A few months ago, French architect Renée Gailhoustet was awarded the 2022 Royal Academy Architecture Prize. As housing challenges continue to embattle Paris and other French cities today, Gailhoustet was a timely choice, her body of work in the Paris suburbs – stretching back to the 1960s – still functioning today as compelling case studies to a social housing approach that concurrently embraces community and has a uniqueness of form.
Architecture News
Living Places Copenhagen: A Living Lab to Test the Experimental Building Project
It's been four years since the VELUX Group, together with partners EFFEKT architects and Artelia engineers, first embarked on Living Places. The experimental housing project demonstrated that building more sustainable homes using readily available products, materials and technologies is possible. Putting the ultra-low carbon housing concept to the test, VELUX conducted a study with 98 live-in guests to evaluate whether sustainable homes can also provide indoor comfort. Using a combination of environmental sensors and guest questionnaires, the findings reveal that the homes maintain a comfortable indoor climate in line with European Standards and had a positive effect on the well-being of guests, showing that building for planet can also greatly benefit people.
Designed by OMA and Andrea Tabocchini, the Gallery of the Kings in Museo Egizio Opens in Turin, Italy
The Museo Egizio in Turin, Italy, celebrated its bicentennial this year with the inauguration of its redesigned Gallery of the Kings. This renovation, designed by OMA architects David Gianotten and Andreas Karavanas in collaboration with Andrea Tabocchini Architecture, marks a significant enhancement to the museum's exhibition spaces. The project, commissioned following a 2023 competition win, forms a key component of a larger Museo Egizio revitalization scheduled for completion in 2025. This larger project also includes a new covered courtyard and interconnected public spaces.
Mecanoo's Reimagined Doris Duke Theater to Open in Massachusetts in July 2025
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.
Revitalizing Historic Cairo: May al-Ibrashy's Vision for Heritage, Community, and Sustainable Conservation
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.
Flat and Curved Facades in Harmony with Design, Performance, and Sustainability
Fundamentally, facade design must blend protection, performance, and visual impact, turning it into a defining architectural feature. The evolution of facades reflects advancements in materials, technology, and design flexibility. In earlier times, facades used simple materials like brick, stone, and wood, offering structural support while showcasing regional styles. Over time, new materials like iron and steel were introduced, allowing for taller buildings with expansive glass facades that marked the beginning of modernism in urban centers. The 20th century brought reinforced concrete and aluminum to building perimeters, enabling lighter and more varied designs. Recent advances in high-performance materials, like composite panels and bio-based claddings, offer architects new aesthetic and energy-efficient options. STACBOND exemplifies this innovation, enabling creative, sustainable design solutions.
Beyond a Trend: Modular Construction as a New Building Paradigm
Modular construction, also known as prefabrication, is rapidly emerging as a transformative trend in the construction industry. This innovative approach involves assembling building components off-site in a controlled factory environment before transporting them to the site for final assembly. The rise of modular construction is largely driven by its ability to overcome several of the challenges associated with traditional construction methods.
Foster + Partners Reveals Design for a Beachside Master Plan in Bahrain
Foster + Partners have revealed their proposal for the Bilaj Al Jazayer Beach master plan, a new development aiming to introduce a new touristic destination along Bahrain's southwest coast. The 3.5-kilometer beachfront introduces a pedestrian-friendly infrastructure along with a mixed-use district fitted with residential areas, hotels, retail spaces, and public amenities.
Riken Yamamoto Honored in 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize Ceremony Video
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.
Exclusive Video Interview: London’s New Sustainability Landmark, the Natural History Museum Gardens
Over the past two decades, the Holcim Foundation Awards has committed USD 20M to spotlight transformative projects by architects, designers, and engineers who pioneer sustainable design and construction practices. To capture these stories, the Foundation launched a short film series titled Words with Winners.
Populous Unveils the King Salman Stadium in Riyadh, the Largest Venue to Host FIFA 2034 World Cup
Populous has unveiled the design for the King Salman Stadium and Masterplan, set to become the largest-capacity stadium in Saudi Arabia and the primary headquarters for the Saudi Arabia national football team. Developed with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the Ministry of Sports, the stadium is located in northern Riyadh, adjacent to King Abdulaziz Park. Scheduled for completion in late 2029, the venue is also announced as one of the primary locations for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted by Saudi Arabia, whose bid includes the construction of 11 new stadiums and the refurbishment of 4 existing ones.
Environmental Politics: Lydia Kallipoliti’s Approach to Transforming Architecture through Ecological Pedagogies
Lydia Kallipoliti is a recognized architect, author, and educator whose pioneering research has transformed the way architecture engages with the pressing challenges of sustainability, technology, and environmental politics. As an Associate Professor at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (GSAPP), Kallipoliti's approach to architectural education encourages students to confront critical issues such as waste, reuse, and closed-loop systems. Her pedagogical philosophy empowers students to see design not only as an aesthetic or functional pursuit but as a powerful tool for addressing global ecological crises, urging them to think systemically and creatively about the future of the built environment.
In addition to her role in academia, Kallipoliti has authored influential works such as The Architecture of Closed Worlds and Histories of Ecological Design: an Unfinished Cyclopedia, which delve deeply into the relationship between architecture and environmental politics. Her research and writings have sparked discourse on methods for architects to reconsider traditional design paradigms and embrace sustainability as a core tenet of architectural practice.
Ammodo Architecture Announces Inaugural Global Awards Recipients for Social and Ecological Innovation
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.
Your Go-To Guide for Interior Decorative Wall Panel Installation
Choosing the right method to install interior decorative wall panels can mean the difference between a flawless and a protracted affair. In today's design landscape, wall panels are lauded for their transformative powers–bringing depth, texture, and character to any room. These panels have a storied history, evolving through centuries to reflect the spirit of each era: from the opulence of Renaissance carving to the refined elegance of Rococco boiserie, with each style defined by the craftsmanship of its time.
But when it comes to installing these panels, today's designers and architects have a veritable toolkit of techniques at their disposal. Each method has its own advantages, whether traditional or cutting-edge, and choosing the right approach is as much about aesthetics as it is about practicality. In this guide, we'll take a close look at the spectrum of methods available, from classic fixtures to modern innovations–each ready to help bring design vision to life.
Emre Arolat Architecture Unveils Inclusive Civic Space, Winning the WAF 2024 Future Project of the Year
EAA-Emre Arolat Architecture has recently released its design for the Küçükçekmece Djemevi, a new concept for a civic space in Istanbul designed to combat social exclusion and provide a comfortable and inviting environment for the Alevi community. The building is comprised of a series of interconnected spaces and structures that generate a complex topography, offering ample recreational areas and a space of identity for the local community. The concept was recognized during the World Architecture Festival 2024, earning them the award of Future Project of the Year in recognition of its social inclusivity and careful adaptation to local traditions and needs.