Architecture and design news:
arts & culture
Floating, saw-toothed photo gallery being built in North Vancouver
by Kim Megson | 22 Jan 2016
Ground has broken on a landmark cultural building in North Vancouver, Canada. Currently being developed on a new waterfront plaza, the Polygon Gallery will display the country's largest collection of independent photography and host Canadian and international art exhibitions, public events and art education programmes. The project, which is set to open in 2017, has been designed by Canadian studio Patkau Architects. The 23,000sq ft (2,100sq m) building will feature
Paris dance school inspired by Aurélie Dupont a metal-clad 'signal for the city'
by Kim Megson | 22 Jan 2016
A French architecture studio have created a new dance school in Paris clad in a perforated metal veil that seems to change in appearance depending on the position of the sun. Dance School Aurélie Dupont – named after the famous French ballet dancer who retired last year after 32 years at the Paris Opera – hosts ballet, classical and jazz classes and has been built as part of the redevelopment
D&D London relaunches legendary venue where Bowie and Rolling Stones once played
by Kim Megson | 21 Jan 2016
The iconic London venue where the Rolling Stones made their musical debut will unveil its latest incarnation on 28 January when it is reopened as a new lounge, bar and dining space. Restaurateur D&D London – which has have operated two previous restaurants on the site of the former Marquee Club in the city’s Soho district – is relaunching the venue as 100 Wardour St: “a destination celebrating creativity, talent,
EXCLUSIVE: Bold postmodern Ha Long Bay museum completed in Vietnam
by Kim Megson | 21 Jan 2016
A vast collection of historical artefacts telling the story of northern Vietnam through the ages has been put on public display in a new museum in the country’s famous Ha Long Bay. The VND900m (US$40m, €36.6m, £28.2m) Quang Ninh Museum was completed in late 2013 to mark the 50th founding anniversary of Quang Ninh province, and the exhibits have been installed over the last two years, with work now finally
Schmidt hammer lassen win design competition for major mixed-use cultural project in Shanghai
by Kim Megson | 20 Jan 2016
Danish architecture studio schmidt hammer lassen architects have won an international competition to design a new cultural home for the city of Shanghai, China. The studio will preserve and expand the 1950s West Shanghai Worker’s Cultural Palace – a popular activity centre for union workers and city-dwellers – for the Shanghai Labour Union and the district government. Their winning proposal features multiple cultural facilities, including a theatre, cinema, art and
Donatella Versace designs opulent interiors for Palazzo Versace Dubai Hotel
by Kim Megson | 20 Jan 2016
Luxury Italian fashion design house Versace has finally opened its long-awaited Palazzo Versace Dubai Hotel, billed by the brand as “the most luxurious hotel the Middle East has ever seen.” Located along the shores of Dubai Creek in the centre of the city’s Culture Village, the hotel’s opulent design is inspired by a neoclassical 16th century Italian palace. The company’s artistic director and vice-director Donatella Versace has designed the interiors
Hyatt, Hilton and Mandarin Oriental in the frame for openings in billion-dollar Oman waterfront project
by Kim Megson | 20 Jan 2016
Some of the world’s best-known hospitality operators are vying to open hotels in a new multi-million mixed-use waterfront destination in Oman, which will regenerate one of the oldest ports and market districts in the Arab world. Brands including Hyatt, Hilton, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Banyan Tree and Viceroy have declared their interest in opening hotels in the Mina Sultan Qaboos Waterfront Project, which will enter the first phase of construction
David Bowie honoured with lightning bolt constellation
by Kim Megson | 19 Jan 2016
A Belgian radio station has teamed up with an observatory to design a unique tribute to David Bowie: his own constellation. The British singer, who died on 10 January 2016 at the age of 69, was often inspired by space in his music; penning songs such as Life on Mars, Starman and Space Oddity and creating his own extraterrestrial alter-ego Ziggy Stardust and the recurring astronaut character Major Tom. To
Ai Weiwei's magical and mythological bamboo kites go on display in Paris department store
by Kim Megson | 19 Jan 2016
In a surprise move, the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is exhibiting his first original works in France at a luxury department store in Paris. The show, named Er Xi, Air de Jeux (Child’s Play), features more than 100 bamboo and silk kites and 3D structures depicting mythological creatures from Chinese legend. The exhibition at Le Bon Marché – which will run to 20 February 2016 and is promoting a store
Public consultations planned for Bjarke Ingels' Europa City
by Kim Megson | 18 Jan 2016
France’s National Commission for Public Debate will host a series of open discussions about the development of Bjarke Ingels’ Europa City masterplan; one of the largest ongoing leisure developments on the continent. From 15 March to 30 June, Europa City’s developers and the commission will conduct a “real-time exchange and reflection” with residents of the Parisian suburbs close to the development site. Professionals from the world of culture, tourism and
Rem Koolhaas' US$45m Washington Bridge Park will reconnect the city
by Kim Megson | 18 Jan 2016
The developers creating an elevated park on a disused bridge in Washington D.C are to begin feasibility testing and community outreach programmes early this year as the project enters the pre-construction phase. Architects Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) and landscape designers OLIN have designed the park to sit on the city’s 11th Street Bridge, which links Capitol Hill and the Anacostia neighbourhood and is currently being replaced. When finished, the
Winning design unveiled for Islamic faith museum in Mecca
by Kim Megson | 18 Jan 2016
London studio Mossessian Architecture have won an invited competition to design a museum of the Islamic faith in Mecca (known locally as Makkah), Saudi Arabia. The firm have partnered with French exhibition architects Studio Adeline Rispal to work on the project in Islam’s most sacred city. The museum – located 7km from the city’s Grand Holy Mosque – will explore the history and practice of Islam and the life of
Triple Five submits plans for American Dream Miami with major leisure complex
by Kim Megson | 15 Jan 2016
International developer Triple Five has moved a step closer to realising its vision of creating North America’s largest mega-mall after submitting a planning document to Miami-Dade County. The hugely ambitious American Dream Miami scheme – described by Triple Five as “as an evolution in retail and entertainment” – includes 6.2m sq ft (576,000sq m) of leisure, retail and dining space located on a greenfield site at the intersection of the
Brutalist landmark reinvented as giant arts and hotel complex in Israel
by Kim Megson | 15 Jan 2016
An iconic brutalist building on Israel’s Mediterranean coast has been transformed into a vast arts complex featuring a hotel, galleries, concert halls, restaurant, spa and wellness centre. The 1960s structure – formerly known as the Mivtachim Sanitarium – is formed by a series of modular, concrete units located on Mount Carmel Ridge in the village of Zichron Ya’akov. It was was created by the late Israeli architect Ya’akov Rechter, who
London’s Lumiere light festival puts spotlight on city
by Tom Anstey | 14 Jan 2016
On the back of successful events in Sydney, Berlin and Lyon, London will welcome a new international light festival when Lumiere kicks off this evening (14 January). Taking place until 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. Installations for the event have been spread across the city in 30 prime locations, including
Viceroy to open bohemian San Francisco hotel
by Kim Megson | 14 Jan 2016
The Viceroy Hotel Group will open a “mischievous, provocative and rebellious” hotel in San Francisco which is designed to celebrate the city’s tradition of counter culture. Hotel Zeppelin will be located in a renovated hotel building near the city’s Union Square when it opens in Q1 2016. Seattle studio Dawson Design Associates have been appointed to design the interiors, which Viceroy said will “foster innovation, collaboration and an inspirational experience
Museum of London announces architecture competition
by Kim Megson | 14 Jan 2016
The Museum of London has officially started its search for an architect to design its proposed new home inside a vacant Victorian market. Design competition organiser Malcolm Reading Consultants has been appointed to lead the search. A two-stage contest will begin in February 2016. A panel will be selected to create a shortlist and the winning architect will be announced by the end of Q2 2016. The museum and the
EXCLUSIVE: Interior designer Clodagh speaks to CLAD about the vision behind Six Senses' first European resort
by Kim Megson | 12 Jan 2016
In an exclusive interview with CLAD, New York-based designer Clodagh has revealed her inspiration for the design of the Six Senses Douro Valley resort, which recently opened in Portugal. The resort and spa – the first to be operated by Six Senses in Europe – is located in a 22-acre, 19th century vineyard set within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Speaking in the latest issue of CLADmag, Clodagh said the
Mumbai slum to host Spanish artist's design museum
by Kim Megson | 13 Jan 2016
Spanish artist Jorge Mañes Rubio has revealed he is creating a portable design museum for one of the world’s largest slums. The idea for the project – being developed in collaboration with urban research and action collective (URBZ) and art critic Amanda Pinatih – came after Rubio visited the Mumbai district Dharavi, and was inspired by the nomadic workers and craftsmen who live and work there. The area – featured
Butterfly pavilion by German studio 3deluxe clad with 4,000 golden aluminium flowers
by Kim Megson | 13 Jan 2016
A German architecture firm, an Austrian artist and a Sharjah-based development company in the UAE have joined forces to open a butterfly-themed landscape park. Al Noor Island, located in Sharjah’s Khalid Lagoon, has been developed by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) to “redefine the very meaning of an Arab city”. The culture and leisure park – which was officially opened by Sharjah's ruler, Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed
Flanagan Lawrence design innovative inflatable roof canopy for Polish park theatre
by Kim Megson | 12 Jan 2016
British architecture firm Flanagan Lawrence have won a design competition to renovate a 1970s Polish theatre with their vision for an “acoustically optimised outdoor performance space.” The studio have proposed the installation of a curving roof canopy of inflatable panels, which will envelop the stage and auditorium of the 2,500-capacity outdoor Summer Theatre in the city of Szczecin’s Kasprowicza Park. “The real inspiration from our point of view was to
Panama's Harpy Eagle inspires design for vast cultural complex
by Kim Megson | 08 Jan 2016
The high-profile development of Panama’s Amador Causeway has taken another step forward, with construction underway on a sweeping 32 acre leisure complex designed like a bird. The Harpy Eagle – the country’s national symbol – is the inspiration for the wing-like structure of the Panama Center for Events and Performing Arts, which will contain a 240,000sq ft (22,000sq m) interior banqueting hall reflecting the rainforest canopies that are the bird’s
Unique digital journey at the heart of New York Renaissance hotel
by Kim Megson | 07 Jan 2016
Hotel brand Renaissance will open New York City’s “first digitally enhanced hotel” in Manhattan’s famous garment district in Q1 2016. Designed by local studio Jeffrey Beers International, the 348-room Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel will feature several large-scale digital attractions created to celebrate the history and glamour of the location, which is a centre of clothes manufacturing and home to many of New York’s fashion designers. A digital tapestry the
Fernando Menis Arquitectos design state-of-the-art concert hall for medieval Polish city
by Kim Megson | 07 Jan 2016
After years of waiting, the people of Torun, Poland finally have a high-quality cultural venue in their city, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. First announced in 2008, work has finally been completed on the CKK Jordanki concert hall – designed by Spanish architects Fernando Menis Arquitectos – and the venue is hosting its first shows following a high-profile inauguration ceremony broadcast live on television. The building – located
Emre Arolat's Istanbul art museum will sit inside a stark concrete frame
by Kim Megson | 06 Jan 2016
Turkish studio EAA-Emre Arolat Architecture have created a striking new home for some of Turkey's most important art works: a renovated warehouse which has been stripped of its floors and walls. The studio’s design team have stripped an abandoned dockland building so that only the concrete structure remains. This stark 24,000 sq m (258,000sq ft) structural grid will support large overhanging red containers, within which 15,000 art works dating as
Bomb-damaged dockland warehouse rebuilt as cultural landmark by Dutch design team
by Kim Megson | 06 Jan 2016
An abandoned, bomb-damaged dockland warehouse in the Dutch city Den Helder has been transformed into a concert hall, art centre and restaurant by architects Van Dongen-Koschuch. The Kampanje, located in the city’s old Willemsoord naval yard, had sat empty for more than 70 years since being partially destroyed during the Second World War. Now it has been carefully restored and renovated by the studio to create a new cultural landmark
The art of Jackson Pollock inspires paint-splattered walls of French performing arts venue
by Kim Megson | 06 Jan 2016
French architecture studio Dominique Coulon & Associates have added colour to their new building for the Conservatoire of Music, Dance and Dramatic Arts in Belfort, France by covering the outer walls with Jackson Pollock-inspired splatters of paint. The 3,895sq m (41,900sq ft) building – which houses two auditoriums, a theatre, a large dance room, a media library, over 30 classrooms and several studios tailored to specific instruments – has been
Marcos Zotes designs luminous pink P-Cube to bring light to Moscow park
by Kim Megson | 06 Jan 2016
A glowing pink cube in the heart of Moscow is providing passers by an immersive spot to take stock and look out at the city. The P-Cube, designed by Spanish-Icelandic artist Marcos Zotes and his studio UNSTABLE, is a temporary installation commissioned by the city’s Polytechnic Museum to stand in VDNKh Park. The skin of the 9m (29ft) high structure is clad in a semi-transparent layer of fabric covered with
Swinging trapeze chairs and kaleidoscopic furniture to feature at IMM Cologne design show
by Kim Megson | 06 Jan 2016
Some of the world’s best-known interior and furniture designers will embrace their creative side when displaying their latest creations at this year’s IMM Cologne; one of Europe’s largest trade fairs for furnishing, living and lifestyle products. Kaleidoscopic furniture, a birdcage-shaped table, and a swinging chair suspended above a circus ring will be among the more unusual displays at the event, which will take place from 18-24 January in the German
BIG, OMA and Herzog & de Meuron in the running to design a home for Budapest's Museum of Ethnography
by Kim Megson | 05 Jan 2016
The protracted development of Budapest’s museum quarter has taken a surprise twist, with organisers launching a second design competition for the new Museum of Ethnography building. Last year, French studio Vallet de Martinis DIID Architects won a competition to design a new home for the museum – which has a collection of more than 200,000 ethnographic artefacts and 400,000 historical documents. However, a government decision to relocate the planned building
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