Many of the contested demolitions in 2013 involved structures that were once considered innovative, but just a few decades later, have been labeled "obsolete." This fact heats up some food for thought: Just how future-proof are the "futuristic" buildings that are being proposed and built now? — theatlanticcities.com
In the summer of 2011, photographer Victoria Cohen heard that the Chelsea Hotel would undergo drastic renovations to the structure, which was built in 1884. She spent three weeks documenting every nook and cranny of the building and the result is Hotel Chelsea, a collection of photographs of the interior in its authentic, untouched state, as so many knew and loved it. — Fast Company
While still fresh in our minds, architecture in 2013 had as much to do with culture and technology as it did design. We saw technology’s influence expand enormously -- through design, production, clients and criticism -- simultaneously enriching and conflicting our relationship to the built... View full entry
Its style is “brutalist,” which looks exactly like it sounds: big, blockish, hulking. Basically, a fortress of concrete... But what if these homely structures are actually tomorrow’s historic architecture? What if we just don’t appreciate them yet, and later generations will embrace them even though we think they’re monstrosities? — radioboston.wbur.org
A forthcoming report from the Municipal Art Society, called “The Accidental Skyline,” bemoans what’s happening on 57th Street, absent New Yorkers’ input. It suggests any new tower casting a shadow over Central Park should require the approval of the City Planning Commission. That’s a plausible trigger for public oversight, dependent on city commissioners with backbone who understand design. — nytimes.com
MASS found a critical flaw in the ad hoc system: contaminated waste was being dumped illegally, frequently ending up right back in the water table. In response, MASS designed a facility with two distinct but equally vital jobs: it treats both people and their waste water. — Wired
Kyle Vanhemert talked with Michael Murphy CEO and co-founder of MASS Design Group, regarding their design for the first permanent cholera treatment center in Haiti. View full entry
The prevailing issues up for discussion this year ran the gambit from the precisely technical to the dizzyingly ontological -- in short, questions that will always be up for debate. Below are the 13 most visited Discussion threads during 2013. These do not represent the most commented threads... View full entry
Below are Archinect's 13 predictions for 2014. For a full list of all of our top 13 lists for 2013, click here. .... Click here for Archinect's full 13 Top 13 for '13 list! View full entry
More than 81 people have been injured, seven seriously, when part of a theatre in London's West End collapsed onto a packed audience during a performance.
Fire crews had to rescue people from the Apollo theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, which was showing a performance of the hit show The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time.
— theguardian.com
UPDATE: Apollo theatre collapse due to 'old' materials View full entry
The most visible legacy of Communist rule, the grand and often eye-catching buildings have become a source of heated debate in Poland with critics condemning them as an ugly and unwanted reminder of a past best forgotten. Defenders stress their architectural merits and argue that the buildings are now part of the national heritage. — economist.com
Related: Winner of Changing The Face 2013 to revamp Warsaw’s saw-toothed Rotunda View full entry
Trippy optical illusions and a bridge sculpted from a giant swimmer upped the diversity standard for this year's projects, which already included an impressive range of structures. Below are the 13 most visited Projects during 2013, selected from Archinect's Firm Profiles. For a full list of... View full entry
An international scope, the inevitable big names, and the undeniable driving force of tech-giant clients: hard to see this trend shifting anytime soon. Below are the 13 most visited Firm Profiles during 2013. For a full list of all of our top 13 lists for 2013, click here. 1. Skidmore, Owings... View full entry
Multimedia group Axel Springer announced earlier today that BIG, OMA, and Buro-OS are the top three finalists for their new Media Center headquarters in Berlin. Final rankings are expected next month. — bustler.net
Here's a look at OMA's proposal: Images courtesy of OMA. View full entry
As we mentioned earlier today, BIG was revealed as one of three finalists — along with OMA and Buro-OS — for the new Axel Springer Media Campus in Berlin. The new Axel Springer headquarters will be located at one of the last remaining plots of the historic former site of the Berlin Wall. All winning entries will be publicly displayed at the German Architecture Centre (DAZ) in Berlin from Dec. 17 - Dec. 22. — bustler.net
Here's a glimpse of BIG's proposal: Images courtesy of BIG. View full entry
In the international competition for the new Berlin Media Campus of German publishing house Axel Springer, the jury managed to agree upon their three favorite entries — but not quite yet in which order. Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), OMA (Rem Koolhaas) and Buro Ole Scheeren were selected as winners from a group of five finalists (including SANAA and Kuehn Malvezzi) that were invited to present their proposals to the jury on December 12. Eighteen submissions had been received altogether. — bustler.net
The competition brief had deliberately not placed tight restrictions on the submitted designs — something that the three winners will now have to finalize in their proposals before the jury selects the overall winner. BIG: OMA: Buro Ole Scheeren: All images courtesy of Axel Springer. Who do... View full entry