Architecture and design news
Everton agrees finance package for proposed stadium
by Matthew Campelli | 23 Mar 2017
Everton FC has moved a step closer to realising its ambition to build a new stadium after agreeing a financial package with the local authority. The Premier League football club has agreed terms with Peel Holdings to acquire the site in Liverpool’s Bramley Moore Dock – a deal brokered by the city’s mayor, Joe Anderson. A report will be presented to the council on 31 March recommending an arrangement that
Immersive anime theme park coming to Japanese island in July
by Tom Anstey | 23 Mar 2017
Plans have been announced to open an anime and manga theme park on an island in Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture, with the attraction to be based on popular titles Hi no Tori (Phoenix) and Crayon Shin-chan. Dubbed Nijigen No Mori – which translates to ‘Anime Forest’ – Pasona Group will operate the attraction in Awajishima Koen park on Awajishima island. Utilising the area’s natural beauty, along with the latest visual technologies,
Shaolin's flying monks blasted into the sky above mountainous amphitheatre
by Kim Megson | 23 Mar 2017
Latvian practice Mailitis Architects have designed an amphitheatre with a unique wind tunnel for a band of levitating monks. The Shaolin Flying Monks Theatre has been built on Songshan Mountain in central China – a Unesco World Heritage that is home to the Shaolin Monastery, traditionally considered to be the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Kung-Fu martial arts. The monks who live on the mountain develop skills in many scenic
Music, design and fitness combined for McFit's new European gym concept
by Kim Megson | 23 Mar 2017
German fitness operator McFit has launched a new gym concept centred around design and music. The first John Reed Fitness Music Clubs launched in the cities of Bonn and Salzburg in late July 2016. To date, nine have been opened in Germany, Austria, Italy and Hungary, and McFit wants to have 30 studios open by the end of 2017. Each club has its own unique design, with furnishings and features
Heritage charity warns councils against seductive power of CGI building images
by Kim Megson | 22 Mar 2017
A British heritage charity has warned that council planning committees are too easily seduced by glitzy computer-generated images of buildings they’re tasked with approving or rejecting. According to the Telegraph newspaper, Marcus Binney of Save Britain's Heritage argued that such images rarely show the reality of how the building will appear and be used in reality. "[Developers] lavish large amounts of money on producing these images, and they're very persuasive,”
Sun's power and hot springs harnessed to freeze Russian ice rink all year round
by Kim Megson | 22 Mar 2017
Architect Margot Krasojevic has designed an ice rink facility on a Russian lake that will use the power of the sun and geothermal energy to keep the surface frozen all year round. The ‘Liquid Skating Photovoltaic Ice Skating Rink’ will be located high in the mountains of the Kamchatka peninsula – a popular tourist hotspot due to its volcanic terrain, nature reserves and hot springs. Krasojevic’s client, China Film House,
Rwandan design flair embedded in 'cultural and contemporary' forest safari lodge
by Kim Megson | 21 Mar 2017
Rwandan fashion entrepreneur Teta Isibo has been appointed by ecotourism operator Wilderness Safaris to bring “a vibrant Rwandan flair” to the interior design of its Bisate Lodge, which is due to open in one of the country’s remote mountain valleys on 1 June 2017. Isibo, who is also the founder Rwandan studio Inzuki Designs, is collaborating with Nick Plewman Architects, interior designer Caline Williams-Wynn, local textile experts and the country’s
'Elegant and intimate' design revealed for Dubai's forthcoming Art Jameel arts centre
by Kim Megson | 21 Mar 2017
London practice Serie Architects have revealed new images of their design for the Jameel Arts Centre (JAC) in Dubai and confirmed the facility will open next year. Located at the tip of Dubai’s Cultural Village, overlooking Dubai Creek, the 10,000sq m (107,000sq ft) non-profit centre will house art galleries, studios, an artist residence, a creative enterprise incubator, a sculpture garden, a roof terrace and a restaurant. It will present curated
Daniel Libeskind vows to build '24/7 public space for the Baltic states' with Vilnius tower plan
by Kim Megson | 21 Mar 2017
Studio Libeskind have revealed new design details for their dramatic mixed-use tower on the banks of the River Neris in Vilnius, Lithuania; pledging to create “a sustainable 24/7 public space for the Baltic states.” The practice, headed by architect Daniel Libeskind, revealed that public realm will be created around the 18-storey, 200,000sq m (215,000sq ft) k18b tower, as well as being integrated into its internal spaces. The focal point of
BIG's 'sensitive, transparent' WWII bunker museum complex nears completion in Blåvand
by Kim Megson | 20 Mar 2017
A museum complex designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) partly on the site of a former German WWII bunker is nearing completion in Blåvand, western Denmark. The Museum Center Blåvand – which CLAD understands could open as early as June – integrates four independent institutions that are embedded in the dunes around the Tirpitz bunker, which was constructed by Nazi Germany during the war and survived the Allies’ bombing campaigns.
Polar World attraction dedicated to past, present and future of Arctic and Antarctica opens in France
by Kim Megson | 20 Mar 2017
A new scientific and cultural complex exploring the world of polar bears, penguins, icebergs and expeditions has opened in Prémanon, eastern France. Described as “a new spot for knowledge and recreation” in the Jura mountains, Polar World is dedicated to telling stories of the Arctic and Antarctica. The attraction is composed of a museum, a skating rink, an auditorium, a pedagogical garden, a multipurpose exhibition room and a restaurant. Everything
Patricia Urquiola's intimate and contemporary Sereno hotel opens on Lake Como
by Kim Megson | 20 Mar 2017
Boutique hospitality group Sereno Hotels has announced the opening of Il Sereno Lago di Como – an “intimate, design-driven” hotel designed by Patricia Urquiola on the banks of Italy’s Lake Como. The picturesque location is a popular beauty spot, drawing tourists with its dramatic vistas of the southern Italian Alps and idyllic small towns, and George Clooney, Madonna and Donatella Versace have all snapped up properties on the lake. Il
New Perth Stadium could host 2022 Commonwealth Games
by Matthew Campelli | 20 Mar 2017
The soon-to-be-built 60,000-capacity Perth Stadium could be the centre point for a Commonwealth Games bid after the Western Australian city threw its hat into the ring to host the 2022 edition. According to reports in Australia, Western Australia’s new sports minister Mick Murray said a bid would be looked at “in depth”. He added that while there may be some challenges getting the financial package sorted out, it was a
Week's top news: Bjarke Ingels' LEGO House takes shape, two Oscar Niemeyer icons restored and robot bricklayers build in Shanghai
by Kim Megson | 18 Mar 2017
Here are some of the stories that appeared on CLAD this week, from Bjarke Ingels’ LEGO House to the return of the world's biggest property fair. Monday • Asia’s best designed hotels have been celebrated at an awards ceremony held in Singapore. Read here. • Alberto Rolla, one of the architects behind the recently-constructed Juventus Stadium, has designed a 40,000-capacity venue for Serie A rival Fiorentina. Read here. • International
Renzo Piano's Paddington Cube wins reprieve from communities secretary Sajid Javid
by Kim Megson | 17 Mar 2017
Renzo Piano’s controversial ‘Paddington Cube’ development in London looks set to go ahead, with the British communities secretary Sajid Javid deciding not to block the mixed-use scheme. The £775m (US$958.3m, €892m) project has already won the backing of the local Westminster City Council, but Javid blocked their decision last month while he reviewed Piano’s plans, which have been strongly criticised by local heritage groups. However, it is now reported he
James Corner chosen to masterplan one-mile stretch of historic Washington DC park
by Kim Megson | 17 Mar 2017
Landscape architecture studio James Corner Field Operations have been appointed to “restore, reimagine and revitalise” a one-mile stretch of Washington D.C’s historic Chesapeake and Ohio National Historical Park. The practice will work with local group Georgetown Heritage and the National Park Service to masterplan a section of the park focused around a canal network. The park’s locks, towpath, plazas, stones, landscaped areas and street crossings will be improved to “maximise
Abandoned gas station and rest stop to become vintage park in heart of France
by Alice Davis | 17 Mar 2017
Plans are underway to create a vintage-themed recreational complex as an ode to the golden days of automobile travel, at a disused gas station on one of France’s most iconic routes. The Bel Air service station on the former N6 route (now renamed the D973) was once a popular – and necessary – stop on the journey from Paris to the French Riviera. However, when the A6 connecting Paris and
David Chipperfield Architects revive plans to expand historic Russian opera house
by Kim Megson | 16 Mar 2017
David Chipperfield Architects have been invited to develop design proposals for an extension to Russia’s historic Perm Opera and Ballet Theatre, seven years after they won an international competition to refurbish and extend the building. Following a meeting on 3 March with Maxim Reshetnikov, the acting governor of Perm City, the studio have been asked to visualise a new freestanding building for the opera house on the southern bank of
Oscar Niemeyer's Hotel Nacional in Rio reborn as Gran Melia flagship
by Rebecca Barnes | 16 Mar 2017
Situated in an iconic building originally designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and recognised as a national heritage site, the flagship Gran Melia Nacional Rio De Janeiro is now open. The tubular skyscraper property which is located on the beachfront in Sao Conrado bay, has been extensively renovated to create 413 hotel rooms, including two presidential and 10 executive suites set over 34 floors, and features the only Clarins spa
OMA kickstart 'architectural evolution' with vast Dubai arts hub Concrete
by Kim Megson | 16 Mar 2017
Concrete – a multi-functional cultural space designed by OMA for Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue – officially opened to the public yesterday (15 March). Located in the Al Qouz industrial area, Alserkal Avenue was founded in 2007, with the aim of promoting cultural initiatives in the region. In the intervening years it has become the emirate’s most important arts hub, with twenty-five galleries and art spaces. OMA were commissioned to address the
Visitors set to fly at Abu Dhabi’s futuristic skydiving and climbing centre
by Alice Davis | 16 Mar 2017
The drive to make Abu Dhabi's Yas Island one of the world’s top leisure and entertainment destination continues with the under-construction CLYMB, a futuristic building that will hold a supersized flight chamber and climbing wall. Miral, the developers and management company behind Yas Island, has said the 9.75m (32ft) flight chamber will be the widest in the world and the 43m (141ft) indoor climbing wall will be the tallest. “CLYMB
Sumptuous shortlist revealed for 2017 Restaurant Design Awards
by Kim Megson | 15 Mar 2017
The James Beard Foundation has released the list of nominees who may taste glory at its 2017 Restaurant Design Awards on 25 April. The organisation – which celebrates America's culinary heritage – will hand out awards in three categories: restaurants with 75 seats and under, those with 76 seats and over, and an honourary Design Icon Award – which will be presented to The Grand Central Oyster Bar and Restaurant
Robots use recycled bricks to build sinuous and striking Shanghai art studio
by Kim Megson | 15 Mar 2017
A crack team of robots have comprehensively renovated a community art gallery in Shanghai, predominantly using recycled bricks. The innovative project is the work of Chinese design studio Archi-Union Architects, who programmed the robots to build a new exterior facade for the West Bund Art Exhibition Area in the city’s Xuhui district. Grey-green bricks were taken from the existing gallery building, which had been deemed unfit for purpose, and carefully
World's most exciting future projects celebrated at MIPIM 2017 awards ceremony
by Kim Megson | 15 Mar 2017
The winners of the 2017 Architectural Review MIPIM Future Projects Awards have been announced, with this year’s prizes going to projects from eight countries across 11 categories. The competition recognises projects that are under construction or currently in planning, through to competition entries and conceptual designs. The jury awards architects based on their response to the brief and their consideration of the full impact their building will make on the
Winter garden, park and outdoor theatre proposed to transform Bognor Regis into 'Garden by the Sea'
by Kim Megson | 15 Mar 2017
The British seaside town of Bognor Regis looks set for a major leisure-led regeneration, with members of the district council throwing their weight behind a mixed-use scheme worth hundreds of millions of pounds. Initial concepts developed by regeneration consultancy Urban Delivery, architect Kay Elliott and multidisciplinary practice Arup visualise an expansive linear park connecting a car park near the train station to Regis Centre. The focal point of the development,
Six Senses to take over management of Canyon Ranch Kaplankaya
by Jane Kitchen | 14 Mar 2017
It has been open less than a year, but Canyon Ranch’s first location outside of the US will soon change hands, with Six Senses taking over management of the property in May 2017. The Canyon Ranch Kaplankaya opened in July 2016 on the Turkish Riviera near Bodrum, and includes 141 bedrooms and a 107,000sq ft (9,941sqm) spa, fitness and Health & Healing Centre with 38 treatment rooms. Canyon Ranch Kaplankaya
Opening of shimmering lakeside Fontenay hotel set to cement Hamburg's leisure destination status
by Kim Megson | 15 Mar 2017
The wealthy owner of one of the world’s largest logistics companies is preparing to open a luxurious new Hamburg hotel, designed to promote the city’s image and capitalise on the popularity of Herzog and de Meuron’s recently-opened Elbphilharmonie. Set to open in the final quarter of 2017, The Fontenay will be the first five-star hotel to open in Hamburg for almost two decades. The 131-bedroom property will be located close
Shanghai officials reveal ambitious plans for cultural museum complex
by Kim Megson | 14 Mar 2017
Construction on a number of major new attractions in Shanghai will begin before the year is out, according to city officials. Dozens of museums and art galleries are to be built across a 67,000sq m (721,000sq ft) area in Jiading District – forming the Haishang Cultural Museum Complex. According to the Shanghai Daily newspaper, the local government is concerned that too many of Shanghai’s museums and theatres are located an
MIPIM 2017 kicks off in Cannes, with spotlight on the world's most exciting real estate developments
by Kim Megson | 14 Mar 2017
Architects, designers, investors, developers and politicians from across the world have descended on Cannes for MIPIM – the world’s largest property market. Over 20,000 attendees are expected to at the four-day exhibition, conference and networking event, which begins today (14 March) on the French Riviera. Major international real estate projects – from residential to commercial, hotel, tourism and logistical – are being showcased by representatives from 23 nations. These include
Cale Heit to take reins from Forrec CEO Gordon Dorrett
by Alice Davis | 14 Mar 2017
After 30 years, Gordon Dorrett is stepping down as CEO and president of Forrec, with Cale Heit taking over from October 2017. Heit, who serves as executive vice president of operations at the experience design and architecture firm, started with Forrec as a landscape architect 25 years ago. He worked his way up through the ranks to lead the theme parks business before taking his current role. Dorrett, who joined
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"Culture is the beating heart of this project"
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
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