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

Striking opera house resembles cracked ice on a lake

Adam Williams July 18, 2019

Henning Larsen has shown a particular talent for producing eye-catching projects that break the mold. It reaffirms this with the newly-opened Hangzhou Yuhang Opera, which resembles a giant piece of cracking ice on the surface of a manmade lake in China.

The Hangzhou Yuhang Opera is located next to a manmade lake

Architecture

Six stunning projects vying for UK's most prestigious architecture prize

Adam Williams July 17, 2019

RIBA has announced its selection of projects for the 2019 Stirling Prize shortlist. Highlights include an impressively sustainable house made from cork, a gorgeous green-roofed whisky distillery, and an opera that has been sympathetically installed within a 17th century stable.

The Macallan New Distillery and Visitor Experience building is one of the six projects shortlisted for ...

Architecture

Zigzagging office provides a green and comfortable place to work

Adam Williams July 17, 2019

Vietnam's VTN Architects continues its pursuit of adding greenery-infused architecture to its homeland with a pair of new projects. The most notable, the Viettel Offsite Studio, is defined by a novel zigzagging form designed to provide staff with a green and comfortable work environment.

The Viettel Offsite Studio is defined by six eye-catching V-shaped structures

Architecture

Japanese hotel fits suite with commercial flight simulator

Bridget Borgobello July 17, 2019

Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu has revealed a hotel suite that features a flight simulator. The Superior Cockpit Room will be available for bookings from the July 18 and boasts a professional Boeing 737-800 aircraft simulator.

The Superior Cockpit Room boasts a professional Boeing 737-800 aircraft simulator

Architecture

Quaint treetop cabins take Nordic minimalism up into the canopy

Nick Lavars July 16, 2019

Located on a peninsula that juts out into the country’s longest fjord, the freshly opened Løvtag Hotel lifts its guests high up into the trees, and offers uninterrupted views of the surrounds by way of a rooftop terrace.

The cabins making up the Løvtag Hotel will number nine in all

Architecture

Research lab puts sustainability under the microscope

Adam Williams July 16, 2019

High-profile Dutch firm MVRDV has been commissioned to design a new office and laboratory in Amsterdam named Matrix 1. The building will boast significant sustainable features, including solar power and a partially green roof.

Construction of Matrix 1 is due to start in 2020 and it's expected to open in ...

Architecture

Eco-friendly solar crematorium proposed for Los Angeles

Matt Kennedy July 16, 2019

Margot Krasojević's futuristic aesthetic as well as the eco and energy efficiency considerations she incorporates into her projects makes for some fascinating concepts. The latest project is a proposed crematorium, memorial space and – if the renderings are anything to go by – a skatepark.

The Santa Monica solar crematorium is intended to be incorporated into both the landscape and the ...

Architecture

Inside World Festival of Interiors highlights sublime interior design

Adam Williams July 12, 2019

Following the recent unveiling of the World Architecture Festival (WAF) shortlist, its sister event, the Inside World Festival of Interiors, has revealed its own 2019 shortlist. The awards celebrates the best, boldest, and most innovative interior designs from around the world.

Australia's B/Hive, Smales Farm, by BVN, in association with Jasmax, is one of the 534 projects ...

Architecture

Planned concert hall hits a sustainable note

Adam Williams July 11, 2019

Steven Holl Architects and Architecture Acts, in association with Nagata Acoustics, have been selected to design a new concert hall in Czech Republic. The building's unusual form is described as an "instrument in its case" and will sport an eye-catching zinc roof that has solar panels installed.

Assuming all goes to plan, the Ostrava Concert Hall is expected to be completed by 2023

Architecture

Zaha Hadid-designed tower offers sky-high luxury for a sky-high price

Adam Williams July 9, 2019

Having begun construction back in 2015, Zaha Hadid Architects' much-anticipated One Thousand Museum is now finally ready to begin welcoming residents. Located in Miami, the 62-story skyscraper contains 84 luxury homes overlooking the famous Biscayne Bay.

One Thousand Museum rises to a maximum height of 708 ft (215 m)