As Kharkiv embarks on the long road to recovery following the devastating conflict in Ukraine, a global design competition has been initiated by the Norman Foster Foundation and Buildner to reimagine one of the city's most significant landmarks—Freedom Square. A symbol of Soviet-era urban planning, the square, along with the Regional Administration Building, was heavily damaged by a missile strike on March 1, 2022. The attack left the building in ruins and the square scarred by conflict.
In recent years, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have become a significant model for delivering large-scale infrastructure projects around the world. These partnerships bring together the strengths of both the public sector, represented by governments or municipalities, and the private sector, combining their resources, expertise, and investment power. In the context of architecture and urban development, PPPs are increasingly being used to address the complex needs of growing cities, helping to finance, build, and maintain critical projects that would be difficult for either sector to accomplish alone. But what exactly are PPPs, and how do they function in the built environment? This article explores the concept of PPPs, providing examples from across the globe to illustrate how these partnerships are shaping the future of urban spaces, sometimes beyond commercial gains. Furthermore, by exploring the different projects, the article aims to develop a framework around PPPs' positive and negative potential impacts.
In the Czech river valley of the Berounka near Prague, Stempel & Tesař Architekti have created an extraordinary private residence. The elongated structure is primarily made of steel and glass, featuring oversized air-lux sliding windows. The entire volume juts out into the landscape like a pier.
Villa Sidonius embodies the purest form of view and overview. For good reason—the landscape along the Berounka River is characterized by the flora and fauna of various nature reserves. The town of Černošice, located on the southwestern outskirts of Prague, is also nestled in greenery. This environment inspired Stempel & Tesař to design this single-family home, resembling a pier stretching out into the landscape from a hillside.
From inked drawings on tracing paper, to highly detailed digital 3D models, the role of the architect has evolved, and next-gen design software is empowering today's architects with valuable data and design flexibility. In the past, the work was meticulous and required great manual effort, with every line and detail drawn by hand using rulers and other tools. Over time, programs like Revit revolutionized the field by enabling the creation of precise and digitally organized drawings, simplifying edits and the replication of components.
Over the past twenty years, the Holcim Foundation Awards has committed USD 20M to spotlighting projects from an industry-changing cast of architects, designers, and engineers who champion innovative practices in sustainable design and construction.
To better tell these success stories, the Foundation launched a short film series called 'Words with Winners.' The series includes a conversation with Loreta Castro Reguera, co-founder of Taller Capital in Mexico City, about the design of the highly innovative La Quebradora Waterpark, which received a Holcim Foundation Award in 2018.
How do community centers emerge? Why do they often represent a need for the appropriation and development of society? In the pursuit of improving the quality of life in the most vulnerable communities, community centers present themselves as an alternative capable of providing healthcare, educational, cultural, and recreational services, along with spaces that contribute to the present and future development of communities. In Mexico, numerous community centers are created and supported by government institutions, civil foundations, or private companies, as well as co-management initiatives that aim to integrate children, youth, adults, and older adults into spaces for gathering, socializing, and recreation, where they can engage in activities from learning to developing individual and collective skills.
Exhibition spaces convey carefully curated content with the goal of educating, inspiring, and engaging visitors, using objects and displays to tell stories. In addition to promoting education, cultural preservation, and aesthetic appreciation, these environments encourage creativity and interaction. With immersive and interactive experiences, they allow visitors to form meaningful connections with new knowledge, different perspectives, and important cultural heritages, creating both intellectual and emotional engagement.
Prioritizing people and the planet, when it comes to building construction and real estate development, is being seen as more than an ethical mandate - it is a highly profitable approach. Changing market demands, city ordinances, and regulations, and an emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are all influencing what successful development in the 21st century stands for.
In Toronto, Canada, the ongoing Downsview Airport redevelopment project showcases this mindset in practice. While traditional development has generally focused on maximizing short-term returns, the Downsview project offers a holistic alternative that can invite significant long-term profits, all while addressing broader societal and environmental concerns.
Ceramic tiles are a decorative form almost as old as time—originating in ancient Mesopotamia, where they were first used around 4,000 years ago. Today, they serve as a global motif, both ascetic and pictorial, available in a panoply of colors and textures. Formed from the elemental process of firing clay, minerals and water at high heats, tiles become a robust, hard-wearing material with a myriad of applications.
In what is now Italy, tile use and production proliferated in the Roman era – not least in the form of intricate, technicolor mosaics – and the styles embraced in antiquity were an early precedent for those used today. The use of tiles skyrocketed further in the later Renaissance period, with Italian artisans perfecting the medium as an artistic medium, and the country remains perhaps the consummate producer of ceramic and porcelain tiling.
Designing for children is certainly not child's play. While adults lead the design process, the end-users are often children, as seen in kindergartens, schools, and parks. Architects have the responsibility to create built environments that provide children with opportunities to play, explore, and learn, even in today's digital age.
Coffee culture continues to thrive in the contemporary world, with a noticeable shift from the dominance of chains & franchise stores to a growing market for prosumer coffee. As more and more coffee consumers become prosumers, individuals who both produce and consume, they are turning coffee-making into a hobby, even a ritual, and are expecting coffee shops to keep up. Consumers are becoming more knowledgeable, paying close attention to the source and type of beans, brewing methods, and equipment. They also appreciate the design of coffee machinery, not just for its functionality but for its aesthetics, efficiency, and space management. This surge in interest, especially in Asia, has led to changes in coffee shops' operations. Many individual coffee shops, responding to the rise in consumer spending power and interests, are motivated to focus on creating unique, immersive experiences for an ever-growing marketable audience.
The American Institute of Architects, Middle East Chapter, opens entries for its 11th Year-End Conference and Design Awards, set to take place in the vibrant city of Doha, Qatar, between the 22nd and 23rd of November, 2024. This prestigious event will gather thought leaders, professionals, and enthusiasts to explore the latest trends, innovations, and challenges in the design field with a focus on Qatar's remarkable development.
Mexico City's skyline is not just a testament to its rich architectural heritage but also a reflection of the stories, myths, and quirks embedded within its structures. From monumental landmarks to lesser-known buildings, each corner of the city holds a fascinating history that goes beyond its facade. In this article, we dive into some of the most intriguing tales that surround CDMX's most iconic buildings, offering a glimpse into the mysteries and cultural significance hidden within their walls.
Contemporary architecture evolves in tandem with the materials and construction techniques available in each region. In addition to the architectural trends of the moment or historical ideas that may inspire creativity, understanding how materials are used, cared for, and maintained, as well as their technical and aesthetic properties, is crucial to the concepts envisioned by many architects. Each material carries its own inherent logic. In fact, architect Louis Kahn suggested that the way materials interact can lead to unavoidable combinations of structure, walls, and assembly in buildings. Rieder products exemplify this by offering modular, flexible solutions that help buildings seamlessly adapt to urban environments, enhancing both interior and exterior spaces while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
The middle of the Twentieth Century saw the independence of most countries on the African continent. Those euphoric times brought forward-looking sentiments and a wish to break with the past. Modernism, as an architectural movement, was ideal for the day, and newly independent countries had extensive building programs to assert themselves as fully functioning nations.
Hotels are one type of building that illustrates the complex architectural and political history of the times. Some were built specifically to host international delegations, others to boost tourism, while some were built as strong leaders' wishes. Although a marginal building type, several hotels across Africa stand as physical records of important parts of their respective country's history.
Mexico City is renowned for its abundant museums, heritage sites, and cultural richness. In fact, the capital has over 173 museums, big and small spread out through its 16 alcaldías or burroughs. The presence of these cultural spaces injects and intensifies the artistic appeal and aspect of the vibrant city. With many pioneering Mexican architects having intertwined modern art and architecture, this gave rise to iconic museums and classics of Mexican modernist architecture.
In densely populated cities, the demand for more living space has led to a growing trend in home extensions. With limited opportunities for new construction and a desire to preserve historical urban fabric, homeowners are increasingly looking for innovative ways to expand their homes. Home extensions offer a practical solution to modern needs, allowing residents to stay in familiar neighborhoods and maintain their ties to the community.
There are several approaches to these renovations. Home additions take various forms, ranging from isolated rooms with specific functions near the main house, to volumes directly attached to the original structure. These extensions can be built on the ground floor or take advantage of vertical space by constructing additional levels on the existing building.
Fifteen UC Berkeley Master of Urban Design students watched as farmers, small business owners, government agency officials, representatives from Indigenous tribes, and interested citizens filed into the exhibition hall in the John Steinbeck Center. For months, the students had been developing ideas for dynamic agritourism in California's Salinas Valley. But they never expected so many people to show up to listen to their presentations.
"They were eager to see our work. It was humbling, and empowering, to realize that we could have a real impact on people's lives through urban design," remembers one of the participating students.
For centuries, models have been central to architectural design, providing architects with a tangible way to explore ideas, test concepts, and communicate their vision. From the Renaissance to Modernism, models have been instrumental in the construction and reflection processes, offering insights into form, proportion, and spatial relationships. However, in today's digital age, where 3D modelsand Virtual Reality(VR) have become powerful and efficient tools, the question arises: Are physical models still relevant in contemporary architecture?
In celebration of Urban October, a month dedicated to recognizing the significance of innovative urban spaces, this curated selection presents 8 conceptual projects that demonstrate the transformative potential of public spaces. These projects, submitted by the ArchDaily community, showcase the myriad ways public spaces can enhance cultural identity, community interaction, and environmental quality. Conceptual projects and competition entries serve as a platform for architectural experimentation, challenging the norms and sparking discussions about the future of urban landscapes. From rural settings to layered historical squares or small-scale urban interventions, the designs engage with their contexts, aiming to improve the experience of residents and visitors, highlight the histories of the space, and ensure accessibility for all.
Each month, ArchDaily's editors select a collection of conceptual projects centered around a theme or program, submitted to ArchDaily. These projects are developed by small and large-scale architecture offices from around the world and submitted openly to the ArchDaily platform, thus forming a worldwide community of practitioners sharing their work, be it purely conceptual, a competition entry, or an early-stage design phase. Submissions are open to everybody. If you wish to contribute, send in your work by following the instructions here.
A new generation of sustainable practices is transforming the architectural landscape. What is its 'secret'? The combination of innovation, ecological awareness, and, fundamentally, the revaluation of natural resources that have accompanied humanity since its earliest days. While this knowledge was never truly lost, the techniques associated with these materials have long remained in the background. Today, they are making a resurgence, adapting to modern challenges, and reestablishing themselves as essential, timeless elements in tomorrow's architecture.
https://www.archdaily.com/1022116/smart-eco-conscious-architecture-and-decor-inspired-by-natures-finest-materialsEnrique Tovar
Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, offers a dynamic blend of the country's architectural heritage with mountainous landscapes. Nonetheless, just like many other cities in Latin America, it faces significant urban challenges such as social class disparities and a fragmented urban fabric. In response, several design initiatives have emerged over the years to address those issues. One of the most prominent examples is the "Villa for Girls", designed by the Guatemalan firm Solis Colomer Arquitectos, which has now expanded to include a "Villa for Boys" since 2017. These projects are aimed at children from low-income families who often face the risk of being recruited by gangs. Together they build upon an architectural legacy that offers a safe, supportive environment to grow and learn.