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Washington DC: The Latest Architecture and News

Rafael Viñoly’s Amaris Condos in Washington DC, Captured by Paul Clemence

On March 2, 2023, Rafael Viñoly passed away at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy of bold and imposing designs that shaped the skyline of cities across the globe. He is internationally recognized for works such as the Boston Convention Center, which redefined urban space in the American city, the new Carrasco Airport in Montevideo, and the controversial 20 Fenchurch Tower in London.

Paul Clemence has released images of the Amaris mixed-use development in Washington D.C., one of the latest works completed by renowned Uruguayan American architect, Rafael Viñoly. The photographic series reveals a distinctively shaped curvilinear building opening towards public spaces along the Potomac River. The volume is created to accommodate residential units with generous views toward the surrounding landscape, marking the terminus point to a row of new buildings in The Wharf development.

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5 Ways to Create More Liveable Cities: Insights from TV Show "Tale of Two Cities" with Dikshu Kukreja

Cities are the bedrock of civilization. For millennia, they have attracted people with the promise of superior standards of living — from better economic and educational opportunities to easier access to quality public infrastructure such as housing, healthcare, and public transport. Today, however, many cities around the world are finding it challenging to live up to this promise. With urban migration accelerating at a dizzying rate – the United Nations projects that over two-thirds of the world's population will live in cities or urban centers by 2050 – existing resources and services in cities are coming under increasing pressure, rendering them dysfunctional and leading to glaring inequities.

There is no singular way to define or assess liveability; every city has a unique set of characteristics, from its history, culture, geography, and demographics, to how it is governed and what urban issues plague it. Therefore, improving liveability requires concerted efforts from multiple stakeholders including people, governments, and experts, to identify critical problem areas and opportunities, and devise contextual solutions. The TV show Tale of Two Cities, where Indian architect and urbanist Dikshu C. Kukreja sits down with global leaders, brings out great insights into what some major cities in the world are doing to create more liveable environments for their inhabitants. Here we present five examples: from Bogotá, Kolkata, Hannover, Tirana, and Washington, D.C.

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Perkins&Will Wins Competition for the Design of Smithsonian’s Bezos Learning Center in Washington D.C.

The Smithsonian Institution selected Perkins&Will to design the Bezos Learning Center at the National Air and Space Museum in located on the prominent National Mall in Washington D.C. Perkins&Will was one of the five shortlisted finalists for the competition. According to the Smithsonian, the selection was based on the architects’ ample experience in designing cultural and educational spaces, the reliability of their management team and the team’s aesthetic approach.

Perkins&Will Is Among the Finalists for the United States Navy Museum Design, Along with BIG, Gehry Partners, DLR Group and Quinn Evans

Perkins&Will has been selected as one of the five finalists in the nationwide artistic ideas competition for the design of the new National Museum of the U.S. Navy. The other finalists are DLR Group, Frank Gehry Partners, Quinn Evans, and BIG. Organised by the Naval Heritage History and Command’s (NHHC), the competition’s aim is to create a modern museum for Naval veterans and the public, a new building and ceremonial courtyard to reflect the Navy’s values and legacy. The campus would consist of approximately 270,000 square feet, with 100,000 square feet of gallery space. The Navy’s preferred location for the museum is on a site adjacent to the Washington Navy Yard.

Perkins&Will Is Among the Finalists for the United States Navy Museum Design, Along with BIG, Gehry Partners, DLR Group and Quinn Evans - Featured ImagePerkins&Will Is Among the Finalists for the United States Navy Museum Design, Along with BIG, Gehry Partners, DLR Group and Quinn Evans - Image 1 of 4Perkins&Will Is Among the Finalists for the United States Navy Museum Design, Along with BIG, Gehry Partners, DLR Group and Quinn Evans - Image 2 of 4Perkins&Will Is Among the Finalists for the United States Navy Museum Design, Along with BIG, Gehry Partners, DLR Group and Quinn Evans - Image 3 of 4Perkins&Will Is Among the Finalists for the United States Navy Museum Design, Along with BIG, Gehry Partners, DLR Group and Quinn Evans - More Images+ 2

BIG Selected as a Finalist for New United States Navy Museum Design

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) was selected as one of the finalists in the Naval Heritage History and Command’s (NHHC) competition for the design of the new National Museum of the U.S. Navy. The competition’s aim is to create a publicly accessible modern museum for Naval veterans and the public, a memorial to the U.S. Navy’s heritage, and a center for education and cultural events. The other finalists are DLR Group, Frank Gehry Partners, Quinn Evans, and Perkins&Will.

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Architect Bill Hellmuth, Chairman and CEO of HOK, Passes Away at the Age of 69

Architect William (Bill) Hellmuth, the chairman and CEO of HOK, passed away on April 6, 2023, after a long illness. Hellmuth was elected president of HOK in 2005, then CEO in 2016. He accepted the new role on the condition of remaining design principal for HOK’s Washington D.C. studio, as he enjoyed having a hands-on approach and working directly with clients and HOK project teams. One year later he was also named chairman of the firm, helping the office to raise its profile as an innovative and influential company within the design community.

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Could Transit Oriented Developments Save Your City?

Cities that rely on the use of private cars experience a variety of problems- long commutes to and from work, endless traffic jams, and an increase in pollution. While it seems like cars are the most reliable option to take us from place to place, city planners are frequently promoting the benefits of public transit, and the development of communities that are centered around many forms of public transportation. Many cities are growing faster than they were initially planned. As a result, roadways have expanded, land is being transformed into massive parking lots, and connections between communities are growing farther apart.

Poplar Grove / BLDUS

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Washington D. C., United States
  • Architects: BLDUS
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  2500
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2021
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  BamCore, Bark House, Build Equinox, Gutter Supply, Locust Lumber, +6

Poplar Cloud House / BLDUS

Poplar Cloud House / BLDUS - Exterior Photography, Houses, Facade, StairsPoplar Cloud House / BLDUS - Interior Photography, Houses, Deck, Beam, Chair, TablePoplar Cloud House / BLDUS - Interior Photography, Houses, Garden, Facade, Door, Beam, ForestPoplar Cloud House / BLDUS - Exterior Photography, Houses, Chair, TablePoplar Cloud House / BLDUS - More Images+ 8

Washington D. C., United States
  • Architects: BLDUS
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  4500 ft²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2021
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Bark House, Thermacork

Grass House / BLDUS

Grass House / BLDUS - Exterior Photography, Sustainability, Garden, Door, Facade, ForestGrass House / BLDUS - Exterior Photography, Sustainability, Garden, Facade, DoorGrass House / BLDUS - Interior Photography, Sustainability, Beam, Table, ChairGrass House / BLDUS - Interior Photography, Sustainability, Kitchen, Door, Beam, Table, ChairGrass House / BLDUS - More Images+ 21

  • Architects: BLDUS
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  700 ft²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2019
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  BamCore Prime Wall System https://www.bamcore.com/, Calibamboo, Danielle Trofe, Gutter Supply, Living Willow Farm , +4

Grimshaw Reveals the Design of Washington Union Station Expansion Project

Architecture practice Grimshaw, in collaboration with Beyer Blinder Belle, Arup, and VHB, has revealed designs for the Washington Union Station Expansion Project (SEP) in Washington DC, USA. The project will ensure the preservation of the historic station and will improve access to the existing railway services, Metrorail, DC Streetcar, and bus services. The expansion aims to become a multi-modal transportation hub for the district adjacent to the historic station. In addition, the SEP will incorporate enhanced vehicle access and cycle and pedestrian routes.

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Designing for Community: Ayers Saint Gross on Inclusive Planning and Shared Ownership

Architecture and planning centers on human experience and bringing people together. Few firms have structured their office around these ideas like Ayers Saint Gross. Founded in 1912, the firm has over a century of experience, including a majority of their work in support of colleges, universities, and cultural facilities. Today, the 185-person firm has offices around the country, including in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Tempe, AZ.

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DCPL Southwest Neighborhood Library / Perkins and Will