Architecture and design news:
museums & heritage
Sifang Art Museum by Steven Holl Architects opens in Nanjing, China
by Chris Dodd | 05 Nov 2013
The Sifang Art Museum, Nanjing, China, designed by innovative firm Steven Holl Architects, has opened its doors to the public, with the centre exploring the viewpoints, structures and materials that influence Chinese painting. The museum is based at the opening of an architectural site in the Laoshan National Forest Park, which houses projects from the Chinese International Practical Exhibition of Architecture (CIPEA) programme. Alongside the museum, the park will feature
Redevelopment works completed at Pittsburgh's Andy Warhol Museum
by Chris Dodd | 01 Nov 2013
Pittsburgh’s iconic Andy Warhol Museum has a new progressive lounge area, innovative multimedia experiences and more retail space at the Andy Warhol Store following a first floor renovation and redesign. Designed by Desmone & Associates Architects and built by F.J Busse Company, the renovations were funded by the Eden Hall Foundation, the Heinz Endowments, Anonymous and the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. The work sees the installation of leading audio visual
Innovative M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark opens in Helsingor, Denmark
by Chris Dodd | 31 Oct 2013
The Danish Maritime Museum in Helsingor, Denmark has opened its doors to the public following innovative design work from Danish architecture firm BIG, which created the underground museum by incorporating an old dry dock into its structure. BIG originally won the design competition in 2007 and has since set about transforming the area located within the grounds of Denmark’s famous 15th century Kronborg Castle, as part of a project to
Museum of African Design opens in Maboneng Precinct, Johannesburg
by Chris Dodd | 30 Oct 2013
The Museum of African Design (MOAD), Johannesburg, South Africa has opened its doors to the public, with the museum looking to create a pan-African cultural hub and connect the city’s existing art and design archives. The museum was created with the aim of challenging some of the problems facing African design and society at large and exhibit design pieces from across the continent. Located in the country’s innovative Maboneng Precinct
Bass Museum of Art to undergo expansion
by Chris Dodd | 29 Oct 2013
The Bass Museum of Art, US is to undergo an expansion with the addition of a new wing dedicated to educational facilities and exhibition space, following a $7.5m (£4.6m, €5.4m) grant from the City of Miami Beach. The expansion is to coincide with the museum’s 50th anniversary next year, with the City providing funding as recognition of the centre’s contribution to the area’s cultural output. The expansion would see the
Czech Republic’s first 3D planetarium to launch next month
by Tom Anstey | 17 Oct 2013
Work on the Czech Republic’s first 3D planetarium has been completed at the Techmania Science Centre in Plzen, with an opening date of 4 November. The planetarium, which cost CZK150m (£4.95m, US$7.98m, €5.8m) to build will include two large domes for education, a laboratory, workshops and clubs, and is housed inside the heritage listed ASAP Skoda cafeteria, built in 1917. “We have rebuilt a dilapidated building into an ultramodern planetarium
Astley Castle named Stirling Prize winner
by Tom Anstey | 28 Sep 2013
A luxury holiday home built within the walls of a derelict castle in Warwickshire has won this year’s RIBA Stirling Prize for architecture. Astley Castle, near Nuneaton, was chosen from six shortlisted buildings – including the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre in Northern Ireland – to win the award, which is the highest accolade of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The building dates back 1,000 years, has links to
David Chipperfield Architects win competition to rejuvenate Munich’s iconic Haus der Kunst museum
by Chris Dodd | 10 Sep 2013
The Bavarian Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts and Haus der Kunst have announced that David Chipperfield Architects has won the final round of the competitive tender process for the renovation of the Haus der Kunst art museum, one of Munich’s most iconic and controversial architectural landmarks. David Chipperfield's record in renovating museum buildings within an international context was given as a major reason for the choice. The jury
Redesigned FRAC Centre to open in September
by Chris Dodd | 23 Aug 2013
The Regional Fund for Contemporary Art in the Centre region (FRAC Centre) will open its doors in a new location in France in September, with a striking public reception piece designed by architects Jakob + MacFarlane. The Turbulences, the public entrance area, features a cafeteria, bookshop and auditorium. The prefabricated tubular structure is covered in an anodised aluminium casing and will be programmed with lighting displays. The FRAC Centre will
Renzo Piano-designed MUSE science museum opens in Trent, Italy
by Chris Dodd | 23 Aug 2013
Italy’s eagerly-awaited science museum, the eco-friendly Museo delle Scienze (MUSE), has opened in Trent, Italy, providing the public with an education about science, nature and the environment. MUSE offers a progressive range of displays, with visitors beginning at the top of the building in the mountains and working their way down to a rainforest at the bottom, as they gain an understanding in how habitats change with altitude. Some of
The Petersen Automotive Museum announces plans for a revamp
by Chris Dodd | 20 Aug 2013
The Peterson Automotive Museum in Southern California will mark its 20th anniversary in 2014 with an exterior transformation and interior redesign, creating world class facilities displaying the art, culture and heritage associated with automobiles. The museum’s new exterior is designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates and will incorporate long ribbons of stainless steel that wrap around the redesigned red building, in order to create imagery linked to speed and the
Hastings Pier to be revitalised with £14m restoration after forced rescue from Panamanian holding company
by Tom Anstey | 16 Aug 2013
Hastings Pier will undergo a £14m restoration after the 140-year-old structure was almost completely destroyed by fire in 2010. The Hasting Pier Charity formally took ownership of the derelict pier following a Compulsory Purchase Order issued by Hastings Borough Council, forcing ownership from Panamanian company, Ravenclaw, after it failed to carry out repair work. Renovation work is due to start later this month. It will include a refurbishment of the
£1bn Ram Brewery project given go-ahead
by Tom Walker | 25 Jul 2013
London Borough of Wandsworth's planning committee has given its consent for the £1bn Ram Brewery project in Wandsworth, London. The development will have a heavy emphasis on the heritage of the historic brewing site and will include nearly 10,000sq m (107,600sq ft) of leisure space. There will also be a micro-brewery and a brewing museum and 661 new homes - some of which will be located in a 36-storey landmark
Aspen Museum raises US$65m ahead of move
by Tom Anstey | 17 Jul 2013
Aspen Museum, in Colorado, US, has raised US$58m (£38.1m, €44m) as part of a US$65m (£42.7m, €49.4m) fundraising campaign to move into a much larger facility. Construction on the new 33,000sq ft (3,065sq m) building, designed by award-winning Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, has already begun and will be completed in 2013. The museum has seen demand rocket in recent years, with a 200 per cent increase in budget, number of
Plans revealed for HK$4.98bn M+ museum in Hong Kong
by Tom Anstey | 01 Jul 2013
Plans have been revealed for a HK$4.98bn (£421.7m, US$642m, €492.6m) Asian modern and contemporary art museum in Hong Kong, China. M+ is scheduled for completion in 2017 with HK$4bn (£338.8m, US$515.7m, €395.8m) coming from the government for construction and a further HK$1.7bn (£144m, US$219.2m, €168.2m) going on building an art collection and covering storage costs. Pritzker prize-winning architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron have been selected as designers for the
New US$1bn museum proposed in Baghdad
by Tom Anstey | 28 Jun 2013
A new US$1bn (£656m, €766m) museum is being planned on the site of the former Al-Muthanna airport in Baghdad, Iraq. The museum project, proposed by the Iraqi Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, has been given the working title of The Grand Museum of Iraq. It is hoped that the new museum will display objects currently being stored in the National Museum of Iraq alongside new pieces, which have been unearthed
Glenstone museum to build new extension
by Miguel de Sousa | 27 Jun 2013
The owners of the Glenstone Museum in the United States, Mitchell and Emily Rales, have announced the beginning of construction for a new building to house their extensive private art collection. The museum will join an existing one on their private estate in Potomac, Maryland. The current building, which opened to the public in 2006, was designed by Charles Gwathmey of Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects and covers a total
Oprah donates USD12m to new African American museum
by Miguel de Sousa | 18 Jun 2013
Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has donated US$12m (£7.6m) to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, which is currently under construction in Washington D.C. Half of the building's US$500m (£319m) price tag is being funded by the government, while the remaining half is being raised by the museum. Winfrey's donation is the largest received to date and in recognition, the museum's 350-seat theatre will be named the
George Lucas bids for US$300m San Francisco arts museum
by Miguel de Sousa | 18 Jun 2013
George Lucas, the creator of cinematic movie greats such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones, is a step closer to opening a cultural arts museum in his hometown of San Francisco. Lucas is one of three finalists vying to secure a site in the Presidio National Park, which was formerly a military base. In his submission to the Presidio Trust, Lucas says the Lucas Cultural Arts Museum will be a
St Louis Art Museum's new extension to open
by Miguel de Sousa | 17 Jun 2013
The St Louis Art Museum, in the US State of Missouri, has closed its doors until 29 June when it will reopen with a new East Building extension. The building, designed by David Chipperfield Architects with technical assistance from St Louis-based HOK, will increase the museum's gallery and public space by 30 per cent and will house 21 new galleries. The inaugural exhibitions in the East Building will feature 230
Design unveiled for new £4m King Richard III centre in Leicester
by Aoife Dowling | 14 Jun 2013
Design plans for the new multi-million pound King Richard III visitor centre in the heart of Leicester's Old Town has been revealed. The former Leicester Grammar School building at St Martin's Place will be transformed to house a new exhibition, entitled 'Richard III: Dynasty, Death and Discovery' which will guide visitors through the story of the king's life, brutal death at Bosworth Field in 1485, and the story of his
£9m visitor centre planned for Northumberland
by Tom Anstey | 07 Jun 2013
A proposed £8.8m Landscape Discovery Centre in Northumberland National Park (NNP) has the potential to contribute £3.5m (US$5.2m, €3.9m) to the local economy, according to reports. The Economic Impact Assessment, prepared by New Skills Consulting and the KSA Partnership, which was commissioned by NNP and the Youth Hostels Association (YHA), estimated that 'The Sill' has the potential to attract up to 120,000 new visitors and generate £3.35m (US$5.2m, €3.9m) annually
Einstein Museum planned for Jerusalem
by Miguel deSousa | 06 Jun 2013
Albert Einstein's life and work, as well as his connections to Judaism and Zionism, are to be honoured by a museum in Jerusalem. The museum will be located at The Hebrew University on Mount Scopus, a site which has drawn some controversy as it lies outside Israel's pre-1967 borders. A design concept, by Foster + Partners, in collaboration with local Israeli firm, Baer, Shiftman-Nathan Architects, has been commissioned by the
NY’s Corning Museum of Glass unveils design for US$64m north wing expansion
by Aoife Dowling | 05 Jun 2013
The Corning Museum of Glass in New York has unveiled the final design of its North Wing expansion, which is slated to open in late 2014. Designed by Thomas Phifer and Partners, the addition will include a new 26,000 sq ft (2,415sq m) contemporary art gallery building, as well as a new 500-seat glassmaking demonstration venue in the renovated facility of the former Steuben Glass factory ventilator building, adjacent to
Plans approved to build US$273m Munch Museum on Oslo waterfront
by Aoife Dowling | 05 Jun 2013
The multi-million dollar Lambda project have been given the green light to create the Munch Museum in a glass structure on Oslo’s waterfront. Spanish architects Herreros Arquitectos were appointed to design the museum in 2009 but the project was put on hold over issues on cost and location. The museum is now being developed on the site originally intended; a 12,000sq ft glass structure on the waterfront. Expected to open
€190m Mediterranean civilisation museum in Marseille set to open
by Tom Anstey | 04 Jun 2013
After more than a decade of planning and preparation, the new Mediterranean civilisations museum (Mucem) is preparing open its doors to the public. The €191m (£163.3m, US$249.7m) project will be the worlds first museum to be dedicated to Mediterranean civilisations and culture. With an expected 300,000 visitors a year, Mucem will be the first standalone French national museum ever to be located outside of Paris. Developed in partnership with the
Guggenheim Museum planned for Wales
by Tom Anstey | 24 May 2013
Plans are in the works to bring a Guggenheim museum to Wales as early as 2019 in a bid to replicate the success that came from opening one in Bilbao, Spain. In 2012 the Guggenheim in Bilbao helped generate €294.6m (£252.2m, US$380.2m) in GDP for the country. The predicted opening date of 2019 or 2020 would coincide with the current timetable for the electrification of the south Wales rail line.
Construction underway on British Museum's new £135m project
by Aoife Dowling | 20 May 2013
London's cultural landmark the British Museum has broken ground on its new multi-million pound capital project, the World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre (WCEC). Designed by Rogers, Stirk, Harbour + Partners (RSHP) and constructed by Mace, the new WCEC is one of the largest redevelopment projects in the museum's 260 year history. The aim of the project is to safeguard and enhance collections, while enabling the museum to store, conserve, study
MAD Architects reveal new China Wood Sculpture Museum
by Aoife Dowling | 10 May 2013
Beijing-based MAD Architects have unveiled the completed China Wood Sculpture Museum located in Harbin, China. The 200m (656ft) long building is sheathed in metal and surrounded by a densely populated Chinese-style neighbourhood and residential complexes. It was constructed with the aim of adding cultural and surreal essence to the surrounding urban context. The museum takes the form of a twisted strip of steel, punctuated with curved windows. MAD describes the
Council rejects Geffrye Museum's £18.9m plans
by Jessica Tasman-Jones | 07 May 2013
London's Hackney Council has rejected a planning application for an £18.9m redevelopment project at the Geffrye Museum. The museum, which examines the changing face of middle class homes in England over the past 400 years, appointed David Chipperfield Architects to increase its capacity, which it says is stretched to the limit. The plans included a two-storey extension, new gallery, library, collections and archive stores, conference suite, restaurant, and a new
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