Architecture and design news:
arts & culture
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
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
CLAD's top leisure buildings to look out for in 2016
by Kim Megson | 04 Jan 2016
The year ahead promises much excitement in the world of leisure architecture and design. New designs will be unveiled, ongoing projects will take shape and we will have our first look at completed buildings from the likes of Snøhetta, Thomas Heatherwick, Renzo Piano, Bjarke Ingels Group and David Adjaye. To celebrate the New Year, we have compiled a list of 12 projects scheduled for completion in 2016 that we are
Hard Rock unveils vision for hotel at Berlin's Checkpoint Charlie
by Kim Megson | 24 Dec 2015
Hard Rock International has revealed its plans to build a 372-room music-themed hotel in Berlin adjacent to Checkpoint Charlie and displaying a section of the Berlin Wall. According to project partner the Trockland Development Group, the hotel will form part of a 2.5 acre multi-use project commemorating the history and symbolism of the checkpoint; which was the best known crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War.
Marina Abramovic and James Turrell collaborate with Tasmania art museum for massive culture and leisure expansion
by Kim Megson | 23 Dec 2015
The founder of Australia’s (MONA) in Hobart, Tasmania, has unveiled a host of planned leisure projects for the institution; including a 160-room art hotel, a casino and a collaboration with famous artist James Turrell. In a blog post titled Stuff We are Planning to Do, posted on the museum’s website, MONA founder David Walsh revealed several ambitious projects involving individuals from the worlds of art, architecture and design – including
Heatherwick’s Shanghai design inspired by tree-topped mountains
by Kim Megson | 23 Dec 2015
Heatherwick Studio has designed a vast mountain-inspired mixed-use development to be located next to Shanghai’s arts district. The British firm – led by designer Thomas Heatherwick – is creating a verdant 300,000sq m (3.2 sq ft) complex of buildings, with approximately 1,000 structural columns supporting plants and trees. “The design has been conceived not as a building but as a piece of topography, taking the form of two tree-covered mountains,”
A festival of light: 30 glowing see-saws illuminate downtown Montreal
by Kim Megson | 22 Dec 2015
A group of Canadian designers have collaborated on a huge illuminated playground in Montreal where members of the public can ride 30 glowing, musical see-saws. Located in the city’s downtown, each see-saw is fitted with LEDs and speakers and emits waves of light and sound which change in intensity depending on movement. The subsequent music and visuals merge together to create an ever-changing composition. The dreamlike effect is enhanced by
Rubik's Cube inspires twisting vineyard visitor centre in Australia
by Kim Megson | 22 Dec 2015
South Australian winemaker d’Arenberg is hoping to create a new national landmark by building a twisting new visitor centre mimicking a Rubik’s Cube. Nic Salivati from ADS Architects has designed the five-storey d’Arenberg Cube, which is currently under construction in McLaren Vale, a wine region in the Fleurieu Peninsula. The centre – which will contain a wine tasting room, several bars, a restaurant and a viewing gallery when it opens
Fashion designer Pigelle creates a dazzling secret basketball court for Paris
by Kim Megson | 22 Dec 2015
Parisian fashion brand Pigalle and architecture firm Ill-Studio have collaborated to create a vivid multicoloured basketball court squeezed between two apartment buildings in the French capital’s 9th arrondissement. Pigalle founder and basketball aficionado Stéphane Ashpool had previously renovated the Rue Duperré court – where he himself plays and offers coaching to local youths – in 2009 with the help of sports brand Nike and basketball icon LeBron James. The colourful
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