Inspiration

Drones are on the rise, as we’ve seen with Foster + Partners’ recent unveiling of the world’s first “droneport” for delivering aid to remote regions of Africa. Despite this remarkable development, most drones are still used for recreational purposes, and, in the architectural realm, that means making majestic movies like the one below, providing a…

Typical to Gothic cathedrals and Byzantine basilicas, vaults provide an open space in the ceiling th at enlarges the volume of the interior while giving resistance and structural support to walls and ceilings. From barrel and groin vaults to rib and fan vaults, each unique structural form provides an interesting variation in building ceilings that is…

An owner and design principal of Seattle-based Olson Kundig Architects, Tom Kundig quickly built a r eputation as an innovator in residential design in the 1990s, a reputation that continues well into today. He’s since diversified his body of work to include cultural, hospitality, and commercial projects, all of which share an industrial aesthetic and, a…

Within residential buildings, one typically moves through a space in a linear progression from the m ost public to the most private spaces. In other words, the scheme of a site is generally organized from front to back: entrance, public spaces, semi-public spaces, and finally, the most private areas. This sequential journey begins at the front…

Skyscraper aficionados Skidmore, Owings and Merrill have added another glittering high-rise to their burgeoning portfolio of works in China. Last week, construction was officially completed on the Jiangxi Nanchang Greenland Zifeng Tower, a hybrid office and hotel building that has already been voted “favorite completed high-rise building” by nationwide technical staff at the Greenland Group,…

When a space is in need of a pick-me-up, a little color or shimmer can go a long way. With regards t o the latter, a plethora of recent products offer metallic finishes on every level, from highly reflective and light-catching to subdued and subtle. Here’s a look at seven such products that can help reinvigorate…

Last week, when French architect Dominique Perrault was award the Praemium Imperiale — often conside red one of the most important art prizes in the world — he joined some seriously prestigious company. The 2015 winner joins a long list of globally renowned names to have received the award including Frank Gehry (1992), Rem Koolhaas (2001),…

Whether a city is launching a plan to reduce fatigue-related driving accidents, or architecture stud ents decide to design and build experiential park bathrooms for their thesis project, rest stops provide a unique opportunity to design spaces where passing through means more than just a quick trip to le toilette. For drivers, hikers, and cyclists alike,…

London has had its fair share of urban planning controversies and contentious constructions in recen t years, but the city is experiencing an overwhelmingly positive transformation in at least one realm of urban design. London’s rail infrastructure is experiencing something of a revival after decades of architectural misfires, and the latest train-related project to be thrown…