Architecture firm RMJM reveals designs for progressive fish-like tower in China
by Chris Dodd | 21 Aug 2014
The tower has been designed to mimic certain characteristics of a fish / RMJM
China’s burgeoning architectural landscape could soon be home to a new standout piece, after architecture firm RMJM won a competition to design a 93-metre tower in the coastal city of Zhuhai.
The Doumen Observation Tower, featuring leisure facilities, shops, housing and a viewing platform, would be built as three rising sections and decorated with 1,400 bent panels made from perforated aluminum to represent the scales of a fish.
Lead architect on the project Zhenyuan Yang has designed the tower to represent the rising status of the city, which is seeking to transform its waterfront area.
Zhuhai is often dubbed as the Chinese Riveria, with the region quickly becoming home to a number of the country’s most attractive residential and business developments, given its location in the prosperous province of Guangdong.
The world’s most populous country – and home to its second strongest economy – has become the prime focus of some western architecture firms, which have invested money to establish bases in a variety of rising cities in the Middle Kingdom.
Such is the scale of development in the country, China could become home to the world’s two largest towers, following the proposed creation of the Phoenix Towers, put forward by English firm Chetwoods Architects.
In order to protect the country’s design heritage, plans are also afoot for the creation of an institute equipped for research, training and restoration focusing on China’s ancient architecture.
China’s burgeoning architectural landscape could soon be home to a new standout piece, after architecture firm RMJM won a competition to design a 93-metre tower in the coastal city of Zhuhai. The Doumen Observation Tower, featuring leisure facilities, shops, housing and a viewing platform, would be built as three rising sections and decorated with 1,400 bent panels made from perforated aluminum to represent the scales of a fish. Lead architect
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BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
by Liz Terry | 04 Jun 2026
Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has unveiled its design for Eve Music Hall in Čepin, eastern Croatia, as construction progresses towards completion ahead of the opening, which is scheduled for March 2027. The 10,000sq m venue is being developed as a new cultural, entertainment and events destination for the Slavonia region and is BIG's first completed project in Croatia, as well as its first completed music performance venue. Designed to accommodate
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
by Liz Terry | 04 Jun 2026
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company. Ownership has transferred to president Carmel Lewis, chief creative officer Christian Lachel and vice presidents of story and creative, Brad Shelton and Matthew Solari. The move formalises a leadership structure that the company says has been operating in
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by Helen Andrews | 03 Jun 2026
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Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
by Liz Terry | 27 May 2026
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
by Helen Andrews | 28 May 2026
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing. Van Phu Real Estate Development JSC owns the property, which is set along the Son River in the UNESCO-listed landscape of Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park. The site borders the world’s largest cave system by volume (38.5 million cubic metres), the Son
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by Liz Terry | 22 May 2026
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by Helen Andrews | 05 Jun 2026
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MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
by Helen Andrews | 21 May 2026
Hotel owner-operator MCR Hotels is inviting the public to provide feedback on development plans for London’s iconic BT Tower as a luxury hotel and mixed use project. Public access to the tower – for the first time in 50 years – will also be part of the scheme. In February 2024, British telecommunications company BT Group sold the BT Tower for £275 million (US$347 million, €321.3 million) to MCR Hotels.
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by Magali Robathan | 21 May 2026
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by Kath Hudson | 01 Jun 2026
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
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by Helen Andrews | 28 May 2026
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by Helen Andrews | 28 May 2026
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by Helen Andrews | 22 May 2026
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by Liz Terry | 19 May 2026
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by Helen Andrews | 15 May 2026
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by Liz Terry | 13 May 2026
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by Helen Andrews | 06 May 2026
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by Kath Hudson | 04 May 2026
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by Helen Andrews | 30 Apr 2026
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by Magali Robathan | 18 Apr 2026
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David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
by Magali Robathan | 21 Apr 2026
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New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
by Helen Andrews | 20 Apr 2026
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World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
by Magali Robathan | 16 Apr 2026
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Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
by Helen Andrews | 14 Apr 2026
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by Helen Andrews | 13 Apr 2026
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Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
by Helen Andrews | 27 Mar 2026
Holistic design and architecture practice Mendil + Meyer, based in Arizona in the US, has introduced a new division called Lām Concepts to integrate and align wellness goals for projects before they reach the design stage. Ben Meyer, architect and co-founder of Mendil + Meyer, told Spa Business exclusively about the new division: “Lām comes from the word loam, meaning fertile ground – the place where conditions are right for
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by Helen Andrews | 05 Mar 2026
Wilderness, an operator of 60 safari camps across eight African countries, has unveiled the second spa under its new concept called The Sanctuary, at Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda. The Sanctuary is a concept that pairs design and wellness with raw, restorative landscapes. The offering at the Rwandan property follows the opening of a different interpretation of The Sanctuary’s concept at Wilderness Mombo in Botswana. Read more about that property here.
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
by Helen Andrews | 04 Mar 2026
Design firm 4a Architekten has shared details of the recently-completed extension to the wellness facilities at destination spa park Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa in Germany. The upgrades to the leisure pool facility, which has been in operation since 1984, included the addition of a thermal spa and sauna in a new building that integrated sensitively into the landscape. Commissioned by the facility’s operator, utility company Stadtwerke Bad Dürkheim, the
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"Culture is the beating heart of this project"
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
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