The world's most visited architecture platform

LEAF International (Leading European Architecture Forum) has announced Santiago Calatrava as the recipient of its 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award. Recognized by a panel of industry experts around the world, he has been selected for his “unique vision and ability to transform cities through impactful design" as well as the breadth of his work, which includes projects like the World Trade Center Transportation Hub (New York City), Milwaukee Art Museum (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), Museum of Tomorrow (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Florida Polytechnic Building (Lakeland, Florida) and the Turning Torso Tower (Malmö, Sweden).

Architecture firm GRAFT has won first place in the competition to design the new Rose Square in Tbisili, Georgia.

Located in front of the Radisson Blu Hotel, which GRAFT renovated in 2009, the site will be transformed into a leisure area with various seating options, and a parking lot underneath.

+ 15

Few have ever considered what the Giardini—the park of national pavilions for the Art and Architecture Biennales in Venice—is like during the winter months. In light of the fact that, during their "off-season," the gardens are often left in a state of disrepair, RAAAF—a Dutch multidisciplinary studio based in Amsterdam, alongside architect Marcel Moonen—have proposed a series of installations in an attempt to "reclaim valuable public space" which sits at the heart of an often overcrowded city.

+ 9

+ 24

+ 24

+ 14

Next month, the AIA National Convention is heading to Philadelphia! As the premier architecture and design conference of the year, this is a can’t-miss event for those involved with the industry. If you haven’t yet purchased your pass, we’re offering a chance to attend free of charge!

reThink Wood is offering a full pre-paid pass to the 2016 AIA National Convention ($1,050 value) to one lucky ArchDaily reader. The winner will have the chance to meet with architects, engineers, academics and developers that are passionate about innovative design with wood.

To win, just answer the following question in the comments section before Friday, April 22 at 12:00 p.m. ET: Which mass timber building in the U.S. has most inspired you? 

+ 18

A group of researchers from KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has developed Optically Transparent Wood (TW), a new material that could greatly impact the way we develop our architectural projects. Published in the American Chemical Society's journal Biomacromolecules, the transparent timber is created through a process that removes the chemical lignin from a wood veneer, causing it to become very white. This white porous veneer is then impregnated with a transparent polymer, matching the optical properties of the individual cells and making the whole material translucent.

+ 7

OMA has revealed the design for its first skyscraper in Tokyo. A tower with a torqued front-facade, the building incorporates an elevated park and access to a new Hibiya Line subway station in a project that mixes hotel, office, and retail components.