A Containment Zone for Mona Lisa

Paris, France's Louvre have selected international architecture firms Studios Architecture Paris and Selldorf Architects to design their sweeping $1 billion "Nouvelle Renaissance" expansion. 

The centerpiece of this massive overhaul is a custom-built, 33,000-square-foot underground exhibition space – I call it a containment zone – specifically dedicated to the Mona Lisa. 

This project aims to solve the severe, chronic overcrowding at the world's most-visited museum. Approximately 80% of the museum's 9 million annual visitors come primarily to see the portrait, turning the current viewing room into a chaotic bottleneck. 

In fact, visitors who came solely for the Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece will buy a separate, dedicated ticket. 

It means that those looking to only view the famous Giocanda will not necessarily have to pass through or even visit the rest of the Louvre. They will be spared the extra time waiting in line, and can get in, take their selfies, and get out. 

Meanwhile, those who wish to see the hundreds of thousands of other pieces among the galleries, will be spared the extra waiting time in line from those queuing only for the purpose of seeing the Mona Lisa. 

Methinks, it's a superb compromise.

Happy news as Malaysian women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-Thinaah Muralitharan have been cleared to return to action at the Singapore Open, which begins tomorrow. 

Pearly Tan (right) had to miss both the Uber Cup 2026 as well as the Malaysia Masters, due to a recurring back injury.