Architecture and design news
Can design inspire romance? Bompas & Parr aim to find out with winter pop-up at The Shard
by Kim Megson | 10 Nov 2015
Experience designers Bompas & Parr have partnered with composers, perfumers and academics to transform the top of The Shard in London into “the most romantic place in the world.” The studio – best-known for its contemporary food design, culinary research and creation of flavour-based experiences – will operate the ‘Height of Winter’ experience from 23 November until the end of January 2016. According to the company, “super-scaled crystals, gem-studded snow
Vo Trong Nghia designs bold bamboo extension to Vietnamese wellness retreat
by Kim Megson | 10 Nov 2015
Pioneering architect Vo Trong Nghia, famous for his bamboo-based designs, has created a bar, restaurant and multi-purpose event space to enhance a wellness resort in the Vietnamese coastal city Da Nang. Nghia provided the original masterplan for the Naman Retreat – a 3.4ha tropical complex containing 80 guest bungalows, 26 villas, a hotel and five-star spa facilities – and was also tasked with designing the additional facilities by the Thanh
EXCLUSIVE: PHASE3 outline plans for mysterious luxury development on the Adriatic
by Kim Megson | 10 Nov 2015
London-based architecture studio PHASE3 have developed a digital 3D masterplan for ‘The Life Above’ – a Croatian leisure development stretching along the Adriatic coast. The company’s director, Tyen Masten, revealed to CLAD that the latest 3D technology has been used to map out a 3.59sq km (1.38sq miles) complex of high-end hotels, villas, spas, restaurants, retail and entertainment facilities in Dubrovnik. In an exclusive interview, he said: “The use of
Populous-designed Zhuhai tennis centre completed in time to host WTA trophy
by Kim Megson | 10 Nov 2015
Tennis star Venus Williams has claimed her latest high-profile trophy at a tournament in China, just weeks after construction was completed on the host stadium. Builders raced against the clock to complete the Zhuhai Hengqin International Tennis Centre – designed by global sports architects Populous – and succeeded in finishing the work in time for the venue to host the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Elite Trophy in the first week
Old Oak - a cultural 'city within a city' that will change the face of London
by Kim Megson | 09 Nov 2015
Plans are afoot to transform a swathe of industrial West London wasteland into a huge new cultural city where “people will aspire to live, work and play.” Exciting details have emerged about the 30-year development scheme for Old Oak and Park Royal Common; conceived as the UK’s largest regeneration project with around 1.35sq km (0.52sq miles) of available space. CLAD understands that museums, theatre companies, sports and leisure firms will
MVRDV strike again: Dutch innovators reveal public art depot which takes visitors 'behind closed doors' to enjoy unexhibited works
by Kim Megson | 09 Nov 2015
Work will soon begin on the creation of a public art depot in Rotterdam allowing visitors to explore behind the scenes at one of Europe’s largest art galleries. The Collectiegebouw will store 75,000 European art works belonging to the city’s Museum Boijmans van Beuningen. While art depots typically hide unexhibited collections from view, visitors here will be able to witness a hive of backstage activity. Restoration, maintenance and transportation of
Spa operator Elemis will open in Miami, with global rollout planned
by Jane Kitchen | 09 Nov 2015
British skincare brand Elemis has reunited with London-based interior design studio Virgile and Partners to open a new spa in Miami. The House of Elemis is the company's flagship wellness and retail outlet. Its first branch debuted in London in May of this year, with the design reflecting the brand's pillars – ‘the very best that science and nature can offer’. Set within a three-storey heritage townhouse, the London spa
Meet the Muppets: Atlanta puppetry museum ready to to re-open following $14m expansion
by Alice Davis | 09 Nov 2015
After a multi-million dollar expansion and renovation, the Center of Puppetry Arts is opening its doors again. The museum, which is devoted to puppets of the world and boasts a large collection of items by renowned puppeteer and Muppets creator Jim Henson, first opened in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1978. The global design and production company Thinkwell Group is behind the 7,500sq ft (697sqm) expansion, which cost US$14m (£9.3m, €12.9m). Half
Crowdfunding underway for a floating cycle highway on the Thames
by Jak Phillips | 09 Nov 2015
A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to harness the “huge transportation capacity” of London’s Thames River to create a floating cycle highway running through the heart of the congested city. The team behind the Thames Deckway - a 7-mile (11km) stretch of cycle path that would float alongside the banks of London’s famed river - are aiming to raise £175,000 (€245,000, US$264,000) on IndieGogo to pay for a feasibility study
Diverse buildings recognised at World Architecture Festival; OMA and Buro Ole Scheeren's Interlace wins Building of the Year
by Alice Davis | 06 Nov 2015
The industry’s most prestigious awards have been handed out at the World Architecture Festival, held at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, with OMA and Buro Ole Scheeren's Interlace housing development in Singapore scooping the top prize of Building of the Year. More than 2,000 architects from more than 60 countries attended the three-day event, which draws to a close today (Friday). Seminars and presentations by some of the world’s
Studio Gang unveil cave design for American Museum of Natural History's US$325m expansion
by Tom Anstey | 05 Nov 2015
New York’s American Museum of Natural History has revealed new plans by Studio Gang for its US$325m (€298.7m, £211.1m), six-storey addition, intended to expand the institution’s role for scientific research and education. The cave-like design by Jeanne Gang for the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation, will combine and streamline the various activities at the museum, helping with circulation problems by “conjuring spaces created by forces of nature”,
Farrells' Hong Kong Police Club will be state-of-the-art leisure space
by Kim Megson | 04 Nov 2015
A recreation club for senior police officials in Hong Kong has been demolished to make way for a new facility designed by TFP Farrells. The scheme is part of a wider multi billion-dollar infrastructure project linking Hong Kong Island and the mainland via the Shatin to Central Link rail network. The police club will sit atop newly-installed cross-harbour tunnels. Construction work can now begin on the new Hong Kong Police
Dramatic recycled sauna by architects Raumlabor wins Swedish architecture award
by Liz Terry | 03 Nov 2015
When the City of Gothenburg wanted to revitalise its battered harbour front, as part of its wider scheme to regenerate the Jubilee Park and Frihamnen areas, the architects in charge – Raumlabor – turned to the country's rich sauna bathing tradition for inspiration. They planned to create a project called Bathing Culture, with a first phase being the building of a beach and the incredible Sauna in Frihamnen. The 20-seater
Valencia embraces flower power with new Parque Central designed by Gustafson Porter
by Kim Megson | 04 Nov 2015
A new green space in Valencia will fill the the heart of the city with more than 55 acres of plants, trees and flowers. Construction has finally begun on Valencia Parque Central – designed by international landscape architects Gustafson Porter – four years after the approved plans were originally made public. Gustafson Porter beat off competition from a host of international practices, including Zaha Hadid Architects and Rogers Stirk Harbour
Populous designs to transform 1998 Commonwealth Games venue into KL Sports City
by Tom Walker | 04 Nov 2015
Malaysian Resources Corporation (MRC) has been appointed to redevelop the existing Bukit Jalil National Sports Complex – the venue for the 1998 Commonwealth Games – and transform it into a new, iconic Kuala Lumpur Sports City. The RM1.6bn (US$375m, €344m, £243m) KL Sports City will create a vibrant sports hub capable of hosting elite sports events as well as cater to the local community and recreational users. Designed by global
Culture at the heart of Rio's Olympic revitalisation plan, Brazil's tourism minister tells CLAD
by Tom Anstey | 04 Nov 2015
Brazil’s minister for tourism has said that the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will act as a springboard for the country’s cultural attractions, cementing the Games’ legacy through improved infrastructure and tourist links in the years to come. Following its selection as Games host in 2009, Brazil has come under scrutiny in its preparations for the games, amid slashed budgets cleanliness issues and slow development. Despite
Power of the midnight sun harnessed to create an ice hotel that doesn't melt
by Kim Megson | 04 Nov 2015
The creators of Sweden’s famous melting Icehotel have revealed plans for a new ice venture which will have one key difference: guests will be able to stay all year round. Architect and sustainable construction design expert Hans Eek, who is a partner on the hotel, bar and art gallery project, said: “We will use the physics of Isaac Newton. In the same way we normally make energy efficient housing that
Oz: architects bid to save stadium by transforming it into a huge surf park
by Kim Megson | 03 Nov 2015
Australian architects MJA Studio have proposed a novel way of saving a much-loved sports stadium facing demolition: by turning it into an enormous outdoor wave pool. The future of the 43,500 capacity Oval stadium in the Perth suburb of Subiaco is unclear, as it is due to be replaced as the region’s main Australian Football League (AFL) venue by 2018. The local council has called for suggestions from the community
Lumiere set to light up London with winter street art installations
by Tom Anstey | 03 Nov 2015
On the back of successful events in Sydney, Berlin and Lyon, London is to welcome a new international light festival at the start of next year. From 14-17 January, Lumiere London will showcase renowned artists from across the world, with the event expected to draw thousands of visitors to the UK capital. Taking place across 20 iconic locations in London’s West End and King’s Cross areas, Lumiere London will be
Mohsin Cooper invited to design lakeside eco resort and spa in Bangalore
by Kim Megson | 03 Nov 2015
Architecture firm Mohsin Cooper are working with a prominent Indian landowner to create an organic farm and resort in an expansive plantation near Bangalore, Southern India. The company’s design for the 9,450 sq m (101,700sq ft) Banyan Eco Resort – which is located 28km (17 miles) from the city – comprises a cluster of low rise entrance pavilion buildings surrounding an ancient Banyan tree. The buildings will contain a hotel,
David Adjaye creates $100m-Ashti Foundation in Beirut
by Kim Megson | 03 Nov 2015
Art collector and luxury retailer Tony Salamé has opened his own private museum – the Aishti Foundation – in a new mall on the Mediterranean, twenty minutes from downtown Beirut. The dramatic terracotta-red building, by British architect David Adjaye, cost an eye-watering US$100m (€90.7m, £64.8m) and contains a spa, restaurants, cafes, luxury boutiques, a curated bookshop and a rooftop bar with panoramic views of the Lebanese capital. It covers 40,000sq
Wolfgang Buttress' creation The Hive wins gold at Milan Expo awards
by Kim Megson | 02 Nov 2015
One of the top architecture prizes at the 2015 Milan Expo has been awarded to the Hive; the UK pavilion created by artist Wolfgang Buttress, engineers Simmonds Studio and architects BDP. The team received the BIE Gold Award for Architecture and Landscape on the final day of the six-month international exhibition. Since opening in May, more than 3.3 million people have been to see the 14 cubic metre (459 cubic
Crucial beakthrough reached in London Garden Bridge funding stand-off
by Kim Megson | 02 Nov 2015
Development of the Thomas Heatherwick-designed Garden Bridge in London is set to continue after a crucial breakthrough was reached over public funding allocated to the project. Progress on the £175m (US$294m, €216m) development of the tree-lined river crossing had stalled following a row between the Garden Bridge Trust and Lambeth Council over the £30m (US$46m, €42m) contribution being paid by Transport for London (TfL) – the local government body responsible
Gaudi-inspired 'Chrysalis' takes centre stage in metamorphosis of Maryland park
by Kim Megson | 02 Nov 2015
Ground has been broken on construction of a luminous green and blue amphitheatre, called the Chrysalis, in the US state of Maryland. The New York-based art and architecture studio Marc Fornes/Theverymany created the design for the semi-transparent, Gaudi-inspired shell, which will host live cultural performances in Merriweather Park’s Symphony Woods. Explaining the dramatic colour scheme, the architects said: “Colours are taken from the environment and pushed to a level of
Will Alsop hopes to breathe life into industrial west London wasteland with mixed-use complex
by Kim Megson | 02 Nov 2015
The architecture firm aLLDesign, led by Will Alsop, have revealed plans for a mixed-use development in the west London town of Brentford. The practice hope to transform a rundown 84 hectare site on Capital Interchange Way, near the M4 motorway, into a transport and community hub that will “make life better” for all who visit. The development – which is located next to Brentford Football Club’s proposed Community Stadium –
Moncton Downtown Centre designs revealed
by Tom Walker | 02 Nov 2015
Detailed plans have been revealed for the Moncton Downtown Centre, a 9,000-seat multi-purpose arena and entertainment complex designed by a team of architects lead by Populous and Stantec. Located in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, designs for the CA$104.2m (US$79m, €72m, £52m) arena will feature a large civic plaza, aimed at connecting the building to the surrounding city and providing a gathering space for special events and concerts. The civic plaza
EXCLUSIVE: Perkins+Will overseeing masterplan for brand new 'Grand Airport City' in Turkey
by Kim Megson | 02 Nov 2015
Global architecture and design firm Perkins+Will are building a new, fully-functioning city surrounding one of the largest airports in the world. The firm are masterplanning the buildings, infrastructure and transportation networks for a 1,700-acre (690-hectare) development surrounding Istanbul’s New Airport, which is currently under construction. The huge development, tentatively called the Grand Airport City, has been designed as a centre of economic, cultural and social life on the doorstep of
Design unveiled for Casablanca peace museum on site of terror attack
by Kim Megson | 30 Oct 2015
An Australian architectural duo have won a competition to design the Casablanca Bombing Rooms – a cultural space promoting peace on the site of a devastating terrorist attack. Rachel Hurst and William Song Yuan’s design features a large black tower, which represents a beacon of learning, acceptance, knowledge and growth towards peace. On 16 May 2003, 33 civilians were killed in a series of suicide bombings in the Moroccan city.
Center Parcs pushes forward with £167m plans for Irish resort
by Jak Phillips | 30 Oct 2015
Center Parcs has today (30 October) submitted a formal planning application for a new £167m (US$257m, €233m) Village in Ireland – the leisure resort operator’s first venture outside the UK. Having been bought earlier this year by Canadian property giant Brookfield, Center Parcs is eager to maintain the momentum from the successful launch of its Woburn Forest in June 2014. The Ireland resort – to be named Center Parcs Longford
Amended plans for Lucas Museum of Narrative Art approved by city of Chicago
by Tom Anstey | 30 Oct 2015
Despite the best effort of green space advocates in the city of Chicago, George Lucas’s legacy project will go ahead after the legendary director’s Museum of Narrative Art was approved by the city council. The project has come up against strong opposition from Friends of the Parks – the nonprofit group who tried to sue Lucas in an attempt to halt development on the Chicago waterfront – but in September,
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