Izmir, Turkey

The 8,500 year old Turkish city of Izmir has announced Zaha Hadid as the architect for its bid to host the World Expo 2020. If selected, Zaha Hadid will construct one of the largest urban recreation areas in Europe on a 276-hectare site in an Inciralti region lagoon.

Image: ZHA

Courtesy Arch Daily

 

Kuredhivaru, Maldives

A luxury underwater hotel is set to be built on the remote tropical island of Kuredhivaru in the Maldive Islands, with the National Ministry of Tourism giving the green signal to the ambitious plan last week. The multi-million dollar Water Discus Hotel will feature 21 moveable rooms found in the heart of spectacular coral reefs.

Image: Deep Ocean Technology

Courtesy CNN

 

Baghdad, Iraq

British-Iraqi firm AMBS Architects has disclosed its designs for the first public library to be built in Iraq since the 1970s. The 45,000 square metre building will be located at the heart of the “Youth City” masterplan, with the double-curvature structure creating the world's biggest single-span reading room.

Courtesy Dezeen

 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Emerging London-based firm Baharash Architecture has been selected to design phase 2 of the 46-hectar Dubai Sustainable City development. The practice is set to open an office in Dubai following the victory against international anonymous teams from the United States, Lebanon, Jordan, UK, and UAE.

Image: Baharash Architecture

Courtesy Bustler

 

Taichung, Taiwan

Belgian architect, Vincent Callebaut has unveiled a spiraling new cultural centre for Taichung, combining bioclimatic architectural elements and complex geometry to create the eight-story ‘Swallows Nest’ design. The zero-carbon building-integrates photovoltaic panels to generate energy, while low-E glass windows usher in natural light and provides thermal massing.

Courtesy Inhabitat