Joel Solkoff – on disability issues relevant to architects
The new Renzo Piano Whitney overlooking the Hudson River, adjacent to a really fun public park, has brought to near completion, another magnificent new Piano. Within the Gallery is the original photograph Edward Steichen took of Marlene Dietrich in 1931. The Whitney will soon be launching a new Exhibition of Steichen’s work.
London Heathrow Airport Redevelopment
Heathrow: worth more dead than alive
London – Today London Britannia Airport’s promoters, TESTRAD (Thames Estuary Research and Development Company), have released new concept images and surface access plans outlining the key economic and regenerative benefits that could be realized from a £45bn development value, should an Estuarine Airport be one of the proposed schemes selected for further consideration by Sir Howard Davies Aviation commission recommendations next week.
Cultural Center in Castelo Branco, Portugal, design by Josep Lluís Mateo: The Cultural Center, built in phase two, though part of the original project, floats on two piles over the plaza, like a bridge, freeing up at its base a covered ice-skating rink, and giving continuity to this large public space, to the plaza and to the adjacent park.
Hefei ID Mall Development, China design by Broadway Malyan: Planning approval secured for 170,000 sq m retail and office development featuring a 150 m tower, in Hefei, eastern China
Connoisseur Gallery in Shanghai design by Studio Twist, Architects, to be an exhibition space for a wide range of art objects representing the epitome of luxury catering to the tastes of a nouveau riche clientele. These may be figurative sculptures that are intricately made, or furniture upholstered with exotic leathers, or ornately embellished jewellery.
Sky Frame House on Haagwijk Estate, Voorschoten, The Netherlands, design by 123DV architecture & consult. Residence with swimming pool and bedroom pavilions. On part of estate Duivenvoorde, seven plots will be available for people who want to design their own home. The future residents will be living in peace in an ancient cultural landscape, while The Hague, Leiden and Schiphol Airport are all within reach.
Update on 2nd stage of the international contest of “Russia” park. The representatives of the Directorate of the Park “Russia” together with the organizer (RuGBC) of the international contest for the best concept and best financial model of the theme Park “Russia” have held field meeting with the participants of the II stage of the contest.
M.N. Metropolitana di Napoli commissioned Atelier Mendini, the Italian architectural and design studio for the renovation project of the surrounding Bovio square.
The Quayside was flooded on the afternoon of 5 December 2013 after a tidal surge saw the River Tyne reach its highest level for 30 years. The street closed from the Law Courts. Pubs and businesses were flooded as the waters of the Tyne rose and inches-deep water poured over the roads and pavements.
On disability issues relevant to architects. ‘Renzo Piano Owns New York’. When Renzo Piano’s fourth architectural project in New York City is completed, he will have surrounded the Island of Manhattan dominating neighborhoods on the North, South, West and East sides. The project on the north is Columbia University’s Manhattanville expansion. For an alumnus of Columbia College Class of 1969, the Piano project is literally a mind blower.
Vasileostrovskiy District Building, St Petersburg Residential Building, Russia
Design: Architectural bureau A.Len
Residential complex “Svetliy Mir” – “Ya Romantic” in Saint Petersburg
The linear scheme of the buildings arrangement allowed to provide protection against wind from the Gulf of Finland. There are schools, kindergartens, sports and playgrounds in the yards.
Barochnaya Street Residential Complex, St Petersburg Residential Building, Russia. Design: Architectural bureau A.Len Bread-baking plant photos added. The territory of the residential complex is situated in the district where a monument of constructivist architecture – the bread-baking plant is located.
Design: Avanti Architects. The £8m Beatrice Tate School for pupils with severe/profound and multiple learning difficulties has now officially opened near Mile End. The building provides and inclusive and stimulating new learning environment for students and staff alike, replacing facilities in an outdated and cramped site near Bethnal Green.
Neptune Wharf, London
Design: Stock Woolstencroft
Planning permission has been received for Neptune Wharf, a major canal side development adjacent to London’s Olympic Park. Located within Fish Island, this former industrial site will be regenerated to provide 522 homes and over 9,000sqm of non-residential space, including a new primary school and a range of retail and workspace units.