1. ArchDaily
  2. OMA

OMA: The Latest Architecture and News

AMO Designs a Juxtaposed Office and Natural Landscape for Prada’s 2024 Fall/Winter Menswear Show

For the Fall/Winter Prada 2024 menswear show, AMO has designed a space that draws inspiration from two contrasting elements of modern life: office interiors and the natural landscape. Transforming yet again the space of the Deposito Hall at Foundation Prada in Milano, the designers have chosen to create a contrasting image of seemingly opposite elements: rows of office chairs illuminated by the white glow of LED lights, standing over a pastoral landscape with meandering creaks and ample foliage. The design aims to highlight this separation between natural instincts and the typical environment of modern life.

AMO Designs a Juxtaposed Office and Natural Landscape for Prada’s 2024 Fall/Winter Menswear Show - Image 1 of 4AMO Designs a Juxtaposed Office and Natural Landscape for Prada’s 2024 Fall/Winter Menswear Show - Image 2 of 4AMO Designs a Juxtaposed Office and Natural Landscape for Prada’s 2024 Fall/Winter Menswear Show - Image 3 of 4AMO Designs a Juxtaposed Office and Natural Landscape for Prada’s 2024 Fall/Winter Menswear Show - Image 4 of 4AMO Designs a Juxtaposed Office and Natural Landscape for Prada’s 2024 Fall/Winter Menswear Show - More Images+ 6

NEOM Unveils Leyja: A New Tourism Destination in Northwest Saudi Arabia

NEOM has just unveiled “Leyja” as a new tourism destination in Northwest Saudi Arabia. Featuring three different hotels by world-renowned architects, the Leyja region is located in an ancient valley overhung by mountains 400 m tall. The project includes a staggering hotel by Chris van Duijn, a mirrored hotel by Shaun Killa, and a vertical rock hotel by Mario Cucinella. In an attempt to support sustainable tourism, the destination is part of the Saudi Vision 2030.

NEOM Unveils Leyja: A New Tourism Destination in Northwest Saudi Arabia - Image 1 of 4NEOM Unveils Leyja: A New Tourism Destination in Northwest Saudi Arabia - Image 2 of 4NEOM Unveils Leyja: A New Tourism Destination in Northwest Saudi Arabia - Image 3 of 4NEOM Unveils Leyja: A New Tourism Destination in Northwest Saudi Arabia - Image 4 of 4NEOM Unveils Leyja: A New Tourism Destination in Northwest Saudi Arabia - More Images+ 3

Doha's Contemperary Architecture Through the Lens of Pygmalion Karatzas

Doha, the capital of Qatar, is the residence of more than 90% of the country's population, which amounts to about 1.7 million people, with over 80% being professional expatriates. In its historical past, Doha was primarily a fishing and pearl diving town, characterized by numerous traditional individual houses until the mid-1960s. Modernizing the city occurred mainly during the 1970s, although its pace slowed in the 1980s and early 1990s. However, Qatar has recently emerged as one of the world's fastest-growing economies, lending significant geostrategic importance to Doha.

The country's development vision revolves around reducing dependence on natural resources and embracing a knowledge-based economy encompassing international universities, high-tech industries, IT services, and advanced producer services. Much of the coastline, including the corniche, has been artificially constructed. Several notable areas contribute significantly to the evolving character of the city. The city’s contemporary architecture has been captured through the lens of photographer Pygmalion Karatzas.

Doha's Contemperary Architecture Through the Lens of Pygmalion Karatzas - Image 1 of 4Doha's Contemperary Architecture Through the Lens of Pygmalion Karatzas - Image 2 of 4Doha's Contemperary Architecture Through the Lens of Pygmalion Karatzas - Image 3 of 4Doha's Contemperary Architecture Through the Lens of Pygmalion Karatzas - Image 4 of 4Doha's Contemperary Architecture Through the Lens of Pygmalion Karatzas - More Images+ 38

A Look at the First 10 Editions of the MPavilion in Melbourne, Australia

The MPavilion represents one of the most important architectural events happening annually in Melbourne, Australia. Initiated and founded by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation, the event was first launched in 2014 and has since brought internationally recognized architects to design a temporary structure in Melbourne's Queen Victoria Gardens in a system similar to London’s Serpentine Gallery Pavilion. From Sean Godsell's solar-actioned panels to Studio Mumbai‘s experimental bamboo structure, each pavilion explores craftsmanship and contemporary design while fostering a rich cultural program for several months before being disassembled and donated to one of the city’s parks. As the latest pavilion was recently inaugurated by Tadao Ando, we look back at the previous editions of Australia’s most famous annual structure.

A Look at the First 10 Editions of the MPavilion in Melbourne, Australia - Image 1 of 4A Look at the First 10 Editions of the MPavilion in Melbourne, Australia - Image 2 of 4A Look at the First 10 Editions of the MPavilion in Melbourne, Australia - Image 3 of 4A Look at the First 10 Editions of the MPavilion in Melbourne, Australia - Image 4 of 4A Look at the First 10 Editions of the MPavilion in Melbourne, Australia - More Images+ 5

OMA, Studio A Kwadraat, and Circlewood Win Amsterdam School Competition with Modular Wood Construction System

As part of the Schools by Circlewood consortium, OMA’s David Gianotten and Michael den Otter, together with Studio A Kwadraat, represented by Jimmy van der Aa, have won the competition to design the Wisperweide school in Weesp. This will become the first school to be built using Schools by Circlewood’s prefabricated wooden modular system, developed in collaboration with OMA. The system has earlier been chosen by the administration of Amsterdam to be employed across the city to provide flexible and sustainable elementary schools.

OMA, Studio A Kwadraat, and Circlewood Win Amsterdam School Competition with Modular Wood Construction System - Image 1 of 4OMA, Studio A Kwadraat, and Circlewood Win Amsterdam School Competition with Modular Wood Construction System - Image 2 of 4OMA, Studio A Kwadraat, and Circlewood Win Amsterdam School Competition with Modular Wood Construction System - Image 3 of 4OMA, Studio A Kwadraat, and Circlewood Win Amsterdam School Competition with Modular Wood Construction System - Image 4 of 4OMA, Studio A Kwadraat, and Circlewood Win Amsterdam School Competition with Modular Wood Construction System - More Images+ 4

OMA / Chris van Duijn Wins Bid to Design Hongik University's New Campus in Seoul

OMA / Chris van Duijn won the competition to design a new campus for Hongik University in Seoul, South Korea. The proposal introduces a cluster of low-rise buildings interconnected by a network of public spaces molded on the existing topography of the site. The design aims to reemphasize the university’s connection to the city and its neighboring areas and to introduce greenery and various open spaces creating a seamless connection between roof terraces, outdoor courtyards, and sunken plazas. The winning proposal was chosen from the entries from established international practices, including SANAA, Herzog & de Meuron, Renzo Piano Building Workshop, and David Chipperfield Architects.

5 Iconic Architectural Projects Completed in 2023, Featuring MVRDV, OMA, Snøhetta, Studio Gang, and Zaha Hadid Architects

As we reflect on the unfolding of 2023, it has been a remarkable chapter in the world of architecture and design. This year saw the fruition of numerous groundbreaking projects that have left a mark on our collective built environment. This narrative takes place around a year of significance, with a renewed commitment to combat climate change, with dialogue initiated around world-renowned events such as the UIA World Congress of Architecture in Copenhagen or the 18th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice – La Biennale di Venezia.

This curated list includes projects that opened to the public in 2023. Each of them was designed and long-awaited to be completed. The featured architects include MVRDV, Zaha Hadid Architects, Snøhetta, Studio Gang, and OMA in collaboration with Shohei Shigematsu. Each of these firms is a unique design studio with its specific architectural style; while all these listed built projects are public and commercial.

5 Iconic Architectural Projects Completed in 2023, Featuring MVRDV, OMA, Snøhetta, Studio Gang, and Zaha Hadid Architects - Featured Image5 Iconic Architectural Projects Completed in 2023, Featuring MVRDV, OMA, Snøhetta, Studio Gang, and Zaha Hadid Architects - Image 4 of 45 Iconic Architectural Projects Completed in 2023, Featuring MVRDV, OMA, Snøhetta, Studio Gang, and Zaha Hadid Architects - Image 1 of 45 Iconic Architectural Projects Completed in 2023, Featuring MVRDV, OMA, Snøhetta, Studio Gang, and Zaha Hadid Architects - Image 2 of 45 Iconic Architectural Projects Completed in 2023, Featuring MVRDV, OMA, Snøhetta, Studio Gang, and Zaha Hadid Architects - More Images+ 2

OMA’s First Project in Bangladesh, the Dhaka Tower, Breaks Ground

Construction on OMA’s first project in Bangladesh, the Dhaka Tower, has just started. Reaching a height of 150 meters and spanning 180,000 sqm in office space, the project is set to stand as one of the tallest buildings in the country. This scheme marks a significant milestone in the urban landscape of Bangladesh, designed by OMA in collaboration with local real-estate developer Shanta Holdings.

OMA / Reinier de Graaf Presents Elevated Plaza and Trapezoidal Headquarters Concept for UniCredit in Munich, Germany

OMA’s competition design for UniCredit’s new Headquarters in Munich, Germany, proposes a plaza lifted off the ground to increase public spaces and urban connectivity and to activate an otherwise overlooked area. The scheme aims to “retroactively attribute character to an area which may never have had one.” The site is located by one of the city’s main arteries, the S-Bahn, a strictly functional area lacking in public spaces or amenities. The building proposed by OMA is lifted off the ground, with its limited footprint allowing for more public space to be integrated while preserving the site’s natural features.

OMA / Reinier de Graaf Presents Elevated Plaza and Trapezoidal Headquarters Concept for UniCredit in Munich, Germany - Image 1 of 4OMA / Reinier de Graaf Presents Elevated Plaza and Trapezoidal Headquarters Concept for UniCredit in Munich, Germany - Image 2 of 4OMA / Reinier de Graaf Presents Elevated Plaza and Trapezoidal Headquarters Concept for UniCredit in Munich, Germany - Image 3 of 4OMA / Reinier de Graaf Presents Elevated Plaza and Trapezoidal Headquarters Concept for UniCredit in Munich, Germany - Image 4 of 4OMA / Reinier de Graaf Presents Elevated Plaza and Trapezoidal Headquarters Concept for UniCredit in Munich, Germany - More Images+ 2

OMA's Prada Foundation Through the Lens of Bahaa Ghoussainy

In 2018, OMA opened the Fondazione Prada in Milan, Italy, housed within a former gin distillery established in 1910. The project which includes a statement facade cladded in 24-carat gold leaf and camouflaged mirrors, comprises the renovation of seven buildings in the Largo Isarco industrial complex on Milan’s southern outskirts, making the foundation neither a preservation project nor a new architecture. Recently, photographer Bahaa Ghoussainy captured the infamous structure in his new architectural photo series.

OMA's Prada Foundation Through the Lens of Bahaa Ghoussainy - Image 1 of 4OMA's Prada Foundation Through the Lens of Bahaa Ghoussainy - Image 2 of 4OMA's Prada Foundation Through the Lens of Bahaa Ghoussainy - Image 3 of 4OMA's Prada Foundation Through the Lens of Bahaa Ghoussainy - Image 4 of 4OMA's Prada Foundation Through the Lens of Bahaa Ghoussainy - More Images+ 54

OMA/Jason Long and Y.A. Studio's Affordable Housing Scheme Breaks Ground in San Francisco

The result of a collaboration between OMA / Jason Long and Y.A. studio, the joint development of 730 Stanyan in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco broke ground. Upon completion, the 8-story building will accommodate 160 units of deeply affordable homes and amenities for low-income people, including formerly unhoused families, and homes and amenities for people with low incomes in San Francisco, including families, formerly unhoused families, and Transitional Age Youth (TAY). The project is scheduled to be completed in the Fall of 2025.

OMA/Jason Long and Y.A. Studio's Affordable Housing Scheme Breaks Ground in San Francisco - Image 1 of 4OMA/Jason Long and Y.A. Studio's Affordable Housing Scheme Breaks Ground in San Francisco - Image 2 of 4OMA/Jason Long and Y.A. Studio's Affordable Housing Scheme Breaks Ground in San Francisco - Image 3 of 4OMA/Jason Long and Y.A. Studio's Affordable Housing Scheme Breaks Ground in San Francisco - Image 4 of 4OMA/Jason Long and Y.A. Studio's Affordable Housing Scheme Breaks Ground in San Francisco - More Images+ 3

Architecture and Fashion: YSL at Mies van der Rohe’s Neue Nationalgalerie and AMO/OMA’s Set Design for Prada

Architecture and fashion share an interesting interplay in the formation of cultural expressions and identities. Both disciplines can become vehicles for creativity at different levels. Architecture is often described as the “third skin” of humans, while clothes represent the second skin, highlighting somewhat similar functionality of protecting the body while also allowing for self-expression and individuality.

The relationship between architecture and fashion can also be seen in the shared design principles, such as form, proportion, human scale, and materiality. More than a simple background for runway shows, architecture can contribute to setting the atmosphere, becoming a source of inspiration, and orienting the movement through space. Collaborations between architects and fashion houses, such as the renowned partnership between OMA/AMO and Prada, further blur the boundaries between the two disciplines, demonstrating the myriad of interconnections between the two creative fields.

Architecture and Fashion: YSL at Mies van der Rohe’s Neue Nationalgalerie and AMO/OMA’s Set Design for Prada - Image 1 of 4Architecture and Fashion: YSL at Mies van der Rohe’s Neue Nationalgalerie and AMO/OMA’s Set Design for Prada - Image 2 of 4Architecture and Fashion: YSL at Mies van der Rohe’s Neue Nationalgalerie and AMO/OMA’s Set Design for Prada - Image 3 of 4Architecture and Fashion: YSL at Mies van der Rohe’s Neue Nationalgalerie and AMO/OMA’s Set Design for Prada - Image 4 of 4Architecture and Fashion: YSL at Mies van der Rohe’s Neue Nationalgalerie and AMO/OMA’s Set Design for Prada - More Images+ 15

Copenhagen Architecture City Guide: 20 Projects to Discover in the 2023 UNESCO World Capital of Architecture

For most architecture enthusiasts, mentions of the city of Copenhagen will prompt images of pedestrian-friendly streets, suspended bike lanes, quaint water canals, and overall happy residents. The capital of Denmark has many accomplishments to boast: over 60 percent of its residents commute to work by bike, it was among the first cities to set up a strategic plan to achieve carbon neutrality, resulting in an 80% decrease since 2009, and it has become of the most cited study cases for its urban planning and infrastructure. To add to the list, UNESCO has named Copenhagen the 2023 World Capital of Architecture, prompting an array of architecture-focused events and festivals. The title further emphasizes the city’s position as a laboratory for innovative contemporary architecture and people-centered urban planning.

The city of Copenhagen has had a somewhat unusual evolution. After becoming a highly industrialized city by the end of the 19th century, the city began adopting the English concept of the “garden city” in an effort to sanitize and decentralize its neighborhoods. In 1947, the “Five Finger Plan” was developed to guide urban development and expand the city along five main arteries. This led to a transit-oriented infrastructure with small clusters or urbanity along the transportation routes. The major shift appeared in the 1960s. Spearheaded by Jan Gehl’s initiative for Strøget, Copenhagen started transforming its car-heavy areas into pedestrian-friendly zones. What followed was a period of urban development that prioritized the well-being of its residents while encouraging architects to experiment with innovative human-centered designs.

Copenhagen Architecture City Guide: 20 Projects to Discover in the 2023 UNESCO World Capital of Architecture - Image 1 of 4Copenhagen Architecture City Guide: 20 Projects to Discover in the 2023 UNESCO World Capital of Architecture - Image 2 of 4Copenhagen Architecture City Guide: 20 Projects to Discover in the 2023 UNESCO World Capital of Architecture - Image 3 of 4Copenhagen Architecture City Guide: 20 Projects to Discover in the 2023 UNESCO World Capital of Architecture - Image 4 of 4Copenhagen Architecture City Guide: 20 Projects to Discover in the 2023 UNESCO World Capital of Architecture - More Images+ 17