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BUREAU highlights lake geneva lighthouse’s lattice geometry with blue accents
the project reinterprets the traditional lighthouse typology for an urban harbor context. The post BUREAU highlights lake geneva lighthouse’s lattice geometry with blue accents appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
BUREAU Redefines the Lighthouse in an Urban Harbor Context PHARE YLLIAM is a lighthouse developed by BUREAU architecture firm for the waterfront of Geneva, Switzerland. Lighthouses carry a clear functional purpose and a distinct spatial presence. As singular vertical structures positioned at the edges of landmasses, they serve as navigational markers and contribute to the reading of the surrounding landscape. The project works within this typology while adapting it to the specific conditions of Geneva’s harbor. Unlike traditional coastal sites often associated with dramatic cliffs or exposed terrain, the Geneva waterfront presents a calm, controlled environment. The project responds by reinforcing its infrastructural identity rather than replicating the familiar aesthetic of conventional lighthouse silhouettes. Set against a landscape of riprap, the structure emphasizes its role as part of a broader system rather than a symbolic standalone figure. all images by Dylan Perrenoud Layered Vertical Sequence defines PHARE YLLIAM Lighthouse The design references the hyperboloid structures developed by early 20th-century Soviet engineer Vladimir Shukhov, particularly their efficiency, transparency, and structural lightness. This approach results in a lattice form that visually shifts with changing light and atmospheric conditions, allowing the lighthouse to appear and recede depending on the viewpoint. Its vertical structure is anchored by a solid mineral base, a reinterpretation of the stone blocks that line the harbor. The project also introduces a new spatial sequence along this extension into the lake. The interior program spans three levels, each offering distinct spatial conditions. The base level forms a sheltered interior with a panoramic opening toward the water. Above it, a compact cabin-like space provides an elevated 360-degree view across the lake. At the top, a movable lantern constitutes the project’s key functional element. Integrated within the structural pillars, the lantern can be raised or lowered to accommodate operational and environmental needs. PHARE YLLIAM by BUREAU design studio integrates structural experimentation, infrastructural clarity, and site-specific landscape considerations. Through its form, material strategy, and operational features, the project proposes a contemporary interpretation of the lighthouse as both a working element of the harbor and an architectural structure shaped by its immediate context. PHARE YLLIAM introduces a new lighthouse structure to the Geneva waterfront positioned on riprap, the lighthouse integrates with the existing shoreline landscape the project reinterprets the traditional lighthouse typology for an urban harbor context the vertical form acts as a navigational marker along the edge of Lake Geneva the project operates as both a functional harbor element and an architectural intervention the middle level resembles a compact cabin with a full 360-degree view the lattice geometry responds to light, atmosphere, and changing viewpoints the uppermost section houses a lantern integrated within the structural pillars the lightweight framework creates shifting visual transparency throughout the day project info: name: PHARE YLLIAM architect: BUREAU lead designers: Daniel Zamarbide | @daniel_zamarbide, Carine Pimenta, Galliane Zamarbide location: Geneva Lake, Switzerland area: 160 sqm photographer: Dylan Perrenoud designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom The post BUREAU highlights lake geneva lighthouse’s lattice geometry with blue accents appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
designing for artists, wittman estes builds a home with integrated creative studios
wittman estes' 'french creek workshop house' in washington merges spaces for living, woodworking, metalworking, and glass art. The post designing for artists, wittman estes builds a home with integrated creative studios appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
french creek workshop house: living in washington wetlands Washington-based architecture studio Wittman Estes completes its French Creek Workshops House among the sprawling, forested area of Snohomish. The a four-and-a-half-acre site is located alongside a wetland once used as an animal sanctuary. Conceived as a year-round retreat for a newly retired couple, the project balances shelter during the long, wet season with openness during warmer months. The single-level home is arranged for aging-in-place and multigenerational use, with a plan that follows the gentle slope of the land through subtle terracing. Wide doorways, flush thresholds, and sandblasted concrete floors support steady movement throughout the 2,471-square-foot residence, while the building’s low stance allows it to settle into the landscape without becoming an obstruction. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169618 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wittman-estes-french-creek-workshop-designboom-01.jpg" alt="Wittman Estes French Creek" width="818" height="546" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wittman-estes-french-creek-workshop-designboom-01.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wittman-estes-french-creek-workshop-designboom-01-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> images © Andrew Pogue Wittman Estes’ interiors balance craft and durability The design team at Wittman Estes curates the interior palette of its French Creek Workshop House to express a dialogue between durability and craft. Locally-sourced fir and cedar bring warmth to spaces shaped by concrete and terrazzo, while reddish-brown soffits and a vivid blue kitchen wall introduce moments of color that register against the muted palette. Cast-in-place concrete floors with hydronic radiant heating continue onto exterior patios and paths, extending the sense of continuity across thresholds. Personal fabrication plays a visible role throughout the house. Slatted wood screens made by the owners filter daylight in the living room and enclose the exterior loading dock, while hand-blown glass works animate shelves in the dining area. ‘They wanted the home to be an expression of who they are,’ says Matt Wittman. ‘Now, they can live and create side by side — gracefully and seamlessly.’ <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169619 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wittman-estes-french-creek-workshop-designboom-02.jpg" alt="Wittman Estes French Creek" width="818" height="546" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wittman-estes-french-creek-workshop-designboom-02.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wittman-estes-french-creek-workshop-designboom-02-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the house sits beside a wetland on a former animal sanctuary in Snohomish, Washington workshops and living areas encircle a courtyard pond An essential component of the Wittman Estes-designed French Creek Workshop compound are its creative studios. Spaces for woodworking, metalworking, and glass art connect to the main house through sheltered walkways and gardens. The workshops are separated from the living spaces to prevent noise and dust, while the zone between the built spaces becomes a lush, gardened courtyard. The primary 1,471-square-foot studio rises beneath a shed roof oriented toward north-facing clerestory windows, delivering even, diffused light suited to detailed work. The courtyard draws from the Roman impluvium, a system of collecting rainwater from surrounding roofs and into a reflecting pool. During storms, water sheets from roof edges into planted basins, turning rainfall into a daily, observable event. Gardens radiate outward from this center and transition gradually from cultivated ground to more natural growth, all maintained by the owners themselves. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169620 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wittman-estes-french-creek-workshop-designboom-03.jpg" alt="Wittman Estes French Creek" width="818" height="546" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wittman-estes-french-creek-workshop-designboom-03.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wittman-estes-french-creek-workshop-designboom-03-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> a single level plan supports aging in place and multigenerational living <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169621 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wittman-estes-french-creek-workshop-designboom-04.jpg" alt="Wittman Estes French Creek" width="818" height="546" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wittman-estes-french-creek-workshop-designboom-04.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wittman-estes-french-creek-workshop-designboom-04-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the home surrounds a landscaped pond which collects rainwater <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169622 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wittman-estes-french-creek-workshop-designboom-05.jpg" alt="Wittman Estes French Creek" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wittman-estes-french-creek-workshop-designboom-05.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wittman-estes-french-creek-workshop-designboom-05-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> gentle terracing allows the building to follow the natural slope of the site locally-sourced fir and cedar bring warmth to durable architectural surfaces <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169623 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wittman-estes-french-creek-workshop-designboom-07.jpg" alt="Wittman Estes French Creek" width="818" height="546" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wittman-estes-french-creek-workshop-designboom-07.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wittman-estes-french-creek-workshop-designboom-07-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> concrete floors with radiant heating extend from interior rooms to outdoor patios handcrafted wood screens and glass artworks reflect the owners lives as makers project info: name: French Creek Workshop House architect: Wittman Estes | @wittman_estes location: Snohomish, Washington completion: 2025 photography: © Andrew Pogue | @poguephoto design team: Matt Wittman, Jody Estes, Ashton Wesely interiors, landscape: Wittman Estes structural engineer: Josh Welch Engineering builder: MRA Builders civil engineer: Jennifer Argraves, LPD Engineering geotechnical engineer: Adam Gaston, Geo Group Northwest The post designing for artists, wittman estes builds a home with integrated creative studios appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
mirroring pillowed walls filled with reed grass compose sensory installation in montpellier
thatch-filled pillows with circular openings form a regular grid across the installation’s exterior facade. The post mirroring pillowed walls filled with reed grass compose sensory installation in montpellier appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
Chaume Sublimé Transforms Reed Grass into Sensory Architecture Chaume Sublimé is an ephemeral installation by COAT – conditions atmosphériques d’espaces, created for the Festival des Architectures Vives 2025 in Montpellier, France. The project investigates the spatial and sensory potential of reed grass, using the material to form an atmosphere-driven architectural intervention that examines craftsmanship, sustainability, and the transformation of everyday resources. The installation is composed of two opposing walls placed within the courtyard of the Hôtel des Trésoriers de la Bourse. Each wall presents two contrasting sides, interpreting both the external street-facing facade and the internal courtyard facade. This duality parallels the relationship between plate and food in contemporary haute cuisine, where the support and the content form a unified composition. The exterior faces form a minimal, monochrome envelope, while the interior faces carry the textural and sensory expression. The arrangement defines an intermediate zone that becomes a focal exploration space for visitors. Reed grass forms the primary material. It is deployed in distinct configurations to articulate the contrast between exterior and interior. A regular grid of thatch-filled pillows establishes a controlled facade, punctuated by circular openings that offer partial views toward the interior and encourage interaction. Stacked sheaves of thatch introduce varied textures and colors. Natural dyes, such as coffee grounds, turmeric, and root-based pigments, add chromatic shifts and subtle olfactory qualities that extend into the surrounding street. The lightweight bundles respond to air movement and visitor passage, producing temporary sensory effects. Recognizable architectural elements from the courtyard context are incorporated subtly into this inner surface, establishing a direct connection between installation and site. all images by Paul Kozlowski – photoarchitecture unless stated otherwise Two opposing walls frame the reed-based installation by COAT The design facilitates an open-ended exploration of smell, touch, and visual variation. Openings in the exterior layer frame initial glimpses, while the interior’s flexible thatch components allow for close engagement. Movement through the installation results in slight displacement of the reed bundles, generating short, individualized spatial moments. Children in particular may engage with the structure intuitively, exploring textures, scents, and views. Reed is sourced from the Camargue region near Montpellier and from Lake Neusiedl near Vienna, where the installation was developed. The material’s ecological qualities, compostability, renewability, and local availability, frame the project’s environmental approach. Two self-supporting walls form the structural system, designed by studio COAT – conditions atmosphériques d’espaces. The wooden framework uses standard beam lengths to minimize waste and relies on mechanical joints for disassembly and reuse. Scaffolding feet allow adaptation to various site conditions, facilitating potential reinstallation at future events. The stacked reed sheaves are held within a 13.5 cm-deep frame and stabilized by vertical metal cables, while shredded reed offcuts are repurposed as infill for the exterior pillows. the installation’s exterior face articulates itself as a monochrome grid of thatch-filled pillows material duality shaped by culinary and architectural sequences Responding to the festival’s theme of gourmandize, the pleasure of tasting, interpreted through the lens of haute cuisine, the installation explores how an ordinary ecological material can be reworked and presented to reveal new tactile and atmospheric properties. The structure introduces two contrasting conditions: a restrained, uniform exterior and a textured, sensory interior. This duality encourages passers-by to enter, observe, and experience the material at close range. Compostable and reusable components support circularity and material awareness within architectural practice. The project draws parallels between the sequential experience of tasting in haute cuisine, presentation, anticipation, and tasting, and a spatial journey through architectural space. Reed grass becomes a parallel to a culinary ingredient that is transformed through technique to expose latent characteristics. This conceptual structure is paired with a reinterpretation of courtyard typology. The courtyard, positioned between public street and private interior, traditionally provides a gradual transition and a moment of sensory shift. The installation adopts this principle, offering glimpses from the outside and a full experience only once inside. Its internal surface references the architectural language of the Hôtel des Trésoriers de la Bourse, whose courtyard facades display the layered contributions of architects Gallières, Sartre, Daviler, and Bonnier. These references are integrated into the installation’s inner face, encouraging close visual inspection of details. the installation’s sober exterior contrasts with an intriguing, tactile, and sensory interior playful exploration leads children and adults alike to intuitively interact with the installation | image by COAT the installation’s configuration invites everyone to engage in a sensory exploration | image by COAT the circular perforations offer glimpses of the interior, sparking curiosity and the desire to discover the exterior face is punctuated by circular openings thatch-filled pillows form a regular grid across the exterior facade children search for smells, textures, and views, being physically immersed in the soft thatch as visitors move through the installation‘s interior, the thatch envelopes them and creates intimate moments of interaction the installation creates an olfactory atmosphere extending beyond the courtyard into the nearby street the stacked sheaves of thatch are partly colored with natural dyes such as coffee grounds and turmeric the installation’s interior is a sensual expression of texture, color, and materiality recognizable elements of the courtyard are subtly integrated into the design | image by COAT project info: name: Chaume Sublimé designer: COAT – conditions atmosphériques d’espaces | @studio_coat event: Festival des Architectures Vives 2025 | @festivaldesarchitecturesvives location: Montpellier, France photographer: Paul Kozlowski – photoarchitecture | @photoarchitecture.co, COAT designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom The post mirroring pillowed walls filled with reed grass compose sensory installation in montpellier appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
ARK architects build bio-villa in southern spain from unprocessed materials
ARK architects delivers sustainable luxury with villa geneve's bio-architecture, emphasizing unprocessed materials and well-being. The post ARK architects build bio-villa in southern spain from unprocessed materials appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
bio-villa geneve designed by ark architects Perched in the exclusive landscape of La Zagaleta in the hills of Benahavís, near Marbella, Spain, Villa Geneve is a benchmark for contemporary bio-architecture, designed by Manuel Ruiz Moriche of ARK Architects. This design balances natural beauty, sophisticated architecture and contemporary sustainability to create a residence that exists in perfect harmony with its surroundings. The home is guided by ARK’s unique philosophy of bio-architecture, a transformative approach that uses architecture as a mediator between humans and nature to enhance well-being. the home is located in the exclusive landscape of La Zagaleta in the hills of Benahavís, near Marbella all images courtesy of ARK Architects luxury yet sustainable architecture The Villa Geneve’s clean, modern lines blend organically into the lush landscape of La Zagaleta, with open views across the Benahavís mountains, the Mediterranean Sea and Africa. ARK Architects’ design celebrates the connection between interior and exterior, creating a home that breathes and adapts to the rhythm of life. Contemporary luxury here is defined by authenticity and a connection with the environment, symbolizing a shift toward a quiet, conscious, and sustainable lifestyle. the design balances natural beauty, sophisticated architecture and contemporary sustainability A firm commitment to sustainability is evident in the materials chosen. In keeping with the ARK philosophy, the project exclusively uses natural, unprocessed materials such as stone, chemically unprocessed wood, and unadulterated finishes. Even the paints are lime-based, promoting healthy living within the villa. These materials are expressed in their purest form possible, reinforcing the project’s dedication to sustainability and achieving a raw yet refined aesthetic. the bio-architecture achieve a raw yet refined aesthetic The architecture and interior design are seamlessly combined. The spaces have been furnished with pieces from Flexform and the exclusive ARK Collection, reflecting timeless design, real comfort, and the highest quality materials. Every detail is carefully considered to complement natural light and the surrounding landscape, ensuring that style, functionality, and personality coexist in perfect harmony. Villa Geneve welcomes occupants to luxury living rooted in nature and well-being. the interior features a timeless design, real comfort, and the highest quality materials every detail ensures that style, functionality, and personality coexist in perfect harmony the home welcomes occupants to luxury living rooted in nature and well-being inside, even the pool and gym complement natural light with the surrounding landscape Villa Geneve is a benchmark for contemporary bio-architecture the project exclusively uses natural, unprocessed materials such as stone, wood, and finishes project info: name: Villa Geneve studio: ARK Architects architect: Manuel Ruiz Moriche The post ARK architects build bio-villa in southern spain from unprocessed materials appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
zaha hadid architects to design garden-infused malpensa hospital in italy
zaha hadid architects' malpensa hospital will shape a medical campus surrounded by a landscape of forests in lombardy, italy. The post zaha hadid architects to design garden-infused malpensa hospital in italy appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
healthcare space design by ZAHA HADID architects A consortium led by Zaha Hadid Architects has been selected to design the new Malpensa Hospital in Lombardy, Italy. The project will unite the existing hospitals of Gallarate and Busto Arsizio into a single medical campus serving the area between Milan and Varese. Commissioned by the Lombardy Regional Health Authority, the project is conceived as a contemporary healthcare environment for a population approaching one million residents. The winning team led by Zaha Hadid Architects with RINA, Studio Plicchi, WSP, STI Engineering, and BC Building Consulting brings together architectural design with engineering and healthcare planning. The proposal responds to the evolving demands of the Olona Valley, with an emphasis on adaptability, operational efficiency, and long-term public service. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169582 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/zaha-hadid-architects-grande-ospedale-malpensa-hostpital-italy-designboom-01.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="511" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/zaha-hadid-architects-grande-ospedale-malpensa-hostpital-italy-designboom-01.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/zaha-hadid-architects-grande-ospedale-malpensa-hostpital-italy-designboom-01-768x480.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> visualizations © X Universe navigating the malpensa hospital Malpensa Hospital is planned by Zaha Hadid Architects and its partners as a compact structure with five levels above ground and a single basement, encompassing around 90,000 square meters. Its organization follows a clear gradient of care intensity, which allows critical functions to operate with precision while maintaining legible movement for patients and staff. Clinical spaces are arranged to support change over time, with layouts capable of adjustment as medical practices and technologies advance. Circulation plays a defining role in the project’s spatial logic. Distinct routes for visitors and healthcare professionals reduce overlap and support hygiene protocols, while dedicated logistical paths handle materials, goods, and waste. An automated delivery system further streamlines daily operations for a more efficient campus. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169583 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/zaha-hadid-architects-grande-ospedale-malpensa-hostpital-italy-designboom-02.jpg" alt="zaha hadid malpensa hospital" width="818" height="409" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/zaha-hadid-architects-grande-ospedale-malpensa-hostpital-italy-designboom-02.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/zaha-hadid-architects-grande-ospedale-malpensa-hostpital-italy-designboom-02-768x384.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> Zaha Hadid Architects will design the new Malpensa Hospital in Lombardy sunlit timber interiors At ground level, a central internal street links the entrance plaza with landscaped outdoor areas, establishing a civic threshold between the hospital and its surrounding communities. This public axis supports wayfinding and introduces daylight deep into the plan, shaping an environment that feels open and measured rather than institutional. Interior spaces prioritize comfort through proportion, light control, and acoustic consideration. Privacy is addressed through spatial sequencing and the placement of quieter zones for rest and recovery. Materials such as wood surfaces and textile elements contribute to a calm atmosphere suited to long hospital stays and demanding working conditions. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169584 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/zaha-hadid-architects-grande-ospedale-malpensa-hostpital-italy-designboom-03.jpg" alt="zaha hadid malpensa hospital" width="818" height="818" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/zaha-hadid-architects-grande-ospedale-malpensa-hostpital-italy-designboom-03.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/zaha-hadid-architects-grande-ospedale-malpensa-hostpital-italy-designboom-03-768x768.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the new hospital is organized as a compact five story structure a landscape of forests The Malpensa Hospital site sits within a landscape of forests and agricultural land connected to the Regional Ecological Network and the Parco Regionale della Valle del Ticino. The design preserves existing woodland while introducing new wetlands and water-management features that support biodiversity and responsible stormwater use. An important cultural dimension emerges through the integration of Cascina dei Poveri, a rural complex dating from the medieval period. Incorporated into the campus, this historic structure becomes a shared place for community activity, reinforcing continuity between the region’s past and its contemporary healthcare infrastructure. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169585 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/zaha-hadid-architects-grande-ospedale-malpensa-hostpital-italy-designboom-04.jpg" alt="zaha hadid malpensa hospital" width="818" height="460" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/zaha-hadid-architects-grande-ospedale-malpensa-hostpital-italy-designboom-04.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/zaha-hadid-architects-grande-ospedale-malpensa-hostpital-italy-designboom-04-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> a central internal street connects the entrance plaza with landscaped public areas a sustainable design, ready for the future The building envelope comprises modular aluminum rainscreen panels with integrated planting and solar control, chosen for durability and reduced embodied carbon. Prefabricated construction methods shorten build time and limit material waste, while a high-performance facade lowers cooling demand and improves energy efficiency. Renewable energy systems form a central part of the strategy, including a photovoltaic installation exceeding one megawatt and a hybrid heating system prepared for future hydrogen use. Digital building management tools and virtual modeling support predictive maintenance and long-term performance optimization, positioning Malpensa Hospital as a flexible and climate-responsive medical campus designed for decades of use. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169586 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/zaha-hadid-architects-grande-ospedale-malpensa-hostpital-italy-designboom-05.jpg" alt="zaha hadid malpensa hospital" width="818" height="461" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/zaha-hadid-architects-grande-ospedale-malpensa-hostpital-italy-designboom-05.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/zaha-hadid-architects-grande-ospedale-malpensa-hostpital-italy-designboom-05-768x433.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> interiors emphasize daylight, acoustic comfort, and material warmth gardens, courtyards, and roof terraces support recovery and staff wellbeing project info: name: Grande Ospedale della Malpensa (Malpensa Hospital) architect: Zaha Hadid Architects | @zahahadidarchitects location: Malpensa, Lombardy, Italy ZHA principal: Patrik Schumacher ZHA project director: Paolo Zilli ZHA competition project director: Paolo Zilli ZHA competition associates: Tommaso Casucci and Johannes Elias ZHA competition team: Valentina Cerrone; Daniel Coley; Daniele Ferrentino; Alex He; Yooyeon Noh; Prashant Phirke; Angelica Videla Cardenas ZHA environmental & sustainability team: Bahaa Alnassrallah; Carlos Bausa Martinez; Jing Xu consortium: lead architect, coordination, wellbeing: Zaha Hadid Architects team lead, civil engineering, safety: RINA hospital specialist, local architect: STUDIO PLICCHI environment, landscape, sustainability: WSP MEP, fire strategy: STI ENGINEERING quantity surveyor, maintenance: BC – BUILDING CONSULTING The post zaha hadid architects to design garden-infused malpensa hospital in italy appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
SANAA’s taichung art museum opens in taiwan with translucent dual-layer metal facade
its inaugural exhibition, 'a call of all beings', brings together more than 70 artists and collectives from 20 countries. The post SANAA’s taichung art museum opens in taiwan with translucent dual-layer metal facade appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
Taichung Art Museum by SANAA opens to the public SANAA’s Taichung Art Museum, part of the newly completed Taichung Green Museumbrary, opens today, December 13th, 2025 in Taiwan. The project integrates the city’s central library with a metropolitan art museum, establishing a combined cultural facility that presents a new institutional model. The Taichung Green Museumbrary sits on the northern edge of Central Park, a 67-hectare green space within the 254-hectare Shuinan Trade and Economic Park, formerly a military airport decommissioned in 2004. Positioned at the heart of this redevelopment area, the project has been described as Taiwan’s most significant cultural initiative of 2025. SANAA’s design follows the guiding idea of creating ‘a library in a park and an art museum in a forest.’ The building is lifted above ground level, allowing natural light and park breezes to move freely through shaded plazas that provide open, permeable access from all sides. Its inaugural exhibition, A Call of All Beings, brings together more than 70 artists and collectives from 20 countries. The show unfolds across galleries and public spaces through video, painting, sculpture, installation, archival material, artists’ books, and 24 newly commissioned, site-specific works, accompanied by performances, workshops, and talks exploring human and multispecies coexistence. SANAA unveils the Taichung Art Museum as part of the Green Museumbrary | all images by YHLAA – Yi Hsien Lee An Open Plan Connecting Culture and Nature The plan dissolves traditional divisions between museum and library spaces within an open and inclusive interior. Reading areas and exhibition zones are designed to overlap, encouraging cross-programming and interaction. The library will house over one million physical and digital resources. On the rooftop, the design team at SANAA organizes an outdoor garden that offers views of Central Park and the Taichung skyline. Conceived as both a public landscape and a cultural extension of the building, the rooftop enhances the continuity between built and natural environments. The dual-layer facade combines high-performance glass or metal cladding with an outer layer of aluminum expanded metal mesh. This silvery veil produces a sense of transparency while improving environmental performance. The facade and lifted volume emphasize lightness, openness, and integration with the surrounding park. At ground level, shaded plazas act as public thresholds where the city meets the museum and library. the dual-layer facade combines glass or metal cladding with expanded aluminum mesh the mesh screen improves environmental performance while shaping the building’s identity the outdoor garden functions as both a public space and cultural extension the cultural complex combines a metropolitan art museum with the city’s central library the building volume is lifted above the ground to allow light and breeze to pass through reading areas and exhibition zones are arranged to overlap and encourage interaction the library is planned to hold over one million physical and digital resources shaded plazas beneath the structure create open and permeable public access the design concept is described as ‘a library in a park and an art museum in a forest’ project info: name: Taichung Art Museum architect: SANAA | @sanaa_jimusho location: Taichung, Taiwan photographer: YHLAA – Yi Hsien Lee | @nevermind1107 retoucher: YHLAA – Kane Liou designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom The post SANAA’s taichung art museum opens in taiwan with translucent dual-layer metal facade appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
wearable shelter garment transforms into a livable tent with sleeves as backpacks
created by fashion student yoon myat su lin, the concept originates from her memory of an earthquake in myanmar, where many people were suddenly displaced. The post wearable shelter garment transforms into a livable tent with sleeves as backpacks appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
Transformable and wearable shelter garment with tent Shelter Wear presents a wearable outer garment that transforms into a livable tent with sleeves that double as backpacks. Created by Tokyo-based fashion student Yoon Myat Su Lin, the design concept originates from her memory of an earthquake in Myanmar, where many people were suddenly displaced and left without safe, temporary shelter. That moment stayed with her, forming the basis of a garment that functions beyond being streetwear. Instead of looking at fashion as just a form of creative expression, she channels practicality, asking how a wearable object can support someone during a crisis. At the center of the project is a simple idea: clothing is always with the user, so why not allow it to transform into what they urgently need? This starting point leads to a design that shifts between everyday wear and emergency structure, as the wearable shelter garment converts into a tent, with its sleeves operating as backpacks. Each element is part of the same design, avoiding the need for separate items. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169600 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-01.jpg" alt="wearable shelter garment tent" width="818" height="1021" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-01.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-01-801x1000.jpg 801w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-01-768x959.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> all images courtesy of Yoon Myat Su Lin | photos by Anatolii Ozarto Sleeves double as backpacks for essential item storage The wearable shelter garment with tent and backpacks, inspired by the works of fellow designer Aojie Yang, is portable, so users can wear it like any standard outerwear, carrying shelter without the weight or bulk associated with tents or emergency kits. This supports people who need mobility, especially in unpredictable environments, so if a crisis occurs, the user already has what they need on them. Then, it transforms easily, as the garment expands into a tent structure by just unclasping the buckles and unfolding the temporary structure. The way the sleeves shift into backpacks also helps users during rapid movement, as they can store basic items easily at times of distress. The design of the wearable shelter garment with tent and backpacks is efficient, too. Instead of producing multiple separate items, fashion student Yoon Myat Su Lin merges them into a single outerwear. This not only reduces material use but also helps users carry only the essential needs during emergencies. The design supports the tent’s shape while remaining wearable when folded, and such hybridization is central to why the design received recognition at the 25th YKK Fastening Awards, earning the YKK Special Award. By embedding protection and usability into clothing, Yoon Myat Su Lin shows how fashion can react to social realities instead of trends. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169601 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-02.jpg" alt="wearable shelter garment tent" width="818" height="1021" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-02.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-02-801x1000.jpg 801w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-02-768x959.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> view of the wearable shelter garment when folded <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169604 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-05.jpg" alt="wearable shelter garment tent" width="818" height="1021" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-05.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-05-801x1000.jpg 801w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-05-768x959.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> unbuckling the clasps roll out the tent <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169602 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-03.jpg" alt="wearable shelter garment tent" width="818" height="1021" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-03.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-03-801x1000.jpg 801w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-03-768x959.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the tent comes with sleeves that double as backpacks <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169603 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-04.jpg" alt="rear view of the emergency clothing" width="818" height="1021" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-04.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-04-801x1000.jpg 801w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-04-768x959.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> rear view of the emergency clothing <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169605 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-06.jpg" alt="the tent resembles a skirt when the user puts the outerwear on" width="818" height="1021" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-06.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-06-801x1000.jpg 801w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wearable-emergency-garment-tent-sleeves-backpacks-designboom-06-768x959.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the tent resembles a skirt when the user puts the outerwear on view of the tent project info: name: Shelter Wear design: Yoon Myat Su Lin | @yoon_myat_su_lin photographer: Anatolii Ozarto | @ozartopro The post wearable shelter garment transforms into a livable tent with sleeves as backpacks appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
MVRDV completes earth-covered pavilion with viewing deck for public gatherings in china
the 414-square-meter pavilion uses earth-covered timber arches to reconstruct the silhouette of a hill. The post MVRDV completes earth-covered pavilion with viewing deck for public gatherings in china appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
MVRDV embeds a civic pavilion within the hills of Pujiang MVRDV completes Pujiang Platform, a timber event pavilion and viewing structure embedded into the hills east of Pujiang, southwest of Chengdu, China. Conceived as an architectural extension of the terrain itself, the 414-square-meter pavilion uses earth-covered timber arches to reconstruct the silhouette of a hill that was previously flattened, while framing panoramic views toward the growing town below and the Qionglai Mountains beyond. Set within a landscape that is rapidly transforming as Pujiang develops into a new sustainable town, the project aims to offer residents and visitors a place for gatherings, ceremonies, and civic use, and to do so with minimal visual and environmental impact. MVRDV shapes the building as a telescopic form that appears almost geological when seen from afar, while becoming legible as a civic structure through its large viewing window and projecting balcony. At night, light spilling from this opening turns the pavilion into a landmark, visible from the plains below without dominating the landscape.‘The hills of this region are truly a spectacular sight, so one of the challenges we faced was to make the most of those views while reducing the impact on the landscape. By adding a hill-shaped pavilion with a green roof we not only minimise our own impact, but we recreated the hill that was there before,’ MVRDV founding partner Jacob van Rijs notes. ‘This act of preserving and respecting nature is the essence of the design, which is continued in the construction approach, using bio-based materials such as wood that are more sustainable and thus have less impact on natural environments such as this one.’ <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169560 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-01.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="546" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-01.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-01-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> all images © Arch-Exist rebuilding a flattened hill in Chengdu, China MVRDV’s design originates from a site-specific observation. The original viewpoint had required cutting into the hill, erasing part of its natural profile. The architects’ response was to reverse that by recreating the missing mass as architecture. An arched timber structure is wrapped in an earth berm and planted roof, restoring the hill while housing an interior space beneath. The pavilion is entered discreetly through a glazed facade embedded into the berm, leading into an interior that slopes with the terrain. The floor descends as the ceiling rises, forming a stepped tribune oriented toward a 10-meter-tall glass facade. Oversized sliding doors allow the interior to open fully onto the balcony, enabling the space to shift between enclosed events and open-air gatherings. Circulation and landscape are treated as integral parts of the architectural experience. The team retains and extends existing paths on the site, forming a loop that leads visitors through multiple approaches to the viewpoint. A twisting staircase connects these routes and culminates in a secondary circular viewing platform, offering 360-degree views across both the distant mountain range and the immediate hillside environment. Planting strategies reinforce continuity with the surrounding ecology, using species that reflect the existing biodiversity. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169561 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-03.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-03.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-03-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> MVRDV completes Pujiang Platform in China timber construction and passive environmental strategies The green roof, with a soil depth of approximately 10 centimeters, supports grasses, flowers, and small shrubs, while existing waterways are incorporated into rainwater collection and irrigation systems. Material choice plays a critical role in both the environmental and cultural positioning of the project. The timber structure is intended to reduce embodied carbon and also to act as a built demonstration within a context where wood construction remains underutilized. Operational performance is supported through a combination of passive and active strategies. The earth berm provides insulation and thermal mass, layered ceilings enable natural ventilation, and the north-facing orientation of the main façade minimizes unwanted solar gain. Additional energy demands are partially met by a geothermal heat pump, contributing to the project’s China Green Building Label 2-star certification. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169562 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-04.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-04.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-04-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> a timber event pavilion and viewing structure <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169574 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-21.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-21.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-21-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> embedded into the hills east of Pujiang, southwest of Chengdu <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169573 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-20.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-20.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-20-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> conceived as an architectural extension of the terrain itself <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169572 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-19.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-19.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-19-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> uses earth-covered timber arches form the pavilion <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169565 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-11.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="613" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-11.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-11-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> reconstructing the silhouette of a hill that was previously flattened <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169570 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-17.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="670" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-17.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-17-768x629.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> set within a landscape that is rapidly transforming framing panoramic views toward the growing town below and the Qionglai Mountains beyond <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169569 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-16.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="613" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-16.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-16-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the project aims to offer residents and visitors a place for gathering <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169566 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-12.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="861" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-12.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-12-768x808.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> MVRDV shapes the building as a telescopic form that appears almost geological when seen from afar <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169571 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-18.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="1091" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-18.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-18-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-18-768x1024.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> a twisting staircase connects routes and culminates in a secondary circular viewing platform <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169567 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-13.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-13.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-13-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> offering 360-degree views <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169563 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-06.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="614" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-06.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-06-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the team retains and extends existing paths on the site <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169564 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-07.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-07.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-07-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> planting strategies reinforce continuity with the surrounding ecology <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169568 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-14.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="612" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-14.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mvrdv-earth-covered-pavilion-viewing-deck-public-gatherings-china-designboom-14-768x575.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> oversized sliding doors allow the interior to open fully onto the balcony an arched timber structure wrapped in an earth berm and planted roof project info: name: Pujiang Platform architect: MVRDV | @mvrdv co-architect: Sichuan Provincial Architectural Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd. – SADI location: Pujiang, China area: 414 sqm client: Pujiang County Planning and Resources Bureau sustainability certification: China Green Building Label – 2 Stars contractor: Chengdu Third Construction Engineering of CDCEG founding partner in charge: Jacob van Rijs partner: Wenchian Shi director MVRDV Shanghai: Peter Chang design team: Kyo Suk Lee, Olga Marelja, Geert Folmer, Guido Boeters, Cai Zheli, Shanshan Wu, Alexander Forsch, Ilaria Furbetta, Yihong Chen, Jiamen Li, Shing Yat Tam, Yifei Zhang, Cai Huang, Seunghan Yeum, Gioele Colombo, Xinyuan Zhang MVRDV climate: Alexander Forsch photographer: © Arch-Exist| @archexist The post MVRDV completes earth-covered pavilion with viewing deck for public gatherings in china appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
camille walala scatters sculptural benches animated by color and pattern in arkansas
the pieces work collectively to establish a visual cadence along the street, transforming moments of rest into encounters with form and color. The post camille walala scatters sculptural benches animated by color and pattern in arkansas appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
Camille Walala and the language of color in the public realm Bold blocks of color and chunky geometric forms define The Walala Lounge, Camille Walala’s permanent public installation in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas. Spread across the streets of the market district, the project transforms benches and planters into oversized sculptural steel elements, using saturated hues and graphic contrasts. Curated by justkids, the pieces work collectively to establish a visual cadence along the street, transforming moments of rest, waiting, and gathering into shared encounters with form and color. Walala describes the project as an opportunity to move beyond surface-based work and into shared, physical experience. ‘In 2022, I painted two buildings at the Northwest Arkansas National Airport. This time, we got to move beyond murals to 3D sculptural pieces of furniture in downtown,’ notes the designer. ‘I wanted to take unusual shapes and turn them into meeting points. I love public art and creating free, joyful spaces where people can share everyday moments together. I can’t wait to see how people use these pieces.’ <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169487 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-01.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-01.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-01-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> The Walala Lounge by Camille Walala, curated by Justkids, courtesy of Oz Art NWA | all images courtesy of Justkids turning urban furniture into sculptural infrastructure London-based designer Camille Walala brings her language of color, pattern, and geometry to the streets of Bentonville, Arkansas, with The Walala Lounge, a permanent public installation composed of ten sculptural benches and ten planters distributed across the city’s market district. Installed throughout the walkable block, the project reframes everyday urban furniture as a street-wide artistic intervention, turning places of pause into moments of visual and social activation. Known internationally for her large-scale public works, Walala approaches the city as a canvas. Each piece operates simultaneously as infrastructure and sculpture, encouraging people to sit, gather, and move through the city chasing the vibrant benches. Curated by Justkids for OZ Art NWA, the installation builds on a temporary project the artist previously realized in London but is presented here as an entirely new and permanent work, designed specifically for Bentonville. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169491 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-05.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="1227" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-05.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-05-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-05-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> bold blocks of color and chunky geometric forms define The Walala Lounge Bentonville becomes the site of a street-wide installation Fabricated entirely in steel for long-term outdoor use, each bench weighs approximately 1130 kilograms and is constructed from bold geometric components, cuboids, cylinders, and arches, assembled into playful, architectural forms. While no two pieces are identical, they remain visually linked through Walala’s signature palette and graphic contrasts. Installed along Town Branch, an inclusive residential community, the benches and planters introduce a playful cadence into the urban fabric. Their distribution encourages sitting, waiting, talking, resting, while shifting expectations of what public space can look and feel like. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169490 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-04.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-04.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-04-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> Camille Walala’s permanent public installation in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169496 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-10.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-10.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-10-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the project transforms benches and planters into oversized sculptural elements σpread across the streets of the market district <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169495 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-09.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="579" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-09.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-09-768x544.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> saturated hues and graphic contrasts <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169494 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-08.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-08.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-08-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the pieces work collectively to establish a visual cadence along the street <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169492 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-06.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-06.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-06-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> transforming moments of rest, waiting, and gathering into shared encounters with form and color <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169493 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-07.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="1227" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-07.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-07-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-07-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> Walala describes the project as an opportunity to move beyond surface-based work <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169489 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-03.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="525" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-03.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-03-768x493.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> the permanent public installation is composed of ten sculptural benches and ten planters the project reframes everyday urban furniture as a street-wide artistic intervention <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169488 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-02.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-02.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-02-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> Walala approaches the city as a canvas <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169497 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-11.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="1227" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-11.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-11-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-11-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> each piece operates simultaneously as infrastructure and sculpture encouraging people to sit, gather, and move through the city <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169499 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-13.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="1091" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-13.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-13-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-13-768x1024.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> designed specifically for Bentonville <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1169500 size-full" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-14.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-14.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/camille-walala-color-pattern-culptural-benches-bentonville-arkansas-justkids-designboom-14-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> fabricated entirely in steel for long-term outdoor use project info: name: the Walala Lounge designer: Camille Walala | @camillewalala location: downtown Bentonville, Arkansas, USA client / commissioner: OZ Art NWA | @ozartnwa curation & production: Justkids | @justkidsofficial The post camille walala scatters sculptural benches animated by color and pattern in arkansas appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
design as impact: ADF 2026 honors architecture that drives change
ADF design award 2026 is seeking outstanding works that challenge conventions and make a meaningful impact on society and the environment. The post design as impact: ADF 2026 honors architecture that drives change appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.
NPO Aoyama Design Forum (ADF), a non-profit organization, has announced the ADF Design Award 2026, celebrating architecture that does more than please the eye—it aims to make a meaningful impact on society, culture, and the environment. The award aims to recognize outstanding works that challenge existing conventions, demonstrate innovative thinking, and enrich people’s lives through visionary, responsible design. Architects and designers around the world are invited to submit their proposals on a unique platform that fosters connections, promotes the exchange of ideas, and encourages meaningful cross-cultural collaboration. In the world of architecture, numerous international competitions, events, and awards take place across a wide range of contexts and circumstances. These initiatives, which highlight the work of professionals, collectives, institutions, and other organizations, aim to recognize practices committed to addressing today’s most urgent social, climatic, and economic challenges by pursuing architectural solutions and strategies that improve the living conditions of millions of people. Award ceremonies represent the culmination of the effort and dedication of countless professionals who, regardless of their background or career path, show a strong commitment to contributing to the development of the built environment. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-1168733" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ADF-design-award-2026-designboom-01.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="707" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ADF-design-award-2026-designboom-01.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ADF-design-award-2026-designboom-01-768x664.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> The Holy Redeemer Church and Community Center of Las Chumberas / Fernando Menis. Image © Hisao Suzuki THE ADF DESIGN AWARD GOES BEYOND RECOGNITION. IT INSPIRES BOTH PROFESSIONALS AND EMERGING ARCHITECTS TO REFLECT MORE DEEPLY ON THE SPACES THAT SHAPE OUR LIVES, WHILE HELPING SOCIETY BECOME MORE CONSCIOUS AND SELECTIVE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTS WE BUILD. THIS CONTRIBUTION IS ESSENTIAL TO THE FUTURE OF OUR CITIES. — FERNANDO MENIS, EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNER By emphasizing how each design was created and the ideas behind it, the awards seek entries that challenge conventional thinking, break new ground, and offer innovative, environmentally conscious solutions that enrich people’s lives. The award categories include Hospitality Architecture, Commercial and Office Architecture, Housing Complex, Education and Sports Facilities, Cultural Buildings, and Public Architecture. The jury evaluates submissions for artistic value—including form, color, detailing, and material selection; the project’s response to social change, use of new materials, construction processes, and pioneering design within constrained conditions; sustainability and benefits to users and the environment; and the project’s harmony with its region while expressing a contemporary cultural identity. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-1168734" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ADF-design-award-2026-designboom-02.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ADF-design-award-2026-designboom-02.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ADF-design-award-2026-designboom-02-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> Maatulli School and Kindergarten in Finland / Fors Arkitekter. Image Courtesy of Garde Past winners illustrate the award’s vision. In 2025, Boris Bežan (BAX Studio), Mara Partida and Héctor Mendoza (Mendoza Partida Studio), and Maria Mestres and Magnus Wåge (Mestres Wåge Architects) received the Grand Prize, while Sofia Fors (Fors Arkitekter) and Fernando Menis received the Excellence Award. Fors Arkitekter, based in Copenhagen, is known for projects that integrate buildings and landscapes while respecting planetary boundaries, such as the Maatulli School and Kindergarten in Finland. Their work spans a wide range of scales and typologies—from private residences to large public projects—with a focus on creating architecture that has a lasting, positive impact on both people and the environment. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-1168735" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ADF-design-award-2026-designboom-03.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ADF-design-award-2026-designboom-03.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ADF-design-award-2026-designboom-03-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> The Holy Redeemer Church and Community Center of Las Chumberas / Fernando Menis. Image © Roland Halbe On the other hand, Fernando Menis brings more than 40 years of experience and is renowned for his innovative variable acoustics system in Poland’s CKK Jordanki. Among his many notable works are the Church of the Holy Redeemer, El Tanque Art Center, Magma Art & Congress, the Spree Floating Pool in Berlin, and the headquarters of the Canary Islands Government in Tenerife. The Holy Redeemer Church and Community Center of Las Chumberas includes a church, a community center, and a public plaza. Built over the course of fifteen years, it reflects the transformation of its neighborhood during the 1970s, serving as a catalyst for urban renewal and as a landmark within a fragmented urban landscape. Inspired by the volcanic terrain, the project features massive, rugged forms with narrow fissures between structures that filter natural light. Concrete, chosen for its versatility, functions as structure, form, texture, and acoustic control. The granulated concrete mixed with volcanic stones absorbs sound, and together with smooth or rough exposed concrete surfaces, achieves sound performance comparable to that of an opera house. Explore a list of projects recognized in past editions of the ADF Design Award. KUNSTSILO / BAX STUDIO + MENDOZA PARTIDA STUDIO + MESTRES WÅGE ARCHITECTS The Kunstsilo proposal, designed by three architecture studios based in Barcelona, is built upon the expressive power of the silo itself. The project strikes a balanced harmony by combining respect for the original building’s qualities with an imaginative approach to the inherently sculptural and spatial experiences it offers. Through a series of interior cuts in the silo, a sober, monumental volume opens up, illuminated by controlled overhead lighting that gives the future museum a strong and distinctive character. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-1168736" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ADF-design-award-2026-designboom-04.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="545" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ADF-design-award-2026-designboom-04.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ADF-design-award-2026-designboom-04-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> ADF Design Award 2025 – Kunstsilo / BAX studio + Mendoza Partida studio + Mestres Wåge architects. Image Courtesy of Garde LA CARBONERÍA RENOVATION / OFFICE FOR STRATEGIC SPACES The rehabilitation of La Carbonería owes its form to the diverse, intersecting histories that have unfolded over a century and a half. Its design integrates both an intangible legacy and special attention to its structure, spatial qualities, and energy efficiency. Originally a modest residential building constructed in 1864, it gained notoriety in 2008 when it was occupied and two large murals were painted on its façade. In 2014, its forced evacuation made headlines, and La Carbonería became a graphic and political icon of Barcelona. Later, in 2015, the Barcelona City Council declared it a protected heritage site as the oldest surviving building in the Eixample district. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-1168737" src="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ADF-design-award-2026-designboom-05.jpg" alt="" width="818" height="955" srcset="https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ADF-design-award-2026-designboom-05.jpg 818w, https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ADF-design-award-2026-designboom-05-768x897.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /> ADF Design Award 2024 – La Carbonería Renovation / Office for Strategic Spaces. Image © Simona Rota TONAMI PUBLIC LIBRARY / KAZUHIKO MASUKO & MIKAMI ARCHITECTS & OSHIDA ARCHITECTS With the image of the Tonami Plain in mind, the concept of an “open-plan library under a big roof” was envisioned along the main street that runs through the city. Through its scale and gentle curvature, the roof was designed to become a new symbol of Tonami. It also serves as a modern interpretation of the traditional Azumadachi style and as a symbol of public liberal arts. The building was designed to open toward the street from the west, allowing people to view the interior from beneath the eaves—a continuous space rising from the inverted curve of the large roof. Within this forest of books, the roof’s slope gradually shifts to either stimulate energy or create a sense of calm. From children to the elderly, all visitors are embraced by the warmth of the wood and the soft natural light streaming in through the windows. ADF Design Award 2023 – Tonami Public Library / MIKAMI Architects. Image © Koji Horiuchi The 16th annual international design award, organized by ADF, will accept submissions from Friday, August 15, 2025, to Friday, December 19, 2025 (JST). A Grand Prize of US$10,000 and two Excellence Awards of US$5,000 each will be granted across all categories, totaling approximately US$20,000. As a supplementary prize, the Grand Prize winner and the Excellence Award winners will have the opportunity to exhibit their work at the ADF venue in Fuori Salone during the Milano Salone Internazionale del Mobile, scheduled for April 2026. In addition, winners will be given the chance to exhibit their work at “COCO WARP,” the Metaverse Museum operated by ADF, and will receive one year of PR support. project info: name: ADF Design Award 2026 application period: August 15, 2025 to December 19, 2025 (JST) application fee: Free language: English submission URL: https://10561.evalato.com/ Guest Feature by Agustina Iñiguez / Archdaily The post design as impact: ADF 2026 honors architecture that drives change appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.