Community

Smokehouse is a communal dining pavilion nestled within a shaded grove, conceived as an open-air shelter for meals, gatherings, and community meetings. Adjacent to an outdoor kitchen, the structure offers protection from the elements while remaining open and connected to its surroundings. Designed and built as a community project, the pavilion employs modest materials and simple construction methods. A straightforward A-frame wood structure, clad in cedar shake, rests on a concrete foundation that forms two continuous sunken benches flanking a long communal table. The open-ended form invites movement through the space, while framing views of the grove beyond. Pix Natural light filters through a series of cast glass elements running t... More

A cozy neighborhood haven for artisanal coffee and community, Lion Coffee blends minimalism with natural materials in a light-filled space. Scott Norsworthy Scott Norsworthy Caption Scott Norsworthy Scott Norsworthy More

From Parking Spaces to Green Mobility Hubs Urban parking spaces—often exceeding 500m² of asphalt allocated exclusively for vehicle storage—offer no provisions for pedestrians or urban activities. The VePa parking system is dedicated to tackle these inefficiencies, rethinking parking and charging, thereby reshaping the urban environment. This future cityscape is imagined in three designs for 2026, 2028 and 2030. Beta Realities envisions a design catalogue to transform VePa’s parking towers into urban catalysts that revive existing parking lots and horizontal sealed surfaces, while offering sustainable parking and charging spaces for a better quality of life. The VePa parking tower creates a space-saving e-charging in... More

The intensity of megacity urbanity, where air pollution and environmental degradation are pre-conditions for design, presents a particular challenge for the creation of secure environments for education. Conceptualized as a “cocoon”, this project for a pre-school and kindergarten – aspires to be a luminous safe haven for young children, as they engage with early years learning.  Organised as a set of organic ‘cells’ of curved brick walls punctuated by circular porthole windows, the learning spaces weave a tactile ring around a courtyard.  Lined with slats of birch plywood – a soft counterpoint to the brick, the courtyard assumes primacy as the focal space within - draped in a tent and illuminate... More

The Fold is a low-rise urban development comprising of 28 terraced townhouses arranged along the prime Al Wasl Road in the Jumeirah district, one of the most sought-after areas in Dubai, renowned for its high-end yet diverse urban fabric and relaxed atmosphere. The Fold aims to redefine the residential offering in the UAE as well as in the GCC area, establishing a new architectural paradigm subtly combining sophistication, refinement, and inclusivity, furthering the social, infrastructural, and environmental progress the region has witnessed over the past century. Luke Hayes Luke Hayes Tkdp’s approach has been guided by extensive research and investigation of the site and its wider existing context. The main challenge was t... More

NAH House is a housing project designed by us in the rural area of ​​Dien Chau, Nghe An. The newly built land is part of the old land area that grandparents cut out for their children and grandchildren, located next to the old one-story house with a Thai roof, typical of today's rural areas. The old house at that time was the residence of a family consisting of a grandmother, a young couple and 3 grandchildren. Initially, their wish was to build a new, more spacious house so that the young family could be independent and convenient. Through physical analysis and different spirit relationships in the context. We are more interested in solving community-based problems than space solutions that can only be solved independently for a new house.... More

Located on land occupied by the tribe since time immemorial, this project combines pragmatic uses with symbolic content—the fishery is central to both the Tribe’s traditional identity and its contemporary outlook. The 1,800 SF two-story building accommodates both office and utility space for the Tribe’s salmon hatchery program, along with a separate open-air structure used by the Tribal commercial fishing operations. It recognizes the cultural importance of both place and program while providing solutions for these activities to flourish in the 21st century. Lara Swimmer Lara Swimmer The lower level of the hatchery houses a garage, maintenance shop, and egg-incubation room. The upper floor provides space for off... More

The intrinsic essence of the small village of Eshaqabad, home to 300 people, is being “on the edge”. The Community Site is located in one of the most remote parts of Iran (near the border of Pakistan), Eshaqabad has both geographically and contextually the farthest distance from the central parts of the country, and, as a result, this rural community suffers from shortages of basic social infrastructure. Caption If considering very limited resources, is it possible to make a real difference in the life quality of these marginalized unprivileged people, only by means of architecture reflecting their cultural values and their built tradition? Caption Rereading the existing situation with the help of professional active... More

Established in 2015 by Saskia van Hofwegen and Dian Iskandar to address the absence of female representation in Amsterdam's streetwear market, Maha has since undergone a transformative journey. Evolving from its roots as a female-driven streetwear destination, Maha aspires to be more than a retail space. It aims to be the heartbeat of its community, whether it be by shopping, enjoying a cup of coffee, or attending one of the engaging community events hosted in the space. In pursuit of this vision, Maha Amsterdam partnered with Ninetynine to bring the Maha Plus project to life. This new location is not just a store; it is a community hub, a space designed to connect, unwind, and inspire. Maha Plus serves as a cozy and inviting atmosphere whe... More

In 2020, Design+Architecture was commissioned by Livingstone Shire Council to design an art gallery in Yeppoon. First considerations were for the site's uniqueness: a narrow, sloping block nestled behind two historic Fig trees and situated beside Yeppoon’s original Post Office. It was paramount that the gallery was humble yet responded to its context. The design delivers a much-needed artist precinct while retaining and celebrating the significant history of the site. Cameron Murchison Cameron Murchison The design process involved lengthy consultation with the council and the Yeppoon arts community. As a result, the concept of the new gallery is based on the rich history of communication, pineapples, and bathing boxes, syno... More

The Temporary Shelter and Community Kitchen in Macas, Ecuador was created, as part of the Territorial Development Projects Program of the Ecuadorian Government, to address the needs of the homeless community in the areas influenced by the energy generating plants. The public and private sectors formed an alliance with a goal of addressing the unmet basic needs of the homeless and of reducing poverty through social investment.  Nicolas Provoste Nicolas Provoste Nicolas Provoste Macas is the cantonal capital of the Morona Canton and capital of the Province of Morona Santiago. It is located in the south-central part of the Amazon Region of Ecuador, at an altitude of 1030 m above sea level and with a tropical rainy climate... More

Spacesmith in collaboration with Davis Brody Bond were enlisted by the Brooklyn Bridge Park for the design of their Pop-up Pool. Rising off of the greenway on the uplands of Pier 2 at the Park, the 30’ x 50’ pool is accompanied by a 2,500 sf sandy beach area supplied with lounge chairs and colorful umbrellas. An adjacent concrete plaza contains picnic tables, more umbrellas and a food and drink concession stand. Amenities such as showers, restrooms and lockers are also provided. Photo credit: Kevin Chu and Jessica Paul Photo credit: Kevin Chu and Jessica Paul The design utilizes repurposed stacked shipping containers painted in eye catching colors to act as a buffer from the noise of the nearby roadways and to provide... More

Enfield Council and Jan Kattein Architects have transformed a set of derelict garages in Angel Edmonton into warm, generous, affordable spaces for community and young enterprise. Jack Hobhouse Jack Hobhouse Upper Edmonton residents currently experience incomes among the lowest 10% in England, exacerbated by a poor living environment and high barriers to education, training and employment. In time, major developments nearby in Tottenham and Meridian Water will bring new opportunities. Jack Hobhouse In the interim, Enfield Council commissioned JKA to develop temporary interventions to immediately address the community’s urgent challenges while building long-term resilience. Jack Hobhouse Supported by the Mayor&rsq... More

This project emerges for a communal housing functioning since 1980, in which 13 houses share and coexist within a 12,500 sqm ground located in Cuernavaca, a city known for its privileged weather, leafy panorama and fertile land.  Andrés Cedillo Our project is inserted at the core of the ground as a place where people seek to coexist in harmony between each other and with nature. Trees over 100 years old habit in this piece of ground because it used to be a vivarium before being converted to communal housing in the early 80´s. Andrés Cedillo The design strategy seeks to blur the limits between the inside and outside. Long concrete roofs overlay over open spaces, daring gravity, to provide cover but not co... More