Photographer: Shao Feng | ArchDaily

The History of the Penrose Stair and its Influence on Design

Kaley Overstreet — Tue, 10 May 2022 04:00:00 +0000

Stairs in architecture are oftentimes a design focal point- the heavyhandedness in creating something that moves us from one level to the next, up and down repeatedly, something so simple and familiar with a twist is what makes the experience of traversing a stair so unique. Our obsession with stairs and the level of illusion that they create in architecture perhaps stems from the way that they’re able to twist the optics and perceptions of space. We understand that they transport us in one direction or another, but can stairs ever be circular? Is it possible to go up and down for eternity?

From Facades to Furniture: Architects and Designers Using Glass to Create Modern Spaces

James Wormald — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 04:30:00 +0000

The glass-shatter sound effect has been a mainstay of classic comedy routines for a long time. Whenever a lightweight prop object flies off-screen or stage, it inevitably smashes through glass a beat later. Right now, it’s still amusing, if harmlessly ludicrous, but before long, the idea of a rogue schoolchild’s rogue football shattering through a neighbor’s window will be met only with query and disdain.

Best Modern Examples of Ancient Courtyard Renovations in China

ArchDaily Team — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 03:00:00 +0000

Chinese courtyard houses are one of the most common housing typologies spanning all the way from the northern capital of Beijing to the poetic southern cities Hangzhou and back to the picturesque regions of Yunnan. Typically referred as heyuan, these courtyards homes are simply a “yard enclosed on four sides."

Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center / NBBJ

Andreas Luco — Fri, 22 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000

To create a world-class sporting venue for the city of Hangzhou — one of the most prosperous cities in China that has tripled in size over the past decade — design firm NBBJ prioritized sustainability and human experience with a focus on much-needed public space for urban recreation. In 2018, an average two tons of CO2 were emitted for every ton of steel produced. Featuring an iconic lotus-petal design, the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center uses 67% less steel than Beijing’s National Stadium (the Bird’s Nest). The 80,000-seat Olympic-sized main stadium and 10,000-seat tennis court were designed via parametric scripts to save resources, get fans closer to the field and maximize sightlines to both the game itself and the Quiantang River.

Shangyin Opera House / Christian de Portzamparc

Paula Pintos — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 02:00:00 +0000

This new opera house located on Fenyang Road and Huaihai Road opens with a large public entrance at the corner of these two major streets in the former French Concession. To harmonize it with the rhythm and height of the surrounding buildings, particularly the new conservatory on Fenyang Road, the opera house is designed as a series of pavilions that break with the conventional pattern of massive construction in a single building.

Conceiving Present Day of Future: A Talk with Zeng Qun

Yifan Zhang — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 08:00:00 +0000

When architecture has been evolving within the context of “Chinese characteristics”, Shanghai as one of the national creative centers provides us with a glimpse of the transformations and the prospects of Chinese contemporary architecture. As a matter of fact, corporations are the main actors in shaping Shanghai’s cityscape, among which state-owned design groups play a significant role. As the chief architect of Tongji Architectural Design, Zeng Qun stays in the core of an institutional power with many large-scale built projects and has been experiencing the evolving of contemporary architecture in China. In the following excerpt from a conversation between Zeng Qun and the author, he talks about the corporation situation, the development process, the personal standpoint, and more.

Shortlist for the 2018 Architectural Photography Awards Revealed

Niall Patrick Walsh — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 11:00:00 +0000

The shortlist for the 2018 Architectural Photography Awards have been revealed, bringing together 20 atmospheric images of the built environment. Categories this year ranged from a “portfolio of an individual building to a single abstract: with a professional camera or on a mobile phone.”

123+ Growth Center / Wutopia Lab

尚夕云 — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 20:00:00 +0000

As a mother and a designer, she was not satisfied with growth centers in Shanghai, finally, she got a chance to design one by herself.

Neobio Family Park / X+Living

舒岳康 - SHU Yuekang — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 20:00:00 +0000

When we designed bookstores we intended to make reading pleasant and educational, and to turn children's reading area into an amusement park-like place. This time we are designing a real indoor amusement park. Neobio Family Park is located within two European buildings in Building 5, Shopping Street of MinhangXinghewan, Lane 3788, Duhui Road, Minhang District, Shanghai. It is divided into Reading Area, Dinning Area, Sims City, Climbing Area and Party Room. Entering the main entrance, we are surrounded by wavy forests and rolling hills, which are book shelves of the reading area and are the best place for kids to play hide-and-seek. Every tree hole is an exclusive small world for the children. We use small forests and hills to create a free and relaxing reading area where kids feel close to nature. By the window near the forest a leisure reading area for parents is designed.

The World Expo Museum / ECADI

韩爽 — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 22:00:00 +0000

The World Expo Museum opened on May 1st, 2017, after designing and constructing by five years. The World Expo Museum is the first formal international museum in China so far, and currently the only permanent official museum and document center authorized by the International Exhibition Bureau (BIE).

Prix Versailles Celebrates 12 Projects for Their Outstanding Commercial Architecture

Sabrina Syed — Sun, 18 Jun 2017 14:00:00 +0000

Prix Versailles celebrates 12 projects for their outstanding commercial architecture - with pictures.

14 Shades of Red: Projects to Fall in Love With on Valentine's Day

Piedad Rojas — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 14:00:00 +0000

Happy Valentine's Day!

We've affectionately rounded up 14 projects that use the power of the color most associated to love, passion, joy, sexuality and intensity: red

JOOOS Fitting Room / X+Living

舒岳康 - SHU Yuekang — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 22:00:00 +0000

JOOOS Fitting Room integrates the Top 100 fashion brands in the sales list of Tmall, and selects 4 most representative collections through buyers: Mori Girl Collection, Celebrity Collection, OL Collection and Fashionable Girl Collection. The store hopes to make up the sense of emptiness of fitting brought by modern online shopping.

Wheat Youth Arts Hotel / X+Living

尚夕云 — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 22:00:00 +0000

Hangzhou, a city enjoys a long history, modern civilization and striking features. How could it be possible missing a starting point that makes tourists excited about the trip to Hangzhou even when booking hotel on Ctrip.

Zhongshuge Bookstore / Li Xiang

杨奡 — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 22:00:00 +0000

Background of a busy city is always the randomly standing neon lights. Hurried pedestrians cross the street from one side to the other, from one block to another block by passing through the street. When viewing from above, you could see people come and go, the streets are crowded with pedestrians and vehicles, only the zebra crossings stand still to offer convoy and guidance. Réel Mall is at such a street corner filled with traveling and short stay, which is located at the centre of Shanghai - Jing’an district, and Zhongshuge is at the end of the 4th floor of Réel Mall.

Yangzhou Zhongshuge / Li Xiang

杨奡 — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 19:00:00 +0000

Water, the cradle of everything, and the breeding ground of culture. Yangzhou was born near water. In the past,guiding by water, many literati and poets visited and gathered here. Also, this was a place loved by wits and beauties. In the book “A Dream of Red Mansions”, when Lin Dai-Yu is missing her hometown, the verses“Spring flower and autumn moon, green hills and clear water; twenty-four bridges, relics of the Six Dynasties”will come to her mind; this verses had raised so many people’s imagination about twenty-four bridges. In 2016, Zhongshuge was attracted by this beautiful and ethereality place, and hoped to enrich the beauty of Yangzhou with its own charm!

Instant Red / Wutopia Lab

杨奡 — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 19:00:00 +0000

The mission to the architect is quite clear, the sales center must be finished in one week including 2-day design, 5-day construction.

One Person Gallery / Wutopia Lab

Fernanda Castro — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 20:00:00 +0000

One Person’s Gallery between two buildings is located in a terraced courtyard at the heart of Shanghai. It consists of two parts, one is 12 m² gallery as an iconic space, and the other is the cave, which could be easily ignored, including a library and a co-work space.