Citizens should be empowered to play a much more active role in the design of the built environment as part of democratic society, the architect Daniel Libeskind has argued. In an exclusive interview with CLADglobal, Libeskind said that the need to enhance public participation in the design process is “the biggest challenge facing architecture today.” “I think architecture can only thrive in a democratic environment, and that means through involving

Danish architects EFFEKT have released new images showcasing the spiralling 45m tall (147.6ft) observation tower they are designing in a preserved Danish forest. The studio won planning permission in January to design “a new and unique destination” for the Camp Adventure park in Gisselfeld Klosters Skove, an hour south of Copenhagen. Called the Treetop Experience, it will consist of a 600m long (2,00ft) two-tier elevated walkway that leads visitors around

This year's Serpentine Pavilion, designed by Diébédo Francis Kéré, has been unveiled today (20 June) in London’s Hyde Park. At a press launch, the architect told CLADglobal that the high-profile commission had given him an “exciting opportunity to explore new ideas, new ways of shaping space, new materials and new way of using materials.” His pavilion, designed “to bring a sense of light and life” to the park, was inspired

China has removed restrictions on foreign investment in large-scale theme park projects, opening up the possibility for new developments in what is already a hotbed for theme parks under development. China’s leaders have previously pledged to open the country’s economy – the second largest in the world – to wider foreign investment. At the end of March, China’s State Council approved the establishment of seven new free trade zones to

Seven diverse proposals from the design teams vying to create a new ampitheatre and pavilion in the heart of Edinburgh have been revealed to the public. The new landmark Ross Pavilion is intended to revitalise Edinburgh’s West Princes Street Gardens, one of the city’s most emblematic places, and the shortlisted groups were tasked with submitting visions of “exemplary design quality inspired by, and appropriate to, the significance of its setting.”

Seattle’s iconic Space Needle is about to undergo a major renovation, with a refitted observation deck, glass-floored restaurant and new elevators to be installed in a modernisation of the structure. Opened in 1962 for that year’s World’s Fair, the John Graham-designed structure has become a staple of the Seattle skyline. US firm Olson Kundig Architects are behind the US$100m (€89.4m, £78.3m) renovation of the observation tower, which will completely revamp

The organisers behind Melbourne’s annual MPavilion have officially revealed the design of the structure it is building for 2017: an adaptable amphitheatre created by OMA’s Rem Koolhaas and David Gianotten. MPavilion 2017 “brings to life a flexible space that can function as a stage, tribune or even playground.” The design blurs the lines between inside and outside spaces by covering the amphitheatre with a semi-transparent floating roof. A circular wooden

Ground has broken on a new contemporary art museum in San Antonio, Texas, with a design by British architect Sir David Adjaye that was inspired by an artist’s dream. The modern crimson-hued building, called Ruby City, will house the Linda Pace Foundation’s growing collection of more than 800 paintings, sculptures, installations and video works by contemporary artists from around the world. Pace, who died in 2007, was an artist and

The landmark London building where British prime minister Winston Churchill worked during the Second World War is to be transformed into a luxury hotel and residence operated by Raffles; the group’s first property in the UK. The Grade II* listed Old War Office building in Whitehall is located close to 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. It was designed by Scottish architect William Young before his

Designer Inge Moore and her new studio Muza Lab have completed the interiors of South America's first luxury sleeper train, the Belmond Andean Explorer in Peru. Carrying up to 48 passengers, the Explorer is formed of 16 carriages from the former Great South Pacific Express train. They have been contemporised by Moore with a refined, pared-back aesthetic featuring timber floors, linen roman blinds and colourful woven textiles. There are four

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners have won an architectural award with a difference: a special baking prize for a gingerbread interpretation of their Arenas de Barcelona building in Spain. The firm were one of several to take part in the 2017 Great Architectural Bake Off in London’s Fitzroy Square. Rival teams competed to recreate some of the world’s most iconic buildings entirely out of cake. Staff from studios including Zaha

The hotly-anticipated new hotel by Ian Schrager has opened in New York’s Bowery neighbourhood, in a building designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron. According to the pioneering hotelier, the 367-room Public will be “the people’s hotel,” providing unique memories for guests looking for more than just a place to sleep. “I truly believe that everyone deserves a one-of-a-kind experience that lifts their spirits and makes their heart beat

A new pay-as-you-go lifestyle gym for boutique operator Core Collective looks set to be built in London’s St John’s Wood, with Westminster City Council giving the project the go ahead. Waind Gohil + Potter Architects (WG+P), who specialise in wellbeing and leisure design, have created the concept – described as “a relaxed, luxury environment and where people want to hangout, not just workout.” The gym will feature contemporary design features,

Greek architect Theoni Xanthi has won an international design competition for a new archaeology museum in Cyprus, which will house the nation’s treasures. The New Cyprus Museum will replace the country’s current archaeological institution in Nicosia. That building was established in the late 1800s and now lacks enough space to house the museum’s growing collection of antiquities. Its €49m (US$54.6m, £43m) replacement will occupy the site of the old Nicosia

Marriott International has revealed ambitious plans to grow the number of independently owned hotels in its portfolio by nearly 50 per cent by 2019. Making the announcement at the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference in New York, Marriott said it would actively look to add new hotels to its three collection brands – The Luxury Collection, Autograph Collection Hotels and Tribute Portfolio. As part of the expansion plans, the

Czech glassmaker Lasvit has celebrated its tenth anniversary by introducing new lighting collections created in collaboration with some of the world's foremost architects and designers. Kengo Kuma, Zaha Hadid Design, Ed Ng & Terence Ngan and Yabu Pushelberg are among those who have designed lighting products for Lasvit’s Laterna Magica range, which was first launched at Milan Design Week earlier this year. The products were inspired in part by a

The architecture practice of Jean Nouvel have revealed new renderings of the plant-covered hotel they have designed for Rosewood in São Paulo. Developer Allard Group is transforming a complex of early 20th century landmark buildings in the Brazilian city into a development featuring a hotel and spa, private residences, art galleries, high-end retail and entertainment venues. Nouvel has been commissioned to create the centrepiece hotel, located in and around the

Australia’s minister for the arts Don Harwin has awarded AU$244m (US$186.2m, €164.8m, £145.4m) to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, with the funding going towards the museum’s grand AU$344m (US$262.5m, €232.4m, £205.2m) expansion. In addition to the government funding, the Sydney gallery is planning to launch a capital campaign later this year, seeking a further AU$100m (US$76.3m, €67.5m, £59.6m) in philanthropic support for the project, of which AU$70m (US$53.4m,

International hospitality firm Entourage Group hopes to speed up Hamburg’s emergence as a serious leisure and hospitality destination with the opening of a new luxury boutique hotel inside a 19th century warehouse on the city’s waterfront. Opening later this year, the 94-room Sir Nikolai has been designed by Dutch practice FG Stijl as a “showcase for artisanal quality and tradition” – with curated art, vintage rugs, unrefined wood and polished

Meis Architects, the studio behind the soon-to-be-constructed AS Roma stadium, has unveiled renderings of a 25,000-capacity stadium being designed for Major League Soccer (MLS) hopeful FC Cincinnati. The plans were unveiled by Dan Meis – founder of Meis Architects – and club owner Carl Lindner III in front of 600 FC Cincinnati season ticket holders. Three sites have been earmarked for the stadium: Oakley, Newport and West End. However, no

Designers and gallerists from around the world have travelled to Basel, Switzerland for the 2017 edition of Design Miami/Basel trade fair. Collectors, curators and critics will join them for the event, in which exhibitions of twentieth and twenty-first century furniture, lighting, jewellery and modern art are showcased alongside lectures and seminars on “the global language of design.” This year 47 galleries representing 11 countries are participating from 13-18 June; unveiling

HOK has been selected to design the first-ever multi-purpose arena on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island – an 18,000-capacity sport and entertainment venue. The flexible Yas Arena can be transformed from an 18,000-capacity venue to an intimate 500-seat theatre depending on the nature of the event it is hosting. Sporting events, concerts, conventions and community gatherings are expected to take place at the arena. As well as standard seating, the arena

A public sauna has opened on the former military island of Lonna, just off the shores of Finnish capital Helsinki. Designed by Helsinki-based architects OOPEAA, the compact 190sq m sauna has been built using natural materials – including handcrafted, untreated wooden logs. Located within a seven-minute boat ride of Helsinki city centre, the sauna has been designed to offer a natural haven within a metropolitan environment. “The sauna represents the

The creation of vibrant and meaningful public spaces will be the focus of the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale, curators Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara have revealed. Meeting the press last week in the Italian city, the duo announced that the 16th International Architecture Exhibition is to be themed ‘Freespace’ and will “celebrate architecture’s proven and enduring contribution to humanity.” Explaining the concept, they said in a statement: “We’re interested in

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts will open its fifth property in Europe in 2021, the Rosewood Vienna. Housed in an historic 18th century building that was the former headquarters for Erste Group Bank AG, Rosewood Vienna will be situated in Petersplatz in Vienna’s Old Town. The project’s design will be overseen by BEHF Corporate Architects in Austria and the London-based Alexander Waterworth Interiors firm. Their concept for the hotel's 99 contemporary

Dutch landscape architects West 8 are to develop a 17th century Dutch country estate and royal residence in Soestdijk, it has been announced today (9 June). The Netherlands’ minister of the interior, Roland Plasterk, has revealed that business consortium Made in Holland have succeeded in the bidding war to purchase and redevelop the palace and gardens of Soestdijk Palace. The group wants to transform the historic site into “a platform

Members of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) – the owner of Lord’s Cricket Ground – will be asked if they would be content for a “large-scale” residential development to be built within the venue to fund redevelopment projects. The question will be posed as part of a review carried out by MCC to see if there is appetite for the ground’s Nursery End to be revamped. Two development options have