The National Library is pleased to share the concept designed by the Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron for the new home of the Library in Jerusalem. As set out in the brief for the new building, the design, which will evolve during subsequent design stages, communicates the ‘values of openness and accessibility to the general public of all classes, nationalities and denominations’. — National Library of Israel
The 34,000 square meter building will house climate-controlled archives as well as digital facilities and both indoor and outdoor venues for cultural programming. In a statement, Herzog & de Meuron claim, “Our project reflects the open and transparent ambitions of the National Library of... View full entry
After years of delays and soaring budgets, the Fulton Center transit hub opened its doors at 5 a.m. this morning. Envisioned after the September 11th attacks as a way to help revitalize downtown, the complex makes it easier to connect between nine subway lines: the A, C, J, Z, R, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Eventually, riders will also be able to connect to the E and 1 trains, as well as the PATH. — NY Magazine
Joe DeLessio provides a peak into the just opened Fulton Center Transit Hub. View full entry
To say the least, it's been a great year for Ateliers Jean Nouvel + PTW Architects' One Central Park in Sydney, Australia...After the Best Tall Building regional winners presented their projects one last time to the jury (chaired by architect Jeanne Gang), One Central Park was announced as the overall winning Best Tall Building Worldwide 2014 during the Awards Ceremony and Dinner in Crown Hall. — bustler.net
IIT Dean of Architecture Wiel Arets (left) presents the team from One Central Park with the Best Tall Building Worldwide trophy.Learn more on Bustler. View full entry
It is a cruel irony that a region so blessed with the treasures of early human civilizations is also among those most troubled by conflict. As the violence threatens to annihilate some of history's greatest monuments, we count the cost of our irreplaceable losses — edition.cnn.com
California’s state geologist has concluded that an active earthquake fault is underneath a massive proposed skyscraper project in Hollywood, setting the stage for a huge battle at City Hall over growth and seismic safety. — latimes.com
Fujimoto’s goal isn’t just to make spaces—the basic function of architecture—but to make people relate to spaces in new ways. Watching the couple move around the house, approaching everyday activities with the finesse the unusual design requires, suggests he is well on his way to achieving it. — online.wsj.com
The Japanese designer’s “future primitive” structures harmonize nature and built environments, offering radical new versions of walls, ceilings and floors. View full entry
Calling the cost of housing one of Los Angeles’ biggest challenges, Mayor Eric Garcetti on Wednesday announced a goal for 100,000 new homes in the city by 2021.
In a speech to business leaders at UCLA, the mayor outlined a plan to increase funding for affordable housing, subsidize development around transit stations and cut the red tape that many developers say drives up the cost of building in the city.
— LA Times
Nicholas Korody began publishing responses from anonymous questionnaires on the topic of architecture students average student debt and it’s effects. Alternative thinks there are just four solutions; - intervention by the federal government, attrition at architecture schools, limit access to... View full entry
[...] a gallery dedicated to design and architecture will soon also be added the Centre.
Like the “Galerie de Photographies," which is housed in former technical facilities, the future design gallery will be located within the existing Piano + Rogers-designed building. “Eventually, there should be almost no offices in the building, and we'll keep only the technical facilities that are strictly indispensable," said Seban.
— news.artnet.com
No-one was injured but an area around the 47-storey Leadenhall Building in the city has been cordoned off.
It fell from the fifth floor to the ground at the side of the building - another bolt also broke off but was contained within the skyscraper.
It is understood the bolts are about the size of an arm and the piece that fell was about the size of a hand.
— bbc.com
Related: Rafael Viñoly-designed "Walkie Talkie" skyscraper melts car with light reflections View full entry
The Board of Supervisors has approved a road map for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art as it plans a $600-million makeover that would tear down and rebuild most of its Miracle Mile campus [...].
If there are no serious bumps in the road ahead, the plan would yield a streamlined, curving 410,000-square-foot new museum building designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor that would open in 2023, spanning Wilshire Boulevard with an enclosed bridge that doubles as gallery space.
— latimes.com
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It was supposed to represent a dynamic future vision for Tokyo, flaring up out of the city’s Meiji Jingu park in sinuous white arcs. But Zaha Hadid’s design for the 2020 Olympic stadium [...] now facing its fiercest public attack yet. [...]
In a lengthy open letter to the Japan Sports Council [...] Isozaki rails against the “distorted” process that has led to “a dull, slow form, like a turtle waiting for Japan to sink so that it can swim away”.
— theguardian.com
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One of my heroes for this kind of thinking is Denise Scott-Brown. Her application of historical, ethnographic and sociological thinking to urban design and architecture is still incredibly radical, but has been completely overwhelmed by Venturi’s obsession with signs and language. — Failed Architecture
"Automated design processes, critique on the profession’s culture, DIY-design and wider trends put pressure on the social and public relevance of the architect. On the other hand, architects are crossing boundaries, taking up new roles and experimenting with other approaches, while other... View full entry
The international jury choosing an architect to design a new National Gallery, which will also provide a new home for the Ludwig Museu in the Hungarian capital, has invited seven leading practices to take part in a new competition after a first competition did not produce a winning design. The seven architects invited to compete for the high-profile commission are: Jean Nouvel, David Chipperfield, Mecanoo, Nieto Sobejano, Renzo Piano, Sanaa and Snøhetta. — theartnewspaper.com
architecture designed to create an emotional reaction — City Paper
As preparation for a D-Center lecture about The McKeldin Fountain at Windup Space tonight, a taste of Baltimore's "brutal" past.h/t Fred ScharmenRelated Mckeldin Fountain View full entry