natural news
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
by Kath Hudson | 18 Dec 2023
KSL-owned Third Space has unveiled its latest club in Wimbledon, south-west London. The development marks the first of many forays into residential locations for the operator, following the recent securing of a loan facility of £88.5m. This is the ninth club from the premium fitness operator which has four further openings slated for residential areas of London in the next two years: Battersea, Clapham Junction and Wood Wharf in 2024
Sparcstudio gives Center Parcs' Aqua Sana concept an extensive forest-inspired makeover
by Megan Whitby | 05 Sep 2023
Center Parcs is conducting a multi-million-pound spa remodel at its Elveden Forest holiday village in Norfolk, UK. Reimagined in line with Center Parcs’ Forest Spa concept, the spa will reopen on 29 September with 25 experiences. The new facilities will be spread across six zones and be inspired by some of the world's most extraordinary natural environments. Center Parcs says the redesign “reflects our woodland surroundings through the use of
Natural history museum planned for Abu Dhabi
by Tom Walker | 06 Apr 2022
A new natural history museum in Abu Dhabi will take visitors on a 13.8-billion-year journey through time and space. Called the Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum and set to open in 2025, the museum will be located on Saadiyat Island, in the Saadiyat Cultural District. The project was officially unveiled by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and chairman of the
Ekies resort receives overhaul inspired by monastic traditions using earthy tones and natural materials
by Megan Whitby | 20 Apr 2020
Ekies All Senses Resort, Halkidiki, Greece, has undergone a redesign and expansion project inspired by an ascetic vibe and its proximity to Mount Athos – home to 20 monasteries under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. Resort owner, Alexandra Efstathiadou, worked in collaboration with Athens-based Agarch + Architects and Fytron Landscape Design, to create ten brand new suites and renovate five existing rooms. The team drew on
Sparcstudio revamp reconnects an Aqua Sana spa to its forest location
by Megan Whitby | 21 Jan 2020
The Aqua Sana spa at Center Parcs Longleat Forest, UK has relaunched following a £6m ($8m, €7m) refurbishment by Sparcstudio. The new 2,222sq m (24,000sq ft) "Forest Spa" has been reimagined with the creation of 24 spa experiences which draw inspiration from different aspects of nature and the surrounding forest landscape. Sparcstudio co-director Neil Fairplay told Spa Business : "The special feel of Longleat spa’s distinctive forest location was something
Pharrell's Toronto tower, Untitled, will be parametric, natural and universal
by Stu Robarts | 04 Dec 2019
Untitled Toronto, the residential tower designed by musician Pharrell Williams in collaboration with IBI Group and U31, will combine parametric design, natural elements and "universal spaces" intended to act as a backdrop for the lifestyles of its residents. The development will comprise two towers with a shared podium and was inspired by the concept of a jugalbandi – a performance in Indian classical music featuring an intricate duet between two
Chain10's eco-conscious restaurant uses natural elements to help relax and refresh
by Stu Robarts | 28 Oct 2019
Chain10 Architecture 's third restaurant design for the Zuo Mali chain takes into account commercial, experiential and sustainable aspects to create an environmentally-conscious venue where visitors can relax and feel refreshed. The Green Isle restaurant covers 5,950sq m (64,000sq ft) and was intentionally located close to a subway line in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, so as to minimise the need for employees and customers to travel there in their own vehicles. Set
Arquivio Architects' naturally integrated design wins Vilnius concert hall competition
by Stu Robarts | 27 Sep 2019
Spanish firm Arquivio Architects has won a competition to design Lithuania’s new National Concert Hall in Vilnius with a design that integrates the building into the landscape “as naturally as possible”. Following a brief that included a building and two concert halls, Arquivio proposed that the different elements be interconnected by an open ground floor green corridor. In addition, it sought to carefully incorporate the nearby Lutheran Garden. The brief
Canada's first natural swimming pool by gh3 architecture wins plaudits for innovation
by Andy Knaggs | 08 Aug 2019
Honoured this year among the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada's Awards of Excellence in the Innovation in Architecture category, Borden Park Natural Swimming Pool in Edmonton, Alberta, is the first chemical–free public outdoor pool to be built in Canada. The 64,000sq ft (19,500sq m) complex, which includes two pools, a sandy beach and changing rooms, was designed by Toronto-based gh3 architecture. Instead of chlorine or other chemicals for disinfection, Borden
Studio Gang's American Museum of Natural History extension breaks ground after delay caused by lawsuit
by Andy Knaggs | 12 Jun 2019
Construction of the new Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation at the American Museum of Natural History in New York has begun, following delays caused by a lawsuit brought by a community group. The hotly anticipated new wing of the museum – a projected US$383m (€338m, £301m), 230,000sq ft (70,104sq m) project – has been designed by Studio Gang Architects, with the intention of improving visitor circulation to
Mecanoo's plans for largest man-made natural park in the world gather tempo
by Andrew Manns | 04 Mar 2019
The government of Flevoland has approved a master plan devised by Dutch architects Mecanoo to transform Nationaal park Nieuw Land into the largest man-made natural park in the world. Mecanoo's intervention will see the 29,000-hectare polder – which comprises four loosely connected areas of wetlands near greater Amsterdam – combined into one contiguous attraction with bike and walking trails, a parkway, sightseeing towers, and bird reserves. The architects will also
China’s second Museum of Natural History site to open later this year
by Luke Cloherty | 30 Jan 2019
Construction of the main structure of the second outlet of the Chinese Museum of Natural History in Zhejiang is complete. Designed by David Chipperfield Architects, the museum is built into a sloping hillside in the city of Hangzhou and comprises an inner courtyard as well as several low-rise pavilions with exhibition halls and galleries. The galleries have been rendered in red ochre in order to match the clay earth of
US National Museum of Natural History’s Fossil Hall set for reopening
by Luke Cloherty | 16 Aug 2018
Kirk Johnson, museum director of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC, has announced its David H. Koch Hall of Fossils will reopen on 8 June 2019. Colloquially known as Fossil Hall, the room was closed for a US$129m (€113.2m, £101.4m) renovation in 2014. The project has returned the museum’s wing, which first opened in 1910, to its original architectural majesty. High ceilings, skylights and ornate moulding
Pelli Clarke Pelli win Chengdu Natural History Museum project with design inspired by tectonic movement
by Kim Megson | 13 Jun 2018
Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects have won the international design competition for the Chengdu Natural History Museum in Chengdu, China. The studio’s design, created in collaboration with the China Southwest Architectural Design and Research Institute (CSWADI), swayed the jury panel. It was selected ahead of submissions from Zaha Hadid Architects, Sutherland Hussey Harris, Nihon Sekkei, Valode & Pistre and FUKSAS. Located in the eastern part of the city, the 62,700sq m
WOW Architects inspired by natural forms for remote resort in the Maldives
by Kim Megson | 07 Jun 2018
Hospitality architects working in ecologically sensitive parts of the world have a responsibility to ensure their projects are sustainable, even after building work has completed, Wong Chiu Man has told CLADglobal. “Guests increasingly seek out the special and the meaningful, and they are drawn to remote places with the potential to host unique leisure spaces,” said the WOW Architects founder. “The question and responsibility facing hoteliers and designers is how
'A timeless treasure chest': Kimmel Eshkolot's Steinhardt Museum of Natural History ready to open in Tel Aviv
by Kim Megson | 01 Mar 2018
A museum designed as a ”timeless treasure chest” showcasing Israel’s natural history is ready to open on the Tel Aviv University Campus. Architecture firm Kimmel Eshkolot have designed the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, whose collections include five and a half million animals and plants telling the story of biodiversity in Israel and the Middle East during the past century. The building’s block-like form, attached to a large wooden-panelled shell
Eco-friendly Greek resort to highlight relationship between built and natural environment
by Jane Kitchen | 27 Dec 2017
An eco-friendly resort set on the coast of the Greek island of Rhodes will open in May 2018. Designed by Dimitris Melenos & Partners, the 266-bedroom Gennadi Grand Resort will be part of Lindos Hotel Group, and will focus on experiential travel along with an emphasis on immersive surroundings. Melenos has used a design ethos focusing on simplicity and functionality, with buildings creating small 'neighbourhoods' and internal green courtyards and
World's highest planetarium coming to Tibet's Museum of Natural Sciences
by Tom Anstey | 06 Nov 2017
Plans have been unveiled in China to build the world’s highest planetarium – set to open at the Tibet Museum of Natural Sciences in 2019. Dubbed “the roof of the world”, the museum in the provincial capital of Lhasa, sits 4,000m (13,123ft) above sea level, passing through the three permanent exhibition halls of the Natural Science Museum, the Science Museum and the Cultural Exhibition Hall. It also features a theatre
LA's Natural History Museum unveils 10-year masterplan
by Tom Anstey | 30 Oct 2017
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles (NHM) has revealed its masterplan to transform the 104-year-old institution over the next decade. Designed by Frederick Fisher and Partners (FF&P), the NHM West/South Project will reimagine the physical space and programmes of the museum, which sits on the same site as George Lucas’ upcoming Museum of Narrative Art. The FF&P masterplan focuses on areas that were not worked on during the original
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
Construction takes shape on David Chipperfield's giant Zhejiang Natural History Museum
by Kim Megson | 31 Jan 2017
An expansive new complex for for the Zhejiang Museum of Natural History, designed by David Chipperfield Architects, has topped out in China. Set in an area of natural beauty among the forests and hills of Anji County, Zhejiang province, the museum buildings will be spread across eight low-rise pavilion buildings, the shells of which have now been completed. With a total area of 54,000sq m (581,250sq ft), the museum will
American Museum of Natural History reveals details of US$430m expansion
by Tom Anstey | 13 Jan 2017
New York’s American Museum of Natural History has unveiled new details for its US$340m (€319m, £277m) Gilder Center – a massive development intended to expand the institution’s role for scientific research and education. Adding a 21st century facelift to the 150-year-old museum, the development is being designed by Studio Gang Architects under the leadership of Jeanne Gang, with exhibit design by Ralph Appelbaum Associates and a new design for a
Natural cenote, temazcal experiences star at upcoming Mayan destination spa
by Jane Kitchen | 28 Oct 2016
Amy McDonald, owner and CEO of Under a Tree, Health and Wellness Consulting, has created a destination spa built on Mayan tradition for the upcoming Chablé Resort in Mexico. Operated by Hamak Hotels, The Chablé Resort is set to open next month in Chochola, Yucatan, and will feature 38 glass-fronted casitas and two villas designed by Jorge Borja of Grupo BV. “Although it is really high-end luxury it is thoughtfully
American Museum of Natural History gains first approval for US$325m Gilder Center
by Tom Anstey | 23 Sep 2016
New York’s American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) has been granted first approval for its US$325m (€288.8m, £248.6m) expansion intended to expand the institution’s role for scientific research and education. AMNH was given the approval when a joint committee composed of members from the Community Board 7 committees on preservation and parks and environment voted in favour of the Gilder Center plans, which will create a new six-storey addition to
AECOM principal tells CLAD natural elements and authenticity key to spa and hotel design
by Jane Kitchen | 04 Jul 2016
Natural elements such as spa gardens are increasingly important to today’s spa design, and creating an authentic experience through design and programming is key, said Ashley Scott, principal director of global design and infrastructure services firm AECOM, in an exclusive interview with CLAD. “Spas were traditionally quite internal to the hotel and resort, but now what we are experiencing is that spas are very much destination components of the hotel
Open-air spa with natural hot springs, sauna cave to open on Italy’s Pantelleria Island
by Jane Kitchen | 28 Jun 2016
A new boutique hotel on the Italian island of Pantelleria is opening next month and will later house a natural, open-air spa facility. Sikelia is a luxury retreat created from an ancient dammuso – the original stone houses built on the volcanic island. The 20-suite hotel, is located 100km (62 miles) southwest of Sicily on the island known as the ‘black pearl’ of the Mediterranean. The hotel has been created
Bell Museum of Natural History breaks ground on new facility with planetarium
by Tom Anstey | 05 May 2016
Minnesota’s Bell Museum of Natural History has broken ground on a new US$79.2m (€69m, £54.7m) complex near the State Fairgrounds on the University of Minnesota’s Minneapolis campus. To be renamed the Bell Museum and Planetarium, a 120-seat domed planetarium and theatre will be one of the main new features, in addition to expanded galleries and a host of interactive exhibitions. Minneapolis-based architecture firm Perkins+Will have created the box structure, which
Houston Botanic Garden: Landscape architects West 8 masterplan stunning natural attraction for Texas
by Kim Megson | 17 Feb 2016
A masterplan drawn up by Dutch landscape architects West 8 to create a 120 acre botanic garden in Houston, Texas has received approval from the city’s mayor. Plans to create a vast public green space showcasing Houston's native plants, preserving various wildlife habitats and hosting community events have been in development since 2002, but received a major boost last year after US$5m (€4.4m, £3.5m) was successfully fundraised to move the
Science and Natural History museums enter preliminary discussions for west London sites
by Tom Anstey | 02 Feb 2016
Both London’s Science Museum and Natural History Museum have confirmed they are in preliminary discussions about opening satellite sites as part of the multi-billion pound Old Oak Common redevelopment in west London. The 30-year Old Oak development plan – conceived as the UK’s largest regeneration project with around 1.35sq km (0.52sq miles) of available space – will include a litany of new leisure projects including a possible new 40,000-capacity home
Natural materials meet contemporary Thai style in Chiva-Som redesign
by Jane Kitchen | 03 Dec 2015
Thai wellness destination Chiva-Som has redesigned 23 of its Ocean Rooms as part of an upgrade to the resort. Designed by US architect Ed Tuttle of Paris-based Designrealization, the decor uses clean lines to deliver cool, contemporary interiors while retaining the essence of Chiva-Som style. The new rooms are light, bright and spacious, having been completely reconfigured to include a separate wardrobe and dressing room. The look is a luxurious,
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