Coop Himmelb(l)au's Shenzhen projects

The first is a scheme for two museums – one of contemporary art, the other of architecture and city planning.

Coop Himmelb(l)au described the building as " a dynamic monolith", serving as a focus point at the new Futian Cultural District element of Shenzen's masterplan.

The second is the Dalian International Conference Centre. In August last year Coop Himmelb(l)au beat practices including Zaha Hadid Architects to win a competition to the centre, which will create a 100,000 sq m building housing a conference centre, an opera house, and an exhibition centre.

Building construction

Building construction is the process of adding structure to real property. The vast majority of building construction projects are small renovations, such as addition of a room, or renovation of a bathroom. Often, the owner of the property acts as laborer, paymaster, and design team for the entire project. However, all building construction projects include some elements in common - design, financial, and legal considerations. Many projects of varying sizes reach undesirable end results, such as structural collapse, cost overruns, and/or litigation reason, those with experience in the field make detailed plans and maintain careful oversight during the project to ensure a positive outcome.

Building construction is procured privately or publicly utilizing various delivery methodologies, including hard bid, negotiated price, traditional, management contracting, construction management-at-risk, design; build and design-build bridging.

Residential construction practices, technologies, and resources must conform to local building authority regulations and codes of practice. Materials readily available in the area generally dictate the construction materials used (e.g. brick versus stone, versus timber). Cost of construction on a per square metre (or per square foot) basis for houses can vary dramatically based on site conditions, local regulations, economies of scale (custom designed homes are always more expensive to build) and the availability of skilled tradespeople. As residential (as well as all other types of construction) can generate a lot of waste, careful planning again is needed here.

The most popular method of residential construction in the United States is wood framed construction. As efficiency codes have come into effect in recent years, new construction technologies and methods have emerged. University Construction Management departments are on the cutting edge of the newest methods of construction intended to improve efficiency, performance and reduce construction waste.

Porsche Museum

Porsche Museum completes in Stuttgart

A symbol of speed, agility, style and prestige, the Porsche is the car that every man, woman and child has dreamed about driving, even just once. Now, in Porsche's home city of Stuttgart, stands a place where all of those dreamers can drool freely - if not at the shiny speed-machines, then definitely at the monolithic car cathedral of the Porsche Museum.

Open to the public as of 31st Jan the museum, designed by Austrian firm Delugan Meissl Associated Architects, offers dramaturgy from every perspective. "The new Porsche museum represents our conception of architecture which is constantly moving in the field of interaction between buildings and their users," says Roman Delugan, co-founder of Delugan Meissl Associated Architects.

The exterior is simultaneously engaging and appropriately reflective of the stature and confidence of the brand. Textural surface alterations and varying levels and angles offer a structural complexity reflecting the manufacture of a well-oiled machine, while slashes of glazing allow the building to shine outwardly and beckon passers-by inside, further lured by a gently sloped ramp towards the entrance.

Once inside visitors are welcomed by a restaurant, museum shop and coffee bar and can view product development at work in the Classic-Workshop archive surrounding the two-level space. Taking enthusiasts towards the exhibition space is a dramatic cathedral-esque elevator space which narrows in anticipation of the abyssal exhibition space beyond. Stretching into a far-fetching gallery the collection unfolds and meanders through varying levels connected by sloping roads that visitors can steer themselves through and experience over 100 years of automotive design prowess.

Building Contruction

Building Contruction

Yueda Xinyi Time Mall

Located within the historic Caojiadu commercial circle and one of the last remaining contiguous parcels of Shanghai’s Jingan District, the one million square-foot Yueda Xinyi Time Mall marks the transformation of Shanghai’s Jingan District from a high-end residential community to a world-class, mixed-use destination for business, entertainment and leisure. Designed by Callison, the Yueda Xinyi development heralds an innovative concept in mixed-use design. In addition to a diverse array of specialty shops, restaurants, entertainment space and high-rise office tower at Yueda Xinyi, the development will feature grand public spaces and open-air pathways designed to complement the contemporary Shanghai design aesthetic and create an inviting public space for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.

Chengdu development By Callison

Chengdu was the worst hit city, being just 80 km away from the epicentre, but is now set to be the location of a new urban community, named 24 City, which will house 60,000 new residents. China Resources Land Limited as developer for the project have selected Callison to design phase one of the 3.3 million sq ft mixed-use project which will also include a 38-storey office tower and an indoor/outdoor retail center.

In an effort to encourage and provide for young professionals moving into Chengdu, (Chengdu is host to 16 degree level universities), Callison’s design provides for a youthful and uplifting lifestyle. This is a design for living, not for relief. A hybrid retail complex modulates indoor/outdoor shopping and entertainment among lush landscaping and expansive view terraces. There is even an indoor skating rink, an 8-screen movie complex and a supermarket in the lower level of the office tower. Restaurants and the public garden will remain open after the center closes, offering public events and providing night-time entertainment for residents and visitors.

Western Virginia to get first contemporary building

Western Virginia to get first contemporary building
Los Angeles-based Randall Stout Commissioned to Design the Art Museum of Western Virginia. Emerging Architect and Green Building proponent, Randall Stout, has designed the new Art Museum of Western Virginia. To be located in the exquisitely beautiful mountainous landscape of the Shenandoah Valley of Roanoke Virginia, the new museum is a stunning glass and steel structure that forms a metaphorical gateway to the city which is rapidly transforming from an industrial based-economy to one driven by technology information and services. The 82,000 square foot building, which echoes the form of the nearby mountain ranges, will quadruple the size of the museum’s current space. The three-storey structure will house a lobby, galleries, café, gift shop, auditorium and educational spaces on the first floor, galleries and storage on the second level, and a boardroom, director’s suite, and offices on the third level. Sustainable design components include natural day lighting, passive solar, a thermal conserving envelope and a computerized energy management system. The new museum is scheduled to open in the fall of 2008.

Sharon McHugh