Living On the Edge: Why We’re Attracted to Places Where the Manmade Abuts the Natural

This article was originally published on Common Edge as "Living on the Edge."

I am on the edge. Not emotionally or psychologically—although this could be the case—but literally, physically, spatially, geographically. As I write this, I am sitting on the balcony of a hotel room in Miami Beach, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Behind me is the whole State of Florida and, indeed, the entire North American continent. In front of me: the boardwalk, a narrow beach, and then a lot of water—and not much else between here and Mauritania, a distance of more than 4,400 miles.

Meet the Winners for the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Mosul's Al Nouri Complex

Last November, UNESCO, the Iraqi Ministry of Culture, and the Iraqi Sunni Endowment jointly announced an international design competition for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the historical Al Nouri Complex in Mosul. One of the oldest cities in the world, Mosul ("the linking point" in Arabic) is beginning a recovery process following years of conflict, guided by an initiative aptly titled "Revive the Spirit of Mosul." The rehabilitation of the Al Nouri Complex, which dates originally to the twelfth century and has constituted a core facet of city life since, is a central part of this initiative, and is intended to signal the city's resilience, hope, social cohesion, and reconciliation in the aftermath of the conflicts. Six months after the competition was originally announced, winners have finally been chosen.

House in a Steel Corset / ŠÉPKA ARCHITEKTI

House in a Steel Corset / ŠÉPKA ARCHITEKTI - HousesHouse in a Steel Corset / ŠÉPKA ARCHITEKTI - Interior Photography, Houses, Door, Facade, TableHouse in a Steel Corset / ŠÉPKA ARCHITEKTI - HousesHouse in a Steel Corset / ŠÉPKA ARCHITEKTI - HousesHouse in a Steel Corset / ŠÉPKA ARCHITEKTI - More Images+ 35

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Praha-Suchdol, Czechia
  • Architects: ŠÉPKA ARCHITEKTI
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  188 m²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2019
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Mastavby

Equmenia Church in Floda / Kaminsky Arkitektur

Equmenia Church in Floda / Kaminsky Arkitektur - Exterior Photography,          ChurchesEqumenia Church in Floda / Kaminsky Arkitektur - Interior Photography,          Churches, Door, FacadeEqumenia Church in Floda / Kaminsky Arkitektur - Interior Photography,          Churches, Beam, Chair, Lighting, TableEqumenia Church in Floda / Kaminsky Arkitektur - Interior Photography,          Churches, ChairEqumenia Church in Floda / Kaminsky Arkitektur - More Images+ 15

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Floda, Sweden

Parhuis House / Aaksen Responsible Aarchitecture

Parhuis House / Aaksen Responsible Aarchitecture - Interior Photography, Houses, Facade, DoorParhuis House / Aaksen Responsible Aarchitecture - Interior Photography, Houses, Bedroom, BedParhuis House / Aaksen Responsible Aarchitecture - Interior Photography, Houses, BedParhuis House / Aaksen Responsible Aarchitecture - Exterior Photography, HousesParhuis House / Aaksen Responsible Aarchitecture - More Images+ 13

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Yakarta, Indonesia
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  250 m²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2021
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Conwood, Taco HPL, Toto

Renovation of SMOORE Liutang Industrial Park Shenzhen / CM Design

Renovation of SMOORE Liutang Industrial Park Shenzhen / CM Design - Exterior Photography, RenovationRenovation of SMOORE Liutang Industrial Park Shenzhen / CM Design - Exterior Photography, Renovation, FacadeRenovation of SMOORE Liutang Industrial Park Shenzhen / CM Design - Exterior Photography, RenovationRenovation of SMOORE Liutang Industrial Park Shenzhen / CM Design - Exterior Photography, Renovation, FacadeRenovation of SMOORE Liutang Industrial Park Shenzhen / CM Design - More Images+ 23

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Shenzhen, China

Terracina / SAOTA

Terracina / SAOTA - Exterior Photography, House InteriorsTerracina / SAOTA - Exterior Photography, House InteriorsTerracina / SAOTA - Interior Photography, House InteriorsTerracina / SAOTA - Exterior Photography, House InteriorsTerracina / SAOTA - More Images+ 19

Kindergarten in Saarbruecken / NKBAK

Kindergarten in Saarbruecken / NKBAK  - Interior Photography, Kindergarten, Beam, BenchKindergarten in Saarbruecken / NKBAK  - Interior Photography, Kindergarten, Beam, Table, ChairKindergarten in Saarbruecken / NKBAK  - Exterior Photography, Kindergarten, DoorKindergarten in Saarbruecken / NKBAK  - Interior Photography, KindergartenKindergarten in Saarbruecken / NKBAK  - More Images+ 14

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Saarbruecken, Germany

Possible City: Architecture and City Seminar in Peru + Official Presentation of BIALIMA 2021

'Possible City: Architecture and City Seminar' is an event taking place as part of 'Rumbo a la BIALIMA'—a prelude to the Lima International Architecture Biennial - BIALIMA 2021.

Enric Miralles: 5 exhibitions in tribute to his work as an architect, designer, photographer, and professor

Enric Miralles: 5 exhibitions in tribute to his work as an architect, designer, photographer, and professor - Image 1 of 4
Scottish Parliament Building / Enric Miralles. Image © Scottish Parliament

Through a program of exhibitions, lectures, and activities, the Fundació Enric Miralles, with the support of the Barcelona City Council and the Government of Catalonia, will promote a tribute to the Spanish architect Enric Miralles. Considered one of the most iconic figures of contemporary Catalan architecture, the tribute addresses his various facets as a creator—architect, designer, photographer, and professor—offering a multifaceted and personal look at his career.

Dengo Chocolates Concept Store / Matheus Farah + Manoel Maia Arquitetura

Dengo Chocolates Concept Store  / Matheus Farah + Manoel Maia Arquitetura - Exterior Photography, ShowroomDengo Chocolates Concept Store  / Matheus Farah + Manoel Maia Arquitetura - Interior Photography, Showroom, Beam, Table, ChairDengo Chocolates Concept Store  / Matheus Farah + Manoel Maia Arquitetura - Interior Photography, ShowroomDengo Chocolates Concept Store  / Matheus Farah + Manoel Maia Arquitetura - Interior Photography, Showroom, Kitchen, Beam, Facade, Column, Arch, Chair, BenchDengo Chocolates Concept Store  / Matheus Farah + Manoel Maia Arquitetura - More Images+ 20

Gymnasium and Swimming Hall Vogelsang / MET Architects

Gymnasium and Swimming Hall Vogelsang / MET Architects - Interior Photography, Renovation, Door, ChairGymnasium and Swimming Hall Vogelsang / MET Architects - Interior Photography, Renovation, Kitchen, Door, FacadeGymnasium and Swimming Hall Vogelsang / MET Architects - Exterior Photography, Renovation, FacadeGymnasium and Swimming Hall Vogelsang / MET Architects - Interior Photography, Renovation, FacadeGymnasium and Swimming Hall Vogelsang / MET Architects - More Images+ 36

Brf Viva Housing Complex / Malmström Edström Arkitekter Ingenjörer

Brf Viva Housing Complex / Malmström Edström Arkitekter Ingenjörer - Exterior Photography, ApartmentsBrf Viva Housing Complex / Malmström Edström Arkitekter Ingenjörer - Interior Photography, Apartments, Kitchen, Table, Chair, Lighting, CountertopBrf Viva Housing Complex / Malmström Edström Arkitekter Ingenjörer - Interior Photography, ApartmentsBrf Viva Housing Complex / Malmström Edström Arkitekter Ingenjörer - Interior Photography, ApartmentsBrf Viva Housing Complex / Malmström Edström Arkitekter Ingenjörer - More Images+ 18

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Gothenburg, Sweden

World's Largest Natural Marine Observatory Takes the Shape of a Whale

Baca Architects have set out to build the world's largest natural marine observatory in Australia. Taking the form a whale emerging from the water, the project will be built at the end of the Busselton Jetty. Baca was appointed by marine contractor Subcon as Lead Architects for the new project. Called the Australian Underwater Discovery Centre (AUDC), the design will include an underwater trail and dining experience.

World's Largest Natural Marine Observatory Takes the Shape of a Whale - Image 1 of 4World's Largest Natural Marine Observatory Takes the Shape of a Whale - Image 2 of 4World's Largest Natural Marine Observatory Takes the Shape of a Whale - Image 3 of 4World's Largest Natural Marine Observatory Takes the Shape of a Whale - Image 4 of 4World's Largest Natural Marine Observatory Takes the Shape of a Whale - More Images+ 6

ARCHIPELAGO: ARCHITECTURES FOR THE MULTIVERSE

Organized by two schools of the HES⁠-⁠SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (Geneva)—HEAD, Geneva School of Art and Design and HEPIA, Geneva School of Engineering, Architecture and Landscape—Archipelago: Architectures for the Multiverse is the first edition of a digitally-anchored international event arising from a partnership between three departments—architecture, interior architecture and landscape architecture—that will be broadcast from May 6 to 8 in Geneva.

Stilt House / B.HOUSSAIS Architecture

Stilt House / B.HOUSSAIS Architecture - Interior Photography, Houses, TableStilt House / B.HOUSSAIS Architecture - Exterior Photography, HousesStilt House / B.HOUSSAIS Architecture - Exterior Photography, HousesStilt House / B.HOUSSAIS Architecture - Interior Photography, Houses, Kitchen, Facade, Beam, CountertopStilt House / B.HOUSSAIS Architecture - More Images+ 19

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Pleumeur-Bodou, France
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  144 m²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2020
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  RAICO, Grohe, EKSOL ONE, INTERNORM
  • Professionals: B3E

The Lebanese Pavilion at the 2021 Venice Biennale, Curated by Hala Wardé, Tackles the Notions of Emptiness and Silence

Entitled “A Roof for Silence”, the Lebanese Pavilion at the 17th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, will investigate the question of living together, tackling the issue of coexistence through a questioning of the spaces of silence, and by putting into dialogue architecture, painting, music, poetry, video and photography. Curated by Hala Wardé, founder of HW architecture, in collaboration with Etel Adnan and Fouad Elkoury, the national pavilion will be on display at the Magazzino del Sale (Zattere), from May 22nd to November 21st, 2021.

The Lebanese Pavilion at the 2021 Venice Biennale, Curated by Hala Wardé, Tackles the Notions of Emptiness and Silence - 1 的图像 4The Lebanese Pavilion at the 2021 Venice Biennale, Curated by Hala Wardé, Tackles the Notions of Emptiness and Silence - 2 的图像 4The Lebanese Pavilion at the 2021 Venice Biennale, Curated by Hala Wardé, Tackles the Notions of Emptiness and Silence - 3 的图像 4The Lebanese Pavilion at the 2021 Venice Biennale, Curated by Hala Wardé, Tackles the Notions of Emptiness and Silence - 4 的图像 4The Lebanese Pavilion at the 2021 Venice Biennale, Curated by Hala Wardé, Tackles the Notions of Emptiness and Silence - More Images+ 7

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Crimson Veritas: Building Architecture and History at Harvard

As the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, Harvard has emerged as one of the world's most well-known universities. Organized into ten academic faculties and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, it is spread across 200 acres and centers on Harvard Yard in Cambridge. Developed along the Charles River adjacent to the Allston neighborhood of Boston, Harvard has the largest financial endowment of any academic institution. This has supported a number of different campus building projects across the university’s history.

Crimson Veritas: Building Architecture and History at Harvard - Image 1 of 4Crimson Veritas: Building Architecture and History at Harvard - Image 2 of 4Crimson Veritas: Building Architecture and History at Harvard - Image 3 of 4Crimson Veritas: Building Architecture and History at Harvard - Image 4 of 4Crimson Veritas: Building Architecture and History at Harvard - More Images+ 12

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