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

Europe's first underwater restaurant offers views of the seabed

Adam Williams March 21, 2019

Visitors to Norway can now dine both on and with fish in an impressive new restaurant by Snøhetta. Appropriately named Under, the building is part-sunk into the sea and is encased in a concrete shell designed to withstand the harsh conditions on the seabed of Norway's rugged southern coast.

Under features a large panoramic acrylic window that allows people to watch the marine life of ...

Architecture

Work begins on world's longest single-mast, asymmetric cable-stayed bridge

Adam Williams March 21, 2019

Construction has begun on a new Zaha Hadid Architects-designed bridge in Taiwan that's billed as the world's longest single-mast, asymmetric cable-stayed bridge. Due to open in 2024, the Danjiang Bridge is a massive project with a considerable budget of NT$12.49 billion (US$405.2 million).

The Danjiang Bridge will span the mouth of the Tamsui River that flows through Taipei

Architecture

Heatherwick Studio's ambitious 'stairway to nowhere' is complete

Adam Williams March 20, 2019

Heatherwick Studio's Vessel is finally complete and has now opened to the public in Manhattan, New York City. Rising to a height of 150 ft (45 m), the steel structure comprises 54 interconnecting flights of stairs, 2,500 steps, and 80 landings, offering views of the city and the Hudson River.

The Heatherwick Studio-designed Vessel has a reported price tag of US$200 million

Architecture

Flexse module goes small on size but big on recyclable materials

Bridget Borgobello March 19, 2019

Bringing a modern twist to the classic Scandinavian BBQ hut, the original Flexse prototype features a sloping oval design and is clad with thin timber panels. Inside, the hut is complete with open fire grill and cozy dining area.

Russian design firm SA Lab has completed a sleek and small module designed for a myriad ...

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World's tallest indoor waterfall crowns amazing Moshe Safdie-designed airport building

Adam Williams March 19, 2019

Work is almost complete on Singapore's Jewel Changi Airport project. Led by Safdie Architects, it looks like it'll be a much nicer place to spend time than a typical airport and will boast an indoor park with walking trails, a forest, and what the firm says is the world's tallest indoor waterfall.

Singapore's Jewel Changi Airport is due to open on April 17

Architecture

Seeds sown for new Vertical Forest in Albania

Adam Williams March 19, 2019

Stefano Boeri received several awards for Milan's greenery-covered Bosco Verticale, and has since conceived similar buildings around the world. His studio's latest iteration on the Vertical Forest design is slated for Tirana, Albania, and will be covered in over 3,200 shrubs and bushes.

The Vertical Forest of Tirana will rise to 21 floors

Architecture

Treehouse-inspired energy-efficient homes boast insulating cork exteriors

Bridget Borgobello March 18, 2019

“Two Cork Houses” are two sustainable homes located in the beautiful natural forest landscape of Plafrugell, in Northern Spain. The architects spent considerable efforts designing the homes around the forest to have little impact on the existing flora.

Two Cork Houses by Emiliano López Mónica Rivera Arquitectos both feature an impressive facade made from ...

Architecture

World's tallest timber building officially crowned by CTBUH

Adam Williams March 18, 2019

The influential Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has officially declared Norway's Mjøstårnet as the new world's tallest timber building. The mixed-use building reaches a total height of 85.4 m (280 ft).

Preliminary construction work on Mjøstårnet began in April, 2017 and it officially opened on March 15

Architecture

Kengo Kuma and Associates suspends timber-clad home above the Swiss snow

Bridget Borgobello March 13, 2019

The “Suspended Forest” cabin hangs from a large overhead concrete structure, allowing the dwelling to hover above the snow-covered landscape. The structure is part of the Jan Michalski Foundation, a center for literature and writing.

Architecture

Jean Nouvel-designed luxury high-rise tops out in Miami

Adam Williams March 13, 2019

High-profile French architect Jean Nouvel's upcoming luxury high-rise recently topped out in Miami. Named Monad Terrace, the project is expected to be completed in late 2019 and will offer plush apartments overlooking the famous Biscayne Bay starting at US$1.7 million.

Monad Terrace consists of two buildings, rising to 90 ft (27 m) and 150 ft (45 ...