This week, we're sharing projects from Brno, Czech Republic, to Los Angeles, and from Rotterdam, to Buffalo, N.Y., with several stops in between. In addition to the projects that we give more detailed coverage, we like to highlight some of the work that architecture firms share with us every day through the Project Gallery, the user-generated portion of our site. To date, we have more than 15,000 projects.
In this weekly roundup, we showcase some of the coolest new projects to be added to the gallery—thanks to architects like you.
Circa
Los Angeles
Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED)
"Located at the corner of Figueroa and 12th Street, CIRCA marks the convergence of recreation, residential and retail, tying together the South Park and Sports and Entertainment districts in the heart of downtown LA. Steps from the STAPLES Center, LA Live and the Los Angeles Convention Center, the two 35-story towers electrify the LA skyline with a dramatic 27,000 square foot display of LED digital signage—larger than any featured in NYC’s famed Times Square."
Brno-Pisárky Maintenance Depot
Brno, Czech Republic
DKArchitekti
"A new tram maintenance depot was built in Brno-Pisárky. The architects DKARCHITEKTI gave the building a highly distinctive look and also the technical solution is very unique—it goes beyond what we imagine under the terms 'hall' or 'depot.' The distinctive façade panel segmentation was optimized for noise dampening and the large-format window opens up the premises of the Brno Public Transport Company to the public. Even the six-meter entry and exit gate, which matches the size of the tram, is a smart solution."
Park and Shore
Newport, N.J.
Woods Bagot
"Located along the Hudson River waterfront, the site is comprised of two distinct buildings—75 Park Lane and Shore House—which stand at 37 and seven stories, respectively. The taller of the two will hold 358 residences, and display a sleek, American modernism-inspired aesthetic. Beginning with a low-rise base that extends to the street, the tower portion is set back to respect the surrounding residential scale. Its façade is made up of a series of interlocking two-story frames with floor-to-ceiling glass. The shorter Shore House takes on a grittier look, recalling the neighborhood’s industrial past. The building includes staggered, single-story frames on the exterior and contains 71 units."
Westport Library
Westport, Conn.
HMA2 Architects
"The transformation of this original 1980s/1990s library into a 21st century library is about unlocking the potential energy in space and in people. Walls, floors, and ceilings were lifted and stretched within the existing footprint to create spaces for a parade of learning and social activities. Book stack collections that formerly occupied the main level’s grand center space were flipped onto the lower river walk that has quiet and cozy reading nooks and computer stations. The main level was transformed into a flexible arena for co-working and staged events."
Maritime Center Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Mecanoo
"At low tide, the part of the building submerged underwater also becomes visible, making the tidal difference of 1.5 to 2 meters tangible. In addition to logistics spaces, the underwater world is also suitable for exhibitions, with ideal indirect lighting by means of round skylights that protrude above the water. A multi-layered route that runs under, along, over and through the Maritime Center gives shape to the design and structures the organization of the building. An elegant ribbon winds around the pavilions and stimulates interaction between different program components."
576-600 El Camino
Belmont, Calif.
LDP Architecture
"Located in the greater downtown area of Belmont, within steps from the Belmont Cal Train station, 600 El Camino is a three-story mixed-use building with approximately 12,000 SF commercial and 32 luxury condominiums. The building consists of two residential floors over the grade level commercial and parking areas, with the units ranging from 1-bedroom to 3-bedroom units."
Heron
Tampa, Fla.
Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates
"The residential building comprises a pair of sibling towers connected by a retail podium. Their façades vary subtly, creating visual distinction without stark contrast. A more prominent difference is found in the towers’ respective structures. While the western tower has a direct ground connection, the tower to the east rests on the podium and seems to float above the ground. The angling of the towers gestures towards the water while maximizing the distance between the two masses to optimize both daylight access and unobstructed views."
Together Apart
Buffalo, N.Y.
Davidson Rafailidis
"Davidson Rafailidis emphasized the ethos of Together Apart with a layout and design scheme characterized by a combination of separations, slices, and overlaps. 'While there is a physical separation satisfying the health code, it is just one of many sliced, mismatched, misaligned, and mirrored elements in the space,' says [Stephanie] Davidson. The building can be accessed from either end, allowing an independent functioning of both halves while still being physically and visually connected. The street-facing entrance, through the brick facade, leads directly to the café and kitchen, where coffee and pastries are served and prepared. The back entrance, which is accessible from the cat patio (affectionately dubbed the “catio”), opens into the rear environment where the cats live and interact with guests and potential adopters."
Jeevika Free Transitional Center
Karnataka, India
Caukin Studio
Designed by the London-based Caukin Studios, the Jeevika Free Transitional Center is the result of a yearlong research project on rehabilitating bonded laborers, a form of labor where individuals are forced to work long hours for little to no pay. The project, in four different design schemes, addresses the challenges that laborers and their families might face upon reintegrating into a mainstream life, integrating sensitivity and care into each element. You can read more about the project and about the ARCHITECT Next Progressives firm Caukin Studios here.
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