”Recently we have witnessed the mounting of very large development projects in European and American cities. There is a striking physical similarity among the schemes and also a convergence embodied in private-sector involvement and market orientation.” — Failed Architecture
European urbanist Lea Olsson and Jan Loerakker gets to the bottom of recent urban development ventures in Europe and set up a pattern repeated in many other places in the World. "This essay doesn’t try to blame the public-private model for certain urban failures, but rather tries... View full entry
In case you haven't checked out Archinect's Pinterest boards in a while, we have compiled ten recently pinned images from outstanding projects on various Archinect Firm and People profiles. (Tip: use the handy FOLLOW feature to easily keep up-to-date with all your favorite Archinect profiles!)... View full entry
the Communist deputies will convene beneath weighty chandeliers and a newly gold-coated dome. They will step through marble-floored halls, lined with giant shining bronze candelabras from Tiffany's..."I believe it will be a jewel of Havana," argues Mr Leal, unfazed by the oddity. — BBC News
Sarah Rainsford reports in from Cuba where Raul Castro wants the Capitolio Nacional (designed by Raúl Otero and Eugenio Rayneri Piedra) to become the new home of the National Assembly. View full entry
The above ground structure is just like any other– with the only hints being multiple air conditioning units, and emergency exits around the property. The underground interior is one that’s stuck in the hippy chic 1970′s days. Pink draperies, carpet and classic columns outfit the dated interior. Putting greens, a rock facade barbecue and natural style light settings make for an interesting setting that’s completely user controlled. — inthralld.com
Shaw Contract Group announced on Sept. 6 the Global Winners for their "Design Is..." Award competition. For the past eight years, the "Design Is..." Award honors the architecture and design firms whose projects best exhibit beautiful yet impactful design through innovative solutions and functions. — bustler.net
The owner of Hill House is Scott Croyle, senior vice president of design at HTC. At two bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and a study, the home is just large enough to share with his wife and son. Its modest scale allowed Bernstein to emphasize quality materials over quantity of space.
"It's almost a negative value in that (tech) community," said Bernstein of over-the-top homes. "There's a real emphasis on not seeking a mansion right away."
— sfgate.com
Jürgen Mayer H.'s latest creation is about to officially swing its doors open to the public tomorrow, September 13th: the new Court of Justice building in Hasselt, Belgium was designed by a team comprising Berlin-based J. MAYER H. Architects and local firms a2o-architecten and Lensºass... View full entry
The highly popular Taichung City Cultural Center International Competition in Taiwan just announced its much anticipated list of winners, and it's the Pritzker Prize-winning team of Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa / SANAA with local partner Ricky Liu & Associates to snatch the top honors. — bustler.net
SANAA's winning ensemble of playfully arranged white, translucent boxes beat out designs by the four other recently shortlisted teams including Peter Eisenman Architects, Jean-loup Baldacci, MASS STUDIES and Stücheli Architekten. Click here to see more News posts about the Taichung City Cultural... View full entry
When the Pepsi Headquarters was built in 1960, the 13-story building at the corner of Park Avenue and 59th Street exemplified the International Style in America. Moreover, it pushed the limits of what was technically possible; its nine-feet-high by thirteen-feet-long glass panes were the largest that could be created and only a half-inch thick. To avoid using heavy mullions or frames the glass was cushioned by neoprene glazing strips, allowing an almost completely flush exterior surface. — blogs.smithsonianmag.com
Swiss firm BUREAU A recently won first prize in Architecture in the Swiss Art Awards 2013 for one of their latest projects, "Parole - Champ-dollon 1/24." Although the project looks like a simple mouse cage, it comes with a strong message about complex social issues. "Parole" is a sculptural cage... View full entry
Wiel Arets Architects announced today the completion of the Anna van Buerenplein (AvB) Tower located in The Hague in The Netherlands. Standing at 72 m (approx. 236 ft), the steel AvB Tower was built as a "hyper-hybrid" academic building that includes housing, dining, and retail for students and faculty. — bustler.net
Orhan Ayyüce penned a remembrance to his friend architect Larry Totah, titled Slow Weather of Architecture. Therein he describes "The House"...overlooking Pacific Ocean rather edgewise and build like a long drawing depicting a horizontally composed architecture. The fog, roof and the walls are more of Chumash hiring Hopi to build on their mountains for few exquisite basket full of shellfish to adorn the wedding dresses in Hopi villages like the ones a Don Juan dreamed of, a fair exchange"...
Amelia Taylor-Hochberg interviewed architectural photographer Bilyana Dimitrova, formerly Metropolis Magazine’s photo editor. The two discussed Architecture Photography in the 21st Century ahead of the exhibition 'Beyond the Assignment: Defining Photographs of Architecture and... View full entry
The Royal Institute of British Architects has revealed its shortlist for the 2013 RIBA Manser Medal - Best New Home -- the UK's most distinguished private home design award. [...] Locally presented and judged, the RIBA Awards are specifically for structures in the UK by RIBA Chartered Architects and RIBA International Fellows. Winners are also considered for the RIBA Stirling Prize. — bustler.net
UPDATE: Winners of 2013 RIBA Manser Medal and Stephen Lawrence Prize View full entry
The Eero Saarinen-designed terminal will be transformed into a hotel and conference center, along with food and beverage offerings, retail space, a spa and fitness center, meeting facilities and a flight museum.
“It is a great honor to be entrusted with the preservation and revitalization of this masterpiece by my personal architectural hero,” said Balazs. He added that he’s looking forward to the approval of his final proposal by the PA board, but didn’t comment on a specific time frame.
— pagesix.com
The prestigious Aga Khan Awards for Architecture program has announced the 2013 winners at a ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal.
Established in 1977, the Aga Khan Award for Architecture is given every three years to recognize all types of building projects that positively affect today’s built environment in communities in which Muslims have a significant presence.
— bustler.net
The five projects selected by the 2013 Master Jury are: Islamic Cemetery in Altach, Austria by Bernardo Bader Architects Revitalization of Birzeit Historic Center in Birzeit, Palestine by Riwaq - Center for Architectural Conservation Rehabilitation of Tabriz Bazaar inTabriz, Iran by ICHTO East... View full entry