Brad Pitt creates an architectural wonder for his pets, BIG designs an "energy mansion" for China and one of London's oldest Turkish baths is set for a refurb...
CHINA
BIG Architects has won an international competition to design an ‘energy mansion’ in the Shenzhen province of China. The building will be the new office headquarters for the Shenzhen Energy Company. The design rises 200 metres to create a new landmark that combines a practical and efficient floor plan layout with a sustainable façade that both, passively and actively reduce the energy consumption of the building. The façade is conceived as a folded skin that shades the office complex from direct sunlight and integrates solar thermal panels, reducing the overall energy consumption.
UNITED STATES
Brad Pitt has spent a whopping $96,000 building a bespoke run for his children’s gerbils. The Inglourious Basterds star is fascinated with architecture and recently launched the Make it Right architecture project. "Brad pores over architectural journals like other people pore over newspapers. He had so much fun putting the run together with his kids Maddox, Zahara, Shiloh and Pax,” said a source, reports Britain’s The Sun newspaper. “It's incredibly complex and cost a lot but Brad's more than happy with any activity that can combine his two passions - his kids and architecture.”
UNITED KINGDOM
Tim Ronalds Architects has won the competition to carry out a $23 million refurbishment at one of London’s oldest Turkish baths. The baths originally opened in 1931 to allow poverty-stricken Londoners to bathe, with a 30 metre swimming pool and the Turkish Baths opening seven years later. The studio will modernise the grade II listed building, including the main swimming pool and the building that houses the Turkish baths themselves. A gym, atrium and café will also be added during the renovation.??INDIA?Ten workers have been killed on sites rushing to complete venues for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India’s Dehli. Hundreds of workers have been injured as construction speeds up, with one labourer killed by a falling crane. The Sunday Times reports that nine sites are less than half complete, with the Games beginning in October 2010. Poor living conditions and long working hours have also been blamed for the high casualty rate.
UNITED STATES
?The $354-million Dallas Centre for the Performing Arts is set to open next month to complete the city’s vision for the 68 acre arts district. The centre will include buildings designed by four Pritzker Prize winning architects. Foster + Partners has designed the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House and its Margaret McDermott Performance Hall, which includes a dramatic red centre within the transparent encasement of the Opera House.
