Interior specialists Topos Design Clan have completed an ocean-inspired rehaul of Shunfenglou Restaurant in Wenzhou, China. Citing Claude Debussy's orchestral composition La Mer as an influence, the designers created the eatery's ship cabin-like decor, which features aquatic motifs, such as bronze-coloured fish decals, porthole-shaped mirrors, and royal blue furniture. Other notable elements of 1,500 sq m space include a ribbed vestibule, a streamlined bar, and a metal grid ceiling that

The National Portrait Gallery (NPG) in London has released details of its redevelopment plans, which entail a new entrance, new public galleries in the building’s East Wing and a new learning space. Jamie Fobert Architects (JFA) have designed the plans with help from architectural conservation specialists Purcell. Three windows in the current facade turned into doorways, taking pressure off the existing main entrance and allowing for disabled and non-disabled access

Swiss architecture studio Herzog & de Meuron have unveiled their plans to redesign the Klein Titlis, a 50-year-old mountaintop observatory station in Switzerland. The firm’s plan – dubbed Titlis 3020 – will see the current structure gain a new antenna tower and expanded gondola station in addition to an underground tunnel which will offer visitors a close-up glimpse of the glacier’s inner 'heart'. Other amenities and facilities will include an

Eight New York parks have been selected for reconstruction as part of the Parks Without Borders campaign to beautify the city’s public spaces. The scheme launched in November 2015 with US$50m (€46.8m, £32.8m) in mayoral funding. The public were invited to vote for the parks they would most like to see improved, following the Parks Without Borders design principles – increasing accessibility, opening sight lines, beautifying edges, adding furnishings and

New York’s Parks and Recreation Department is embarking on a bold new public initiative to make the city’s parks more open, welcoming and beautiful. The Parks Without Borders scheme has received US$50m (€46.8m, £32.8m) from the city’s mayor to improve green spaces and better connect local communities. It has been launched as a public outreach campaign which allows citizens to vote for the parks they feel would most benefit from

Boasting a grand tradition of hosting celebrities including Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Sophia Loren, The Palace Hotel in San Francisco has undergone a full US$40m (€35m, £26m) refurbishment, including a reimagination of its famed Garden Court. The Palace Hotel, operated by Starwood with owner partner Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts, has been known for more than a century as a centre of San Francisco style and society. The Palace Hotel

London’s Natural History Museum (NHM) is to undergo a multi-million pound transformation of its grounds as part of an overall redevelopment of the popular tourist attraction. Niall McLaughlin Architects, in collaboration with Kim Wilkie, won a competition to redesign the grounds of the London attraction in April 2014. As part of a larger strategy, NHM is adopting "three great narratives", which will guide visitors around the museum based on the

London's National Theatre (NT) has submitted plans for a major £70m overhaul of the South Bank venue in a bid to transform its facilities and "open up" to more people. The theatre has been working alongside architects Haworth Tompkins over the last two years to draw up development proposals as part of its NT Future scheme, which could get underway in late 2011. Lambeth Council will now decide the fate

One of four disused gasholders in King's Cross, London, is set to undergo a major £2.5m makeover after designs drawn up by architects Bell Phillips + Kimble were selected for the scheme. The London-based practice was selected from a shortlist of five firms following the King's Cross Central Gasholder No. 8 design competition, which aims to transform the Grade II-listed structure situated to the south of the Regent's Canal. Bell

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct near Wrexham, North Wales, is set to undergo a makeover in a bid to mark its designation as a World Heritage Site earlier this year. The structure's 1,007ft (307m) iron trough lining is to be drained and cleaned in preparation for the 2010 visitor season, allowing for a four-day inspection to be carried out. Work on the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal Project will be carried out as the