The Simplicity of Iranian Architecture's Complex Geometry

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Iran’s geography consists largely of a central desert plateau, surrounded by mountain ranges. Due to the country being mostly covered by earth, sand, and rock, Iranian architecture makes fantastic use of brick or adobe elements. Most of the buildings seen in larger cities such as Tehran and Isfahan are constructed using similar brick-laying methods as can been seen in other parts of the world, but certain constructions, usually ones that date further back, contain incredible geometrical treasures. And it doesn’t stop there - old Iranian architecture often contains a layer of tiles over the brick constructions that can create just as mesmerizing geometrical wonders. The art of creating complexity by using many incredibly simple elements is one that has been mastered in Iran. In an architectural world where construction has become hidden by layers of plaster and plywood, we could learn a lot from the beauty of Iran’s structural geometry, where skin and structure are (almost always) one and the same.

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Tourist Access Adaptation to the Domes of The Cathedral of Malaga / Marina Uno Arquitectos + Gabriel Ruiz Cabrero

Tourist Access Adaptation to the Domes of The Cathedral of Malaga / Marina Uno Arquitectos + Gabriel Ruiz Cabrero - RenovationTourist Access Adaptation to the Domes of The Cathedral of Malaga / Marina Uno Arquitectos + Gabriel Ruiz Cabrero - RenovationTourist Access Adaptation to the Domes of The Cathedral of Malaga / Marina Uno Arquitectos + Gabriel Ruiz Cabrero - RenovationTourist Access Adaptation to the Domes of The Cathedral of Malaga / Marina Uno Arquitectos + Gabriel Ruiz Cabrero - RenovationTourist Access Adaptation to the Domes of The Cathedral of Malaga / Marina Uno Arquitectos + Gabriel Ruiz Cabrero - More Images+ 20

  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  247
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2014
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  BEC, Led Linear

New Type of Marble Protection Derived From Human Teeth and Bones

Researchers at Princeton University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering have discovered that hydroxyapatite, the primary compound found in human teeth and bones, can be used to help preserve the condition of marble, which is prone to cracking and deteriorating as a result of the effects of pollution and the weather.

How Architects Realized the Curving, Twisted, Slanted Walls in Toyo Ito's Mexican Museum

This article is part of our 'Innovative Materials' series where we ask architects about the creative process behind choosing the materials they use in their work.

The Museo Internacional del Barroco (International Baroque Museum) by Toyo Ito is located 7km from Puebla, Mexico. The place is noted for its easy access, not only for cars, but also for being connected to a network of bike paths and public transport. In this interview we spoke with Alejandro Bribiesca Ortega and Miriam Carrada.

Total Space: Considering Dutch Structuralism Today

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In this article, Dirk van den Heuvel links (Dutch) Structuralism to current day developments – more specifically in the digital realm. The following essay was first published by Volume in their 50th issue, Beyond Beyond, the editorial of which is available to read here.

Throughout his life the Dutch architect Jaap Bakema (1914-1981) sought to convey to his students and colleagues the notion of what he called 'total space', 'total life', and 'total urbanization'. In his view, architectural design had to help in making people aware of the larger environment to which they belong and in which they operate. Architecture could not be uncoupled from urbanism, it was related to the deeper structure of society. His conceptualization of architecture was programme and process based and it put social and visual relationships at the centre, which betrays his adherence to Structuralism as voiced in the Dutch journal Forum of which he was an editor together with Van Eyck and Hertzberger, and to the Team 10 discourse, of which he himself was one of the leading voices. At the same time, Bakema would expand on the legacy of the Dutch De Stijl movement and Dutch Functionalism. In particular his concept of space and spatial continuity is derived from De Stijl. His diagrammatic approach to architectural design and programmatic organization, as well as the elementary architectural language of his projects were elaborations of the Dutch Functionalist tradition.

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The Marly House / L’agence KARAWITZ

The Marly House / L’agence KARAWITZ - Houses, ChairThe Marly House / L’agence KARAWITZ - Houses, FacadeThe Marly House / L’agence KARAWITZ - Houses, FacadeThe Marly House / L’agence KARAWITZ - Houses, StairsThe Marly House / L’agence KARAWITZ - More Images+ 26

  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  145
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2015
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Gutex, KLH, Menuiseries André, Paul Novus 300, Serge Ferrari, +1

WeWork Weihai Lu / Linehouse

WeWork Weihai Lu / Linehouse - Offices InteriorsWeWork Weihai Lu / Linehouse - Offices InteriorsWeWork Weihai Lu / Linehouse - Offices InteriorsWeWork Weihai Lu / Linehouse - Offices InteriorsWeWork Weihai Lu / Linehouse - More Images+ 14

  • Interior Designers: Linehouse
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  5500
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2016
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Cementir

Common Ground / URBANTAINER

Common Ground / URBANTAINER - Market, DoorCommon Ground / URBANTAINER - Market, FacadeCommon Ground / URBANTAINER - Market, FacadeCommon Ground / URBANTAINER - Market, Deck, Handrail, Facade, Chair, CityscapeCommon Ground / URBANTAINER - More Images+ 30

The Ross Pavilion International Design Competition

The Ross Pavilion International Design Competition focuses on regenerating and renewing an emblematic site at the heart of West Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, which is presently occupied by the Ross Bandstand. This nationally-important space, positioned below Edinburgh Castle in the UNESCO World Heritage site, is the seasonal focus for some of Scotland’s most high-profile events, notably Hogmanay and the International Festival’s closing fireworks.

Nionohama Apartment House Renovation / ALTS Design Office

Nionohama Apartment House Renovation / ALTS Design Office - Apartment Interiors, Kitchen, Table, Chair, CountertopNionohama Apartment House Renovation / ALTS Design Office - Apartment Interiors, Kitchen, Beam, Table, ChairNionohama Apartment House Renovation / ALTS Design Office - Apartment Interiors, TableNionohama Apartment House Renovation / ALTS Design Office - Apartment Interiors, Kitchen, Door, CountertopNionohama Apartment House Renovation / ALTS Design Office - More Images+ 15

  • Architects: ALTS Design Office
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  84
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2017
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  AEG

Mountainside Stellar Residences and Townhomes / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson

Mountainside Stellar Residences and Townhomes / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson - Houses, Facade, ForestMountainside Stellar Residences and Townhomes / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson - Houses, Kitchen, Door, Beam, Table, ChairMountainside Stellar Residences and Townhomes / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson - Houses, ForestMountainside Stellar Residences and Townhomes / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson - Houses, Door, Beam, Facade, Table, ChairMountainside Stellar Residences and Townhomes / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson - More Images+ 11

Free Resume Templates for Architects

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What's a better way to follow up on one of our most popular posts (of all time) than by providing a key design tool: the mighty template. Many of you enjoyed seeing the examples of CVs and resumes submitted by ArchDaily readers, but you also asked for a simple, fast way to jump start inspiration for your own creations.

Here are five hand-picked, well-organized, easy-to-use templates that have been downloaded and tested by our team of editors. 

PL House / AI2 Design

PL House  / AI2 Design - Houses, Facade, Chair, TablePL House  / AI2 Design - Houses, Stairs, Handrail, Chair, Bench, TablePL House  / AI2 Design - Houses, Courtyard, Door, Facade, LightingPL House  / AI2 Design - Houses, FacadePL House  / AI2 Design - More Images+ 13

Piura, Peru
  • Architects: AI2 Design
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  400
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2015
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Bosch, Carrier, Cassinelli, Miyasato, Ortiz, +1

Schauman & Nordgren Architects Wins Competition for "City of Gardens" Masterplan in Finland

Schauman & Nordgren Architects has been announced as the winners of an open competition to redesign the old industrial area of Kangas in Jyväskylä, Finland. The winning proposal, titled “Kangas - City of Gardens,” seeks to build off of the success of a recently completed creative campus located within former paper factory by transforming the surrounding neighborhood into a vibrant live/work district containing over 5,000 new homes, 2000 new workplaces and a new educational campus facility.

Schauman & Nordgren Architects Wins Competition for "City of Gardens" Masterplan in Finland - Facade, CityscapeSchauman & Nordgren Architects Wins Competition for "City of Gardens" Masterplan in Finland - CityscapeSchauman & Nordgren Architects Wins Competition for "City of Gardens" Masterplan in Finland - Facade, ArchSchauman & Nordgren Architects Wins Competition for "City of Gardens" Masterplan in Finland - Facade, Lighting, ForestSchauman & Nordgren Architects Wins Competition for City of Gardens Masterplan in Finland - More Images+ 10

Amoroso Studio / Modal Design

Amoroso Studio / Modal Design - Interior Photography, Houses, Facade, ChairAmoroso Studio / Modal Design - HousesAmoroso Studio / Modal Design - Exterior Photography, Houses, FacadeAmoroso Studio / Modal Design - HousesAmoroso Studio / Modal Design - More Images+ 11

Los Angeles, United States
  • Architects: Modal Design
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  1072
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2016
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Arcadia Custom, Arcadia Inc., Elite, Elite Lighting Company, Panasonic, +1

New York City Unveils Plans for New Fashion and Film Hub in Brooklyn

As rising rents have began to drive out historic garment companies from New York City’s storied Garment District in Midtown Manhattan, mayor Bill de Blasio has announced plans for a new development that would bring together the artistic fields into one creative hub in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighborhood. Conceived and designed by WXY architecture + urban design, the $136 million “Made in NY Campus” will provide the setting for film and television production, virtual reality tech offices, and a new home for New York’s fashion and garment manufacturing industry.

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MAD Brussels / Vers plus de bien être + ROTOR

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The 16 Stories Behind the 2017 Building of the Year Award Winners

After two weeks of nominations and voting, last week we announced the 16 winners of the 2017 Building of the Year Awards. In addition to providing inspiration, information, and tools for architecture lovers from around the world, ArchDaily seeks to offer a platform for the many diverse and global voices in the architecture community. In this year's Building of the Year Awards that range of voices was once again on display, with 75,000 voters from around the world offering their selections to ultimately select 16 winners from over 3,000 published projects.

Behind each of those projects are years of research, design, and labor. In the spirit of the world's most democratic architecture award, we share the stories behind the 16 buildings that won over our global readership with their urban interventions, humanitarianism, playfulness, and grandeur.

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