Facade construction from material choice to detail: projects and technical articles, grouped by cladding material.
The Glasshouse Theatre adds a fifth venue to the heritage-listed Queensland Performing Arts Centre. It can be flexibly used for concerts, operas, and dance and theatre performances. The glass facades of the deeply cantilevered foyer visualise the theatrical art of illusion on the exterior.
Brisbane is set to host the 2032 Summer Olympics. However, the city is also preparing for the future in cultural terms. In early 2026, Blight Rayner Architecture and Snøhetta completed the Glasshouse Theatre. Peter Brown and Michael Rayner explain the design.
Projects such as the Federal Environment Agency headquarters in Dessau or the temporary residence of the Federal President in Berlin show: For more than two decades Sauerbruch Hutton have been advancing timber construction both in terms of materials and systems. How much repetition can a building tolerate - and where does architecture begin when applying serial production methods? Four modular construction projects offer answers to this question.
Advertorial With an innovative building concept, the town of Buchloe is connecting multiple generations: A project aptly named "Multi-Generational House" combines various services and support offerings with residential units for young and old. It houses a branch of the German Child Protection Association, a family support centre, the local Diaconal Association, a youth centre, a holiday recreation centre, and, last but not least, the neighbourhood management office. The building is centrally located in Buchloe, not far from the train station, thus combining excellent transport links with a spacious, private outdoor area.
Two solar chimneys, a PV system integrated into the roof, and the municipal Deep Lake Water heating and cooling system: The new construction of the School of Architectural Studies was designed as a net zero emissions building and a learning lab for students.
Dorte Mandrup is known for her idealism and an unmistakable sense of humour. Her ambitious building for the Crafts College in Herning, Denmark, promotes education and craftsmanship. The Copenhagen studio received an award at the 2025 Holcim Foundation Awards. Following the award ceremony in Venice, we spoke about concrete spaces, the freedom of hand-drawn sketches - and why sailing and architecture speak the same language.
It became the winner in the Structural Design Category of the 2025 Detail Construction Award. Its system offers the students the opportunity to remodel their shared apartments by themselves.
One of Switzerland's largest reuse projects is currently under construction in the southeast of Basel. Commissioned by the cantonal property management authority, the architectural practice Parabase is planning around 150 flats using the concrete elements from a demolished multi-storey car park.
The exposed concrete surfaces in the interior underscore the industrial character of the solid construction.
A curved hyperbolic concrete facade defines the new immersive museum in Adorf. The construction and its cascading water film combine geometric precision with atmospheric appeal and refer to the habitat of freshwater pearl mussels.
In their restoration of the Monastery of Santa María of Sijena, Pemán y Franco and Sebastián preserve traces of destruction, rebuilding, and decay spanning 800 years. Recently, they remodelled the east and north wings into an exhibition space for the convent’s valuable artworks.
Solid exterior walls made of lime and rubble characterise the small multifamily house in the municipality of Puigpunyent in Mallorca. By storing heat naturally, they constitute a significant part of the climate concept.
The solid existing construction supports climate control and the related building services are concealed by a hand-moulded brick shell.
The new construction in Parc Bougainville in Marseille shows the potential that building with solid natural stone offers. In order to save costs, the interior and exterior walls consist of unusually large lime-sandstone blocks.
An interview with Federico Zarattini and Edoardo Giancola:
Stone on the outside, wood on the inside: The holiday home is a manifesto of archaic building methods. Limestone slabs are connected to the facade by use of steel fasteners. A frame consisting of 3 × 3 cm larch slats in the interior provides the old walls with earthquake safety.
Hemp lime defies traditional construction material categories. With its effective eco-balance and indoor climate benefits, the material is gaining popularity - even in the concrete industry.
Advertorial With the extension to the Freiburg District Court, the state of Baden-Württemberg is creating modern spatial structures and a future-proof working environment – as part of a sophisticated urban densification project and sensitive integration into the existing historical buildings. The implemented sun protection concept also plays a key role. Warema external venetian blinds are used, which are perfectly integrated into the overall architectural design and harmonize functionality, security, and aesthetics.
For the small single family residential building in Hinterschmiding in Bavaria, Buero Kofink Schels dared to experiment: Is it possible to build completely without cement, film, gypsum board or adhesives? The result was awarded the special prize in the Experimental Construction Category of the Detail Construction Award.