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Baile Menduiña, Del Medio Atelier, and Luis Manuel Pereira Win Design Competition for the Renovation and Expansion of the MNAC in Lisbon

The concept by Baile Menduiña and del medio atelier, coordinated by Luis Manuel Pereira, ranked first in the public design competition for the renovation and expansion project of the National Museum of Contemporary Art (MNAC), located in the historic Chiado neighborhood in Lisbon. Among the 29 projects submitted for the competition, the jury, composed of Carlos Bessa, Elisabete Moura, and André Caiado distinguished a total of five projects and awarded a series of honorable mentions.

Waterfronts, Heritage, and Innovation: Recent Highlights from BIG, Gehl, and More in Architecture Now

This month, architecture has addressed a wide array of themes, from preserving cultural heritage to designing for adaptability. Around the world, architects are responding to changing needs with solutions that aim to prioritize both functionality and the environment. Notable examples include Gehl, SOM, and Bionic's ambitious redevelopment of San Francisco's India Basin waterfront, which reimagines urban living in harmony with nature, and VOID Studios' collaboration on Kenya's Masai Mara Conservation Centre, a project deeply rooted in ecological and cultural sensitivity. Elsewhere, Nokken and BIG unveiled their "Softshell structure," offering a flexible option for hospitality and residential markets. Meanwhile, the transformation of The Raleigh in Miami Beach by Peter Marino aims to preserve the site's heritage while introducing new standards. These projects, among others, reflect the ever-evolving priorities of the field. Read on to discover the latest news shaping the architectural world.

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From Design Movements to Materials: Reflecting on Architectural Exhibitions in 2024

Reflecting on 2024, numerous architectural exhibitions have opened worldwide, addressing various themes, exhibition formats, and featured architects. Architectural design and architecture practice influence our daily lives in subtle and often unnoticed ways, where the end-users embrace built environments as they are. This reaction may arise from a combination of factors, such as a sense of powerlessness to enact significant change after a building is constructed or the experience of growing up in environments over which individuals had little or no agency in shaping. For these reasons, architectural exhibitions serve an essential purpose, offering society a chance to pause, reflect, and critically examine the myriad issues that surface during designing and building. These issues are often overlooked or need to be acknowledged, as practitioners may prioritize delivering projects within strict timelines over exploring more profound reflections.

In 2024, museums, galleries, and curators responded to the evolving challenges within the built environment with various approaches. Some exhibitions questioned the ethics of building materials and the practices behind supply chains, drawing attention to the broader implications of material choices. Others focused on documenting architectural movements worldwide, emphasizing their cultural and historical significance and the urgent need to preserve and adapt rather than replace them with entirely new builds. These efforts highlight the role of exhibitions in raising awareness about pressing issues while fostering a more critical dialogue about the architectural discipline.

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A European Citizens’ Initiative Calls for a “Right to Reuse” Existing Buildings

HouseEurope! is the European Citizens' Initiative calling for EU legislation to make renovation and reuse of existing structures more easy, affordable and social. The initiative aims to curb demolition driven by speculation and foster a construction industry that prioritizes the potential of existing public and private buildings. As a tool of direct democracy, European Citizens' Initiatives allow citizens to propose legislation at the EU level. For the legislation to be officially considered and implemented by the European Commission and EU member states, it requires the support of 1 million European citizens from at least seven EU countries. Voting starts on February 1st, 2025.

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Studio Weave Leads Design of British Museum's New Visitor Pavilions Amid Broader Masterplan Initiatives

The British Museum has revealed Studio Weave as the lead team selected to design its new visitor welcome pavilions and forecourt as part of a larger redevelopment initiative. The project is one of the Museum's key steps in its extensive Masterplan, which aims to modernize the iconic central London site while preserving its historical significance. The winning proposal was chosen through a competition organized under the Greater London Authority's Architecture + Urbanism framework, which prioritizes diversity and sustainability in design.

Designing for All: Exploring Empathy, Inclusivity, Accessibility and Spatial Equity in Architecture

The concept of inclusive architecture has gained prominence as the built environment evolves to reflect and address the diverse needs of humanity. This approach prioritizes empathy, accessibility, and equity, striving to create spaces that resonate with individuals across a spectrum of demographics, abilities, and cultural contexts. It moves beyond merely meeting accessibility standards or incorporating universal design elements; instead, it embodies a paradigm shift that humanizes architecture and aligns it with fundamental social values. Through this lens, inclusive architecture fosters connections, embraces diversity, and ensures that physical spaces contribute to collective well-being.

This article explores four interrelated themes — Empathy, Inclusive Architecture, and Spatial Equity and Accessibility— through selected articles published in 2024. Together, these themes reveal how architecture can respond to societal challenges and aspirations, illustrating its potential as a catalyst for social change. From designing for emotional connection to addressing spatial inequalities, the lessons of 2024 emphasize the responsibility of architects to create spaces that transcend functionality, champion inclusivity at every scale, and foster environments where everyone feels seen, valued, and empowered.

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An Innovative Take on Transforming Hospice Spaces with Buildner for Better Well-being

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Buildner has announced the results of its Hospice - Home for the Terminally Ill competition, the third in a series of architectural idea challenges focused on creating compassionate spaces for individuals facing terminal illnesses. This competition encouraged architects to move beyond traditional medical models, designing environments that prioritize comfort, dignity, and community.

Finland’s New Museum of Architecture and Design Reveals the 5 Shortlisted Designs

The Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design Foundation, in partnership with the Real Estate Company ADM, has unveiled the five designs shortlisted for the international competition aimed at offering Helsinki a new venue highlighting architecture history and design. This new museum, to be located in the historic South Harbour, has received global interest, with 624 anonymized submissions reviewed since September 2024. This announcement marks the completion of the competition's first phase, as all successful entries will advance to a second stage, receiving a financial award to refine their concepts.

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Dubai Reveals 2040 Vision for Year-Round Pedestrian-Friendly Living

Dubai has just unveiled an ambitious initiative aimed at enhancing pedestrian mobility in the city and promoting sustainable urban development. Announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the "Dubai Walk Master Plan" envisions transforming the city into a pedestrian-friendly hub by 2040.

The Barbican Center to Undergo Major Renewal and Upgrade, Planned to Begin First Phase in 2027

The City of London Corporation has approved a £191 million funding package for the first phase of the Barbican Centre's five-year renewal program. The initiative is aimed at addressing critical repairs and upgrades to this Grade II-listed venue, including improvements to accessibility, energy efficiency, and overall functionality of its aging infrastructure. The Barbican Renewal began in 2021 with an international competition for the multi-disciplinary design team to lead the efforts. In 2022, Allies and Morrison, Asif Khan Studio, and Buro Happold were selected, in collaboration with specialists in sustainability, heritage, landscaping, lighting design, acoustics, and more.

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Renzo Piano Designs Jawaher Boston Medical District in Sharjah, UAE

The Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW) has just been selected to design the Jawaher Boston Medical District in Sharjah, a significant new healthcare initiative spearheaded by BEEAH, a private organization working in sustainability in the MENA region. Following a competitive selection process, RPBW's appointment marks the beginning of a project aimed at redefining the integration of healthcare excellence with environmental and cultural sensitivity.

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