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A Review of the Winners at the World Architecture Festival (part 1)

V2com — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:43:00 +0000

Opening its doors to over 1,500 visitors is the biggest gathering of the global architectural community - the World Architecture Festival, just a few minutes outside Barcelona city centre at the Centre Convencions International Barcelona (CCIB), happened earlier in the week, from 4th to 6th November 2009. The festival, now in its second year, celebrates the work, concerns and aspirations of international architects. The curators have masterminded the exhibition and seminar programme to respond to the common festival umbrella theme - Less Does More, which in reflection of the current global economic climate will examine the challenges facing architects to produce more value for less cost.

Running alongside the main seminars is the world's largest architectural awards programme - the World Architecture Festival Awards. Unlike other award schemes the WAF Awards give access to something more often reserved for a select few - to see shortlisted architects present their schemes live to international judging panels, including the likes of Sir Peter Cook, Kengo Kuma, Renato Benedetti and Will Alsop and delegates, as they compete for the ultimate accolade of World Building of the Year 2009. Rafael Vinoly is chair of the super-jury which will choose the winner from 15 finalists announced at a glittering awards ceremony at the end of the festival on Friday 6th November.

We are posting thte list of winners announced during the festival, courtesy of the organizers. The list being quite long, we split it into two articles. The second part to be published tomorrow.

A Review of the Winners at the World Architecture Festival (part 2)

V2com — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:43:00 +0000

We continue the listing of the winners at the World Architecture Festival that happened earlier this week.

SOM’s Chicago Office Renovation Awarded  LEED® SILVER Certification

SOM Press release — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:24:00 +0000

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) announced today that its Chicago office has been awarded LEED® Silver Certification for Commercial Interiors, an internationally recognized standard of sustainable design established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).

Design Partner for the project, Ross Wimer, commented, “In the design of our own space, we were guided by the principles that inform our client work. A practical approach to sustainability drove the decisions we made.” Principal of Interior Design, Jaime Velez, added, “Sustainability factored into every part of the design process, from specification of finishes to choice of lighting. For instance, we used a sophisticated dimming technology to maximize the quality and amount of daylight that enters the space—significantly reducing the amount of energy consumed on a daily basis.”

Estudio Carme Pinos - Caixaforum in Zaragoza, Spain

Camille Chami — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:01:00 +0000

While developping their concept for the project, the architects felt the need to overcome two challenges. First, the building had impact its environment. As they expressed it : “capable of making the city”. The project should acheive this through its strong identity as well as newly generated public spaces. Second, building had to integrate within its environment, weaving a visual relationship with the city and the new park from the inside looking out and from the outside peaking in. "A building creating the city, and at the same time makes us a part of it as we inhabit it."

Blue Award, an International Competition for Students

AI Events — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:31:00 +0000

Organized by the Faculty of Architecture at the Vienna University of Technology, the Department of Spatial and Sustainable Design, the BLUE AWARD, an international student competition for sustainable architecture. Submissions will be accepted starting November 10 and is open to architecture students worldwide!

Sustainable development, with its economical, cultural and social dimensions in architecture and urbanism, should be given the same value and attention as the classical problems of technique and function. The language of contemporary architecture is to experience a fundamental change under this influence.

Chicago Model City Exhibition Extended Through November 2010

CAF — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:04:00 +0000

Chicago Architecture Foundation Enhances Detailed Model of Chicago

The Chicago Model City exhibition has drawn a vibrant band of locals and tourists who linger over the city in “miniature” every day since it opened in June. Originally scheduled to close in November, the exhibition has been extended through November 2010 with some upgrades and additions. Free and open daily, Chicago Model City, is at the Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 S. Michigan. New additions to the exhibition will include an audio tour, an expanded schedule of free bi-weekly gallery talks, new adult and family programs, family programs, and a Flickr page where visitors share photos of the model and exhibition.

“The popularity of Chicago Model City demonstrates the desire for greater understanding of Chicago and all cities,” said Lynn Osmond, Chicago Architecture Foundation President and CEO. “Many people recognize that the design of architecture and infrastructure is key to achieving livable communities.”

Henning Larsen Architects - IT University in Ørestaden, Denmark

A. I. — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:35:00 +0000

The masterplan for the area is based on a north-south-going, linear structure. This basic structure is designed as three strips conveying three different urban themes.

The strips are intersected by roads on the transverse axis from Amager Fælledvej. Connections between the buildings lie on the transverse axis perpendicular to the open, landscaped areas.

The IT University appears open and inviting - forming a frame around students, professors and researchers of the university; a building in spatial dialogue with its surroundings and, at the same time, responding to the city by opening up and letting university activities interact as an asset to the neighboring space.

First Net-Zero High School in the US to be Built in Los Angeles

A. I. — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:51:00 +0000

Solar Panels and 36 Wind Turbines at New Seaside Campus Designed by CO Architects

On breezy bluffs with views to Catalina Island is where construction will start next year on the first high school in the nation to generate 100 percent of campus-wide net electrical consumption. The pathbreaking facility was conceived by Los Angeles-based CO Architects, a firm nationally recognized for its portfolio of green academic and institutional projects for public universities, private and community colleges, hospitals, and schools.

The month in review - October 09

Camille Chami — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +0000

A selection of projects that we featured in October 2009

Ceramic Tiles of Italy Design Competition 2010 Call for Entries

A. I. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:46:00 +0000

The Association of Italian Ceramics, recently announced the 2010 Ceramic Tiles of Italy Design Competition Call for Entries. The competition, now in its 17th year, recognizes the exceptional work of North American architects and designers who feature Italian ceramic tiles in their institutional, residential or commercial/hospitality spaces.

Designed by the Late Charles Gwathmey, Crocker Art Museum Expansion to Open on October 10, 2010

A. I. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:03:00 +0000

New Crocker is a Focal Point of Sacramento’s Emergence as a Cultural Center

On October 10, 2010 the Crocker Art Museum—the first art museum established in the Western United States—will unveil a new 125,000-square-foot building designed by Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects that will more than triple the museum’s current size. The new building will complement the museum’s historic structures and expand the

Crocker Art Museum’s ability to originate and present traveling exhibitions and educational programs, exhibit significantly more of its growing collection, and enhance its role as a cultural resource for California and the state’s many visitors. The project’s capital campaign has elicited unprecedented support, with more than $90 million raised to date towards a $100 million goal.

Buro II - Ecological resort in Mero Beach, Dominica

A. I. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:03:00 +0000

Sustainable design for future development

The development of an exclusive residential resort of 22.000m² is situated along Mero Beach on the west coast of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Mero Beach is one of the most important beaches on the island and has specific and relevant social and ecological values. Both those social and ecological characteristics are related to the fragile cultural, economical and natural balance whose protection is paramount. The design of this resort intends to protect that balance and promote a sustainable development approach.

Archinnovations feeds

A Review of the Winners at the World Architecture Festival (part 1)

A Review of the Winners at the World Architecture Festival (part 2)

SOM’s Chicago Office Renovation Awarded LEED® SILVER Certification

Estudio Carme Pinos - Caixaforum in Zaragoza, Spain

Blue Award, an International Competition for Students

Chicago Model City Exhibition Extended Through November 2010

Chicago Architecture Foundation Enhances Detailed Model of Chicago

Henning Larsen Architects - IT University in Ørestaden, Denmark

First Net-Zero High School in the US to be Built in Los Angeles

The month in review - October 09

Read more...

Ceramic Tiles of Italy Design Competition 2010 Call for Entries

Designed by the Late Charles Gwathmey, Crocker Art Museum Expansion to Open on October 10, 2010

Buro II - Ecological resort in Mero Beach, Dominica

SOM’s Chicago Office Renovation Awarded  LEED® SILVER Certification