Architecture and Design

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Fondaco dei Tedeschi: True Soul of the Place

(Issue of a magazine 2/2017, page 52)

Fondaco dei Tedeschi is located on the Grand Canal in Venice. For many years it served as a beautiful backdrop for the Rialto Bridge on most of touristic photos. This spectacular Renaissance palace was built in 1228 and served at that time simultaneously as a dwelling, a place for commerce and a warehouse for the rapidly growing community of German merchants in the city. In 1508 after the devastating Venetian fire of 1505 the building was rebuilt according to Girolamo Tedesco. Since then, the building changed its appointment several times, until it returned to its original commercial function. Actually, the word “fondaco” is Arabic and is translated as a store-house. In 2012, Benetton signed an agreement to restore the palace in order to open a shopping center with shops of world luxury brands, which happened on October 1, 2016.

507 & 616 FAB HOUSES: Two Places, One Spirit

(Issue of a magazine 2/2017, page 58)

In 2016, the Group “Hutchinson” (Hutchinson Group) opened two innovation center: 507 Fab House in France and 616 Fab House in the USA. In both cases, these centers were located in former industrial buildings that were fully renovated to accommodate for modern use. Two places, one spirit which reflect the commitment to further strengthen the identity of single Hutchinson brand and unite International teams around innovative, welcoming, high-tech facilities with a friendly environment open to everyone. Its name can be interpreted as an abbreviation of “fabric” or “fabulous”. They both are true.

Deep into… the Surface

(Issue of a magazine 2/2017, page 64)

The Italian firm Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti has designed the new Headquarters of the Swiss Société Privée de Gérance (SPG), built on Route de Chêne, at the gates of the historical center of Geneva. The building is highly energy-efficient and plays with light resulting in a shimmering main body which enhances the quality of the work spaces inside.

Amphitheater in Trois-Rivieres: Red and Black

(Issue of a magazine 2/2017, page 70)

Monumental in scale but light, open and hospitable at the same time, the new amphitheater in Trois-Rivières, named after the telecommunication company Cogeco, occupies a strategic location in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. With its impressive tapered red roof, it faces the St. Quentin Island, situated at the confluence between the St. Maurice and the St. Lawrence rivers. The new amphitheater designed by architect Paul Laurendeau in Trois-Rivières reflects itself in the water, creating drama, surprise and contrast, immediately becoming an urban landmark.

Kleiburg: Last Hero in the War for Modernism

(Issue of a magazine 2/2017, page 78)

DeFlat Kleiburg in Amsterdam by NL architects and XVW architectuur is winner of the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies Van Der Rohe Award 2017. For the first time the main Award goes to a project of renovation of an existing building. DeFlat is an innovative renovation of one of the biggest apartment buildings in The Netherlands called Kleiburg, a bend slab with 500 apartments in Amsterdam’s Bijlmermeer neighborhood. Consortium DeFlat rescued the building from the wrecking ball by turning it into a “Klusflat”, meaning that the inhabitants renovate their apartments by themselves.

The Dafne Schippers Bridge: Three in One

(Issue of a magazine 2/2017, page 86)

Bicycle and pedestrian bridge, which was opened in Utrecht, Netherlands is connecting the historic part of the city with a new residential area. The main characteristic of the project is its connection to three objects: actually a bridge, a school and a park. The most interesting thing is that the access road to the bridge has the shape of a loop and runs straight on ... the school roof. However, this does not disturb the educational process, indeed, the accessible green roof is intended for school garden planting, games and recreation.

Libraries of the XXI Century

(Issue of a magazine 2/2017, page 92)

Libraries are more than learning centers—they’re also enduring examples of architectural excellence. Every year, the AIA is proud to partner with the American Library Association/Library Leadership and Management Association to honor the best in library architecture and design.

Bibliotheque du Boise – Surrounded by the Forest

(Issue of a magazine 2/2017, page 102)

A public library in suburban Montreal that combines high-performance standards with design quality and responsiveness to community needs received the 2017 Green Building Award. The award, given by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) and the Canada Green Building Council® (CaGBC), recognizes outstanding achievement in buildings that are environmentally responsible and promote the health and wellbeing of users.

Media Library La Passerelle: Bridge to the Future

(Issue of a magazine 2/2017, page 110)

The new, recently opened multimedia library, designed by architect Jean-Pierre Lott, is a symbol of urban renewal and gives the town spaces in which to meet and socialize. It is an example of “participatory architecture”, as the inhabitants were involved with presentations and talks at various stages of the project.

The Alésia – Cinema Steeped in History

(Issue of a magazine 1/2017, page 54)

In 2011, the Gaumont-Pathé group decided to renovate the existing building in order to upgrade the cinemas and to improve user comfort. This was part of a broader scheme to gradually update the image of their chain of cinemas, which often occupy exceptional city-centre sites, but suffered from being seen as old-fashioned. The aim is to transform them into high-quality cultural venues, animated day and night, and sufficiently flexible to accommodate a varied programme, mixing cinema with other cultural events: the image of the city cinema was to be entirely rethought.