During the World Architecture Festival, held this October in Singapore, we had the opportunity to interview one of the UK’s most succesful landscape architects: Andrew Grant. On the occasion, the project, Gardens by the Bay, in collaboration with Wilkinson Eyre Architects, was awarded the World Building of the Year Award.

Amit Khanna of Amit Khanna Design Associates (AKDA) recently did a prospective photographic essay which highlights the Kimbell Art Museum by architect Louis Kahn, and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth by architect Tadao Ando. His writing emphasizes his experiences as they relate to the architectural exterior and interior spaces, while beautifully capturing the buildings themselves. He describes such elements as organization, materiality, and unique details while comparing both works. His essay and images can be viewed after the break.

Eleven Zaha Hadid projects are currently being constructed in China, however one of them has the international architecture mogul seeing double. Unfortunately, Hadid has found herself in a race to finish the Wangjing SOHO office and retail complex in Beijing before pirates complete their doppelgänger version in Chongqing, a megacity near the eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau.

As reported on Spiegel Online, the Dame claimed that the pirates are currently in the lead and building faster than SOHO. The original, which is set for completion in 2014, features three curved towers whose “shimmering”, metallic skin unifies the complex as each volume appears to “dance” around each other.

Hadid is not the first to be mimicked in China. Last year, a small UNESCO-protected village in Austria, Hallstatt, was recreated, brick for brick, in the subtropical district of Guangdong, China. You can find the complete story here.

The proposal for the future Metropolitan Train Station of Suzano, designed by JBMC Arquitetura e Urbanismo, will be developed in surface, in a place already occupied by the existing station, which will be deactivated after the new station starts operating. This project includes the main building of the station, which houses platforms and mezzanine, their accesses on both sides of the railways, bike rack, technical and operating room building, and water reservoirs. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Known for being a popular location for strolls during the 19th century, the Terrasses des Ponchettes is one of Nice’s historical areas that has declined considerably since the 60’s. CAB Architects has aimed their proposal around two case studies. The first one deals with the articulation between the “Quai des Etats-Unis” and the “Cours Saleya”: “the lower part”. The second one concerning the raised terraces of the “Ponchettes” with a beautiful view over the sea: “The upper part”. More images and architects’ description after the break.

This minimalist elementary school, located in Kumamoto and designed by Japanese architects Kazuhiro Kojima and Kazuko Akamatsu (CAt), is designed to seamlessly connect the indoor and outdoor space. Within the building, individual classrooms and spaces are loosely formed by L-shaped walls that feature foldable doors and flexible components. An abundance of courtyards and airy walkways are just some of the highlights, along with a wood deck activity space found on top of the roof.

Video via JA+U.

As probably you were expecting, here are the 10 most popular projects of 2012! Thanks to all our readers and collaborators for this great year. Happy 2013!

The New Year is almost here! Before you head out to celebrate, check out the most retweeted articles of 2012. From the world’s first underwater hotel to a list of the most helpful apps for architects, this round up will not disappoint. Cheers!

The complete, top ten list after the break. 

The Principles just recently completed an interactive project, titled the “Workshop”, for the clothing brand Everlane in the Meatpacking district of New York. As part of the Everlane’s “Not-a-Shop” series, which focuses on selling only online, “the space was a physical manifestation of their primarily digital presence; replacing coded interaction with physical interaction,” described The Principals co-founder Drew Seskunas.

Designed by FGMF Arquitetos, the proposal for the Edifício Corujas, aims to create a more humane space to work, going against the traditional mirrored glass cubes located in regions of São Paulo, such as Avenida Faria Lima or Avenida Berrini. Designed using several sizes and formats, they create a horizontal solution. More images and architects’ description after the break.

The Dynamic Behaviors in Processing Webinar, which takes place January 4th from 2:00-4:30pm EST and put on by modeLab, will go in depth with the process of developing rich and responsive behaviors from scratch – think of bouncing balls, particle systems, or flocking boids – can be tricky without an object-oriented approach to our program design. Through a series of short presentations and “live” exercises, learn how to successfully structure and implement classes in Processing to create fun and dynamic object behaviors. This webinar will last 2.5 hours including multiple open Q & A sessions. To register and for more information, please visit here.

As the 2012 Jencks Award winner, Rem Koolhaas charts the evolution of his ideas and built projects in this lecture provided by RIBA. He describes a double life split between practice and theory, two ventures reflected by his studios, OMA and AMO, the Office of Metropolitan Architecture and the Architecture Media Organization. Enjoy!

Before we welcome the new year, lets take a look back at ArchDaily’s most popular articles of 2012. From inspiring projects to influential editorials, this top ten list illustrates some of the year’s most important moments. Review them all, after the break.

The proposal by FGMF Arquitetos for the Edifício Itaim consists of duplex and triplex apartments, between 882 and 1066 m2 in size. The plans act as a huge brise-soleil, shading the north façade and minimizing the impact of the west, where one has the best view. So, living rooms are fluid spaces open to landscape. Located in one of the most valued places in the city, the building also has a permanent view to the park in front and Morumbi. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Designed by Sotero Arquitetura e Urbanismo, their proposal for Renova Energia’s headquarters is a head office that interprets the general concepts of the company and invites residents to take part in this process. By exploring the production of wind energy in the state, the architects seek to meet the demands of the group. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Designed by NPC Grupo Arquitetura, their design for the Escola Senai is designed with the theme of an industrial technical school. Their concept has characteristics that associate concerns with the teaching program and industrial activities, which, while conflicting, complement each other. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Goodbye 2012, is never late and always exciting to review the year. We begin this year review with the 5 most bookmarked built projects of the year. What are you waiting for start your own library in ArchDaily?

With both Heathro and Gatwick pushing their limits, it is imperative that the UK begins to move forward with expanding their global aviation capacity. Over the years, multiple proposals have been presented, including Norman Foster’s “London Britannia Airport”. Now, Beckett Rankine has unveiled an inventive, offshore proposal located on the Goodwin sands in UK territorial waters nearly three kilometres off the east coast of Kent.

Continue after the break to learn more.

The architectural proposal for the Cranes of Palermo is based on the relationship between the intervention image and the rich local history of Sicily, particularly its Baroque of scenographic and ornamented elements. Designed by De Fournier & Associados, the new proposal has as reference the poorly moderated characteristics of the Baroque, the surprise that the expression of its image causes when perceived. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Intending to create a new architectural reference for the region of Brasilia, the Multipurpose Complex becomes a new destination in the city. Designed by FGMF Arquitetos, the building creates a landmark in the landscape through the uses of retail, office buildings, and modular offices. More images and architects’ description after the break.

The proposal for the Parque Burle Marx offers a mix of offices, office and residential buildings, local commerce, and urban park, and an ecological station for conservation areas. Designed by De Fournier & Associados, the Faunal corridor, which will extend one of the most important biomes of Belo Horizonte, will comprise of volumes harmonically integrated to the morphology of the terrain. More images and architects’ description after the break.

In this TEDxRamallah, Palestinian Architect Saud Amiry – who works in architectural restoration on Palestinian buildings – discusses her journey as someone finding a path for herself. Although she speaks about her nationality and her family’s refugee history, her focus is on learning how to find the things that are fulfilling in one’s life in the face of challenges. Her sense of humor and passion is inspiring. Not only is she an architect working in a field for which she has a passion, she has also stumbled upon the role of an author, having written “Sharon and my Mother–in-Law: Ramallah Diaries”, which is an account of living under Israeli occupation. Even in the dire political circumstances of of her refugee status, Amiry finds humor under tragic circumstances.

More about Amiry after the break…

Three influential groups have been chosen by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to receive the 2013 Institute Honors for Collaborative Achievement. The award recognizes and encourages distinguished achievements of allied professionals, clients, organizations, architect teams, knowledge communities, and others who have had a beneficial influence on or advanced the architectural profession.

This year’s award goes to: the Chicago Architecture Foundation for DiscoverDesign.org, the Palm Springs Modern Committee (PS ModCom), and the DC Preservation League. Continue reading to learn how these three programs have had a positive impact on the profession.