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.
As the host city for the highly anticipated Expo 2025, Osaka is poised to showcase its architectural prowess on a global stage. The city's skyline features innovative works by renowned architects and urban planners, including cutting-edge cultural centers, transportation hubs, and waterfront redevelopments. With contributions from celebrated Japanese architects such as Tadao Ando, Kengo Kuma & Associates, and Takenaka Corporation, alongside international figures like Dominique Perrault, Renzo Piano Building Workshop, and Pelli Clarke & Partners, Osaka seamlessly blends modernity with tradition, creating a unique architectural identity that reflects its past while looking boldly to the future.
On Friday, July 26th, Paris began the long-awaited Olympic and Paralympic Games. Located in the city’s Seine-Saint-Denis district, Dominque Perrault Architecture designed the master plan for the Athletes Village. Featuring 2,400 housing units and 119,000 square meters of various activities, offices, and services, this master plan has become a significant portion of the legacy of the Paris Games.
For those seeking remarkable architecture in Europe, Luxembourg stands as a special destination not to be missed. Nestled between Belgium, France, and Germany, this pint-sized country packs a punch with its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant architecture. Small, yet culturally rich, Luxembourg offers a delightful array of architectural wonders waiting to be explored. From ancient castles to modern marvels, Luxembourg’s diverse architectural landscape promises a journey through time and style.
Sun Tower / OPEN Architecture. Image Courtesy of OPEN Architecture
As the year 2023 comes to a close, we review the evolution of the field of architecture, but we also look forward to the most anticipated projects planned to open in 2024. As Paris is preparing to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, several projects and infrastructure updates have been planned to support the global event. Another milestone for Paris will be the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, as reconstruction works near completion for the fire-damaged 12th-century monument.
The selection of projects spans various scales and programs, from restoration and expansion works such as OMA's plan for Museo Egizio in Turin, or David CHipperfield's Grand Residential Building in Belgium, to architecture developed with indigenous peoples, such as Snøhetta's Čoarvemátta in Northern Norway, cultural facilities in Asia and Europe and environmentally-conscious buildings such as Studio Gang's Hotel in the United States.
Following an international competition, the team led by Dominique Perrault Architecture has been commissioned to reimagine and rehabilitate the Esplanade-Coupole area in École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)’s Campus in Switzerland. The winning project includes the addition of a new building and the renovation of the Coupole to increase its capacity, as well as improvements to the public spaces. The intervention reuses the former Esplanade underground car park, taking advantage of its central location within the campus and creating a new topography to seamlessly integrate the new additions into the dense fabric of the complex. The project, including the new additions and the renovation of existing structures, is set to be built between 2025 and 2028.
Courtesy of Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism
The 2021 Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism will debut on September 16th with a series of exhibitions, events and conferences that reflect on the future of urban environments and the architectural and planning strategies that foster resilience. Titled “CROSSROADS, Building the Resilient City”, the third edition of SBAU curated by architect Dominique Perrault attempts to assert the importance of interactions and “cross-fertilization of expertise and approaches” to respond to the complexities that shape the built environment, all read through the timely issue of resiliency.
Designers have created civic institutions, governmental centers, public plazas, and many other spaces as testaments to individual and shared values. As spaces for gathering and exchange are necessary elements to urban life, architecture can also act as a vehicle to encourage understanding. Advocating knowledge while empowering the public, libraries celebrate ideas, curiosity and empathy.
Dominique Perrault Architecture has won the competition to design the new retractable roofing of the Suzanne Lenglen Tennis Court. Bringing additional value to the “French Open” site, the “architectural intervention not only creates a roof but also proposes a large-scale architectural ensemble whose silhouette dialogues both with the surrounding landscape and the architecture of the existing building”.
Dominique Perrault Architecture - The City of Tomorrow. Image Courtesy of Hangang District Urban Design International Master Competition
Dominique Perrault’s proposal has won “the transformation and revival of industrial heritages” or the Hangang district urban design international competition, in Handan, China. Six teams from world-renowned architectural firms, including Coop Himmelb(l)au and UNStudio Team, were invited to participate in the contest and envision the future of the city, through their creative designs.
Courtesy of Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism 2021
Exploring the evolution of the world’s cities and metropolises, the third edition of the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism (SBAU 2021) entitled "CROSSROADS Building the Resilient City" will be led by French architect and urban planner Dominique Perrault.
ArchDaily had the chance to speak to Perrault to find out what will be different in this particular biennale.
DDP+Kyungsub Shin Studio. Image Courtesy of Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism 2021
Exploring the evolution of the world’s cities and metropolises, the third edition of the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism (SBAU 2021), will be led by Dominique Perrault. Scheduled to be held from September to November 2021, the biennale entitled “CROSSROADS Building the Resilient City” is holding an International Call for Proposals from May 29th till July 31st, 2020.
Dominique Perrault was selected to direct the general curatorship of the 2021 edition of the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism. Announced on November 8th, 2019, during the closing ceremony of the 2nd Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism, Dominique Perrault joins the team of the Seoul Biennale as its new General Director, for the 3rd edition, scheduled from September to November 2021.
French architect Dominique Perrault has shared his thoughts after this week's devastating fire of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Best known for his design of the French National Library, Perrault has had a hand in many projects across France, including work in 2015 studying the means of ensuring the continued urban centrality of the Île de la Cité, in collaboration with Philippe Belaval, President of the Center for National Monuments. ArchDaily has published Perrault's statement in full, outlining the architect's response to the Notre Dame fire.
French architect Dominique Perrault has revealed the new masterplan and vision for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic village. Located in the city's Seine-Saint-Denis district, the village was designed to integrate with the existing urban fabric along the banks of the river. Combining housing and offices with diverse programs, the project spans over 119,000 square meters across its entirety. At the conclusion of the games, the village is designed to become a new permanent community in Paris.
The Bibliothèque nationale de France has given its architect Dominique Perrault ‘carte blanche’ to develop an exhibition dedicated to the building he designed in 1989 : with an original ‘mise en abyme’, a large-scale scenography presents the story of the conception and construction of the BnF, one of the most important contemporary public buildings in France.
