Author: AU News Bureau
In a groundbreaking architectural feat, Chongqing, China, has officially welcomed “The Crystal”, the world’s longest horizontal building, stretching 300 meters across four skyscrapers at the Raffles City complex. This marvel of engineering addresses the city’s growing need for innovative, sustainable, and community-driven spaces. Designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie and engineered by Arup, The Crystal boasts striking aesthetics, state-of-the-art insulation, and ventilation systems. This multi-use hub features restaurants, an observatory, sky garden, and entertainment venues, offering breathtaking views of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. As a testament to innovative design, The Crystal seamlessly integrates connectivity, sustainability, and natural beauty. Its…
The leading hotel and restaurant design event, INTERIHOTEL Madrid Edition 2024, will take place from November 19 to 21 at the Instituto Ferial de Madrid (IFEMA). Visitors can explore two concept rooms designed by renowned studios El Equipo Creativo and Zooco Estudio, inspired by hotel chains CoolRooms and VP Hoteles. These rooms result from a design thinking exercise led by AMBIT Living Spaces Cluster’s Interiors Living Lab project. The first concept, “Genius Loci Concept Restaurant,” is inspired by CoolRooms Hotels’ Hotel Palacio de Atocha 4* in Madrid. Developed by El Equipo Creativo, founded by architects Oliver Franz Schmidt, Natali Canas…
The Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF) marks its 15th anniversary with the theme ‘Innovation Island’ from November 7-10 at Cinnamon Life City of Dreams in Colombo. The festival features a business-to-business program, immersive workshops, exhibitions and visionary talks by local and global creative icons. This year’s event sees the return of the successful Product and Interior Design Exhibition, highlighting Sri Lanka’s growing focus on local design-led industries. The exhibition showcases innovative interior designers, including Canvas Interior Design Studio, alongside renowned companies like Alpha Industries, V K Enterprises, and DD Deco. Visitors can expect new products, furniture, lighting, flooring, and wall…
Dalmia Cement is setting up a new cement plant in Madhya Pradesh with a capacity of 4 million tonnes, at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore. What’s remarkable is that this plant will be the first in the country to run entirely on renewable energy, according to Group Managing Director Punit Dalmia. This development was announced at the fifth Regional Industry Conclave (RIC) in Rewa district, where the state government received investment proposals worth Rs 31,000 crore, expected to generate 28,000 jobs. Dalmia Cement is also investing in skill development through a Diksha Centre in the state. Madhya Pradesh is…
Charles University and Inspireli have announced the Zahradky Castle Competition, a prestigious design challenge open to architecture students worldwide. The competition, part of the 10th Inspireli Awards, invites participants to reimagine Zahradky Castle as a dynamic conference center, blending historical preservation with innovative contemporary design. The project aims to restore the castle and its surrounding buildings, incorporating multifunctional spaces for conferences, information, leisure activities, and accommodation. The winning design will be implemented by Charles University, offering a unique opportunity for young architects to see their vision realized. Submissions are due by June 15, 2025. The competition is free to enter,…
After a prolonged slump, office rentals in major Indian markets have surpassed 2019 levels, with Mumbai leading the charge. Rentals in the financial capital have risen 6% since 2019, reaching Rs 151.60 per square foot per month. Pan-India rentals averaged Rs 101.30 per square foot per month at the end of September 2024. However, concerns linger over growth in key markets like Bengaluru and high vacancies in Hyderabad (23%) and Delhi-NCR (20%). Mumbai’s dominance in banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) has driven its growth, while Pune has benefited from global capability centres (GCCs) and manufacturing industries. “Average rentals across…
Indonesia’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka combines tradition and forward-thinking, reflecting the event’s theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” Inspired by Indonesia’s maritime history, the stylized boat hull design represents progress, resilience and balance. The pavilion’s eco-friendly construction features Plana wood, a composite made from rice husks, recycled plastic, and additives, aligning with the 10R principles for minimal environmental impact. Maximizing natural lighting, the design highlights Indonesia’s commitment to sustainable development. The boat motif symbolizes Indonesia’s cultural heritage, connecting diverse communities and representing the nation’s journey at Expo 2025. Source: archdaily.com
Somany Ceramics partnered with the Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD) recently, for the project, ‘Transforming Broken Tiles into Trendsetting Style.’ This innovative programme promotes recycling waste tiles into art and murals, fostering sustainability and waste reduction. Ten architecture students showcased their expertise by repurposing discarded tiles into stunning murals based on a seasonal theme. Anshuman Chakravarty, Somany Ceramics’ Head of Marketing, praised the students’ passion for recycling and sustainability. Prof. Usha Nehru Patel, IIAD’s Director-Academics, noted the project provided students with hands-on experience in sustainable design. This collaboration demonstrates the power of partnerships in driving positive change, raising…
