match the homeowners. The condo should not only serve as a space to live in, but also to be a sanctuary where the residents can retreat to and relax; it should also be a space that is functional, interesting and appealing for the homeowners to entertain their guests.

Employing various colours to create the mood for different spaces, what is created is a distinct home with lots of personality. To enhance the each area’s theme, arresting artworks and furniture were used to create a distinguished style. The artworks and furniture used were mostly purchased by Darren around the world specifically for the project to complement items from the homeowner’s personal collection.

Artworks and sculptures are casually displayed around the condo, creating conversation spaces which draw in attention unconsciously, perfect for entertaining guests as these spots are a seamless conversation space. The private areas of the condo are cleverly concealed and are cosy, while the public spaces are open and airy, creating a wonderful juxtaposition of the inner and outer spectrums of a home.

The end result is a space that is charming, eclectic and, most importantly, inviting. Despite its size, the condo exudes an intimate feel as the Splendid team had masterfully created private spaces within the relatively open layout of the unit.