Architecture: Research Guide

The house manifests itself on the street as a long and austere brick façade, evoking the sensation of entering a courtyard. This architectural gesture creates the impression of being immersed in a larger space as if the house itself were contained within a more expansive courtyard—following a nested logic reminiscent of a matryoshka doll.

The 8th location of North of Brooklyn finds its home in Toronto's Etobicoke neighborhood, occupying a two-story space that seamlessly marries vibrant takeout energy with a refined bar experience. The ground floor houses the North of Brooklyn kitchen and takeout counter, while the upper level transforms into the Low Rise bar and dining room.

High grasses, two shrubs, and an oak. Somewhere in the 1970s, a row of dilapidated workers' houses had to be demolished here. Nothing remained of it, and nothing was put in its place. The current green seems to have originated accidentally. An accidental green area due to the absence of buildings, not laid out, not functional. Recently, the city decided to divide the park into parts again, and to complete the building block again.

The project concerns the first house in a row of four terraced dwellings, built along a narrow plot. Originally conceived as modest workshops made with ordinary materials, typical of the fabric of Bagnolet, these structures have gradually been converted into family homes. They belong to that fragile typology of small workers' houses—descendants of a precarious form of housing, sometimes close to the shack—whose transformation demands the utmost care. The existing dwelling consisted of a single living space on the ground floor, with two low-ceilinged bedrooms and a bathroom tucked under the eaves, where the height ranged from 1 m to 1.80 m. Following the birth of a second child, the clien..

Located in the historic Huangchengfang district of Xi'an, Younch Hotel is a 16-room boutique hotel designed by MUDA-Architects. The project is situated near the northeast corner of the city's ancient walls, in close proximity to a Ming Dynasty gate tower. The site is defined by the intersection of historical context and urban renewal, offering an opportunity to reinterpret the heritage of the thirteen-dynasty capital within a contemporary framework.

The former Telegraph Building in Tbilisi is a monumental piece of Georgia's Soviet-era heritage. Designed in the 1960s by architects Lado Alexi-Meskhishvili and Teimuraz Mikashavidze and completed in the 1970s, this Brutalist landmark was awarded the State Prize of Georgia in 1983 along with the architects. Once serving as the city's central post office and telegraph office, it was more than just an infrastructural hub, but also a nerve center for communication and a vital civic space where the community gathered, making it a powerful symbol of connection and public life.

Atlantica is a fully customized tiny house, developed in close collaboration with its owner to reflect a sustainable lifestyle connected to nature. Completed in 2023, it is nestled in an idyllic setting next to a pine forest, providing a true refuge of tranquility.

In the quiet landscape of Prapashticë, Kasollet e Zanave—literally "Fairy Huts"—nestles where people, animals, and nature share the land, and simple architectural gestures gently build upon existing farm structures. The design approach developed by Maden Group is rooted in the concept of environmental interconnection; architecture acts as a mediator between people, nature, and tradition. Rather than replacing what existed, the project builds upon it, using natural materials and spatial strategies that emphasize continuity and authenticity.

Inspired by sci-fi set design, Gelato Messina Cronulla draws from romantic visions of the future. A grid of oversized, underlit circular lights hovers over a space that is many things at once: gritty, reflective, warm, and bold. Our fourth project with Gelato Messina, the brief was to evolve both the brand and the space—something unique and distinct from their other stores, something experimental and futuristic.

As Beck Family Estates' first winery developed outside of South Africa, Abbott Claim is a thoughtful expression in the built form of the rolling hills and beauty of the Yamhill-Carlton region. The project features custom elements such as a living roof, a semi-circular barrel cellar, and an underground wine library lit from an oculus above. Large canopies provide weather protection and screening for the crush pad and mobile bottling line.

Located in a residential neighbourhood of Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, this newly built single-story house is home to a family of four.

The project is located in the rural area of the city of Maringá, in the interior of Paraná. Designed as the main residence of a writer, its streamlined program prioritizes social areas and leisure.

The house is located in a quiet neighborhood of an old resort that, cornered by the development of neighboring cities, has managed to maintain its atmosphere, warehouses, and dirt streets without sidewalks. The lowest point of the neighborhood is its square, and lower than the square is the house.

As great stories go, this is one to keep for the records. As a young couple, moving between countries and business clients as one moves between hot chocolate choices, was looking for a place to live in Lisbon, there were several priorities which they felt should be met: spatious, light-filled, not too complex or technically challenging to change/renovate, and something which felt just right for both of them and their child. Now, something which feels right is a common principle when house hunting: you may see 20 prospective houses in one day that seem to fit the briefing, but there’s always something missing you cannot truly pinpoint. What no one was waiting, or hoping for, was that yo..

Adopting sustainable living today, both in design and daily life, is crucial for reducing our environmental footprint and preserving resources for future generations. In design, this means using eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient technologies, and creating spaces that harmonize with natural surroundings. In daily living, sustainability involves mindful consumption, reducing waste, conserving water and energy, and supporting local, ethical products. Together, sustainable design and living form a holistic approach that not only benefits the environment but also enhances health, well-being, and long-term resilience.

CAN's latest project turns a typical London terrace into something closer to a living artwork. The architects have extended and refurbished a three-bedroom home in East Dulwich, London for a visual artist, balancing nature-heavy hyperrealism with domestic intimacy.

As the solstice marks the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, it also draws attention to something architecture has long negotiated but often overlooked: time. Beyond form or function, buildings and spaces are continuously shaped by cycles of light and darkness, seasonal shifts, and environmental rhythms that affect how they are inhabited.

Raiffeisen Bank in Savosa has achieved the highest ecological and sustainability standards. It is the first SNBS Gold-certified administrative building in Ticino and has obtained Minergie P-Eco certification. This building is constructed from a reborn material: recycled concrete, recovered and transformed into a new building material. In it, what was once waste becomes a resource, what was once the past becomes the future. It won the "Best Architects 26" award and was selected as one of the eight finalists for the Insubrica Region's "Atlas of Sustainable Architecture 2024": awards that celebrate its innovative and visionary nature.

An interior space conceived as a forest clearing, centered on the shared ritual of gathering around a campfire. Located in Xizhi District, New Taipei City—an area characterized by frequent rainfall—Qingshan Elementary and Junior High School has long been dedicated to the development of Scouting education. The school envisioned a dedicated Scout classroom that could integrate teaching, hands-on training, and group activities while responding to the limitations of conventional indoor spaces.

Dun'ao Village in Xiangshan, Ningbo, sits inland among low hills and rice fields. The project began with a desire to reflect the calm, poetic atmosphere of this secluded landscape. Instead of rigid architectural frameworks, we initiated the design with sketches and poems, aiming for lightness, openness, and play. We revitalized three abandoned utility structures using a combination of steel containers and inflatable forms. These prefabricated systems enabled rapid installation and allowed us to craft flexible, playful spatial experiences across three sites:

147 Work Station was conceived as a multi-purpose architectural space that redefines how a showroom can operate within an urban context. Originally commissioned as a display venue for the client's residential developments, the project evolved into a flexible platform accommodating exhibitions, pop-up retail, events, and public gatherings. The key inspiration emerged from an unexpected constraint: the client's request to rotate the main entrance by 37.5 degrees to align with Feng Shui principles. Rather than treating this requirement as a limitation, the design embraced it and transformed this orientation into a spatial experience that unfolds through movement, light, and landscape.

On the northern tip of Bornholm, in the small coastal town of Allinge, lies Galleri Sonja – a new café, shop, and gallery shaped by the island's rugged coastline and deeply rooted craft traditions. Designed by Norm Architects, the space grew from a shared ambition: to create an environment that celebrates simplicity, tactility, and the quiet beauty of natural materials. The result is a place where art, design, and everyday rituals merge. A sanctuary for calm reflection and sensory connection.

Tanpopo is the Japanese word for the dandelion plant and the title of a cult Japanese film from 1985 that follows the story of a young mother who takes lessons from a truck driver on how to make the perfect ramen. It is also a Japanese restaurant located behind Klafthmonos Square, where food is served in a casual atmosphere and a canteen-like setting that directly engages with the sidewalk.

Conceived as a quiet, long-lasting refuge in the dunes, the Klegod Summer House is designed to make wind, light, and seasonal change part of everyday life.The house is located in the exposed coastal landscape of West Jutland near the North Sea, where strong winds and shifting weather are defining conditions. Commissioned by private clients as a retreat for a couple, while also serving as a place to gather their children and grandchildren, the brief called for a contemporary summer house with a calm atmosphere, durable materials, and a layout that could support both family gatherings and smaller stays throughout the year. A key constraint was to build with restraint: to preserve the existing ..

Across different geographies and scales, this week's architecture news reflects a sustained focus on how cities and buildings are being recalibrated in response to evolving patterns of movement, work, and collective life. Across multiple contexts, public space and mobility remain central concerns, with streets, downtowns, and large-scale developments serving as testing grounds for new approaches to accessibility, resilience, and everyday use. Pedestrianisation initiatives and community-led visions point to evolving governance models and long-term urban strategies, while cultural and research-driven platforms continue to frame these changes within broader public discourse. In parallel, progre..

This renovation of the Le Labo Daikanyama store marks our second project with the brand, following the Kyoto Machiya. Le Labo's Daikanyama boutique - its first location outside the U.S.- was renovated for the first time in 18 years, guided by the brand's desire to bring the craft of fresh fragrance blending to the forefront within the spatial design, and ensuring the boutique integrates seamlessly into the Tokyo streetscape.

The design of the new Faculty of Sciences at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana faced unique challenges, such as achieving a harmonious balance with the historic Pablo VI building, activating the urban edge of Carrera Séptima, and coherently articulating the campus. The comprehensive project was structured around three fundamental components: A) A linear platform that establishes a human-scale front along Carrera Séptima, B) A tall tower with a broad and fluid base, defining a new iconic entrance to the campus, and C) An extensive landscape intervention and collective spaces that serve as a connector between different areas of the campus.

Project 1374 is located in one of the plotted developments in the north of Bangalore, characterized by well-demarcated plots, spacious roads, and organized infrastructure. Trees flank the wide streets, dividing the plots with dense canopies offering shaded avenues. Abutting the plot stood a cluster of trees- a quiet presence. We borrowed these trees into the design, their presence extending into the home's narrative.

Located in Danjingshan Town, Pengzhou, Sichuan, the Jianjiang Small Train Linear Park is a comprehensive tourism route centered on railway stations, organically connecting dining, exhibitions, arts, and heritage revitalization. Its predecessor, the Peng-Bai Railway, was a narrow-gauge line opened in 1961. Although operations ceased in 2004, it remains an irreplaceable emotional bond for the people of Pengzhou. In 2024, driven by the "Operations-Led" philosophy, Jiulong Xinchuang and UN-GROUP launched a revival plan. They proposed the concept of "Time Fold · Rebirth on Tracks," linking over ten project nodes via 3.5 kilometers of rail, with full completion expected by 2026.

One of the main attributes of Club Hípico de Santiago, which differentiates it from most racetracks in Latin America – in addition to its remarkable architectural heritage, inherited from the architect Josué Smith Solar – is its magnificent 1,200-meter-long grass track. A team of 30 gardeners works there daily, completely exposed to the sun throughout the day, stopping their work at noon to have lunch and rest under the shade.