BDP takes on Indian architecture for the first time, Taipei sets its sight on energy efficiency accolade and Bell Phillips and Kimble's gasholder transformation.
INDIA
BDP has won its first architectural commission in India. The scheme is a 154,000 sqm retail-led mixed-use development in Mumbai. It will be split into three sections of land, each with a different purpose and comprising of boutiques, restaurants, malls, boulevards and office space. The scheme, which is hoping to achieve an LEED platinum rating, is scheduled for completion in 2013.
TAIWAN
Taipei 101, one of the world's tallest buildings, is hoping to become the world's tallest green building. The skyscraper will soon be undergoing energy efficiency upgrades and will seek LEED Gold certification for existing buildings. The owners of Taipei 101 are joining forces with SL+A International Asia Inc, Siemens and EcoTech International Inc to complete the upgrades.
UNITED KINGDOM
Bell Phillips and Kimble has won a competition to transform one of the King's Cross gasholders into an events space. The firm took advantage of the structure's canal-side location by including roof-top pool and amphitheatre in its winning design. New London Architecture is now holding an exhibition of all the submissions entered in the competition.
UNITED STATES
Cuningham Group Architecture is going ahead with its REthink Development to build the first high performance building in Culver City. The project, called Hayden, will be a four-storey concrete office building and will earn at least a Gold LEED certification. It will comprise natural ventilation, radiant heating and non-mechanical temperature control.
NORWAY
Transformation of the IT-Fornebu Portal building, developed by the IT-Fornebu Einedom and designed by A-lab architects, is complete. The site was previously occupied by Oslo's Airport, until it took retirement in 1998. The new development is expected to be the heart of a new business destination for Oslo. Four six-storey office blocks flank a cantilevered public Hub. Diagonal steel beams surround each block, creating a diamond lattice.
