Architecture: Research Guide

The new daycare center in Kaijonharju in Oulu, Finland, is a wooden, low-carbon, and chemically low-impact facility designed for the future. MUUAN was responsible for the project's principal design, architectural design, and interior design. The structural design was done in collaboration with Laukka, and the landscape design was done by HELMA. Oulun Tilapalvelut oversaw the design process and set the goals for low carbon emissions and the absence of harmful substances.

Set on a ridge amid acres of pasture above West Cowes, Isle of Wight, near shipyards and light industry, The Old Byre is a conversion of two farm buildings into a home that also affords residency and working spaces for visiting artists.

Shanghai, as one of China's most representative global cities, features an architectural vocabulary that seamlessly blends its distinctive "Haipai" (Shanghai style) urban character with an international perspective. The city boasts a rich spatial hierarchy, ranging from the micro-level of alleyways and neighborhoods to the macro-scale of urban planning. From the Suzhou Creek to the Huangpu River, every architectural landmark embodies Shanghai's unique history, culture, and vision for the future.

On Weaving, winner of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation's inaugural AlMusalla Prize, reconciles the historic and contemporary, giving new life to the ancient architectural traditions of Islamic prayer.

Polyurethane (PU) started as a solution to a 1930s shortage, but today it's a key material in industries from insulation to cushioning. Invented in 1937 by Otto Bayer and his team in Germany, PU was originally designed as a cheap, versatile alternative to rubber. It quickly became popular in coatings and adhesives for its strong bonding and protective properties. PU is made by reacting polyols and isocyanates, which generates heat and, in the presence of expansion agents such as water or gases, creates bubbles that cause the material to expand, resulting in a foam with adjustable density and structure. Its flexibility allowed PU to revolutionize industries with products like insulation and p..

The AlUla Arts Festival, running from January 16th to February 22nd, 2025, features a significant exhibition of works by renowned Light and Space artist James Turrell. Presented by Wadi AlFann, the exhibition, curated by Michael Govan of LACMA, offers a unique preview of Turrell's upcoming monumental commission for Wadi AlFann, a sprawling contemporary art destination in the AlUla region of north-west Saudi Arabia. The exhibition, located in AlJadidah Arts District within AlUla's historic old town, provides context for Turrell's ambitious project, which will involve the creation of a series of chambers within the canyon floor, designed to create a sensory experience of light, color, and perc..

Inspired by their many years in the fashion and design industries, the two clients of Palissade acquired a small boathouse nestled on a narrow, steep lot with the aim of building an unconventional home that would serve as an architectural manifestation of their artistic vision. Located in Austin, between Route 112 and Lake Orford, a small existing structure extended into the flood zone surrounding the lake. Although the original intention was to renovate the cottage, it was decided to rebuild closer to the road, placing the new house on safer ground in relation to potential flooding.

The Hungarian Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka is designed to reflect the event's central theme, "Designing Future Society for Our Lives." It explores the relationship between humans and nature, emphasizing cultural heritage and sustainability through its architecture and exhibition. The pavilion will offer an immersive experience centered around music, heritage, and the connection between people and their environment.

The 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale displays over 500 historical objects and 30 contemporary art commissions—more than double the content of the inaugural edition. Spread across five galleries, two pavilions, and the outdoor spaces under SOM's Hajj Terminal canopy, the exhibition is divided into three indoor areas—AlBidayah (The Beginning), AlMadar (The Orbit), and Almuqtani (Homage)—and the outdoor Almidhallah (The Canopy).

Nestled on a 380 sqm plot in Nhavi Sandas, a riverside village with deep agricultural roots. Historically, the village was dotted with brick and stone courtyard homes, locally called Wada, but as time passed, these were replaced with modern structures that were less sustainable, energy-intensive, and poorly suited to the local climate. This project aspires to reconnect with that timeless charm, adapting traditional forms to meet modern lifestyles.

Educational architecture globally is undergoing a significant transformation, moving away from static, rigid designs toward more dynamic, interactive, and nature-driven environments. As cities become denser and land availability diminishes, architects are reimagining schools not just as places for learning but as ecosystems where children can grow holistically. A key element in this shift is the integration of landscape and topographical design, which allows schools to transcend traditional boundaries, combining education with play, exploration, and connection to nature. These designs aim to create engaging spaces that challenge children to interact with their environment physically and emot..

To tackle the global climate crisis and achieve China's "dual-carbon" goals, CATL has shifted its focus from the remarkable achievements in the field of new energy batteries to creating green, intelligent, and livable urban environments. The Möbius strip, a symbol of perpetual cycles, inspired the teahouse's design. Unlike passive energy-saving techniques, this project actively empowers the building with advanced new energy and intelligent interconnectivity technologies.

Welcome to the ArchDaily Building of the Year Awards! Now in its 16th edition, this award continues to be the most democratic recognition in architecture, celebrating excellence and innovation across the built environment. With over 4,000 projects participating annually, it has become a global benchmark, powered by the voices of our passionate readers.

"A few sheets of lead put in time upon a roof, a few dead leaves and sticks swept in time out of a water-course, will save both roof and walls from ruin. Watch an old building with anxious care; guard it as best you may, and at any cost, from every influence of dilapidation. [...] and do this tenderly, and reverently, and continually, and many a generation will still be born and pass away beneath its shadow." (John Ruskin, The Seven Lamps of Architecture)

It all started with an attraction to an exceptional site, where tall pine trees stand among old stone walls, near a river. During their first visit, the future owners were drawn to the beauty of the place, its views, tranquility and authentic charm. This site is the former farmhouse of Château du Latz, a historic estate that includes stone farmhouses, a chicken coop, an orchard and stone walls scattered throughout the landscape. In the 1970s and 1990s, two neo-Breton houses were built, but they seem disconnected from the natural surroundings, as though they were placed there without consideration for the surrounding harmony.

I saw it on Instagram! It's a phrase we often hear in various contexts, from the latest restaurant recommendations to the trendiest hotel in town. The window to observe and expose ourselves to the outside world now sits in our smartphones. This doesn't necessarily mean it's all doom and gloom. Still, it reflects that we're constantly flooded with data and information segmented by algorithms, all in a super easy-to-consume format. In today's world, it takes only a few seconds to form a lasting impression of a building and its atmosphere—and those first impressions matter more than we often realize.

The project begins from a project competition AWN (Archiworld Network), organized by the Municipality of Alpago in 2018, to contrast the depopulation phenomenon by investing in educational buildings.

In the world of architecture, competitions often serve as platforms for creativity, experimentation, and problem-solving. For Daniel Rojas, Founding Partner of Wandrian Studios, winning the 2023-2024 MICROHOME competition, sponsored by Buildner and Kingspan, was a transformative moment. His project, Urban Residential Pods, addresses the global housing crisis by reimagining vacant office spaces as compact, sustainable homes.

British architect Asif Khan has just unveiled the transformation of a Soviet-era cinema in Almaty, Kazakhstan, into the Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture, a multifunctional venue designed to support the growth of Kazakh and Central Asian creatives. The project, which began in 2018, is set to open in April and will feature spaces for art exhibitions, performances, film screenings, workshops, and more. Once complete, the Tselinny Center will mark Kazakhstan's first independent cultural institution.

Standing at the tip of a hill, a concrete plinth and roof overlook the Rock of Guatapé and the surrounding water reservoir, it could be understood both as a belvedere over the horizon and a shelter excavated inside the mountain. The triangular floor plan is shaped by the angular topography, creating three axes that organize spatial movements.

What stance should a building take on the bustling streets near Hongik University, filled with the vibrant energy of a university town? "Folded Ground" is a neighborhood facility that thoughtfully explores ways to interact with its surroundings on a site bordered on three sides by Wausan-ro and a playground.

The Fort House by SPAN Architects embodies the fusion of regionalism with modern sensibilities. Drawing inspiration from the fortified walls of traditional forts, the design asserts a monumental facade that celebrates solidity and materiality. Set within a gated township in Indore, India, the residence stands as a pastiche of traditional fort architecture reinterpreted through a contemporary lens.

Mid-century modernism, celebrated for its simplicity, functionality, and direct connection with nature, is often associated with urban and suburban environments. However, its principles found fertile ground in the rural landscapes of the United States East Coast. The post-war architectural movement, characterized by innovative materials, clean lines, and harmony with natural surroundings, reveals its adaptability in the hands of architects and craftsmen working in rural regions of the East Coast. Although associated with metropolitan areas, its adoption in rural settings reveals a compelling story of cultural and environmental adaptation.

Serpentine has announced the selection of Bangladeshi architect and educator Marina Tabassum and her firm, Marina Tabassum Architects, to design the 2025 Pavilion. Titled "A Capsule in Time," the proposal takes inspiration from the ephemeral nature of architecture in the Bengal Delta, incorporating a semi-transparent structure intended to evoke a sense of community and connection. The Pavilion will open to the public on June 6th, 2025, marking 25 years since the Serpentine's first commission of Zaha Hadid's inaugural structure in Hyde Park in 2000.

On a slope, along the banks of a river, among trees, or on an expansive hillside, each territory serves as a living testament to its local traditions. Through its architecture, the experimentation, appreciation, and use of certain materials, construction techniques, local crafts, and site-specific tools aim to preserve stories and pass on the discoveries and learnings that have shaped many of the practices still used in construction today. In Chile, the language of wooden shingles evokes a reflection rooted in history and an understanding of relationships, timelines, and life networks.

Li Eaves: The ancients built a pavilion shaped like a bamboo hat on a rural road every ten miles that shelter pedestrians from wind and rain, and shade from cold and hot. So "Li" reminds people of its function of providing shelter from rain and sun. Eave is the main architectural construction style for this design. "Li Eaves" was named by our friend Zhou Bo for this project. We have been invited by our friend Yuan Hua who has newly taken over a Flower and plant shop. The storefront left by the previous owner already possesses a certain visual quality. The main demand for a new storefront is to provide shade for the flowers and plants placed outside, protecting them from the intense direct su..

This is a plan for a roadside store for the eyewear brand "JINS" in Kazo City, Saitama Prefecture. Several rivers of the Tone River system, including the Tone River, flow in the vicinity of the site, and one cannot help but feel the presence of a large river. We wanted to create an architecture that would be in harmony with this large river and its surroundings.

Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA) has designed a new flagship home for the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University's Capitol Campus in downtown Washington, D.C. The new 150,0000 sqft building, located at 125 E St. NW, is an academic hub for students, faculty, researchers, and the wider policymaking community active in the nation's capital. The building houses extensive educational and community spaces, including 20 classrooms, an expansive main commons, academic offices, a 400-seat auditorium, and a large rooftop terrace with sweeping views of the U.S. Capitol and a 280-seat venue. As an academic center devoted to addressing complex national and international challenges, ..

Social areas on the first floor, garage in the basement and bedrooms upstairs. A veranda and a swimming pool. The explanation of the basic program of this residence and its distribution as that of an ordinary sobrado is unable to properly depict it without describing its structural conception. A sequence of four porticos hang over the upper floor volume, making the first floor only a light glass enclosure.

Located in the interior of São Paulo, this vacation home was designed to host friends and family amidst a setting that fosters close contact with nature and breath-taking panoramic views. Set below street level, the house stands out for its volumetry, which subtly reveals a half level and the upper block. The L-shaped layout and the intelligent use of steel structure allow for large spans, creating a sense of openness and fluidity both internally and externally. The facade, a sophisticated blend of wood slats and dark tones combined with concrete slats, harmonizes with the surrounding landscaping, giving the composition a sense of lightness. Wide and slender eaves rest on the house's ..