San Sebastian Subway Entrance by snohetta

The entrance design is based on a continuous movement from underground level to over ground, and vice versa. The design element goes from being a ceiling structure underground to create a roof structure over the stairs and up over ground. The structure describes the transition between the two states and connects the city life with the metro world.

The roof structure extends the width of the stair creating an area on the side where we have placed a bench and information signing. This will give the entrance a connection to the street life and create small urban spaces around the entrance where it possible. 

The roof and ceilings structure is built up as a honeycomb structure in aluminum or steel. The pattern of the honeycomb is inspired by marine structures and geometry. The honeycomb structure is a sufficient way to build up a light open structure with depth. For the roof portion of the structure can be glazed on both sides and will behave as a sandwich structure. The idea is that the honeycomb structure is the basic element which other element can be added on, like glass on top side of roof portion, railings, sidewall or bench

Phoenix International Media Center by biad ufo

The logic of the design concept is to create an ecological environment shell embraces the Individual functional spaces as a building-in-building concept. The two independent office towers under the shell generate many shared public spaces. In the east and west parts of the shared spaces, there are continuous steps, landscape platforms, sky ramps and crossing escalators which fill the building of energetic and dynamic spaces. Furthermore, the building’s sculptural shape originates from the “Mobius Strip”. The sculptural shape provides the building a harmony relationship with the irregular direction of the existing streets, the sitting corner of the site, and the Chaoyang Park.

In addition, energy-saving and low-carbon concepts are also applied in the building design. Instead of setting drain pipe on the smooth surface, the rainwater will be collected by dropping naturally along the structural ribs into the collection tank which locates at the bottom of the building. After being filtered, the rain water will be recycled to water the artistic waterscape and irrigation for landscape. Other than the aesthetic value of the architectural shape, during Beijing’s windy winter time, the smooth surface and round shape also mitigate the severe street wind effects from high-rise buildings. Meanwhile, the shell also provides a climate buffer space for the functional spaces as an “Green Coat”.

The double layer exterior of the building can improve the comfort in the functional areas, and reduce the consumption of energy. Digital technology is applied to tailor the physical space of the exterior shell and the inside volume precisely in order to ensure the exact matches between seams. The cone-shaped shared space, which is 30 meters high, generates the chimney effect, which provides natural air ventilation to save energy during transitional seasons.

The Pavilions Expo

A fantastic set of photos of the pavilions for Shanghai World Expo 2010.

More than 70 million people visiting the Expo. Which one’s your favorite?

De Blob by massimiliano fuksas

The building is a part of a larger urban revitalization project set in the historic centre of the city. the 3000 m2 mixed-use building serves as the focal structure of the masterplan. the position of the project's site made the structure take on the role as a natural meeting space for the public.

In addition to being an iconic building, it aims to redefine in one form the city centre while connecting the bijenkorf, a chain of upscale department stores, with the old shopping district. the multidirectional intersection it sat next to gave a non-directional shape, resulting in a blobular form.

The 5-storey concrete structure is wrapped in a transparent skin constructed out of glass and steel. featuring faceted, triangular details, the otherwise smooth and curvy envelope dips in slightly to form light-reflecting dimples which also alter and play with the spatial configuration of the interior. elliptical cut outs on the floor slabs allow for natural light to reach the level of the square.

Henderson Waves by rsp architects

Based on the principle of parametric design, this new visual symbol has attracted the community to its walkways and shelters.

Its three-dimensional surface integrates structure and form in a unique wave that undulates dramatically over and under the bridge deck and creating sheltered seating areas inside every upward curve.

With the sensitive use of natural organic shapes and materials such as wood and steel, this structure helps unite the city's southern ridges, which are comprised of a nine-kilometer chain of green open spaces spanning the rolling hills of mount faber park, telok blangah hill park and kent ridge park before ending at west coast park.