Navy Pier, one of the most popular visitor attractions in Chicago, US, has launched a global search for a design team to draw up plans for the redevelopment of outdoor public spaces. The announcement is the first step towards bringing its Centennial Vision to fruition, which aims to transform the historic attraction. Upscale dining and entertainment options and more appealing public spaces to capitalise on the pier's "unique setting" are

London-based Zombory-Moldovan Moore Architects (ZMMA) has been appointed by the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum to design its new Europe 1600-1800 Galleries. The scheme is the largest gallery revamp to be undertaken as part of the V&A's FuturePlan programme, which will lead to the transformation of the iconic London heritage attraction. Located at basement level along the Cromwell Road and Exhibition Road, the galleries have access points fro both the

London mayor Boris Johnson has announced that hundreds of public buildings across the capital are to benefit from environmental improvements with the help of a new £100m fund. The investment will be made available as low-cost loans towards green projects, which will include the installation of efficient lighting systems, ventilation and boiler upgrades. It is thought that London's public buildings are responsible for 10 per cent of the capital's carbon

Hotel and resort operator Four Seasons will open its newest property in Baltimore, US next month. The 256-bedroom hotel boasts a 10,00sq ft (950sq m) spa with eleven treatment rooms including several suites with private soaking tubs – and separate men's and women's relaxation areas, sauna and steamrooms. Featuring products and treatments by ESPA, the spa also has a large relaxation zone with two pools – including a year-round heated

Hilton Worldwide has announced the launch of its new Conrad Koh Samui Resort and Spa on Thailand's Aow Thai Beach, a west-facing property overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. The 80-villa resort joins its sister hotel Conrad Bangkok in Thailand and includes a spa that offers "innovative therapies and holistic treatments" to benefit mind, body and soul. Dr Buathon - one of Thailand's leading authorities on holistic healing - has been

A reserved matters planning application has been submitted for Camden Council's planned new multi-service complex in King's Cross, London, which is to include a sports centre. Earlier this month, it was revealed that King's Cross Central Limited Partnership (KCCLP) and the local authority had agreed terms for the lease and development management. LA Architects are behind the design of the Three Pancras Square development, which is set to house a

The start of work on a new multi-million pound swimming pool in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, is to be delayed after a group of local residents submitted a Town Green application. Oxford City Council (OCC) has confirmed that it has earmarked an additional £350,000 in contingency funding for the delay, with work initially due to start in early September. Willmott Dixon has already been selected to build the FaulknerBrowns Architects-designed venue,

Derby City Council (DCC) has revealed that Mace has been named as the successful design team that will now go forward to work on the city's proposed new multi-sport arena. Councillors selected the group following a tender process, with the specification of the venue to be finalised after local residents and sports clubs are given the chance to have their say. It is thought that a 12 badminton court indoor

Rezidor Hotel Group (RHG) has announced the opening of its second property in Georgia - the Michele De Lucchi-designed 168-bedroom Radisson Blu Hotel Batumi. Facilities include a 19,000sq ft (1,765sq m) wellness facility with Anne Semonin Spa and a fitness centre. The spa boasts five treatment rooms; a couples' suite; and an indoor pool. An outdoor pool with sun deck; a kids' pool; a Finnish sauna; an aroma steam bath;

A number of architects' companies have submitted their proposals for the Busan Opera House, to be built in the Busan Metropolitan City in South Korea. Swiss firm Kubota & Bachmann; New York, US-based WAHAG Studio; German company Peter Ruge Architekten; WEAVA Architects from Hong Kong; Portugal-based OODA; and Italo-Portuguese partnership CSR Architects are among the firms to have submitted their bids. The facility, due to open in 2014, will be

Technical services company AECOM has won the design competition for the Rio 2016 Olympic Park Urban Masterplan. AECOM's design, which was selected from a total of 60 entries from 18 countries, outlines how the Olympic Park area will be used; the public spaces, squares and parks; as well as the location of the permanent and temporary venues and the future real estate developments to be built at the site. Design

Barr Construction has been selected as the preferred contractor for the delivery of Aberdeen Football Club's (AFC) new 21,000-capacity stadium on land near Loirston Loch. Earlier this year, the development was given the green light by the Scottish Government after Aberdeen City Council approved The Miller Partnership-designed proposals. Due for completion ahead of the 2013-14 season, it is anticipated that Barr Construction will start work on the 39.5-acre (16-hectare) development

Around 1,500 construction staff working on the redevelopment of the Maracana stadium in Brazil have gone on strike following an on site explosion. The blast, which left one person seriously injured, has resulted in industrial action and demands of improved safety and higher pay. The worker, named locally as Carlos Felipe da Silva, was taken to Souza Aguiar Hospital in the city center, after suffering deep cuts and burns. Nilson

Canterbury's new £25.6m Marlowe Theatre - designed by Keith Williams Architects - will open its doors for the first time on 4 October, following a two-year construction project. Work started in 2009 with the demolition of the old theatre building, which was first opened in the 1930s as an Odeon Cinema before being turned into a theatre during the mid-1980s. Located next to the River Stour, the new-build Marlowe Theatre

A soccer school in Soweto, South Africa, and a tree hotel in Sweden are among some of the schemes to be shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards 2011. The fourth annual awards attracted a record number of entries, with more than 700 from 59 countries across the world seeking to be crowned World Building of the Year 2011. UK projects shortlisted include Holburne Museum of Art, Bath (Eric

A new waterside park alongside the Grand Union Canal has been mooted as part of a major new development - Park Royal City - to be built around a new 'rail super hub' at Old Oak Common, London. Sir Terry Farrell has drawn up proposals for the scheme, which will transform the area into a new city for London and will feature homes and businesses around the high speed rail

Beacon Arts Centre, a new £9.5m arts venue currently under construction in Inverclyde, has been handed a £100,000 grant from The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation (ALWF). The funding will go towards the establishment of a youth theatre providing opportunities for those from socially disadvantaged backgrounds in the Greenock area. Due to open in summer 2012, the new Beacon Arts Centre will replace Greenock Arts Guild Theatre - a venue that

A new home for Monaghan's Garage Theatre will be developed as part of a wider education complex earmarked for the Irish town's old Defence Forces barracks on Armagh Road. Jimmy Deenihan, minister for arts, heritage and the Gaeltacht, has awarded EUR2m (£1.8m) towards the new venue, which will replace the existing Garage Theatre opened in 1992. Monaghan Vocational Educational Committee (VEC) is heading plans for the new EUR35m (£30.7m) educational

Aspen Art Museum (AAM) in Colorado, US, has held an official groundbreaking ceremony to help mark the start of the work on a new 30,000sq ft (2,787sq m) home for the attraction. The US$50m (£30.4m, EUR34.6m) building has been designed by Shigeru Ban Architects and will be located at the corner of South Spring Street and East Hyman Avenue in Aspen. Construction work is due to commence during the first

Detailed proposals for a major new £31m leisure, business support and community facility in the heart of Redcar have been submitted to the local planning authority for consideration. Outline plans drawn up by S&P Architects and Plus3 Architects were given the green light by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council (RCBC) earlier this summer. Middlesbrough-based Buckler Demolition has already commenced work to clear the site at Kirkleatham Street and Coatham Road,