Sustainability

Sendero Verde is a demonstration to the world that Passive House is possible for large-scale affordable housing. Sendero Verde is a transformative development in New York City’s East Harlem that is a vibrant mix of affordable housing and community services. The development serves 700+ families with incomes ranging from formerly homeless to 110% of the area median income. Albert Vecerka/Esto Sendero Verde was the winner of the SustaiNYC RFP in 2017, which required that the final design be certified to Passive House standards, a rigorous building energy standard that achieves a 40-70% reduction in building energy as compared to a typical building. Sendero Verde is now the largest Passive House residential building in the world.... More

The 4Roots Farm Campus Education Center is a pioneering example of regenerative design that tackles some of today’s most pressing challenges—food insecurity, climate change, and disconnection from nature—through architecture, education, and community empowerment. Located on an 18-acre urban farm in Orlando’s historic Packing District, this 7,700-square-foot mass timber facility is more than a building; it is a living classroom and a catalyst for change. Chad Baumer Chad Baumer As the first building in Florida to achieve the Living Building Challenge Materials Petal, the Education Center generates 105% of its own energy, dramatically reduces water consumption, and eliminates harmful materials, all while ser... More

The proposed Tartu Cultural Centre is designed to be an inclusive and sustainable hub that gathers people of all backgrounds, reflecting a philosophical attitude towards the site and its environment. Caption ‘Kultuuripark’ is the key architectural and urban concept. Designed as “a place to get together”, our proposal for Tartu Downtown Cultural Centre aims at a holistic integration of the public space with the new building program. As a seamless and transparent approach to architecture, the project is thought beyond the building envelope itself. The architectural concept is centred around creating relative small-scale buildings with minimal visual impact, blending seamlessly into the existing surroundings while... More

How do you design a building that meets the diverse needs of multiple research groups while offering every researcher a place to thrive? The new Bioma building on the Wageningen University & Research (WUR) campus does exactly that. This future-ready research facility not only supports scientific excellence but also places human well-being at its core. Its architecture encourages movement, informal interaction, and moments of calm throughout the day - fostering an active and healthy lifestyle for its users.A flexible framework for future scienceConceived as a multi-user facility, Bioma is built to adapt. The design accommodates the first generation of users while remaining open to the evolving needs of future research groups. A modular g... More

When a large, monumental department store stands empty in a prime location, what happens next? Following the closures of V&D and Hudson’s Bay in the Netherlands, the city faced the challenge of repurposing this iconic building. While street-level shops attracted interest, the upper floors required a new function. The solution: transforming the space into a university campus in the heart of The Hague.From department store to university campushe former department store, with its expansive floor plans and generous ceiling heights, was an ideal candidate for educational use. Spanning over 35,000 m², the building was reimagined to accommodate Leiden University, along with other institutions such as Delft University of Technology,... 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

As we come out of the pandemic, many companies are thinking about the future of work and what it takes to provide a welcoming office environment. This confidential client decided to develop Refreshed, a coffee bar on the top floor of their mid-rise office building. This whimsical oasis serves hundreds of employees by providing a place for relaxation, socialization, and caffeine. Marco Zecchin The newly renovated Coffee Bar, a collaborative design between our architectural, interiors and Media-Objectives studios, aims to initiate moments of discovery and spontaneous collaboration, reflective of the company’s product. A California Trail Blazers theme found throughout the rest of the building is incorporated into Refreshed through... More

In the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s business district, a new opportunity brought the client and architect together once again. Bosgaurus, a leading name in Vietnam’s specialty coffee, was ready to grow. With plans to expand across the country and beyond, the brand imagined a café model that could work in high-end urban spaces while staying true to its identity. The goal was to create a satellite café, a compact and flexible model that supports flagship locations and brings the experience closer to its customers. Hiroyuki Oki To succeed, the design needed to do more than look good. It had to function well within the constraints of a commercial building. It also had to support the baristas while delivering a smo... More

As the core factory, Sinno Park is forming the manufacturing matrix of the group, together with the skin-care product factory, cosmetics/fragrance factory, perfume and aerosol factory, which is positioned as a future office-factory form that balanced efficiency and humanisation. spdg 01 Underlying logic Guided by the production attributes, industrial architecture always pursues spatial rationality of order and efficiency. Returning to the fundamental of organising a space - the origin of creation derived from internal organisation and human behaviours. According to the plan, Sinno Park not only serves as an office and production unit, but also undertakes functions such as exhibition, R&D, testing, logistics and warehousing, as we... More

The new A.B. Ford Park Community Center (formerly Lenox Center) marks a significant milestone as Detroit’s first climate-resilient public facility. Set within expansive parkland, the center enhances community access to the waterfront while boosting local economic opportunities. The project embodies the vibrant cultural heritage of the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood, reflecting residents' values through sustainable and resilient design. Steve Kroodsma   Design for resiliencyConstructed outside the floodplain, the center serves dual purposes as both a vibrant community hub and an emergency resilience facility. It is equipped to provide residents with essential shelter, renewable energy, and supplies during climate emergenci... More

Stuttgart-based Herrmann+Bosch Architekten has designed a wooden parking garage in the German town of Wendlingen that can be converted into residential or office accommodation in the future. The 10,880-square-metre parking garage sits on a pedestrian axis between the newly planned Otto Quarter and Wendlingen train station. Otto is a new mixed-use and climate-friendly urban quarter being built on the former 19th century Otto Textil GmbH mill buildings. Roland Halbe Roland Halbe   Promoting environmentally-friendly mobility The wooden parking garage has 349 parking spaces across five levels. The structure’s design promotes environmentally-friendly mobility, with its location near the train station. There are e-charging... More

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Hilton Sofia, the new inspiring leader in the capital's 5-star scene, has opened its doors after a major renovation, offering an exceptional experience. The updated spaces provide guests with a tranquil and refined atmosphere, with an architectural concept inspired by its location and the beautiful surrounding green spaces. The renovation of the iconic building in the capital involves reshaping volumes and enhancing the park environment to present a beautiful transformation based on the motto "A Park in the Hotel and a Hotel in the Park." The design is based on the principles of "green architecture," which emphasize functionality, aesthetics, efficiency, and sustainability. The project team faced the challenge of integrating an innovative... More

Concept Note: Shivalik Curv is designed as a symbol of modernity and innovation within Gujarat International Finance Tech-City (GIFT City), India's first operational Greenfield smart city. The client envisioned an office building that would provide 47,000 sqm of Grade-A office space across 32 floors, while creating an instant visual identity for the area. Rising 120m with its fluid, rotational form, this office tower is a unique architectural landmark that reflects the evolving identity of GIFT city. The building’s dynamic geometry, where each floor shifts by one degree, creates a sense of movement that mirrors the progressive nature of the finance and technology sectors. Designed to integrate with the surrounding urban landscape, th... More