Architecture and design news
Luxury and leisure hit the New York skyline with Richard Meier's latest glazed tower
by Kim Megson | 11 Nov 2016
Richard Meier & Partners have unveiled designs of their tallest tower in New York; an “East River icon” that will place leisure at its heart. The 42-storey, 460ft high 685 First Avenue building will rise just south of the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan. “Minimalistic in form, the design of this predominantly black glass building evidences great consideration for materiality, lightness, transparency and order,” said the studio in a statement.
West 8 unveil plans to revamp The Hague's seafront by building new dunes
by Kim Megson | 11 Nov 2016
Dutch landscape architects West 8 have presented their vision for a dune-filled seafront in The Hague that will prioritise the health and wellbeing of families in the city. The Kijkduin-Bad public space has been commissioned by the municipality as part of its ‘Healthy Coast’ investment programme for the region. West 8’s plans were first outlined in 2009, but have now been presented in detail to residents and local businesses. The
Chipperfield reveals progress on two major museum projects
by Kim Megson | 11 Nov 2016
The architecture studio of David Chipperfield have announced significant progress on two key museum projects in their portfolio: an extension to the Kunsthaus museum in Zurich, Switzerland and an cultural complex near the Taj Mahal in India. A foundation stone laying ceremony for former project took place on Tuesday (8 November), with guests from the world of Swiss politics, business and culture joining Chipperfield, who helped bury a time capsule
Inge Moore: Let's make spa and gym design more fun
by Kim Megson | 11 Nov 2016
Inge Moore has called on hospitality designers to incorporate fun, interactivity and individuality into spa and gym design. The acclaimed interior designer – who is in the process of launching bespoke hospitality design studio MUSE after leaving Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) – told CLAD that spa and fitness spaces have been “totally neglected” in the past, but are now coming to be seen as essential parts of the hotel experience.
Long-awaited Chicago Riverwalk brings leisure to the heart of the city
by Kim Megson | 10 Nov 2016
After 15 years and three phases of development, Chicago studio Ross Barney Architects have completed their dramatic transformation of the city’s central riverfront – the most visible public project in the city since Millennium Park opened in 2004. The Chicago Riverwalk – a 1.5 mile (2.41 km) promenade along the Chicago River lined with public amenities, restaurants, cultural activities and access to natural habitats for city residents and visitors –
Foster + Partners to redevelop London's Zoo landmark Snowdon Aviary
by Kim Megson | 10 Nov 2016
Global architecture firm Foster + Partners have been appointed to redevelop London Zoo’s famous Snowdon Aviary. The Grade II* listed structure, designed by Cedric Price with Frank Newby and Lord Snowdon in 1962, was recently added to Historic England’s Risk Register for structures in danger of falling into disrepair due to the high expense of necessary repairs compared with the likely end value. The aviary was the first in Britain
Moxy Berlin hotel brings 'fun, impromptu and playful' experiences to German capital
by Kim Megson | 10 Nov 2016
Hospitality giant Marriott International has opened its sixth experiential Moxy Hotel property in the heart of Berlin’s cultural epicentre. The 210-room Moxy Berlin, located in the Ostbahnhof district, is a design-led, high-tech contemporary space designed to encourage “fun, impromptu and playful” experiences. The concept is realised through the hotel’s colourful Living Rooms, game rooms and bar areas, which fuse bare concrete walls and other raw materials with bright colours, props,
Park Hyatt announces plans for Kyoto hotel and 'sanctuary'
by Kim Megson | 09 Nov 2016
Park Hyatt will follow Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton and Luxury Collection in opening a high-end hotel in the ancient Japanese capital Kyoto. Construction and architecture firm Takenaka Corporation have been appointed to design the 70-room property, which will be surrounded by several UNESCO World Heritage sites in Higashiyama ward, including Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Tony Chi and Associates will create the interior design. Park Hyatt Kyoto will be built as a low-rise structure
Leonardo DiCaprio releases brand new images of groundbreaking eco-resort in Belize
by Kim Megson | 09 Nov 2016
Final plans and brand new renderings have been released for Leonardo DiCaprio’s ambitious eco resort and wildlife reserve off the coast of Belize. The Hollywood star, Oscar winner and environmental campaigner wants the island of Blackadore Caye to become the world’s leading example of green hospitality. It has been conceived with the aim of restoring its fragile surrounding ecosystem, while offering guests a taste of luxury in a tropical setting.
Jestico and Whiles given green light to create leisure district in abandoned air base
by Kim Megson | 08 Nov 2016
Architecture studio Jestico + Whiles’ plans to transform a disused air base in Oxfordshire, UK, into a leisure district has been given the green light by the local council. According to the design team, the complex – located in the village of Upper Heyford – will be like no other in the country due to its typological flexibility and historic reference points. Cherwell District Council have approved the project, and
New Valencia CF stadium designs in ‘six to nine months’
by Matthew Campelli | 08 Nov 2016
Spanish football club Valencia CF will unveil a new design for its long-awaited stadium development in “six to nine months”. Chan Lay Hoon, the club’s president, told a shareholders meeting that while the new stadium would not be built in time for Valencia’s centenary in 2019, plans would surface within the year. He added that he expected the venue to be complete by 2020. The development of the stadium has
De Niro, Rockwell and Matsuhisa celebrate opening of Nobu Hotel in iconic Miami location
by Kim Megson | 08 Nov 2016
Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Hollywood legend Robert De Niro and interior designer David Rockwell were on hand at a cocktail event in New York last night (7 November) to celebrate the soft opening of their latest Nobu hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. Rockwell has overseen a multi-million dollar renovation and restoration of the 1950’s Eden Roc Miami Beach hotel building; a national landmark designed by architect Morris Lapidus. The Nobu Miami
Hyperloop One sign deal to develop super-fast passenger network for UAE and offer first glimpse of Bjarke Ingels' project designs
by Kim Megson | 08 Nov 2016
Hyperloop One, the Los Angeles firm racing to build the world’s first Hyperloop high-speed transport system, has signed a deal with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to pursue a passenger and cargo network in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In a high-profile ceremony held in in Dubai’s Burj Khalifa today (8 November), the company offered a first glimpse of how its hyperloop system could work, and showcased how the
PSG seeking architect to design world-class training centre
by Matthew Campelli | 08 Nov 2016
French football giant Paris Saint Germain (PSG) is on the hunt for an architect to design a new training centre, expected to be among the best in the world once completed. The reigning Ligue 1 champion has purchased a 740,000sq m (8 million sq ft) site in Poissy, Greater Paris to build the facility, which will include 14 football pitches. The centre will be the home to a 5,000-capacity stadium,
Herzog and de Meuron's sparkling Hamburg Elbphilharmonie celebrates opening of public spaces
by Kim Megson | 07 Nov 2016
An elevated public platform within Herzog and de Meuron’s Hamburg Elbphilharmonie has been officially opened, along with building’s restaurants, cafés, bars and hotel. Following nine and a half years of construction, the City of Hamburg has taken delivery of the building from construction firm Hochtief, and a ceremony to mark the milestone was held on 5 November. Former dock workers and local students were among 200 Hamburg residents invited to
Frank Gehry's mixed-use Sunset Strip scheme approved by city planners
by Kim Megson | 07 Nov 2016
The Los Angeles City Council has unanimously approved a mixed-use development, designed in typically striking style by Frank Gehry, on the eastern edge of the city’s Sunset Strip. According to the LA Times, the five-building complex – earmarked for a site on 8150 Sunset Boulevard – was approved at a meeting of the council’s Planning and Land Use Committee last week, despite objections to the height, density and impact of
Zaha Hadid Architects expand into Middle East with office in Dubai Design District
by Kim Megson | 07 Nov 2016
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) have today (7 November) opened a new office within the Dubai Design District in the United Arab Emirates. The practice have 30 years experience working on 16 projects in the Middle East and North Africa – recently including a masterplan for Lusail City in Qatar and a cultural and research complex in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia – and have opened the new office in response to “solid
Star-packed design teams unveil eye-catching plans to light up River Thames
by Kim Megson | 07 Nov 2016
Proposals by six international teams – representing seventy-three artists, architects, designers, planners and engineers – to illuminate 17 of central London’s bridges along the River Thames will be unveiled on 9 November. The Illuminated River International Design Competition called for lighting designs that include new technologies and display outstanding aesthetic quality. It attracted entries from 105 teams working in the fields of art, technology and design and a shortlist of
Louvre Abu Dhabi hit with further delays, opening pushed back to 2017
by Tom Anstey | 06 Nov 2016
The long-awaited Louvre Abu Dhabi has been delayed yet again, with the highly-anticipated project now postponed to 2017 due to pending construction work. The news is the latest in a string of setbacks for the project dating back to 2012. According to Reuters, multiple sources have reported there is still “work to be done” on the museum. Government officials had said at the end of 2015 that the museum was
Week's top news: Four Seasons launch design studio, Philippe Starck returns and Zaha Hadid Architects to build 'world's greenest stadium'
by Kim Megson | 05 Nov 2016
Here are some of the stories that appeared on CLAD this week, from Philippe Starck’s latest hotel a Zaha Hadid Architects stadium made entirely from wood. Monday • Hospitality giant Four Seasons has opened its own holistic design studio. Read here. • Five years on from its inception, Southend Council is searching for an architect to develop a £49m (US$59.6m, €54m) museum to house the Saxon King’s relics. Read here.
Design, fashion and food collide at Barcelona's Midmost Hotel
by Kim Megson | 04 Nov 2016
Figures from the worlds of architecture, design, fashion and food have collaborated on a design-led hotel in the heart of Barcelona that “transports classicism to the present day.” The Midmost Hotel is located minutes from both the city’s famous Ramblas and the Sagrada Familia. Interior design firm Luzio Studio have refitted the building, which dates from 1919, using a fusion of styles, materials and concepts. Classical design touches, such as
HOK and ICON Group pledge to 'transform the entertainment industry' with Las Vegas music venue
by Kim Megson | 04 Nov 2016
Global sports and arena architects HOK have been tasked with designing “the world’s largest next-generation music and entertainment venue” in Las Vegas. Located on Sands Avenue in the heart of Vegas, the arena will feature a scalable seating capacity, enabling it to present a wide variety of shows – “from the largest touring concerts to specially designed residencies and full-blown productions and events.” The project is being funded by the
City of Helsinki fights to save Guggenheim project with new funding proposal
by Kim Megson | 04 Nov 2016
The City of Helsinki has prepared a new funding proposal for establishing a Guggenheim museum in the city, after Finland’s co-ruling nationalist Finns party blocked state aid for the project’s development. During recent budget talks, the Finns objected to the €40m (US$45m, £33.7m) support costs offered by the government, especially during a time when Finland’s economy is struggling while the government pushes through a multi-billion Euro austerity measure to try
SeaWorld forms in-house creative team to drive innovation and experience
by Tom Anstey | 03 Nov 2016
As it continues to rebuild its identity from the ground up, SeaWorld has announced the formation of Deep Blue Creative – a new team within the company tasked with bringing to life innovative new experiences under its "fun and meaningful" philosophy. Bringing together talent from both within and outside of SeaWorld, Deep Blue Creative is separated into six divisions, each with its own key focus to drive forward business for
Zaha Hadid Architects win competition to design 'greenest stadium in the world'
by Kim Megson | 03 Nov 2016
Following a seven-month international competition, English football club Forest Green Rovers has selected Zaha Hadid Architects to design its new football stadium. The studio will build the ground completely out of wood, with the aim of making it “the greenest football stadium in the world.” The stadium will be the centrepiece of the £100m (US$124.5m, €112.3m) Eco Park development in Gloucestershire – a 100 acre sports and green technology business
Dutch designers propose 'vertical walking' technology to replace elevators and staircases
by Kim Megson | 03 Nov 2016
A Dutch design agency is developing a new solution to moving vertically between floors in a building: a system that relies on “vertical walking.” The Rombout Frieling Lab has created a prototype for a new technology called Vertiwalk that makes it easier for the ageing population and people with disabilities to move vertically between floors. This “smart staircase” features vertical rails and a gripping system and is operated without the
UPDATE: London mayor launches investigation into cost of Olympic Stadium conversion
by Kim Megson | 02 Nov 2016
UPDATE: David Edmonds, the chair of Olympic Stadium operators the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), has resigned from his role amid mounting pressure over the spiralling costs of converting the venue into a football ground for West Ham United. Two days ago the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, launched an investigation into the cost of the project, which has risen to around £750m – much higher than originally projected. Edmonds,
Universal breaks ground on CN¥50bn China venture
by Tom Anstey | 03 Nov 2016
Universal Studios has broken ground on its largest ever theme park project – a CN¥50bn (US$7.4bn, €6.65bn, £6bn) development set to open in Beijing in 2020. While Disney and Wanda battle for theme park supremacy in China, Universal has now entered the race, with the massive investment to cover 4sq km (2.5sq m) in Tongzhou – an eastern district of Beijing. With ground breaking on the development this week, once
Hospitality investor urges hotels to better integrate wellness with design
by Jane Kitchen | 02 Nov 2016
Hotel operators have not developed a sophisticated understand of wellness and must do more to integrate it into their developments if they wish to succeed, according to Omer Isvan, president of international investment consultancy Servotel. Isvan, who was speaking at a session at the Global Wellness Summit in Tyrol, Austria last week, argued that investors are placing more importance on hotels and resorts that offer truly transformational experiences that boost
Arctic inspired design celebrates Danish explorer Knud Rasmussen
by Tom Anstey | 02 Nov 2016
Architecture practice Cebra have unveiled concepts for a new cultural attraction focusing on the historic connection between Denmark, Greenland and the Arctic. The iceberg-esque form, located in the harbour of Danish town Hundested, covers 3,000sq m (32,300sq ft) and will aim to communicate the relationship between the three locations in historic, contemporary and future contexts. Knud Rasmussen – Denmark’s famed polar explorer and researcher – is the inspiration for the
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