Germany rallies for a floating, star-shaped hotel, creatives try a hand chocolate making and architecture in France, and a Leeds train station prepares for a new entrance...
UNITED STATES
Soho Mews, a new multi-storey residential complex in Soho, is a testament to Charles Gwathmey, his passion for Corbusian Modernism, his attention to detail and design rigour. The New York project, which consists of two buildings linked by a courtyard, is a modern take on the historic cast-iron architecture of James Bogardus. It houses 64 dwellings in its two buildings, one for condos and the other for town houses, and is connected by a garden designed by landscape architect, Peter Walker. The apartments have open plans and three metre ceilings, as well as a mix of warm woods, marble baths and Valcucine kitchens designed by Gwathmey. The building's facades are layered compositions of stone, metal, clear, frosted and fritted glass that capture and reflect the light and shadow throughout the day.
UNITED KINGDOM
Public transport authority Metro and Network Rail have developed plans for a $30 million entrance at Leeds City Railway Station, allowing people to get in and out of the station from both sides of the River Aire. Public exhibitions of the plans are on display at the station to get the public's opinion. A planning application is set to be submitted in September and if approved, the new entrance is likely to open in 2012. The entrance has a curved design to minimise its size while remaining modern, accessible and attractive. "This new entrance will not only improve access for those coming into the station from the south but will also help us manage future demand," said route director for Network Rail, Richard Lungmuss.
GERMANY
The AquaDomi Star Hotel R200 is a floating hotel designed by Danish architectural firm C.F. Moller. The hotel, in Germany's Bitterfeld, is star-shaped and secures views and balconies towards the water for all rooms, and can be turned and adapted to suit different locations. The shape also creates three soft bays which allow access to the water for the key functions and provides natural mooring spots for small boats. The hotel has 200 double bedrooms, several suites in various sizes (up to 100 sqm), a restaurant, conference room, lounge bar, hall and production kitchen. The hotel has also been sketched in a Z-shape, the AquaDomi Z Hotel, adapted to smaller water areas.
IRELAND
HLM, Arup and EC Harris will provide the design services before work begins on the $400 million, 800-bed Magilligan Prison in Northern Ireland. The three companies will also act as design adviser and contract administrator. They will also provide design services during the pre-construction stage, expected to last about 30 months. "The HLM team were selected for their design strength and familiarity and experience of major prison developments, both nationally and internationally, and to bring forward the benefits of innovation and sustainable solutions to allow optimum operational benefit and flexibility for the new prison," said Robin Masefield, prison service director.
FRANCE
Located one hour from Poitiers, France, the Boisbuchet summer workshops, held on the 15th century country estate, allow designers to recharge their creative energies by learning about aspects of the field that they normally wouldn't get a chance to explore. Aside from the conventional short courses in lighting, graphic design and architecture, they can also dabble in glassblowing, jewellery making and even chocolate making. Workshops are led by more than 30 world renowned designers, including Brazil's Estudio Campana, Swiss designer Beat Karrer and Dutch designer Maarten Baas. With two or three sessions per week, there is a mix of materials, concepts, people and ideas, with designers investigating everything from sustainability to materials like biopolymers, textiles and bamboo.
