The consortium led by the French architecture firm Coldefy, in partnership with Albanian studio Atelier 4, Sempervirens, and Italian firm AEI Progetti, has just won the international competition to design Albania's new Public Administration Cluster in Tirana. This 31,000-square-meter project will bring together over 20 government institutions under one roof, aiming to improve administrative efficiency while fostering greater public accessibility and engagement.
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the Elizabeth Line, designed by Grimshaw, Maynard, Equation, and AtkinsRéalis, as the winner of the 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize. Since its inception in 1996, the prestigious annual award sets out to recognize UK's best new architecture. Named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, the Elizabeth Line represents an important development for London's transportation network. Connecting Reading and Heathrow to Essex and South East London, the development spans 62 miles of track and 26 miles of tunnels, a complex and expansive undertaking accommodating 700,000 passengers every weekday.
Diller Scofidio + Renfro has just revealed the design for the 60,000-square-foot Center for Collaborative Arts and Technology (CCAT) at the University of New Mexico (UNM). This ground-up facility will serve as a new gateway to the arts at UNM, located along the historic Route 66, where it bridges the campus and the city of Albuquerque. While many interior spaces are designed for performance, film, and technology, the building's prominent location fosters a visual connection between its activities and the surrounding environment.
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has commenced construction on the global headquarters for China International Marine Containers Group (CIMC) in Shenzhen's Qianhai district. The 270-meter-tall structure, designed by SOM after winning an international competition, will stand as a 53-story tower. The project aims to serve as a corporate hub while also incorporating sustainable practices. The development is scheduled for completion by 2029.
In collaboration with to.org, Counterspace, led by Sumayya Vally, has revealed its latest project, "Regenerate Kakuma," aimed at promoting holistic well-being in one of the world's largest refugee settlements in Kakuma, Kenya. This regenerative wellness and fitness hub blends fitness, agriculture, and cultural spaces for over 285,000 refugees. The settlement, known as one of the largest globally, primarily hosts individuals from 19 countries, including South Sudan and Somalia.
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has been announced as the architect of the Alisher Navoi International Scientific Research Centre, an expansive cultural and educational facility taking shape in New Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The center is set to incorporate the Navoi State Museum of Literature, along with a 400-seat auditorium and an International Research Center and residential school dedicated to training 200 students in the Uzbek language, literature, and music.
Foster + Partners, in collaboration with the Maldives Fund Management Corporation (MFMC), has unveiled the masterplan for Gaafaru, an inhabited island in the Kaafu Atoll of the Maldives. This project is designed to ensure a sustainable and resilient future for the island by addressing the critical challenges posed by climate change, rising sea levels, and social inequalities. At the heart of this plan are six guiding principles that aim to balance environmental protection with community prosperity, creating a model of future-proof island development.
Tallinn Architecture Biennale 2024 has officially opened to the public. Hosted at the Museum of Estonian Architecture and across multiple venues in the center of the city, the event is centered around the theme "Resources For a Future." The head curator Anhelina L. Starkova along with co-curators Daniel A. Walser and Jaan Kuusemets hope to open up conversations about emerging approaches to designing and building architecture, including the potential of reused and repurposed materials. The event is held between October and November 2024, with free participation.
Czech-based architectural firm CHYBIK + KRISTOF has revealed its design for a new school in Mulbekh, North India, in collaboration with the Czech NGO Himalayan Patron and Spring Dales Public School. The project aims to provide quality education in the region while preserving local culture. This initiative is particularly significant as many children, especially girls, from remote ethnic minority communities, have faced limited access to education due to the area's harsh climate and challenging terrain.
Portuguese architecture studio OODA has commenced construction on the Hora Vertikale Towers in Tirana, a city renowned for its urban revitalization and architectural innovation. The project aims to contribute to this dynamic landscape as a multi-functional, 55,000-square-meter "vertical village" rising 140 meters tall. The project is designed to also integrate a large-scale green public space, also designed by OODA. The project was first announced earlier this year.
Sir John Soane's Museum has announced Hanif Kara, a celebrated structural engineer and co-founder of AKT II, as the recipient of the prestigious 2024 Soane Medal. This marks a historic moment as Kara becomes the first engineer to receive the accolade, traditionally awarded to architects and theorists. The recognition highlights his profound impact on the built environment, particularly through his pioneering approach to interdisciplinary collaboration. Kara will deliver the Soane Medal Lecture at the Royal Academy on November 26.
Danish architecture firm Cobe has announced a new project to transform the historic 'Krulli' steelworks, a large-scale former industrial site in Estonia's capital, into a mixed-use city district. The strategy for the project is developed to optimize for material reuse, as materials, components and even entire buildings have been evaluated for their potential to be reintegrated into the scheme. This way, the decommissioned industrial area provides the foundation for an innovation hub, maintaining its history while adapting to the necessities of modern workspaces and city life.
The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced Lebanon-based EAST Architecture Studio, in collaboration with artist Rayyane Tabet and engineering firm AKT II, as the winners of the inaugural AlMusalla Prize, a significant new architectural competition launched as part of the Islamic Arts Biennale. Their winning design, a modular structure inspired by regional weaving traditions, uses sustainable materials derived from local date palm waste, including palm fronds and fibers. After the four-month Biennale, the Musalla will be dismantled and reassembled at a new location.
Snøhetta has announced a project to rebuild the Refuge de Barroude, a mountain refuge located in a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Pyrenees Mountain range of France. The old building, destroyed in an accidental fire ten years ago, is set to be revived as a stop-off point for hikers on the Haute Route des Pyrénées and as a support center for the staff of the National Park. The next phase of the project is due to begin in 2025.
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and GAD have been chosen to design the Hangzhou Science and Technology Innovation Central Business District (CBD) in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, China. Their proposal outlines a versatile regional hub that merges advanced transit systems with the traditional Jiangnan landscape, establishing a framework that promotes creativity and the growth of the tech sector.
Oppenheim Architecture has unveiled the design for the College of Europe's new campus in Tirana, Albania. This project introduces the first "purpose-built" campus for the College, following its established campuses in Bruges, Belgium, and Natolin, Poland. The College of Europe, created under the initiative of the Hague Congress, is dedicated to promoting European ideals of unity, cooperation, and integration. This expansion to Tirana aims to reflect both a continuation of this mission and an opportunity for the College to establish a presence in a historically significant city.
The 2024 Obel Award has been granted to Colectivo C733 for their unique achievement in completing 36 public projects across Mexico over a span of just 36 months. These projects have begun as part of a nationwide initiative led by Mexico's Secretariat for Agrarian, Land, and Urban Development (SEDATU). Collectively named the 36x36 projects, the varied interventions have successfully revitalized a wide range of vulnerable urban and rural areas through a collaborative and community-focused approach. This aligns with the Obel Award's 6th cycle overarching theme, "Architectures with," highlighting initiatives that positively impact both people and the planet.
On the first Monday of October, World Architecture Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the role that architecture plays in shaping our world and our communities. Established by the International Union of Architects (UIA) in 1986, this day was designated as a basis for the ongoing discussions on innovations in architectural practice, new approaches to the ever-changing role of architects and designers, and the varied responses to emerging concerns.
As in previous editions, UIA sets a central yearly theme to guide these conversations. This year, the theme of World Architecture Day 2024, "Empowering the Next Generation to Participate in Urban Design," opens up multiple interpretations, contemplating the impact of urban design on the next generation, as well as highlighting the impact and contributions of young architects in shaping the cities of tomorrow. This year's event aims to address crucial challenges faced by the urban environments and their impact on the next generations. The focus is on creating cities that are not only greener and more environmentally friendly but also inclusive, catering to the diverse needs of various groups in society.
In a surprising development, internationally renowned architect Kengo Kuma has been named the new lead designer for the highly anticipated Global War on Terrorism Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The announcement follows the departure of previous designer Marlon Blackwell, who was originally selected in July 2023.
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture has announced the Master Jury for the 16th award cycle. The independent panel includes Pritzker Prize laureate Yvonne Farrell, ArchDaily founder David Basulto, and Lucia Allais, director of the Buell Center. Established in 1977 by Aga Khan IV, this competition set out to highlight architectural projects that have a significant positive impact on Islamic communities worldwide. The Award is presented in three-year cycles and has a monetary prize totaling US$1 million.
MVRDV, in collaboration with JGE Architects, landscape architects Copley Wolff, and Langan Engineering, has developed a masterplan for the redevelopment of Faneuil Gardens, a public housing site in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston. This project, commissioned by The Community Builders in partnership with the Boston Housing Authority, aims to replace the outdated 1940s apartment complex with five contemporary buildings that incorporate mixed-income affordable housing, artist live-work spaces, and significant green spaces. At the center of the redevelopment is a new community center, located along a public boulevard that runs through the heart of the site.
Architecture firm SO – IL has revealed plans for a new residential condominium project planned for Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighborhood. Named 144 Vanderbilt, the development offers 26 condominiums and amenities spanning almost 90,000 square feet. According to SO – IL, the architecture takes cues from Brooklyn's historical heritage, while incorporating a modern twist, as the staggered building prioritizes community interactions and comfortable urban living.
Foster + Partners have just unveiled designs for a new live-work building in Seoul, South Korea, which aims to redefine business hospitality with a personalized approach. This structure is set to accommodate professionals seeking a mixture of work and leisure in an urban environment. With an emphasis on comfort, functionality, and well-being, the building incorporates spaces designed for hosting and entertaining, along with dedicated meeting and negotiation rooms. It also features state-of-the-art wellness facilities, making it a unique setting for both work and relaxation. The project consists of twelve private units, each occupying an entire floor, providing a unique living experience tailored to individual needs.
Landscape architecture firm SCAPE together with Bjarke Ingels Group have announced plans to transform Connecticut's Manresa Island into a public-oriented development as a hub for learning, exploration, and community engagement. Originally slanted for private waterfront housing, the new scheme aims to open up the area as a public park with ample waterfront access, a project led by SCAPE. Additionally, the decommissioned coal-fired power plant is set to be converted by BIG into a community hub for multiple activities including swimming, small and large-scale events, research, and educational rooms. Supported by a private philanthropic investment from Austin McChord, the project is set to open in 2030 through a phased development.
