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

France's Prime Minister announces design competition to replace destroyed Notre-Dame spire

Adam Williams April 18, 2019

Following the devastating fire that damaged iconic Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral on Monday, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has revealed that authorities plan to launch an international architecture competition to replace its spire.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he wants the Notre-Dame to be rebuilt "even more beautifully," and ...

Architecture

BIG's business school is wrapped in striking "domino-effect" copper facade

Adam Williams April 17, 2019

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) recently completed a new extension for the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Named the Business Innovation Hub, the building offers additional study space and social areas, and is defined by an eye-catching copper facade.

The Business Innovation Hub's exterior features vertical copper pillars, which gradually slope downward, forming a large ...

Architecture

Salesforce Tower named Best Tall Building Worldwide by CTBUH

Adam Williams April 16, 2019

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has named Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects' Salesforce Tower in San Francisco the Best Tall Building Worldwide for 2019. A total of 20 other Category Winners were also awarded during the recent CTBUH Annual Awards event in Shenzhen, China.

San Francisco's Salesforce Tower, by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, has been declared the Best Tall Building ...

Architecture

Muji Hotel opens in Ginza, featuring stunning micro suites

Bridget Borgobello April 16, 2019

Japanese home and lifestyle brand Muji has recently opened its third hotel, located in the center of Tokyo's upmarket shopping district of Ginza. The impressive MUJI Hotel Ginza spans six floors and features 79 rooms that boast stunning tiny living interior designs.

Super compact design of the Type C hotel suite

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Jewel Changi Airport, home of world's tallest indoor waterfall, opens for business

Adam Williams April 15, 2019

Following over four years of construction, work is now finally complete on the Safdie Architects-led Jewel Changi Airport project. The impressive building, complete with indoor forest and the world's tallest indoor waterfall, will open to travelers on April 17.

Jewel Changi Airport's waterfall measures 40 m (131 ft)-tall

Architecture

Alex Chinneck makes an ordinary building extraordinary with unzipped facade

Adam Williams April 11, 2019

Alex Chinneck's surreal artistic works offer a fascinating twist on everyday architecture. His latest project involves him apparently unzipping an aged building's facade during Milan Design Week.

IQOS World is on display at Milan Design Week until April 14, 2019

Architecture

Award-winning libraries rewrite the book on good design

Adam Williams April 8, 2019

A library with a train track running through it and another with a design meant to maximize natural light inside feature in the 2019 AIA/ALA Library Building Awards. Whether you're a bookworm or not, the awards offer an opportunity to check out high-projects by some top-tier architects.

Snøhetta and Dialog's Calgary Central Library is one of six stunning libraries recognized in the 2019 ...

Architecture

The BIG plan to create a floating city for 10,000 people

Adam Williams April 8, 2019

Bjarke Ingels Group has experience with floating architecture but its latest proposal is on a much larger scale than before. Working with non-profit Oceanix and MIT's Center for Ocean Engineering, the firm has unveiled an ambitious concept for a floating city with a population of up to 10,000.

Oceanix City would measure 75 hectares (185 acres)

Architecture

Fans and spirals inform the design of stunning Shanghai Grand Opera House

Adam Williams April 4, 2019

Snøhetta has been selected to lead the design of the new Shanghai Grand Opera House in China. The building's design is influenced by an open fan and will feature an impressive spiraling staircase that offers public access to its rooftop.

The Shanghai Grand Opera House's rooftop will be open to the public

Architecture

Western Europe's tallest skyscraper planned... for a small Danish town

Adam Williams April 2, 2019

Planning permission has been granted for Western Europe's new tallest skyscraper – though it's not in London or Paris as you might expect. Instead, the destination for the Tower & Village skyscraper, by Dorte Mandrup, is a small rural Danish town called Brande with a population of around 7,000.

Assuming it goes ahead, the Tower & Village skyscraper will rise to a height of 320 ...