A design “grandmaster” was chosen by the Persian Gulf emirate to create an institution that celebrates its cultural heritage and landscape: the National Museum of Qatar in Doha. For this project, Pritzker prize-winner Jean Nouvel produced an avant-garde building inspired by the desert rose, an ornate formation of crystal clusters with overlapping discs primarily found in dry desert regions. And architect Koichi Takada continued this analogy with nature for the interior design of the gift shop.

Spectacular architecture coupled with sustainable building is usually at home in urban settings. But Norway’s towering mountains are now the backdrop for contemporary architecture that is a welcome retreat after a long hike. Tungestølen is found on a plateau at the foot of Jostedalsbreen, Europe’s highest mainland glacier. These mountain cabins have far more to offer than the usual food and lodgings with a dormitory full of mattresses. And so it is no coincidence that the project was designed by Snøhetta, one of the world’s most prestigious architectural firms. Their client was Luster Turlag, a local branch of the Norwegian National Trekking Association.

ART COLOGNE will be launching a select programme in November 2022. From 16 to 20 November 2022, the 55th edition of the fair will present an equally high-calibre and broad range of artworks from selected galleries and dealers – from CONTEMPORARY ART to the NEUMARKT with young, innovative galleries, from MODERN and POST-WAR ART to the new ART + OBJECT sector…

The landmark project directly on Vienna’s Danube Canal impresses with design care and special architecture by INNOCAD. The expressive, monolithic architectural concept with its characteristic form is identity-forming, explained by architect Martin Lesjak. Inside we also took care to create a balance between the urbanity of the capital and nature – with a biophilic series of luminaires. Read more in the interview with Dr. Anastasija Lesjak from 13&9 Design.

During his keynote address at the Thailand Tourism Forum 2020 in Bangkok on 20 January, Bill Bensley launched his open-source “Sensible Sustainability Solutions” white paper for the global Hotel Industry, incorporating over three decades of experience from designing over 200 hotels around the world and in celebration of 30 years since he created BENSLEY.

O Lofos [the Hill] is a private house located on the east side of Crete where the landscape grows wild, and the nature is an ever-changing source of inspiration. This side of the island is still quite unexplored, and you can clearly sense the authenticity in the habitants and their way of living. Blending Block722’s inherent Scandinavian sensibility and organic minimalism with local architecture influences, result is a one-of-a-kind design language.

We all know the rule: five (portions of fruit and veg) a day to maintain your health! Martha Schultz from the Gradonna****s Mountain Resort swears by her six a day to make sure she does her bit for the environment. But what exactly is involved? Let’s find out!