Archinect - News

Lakhta Center, Europe's new tallest skyscraper, now officially commissioned

2018-10-19T20:10:00-04:00

Local officials in Saint Petersburg, Russia have granted the RMJM-designed Lakhta Center Multifunctional Complex the authorization for commissioning of the facility after it passed final inspections this week.

While the grand opening as Gazprom's new HQ is still another year out, the 462-meter/1,516-foot tower is already holding the title of Europe's tallest building, the world's northernmost skyscraper, and sporting the fastest elevators in Russia (wheee!).

Photo: Anton Galakhov

The list of remaining tasks before the Center can officially open to the public is still quite impressive, as the announcement lays out:

"The final preparation of the business and public space by operators and tenants will take at least a year: completion of the finishing, fit-out of the premises, installation of equipment and improvement works.

"In the meantime the following will be prepared for reception of visitors: the highest panoramic restaurant in Europe at the level of 315 meters and a sky deck at...

Europe's new tallest building, The Lakhta Center by RMJM, nearly completed in St. Petersburg

2018-07-31T13:30:00-04:00

For a brief period from 2011 until 2012 Renzo Piano’s 309.7m London skyscraper, The Shard, was the tallest in Europe. However, it has since been dwarfed by three new buildings in Moscow, and, this summer, the title has shifted to Moscow’s second city, St Petersburg, as one of Russia’s largest companies plans its relocation.

The Lakhta Center, designed by British firm RMJM, is set to be Europe's new tallest skyscraper. The nearly completed supertall, located on St. Petersburg's coast, will reach approximately 1,515 feet, which is about 50% taller than The Shard in London. The building will serve as the new headquarters for Russian energy company Gazprom, currently based in Moscow.

Lakhta Center rendering by RMJM, located in St. Petersburg, RU. Image: Lakhta Center.

With piles driven 270 feet into the ground, the 87-story skyscraper also boasts LEED Gold certification. The design features an energy saving ice storage facility, which can accumulate up to 1000 tonnes of ice during the night used to air condition the building during the day.

The rise and fall of Scottish architects RMJM

2013-04-03T16:44:00-04:00

“When one office was doing well, another was not doing as well,” says the source. “But we always managed it so that there was the see-saw effect – one office would be profitable and another would be in the doldrums. But we managed to keep the group afloat.” “What people are worried about now is that the people who ran the company down are still the ones in charge.”

Editor's Picks #257

2012-04-01T14:09:00-04:00

Back in 2009 SOM's City Design Practice took a comprehensive look at the the entire Great Lakes Lakes and the St. Lawrence, ecosystem and proposed The Great Lakes Century, a pro bono initiative - to begin a broad-based, bi-national dialogue. Reed Webster wrote that his "masters project was dealing with some of the same issues." His project waterWORKS was designed as a piece of a larger green-infrastructure plan for Traverse City, Michigan.

News
Newly released numbers from the Census Bureau say Angelenos are living in the nation's most densely-populated urban area. New York still has the highest population, but at 7,000 people per square mile, the Los Angeles/Anaheim/Long Beach area takes the density prize. In light of these new numbers it is interesting to read about how a Facelift Project for Hollywood Stirs Divisions. Essentially some Angelenos are resisting efforts to rezone and allow/encourage TOD and higher density. They fear that a switch to tall towers, in effect making LA more "urban" would ruin the character of their neighborhoods and would be a boon to real estate developers rather than locals. jlarch argued "Density alone is not the answer. Native American tribes were very low density, but also very sustainable. Everyone seems to just jump on the density idea as if it is a proven fix to all of societies problems" while Will Galloway explained "its because new york has lots of low density suburbs offsetti...

RMJM begs US staff to turn up to work

2012-03-27T05:21:00-04:00

"Last month more than 25 staff failed to turn up for work one day in an organised protest at missing wages. ...Staff in New York are owed up to two-and-a-half month’s wages and the email sets out the company’s response to those either not turning up for work or asking to be put on unpaid leave."

this is just a bit too much.

Editor's Picks #246

2012-01-15T13:46:00-05:00

Archinect member applet sounded offended by Sherin’s focus on passive technologies writing "The information you are writing is so main stream and only shows you are just discovering things known to first year architecture and design students". Yet, as Amy Leedham, correctly pointed out "While the passive strategies here sound obvious and simple, most people are not using them, hence the need to remind people."

Sherin Wing, brought the research for the newest installment of the COUNTOURS feature, wherein she looks at New, Energy-Efficient Technologies, in which she explores passive technologies such as the solar shading CRATE system, developed by a team consisting of Professor Ryan E. Smith, graduate students, and researchers from 3form.
Since it is titled Part 1, I look forward with interest for the rest of the installments.

However, Archinect member applet sounded offended by Sherin’s focus on passive technologies writing "The information you are writing is so main stream and only shows you are just discovering things known to first year architecture and design students. Just don't lecture architects about them". Yet, as Amy Leedham, correctly pointed out "Architects may have been employing passive strategies for 'thousands' of years but clearly many forgot most of these lessons since the invention of electricity as evidenced by the numerous glass boxes designed for the desert ...

Will Alsop leaves RMJM

2011-08-08T14:27:00-04:00

Will Alsop has announced he is leaving international architecture firm RMJM to form a new practice. The new company, established with fellow RMJM principal Scott Lawrie and covering architecture, masterplanning, interiors, landscape, product and graphic design, involves a number of other staff who worked at Alsop’s division within the firm.