Photographer: Feng Shao | ArchDaily

Evenly Lit, Not Overlit: Rethinking Brightness in Subtropical Cities

Jonathan Yeung — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000

In South China, there is occasionally an urban myth—especially across Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou—about choosing a home that avoids western light. Over decades, the west-facing sun has proven to be a particularly difficult condition to live with: its low angle in the afternoon, its aggressive heat gain (especially in summer), and the way it penetrates deep into interiors. With global warming and longer, hotter seasons, that much-romanticized "afternoon glow" is increasingly experienced less as romance and more as glare, heat, and fatigue. Although this wisdom circulates as a community-driven rule of thumb, it carries an undeniable architectural clarity about building orientations: avoiding western light is not only about thermal comfort, but also about avoiding the sharpest, most intrusive form of direct illumination—light that strikes at the most unforgiving angle, washing surfaces, flattening depth, and turning rooms into high-contrast fields of discomfort.

Miniature Architecture: 17 Projects that Explore Interior Design for Children

Dima Stouhi — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 05:30:00 +0000

The world certainly looks different through the eyes of a young child; enormous, intriguing, and somewhat overwhelming, and it has long been believed that what we encounter as children shapes our perspective of the world. When asked about his childhood memories in Switzerland, Peter Zumthor shared that the memories of his youth contain the deepest architectural experience, which has become reservoirs of the architectural atmospheres and images that he explores in his work as an architect today.

Renovation of Peace Parks Gate 6 / Atelier Z+

Andreas Luco — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Peace Park, initially established in 1958 under the name “Tilan Park” in its early construction phase and later renamed in the following year, stands as a historically significant urban park in northeast Shanghai, ranking as the third largest park in the central city within the Inner-Ring Road.

Sound Absorption and Aesthetics: What is Stabilized Aluminum Foam?

Eduardo Souza — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 02:30:00 +0000

Stabilized Aluminum Foam is a unique looking material that combines the aesthetics of aluminum (its texture, shades and brightness) with a spongy, porous appearance. It is produced by injecting air into a cast aluminum alloy with stabilizing agents, which after curing, creates a porous and lightweight, yet highly resistant and rigid cellular structure. Because of its mechanical and thermal properties, it is particularly useful in applications in various industries, such as automotive, aerospace and marine, especially for energy absorption, thermal insulation, and sound dampening.

Memorial Hall of the Final Battle of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression / TJAD

Collin Chen — Sun, 16 Oct 2022 22:00:00 +0000

On August 15, 1945, Japan announced its unconditional surrender, and the fourteen-year war of resistance against Japan came to an end. However, the war did not subside. Until the end of 1945, there was another county in the south of Jiangsu that was still occupied by the Japanese army, which was Gaoyou city. On December 19, 1945, the central China Field Army of the new fourth army launched a final attack on the Japanese army who refused to surrender in Gaoyou. On December 26, after the victory of the Gaoyou campaign, Suyu received the saber presented by Japanese Senior Minister Iwasaki in an auditorium in the people's Park, and Gaoyou finally ushered in its liberation. This is the last battle of the Chinese people's war of resistance against Japan and the last City liberated in the war resistance against Japan. 70 years later, the smoke of war has long dissipated, and the place where the Japanese invaders surrendered to the New Fourth Army is still standing in the center of the downtown, quietly telling that magnificent historical moment. For more than 70 years after the war, the "Park auditorium" (the place where the Japanese army surrendered at that time) has been mixed with the Gaoyou martyr cemetery, people's Park, university for the elderly, old government office building, state department head gate, and various civilian houses. The surrounding environment is quite poor. In 2015, in order to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, the Gaoyou municipal government hopes to organically integrate the memorial hall of the last battle with the surrounding environment and the city through design. At the same time, an auxiliary Pavilion will be added to display the historical materials of the Anti-Japanese war as a supplement to the pavilion of the last battle. And a new tourist center will be built as a supporting facility for the whole park.

ArchDaily Selects the Best New Practices of 2021

David Basulto — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 08:30:00 +0000

As our world evolves at an unprecedented pace, the challenges that come with it are becoming more and more complex. The questions faced by the cities and networks of our global world, the physical and virtual environments where our evolution takes place, are making architecture more relevant than ever.

Shoku-tei Sushi / NATURE TIMES ART DESIGN

Yu Xin Li — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Shoku-tei Sushi, a Michelin-level Japanese cuisine brand, chose Shenzhen as the site for its first restaurant in Mainland China, and entrusted local design practice NATURE TIMES ART DESIGN to conceive the space. The brand commits to serving superior, delicate sushi to customers, and inherits the quintessence of the traditional craftsmanship of Edomae sushi. For the project, the design team tried to combine traditional Japanese cuisine with Oriental visual elements via modern design languages, intending to bring diners fabulous poetic experiences.

Holiland 1992 Concept Store / Some Thoughts Spatial Design and Research Office

Yu Xin Li — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 03:00:00 +0000

Kuanzhai Alley, known for its historical architecture form for being the last relic of ancient Chengdu, it has been the epitome associated with the continuation of history and also a rare example of northern Hutong culture applied in the south. From the residence for the military in Qing Dynasty to the modern culture-infused business district, Kuanzhai alley has always been an embodiment that embraces contemporary trends and fosters a view towards the future.

Taiyuan FAB Cinema / X+LIVING

罗靖琳 - Jinglin Luo — Sat, 20 Mar 2021 21:00:00 +0000

In Taiyuan IF Center, FAB Cinema collaborated with Zhongshuge to create an innovational cinema experience, and we are invited to design this cross-brand project. Designing a cross-brand space is not simply about mixing features of two brands together. The designer integrated cultural aspects of both brands together organically, using humane sentiments of the bookstore to elevate brand value of the entertainment space, at the same time maximizing both spaces’ social features to bring customers a different experience.

Ya Space！ / PIG DESIGN

罗靖琳 - Jinglin Luo — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 23:00:00 +0000

This project is a furniture exhibition space, with Memphis furniture as main exhibits. The designer titled it “Ya Space!”, which not only echoes the nickname of Memphis City in China — “Cliff City” (“Cliff” is pronounced as “Ya” in Chinese language), but also conveys a surprising feeling that indicate the unexpected sensory experiences Memphis furniture brings to people. Representative elements of Memphis style, including geometric shapes and free composition, were frequently applied to the project. The designers identified priorities for the selection of spatial materials and hues, hoping to go beyond Memphis' extreme emphasis on visual effects with enhanced textures and more sustainable concepts.

“Suzhou Bay Cultural Center is a Coexistence of Large and Small scales”: Interview with Christian de Portzamparc

韩双羽 - HAN Shuangyu — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 04:00:00 +0000

The Suzhou Bay Cultural Center is part of a series of emblematic projects initiated by the city's Wujiang Lakefront Masterplan. Located on the shores of Lake Tai, the deserted plain was discovered by Christian de Portzamparc in 2013, while rethinking the future city. It was then built so quickly, that the architect never ceased to be amazed after every visit. Alive, it is like a real Manhattan of towers organized through a grid of streets and avenues, bordering a central pedestrian axis that heads towards the lake. It was clear that the meeting of this pedestrian axis and the great lake would generate an exceptional place, and it was on this site, on each side, that the cultural center was to be implanted in the architecture competition.

Suzhou Bay Grand Theater / Christian de Portzamparc

Jiang Yao — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 23:00:00 +0000

The Suzhou Bay Cultural Center is part of a series of emblematic projects initiated by the city through the Wujiang Lakefront Masterplan. On the shores of Lake Tai, Christian de Portzamparc discovered the deserted plain in 2013, while appreciating the plan of the future city. It was then built so quickly, we were he was amazed at each visit. It is already alive like a real Manhattan of towers ordered according to a grid of streets and avenues bordering a central pedestrian axis heading towards the lake. It was clear that the meeting of this pedestrian axis and the great lake would be an exceptional place, and it was on this site, on either side of the axis, that the cultural center was to be implanted during the architecture competition.

J1M5 Boutique / Various Associates

罗靖琳 - Jinglin Luo — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

J1M5 is a boutique brand, with a mission of discovering, sharing cutting-edge fashion trends and permeating tourism, art and lifestyles. Various Associates conceived J1M5 boutique by taking "suitcase" as the design concept. The team combined the movable, flexible features of suitcase with the origin of multi-brand boutique, and at the same time took full account of spatial layout, circulation, colour palette and experiences, thereby working out unique spatial languages that blend logic with artistry.

Hangzhou Qushui-Lanting Resort Hotel / DJX Design Studio

罗靖琳 - Jinglin Luo — Sun, 06 Dec 2020 21:00:00 +0000

Qushui-Lanting Resort Hotel is located in the heart of Qianjiang Central Park in Hangzhou. The building has been distributed evenly with six large-scale blocks independently and mutually. Naturally applying the functionality and geometric form into space. The space partition is defined by the various gray tone of concrete. The concrete exterior wall scattered randomly in the surroundings to show a unique sense of volume, constitute a new relationship with nature.

Nanjing Eco Hi-Tech Island: Xin Wei Yi Technology Park / NBBJ

Collin Chen — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

As China has witnessed unprecedented urban growth over the past decade — and contends with increased pollution, floods and other environmental effects — the Nanjing Eco Hi-Tech Island’s Xin Wei Yi Technology Park provides smart eco-urbanism that prioritizes both people and the planet.

Future Waiting Hall / Various Associates

罗靖琳 - Jinglin Luo — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 20:00:00 +0000

Known as China's "Silicon Valley", Zhangjiang High-tech Park in Pudong, Shanghai integrates a wide spectrum of key cutting-edge industries such as biomedicine, integrated circuit and aerospace, and delivers knowledge about nature and society. Situated within the high-tech park, ATLATL Innovation Cluster is a R&D platform for life sciences. "Atlatl" is a Nahuatl word that means "spear thrower", which was invented by ancient hunters to maximize their hunting abilities. The word here implies the ancient traces of human innovation.

Architectural Photography and Scale: Human Figure as an Essential Assessment Tool

María Francisca González — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 07:30:00 +0000

The incorporation of the human figure is one of the most effective tools used in architectural photography: it helps the viewer decipher the scale of work and assess its amplitude. While it successfully communicates a rough idea of the measurements of the elements in the picture, it also helps architecture become more relatable and accessible. People engage better with the built environment when it is populated, mainly because the human sense of society and community is the cornerstone of our civilization. With this in mind, we are showcasing a selection of our favorite photographs where the human figure takes center stage, enhancing our reading of architecture.

C² Cafe & Bar / Various Associates

罗靖琳 - Jinglin Luo — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 21:00:00 +0000

C² Cafe & Bar is not simply a socializing space. The client hopes it will become a "private" destination where young urbanites can shake off pressures, troubles and obtain inner peace.