1. ArchDaily
  2. Public Facilities

Public Facilities: The Latest Architecture and News

The Transformation of Silo City Signals a New Future for Buffalo

Subscriber Access | 

This week's reprint from Metropolis explores the ongoing renovation and transformation of an iconic site in Buffalo, Silo City, in order to create ambitious residential and public projects.

How Are Public Washrooms Shaping Places in China?

Subscriber Access | 
How Are Public Washrooms Shaping Places in China? - Image 13 of 4
Public Toilets in Zuzhai Village / cnS. Image © Siming Wu

In recent years, with the accelerated urban development of public spaces in China, public washrooms have been assigned numerous new roles. Designers have come up with a variety of proposals which suggest turning public washrooms into a place where social gathering can be redefined, and temporary stay can be more engaging. Although the scale of public washrooms is significantly smaller than that of any other type of architecture, Chinese architects have been working innovatively on fitting the public washrooms into the changing social contexts. Below are a few examples that demonstrate some current architectural experiments with public washroom design in China.

How Are Public Washrooms Shaping Places in China? - Image 1 of 4How Are Public Washrooms Shaping Places in China? - Image 2 of 4How Are Public Washrooms Shaping Places in China? - Image 3 of 4How Are Public Washrooms Shaping Places in China? - Image 4 of 4How Are Public Washrooms Shaping Places in China? - More Images+ 30

Diamond Schmitt Reveals Design for Ottawa Public Library and Archives Joint Facility

Diamond Schmitt Architects and KWC Architects have designed the Ottawa Public Library and Archives Canada Joint Facility. In partnership with municipal and federal institutions, the facility will create an “inspiring place for gathering, learning and discovery”.

Diamond Schmitt Reveals Design for Ottawa Public Library and Archives Joint Facility - Image 1 of 4Diamond Schmitt Reveals Design for Ottawa Public Library and Archives Joint Facility - Image 2 of 4Diamond Schmitt Reveals Design for Ottawa Public Library and Archives Joint Facility - Image 3 of 4Diamond Schmitt Reveals Design for Ottawa Public Library and Archives Joint Facility - Image 4 of 4Diamond Schmitt Reveals Design for Ottawa Public Library and Archives Joint Facility - More Images+ 3

EVOA - Environmental Interpretation Center / Maisr Arquitetos

EVOA - Environmental Interpretation Center / Maisr Arquitetos - Museum, Facade, Fence, Column, Coast
© Filipa Miguel Ferreira
Lezíria, Portugal
  • Architects: Maisr Arquitetos
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  470
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2009

EVOA - Environmental Interpretation Center / Maisr Arquitetos - Museum, Beam, Facade, DoorEVOA - Environmental Interpretation Center / Maisr Arquitetos - Museum, Beam, Facade, HandrailEVOA - Environmental Interpretation Center / Maisr Arquitetos - Museum, Beam, Handrail, FenceEVOA - Environmental Interpretation Center / Maisr Arquitetos - Museum, FacadeEVOA - Environmental Interpretation Center / Maisr Arquitetos - More Images+ 13

The Pinch Library And Community Center / John Lin + Olivier Ottevaere

The Pinch Library And Community Center / John Lin + Olivier Ottevaere - Interior Photography, Community Center, Beam, BenchThe Pinch Library And Community Center / John Lin + Olivier Ottevaere - Exterior Photography, Community Center, FacadeThe Pinch Library And Community Center / John Lin + Olivier Ottevaere - Interior Photography, Community Center, BeamThe Pinch Library And Community Center / John Lin + Olivier Ottevaere - Community CenterThe Pinch Library And Community Center / John Lin + Olivier Ottevaere - More Images+ 32

The Elastic Perspective / NEXT architects

The Elastic Perspective / NEXT architects - Exterior Photography, Public SpaceThe Elastic Perspective / NEXT architects - Exterior Photography, Public SpaceThe Elastic Perspective / NEXT architects - Exterior Photography, Public Space, FacadeThe Elastic Perspective / NEXT architects - Exterior Photography, Public SpaceThe Elastic Perspective / NEXT architects - More Images+ 8

Mecanoo & Ayesa’s Palace of Justice Nears Completion in Córdoba

CBack in 2006, the team of Mecanoo and Ayesa placed first in an international competition with its winning proposal for a perforated courthouse in Córdoba, combining the area’s historical character with a modern twist. Now, after almost a decade, the Palace of Justice is set for completion later this year, having broken ground in 2015.

Inspired by Córdoba’s Moorish origins, the design balances a contemporary concrete mass with traditional exterior courtyard spaces; a reflection of the plan of the old city. These are faced by colored ceramic tiles, which break the façade’s uniformity.

Mecanoo & Ayesa’s Palace of Justice Nears Completion in Córdoba - Image 1 of 4Mecanoo & Ayesa’s Palace of Justice Nears Completion in Córdoba - Image 2 of 4Mecanoo & Ayesa’s Palace of Justice Nears Completion in Córdoba - Image 3 of 4Mecanoo & Ayesa’s Palace of Justice Nears Completion in Córdoba - Image 4 of 4Mecanoo & Ayesa’s Palace of Justice Nears Completion in Córdoba - More Images+ 7

5 Ways to Improve Senior Wellness through Centres for Healthy Living

Subscriber Access | 

Today we live in a rapidly aging society. The shift in the population pyramid means that traditional healthcare systems need to be reimagined in order to efficiently support an increasing senior population. This added pressure on healthcare is significant--the number of older adults in the US alone requiring long-term healthcare support is set to increase from 15 million to 27 million by 2050. By partnering with designers, healthcare providers can create valuable responses to address these growing needs.

One building typology that expresses this designer-provider partnership are centers for healthy living (CHL). CHLs help to bridge the gap between the senior living and healthcare sectors, and go beyond simple clinic or exercise spaces. Taking a more holistic approach, they seek to become accessible destinations for programs that nurture wellness while providing a sense of place and community.

In a new downloadable report, Perkins Eastman have explored this typology in great depth by investigating existing CHLs. Through spatial and market research, case studies and user surveys, their findings identify strategies for improving upon the CHL model in the future. Read on for our summary of their discoveries.

Lebourgneuf Community Center / CCM2 Architectes

Lebourgneuf Community Center / CCM2 Architectes - Community Center, Stairs, HandrailLebourgneuf Community Center / CCM2 Architectes - Community Center, HandrailLebourgneuf Community Center / CCM2 Architectes - Community Center, Garden, FacadeLebourgneuf Community Center / CCM2 Architectes - Community Center, FacadeLebourgneuf Community Center / CCM2 Architectes - More Images+ 12

Quebec City, Canada

San Telmo Palace Restoration / Vázquez Consuegra

San Telmo Palace Restoration  / Vázquez Consuegra - Restoration, Courtyard, Facade, Column, Arcade, Arch, LightingSan Telmo Palace Restoration  / Vázquez Consuegra - Restoration, Facade, Handrail, StairsSan Telmo Palace Restoration  / Vázquez Consuegra - Restoration, Door, Facade, Arch, Column, ArcadeSan Telmo Palace Restoration  / Vázquez Consuegra - Restoration, Garden, Facade, BenchSan Telmo Palace Restoration  / Vázquez Consuegra - More Images+ 26

The New Kununurra Courthouse / TAG Architects + iredale pedersen hook architects

The New Kununurra Courthouse / TAG Architects + iredale pedersen hook architects - Courthouse, FacadeThe New Kununurra Courthouse / TAG Architects + iredale pedersen hook architects - Courthouse, FacadeThe New Kununurra Courthouse / TAG Architects + iredale pedersen hook architects - Courthouse, Beam, Facade, HandrailThe New Kununurra Courthouse / TAG Architects + iredale pedersen hook architects - Courthouse, Garden, FacadeThe New Kununurra Courthouse / TAG Architects + iredale pedersen hook architects - More Images+ 23

Kununurra, Australia

Waitrose, Chester / Broadway Malyan

Waitrose, Chester / Broadway Malyan - Market, Facade, HandrailWaitrose, Chester / Broadway Malyan - Market, Facade, StairsWaitrose, Chester / Broadway Malyan - Market, Facade, CityscapeWaitrose, Chester / Broadway Malyan - Market, FacadeWaitrose, Chester / Broadway Malyan - More Images+ 16

COOKFOX Begins Construction on the Neeson Cripps Academy in Cambodia

COOKFOX Architects has recently begun construction on The Neeson Cripps Academy, a high-tech and sustainable school to be built in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, as a gift from Velcro Companies to the Cambodian Children’s Fund.

The school, named for Cambodian Children’s Fund founder Scott Neeson and former Velcro Companies Chairman Robert Cripps, will employ multiple sustainable building practices, including water and energy efficiency via natural lighting, integrated solar shading, low energy lighting, and low flow water fixtures. An energy recovery system will further work to improve air quality inside classrooms by filtering outdoor air into the interior of the building, and on-site photovoltaic cells will provide a portion of the school’s energy needs.

Community Center in Groningen / Kwint Architecten

Community Center in Groningen / Kwint Architecten - Community Center, Door, Facade, ChairCommunity Center in Groningen / Kwint Architecten - Community Center, Door, Table, ChairCommunity Center in Groningen / Kwint Architecten - Community Center, Facade, DoorCommunity Center in Groningen / Kwint Architecten - Community Center, Beam, FacadeCommunity Center in Groningen / Kwint Architecten - More Images+ 13

Cam Thanh Community House / 1+1>2 Architects

Cam Thanh Community House / 1+1>2 Architects - Community Center, Garden, Facade, StairsCam Thanh Community House / 1+1>2 Architects - Community Center, Beam, Column, Arch, ChairCam Thanh Community House / 1+1>2 Architects - Community Center, Garden, Facade, Beam, Arch, DoorCam Thanh Community House / 1+1>2 Architects - Community Center, Courtyard, FacadeCam Thanh Community House / 1+1>2 Architects - More Images+ 19

  • Architects: 1+1>2 Architects
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  550
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2015

Dialogue in the Dark Bukchon / Wise Architecture

Dialogue in the Dark Bukchon / Wise Architecture - Cultural Center, Stairs, Arch, ForestDialogue in the Dark Bukchon / Wise Architecture - Cultural Center, DoorDialogue in the Dark Bukchon / Wise Architecture - Cultural Center, Facade, Handrail, ColumnDialogue in the Dark Bukchon / Wise Architecture - Cultural Center, Facade, StairsDialogue in the Dark Bukchon / Wise Architecture - More Images+ 30

  • Architects: Wise Architecture
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  390
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2015

Duurzaamheidscentrum Assen / 24H > architecture

Duurzaamheidscentrum Assen / 24H > architecture - Cultural CenterDuurzaamheidscentrum Assen / 24H > architecture - Cultural CenterDuurzaamheidscentrum Assen / 24H > architecture - Cultural CenterDuurzaamheidscentrum Assen / 24H > architecture - Cultural CenterDuurzaamheidscentrum Assen / 24H > architecture - More Images+ 26

  • Architects: 24H > architecture
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  2000
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2015
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Woodteq

Dongdaemun Design Plaza / Zaha Hadid Architects

Dongdaemun Design Plaza / Zaha Hadid Architects - Public ArchitectureDongdaemun Design Plaza / Zaha Hadid Architects - Interior Photography, Public ArchitectureDongdaemun Design Plaza / Zaha Hadid Architects - Public ArchitectureDongdaemun Design Plaza / Zaha Hadid Architects - Interior Photography, Public Architecture, StairsDongdaemun Design Plaza / Zaha Hadid Architects - More Images+ 34