Over the past two decades, urban highways' social and economic ramifications have been brought into focus as a large part of this mid-century infrastructure comes to the end of its lifespan, prompting conversations over its role in contemporary urban planning. Freeway removal entails the replacement of the transport infrastructure with new urban developments, green amenities and alternative street grids to promote a healthier urban environment and smart growth. In some cases, the idea of removing highways is met with concern over the potential increase in traffic and gentrification of the areas adjacent to the road, but the pandemic has further exacerbated the need for quality public spaces and brought once again into question the hegemony of the car. The following highlights various highway removal projects, discussing how these interventions restore the urban fabric, reknit communities and recover urban spaces for city dwellers.
Paris: The Latest Architecture and News
Colored Aluminium Struts for Paris’s Newest Skyscraper
Overtaking the Tour First skyscraper, the 48-story, 220-meter HEKLA Tower will be the tallest building in Paris’s La Défense business district, as well as the second tallest building in all of France. Currently under construction and designed by Pritzker prize-winning Jean Nouvel, it is set to become a powerful architectural statement. Due to complete this 2022 in the midst of the sector’s redevelopment program, the futuristic skyscraper spreads over 76,000 sqm of floor area distributed in offices, services, lobbies, an amphitheater, projection rooms, performance halls, restaurants, bars, gyms and loggias. All of this with the aim of providing a unique user experience with vast, flexible workspaces that promote interaction and well-being.
When Paris Eliminates Cars, Will Other Cities Follow Suit?
Paris has been making headlines for years with its aggressive steps to anti-car, pro-pedestrian urban improvements. Faced with increasing issues around air pollution and an attempt to reclaim streets for alternate modes of transit, as outlined in their proposed plan for a 15-minute city, the French capital is seen as a leader in future-forward urbanist strategies. Recently, their department of transportation set a deadline for their lofty goals of eliminating traffic from its roads. In just two years from now, in time for the French capital to host the Olympics, Paris plans to ban non-essential traffic from its city center, effectively eliminating around 50% of vehicular mobility. What does this plan look like? And how might other cities use this strategy to eliminate their own urban issues?
Jaurès Petit Housings / archi5
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Architects: archi5
- Area: 4874 m²
- Year: 2021
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Manufacturers: Minco, Sivalbp, elZinc
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Professionals: Ateec, EVP, Atelier Roberta, Cap Horn Solutions, Albert & Co, +1
Explore Architecture Studios from Around the World Through the Lens of Marc Goodwin
Moving forward with his "ultra-marathon of photoshoots", architectural photographer Marc Goodwin is putting together an Atlas of Architectural Atmospheres by Arcmospheres, a project that seeks to document diverse architecture and design studios from around the world. Since 2016, the architectural photographer has been traveling "far and wide to capture the atmospheres of architecture studios in order to produce an online and print resource for the architecture community", and after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Goodwin resumed his project with an exploration of Berlin's architecture offices, capturing the work environment of renowned firms such as Hesse, LAVA, JWA, and FAR frohn&rojas, to name a few.
Paris City Council Approves Gustafson Porter + Bowman’s Landscape Plan for the Eiffel Tower Site
Paris City Council granted final approval to Gustafson Porter + Bowman's landscape design for the Eiffel Tower site. The project is the result of a 2019 international competition that sought to redesign the 2-kilometre axis leading up to the Eiffel Tower, connecting Place du Trocadéro, Palais de Chaillot, Pont d'Iéna, Champ de Mars and the Military Academy. The landscape plan redefines this iconic green space in Paris by increasing green areas by 35% and adding over 200 new trees, in addition to pedestrianizing the Iena bridge.
Polette Paris Store / zU-studio
360 Paris Music Factory / Agence Engasser et Associés
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Architects: Agence Engasser et Associés
- Area: 1088 m²
- Year: 2020
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Manufacturers: Arcelor Mittal
Horticultural Greenhouse Conversion / FORME ARCHITECTURE + URBANISME
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Architects: FORME ARCHITECTURE + URBANISME
- Area: 100 m²
- Year: 2019
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Manufacturers: ESAT de la Bievre, GREPPI, Stores de Tournus, Terrazzo Roma
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Professionals: BETEM, Choulet, H Chevalier, Boutàbout, GS2E
Mixed-use Building Rue Castagnary / TANK
Papi Restaurant / Neri&Hu Design and Research Office
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Architects: Neri&Hu Design and Research Office
- Area: 52 m²
- Year: 2020
Cortis Building / Arte Charpentier
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Architects: Arte Charpentier
- Area: 8500 m²
- Year: 2021
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Manufacturers: Corian, Kreon, Rockfon
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Professionals: SCYNA4, Joseph Ingénierie
Pavilion of Sciences Po / Moreau Kusunoki
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Architects: Moreau Kusunoki
- Area: 16106 m²
- Year: 2021
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Professionals: Franck Boutté Consultants, MUGO, Barbanel, Terrel Group, Sasaki, +3
Nicolai Paris Apartment / noa* network of architecture
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Architects: noa* network of architecture
- Area: 168 m²
- Year: 2021
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Manufacturers: Louis Poulsen
Tribeca La Chapelle / Arte Charpentier
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Architects: Arte Charpentier
- Area: 21200 m²
- Year: 2020
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Manufacturers: STACBOND
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Professionals: Espaces ferroviaires, L'AUC
Triplex in Paris / Bertina Minel Architecture
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Architects: Bertina Minel Architecture
- Area: 235 m²
- Year: 2020