Public space

The design for (S) Squares Al Sahil Mall received third place in a global competition hosted by Al Salimi Real Estate Development in Saudi Arabia, bringing recognition to Cambodian architecture on the international stage. Developed by The Room Architecture and Design, the proposal reinterprets traditional Saudi architectural references for a contemporary retail destination. Its concept centers on a deliberate duality: an outward-facing commercial frontage along the main road and a sheltered central plaza that forms a more inward-looking public space. The building envelope draws from Najdi architectural archetypes, specifically rectilinear earthen massing, enclosed courtyards, and geometric mashrabiya screen walls, translating historic envir... More

Some cities never settle.They remain in motion—between histories, between meanings.Not quite whole, not entirely broken. We work in these in-betweens.In the quiet tension of thresholds.Where one street forgets what the last one remembered. tuncer cakmakli architects There is no single narrative to rebuild.No truth to restore.Only fragments—echoes, textures, absences. Our architecture does not attempt to reconcile.Instead, it listens.It gathers what remains.It makes space for contradiction. Behind our work is a longing:not for clarity,but for presence. tuncer cakmakli architects More

Kartal, my friend, was once a song.A song of salt in the air, of children running barefoot over the stones.The Princes’ Islands stood on the horizon like silent poems,and the people — simple, honest —let their worries float in the waterwhile the sun turned the day to gold. Then came the great dream of the city —visions hard as concrete,coastal roads like scars across the heart of the shore,and the song fell silent.The people now stood behind fences of asphalt,and the sea,once their mirror,was now just a picture from old memories. But now,now the human hand holds a different tool —not the jackhammer,but the idea.Not just a plan, but hope. TCA didn’t merely draw.No — they listened to the place,spok... More

In the heart of Gaziantep, the GAP Culture Center emerges as a cultural beacon, seamlessly woven into the historical tapestry of the city. Situated in the proximity of the castle, this architectural gem, strategically placed at the edge of the expansive city park, transcends the conventional boundaries of cultural spaces. It presents a harmonious union of nature, sculpture, and artistic expression, inviting visitors on an enchanting architectural journey. As the GAP Culture Center stands proudly in the historical center of Gaziantep, its proximity to the castle and integration with the vast city park is no mere coincidence. TCA’s design philosophy is rooted in creating a cultural nucleus that not only enriches the historical context... More

There are cities that are not built merely of streets and walls but of memory and expectation. Bursa, that great capital of the Ottoman Empire, is such a place. It lies nestled in a landscape whose fertility is like a promise renewed with every spring: here the finest fruits ripen, here life flourishes, here industry grows like a mighty tree whose branches bear textiles and automobiles alike. Yet this green city, ever expanding, now wishes to reinvent itself once more. It seeks a Government Presidency that is more than an administrative body — a symbol that governance need not mean separation, but rather closeness. tuncer cakmakli architects Thus, on an elongated plot beside a park, rises a design that carries within it the tra... More

Nestled in the heart of Cologne, Germany, Mediapark stands as a testament to urban transformation, seamlessly blending modern functionality with cultural vibrancy. Completed with the dawning of the millennium, this dynamic neighborhood was purposefully crafted to serve as a hub for the media and communication industry, offering a unique blend of professional innovation and artistic inspiration. Mediapark’s architectural canvas is a reflection of its multifaceted purpose, housing a diverse range of companies, cultural institutions, a hotel, and select apartment buildings. The design philosophy echoes a commitment to fostering collaboration and creativity, with structures that harmonize with the surrounding urban landscape while pushin... More

The Circulating Garden extends the activities of the Center of Circular Economy beyond the building and into its surrounding site. Conceived as both a public garden and an experimental landscape, the project provides spaces for leisure while testing nature-based solutions (NBS) for climate adaptation. Emilio Doiztua Vegetation, water, and shaded areas work together to create a cooler local microclimate and support biodiversity. Several lightweight, demountable structures form open-air rooms for gathering and activities. Conditioned through shade, planting, and water rather than enclosed mechanical systems, these spaces can also function as summer climate refuges during periods of high temperatures. Emilio Doiztua ❌︎ Remove... More

The concept is shaped around a preserved pine forest and natural thermal waters, where the idea of daily restoration is embedded into the very way of life. It is designed for people who value a balance between activity and quiet, who work in dynamic environments yet need regular physical and mental recovery without leaving the city.The key feature is the fusion of an urban квартал typology, suburban living, and a resort: perimeter block development forms a protected inner forest core, while the architecture operates below the tree canopy, avoiding competition with nature. The concept is reinforced by the Japanese philosophy of onsen — as a ritual of silence, water, and balance — expressed through spa infrastructure, thermal bath... More

The Easel Bridge, designed by XBTW Office and led by Landscape Architect Boxia Wang, is located in Yucun, Moganshan, Zhejiang Province. Spanning Fuxi Creek, the 10-meter-long pedestrian bridge was developed from the office’s selected proposal for the Moganshan Town · Fuxi River Seven Bridges Conceptual Design International Competition. Yumeng Zhu Yumeng Zhu Yumeng Zhu The original competition involved seven bridges along Fuxi Creek. XBTW Office chose to develop three of them using the same basic strategy: four inclined planes within a beam bridge structure. Although only one bridge was ultimately completed, the built Easel Bridge still reflects the larger design intention of the series. It demonstrates how a sim... More

Grand in presence, vulnerable in cohesionWith the Lebuinuskerk as its defining landmark, the Grote Kerkhof, Stromarkt and Nieuwe Markt together form the historic heart of Deventer. Over time, the coherence of these squares gradually disappeared — resulting in a fragmented image of uneven asphalt, oversized parking spaces and a barren Grote Kerkhof. Together with residents, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders, we developed a widely supported vision that re-establishes the three urban spaces as a readable and experiential whole. The Grote Kerkhof formed the first phase of this redevelopment, followed by the Stromarkt and later the Nieuwe Markt. Step by step, a continuous sequence of squares re-emerged — where use, circulation an... More

Never designed as a theater, a forgotten rooftop in a small Chinese county town has become a community commons — where minimum material yields maximum public life. In the Shuinan Sub-district of Songyang County, Zhejiang Province, Studio RE+N has transformed a long-derelict second-floor platform into an adaptable public space for a newly converted youth housing community. Kejia Mei Project Origin In late October 2024, Studio RE+N was invited to intervene in a residential complex in the southern district of Songyang County. The community was built between 2015 and 2017 but had failed to operate effectively for years. Its second-floor rooftop platform — enclosed by multiple residential buildings and adjacent to Songyang No.... More

Arch-Exist   Humanities, Science, Technology, Art and Nature   As the central building of Midea Group's new headquarters, the Midea Science Center uses the space, materials, quality, and precision of the building to create a unique space that blends technology and art, conveying the philosophy of “perfection in technology, beauty in life.” Arch-Exist   The location of Midea Science Center is highly significant, situated at the core of Midea Group's office complex and adjacent to the He Art Museum, forming a convergence point between scientific innovation and humanistic art. In terms of layout, the Midea Science Center aligns with the main circular building axis of the Midea headquarters and the He A... 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