Architect, urbanist, and Content Editor at ArchDaily, covering news and developments in architecture and the built environment. Editorial work focuses on the Gulf region and the Middle East, exploring contemporary regional architectural languages and their relationship to local contexts.
The UK Pavilion, designed by London-based Woo Architects, in collaboration with Japanese contractor ES Global, has been completed at the Expo 2025 in Osaka. Built on the principles of a circular economy, the pavilion features a modular, 10-by-10-meter gridded structure designed that prioritizes ease of assembly, disassembly, and relocation. Ultimately, the pavilion's design reflects the Expo's theme, "Come Build the Future," embodying sustainability and reuse.
Jacob's Pillow, a historic hub for dance in the United States, will open the new Doris Duke Theatre on July 9, 2025. As of November 2024, construction is progressing on schedule, with the theater taking shape on the original site of the initial structure lost to a devastating fire in November 2020 in Massachusetts, United States. Designed by the Dutch firm Mecanoo, led by Francine Houben, in collaboration with New York-based Marvel, helmed by Jonathan Marvel, the project blends innovation with a deep reverence for the site's historic legacy.
Cairo, often called the "City of a Thousand Minarets," boasts one of the richest cultural and architectural tapestries in the world. Its heritage reflects centuries of diverse influences from Pharaonic monuments to Islamic and Mamluk architecture. However, preserving this legacy is an ongoing challenge in the face of urban pressures, climate change, and socio-economic dynamics. Heritage conservation in Cairo is not just about safeguarding these structures; it's about integrating them into the lives of local communities, ensuring they remain dynamic and accessible spaces.
At the forefront of this mission is Dr. May al-Ibrashy, an architect and conservationist whose innovative and community-driven approach has redefined how heritage is preserved. As the founder of Megawra–Built Environment Collective, she has worked tirelessly in neighborhoods like Al-Khalifa, Al-Hattaba, and Sayyida Zeinab to restore historic monuments while creating vibrant public spaces. Her work bridges the gap between architectural preservation and urban regeneration, ensuring that these historic districts serve both as cultural landmarks and as living, functional spaces for their residents.
The Pritzker Architecture Prize has released a special video honoring Riken Yamamoto, the 2024 Laureate. Presented in a documentary-style format, the film celebrates Yamamoto's distinguished architectural career and his contributions as the 53rd Laureate, honored earlier this year in Chicago. This milestone coincided with the 100th birthday of Cindy Pritzker, co-founder of the Prize with her late husband, Jay A. Pritzker.
Ammodo Architecture has just revealed the first 23 recipients of its inaugural Ammodo Architecture Awards, an annual recognition dedicated to advancing socially and ecologically conscious architecture worldwide. The awardees, chosen for their exemplary contributions, will receive financial support ranging from €10,000 to €150,000 to further their work and projects across three categories: Social Architecture, Social Engagement, and Local Scale.
OODA has just revealed its design for a new mixed-use urban development in central Tirana, Albania. Located in the central district of Tirana on Myslym Street, the Ndarja building, represents a new approach to mixed-use urban development, incorporating residential, hospitality, office, and commercial functions within a single structure. The building comprises two distinct sections positioned along their narrow sides, creating a central square that serves as a gathering spot, contrasting the busy surroundings.
Pavilions offer architects a unique opportunity to experiment, serving as compact spaces that push the boundaries of design and spatial concepts. Free from many conventional functional constraints, these structures allow for artistic expression and the testing of new technologies. Pavilions often act as living laboratories of architecture, positioned in public or cultural contexts. They transform their surroundings into interactive, memorable experiences, providing a stage for architects to showcase their most innovative ideas. In recent years, climate responsiveness has emerged as a crucial focus in pavilion design. By using temporary structures as a testing ground for more sustainable practices, architects can experiment with alternative materials and environmentally conscious approaches that address the climate crisis.
The 19th Biennale Architettura, which opened in Venice on May 10th, 2025, sees the Belgian pavilion transformed by an exhibition titled "Building Biospheres," curated by a team comprising landscape architect Bas Smets and biologist Stefano Mancuso. Initiated by the Flemish government and the Flanders Architecture Institute, this thought-provoking exhibit explores a transformative approach to architecture through the lens of plant intelligence.
Architectural firms Snøhetta and HGA have just began work on the Barbara and Gerson Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). This nine-story, 323,000-square-foot facility is set to redefine UCSF's approach to biomedical research and academic collaboration. Designed as a state-of-the-art hub for scientific inquiry, BRAB will offer cutting-edge spaces for translational research, fostering breakthroughs in critical areas such as cancer, diabetes, microbiology, immunology, and cell biology.
Studio Aalto and its garden area have just been officially granted protection by the Uusimaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport, and the Environment. Originally constructed in 1955 as an architect's office, with an extension in 1962-63, it holds major significance as the workspace where Alvar Aalto's acclaimed architecture was conceived. Additionally, the Studio reflects the architectural-office design ethos of the 1950s and 60s. Its interiors, including layers of furniture accumulated over decades, remain intact and are integral to the site's protected status, marking it as the first Aalto location in Finland to be listed in this way.
NEOM has announced the appointment of new partners to advance the city planning, design, and engineering for the initial phase of THE LINE, a core component of its region in northwest Saudi Arabia. The collaboration brings together Delugan Meissl Associate Architects (DMAA), Gensler, and Mott MacDonald, who will work alongside THE LINE's design and development teams to shape the urban landscape, offering expertise in urban design, planning consultancy, and infrastructure development.
The Ukrainian volunteer organization Livyj Bereh has been named the recipient of the 2024 Royal Academy Dorfman Prize, which comes with a £10,000 (€12,000) award. This recognition celebrates emerging architectural talent and innovative practices that significantly impact the future of the built environment. The Dorfman Prize, supported by the Dorfman Foundation, highlights work that transcends conventional boundaries, embracing bold new ideas and community-driven approaches.
The inaugural Copenhagen Architecture Biennial, set to take place from September 18 to October 19, 2025, has announced its first curatorial theme, "Slow Down." Organized by CAFx, the biennial builds upon the foundation of the annual Copenhagen Architecture Festival, established in 2014, evolving into a larger international platform aimed at deepening engagement with architectural issues. This transition marks a shift in focus toward more comprehensive and long-term dialogue around the built environment's role in shaping society and addressing contemporary challenges.
The International Union of Architects (UIA), in partnership with UN-Habitat, has just announced the winners of the second cycle of the UIA 2030 Award. This prestigious award recognizes architectural achievements that advance the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda. Honoring projects that embody sustainable design principles, the UIA 2030 Award celebrates contributions to Sustainable Development Goal 11: "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable."
After receiving 100 submissions from 33 countries, regional finalists were selected in the first stage, representing the five UIA regions: Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, and Africa. These finalists moved on to Stage 2, where they submitted three-minute videos showcasing their projects in action and detailing their alignment with the SDGs. The winners in the six categories have been awarded during the World Urban Forum (WUF12), taking place in Cairo, Egypt, from November 4-8, 2024. This biennial competition highlights how architects around the world are advancing sustainable, inclusive urban solutions to address global challenges and shape resilient communities for the future.
The Chicago Architecture Biennial (CAB) has announced its sixth edition, marking the tenth anniversary of the renowned event, to take place from September 12, 2025, to February 28, 2026. The event will be titled CAB 6: Shift: Architecture in Times of Radical Change and will be directed by Florencia Rodriguez, an esteemed architect, writer, and educator. As the first female Latin American Director to lead CAB, Rodriguez brings a fresh perspective to the Biennial, which is set to continue its tradition as North America's largest exhibition of contemporary architecture, held biennially in Chicago.
Cultural centers are vibrant places where art, community, and innovation intersect—each uniquely crafted to embody and celebrate its local character. This month's projects, submitted by the ArchDaily community, showcase a diverse array of cultural spaces, from the transformation of a historic townhouse in Montreal to a dynamic creative hub in Riyadh and an eco-conscious visitor center in Tennessee's mountains. Each design offers a new perspective on what a cultural center can be, whether a hub for creativity, a sanctuary for nature, or a bridge to the past.
The Australian Institute of Architects has announced the Creative Directors for the Australia Pavilion at the upcoming 19th International Architecture Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia in 2025. Selected to lead this project, Dr. Michael Mossman, Emily McDaniel, and Jack Gillmer will present "HOME", a pavilion dedicated to Australia's natural environment and Indigenous knowledge systems.
In October 2024, "The Vessel" at Hudson Yards in New York City reopened to the public after being closed for nearly three years due to multiple suicides. Originally designed by Heatherwick Studio and opened in 2019, the 150-foot monumental staircase was closed in January 2021 after four individuals, all under the age of 25, tragically took their own lives within an 18-month span. This photo series by Paul Clemence captures "The Vessel" as it reopens, offering a fresh look at its design and renewed role in the city.
