The dominant theme is that of the expression of identity, the overwhelming preference in British mosque design being for traditional elements and decoration – especially dome, minaret and arches – applied to sometimes basic box-like structures. From time to time the cry goes up, including in Jonathan Glancey’s introduction to this book, that a “contemporary” Islamic British style should be developed. — The Guardian
There are about 1,500 mosques in Britain most of which have been designed in the last decade. Rowan Moore reviews architect and academic Shahed Saleem's book The British Mosque, a survey looking at why British mosque design is mostly traditional. Saleem presents both sides of the argument for... View full entry
Tackling the ever-complex question of what it means to be a citizen, the U.S. Pavilion exhibition “Dimensions of Citizenship” for the 2018 Venice Biennale will comprise of seven architectural installations that explore this loaded topic at seven different spatial scales. Today, the U.S... View full entry
President Donald Trump took a firsthand look today at the eight massive border wall prototypes that he had commissioned in San Diego for the “big, beautiful wall” he wants to build along the Southwest border, favoring a mixture of see-through capability topped with rounded concrete to make it impassable by climbers. — San Diego Union Tribune
It's been a busy Tuesday morning for Donald Trump today: after firing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson via a 5:44 AM Tweet, he traveled to San Diego to personally inspect the 8 border wall prototypes that had been erected last fall mere yards away from the actual U.S. border with Mexico. One of... View full entry
After half a century working in architecture, Moshe Safdie remains one of the world’s most influential modernists. Winner of the prestigious AIA Gold Medal, Safdie is known for his environmentally-ambitious projects and bold forms. In this new short video from the Time-Space-Existence series... View full entry
“Timber Rising: Vertical visions for the cities of tomorrow” is the first comprehensive exhibition of its kind about the ongoing revolution of tall timber construction. Currently at the Roca London Gallery until May 19, the exhibition focuses on significant mass timber solutions, interviews... View full entry
... [Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates] have renovated and expanded the arch grounds, originally designed by famed Modernist landscape architect Dan Kiley. New parks adjacent to the grounds are intended to funnel activity to the riverfront and work as connective urban tissue for the city’s most iconic feature, as well as to serve as a pedestal for that quicksilver curve. — citylab.com
The winning design by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates has reconnected the St. Louis Gateway Arch with its surrounding environment. The $380-million renovation allows for tourists and locals alike to enjoy the entire space around the Arch. The freshly landscaped grounds are mostly open now... View full entry
What’s the difference between a school, a library, and a police precinct? They’re all civic institutions designed to communicate their contribution to a well-functioning society.
[...] Kris Graves photographed every one of New York City’s 77 precinct station houses for Urban Omnibus. The blue and white car, the badge, and the uniform all communicate “police” on city streets, but the building, the police’s permanent home in the neighborhood, conveys a particular message. What does it say?
— Urban Omnibus
If you enjoyed photographer Kris Graves documenting the grid-disrupting topography of the Bronx for Urban Omnibus a while ago, you'll love his latest piece: Beacon / Bunker, a series of photographs of every one of New York City’s 77 police precinct station houses across the five boroughs... View full entry
Over a century after its inauguration, the Swiss National Museum in Zurich was due for an update. Christ & Gantenbein had the winning proposal to design the museum's new extension wing, which appears like a “dramatically bent bridge”. Most recently, the extension won a Gold Award in last... View full entry
Construction has just begun on MVRDV's Lyon Part-Dieu, a shopping mall located in Lyon, France. The new design features a porous facade breaking up the exterior pattern and allowing for greater fluidity with its surrounding environment. Lyon Part-Dieu Shopping Center by MVRDV, located in Lyon... View full entry
In a story published by the New York Times this morning, five women—four of whom worked with Meier and another who encountered him through the Getty—have gone on record with their stories of sexual harassment and assault at the hands of Richard Meier. The behavior ranges from grabbing a... View full entry
A duplex apartment in Le Corbusier’s Modernist icon La Cité Radieuse has hit the market for €598,000. [...]
This 140 sq m apartment sits on a high floor of the colourful Modernist landmark, built from béton-brut concrete and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. The Marseille property is on the market via 20th and 21st century architecture specialists Architecture de Collection.
— The Spaces
Photo © Architecture de CollectionBe it the béton brut appeal or the prospect of owning an appartement in the South of France, now's your moment to get both: a 1,500-square-foot unit on a higher floor in Le Corbusier's iconic Unité d’Habitation housing block in Marseille just hit the... View full entry
This week has some fantastic events from emerging architects and thinkers. From films exploring and documenting political unrest, to delving into the history of the concrete which surrounds us in London. Make sure to check back regularly to see updated with London's latest happenings and... View full entry
Every year during the summertime, visitors and locals alike flock to the historical city center of Montpellier for the Festival des Architectures Vives. The weeklong exhibition comprises of site-specific, public art installations that connect private mansions and courtyards typically closed... View full entry
ICON has developed a method for printing a single-story 650-square-foot house out of cement in only 12 to 24 hours, a fraction of the time it takes for new construction. If all goes according to plan, a community made up of about 100 homes will be constructed for residents in El Salvador next year. The company has partnered with New Story, a nonprofit that is vested in international housing solutions. — theverge.com
Today at SXSW, The first model is scheduled to be unveiled by Austin-based startup ICON. The company uses the Vulcan 3D printer in order to generate an entire home for $10,000 with plans to bring costs down to $4,000 per house. Using concrete rather than plastic, the model features... View full entry
The Areia Houses designed by Associated Architects Partnership (AAP), are located in Kihran, Kuwait. These modernist houses were built in Sabah Al Ahmad Sea City, a community created around canals off of the Persian Gulf. Areia Houses by Associated Architects Partnership (AAP), located in... View full entry