The main assembly hall on the ground level boasts a ceiling adorned with exposed structural beams reminiscent of branching tree limbs, facilitating natural ventilation and illuminating the interior with soft, filtered light.

Within the slated “trunk” façade, a spiral staircase in the central courtyard leads to supporting offices and auxiliary functions on the upper levels, as well as the rooftop terrace at the pinnacle with panoramic vistas of Benin and the distant lagoon.

Encompassing the sprawling 35,000 sqm site, a public park replete with shaded spaces surrounds the building, where locals can gather and engage in discussions, echoing the communal spirit of bygone eras as they deliberate on the future of their nation.

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In the historic city traditionally named Chang’an, once the capital of influential Chinese dynasties like the Tang, a new urban development by Heatherwick Studio and CR Land is poised to redefine modern living.

Spanning 115,000 sqm, the project will encompass offices, apartments, a hotel, and on top of that, public verdant spaces for a rooftop garden, a sunken terrace and gardens. 

They will “explore how we can create variety and a sense of discovery and delight within a new-large scale urban development,” emphasises Mat Cash, group leader and partner at the multi-award winning British design and architecture studio.

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Inspired by the traditional nesting tables, the district's design features interconnected buildings that mimic the elegant silhouette of this familiar motif. Open terraces and communal gathering spaces are interspersed throughout, framed by a skyline reminiscent of the iconic hip-and-gable roofs found in Chinese temples.

Paying homage to Xi'an's rich ceramic heritage, the buildings will also showcase intricate ceramic-clad patterns crafted by local artisans. Drawing inspiration from the renowned Terracotta Army—which also resides in the ancient city—these patterns add depth and character to the façade, celebrating the city's cultural legacy while embracing modernity.

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Nestled in Kristiansand’s wharf port Silokaia, the original grain silo was a testament to the Norwegian functionalist movement. One of the country’s earliest cylindrical grain silos that used reinforced concrete, it was designed by pioneers of the architectural movement Korsmo and Aarsland Architects, featuring three rows of ten cylindrical cells in the silo.

Following a triumphant win in a competition to revitalise the iconic structure, Barcelona-based architectural firms MX_SI and Mestres Wåge Arquitectes have been on a mission to transform the 1930s structure into a contemporary art museum.

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Their innovative design proposal was lauded by judges for its seamless blend of reverence and creativity, and it utilises several uncompromising cuts to the interior of the silo, flooding the 8,850 sqm space with natural light and ventilation. Additionally, the museum complex includes the six-story former warehouse, preserving original features like the stair and lift tower beneath the pitched roof.

The design also includes strategic installations of panoramic picture windows overlooking the city and fjords, and a bustling promenade lined with cafes, a museum shop and temporary exhibitions, seamlessly connecting the museum to the neighbouring Kilden Performing Arts Centre, establishing a dynamic cultural precinct for the region.

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After a 20-year delay, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is slated for its much-anticipated opening in late spring this year, while in the meantime, it is already available for private tours before its official opening.

In 2003, the Irish architectural firm Heneghan Peng Architects clinched the competition—the second largest in architectural history with over 1,500 entries from over 80 countries. Their winning design brought to life the vision for an architectural marvel situated just two kilometres from the iconic Giza pyramid complex, with the north and south walls lining up directly with the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Menkaure.

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Across an impressive 872,000 sq ft, the world's largest archaeological museum stands as a colossal edifice with a façade crafted from translucent alabaster stone shaped into a triangular chamfer. 

Adorning a portion of its exterior are the names of illustrious pharaohs immortalised in hieroglyphs, as a sprawling plaza with majestic date palms welcomes visitors at the entrance into the palatial atrium adorned with larger-than-life Egyptian statues. 

GEM also houses a staggering collection of over 100,000 artefacts from Egypt's rich and storied past, including the revered Tutankhamun collection in its entirety.

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Despite the sharp-edged façades of the latest residential project by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), Kaktus Towers have been coming up roses rather than a thorn in the flesh of Copenhagen.

Designed to challenge traditional architectural norms, these twin high-rise structures soar to heights of 60 and 80 metres above the Vesterbro district. The repetitive yet dynamic arrangement of stacked floor slabs surrounds a hexagonal central core, each level is rotated artfully to provide residents with diverse perspectives of the waterfront from the 495 units.

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The 74,000 sq ft site features a “floating” public park connecting both towers with “youth rooms” measuring 30 sqm each. The property also offers a range of thoughtfully designed communal spaces, such as multilevel common areas, outdoor kitchen and grill areas, laundry rooms, cafés, fitness centres and party rooms.

With its strategic location in the heart of Copenhagen, Kaktus Towers is a coveted address for urban living. It also enjoys close proximity to the IKEA store, a budget-friendly hotel, and the nearby Dybbølsbro rail station.

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Set to become the world’s tallest hotel upon its anticipated debut in the first quarter of 2024, Ciel Tower stands as a towering testament to the concept of vertical living in Dubai Marina, just moments away from popular attractions such as the Marina Walk and the Marina Mall shopping and entertainment complex. 

Designed by award-winning London-based architect NORR Group, it reaches skyward at over 366 metres, with a sleek glass sculpture-like silhouette distinguished by graceful tapers in the upper and lower sections, complemented by a striking silver-coloured façade and subtle recesses in its upper levels.

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Ciel Tower offers a rooftop pool bar and restaurant, along with a glass-encased observation deck providing sweeping 360-degree vistas: from Downtown Dubai and the majestic Burj Khalifa in the East, to the scenic Dubai Marina and the distant Palm Jumeirah in the Southwest, all the way to the serene expanse of the Arabian Gulf to the north.

With over 80 floors, the hotel will accommodate more than 1,000 rooms and suites, each with interiors inspired by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, adhering to the inherent beauty found in the imperfect and transient aspects of nature.

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