Architecture and design news
Historic Commonwealth Games venue set for £47m redevelopment
by Tom Walker | 16 May 2018
Plans to replace the historic Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh with a modern £47m sports centre will be discussed by the City of Edinburgh Council next month. Two planning applications have been filed for the stadium, which was built for the 1970 Commonwealth Games. One application proposes a new £47m sports centre to replace the original venue, while the other lays out plans for a mixed-use redevelopment of the wider site,
Steven Holl completes Glassell School of Art at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston
by Kim Megson | 16 May 2018
Work has been completed on the new Glassell School of Art at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston (MFAH), designed by Steven Holl Architects. The School – the only museum-run institute in the US with programmes that serve students of all ages, from 3-year-olds to adults – is a major component of the museum’s 14-acre redevelopment, masterminded by Holl, which is currently the largest cultural project under construction in
Winners announced in young architects competition to transform abandoned island fortress into 'Art Prison' museum and hotel
by Kim Megson | 15 May 2018
Design initiative Young Architects Competitions (YAC) has announced the winners of an ideas contest for the transformation of a remote Italian fortress into "one of the most atmospheric centres of contemporary art in the Mediterranean". Italian studio Simposio have secured first prize for their proposal to carefully integrate new cultural and hospitality buildings into the rocky landscape of Favignana, an isle in the Southern Sicily that is home to Santa
London's Design Museum crowned European Museum of the Year
by Tom Anstey | 15 May 2018
London's Design Museum has been named the winner of the European Museum of the Year Award. Moving to its new £85m (US$115m, €96.4m) home in Kensington's former Commonwealth Institute Building in 2016, the museum was reimagined by architecture firm OMA, along with Allies and Morrison and interior designer John Pawson. Since moving, the museum has become an "inspiring, socially-aware museum", according to the awarding judges, who also acknowledged the museum’s
Revealed: Star-studded shortlist designs for Adelaide art museum
by Kim Megson | 14 May 2018
The shortlisted designs for a new art museum in Adelaide have been officially released, offering a first glimpse at what the likes of Adjaye Associates, BIG, Diller Scofidio + Renfro have in mind for the planned South Australian Landmark. Intended to revitalise the site of the former Royal Adelaide Hospital (oRAH), Adelaide Contemporary will be a sister museum to the Art Gallery of South Australia, combining exhibition, research and education
FC Barcelona strikes deal with leisure park developer to launch Barça-themed attractions around the world
by Kim Megson | 14 May 2018
Spanish football giant FC Barcelona has reached a deal to open a number of Barça-themed “experience spaces” around the world. Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has signed a five-year agreement with leisure park developer Parques Reunidos to get the ball rolling on the project, which will see indoor parks, between 3,000 and 10,000sq m in size, opened in “busy shopping malls and iconic establishments in the centres of cities with
Architect Will Alsop dies aged 70
by Kim Megson | 14 May 2018
Tributes from around the world have poured in for the British architect and artist Will Alsop, who died on Saturday (12 May) aged 70 following a short illness. Alsop – who once stated that “architecture is the only profession that actually deals in joy and delight” – was known for his bold, colourful and often avant-garde buildings, including Marseille’s bright blue Hotel du Departement; the Ontario College of Art &
Museum of Modern Art names Rob Giampietro director of design
by Tom Anstey | 11 May 2018
New York's Museum of Modern Art has named Rob Giampietro as its new director of design, with the former Google man taking charge of the institution's design output. A member of MoMA's newly-formed creative team, Giampietro will help to "extend MoMA’s identity as a dynamic and progressive cultural institution physically rooted in New York City, with a global reach and impact on modern and contemporary art and design." Working closely
Plant-covered stadium could host events at Paris 2024 Olympics
by Kim Megson | 11 May 2018
French architecture studio SCAU have won the design competition to create an Olympic stadium and leisure park in the suburbs of Paris, with their vision for a venue extensively covered by plants. The practice will develop and expand the existing Hunebelle Stadium into a 24,000sq m (258,300sq ft) mixed-use ground with a connected bowling alley, gymnasium, athletics hall and parking that flow organically into one another, partially underground. Situated on
RIBA announces list of world's 20 best new buildings
by Kim Megson | 10 May 2018
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the 20 buildings that have won its International Excellence Awards, one of which will go one to be named the world's nest new building by the design body. The buildings, from 16 countries, range in scale and typology and include a number of leisure projects. “The RIBA Awards for International Excellence 2018 are a testament to the breadth and quality of
'A horticulturists’ haven': Sir David Attenborough opens Kew Gardens' painstakingly restored Temperate House
by Kim Megson | 10 May 2018
Kew Gardens in London has completed the largest restoration project in its entire history: a redevelopment of its iconic Temperate House, now home to 10,000 plants, including some of the world’s rarest. The long and painstaking repair of the historic glasshouse, overseen by Donald Insall Associates and costing £41m (€46m, US$54m), saw 400 staff and contractors remove 69,000 individual elements from the building to be cleaned, repaired or replaced. The
Grand Hyatt Kochi opens with 11,000sq ft ayurvedic spa
by Jane Kitchen | 10 May 2018
The 264-bedroom Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty has opened in the south Indian state of Kerala, marking Hyatt’s third branded hotel in the country. Designed by architects from Wimberly Allison Tong and Goo UK Limited, the hotel is located near the town of Fort Kochi and owned by Lulu Group International. The property's Santata Spa offers a modern wellbeing experience with traditional ayurvedic and international spa treatments. Spanning more than 11,000sq
West 8 reveal design details for vast Houston Botanic Garden
by Kim Megson | 09 May 2018
Landscape architects West 8 have revealed their first clear-cut plans for a new 120 acre Houston Botanic Garden set to open to the Texas public in 2020. The firm have released details of ‘Botanic Beginnings’, the first phase of their 120-acre masterplan for the site, which will be developed over the next three decades on a site located a short distance outside downtown Houston. The Garden, conceived as “Houston’s next
Bjarke Ingels becomes WeWork's chief architect as company targets global growth
by Kim Megson | 09 May 2018
New York-based shared workspace specialist WeWork has announced Bjarke Ingels as its chief architect, and he will be responsible for advising and developing the company’s design vision and language for buildings, campuses and neighbourhoods globally. The company designs and builds physical and virtual shared workspaces for individuals and companies – from startups and freelancers to large enterprises. Increasingly, it has also branched out into the world of leisure, with initiatives
Designer Clodagh to speak at Global Wellness Summit
by Jane Kitchen | 09 May 2018
Multi-disciplinary designer Clodagh, whose recent projects include the Six Senses Douro Valley and the reopened Six Senses Kaplankaya, will share her vision for truly integrated wellness design with conference delegates at the Global Wellness Summit in Italy this October. Clodagh, head of New York-based interior design firm Clodagh Design, will take the stage at the 2018 conference to share her belief that wellness is a crucial requirement in design that
IHG moves in on UK luxury market with 13 hotels and new upscale brand
by Tom Walker | 09 May 2018
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is to expand its luxury estate in the UK after securing a deal to rebrand and operate 13 upscale hotels. IHG will operate the properties on behalf of French real estate group Foncière des Régions (FdR), which acquired the hotels from an affiliate of Starwood Capital Group for a reported US$1.1bn (£830m) earlier this month. The deal will see IHG introducing its boutique brand, Kimpton Hotels
London's Japanese culture destination set for July launch
by Tom Anstey | 08 May 2018
A new cultural destination in London, celebrating Japan and funded by its government, has announced its public opening date. Called Japan House London, the new attraction will offer visitors authentic Japanese encounters when it opens on 22 June, with the best in the nation's art, design, gastronomy, innovation and technology. Almost every aspect of the new space has been derived “from source” in Japan. Japanese interior designer – Wonderwall principal
Revealed: The winners of the 2018 James Beard Foundation Restaurant Design Awards
by Kim Megson | 08 May 2018
The James Beard Foundation (JBF) has held its 2018 Restaurant Design Awards, presenting a hat-trick of prizes to the new eateries it judges to be the best-designed in North America. New York-based concept, design and branding studio The MP Shift have been recognised for their work designing De Maria in the city, which was named the best new restaurant with a capacity of 75 seats and under. The New York
Venue plans completed for Tokyo 2020 Olympics
by Tom Walker | 08 May 2018
The Tokyo Organising Committee for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games (TOCOPG), has finalised its plans for the venues for the Games. In a statement, TOCOPG said it had added the "final pieces to the facility puzzle" by agreeing deals for the seven venues needed to host the Olympic football competition. The deal will see Sapporo Dome, Miyagi Stadium, Ibaraki Kashima Stadium, Saitama Stadium, Tokyo Stadium and the International Stadium
Purcell win approval for Manchester Museum expansion
by Kim Megson | 08 May 2018
Architecture firm Purcell will create an extension to the historic home of the University of Manchester - Manchester Museum, after winning planning and listed building consent last week. The design team have imagined a contemporary new entrance and two new galleries, which will double the capacity of the museum – part of a wider development plan as it seeks “to become the UK’s most imaginative, inclusive and caring museum.” Purcell
Public artist Steed Taylor creates 'world's longest' street mural in West Palm Beach
by Kim Megson | 04 May 2018
Public artist and designer Steed Taylor has completed the largest continuous street mural in the world, spanning the full length of Downtown West Palm Beach in Florida. The mile-long ‘road tattoo’ is called Genii Loci, or ‘the protective spirits of a place.’ Local people were invited to paint parts of the mural – which takes the form of interweaving three-colour Celtic knots and emphasises the power of community. The north
Saudi Arabia plans US$13.3bn investment into lifestyle destinations
by Tom Anstey | 04 May 2018
Saudi Arabia's government has revealed plans to invest SAR50bn (US$13.3bn, €11.2bn, £9.9bn) into entertainment, health, sports and education initiatives, as the country attempts to modernise and improve its citizens' quality of life. Announced yesterday (3 May) by the Kingdom's General Entertainment Authority (GEA), it is understood that the investment will generate upward of 300,000 jobs by 2020. “Government spending on the initiatives will total around 60 per cent of the
Four design teams shortlisted in project to 'magnify' Eiffel Tower visitor experience
by Kim Megson | 04 May 2018
Four design teams have been shortlisted for a project to reimagine the Eiffel Tower's visitor experience. Groups led by AL_A, Gustafson, Porter + Bowman, Agence Ter and Koz Architectes are in the running for the large-scale project, which covers a 540,000sq m area either side of the River Seine. Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo has voiced the city’s ambition to make every visit to the landmark more enjoyable and accessible by
Vintage radio and Spanish surrealism inspire design of Hyatt Centric Madrid hotel
by Kim Megson | 04 May 2018
Self-proclaimed “designer of whimsy” Henry Chebaane has completed the guest rooms and public areas of the new Hyatt Centric Gran Via hotel in Madrid, taking inspiration from Spanish surrealism and the history of radio. Tasked with converting the partially-listed spaces behind the historic facade of a 1920s-era building on the upscale Gran Via shopping street, Chebaane and his studio – Blue Sky Hospitality – looked to the cultural life of
'The library’s role as public meeting space is more significant than ever': OMA's Qatar National Library officially opens
by Kim Megson | 03 May 2018
The Qatar National Library (QNL) in Doha, designed by international architects OMA, has been officially opened by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani. Conceived as a space for reading, socialising and browsing, the building houses more than a million books and space for thousands of readers over an area of 42,000sq m (452,000sq ft). The marble bookshelves, organised around a central triangular space, segue with the
John Portman & Associates design nautically-inspired waterfront complex for Shenzhen's Prince Bay
by Kim Megson | 03 May 2018
International design and engineering practice John Portman & Associates have triumphed in the international design competition for a hospitality and leisure complex for a major port in Shenzhen, China. Situated next to the waterfront’s cruise ship terminal, the Prince Bay development will feature a 5-star hotel tower with 350 guestrooms, encompassing a total area of 40,000sq m (430,560sq ft), and a retail and leisure podium with a landscaped roof overlooking
Arup appointed to 'central design role' for new Stadium for Bath
by Tom Walker | 02 May 2018
Stadium for Bath, the partnership behind a new community-focused elite rugby stadium in the city, has appointed planning and engineering giant Arup to play a central role in the design of the venue. Arup will provide civil, geotechnical, structural, mechanical, electrical and public health engineering as well as ICT, audiovisual, acoustic and specialist lighting design for the new 18,000 seat, digitally-enabled stadium. Arup’s team will be led from Bristol and
Snøhetta look to the stars for planetarium and visitor centre in Norway inspired by the night sky
by Kim Megson | 02 May 2018
International architects Snøhetta have designed a new planetarium and a visitor centre for Norway’s largest astronomical facility by studying the night sky for design inspiration. Nestled in the dense forest of Harestua, 45km north of Oslo, Solobservatoriet is the largest solar observatory North of the Alps. Its original observatory was built by the University of Oslo for the total solar eclipse of 1954, and a satellite tracking station was established
Kobi Karp, Martin Brudnizki and Tara Bernerd join forces for Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale
by Kim Megson | 02 May 2018
Ground has broken on the US market’s latest Four Seasons hotel – a ‘civilised jungle’ in Fort Lauderdale with a third of the property dedicated to green space. The 22-storey Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Fort Lauderdale has been planned by Miami architect Kobi Karp, with 90 private residences, 130 guest rooms and “unmatched access to a lifestyle of leading amenities, services and design.” The interior architecture and design
Bespoke Access Award winners highlight overlooked aspects of disabled travel, says former RIBA president
by Lauren Heath-Jones | 01 May 2018
Architects MnM Studio, Maria Brightei and Marcello D'Orsi were named as joint winners of the Celia Thomas Prize at this year's Bespoke Access Awards. Now in its second year, the Bespoke Access Awards is an international design competition run in association with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The Celia Thomas Prize, named for Baroness Celia Thomas, is designed to champion accessible hospitality design to make the hotel experience
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