Archinect - News

Project abandonments rose sharply across the country during March

2024-04-05T15:48:00-04:00

Project abandonments have spiked recently across the country, according to a new analysis of construction project data contained in the ConstructConnect Project Stress Index for the week ending on March 31st.

Construction Dive has more on the latest economic indicators impacting nearly every sector of commercial architecture, including the startling revelation that outright abandonments have increased by 60% from 2021 base levels.

“Not many months after interest rates started rising in early 2022, the private sector was quick to respond with greatly heightened levels of abandoned projects,” Michael Guckes, ConstructionConnect's senior economist, explained. “This volatility, coupled with overall elevated weekly readings, has continued with little exception through present.”

However, the total number of privately funded abandoned projects was down 10.7% compared with the same month las...

UCSB responds to controversy by replacing Munger Hall with new student housing strategy

2023-11-13T11:50:00-05:00

In late October 2023, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) embarked on a new phase in its quest for expanded student housing. As reported by The Santa Barbara Independent, Vice Chancellor Garry MacPherson announced the selection of two architectural firms to develop housing for 3,500 students, aligning with the university's 2010 Long Range Development Plan. This announcement marked a significant departure from the controversial Munger Hall project, a plan that had been under intense scrutiny and opposition due to its design and scale. The shift towards a new design approach signals UCSB's response to the extensive feedback from students, faculty, and professionals in the field.

The saga ends just a week after Munger made a devaluing comment on the need to budget space inside dormitories. The school’s CHAMP! (Campus Housing Alternatives for Munger Hall, Please!) group had previously presented design alternatives in league with the 7,000-unit university plan before UCSB ...

Airbnb's Great Wall of China sleepover contest gets cancelled

2018-08-13T14:39:00-04:00

Airbnb received mixed feedback on the concept — amidst concerns that the competition could cause damage to the famous wall. "We deeply respect the feedback we have received," said Airbnb in a statement. "We will be working closely with our hosts and guests in China as well as community leaders to highlight the culture and history that make China one of the most dynamic destinations in the world," said Airbnb.

Not too surprisingly, Airbnb cancelled their Great Wall of China one-night-sleepover contest a few days before its August 11 submission deadline. The company stated that they "will be in touch in the future about other ways you can explore and discover amazing experiences in China."

Plans to rebuild Crystal Palace likely shattered

2015-02-26T12:59:00-05:00

Plans for a replica Crystal Palace have suffered a set back after a south London council pulled out of negotiations with a Chinese developer. ZhongRong Group wants to rebuild Crystal Palace, which burnt down in 1936, but has failed to meet a deadline set by the council to produce plans.

Foster's plans for the NYC Public Library is shelved

2014-05-07T18:17:00-04:00

Several factors contributed to the library’s decision: a study that showed the cost of renovating the 42d Street building to be more than expected (the project had originally been estimated at about $300 million); a change in city government; and input from the public, several trustees said. (Four lawsuits have been filed against the project.)

“Obviously I respect the decision of the trustees and whoever’s been involved in the decision,” Mr. Foster said. “If I have any kind of sadness on the thing — besides obviously not having the project going ahead and having spent a huge amount of passion on the project with colleagues — it is that the proposals have never been revealed, and there hasn’t really been a debate by those involved, including those who would have benefitted from an inclusive approach to the library.”

What could have been of Gershwin Plot 14 by NL Architects

2014-01-20T19:48:00-05:00

Gershwin Plot 14 by Dutch firm NL Architects is an eye-catching project to start off the week. The proposal was the winning entry of a 2012 competition to design a new large residential building in Amsterdam. Unfortunately, the project was abruptly cancelled in 2013. Such is the world of architecture...

Find out more on Bustler.

Sky City, world's tallest building, stops construction due to lack of government approval

2013-07-31T14:11:00-04:00

Yin Zhi, head of Beijing Tsinghua Urban Design Institute, said, "The technique that Broad Group uses has no precedent in the world, and the cost they promised is very low. So they either have some record breaking techniques or it’s a lie. They are gambling. If they win, they will change the history of world architecture, but that's one chance in a million."

In China’s Hunan province, ground was broken for the next "world's tallest skyscraper". It was a brave ambition. The developer Broad Group planned to build an 838 meter tower with 202 stories, in just 10 months. The tower would surpass the current tallest skyscraper, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa by 10 meters. But the project has been halted over questions concerning feasibility and government permission.

Pierre Cardin cancels vast skyscraper behind Venice

2013-07-10T12:18:00-04:00

Opposition to the project began last year among Venetians and Italians, who are tired of seeing Venice abused by the vast cruise ships and mounting examples of the crudest commercialism.

Previously:

"called Palais Lumière, [it] will be a glittering menagerie of private apartments, hotels, commercial spaces and even a fashion university, and it would transform a dilapidated industrial area bordering the Venetian lagoon. Mr. Cardin has described the Palais, actually three structures linked by six flat discs, as a “habitable sculpture” and said it was his dream. — NYT"

It's official, the Hirshhorn Museum has burst the bubble

2013-06-05T15:03:00-04:00

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden on Wednesday finally abandoned its long-planned project to cover the museum’s interior courtyard in Washington D.C. with a distinctive, temporary inflatable bubble. Citing financial uncertainties, Richard Kurin, the Smithsonian Institution’s under secretary for history, art and culture, made the announcement. He said outgoing director Richard Koshalek, who resigned last month after failing to receive full support for the bubble...

MOCA architecture show, funded by Getty, could face cancellation

2013-05-02T12:46:00-04:00

The exhibition was planned as an exploration of the last 25 years of Los Angeles architecture, with work by Frank Gehry, Thom Mayne, Michael Maltzan, Barbara Bestor and many younger architects. It was funded in part by a Getty Foundation grant of $445,000. No other single show in the PSTP series received a grant as large, according to a Getty press release. A 272-page catalog, co-published by Rizzoli, is already complete.

Facing delays in finishing the installation of the show, the show will be canceled, or, at best, delayed.