Courtesy of Navy Pier

Aedas Architects, Davis Brody Bond and Martha Schwartz Partners proposal PierESCAPE goes beyond the Navy Pier Centennial Vision as it aims to strengthen the connections between water, land, nature, city, culture, civic space and infrastructure with a “series of dock-like extensions”. The proposal respects the history of the Pier while identifying unique opportunities that will them to create a 21st century waterfront experience that is both a historical and contemporary destination.

Continue reading for more information and video of the team’s presentation.

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Courtesy of Aedas

Anchoring at the end of the proposed Hongqiao primary retail axis in Shanghai, and with a canal meandering through the northern edge of the site, the Linkong Block 10-1 Development is the destination for the public within the Linkong Business Park. The program for the development, ‘The Urban Crossing’, calls for a boutique urban mixed-use project with office, retail, gallery, conference center, and water promenade plaza. This concept by Aedas is to create a brand new landmark, which further establishes a strong civic presence through its iconic form and vibrant program mix. Portrayed as the Gateway of Hongqiao Airport Transportation Hub, the project is deemed to generate synergy from public and commercial activities. More images and architects’ description after the break. read more »

Over 1,200 entires from 30 states and 10 countries submitted applications for the National Mall competition. Late last month fifteen design teams were chosen as finalists to advance to the second stage of this prestigious contest.

Hosting 25 million visitors annually, the National Mall will undergo an estimated $700 million restoration beginning in 2012. The competition has been broken down into three areas of restoration: Union Square including the Reflecting Pool and the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial, Sylvan Theater on the Washington Monument Grounds, and the Constitution Gardens between the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial.

Among the finalists to move on to stage two of the competition, Diller Scofidio Renfro, Weiss/Manfredi, and Rogers Marvel Architects who are shortlisted for two out of the three areas of restoration, as well as Snohetta, Michael Maltzan Architecture, Ten Arquitectos, and Bohlin Cywinski Jackson who are finalists for one area of restoration.

“Entrants were evaluated on past design performance, philosophy, design intent, thoughtfulness, creativity and overall resume,” according to a release from the Trust of the National Mall. The jury, compiled of architects, professors and other members of the architecture community, included Michael Gericke of Pentagram NYC and Pritzker Prize Laureate Thom Mayne founder of Morphosis.

The second stage of the competition includes interviews of the teams conducted by the Trust for the National Mall and the National Park Service, and the last stage will include proposed plans for the restoration. The competition will culminate in May 2012 and the proposed designs from stage three of the competition will be available to the public prior to the winning design being selected.

Follow the break for a complete list of design finalists for the National Mall Competition.

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Courtesy of Aedas

Architect: Aedas
Location: Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong, China
Size: 32,400 sq m (GFA)
Status: Completion 2010

Aedas shared with us their design for a 28-storey mixed-use building which includes housing, offices, retail spaces and a car park. A design with efficient office floor plates and a rational box were requested by the client. With the building located in a community with dense industrial blocks, instead of providing another office tower entirely wrapped in a coolly glazed skin, the design investigates the possibility of providing an environmentally sustainable design in such an industrial area. More images and architects’ description after the break. read more »

VIsualization by Squared Design Lab - http://www.911memorial.org/

Ten years since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, the National September 11 Memorial was dedicated in a private ceremony with the victims’ families. It was officially opened to the public as of today, September 12th. The opening of the 9/11 Memorial is a first step towards the closing of a long chapter of construction at the World Trade Center site. read more »

Courtesy of Aedas Beijing Ltd

The design for the new Taipei Nangang High-tech District Office Tower, by AEDAS Beijing Ltd, draws inspiration from the shape of the river pebbles, developing a unique aesthetic that conveys the idea of softness and elegance as well as strength and character.

Located in close proximity to the Jilong River and a major overpass highway in Taipei, the surrounding environment provided the opportunity to propose a building that will redefine the skyline of this rapidly developing area of Taipei. More images and architects’ description after the break. read more »

Photo by Diego Torres Silvestre - http://www.flickr.com/photos/3336/

Although Brazil has been growing quickly as a nation, its economic growth has been stinted by the country’s lack of investment in infrastructure. In preparation for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, Brazil is expected to spend over one trillion dollars from the Brazilian government and as much as $34 billion from private investors. The money will go toward numerous construction projects designed to increase and improve upon Brazil’s roads, railways, stadiums, hotels and airports. More information after the break. read more »

International firm Aedas designed a new hotel and mixed-use development for Guangzhou, China.   The complex, which will be completed in 2012, is centrally located within an  existing exhibition zone.   While the project fronts directly onto one side of the water, the location affords views to the water from both directions.  “The design strives to be unique and iconic to give the project a strong and comfortable identity within its surroundings, aiding in its success among competing neighbors.”

More about the project and more images after the break. read more »

image courtesy Aedas, ltd

Architects: Andy Wen – Aedas
Location: Suzhou, PRC, China
Project team: Larry Wen, Johnson Ma, Kevin Wang, David Fung, Kevin Yan, Hui Liu, Jessica Cao, Lily Xin, Anthony Ruan, Weiwei Wei, Huiying Huang & Elizabeth Tse
Client: Suzhou Industrial Park Education Development & Investment Company
Civil Engineer: Suzhou Architecture Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd.
Design year: 2008
Rendering: Silkroad Digital Technology Co., Ltd

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The new Singapore Civic & Cultural Centre will be located in the Vista Xchange Precinct and will feature retail, cultural and civic spaces. The upper level will have a 5,000 seat auditorium, the largest of his kind in Singapore. Aedas aim was to combine the line between the different elements, bringing retail and culture together. The building will be complete in 2011.

Seen at designboom.
More images after the break.