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More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
Nestled in the heart of San Francisco’s burgeoning Mission Bay district, the UCSF Mission Bay Cardiovascular Care and Prevention Center stands as a beacon of modern healthcare architecture and innovation. With its striking glass facade that mirrors the ever-changing skies above, this state-of-the-art facility not only reflects San Francisco’s commitment to cutting-edge medical care but also its deep respect for architectural beauty.
As you approach this landmark center, you’re greeted by reflections of fluffy clouds drifting across panels of blue-tinted glass—a nod to both San Francisco’s notorious foggy weather and its rare crystal-clear days. The building’s design seamlessly integrates into the urban fabric while making its own bold statement—much like San Francisco itself.
The center’s location in Mission Bay is no coincidence; this neighborhood has transformed from industrial roots into a hub for science, technology, and medicine—symbolizing hope and progress. The UCSF center adds to this narrative with its dedication to preventing heart disease through innovative research and patient care.
Inside, natural light floods through expansive windows creating an atmosphere that promotes healing while offering panoramic views of this iconic city—from rolling hills to urban streetscapes. Every detail from lobby to laboratory speaks volumes about San Francisco’s forward-thinking ethos.
Whether you’re admiring it as part of your daily commute or seeking world-class cardiovascular care within its walls, UCSF Mission Bay Cardiovascular Care and Prevention Center is more than just part of San Francisco’s skyline—it’s part of its soul.
Nestled in the heart of Japan, Osaka is a city that seamlessly blends historical charm with modern innovation. The attached photo captures the essence of Osaka's skyline, showcasing a stunning array of skyscrapers that punctuate the horizon. Each building tells a story of architectural prowess and urban evolution. The towering structures, with their sleek glass facades and intricate designs, reflect the city's commitment to progress and its role as a hub of commerce and culture. Notably, the presence of construction cranes atop some buildings signifies ongoing development, a testament to Osaka's ever-evolving landscape. This juxtaposition of completed skyscrapers and emerging structures highlights the city's forward-thinking spirit and its dedication to growth.
Historically, Osaka has been a center of trade and industry, and its architecture mirrors this rich heritage. The blend of old and new is evident in the way traditional buildings coexist with contemporary designs, creating a unique urban tapestry. The streets below, lined with greenery and bustling with activity, add to the city's vibrant atmosphere. The meticulous planning and design that have gone into creating such a harmonious urban environment are evident in every corner of this image.
For those exploring Osaka, this cityscape offers a glimpse into the dynamic energy that defines the city. From the towering heights of its skyscrapers to the intricate details of its streets, Osaka is a city that invites exploration and admiration. Whether you're an architecture enthusiast, a history buff, or simply a curious traveler, the skyline of Osaka promises a visual feast that captures the essence of a city constantly on the move.
The Renault Avantime featured a “one-box” setup, typical for an MPV, but eliminated the B-pillars to obtain the desired coupe look and had two enormous doors, for easy access. Much of the body was built using galvanized steel and polyester panels, while the upper structure was made from exposed aluminum. This lowered the center of gravity and improved rigidity, allowing engineers to fit the Avantime with a large sunroof.
This 2002 Renault Avantime is the most expensive car I have ever bought. The whole family fell in love with this car as soon as they saw it. Inside, the second row of seats was positioned higher, giving passengers a theater-like experience. The panoramic roof improved the sensation of space and, at a push of a button, it could be opened, together with all windows, for an “open air” mode. Cars don’t come much more unusual than this.
Based on the Renault Espace III, this three-door CoupéSpace looks like nothing else, and has already a cult following among enthusiasts. It was actually built by Matra, pioneers in the field of lightweight body engineering, utilising polyester body panels before the most manufacturers had even heard of such things. The Avantime sold in tiny numbers. It actually features two of the longest doors ever fitted to a production, but a simple and elegant hinge allows easy access, even in the smallest of gaps.
Today I still love our youngtimer Avantime and think the idea of a two-door Coupé/Cabrio/MPV was brilliant. Renault thought they had a futuristic product, basically. One that in press-releases "forward-thinking, maverick types who go against the grain" would buy. Unfortunately few real buyers (les "bobos", les bourgeois bohèmes) did, and the Avantime flopped. Spectacularly.
Summary Renault Avantime (2001-2003, sales 8.557)
Overall I have to give some high marks to the Avantime for its maneuverability, traction, braking, and lack of typical FWD issues.
+ The road qualities
+ Its absolute orginality, makes you feel really special
+ The user-friendly interior
+ Ergonomics
+ The comfort and French-made, high-end luxury
+ The glass roof with "open air" mode
+ Highly Desirable Modern Day Collector's Car
- With tall people in front, foot space is poor and knee room limited
- Premium price, unusual for Renault
Every once in a while, some truly innovative vehicles receive the axe simply because they were ahead of their time. Renault Avantime is a future classic and "the coolest car money can buy". BBC's Top Gear - Jeremy Clarkson, TopGear 2002 Season 1 (Episode 6) - positioned the Renault Avantime at 'Sub Zero' on the 'Cool Wall' stating it was cooler even than the Aston Martin Vanquish.
Think France, and often visions of luxury follow. Not only stuff like the Chateau de Versailles, Louis the 14th, Paris or Champagne, but also products like high end watches, fashion, expensive wines and food, luxury hotels and the French Riviera. For a lot of things, being French gives an image of class, luxury and aristocracy. Look at Louis Vuitton, Moët Champagne, Cognac, Hermès or Michelin stars.
Renault presented 1999 its idea for a uniquely French "personal" car and had more than two years (production started 2001) trying to persuade us that its weird styling is the height of modern design. Remember, this is the same country that brought you Citroën. To that end, Renault hooked up with the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, to associate its bizarre minivan/sports coupe Avantime with the avant garde. The Renault Avantime is an extraordinary car: no doubt about that. Renault intended it to shock. Thierry Metroz, design project manager, said, "We wanted someone walking around the car to be continually astonished. When you look at the front, you can't imagine what the back will be like, and vice versa. The Avantime exploits those contrasts, between a figurehead of an animal and a solid, forceful stern."
Investment potential
Even if you ignore the idea of buying as an investment, waiting any longer to buy one of the last French luxury cars - let’s just disregard Bugatti - will only cost you more money. The Avantime was, after all, an extraordinary and largely hand-built niche (S-segment) vehicle. The 21st century design was a positive factor too. Ever-larger amounts of money might begin to change hands as the value of these once-ridiculed big coupés climbs steadily higher.
Surely not? Two words: Citroën SM (1970-1975, sales 12.920).
Business concepts illustrated with colorful wooden people - networking, organizational groups, or workgroups.
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
'A stockbroker urged me to buy a stock that would triple its value every year. I told him, ''At my age, I don't even buy green bananas."' - Senator Claude D. Pepper
I really never have been a forward-thinker at any age. A prof once asked us where we wanted to be in five years. I realized I had no idea. When a co-worker showed me Windows 3.1, I thought it nonsensical to need to multitask. I never see the future. I mean, really did you imagine that people would pay money for water in plastic bottles or never be without a cell phone in their hands?
odc: future
Located in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Mission Bay district, 335 Berry Street is a striking example of modern urban architecture. This residential building stands out with its clean lines, geometric forms, and a bold color palette that juxtaposes muted blue tones with vivid yellow accents. The design reflects the area's evolution from an industrial zone to a bustling neighborhood known for its cutting-edge development and tech influence. Built in the mid-2000s, the building’s architecture is a nod to contemporary minimalism, prioritizing function and form in equal measure.
335 Berry Street offers a blend of urban sophistication and comfort, with its thoughtfully designed apartments featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the interiors with natural light. The exterior's use of steel and glass not only adds a sleek aesthetic but also serves practical purposes, enhancing durability and energy efficiency—qualities highly valued in San Francisco’s ever-changing climate. The building’s strategic location offers residents easy access to the Mission Creek Channel, the bustling UCSF Medical Center, and a variety of trendy cafes, restaurants, and parks, making it a prime spot for those who enjoy the conveniences of city living.
As part of the broader Mission Bay redevelopment, 335 Berry Street encapsulates the spirit of innovation and forward-thinking that defines this part of the city. The surrounding neighborhood is a melting pot of tech professionals, creatives, and families, all drawn by the area's dynamic energy and proximity to major transit routes. With its sleek design and unbeatable location, 335 Berry Street is more than just an address—it's a lifestyle.
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
Talk about making an entrance. Over a decade on from the Renault Avantime making its debut, it still looks like a concept car that could so easily be unveiled in 2015. The Avantime is Le Quement's edgiest design. It is a two-door sportminivan with sliding glass roof whose shape is assembled from triangles: a triangular finned area above the headlights, a triangular back end, even triangular tail and side marker lights. Nothing about the Avantine is on the square. “Modern and daring," Renault's literature described it.
COUPESPACE
Renault Paris first presented at 1999 Geneva Motor Show its idea for a uniquely French "Coupéspace" and the styling of the Avantime was the height of modern design. Remember, this is the same country that brought us the 'Citroën SM'.
MATRA
The minivan involved was the Espace III, Europe's original multipurpose vehicle, which is made for Renault by Matra Automobile. The Avantime is front-wheel drive and shares most of its parts with the Espace. As three-door cars go, it is spacious. Its doors are astonishingly long (and have to be double-hinged to allow entry and exit in confined spaces), and the pillarless sides, frameless windows, and huge glass sunroof give it an unusually light and airy feel.
CURIOUS
I'm interested in the Avantime. I'm curious about it! Perhaps I am one of those odd customers Renault was hoping to target, right? So let's find out if there's anything of value here.
EXTRAORDINARY
The Renault Avantime is an extraordinary car: no doubt about that. Renault was rather unhappy its excellent and very stylish Avantime of 2001 was badly received. Thierry Metroz, Matra design project manager, said, "We wanted someone walking around the car to be continually astonished. Avantime plays on opposites, between the animal, almost feline front end and the stronger, squat and propulsive rear."
IMPRESSIVE
Can something this shape and this tall be even slightly sporting and satisfying to drive? Surprisingly, it can. This is an impressive achievement and makes the Avantime fun for the driver and calm and secure for the passengers. Matra's engineers have avoided the top-heaviness of a minivan by fitting a lightweight aluminum superstructure to the Espace chassis. The track has been widened, the suspension lowered, and the wheels and brakes enlarged.
DIFFERENT
Whatever your view, in an increasingly uniform world, I give Renault credit for daring to be different. I'd rather see someone take a chance with something radical, instead of offering yet another boring design.
FORWARD-THINKING
What exactly the Avantime is supposed to be? What is its purpose? Who's going to buy it? Its name actually lends us a clue. "Avant" is the French word for "ahead", and Avant is followed by "time". The English word "time" is self-explanatory. Renault (and original Avantime designer Matra) thought they had a futuristic product, basically. One that in press-releases "forward-thinking, maverick types who go against the grain" (my words) would buy.
TODAY
Today the avant garde style of the Avantime (2001-2003) associates perfect with my minimalist House (photo). As you can see, my 2002 Avantime still looks striking, modern and uncluttered yet with a marked character of its own. If you compare the 2001 Avantime and the new 2015 Espace V you can see echoes of the former in the latter: the window line, proportions and stance. Personally, I would argue the 2001 Avantime is the more appealing of the two. It was futuristic and still so while the Espace V, seems very much a sideways move.
YOUNGEST CLASSIC-CAR EVER
Renault Avantime is a guaranteed classic, with strong values hopefully ensuring many of them survive. Our children need to know what the French were capable of at the turn of the millennium. The sleek lines of the body, bright glass roof with two hatches, original air intakes above the headlights, futuristic design of the rear allow the Renault Avantime to be one of the most exciting new products early XXI century.
TOMORROW
Perhaps, when a small number of carefully preserved, vaguely familiar and unusual-looking cars emerge from padlocked garages and appear at various Concours d'Elégances, ever-larger amounts of money might begin to change hands as the value of these once-ridiculed big French coupés climbs steadily higher.
Surely not? Two words: 'Citroën SM'.
HDRtist HDR - www.ohanaware.com/hdrtist/
showcases a blend of cutting-edge architecture and rich urban culture. Nestled between the Embarcadero and Rincon Hill, this district is characterized by its sleek skyscrapers and contemporary buildings, including the striking MIRA tower with its unique twisted design. Known for its walkability, The East Cut offers residents and visitors easy access to green spaces, trendy restaurants, and bustling street life, reflecting the city's innovative spirit. Historically, the area was a hub of industrial activity, but it has transformed into a modern urban enclave with luxury residences and commercial spaces. The community-focused neighborhood prides itself on sustainable development and urban greenery, making it a desirable location for both living and working. With its blend of old and new, The East Cut captures the essence of San Francisco's forward-thinking architectural and cultural landscape.
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
Business concepts illustrated with colorful wooden people - networking, organizational groups, or workgroups.
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
This piece is based on an illustration I'm currently doing for a Life Coaching book (minus the quote). I was asked to come up with a concept for life coaching and this was one of them. You can keep doing two steps forward one back and ending up back at square one again and again. With a life coach or doing small steps forward you will get closer to your goals. Also IF ahead submission and blogged nyhagraphics.blogspot.com/
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More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
SpongeBob SquarePants (often referred to simply as SpongeBob) is an American animated television series, created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. The series chronicles the adventures and endeavors of the title character and his various friends in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom. The series' popularity has made it a media franchise, as well as Nickelodeon network's highest rated show, and the most distributed property of MTV Networks.
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration
More than 1,000 MIAMI REALTORS® members, leaders and exhibitors joined us for our 2023 MIAMI Inaugural & Awards Celebration