Architecture and design news:
attractions & entertainment
MVRDV complete futuristic Tianjin library with cascading bookshelves and enormous mirrored 'eye'
by Kim Megson | 02 Nov 2017
Dutch architects MVRDV have completed the Tianjin Binhai Library in China, a 33,700sq m (362,700sq ft) cultural centre featuring a luminous spherical auditorium which doubles as an enormous mirrored ‘eye’. Floor-to-ceiling bookcases cascade organically around the auditorium, forming the building's main spatial device, while also creating stairs, seating, the layered ceiling and louvres on the façade. The five-storey building holds 1.2 million books, which can be taken to a multitude
Culture boost for Margate as Turner Contemporary plans £5.3m expansion
by Tom Anstey | 02 Nov 2017
The David Chipperfield-designed Turner Contemporary is set to undergo a £5.3m (US$7m, €6m) expansion, new plans have revealed. A spokesperson confirmed to CLADglobal that discussions with partners and funders had begun, with the gallery now developing ideas for the attraction. Arts Council England (ACE) has already committed £3m (US$4m, €3.4m) to the plan and Kent County Council will also play a major part in financing the extension, with the authority
Hastings Pier by dRMM Architects wins 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize
by Kim Megson | 31 Oct 2017
Hastings Pier by dRMM Architects has been announced as the winner of the 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize for the UK’s best new building. In a landmark moment for leisure architecture, the public attraction – which was built to restore a seaside pier ravaged by fire – was hailed by the prize’s jury chair, RIBA president Ben Derbyshire, as a “masterpiece of regeneration and inspiration”. “The architects and local community have
Miami's Bass opens following US$12m transformation
by Tom Anstey | 31 Oct 2017
Contemporary art museum The Bass has reopened following a US$12m (€10.3m, £9.1m) renovation headed by project architects David Gauld and Arata Isozaki. The privately run, city-owned museum in Miami Beach, Florida, managed to avoid major damage from the recent Hurricane Irma, but the project had been delayed for more than a year.
David Chipperfield to design masterplan for Minneapolis Institute of Art expansion
by Kim Megson | 31 Oct 2017
The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) has announced it has hired David Chipperfield Architects to create a master plan for its expansion ambitions, following “a thorough and inspiring search.” The design practice will develop prospective design solutions to enhance the museum’s visitor experience and to expand public access to the museum as a community resource. They will consider how to improve visitor circulation, create new public gathering spaces, add more
LA's Natural History Museum unveils 10-year masterplan
by Tom Anstey | 30 Oct 2017
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles (NHM) has revealed its masterplan to transform the 104-year-old institution over the next decade. Designed by Frederick Fisher and Partners (FF&P), the NHM West/South Project will reimagine the physical space and programmes of the museum, which sits on the same site as George Lucas’ upcoming Museum of Narrative Art. The FF&P masterplan focuses on areas that were not worked on during the original
David Adjaye and Ron Arad chosen to design UK Holocaust memorial and learning centre
by Kim Megson | 24 Oct 2017
Adjaye Associates, Ron Arad Architects and landscape designers Gustafson Porter + Bowman have been selected to design the UK’s new Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre, it was revealed today (24 October). The new national landmark will stand in the shadow of the Houses of Parliament in Victoria Tower Gardens, London. It will honour the six million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered in the Holocaust, and all other
Vegetables given a voice inside Tokyo's interactive greenhouse
by Alice Davis | 24 Oct 2017
A brightly lit, rainbow-coloured greenhouse has popped up in downtown Tokyo, Japan, inviting guests to step inside and interact with the sights and sounds created by its vegetable inhabitants. Japanese creative studio Party, which is headed up by Naoko Ito, created the Digital Vegetables installation to run over a three-week period until 5 November. Inside the greenhouse, which is covered in LED lights, visitors are invited to “Touch Design. Bathe
Snøhetta create 'Europe's first underwater restaurant'
by Kim Megson | 23 Oct 2017
Snøhetta have revealed designs for the international architects' latest leisure project – the first underwater restaurant to open in Europe. Located at the southernmost point of the Norwegian coastline, the restaurant, called Under, will double as an aquarium and marine research centre. Snøhetta's design is inspired by the country's rocky coast, with a monolithic structure breaking from the surface of the sea to rest on the craggy shoreline. The bottom
Museum of the Bible set to open as US$500m project nears completion
by Alice Davis | 20 Oct 2017
Work is almost complete on a major new museum in Washington that will teach visitors about the Holy Bible. The US$500m (£380.52, €423.53) Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, has been funded by the billionaire president of arts and crafts superstore chain Hobby Lobby, Steve Green. Opening in November, exhibitions will be spread across eight floors, boasting high-tech interactives and topped with a roof garden. Many of the biblical
Yves Saint Laurent museum opens in Marrakech, with architecture inspired by designer's creations
by Kim Megson | 19 Oct 2017
A striking new museum dedicated to the life and work of French fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent has opened today (19 October) in Marrakech, Morocco. French architecture firm Studio KO designed the 4,000sq m (43,000sq ft) terracotta brick home of the Musée Yves Saint Laurent on a site next to the city’s Jardin Majorelle, a garden the designer acquired himself to save it from being destroyed by developers. Saint Laurent
Lausanne opens major freshwater aquarium-vivarium
by Alice Davis | 18 Oct 2017
Aquatis, a groundbreaking new aquarium and vivarium that’s home to some 100 reptile and 10,000 fish species, is set to open its doors this weekend. The largest facility of its kind in Europe, Aquatis is located near Lake Geneva in Lausanne, Switzerland, and promises to take visitors on a journey through 20 different freshwater habitats from around the globe. Designed by architectural studio Richter Dahl Rocha, the circular building is
MVRDV win competition for Shanghai Future Park showcasing nature, culture and entertainment
by Kim Megson | 18 Oct 2017
Dutch architects MVRDV are have announced a large-scale leisure project in Shanghai that will see the firm meld nature, culture and entertainment in a huge public park on an island in the Yangtze River. Zhangjiang Future Park will become a new focal point for the district of Pudong, with communal public facilities built into a series of green landscaped buildings surrounded by 10,000sq m (107,600sq ft) of plazas converging towards
Adjaye Associates collaborate with former spy chiefs to design New York museum dedicated to espionage
by Kim Megson | 18 Oct 2017
Adjaye Associates have revealed their design for a new spy museum and interactive experience in the heart of New York, which is set to open this December. The studio’s design for the 60,000sq ft (5,500sq m) building, called SPYSCAPE, is inspired by the architectural language of the world’s largest spy organisations and has been developed in collaboration with former directors of intelligence agencies and station chiefs. Conceived as an “iconic
Abandoned Jerusalem planetarium to become home for Einstein museum
by Tom Anstey | 17 Oct 2017
An abandoned planetarium in Jerusalem will be converted into a museum dedicated to Albert Einstein as part of a US$5m (€4.2m, £3.8m) project to showcase his personal archives. Architects Arad Simon are behind the plans, which will see a museum and visitor centre built on Hebrew University's Givat Ram campus in Jerusalem, Israel. Arad Simon were selected from four local firms, with the university saying the winning proposal was “modest,
Elizabeth de Portzamparc completes futuristic Roman museum next to ancient amphitheatre
by Kim Megson | 17 Oct 2017
A futuristic home has been built for a Roman museum in the French city of Nîmes – in stark contrast to the real-life Roman amphitheatre next door. Construction has been completed ahead of the opening of the Musée de la Romanité de Nîmes in June 2018, with 5,000 exhibits from a collection of 25,000 set to move in over the coming months. Architect Elizabeth de Portzamparc is behind the striking,
Designs unveiled for new aquarium in Oslo
by Alice Davis | 16 Oct 2017
Plans for a brand new waterside aquarium near the Norwegian capital have been unveiled, showing a pair of smooth, undulating domes jutting out into the fjord. Designed by London and Oslo-based practice Haptic Architects, the 10,000sq m (108,000sq ft) aquarium is encircled by walkways, providing a glimpse through the windows to the attraction’s interior. The building features a curved roof that will double as accessible public space. The aquarium will
A slice of the surreal: Coop Himmelb(l)au complete shimmering 'House of Bread' museum
by Kim Megson | 16 Oct 2017
Austrian architects Coop Himmelb(l)au have completed The Haus des Brotes (The House of Bread) – a shimmering museum and events centre for bread company Backaldrin. Conceived as “a cabinet of curiosities”, the sculptural building is located at the company’s headquarters in Asten, northern Austria. It is formed of a concrete rectangular base supporting a wooden and steel-clad structure, which contains a customer information centre, events rooms and a two-storey, free-form
Cornwall’s Tate St Ives re-opens as £20m renewal project comes to fruition
by Alice Davis | 13 Oct 2017
Tate St Ives, the art gallery credited with helping to regenerate the southwest, will unveil its new look tomorrow (14 October) when it re-opens following a £20m redevelopment. Jamie Fobert Architects’ cliffside extension has doubled the exhibition space, with the aim of better accommodating the 250,000 annual visitors to the Cornish attraction. With an additional 600sqm floor space, the gallery will be able to host more exhibits, display more works
Rem Koolhaas and OMA to expand New York's New Museum
by Kim Megson | 13 Oct 2017
International architecture firm OMA are set to design their first public building in New York City, an expansion of the city’s New Museum. Studio partners Rem Koolhaas and Shohei Shigematsu will lead the project, which is being built on a site at 231 Bowery, purchased by the contemporary art museum in 2008. The expansion, first announced in May 2016, will double the museum’s footprint by providing an additional 50,000sq ft
Landmark Sutton Hoo viewing tower plans get heritage funding
by Tom Anstey | 11 Oct 2017
Plans to build a 17m (56ft) viewing tower at one of Britain’s most archaeologically-significant sites can go ahead following a £1.8m (US$2.4m, €2m) donation from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). In 1939 a hoard of treasures were discovered at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, believed to be the final resting place of the 7th Century King Raedwald of East Anglia. The project, which will cost £4m (US$5.3m, €4.5m) in total, means
Geffrye Museum closing January for two-year redevelopment by Wright & Wright
by Tom Anstey | 10 Oct 2017
London’s Geffrye Museum will close in January ahead of a £18.1m (US$23.8m, €20.2m) transformation to create new spaces for its collections and library. Founded in 1914, the Geffrye Museum specialises in the history of English domestic home interiors, showing the changing styles through 11 displayed period rooms, from 1600 to the present day. Called 'Unlocking the Geffrye', the plans by London architecture firm Wright & Wright will allow visitors to
Diller Scofidio + Renfro announced for 'transformative' London Centre for Music
by Kim Megson | 10 Oct 2017
US architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R) has been announced as the design team tasked with creating the vision for a new Centre for Music in the City of London. The studio, which will work in collaboration with UK firm Sheppard Robson, has come out on top of a star-studded six-strong shortlist, that also included Snøhetta and the firms led by Amanda Levete, Frank Gehry, Norman Foster and Renzo Piano.
Architect David Marks dies aged 64
by Kim Megson | 09 Oct 2017
The architect David Marks, co-founder of Marks Barfield Architects, has died at the age of 64 following a long illness. Marks, best-known as the co-designer of the London Eye, died on Friday (6 October) surrounded by his three children and his partner in life and work, Julia Barfield. In a statement, Marks Barfield Architects said: “David was an architect whose work was founded in innovation, excellence of design and close
Derby's Silk Mill secures final funding for £16.4m Museum of Making
by Tom Anstey | 07 Oct 2017
Derby Museums has secured final funding for its planned £16.4m (US$21.4m, €18.2m) Museum of Making following a £9.4m (US$12.3m, €10.5m) donation from the UK's Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The donation to the charitable trust, which represents Derby's Museum and Art Gallery, Pickford’s House and The Silk Mill, makes it the largest National Lottery-funded project in Derby’s history. The Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill project will see a community-led
New York's Lincoln Center scraps US$500m Heatherwick and Diamond Schmitt renovation
by Kim Megson | 06 Oct 2017
Plans by Heatherwick Studio and Diamond Schmitt Architects to renovate a concert hall for New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts have been dropped. The duo were awarded the US$500m (€427m, £383m) project in 2015 to significantly renovate the interiors of the centre’s largest hall – originally designed by Max Abramovitz and opened in 1962 – to create a 21st-century symphonic concert venue for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra
David Geffen donates US$150m to LACMA building campaign
by Tom Anstey | 05 Oct 2017
Dreamworks founder David Geffen has donated US$150m (€128m, £114.1m) towards the US$600m (€511.9m, £456.6m) campaign creating a new home for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Geffen’s donation is the largest single cash gift from an individual in the museum’s history, with his philanthropic support also making him the largest individual donor to the Building LACMA campaign. “This innovative addition to the LACMA campus will ensure ongoing and
New degree in theme park design to be launched as SATE kicks off in Los Angeles
by Tom Anstey | 05 Oct 2017
A new degree dedicated to experience design and themed entertainment is being launched today to coincide with the latest SATE (storytelling, architecture, technology and experience) conference in Los Angeles, California. Created by the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), the specialised degree will help to address demand from theme parks in the US and further afield to create new, immersive attractions that utilise the latest technologies. The bachelor of fine
Chicago Shakespeare Theater unveils intimate and innovative new venue on Navy Pier
by Kim Megson | 04 Oct 2017
Visitors to Chicago’s Navy Pier can now enjoy a show inside one of the world’s most flexible theatres, which has been constructed inside the attraction's Skyline Stage. Theatre design consultancy Charcoalblue and design firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG) have collaborated on the ambitious reuse project, called The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare. Rather than constructing a new theatre from scratch, the duo instead designed a fully enclosed, year-round
RIBA opens Pezo von Ellrichshausen and Felice Varini's immense installation for Hull City of Culture
by Kim Megson | 03 Oct 2017
Sixteen giant galvanized steel columns arranged in a grid formation have been installed in front of Hull Minster, forming a new outdoor ‘room’ for the English city. Swiss artist Felice Varini and the Chilean architecture practice Pezo von Ellrichshausen have collaborated on the large-scale project – called A Hall for Hull – which has now been unveiled to the public. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Hull UK
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