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Henning Larsen’s ‘forest canopy-like’ World of Volvo opens in Sweden

2024-04-16T11:52:00-04:00

The Henning Larsen-designed World of Volvo has opened in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Housed under an expressive timber canopy, the 237,000-square-foot building will serve as an experience center for the car brand Volvo, designed around “Scandinavian values of freedom of movement, access to nature, and openness and inclusion.”

Image credit: Rasmus Hjortshoj

The main timber structure is formed of glulam and cross-laminated timber, designed as three tree-trunk-like columns that fan out to carry the entire load of the roof while “enveloping visitors in a welcoming forest-like canopy.” The center’s round structure is intended to encourage visitors to create their own journeys through the building’s interior and exterior.

Image credit: Rasmus Hjortshoj

Inside, a series of spaces are contained to host cultural events, talks, and conferences, accommodating up to 1,100 people. Anchoring the structure is a 485,000-square-foot exhibition space...

Polish transport center with tree-trunk inspired columns completed by Tremend Architecture Studio

2024-02-22T11:47:00-05:00

Warsaw-based Tremend Architecture Studio has completed a transport center in the Polish city of Lublin, described by the team as “one of the most environmentally friendly developments of its kind in Poland.” In addition to its signature canopied platforms for urban and regional bus transport, the scheme contains underground car parking, taxi bays, cycle infrastructure, and a public roof garden.

Image credit: Alek Malachowski

Located near the city’s historic 19th-century railway station, the design approach for the new transport center sought to “blend in with the urban and architectural context of the place” while also serving as an act of renewal for the post-industrial area. The resulting project was envisioned as a simple, modernist pavilion to contrast with the eclectic style of the railway station, “remaining unchallenging of it, thanks to its clearly different architectural language.”

Image credit: Alek Malachowski

Image credit: Rafal Chojnacki

The s...

Is the future of airport design on your career radar?

2022-06-08T09:00:00-04:00

In a recent article on the future of airports, The New York Times noted that the average age of an airport terminal is more than 40 years old, meaning many are becoming ill-equipped to deal with modern air travel trends. Unsurprisingly, our editorial has recently featured several aviation expansion projects across the United States as airport authorities respond to a predicted resurgence of the aviation industry following the COVID-19 free-fall.

Last month, Woods Bagot and The Miller Hull Partnership unveiled designs for a timber-focused expansion at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. In March, Orlando International Airport confirmed that its $3 billion expansion project, including 15 new gates, was nearing completion, while progress also continued at a long-awaited renovation of LaGuardia’s Terminal B in New York. Late last year, meanwhile, it was announced that New York’s JFK ...

US sanctions against Iran could negatively impact EU engineering and construction firms

2018-05-10T20:24:00-04:00

Much is at stake for US and European companies enjoying revived trade with Iran following US President Donald Trump’s decision this week to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal and impose fresh sanctions. Hardest hit will be oil and gas firms, plane makers like Airbus and Boeing, and car makers. But European engineering and construction firms, recruited in the last two years to help Iran develop its transport infrastructure, could lose out as well.

US President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal and impose new sanctions will drastically impact European engineering and construction firms and could restrict the availability of international finance for big schemes.

After the nuclear deal was signed, Iran launched immense transit programs spending around $25 billion. Vinci and Ferrovie dello Stato have signed deals in Iran’s expanding rail and aviation sectors.

Third runway at Heathrow gets the go-ahead

2016-10-25T12:30:00-04:00

Ministers approved the long-awaited decision at a cabinet committee meeting on Tuesday. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling called the decision "truly momentous" and said expansion would improve the UK's connections with the rest of the world and support trade and jobs. Although Heathrow has always been the favourite among businesses, it has attracted the most opposition from MPs with constituencies near the airport or under flight paths.

The expansion which had been publicly opposed by Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, Tory MP for Richmond Park, Zac Goldsmith and Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson has been widely debated for years.

Funded with private sector cash the new runway will cost £17.6 billion but provide 260,000 more flights with an estimated boost of £147 billion to the economy over 60 years. However, construction is unlikely to begin until 2020 at the earliest.

Read more about Heathrow and UK aviation projects here:

Expansion of London City Airport granted planning permission

2016-08-01T08:06:00-04:00

London City Airport has been given permission to go ahead with a $450m expansion plan that will fit it with seven extra stands, a parallel taxiway and an extended terminal. The plan, which was approved by the government yesterday, will increase the airport’s capacity from 4.3 million passengers to 6.5 million by 2025. The airport said the expansion would create “world-class terminal facilities, more space and facilitate a greater frequency of flights”.

Read more news and features about UK transport projects here:

Benoy Announced in Heathrow Shortlist for Terminal of the Future Expansion

2016-05-20T11:37:00-04:00

Benoy has been shortlisted along with three other British design firms including HOK, Grimshaw and Zaha Hadid to create a a new concept for the country's global gateway. The architects were asked by Heathrow to consider the purpose and potential of an airport with the resulting designs showcasing bold new strategies for a world class sustainable airport. The designs focus on innovative passenger experience and the integration of local communities.

Benoy Global Director Tom Cartledge commented on the appointment saying;

“The Aviation sector is incredibly exciting at the moment as we are rapidly evolving our expectations and imaginations of what an Airport represents. We are extremely honoured to be included in the shortlist and our concept has reimagined Heathrow as a ‘Destination’ in its own right, transforming the site to be at the forefront of the next generation of airports.”

Take a look at Benoy's design concept below:

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