During Milan Design Week 2024, Lasvit presented its mastery in glassmaking and creative approach to design and architecture, with their latest installation "Re/Creation." Held at the Palazzo Isimbardi, the expert in hand-made glassmaking had various unique creations on display, leading with "Porta" as the centerpiece, conceived by Lasvit’s Art Director Maxim Velcovsky. The monumental piece highlighted the company’s expertise in using the fused glass furnace and its journey in redefining the relationship between glass and architecture.
"Re/Creation" emerged as a central attraction for visitors, offering a space for relaxation. Drawing inspiration from the fluidity of molten glass, the very title signifies a technique inherent in fused glass craftsmanship, where the material is allowed to organically flow into a predetermined shape guided by gravity. Within this tranquil setting, creatives were encouraged to unwind, fostering an environment conducive to rejuvenation and creative exploration.
The idea of turning water into land has fascinated humanity for centuries. The Netherlands, for example, as one of the pioneers in the subject, have about 20% of their territory reclaimed from the sea or lakes using dikes as methods to stop the water and dry the surfaces. Technological development over time, however, has made this practice increasingly popular. Today, China is one of the countries leading the ranking, as well as urban centers in the global south, highlighting cities in West Africa, East Asia, and the Middle East. These megalomaniacal landfills are mainly created in places where there is an extensive coast, but not enough land to meet their needs. The uses accommodated in the new area are diverse, ranging from the creation of luxury residences to an entertainment archipelago with hotels, restaurants, theaters, and shops. Despite the significant gains in the commercial and tourism sector, the environmental degradation of this scale of intervention is constantly being discussed, with damages ranging from gentrification, expulsion of native communities, and annulment of their means of subsistence, to the destruction of entire ecosystems. This situation has guided cities in the search for less aggressive solutions for their expansion needs, such as the development of what is now called "aquatic urbanism." In it, circular and zero-waste systems, as well as closed-loop water systems, net-zero energy, innovative mobility, and regeneration of coastal habitats are integrated. As technology advances in the same proportion as environmental concern and climate change increase, iconic landfills built in recent decades are important examples that can guide strategies on what to do and, above all, what not to do in new land expansions over the sea. Bearing this in mind, check out some of the most striking examples below. **Palm Jumeirah, Dubai** Talking about megalomaniacal landfill projects and not mentioning the "palm tree" of Dubai is impossible. The project took nine years to build, starting in 2001. Its area covers 31 km2 including the main trunk, 17 branches, and a semicircular wall with side openings. The extension houses luxurious residences on the "leaves" and a hotel at the seafront, all connected by a surface train generating a landscape worthy of a science fiction movie. The project cost approximately US$12 billion, and with the amount of stone and sand used in it, it would be possible to build a 2-meter wall that would encircle the Earth three times. Among many impacts on the ecosystem, the most commented is how the project hindered the circulation of seawater, altering the marine ecosystem and generating bad odor. **Eko Atlantic City, Nigeria** Nigeria seems poised to surpass South Africa and become the largest economy on the continent thanks to oil. However, the country faces many common problems in our era: rising sea levels, swells, and devastating floods. In this context, Eko Atlantic is a multibillion-dollar project that promises to protect against marine erosion. With 10 km2, the idea of the project, which is still under construction, is to offer housing for 250,000 people and employment for more than 150,000 distributed among parks and other services. The project advances full of criticisms, with scholars affirming that the nearly 3km wall, nicknamed the "Great Wall of Lagos," will serve to contain the advance of water in the same proportion as it will segregate the space, creating a closed and financially accessible city that will only "save" those living in it from the floods. **Marina Bay, Singapore** Singapore's history is marked by numerous territorial expansion interventions that seek to deal with an interesting paradox: surplus money and limited land. In total, the country, currently 700 km2, has already managed to increase 25% of its territory. There is a public policy of "land reclamation," which makes the island advance 40 cm per year into the sea, according to local journalists (the number is contested by the government, which cites an annual average of 2 cm). This has led Indonesia and Malaysia, the most affected countries, to temporarily ban the import of sand to Singapore. Within this controversial context, Marina Bay, started in 1969, is an icon of the country. Built on a 3.6 km2 landfill, the region has become one of the country's main destinations in terms of restaurants, hotels, and attractions, materializing an investment of S$4.5 billion. The bold urban design was combined with iconic architectures, such as the Marina Bay Sands and the world's largest infinity pool, elevated to 200 meters, designed by Safdie Architects. However, plans for territorial expansion over the sea still continue. **Parque do Flamengo, Brazil** Inaugurated in 1965 in Rio de Janeiro, the popularly known Aterro do Flamengo, with 1.3 km2, was built on the sea with material from the dismantling of a nearby hill. Both the park and the intervention in the hill were part of a municipal plan to solve the city's traffic problem, avoiding the high cost of expropriations necessary to widen the main roads in the area. Its construction marked the modernization of Rio de Janeiro and represents an interesting example of large-scale landfill that assumes a public and cultural vocation. In addition to the roads that cross its extension, the area is also marked by large vegetated masses - a project by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx - cut by curved walkways that lead to the sea. Among them, cultural buildings and sports facilities are spread out. In 2012, the park received the title of World Heritage in the category "Urban Cultural Landscape," granted by UNESCO.
The Second Studio (formerly The Midnight Charette) is an explicit podcast about design, architecture, and the everyday. Hosted by Architects David Lee and Marina Bourderonnet, it features different creative professionals in unscripted conversations that allow for thoughtful takes and personal discussions.
A variety of subjects are covered with honesty and humor: some episodes are interviews, while others are tips for fellow designers, reviews of buildings and other projects, or casual explorations of everyday life and design. The Second Studio is also available on iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra is located on the eastern plains of Bolivia, on the banks of the Pirai River. Being the most populous city in the country, it reveals an extreme social and cultural complexity surrounded by extensive pampas and plains. Additionally, it represents one of the most developed cities in Bolivia, with a high municipal indicator of sustainable development. Delving into the importance of community architecture, popular appropriation, the character of urbanity, and other concepts, this article explores the history behind the Summit of the Americas Monument through a series of narratives, documentations, drawings, and images captured by Pino Musi.
Public Markets are complex cases that beautifully combine an engineering exploration with the instigation of a beneficial public function. In fact, it doesn't take much to designate an open and accessible commercial hub that would encourage commercial exchange and economic development for small or local businesses. All one needs is a lot and a sheltering roof. However, many designers and architects have chosen to take this exercise beyond the social level and into further material and technical exploration.
Powerhouse, Australia’s largest museum institution dedicated to applied arts design, and technology, has revealed the plans for a comprehensive restoration of its three sites located in Sydney, Australia, in addition to the opening of a new site in Parramatta in Western Sydney in 2025. The Powerhouse Ultimo site contains two heritage-listed buildings: the Ultimo Powerhouse and the Ultimo Post Office. The project for the renovation of this heritage location is led by a team of architects, Durbach Block Jaggers working in partnership with Architectus, Youssofzay + Hart, and landscape architects, Tyrell Studio.
Populous has just unveiled a comprehensive design for the new Belmont Parkmodernization project. Situated in the iconic venue in Nassau County known for hosting the Belmont Stakes, the project seeks to usher in significant economic benefits, including the creation of thousands of jobs. Under the oversight of the New York Racing Association (NYRA), the project is set to be completed in the fall of 2026.
On the banks of the Amazonian river Piraí, the rings and canals of Santa Cruz de la Sierra not only enclose buildings of Bolivia's contemporary and modern architecture (curious examples of formalist rationalism, brutalism, and postmodernism are evident here) but also include a part of its diverse ancient and everyday architecture: from a historic center with endless arcades and colonial mansions to local markets and sheds such as the pahuichi cruceño.
On the occasion of the Latin American Architecture Students Meeting (ELEA) where we were invited to provide on-site coverage, we encountered ten of these places that can help you get a general overview of the city and its heterogeneous architecture.
The U.S. has a long tradition of republicanism and laissez-faire capitalism that has not favored strong federal housing policy or intervention in the housing market. Policymakers have believed that private enterprise could best provide sufficient housing and that, as with healthcare and education,[1] government involvement would bring in “socialism” and undesirable control of the free market. There are two major exceptions to this tradition: the 1937 National Housing Act, a result of the devastation of the Great Depression, and the “war on poverty,” initiated by the Johnson administration in the mid-1960s.[2] Successful as these programs were, subsequent federal housing policy has mostly been aimed at undermining them, through either malice or neglect. Instead, federal policy has mainly sought to promote home ownership, the American dream, but that approach was eviscerated by the collapse of financing due to the subprime loan crisis and its aftermath. The result is that there is currently virtually no cogent federal housing policy. Thirty-five million Americans live in substandard housing; a much larger number devote 50% of their income to a roof over their heads. Housing construction is at a historic low, and construction costs have risen so high that they are well beyond the means of the average citizen.
Architecture and Design Festival Concéntrico celebrates its 10th anniversary from 25 April to 1 May 2024 with an edition that aims to reflect on the impact of the annual festival upon the city of Logroño, Spain, as well as to consider how the city continues to evolve. Through installations, exhibitions, lectures, performances, workshops, and activities, Concéntrico proposes a reflection of the urban environment, welcoming architects and designers to intervene and challenge it while opening conversations about pressing matters.
While the official theme of the festival focused on the future of cities, the invited architects and designers took this suggestion further. Several overarching themes and subjects emerged during this year’s event, from the incorporation of concepts of time, an unusual element to be tacked through temporary installations, to the desire to engage more honestly with a wider public, to listen to their needs and create platforms where diverse perspectives can take center stage.
Producing sustainable materials and products demands constant analysis of how we conserve resources and manage waste effectively. This unfolds within a scenario where the environmental impacts of global warming and the climate crisis are becoming increasingly evident. In that context, sustaining the dialogue on waste disposal is fundamental to positively impacting our environment and maximizing circular economy opportunities.
Embracing this perspective and demonstrating a commitment to sustainability through waste reduction and resource conservation, VitrA has created an entire washbasin with 100%* recycled waste materials, including discarded ceramics from its production process. This innovative product has been designed to have a minimal environmental impact and reduce the global warming potential of its production by 30% per product, transforming materials once considered waste into valuable resources.
https://www.archdaily.com/1016103/repurposing-discarded-waste-materials-into-a-100-percent-star-recycled-washbasinEnrique Tovar
MVRDV has unveiled its design for a new mixed-use building in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Situated in the heart of the vibrant Strijp-S district, the design was created in collaboration with the Trudo housing association. Titled “The Tribune,” the architecture boasts a stepped tribune-like structure, offering residents and visitors access and views onto the public square below.
Ma Yansong/MAD Architects has unveiled their design for the Cloud 9 Sports Center, a 6,000-square-meter athletic complex in the city of Shijiazhuang, China. The venue is proposed to become the focal point of CBD's Central Park, marking the public space surrounded by residential, commercial, and recreational amenities. The center is designed to showcase a soft and fluid exterior to fit into its surroundings, mirroring the landscaped park while offering a range of facilities including a gym, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, and commercial spaces. The new sports center broke ground in March this year and is expected to be completed in 2025.
As you read this, you may notice that you are surrounded by several items made of plastic. This omnipresence is no coincidence; the versatility of plastic has made it suitable for a variety of applications, and was described by its inventor—Leo Baekeland— as “the material of a thousand uses.” However, when it comes to environmental impact, the problem lies in its very qualities: it is so durable, adaptable, and easy to produce (430 million tons per year) that, according to UN data, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the oceans, rivers, and lakes every day.
In the built environment, plastic has been incorporated into various materials, products, and construction systems, contributing to an environmental crisis that seriously affects the well-being of millions of living beings. Faced with this problem, one possible direction is to shift away from utilizing it. The search for plastic-free alternatives is marking a path toward a future where architecture is progressively disassociating itself from these polluting materials, promoting sustainable solutions that reduce our dependence on it and contribute to preserving the environment.
https://www.archdaily.com/1016334/making-the-case-for-plastic-free-architecture-innovative-solutions-for-the-present-and-futureEnrique Tovar
The use of contrast is an essential practice in both cuisine and architecture, whether it's harmonizing different aromas and flavors or integrating buildings from different eras. This principle comes to life in a striking way at the top of the imposing Austrian Alps, where the Steirereck am Pogusch restaurant strives for culinary excellence, architectural mastery and the fusion of tradition and innovation. Under the guidance of PPAG architects, the establishment has undergone a revitalization and expansion marked by a deep respect for nature, while making a bold statement of contemporary design.
For those seeking remarkable architecture in Europe, Luxembourg stands as a special destination not to be missed. Nestled between Belgium, France, and Germany, this pint-sized country packs a punch with its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant architecture. Small, yet culturally rich, Luxembourg offers a delightful array of architectural wonders waiting to be explored. From ancient castles to modern marvels, Luxembourg’s diverse architectural landscape promises a journey through time and style.
The 15-minute city has become an internationally recognized concept advocating for a people-centric urban model where residents should be able to meet most of their daily needs within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their homes. The concept was introduced by Professor Carlos Moreno in 2015 following the COP21 conference in Paris, which concluded with the signing of the Paris Agreement. The idea proposes a practical and adaptable framework for introducing low-carbon mobility and creating a vibrant local economy to support more social interaction and more sustainable urban environments. Since then, the concept has been recognized with the 2021 Obel Award and has gained a notable recommendation in UN-Habitat's World Cities Report. Now, Professor Moreno is publishing the book titled “The 15-Minute City: A Solution to Saving Our Time and Our Planet” to showcase concrete examples and strategies for achieving better cities. ArchDaily had a chance to sit down with Professor Carlos Moreno to discuss these ideas, offering insight into Moreno’s urban thinking and the impact of this model.
Carlo Ratti, the curator of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia, along with The President of La Biennale di Venezia, Pietrangelo Buttafuocco, have just revealed highly anticipated details for the upcoming edition. Titled “Intelligens,” the exhibition will be running from May 24th to November 23rd, 2025 in Giardini, the Arsenale, and various landmark locations throughout Venice.
While we are still trying to understand the possibilities and limits of three-dimensional printing and additive manufacturing, a new term has emerged for our vocabulary. 4D printing is nothing more than a digital manufacturing technology -3D printing- which includes a new dimension: the temporal. This means that the printed material, once ready, will be able to modify, transform or move autonomously due to its intrinsic properties that respond to environmental stimuli.
The concept was popularized by researcher Skylar Tibbits, who coordinates the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Self-Assembly Lab, in collaboration with Stratasys and Autodesk. The technology is still quite new, but it is expected to be used in many fields, from construction, infrastructure, automobile and aeronautics and even for healthcare, combined with bioprinting.
Following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, construction group WeBuild, in collaboration with design office CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati and engineer Michel Virlogeux, has revealed an updated design for a replacement bridge. The new cable-stayed design aims to redefine the entrance to the Baltimore Harbor and offer an improved version of this symbol of the city.
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.
“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.
Architecture praxis has traditionally focused on customized, project-based services – a well-established model continually favored by industry professionals. While this approach yields remarkable built environments, it struggles to achieve scalability and longevity. The architectural industry has shown little interest in exploring alternative practices, processes and business models, considering that the traditional mode is equally vulnerable to market cycles as other industries are. Bespoke design solutions, the cornerstone of conventional practice, make standardizing processes and scaling services challenging. This focus also leads to fragmented workflows among firms and stakeholders. The stability and establishment of traditional practices can breed a risk-averse culture, hampering disruptive innovations within the industry.
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.