MASSLAB has just won the competition for the new roof of Bragança's Water Treatment Plant in Portugal. Integrating public use of this infrastructure, which until now only serves a functional purpose, the project showcases adding value to existing infrastructure by rethinking them. Blending architecture, landscaping, and urban design to transform this structure into a vibrant public space, MASSLAB seeks to change the perception of water treatment facilities in urban settings. By reimagining the roof as a livable infrastructure, the project transforms the purely functional roof into an engaging and integral part of the urban fabric.
Featured House 14A / pihlmann architects
MASSLAB Transforms Bragança Water Treatment Plant into Dynamic Public Space in Portugal
Monument to the Summit of the Americas: The Story Behind Mario Botta's Work in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
Santa Cruz de la Sierra is situated on the eastern plains of Bolivia, on the banks of the Piraí River. As the country's most populous city, it reveals an extreme social and cultural complexity surrounded by vast plains and prairies. Additionally, it represents one of Bolivia's most developed cities by having a high municipal sustainable development indicator. Delving into the importance of community architecture, popular appropriation, urban character, and other concepts, this article explores the history behind the Monument to the Summit of the Americas through a series of narratives, documents, drawings, and images captured by the lens of Pino Musi.
New Constitution Gardens Will Be a Biodiversity Mecca
“Constitution Gardens will become a biodiversity hotspot on the National Mall,” said Adam Greenspan, FASLA, design partner at PWP Landscape Architecture. “We will create a garden, based in nature, while respecting the historic design.” Constitution Gardens in Washington, D.C. opened in 1976 to commemorate the bicentennial of the American revolution. Concepts outlined in the McMillan Plan and designs by Dan Kiley and SOM shaped the landscape.
But over the past forty years, the gardens fell into disrepair and became a pass-through site on the way to other more popular destinations on the mall. Now, the second phase of a three-phase plan to revitalize the garden has been approved by the Commission of Fine Arts and National Capital Planning Commission. The design by PWP Landscape Architecture and Rogers Partners Architects will create a “new ecological landscape” designed for people and hundreds of plant and animal species.
MC House / Cristián Romero Valente
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Architects: Cristián Romero Valente
- Area: 8611 ft²
- Year: 2023
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Manufacturers: GRAPHISOFT, Akitec, CLC Maderas, Coggiola Mármoles, European Windows, +3
Nhà Tú Garden Restaurant / Long Nguyen Design
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Architects: Long Nguyen Design
- Area: 500 m²
- Year: 2024
Regeneration of Shanghai Foreign Language School Affiliated to SISU / ACRE Atelier
Lea Apartment / Nati Minas & Studio + Flipê Arquitetura
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Architects: Flipê Arquitetura, Nati Minas & Studio
- Area: 70 m²
- Year: 2022
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Manufacturers: Alamanda, Cremme, Design Flipe + Nati Minas, Dpot Objeto, Dre Magalhães , +9
Dalston Lane / DROO Architects
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Architects: DROO Architects
- Area: 1500 m²
- Year: 2022
GOH Conversion Gösserhalle / AllesWirdGut Architektur
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Architects: AllesWirdGut Architektur
- Area: 5 m²
- Year: 2023
Off-Season Pavilion / KOSMOS Architektur & Design
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Architects: KOSMOS Architektur & Design
- Area: 90 m²
- Year: 2024
Exploring the Connection Between Water, Design and Wellbeing
Water is fundamental to human life on several levels, and encompasses a spectrum of meanings that transcend the biological sphere, reaching the cultural and spiritual spheres. Biologically, it is indispensable, making up approximately 70% of our bodies and playing a central role in our physiological functions, from temperature regulation to vital cellular processes. Culturally and spiritually, water has deep significance, symbolizing purification, renewal and spiritual rebirth in a multitude of rituals and ceremonies performed in different cultures over the centuries.
In architecture, the presence of water is equally important, going beyond its basic cleansing function to encompass a rich diversity of meanings and influences. From the majestic Roman baths, where water was used for hygiene and also represented social status, offering moments of entertainment and relaxation; to contemporary bathrooms, where water is skillfully integrated to create luxurious and invigorating spa experiences. Its presence goes beyond the functional aspect and is also deeply symbolic. Evoking feelings of purification, renewal and serenity, water enriches architecture with an emotional and aesthetic dimension that transcends the boundaries of time and culture.
Grace Farms Opens Long-Term Exhibition Focused on Forced Labor and Building Materials Supply Chains
On May 4, 2024, cultural center Grace Farms opened a new long-term exhibition that aims to shed light on the inner workings of the building industry, offering insights into the methods of producing and distributing building materials, as well as the pervasive practices of forced labor happening in the materials supply chain worldwide. The exhibition also presents the work of “Design for Freedom,” a collaborative global movement launched in 2020 at Grace Farms. The initiative aims to change architecture by raising awareness of these issues and helping disrupt forced labor in the construction industry. Titled “With Every Fiber,” the exhibit is free to visit both at its physical location in New Canaan, Connecticut, and online as a virtual exhibition.
Foster + Partners Designs All-Electric Office Tower in New York
Foster + Partners, led by Norman Foster, has just released the designs for a new office tower in New York, United States. Spanning 139,354 square meters, “350 Park Avenue” will be the office space for Citadel Securities, committing to at least 78,967 square meters of the overall space. Seeking to rejuvenate the iconic street, the all-electric tower will integrate into the urban fabric of New York, standing alongside architectural landmarks in Midtown Manhattan.
Building the Future: The Rise of Modular Construction in the Middle East
Modular construction is a process in which a building is constructed away from its actual site, within controlled factory settings, using identical materials, and adhering to a set of codes and regulations. The methodology was first introduced as a solution in the search for efficient, quality-controlled, and cost-effective building systems. The industrialized building method evolved to meet historical demands and has recently been met with renewed interest. These “modules” are then transported to the construction site and assembled into the final structure, adhering to the same building standards as conventionally built facilities. With potential benefits in terms of waste reduction, energy efficiency, emergency responses, and fast-tracked development, the methodology is gaining traction worldwide.
In recent years, modular construction has emerged as a game-changer in the construction industry, particularly in the Middle East and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. With a growing embrace of innovative solutions to address the region’s evolving needs, modular construction has emerged as a compelling alternative. As awareness increases and technological advancements increase, modular construction may offer a viable alternative to traditional building practices in the GCC region.