Shanghai Dragon

Shanghai Dragon – Futuristic Office by Morphosis

On the western outskirts of Shanghai, China, a dragon is coming to life. Constructed of concrete, steel and glass, the new corporate headquarters of Giant Pharmaceutical Corp looks for all the world like something between a sci-fi battleship landing on a highway, and a steampunk dragon frozen in time. L.A.-based architectural firm Morphosis is focusing on the building’s sustainability as much as its aesthetics, with a green roof, generous use of skylights, and advanced insulation materials like cement-fiberboard paneling and a double-layer, fritted-glass curtain wall.

Olympic House & Park

The Olympic house and park in Nicosia, Cyprus which is functioned for the offices of the Cyprus Olympic Committee and of all the National Athletic Federations, is designed by Armon choros architektonikis. The design for the Olympic House and Park sought to achieve an architectural composition that would give the fullest possible expression to the Olympic ideal. The following three fundamental considerations were addressed and in due course served to frame the proposal: The global dimension inherent in the encouragement and inculcation of the Olympic spirit imbued as it is with ideals such as brotherhood, noble emulation and world peace.The historical dimension of preserving and reviving a venerable institution of great antiquity. The athletic dimension that pursues training of “body and spirit” in equal measure as an essential human activity.

SHL Architects – Largest public library in Scandinavia

Awarding-winning practice schmidt hammer lassen architects (SHL Architects) has won an international competition to design “Urban Mediaspace”, the largest public library in Scandinavia. The € 228 million scheme, located in Aarhus, Denmark, will become a new visual and cultural focal point for the city whilst pioneering the next generation of library design. Instead of a building focused around books, “Urban Mediaspace” is a hub of social interaction, incorporating interior and exterior recreational spaces for studying, socialising, and relaxing. The building will also have the capacity to host multi-media and cultural events. The building’s distinctive heptagonal-shape design will be a landmark in Aarhus. The library’s offices will have impressive panoramic views over the harbour with steps leading out on to the waterfront.