OMA has completed the JOMOO Headquarters in Xiamen, marking the first office campus for China's largest sanitaryware company. Situated at the edge of the city's central business district, the building reflects JOMOO's ongoing transformation into a global brand. The project was led by OMA Partner Chris van Duijn, alongside project architects Lingxiao Zhang and Chen Lu. According to Chris van Duijn, the headquarters is part of a broader trajectory in OMA's work across rapidly developing Chinesecities such as Hangzhou, Xiamen, and Shenzhen, where the office continues to explore new relationships between tower architecture and its urban context.
In early 2025, photographer Paul Clemence documented Kö-Bogen II, a commercial and office complex designed by ingenhoven architects in Düsseldorf, Germany. The photo series focuses on the building's signature feature: its vast green façade, considered one of the largest in Europe. Referred to as a "green heart" and an "urban mountain," the building has become a landmark in the city due to its sloping surfaces wrapped in over 30,000 hornbeam plants. For Clemence, this was an unforeseen encounter during his first visit to Düsseldorf, which he describes as an unexpected meeting with a "stunning green pyramid."
Architectural landmarks often cluster together. In Tokyo, the iconic Omotesando is a well-known stretch where global "starchitects" built flagship luxury retail spaces in the 2000s. Hong Kong has a lesser-known but equally powerful architectural agglomeration along Queensway—though historically more corporate and less publicly engaging. Beginning in the 1980s, this corridor became home to a series of landmark buildings by some of the world's most prominent architects: Norman Foster's HSBC Headquarters, I.M. Pei's Bank of China Tower, Paul Rudolph's Lippo Centre, and the nearby Murray Building by Ron Phillips—now revitalized as a hotel by Foster + Partners. The area is further enriched later on by Heatherwick Studio's renovation of Pacific Place and Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects' Asia Society Hong Kong Center.
At the Steirereck am Pogusch restaurant, architecture and gastronomy seem to speak the same language: that of the sensitive transformation of raw materials. Local ingredients, like leaves, roots, and flowers, are turned into surprising dishes, where simplicity is elevated to the extraordinary. Likewise, the building, far from being a static structure, offers a unique tactile and visual experience. One of the most intriguing elements is the use of stabilized foamed aluminum panels that, rather than evoking the coldness and rigidity often associated with metal, have been manipulated to transcend their conventional characteristics. They seem to breathe, with their porous, textured surfaces absorbing and reflecting light, creating a play of shadow and brightness that evokes the lightness and organic quality of natural materials.
Private residence in Varese / Franzetti Primi Architetti Associati
Mathematics shows us how, from just a few elements, we can generate nearly infinite combinations and how each new arrangement can completely transform the original set. Theories like chaos and complexity point in the same direction: small initial variations, such as a choice, a deviation, or a new element, can trigger profound and unexpected changes. In architecture, this manifests concretely in the daily work of a designer. The choice of materials and how they are combined may seem like a merely aesthetic or functional decision, but it holds the power to redefine a building's language, the path a project will follow, and its relationship with the surroundings and its inhabitants.
The ancient city of Venice, Italy, home to both the art and architecture editions of the Venice Biennale, is known for its unique geography as an island city of canals. Its naval and mercantile prominence now diminished, the city has found a new purpose as a center of learning, exhibiting, and tourism. However, its urban morphology and, indeed, most of its buildings are historic and have remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years. Their appearance exhibits a specific Venetian vernacular that has stood the test of time and stands as a backdrop for the city's contemporary activities. How do the facades of these buildings, particularly their windows, reflect this history? And how do the few modern buildings in the city, such as the Palazzo Nervi-Scattolin, respond to this weight of history?
The installation and exhibition representing Estonia at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia is curated by architects Keiti Lige, Elina Liiva, and Helena Männa. Titled Let Me Warm You, the national exhibition explores different dimensions of sustainability by questioning whether insulation-driven renovations in Estonia are simply compliance measures to meet European energy targets or whether they can also serve as opportunities to enhance the spatial and social quality of mass housing districts. To make this point, the Estonian installation covers the façade of a Venetian building with insulation panels, replicating how they are commonly installed in Estonia for mass housing renovations.
As urban neighborhoods continue to evolve, design plays a key role in shaping how buildings respond to urbanization, functional demands, and the character of their surroundings. Intertwined, these elements guide the transformation of urban life and influence how new developments engage with their context—a dynamic clearly visible in Seattle's Central District. Long considered a historic hub for the city's African American community, the Africatown Plaza project proposes a comprehensive approach that integrates architectural performance with community resonance, using the building envelope as a primary medium.
https://www.archdaily.com/1030331/metal-facade-systems-with-community-resonance-the-case-of-africatown-plazaEnrique Tovar
Building a monumental dome without the use of external iron chains or traditional centering was the enormous challenge faced by Filippo Brunelleschi at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. To demonstrate the feasibility of his proposal and to guide the construction, he relied on a large-scale wooden model that played a fundamental role in studying proportions, the interlocking of ribs, and the innovative arrangement of bricks using the "a spina pesce" (herringbone) system. As an essential technical tool, this model — which is still on display at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo in Florence — guided the master builders throughout the construction, establishing itself as a seminal example of the value of models in architectural planning, constructive communication, and experimentation.
Through the creative manipulation of common construction materials and the exploration of elements such as form, light, texture, and space, architecture transcends mere functionality to become an artistic expression. Whether through the boldness of an innovative design, the harmony of balanced proportions, or the evocative use of materials, a building can transform into a work of art that inspires, intrigues, and evokes emotion. The design of the Ginza 41 sushi restaurant, conceived by architect Àfrica Sabé, exemplifies this approach. Its facade stands out in its surroundings thanks to solutions provided by Kriskadecor, a company specializing in customized metallic cladding. By utilizing a tensioned chain facade system that showcases a unique design, the project redefines the integration between architecture and visual branding.
Heatherwick Studio has been selected to lead the redesign of the Coex Convention Centre in Seoul, following a competition aimed at reimagining the building's purpose and facade. In collaboration with the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), the studio's proposal seeks to transform the convention centre into a more open and inviting public space that reflects Seoul's evolving identity.
In Tokyo's bustling Ginza district, where tradition and modernity converge, the Maison Hermès emerges as a luminous architectural icon. Designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop and completed in 2001, the 15-story structure serves as the Japanese headquarters of Hermès, the renowned French luxury brand celebrated for its craftsmanship and timeless elegance. Beyond its function as a commercial hub, the building encapsulates Hermès' ethos, transforming its urban site into a dialogue between light, materiality, and context.
Cladding is an essential element in architecture, combining functionality, technology, and aesthetics to protect and enhance buildings. Among the various materials available, such as stone, wood, and composites, metal cladding stands out for its durability, low maintenance, and design flexibility. In addition to offering weather resistance and fire safety, its recyclability makes it a sustainable and cost-effective solution for projects of all sizes. To meet these demands with efficiency and sophistication, Parallel Architectural Products offers a range of metal claddings and other innovative products designed to optimize installation, reduce labor costs, and ensure high-quality finishes.
Wrexham Stadium Kop Stand - Facade. Image Courtesy of Populous
The term "Kop," traditionally referring to the summit of a hill or peak, reflects the origins of passionate fan gatherings in football stadiums. In the UK, a "Kop Stand" specifically designates a typically single-tiered stand situated at the goal end of a stadium, renowned for housing the loudest and most dedicated supporters of a football club. Sports and entertainment-focused architecture office Populous has just released the design of the new Kop Stand for Wrexham AFC's stadium. The proposal pays homage to Wrexham's architectural character by incorporating a brick façade pattern that mirrors the city's traditional building styles.
Walking on a glass floor is a unique experience that blends awe with a touch of unease. The transparency creates the illusion of emptiness beneath your feet, despite the firm support, generating a visual disconnection that makes each step feel tentative, as if you were floating or crossing an invisible bridge. Although glass is engineered for safety, the mind often associates it with fragility, producing a curious tension between trust and doubt. It's this mix of emotions that makes walking on a glass floor so unforgettable.
Modern glass floors are remarkably strong, thanks to advanced materials and manufacturing processes. Typically made from laminated glass—composed of multiple layers of glass bonded with a durable interlayer—they are designed to prevent shattering into sharp fragments. In terms of load capacity, a well-designed glass floor can support weights equivalent to or greater than traditional flooring materials, often exceeding 500 kilograms per square meter or more, depending on the design and application. Step onto a glass floor, and you're not just walking—you're floating, suspended between reality and illusion in a thrilling feat of modern design.
Situated along the River Mur in the Lend district, the Kunsthaus challenges traditional architectural norms with its organic, free-flowing design. Rejecting orthogonal geometry, the museum seamlessly merges art, architecture, and public interaction, redefining the concept of a cultural institution. Its impact extends beyond aesthetics, sparking urban revitalization in a once-overlooked neighborhood, and bringing cultural vibrancy and economic activity.
In the 21st century, Glass has become a cornerstone material for architecture. Once limited to apertures and openings, Glass now dominates entire facades, especially in high-rise buildings where transparent cladding material is preferred to maximize views. The technological advancements in Glass have been remarkable, transitioning from single-pane panels, such as those used in Bauhaus' iron window frames, to today's triple-pane systems with specialized gas infills, such as argon, designed to address Glass's long-standing thermal limitations.
Fundamentally, facade design must blend protection, performance, and visual impact, turning it into a defining architectural feature. The evolution of facades reflects advancements in materials, technology, and design flexibility. In earlier times, facades used simple materials like brick, stone, and wood, offering structural support while showcasing regional styles. Over time, new materials like iron and steel were introduced, allowing for taller buildings with expansive glass facades that marked the beginning of modernism in urban centers. The 20th century brought reinforced concrete and aluminum to building perimeters, enabling lighter and more varied designs. Recent advances in high-performance materials, like composite panels and bio-based claddings, offer architects new aesthetic and energy-efficient options. STACBOND exemplifies this innovation, enabling creative, sustainable design solutions.
