+ 18

Since its discovery in 8700 B.C., copper has been one of the most used metals in the history of humankind. It has a variety of uses from coins and weapons to statues and even architecture. One of its first architectural uses was in Ancient Egypt for the massive doors of the temple to Amen-Re at Karnak in 300 B.C.

The versatility of the material continues in architecture to this day, allowing for a variety of unique designs and uses. The innovative, efficient, and lightweight material is versatile in its use, ranging from facades to roofs, interior applications, and high tech solutions. Sustainable in its natural form, the material is 100% recycled. As the state of architecture becomes more focused on sustainability, copper becomes the ideal material for the buildings of today.

Below, we’ve selected 7 projects that use architecture's original bling.

+ 16

The mountains—one of the contexts that almost every architect would like to build in at least once. And yet even though it's an attractive setting, the associated challenges, including, but not limited to the sheer remoteness of mountain regions and their distance from basic services, make building in the mountains particularly demanding.

We've compiled a selection of 15 incredible works of architecture that maximize the breathtaking surroundings found in mountainous areas, featuring photographs from Felipe Camus, Janez Martincic, and Anze Cokl.

+ 18

Guardrails and handrails are two elements that are often confused. While the first is used to close a space and prevent a person from falling, the second is a support bar for balance. Normally standard solutions are used for both elements, but with an attractive design, they can become standout details in a project.

For inspiration on materials, structures, and details of guardrails and handrails, here are 17 notable examples.

+ 14

• Architects

  Andrea Pelati Architecte

• Location

  Cortaillod, Switzerland

• Category

  Houses

• Lead Architects

  Andrea Pelati, Antonio Conroy

• Area

  265.0 m2

• Project Year

  2016

• Photographs

  Thomas Jantscher

+ 11

December 21 saw the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere. The season is an excellent time to take architectural photographs in a unique and different landscape, with a blanket of snow providing a reminder of the delights of nature. Here, we present a selection of 10 cabins captured in winter by prominent photographers such as Tim Bies, Fernando Alda and Pasi Aalto.

+ 13

• Architects

  bunq architectes

• Location

  Gland, Switzerland

• Category

  Industrial Architecture

• Architects in Charge

  Laurent Gaille, Philipe Gloor, Julien Grisel, Cyril Lecoultre

• Area

  2250.0 m2

• Project Year

  2012

• Photographs

  Thomas Jantscher

+ 20

• Architects

  Savioz Fabrizzi Architectes

• Location

  Sion, Switzerland

• Category

  Restoration

• Area

  210.0 m2

• Project Year

  2016

• Photographs

  Thomas Jantscher

+ 9

• Architects

  CCHE

• Location

  Lausanne, Switzerland

• Category

  Institutional buildings

• Area

  11200.0 sqm

• Project Year

  2015

• Photographs

  Thomas Jantscher

+ 25

• Architects

  Christian von Düring

• Location

  Grand-Saconnex, Switzerland

• Category

  Sustainability

• Area

  1720.0 m2

• Project Year

  2009

• Photographs

  Thomas Jantscher

+ 12

• Architects

  CCHE

• Location

  Lausanne, Switzerland

• Category

  Residential

• Architect in Charge

  CCHE Lausanne SA

• Area

  11000.0 sqm

• Project Year

  2015

• Photographs

  Thomas Jantscher

+ 11

• Architects

  CCHE

• Location

  1163 Etoy, Switzerland

• Category

  gymnasium

• Architect in Charge

  CCHE Lausanne SA

• Area

  3690.0 sqm

• Project Year

  2015

• Photographs

  Thomas Jantscher

+ 21

• Architects

  Andrea Pelati Architecte

• Location

  Nods, Switzerland

• Category

  Houses

• Architect in Charge

  Andrea Pelati Architecte

• Design Team

  Andrea Pelati, Leonardo Coppola

• Area

  295.0 sqm

• Project Year

  2015

• Photographs

  Thomas Jantscher