Architecture and Climate Protection
Anyone asking the inevitable question about climate protection in architecture today will receive not one but many answers. They address the energy consumption of buildings, grey energy, and materials that reduce the carbon footprint. The value of adaptive reuse is finally being appreciated, and designing for disassembly is coming into focus, as are the circular economy principles. The projects we document in the current issue reflect the diverse concepts and solutions with which architecture is facing up to its climate responsibility. Enjoy the issue! Sandra Hofmeister
-
Pilot project for the circular economy
Primeo Energy Kosmos in Basel by Rapp
Approximately two-thirds of the building materials stemmed from renewable resources and the circular economy – such is the eco-balance of an exhibition building designed by Rapp for the energy supplier Primeo in Münchenstein, near Basel.
-
Floating lodges
Holiday Cabins on the Fjord: The Bolder by Snøhetta
On the edge of Lysefjord on the west coast of Norway, Snøhetta have designed four holiday cabins that float above the ground.
-
Six-fold surplus
EnergyPlus House in Graubünden by Nadia Vontobel Architects
The house that the Zurich-based architect Nadia Vontobel has built in Poschiavo near St. Moritz for her parents is a family project focussing on climate change.
-
Low-tech for existing buildings
Renovation at Architecture School in Singapore
In renovating two faculty buildings at the National University of Singapore, the planning team focused on a hybrid climate-control concept to bring them in line with the EnergyPlus standard.
-
Living in old age
Centered Home in Los Angeles
The architects Annie Barrett and Hye-Young Chung have redesigned a detached house in Los Angeles for a couple's semi-retirement years.
-
A collage of old and new
Successful Update: Art Gallery near Vicenza
For the Atipografia gallery in the Upper Italian town of Arzignano, Amaa have repurposed an old printing workshop and integrated it into an art parcours that is rich in discoveries.
-
Three residences topped off
University Buildings in Vigo by Abalo Alonso Arquitectos
Three long, hipped roofs now crown the new inner-city addition to the University of Vigo atop three refurbished former residential buildings by the harbour.
-
Upscale edifice for oatmeal
Muesli Factory in China by JSPA Design
More than a production plant: the new-build in Ningwu in the Shanxi province of western China is an ensemble of factory halls, offices, a shop and staff apartments and also incorporates outdoor facilities.
-
Living in old age
Centered Home in Los Angeles
The architects Annie Barrett and Hye-Young Chung have redesigned a detached house in Los Angeles for a couple's semi-retirement years.
Publisher's offer
Find more than 3.800 captivating projects along with detailed construction drawings here!


-
One from three
Campus Cadix in Antwerp by Korteknie Stuhlmacher
An historically protected school from 1927, three adjacent dockside hangars from the late 1930s and a new building come together to form Campus Cadix in the heart of Antwerp’s Eilandje district.
-
Villa in ceramic garb
Single-Family House in Alkmaar by Mecanoo
Villa BW in the small Dutch coastal town of Schoorl skilfully hides its true size – and draws all eyes with its uniform skin of blueish-beige tiling on the facades and roof.
-
The 2023 Architecture Biennale – national pavilions
Self-Reflection, Diversionary Tactics and Real Science Fiction
Decolonization and decarbonization are the guiding themes determined by Biennale director Lesley Lokko. The 64 national pavilions present rather humble self-portraits and timid approaches. Outside the green Giardini, the future of urbanization is being renegotiated: in the desert of Saudi Arabia.
Current Issue
-
Revitalization
MVRDV: Colourful District Revitalization on Mallorca
In Palma de Mallorca’s run-down district of El Terreno, MVRDV have planned 60 rental apartments for the shoe brand Camper. The seven buildings differ in their rooflines, materials and colours, yet form a single unit.
-
Museum expansion
Terraced Landscape by Sanaa in Sydney
Sanaa’s expansion to the Art Gallery of New South Wales spans the deep lanes of the city’s freeway and creates open spaces, primarily for contemporary Australian art. The new terraced landscape park forms a visual link between the existing 19th-century building with Jørn Utzon’s opera house.
-
Building in the Alps
A Glass Gateway in the Allgäu Alps
A pellucid shell of wafer-thin glass lies over 39 arches of glulam timber. The lower station of the Nebelhorn cable car by HK Architekten thus becomes an open pergola on the redesigned village square in Oberstdorf.
Interiors & Design
-
Living in old age
Centered Home in Los Angeles
The architects Annie Barrett and Hye-Young Chung have redesigned a detached house in Los Angeles for a couple's semi-retirement years.
-
Floating lodges
Holiday Cabins on the Fjord: The Bolder by Snøhetta
On the edge of Lysefjord on the west coast of Norway, Snøhetta have designed four holiday cabins that float above the ground.
-
Outdoor furniture by Carl Hansen & Søn
Tomorrow’s Classics
For the Milan Furniture Fair, Carl Hansen & Søn collaborated with Alfred Homann to introduce an outdoor collection that is a sophisticated combination of clarity and lightness.
Current Issue
-
Update for an icon
Restored Book Tower in Ghent and Building Culture in Flanders
Ghent’s Boekentoren [Book Tower] is a late masterpiece by Henry van de Velde. After undergoing restoration by Robbrecht en Daem, the architectural icon has taken on new life as a busy centre of the Flemish university town.
-
Harmonious material composition
Convent Extension on Corsica by Amelia Tavella Architectes
An extension encased in sheet copper has been added to a former convent building on Corsica. The copper-clad facades evoke the same type of timeless quality as the granite of the convent's old walls.
-
Residing behind brickwork
Row Houses in Malmö
At a former industrial area near downtown Malmö, the Förstberg Ling architectural studio has realised a residential complex comprising three linear housing blocks.
Offices
-
Repurposed carcass
Chemsafe Office Building by Archisbang near Turin
In the small Piedmontese town of Parella, Archisbang has refashioned a half-finished dwelling house into an office building for the consulting company Chemsafe.
-
Flexible spaces
Next Delft Office Building by Ector Hoogstad Architects
This new building with a large, planted atrium offers flexible spaces, particularly for spin-offs of the Delft University of Technology.
-
Prestigious new-build
Obwaldner Kantonalbank in Sarnen by Seiler Linhart Architects
In the business park on the outskirts of town, Seiler Linhart Architects have erected a decidedly urban-looking timber building. The edifice will accommodate the new headquarters of the bank of the Swiss canton of Obwalden in future.
Books
Videos & Podcasts
-
Roofs
Far More than the Fifth Facade - Editorial Detail 5.2023
Is the time of iconic-laden roof structures over? Current examples show how the roof landscape creates eventful interiors and contributes to the distinctive appearance of architecture.
-
Museum Expansion
Sydney Modern by Sanaa
Sanaa’s expansion to the Art Gallery of New South Wales spans the deep lanes of the city’s freeway and creates open spaces, primarily for contemporary Australian art.
-
Materials and surfaces
Truth to Materials – Editorial Detail 4.2023
The discussion on truth to materials is determined by many aspects, the decisive ones being climate issues.
Climate & Resources
-
Six-fold surplus
EnergyPlus House in Graubünden by Nadia Vontobel Architects
The house that the Zurich-based architect Nadia Vontobel has built in Poschiavo near St. Moritz for her parents is a family project focussing on climate change.
-
Pilot project for the circular economy
Primeo Energy Kosmos in Basel by Rapp
Approximately two-thirds of the building materials stemmed from renewable resources and the circular economy – such is the eco-balance of an exhibition building designed by Rapp for the energy supplier Primeo in Münchenstein, near Basel.
-
One from three
Campus Cadix in Antwerp by Korteknie Stuhlmacher
An historically protected school from 1927, three adjacent dockside hangars from the late 1930s and a new building come together to form Campus Cadix in the heart of Antwerp’s Eilandje district.
David Chipperfield Architects
-
Metropolitan eclecticism
The Château Royal Hotel in Berlin
In a collaboration involving David Chipperfield Architects and Kromayer Interior, two old buildings and one new structure have become a design hotel with 93 rooms, a gourmet restaurant and a bar in direct proximity to Unter den Linden.
-
National Archaeological Museum of Athens
David Chipperfield Architects Win Competition to Expand Museum
David Chipperfield Architects Berlin have won the competition to expand the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.
-
Project completion
David Chipperfield’s Restoration of the Procuratie Vecchie in Venice
A venerable frame for a painstaking renovation: even after the restoration, the Procuratie Vecchie will preserve the face of the Piazza San Marco.
Videos & Podcasts
-
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.
-
Structural fire protection
Frame House in California
Mork-Ulnes are designing a single-family house that will withstand future disasters.
Products & References
-
Advertorial
A High-Efficiency Ceramic Facade by Faveker
The ceramic envelope regulates the light and contributes to energy savings inside the building. Made-to-measure ceramic slats were manufactured for the project.
-
Outdoor furniture by Carl Hansen & Søn
Tomorrow’s Classics
For the Milan Furniture Fair, Carl Hansen & Søn collaborated with Alfred Homann to introduce an outdoor collection that is a sophisticated combination of clarity and lightness.
-
Ton at the 2023 Salone del Mobile Milano
Handmade for Generations
At Milan Design Week, Ton surprised visitors with the expansion of three popular collections of bentwood furniture.