by Natalia Echeverri
In selecting our list of 10 featured works of architecture and landscape architecture in 2011, we've settled on works that highlight a number of issues dear to us. This was a year of social change, a sputtering economy and fewer big projects — one in which design was decidedly not the only issue. Some of the projects on the list were conceived before the economic downturn but realized afterward. Others reflect the power of, and give expression to, emerging economic powers. Several directly seize on shifting economic and political contexts. Still others show how architectural values are being reconsidered. The list is in no particular order. As always, we welcome you to add your own picks.
1. 9/11 Memorial in New York, United States (Michael Arad and Peter Walker)
Opening to the public 10 years after the terrorist attacks, the memorial marks the the absence of the Twin Towers and mourns lives lost with simple yet powerful voids set within a large public forest. While the surrounding development has adapted to market pressures and other forces, the memorial itself stayed true to the design architects envisioned nearly a decade ago.
Source: Architecture Article
2. Madrid Rio in Madrid, Spain (West 8 and MRIO Arquitectos)
This six-kilometer linear park spanning a sunken motorway connects Madrid's city center and adjacent neighborhoods to the newly rehabilitated Manzanares River. After eight years of delays, dust, noise and traffic jams, residents are finally enjoying unique public spaces and sport facilities.
Source: Landezine
3. Buturo Hospital in Burera District, Rwanda (MASS Design Group)
While most architectural projects in the Global South stem from either the "design" or "development" ends of the spectrum, the Buturo Hospital integrates strong design with progressive development.
Source: Archinect
4. Shibaura House in Tokyo, Japan (Kazuyo Sejima & Associates)
This simple building is primarily the home of a printing company but also provides workshop and educational space to the public — a de facto community center. The delicate structure allows for adaptability and unique interior spaces.
Source: Domus
5. Norwegian Wild Reindeer Center Pavilion in Dovrefjell National Park, Norway (Snøhetta)
The simple yet striking pavilion combines advanced fabrication and design techniques with traditional building practices and locally sourced materials.
Source: ArchDaily
6. Vanke Center in Shenzhen, China (Steven Holl)
This low, long building houses a hotel, apartments and the headquarters of a major Chinese developer. It employs bridge-building technology with the strong concept of a building raised from a reciprocal ground. The result is a sculptural building and open landscape (mostly) accessible to the public.
Source: Natalia Echeverri
7. Guangzhou Opera House in Guangzhou, China (Zaha Hadid)
The Opera House was conceived as an urban catalyst for the new cultural district of this quickly developing Chinese city. The building sits as a striking object along the Pearl River, opening a connection to the waterfront. The design gives considerable attention to the interiors, as swooping and sumptuous as any of Hadid's work.
Source: Iwan Baan
8. The Historic Corner near the Main Square of Reykjavik, Iceland (Studio Granda with Gullinsnid and Argos Architects)
This humble reconstruction of a historic block in the city center shows that architects were conscious of the difficulty of (re)creating authenticity. The process behind the project also reveals their faith in architecture as a tool for democratic change and a better society. When private investors planned to purchase the historic, fire-devastated block, Studio Granda opposed. They explain: "We had to take of our architect's coats and become activists. To serve the public and not the financial market. To not loose integrity."
Source: Studio Granda
9. Torre Confinanzas in Caracas, Venezuela (2,500 local residents)
Also known as the Tower of David, this is not a new building but a continually re-adapted one. The shell and structure of the building were started and abandoned during the banking boom in Caracas in the late 1980s. Since then, it has been continually "completed" by scores of informal residents, who have molded the tower into a thriving community during the past several decades. This building will never be finished in the traditional sense, but Venezuelan artists Ángela Bonadies and Juan José Olavarría published a work documenting the tower in 2011.
Source: Domus
10. Tents and structures of the Arab Spring and the Occupy movement in Tahrir Square, Zuccotti Park, St. Paul's Cathedral, Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Sproul Plaza and other public spaces around the world
The protest movements that sprang up around the world this year were unique, attuned to political and social contexts. But, nearly everywhere, the occupation of public space became the stage for redefining these varied agendas. The structures of occupation — tents, shelters, shields, sculptures — are temporary by definition. But that is their power: destroyed one day, they can be rebuilt the next.
Source: Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting
Source: MSNBC
+ share
In selecting our list of 10 featured works of architecture and landscape architecture in 2011, we've settled on works that highlight a number of issues dear to us. This was a year of social change, a sputtering economy and fewer big projects — one in which design was decidedly not the only issue. Some of the projects on the list were conceived before the economic downturn but realized afterward. Others reflect the power of, and give expression to, emerging economic powers. Several directly seize on shifting economic and political contexts. Still others show how architectural values are being reconsidered. The list is in no particular order. As always, we welcome you to add your own picks.
1. 9/11 Memorial in New York, United States (Michael Arad and Peter Walker)
Opening to the public 10 years after the terrorist attacks, the memorial marks the the absence of the Twin Towers and mourns lives lost with simple yet powerful voids set within a large public forest. While the surrounding development has adapted to market pressures and other forces, the memorial itself stayed true to the design architects envisioned nearly a decade ago.
Source: Architecture Article
2. Madrid Rio in Madrid, Spain (West 8 and MRIO Arquitectos)
This six-kilometer linear park spanning a sunken motorway connects Madrid's city center and adjacent neighborhoods to the newly rehabilitated Manzanares River. After eight years of delays, dust, noise and traffic jams, residents are finally enjoying unique public spaces and sport facilities.
Source: Landezine
3. Buturo Hospital in Burera District, Rwanda (MASS Design Group)
While most architectural projects in the Global South stem from either the "design" or "development" ends of the spectrum, the Buturo Hospital integrates strong design with progressive development.
Source: Archinect
4. Shibaura House in Tokyo, Japan (Kazuyo Sejima & Associates)
This simple building is primarily the home of a printing company but also provides workshop and educational space to the public — a de facto community center. The delicate structure allows for adaptability and unique interior spaces.
Source: Domus
5. Norwegian Wild Reindeer Center Pavilion in Dovrefjell National Park, Norway (Snøhetta)
The simple yet striking pavilion combines advanced fabrication and design techniques with traditional building practices and locally sourced materials.
Source: ArchDaily
6. Vanke Center in Shenzhen, China (Steven Holl)
This low, long building houses a hotel, apartments and the headquarters of a major Chinese developer. It employs bridge-building technology with the strong concept of a building raised from a reciprocal ground. The result is a sculptural building and open landscape (mostly) accessible to the public.
Source: Natalia Echeverri
7. Guangzhou Opera House in Guangzhou, China (Zaha Hadid)
The Opera House was conceived as an urban catalyst for the new cultural district of this quickly developing Chinese city. The building sits as a striking object along the Pearl River, opening a connection to the waterfront. The design gives considerable attention to the interiors, as swooping and sumptuous as any of Hadid's work.
Source: Iwan Baan
8. The Historic Corner near the Main Square of Reykjavik, Iceland (Studio Granda with Gullinsnid and Argos Architects)
This humble reconstruction of a historic block in the city center shows that architects were conscious of the difficulty of (re)creating authenticity. The process behind the project also reveals their faith in architecture as a tool for democratic change and a better society. When private investors planned to purchase the historic, fire-devastated block, Studio Granda opposed. They explain: "We had to take of our architect's coats and become activists. To serve the public and not the financial market. To not loose integrity."
Source: Studio Granda
9. Torre Confinanzas in Caracas, Venezuela (2,500 local residents)
Also known as the Tower of David, this is not a new building but a continually re-adapted one. The shell and structure of the building were started and abandoned during the banking boom in Caracas in the late 1980s. Since then, it has been continually "completed" by scores of informal residents, who have molded the tower into a thriving community during the past several decades. This building will never be finished in the traditional sense, but Venezuelan artists Ángela Bonadies and Juan José Olavarría published a work documenting the tower in 2011.
Source: Domus
10. Tents and structures of the Arab Spring and the Occupy movement in Tahrir Square, Zuccotti Park, St. Paul's Cathedral, Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Sproul Plaza and other public spaces around the world
The protest movements that sprang up around the world this year were unique, attuned to political and social contexts. But, nearly everywhere, the occupation of public space became the stage for redefining these varied agendas. The structures of occupation — tents, shelters, shields, sculptures — are temporary by definition. But that is their power: destroyed one day, they can be rebuilt the next.
Source: Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting
Source: MSNBC
+ share
