Stefano Boeri to revitalise Utrecht with another 'Vertical Forest' project
by Kim Megson | 12 Jul 2017
Stefano Boeri Architetti have won a competition organised by the Utrecht city municipality for the construction of a landmark building adopting their famous ‘Vertical Forest’ model.
Designed to anchor a new urban district close to the city’s station, the “next generation” Hawthorn Tower will "attempt to create, in Utrecht city centre, an innovative experience of cohabitation between city and nature."
The 90m structure will host on its façades around 10,000 plants of different species, including 360 trees and 9,64 shrubs and flowers – equivalent to 1 hectare of woodland. Once realised, the architects claim it will absorb more than 5.4 tons of CO2.
The building will feature a restaurant, health club, yoga studio, and public leisure spaces in addition to offices. On the ground floor, directly connected to a sixth-floor roof garden there will be a Vertical Forest Hub. This will be a research centre on urban forestation worldwide, explaining the technical and botanical solutions chosen for the Hawthorn Tower and others under construction around the world.
The project is being developed by a consortium of real estate firms G&S Vastgoed and Kondor Wessels (VolkerWessels). A neighbouring tower, designed by Amsterdam's MVSA studio, also forms part of the development.
Stefano Boeri's practice have worked on several 'Vertical Forest' towers, but this is their first in the Netherlands. They have worked on projects in Lausanne and Milan, and are developing forest towers and cities in Nanjing, Paris, Tirana, Shanghai and Liuzhou.
Construction in Utrecht will begin in 2019 and be finished by 2022.
The project represents Boeri's first Vertical Forest in the Netherlands / Stefano Boeri Architetti
More news
Studio Gang reveal 'transformational' concept to revitalise Memphis riverfront
by Kim Megson | 20 Jul 2017
Architecture and urban designers Studio Gang have revealed a “transformational” concept for the future of Memphis’ waterfront, which would see new leisure amenities introduced across six miles and five distinct zones along the Mississippi river. A cultural pavilion, a live music stage, an adventure playground, several trails and an elevated walkway across the city’s native wetlands are all proposed for the site over the short, medium, and long-term. Investment ideas
Stirling Prize shortlist: Leisure buildings in running for UK architecture's biggest prize
by Kim Megson | 20 Jul 2017
A trio of leisure projects have made the shortlist for the prestigious 2017 Stirling Prize for the UK’s best new building, which was announced today (20 July). The British Museum World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre in London by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, Hastings Pier by dRMM Architects, and the Command of the Oceans museum in Kent by Baynes and Mitchell Architects are among the six projects in the running
World Interior of the Year 2017: See who is in contention for the prestigious prize
by Kim Megson | 19 Jul 2017
The INSIDE World Festival of Interiors has announced a shortlist of 78 projects that are in the running to be named World Interior of the Year 2017. Projects from across the world have been submitted across nine categories, including civic spaces, bars and restaurants, shops, hotels and health and education. The winners in each category – chosen by international judging panels – and an ultimate overall winner, will be revealed
Four Seasons opens US’ first Joseph Dirand-designed spa
by Tom Walker | 19 Jul 2017
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has opened a spa, designed by French interior architect Joseph Dirand, at its historic South Florida retreat, The Surf Club. Located within the 77-bedroom resort, the 15,000 sq ft (1,400sq m) spa is Dirand's first in the United States. The spa houses eight treatment rooms – including two treatment cabanas – a steamroom, sauna and a mixed traditional hammam, as well as a relaxation room
Exclusive: Chester Zoo MD details £100m redevelopment masterplan
by Tom Anstey | 19 Jul 2017
Chester Zoo will redevelop 100 acres (405,000sq m) of its existing site into grassland and forest areas as part of a £100m (US$130.4m, €113m) development masterplan. The grasslands area will be located in the western part of the zoo and will be characterised by large, open savannah landscape populated by a mix of free-roaming species in the same areas. To the eastern side of the zoo the forest zone will
David Walsh plans five-star suspension bridge hotel for Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art
by Kim Megson | 19 Jul 2017
The founder of Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) in Tasmania has unveiled detailed plans to build a neighbouring 172 room, 5-star hotel suspended over the River Derwent. David Walsh has commissioned Fender Katsalidis Architects, who designed Mona’s understated Berriedale home, to draw up the design for the project, called HOMO (HOtel at MOna). In addition to guest rooms, it will also include a conference centre, a 1,075
Dublin's Guinness Storehouse announces €16m expansion
by Ben Coxon | 19 Jul 2017
Ireland’s most popular visitor attraction is seeking to draw even more visitors after the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin announced €16m (US$18.5m, £14.2m) expansion plans centred around doubling the size of its Gravity Bar. The culmination of the Guinness visitor experience, the plans will see the creation of a new 360 degree space, which will directly link to the original Gravity Bar – Dublin's highest – forming an expansive area for
Singapore's Shangri-La Hotel unveils rejuvenated Tower Wing
by Kim Megson | 18 Jul 2017
The historic Tower Wing of Singapore's Shangri-La Hotel has re-opened following a significant renovation, revealing a refreshed lobby, brand new rooms and suites, three restaurant concepts and a revitalised club lounge. In total, 503 guestrooms and suites have been completely refreshed by Japanese interior design firm Bond, who were tasked with retaining the “heartware” of the Shangri-La brand while bringing in modern conveniences, natural materials and a soothing colour palette
'A guestroom dedicated to movement and mindfulness’: Hilton launches new in-room wellness concept
by Jane Kitchen | 18 Jul 2017
Hospitality giant Hilton has unveiled a new in-room concept, Five Feet to Fitness, which brings more than 11 different fitness equipment and accessory options into the hotel room and creates an upselling option for hotel operators. Ryan Crabbe, senior director of global wellness for Hilton says the room is a “personal wellbeing stage”. “We like to describe it as a guestroom dedicated to movement and mindfulness,” he told CLAD. “It
London's best new and future leisure projects celebrated in awards ceremony
by Kim Megson | 18 Jul 2017
A scheme by architecture firm Nex for a green-topped cafe overlooking the London running track where Roger Bannister trained for his famous four-minute mile has won the Unbuilt Hotels & Hospitality category at the 2017 New London Architecture Awards. The competition celebrates the best new and proposed projects that enhance London’s leisure offer for tourists, business people and Londoners in the capital. The Cadogan Café will be located in the
New York Wheel delayed indefinitely after contractor fired by developer
by Tom Anstey | 18 Jul 2017
Plans to develop America's largest Ferris Wheel are in jeopardy after the attraction's main contractor was removed from the project. Originally scheduled for early 2017, the development was pushed back to mid- and then late 2017, with the US$580m (€503m, £442m) wheel then delayed till April 2018 thanks to a “complicated engineering process”. The project is now completely on hold after developer NY Wheel ended its working arrangement with contractor
Mecanoo complete pavilion gateway for historic hotel and spa estate
by Kim Megson | 17 Jul 2017
Dutch architects Mecanoo have completed an elegant pavilion for a hotel, restaurant and spa complex near Maastricht, the Netherlands. Château St. Gerlach is a historic estate situated close to the hills of the scenic Limburg countryside. It is formed of a number of old buildings and monuments, including the Château (1661), the St. Gerlachus Church (1727), the Farmstead (1759) and the Manor Farm (1668). Mecanoo were tasked with creating a
New Costa Rican eco resort features yoga studio enveloped by jungle
by Kim Megson | 17 Jul 2017
Emerging architecture practice Studio Saxe have completed a boutique hotel and yoga studio set into the tropical forest of Nosara, Costa Rica. Nomel and Mariya Libid, the owners of the Hotel Nalu-Nosara, wanted to create a resort for the visitors who travel to Nosara because of its reputation for health and wellness tourism and surfing. Studio Saxe were commissioned to design the hotel, which includes a yoga studio and multipurpose
Disney reveals immersive Star Wars hotel as part of 'living adventure' resort
by Tom Anstey | 17 Jul 2017
Disney has announced a slew of new additions for its parks worldwide, including a Star Wars hotel, Marvel and Pixar attractions, and the very first ride for the company's iconic figurehead, Mickey Mouse. Star Wars Star Wars was a focal point of the presentation, with the newly-named lands “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” to open at Disneyland California and Disney World in Orlando in 2019. Following the unveiling of a scale
BIG expand Danish WWII bunker and create museum camouflaged among the dunes
by Kim Megson | 14 Jul 2017
Bjarke Ingels Group’s (BIG) transformation of a former German WWII bunker into a cultural complex camouflaged among the protected dunes of Blåvand, western Denmark, has opened to the public. Conceived as “a sanctuary in the sand”, the 82,000sq m (882,600sq ft) museum, called Tirpitz, has been successfully completed three years after construction began. Upon arrival, visitors first see the bunker, which was one of hundreds of coastal defences and fortifications
Studio RHE merge restaurant with co-working space at London's placemaking Palatino
by Kim Megson | 14 Jul 2017
British architecture practice Studio RHE have merged an Italian restaurant and a modern co-working space under one roof in London’s Clerkenwell design district. Palatino is both the entrance space for newly opened co-working venue Fora Space, and a stand alone restaurant by Stevie Parle, chef and owner of the brands Dock Kitchen, Rotorino and Craft London. Entrance to both comes through an architectural black steel revolving door and into a
Carlo Ratti proposes climate-controlled 'Garden of Four Seasons' for new Milan neighbourhood
by Kim Megson | 14 Jul 2017
One of the largest urban regenerations in Europe is set to be anchored by a public garden where spring, summer, autumn and winter coexist together throughout the year. The concept, called ‘Garden of the Four Seasons’, comes from the studio of designers, researchers and innovators Carlo Ratti Associati, and is being developed by property firm CityLife for a 366,000sq m (4 million sq ft) district in the west of Milan.
Disney reveals scale model of new Star Wars lands at D23
by Tom Anstey | 14 Jul 2017
Disney has offered its most in-depth look at its upcoming Star Wars Land yet, unveiling a scale model of the attraction ahead of the D23 fan expo taking place this weekend in Anaheim, California. Two years on from the last D23, when Bob Iger first revealed plans for two Star Wars attractions at Disney’s Florida and California theme parks, the operator unveiled the model, which has been made available for
Four Seasons to re-imagine Costa Rican spa resort for new audience
by Tom Walker | 14 Jul 2017
Four Seasons Resorts and Hotels will undertake a US$35m (€31m, £27m) “re-imagination” of its Costa Rican resort and spa this year. The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo will be redesigned in order to cater for a new target audience – identified by the resort operator as millennial-type “active families and couples, nature enthusiasts and bold adventure seekers”. Four Seasons operates the property on behalf of Miami-based Gencom,
MVRDV to add to Rotterdam's 'Manhattan on the Maas' with mixed-use towers linked by 'hotel air bridge'
by Kim Megson | 13 Jul 2017
A hotel, a wellness centre, a public viewing platform and 450 apartments will feature in Dutch studio MVRDV’s most recently unveiled project: a distinctive mixed-use building called The Sax overlooking Rotterdam’s famous Wilhelminapier port. The studio won the international design competition for the commission with their vision for a 51-storey structure formed of two interconnected towers, called Philadelphia & Havana, which merge to create a total surface area of 82,000sq
Casson Mann revamp London's Natural History Museum, as giant blue whale replaces icon Dippy
by Tom Anstey | 13 Jul 2017
London’s Natural History Museum has completed a major revamp of its main hall, with its blue whale skeleton replacing the national institution’s much-loved Diplodocus replica – a sight which has welcomed visitors to the museum for more than 37 years. The museum made the move as it aims to refresh its image, wanting to be known for living science rather than its fossil collection, with a focus on “authenticity” and
Chapman Taylor complete remodelling of Bangkok’s Mandarin Oriental Spa
by Tom Walker | 12 Jul 2017
Global masterplanning and architects practice Chapman Taylor has completed a four-month redevelopment project of the spa at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. Headed by Chapman Taylor’s Bangkok office, the US$750,000 (€657,000, £582,100) redesign included the creation of new treatment rooms and improving the “flow” of the property. Jon Grant, director of Chapman Taylor Bangkok, said: “We rationalised the overall planning, which was disjointed, renovating the exterior entrance and
Cornell develops new health, hospitality and design programme
by Jane Kitchen | 12 Jul 2017
The Cornell Institute for Health Futures (CIHF) – an academic centre within New York’s Cornell University – has received a grant to support the creation of an undergraduate minor in Health, Hospitality and Design. The programme is reported to be the first university programme in the US to combine those three disciplines. The minor is part of a larger suite of multidisciplinary educational programmes CIHF develops and supports for healthcare,
Food and drink of Nordic cultures inspires Snøhetta's Copenhagen restaurant for noma
by Kim Megson | 12 Jul 2017
Architecture practice Snøhetta have partnered with acclaimed chef Thorsten Schmidt to create a new restaurant in the former home of the world-renowned Danish restaurant noma. Located in the protected North Atlantic House on Copenhagen’s waterfront, Barr opened its doors last week. Snøhetta have designed the interiors and new graphic identity for the restaurant, which is owned by the noma restaurant group, around the food and drink traditions found in the
Pioneering leisure architect Peter Sargent dies
by Kim Megson | 11 Jul 2017
Pioneering British leisure architect Peter Sargent has died at his home in Florida. Sargent was one of the founding partners of sports and leisure architectural practice Sargent & Potiriadis (S&P), along with business partner Mark Potiriadis. The pair were among a small group of creative thinkers who transformed leisure architecture from the late 1970s onwards, with the creation of innovative sports facilities, leisure pools, health and fitness facilities and mixed-use
Gehry, Piano, Foster and Levete among star-studded shortlist for landmark City of London concert hall
by Kim Megson | 11 Jul 2017
A host of leading international architects are in the running to create a concept design for a new Centre for Music in the City of London. Snøhetta, Diller Scofidio + Renfro and the firms led by Amanda Levete, Frank Gehry, Norman Foster and Renzo Piano have all been shortlisted in the international competition for the concert hall; billed as “a state-of-the-art building of acoustic and visual excellence.” In May, the
Marriott opens W Hotel in Shanghai with Away-branded spa
by Tom Walker | 11 Jul 2017
Hotel giant Marriott International has opened its latest spa hotel in China’s financial and commercial capital, Shanghai. W Shanghai, The Bund is located in the heart of the city, overlooking the Huangpu River, and features 374 bedrooms and an Away-branded luxury spa. Owned by Sinar Mas Group, the property will be operated under Marriott’s W Hotels Worldwide arm. Designed by UK-based G.A Design, the hotel has been created as a
World Architecture Festival announces 2017 Awards shortlist
by Kim Megson | 10 Jul 2017
The World Architecture Festival has today (7 July) unveiled the largest ever shortlist for its Building of the Year competition. WAF – one of the only global design festivals to combine conferences, networking and awards – is holding its tenth anniversary edition from 15-17 November in Berlin, and has celebrated by compiling a 434-strong shortlist for the contest across 18 categories: including Mixed-Use, Housing and Religion. Leisure architecture will be
‘Stadium of Tomorrow’ could include permanent residential homes, says Populous
by Matthew Campelli | 10 Jul 2017
Stadiums of the future may include permanent residential facilities and places of work if they adopt an innovative, community-focused vision put forward by Populous. The architectural practice behind the Olympic Stadiums in Sydney and London has imagined the ‘Stadium of Tomorrow’ for the July issue of National Geographic magazine. Part of the vision includes making stadiums “seven days a week, 365 days a year” venues, with residential and office facilities
Historic Hôtel de Crillon reopens with Rosewood spa and Karl Lagerfeld-designed suites
by Tom Walker | 07 Jul 2017
The iconic Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, France has re-opened after undergoing a four-year, €176m (US$200m, £150m) restoration. Dating back to the 18th century, the historic property will be operated by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and now houses 78 rooms, 36 suites and 10 signature suites. Led by architect Richard Martinet, the redevelopment involved every aspect of the building – including the restoration of the landmark façade and grand reception
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Features
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