Peacock Visual Arts Centre | Aberdeen | Scotland | Brisac Gonzalez

The strategy to seamlessly integrate the new building for Peacock Visual Arts building and Union Terrace Gardens is crucial. The building is situated on three stepped terraces within the Gardens. This setting and an imposed constraint to maintain views of His Majesty’s Theatre from Union Street, poses a unique condition where the building is entered from the top down via the roof plane, which is level with the street. The roof doubles as an expansive public terrace, where a host of different outdoor activities will take place. In addition to printmaking workshops, exhibition space, television studio, offices, and restaurant, the new premises will also house Aberdeen City council’s arts development and education, and Citymoves Dance Space. The site strategy permits an abundance of natural light to these diverse activities.............more

Arts Center | Crystal Center | AS+GG

If a tectonic shift in an undersea geological formation sent giant crystals thrusting up through the water's surface, it might look something like this dramatic arts center prototype positioned in a lake or harbor.

Eleven jutting, crystalline structures of varying size–with cantilevers of up to 230 feet over the water–are joined at a base largely concealed beneath the surface, creating the illusion of the structures as independent.

If the building is located in a tidal basin, some of the shards or crystals will be accessible to each other via foot traffic across the base at low tide........more

International Ideas Competition | Sardinia International Fair Cagliari | Italy | Balthazar Arozo

Once the role of the Fair is to promote the cultural richness of Sardinia, the shape of the piece has to be revealing of that. Therefore, we seek a common element that could show the richness and the specificity of the region. That is the field of Geology that gives the answers to the origins of this richness as well as the principles to the transmission of that cultural consciousness........more

Architectural Design Competition | Second Prize | Federal State Library Jalisco | Guadalajara | Mexico | Burckhardt Partner

The new library in Guadalajara is part of Cesar Pelli’s master plan for the expansion of the university on the northern edge of the city. The imposing, rectangular building encloses the northern edge of the square. A shift away from the square’s axis makes possible a precise connection over the Periferico Norte motorway to the existing university campus. The public square and the library act as the master plan’s anchor. This unity of edifice and square is carried over into the reddish brown tones of the cement that flows from the outer space into the building’s interior........more

Architectural Competition | House of Arts and Culture | Beirut | Lebanon | Mikou Design Studio

Similar to Beirut, the House of the Arts and Culture is inspired by the diversity of cultures; stimulating the imagination by integrating the sensitivities of various artistic domains. This overlapping of cultural layers is a characteristic feature of the program, which creates a strong identity for the future House of Arts and Culture and hence refers to the iconic image of Beirut; city of cultural and historic sedimentation, nicknamed the "well" because of the various Hellenistic, Roman, Arabic and Ottoman layers. That is why the building is not conceived as a monolithic mass, but rather in a manner to stage this overlapping of cultural layers and the process throughout which they become real spaces, transitional spaces for the exchange and intertwining of creativity............more

Seoul Commune 2026 | Gourd Bottle Tower Matrix + Honeycomb Matrix | Mass Studies

Seoul Commune 2026 investigates the viability of an alternative and sustainable community structure in the overpopulated metropolises of the near future. The imagined community is integrated within the ever-accelerating developments of the digital environment and ongoing rapid social change. Seoul Commune 2026 presents a concrete architectural and urban proposal that entirely reconfigures, and consequently develops the existing "towers in the park" form. Seoul Commune 2026 unites towers and the park in a balanced way. It forms a complex network of private, semi-public, and public spaces..........more

Architectural Design Competiton | Bressanone | Italy | Bicuadro Architetti

The proposal for the new building is inspired by the typical architecture of the 'Alto Adige, will absorb the "genius of place" that permeates the local architecture in the form volumetric groundwater fully tilted, the references to the materials used in architectural and decorative quotes and at the same time, elaborates the concept of a library as a "house of books." Combining this inspiration with the intention to propose a simple intervention, measured, which has low impact on the city and is the subject not unrealistic and a waste of public money but rather an example of practicality, feasibility and viability, was reached the result of an 'architecture of the elementary shapes that blend with their surroundings and reinterpret shows in which conceptual operations are easily understood by working with low-tech energy solutions and responding to climate pulses traditional manner. The volume used for the provision of books is concentrated in a single volume-height which becomes the "heart" of the library. This book is built around the building which reproduces the form and you simply wrap closure and protection. The transparent shell undergoes two formal operations: in the first place is surrounded by an opaque shell that protects the collection of books from solar radiation and moderate the internal luminosity, then it is moved up to approach the Court and the palaces of the former barracks. The shell is suspended from the floor mat on the side of the courtyard facing the former barracks on Via Bruno to leave in view of the transparency of the interior of the library from one of the main entrances. On it are river pebbles embedded mixed-porthole skylights on the outer shell in order to give a reference to the technology typical of Bressanone and walls still visible on the outside wall of the courtyard on the face of Via Bruno...........more

Architectural Design Competition | Second Prize | OIC Conference Centre | Jeddah | Saudi Arabia | Burckhardt Partner

The new Headquarter for the Islamic Conferences (OIC) is planned in a new development on the outskirts of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. Basis for the urban planning is a master plan that will turn the currently unused land into a new commercial neighborhood. The building for the OIC will be the first structure of the master plan to be built and will act as a generator and landmark for the urban fabric to follow............more

Mosque and a Museum Of Religious Harmony | Tirana | Albania | BIG

Tirana is undergoing an urban transformation which includes the restoration and refurbishment o f an existing buildings, the construction of a series of a new public and private urban structures,and, finally the complete reconceptualization of Skanderbeg Square.

This important square is the site of a new cultural complex that will consist of a Mosque,an Islamic Center , and a Museum Of Religious Harmony............more

First Prisce Architectural Design Competition | Museum Of Fine Arts | Lausanne | BBK Architekten

The monolithic body is dominant located on the lake at the southernmost point .The museum is a striking form on the shore and skyline of Lausanne. The cross into the water appearing majestically body creates a new identification for the City of Lausanne. The ramp becomes an inviting element for visitors to access from all direction. Visitors is directed seamlessly into the reception area of the museum.........more

Architectural Design Competition | Tropical Garden | Leipzig Zoo | Treusch Architecture

Towering facade formed a buffer area that covers between the tropics and city hall. The organic shape of the master plan takes into account the zoo and also symbolizes the outside of the historical of Gondwana.
The physical connection to the city edge of Pfaffendorfer's street facade is done with bent beams that rise bracing against the hull to an urban facade..........more

Ark House | Madison Valley | Montana | Axis Mundi Design

This project is situated on a sloping windswept bluff overlooking Beaver Head National Forest with extraordinary views of Big Sky Mountain. The overall design is a long barn-like structure bisected across the center by an enormous cantilevered observation deck of nearly 4800 sq. ft.

Half of the main form is an open shell which serves as an entrance pavilion. It contains only a staircase leading up to the observation deck. From the deck, one can enter the main house in the other half. There is an alternate, sheltered path under the deck, opening behind the staircase. Fabricated from Corten steel and glass, a 60-foot bridge spans a 3-story atrium space below............more

Office Building | NEXT | Issy les Moulineaux | France | Naco Architectures

A Issy les Moulineaux, on the River Seine, the first phase of the NEXT project has six air bubbles and unreal that shape the urban landscape, while transforming an office in playful adventure...........more

Mixed Use Development | MoMA Tower | New York City | Axis Mundi

As the city takes stock in a post-boom era, Axis Mundi sees this as the time to rethink the tall buildings that have become synonymous with New York City’s identity, proposing a conceptual alternative to 53W53rd, among the city’s largest skyscraper projects in one of the most overbuilt parts of Midtown.
Instead of disguising the tower’s mix of uses by containing them within a unitary, homogeneous form, the Axis Mundi design expresses that diversity in a re-organized way, reflecting an emerging reality for tall buildings as collections of domestic elements: dwellings, neighborhoods, streets. .......more

International Architectural Design Competition | Tall Emblem Structure | Za’abeel Park | Dubai | B+U

The Proposal for the  is intended to become a world class landmark for the city of Dubai creating an iconic destination point for Za’abeel Park in the spirit of other world-renowned structures like the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, and the St. Louis Arch amongst others.
This unique structure made of fabric and steel is characterized by both its response to its urban and cultural environment, as well as by its formal and structural elegance, that expresses the visionary ambition of its city and Dubai’s leading role in the region..........more

Ningbo Zijiakeng Hotel | Ningbo City | China | W2 Architects

The three egg shaped tower, on the mountains of Ninghai near Ningbo city, tries to emulate the notion of nature and mountainous terrain as an alternative to human habitation. To be built specifically, as a hotel and residential tower, it is expected to deliver supreme living pleasure and comfort amidst august natural surroundings. Geometrically, the tower profile starts from a simple rounded square and travels upwards to be transformed into a circular geometry. This gradual, deformation and eventual transformation of profile, creates a visual voyage, encumbered with ambiguity yet uniformity...........more

Architectural Design Competition | Place Lalla Yeddouna | Fez el Bali | Morocco | Haptics Architects

Haptic have been awarded Runner Up in the first phase of the international open competition for Place Lalla Yeddouna, a new neighbourhood in the medina of Fez el Bali, Morocco, which saw 176 entries. The redevelopment of Place Lalla Yeddouna is inspired by the unique character of the city, its network of narrow streets and squares. From bustling Souks, stunning Medersa and inner tranquility of the Riads and Dars, the medina provides real variety and tantalises the senses.

The new masterplan responds specifically to the river, improving its relationship to existing and new buildings and the square through improved accessibility, active frontages and promoting pedestrian movement. A restaurant pavilion acts as the centrepiece to the square, which is visually and physically permeable, in vertical cedar wood fins. This will become an important meeting place for local residents and tourists, defining the new artisan hub........more

Architectural and Urban Concept Of The New Visitor Service Center | Auschwitz Memorial | WWAA

Working on the conception of this project we established, at the very beginning, to focus on designing and directing a certain dramaturgy of the visitors' route rather than on coping with the physical matter of the task. Creating a clearly defined, space-time pattern of moving about the premises of the Museum became our priority. Hence, the application of techniques/ mechanisms which allow for introducing a visitor into the state of solemnity, a deeper reflection, constitutes a key element of the present design. The surrounding of the Museum, a significant number of visitors at the same time, a lot of them in organized, large groups of people of different age, and eventually a relaxed atmosphere of a summer outing on some, warm sunny days, are largely discordant with the atmosphere of seriousness expected to permeate the site, even prior to entering the Museum...........more

Zaha Hadid | Rabat Grand Theatre Proposal | Rabat | Morocco

The design takes its energy from the Bouregreg River. The dynamics of the river is introduced into the site, generating the landscape of the park that engulfs the amphitheatre.

This gesture gathers strength from the ground and in one fluent sweep, extends into the sky to generate the envelope that sculpts itself over the two auditoria, arches back to the ground and melts back into the landscape.........more

Architectural Design Competition | Kaohsiung Marine Gateway Terminal | Asymptote Architecture

The new Kaohsiung Marine Gateway Terminal designed by Asymptote is a new state of the art transportation interchange, an urban destination with both terminal and public facilities including exhibition and event spaces for the people of Kaohsiung as well as for national and international visitors. The project transforms the site from its industrial roots into a dynamic urban hub and a global gateway that bring a powerful and electric experience to the city 24 hours a day.

The port terminal as envisioned by Asymptote is designed to invigorate and activate Kaohsiung’s city edge at the water. The port terminal extends the urban realm from the center of Kaohsiung to the city’s waterfront and connects this new urban space with the vitality of the future Pop Music Center and other public recreational and commercial activities that are to be located along the planned park at water’s edge.........more

Architectural Competition | Tall Emblem Structure for Za'abeel Park in Dubai | ARX

In a city overloaded with signs and objects that call out to us by their eloquence or remarkable expressiveness, we wonder what can therefore make this object a landmark, a notable point to the collective imaginary. Looking at Dubai, we find an unusual concentration of emblematic works of surprising dimensions, whose design reflects the ambition of inscription in an architectural avant-garde cultural field, but also of stating Mankind's ability for great works. Therefore, we thought that if this piece chose to follow that statement of extravagance, it would become diluted in this specific context; nor did we choose the statement of height, having limited it to 174 meters (approximately 571 feet)..........more

International Architectural Competition | Exploratory Science Museum - UNICAMP | Brazil | ARX

The museum UNICAMP Exploratory Science necessarily have a symbolic character, highlighted by superb location in the geography of the campus, which gives it an undeniable presence. The architecture also aspires to be reflective of the exploratory nature of this Cultural Center. And simultaneously stimulating context - enigmatic - which challenges colleges sensory, perceptual and intellectual who visits the building. As museum that hosts the content, so the architecture is a matter of interrogation available, composed of living in a decipherable codes look at the building.......more

Skyscraper Experimental City | The eco tower | Nanjing | China | W2 Architects

The proposition of the 500m high rise skyscraper is for the southern urban neighborhood of Nanjing city, China. The site is on the upcoming High Speed railway station, central business district area. The idea to build a landmark tower in the zone celebrates the notion of the incredible advancement and ongoing development over the last decade in the historic city of Nanjing.

The eco tower is designed with a sustainable approach, integrating and implementing state of the art, energy harnessing and energy optimizing measures all throughout. To name a few of the advanced techniques projected in the design are, the application of green house for energy harnessing and air filter, waste water treatment/ gray water reuse, installation of wind turbines on the south east and north east high velocity wind zone and not to forget the green terraces which grows on the tower like an organic pattern. .....more

Museum | Opera House | Library | Changsha | China | Mad

Changhsa Culture Park is located at the end point of the waterfront of Changsha City. The challenge of this project was to create a new cultural centre for the city, which can maintain the link between the waterfront and the urban context behind it.
Changsha Culture Park is conceived as a man-made, floating platform connecting the three cultural facilities of the site – music hall, museum and library – into one fluid, integrated object. More than just a landmark cultural building, the park is designed as an open public space that can be freely accessed by the local population.

The landscape is designed as an urban topography. Underneath the platform at ground level is a semi-indoor, semi-outdoor space, illuminated by skylights above. The second level, the platform itself, is a city scale roof space where the public can roam freely. These two levels permit people to enjoy a full range of cultural activities, formal and informal, at all times under all weather conditions. Exhibitions, open gatherings, mass concerts and games are all possible. .......more

Xiamen Museum | Xiamen | China | Mad

This museum is located in the southern Chinese city of Xiamen, on an island in the middle of a resevoir that runs through the centre of the city. Such an inspiring site demands an equally inspiring response.
MAD's design concept is a floating museum, lofted up above the ground. The structure reflects the surrounding environment, but also maintains the current use of this environment as a natural space for the city's residents.
The design is comprised of three levels. At ground level, landscaped public space filters visitors around the site to various recreational spaces: amphitheatres, open sports fields, places to meet. The middle level makes up the museum itself, where the main functions such as exhibition spaces, cafes, restaurants and offices, hover high above the ground. Five tall supports rise out of the landscape like stalks, providing the vertical access to the museum. ......more