Earlier this week, we shared the news of Steven Holl + BCWH recent commission for the Institute for Contemporary Art in Virginia. It seems Holl will also be busy working on a conceptual design for the Museum of Fine Arts Houston as the museum recently announced their short list from ten international architects to three. In addition to Holl, the museum has selected Morphosis and Snohetta to submit design proposals for the expansion project. “This decision marks an important step forward for the future MFAH,” said Richard D. Kinder, chair of the museum’s long-range planning committee. “Even before Rafael Moneo’s Audrey Jones Beck Building opened, in 2000, MFAH director Peter Marzio and the board recognized that it would not be the final step in expanding the MFAH.”

In the Netherlands, Meissen porcelain is often regarded as ‘high-class kitsch’. Its sumptuous, often narrative style of decoration puts it at odds with the minimalistic and conceptual traditions of Modernism. Solid Objectives – Idenburg Liu (SO – IL) was commissioned by Kunsthal KAdE to design an ideal contemporary three-dimensional setting in which to present the porcelain such that it would challenge this prejudice and focus attention on the great sculptural, artistic and technical strengths of Meissen. In response, SO – IL has designed 32 modern, geometrically shaped showcases in bright colors and with ‘pointed tops’. These showcases not only serve the Meissen objects also autonomous in character.

More images by Iwan Baan and information after the break.

Architects Amit Gupta and Britta Knobel Gupta of the India based design firm, Studio Symbiosis, have shared with us their recent proposal, Athletic Ripples, for the Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex. Additional images and a description from the architects can be found after the break.

This project is one piece of the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) new headquarters facility, originally awarded through a competition to a team that included the LA office of DMJM/Design (now part of AECOM), Denver-based Roth+Sheppard, Studio 0.10, and John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects (JFAK).

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Architect: John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects Location: Los Angeles, California, USA Project Area: 300,000 sqf Project Year: 2009 Photographs: Fotoworks

This week our Architecture City Guide is headed to Columbus; Indiana that is. We have already made the trip to Columbus, Ohio. This lesser known Columbus only has a population of 44,000 people, but for what it lacks in size it makes up in architecture. Columbus, perhaps, has more notable modern architecture buildings per capita than any city in the United States. In fact, it was much harder narrowing the list down to 12 projects than finding enough for the city guide. With the buildings not on the list, it will be impossible to please everyone. Notably our list doesn’t even include Romaldo Giurgola’s Columbus East High School, Cesar Pelli’s Commons Centre and Mall, and SOM’s Republic Newspaper Building. Take a look at the 12 on our list and add your favorites in the comment section below.

The Architecture City Guide: Columbus list and corresponding map after the break.

It strives, with the help of the curatorial endeavours of artists and projects that can contribute a different layer to the ever more monopolized artistic scene.

The third issue is “Dubai Graphic and Visual Encyclopedia”, Dubai Manifesto 3/3. Adapted for the latest electronic devices (Ipad, Kindle, etc), Brusselssprout can be downloaded quarterly in ePub and PDF format from the magazine’s official website.

More information on this third issue and some images after the break.

International design team Broadway Malyan, was recently tabbed to design a new luxury housing complex in Singapore. The project, “The Boutiq”, will be built on the grounds of the historic, recently demolished, Mitre Hotel. Additional renderings and a brief narrative can be seen after the break.

Made to Measure is a monograph showcasing the work of Leers Weinzapfel Associates, an architecture firm based out of Boston, Massachusetts. Leers Weinzapfel Associates first gained prominence by taking on infrastructure projects that are often left to engineers. Where some might undertake these projects out of consequence, Leers Weinzapfel Associates revels in and seeks out these types of projects. The firm’s ability to finely execute such projects is displayed in the University of Pennsylvania Gateway Complex presented in this book. Although infrastructure projects were their launching point, they now take on an incredibly wide range of projects. In fact, the majority of the projects presented in this book are not infrastructure projects. Perhaps there is something to be said for being able to do the ‘mundane’ well.

Take a look inside after the break.

Steven Holl Architects just shared the news that the firm has won the commission for the new Institute for Contemporary Art for Virginia Commonwealth University with BCWH Architects. The 32,000 square-foot building will provide gallery spaces for traveling and school exhibits, classrooms, offices, art storage spaces and an auditorium, and accommodate a sculpture garden and a café. Joseph H. Seipel, Dean of the VCU School of the Arts, exclaimed, ”We are honored to have Steven Holl, internationally recognized as one the most inspired and significant architects of our time. With Holl leading this endeavor, I am confident the ICA is destined to become an iconic building for VCU and the city of Richmond and will find its place as a prominent example of Steven Holl’s contributions to the history of architecture.” As the selection process was organized to find an architect-led team, and not a specific design, we will keep you posted on the progress of the project.

After living a part of their lives in the flood prone region of Fargo, Lance Cayko & Alex Gore from F9 Productions started thinking of the catastrophe that could strike if the flood dikes gave way and for that reason they designed a flood resistant house that takes on the challenge of how to survive in the worst conditions.

Early-2009 projects for our seventh selection of previously featured housing projects. Check them all after the break.

Koidula Apartment Building / 3+1 Architects Building is located close to the Kadriorg park, one of the most important and historical green areas in Tallinn. Currently the socially and historically rich district is developing quickly into prestigious living area. The residential buildings along Koidula St. date from different periods and it has caused the chaotic structure of the street (read more…)

The annual Wallpaper* Architects Directory, now in its twelfth year, provides the ultimate little black book to the world’s most promising young practices. For this year’s Directory, Wallpaper* selected twenty studios from around the world. Each was given an open brief to design the ultimate rural retreat. These twenty houses were designed to be flexible and functional, but also formally and technically innovative, sitting on an isolated countryside site. The only sanction was the need for the homes to touch the ground lightly, with minimum disruption to the landscape.

BRITE is a part of a statewide initiative to make North Carolina a premiere provider of skilled workers for the biotechnology industry. The facility houses laboratories and classrooms for faculty providing undergraduate and graduate level education in the areas of Process Development, Quality Control and Quality Assurance. The facility, representative of the development labs found in industry, allow students to get hands-on training as part of their collegiate experience.

Architect: The Freelon Group Architects Location: Durham, North Carolina, USA Project Area: 59,900 sqf Photographs: James West

The firm of Erik Giudice Architects has shared with us their work for the Beton Hala Waterfront mixed use project in central Belgrade, Serbia. For additional images and a extensive description from the architects please follow us after the break.

by Federico Negro

It seems as though a week doesn’t go by these days without someone asking me if I miss design…

Two and a half years ago I made the decision to leave the traditional path, and cross over to the dark side. I became a consultant (cut to dark stormy clouds and lightning). A technology consultant nonetheless… As such, my contributions to Practice 2.0 will focus on the impact of technology on issues of management during the latter stages of building design and construction.

Since then I’ve had the privilege, the luck even, to sit across the table from designers working for some of the biggest names in building design, engineering and construction both in New York and beyond. I’ve reviewed innumerable sets of diligently constructed documents and building models. I’ve crossed paths with many fascinating designers creating real impact through their work. And most importantly, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside many brilliant young professionals, a few of which will no doubt lead the New York design scene in the coming years…

More after the break.

We recently received the book Reveal: Studio Gang Architects. This monograph takes an in-depth look at several of firm’s extraordinary projects. Archdaily has featured many of the same projects, but our pieces are mere shadows of what is presented in this book. If you enjoyed the glimpses on our website you will love this book. It is rare that I find a monograph that goes into such great depth. Beside the standard plan, section and photographs, each project is accompanied by notes, research, sketches, histories, philosophies, and more. This allows for a much more rewarding conversation than the standard glossy monograph. By the end of each chapter you can easily understand why each design decision was made and how meticulous this studio is. The Aqua Tower, for example, without any additional knowledge holds its own amongst the architecturally cherished Chicago skyline; however, after you read about the design process behind it the tower becomes that much more wonderful. I highly recommend this book.

P.S.: You can watch our interview with Jeanne Gang.

Now, the time has come for the Atlanta History Museum to make its own leap forward. The Atlanta History Center is seeking architects and architectural team to help transform its museum.

The Agency for development of Municipality of Herceg Novi in association with the European Chess Union have launched a single stage international competition for the European Chess House in Herceg Novi. ACID Group shared with us their proposal in order to find the best solution for the mixed use development. The program consisted of facilities devoted to promotion and development of chess including a library, museum and tournament halls, and of hotel facilities which include 50 guest rooms, a restaurant and lobby. The site is located on the corner between two streets, on steeply sloping terrain. More images and architects’ description after the break.

The Slow Architecture Exhibition 2011 has just gotten underway. Canal Boat 107B will meander its way within Ireland’s canals and inland waterways over the next month promoting slow architecture through its floating exhibition centre and museum. Contributors for the summer of 2011 are Sonairte, Carson and Crushell Architects, Solearth, Architectural Farm with Michael Carroll, and Caelan Bristow. You can see a brief description of their contributions here as well as the full timetable for this year’s exhibition.

KLab Architecture shared their latest project, a Placebo pharmacy in Athens, with us. By wrapping the existing orthagonal footprint in a dynamic circular skin, KLab has created a sophisticated spiraling form which seeks to create a relationship with the rapid motion of Vouliagmenis Avenue, the urban artery on which the building stands. The 600 sqm structure houses a pharmacy on the ground floor and ancillary office space on the upper mezzanine. Clad in metal panels that are perforated using Braille – a move that both alludes to the system’s use on pharmaceutical packaging and boosts visibility by allowing the light to find its way into the interior – the compositional quality of the material selection creates a polished exterior that attracts passers-by.

More images and more about the project after the break.

Don’t miss our latest selection of best projects featured from last week! Check them all after the break.

Pavilion for an Artist / DHL Architecture The brief for the Atelier Malkovich ideas competition asked for the design of an innovative and functional studio for the contemporary artist. It should address the changing of both their role in society and their working methods. Eight winning designs were built as small pavilions to the peculiar scale of 1:2 – neither building nor model, half symbol and half piece of art. The installations were constructed at the artist’s centre Nieuw en Meer (read more…)

The event will start at 10am (1am GMT) on June 10th with a six hour work session in Kyoto, Japan, out of which will come the basis of our ideas and possible real projects collected beforehand and discussed within the advisory board of OpenJapan. The results from this first brain storming session will be passed over to the next city by order of timezone. After 24h the status of the work will be handed back to one node in Japan. This principle of a relay race will be repeated over 72h.

V I D A, an international group of architects and urban designers has won the competition for a 100-acre residential township for 40,000 residents in South India. The client has retained V I D A to design this whole township, till construction and subsequent opening scheduled for 2013.

More on this project after the break.

The eight winners of the 2011 Small Project Awards were recently announced by the AIA. In its eighth year the program focuses on highlighting good design at any scale. The jurors for this year included: Deborah Pierce, Obie G. Bowman, Randy Brown, Lance Hosey, and Wendy Evans Joseph.

A complete list of winners following the break.