Emerging from the sandy ground of Dubai, UAE, pair of fluid vertical structures form the mixed-use Marina + Beach Towers, designed by Oppenheim Architecture + Design. Not visible at the first sight, the units are based on a standard module, whose skillful placement within the towers develops a woven tapestry on the façade and provides striking views and natural light, while simultaneously providing necessary protection from the intense Arabic sun.

Contrary to the master plan of the area, the aim was to maintain continuity across the site, which would be encouraged and controlled by topography. Therefore, the surface acts as a fluid consequence of the distinct characteristics, private and public. Following the emerging trend, the building is wrapped in botanical bliss, blooming in ambient light. The building is united with the landscape, represents its vertical continuation and eruptive statement. The symbiosis of those two diverse elements resulted with the opening of the promenade into a bazaar of lifestyle experiences, from fine dining to exclusive yachting and clubbing.

However, the main focus is on sustainability and embracing the natural resources. Building itself is a device for luring cool breezes to spaces protected from the sun, using the well-known local principles of wind catchers. Most of building’s required energy is produced by solar and wind arrays, incorporated in the design, while other highly-efficient methods complete self-sustenance, such as apparatus for the reuse of the vast amounts of water. The design is introducing up-cycling, as opposed to re-cycling, innovative opportunity for energy and resource conservation, therefore allowing residents to freely enjoy the luxurious lifestyle, without ever feeling guilty. Read the rest of this entry »

ThyssenKrupp Headquarters in Essen, Germany, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, is a landmark architecture, awarded third prize in an open international two-phase competition. The winning designs were chosen during the deciding two-day panel meeting at the Zollverein School of Management and Design. Its unique, technical-innovative and organic form promotes the values of ThyssenKrupp. Centrifugal field acts as an outline of the buildings and the surrounding landscape. This polished development creates the atmosphere of dune landscapes or glacier fields. The aim was to create iconic architectural piece that would be acknowledged beyond the borders of Essen.

The urban master plan included the design of office buildings, multi-functional building, an academy and a hotel, along with the development of the new headquarters and was dealing with the integration of new features within the existing structure on the site. Read the rest of this entry »

Created by students from Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), led by Benjamin Ball,Gaston Nouges and Andrew Lyon of Ball-Nouges Studio, Elastic Plastic Sponge is large scale installation, designed and built for the famous Coachella Festival. Unique in form, this installation is highly flexible and can be twisted, curled and arched in order to form different spaces, ranging from lounge, theater, sun-shade to large sculptural Mobius strip.

Precisely described in architectural terminology as form active, meaning that its form is derived from the material properties, the installation was difficult to be studied only using digital tools and it required testing full-scale mock-ups in the field. Temporary structures are usually constructed using modular system that enables transportation and fast reassembling on site. This assembly is made of 250 unit cells; each fabricated using custom jigs, designed by SCI-Arc students. Due to its adaptability, the structure allows changing crowd, climate and site conditions. Read the rest of this entry »

Although it was the winning entry of an international competition and the office was selected to transform the center of Aberdeen, Scotland, High Line office Diller Scofidio + Renfro’s proposal for redevelopment of the nineteenth-century Terrace Gardens was recently rejected by the City Council in a 22-20 vote. The £140 m City Garden Project was aiming to radically transform the center, covering over the “unattractive” Denburn dual carriageway and railway line and fusing Nature and culture into a vital social network at the very heart of the city. New York City-based DS+R collaborated with local Scottish architects, Keppie Design and landscape architects OLIN on this project and were announced winners of a head-to-head race with another finalist team led by Foster + Partners. The competition shortlist included other international well-known offices Gustafson Porter, Mecanoo, Snøhetta & Hoskins, and West 8. Read the rest of this entry »

Although it is utopia and it’s not going to be built any time soon – Atelier Zündel Cristea is awarded first prize at the ArchTriumph architectural competition for converting Battersea Power Station in London into a museum wrapped in giant roller coaster –the idea was that visitors get a full view of the museum by taking a ride on a roller coaster that encircles and slices through the iconic brick building.

The winning entry puts Sir Giles Gilberts’s building on center stage and its structure enhances the site through its impressive scale, architecture and unique material. Together with Tate Modern, located down the river, it served as a clear inspiration and the new project is organized in and around it. In words of architects it is not the exhibition of works that has meaning in museums, but the presence of visitors and their wandering through and exposure to displays of works that stimulate meaning. Therefore new floors and galleries inside the central building and on the roof will host exhibitions on architecture from the modern era to as far back as the Middle Ages and the pathway links together a number of diverse spaces – the square in front of the museum, footpaths outside and above and inside, footpaths traversing courtyards and exhibition halls. Visitors are active participants of the process, experiencing simultaneously displayed works and being exposed to the beauty of the structure and the city itself – the river, park and architecture. Read the rest of this entry »

The Sinosteel International Plaza in Tianjin, China, by MAD Architects is an organic, honeycomb icon for the redeveloped city. The Chinese government has named Tianjin, a port city close to Beijing, as the next step in its economic plan. The idea is to create the new economic hub of Northern China, and it is a five year plan. Sino Steel, China’s state owned steel giant, commissioned MAD to create a landmark for this new central business district. Two towers were required: an office tower – 358 meters and a smaller hotel of 88 meters.

The design concept of the towers is a successful combination of geometry, structure and cultural symbolism. The façade is designed in a repetitive motif – its hexagonal pattern is multiplied and repeated across the envelope. It’s made of five different standardized units of hexagonal windows, signifying the heritage value in traditional Chinese architecture. The façade changes as the windows move across the building in an evolving pattern. Therefore the façade is constantly changing and that creates dynamic image of the building – different from each perspective. Moreover, the façade is structural element, an exterior skeleton, removing necessity for internal columns except in the building’s core and enabling more flexible layout and use of the interior. Read the rest of this entry »

Urban coast line of Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, is the site for Coop Himelb(l)au’s Chess Academy. The sculptural design of this landmark building is dynamic, and due to its spiral form it  is oriented both towards the Caspian Sea and the city. Lifted from the ground and floating over the pier, the edifice is a visible icon for the Chess Community of Azerbaijan.

The almost moving, shimmering building of the Academy facilitates Multi-functional Hall, suitable for diverse activities such as chess tournaments, exhibitions, trade and fashion shows. Hundred meters long bar and restaurant are attached to the main hall, offering generous, continuous view to the sea. The Chess Federation and the Chess School are located in the upper part of the building, along with an exquisite luxury hotel for members and visitors.

Shimmering façade of the Academy has operable windows and variable louvers. In order to promote the activities in the building, the façade facing the City side is equipped with a large digital LED screen, providing an insight into the building for the public. Aiming to create the pleasant outdoor surrounding for the visitors, the architects created an artificial waterfall that tumbles down to the small pond, leading the users to the vertical circulation of the Main Entrance. Read the rest of this entry »

In less than one year, Martin Luther Church by Coop Himelb(l)au, together with a sanctuary, church hall and supplementary spaces was built in center of Hainburg, Austria. Its shape is inspired by a huge “table” – the entire roof construction is supported by four steel columns – the legs. The ceiling is dominant element – its design is has been derived from the shape of the curved roof of the neighboring Romanesque ossuary. Three large openings in the roof light the interior from above. The aim of the architects was not to design the interior as only a place of mysticism and quietude, as an antithesis of our fast and media-dominated times, but also an open space for the community.

The roof elements of the church building were assembled in a shipyard, as it is usually done with all the projects of Coop Himelb(l)au. Its geometry required specific technologies of metal-processing and manufacturing only available in shipbuilding industry and the construction was delivered in four separate parts to Hainburg, assembled and welded on site. On the interior ceiling, the suspended frame structure was covered in multiple layers of steel fabric and rush matting, which served as a carrier layer for the cladding of the stucco ceiling, following the geometry of three-dimensionally curved shape of the roof. Read the rest of this entry »

Changsha Meixihu International Culture & Art Center is the newest winning design from the Atelier of Zaha Hadid Architects. The complex embodies a unique variety of civic nodes and spaces – Grand Theater, Contemporary Art Museum, Multipurpose Hall and supporting facilities and it broke ground in October. Changsha, the capital of the south Chinese province of Hunan is in the midst of striking population growth and rapid urban development, an at the center of that roller coaster, worth $130 billion, is Meixihu lake, planned as a venue for numerous, ambitious cultural projects.

The Grand Theater will be the largest performance center in the city, and with the capacity of 1800 seats, it is the focal point of the complex. It is designed as highly equipped, in order to host world- standard performances. The building facilitates public spaces, such as lobbies, bars and restaurants, VIP hospitality, as well as ancillary functions – administration, rehearsal rooms, necessary backstage logistics and make-up rooms and wardrobes.

The Multipurpose Hall is structured as flexible, therefore it can be adapted and transformed to different configurations. With its maximum capacity of 500 seats, in can accommodate various functions, from banquets and commercial events, to small plays and fashion shows.

Fluid petal-like form of the Museum, composed around the internal central atrium, is set of patchwork gallery spaces, seamlessly continuing on to another. Building’s composition highlights site’s unique location at the lake waterfront, with the outward views and balconies. External plaza, surrounded by the fluid complex, is a venue for outdoor sculptures, exhibition and events, therefore extending the programs to the outdoor space, as a natural continuation of the interior. Read the rest of this entry »

SOM’s Diagonal Tower in Yongsan International Business District of Seoul, South Korea, is a case study in efficiency – 343 meter tall tower successfully minimizes wind loads, reduces construction costs, provides dramatic views and meets strict energy codes by integrating massing, structure and performance. Moreover, it maintains necessary iconic skyline presence.

The design of this landmark skyscraper, with glazed triangular facets, employs passive environmental control strategies within and on the façade – sunshades are positioned at varying angles on each building exposure, horizontal, vertical, and diagonal, thus mitigating heat gain in the summer and permitting direct sunlight to warm the building’s interiors during Seoul’s cold winter months. Triple pane glazed exterior curtain wall decreases energy loss, therefore meeting Seoul Green Guidelines criteria while active chilled beam system surpasses traditional air driven systems, using water as a medium for transferring heating and cooling energy, which results in less energy consumption along with great environmental comfort for building users.

Mixed-use high-rise, located at a prominent corner of the emerging Business District of Seoul, provides more than 170,000 square meters of open office space, sky lobbies with fitness center and cafeteria and a penthouse executive lounge at the top. This prestigious edifice also facilitates two retail pavilions and an ethereal glass multi-functional auditorium, defining pedestrian scale and incorporating the building into its context and the surrounding.

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