Shelter, the premium streaming service renowned for presenting global content centred on architecture and design, is set to unveil a distinctive range of film offerings this August.
Kicking off the month is DESIGN e² Season 2, a US-produced six-episode series available from August 7, save for the US audience. With narration provided by esteemed Golden Globe and Academy award winner, Brad Pitt, this season focuses on innovative and sustainable architectural practices worldwide.
Highlights include an examination of Bogotá, Colombia’s alternative strategies to automobile culture, the redevelopment of an abandoned Amsterdam dockyard that presents suburban-style housing without the consequent sprawl, and a spotlight on the Druk White Lotus School in Ladakh, India, constructed with a commitment to local culture and sustainable materials.
August 14 sees the release of FULL FRONTAGE, an 8-episode New Zealand series unavailable in its home country. This series amalgamates the expertise of landscape designer Justin Newcombe and real estate specialist Mike Pero. Together, they aim to uplift the aesthetic appeal of front yards in New Zealand, ensuring homeowners can attain the best potential sale price for their property. With a budget cap set at $20,000, the transformations are anticipated to encompass various facets of home improvement, from lighting and fencing to minor repairs.
VICTORIA, a 71-minute US production available on August 21 for its Australian premiere, delves into the intriguing history of California City. Founded in 1958 with aspirations to rival Los Angeles in grandeur, this premeditated city never reached completion. With an expansive land area but a scant population of just over 10,000, this unfinished dream lies in the Southern California desert. The film trails Lashay T Warren, a Los Angeles émigré, documenting his experiences in California City, the city’s empty streets, and excerpts from his personal diary.
August also welcomes fresh episodes of NEVER TOO SMALL every Friday. This series offers insights into compact living spaces, showcasing various international designs, such as a minimalist apartment in Taipei City and an eco-friendly house nestled in Mt Kembla. This series stands as a testament to how strategic design can revolutionise urban living experiences.
Shelter stands out with its commitment to ad-free, curated content which encompasses a broad range of topics. Whether it’s diving deep into the works of iconic architects like John Lautner and Tadao Ando or exploring small space living solutions with titles like “Microtopia”, Shelter promises a diverse array of content.
A special mention goes to their exclusive Shelter Original series, Inspired Architecture, which has garnered positive attention, notably from our publication. In a commendable eco-friendly initiative, Shelter pledges to plant a tree for each of its subscribers every month.
