

-
Confident dialogue
Apartment in Prague by Formafatal
In Prague's Smíchov district, Studio Formafatal has converted an attic into a two-storey apartment with a gallery.
-
Advertorial
More than just a transport hub
The Intercambiador de Valdebebas in Madrid combines metro, suburban railway, buses and park & ride facilities on an area of 7,000 m². The 17 hexagonal roofs were constructed using a sustainable Kalzip


Stay up to date
Subscribe to Our Newsletter Now
-
Experiment in hybrid timber construction
Boarding House in Mexico City by CRB Arquitectos
An eight-storey hybrid timber building on Avenida Álvaro Obregón is an eye-catching addition to Mexico City's townscape. Its regular facade gives an indication of the nearly 60 one-bedroom apartments inside, some of which are offered as holiday flats for overnight guests.
-
Protective shell made of stamped concrete
Espalion Nursery School in South-West France
The four-group nursery school in Espalion in south-west France has two radically different faces: on the outside, metre-high tamped concrete walls protect the open spaces and interior rooms. Inside, however, floor-to-ceiling glazing dominates the impression of space.
-
Abstract waffle pattern
Loacker Galaxy by MoDusArchitects
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Loacker wafer, MoDusArchitects completely redesigned the flagship store in Heinfels, Austria.
-
Industrial culture meets commercial ruin
Gate M West Bund Dream Centre in Shanghai by MVRDV
Located on the west bank of the Huangpu River, MVRDV has transformed the remains of an old cement factory and the ruins of a failed revitalisation project into the city's latest cultural and entertainment hub. The architectural firms Schmidt Hammer Lassen and Atelier Deshaus assisted them in this endeavour.
-
Experimental Research Building
PAKK Pavilion in Tallinn
Run by the Estonian Academy of Arts, the PAKK Pavilion in Tallinn is an experimental laboratory. It focuses on research into timber construction, structures, and facades.
-
Careful restoration
Pierre and Colette Soulages Primary School by NAS Architecture
NAS Architecture has transformed the former Montpellier Conservatory into a primary school, combining history with modernity through the use of a light-flooded patio and exposed structures.
-
Tour de force in timber construction
University Building in Arkansas by Grafton Architects and Modus Studio
Grafton Architects' first timber construction is located at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. In collaboration with the local firm Modus Studio, they designed a transparent building that brings together workshops, a lecture hall, and design studios under one roof.
-
Preserving historical heritage
Revitalisation of the Church of Sant Esteve near Barcelona
Targeted interventions by Santamaria Arquitectes have secured and revitalised this Romanesque church.
-
Wooden house with brick rotunda
Villa Bjorland in Stavanger by Vatn Architecture
Espen Vatn and his architectural firm, together with Laura Sæther Architecture, have renovated a residential building dating from 1955 in a suburb of Stavanger. The striking entrance area is inspired by the grain silos in the area.
Transparency Translucency
We humans long for daylight, a view of greenery, and a sense of connection. Yet today, transparent building envelopes seem less in demand. As the world outside appears increasingly threatening, many prefer to withdraw. Instead of granting views in and out, we create retreats; the private bunker industry is booming. What forms of transparency remain desirable amid social uncertainty and urban densification? And do transparent or translucent envelopes still make sense when contemporary energy concepts are applied? Light, air, and sun are no longer universally welcome. The spaces behind the climate envelope must be protected from solar gains and heat loss. Limited opening ratios, smart building technology, and algorithm-driven facade design have become the norm. In such scenarios, people are treated as disruptive elements, better kept passive.
Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal show that another way is possible. Working with 51N4E in Brussels, Lacaton & Vassal recently extended a residential block in the Peterbos district using their familiar approach: adding new winter gardens. Transparent and translucent sliding panels alternate, while curtains provide shade or privacy when needed. The result is adaptable space that responds to changing conditions – yet always leaves the final decision to the human user. A drawn curtain can create a sense of withdrawal, but it can just as easily be opened again. Claudia Hildnerl
-
Landscape bridge in the floodplain forest
National Museum in Zhengzhou by gmp Architekten
Zhengzhou is one of the largest cities on China's lifeline, the Yellow River. In the forests on its banks, gmp Architekten has now completed a new 100 000 m² museum building, which will showcase the cultural and natural features of the river once it opens.
-
Renovation brings clarity and cohesion
Collège Maryse Bastié in Dole by Tectoniques Architectes
During the renovation of the secondary school, Tectoniques Architectes unified the disparate buildings in terms of structure and design. The labyrinthine layout was reorganised and the building was raised and clad in a new, largely uniform exterior.
Interiors & Design
-
Minimalist residential chapel
Residential House in the Czech Republic by Jan Žaloudek
Inspired by traditional buildings, Czech architect Jan Žaloudek has built a house for himself and his family in the former castle gardens of a village in southern Bohemia.
-
Behind the scenes
V&A East Storehouse by Diller Scofidio + Renfro
In London, Diller Scofidio + Renfro have transformed the East Storehouse of the Victoria and Albert Museum into a compelling spatial experience.
Climate & Resources
-
Preserving historical heritage
Revitalisation of the Church of Sant Esteve near Barcelona
Targeted interventions by Santamaria Arquitectes have secured and revitalised this Romanesque church.
-
Wooden house with brick rotunda
Villa Bjorland in Stavanger by Vatn Architecture
Espen Vatn and his architectural firm, together with Laura Sæther Architecture, have renovated a residential building dating from 1955 in a suburb of Stavanger. The striking entrance area is inspired by the grain silos in the area.
-
Renovation brings clarity and cohesion
Collège Maryse Bastié in Dole by Tectoniques Architectes
During the renovation of the secondary school, Tectoniques Architectes unified the disparate buildings in terms of structure and design. The labyrinthine layout was reorganised and the building was raised and clad in a new, largely uniform exterior.
Books
-
Refurbishment Manual student priceSpecial Price €30.00 Regular Price €79.90Incl. 7% VAT , excl. Shipping Cost
Current Topics Detail 12.2024
-
Fired and unfired clay
Hotel Leo in St. Gallen by Boltshauser Architects
The Hotel Leo in the garden of the Villa Wiesental is clad in greenish and white-grey clinker brick. The interior walls are made of clay bricks and earth blocks.
-
Provisional as a concept
House 14a in Copenhagen by Pihlmann Architects
From the outside, the house from the 1950s has changed very little. Inside, Pihlmann Architects and art historian Marianne Krogh have created open, flowing spaces.
-
Sculptural monolith
Performing Arts Centre in Brighton by krft
For the Performing Arts Centre at Brighton College, Krft and Nicholas Hare Architects designed a solitaire with a shell of flint blocks and light grey Seeton bricks.
Natural Building Materials
-
In the midst of nature
Student-Built Observatory near Barcelona
The Flora observatory built near Barcelona for observing nature was developed and erected by a team of students and researchers at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia.
-
Interview with Sarah Wigglesworth
Creative Solutions to Combat the Climate Crisis
British architect Sarah Wigglesworth drew international attention with her Straw Bale House in London. In this interview with Heide Wessely, she describes how to design cities more sustainably.
-
Sustainable and single-origin
London’s Tallest Circular-Design Office Building Made of Wood
With the Black & White Building, Waugh Thistleton have not only created London’s tallest solid-wood office building, but have also made a significant contribution to the circular economy.
Sustainable Construction
-
Repurposing
Wilkinson Eyre Overhaul Battersea Power Station in London
On behalf of an investor from Malaysia, Wilkinson Eyre have transformed London’s Battersea Power Station into a shopping mall featuring offices and flats. For the most part, the interiors of the impressive turbine halls have been preserved.
-
Theatre factory in old foundry
The Mercury Store in New York by CO Adaptive Architecture
Assigned the task of repurposing an industrial building into a performing arts centre, the architects consistently set their focus on retaining and opening its historical structure.
-
Pivoting walls
The Plato Art Gallery in the Czech Republic by KWK Promes
In the Czech city of Ostrava, KWK Promes have transformed an old slaughterhouse into an art gallery. The dilapidated condition of the exposed-brick building represented both challenge and inspiration for the planners.
Videos & Podcasts
-
Hotels, hostels, resorts
Where’s the Journey Headed? – Editorial Detail 3.2023
The current issue of Detail takes a look at new beginnings. Few sectors of the economy were so battered during the corona years as the hotel industry.
-
Meet the Architects
DIIIP, Loft M in Cologne
In our video series #Meet the Architects, architects present current projects from their offices. Jochen Reetz from DIIIP explains the design for the Loft M project in Cologne.
-
Refurbishment
Taking Stock – Editorial Detail 1/2.2023
Apart from the ecological, social, and economic necessity to do so, adaptive reuse often raises unforeseen structural and detailing issues, which we address at the start of the year. We document seven selected projects energy-efficient renovations, the addition of new functions to existing buildings, the densification of inner-city areas, and conversion.
Videos
-
Ecological resistance
The Rambla Climate House in Spain
In a suburb of the Spanish city of Molina de Segura, Andrés Jaque and his office Offpolinn have created the Rambla Climate House, a single-family dwelling conceived as a climate- and eco-house. The project won the 2022 Simon Architecture Prize.
-
Structural fire protection
Frame House in California
Mork-Ulnes are designing a single-family house that will withstand future disasters.
-
Surrounded by nature
Modular House in Madrid
The DelaVegaCanolasso architecture studio specialize in small houses using modular techniques. In this video, Ignacio de la Vega and Pilar Cano-Lasso shed light on their latest project, the Fresnos house in Madrid.
Products & References
-
Advertorial
More than just a transport hub
The Intercambiador de Valdebebas in Madrid combines metro, suburban railway, buses and park & ride facilities on an area of 7,000 m². The 17 hexagonal roofs were constructed using a sustainable Kalzip
-
Industrial ambience
Müllerbräu in Pfaffenhofen
Studio Frick has designed a spacious 2,000 m² dining area for the family-run brewery, closely linking production and experience.
-
Advertorial
ArchDaily Names 20 Winners of Next Practices 2025
ArchDaily announces 20 winners of the 2025 Next Practices Awards, celebrating global firms redefining architecture through sustainability, community, care and innovative, interdisciplinary design.










