When designing and building an island getaway paradise there are certain creature comforts expected by even the most back-to-basics visitor, to find peace and comfort in an inaccessible environment – like food, shelter, clean water, and a way to contact the mainland – but doing so requires a careful balance between making these least-visited places on Earth both habitable and hospitable, without destroying them or their serenity in the process.
Leisure: The Latest Architecture and News
Desert Island Digs: Retreats and Resorts With Water All Around
Heatherwick Studio and Barcode Architects Reveal the Design of Utrecht’s New City Center Hub
Heatherwick Studio and Barcode Architects have been selected to design a new hub for culture, work and leisure in the Jaarbeursplein central square in Utrecht, Netherlands. The project aims to respond to the city’s diverse population and to bring a sense of warmth and fun to the square, according to the architects. Nicknamed Oopen, the building’s design integrates a colorful collection of cylinders that stand out against the backdrop of the neighborhood. The team has partnered with Edge, a sustainable real estate development company, to help bring the vision to life. Construction is set to start in 2025 and the building will be delivered in 2028.
Aedas Unveils the Design of the Hangzhou Yun He Wan International Tourism and Leisure Complex in China
Aedas has unveiled the design of the Hangzhou Yun He Wan International Tourism and Leisure Complex in Hangzhou, China. Located in the southern area of the Grand Canal New Town in the Gongshu District of Hangzhou, the site is the first phase of a larger project, starting off as a vibrant international tourism and leisure complex that highlights the waterfront of Yun He Wan and the historical remains of the nearby industrial pier.
RCR Arquitectes to Design Nature-Inspired Signature Residences at the Palmares Ocean Living & Golf Resort
Inspired by the colors and textures of the surrounding environment, Pritzker Prize winners RCR Architectes have translated the Algarve's landscape into new residences and facilities at the Palmares Ocean Living & Golf Resort. A total of 37 new signature apartments and luxury villas are currently under construction, with completion due dates expected between summer 2021 and 2022.
Bird's Eye Gallery: Amusement Parks
Seeing the Earth from a great distance has been proven to stimulate awe, increase the desire to collaborate, and foster long-term thinking. Daily Overview aims to inspire these feelings — commonly referred to as the Overview Effect — through their imagery, products, and collaborations. By embracing the perspective that comes from this vantage point, the team believes they can stimulate a new awareness that will lead to a better future for our one and only home. Check out Daily Overview's Gallery of Amusement Parks and follow the team's work on their Instagram.
LOLA, L+CC, and Taller Architects Design "Romantic" Forest Trail for Forgotten Sports in Shenzhen
LOLA Landscape Architects, Taller Architects, and L+CC have released images of their competition-winning design for a 600-hectare forest and sports park in Guang Ming, Shenzhen, China. Commissioned in response to the exploding technology industry in the Shenzhen metropolitan area, the park will place an emphasis on health, sports, and nature to offer an ecological counterpoint to dense urban surroundings.
The winning collaboration saw off competition from JCFO, SWA, and TCL, with the competition jury praising the scheme for its “fresh approach and [for] being highly attentive to local ecology [while] meanwhile incorporating romantic techniques and realistic urban visions.”
OOPEAA Design Modular Floating Pool for Urban Waterfronts
OOPEAA (Office for Peripheral Architecture) has won an invited competition for the design of the Allas Sea Pool Family in Helsinki, Finland. Constructed on floating platforms, and designed as a modular, flexible, adjustable system, the Allas Sea Pool Family is intended to be a new global typology for coastal sites, where building on land is not feasible.
The invited competition asked entrants to submit proposals which responded to varying environmental and seasonal conditions, with OOPEAA ultimately chosen for their “strong concept that places the floating spa in a central location in the city.”
SOM Unveils Images of Chicago Office Tower With Five-Story Open-Air Deck
Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM) have unveiled new images of their proposed 18-story office tower in the trendy Fulton Market area of Chicago. “The Porch,” situated on 330 North Green, will feature a five-story open-air deck, and series of luxury amenities to support the new office environment.
El Pulté Equestrian Country Club / DARCON Taller de Arquitectura
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Architects: DARCON Taller de Arquitectura
- Year: 2012
Blu Creativity / Facet Studio
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Architects: Facet Studio
- Area: 180 m²
- Year: 2013
Badeschiff / Wilk-Salinas Architekten
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Architects: Wilk-Salinas Architekten
- Area: 740 m²
- Year: 2005
Lecinq Hair Salon / ninkipen!
J's vis aile / atelier KUU
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Architects: atelier KUU
- Area: 381 m²
- Year: 2007
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Professionals: Light Style
'Cristal – The Dead Sea Gem' Winning Proposal / Sitbon Architectes
Sitbon Architectes shared with us their proposal for a leisure center in the Dead Sea which was recently awarded the 1st prize for the "Best unbuilt competition entry" as well as the "People's choice winner" of the international competition AZ Awards 2013. Titled 'Cristal – The Dead Sea Gem,' the purpose of their design is to sensitize people to the interpretation of its specific nature. Like a sculpture, its volume is inspired by the salt cube structure, the symbol of the Dead Sea. All the steps remind us consequences of time. It means that we need to take care of everything: our body, our mind, our environment. More images and architects' description after the break.
King’s Bastion / RitzenArchitecten
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Architects: RitzenArchitecten
- Year: 2007
Coo Hair ECLAT / atelier KUU
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Architects: atelier KUU
- Area: 125 m²
- Year: 2007
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Professionals: Light Style
Musholm Bay Holiday Resort Winning Proposal / AART Architects
AART Architects, in collaboration with URBANlab, Bexcom and Keinicke & Overgaard Architects, have won the competition for the expansion of Musholm Bay Holiday Resort. Located at the beautiful Danish coastline, the resort is acknowledged as the world’s most innovative holiday resort for people with disabilities. The expansion of resort is divided into two sections in the form of a multi-purpose sports hall and a number of new holiday flats. More images and architects' description after the break.
end…Link Beauty Salon / Yasunari Tsukada Design
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Architects: Yasunari Tsukada design
- Area: 114 m²
- Year: 2012