At the new Visitor Centre Österild designed by CUBO, the architecture creates a unique setting for exploring the forces of nature, when giant turbines turn wind into green energy. Visitors can explore the world’s largest wind turbines placed on land and gain extensive knowledge about the wind turbine technology.
The centre is placed next to the Danish National Testing Centre where research and technology of the wind turbine industry is conducted in collaboration with DTU and other institutions, that research, develop and test prototype wind turbines and turbine technology.
Some of the most prevalent structures found everywhere around Al Ula are walled date plantations, usually rectangular in shape with large, centrally aligned gates. With palm tree crowns peaking above the sand coloured walls, we can imagine the refreshing shade within, a place where one could rest from the surrounding arid desert. Not far from Al Ula is Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site for its rock-cut monumental tombs. The most significant of these are decorated in an eclectic weave of architectural styles in precisely cut sandstone columns, arches and cornices: fine examples of delicate design and incredible craftsmanship. Interior space is usually a clear, carved void defined by the mass of cut stone – and by Meda’in Saleh’s siq there is an intriguing traditional dining hall lined by three benches for holding annual banquets.
Kinderijk is the prime example of a Dutch windmill landscape. In 1997, the landscape’s ensemble of mills and pumping stations was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site. Suddenly Kinderdijk was overrun by busloads of tourists turning the area into a logistical nightmare. The entrance area was turned into a parking lot for tourbuses, the little ramshackle iceskating clubhouse was converted into a provisional souvenir shop and the narrow quays filled up with rows of potable toilet cabins. Overnight the windmills had disappeared behind a wall of clutter.
Today, the area is accessed by a sequence of strategically positioned bridges, paths and visitor facilities. The buses are banned to the stop & go on the edge of the area. Instead of the clubhouse, the new Visitor Center is positioned half on water and land restoring the long visual line running along the quay. The Visitor Center’s clever design unbundles the different visitor flows and its subtle architectural language restores the landscape’s identity. Again, as in the early nineties, the windmills – the icons of Kinderdijk – can be seen on arrival.
Here the visitor moves back and forth across spaces, between the constant evolving seasons of nature and its integration within the architect’s symbiotic approach. Between the outdoor spectacle of the archeological site, emerges out of the volcanic soil and the relaxed, soft design characterizes the facilitated indoor area. The visitor moves also across times.
This site bridges over more than fifteen hundred years of historical significance. It mediates between an ancient site of religious worship and its possible interpretations within the contemporary political context of Israel’s efforts to reconstruct its national identity.
Placed just a couple of meters above sea level overlooking Borgarfjordur Eystri, its harbour and Hafnarholmi, the Visitor Centre appears as a precise square shaped monolith guarding the harbor and its surroundings. A monolith divided into a series of spaces, interior and exterior, facing different activities and landscapes in the area; the sky, the deep blue fjord, the charachteristic mountains and the local biosphere.
JKMM have won the “New National” two-stage anonymous design competition for the extension of the National Museum of Finland organised by The Finnish Heritage Agency, the National Museum of Finland and Senate Properties.
The Helsinki-based practice’s proposal, called “Atlas”, was selected for 1st place from a total of 185 entries which included large number of proposals from outside Finland. For further details on the shortlist and commended entries, please visit the National Museum of Finland’s page for the competition.
In the summer of 2014 a spark on a clearcut started Sweden’s then largest forest fire in modern history. The summer after the fire, 2015, architecture student Mikael Hassel was hiking in the area and was greatly influenced by the experience. In the same year he started his Masters thesis at Stockholm’s Royal Institute of Technology (KTH Arkitektur); with the aim of making the site accessible to the public. Mikael’s project became a series of interventions in this newly formed Nature Reserve, Hälleskogsbrännan.
During this time, the County Administrative Board in Västmanland announced a competition for a Visitor Centre on the site. The competition’s judges awarded first prize to Mikael’s proposal, which was based on his thesis work; the project was completed during his employment at pS Arkitektur.
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is pleased to announce the Baha’i Temple of South America in Santiago, Chile as the winner of the 2019 RAIC International Prize. The architects are Hariri Pontarini Architects of Toronto, Canada.
The winner was revealed on October 25, 2019, during an awards ceremony and gala at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto, attended by over 260 members of the Canadian and international architecture community.
The Baha’i Temple of South America is designed to be a place of welcome and meaning for everyone. Its design aspires to commonality within diversity, and it has attracted over 1.4 million visitors since opening in 2016.
Located on the west edge of the Washington State University campus in Pullman, Washington, the Visitor Center is the new gateway for students and guests to the university. The Visitor Center provides campus information, an overview of student culture, alumni history, and information about WSU research initiatives and achievements.
Pahranagat (pran-uh-get) National Wildlife Refuge inspires awe with its lush green meadows, blue lakes, and abundant wildlife. Situated on the Pacific Flyway, thousands of waterfowl blanket the lakes and marshes during spring and fall migrations. Amidst this natural splendor rests the 5,000-square-foot Visitor Center. Situated on a four-acre site, the Center—designed to achieve Net Zero Energy—includes an exhibition space, lobby and reception area, multipurpose room, staff offices, and public restrooms. Exterior elements include parking for buses/RVs, cars, and staff vehicles. Native landscaping and thoughtful preservation measures authentically blend together the building and landscape. An outdoor amphitheater and trail system with interpretive installations guide visitors through the cultural and historic significance of the valley.
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