Architecture

Whether you think "architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness," like Frank Gehry, or that "architecture is not an inspirational business, it's a rational procedure to do sensible and hopefully beautiful things; that's all," like Harry Seidler, advances in materials and design continue to expand the architect's play book with buildings that reach for the skies and connect us to the earth.

Architecture

Stefano Boeri's vertical forest takes the form of riverside apartments in Italy

Nick Lavars October 21, 2018

Italian architect Stefano Boeri’s vertical forest buildings have now taken root in Milan, Switzerland, France and China. For his latest project, his firm is now returning to its homeland with plans to construct an "Urban Forest" consisting of riverside apartment blocks shrouded in plants and trees.

The buildings making up the Cà delle Alzaie project, each carefully oriented in order to create ...

Architecture

World's tallest residential tower commands sky-high prices

Adam Williams October 18, 2018

Central Park Tower, by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, is a new supertall skyscraper currently under construction in NYC. Once complete, it'll be the tallest residential building in the world and rise to a height of 1,550 feet (472 m), hosting amazing luxury apartments that cost over US$100 million.

Room with a view: Central Park Tower's plush apartments will offer choice views over New York's ...

Architecture

Prototype low-cost house is 3D-printed using mud

Adam Williams October 17, 2018

We've been following the work of Italian 3D-printing firm WASP (World's Advanced Saving Project) for some time but its latest creation is its most fascinating to date. It consists of a 3D-printed mud hut that was produced for just €900 (roughly US$1,000).

Gaia's €900 (roughly US$1,000) budget only covers the materials and not any labor costs

Architecture

Green-roofed house keeps prying eyes at bay

Adam Williams October 16, 2018

The aptly-named House behind the Roof is defined by its sizable green roof, which provides it with privacy from passing traffic and neighbors. The home was also designed with a focus on energy-efficiency, and reduces its grid-based electricity use with solar panels.

House behind the Roof has some sustainable features, including a green roof and solar panels

Architecture

BIG bobs up in South America with a tree-covered tower for Quito

Nick Lavars October 15, 2018

The ever-imaginative architecture firm BIG's first footsteps on the South American continent will give rise to a residential tower close to the equator that will double as an "urban tree farm" for the Ecuadorian capital of Quito.

BIG's first footsteps in South America will plant a residential tower close to the equator

Architecture

MIT's Fiberbots form skinny self-styled towers from the ground up

Nick Lavars October 14, 2018

We are starting to see some exciting possibilities in the field of robotic construction, and how it might not just take some of the load off human hands but give rise to an entirely new branch of architecture. The Fiberbots recently developed at MIT are one impressive example of this.

A human controller sets some basic design parameters pertaining to how they want the finished structure ...

Architecture

Undulating airport rides wave of timber construction

Adam Williams October 12, 2018

This recently-completed Philippine airport terminal is primarily constructed from wood. It features a striking design inspired by rolling ocean waves and a stunning interior that highlights the beauty of the material.

The Mactan Cebu International Terminal 2 project took three years to construct and cost US$327 million

Architecture

Best of British: Bloomberg HQ named UK's finest new building

Adam Williams October 11, 2018

The Royal Institute of British Architects has declared Foster + Partners the winner of the 2018 Stirling Prize, Britain's most prestigious architecture award, for its new Bloomberg headquarters in London. The massive project is impeccably designed and boasts considerable sustainable technology.

Bloomberg London represents the third time that Foster + Partners has been declared the winner of ...

Architecture

BIG brings high-end design to low cost housing

Adam Williams October 11, 2018

Well-made low-cost housing is a tough nut to crack, but high-profile Danish firm BIG recently took on the challenge for a new project in its home country. Commissioned by a non-profit affordable housing association, Dortheavej Residence offers architect-designed homes to people on a low income.

Little boxes: Dortheavej Residence comprises 66 home stacked in an attractive checkered pattern

Architecture

Magnificent lakeside Cliff House is cavernous inside and out

Nick Lavars October 9, 2018

Architects McCall Design & Planning continued tweaking the design of the Cliff House right up to just a few months before its completion. The end result is a spectacular residence that is truly at home amid its rocky cliffside setting, and even invites it in to become part of the furniture.

The Cliff House is perched on a cliff overlooking Payette Lake in Idaho’s southwest