Civic architecture

Los Angeles has an extensive public transportation network with the third-highest ridership in the nation. However, only about a quarter of LA’s 8,000 bus stops currently provide any shade or shelter—an increasingly urgent concern in a warming climate. A new initiative by StreetsLA, a division of the city’s Department of Public Works, will dramatically improve the transit experience. The Sidewalk and Transit Amenities Program, or STAP, will bring 3,000 new and upgraded shelters and 450 shade structures to neighborhoods across the city over the next decade.  Caption To execute STAP, Tranzito-Vector—a joint venture between smart mobility operator Tranzito and transit advertising specialist Vector Media&mdash... More

In Jeddah, a building has been completed that speaks two architectural languages simultaneously and makes them sound like one. INJ Architects The new Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah sits within one of the most historically layered cities in the Arabian Peninsula, a city where the UNESCO-listed Al-Balad district preserves centuries of Hijazi urban culture through its distinctive coral-stone facades and ornate wooden Rawshan screens. The client, the Republic of Indonesia, brought a brief that was as much cultural as it was functional: to build a sovereign diplomatic compound on Saudi soil that would carry the identity of the Indonesian nation without erasing the architectural memory of its host city. The project was further shape... More

Set within the redesigned Henri‑Bourassa Park, the new community pavilion forms the centrepiece of a broader transformation of public space in Montréal‑Nord. The project replaces a modest park facility with a generous, clearly articulated building that offers a visible point of reference for local residents and visitors. Charles Lanteigne Charles Lanteigne The 1,000‑square‑meter pavilion is built primarily in structural timber and organized around flexible community rooms that can host workshops, meetings, cultural events and neighbourhood celebrations. These rooms open toward the park and are supported by a series of services for everyday users, such as washrooms, storage areas and informal gathering spaces. Offices and c... More

The restoration of the Historic Polk County Courthouse accommodates the functional needs of the Fifth Judicial District while also preserving the defining characteristics of the 1906-Beaux Arts Classical style structure. Main Street Studios Over the last century, as the county’s needs evolved and changed, immediate demands on courtroom space resulted in short-term solutions that became long-term. Superficial repairs and changes were made without consideration of the historical context. The original building had six courtrooms. By 2014 the historic courthouse was operating with 29 courtrooms. In some instances, one of the original courtrooms had been subdivided into as many as 4 to 6 courtrooms. The building was overcrowded. Safe... More

The Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Brunei is located in Bandar Seri Begawan. Architectkidd was selected to design the interior spaces by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait along with architecture studio Arkitek RekaJaya. The design reimagines the way a diplomatic institution can function as a cultural bridge and aims to express how it can contribute to a more engaged approach towards fostering connections among nations. Luke Yeung Luke Yeung Luke Yeung From the beginning the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait expressed that they did not want the new design to resemble traditional Kuwaiti architecture or Islamic architecture. Architectkidd looked beyond direct symbolism and overt cultural representations and inst... More

Park Residence is a residential building located in the heart of Sofia, between the vibrant city center and the serene expanse of Holy Trinity Park. This prime location brought a unique set of challenges for the architectural team: designing a building that is both visually engaging and functionally efficient, integrating the building into the urban environment, and fostering a harmonious connection with the park. A key challenge for the architects at IPA was the complexity of the site. Situated in a bustling, high-traffic neighborhood, the project needed to strike a balance between the dynamic urban environment and the residents’ need for privacy and comfort. The building's close proximity to Holy Trinity Park required a sensitive d... More

The Sadra Civic Center project has been designed in the newly-built town of Sadra with the purpose of raising the grade and cultural standards of this recently-formed town, which has practically turned into a subservient to a megacity like Shiraz as a result of its proximity to such a large a city. For this reason, several thematically cultural projects have been designated in one of the major hubs of the town. The gradual expansion of a new town requires an adaptable and expandable spatial structure in order for it to hold the potential for steady progression and excellence through time. At the same time, it gives rise to the question of how it is possible to constructively disengage with the familiar monumental clichés while preser... More