The Chicago Architecture Center and Chicago Architecture Club have announced the seven finalists of the Thompson Center Design Competition, which called for new and innovative visions for the Illinois Thompson Center designed by Helmut Jahn in 1984. The winning design proposal will be announced during the opening of the September 14 pop-up exhibition of finalists work at the Chicago Architecture Center, and will run through October.
Chicago Architecture Center and Chicago Architecture Club Announce Seven Finalists of 2021 Thompson Center Design Competition
Guilin Lebei Homestay Hotel / aoe
Using Wood Outdoors Without Worrying About Fire Hazards
Wood is an extremely versatile material. It allows for the construction of robust and strong structures, while it can also be used as the raw material for delicate objects such as musical instruments. Understanding all its particularities, properties, and behavior is a journey of knowledge that could take a lifetime. Basically, wood is made up of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and mineral elements, and each species has its own unique characteristics. The history of Stradivarius violins, for example, is interesting to mention: they are still worth fortunes and experts argue that luthiers have never been able to replicate their timbre on newer instruments. Researchers point out that the differentiated sound is due to the wood in the body and arm, which went through a submersion process with a mineral solution that increased the decomposition of hemicellulose. The treatment made the wood absorb less moisture, making the sound brighter and more pleasant.
This shows how complex it is to work with a living material like wood. It can swell or shrink depending on weather conditions, how the tree grew or was cut down, etc. And, varying between wet and dry states, it can end up rotting. Such factors must be understood when we work with a natural material, but it can also be a nuisance when we look for the aesthetic appearance of wood while lacking technical precision and maintenance capabilities.
Santiago Calatrava Reveals Design of the Qatar Pavilion for the Expo 2020 Dubai
Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava has unveiled the design of the Qatar Pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, UAE. The design is inspired by the four elements represented on the Coat of Arms of Qatar and will include two main galleries and exhibition spaces, providing visitors with engaging, inclusive, and interactive environments.
Fuego Nuevo Chapel / WRKSHP arquitectura | urbanismo
OMA / David Gianotten Designs New Office Building in Amsterdam
OMA / David Gianotten has revealed the design for a five-story office building in Amsterdam, replacing a 1980s bank headquarters. Located on one of the city’s main avenues among high-end offices, housing and luxury hotels, the architecture of the new project is shaped by the characteristics of its surroundings. Featuring interlocking glass volumes towards the boulevard and brick-clad facades towards the residential area, Apollolaan 171 creates a dialogue with both the green avenue of Amsterdam’s south district and the neighbouring 20th-century Berlage architecture.
Bathroom & Kitchen Fixtures: 12 Projects to Get You Inspired
As an architectural project comes to its last phases, it is time to put together the smaller details in bathrooms and kitchens, which means choosing finishes for the walls and floors, as well as the countertops, and picking the right fittings and fixtures. These elements are essential for a well-designed space, regardless of the style.
Vårbergstoppen Viewing Platforms / AndrénFogelström
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Architects: AndrénFogelström
- Year: 2021
Graham Foundation Announces Names of 2021 Organizations Grant Recipients
The Graham Foundation has announced the award of 69 new scholarships to individuals around the world who support architectural projects. The funded projects represent diverse lines of research with original ideas that advance our understanding of the designed environment.
Selected from more than 500 proposals, the funded projects include exhibitions, publications, films, and performances that promote rigorous academic study, stimulate experimentation, and foster critical discourse in architecture. Innovative projects are led by established and emerging architects, artists, curators, filmmakers, historians, and photographers, among other professionals.
CL28 Monash University Learning Spaces / Kennedy Nolan Architects
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Architects: Kennedy Nolan Architects
- Area: 1100 m²
- Year: 2020
Villa Mayan / Afshin Khosravian and Associates
Shanghai W0311 Select Store / Mountain Soil Interior Design
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Architects: Mountain Soil Interior Design
- Area: 140 m²
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Manufacturers: EYCO
Wind Clinic / Sute Architect
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Architects: Sute Architect
- Area: 1200 m²
- Year: 2021
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Manufacturers: COTTO, SCG, bangkokcrystal
TYH House / Alkhemist Architects
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Architects: Alkhemist Architects
- Year: 2021
University Arts Building / DLR Group
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Architects: DLR Group
- Area: 42525 ft²
- Year: 2019
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Manufacturers: Dri-Design, Arcadia Inc., Armstrong Flooring, B & C Cabinets and Millwork, Basalite Concrete Products, +3
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Professionals: LA Studio Nevada, Odyssey Engineering, Hyytinen Engineering
The High House / RAVEL Architecture
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Architects: RAVEL Architecture
- Area: 5000 ft²
- Year: 2021
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Manufacturers: Fleetwood
SAMS Center for Elderly People / Lacroix Chessex
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Architects: Lacroix Chessex
- Area: 2450 m²
- Year: 2020