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bluemoonbabes · 11 months ago

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Time Gone By

Debris fic. Bryan introspection New Year’s Edition.

It’s New Year’s Eve. The Kazemis’ house swarms with agents and techs and scientists and everything in between, trickling in from Orbital, piling themselves into the living room, meandering along the snack buffet, roving between people and pets. Bryan is the corner, is always in the corner because that’s where he’s safe, back against the wall, no one behind him, everyone in front of him, everyone where he can see. No one to catch him off guard. He’s got some buff, untouched drink in a candy red cup, some beer he grabbed just to hold something, to give his hands something to do, something to center himself on. Beer from that shitty gas station just down the street in a candy red cup just like last year. At least it’s something.

Tonight, though, is mildly pleasant. That’s the best way to put it, standing against the wall and watching the party, beer untouched, always untouched in a crowd like this (inebriation terrifies him, the lack of autonomy, the lessened reaction time, the lessened awareness). Maddox, Tom, Muntz, Alvin, and Lester all throng together in the dinning room, dispersed in various seats that are always being taken and then left and then taken, murmuring between each other things that Bryan’s too far away to hear. There’s one window in the dinning room, and two ways out into the adjoining rooms.

Kazemi and Claire and April have taken to the buffet of snacks spread out among the kitchen (one window above the kitchen sink), chatting as the pick and sniff and judge and taste. Bryan learns a lot being the fly on the wall, every conversation drifting his way, drawn to every little movement. Like how Rachel’s husband wants to get another cat, how Claire’s thinking about going back to college though for what yet she isn’t sure, and how April had the absolute funniest run in with this random stranger in a coffee shop a couple days ago that was such a coincidence.

The front door is clear. Bryan can sprint to it in an instant, that or one of the windows on either side of it. A roar of laughter snatches his eyes to the living room, where Finola and Hamid and Reed and Brandt dip and weave and shimmy and shake as they dance to the music, a collection of drinks in hand. Finola has wine, Bryan thinks, spotting the bulbous glass half-full with the sort of quartz-like color of white wine. They’re in front of the tv, which Bryan is near, against the living room wall, as it bubbles out song after song, songs that are light and groovy, dancing music with a base that rumbles in his chest. But it’s okay tonight. He can tune it out. He has the energy to spare.

He really is mindless tonight, isn’t he? All base instinct, absorbed in the vibrancy before him as Niels and Grace and Gibson come in from the backyard (one door out, two more windows), making some loud comment about how they were freezing their tits off and then promptly going for the alcohol. It’s as much as his brain can process right now, the music and the murmuring, the movement and momentum, but it’s not too much, lingering right at the perfect capacity, consuming his conscious yet not shredding it.

Kazemi hands out champagne flutes, and Bryan just watches her, watches as she weaves between people, making comments as she disperses the drinks. He takes his with a quiet thank you, voice cut, drowned out as the party consumes him, too invaded with what goes on to be much of a conversation. It bubbles, the champagne, a pale gold liquor that mutters to him in a cold, clear glass. His knees are starting to hurt with how long he’s been standing, and tomorrow morning he knows he’s going to wake up a being of nothing but bruise, but that’s tomorrow. Tonight, Finola is walking up to him, a soft smile on her face, her wine glass traded out for the champagne flute.

“How are you doing?” She asks.

Bryan returns that smile, soft and gentle and endeared, because she’s the only one who ever asks. The only one who tries to understand instead of taking the first assumption their brain sputters out. The only one who he isn’t terrified to exist with.

“I’m okay,” He says, “Just hanging out.”

Because that’s the only way he can really put it, isn’t it? Not actively engaging but passively enjoying, watching the people around him, as Kazemi’s catch jumps up onto the kitchen island, and listening, listening as someone shouts out ‘fifteen seconds’.

Finola nods and then the countdown starts, someone shouting out a ‘ten’ and then ‘nine’ as more people join in, ‘eight’ as the entire party catches on, ‘seven’ as it echoes through the living room, ‘six’ as it rattles the house, and then Finola joins in too

“Five!”

And suddenly, Bryan is still.

New Year’s Eve. In five seconds, this year will end, gone to the grave, tucked away for eternity, nothing but a memory as they’re thrust into the next year, only one year, so fleeting. Weren’t they just here celebrating the previous New Year? Or what that two years ago? Or three? Are years really this short?

“Four!”

Time starts to blur after a while. After his brain is rattled by IEDs, after gunshots and shouting chase him down, after the sun beats down on his back for hours and burns his skin, after dust and blood stain his skin, no wash enough, not even now, still slick and warm beneath his fingers. Time starts to loose meaning after the nights spent as days in a land he can only remember, as a car backfires and suddenly there are bullets shooting at him, as he starts to loose touch with himself, floating through life partially out of his own body because if he’s too conscious of it then there’s too much pain, too much freedom for his brain, too much input from the world, too much, too much, too much.

And now he’s going to loose another year.

“Three!”

But at least he got the year.

Asalah didn’t.

Carlotta Orlov didn’t.

Kieran Vandeburg didn’t.

Those farmers from Nebraska didn’t.

Kurt and Clara Cox didn’t.

Luke and Liam Packard didn’t.

George Jones didn’t.

And suddenly the room feels so much more empty than it should, because now Bryan’s aware of just how many aren’t here. Even Asalah, who’s haunted him for years now, painted in his nightmares, clinging to his wrist, hidden in his pocket. Even she still stings, the world around him just a little colder and little more empty than it should be. She should be here, not him, standing in the light as they cry out for the New Year. But then again, this isn’t the first New Year she’s missed. Nor will it be the last. Bryan can only hope that she’s helping the others get through it too, the agony of missing New Year’s as they reside in a place where time doesn’t exist. Or maybe they’re fast asleep, unaware of time at all.

How peaceful that would be. To be so unaware of time. Of the seasons changing. Of how it reminds him of every thing he’s lost, every thing he’s failed, every thing he could never live up to. At least then the pain would stop.

“Two!”

Finola bumps his shoulder.

The world may be a little colder, but it isn’t cold. Maybe a little emptier, but not empty. Not when she stands beside him, the light of the sun itself, beaming at him with freckled cheeks and beautiful eyes. He’s not so alone, as much as his brain tries to trick him into thinking he is, not so isolated, not with Finola here, like glue to keep his feet tacked to the ground and head on his shoulders and brain in the present.

Bryan turns to the party as a whole, the people packed into the living room, shouting together, glasses raised, his coworkers alight as they creep steadily closer to the New Year. And staring at the party, staring at the future, there is a sort of lift off his chest. A sort of acceptance, dare he say a spark of hope. Yeah. Hope. Because he’s not alone. For the first time in a long time, he’s not alone, and staring into the not yet told abyss of the future, he’s not scared. He’s almost excited.

He made it another year. He survived another year, even when all odds were stacked against him. He survived another year through the hell of the Debris. Survived another year even when his PTSD never thought he could, even after the days spent in bed sick and hurting because of how raw it’s worn his body, even after the hospital trips and Orbital scans and blood given to the Debris. He survived another year. So it’s not so sour as it had been the year before. The year before, his survival meant nothing, just that he was continuing, a cog in the machine, just going through the motions until he couldn’t. But it means something this year, in this moment, after months spent across country to contain the Debris, after months spent fighting to bounce back from injuries and missions gone wrong, after months spent with Finola, the closest friend he’s had in years, the only person who means something to him.

For once his survival matters.

“One!”

Bryan looks at Finola, so beautiful, and maybe he didn’t just survive. Maybe he did a little more than that, because she’s gazing at him, bright-eyed, beaming, beautiful. Maybe she’s the hope he feels now, heart fluttering in his chest, the future an abyss for them to carve into shape together.

So he joins in this time

“Happy New Year!”

Bryan leans in close and snakes his arm around her waist, holding her gaze, asking,

“May I?”

Finola’s beaming smile turns into a toothy grin, and then her arm is around his neck, and then her lips are on his, pressing into him, slipping into place, warm and soft and everything he had hoped she would be. She parts, but her arms are still around his neck, over his shoulders, gazing into his eyes, and hers are so brown, so beautifully brown like gemstones.

“Happy New Year, Bryan,” She says.

And then he hears it, sung among the crowd, floating above their heads. Auld Lang Syne. And as it floats, ringing out through the room, Bryan sees someone leave, some one in dark blue and gray worn pale by wind and wear. Asalah. She doesn’t turn to look at him. Just leaves quietly, slipping out and away, no more to say, no more to do, just leaving into the bliss of a tranquil night, where she joins with several others. A little boy. A few people dirtied up and sweaty from a long day’s work. A couple strolling down the street. Two brothers bumping each other’s shoulders. An older man who hobbles his way on.

Bryan just watches them, quiet, passive, accepting as he bids them one last goodbye, one final tear, one final farewell.

Auld lang syne.

And then he lets them be, lets them on their way, lets them rest. The road splits here, where Bryan must go a different way, where it continues on for him, where must keep going even if it’s not so fair, and he returns to Finola.

He grins, “Happy New Year, Finola.”

And for once, for once Bryan means it, because for once, for once the New Year means something for him. A mark of achievement. A mark that he’s survived. That he’s alive, still human and still moving. For once the New Year matters. For once he matters.

He kisses Finola again.

#happy new year #it’s been a year #for me especially #so here’s another fic #debris nbc #bryan beneventi #finola jones #brinola #fanfiction #blue’s smexy writing #fanfic

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wannabesewcrafty · 2 years ago

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Year’s End

Fandom: Debris (TV)

Notes: I had this idea that the men of Orbital should do a calendar photo shoot, and then I had to contrive why. (In which Bryan and Finola are two oblivious idiots agents partners in love.)

“I’m never playing cards with you again,” Bryan vowed to Mallory.

“That’s what you said last time,” the younger agent said with a smirk.

They stood talking in the shelter of a makeshift tent that Orbital had set up as a temporary work site. Last night, in the very same tent, out of boredom for her and insomnia for him, the two colleagues had decided to play poker to pass the time. During their game, Mallory had brought up the subject of a charity calendar, and now she was collecting on the promise she had extracted from Bryan as the wager they had made on their final hand.

Now, in the light of day, he didn’t respond to her comment, choosing instead to sulk. “This is a dumb idea. We’re a top-secret government coalition.”

“An international one,” she pointed out. “That means a lot of eyeballs. And all the money’s going to good causes.”

“Don’t make me dress up,” he half-warned and half-pleaded, his eyes wide with trepidation. He pictured himself wearing nothing but the yellow pants and red suspenders of some cheap knockoff of a fireman’s uniform and suppressed a shudder.

“Of course not,” Mallory reassured him. “The clothes you usually wear are fine.”

“Except I’ll be shirtless,” he muttered.

She grinned. “Exactly.”

-*-*-*-

“These are really good,” Finola murmured a few weeks later. She stood with Bryan in a quiet, out-of-the-way spot in a wooded area, slowly leafing through the calendar in her hands.

Bryan closed his eyes. “Don’t show it to me. I don’t want to know.”

“They started off with Gibson. Have you met him?” At Bryan’s nod, she continued her report. “Muntz is next.”

He snorted derisively. “The shortest month of the year? Why am I not surprised?”

“Now it’s Ahmed... Grace has a really good eye.” Jones flipped to the next page and let out a chuckle. “Oh, Lester,” she murmured. “He played it like comic relief,” she explained, not looking up from the calendar page.

While Bryan tried to figure out exactly what that meant, Finola continued through the calendar.

“I don’t know most of these men... I’m at November now, and it’s Tom…wow…” Jones’ voice was soft and sounded thoughtful, making Bryan crack one eye open.

She had fallen silent but he heard her turn to the next page in the calendar. When he didn’t hear anything else, he sighed with relief and opened his eyes again.

“You reached the end.”

“It’s you,” she said.

“What?”

“You’re the month of December. In the calendar.” She still didn’t seem able to meet his gaze.

He started to smile. “Yeah, I know what the last month of the year is, Finola.”

She didn’t respond to his bait, but she closed the calendar and used it to fan herself, making his smile broaden into a grin.

“I guess I look good, huh?” he asked, seeing a telltale blush spread across her skin.

“Well, you might say they saved the best for last. Better watch out... What’s the expression? You’ll be beating them off with a stick after this.”

He slid his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket. “Nah. I saw Kazemi this morning, and she said something weird to me. She told me, and I quote, ‘Don’t worry. Everyone knows you’re taken.’”

“They know you’re…? Since when? By who?”

He shrugged. “Damned if I know.” He tilted his head upwards to stare at the sky, deciding to leave the subject there. It seemed pointless for him to tell Finola of all people that he didn’t have time to date anyone. She was the person he spent the most time with, after all.

The MI6 agent nodded slowly, still mystified by what could have motivated that latest rumor about Bryan. She snuck another glance at the December page of Orbital’s charity calendar and made a mental note to compliment Grace on her photography skills the next time she saw her.

#my fic #debris nbc #silly fluff #bryan x finola #brinola #Mallory said she played cards with Bryan in 1.05 #I think if I tried hard enough I could round out the months with characters

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reppyy · 4 years ago

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arianakyle56 · 2 years ago

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Negar Kazemi Jahandizi An Influencer on Social Media!

About Negar Kazemi Jahandizi Originally from Iran, Nikki Jahandizi (born September 16, 1985) now resides in the United States, where she works as a real estate broker, interior designer, and entrepreneur under the name Negar Kazemi Jahandizi. She started the Ecume D’or candle manufacturing business, known for its high-end all-natural products. Even though Jahandizi is the director of agent…

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#Negar Kazemi Jahandizi

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thecollectiverpg · 3 years ago

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L O A D I N G V I L L A I N P R O F I L E …

NAME: FIREBRAND AKA KARIM KAZEMI

AGE: THIRTY-THREE

TIER: TWO

GENDER & PRONOUNS: NONBINARY, HE/THEY

ABILITIES: NONE

MEMBER SINCE: 2020

BACKGROUND (CONFIDENTIAL: SECURITY PASSCODE REQUIRED)

At a certain point, Roxana Kazemi’s agent tells her one day, a woman of your age needs to become a mother, or people are going to start wondering what’s wrong with her.

It isn’t good advice, but it’s what makes Roxana decide to put her career—mostly modeling, a little acting, the occasional showy philanthropic gesture—on hold for precisely ten months, head to a sperm bank, and get pregnant. And so unceremoniously is Karim brought into the world. An accessory to his mother’s career, like a purse puppy or a private jet, something she takes out just frequently enough to stage a photo for the paparazzi of how doting and adoring a mother she is, how effortless motherhood can be when you have it all, like Roxana Kazemi does.

He grows up with a small cadre of rotating nannies. There’s no Mr. Kazemi; Roxana goes through boyfriends like Kleenex, even (especially?) now that she��s closer to forty than she is to the twenty seven she likes to pretend to be. Karim hardly meets these boyfriends, more often than not, especially not after Roxana sends him off to a boarding school somewhere in the Alps and stops writing or calling, dropping in once a semester for a quick photoshoot with her beloved son.

With a mother like Roxana, an upbringing like his, Karim could have turned out any number of ways. He could have gone into finance. He could have become a lawyer, or a politician. He certainly had the resume for it, and the pedigree, even if he didn’t have the interest. But an unlikely series of events leads to something totally different.

The first: Roxana Kazemi gets sick. Nothing the most expensive of private health retreats and cutting edge of doctors can’t fix for her, but it’s a hair closer to a brush with mortality than she likes. Just close enough to tasting death that she spends a year and a half deciding she ought to reassess her priorities, and brings her son home from boarding school to stay with her. He’s seventeen and it’s the last thing he wants, as he’s applying to uni and trying to enjoy his final years of school with his friends. He resents her for it, this too-little-too-late gesture made at just the wrong time. But she’s his mother, so he goes.

The second: Roxana Kazemi gets a new boyfriend. Not an actor, like most of the others; not a banker or a football player. A supervillain. A man cloaked in mystery, and shadow, and around just enough for Karim to actually get to know him, unlike the other men who have passed through Roxana’s life like she’s a revolving door they’d rather not get stuck in.

The third: Karim Kazemi turns eighteen. Emancipated from her ability to make decisions about his life, when Roxana breaks up with this new boyfriend Karim is allowed to lay his allegiances wherever he damn well pleases.

And so the Shadow Man gets Roxana Kazemi’s son in the breakup.

It doesn’t immediately change much about either of their circumstances. Karim gets a key to an apartment, somewhere, in case he needs it, and a phone number to call. He still starts at Cambridge in the fall.

But instead of following the predictable trajectory once laid out before him, instead of reading economics, or history, or law, Karim finds his way into sociology and, in true rebellious fashion against both his mother’s strict rules and her overwhelming wealth, becomes an anarchist along the way.

It’s easy in all the wrong ways. He’s handsome and charismatic; people flock to him. It’s easy to get a big head. He’s got a way with words, with speeches. People listen to him. He drops out of Cambridge after two years and takes to organizing again, though it’s clear to anyone who gets close enough to see past his shiny exterior that it’s all a vanity project for him, a soapbox he stands on so more people can see him.

It’s enough, for a while. It sates an appetite he doesn’t remember having been whet. At least, it does, until it doesn’t. Until he’s nearly thirty and realizes he hasn’t done anything—at least, not anything worth remembering.

So he weighs his options. He takes time to consider. And then he realizes that if he can’t be famous, it might be better after all to be infamous.

It’s been a long time, by then, since he and the Shadow Man sat down and had a real talk. Sure, they’ve seen each other here and there, but when he shows up this time, it isn’t just to exchange holiday cards or have coffee. This time, there’s something he wants. An opportunity. A chance to prove himself, to make a name for himself.

It’s rare, for a member of the Collective to not have superpowers. He doesn’t know the organization’s entire history, but he wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the only one. It’s dangerous work, and he can tell most of them don’t think he deserves the chance to fail.

But he finds he has an incredible stroke of luck, when he tries his hand at it.

#villain #firebrand

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architectnews · 3 years ago

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BDP Architects Practice Information + News

BDP Architects, Building Design Partnership, Pictures, Studio News, Designs, Projects, Offices

BDP Architects Practice

International Architects Practice – Buildings + Designs: Office News

post updated 17 January 2022

BDP Architects News

Architecture News for BDP

17 Jan 2022

Seven New Principals For BDP

BDP promotes seven of its architect directors to support the growth of the interdisciplinary practice across its network of global studios.

BDP has announced that seven of its studio directors have been promoted to principals from January 2022. The move reflects BDP’s strategy for international growth and its commitment to enhancing its position as a market leader in the UK.

Caroline Robbie and Sami Kazemi have become BDP principals, joining Les Klein, Richard Witt and Anna Madeira to build BDP’s presence in new sectors across North America – from its Toronto studio.

Jeremy Farrington, who heads up BDP’s Singapore studio, also takes on the new role to increase BDP’s market share in South East Asia with a focus on urban design, transportation and mixed-use places.

In Dublin, Michael Mullen, who leads large-scale, urban regeneration and leisure projects such as The Net Zero Carbon Wren Hotel, Bonham Quay and Augustine Hill, takes on his new role and Max Martin, who has been instrumental in developing and leading major healthcare projects in both the UK and international locations, is promoted in Sheffield.

From its London Studio, James Baker and Kathryn Tombling have commenced their positions as BDP principals. James will lead workplace projects for both private and public sectors and Kathryn’s expertise in the design of major housing and regeneration developments will see BDP strengthen its work for developers, agents and local authorities, under her guidance.

BDP Chief Executive, Nick Fairham, said: “As we enter 2022, we are looking to the future with optimism and clear direction. We are proud to announce our seven new principals who reflect the ambition and strength of our practice and will help us secure new opportunities to design the most innovative, sustainable, people-centred places across the globe.”

Our plans for the success of our practice will be measured against higher levels of recognition for excellence of design, employee contentment and client satisfaction. These promotions are indicative of a new approach across our network of studios and we look forward to a prosperous future with them on our leadership team.”

BDP has a leading track record as a global interdisciplinary consultancy working in all major sectors including health, education, workplace, retail, urbanism, heritage, housing, transport, media environments and leisure and has won more than 1000 awards for design quality.

15 Dec 2021 Westergouwe Community Centre, Gouda, South Holland, The Netherlands image courtesy of architects practice Westergouwe Community Centre Gouda Building BDP and its partner, Marseille Buiten have been appointed to design the Westergouwe Community Centre – a mixed use development consisting of a primary school, amenities, sports and affordable housing in Gouda, Netherlands.

3 Dec 2021 Whitechapel Elizabeth Line Station, Whitechapel Market Conservation area, east London, England, UK image © BDP Whitechapel Elizabeth Line Station Building The Whitechapel Elizabeth line station has opened after being handed over to Transport for London. Sitting within the Whitechapel Market Conservation area, the design of the new station retains the distinctive and historic buildings constructed more than 100 years ago.

18 Nov 2021 The Wren Urban Nest, Dublin 2, Ireland photo : Nick Caville The Wren Urban Nest Dublin Hotel The newly opened Wren Urban Nest, based in the heart of Dublin, is a 137-room, nine floor hotel designed and built using the most advanced carbon reduction technologies, making it one of Europe’s most sustainable hotels in a major city centre. Eliminating the need for fossil fuels, the building uses 100% renewable energy and is the first hotel in Ireland to comply with the World Green Building Council’s definition of ‘Net Zero Operational Carbon’, without having to purchase carbon offsets.

18 Aug 2021 St James Quarter , central Edinburgh, Scotland Architects: BDP Glasgow studio + Allan Murray Architects St James Quarter Edinburgh BDP has helped complete the delivery of phase one of the new St James Quarter, Edinburgh, working with client Nuveen Real Estate to create a new destination in the heart of the capital. A new and modern 1.7 million sq ft masterplan in urban placemaking, it is one of the UK’s largest inner-city regeneration projects.

23 Jul 2021 Learning & Teaching Building at the University of Strathclyde, central Glasgow, Scotland, UK Design: BDP Glasgow Studio, Architects photograph : David Barbour Learning and Teaching Building University of Strathclyde The Learning and Teaching Project is a unique and collective hub for students and staff, comprising a variety of learning and teaching spaces, from small breakout spaces to a 400 seat lecture theatre. The range of spaces is reflective of the varying needs of activities throughout the building.

13 July 2021 Glasgow Queen Street Station Building, central Glasgow, Scotland photo : Nick Caville Glasgow Queen Street Station Building There is no greater proof that People Make Glasgow than to see the city without its crowds. The city centre has been dormant, feeling like a stage without a play. Now, the commuters and shoppers are returning from their Covid-enforced isolation and the redeveloped Glasgow Queen Street Station is there to welcome them.

12 June 2020 The new Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Liverpool, England, UK Design: BDP Architects image courtesy of architects office The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Aintree The maritime city of Liverpool has a striking new form on the city skyline, that of the curving prow of CCC-L, which has prompted its nickname of The Liner.

19 Apr 2020 Opening of NHS Nightingale North West Manchester, England, UK image courtesy of architects NHS Nightingale North West Manchester BDP and Integrated Health Projects (IHP) have been instrumental in the creation of the Manchester Nightingale Hospital at the Manchester Central Convention Complex.

18 Dec 2019 International Architecture Practice BDP Opens New Studio

Major international interdisciplinary architecture and engineering practice, BDP, has announced the opening of a new studio in Leeds following the delivery of a series of successful high-profile projects in the city. The studio will be led by Architect Associate, Vicky Casey, who has relocated from the business’ Sheffield studio.

The practice, which has opened its Leeds base in Bruntwood’s Platform building, now employs over 300 staff across its Northern studios, which includes an additional new studio in Liverpool. BDP’s expansion follows a strong year for the business in which it achieved a 21% increase in global turnover to £107m, with a £9.5m pre-tax profit. In Leeds, the business is aiming to combine the company’s global expertise with the extensive local knowledge developed in delivering a series of award-winning projects in the city.

Merrion House – office building for Leeds City Council:

BDP was the architect and engineer for the refurbishment and redevelopment of Merrion House, the 1970s office building which now provides modern office accommodation for 1,900 Leeds City Council staff in the heart of the city, and has already been awarded two RIBA awards. The practice was also lead-architect for the restoration of The Round Foundry, part of the ongoing regeneration of Holbeck and the wider Leeds South Bank district – one of the largest regeneration projects in Europe. The project saw the world’s only surviving first-generation engineering works turned into a mixed-use development, including apartments and affordable housing.

The practice has also been very involved in the early development of Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust’s masterplan for the extensive re-ordering of the Leeds General Infirmary estate, which includes the significant expansion of services for adults and children, and formation of a new R&D sci-tech zone integrating with the Leeds Innovation District, being developed to the North of the city centre.

With over 18 years of experience in the industry, and having lived in Leeds for over 14 years, Vicky Casey brings local knowledge and a passion for the city to the role as office lead.

Commenting on the opening of the new studio, Vicky said: “Over the last 50 years, BDP has worked on some fantastic projects in Leeds. With a number of new schemes underway and in the pipeline for us, we felt it was the right time to set up a permanent presence here. The city is thriving, and opening a new studio will allow us to further expand our work in the region and marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the business. As a Leeds resident, I’m hugely excited about building a successful team in my home city.”

Sue Emms, Chair of the North at BDP added: “We are delighted to announce the opening of our Leeds studio, which has been a long-held ambition of the practice and an integral part of our national expansion plans in recent years. The Leeds studio has been set up to build on our already established reputation across a number of sectors and further develop our relationship with the city.

“We now have five studios in the North of England and look forward to bringing our global expertise and track record of delivering high quality complex projects to the market in Leeds.”

The UK remains a buoyant market for the international practice, with it forecasting that the UK will deliver around 70% of its income over the next three years.

Leeds architecture news

27 Mar 2018 RIBA North West Awards Shortlisted Buildings

Bright Building, Manchester is one of 9 buildings have been shortlisted for the 2018 RIBA North West (Royal Institute of British Architects) Awards; the winners will be announced at an Awards evening at One Fine Day, Liverpool on 16th May 2018.

photo © Nick Caville

RIBA North West Awards Shortlisted Buildings

22 Jul 2017 Houses of Parliament Renewal Contracts, London, England, UK

photograph © Nick Weall

BDP have been selected to take forward vital work that needs to be done to protect the heritage of the Grade 1 Listed Palace of Westminster from the substantial and growing risk of failure of its essential services.

Palace of Westminster Building Restoration

21 Mar 2017 Smythe Library Building Renewal Shortlisted for RIBA South East Awards 2017

One of fourteen buildings shortlisted for RIBA South East 2017 Awards:

Smythe Library refurbishment, Tonbridge School, Tonbridge, Kent: photo : Hufton + Crow

RIBA South East Award for Library refurbishment by BDP

27 Dec 2016

Chris Harding Elected New Chair of BDP

December 2016 – Chris Harding has been elected the new Chair of BDP and takes up the role from 1 January.

He began his career at BDP in Sheffield in 1989 and has been a company director for 14 years. He is currently head of the architecture profession across the practice and was previously head of the education sector.

An active design thinker who has worked on some of the practice’s best projects, he has been elected to stimulate the continuous development of the practice as a socially progressive integrated design firm. He is particularly passionate about creating people centred environments and his work has received the highest acclaim. In 2012 he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the University of South Wales for his pivotal role in the design and construction of its multi award winning City Campus.

Chris said: “This is a fantastic moment in our history. With a predicted two billion more city dwellers by 2050, urbanisation and the liveable city agenda is a key opportunity for BDP. Our pairing with Nippon Koei creates a global architecture, engineering and design firm to meet the challenges of a dynamic and changing world.”

The role of Chair is re-elected by BDP’s Board every two years. Chris takes over from David Cash who has chaired BDP since 2012, having played a key role steering the practice to become a leading international design collective.

14 Nov 2016 Cardiff University Innovation Campus, South Wales, UK Design: Hawkins\Brown ; HOK ; BDP ; DPP image from architects Cardiff University Innovation Campus Building

23 Jun 2016 Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool, England – Hospital, healthcare

photo courtesy RIBA

A RIBA National Award Winner 2016 – 23 Jun 2016

12 Dec 2013

BDP appoints new chief executive

12 December 2013 – International design practice BDP has appointed a new chief executive. The role is re-elected by BDP’s board of directors every two years and Peter Drummond, who has been in the post since October 2004, made the decision to pass the baton on, and not seek re-election.

John McManus will be the next chief executive. He will be the first architect to become chief executive of the BDP firm when he takes up the role on 1 January 2014. John is based in Glasgow and will take responsibility for all the day to day operations of BDP. John studied at the Mackintosh School of Architecture and joined BDP in 1985. He currently leads the Glasgow studio and has led design teams on major commissions within all of BDP’s key sectors both in the UK and internationally.

Under Peter’s leadership BDP has gone from being a UK based practice to a major international design organisation with six international studios and current projects in 37 countries. Peter Drummond will become chair of the south region, taking overall responsibility for all operational aspects of the London and Bristol studios.

Chairman David Cash said: “As we see the first encouraging signs of returning confidence in the marketplace, these moves are designed to place BDP in a strong position for the future. I wish both John and Peter every success in their new roles.”

10 Oct 2012

BDP Wins Design Competition In Düsseldorf, Germany BDP has won the Düsseldorf Ulmer Höh design competition to redevelop a former prison site in Germany. BDP’s Dutch studio was up against five German practices for the 15 hectare mixed use urban redevelopment project. The site is contained within a city block and incorporates mature trees and historical buildings. BDP will use these qualities to transform the enclave into a lively city neighbourhood. The existing city block structures are repeated along the site’s perimeter, seamlessly connecting the new quarter with the city. Inside the perimeter blocks, where the prison complex stood, a green oasis will be created from which all the new homes will benefit. It will be a very special open green space within an otherwise densely built-up area. Of the huge prison complex, only the chapel building will be retained. It will be converted into a community centre and become a meeting place for the new residential quarter. The jury was impressed with the way the imprint of the prison was incorporated into the design of the public realm. According to its report, BDP’s design puts quality and atmosphere above commercial efficiency.

9 Aug 2012

BDP Announce Three Project Wins in China

9 August 2012 – BDP has announced three project wins in China at the UK Trade & Investment Infrastructure Summit in London, the flagship opening event of the British Business Embassy. The conference brings together top global decision-makers, with around 200 business leaders, policy makers and investors from around the world, to provide a unique opportunity to address how British businesses pursue global growth and partnerships.

Nanjing Road ; XJTL University Suzhou ; Artall Tiancheng Business Centre: images : BDP

The British Business Embassy helps showcase global business partnerships along with the best of what the UK has to offer in some of our most successful, high growth industries such as fashion, architecture, technology, life sciences, advanced engineering, automotive and aerospace.

Nanjing Road, Shanghai After winning an international competition, BDP has been appointed to design a world class new destination in the Huangpu District of the East Nanjing Road in Shanghai. This sits within the Bund Historical and Cultural Conservation Zone, and features clusters of historic buildings which will be renovated to include high-end retail, food and beverage, leisure, a luxury club and a boutique hotel.

Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University, Suzhou This new international university is run in partnership between the University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong University. BDP is appointed to masterplan a large-scale campus to provide world-class teaching, laboratory and research facilities, and design the humanity building, science building and training centre, and international exchange centre.

Artall Tiancheng Business Centre, Nanjing The 32,000 sq m project will maximise the public spaces in the centre, link existing buildings with covered walkways and create a 26 floor tower. The tower will provide office space that will sit above an art gallery. A key driver in the design for business centre is the natural and climatic assets of the site and location and how these are optimised for passive and active sustainable design solutions.

Trade and Investment Minister Lord Green said: “I warmly congratulate BDP on winning a series of new architectural and urban design and masterplan contracts. BDP’s successes are an excellent reflection of the strength of British companies in providing the expertise needed to deliver major infrastructure projects around the world.”

“With the world’s spotlight on the UK this summer, we are working hard through the British Business Embassy programme to help companies capitalise on the unique opportunity we have in 2012 to secure new contracts and investments, such as those won by BDP.”

29 Jun 2012

New Chairman

BDP Elects David Cash As New Chairman

David Cash has been elected as the new Chairman of international architectural, engineering and design firm, BDP and takes up the role from 1 July.

photo © Sanna Fisher-Payne

David began his BDP career in Preston in 1980 and has been a company director for 22 years. He was Chair of BDP’s northern studios for 14 years, and in 2008 when international expansion became a central element to the firm’s development plan, he became the Director for International Development. David has been instrumental in increasing BDP’s presence worldwide, developing studios in India, China and the UAE. David will continue to develop BDP internationally and remain Chair of the MENA region.

He said of his appointment: “My role as Chairman will be to give direction to the firm for the next few years. As a company we always to need to be improving and evolving in these changing times, rather than be afraid of change we need to embrace it. If I can take BDP from being a UK-based company that does projects overseas to a world-based organisation, I would feel like I had made my mark.”

David takes over the role from Tony McGuirk who chaired BDP for six years. Tony developed the ethos of ‘Creating Places for People’ which created the platform for BDP’s re-emergence as a major design force.

Other appointments at BDP

Heather Wells has been appointed group finance director taking over from John Parker who previously held the position. She will now form part of the firm’s Executive together with BDP’s chairman and chief executive.

Chris Harding is BDP’s new Chair of the architectural profession. Chris has been with the firm for over 20 years and worked on some of the BDP’s best known projects including the Channel Tunnel, St Peters Campus for the University of Sunderland, the Millennium Building for the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Bournemouth Public Library and several leading research centres for the University of Cambridge.

Architect Scott Mackenzie, based in the Glasgow studio, has been appointed head of the education sector. He is currently working on new build facilities for both Inverness and Kilmarnock Colleges and the University of Strathclyde’s Technology Innovation Centre. He is also project director for the Robert Gordon University Garthdee Campus. Scott joined BDP in 1999, has been a director since 2006 and a company director since 2011.

Steve Merridew has been appointed BDP’s new head of sustainability. Steve, recently named one of Building Magazine’s Top 50 Rising Sustainability Stars, joined BDP in 2008 and has a strong background in low energy design, masterplanning and infrastructure.

Essex Business School, England – 15 May 2012 BDP Architects picture from BDP Architects The Essex Business School at the University of Essex’s Colchester Campus has received unanimous planning consent for a new three-storey 5,550 sq m higher education research and training building.

The Planners’ Report states “In terms of the overall design and architectural standard it is considered that the proposed scheme represents an innovative and, importantly, sustainable approach that is considered to be wholly appropriate within this context…..It is considered that the proposed building would add considerably to the overall innovative architectural standard achieved within the University campus and could become another key building on the site, in its own right.“

The Business School is the largest faculty in the University and the current accommodation which has reached full capacity is scattered across six separate buildings. The new school will bring the faculty under one roof with sufficient floorspace to allow it to develop into one of the premier business schools in Europe. These facilities will not only allow the Business School to expand, but will also be available to other faculties within the University, and will attract businesses and other organisations to engage with the students and staff members.

The architectural character of the new Business School aims to create an exemplar of zero carbon approach as part of the School’s ethos to lead the development of sustainable business strategies.. BDP Project Architect Keith Watson said “It has been designed to be visibly sustainable at every level, from its orientation on site, choice of structure and materials, landscaping and passive engineering strategies.”

A winter garden acts as a buffer zone, supporting the passive ventilation and heating strategy of the teaching building, whilst also being the arrival and meeting space showcasing the green and social character of the new School. The Business School gables wrap into the winter garden and at each end house social functions – café at the east end, and staff and post graduate social spaces at the west end.

The building, which BDP is designing on an interdisciplinary basis, is due for completion in December 2013.

BDP Projects Information photo © Sanna Fisher-Payne BDP Architects : current information on Building Design Partnership

BDP Past Projects Information photo © Martine Hamilton Knight Older Projects by BDP – Building Design Partnership

More projects by Building Design Partnership online soon

BDP Architecture : recent information on this architecture & engineering company

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Website: www.bdp.com

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Buildings / photos for the BDP – Building Design Partnership page welcome

The post BDP Architects Practice Information + News appeared first on e-architect.

#e-architect

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carmenvicinanza · 4 years ago

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Zahra Kazemi, fotoreporter torturata e ammazzata in carcere

https://www.unadonnalgiorno.it/zahra-kazemi-la-fotoreporter-iraniana-canadese-torturata-e-ammazzata-in-carcere/

Zahra Kazemi era una fotoreporter iraniana naturalizzata canadese che venne arrestata nel 2003, per aver scattato fotografie di fronte a una prigione, in Iran. Quasi tre settimane più tardi, morì in galera.

Solo due anni dopo, il medico che aveva esaminato il suo cadavere, rivelò che presentava evidenti segni di tortura: inclusi stupro, dita spezzate, unghie mancanti, segni di frustate sulle gambe e frattura cranica.

Zahra Kazemi era nata a Shiraz, Iran, nel 1948, si era trasferita in Francia, nel 1974, per studiare letteratura e cinema all’Università di Parigi. E dal 1993, viveva in Canada, dove aveva ottenuto la doppia cittadinanza.

Aveva lavorato in Africa, America Latina, ma soprattutto in Medio Oriente, territori palestinesi, Iraq e Afghanistan.Documentava povertà, miseria, esilio forzato e oppressione, con uno sguardo particolare alle donne e alla loro forza nel fronteggiare situazioni estreme.

Zahra Kazemi era stata fermata, il 23 giugno 2003, mentre fotografava le famiglie dei detenuti davanti alla prigione di Evin, a nord di Teheran.

È deceduta, il 10 luglio, molto probabilmente in seguito alle ferite riportate. Aveva 55 anni,

Dopo aver tentato di nascondere le cause della sua morte, le autorità iraniane sono state costrette a ammettere che era stata “picchiata”.

Il corpo di Zahra Kazemi era stato frettolosamente sepolto contro la volontà di suo figlio, Stéphan Hachemi. Sua madre, ha dichiarato pubblicamente di essere stata vittima di pressioni per autorizzare la sepoltura del corpo di sua figlia in Iran. Da allora, sono rimaste inascoltate le richieste di riesumare e di rimpatriare la salma in Canada.

A causa della sua doppia cittadinanza e delle circostanze della sua morte, divenne un caso internazionale.

La stampa iraniana, all’inizio, aveva parlato di ictus e successivamente di una caduta accidentale dovuta alla debolezza causata da un suo volontario sciopero della fame.

Al termine di uno scontro tra riformatori e conservatori, che si accusavano reciprocamente della morte di Zahra Kazemi, un agente dei servizi segreti iraniani, Mohammad Reza Aghdam Ahmadi, fu indicato come il presunto assassino.

Un caso ancora irrisolto, di cui forse non si saprà mai la verità e i cui colpevoli non saranno mai condannati.

#unadonnalgiorno

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notimundo · 4 years ago

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New Post has been published on https://notimundo.com.mx/internacional/el-papa-francisco-visita-iraq-con-un-mensaje-de-paz-unidad-y-esperanza/

El Papa Francisco visita Iraq con un mensaje de paz, unidad y esperanza

El Papa Francisco llegó la mañana de este viernes a Iraq, país con una minoría cristiana que ha sufrido persecuciones a lo largo de los siglos y que en los últimos años fue blanco de ataques sistemáticos por parte del ISIS o Daeshh.

El Pontífice fue recibido por el primer ministro iraquí, Mustafa al Kazemi, en el aeropuerto de Bagdad, ciudad donde empezará una visita de tres días que seguirá de la capital a Mosul, Erbil, Najaf y Qaraqosh.

La Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura (UNESCO) afirmó que Francisco lleva a Iraq un mensaje de paz y unidad y, en el caso de Mosul, una muestra de apoyo y solidaridad con una población que padeció la ocupación violenta y opresiva del ISIS durante tres años.

Al sufrimiento de la gente se sumó la destrucción de los edificios históricos de la Ciudad Vieja de Mosul, una urbe que fue central para el intercambio cultural y religioso por varios siglos.

Sanar el dolor de las víctimas

Para el asesor especial y jefe del equipo de investigación de la ONU que busca la rendición de cuentas por los crímenes del ISIS (UNITAD), la presencia del Papa ayudará a sanar el dolor de las comunidades víctimas de esa agrupación terrorista y será un símbolo de esperanza y una oportunidad para la paz y la unidad.

“La visita del Papa a Iraq, sus reuniones con líderes religiosos iraquíes y los lugares religiosos que visitará llevan un mensaje unificador de paz y coexistencia entre todas las comunidades en Iraq, especialmente aquellas de todas las religiones, incluida la comunidad cristiana, que han sufrido a manos del ISIS”, dijo Karim AA Khan QC.

La agenda del jefe de la Iglesia Católica incluye una misa en un estadio de futbol y oraciones por las víctimas de la guerra en la plaza de la iglesia de Hosh al-Bieaa en Mosul, un sitio devastado por Daesh.

Según AA Khan QC estos actos serán “trascendentales” para los cristianos iraquíes y subrayarán que la riqueza de Iraq reside en una sociedad formada por “personas de todas las religiones, y de todos los grupos étnicos”, además de que recordarán “que todas las vidas son importantes”.

El asesor especial destacó la necesidad de la rendición de cuentas del ISIS para lograr la reconciliación por la que aboga el Papa.

La rendición de cuentas es esencial

“Al igual que las comunidades yazidi, chiíta, sunita, kakai, shabak y turcomana, los cristianos de Iraq sufrieron enormemente durante el periodo de dominación del ISIS. La justicia es un derecho para todos, y la rendición de cuentas basada en pruebas es esencial para evitar el peligro de que tales delitos se repitan en el futuro”, recalcó.

En este sentido, AA Khan QC se refirió a la reunión que celebraron en marzo de 2020, con la ONU como facilitadora, los líderes de las principales religiones en Iraq para adoptar la “Declaración interreligiosa sobre las víctimas del ISIS”.

En ese documento, los religiosos enfatizaron su apoyo pleno a las víctimas, los supervivientes y las familias, y reiteraron la importancia de garantizar que los responsables de los crímenes cometidos por Daesh rindan cuentas ante la justicia.

El asesor especial refrendó el respaldo de la ONU a la construcción de la paz y el fomento de la reconciliación en Iraq. “Nuestro compromiso conjunto de promover la justicia, la tolerancia y la reconciliación es la forma más elocuente y eficaz de combatir el legado del ISIS”, puntualizó.

Cristianos en Iraq

El cristianismo en Iraq data de los orígenes de esta religión y queda constancia escrita de ella a partir de los apóstoles de Mesopotamia, identificados con la llamada Iglesia de Oriente, organizada en el imperio persa.

Desde principios del siglo V, esta iglesia llevó a cabo sus propios concilios y se escindió de la Iglesia de Oriente por razones políticas entre las que se contaban la lealtad al sha persa.

Un siglo después, los cristianos iraquíes se dividieron en dos grupos por desacuerdos teológicos.

En la Edad Media y ya bajo el imperio del islam, los patriarcas religiosos se establecieron en Bagdad, la nueva capital, y en Tikrit, así como cerca de Mosul.

En el siglo XVIII se formó creó la Iglesia Católica Siria cuando un patriarca se unió a Roma. Los obispos que no se sumaron a esta unión formaron la Iglesia Ortodoxa Siria.

Pese a presencia milenaria, los cristianos han sido una minoría históricamente perseguida en Iraq y en los últimos años han llegado al borde de la desaparición. Se estima que entre 2003 y 2019, la comunidad cristiana iraquí disminuyó casi 85%, pasando de 1,5 millones a 250.000 feligreses.

Mosul

Tras la liberación de Mosul, la UNESCO lanzó una iniciativa para reconstruir la Ciudad Vieja, destruida por los extremistas.

“Revivir el espíritu de Mosul” empezó en febrero de 2018 y no sólo tiene el objetivo de reedificar los sitios emblemáticos del patrimonio de la ciudad, sino también el de empoderar a los residentes de Mosul como agentes de cambio involucrados en la reconstrucción a través de la cultura y la educación.

Como primer paso hacia la recuperación de Mosul, la UNESCO está rehabilitando la mezquita de Al Nouri y su famoso minarete inclinado, así como las iglesias de Al-Tahera y Al-Saa’a.

La agencia también ha comenzado a trabajar en la reconstrucción de la mezquita Al-Aghawat y en la rehabilitación de las casas antiguas de la ciudad.

Más allá de la recuperación de hitos arquitectónicos, la UNESCO resalta que la iniciativa incluye la formación en el puesto de trabajo de los jóvenes profesionales, el fortalecimiento de las capacidades de los artesanos, las oportunidades de creación de empleo y la formación técnica y profesional.

#Iraq #Papa Francisco

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showbizchicago · 5 years ago

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Milwaukee Rep Announces Cast For HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH

Milwaukee Repertory Theater is pleased to announce complete cast and creative team for the much anticipated production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch in the Stiemke Studio January 28 – March 8, 2020. Best known for his unique red carpet coverage of Broadway openings for Broadway.com, Matt Rodin will perform the title character Hedwig with Rep favorite Bethany Thomas (Songs for Nobodies, Milwaukee Rep) as Yitzhak. Hedwig and the Angry Inch with text by John Cameron Mitchell and music and lyrics by Stephen Trask is a trailblazing rock-musical and winner of four Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival. This musical sensation played to record-breaking sell-out crowds on Broadway telling the story of one of the most unique characters to ever hit the stage. As Hedwig’s life changes and with nothing left, she returns to her first love — music. Hedwig and the Angry Inch is directed by Milwaukee Rep Artistic Director Mark Clements (West Side Story, Milwaukee Rep), with music direction by Associate Artist Dan Kazemi (West Side Story, Milwaukee Rep), scenic Design by Scott Davis (Things I Know To Be True, Milwaukee Rep), costume design by Mieka van der Ploeg (Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, Milwaukee Rep), lighting design by Jason Fassl (Guys and Dolls, Milwaukee Rep), sound design by Barry G. Funderburg (A Christmas Carol, Milwaukee Rep), projection design by Mike Tutai (Holmes & Watson, Milwaukee Rep), casting by Frank Honts, New York casting by Michael Cassara and stage managed by David Hartig. Hedwig and the Angry Inch band includes Associate Artist Dan Kazemi conducting and on keys, Maxwell Emmet on Guitar, Tommy Hahn on Bass, and Patrick Morrow on drums. The 2019/20 EPRs Isabella Abel-Suarez, Lauryn Glenn, Brooke Johnson ,Joshua Ponce, Gilberto Saenz, Nadja Simmonds, Austin Winter will round out the production as Roadies. Hedwig and the Angry Inch runs January 28 – March 8, 2020 in the Stiemke Studio. Opening night is set for Friday, January 31 at 8pm. Purchase tickets at www.MilwaukeeRep.com, by calling the Ticket Office at 414-224-9490 or in person at 108 E. Wells Street in downtown Milwaukee. Hedwig and the Angry Inch is presented by Mara and Craig Swan. The Stiemke Studio Season is presented by Ed Seaberg and Patrick Smith and The Rep is sponsored in part by the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF). For more information, please visit our website www.MilwaukeeRep.com About Milwaukee Repertory Theater Milwaukee Rep is the largest performing arts organization in Wisconsin in terms of audiences served and one of the largest professional theaters in the country. Each year, Milwaukee Rep welcomes up to 275,000 people at nearly 700 performances of 15 productions ranging from compelling dramas, powerful classics, new plays and full-scale musicals in its three unique performance venues – the Quadracci Powerhouse, Stiemke Studio and Stackner Cabaret. For over 65 years, The Rep has gained a national reputation as an incubator of new work, an agent of community change and a forward-thinking provider of vital arts education programs. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mark Clements and Executive Director Chad Bauman, Milwaukee Repertory Theater ignites positive change in the cultural, social, and economic vitality of its community by creating world-class theater experiences that entertain, provoke, and inspire meaningful dialogue among an audience representative of Milwaukee’s rich diversity. Read the full article

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bluemoonbabes · 1 year ago

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Glass Wall

Debris nbc. Bryan introspection.

There are days where Bryan feels as though he’s stuck within the Uncanny Valley, something that looks human, that should be human, but isn’t quite. He knows that he’s human, but his certainty it in is subverted as he flounders through the sea of larger society. There’s something beneath the surface that’s off to others, something that skews the smiles he gets, something that makes people look his way a second to long, something that shifts the way people treat him. Something that makes people ignore him.

He feels it now especially as he sits in the corner of an Orbital office party, some buff, untouched liquid in a candy red cup, probably a shitty beer from the gas station few blocks south with the flickering sign, buzzing fan, and one ceiling panel in the back missing its corner. He grabbed the cup because he’d thought he’d drink it, but now, staring down into it as it sloshes against plastic, it’s minutely repulsive. Not overwhelmingly so, he just can’t bring himself to lift the cup to his lips.

He’s posted in a good spot, the wall a stabilizing comfort against his back as he watches over the living room and the kitchen, the front door nearest him. That’s one possible exit. There’s a hall he can see too, but not the bedrooms or bathroom that branch off of it, drawing his eyes back down that way every so often just in case. He can see part of the dining room and part of the backyard through landscape windows and the screen door that slams as Brandt and Claire parade their way through to the dinning table, a second possible exit that smacks his ears like someone bopped him, and flinches, almost, kind of, the noise jolting through his body yet he hides it well enough.

Tom is near the door with Mallory and someone he doesn’t know. Lester and several techs have taken up the couch and two plush chairs. Agent Kazemi and her husband are nitpicking the buffet as Grace and Alvin scour through it, Muntz judging them from the sidelines as he nibbles on cheese. He’s not sure who all is in the dinning room, but he can spot Brandt, Claire, and Niels among them. Several are outside, and Bryan catches Gibson, Maddox, Mackie, and Finola, which is exactly where his eyes keep circling back to, because Finola is the one person he feels most comfortable with, but she isn’t with him, and while he says he trusts his coworkers he knows that’ll never be wholly true. All he has is himself and Finola, and Finola isn’t with him, so he has to make sure she’s fine while also keeping watch over himself. He knows they’re safe but never entirely, and what if tonight is the night that something goes wrong? What if tonight someone snaps or something breaks or boundaries are overstepped, and Finola gets up hurt or missing or dead? (He’s never really feared for his own life. Not truly. Not when he spent years facing down Death every day). Because it’s so many fucking people here, crowded together in a confined space, and Bryan can only spot two exits, maybe seven if he counts windows, and confined space with big groups is where things go wrong.

Yet consciously he knows he’s safe. He knows he’s overreacting, because the self preservation part of his brain has been burned into eternal survival mode because it’s the only reason that he’s still alive today and it won’t shut off no matter what he does, not until he’s exhausted and drained and nothing but a body that sags and lags. He knows that this isn’t normal, but it’s the only normal he knows, and again he feels like the living version of the Uncanny Valley as he stands here alone, because no one else understands, no one even tries, and he’s starting to question whether or not he’s entirely human again because the side eyes and minute (he can’t tell if it’s confusion or repulsion) he gets when he does try to be open up and be honest prick his skin in all the wrong ways, all the painful ways, like what he’s what he’s saying and doing and even how he’s breathing is wrong, because they don’t even fucking try to understand, they just want him gone because god forbid a disabled person takes up any space.

He knows almost every person at this party and gets along with them fine. But only on a professional level. Only on a “hi, how are you? wonderful weather today” level. He knows that they know something is different with him on a deeper level, so while they smile and play polite, they never stick around long enough to know him. There’s this disconnect between him and the rest of humanity that Bryan can’t quite put his finger on, like there’s the glass wall between them that they’re both consciously aware of but that’s only recognizable when you really, really look at it.

It’s not that he wants to be separate. He wants to connect with others, almost desperately so. But his brain has been altered in a way that changes the rhythm of his person, because he’s been taught to socialize a certain way, taught to operate a certain way, and spent his youth learning that that’s the only way to survive because they people who failed were fucking killed. Like they’re swimming together in a current but one of his fins have been cut off, and he’s still swimming, but he has to do it in a different way in order to survive. Except that difference born out of survival freaks some people out, even disgusts some people, and no one is willing to be compassionate, no one is willing to be empathetic, no one registers that he’s disabled, all they see is that he’s ‘different’ (and ‘different’ so often morphs into something painful), so Bryan’s just here, in his own little corner, watching the world move on without him at a faster pace than he can keep up with. He’s got his fin back, but it’ll never be the same, so now he’s having to relearn to swim, and fucking hell does it suck, especially when he’s stranded in deep waters by himself.

Oh, and how angry that makes him, but that anger doesn’t take hold right now. Right now, he’s tense, his back rigid and shoulders fixed and neck stiff as it’s always been, his knees and hips eternally aching because he’s pretty damn sure that he’s got chronic pain now from hyper vigilance and tearing up his body in war, but it’s not like doctors ever gave enough of a shit for him to get diagnosed because they ‘see it in every veteran’. Right now, his ears are clogged with conversation and some song playing in the back, and while he’s certain he could listen in on someone if he focused, he doesn’t have that concentration now as every single sound, every single word, every single note is filters through his ears, mashing together in a sickening kind of static. Right now, there are bodies moving constantly around him and he’s separate from the one person he trusts, so he’s got to keep and eye on himself and Finola.

He knows he’ll be angry late though, because he’s always angry later, angry at himself, angry at his PTSD, angry at the world and life itself, when everything is quiet and his mind is given free reign. He hates those moments the most, hates inactivity and silence because the moment he isn’t moving is the same moment that he starts spiraling, sometimes slowly, sometimes very quickly, and next thing he knows he’s frozen as he washes dishes or brushes his teeth, dissociating into nothing, the vague scent of blood stained in his nostrils.

The screen door slams again and he flinches, almost, sort of, and his eyes fall immediately to Finola as she trails his way. She greets him gently with a small smile and a soft touch to his shoulder.

“You okay?” She asks.

Define okay, he wants to say, because if okay means surviving, then yeah, he’s fantastic. But if okay meanings good, then no, he’s not good and he’s not okay. So Bryan just shrugs.

“Yeah,” He says, and his voice is weak, drained by the ongoing, never ending, quietly painful commotion around him.

Finola, though, just looks at him, concerned and tender. She doesn’t need to clarify to know her answer because she can see it on his face, because she’s always been attentive that way, because she’s always been compassionate that way, because that’s part of why Bryan’s fallen in love with her.

“Ready to go?” She asks.

And he loves her all the more, nodding his head. She takes his hand and leads them out because she knows how uncomfortable he gets when someone walks behind him, their presence pressing down on his back as their footsteps trample out of sight, because she is safest where he can see her.

It’s quiet outside, and it feels like a bubble that swelled his head has popped as the door closes behind him, the sweet relief of quiet and fresh air. They head to their car, and one safely inside, Finola puts on soft songs at quiet volumes because she knows how much he hates the silence.

“Why don’t we get some shitty food and spend the rest of the night at home?” She asks.

And Bryan nods, because he’s so exhausted.

#edited because org fic was written at 6am in a state of delirium #idk if it’s explicitly cannon but it’s at least implied that bryan has or does struggle with ptsd #which makes him disabled #and oh boy do i want to talk about it #idk how though #there’s so much anger and ache and exhaustion that comes with ptsd #im writing a fic that deals with a piece of debris that alters bodies #im not wholly confident in publishing it tho bc it deals with v sensitive subjects #like trauma and body dysmphoria and gender dysphoria and ableism #i feel like it’s very niche #but it’s been v therapeutic to write #anyway #finola jones #bryan beneventi #debris nbc #fanfic #blue’s smexy writing

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wannabesewcrafty · 3 years ago

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Off the Clock

Fandom: Debris (TV)

Summary: Fill for “41. Reading a book/watching a movie/playing a game that they suggested.” From this list by @emswritingprompts

Notes: Spoilers/references for 1.01, 1.02, 1.04, 1.07, and 1.11. Might be the closest I get to writing crack!fic for this fandom.

Bryan didn’t know whose idea it was to go to a trivia night at a bar, but if he had to guess, he would have picked Kazemi. There were two reasons for this: one, Finola swore to him it hadn’t been her idea to go, and, two, he knew Kazemi could come across as standoffish on the job, but outside of work, she was witty with a dry sense of humor.

He and Finola were making up a team of six for the pub quiz, joining Lester, Kazemi, Tom, and April. Raheem had originally been the sixth member, but he had been called away last minute to run tech for a mission. April had invited Finola, who had in turn asked Bryan to fill in for Raheem.

“Are you sure you want me in on this?” Bryan asked Finola as they weaved their way past the other patrons milling about inside the bar.

“Of course. Aren’t you good at these?”

“What makes you think that?”

“Do you recall our flight to Pennsylvania?”

He shrugged. “I’ve never done one of these things before.” Between joining the Marines, serving in Afghanistan, and then being jailed in a military prison, pub quizzes hadn’t been high on his list of priorities.

“I haven’t either. At least not in the States. I thought it might be fun.”

Bryan only gestured for her to go ahead of him as they found the table the other Orbital agents had claimed.

Lester was sitting at one end of the rectangular table next to Kazemi, who was followed by April.

“Finola. Bryan,” Chin greeted. “Tom’s buying the first round.”

Bryan nodded and sat himself down across from Kazemi while Finola joined April. The MI-6 agent always tried to press the scientist for any updates on the farm workers held in suspensia, and April simply shook her head this time. No news, either good or bad.

“Was this your doing?” Bryan asked, smirking at Kazemi.

“I’m ready to take home that trophy,” she replied, looking at the golden cup displayed on a podium for people to see. “We’ve got some of the best and brightest here.”

“And Bryan,” Lester added, making the other man shoot him a look of mock hurt.

“We can’t lose,” Kazemi finished.

Here, April interjected. “Do you want to jinx us?”

Over her head, Finola shot Bryan a look of surprise, which earned her an amused smile. His newest partner wasn’t used to these different dynamics yet.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Tom said as he approached with bottles of beer in his hands.

Bryan helped relieve him of his load and passed around the beers. “How are you, Tom?”

“Been feeling a little lonely. I’m thinking of getting a dog,” he said.

“Don’t do it!” Kazemi and Lester said in unison.

Bryan privately agreed with them, but Finola smiled supportively at their fellow agent. “What kind would you get?” she asked Tom.

Before Tom could reply, the emcee announced the trivia quiz was going to start. “We’ve got six teams tonight! All competing for bragging rights and this trophy right here!” he said, earning applause and cheers from the crowd.

“Are you ready?” the emcee asked.

Finola shot Bryan a questioning look, and he nodded back.

“Our categories for tonight are…17th-century scientists…”

“I doubled in History and Chemistry before grad school,” April said, cracking her knuckles.

“…Sports…” Lester and Kazemi high-fived each other.

“Lester’s a walking sports encyclopedia,” Kazemi said in a low voice to Finola.

“…Dog breeds…” Tom smiled as Bryan shook him by the shoulder.

“…British slang…” Finola rolled her eyes as everyone at the table looked at her.

“…Classical music…” Kazemi clapped her hands and beamed.

“…and, last but not least, cars!”

Five sets of eyes turned to Bryan now, silently imploring him.

He scratched his head. “I’ll do my best,” he said modestly, but he winked at Kazemi to reassure her, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

-*-*-

When the contest was over, Bryan slid his jacket back on as he left the bar and fell into step beside Finola.

“So, who gets the trophy?” he asked jokingly.

The answer to the question was obvious. Kazemi had already started down the sidewalk, the trophy held protectively under one arm while Lester escorted her down the street. Behind them, April and Tom walked with their arms wrapped around each other’s waists, heads bent close together as they whispered.

Finola looked from them to Bryan in silent curiosity.

“They’re probably picking out a dog for Tom. Either that, or April’s convincing him to get a cat,” Bryan guessed.

She nodded and let out a deep breath. “Well, that was certainly an eye-opening experience back there. I never knew April was so competitive.”

“Yeah. And I forgot how much Kazemi and Lester knew about music and sports. It was kind of scary.”

They exchanged smiles as they followed their colleagues at a distance down the sidewalk.

“So…did you have fun?” Finola asked now.

Bryan nodded slowly. “Yeah, actually, I did. Thanks…you know, for inviting me.”

“Well, what are friends for?”

“I don’t know,” he mused, making her grin and shake her head.

“Do you think Kazemi will let us see that trophy ever again?” she asked.

He looked at her, raising his eyebrows in a “What do you think?” manner.

“Nah,” they agreed in unison.

#my fic #debris nbc #bryan x finola #emswritingprompts #brinola if you want it to be #this was briefly called The Games We Play

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brierhq · 5 years ago

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✉ welcome, FREDDIE! your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to report to the headmaster’s office within 24 HOURS of receiving this message. be sure to reference your checklist & send in any triggers along the way, and above all else, good luck, agent.

[ MEDALION RAHIMI, CISFEMALE, SHE/HER, TWENTY FOUR ] // filed under: ( FREIDA “FREDDIE” KAZEMI ), student is a ( THIRD YEAR ) from ( ENGLAND ) who specializes in ( SUPPORT ). we believe they will be an asset because they are ( RELIABLE & COURAGEOUS ). however, we are monitoring them due to their tendency to be ( RETICENT & PRIDEFUL ). at their basic state, they remind one of ( THE SOFT GLOW OF A FIREPLACE, HIDING A CLENCHED FIST UNDER A CALM DEMEANOR, RUNNING UNTIL YOUR LEGS GIVE OUT ). our ( ZANA ) has promise, but as we all know, brier isn’t for everyone. ✉ [ Cielo, 21, mst, she/her ]

#university rp #school rp #new rp #oc rp #appless rp #accepted

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nbatrades · 11 years ago

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Milwaukee Bucks Acquire Nate Wolters In 2013 Draft

On June 27th, 2013, the Milwaukee Bucks traded the draft rights of Ricky Ledo and a 2014 second round draft pick (Nemanja Dangubic) to the Philadelphia 76ers for the draft rights of Nate Wolters.

Nate Wolters had a whirlwind of a 2013 NBA Draft. From South Dakota State, Wolters was initially selected 38th in the second round of the draft by the Washington Wizards. Soon after, he was packaged with the 54th pick in the draft (Arsalan Kazemi) in a trade for the draft rights of the 35th pick in the draft, Glen Rice, Jr.

That would not be Wolters’ final stop on the draft night trade caravan. Wolters’ final stop would be Milwaukee where he was dealt to the Bucks for the draft rights of the 43rd pick in Ricky Ledo and a second round draft pick in the next year.

A four-year player at South Dakota State, Wolters departed the Jackrabbits basketball program with school records in scoring (2,353 points), assists (663) and free throws made (644). He once scored 53 points in a game during his senior year and finished up as a third-team All-American.

After the draft, Wolters joined the Bucks for NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where he put up 9.4 PPG on 40.9% from the field, 3.2 RPG and 2.8 APG in five games. Wolters later signed with the Bucks on a three-year, $2.3 million deal with the final year non-guaranteed. In his rookie season, Wolters was not expected to play heavy minutes, but injuries to point guards Luke Ridnour and Brandon Knight early in the season gave him an opportunity to start a handful of games.

Wolters showed some impressive skills early on. He had slick handles that allowed him to penetrate into the paint for drives. He was also a good decision maker, finishing fifth in assist to turnover ratio (3.28). Wolters had some clear weaknesses. His outside shot was lacking (29% from three).

Wolters ended up contributing 7.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 3.2 APG and 0.6 SPG in 58 appearances (31 starts) and 22.6 MPG. His season was cut short after he fractured his left hand in March.

Milwaukee dealt with numerous injuries throughout the 2013-14 season and though they had hopes for playoff contention, a 2-13 start doomed their season. Milwaukee ended up with the worst record in the NBA at 15-67.

In the offseason, the Bucks drafted Duke forward Jabari Parker with the second overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. The team also fired head coach Larry Drew, replacing him with Jason Kidd. Wolters went to Las Vegas for NBA Summer League for the second time with Milwaukee. He appeared in five contests and managed 8.4 PPG on 45% from the field, 3.0 RPG, 1.6 APG and 1.0 SPG in 22.5 MPG.

After the hiring of Kidd and the addition of point guards Jerryd Bayless and Kendall Marshall, Wolters found himself on the outside of Kidd’s backcourt rotations looking in. He appeared in just 11 of the team’s first 37 games, averaging 2.3 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 0.9 APG and 0.5 SPG in 12.9 MPG. At that point, the Bucks waived Wolters to make room for free agent signee Kenyon Martin. He later signed a 10-day contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Wolters ended his time in Milwaukee with a stat line of 6.4 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 2.9 APG and 0.6 SPG in 69 career games. He shot 43% from the field, 27% from three and 64% from the free-throw line.

On the same night, Philadelphia rerouted Ledo to the Dallas Mavericks, trading the wing for a 2014 second round pick. The 2014 second rounder that Milwaukee sent to Philadelphia ended up 54th in the 2014 draft. The Sixers selected 6′8″ Serbian guard Nemanja Dangubic and traded his draft rights to the San Antonio Spurs for the draft rights to guard Jordan McRae.

Nate Wolters on his draft situation (via Bucks.com):

“It was a pretty wide-open draft, especially in my range. I didn’t really know what to expect. Those were a crazy couple of minutes. I didn’t know where I was going. But I’m sure glad it was the Milwaukee Bucks.”

On joining the Bucks:

“Being drafted to play in the NBA is a dream that I’ve worked my entire life to achieve. Milwaukee is a great organization and I am very appreciative for this opportunity. I can’t wait to start my career as a Buck.”

John Hammond on acquiring Wolters (via Bucks.com):

“To get Nate in the second round, pardon me for saying it because we always say it, but I’m going to say it again: We had him on the board as a first-round pick. There were other teams, probably, saying the same things about their second-round picks, but we’re really excited to have Nate.

“To have a big guard – he’s a 6′4″ point guard – he scored at South Dakota State because his team needed him to do that. But has a great feel for the game and a great knowledge of how to play the game.”

On drafting both Giannis Antetokounmpo (taken in first round) and Wolters (via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel):

“It’s a pretty simple description, the guys who can pass and catch. You can't do one well without the other. If you’re a good passer, you usually have good hands and you can catch the ball. I think we added two guys who know how to play and have a great feel for the game. And one with Nate, we think is a player who can get on the floor and play for us immediately. And I don’t want to say that Giannis cannot do that. Who knows?”

Image via Getty Images/David Liam Kyle

#Nate Wolters #Ricky Ledo #Nemanja Dangubic #2013 #2013*14 Season #2013 NBA Draft

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iraqims · 5 years ago

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via Radio Cywar Network Video , YOUTUBE

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biofunmy · 5 years ago

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The Taxman Cometh for Some Condos

For thousands of luxury condo owners in New York who have received deep tax breaks for a decade or more, the taxman is coming.

The end of those benefits, through an expired program known as 421-a, could not have come at a worse time for many sellers, who are faced with mounting taxes and stiff competition in a weak market. Some are selling for marginal returns or even less than what they paid several years ago.

For savvy buyers, that could mean discounts in fancy condos that were built from the early- to mid-2000s, with leverage to negotiate and a much clearer picture of their future tax bills.

The moral is the same for longtime owners and potential buyers in tax-abated buildings: never mind the price tag, do the math.

A 10-year sales analysis of 7,238 condo units with waning 421-a tax breaks showed that their sale prices grew by 12 percent in that time, compared to a substantially stronger 29 percent in the overall condo market, according to the listing website StreetEasy, which used city data collected by the New York University Furman Center. In 2009, the annual tax bill for a one-bedroom apartment in one of these abated buildings was $792, by 2019, the median annual tax bill for such a unit rose to $13,080.

While prices for these abated units ultimately went up over the past decade, the last five years tell a different story, with sales price actually falling an average of 3.6 percent, just as many 421-a abatements have phased out.

“Sellers were essentially overvaluing these units — until the abatement started to expire,” said Grant Long, the website’s senior economist. Early buyers may have overlooked inflated prices, because the abatement kept their monthly carrying costs relatively low. But many of these abatements are now expiring just as a slowdown in sales and falling prices has made it harder for sellers to stand out, he said.

The neighborhoods with the most condo units set to lose their 421-a benefits in the next two years are the Upper West Side with 1,217 units, Chelsea with 706, Midtown West with 484, Flatiron with 440, and Midtown East with 427.

A Temporary Perk

Created in 1971 to spur development in neglected neighborhoods of New York, the 421-a program allowed condo buildings to be exempted from millions of dollars in property taxes for 10 to 25 years, depending on location and other criteria. The program expired in 2016, but the tax breaks persist depending on when a building was built. Owners of 421-a apartments pay a fraction of the property’s full taxes during a period of exemption, with the tax burden rising steadily until it reaches the full assessed value.

“The concept on paper is to increase affordability for a buyer,” said Jonathan J. Miller, the president of Miller Samuel Real Estate Appraisers & Consultants. “But it doesn’t factor in human behavior.”

Even though an owner’s tax bill from the city shows the abated and unabated tax amounts, owners tend to overestimate their income growth and underestimate future tax assessments, Mr. Miller said. It’s hard for condo owners to anticipate how much their total tax bills will grow over time because the city could increase their property assessment annually.

Initial prices in abated buildings also tended to be higher, because the landowner would charge the developer a premium for property that qualified for the abatement program, and the developer would pass that cost onto buyers, he said. (Some developers also took advantage of 421-a exemptions when building rentals, but the expiration of those abatements has less impact on renters.)

Many bought tax-abated units at prices that they justified with low monthly carrying costs, or plans to rent the units before higher taxes kicked in. The sticker shock at the end of abatement is twofold: The share of the total tax responsibility steadily rises as the abatement drops over time, while the overall tax bill often climbs when the city reassesses the property. Sellers in buildings with expired abatements are also often competing with owners in similar circumstances, sometimes in the same buildings, which can push sale prices down further, Mr. Miller said.

New York is also in one of the toughest markets for sellers in years, said Lindsay Barton Barrett, an agent with Douglas Elliman.

“People are sensitive to everything now,” Ms. Barrett said of buyers, who have ample choice and might be leery of buying a unit that used to have much lower carrying costs, even though the taxes may now be similar to what they would pay at comparable unabated buildings.

“It’s almost this sense of unfairness — that the person who came before them got this benefit, and they’re not,” she said.

That apprehension has led to some bargains at condos with designer pedigrees.

At the Centurion, a 2008 condo in Midtown with an abatement that was designed by the firm of I.M. Pei, a 2,011-square-foot, three-bedroom apartment sold for $4 million in March, almost 10 percent below the asking price. The abatement expires in 2020 and the seller, who bought the apartment for $5.4 million in 2012, took a significant loss.

“Sometimes people are just priced out of the buildings that they bought in,” said Martin Eiden, an agent with Compass, who sold the listing and has represented other units with expiring abatements. The apartment received a 10-year abatement in which taxes would rise 20 percent every two years, until reaching the full tax bill — from less than $13,000 in 2010 to about $28,000 this year.

“The idea of a full tax coming in 10 years down the road is very far-off for a lot of people,” Mr. Eiden said, and it is hard to predict just how high the taxes will rise at the end of that term. And there are political unknowns: Recent caps on state, local and property tax deductions as well as higher transfer taxes on luxury sales changed the calculus for some buyers.

For foreign investors, who make up a large share of the owners in these buildings because of the initial high return on rent, it could still make sense to sell for less than what they paid, he said, because of a favorable currency exchange rate — or simply to avert further losses.

“I think they penciled out for a certain return,” said Ian Slater, an agent with Compass, about clients who banked on rising rental income in abated buildings, especially around the financial district. “But with so much rental competition, I don’t know how much the rents have grown, while their carry costs have risen.”

Mr. Slater is listing a bundle of five units at the W Downtown Hotel & Residences in the financial district that will soon lose its tax abated status for $4.875 million, a 20 percent discount from its last asking price.

A Shift in Buyers

As profit margins shrink for investors who have been renting out their units, there are opportunities for buyers who intend to actually live in the apartments.

At 100 Riverside Boulevard, a 2006 condo tower on the Upper West Side, an 851-square-foot one-bedroom apartment was listed in October for $1.15 million — less than when it sold for $1.3 million in 2015.

When the current owner bought in 2015, the annual taxes were around $9,800; in 2019, the final year of abatement, the annual tax bill had jumped to almost $16,000.

“The carrying costs are getting ridiculous” for condos, said Christopher Kromer, the listing agent with Halstead. (Taxes for condos are generally higher than in co-ops, and amenity-heavy newer buildings also tend to have higher common charges.) But that phenomenon is market-wide, he said, and there is no additional tax risk for someone buying in a formerly abated building.

In other abated buildings that were popular with investors, the balance may be shifting to primary residents. At 15 William Street in the financial district, an abated building originally aimed at single business people, ownership changed in 2010 after the developer struggled to find buyers, and returned with a family-friendly marketing campaign.

“It just doesn’t make sense for investors anymore,” many of whom hailed from Colombia and Venezuela and anticipated a certain monthly return based on the abatement, said Maria Velazquez, an agent with Douglas Elliman with several listings at the building. In their place, she has seen more families buying in the building, lured by falling prices, and amenities like an indoor pool and children’s playroom.

There were two-bedroom apartments in the building starting above $1.6 million, while the median price for condos of that size in Manhattan was over $2 million in the third quarter, according to a Douglas Elliman report.

Prices were lower in part because the building is older than nearby competitors, but the rising taxes were another likely factor. In one high-floor apartment listed for $1.65 million, the annual tax bill went from about $1,170 in 2010 to over $30,000 this year, not including annual common charges of about $19,500. The price of the apartment has dropped 9 percent since 2017, when it was listed for $1.815 million.

A Look Ahead

Despite the 421-a program ending in 2016, there are still thousands of apartments with some period of tax relief, and for buyers who can budget accordingly, there are several options to consider.

Buildings such as One Manhattan Square, a luxury tower in Two Bridges that secured a 20-year abatement just before the program expired in 2016, have heavily promoted the low taxes and carrying costs to lure buyers. Sales there have so far been sluggish.

But the lure of lower taxes has not lost its shine.

“If there is any abatement left, it’s helping, even if it’s phasing out,” said David Kazemi, an agent with Bond working in Brooklyn. While many Manhattan abatements are ending, Brooklyn has several projects with 15-year or longer abatements. Any relief is welcome, he said, especially when you consider that some unabated one-bedroom condos in northern Brooklyn have annual tax bills of $6,500 to $8,500

Wayne Ngai, who works in real estate investment banking, bought a two-bedroom condo in Greenpoint, with an abatement through 2031, for just under $1.06 million in May. He and his wife, Cayla Chen, will pay an abated tax of about $2,500 a year, when they would otherwise owe about $13,500. The couple will pay a similar share of the property tax until the last five years of the abatement, when their burden will rise 20 percent a year until reaching the full assessment.

To soften the blow of rising taxes, the condo board in Mr. Ngai’s 10-unit building retains an attorney who can challenge the city’s tax assessments, in the hopes of keeping future tax bills lower.

For now, the reasonable carrying costs and a low-interest rate on their mortgage means the couple can afford to own in a quickly developing neighborhood near the subway. Will they be around when the taxes begin to jump in about six years?

“In my ideal world,” said Mr. Ngai, “I get out before then.”

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