Archinect - News

Jeanne Gang and the Greening of Chicago

2013-01-25T12:31:00-05:00

Among Gang’s intentions is to invite a “more wild version” of nature into cities, using what she refers to as “green infrastructure” to support and enhance urban landscapes. “Nature as we see it in cities is created, it’s man-made, it’s redesigned in a certain sense,” says Gang. “I think it’s important not for romantic reasons, but for practical and experiential reasons, to extend biodiversity within the ecosystem.”

Living Art: The Rise Of The Vertical Gardens

2013-01-07T00:34:00-05:00

A growing number of small urban spaces are creating landscaped gardens that stretch beyond floor pots, with greenery growing upwards along walls and fences. This new trend toward ‘vertical gardens’ is renewing apartments, offices and restaurants inviting greenery to flourish in small spaces.

Frank Harmon Wins Honor Award for AIA NC Center for Architecture and Design

2012-11-28T16:59:00-05:00

November 28, 2012 (Raleigh, NC) – Frank Harmon Architect PA, a multi-award-winning firm in Raleigh, NC, has received an Honor Award from the North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA NC) for the design of the new AIA NC Center for Architecture and Design in downtown Raleigh.

Already praised by the media as a “heroic gesture” (Metro Magazine), a building “that behaves like the skilled diplomat it was designed to be,” (News & Observer), and “an ode in zinc and cypress, and an inviting treatise on transparency,” (Huffington Post), the building is located on an oddly shaped, previously unused lot in downtown Raleigh near the State Capitol and Government Complex.

According to Frank Harmon, FAIA, the building and landscape were conceived of as “one interlocking system” with the help of Charlottesville, VA, landscape architect Gregg Bleam, FASLA. “The landscape is an extension of the building and the building is an extension of the landscape,” Harmon said. ...

SFO Terminal 2 is the First U.S. Airport to Achieve LEED Gold Certification

2011-12-08T12:47:00-05:00

With innovative mechanical systems, natural daylighting, clear signage and a variety of behind the scenes sustainability strategies, San Francisco International Airport's Terminal 2 has become a destination unto itself. And the LEED Gold certification? Well, that's just an added bonus.

San Francisco's Terminal 2 just became the first airport in the United States to achieve LEED Gold certification, and Inhabitat hit the scene yesterday to bring you exclusive photos of the airy, energy-efficient building renovated by Gensler.

Ginger Group Unveils Plan to Transform the Eiffel Tower Into a Gigantic Tree

2011-12-01T14:59:31-05:00

A group of consultants in Paris has hatched a plan to turn the Eiffel Tower into a giant tree by covering it with 600,000 plants. Their dream is to literally plant the 324 meter tall aesthetic symbol of Paris with 12 tons of rubber tubing, and gradually add bags planted with greenery all over.

Africa's First Plastic Bottle House Rises in Nigeria

2011-11-07T15:07:21-05:00

The Development Association for Renewable Energies (DARE) – an NGO based in Nigeria – is almost finished with an incredible two-bedroom bungalow entirely out of plastic bottles. Although many in Kaduna were dubious when the project began construction in June this year, the nearly-complete home is bullet and fireproof, earthquake resistant, and maintains a comfortable interior temperature of 64 degrees fahrenheit year round.

Mexico City to Build the World's Largest Urban Park

2011-08-16T14:35:10-04:00

Leading Mexican architect and landscape urbanist Iñaki Echeverria just unveiled his newest project which when completed, will be the largest urban park in the world. Dubbed El Parque Ecologico Lago de Texcoco (Texcoco Lake Ecological Park), the wide, open development will encompass more than 35,000 acres of space – which is 41 times larger than New York’s Central Park.

$1.5 Billion Star Trek Theme Park Announced for Jordan

2011-08-12T16:47:56-04:00

King Abdullah of Jordan, who was once an extra in an episode of Star Trek: Voyager, has given the green light to a $1.5 billion Star Trek-inspired theme park that will boldly take Jordan where no Gulf state has gone before. While the theme park will not be powered by dilithium crystals, it will utilize green technology in order to lower its carbon footprint.

UPDATE: Hanin Fakhriddin, IP & Brand Protection Manager at Rubicon Group, one of the creators behind the theme park, just contacted us from Amman, Jordan and pointed out that "the Theme Park is not a Star Trek Theme Park, nor a theme park revolving around Star Trek. It will be dedicated to our region’s history and culture. A section of the park will be dedicated to the future, and this is where the Star Trek attraction will be."

Renzo Piano Unveils Green-Roofed Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center for Athens

2011-07-06T14:52:00-04:00

Renzo Piano recently unveiled plans for a new waterfront cultural center and urban park in Athens that includes a massive opera house and a library that is directly connected to the park by a sloping green roof. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center will also incorporate several sustainable technologies with the hope of attaining LEED Platinum certification.

Diawa Lease Unveils Solar-Powered Transforming EDV-01 Prefab

2011-06-23T15:44:47-04:00

Diawa Lease just sent Inhabitat the first photos of their new transforming EDV-1 shelter, which can be set on any terrain, doubles in size with the flick of a switch, and can sustain itself without any outside resources for up to a month by catching and reusing water and generating electricity with a huge built-in solar array.

Diawa Lease just unveiled its solar-powered EDV-1 emergency shelter, which doubles in size with the flick of a switch and features a luminous LED facade.

A First Look at Section 2 of New York's High Line Park

2011-06-07T16:11:28-04:00

The High Line, New York City’s most exciting and innovative linear park, just opened its second section to the public – and Inhabitat was on the scene to bring you exclusive photos of the new extension! We finally experienced the Falcone Flyover, Viewing Spur, Chelsea Thicket and other exciting new features, and we descended from the experienced with our heads still in the clouds – read on for our exclusive first look at The High Line, Section 2.

Inhabitat has exclusive photos of the opening day of New York's high line park - hit the jump to see the new park in its entirety - from the Chelsea Thicket to the Falcone Flyover and beyond.

World’s First Solar-Powered Floating Island Opens in Seoul

2011-05-31T18:16:28-04:00

The citizens living off the Han River in Seoul, South Korea inaugurated the world’s largest floating island just last week. The stunning structure includes a 700 seat convention hall, restaurants and arcades — all powered by solar energy. When the development is completed, a trio of islands will be linked together by twenty-three weather-proof chains.

Recycled Airplane Restaurant Serves up First Class Meals in Zurich

2011-05-26T14:19:18-04:00

This retired Soviet Iluyshin IL-14 plane has found new life as an incredible restaurant and bar in Zurich, Switzerland. The vintage plane and its hangar, located across from the Zurich International Airport, have been converted into a unique dining experience, called Runway 34. The aviation-themed restaurant offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy meals, stiff cocktails, cappuccino and cigars inside the renovated aircraft and its environs.

Olafur Eliasson's Harpa Concert Hall Opens in Reykjavik

2011-05-20T14:15:00-04:00

The new glass Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik is finally complete, opening for business this month. Designed by jack-of-all-trades Olafur Eliasson and Henning Larsen Architects, the project started construction last year right after Iceland’s economy tanked, but has proven itself to be a beacon of the promised recovery. The glittering hall mimics basalt crystals which are indigenous to Iceland.