Dutch architecture practice UNStudio have unveiled renderings for the Lyric Theatre Complex – an expansive cultural venue currently being constructed in Hong Kong's West Kowloon Cultural District. The mammoth complex, which will occupy roughly 41,000 sq m of the city’s waterfront, will include a 1,450-seat Lyric Theatre inspired by European "Baroque-era" extravagance; a 600-seat Medium Theatre for smaller-scale productions; and a 270-seat Studio Theatre for intimate performances. The arts facility

International colour authority Pantone has announced a "sociable and spirited" shade as the Colour of the Year for 2019. The company, which said it made the selection in "reaction to the onslaught of digital technology and social media" described PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral as representing intimacy and the "need for optimism and joyful pursuits". Commenting on the announcement, Leatrice Eiseman, executive director at the Pantone Color Institute, said: "Colour is

Marriott International’s W Hotels has opened the W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal, the first W Hotel in the country, which also includes the first full-service bar located inside an Away Spa. Located within a 2,300-acre nature reserve near an internationally-renowned surf spot, the W Costa Rica includes 150 bedrooms, all designed with the beauty of the natural area – including the nearby beach and jungle – in mind. The

London-based architecture and interior design studio Michaelis Boyd have completed work on Casa Pastor and Plaza Pastor – two interconnected Mexican restaurants at the recently opened retail destination Coal Drops Yard. The restaurants, which feature a varied menu inspired by the time its founders spent in Mexico City, were designed to pay "homage to the vibrancy of Mexico". In a statement, Michaelis Boyd said that Casa Pastor – an 80-cover,

Architecture studio HBA London (HBA) have designed the Amadria Park Capital, a boutique hotel in the centre of Zagreb, Croatia. The newly opened establishment, which was co-developed by the Ugo Group, occupies the former site of a Roaring Twenties-era bank and features 109 rooms and 3 suites. Each guestroom is also furnished with artwork curated by HBA and Muzeo Iconographic Design. Other amenities at Amadria Park Capital include a restaurant

Finnish ice hockey team Helsingin IFK (HIFK) are helming a development team to build what is projected to become one of Finland’s most popular leisure attractions: Garden Helsinki. The complex, major parts of which will be situated "almost entirely underground", will feature a number of sports, hospitality, and recreational facilities including an 11,000-seat indoor arena, 200-room hotel, ice rink, gym, hotel, and spa. On-site restaurants and residential apartments will also

Architecture firm Spratley & Partners have completed a multi-million-pound renovation on the historic Heckfield Place estate, in Hampshire, UK. Formerly a conference centre and wedding venue - and home to Horace Walpole, the 4th Earl of Orford in the 18th century - the Grade II listed Georgian house has been transformed into a lavish country hotel. It boasts 38 bedrooms, six Signature rooms and one two-bedroom cottage, each designed to

The first European iteration of The Standard Hotels franchise is gearing up to debut in London inside a Brutalist structure that once housed offices for the local city council. Formerly known as the Camden Town Hall Annexe, the 1970s-era concrete complex – located opposite London’s St Pancras and King Cross stations – will soon be transformed into a 266-room, 184,000 sq ft (170,940 sq m) luxury destination. The architects responsible

A concert hall designed by architecture firm Studio Seilern is slated to debut next year in Andermatt, Switzerland. Erstwhile a wartime bunker, the 1,412 sq m auditorium – once complete – will be able to accommodate major orchestral ensembles and seat up to 700 guests. The hall is being built in the centre of the Andermatt resort village, a wellness destination which boasts attractions like the Chedi Andermatt, a retreat

A former union club for naval officers in Berlin is to be converted into a new city museum for the German capital. Designed by architectural practice Adept, Stadtmuseum Berlin at 'Marinehaus' will be "a cultural pivot that anchors the museum in the neighbourhood through exhibitions, workshops and as a community centre for the locals", according to the architects. Renderings show that the 7,800sq m (84,000sq ft) building's existing floors will

Kampung Admiralty, a community-centred mixed-use development in Singapore, has won the World Architecture Festival Building of the Year 2018. Designed by WOHA Architects, the 11-storey structure, which is reportedly the first integrated facility in Singapore to provide housing for retirees, features a biophilic rainforest and includes residences, restaurants, and medical centres. Describing the Admiralty as an "elevated village green", the firm said: "The close proximity to healthcare, social, commercial, and

Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise Oakland Athletics has revealed detailed designs for an ambitious waterfront stadium. Designed by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels and his BIG practice, the 34,000-capacity stadium is being planned for a site at Port of Oakland’s Howard Terminal. The expansive project includes two connecting elements. The site of the MLB team's current stadium, the Coliseum – where the club has played since 1968 – will be redeveloped

The second day of the World Architecture Festival Awards (WAF) saw a number of restaurants, hotels, and cultural spaces celebrated in multiple categories. In the Culture Future Projects category, Studio 44’s Museum of the Defence and Siege of Leningrad took the top prize. Created to commemorate the Siege of Leningrad, arguably one of the most violent episodes of WWII, the building features an in-depth 'Chamber of Diaries' which narrates the

A major new indoor snow centre and leisure destination in Swindon, UK has been given the green light by the local council. Designed by sports and leisure specialists FaulknerBrowns Architects, the £270m (US$345m, €303m) project will include a 2,00sq m (21,500sq ft) snow centre featuring two real-snow slopes – measuring 75m and 170m in length. It will also house a 12-screen cinema with the largest IMAX screen in the UK;

BIG and Heatherwick Studio were among the winners on day one of the World Architecture Festival Awards in Amsterdam. The Audemars Piguet Hotel des Horlogers – designed by architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), has been named the best building in the Future Projects Leisure Led Development award category at this year’s World Architecture Festival (WAF). The hotel, which is being constructed alongside the BIG-designed Audemars Piguet luxury watch museum

The first property from new hotel brand Salt, launched by the team behind Lux Resorts, has opened in Mauritius. The 59-bedroom Salt of Palmar has been conceived to champion sustainability, connect with the local community and introduce culturally curious travellers to the “real, unvarnished Mauritius,” the company said. Its distinctive look is born out of collaboration between local Mauritian architect Jean-François Adam of JFA Architects and French artist Camille Walala,

Esports Stadium Arlington, the largest video gaming stadium in North America, has opened in Texas. Designed by international architecture firm Populous and built by Shawmut Design and Construction, the new 100,000 sq ft (929 sq m) facility features eight tea rooms, a player lounge, and a competition space amplified by surround sound. The venue, which will be able to accommodate up to 2,500 people, will also utilise broadcasting technology supplied

Global design practice GroupGSA have revealed the latest images for "Huangyao Ancient Town Resort", a soon-to-be-built luxury destination in Guilin, China. Developed by Guangxi Lingyu Chuanghe Tourism Investment, the resort will comprise 103 rooms and 27 villas and feature a gym, spa, and playground, as well as multiple pools, sporting facilities, and restaurants. The structure will also include an observatory tower which will provide guests with 360-degree views of the

The MahaNakhon SkyWalk – an observation deck designed by German architecture studio Buro Ole Scheeren – has opened in Bangkok. Located a heartstopping 314 metres above the ground atop the 77-storey King Power MahaNakhon complex, the deck – dubbed the "Skytray" – features a walkable glass platform and bar, providing panoramic views of the surrounding urban landscape. Speaking on the opening, Scheeren said: "The idea behind MahaNakhon was to take

Architecture firm SPARK have won an international competition to design a new waterfront destination in Guangzhou, China. The planned 56-hectare mixed-use development, which will be constructed on the site of a 19th-century shipyard, will feature a sports hall and pavilion park as well as multiple dining, residential, and commercial facilities. According to SPARK the aim of the "design scheme is founded on the pragmatic principles of good connectivity, density and

Emirati real estate developer Viva City Developments has announced that it will supervise the creation of a record-breaking sports complex in Dubai. Dubbed "The Sports Society", the 3-storey structure will occupy 3,717 sq m of space and a feature number of leisure attractions, such as an ice-skating rink, trampoline park, martial arts dojo, bowling alley, and cricket simulator, as well as multiple climbing walls and retail shops. Other amenities in

London-based architecture firm Grimshaw have unveiled renderings of Eden Project North (EPN), a marine-centred recreational complex and leisure attraction in Morecambe, UK. Conceptualised for environmental charity Eden Project International, the new destination will take the form of a series of mussel-shaped pavilions on the Morecambe seafront. EPN will also feature a number of amenities and facilities intended to enhance well-being, including lidos, performance halls, gardens, and observatories. The development is

Curio Collection by international hospitality group Hilton has opened a boutique hotel on the site of a former steel mill in Asheville, North Carolina. Designed by local design studio Lagom Interiors, the 87-room Foundry Hotel – which will be operated by Charlestowne Hotels – features an herb garden, fitness room, and a 3,400 sq ft courtyard. Other facilities include a mixology bar and lounge as well as the Benne Eagle

Foster + Partners have unveiled images for the Tulip Tower, an observatory and event space intended to become the City of London’s next cultural attraction. The 305-metre skyscraper, which will stand alongside the now iconic Gherkin building, will be an office-free venue, providing panoramic views of the city. Developed by J. Hafra Group as part of the City Corporation of London’s Cultural Mile public engagement initiative, the complex will feature

The City of Miami has thrown its support behind Freedom Park and Soccer Village, David Beckham’s long-awaited stadium and training facility. The proposed complex, which has been a subject of media speculation since it was first announced in 2013, will be the home of Beckham’s Major League Soccer (MLS) team, Internacional Club de Fútbol Miami. Designed by Miami-based architecture firm Arquitectonica, the development will include a 25,000-seat stadium and a

Handel Architects have released images of their latest project on the New Jersey Shore: the Asbury Ocean Club. Developed by iStar, the new mixed-development property, which will be located in the popular Asbury Park beachfront district, will rise 16 storeys and include a 54-room hotel as well as 130 residences. The estimated US$300m (€262m, £233m) complex – which will feature the interior design expertise of studios Anda Andrei and Bonetti/Kozerski

Steven Chilton Architects (SCA) have unveiled the first set of renderings for their mesmerising Puzzle Ball Theatre in Guangzhou, China. The 2,000-seat conceptual structure, which – if constructed – would serve as a venue for performances by Belgian drama company Dragone, is inspired by Chinese puzzle balls. These objects, which often appeared in Victorian-era cabinets of curiosities, are made from a single block of ivory and feature intricate tracery and