Tag: News

The Grand Vision of the Client: A Major Socio-Economic and Cultural Actor. The Administration of the Province of Namur has centralized nearly all its services in a new building, the "MAP," constructed in Salzinnes. By establishing itself on the outskirts and along the Sambre River instead of a highly visible downtown location, the Province of Namur takes a stance that is both strong and thoughtful, reflecting its vision of its role. The tender specifications for the "Design & Build" project required exceptionally high environmental standards, including BREEAM certification. These requirements were achieved at the "Outstanding" level, with a score of 93.53%.

University Research Park in Madison, WI, designed by global architecture and design firm Perkins&Will, introduces a new model of research park typology. This site challenges the tradition of research park planning by integrating natural habitats amongst mixed-use buildings to create a vibrant community that is walkable and prioritizes the wellbeing of wildlife. Element Labs, the new gateway to the campus, sitting prominently at the Northeast corner of the park, will house multiple research companies, including Invenra, a Madison-based lifesciences company. The building is the centerpiece of the emerging Element Collective district, which will contain apartments, a hotel, a fitness center, and restaurants.

In architecture, most practices revolve around delivering projects to clients. Offices are shaped by deadlines, budgets, and clear briefs. While this structure produces buildings, it rarely leaves space for architects to question broader issues — about how we live, how cities are changing, or what the future demands of design. But alongside this production-focused system, a quieter movement has emerged: studios, collectives, and foundations that prioritize research, experimentation, and reflection. These are the architecture think tanks — spaces designed not to build immediately, but to think first.

In Mennecy (France), Atelier Aconcept delivered the Nikola Karabatic Sports Complex in 2024 for the Communauté de Communes du Val d'Essonne, the project owner. The result is a striking, golden, levitating volume. Situated at the southern edge of a business district, the sports complex's shimmering reflections pay tribute to the medal-studded career of the French champion, making it a landmark for regional development. Its imposing metallic façade underscores the facility's open and public nature.

Located in Xilu Garden on the eastern shore of Yangcheng Lake (Kunshan), the observation tower project offers a dynamic visual experience, framing both the park's curated landscapes and the beauty of Yangcheng Lake, while also offering sweeping views of the surrounding urban backdrop. As an integral component of the park's circulation system, it serves as a multifunctional piece of public architecture.

Villa Miro is projected on a triangular plot of land in Casablanca, the silhouette of the plan being generated by mandatory setbacks. This particular shape led us to a configuration organized around a central helical staircase protected by a wooden lattice and which becomes the core of all the spaces.

Located within the Hamasen Train Depot in Kaohsiung, Houli finds its home in the historic "Doo-Doo Train," once part of the Kaohsiung Port Line. The diesel railcars DR2909 and DR2955 serve as both a vessel of history and a canvas for our design intervention.

On the outskirts of Vilnius, nestled within a natural setting, rises a single-story residential house whose architecture boldly challenges conventional forms. Central to the building is an unexpected yet precisely executed triangular plan, which becomes the key to the entire architectural composition and spatial experience.

Rebelo de Andrade Studio was responsible for the interior design of the five- star Art Legacy Hotel, located at Rua do Ouro, also known as Rua Áurea - and nothing less could be expected than a renovation that would enhance it.

The owners envisioned a home that is both discreet and bold, seamlessly blending into its natural surroundings while making a strong architectural statement. Nestled within a historic manor park, the landscape plays an integral role in the project - an element OAD saw as inseparable from the overall vision. In collaboration with Galantus, the landscape was meticulously designed to complement and enhance the architecture. From the street, the house remains nearly invisible, tucked behind a grassy embankment, while on the canal side, expansive windows and a rustic facade create a striking contrast. The design gradually reveals itself, beginning with a wild meadow garden where narrow, trimmed paths echo the organic flow of the architecture. As the building extends deeper into the property, its form evolves - what starts as a grounded volume rises into a more geometric composition, with the master bedroom appearing to float above the terrain in a futuristic, hovering design.