Perkins+Will is creating a whole new world 62 miles northwest of Shanghai for the Suzhou Science & Technology Museum. Inspired by shan sui, the Chinese phrase for "mountain-water,” the complex lies at the foot of Lion Mountain and adjacent to Shishan Lake. The 600,000 square foot museum will be the focal point of a new cultural neighborhood in Shishan Park.
The Italian government has allocated 350 million euro for the construction of 52 new schools. In order to gather ideas for these future schools, the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) hosted the Scuole InnovativeDesign Competition. Architect and engineer participants were critiqued on: architectural response to teaching needs, urban site integration, accessibility, flexibility, safety, materials, ease of maintenance, economic and environmental sustainability.