Cultural

Reframing Retail as Cultural Infrastructure: Unity Mall is conceived as an architectural response to a national question:Can retail infrastructure become an instrument of cultural integration, ecological sensitivity, and economic empowerment? Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya, is the primary gateway to the state. The site, located within the emerging New Shillong Township, is part of a rapidly developing administrative and institutional zone. Transcending conventional definitions, Unity Mall is conceived not as a sealed container of commerce, but a civic landscape where craft, culture, tourism, training, and community converge. It is an infrastructural framework designed to strengthen the cultural and economic fabric of the Northeas... More

Our approach to Design Trust’s new studio is centred on flexibility, to create a space that can transform with the diverse activities the organisation supports. The space is designed to function as office, gallery, and event space for workshops and talks. A large floor to ceiling bookshelf serves as both showcase and storage, incorporating publication display shelf, bench seating and reception table. New Office Works Design Trust Design Trust Design Trust Design Trust  The material palette for the gallery space is very much inspired by the typical components one would find in Hong Kong’s hardware stores: raw and slender mild steel frames for the large multifunctional bookshelf cum display, exposed... More

This renovation for a church in Hong Kong uses a predominantly light and natural material palette. Timber louvers along the entrance of the church hall provides a sense of porosity to the space. Wooden pews on either side of the aisle form a strong perspective toward the altar and cross, echoed by custom pendant lights suspended from the ceiling.   Leon Xu Liang Leon Xu Liang Leon Xu Liang Leon Xu Liang New Office Works New Office Works New Office Works New Office Works More

Project Vision and Site Insights Nestled between the Satpura and Vindhyachal mountain ranges in the Narmada district, Kevadiya is home to the 182m-tall Statue of Unity (SoU), which has transformed the region into a global tourism destination, driving socio-economic growth across a 100-km radius.  The proposed Kevadiya State Bhavan located near the SoU, on a scenic 73.85-acre site, is a monumental initiative by the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) to build a cultural and administrative hub that aligns with the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” or “the world is one family.” The project brief integrates well all programs into unique experience for visitors that include State bhavans, Convention ce... More

Located in Norwich UK - built in 1887 as a Methodist Church Hall is now a home to Vegetarian Indian Restaurant “Namastey Village.” The concept of this design is derived from it's name "village". As the building is listed under heritage property, civil structure was retained on site as is. The design is focused to create the experience of an Indian village which introduces the locals to our culture and cuisines.  Umang Shah Umang Shah Umang Shah Umang Shah Umang Shah LITERALLY TAKING THE LOCAL-GLOBAL: has help us create a balanced interplay of historical revelations and contemporary additions: both drawing from and interpreting the underlying Indo-Rajput influences of Gujarat's architectural history... More

The project of the new Geology Museum Progreso was conceived as a cultural element as well as a public space, both developed as a single project. The different parts of the program are consciously related to each other and to the context through different environments in the open space. Dane Alonso Dane Alonso The square generated by the project is organized on the sides of a central corridor, through which you can access both the interior spaces and cross the square towards the boardwalk accompanied by gardens and fountains. Two large raised gardens flank the corners of the square, allowing you to walk down the slopes to enjoy new views at different heights. A contained square generates a landscaped path in front of the public s... More

Town halls or community halls are pivotal spaces within a community, serving as the heart of social and cultural activities, and bring people together for a myriad of events. As architectural symbols of community identity, town halls often embody the values and aspirations of the residents they serve, fostering a sense of belonging and connection among community members, enriching the social fabric and promoting civic engagement. Aakash Patel Aakash Patel Aakash Patel Dahegam Town Hall, conceived by the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA), with an aim to serving the outlying areas of the city, is designed to host a spectrum of communal activities – from social gatherings, performances, and training sessions to... More

DIA has renovated and converted the former Auerhahn brewery in Schlitz near Fulda (Hessen), giving it a new lease of life. The listed overall site with a floor space of 800 square metres is a testimony to past industrial architecture and had not been in use since 1998. The cultural centre that has been created offers a flexibly usable events hall on the ground floor, an exhibition space in the vaulted cellar and room for a tourism office and municipal marketing. Martin Baitinger Martin Baitinger The Auerhahn brewery has experienced an impressive transformation during the revitalisation phase of around two years. Apart from extensive renovation and refurbishment in accordance with heritage protection and fire safety regulations, D... More

The 133,600 square meter space focuses on co-working spaces, museum galleries, restaurants, hotels and more. The cultural center will be a hub for creativity and innovation, fostering the cultural and arts industries in Riyadh, attracting both local and international talent.  Caption Caption Caption The complex will be equipped with specialized studios for film production and art residencies. Exhibition and event spaces will serve as a springboard for various socio-cultural events: festivals, biennales, concerts, and lectures. Here artists will be able to find investors for their own projects, as well as to exhibit their works in order to familiarize the general public with art. Caption Caption Caption More

Spacesmith provided FF&E specification services for a new, 4-story, 21,700 sf cultural center on Manhattan’s West Side for the Irish Arts Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the image of Ireland and Irish America. The adaptive reuse project, designed by Davis Brody Bond with Fischer Dachs as theater consultant, fronts onto 11th Avenue in NYC’s “Hell’s Kitchen” and occupies the site of a former garage. Our team worked with the client and specialty consultants to design and specify FF&E that celebrates Irish culture and supports IAC’s multi-disciplinary programming centered around three core areas: performance, exhibition, and education. Photo credit: Albert Vecerka The ne... More

We understand architecture as public art. Our forte is making artworks that perform as social sculptures and tools for the pursuit of happiness. Our works bridge popular culture and contemporary art, erase boundaries between art and life, and aim to bring new meaning and emotion to the public realm. —Roberto & Rosario / R&R STUDIOS. Caption Rosario Marquardt & Roberto Behar of Miami based R&R STUDIOS enrich Princeton University Art Museum exceptional outdoor art collections and bring new meaning and emotion to life in campus with a triad of art-works collectively titled—The Home We Share (2022). As Haskell Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art Mitra Abbaspour has noted, “Sited at three distinct point... More

The design combination of bureau SLA,  Inbo, Overtreders W, Woonpioniers and Boom Landscape won the design assignment for a new cultural heart on Berlijnplein in Utrecht Leidse Rijn, united in the “De Pleinmakers” consortium. Caption Cultural Heart Berlijnplein is a new cultural development of 9,200 m2, including the design of layout of the associated site. The cultural heart will allow for exhibition and presentation spaces, studios for dance, theater and music, workshops, catering and workshops for education and the creative industry. Naturally, the buildings and area will facilitate creativity, innovation and network events. The culture cluster is built and operated in a circular and energy-neutral way and is flexi... More

I LOVE YOU is a social sculpture and place of encounters to celebrate friendship and camaraderie at the Alexandria Waterfront. The project is conceived as an emotional monument and portable square composed of two elements, a rose-hued neon and metal sign standing 15 feet high above a pink ground mural emulating a giant carpet 36’ x 76’ rendered with blossoming flowers. Caption I LOVE YOU performs as an instant landmark bringing people together with a simultaneously universal and personal message. The installation stimulates positive action and an avalanche of personal memories, and desires. And, not unlike traveling circuses, troubadours, or The Travelling Wilburys, it travels spreading the thought. Laura Hatcher I L... More

The Longgang International Art Centre in Shenzhen is a design proposal that aims to create a new art and performance venue that blends within the civic and cultural quarter in the heart of the city. The building was designed to promote international cultural exchange, positioning Shenzhen into a global reference for art and culture. The 120,000sqm development considers large-scale venue spaces such as a 1600-seat theatre, a 600-seat auditorium and a smaller 300-seat theatre to accommodate theatrical, dance and music performances. Additional amenities comprise of exhibition areas and multi-purpose halls for educational purposes and artistic activities. Caption The scheme is proposed to create an iconic landmark within the urban contex... More