Basel based architects Herzog & de Meuron have transformed a derelict 115 year old power plant in Brooklyn, New York, into 170,000 sq ft of workshop space for artists and fabricators. The Turbine Hall of the power plant was repaired and preserved, exposing concrete vaults, brick chases, glazed tilework, and graffiti. The upper level of the Turbine Hall, with its exposed structure displaying refurbished steel trusses, is left as an open flexible space for exhibitions and events. On the site of the Boiler House, which was demolished in the 1950s, the architects have designed a concrete building to sit on the existing foundations, reducing excavations, with window openings that replicate those of the Turbine Hall. Photo of upper floors of the Turbine House. © Iwan Baan. Herzog de Meuron
James Gorst Architects create a temple complex in Hampshire
London and Suffolk based James Gorst Architects have designed a multi-faith temple complex in Rake, Hampshire, located within the South Downs National Park. The plan comprises orthogonal pavilions that house a temple, library, chapels, meeting spaces, public foyer and a kitchen. The pavilions are connected by a cloistered walkway facing a courtyard garden, set within landscaped grounds. Materials characteristic of the local area, such as timber, brick and chalk lime mortar are used, and the structure was constructed off-site using glue laminated timber, eliminating the need for structural steel. Underfloor heating is provided by a ground-source heat pump, with additional power by solar energy, while cooling is achieved through ventilation beneath a raised floor slab and actuators in the temple clerestory. Photo © Rory Gardiner. James Gorst Architects
Habitat: Vernacular Architecture for a Changing Climate by Sandra Piesik
Thames and Hudson has published a compact edition of architect and scientist Sandra Piesik's 2017 book, Habitat: Vernacular Architecture for a Changing Climate. The book demonstrates how local buildings have withstood the test of time and explores lessons for the future. It is organised by climate zones (tropical, dry, temperate, continental, polar) and explores regions within each zone to demonstrate how buildings styles have evolved according to climatic conditions and vegetation. The appendix features case studies of contemporary vernacular architecture from around the world. Thames and Hudson
Serpentine Pavillon 2023: À Table designed by Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture
9 June 2023 -
The 22nd Serpentine Pavilion is designed by French-Lebanese Paris-based architect Lina Ghotmeh. The title 'À Table' is a French call to sit at a table and engage and participate while sharing a meal. The pavilion's lightweight timber structure is built predominately of bio-sourced and low-carbon materials, and designed to be lightweight and demountable, allowing it to be reused. Responding to the surrounding tree canopies, the pavilion features a central lightwell and a pleated roof inspired by palm leaves. The roof is low and modest, drawing inspiration from the togunas of Mali in West Africa, which are used for community gatherings. The principle supporters of the project include Goldman Sachs, HENI, Luma Foundation, Nicoletta Fiorucci Foundation, AECOM and Stage One. © Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture. Photo Iwan Baan, Courtesy Serpentine. Serpentine Pavilion, Lina Ghotmeh Architecture
10th anniversary of the 3daysofdesign festival in Copenhagen
7-9 June 2023
The theme of the 3daysofdesign 2023 festival in Copenhagen is 'Where Would We Be Without You'. This year, over 290 emerging and established design brands from Denmark will showcase their furniture, lighting, accessories and materials. Venues include showrooms, shops, workshops and the streets of 13 Design Districts around Copenhagen. Photo - Festival identity created by Rasmus Hjorshøj. 3daysofdesign
PPA Architectures design the ‘Conservatoire de Musique et de Danse’ outside Toulouse, France
Toulouse based PPA Architectures has designed the Conservatoire de Musique et de Danse (Conservatory of Music and Dance) in Blagnac, a suburb of Toulouse, France. Set in a landscaped site, the project consists of a horizontal two-storey volume and a perpendicular single-storey concrete building. The upper floor of the main building houses the music teaching rooms, while the dance studios are located in the single-storey building. The central area features a double-height hall that serves as a public space, connected to an adjacent auditorium that can be opened up to create a large, flexible volume. Internally, both spaces are covered with untreated 'pleated' timber acoustic paneling, while externally, perforated metal mesh is utilized as sunscreens. Photo © Sylvain Mille. PPA Architectures
McLaren Excell restores and extends a listed 18th century cottage in Hampstead
London based interior design and architecture studio, McLaren Excell, has completed the restoration and extension of a listed semi-detached 18th century cottage in Hampstead, London. The removal of a 1950s side extension allowed for the addition of a corten steel-clad extension at lower ground floor level. The interior of the Regency building has been restored to its original 1820s state, while the new extension features shuttered in-situ concrete walls and coffered ceilings. The douglas fir boards used for shuttering have been re-used for the internal joinery. Photo of corten-clad extension by Simone Bossi. McLaren Excell
Duo Seat by Muller van Severen for Valerie Objects
Muller van Severen designed the Duo Seat for their solo exhibition Future Primitives at Interior Kortrijk in 2012. The Duo Seat consists of slim horizontal steel bars with cloth spanning between the bars, allowing large pieces of furniture to appear 'invisible'. Shortly afterwards, Muller van Severen created the Solo Chair, which was a core version of the Duo Seat and also the Rocking Chair, both of which follow the same principle of visual lightness. Photo Siska Vandecasteele. Valerie Object, Muller van Severen
London Design Biennale 2023: ‘The Global Game: Remapping Collaboration’
1 - 25 June 2023
The forth edition of the London Design Biennale takes place at Somerset house and its artistic director is the Nieuwe Instituut, the Netherlands national museum and institute for architecture, design and digital culture, led by General and Artistic Director, Aric Chen. The Biennale's theme is collaboration and it brings together design participants from around the world. London Design Biennale
Wespi de Meuron Romeo architects design house with bed and breakfast accommodation in Bruges
Swiss-based architects Wespi de Meuron Romeo have created a house with separate bed and breakfast accommodations set in a forest in Bruges, Belgium. The house and each of the bed and breakfast accommodations feature private courtyards. The walls of the buildings and courtyards, both internally and externally, are constructed of old bricks, including broken pieces, coated with a thin render to preserve the visible texture of the bricks. Wespi de Meuron Romeo
Mæ architects design a day care centre in a South East London conservation area
Mæ has completed the John Morden Centre, a day care centre and health facility for the elderly in the Blackheath Park conservation area in South East London. The hub includes a workshop, café, art space, medical facilities and social lounges with the aim of tackling social isolation. A series of landscaped spaces leads to a brick-faced building designed with eaves and ridge heights that relate closely to those of the adjoining Grade I listed building at Morden College. Referencing the original Almshouse and Chapel attributed to Sir Christopher Wren, the building incorporates the language of steep roofs, chimneys, and a cloister into its design. The cloister weaves through existing trees, creating a series of 'outdoor rooms' designed to be inhabited in all seasons. Photo © Jim Stephenson. Mæ
Plank Randevu folding table by Cisotti + Laube
Italian furniture manufacturer Plank presented the Biagio Cisotti + Sandra Laube designed Randevu folding table, at Salon del Mobile in Milan in 2023. An innovative folding mechanism was specially designed for the table, and a hook allows it to be stored on a wall. The table is zinc plated and powder coated, and shipped assembled in a space saving flat package. Photo Miro Zagnoli © Plank Srl. Plank
Ai Weiwei: Making Sense, an exhibition at the Design Museum London
7 April - 30 July 2023
Ai Weiwei: Making Sense is the artist's first exhibition focusing on design and architecture, displaying unseen works. Hundreds of thousands of objects are laid out over five expansive 'fields'. The field works are: Still Life, displaying 4,000 tools from the stone age; Left Right Studio Material, displaying the remains of Ai's sculptures from his 'Left Right' studio in Beijing; Sprouts, 250,000 hand crafted porcelain spouts form the Song dynasty; Untitled (Porcelain Balls), around 200,000 cannon balls also from the Song dynasty; Untitled (Lego Incident), lego pieces donated by the public. Other works on display by Ai include Water Lilies #1, a 15m high re-creation of French Impressionist Claude Monet's famous painting, made from almost 650,000 lego pieces Photo Ed Reeve. Design Museum
Sanden+Hodnekvam designs Brick House with Tower in Lillehammer, Norway
Norwegian architecture studio Sanden+Hodnekvam has designed a house on a steep hillside overlooking Lake Mjøsa, south of Lillehammer in Norway. In keeping with the area's tradition of masonry buildings and brickyards, shades of red brick have been used to clad a load-bearing timber structure. Ash joinery is used externally, and ash plywood is used internally, along with an exposed pine roof structure. The main living and sleeping spaces are on the first floor, with children's accommodation and an apartment on the ground floor. On the top floor, a small tower provides a sitting area with views of the city and the lake. Sanden+Hodnekvam
Clerkenwell Design Week 2023 returns to London
23 - 25 May 2023
The 12th edition of Clerkenwell Design Week hosts more than 600 events and showcases thousands of cutting edge design projects from both leading international designers and new talent. The festival covers furniture, lighting, textiles, surfaces and accessories and takes place over a number of venues across London's creative hub, Clerkenwell. Photo BAUX Installation with Feature Wall by Morag-Myerscough at St John's Square EC1. Clerkenwell Design Week
Venice Architecture Biennale 2023, The Laboratory of the Future
20 May - 26 November 2023
The 18th International Architecture Exhibition themed 'The Laboratory of the Future' is curated by academic, educator and best selling novelist Lesley Lokko and organised by the La Biennale of Venice. The spotlight this year is on Africa, with over half of the 89 contributors of the main show from Africa or the African Diaspora. Photo of Padiglione Centrale Giardini by Francesco Galli. Venice Biennale
Royal Academy exhibition of Swiss architectural practice Herzog & de Meuron
14 July - 15 October 2023
The Royal Academy of Arts in London presents an exhibition of Herzog & de Meuron (H&dM), the Swiss architectural practice founded in Basel in 1978, known for projects such as Tate Modern, Laban Dance Centre, Elbphilharmonie and M+. The exhibition will be in three spaces. The first space displays 400 objects, including models, materials, prints and photographs, covering a range of projects. The second space screens two films exploring people's observations of H&dM projects. The final space focuses on a single project, the Kinderspital Zürich, Switzerland, featuring a 1:1 model of a hospital patent room. Royal Academy
Casa Enso II in Guanajuato, Mexico by HW Studio Architects
Mexico based architects HW Studio, designed Casa Enso II in Guanajuato, Mexico using stone as the primary construction material, an abundant local material with deep cultural significance. The project is organised as a crucifix creating four quadrants each with a separate purpose. The entrance quadrant houses a garden, the second quadrant provides space for cars with shading by preserved trees, there is a one bedroom house in the third quadrant and a contrasting vertical element in the fourth quadrant forming an office. Photo Cesar Bejar. HW Studio
HKW Bookshop in Berlin by Sauerbruch Hutton using recycled elements
Sauerbruch Hutton have redesigned the bookshop at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) in Berlin, with reused elements from previous exhibitions. Light grey MDF boards are used for the tables and shelves, and steel framed recycled polycarbonate sheets are used as movable screens. In contrast to the muted colour of the furniture elements and the architecture, the books and textile ceiling flags provide colour and help define the boundary of the book store. Photo © Jan Bitter. Sauerbruch Hutton
Exhibition of Donald Judd objects and prints at the Gagosian New York
13 May - 14 July 2023
The Gagosian gallery at 976 and 980 Madison Avenue, New York, will exhibit works by Donald Judd dating from 1965 to 1991. The exhibition features objects made from anodized and painted aluminum, galvanized iron, colored plexiglass, and plywood together with one of Donald Judd's largest series of prints. Main image is Donald Judd, untitled, 1991, clear anodized aluminum with transparent green over black plexiglass, 9 3/4 × 39 1/4 × 9 3/4 inches (24.9 × 99.9 × 24.9 cm) © Judd Foundation/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo Martin Wong. Courtesy Gagosian. Gagosian
Snøhetta designs viewing tower and panorama room in the Tyrolean Alps
Architecture firm Snøhetta, with headquarters in Oslo, has designed a viewing tower and panorama at 2,030 meters above sea level, near the Wiedersberger Horn peak in the Tylolean Alps. The building is of timber construction, following the tradition of buildings in the Alpbactal region, with a concrete base and clad in locally made shingles. Situated adjacent to the cable car station, the building provides keyless access to an unheated but sheltered space with 360 degree panoramic views, in both winter and summer. Photo Christian Flatscher. Snøhetta
The Alu Chair by Muller van Severen for Valerie Objects
Belgian design studio Muller van Severen originally designed the Alu Chair for Anne Holtrop's Bahrain pavilion for the World Expo 2015 in Milan. The chairs are part of a collection by Belgian design label Valerie Objects, and are made of a powder coated aluminium frame with coloured polyethylene applied to the back and seat. Valerie Objects, Muller van Severen
Family home in Derbyshire by architects Blee Halligan
Architects Blee Halligan, with offices in London and Turks and Caicos Islands, have created 'Derwent Valley Villa', a family home in the village of Duffield in Derbyshire, England. Inspired by historic 18th century red brick cotton mills in Derbyshire, the house is built of red brick with concrete banding, and designed as linked garden spaces in a wet woodland garden to provide the experience of 'living in a garden'. Photo ©Henry Woide. Blee Halligan
Frieze New York 2023
17 - 21 May 2023
The 11th edition of Frieze New York brings together over 60 contemporary art galleries from 27 countries. Established and emerging galleries, along with non-profit organisations, are represented at the Shed in Manhattan, with additional events taking place across the city. Photo Alex Staniloff / CKA. Courtesy of Frieze. Frieze
Norman Foster retrospective at the Centre Pompidou in Paris
10 May - 7 August 2023
The Centre Pompidou in Paris will host the largest retrospective of Norman Foster's contribution to architecture spanning six decades. The exhibition, covering almost 2,200 square meters, reveals how the architect 'sought to challenge conventions, reinvent building types and demonstrate an architecture of light and lightness, inspired by nature, which can be about joy as well as being eco-friendly'. Photo © Daniel Jamme / Eiffage. Norman Foster, Centre Pompidou
Urban apartment building by Bovenbouw Architectuur in the Antwerp docklands
Belgian based Bovenbouw Architectuur have create the 'Palazzo', an apartment building next to the Kattendijkdok in Antwerp. The Palazzo features an undulating facade on a prominent corner site and comprises 54 apartments over 6 floors with commercial units on the ground floor, a courtyard accessible from the street and underground parking. The building forms part of an urban block with the other buildings designed by Sergison Bates Architects and BULK Architectuur. Photo Stijn Bollaert. Bovenbouw Architectuur
OTO chair designed by Martinelli Venezia and Alessandro Stabile for One To One
Architects Carolina Martinelli and Vittorio Venezia, in collaboration with Milan based Alessandro Stabile, designed the OTO chair for the Italian furniture brand One To One. Inspired by the circular economy, the OTO chair is manufactured using recycled plastic and a single mould which is a third of the size of traditional moulds. The chair is transported in a flat package and can be assembled using an interlocking system without screws or inserts. Martinelli Venezia. One To One
DEMOGO creates a cabin 2,667m above sea level in the Italian Dolomites
The New Bivouac Fanton, a cabin designed by Italian architects DEMOGO, is situated 2,667m above sea level in the Marmarole mountain range in the Italian Dolomites. The structure is characterised by its inclined profile and designed as a telescope to frame the vast natural space with a distant view of the town Auronzo at the base of the valley. The shade of the exterior, with its natural metallic coating, is influenced by the surrounding rocks and it contrasts with the raw timber interior. Photo Iwan Baan. DEMOGO
Sehw Architektur designs two buildings for use as temporary accommodation for professionals in Berlin
Berlin based Sehw Architektur's project 'Twins for Modern Job Nomads' in Berlin Schöneweide provides temporary accommodation for 50 professionals on an urban in-fill site. Rather than completely fill the existing gap, a six storey street facing building is situated to allow entry to a semi public courtyard, which then provides access to a 'twin' rear building via a private communal garden. Photo Helin Bereket. Sehw Architektur
Agapecasa reissues Angelo Mangiarotti’s 1953 Cavalletto furniture system
Cavalletto, the all-wood furniture system designed by Italian architect and industrial designer Angelo Mangioritti in 1953, has been reissued by Italian brand Agapecasa. Using overlapping upside down 'V' shaped elements, the flexible Cavaletto system is designed to be assembled, disassembled and remodelled. Shelves and storage units are accommodated without the need for screws or bolts. Photo Fondazione Angelo Mangiarotti. Agapecasa
Berlin Design Week 2023, theme Resilience
8 May - 17 May 2023
This year's theme for Berlin Design Week 2023 is Resilience, emphasising the need not only to deal with crisis but also to remain adaptable and resilient in a climate of change. Berlin Design Week brings together exhibitions, talk and events across the city. Berlin Design Week
London Craft Week 2023 hosts events across the capital
8 May - 14 May 2023
The 9th edition of London Craft Week utilises workshops, pop-up shops and exhibitions to showcase the work of celebrated and emerging artists, makers and designers from across the world. Locations for the events include the Pimlico Road, Chelsea, Mayfair and the newly established Park Royal Design District. Photo Maria Bell. London Craft Week
Fora Form launches the Jon Fauske designed Knekk furniture series
John Fauske designed the Knekk bar stool for Norwegian furniture company Fora Form in 2019. The Knekk range has now been expanded to include solid oak chairs, tables and benches. Fora Form
Maison à Bordeaux by Rem Koolhaas, OMA
Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas of OMA, designed Maison à Bordeaux, a three floor house on a hill overlooking Bordeaux. The house was designed for a couple. Following a car crash the husband became wheelchair-bound and his brief to the architect was clear, 'I do not want a simple house. I want a complex house, because the house will define my world'. The heart of the house is a 3m by 3.5m elevator platform that moves between the three floors and itself becomes part of the kitchen, living space or an office, giving easy access to books, artwork or a wine cellar. The house was completed in 1998. Photo Hans Werlemann ©OMA. OMA
The Alcoba table from the Sahara collection by Selma Lazrak
Munich based, Moroccan architect and designer, Selma Lazrak has created the Sahara collection of furniture, inspired by the landscapes of Morocco and the Middle East. The Alcoba table is named after the word meaning alcove in Moroccan and Moorish architecture, and is crafted in walnut by local artisans. Photo Selma Lazrak. Selma Lazrak
Gigon/Guyer extension to the Josef Albers Museum Quadrat Bottrop in Germany
Zurich based Annette Gigon / Mike Guyer Architects have added a two story extension to the Josef Albers Museum Quadrat in Bottrop's historic park Stadtgarten. The form, materials and colour of the structure are designed such that the architectural identity of the adjacent 1913 judge's villa and museum buildings from the 1970s and 1980s, are clearly legible. Photo Stefan Müller, Berlin. Gigon/Guyer
Miniforms Soda coffee table designed by Yiannis Ghikas
Soda is the product of a collaboration between Italian brand Miniforms and Athens based designer Yiannis Ghikas. The Murano glass coffee tables weigh 20kg and are mouth blown by three master glass makers. Initially produced in amber and petrol green, with amethyst and blue launched at Salon del Mobile Milan 2023. Miniforms, Yiannis Ghikas
Jørn Utzon designed Spring drinking glass by ArchitectMade
Danish architect Jørn Utzon, designer of the Sydney Opera House, designed the Spring mouth blown glasses in 1949. The glass is stackable and can be used as a cognac glass when tilted on its side. The glass is now manufactured by ArchitectMade. ArchitectMade
Foster + Partners launch XYZ flexible office system
Foster + Partners has launched XYZ, a flexible office system, in collaboration with Italian furniture manufacturer UniFor. The modular system comprises a shelving unit X, a lightweight conference table Y and a sit/stand desk Z, of which X and Y are on display at Salon del Mobile in Milan. The X-shaped timber or aluminium posts, with spring loaded ceiling supports, form the primary structure of the shelving unit X. The Y-shaped legs of the Y table can be used to link table tops and the Z desk has a patented mechanism that allows intuitive adjustment by pulling the table up or pushing it down. Photo © Unifor. Foster + Partners, UniFor
Eikund relaunches the Torbjørn Afdal Hunter Chair
Norwegian furniture company Eikund relaunches the Torbjørn Afdal designed Hunter Chair. The chair, which was originally designed in 1960, forms part of Eikund's Norwegian mid-century design classics collection. Eikund
Carvalho Araújo designs Casa na Caniçada on woodland in Viera do Minho, Portugal
Portuguese architects Carvalho Araújo have designed a glass and concrete house situated in dense woodland near the Caniçada reservoir in Portugal. The form of the three floor house was informed by an existing building on the site. The openings have been designed to allow continuity between the inside and outside, while the surrounding spaces have been preserved with the vegetation providing a sense of enclosure. Photo ©NUDO. Carvalho Araújo
RIBA award winning 21st Century Houses
Dominic Bradbury's book 21st Century Houses explores inspirational RIBA award winning houses over the last decade with over 300 illustrations, plans and sketches. Case studies feature contemporary British houses including projects by Alison Brooks Architects, Foster Lomas and Mole Architects. RIBA
BIG designs Quito’s tallest building embracing biodiversity and urban farming
IQON is the tallest building in Quito, Ecuador, and BIG's first project in South America. The building is comprised of 33 stacked concrete boxes, each rotated to offer stunning views and outdoor terraces for residents. Native trees are planted in the balconies, which can be replanted in the city once they outgrow their planters. The building acts a an urban farm utilising the unique climatic conditions of Quito, one of the highest cities in the world at 2,820m. BIG
built by Valerio Olgiati
Celebrated Swiss architect Valerio Olgiati's latest book 'built' is published by European publishing house Park Books. The book features fifteen of Valerio Olgiati's buildings with seventy nine colour photographs and floor plans or sections. Projects include the museum for the UNESCO world cultural heritage site in Bahrain, the Céline flagship store in Miami, Baloise Insurance’s headquarters in Basel, the bedroom of French fashion designer Nicolas Ghesquière in Paris, the Swiss National Park visitor centre and the studio house for Swiss musician Linard Bardill in Scharans. Park Books
Loenen Pavilion in the Netherlands by KAAN Architecten
Rotterdam, São Paulo and Paris based KAAN Architecten were commissioned by the Netherlands War Graves Foundation to create a building in Loenen, Netherlands, to commemorate Dutch victims of the Second World War. KAAN Architecten designed a stone pavilion keeping it as narrow as possible to minimise disturbance to the birch and pine trees in the forest. The design keeps the form horizontal by avoiding vertical elements which was the principle of the original landscape architect for the site, Daniel Haspels. Photo ©Simone Bossi. KAAN Architecten
CENA dinner service by Vincent Van Duysen for Serax
The CENA range of tableware is designed by architect Vincent Van Duysen for the Belgian design brand Serax. Natural materials such as glazed porcelain, wood and smoked glass in a palette of off-white and griege are used for the CENA range. Photo Siska Vandecasteelee. Serax, Vincent Van Duysen