Things are looking bright for British architects, Indian slums get a makeover and construction begins in Lebanon's tallest tower, in today's international news...
SPAIN
Construction of the Metropol Parasol (pictured) in Seville, designed by J. Mayer H. architects is well and truly underway. The Parasol will provide a new elevated public plaza for residents and visitors of Spain. The design is set to become a modern icon for the city and is expected to encourage a new urban centre at the Plaza de la Encarnacion. The Metropol Parasol will include an archeological site, a farmers market, an elevated plaza, multiple bars and restaurants underneath and inside the parasols and a panorama terrace on the top of the parasols.
LEBANON
Construction will soon begin on Lebanon's tallest tower, the Sama-Beirut, which will stand 200m tall. The property, which will be a landmark for the city and a benchmark for future development, was designed by the Erga Group. The tower is almost ovoid in shape and rises from a podium base, culminating in a slightly slanting flat peak. The facades of the tower overlap each other as it rises, giving it a stepped look. These facades will be fully glazed and incorporate solar panels, contributing to the property's LEED certification.
UNITED KINGDOM
According to the latest Future Trends Survey by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), architects are becoming more upbeat about their future workloads. The July survey revealed that fewer firms expect a decrease in workload than in previous months, and 11 per cent of practices expected staff levels to rise in the next three months. The monthly survey of practices revealed that 18 per cent were expecting a decrease in workload in July compared to 21 per cent in June. Practices predicting a rise in workload increased from 27 per cent to 31 per cent over the same period.
INDIA
Two architects, Filipe Balestra and Sara Goransson, are taking a unique approach to improving the housing conditions of India's Netaji Nagar. They're working with the community to improve housing gradually and organically, based on design input and support from the locals. This incremental housing strategy is a far cry from the usual technique of upgrading slums by tearing everything down and building housing blocks, says Goransson. This will improve the living conditions of residents while maintaining their social networks. Three different house prototypes have been agreed on, all of which are easy to expand and one of which leaves a 'void' on the ground floor where the space can be used as a shop or to house livestock. Construction is due to begin in September.
DUBAI
Perkins Eastman's vision for a new 250-bed cancer hospital on the Rashid Hospital campus in Dubai combines the latest philosophies in healing environments with functional flexibility. The front facade is screened for privacy, while a dramatic light atrium cuts through and anchors the main entrance. A water atrium also runs the length of the building, joining the two forms together. Nursing units are grouped into three low oval towers with healing gardens in-between. The patient towers are shaded by an undulating elevated floating roof that incorporates an energy efficient cooling system.
