Green Square Library and Plaza Competition Entry / Felix
The Green Square Library and Plaza designed by Felix aims to be truly new public arena which will act as the hub of the vibrant community. Their design presents a building and landscape that engenders a contemporary public space for the community. Understanding the demands of a contemporary public library, the plaza has been designed as an essential part of the library’s function. With the proliferation of printed books, the reading room, once the center of the library’s function, is revisited in this library as an experience through the multi-functional community orientated space. More images and architects’ description after the break.
New Healthcare Center Winning Proposal / NORD Architects + 3RW Architects
The two young Scandinavian design practices, NORD Architects from Copenhagen, Denmark and 3RW Architects from Bergen, Norway, have recently won the competition for the design of a new healthcare center in Randaberg, Norway which is designed to be like a modern Hamlet. The architects have set on a course to reform the Nordic welfare services from within. With their new healthcare facility, Nye Vardheim Helsecenter, they have designed a place where people can get treatment, recreate and be nursed. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Nordic Wood Festival of Wooden Architecture
Between March 15th and March 27th 2013 the Central House of Architects will host the Nordic Wood festival of wooden architecture in Moscow where the most interesting examples of wooden architecture in Scandinavia, the Baltic states and Russia will be on display. The festival is being produced by the nationwide ARCHIWOOD project. The main event of the festival is the photographic exhibition. Works by recent winners and runners-up of prizes for wooden architecture from Norway, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia and Russia will be on show, along with other works by architects building in wood from these countries. More images and information on the event after the break.
Prague Activators Proposal / Juras Lasovsky, Zuzana Masna, Koen Hezemans
Designed by the collaboration of Juras Lasovsky, Zuzana Masna, and Koen Hezemans, their project “Prague Activators” suggests the idea of pontoons floating on the river. The pontoons “activate” the Vltava riverbank as well as various parts of the city of Prague. The proposal was originally awarded at the Skanska Bridging Prague Competition and was later elaborated into the current project Prague Activators. The project aims to motivate people not only to pursue activities on the riverside, but also to inspire them to care for the public space and alter it. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Speirs Locks Student Campus Proposal / Stallan-Brand
The proposal for the Speirs Locks Student Campus masterplan by Stallan-Brand seeks to integrate existing structures of merit and to introduce new public spaces around them. The retention of an old glue factory as a gallery and historic walls capture the site’s industrial past. The retention of an existing ornate brick wall, once the ground floor of the City Council Cleansing Department, is used to define a new public space, creating a unique arrival and provide the adjacent studio spaces with an appropriate external display space. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Museum for Underwater Antiquities Competition Entry / Dimitris Thomopoulos, Nikoletta Kanellou, Leda Kremmida, Myrto Matala, Ilias Pitsios and Anastasios Kanellos
Designed by collaborative team of architects Dimitris Thomopoulos, Nikoletta Kanellou, Leda Kremmida, Myrto Matala, Ilias Pitsios and Anastasios Kanellos, their proposal for the Museum for Underwater Antiquities and Regeneration of part of the Piraeus Port Authority, which received an honorable mention, intends to create an experiential space that stimulates the visitors’ senses through their exploration in the museum’s interior. The museum itself corresponds to its special function in a more contemporary way, while highlighting the existing building’s shell and its original use. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Future Floda Competition Entry / Fabel Arkitektur + Sara Wernsten
In the Future Floda competition proposal by Fabel Arkitektur + Sara Wernsten two strong paths are established to connect south with north and east with west through the central areas. All existing buildings are preserved and buildings with housing and commerce are established to increase density in the areas alongside the two paths. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Luxury Resort Proposal / Make Architects
Make Architects recently received planning approval for their luxury resort design in Hal Fehr, Malta. With a total area of 84,000m2, the high quality resort will be the most sustainable on the island with a low density footprint and a number of passive design features incorporated. This highly exclusive tourist destination, stretching Malta’s coastline, houses 216 spacious one, two and three bedroom suites with a further 12 luxury, family pavilions set in the middle of the central landscape. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Belgorod City Centre International Competition
Curated by Bart Goldhoorn, publisher of Project Russia magazine, the Belgorod City Centre International Competition is asking participants to design a large urban block (around 300 x 200 m) in the heart of the city in order to replace the low rise buildings that now occupy the site with a more dense development. Though the construction of high towers is very popular in Russia with developers, the city would like to limit the maximum building height limited to 15-20 meters. The main task is to find the optimum between density and quality and offer the city a recipe for redeveloping the city center as a whole, making it at an attractive place to live and work. The deadline for submissions is May 10. To register, and for more information, please visit here.
EU Pavilion / Senat Haliti
Designed for the ‘Culture for All’ competition, an EU-funded project managed by the European Union Office in Kosovo and implemented by ARS Progetti SPA, Senat Haliti’s pavilion is a response to the need for an artwork that would transform a public space to revive it. By making a structure somebody could enter into, and be surrounded by, the project becomes an “EU HOME” for Kosovans, a space to give them the chance to ‘get in EU’ every day. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Weaving In-Tension (WIT) Pavilion: Operalab Competition Entry / Meta- Studio
The Weaving In-Tension (WIT) Pavilion is a multi-functional temporary pavilion designed by Meta- Studio for the Operalab Competition. The modular project concentrates on customizable space with the aim of not only to create various purposes of space, but to reflect the theatre performing motion and spirit to the pavilion. Inspired by the dancing or performance motion captured in time, the project’s facade represents the abstract act and movement of the performance of the theatre. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Jabi Lake Masterplan Proposal / Studio Seilern Architects
Studio Seilern Architects shared with us their recently commissioned design for a 31 hectare waterfront masterplan for Duval Properties Ltd in Abuja, Nigeria. Situated on Jabi Lake, the project aims to create a new destination for the city; a place to live, work, shop, be entertained and above all, to enjoy. With the loose arrangement of these building clusters, this results in the possibility of a flexible plan that generates multiple aspect residential units. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Seaside Resort Development Competition Entry / John Thompson & Partners + Alan Dunlop Architects + Gillespies
Designed by the multi-disciplinary design team featuring John Thompson and Partners (JTP), Alan Dunlop Architects, and Gillespies, their proposal for the international tourist destination and ecological seaside resort on the Dapeng Peninsula made the final shortlist in the competition. Their design concept draws inspiration from the beauty, tranquillity and characteristics of the siteand learning lessons from examples and exemplars both in China and internationally. More images and architects’ description after the break.
‘Water for Thought: Life-Changing Design’ Exhibition
Focusing on water and sustainability, the Roca London Gallery will be hosting for the We Are Water Foundation. Their program, which going on now until March 23rd, includes the exhibition ‘Water for Thought: Life-Changing Design’ and exciting events during the month including Water as a Source of Inspiration, with Zaha Hadid Architects, on Thursday, March 14th and World Water Day, which will help Roca raise £2,500, on Friday, March 22nd. The exhibition aims to generate awareness of global water problems through a mixture of design, technology and video. Demonstrating how people can use their creativity to create awareness and provide solutions to water-related problems, some of the World’s most innovative product designs for accessing, transporting or purifying water in developing countries will be on show. For more information, please visit here.
Mode Lab: Generative Assemblies Workshop Webinar
Expanding on the capabilities of the parametric tool, Grasshopper, Kangaroo provides creative professionals with the ability to integrate physics-based simulation techniques into their workflow. In applications ranging from architectural to product design, Mode Lab‘s 2-day intensive workshop taking place March 9-10 from 10:00am-6:00pm will cover advanced techniques for modeling adaptable components using dynamic constraints and forces in a performance-oriented environment. In a fast-paced and hands-on learning environment, you will learn techniques for using Parametric Design, Physics-Based Simulation, and Component Detailing for Digital Fabrication. To register, and for more information, please visit here.
‘Alphabeta’ Creative Workspace / Studio RHE
In an effort to transform the Finsbury Square landmark building, the ’Alphabeta’ Creative Workspace by Studio RHE is set to become the new center for London’s most progressive and challenging companies.The development, set over nine storeys, will provide a dynamic shared atrium space, communal roof-terrace, ‘ride-in’ cycle ramp direct from Worship Street. The building’s original period features are to be restored and celebrated but the fabric and services are to be fully updated throughout with exposed wall finishes and ducting to ensure high ceiling levels. More images and architects’ description after the break.
‘Voices of Design: 25 Years of Architalx’ Exhibition
Currently on display at the Portland Museum of Art until May 19, ‘Voices of Design: 25 Years of Architalx’ showcases the power of design through an interactive exhibition featuring work of some of the world’s leading architects and designers. The display, designed by architects Tim Ventimiglia and Jennifer Whitburn of Ralph Appelbaum Associates, includes a 17-foot-tall tower with three levels of images that alternately reveal themselves and disappear. A dynamic image projection will light up two sides of the tower by using projectors embedded in the interior of the tower and will feature infrared light sensors, creating touch interactivity for visitors. More images and information on the exhibition after the break.
Treehouses in Paradise Competition Entries
Last year, we were reached by the organizers of the Treehouses in Paradise Competition in order to help them spread the word. A couple of days later, we realized the competition was in fact a scam, so we took the call for proposals down, and published this statement.
Unfortunately, we weren’t the only ones tricked, as several architects payed the fee to enter the competition and worked hard to prepare their proposals, only to realize they had lost their money, time, and work.
We decided to reach out to those who prepared their entries to help them realize that maybe all their work wasn’t in fact, for nothing. So we’re giving you, our readers, the opportunity to help your own colleagues. After the break you’ll find all the proposals we received. We encourage you to share your thoughts through the comments. Which one do you like the most? What would you improve (with respect please)?
Mode Lab: Organic Modeling: Precision Sculpting with TSplines for Rhino Webinar
Coming up this Friday, March 8th, from 2:00pm-4:30pm EST, Mode Lab will be hosting the Organic Modeling: Precision Sculpting with TSplines for Rhino webinar offering guided curriculum and continuous support with the goal of providing you with an in-depth and personal learning experience. The principles and rationale behind T-Splines will be covered, providing students with the resources to model shapes of any complexity as a single smooth, water-tight surface. Additionally, this intensive course will introduce techniques for working with polygonal and box modeling, direct surface editing, and local definition tools interchangeably. To register, and for more information, please visit here.
Olson Kundig Architects to Design New Museum of Art for WSU
Seattle-based architect Jim Olson of Olson Kundig Architects has been selected by Washington State University to design a new Museum of Art. Over the years, Olson has complied a spectacular portfolio of stunning homes designed for art collectors worldwide. This experience has given Olson a “wealth of experience in not only crafting beautiful environments for works of art, but in working with artists to discover new opportunities for expressing their creativity,” according to Chris Bruce, director of the museum.
‘THE:SQUARE³’ Mixed-Use Development Proposal / Moritz Gruppe + LAVA
Conceived by visionary developer Moritz Gruppe and designed by internationally acclaimed architects, LAVA, the three towers of gold, silver, and bronze and three diagonal shaped city blocks make up THE:SQUARE³, a new mixed use development inspired by sport that revitalizes a unique urban quarter in Berlin. With the theme, ‘Life, Nature, Sports’, their mixed-use concept is perfectly adapted and related to the nearby environment and reflects the local centre of excellence for high-performance sport, promotes local, national and global sports, generating positive social, health and economic benefits to the area. More images and architects’ description after the break.
