Alison Furuto
Daegu Gosan Public Library Competition
As a main event of the 2012 Daegu Architectural Culture Biennale, the committee just launched the International Architectural Competition for a Public Library in Daegu, Korea. Open to all unregistered or registered architects and students of architecture schools from all over the world, the winning prize money for 1st place is USD $30,000 with the opportunity to join the further design development of the library after the competition. All participants must register by July 30 with submissions due September 10. For more information, please visit here.
Regeneration of the Forbidden City / WILCOTER Architects
In the invited competition launched by the Culture Relic Bureau of Nanjing, WILCOTER Architects envisioned an idea to regenerate the relics of the Forbidden City as a capital of the Ming Dynasty over six hundred years ago. In a city that needs a cultural symbol based on their own history, this proposal tries to regenerate an imperial axis, a special experience and atmosphere where people can never have chance to taste. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Shortlist Announced for the Redevelopment of the Quadrangle at Strand Campus
RIBA Competitions recently announced that six teams have now been selected to take part in the design stage of the competition for King’s College London to redevelop the Quadrangle at the historic Strand Campus in London. The shortlisted teams include: Barozzi Veiga Studio, Carme Pinos Studio, Eric Parry Architects, Hall McKnight, Henley Halebrown Rorrison, and Zaha Hadid Architects. Ian Caldwell, Director of Estates & Facilities at King’s, said: ‘We are very pleased with the variety and high standard of submissions and look forward to the development of an innovative, landmark design that will enhance the surrounding historic architecture’. More information on the competition after the break.
Helsinki South Harbour Competition Winners
The panel for the international Kirjava satama Ideas Competition unanimously decided to give four awards among the 201 entries with balanced overall solutions that were suitable to the cityscape; the entries also had especially interesting ideas for the development of different sections. Innovation and ideas were valued higher than the flawlessness of details. There was no single entry that would have attained all the goals of the competition in a way that was clearly superior. The entries Boegbeeld, Meren syleily, Stadi terassi and Tori received an award in the competition for the south harbour. More images and information on the winners after the break.
Wallpaper’s 2012 Architects Directory
Wallpaper magazine recently announced their 2012 Architects Directory which features some of the world’s most intriguing young practices that have made their way into the spotlight. More images and a complete list of the architects who made director can be viewed after the break.
‘The Interchange’ in Downtown Minneapolis / EE&K a Perkins Eastman Company + Knutson Construction
EE&K, a Perkins Eastman Company, and Knutson Construction were recently selected by Hennepin County for their design for ‘The Interchange’ in Downtown Minneapolis. The design-build contract for the $79.3 million transportation hub, which is expected to be completed by 2014, will connect transit with culture. Led by architect Peter Cavaluzzi FAIA, the multidisciplinary team envisions a state-of-the-art transit station with complementary mixed-used development and year-round activated public space. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Urban Redevelopment Project at Tainan Main Station Area / Maxthreads
The second prize winning vision for the Urban Redevelopment Project at Tainan Main Station Area responds to the extending aim of positioning Taiwan in general, and Tainan city in particular, as a major historical based tourism destination. Designed by Maxthreads, their strategy attempts to contribute to Taiwan’s economic diversification from its current infrastructure lead planning system. More images and architects’ description after the break.
‘Honey Scape’ Landscape Pavilion / Gonçalo Castro Henriques X-REF
Built after winning an international landscape competition at Ponte Lima, Portugal, Honey Scape is temporary landscape pavilion by Gonçalo Castro Henriques of X-REF. This installation intends to shelter the visitor, captivating him by a dream-like atmosphere with aromatic plants. This atmosphere is defined by a light and transparent structure, based on a honeycomb, creating a dynamic of light and color throughout the day. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Archipelago Mobile / Kyung Jae Kim, Gregory Haley, Suah Na, Heejoo Shi, and Halley Tsai
Archipelago Mobile, a master plan proposal by Kyung Jae Kim, Gregory Haley, Suah Na, Heejoo Shi, and Halley Tsai, attempts to address and enhance the city of Helsinki. Known as a city ‘in-between’, their design envisions a revitalized South Harbor district, configured to mediate between land and water uses, resident and tourist amenities, port traffic and pedestrian space. By weaving these often competing requirements together in ways that not only allow but enhance their co-existence, they present an integrated model for postindustrial waterfront development in general, and a unique vision for a dynamic cultural district in the heart of the city. More images and architects’ description after the break.
CLOG: National Mall – Call for Submissions
CLOG is currently seeking submissions for its fifth issue, CLOG: National Mall, which will be published in November 2012. In an election year when America is debating and deciding its trajectory, it’s time to critically discuss the space that perhaps more than any other reflects what the nation was, is, and wants to be – the National Mall. Visited annually by approximately thirty million people, the Mall is also a victim of its own success as its grounds and monuments have been steadily eroded by overcrowding in addition to budgetary and administrative pressures. Submissions are due on July 20, 2012 by midnight. For more information, please visit their website here.
‘Santiago Calatrava: The Quest for Movement’ Exhibition
Today marks the opening of world-renowned architect, Santiago Calatrava’s unprecedented exhibition at the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. Not only will Calatrava become the first contemporary architect to have a retrospective exhibition at the Hermitage, but this will also be one of his largest and most extensive exhibitions to date. Curated by Cristina Carillo de Albornoz and Ksenia Malich, the exhibition will examine Calatrava’s innovative style through his various artistic realms. From never-before-seen paintings and sculptures to celebrated architectural models and sketches spanning Calatrava’s 30- plus year career, the exhibition will give individuals a unique opportunity to explore the inner workings and creative process of this celebrated artist. More images and information on the event after the break.
CLIC Headquarters / WILCOTER Architects
WILCOTER Architects shared with us their first prize winning proposal in the international competition to design a group of buildings as the headquarter of China Life Insurance (Group) Company in the Qianjiang New City of Hangzhou. The concept is to create a ‘Tree of Life’, which means supplying a cover or shelter for the life, which is strong and safe to rely on. More images and architects’ description after the break.
O (Omicron) Installation Directed by Romain Tardy & Thomas Vaquié
Directed by Romain Tardy & Thomas Vaquié, Omicron installation, the piece proposed for the Centennial Hall of Wroclaw, is based around the notion of timelessness in architecture, and the idea of what future has meant throughout the 20th century. Taking the 1910’s as a starting point (the dome was erected in 1913), historical and artistic references were used to reveal the architecture of the space, its timeless and, more surprisingly, very modern dimension. More images and their description after the break.
New Studenternas IP Development / Karlsson Wachenfeldt Arkitekter
As part of the the expansion of the university town of Uppsala, just north of Stockholm, the project by Karlsson Wachenfeldt Arkitekter for the Studenternas IP is a sports field with long traditions situated by the river Fyrisån. Located in the center of the town within the park, the design project is part of a major re-development of the south river area that includes housing, parks, sport facilities and infrastructure. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Singapore Subordinate Courts Complex / Serie Architects + Multiply Architects
The Subordinate Courts of Singapore recently announced the proposal by Serie Architects and Multiply Architects as the winning design for their new courts complex. Their design features an innovative two tower strategy in which one tower is dedicated to the criminal courtrooms and the other to the judges’ chambers and support functions. The two towers are linked by a series of foot bridges that enable the controlled circulation necessary for the courtroom process. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Social Community Center / PRAUD
Designed by PRAUD, the idea behind their proposal for the Social Community Center is to create a space for various groups of the society; youth, women, family, handicap, and children. Instead of trying to put those groups into a single box, they emphasize the individuality of them. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Skanska Bridging Prague Competition Winners
Participants in the Skanska Bridging Prague competition were asked to develop a new Vision Plan for the section of the riverfront from Libeňsk (Bridge) to the north to Železniční (Railway Bridge) in Smíchov to the south. The goal was to create a unified experience, linking cultural, recreational, ecological, historical and economic opportunities. They were also asked to design an intervention that will become a premiere destination along the river Vltava. The first prize winning proposal by Pete North focuses on strengthening the natural characteristics of places at the riverside, where it is consistent and feasible. It aims to create a synergy between park localities and the river, connected into a consequent chain of continuous spaces. More images and winning proposals after the break.
Shortlist for LEAF Awards 2012
The LEAF Awards, now in its 9th year, honors the architects designing the buildings and solutions that are setting the benchmark for the international architectural community. The shortlist this year was recently announced and the final winners will be announced September 21. Information on the shortlist winners in the corresponding categories of Mixed-Use, Residential (single occupancy), Residential (multiple occupancy), Commercial, International Interior Design, Refurbishment, Young Architect, Public Building, Best Sustainable Building, and Best Future Building after the break.
DETAIL Prize 2012 Competition
In collaboration with the BAU 2013 trade fair and sponsored by Josef Gartner GmbH, DETAIL is currently inviting submissions for the DETAIL Prize 2012 competition. The aim of the award is to strengthen the importance of architecture in social discourse, to strengthen the role of architects in public life and to strengthen the network of architects, industry, clients and the world of politics. Out of all the entries submitted, DETAIL will nominate a selection of outstanding projects, from which the jury and the DETAIL readers will then select the respective winners. Submissions are due no later than July 31. For more information, please visit here.
2012 MASterworks Awards
The Municipal Art Society of New York recently announced the Six provocative and innovative architecture and urban design projects that received the 2012 MASterworks Awards. New York by Gehry at 8 Spruce Street (Gehry & Partners for Forest City Ratner) has won the top honor, “Best New Building,” while “Best Restoration” goes to New York City Center (Ennead Architects). “Best Neighborhood Catalyst” awards were given to the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College (Cooper, Robertson & Partners) and the Queens Central Library: Children’s Library Discovery Center (1100 Architect with Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership), with an honorable mention going to El Museo Del Barrio (Gruzen Samton). A new category, “Best New Urban Amenity,” was created for Ateliers Jean Nouvel’s Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park. For more information on the awards, please visit here.
Enric Miralles Foundation Exhibition
The Enric Miralles Foundation opened up a double exhibition in Barcelona this past week, with the participation of Mr. Rafael Moneo and Mr. Oriol Bohigas, honorable members of the Foundation and Mr. Mohsen Mostafavi currently the the Dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Design. ‘Rediscovering Glories’ shows the students work of Benedetta Tagliabue about the contemporary urban problematic design of Plaza de les Glories ( Barcelona), at the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning and Design at the Dunlop Chair Harvard, and ‘Miralles at Harvard 1993’ recreates the exhibition made by Enric Miralles at Harvard on 1993 showing some of his early projects. For more information, please visit here.
