Architecture and design news
Wolf Prix says 'stupid' architecture competitions are making studios 'slaves to money'
by Kim Megson | 22 Nov 2016
Wolf Prix, the design principal and CEO of Austrian architecture studio Coop Himmelb(l)au has slammed design competitions, arguing they “diminish the value of our thinking.” In an entertaining and frank talk about the state of the industry and the challenges of tomorrow, made at the World Architecture Festival in Berlin last week, Prix claimed that “to make a competition is a very stupid thing.” “I repeat myself a thousand times,
Matteo Thun's Venetian resort named European Hotel Design of the Year
by Kim Megson | 22 Nov 2016
The JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Venice, designed by Matteo Thun & Partners, has won the European Hotel Design of the Year prize. The announcement was made at the European Hotel Design Awards, which took place in a star-packed ceremony last night at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel in London. Matteo Thun and his team created a contemporary resort on the man-made Isola delle Rose island – located
Ennead Architects break ground on Shanghai Planetarium
by Kim Megson | 22 Nov 2016
Ennead Architects have broken ground on the Shanghai Planetarium for the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum (SSTM) in the city’s Lingang district. The international competition-winning design draws inspiration from astronomical principles, invoking the experience of orbital motion. Visitors will be guided through each of the building’s three principal forms – the Oculus, the Inverted Dome and the Sphere – that act as astronomical instruments, tracking the sun, moon and stars
Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Rockwell Group reveal The Shed – a vast New York arts venue on wheels
by Kim Megson | 21 Nov 2016
Architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro and design studio Rockwell Group have unveiled their plans for an expandable cultural venue in New York’s burgeoning Hudson Yards district. The duo, who are both based in the city, have designed The Shed; a new centre for artistic invention set to open in early 2019. Currently under construction on the far west side of Manhattan, where the High Line meets Hudson Yards, the facility
Chipperfield gets green light to transform Saarinen's US embassy building into luxury London hotel
by Kim Megson | 21 Nov 2016
The historic US embassy in London’s Grosvenor Square will be opened to the public as part of a £1bn hotel and retail development – with Westminster City Council granting planning permission for the David Chipperfield-designed project. Developers Qatari Diar will now transform the site, which has been home to US ambassadors to the UK since 1960, into a 137 bedroom hotel, spa and ball room for 900 guests. An operator
World Building of the Year awarded to Poland's National Museum and Dialogue Centre
by Kim Megson | 18 Nov 2016
The National Museum and Dialogue Centre in Szczecin, Poland has been declared the World Building of the Year 2016. Polish architecture studio Robert Konieczny KWK Promes were awarded the prize by a jury led by British architect David Chipperfield. The result - which caps what has been a transformative year for leisure architecture - was revealed at a gala dinner in Berlin on the final day of this year’s World
Ten finalists compete to design National Holocaust Memorial
by Deven Pamben | 18 Nov 2016
Almost 100 entries from 26 countries vying for the honour of designing the new National Memorial to the Holocaust have been whittled down to a final ten. The shortlisted design teams include some of the most internationally renowned architects and artists, including Turner Prize winner Sir Anish Kapoor who is working with Zaha Hadid Architects. The teams are now invited to submit designs for the memorial, which is planned to
NBA franchise unveils renderings of Milwaukee entertainment complex
by Matthew Campelli | 18 Nov 2016
Architecture firm Gensler have released renderings of the entertainment block being designed for National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise the Milwaukee Bucks. The development is expected to be built adjacent to the new arena proposed for the Bucks, which is being designed by Populous. Working with local design firm Rinka Chung Architecture, Gensler has designed a complex that includes dining, entertainment and retail outlets. Hunzinger Construction will manage the building of
Hotel, sport and leisure projects awarded on World Architecture Festival day two
by Kim Megson | 17 Nov 2016
The next batch of category winners have been announced on the second day of the World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards in Berlin, with hotel, sports and leisure-led development projects recognised. The best sports building prize was given to HCMA Architecture + Design’s Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre in Surrey, Canada. The project - which has the world’s most slender, long span timber catenary roof - has now won two awards in
Kimpton debuts first luxury property in Grand Cayman
by Jane Kitchen | 17 Nov 2016
Boutique hotel operator Kimpton has opened the doors to its first Caribbean property, Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, located along the famed Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman. This marks the hotel company’s first foray into the international luxury resort market, as well as Grand Cayman’s first new hotel in more than a decade. Kimpton Hotels was acquired by InterContinental in 2014. Seafire includes an 8,500sq ft (794sq m) spa
Schmidt Hammer Lassen reveal design for ambitious James Turrell art museum collaboration
by Kim Megson | 17 Nov 2016
Danish studio Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects have revealed the first design details of their collaboration with American artist James Turrell on a major expansion of the ARos Aarhus Art Museum. The €40m expansion plan, called Next Level, will add a 1,200sq m underground gallery and a gigantic semi-subterranean Turrell art installation called The Dome. Visitors will face “an experience in colour and light” as they travel through a string of
Leisure projects triumph on World Architecture Festival opening day
by Kim Megson | 16 Nov 2016
Leisure architecture was a big winner on the opening day of the World Architecture Festival (WAF) in Berlin, with a quintet of projects triumphing in several categories of the prestigious WAF Awards. The Culture category, which consisted of 17 projects, was won by Polish architects Robert Konieczny KWK Promes for their National Museum and Dialogue Centre in Szczecin, Poland. The museum sits underground, with the roof forming part of the
World Architecture Festival 2016 begins in Berlin
by Kim Megson | 16 Nov 2016
The 2016 World Architecture Festival (WAF) has started today with architects and designers from around the world descending on Berlin to debate issues facing the industry and to celebrate the world’s best recently completed and future architectural projects. Held in the Arena Berlin, the three-day event (16-18 November) is the only global festival that combines conferences, networking and awards - with the WAF Building of the Year to be announced
US$400m arena in the works for Arizona NHL franchise
by Matthew Campelli | 16 Nov 2016
Arizona Coyotes, the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise, has unveiled plans to build a new arena in partnership with Arizona State University. If given the green light, the 16,200-capacity facility will be built on a 58-acre piece of land within the university’s Athletic Facilities District. In addition to the main rink, which will be constructed for the Coyotes, a second sheet of ice will be developed for Arizona State, youth
MAPIC 2016 puts leisure in the spotlight as director urges developers to diversify
by Kim Megson | 15 Nov 2016
Developers of shopping malls and large retail centres can no longer ignore leisure, the director of the International Retail Real Estate Market (MAPIC) has told CLAD. Nathalie Depetro said that “the growth of digital e-commerce has pushed the need to make the physical shopping experience more amazing than ever before to remain relevant.” MAPIC 2016, which takes place from 16 to 18 November in Cannes, is one of the world's
Chapman Taylor to design two huge mixed-use schemes for Iran as country invests in leisure
by Kim Megson | 15 Nov 2016
Architecture studio Chapman Taylor have announced two major design projects in Iran, as the country seeks to create new large-scale leisure destinations. With the Iranian economy recovering after the alleviation of international economic sanctions, local investors have started reaching out to global architecture studios to develop new infrastructure and facilities. After being invited to Iran by developers, Chapman Taylor have reached a deal to masterplan and design the 750,000sq m
10,000sq ft spa to debut at W Algarve
by Jane Kitchen | 15 Nov 2016
Marriott International will open a W Hotel on Portugal’s Algarve coast in 2018. Developed in partnership with Nozul Algarve, the 134-bedroom hotel will overlook the coastline and will feature a 10,000sq ft (929sq m) spa. “This beachfront paradise is the perfect backdrop for the W brand’s tone-setting design, signature cocktail culture and dynamic spirit,” said Anthony Ingham, global brand leader for W Hotels Worldwide. “Located on one of the most
Conservatism should not block boundary-pushing design, says Ma Yansong
by Kim Megson | 14 Nov 2016
Conservatism should not be allowed to stifle the creation of beautiful and boundary-pushing buildings, according to MAD Architects principal Ma Yansong. “We should always be talking about the shape of the buildings around us, and the buildings around us should be more elegant,” he argued in an exclusive interview with CLADmag. “Some people say that the space you create [inside a building] is the most vital part of the architectural
Leisure projects dominate 2016 Structural Awards
by Kim Megson | 14 Nov 2016
The winners of The Structural Awards 2016 were announced on 11 November during a ceremony held at The Brewery in London, with several leisure projects celebrated for their design and engineering excellence. The Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre in Surrey, Canada was honoured with The Supreme Award for Structural Engineering Excellence – one of the highest accolades in world engineering – for featuring the world’s most slender, long span timber catenary
A night beneath the Northern Lights: Mobile 'Aurora Bubble' hotel to open in December
by Kim Megson | 14 Nov 2016
Travellers in search of the Northern Lights will soon be able to watch the majestic natural display from their beds in a glass-roofed mobile hotel room, towed by a snowmobile. The Aurora Bubble Sled is the creation of adventure holiday company Off the Map Travel, and will open this December in Kilpisjärvi, Finland – one of the best spots in the world from which to observe the Northern Lights. The
Week's top news: Leonardo DiCaprio's resort, Bjarke Ingel's vision for Hyperloop One and why spa design should be more fun
by Kim Megson | 12 Nov 2016
Here are some of the stories that appeared on CLAD this week, from Leonardo DiCaprio’s groundbreaking eco-resort to a competition to illuminate bridges along the River Thames. Monday • Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) have opened a new office within the Dubai Design District in the United Arab Emirates. Read here. • Proposals by six international teams to illuminate 17 of central London’s bridges along the River Thames have been unveiled.
Edinburgh council opens consultation for £40m Meadowbank redevelopment
by Matthew Campelli | 11 Nov 2016
Residents of Scottish capital city Edinburgh are being asked to have their say on an ambitious rebuild of the existing Meadowbank Stadium and Sport Centre. The City of Edinburgh Council will submit a planning application early next year for the redevelopment, which is expected to cost in the region of £40m (US$50.5m, €46.4m) and is being designed by Glasgow architects Holmes Miller. Among the proposals for the complex are: an
Luxury and leisure hit the New York skyline with Richard Meier's latest glazed tower
by Kim Megson | 11 Nov 2016
Richard Meier & Partners have unveiled designs of their tallest tower in New York; an “East River icon” that will place leisure at its heart. The 42-storey, 460ft high 685 First Avenue building will rise just south of the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan. “Minimalistic in form, the design of this predominantly black glass building evidences great consideration for materiality, lightness, transparency and order,” said the studio in a statement.
West 8 unveil plans to revamp The Hague's seafront by building new dunes
by Kim Megson | 11 Nov 2016
Dutch landscape architects West 8 have presented their vision for a dune-filled seafront in The Hague that will prioritise the health and wellbeing of families in the city. The Kijkduin-Bad public space has been commissioned by the municipality as part of its ‘Healthy Coast’ investment programme for the region. West 8’s plans were first outlined in 2009, but have now been presented in detail to residents and local businesses. The
Chipperfield reveals progress on two major museum projects
by Kim Megson | 11 Nov 2016
The architecture studio of David Chipperfield have announced significant progress on two key museum projects in their portfolio: an extension to the Kunsthaus museum in Zurich, Switzerland and an cultural complex near the Taj Mahal in India. A foundation stone laying ceremony for former project took place on Tuesday (8 November), with guests from the world of Swiss politics, business and culture joining Chipperfield, who helped bury a time capsule
Inge Moore: Let's make spa and gym design more fun
by Kim Megson | 11 Nov 2016
Inge Moore has called on hospitality designers to incorporate fun, interactivity and individuality into spa and gym design. The acclaimed interior designer – who is in the process of launching bespoke hospitality design studio MUSE after leaving Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) – told CLAD that spa and fitness spaces have been “totally neglected” in the past, but are now coming to be seen as essential parts of the hotel experience.
Long-awaited Chicago Riverwalk brings leisure to the heart of the city
by Kim Megson | 10 Nov 2016
After 15 years and three phases of development, Chicago studio Ross Barney Architects have completed their dramatic transformation of the city’s central riverfront – the most visible public project in the city since Millennium Park opened in 2004. The Chicago Riverwalk – a 1.5 mile (2.41 km) promenade along the Chicago River lined with public amenities, restaurants, cultural activities and access to natural habitats for city residents and visitors –
Foster + Partners to redevelop London's Zoo landmark Snowdon Aviary
by Kim Megson | 10 Nov 2016
Global architecture firm Foster + Partners have been appointed to redevelop London Zoo’s famous Snowdon Aviary. The Grade II* listed structure, designed by Cedric Price with Frank Newby and Lord Snowdon in 1962, was recently added to Historic England’s Risk Register for structures in danger of falling into disrepair due to the high expense of necessary repairs compared with the likely end value. The aviary was the first in Britain
Moxy Berlin hotel brings 'fun, impromptu and playful' experiences to German capital
by Kim Megson | 10 Nov 2016
Hospitality giant Marriott International has opened its sixth experiential Moxy Hotel property in the heart of Berlin’s cultural epicentre. The 210-room Moxy Berlin, located in the Ostbahnhof district, is a design-led, high-tech contemporary space designed to encourage “fun, impromptu and playful” experiences. The concept is realised through the hotel’s colourful Living Rooms, game rooms and bar areas, which fuse bare concrete walls and other raw materials with bright colours, props,
Park Hyatt announces plans for Kyoto hotel and 'sanctuary'
by Kim Megson | 09 Nov 2016
Park Hyatt will follow Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton and Luxury Collection in opening a high-end hotel in the ancient Japanese capital Kyoto. Construction and architecture firm Takenaka Corporation have been appointed to design the 70-room property, which will be surrounded by several UNESCO World Heritage sites in Higashiyama ward, including Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Tony Chi and Associates will create the interior design. Park Hyatt Kyoto will be built as a low-rise structure
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