Ulemiste Passenger Terminal, Estonia
Zaha Hadid Architects won the competition in 2019 to design this transport hub. The spatial geometry of the terminal has been established by circulation routes, which facilitate seamless integration of the city's bus, tram, rail, and cycle networks that intersect at the terminus, as well as navigation. In fact, the design aims to act as a connecting bridge linking all types of travelers in the city. The terminal has a modular structural system that was…
400 N Lake Shore Drive, USA
400 Lake Shore—where Lake Michigan meets the Chicago River, a pair of cascading terraced towers establishes an enduring landmark for the city. Tapering in both plan and section, the towers frame a view of the lake, while angling back towards the cityscape. The exterior facade echoes Chicago’s architectural heritage, seeking to incorporate modern interpretations of the classic “Chicago Window” and metal detailing. The two towers, measuring 305 and 259 meters high, are expected to contain…
Swiss Pavilion for the Expo 2025
Switzerland has recently revealed its Pavilion for Expo Osaka 2025 in Kansai. In line with the Expo's overall theme, "Designing the Future Society for Our Lives," the pavilion aims to minimize environmental impact with a lightweight membrane design that allows for speedy construction and strengthens bilateral relations between Switzerland and Japan. The pavilion’s exhibitions will center around three main themes in consecutive order: Augmented Human (robotics, AI, AR/VR); Life (life sciences, education, health, nutrition); and…
Scenic City Towers, China
Büro Ole Scheeren unveils its winning design for Scenic City in Shenzhen. Currently under construction, the project will serve as the new headquarters for JD.com, China‘s largest digital retailer. Scenic City features individual blocks whose organic forms recall the natural contours of the nearby mountainous landscape. The facades bear a subtle resemblance to waterfalls, a prominent feature of Lingnan’s natural landscape. Vertical louvers provide ventilation and modulate the glass’s reflectivity and transparency while visually evoking…
Atlassian Sydney Headquarters; World's Tallest Hybrid Timber Structure
The 40-story-high Atlassian Sydney Headquarters, designed by SHoP in partnership with BVN, is being built in Sydney, Australia. The tower is set to become the tallest hybrid timber structure in the world when completed in 2025. The new hybrid structure “is significantly lower in embodied carbon and substantially reduces the building’s carbon footprint”. Including a mix of outdoor and indoor spaces, the timber design with a glass and steel façade, “will use an energy-efficient approach…
