Tag: renzo-piano | ArchDaily

The Earthen Towers of Shibam: A Vertical City in the Yemeni Desert

Camilla Ghisleni — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 07:30:00 +0000

Symbols of technological development and urban density, tall buildings as we know them today emerged in the late nineteenth century, particularly in the United States, as a response to the rapid expansion of urban commerce and the need to grow cities without occupying additional land. The term skyscraper, for instance, was coined in the 1880s and originally referred to buildings with around 10 to 20 stories—an impressive height for the time.

Who Has Won the Pritzker Prize?

Nicolás Valencia — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000

The Pritzker Prize is the most important award in the field of architecture, awarded to a living architect whose built work "has produced consistent and significant contributions to humanity through the art of architecture." The Prize rewards individuals, not offices, as happened in 2000 (when the jury selected Rem Koolhaas instead of his firm OMA) or in 2016 (with Alejandro Aravena selected instead of ELEMENTAL); however, the Prize can also be awarded to multiple individuals working together, as was the case in 2001 (Herzog & de Meuron), 2010 (Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa from SANAA), and 2017 (Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem, and Ramon Vilalta from RCR Arquitectes).

Forum, Depot, Maze: Toward a Plural Ecology of Museums

Jonathan Yeung — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 07:30:00 +0000

This article is part of our new Opinion section, a format for argument-driven essays on critical questions shaping our field.

Athens Architecture City Guide: 26 Architectural Works From Ancient Grandeur to Modern Innovation

Nour Fakharany — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Athens stands as a city where the legacy of Antiquity is woven into its modern and vibrant urban landscape. World-renowned landmarks of Ancient Greece like the Acropolis and the Parthenon stand as enduring symbols of classical architecture and the city's storied past. These structures reflect the foundational principles of symmetry and balance that have influenced generations of architects and continue to attract scholars from around the world. Yet, Athens is also a thriving metropolis where contemporary architecture coexists with its historical counterparts. Recent developments, led by international firms and local architects, focus on sustainability and innovation while respecting Athens' rich cultural heritage. This duality—preserving the old while embracing the new—reflects Greece's broader urban aspirations, making Athens a focal point in global architectural discourse. The city's architectural evolution also extends to its contemporary architecture and interior design scene, which is gaining international recognition.

Louvres Around the World: The Export of Museums and Architecture as a Global Brand

Camilla Ghisleni — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 07:30:00 +0000

It is undeniable that, at first glance, the idea of a Louvre in Abu Dhabi or a Centre Pompidou in Brazil may seem somewhat disconcerting. The image of these museums, internationally renowned, appears in many ways inseparable from their original cultural contexts. And to some extent, it truly is. The Louvre, deeply rooted in the history of France as a former fortress and later royal residence, embodies a set of invaluable heritage values, further amplified by I. M. Pei’s iconic glass pyramid intervention in 1989. The Pompidou, meanwhile, is remembered as a historic turning point: by redefining the concept of public infrastructure through radically unconventional architecture, it marked the first time culture drew in mass audiences.

Democratizing Access to Culture: The Past, Present, and Future of Cultural Centers

Camilla Ghisleni — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 07:30:00 +0000

The cultural center is an architectural typology that has fascinated architects and urban planners for decades. Whether due to its multifaceted program, its often emblematic scale, or its potential to transform the urban context in which it is inserted, it is a building type that carries strong symbolic and conceptual value. The wide circulation of international references—many designed by renowned architects—reinforces the aura of prestige associated with this program, frequently seen as a privileged ground for formal and conceptual experimentation. Not by chance, cultural center designs are among the most recurring themes in competitions, exhibitions, and academic studios.

Passive Design Lessons from Renzo Piano’s Most Celebrated Works

Eduardo Souza — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 07:30:00 +0000

It's no exaggeration to say that Renzo Piano is one of the most unanimously respected architects in the world of architecture. With an oeuvre that blends respect for context, lightness and technology to create environmentally conscious and aesthetically pleasing structures, his approach combines advanced materials with traditional techniques. In projects of various scales, the Genoese architect maintains an essential thread: the implementation of passive architectural strategies, highlighting the importance of these methods for sustainability and energy efficiency. This is often made explicit in his sketches, as an initial concern, and clearly comes through in the finished works. Here are some examples of iconic projects developed by his office in recent decades.

Centre Pompidou to Close for Five-Year Renovation Led by Moreau Kusunoki

Reyyan Dogan — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 06:30:00 +0000

The Centre Pompidou in Paris, designed in 1971 by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, is closing for a major transformation that will take five years. Following an international competition, the renovation has been entrusted to Moreau Kusunoki, in association with Frida Escobedo Studio, alongside AIA Life Designers for the technical components. Initiated in 2020 with the support of France's Ministry of Culture, the project addresses urgent needs, including the removal of asbestos from facades, improved fire safety, enhanced accessibility, and significant upgrades in energy efficiency. The works will require a full closure of the Beaubourg site, with a planned reopening in 2030.

How Not to Build: Architecture by the Absence of Intervention

Mohieldin Gamal — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 07:30:00 +0000

Whether for design competitions or architectural awards, buildings are often judged for what they offer–the programmed functions, the form, or the visual delight. In a minority of cases, it is the absence or the reduction of intervention that made a project successful. In 1971, a high-profile architectural competition in Paris was won by a proposal that only utilized half the available site, giving the rest as an urban space to the city. In London, a proposal to convert a disused power station with minimal additions, leaving large spaces untouched, won a design competition in 1994. The Stirling Prize, the UK's most prestigious architectural award, in 2017 was won by a proposal that was little more than an empty platform. These examples of cultural buildings from Northwestern Europe illustrate how the absence of intervention can provide more.

Architecture as an Invitation to Explore: 25 Visitor Centers Around the World

Camilla Ghisleni — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 07:30:00 +0000

Destinations like ecological reserves, national parks, and historic sites rank among the most visited places worldwide. Motivated by different desires — from aesthetic appreciation to a longing for connection with nature — visitors are drawn to locations marked by historical importance, scenic beauty, or architectural significance. In this context, it becomes essential for the institutions responsible for preserving and managing these sites to adopt thoughtful mediation strategies — both in terms of communication and spatial design. One such strategy is the creation of visitor centers: architectural structures that not only receive guests but also educate and guide them. These buildings act as interfaces between the site and its audience, translating the ecological, historical, and cultural values of the place into architectural form.

An Architectural Journey Through Tokyo, the Never-Ending City

Eron Costin — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 03:30:00 +0000

Tokyo is never-ending. It is a city made up of many cities, where everything is superlative and encounters with overwhelming scale are constant. For those visiting for the first time, the cultural shock is striking. Everything is extremely clean despite the absence of public trash bins, there's a strong impression of zero violence, and society seems to follow strict disciplinary codes to the letter. There’s a sense that human relationships and individual feelings are set aside in favor of the collective, with all the benefits and drawbacks that this way of life may bring.

AD Classics: Maison Hermès / Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Diogo Borges Ferreira — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 04:00:00 +0000

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.

Renzo Piano Building Workshop Wins Competition to Design the New Midtstadt Mixed-Use Complex in Frankfurt

Antonia Piñeiro — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 06:30:00 +0000

Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW), in collaboration with Holger Meyer Architekten, has won the competition for the new Midstad project in Frankfurt. Led by Joost Moolhuijzen and Erik Volz, the design reimagines the future of European city centers as resourceful and multifunctional. The project involves a 35,000 m² rehabilitation of an existing department store on the Zeil in Frankfurt's city center, integrating a six-story mass timber extension and a mixed-use, community-driven program. The project involves reconstruction during ongoing operation, partial demolition, and the expansion of the existing department store.

Osaka Architecture City Guide: 23 Projects Showcasing Japan’s Design Legacy and Innovation

Diogo Borges Ferreira — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:30:00 +0000

Osaka, Japan's third-largest city, is a vibrant blend of tradition and modernity, making it a compelling destination for architecture enthusiasts. Known historically as the "nation's kitchen" for its role as a mercantile hub, Osaka is also a city of cultural and architectural diversity. Its landmarks range from the historic Osaka Castle to striking contemporary developments, each reflecting Japan's evolving urban identity.

The Timeless Appeal of Modernism in Technology and Digital Architecture

Diogo Borges Ferreira — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 07:30:00 +0000

Modernism, a movement that sought to break away from traditional forms and embrace the future, laid the groundwork for many technological and digital advancements in contemporary architecture. As the Industrial Revolution brought about mass production, new materials, and technological innovation, architects like Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, and Mies van der Rohe championed the ethos of "form follows function" and a rational approach to design. Their principles resonate in the digital age, where computational design and high-tech materials redefine form and construction.

Discover the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures through the Lens of Paul Clemence

Maria-Cristina Florian — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 06:30:00 +0000

This Oscars Season, photographer Paul Clemence turned his lens to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the most famous institution dedicated to the art and science of movies. Designed and revitalized by Gensler and Renzo Piano Building Workshop, the building is located on the famed 'Miracle Mile' in Los Angeles, opening with expansive views towards Hollywood. This year, the museum opened its rooftop terrace for the Oscars Night at the Museum, a unique event to celebrate the 96th Oscars.

Exploring the Paul Klee Center by Renzo Piano Building Workshop Through Katerina Skarka's Photography

Nour Fakharany — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 05:30:00 +0000

The Paul Klee Center, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, is a tribute to the renowned German-Swiss artist Paul Klee. Blending architecture with the natural landscape of Bern, Switzerland, the museum echoes the rolling hills and fields of the region. Situated on the city's easter outskirts, the structure aims to harmonize with its surroundings. Renowned as an iconic structure, Bern-based photographer Katerina Skarka has recently captured it through her lens, showcasing the architectural landmark.

Renzo Piano Designs Jawaher Boston Medical District in Sharjah, UAE

Nour Fakharany — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 05:30:00 +0000

The Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW) has just been selected to design the Jawaher Boston Medical District in Sharjah, a significant new healthcare initiative spearheaded by BEEAH, a private organization working in sustainability in the MENA region. Following a competitive selection process, RPBW's appointment marks the beginning of a project aimed at redefining the integration of healthcare excellence with environmental and cultural sensitivity.