The Centraal Beheer building was a revolution in office design when it opened in 1972. Hertzberger’s design consists of four quadrants, divided by two central “streets” that form the social heart of the building. By consistently repeating and adjusting the basic element – a 9-metre cube – the building acquired its distinctive form and remarkable interior. Half a century […]

Headquartered in Beijing, MAD Architects has released preliminary illustrations of the Jiaxing Civic Centre in China. The development signals MAD's latest significant public project in the city, after the firm's plans for the Jiaxing Train Station were unveiled in early 2021. Shown to enjoy elegant river views amid forest-lined parklands, the centre is to be situated along Jiaxing’s central axis; a prominent position adjacent to South Lake and Central Park.

As shown in preliminary illustrations of the structure, the Sou Fujimoto team investigated how the ‘tower’ typology could be reimagined in the 21st century, informed by the success of well-established, more traditional landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris.  ‘Floating’ tower in Shenzhen by Sou Fujimoto Architects The resulting design sees 99 towers ‘floating’ with limited […]

Employing patented technology, the plus-shaped pool is designed to filter the very water that it floats in – more than 1,000,000 gallons per day – making it possible for up to 50,000 New Yorkers to swim in clean river water each year. Something that hasn’t been possible since the 1930s. “Plus Pool strives to reclaim the river […]

After Hurricane Sandy rendered Pier 54 in New York irreparable, businessman and philanthropist Barry Diller, in collaboration with the Hudson River Park Trust, recognised a rare opportunity to replace the pier with a completely different kind of public park – one where nature and art could unite. “What was in my mind was to build something for the people of New York and for anyone who visitsa space that on first sight was dazzling and upon use made people happy,” Barry said at the time.

Headquartered in Beijing, MAD Architects has released preliminary illustrations of the Jiaxing Civic Centre in China. The development signals MAD's latest significant public project in the city, after the firm's plans for the Jiaxing Train Station were unveiled in early 2021. Shown to enjoy elegant river views amid forest-lined parklands, the centre is to be situated along Jiaxing’s central axis; a prominent position adjacent to South Lake and Central Park.

In Guangzhou, China, the 2000-seat performance theatre by Steven Chilton Architects is ready to welcome world-class productions to its stage in early 2021. Officially called the Sumac Guangzhou Grand Theatre, the centre’s mission to cultivate theatrical talent is expressed through the imagery applied to the surface of its silk-inspired cladding. “We were influenced by a beloved local myth [known as] 100 Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix,” says architect Steven Chilton. “The Phoenix or ‘Fenghuang’ stands for virtue and grace whilst the allegory signifies notions of recognition, leadership and mentoring.”