1. ArchDaily
  2. MVRDV

MVRDV: The Latest Architecture and News

MVRDV Designs New Green Roof for Utrecht Convention Center

MVRDV and Jaarbeurs have designed a new master plan and green roof for Utrecht’s exhibition, event, and conference center in the Netherlands. MVRDV founding partner Winy Maas described the project's goal as creating “a garden in the city.” The new Jaarbeurs is designed to be a sustainable building that opens in all directions, and an accessible green roof will descend to ground level via cascading terraces.

MVRDV Designs New Green Roof for Utrecht Convention Center - Imagen 1 de 4MVRDV Designs New Green Roof for Utrecht Convention Center - Imagen 2 de 4MVRDV Designs New Green Roof for Utrecht Convention Center - Imagen 3 de 4MVRDV Designs New Green Roof for Utrecht Convention Center - Imagen 4 de 4MVRDV Designs New Green Roof for Utrecht Convention Center - More Images+ 5

Carlo Ratti and Winy Maas Discuss Facial Recognition and the Shenzhen Biennale

Subscriber Access | 

In December 2019, the Chinese city of Shenzhen will host the world’s only Biennale focused exclusively on the topics of urbanism and urbanization. The 2019 Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture will explore new phenomena brought about by the digital revolution, and the ability of citizens to become involved in shaping cities. The Biennale curator, Carlo Ratti, exemplifies this intersection between natural and artificial, championing the power of new technologies to transform how we live and design through his work at Carlo Ratti Associati and the MIT Senseable City Lab. In the “Eyes of the City” section of the Biennale, he is joined by MVRDV, and its co-founder Winy Maas, in shaping an experience that invites visitors and observers to question how technologies such as facial recognition can be integrated into urban life.

The Shenzhen & Hong Kong 2019 Bi-City Biennale Reflects on Technology and Urban Life

Opening in December in Shenzhen, China, the Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism and Architecture (UABB), organized by the cities of Shenzhen and Hong Kong, will discuss the theme of “Urban Interactions”. First to use Facial Recognition and Artificial Intelligence, the public exhibition will test new grounds to reflect on the impact of digital technologies on the urban environment.

The Shenzhen & Hong Kong 2019 Bi-City Biennale Reflects on Technology and Urban Life - Imagen 1 de 4The Shenzhen & Hong Kong 2019 Bi-City Biennale Reflects on Technology and Urban Life - Imagen 2 de 4The Shenzhen & Hong Kong 2019 Bi-City Biennale Reflects on Technology and Urban Life - Imagen 3 de 4The Shenzhen & Hong Kong 2019 Bi-City Biennale Reflects on Technology and Urban Life - Imagen 4 de 4The Shenzhen & Hong Kong 2019 Bi-City Biennale Reflects on Technology and Urban Life - More Images+ 30

MVRDV Creates a 23-story Mixed-Use Building for Mission Rock

Part of the Mission Rock master plan in San Francisco, MVRDV unveiled their contribution, in partnership with Perry Architects, a 23-story mixed-use building, including offices and residential units. The firm joins other big names like Studio Gang, Henning Larsen, and WORKac in designing one of the vertical entities in this waterfront.

Mission Rock's Collaborative Master Plan to Transform San Francisco’s Waterfront

The first phase of the planning vision for Mission Rock in San Francisco was initiated. The masterplan developed by the San Francisco Giants and Tishman Speyer put in place four buildings designed by internationally renowned architecture firms MVRDV, Studio Gang, Henning Larsen, and WORKac. The scheme also includes a 5-acre waterfront park by SCAPE.

Shortlisted Designs for the National Pulse Memorial & Museum Displayed in Orlando

The six shortlisted concepts for the National Pulse Memorial & Museum will be on display at the Orange County Regional History Center where people can view and comment on the schemes, helping the jury choose the winning proposal, to be announced on October 30.

MVRDV+ Local Community Propose Plans for Lost Canals in The Hague

MVRDV has designed with local neighborhood organizations, a proposal to regenerate the canals of the city of The Hague, in the Netherlands. Filled-in during the 20th century, the canals will be reopened in order to revive the historic center and improve the city on the sustainable, economical and infrastructural levels.

MVRDV+ Local Community Propose Plans for Lost Canals in The Hague - Imagem 1 de 4MVRDV+ Local Community Propose Plans for Lost Canals in The Hague - Imagem 2 de 4MVRDV+ Local Community Propose Plans for Lost Canals in The Hague - Imagem 3 de 4MVRDV+ Local Community Propose Plans for Lost Canals in The Hague - Imagem 4 de 4MVRDV+ Local Community Propose Plans for Lost Canals in The Hague - More Images+ 13

World’s First Publicly Accessible Art Depot by MVRDV Tops Out in Rotterdam

The world's first publicly accessible art depot by MVRDV has topped out in Rotterdam. Called Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, the new archive building was celebrated with a ceremony by the Stichting Collectiegebouw consortium, which comprises the museum, the municipality of Rotterdam, and Stichting De Verre Bergen. The depot will host the museum’s archive of 151,000 artworks and will be fully accessible to the public.

World’s First Publicly Accessible Art Depot by MVRDV Tops Out in Rotterdam - Image 2 of 4World’s First Publicly Accessible Art Depot by MVRDV Tops Out in Rotterdam - Image 1 of 4World’s First Publicly Accessible Art Depot by MVRDV Tops Out in Rotterdam - Image 3 of 4World’s First Publicly Accessible Art Depot by MVRDV Tops Out in Rotterdam - Image 4 of 4World’s First Publicly Accessible Art Depot by MVRDV Tops Out in Rotterdam - More Images+ 6

Studying the "Manual of Section": Architecture's Most Intriguing Drawing

Subscriber Access | 

For Paul Lewis, Marc Tsurumaki and David J. Lewis, the section “is often understood as a reductive drawing type, produced at the end of the design process to depict structural and material conditions in service of the construction contract.” A definition that will be familiar to most of those who have studied or worked in architecture at some point. We often think primarily of the plan, for it allows us to embrace the programmatic expectations of a project and provide a summary of the various functions required. In the modern age, digital modelling software programs offer ever more possibilities when it comes to creating complex three dimensional objects, making the section even more of an afterthought.

With their Manual of Section (2016), the three founding partners of LTL architects engage with section as an essential tool of architectural design, and let’s admit it, this reading might change your mind on the topic. For the co-authors, “thinking and designing through section requires the building of a discourse about section, recognizing it as a site of intervention.” Perhaps, indeed, we need to understand the capabilities of section drawings both to use them more efficiently and to enjoy doing so.

Studying the "Manual of Section": Architecture's Most Intriguing Drawing - Image 1 of 4Studying the "Manual of Section": Architecture's Most Intriguing Drawing - Image 2 of 4Studying the "Manual of Section": Architecture's Most Intriguing Drawing - Image 3 of 4Studying the "Manual of Section": Architecture's Most Intriguing Drawing - Image 4 of 4Studying the Manual of Section: Architecture's Most Intriguing Drawing - More Images+ 10

Construction Begins on MVRDV’s Mixed-Use Development in Abu Dhabi

Construction Begins on MVRDV’s Mixed-Use Development in Abu Dhabi - Image 1 of 4Construction Begins on MVRDV’s Mixed-Use Development in Abu Dhabi - Image 2 of 4Construction Begins on MVRDV’s Mixed-Use Development in Abu Dhabi - Image 3 of 4Construction Begins on MVRDV’s Mixed-Use Development in Abu Dhabi - Image 4 of 4Construction Begins on MVRDV’s Mixed-Use Development in Abu Dhabi - More Images+ 15

Pixel, the latest project from Dutch firm MVRDV, is now under construction and is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. The community based mixed-used development is the first project in Abu Dhabi’s Makers District, an innovative and cosmopolitan new area, on the Reem Island.

MVRDV Designs Facade of Potted Plants along Dommel River in the Netherlands

MVRDV has designed an office and residential building on a corner lot next to the Dommel river in the Dutch village of Sint-Michielsgestel. Made with a facade that takes the form of potted plants, the project uses a gridded “rack” system to cover the building’s entire exterior in a variety of plants. Designed with MVRDV’s co-architect, Van Boven Architecten, the team wanted to create a landmark project for the village while also being socially conscious and environmentally progressive.

Moscow Urban City Forum 2019: Quality of Life, Projects for a Better City

Subscriber Access | 

For its 9th edition, the Moscow Urban Forum continues to consolidate as one of the world’s most relevant urban conferences, bringing together a diverse group of architects, urbanists, city mayors, government officials, economists, developers, academics, citizens, and professionals from diverse fields and nationalities.

While Pierre de Meuron’s main keynote puts focus on ongoing developments in the city of Moscow, by showcasing the ambitious scheme to redevelop the Badaevskiy Brewery, the lectures and presentations acknowledged the diverse areas that shape the city, including topics such as mental health, lifestyle of the millennial generation, evolution of work, or delivery platforms. The evolution of the role of the architect was present, with a growing number of professionals now working on startups in the tech, infrastructure, real estate, construction, and mobility sectors, the new city makers.

MVRDV Exhibit "Architecture Speaks" to Open in Innsbruck This Week

Opening on July 5th, “Architecture Speaks: The Language of MVRDV” will provide an immersive, diverse, multimedia experience for visitors to the Tyrolean Architecture Center (aut) in Innsbruck, Austria. The exhibition centers around a spatial intervention of 4 towers constructed inside the aut’s Adambräu Building, a former brewhouse. Each tower embodies a word that represents key concepts in MVRDV’s designs: stack, pixel, village, and activator. “Architecture Speaks” aims to present the concepts in an approachable, engaging manner, with the colorful towers enhanced by images, text, models, drawings, videos, audio, and interactive elements to present MVRDV’s projects.

MVRDV Exhibit "Architecture Speaks" to Open in Innsbruck This Week - Image 1 of 4MVRDV Exhibit "Architecture Speaks" to Open in Innsbruck This Week - Image 2 of 4MVRDV Exhibit "Architecture Speaks" to Open in Innsbruck This Week - Image 3 of 4MVRDV Exhibit "Architecture Speaks" to Open in Innsbruck This Week - Image 4 of 4MVRDV Exhibit Architecture Speaks to Open in Innsbruck This Week - More Images+ 9

MVRDV Reopens Crystal Houses with New Tenant and Facade

Dutch design practice MVRDV has reopened their 2016 project Crystal Houses with a new tenant and façade. Located on the high-end shopping street PC Hooftstraat, Crystal Houses initially hosted a temporary store for Chanel. The project’s jewel-like façade was proposed as a way for Amsterdam to be home to distinctive, upmarket flagship stores without compromising the city’s historical character. Now the project has been renovated and re-opened for French luxury brand Hermès.

MVRDV Reopens Crystal Houses with New Tenant and Facade - Image 1 of 4MVRDV Reopens Crystal Houses with New Tenant and Facade - Image 2 of 4MVRDV Reopens Crystal Houses with New Tenant and Facade - Image 3 of 4MVRDV Reopens Crystal Houses with New Tenant and Facade - Image 4 of 4MVRDV Reopens Crystal Houses with New Tenant and Facade - More Images+ 5

High Profile Architects Shortlisted for Pulse Nightclub Shooting Memorial

The shortlist has been announced for the design of the National Pulse Memorial & Museum in Orlando, Florida, honoring the 49 people killed during the Pulse nightclub shooting on June 12th, 2016. Established by Dovetail Design Strategists for the onePULSE Foundation, the open, two-stage international competition seeks to honor those killed while also supporting the families, survivors, and first responders.

Winners of the 2019 Building of the Year Awards

More than 80,000 votes were cast over the last two weeks and, after careful review, the results of the 2019 ArchDaily Building of the Year Awards presented by Unreal are in. Building of the Year, which itself celebrated ten years this year, is the largest peer-based crowdsourced architecture award in the world, showcasing the projects chosen by you, our readers, as the most significant of the year.

This is no mean feat. More than 4000 projects were in contention this year, challenging readers to carefully consider a wide variety of projects across type, scale, and location. 4000 projects were whittled to 75 finalists; 75 have now been reduced to the 15 winners - one for each typological category.

The results are as diverse as the architecture itself. Well-known names are, as in years past, present among the bunch, among them Zaha Hadid Architects, MVRDV, and Heatherwick Studio. For London-based Heatherwick, their win marks the second consecutive year they have taken top honors for a refurbishment-based project. But less-renowned names dominate the ranks of the winners this year. Innocad’s serenely simple office building for a real estate company elevates what corporate architecture can be while the technical and material mastery of Sameep Padora’s Maya Somaiya Library is enough to make any architect look twice. The library is, in fact, one of two Indian projects to take top honors this year - a strong first year showing for the nation whose design talent seems finally to be coming to the fore.

But for all their many beautiful differences, the winners share a crucial element in common: they represent the values of our mission, to bring inspiration, knowledge, and tools to architects everywhere. Building of the Year - indeed, ArchDaily itself - would not be possible without the generosity of firms and readers as invested in our mission as we are. We give our profound thanks to all who participated this year, no matter the form. Congratulations to all the winners!



Construction of MVRDV's Landscaped Food Market Begins in Taiwan

MVRDV has broken ground on a wholesale market for fruit and vegetables in Tainan, Taiwan. Defined by a terraced, accessible green roof, the open-air market will serve as both an important hub in Taiwan’s supply chain, and a destination for meeting, socializing, and taking in views of the surrounding landscape.

Named the “Tainan Xinhua Fruit and Vegetable Market,” the MVRDV scheme transforms an often-prosaic aspect of the food industry into a public experience of food and nature. Located in a strategic position between the city and mountains, with good public transport links, the scheme sits at a convenient node for traders, buyers, and visitors.

Construction of MVRDV's Landscaped Food Market Begins in Taiwan - Image 1 of 4Construction of MVRDV's Landscaped Food Market Begins in Taiwan - Image 2 of 4Construction of MVRDV's Landscaped Food Market Begins in Taiwan - Image 3 of 4Construction of MVRDV's Landscaped Food Market Begins in Taiwan - Featured ImageConstruction of MVRDV's Landscaped Food Market Begins in Taiwan - More Images

MVRDV's Tirana Tower forms a Pixelated Map of Albania

Construction has begun on MVRDV’s “Downtown One,” a 140-meter-tall mixed-use skyscraper for the Albanian capital city of Tirana. Set to become Albania’s tallest building, the 37-story scheme is defined by its “relief of cantilevered houses and offices, which form a pixelated map of Albania, each representing a town or city.”

Situated in the center of the city, on the Bajram Curri Boulevard, the scheme intends to boost the economy of the capital through a mix of apartments, shops, offices, and restaurants. In addition to manifesting as a map of Albania when viewed from afar, the iconic cantilevers also generate spectacular panoramic views of the city and mountains, and create a connection between residents of this “vertical village.”

MVRDV's Tirana Tower forms a Pixelated Map of Albania - Image 1 of 4MVRDV's Tirana Tower forms a Pixelated Map of Albania - Image 2 of 4MVRDV's Tirana Tower forms a Pixelated Map of Albania - Image 3 of 4MVRDV's Tirana Tower forms a Pixelated Map of Albania - Image 4 of 4MVRDV's Tirana Tower forms a Pixelated Map of Albania - More Images