Believing "anytime is the right time to take a Skate Break," the Ontario-based designers known as the Zenga Bros. have produced what could be the ultimate furniture addition to any shred happy office space looking to add an eccentric touch.Their new product line is aptly named 'Skate Brake' and fabricated by Christian and Benny Huizenga to incorporate different (and difficult) skating configurations that provoke a sense of "pure gnar."Image courtesy Gordon NicholasThe series consists of three different ramps (a desk, twomodernist style lounge chairs, and a six-foot-tall lamp), a boardroom table, barrier bench, and a 11x5x8 "Ramper Camper" micro house/electric truck complete with a wood stove and grindable bookshelf ledge.Image courtesy Gordon Nicholas"Skate Break is a project extracted straight from the dream realm by the Zenga Bros. and brought to reality through their craftsmanship. Ive never had so much fun skating furniture," friend and former Olympic skateboarding com...

Here's a heads-up for L.A.-based fans of Rudolph Schindler. Donot miss tonights premiere screening of Valentina Ganevas new documentary Schindler Space Architect at 7:30 p.m. in Beverly Hills.Ganeva recently spoke to KCRW about some of its insights, including the overlooked feminist design considerations present in the Schindler House on North Kings Road. Narrated by Meryl Streep and Udo Kier, the film features commentary from Steven Holl, Ray Kappe, Thom Mayne, and Frank Gehry, among others. Ganeva says their critique of Schindler's "spirit of innovation" is still important for today's architects to imbibe.The ticketed screening takes place at theWriters Guild Theatre on 135 S. Doheny Drive in Beverly Hills and will be followed shortly afterward by a Q&A.

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Architizer's 13th A+Awards features a suite of sustainability-focused categories that recognizing designers that are building a green industry and a better future. Start your entry to receive global recognition for your work!Architecture has always been a mirror of human ambition. History remembers the towering cathedrals, the lavish palaces, the monuments that push boundaries and define entire eras. These are the buildings that last, the ones we preserve, photograph and celebrate.But for every grand architectural feat, countless other buildings fill our cities; buildings that are not necessarily in the spotlight yet remain essential to our daily lives. These quieter structures dont compete for attention yet they are just as capable of standing out and making an impact. Perhaps this is where true architectural meaning lies: not in how much a building demands attention but in how it enriches the lives of those who use it.Everyday buildings can and should be meaningful. A school that fosters learning and socializing, a hospital that promotes healing and well-being, an office that encourages collaboration all of these are spaces that may not dominate skylines but quietly define our lives. While many architects might not get the chance to design a landmark in the traditional sense, they do hold the responsibility to try and make each space they create meaningful, whether that means creating harmony with a buildings surroundings or ensuring spaces prioritize the well-being of their users.So, without further ado, lets take a look at how some architects approach creating meaningful spaces and the results they bring to life.Human-Centric Design: Creating Spaces That Serve PeopleMayo Clinics Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Building by HDR, Rochester, MinnesotaThe Pavilion at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania by HDR, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaMeaning in architecture often starts with a focus on people what architects today like to call human-centric design. This might sound like a buzzword, but its actually part of a really fascinating shift happening in the industry, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic redefined so many of our ideas around public and private spaces. Think about it: suddenly, spaces where we lived, worked, learned or even recovered took on this whole new importance. The emphasis shifted toward making these spaces not just functional but nurturing and actually meaningful for the people who use them.So, what is human-centric design, exactly? At its core, its about prioritizing the needs, comfort and overall well-being of the people who use a space. This means more than just checking off boxes for functionality; it means creating environments where people feel genuinely cared for and supported. Its a concept thats grown alongside our evolving understanding of how physical spaces influence mood, productivity and even recovery in healthcare settings.Knowing this, its clear that human-centric design isnt just a trend but a genuine commitment to creating spaces that positively impact peoples lives. For architects, its a powerful way to ensure their work leaves a lasting, meaningful impression on those who experience it.CNL New Builds by HDR, Chalk River, Canada | Popular Choice Winner, Architecture +Wood, 12th Annual A+AwardsAt Future Fest 2024, this philosophy was particularly emphasized by HDR, a global design firm known for its people-focused approach in fields like healthcare, education and research. HDR shared how they see each project as an opportunity to make a tangible difference.One standout example of their human-centric work is the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) campus at Chalk River. This project showcases that architecture can be both technologically forward while remaining deeply human-centric. Set against the natural beauty of Ontarios Ottawa River Valley, the CNL campus respects the environment and cultural history of its location. Using locally sourced mass timber, the campus combines durability with a warm, inviting atmosphere that speaks to the areas lumber and Indigenous heritage.See HDRs Full Future Fest TalkCNL New Builds by HDR, Chalk River, CanadaBeyond sustainability and reducing the buildings carbon footprint, the choice of timber also creates a warmth and connection to the surrounding landscape that concrete and steel just wouldnt achieve. Its a nod to the areas culture and history, making the space feel like it belongs there. So, rather than feeling like a clinical lab, it feels grounded and almost inviting something you dont often associate with a research campus.Inside, the spaces prioritize natural light and open layouts, making them feel uplifting rather than claustrophobic. Communal areas encourage interaction and collaboration, which fosters a real sense of community among researchers and staff. Its a campus that values not only environmental sustainability but also the well-being and daily experience of its users.Embedding Eco-Responsibility for a Lasting ImpactMarina Tower, Ellinikon by Foster + Partners, Athens, GreeceIf creating a lasting impact is what makes architecture meaningful, then architecture must strive to be timeless. This isnt just about appearances its about designing spaces that can endure, adapt and respect the natural world. Meaningful architecture considers the needs of people today and anticipates those of future generations, finding ways to remain relevant without placing unnecessary demands on the planet. Knowing this, its not a surprise that at the heart of this approach lies sustainability.Designing meaningfully is, by necessity, designing responsibly. It includes thoughtfully choosing materials, energy systems and building strategies that allow a structure to function well within its environment. When eco-responsibility is at the forefront, buildings acquire a lasting quality, requiring fewer alterations over time and settling naturally into their surroundings. This shift is gaining traction as architects consider their broader contributions to both communities and ecosystems.Marina Tower, Ellinikon by Foster + Partners, Athens, GreeceIts promising to see leading firms like Foster + Partners adopting this philosophy in their projects. In his Future Fest presentation, Nicola Scaranaro, Partner at Foster + Partners, discussed the firms urban architecture approach, highlighting how they integrate sustainability to create lasting impact. Foster + Partners recent projects, including the Marina Tower in Athens and the MOL Campus in Budapest, are prime examples of how eco-responsibility can anchor meaningful design.Marina Tower is envisioned as Greeces first green high-rise, incorporating features designed to harmonize with Athens climate and coastal environment. Foster + Partners designed the tower with natural airflow, daylight and shading elements that reduce the need for artificial cooling or heating, allowing the structure to stay comfortable while keeping energy demands low. By integrating a unique, climate-responsive faade, the building breathes with the surrounding air and light, a choice that exemplifies how sustainable design can reduce environmental impact over the long term.MOL Headquarters by Foster + Partners, Budapest, HungaryMeanwhile, the MOL Campus in Budapesta corporate headquarters and one of the citys tallest buildingshighlights the firms commitment to eco-responsibility in a bustling urban setting. The building features geothermal energy systems, native vegetation and passive cooling strategies, establishing a workspace that engages with the local environment rather than working against it. Foster + Partners designed the campus to foster energy efficiency and adaptability, ensuring the building will remain functional as climate conditions evolve.See Foster + Partners Full Future Fest TalkDesigning with Cultural Continuity in MindIf architecture is to be meaningful, it must consider the cultural identity of the communities it serves. Cultural continuity in architecture is about preserving and evolving the historical and social narratives that define a place, all while adapting to meet contemporary needs. When architecture respects and builds upon these foundations, it connects people to their heritage, fostering a sense of identity and belonging within the built environment. This approach creates spaces that are not only functional but deeply resonant, bridging the past with the present to enrich daily life.Exeter College Cohen Quad by Alison Brooks Architects, Oxford, United KingdomThis philosophy perfectly reflects the work of Alison Brooks Architects, who draw upon the heritage and essence of each site to create spaces that resonate with both history and community. Alison Brooks, speaking at Future Fest, described her practice as one that carefully respects and enriches civic identity. For Brooks, meaningful design emerges from a deep understanding of place an architecture that brings continuity to modern design by recognizing the unique narratives embedded in each location.A quite vivid example of this approach is the Cohen Quad at Exeter College, Oxford. The project reinterprets the traditional Oxford collegiate quadrangle, a form central to Oxfords identity, by reshaping it to reflect modern academic and social needs. Instead of a conventional closed quadrangle, Brooks introduced an S-shaped layout that transforms the quad into a journey between two landscaped courtyards. This gentle curve honors the historical typology while adding a fresh perspective, creating spaces that invite exploration and interaction. Continuous pathways, cloisters and gardens weave through the design, reflecting Oxfords long-standing ideals of community and academic exchange.Exeter College Cohen Quad by Alison Brooks Architects, Oxford, United KingdomBy integrating historical forms with new functions, Cohen Quad allows students and faculty to engage with the space in ways that echo Oxfords enduring academic traditions while meeting todays educational demands. In this way, Brookss design not only preserves but actively strengthens the spirit of Oxford, making it meaningful for generations to come.See Alison Brooks Full Future Fest TalkFinding Meaning In Every BuildingUltimately, meaningful architecture doesnt just happen on the grand scale of historic landmarks or groundbreaking projects. Its something that can (and should!) be woven into every space, from community centers to classrooms to the very offices where people spend their days. When architects take the time to consider the needs, histories and futures of the people and places they serve, they create buildings that are more than structuresbut rather integral parts of daily life. And in the end, its this dedication to purpose and people that ensures architecture has a lasting, positive impact, no matter the projects size or scale.Architizer's 13th A+Awards features a suite of sustainability-focused categories that recognizing designers that are building a green industry and a better future. Start your entry to receive global recognition for your work!The post Beyond Landmarks: What Makes Architecture Truly Meaningful? appeared first on Journal.

The latest edition of Architizer: The Worlds Best Architecture a stunning, hardbound book celebrating the most inspiring contemporary architecture from around the globe is now available. Order your copy today.The Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges once quipped that paradise will be a kind of library. Albert Einstein believed the only thing you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library. Meanwhile, Norwegian scribe Jon Bing perhaps put it best when he said: To ask why we need libraries at all when there is so much information available elsewhere, is about as sensible as asking if roadmaps are necessary now that there are so very many roads.Sites of learning and education, social assets that can be weaponized for and against forces of oppression, libraries have played a fundamental and transformative role in human history since Assyrian king Ashurbanipal completed what is believed to be the worlds first, between 668 and 631BC. Far more than collections of books, these buildings are community focal points and in many cases national and international treasures in their own right. As Architizer prepares to deliver its own contribution to the worlds bookshelves, the latest edition of Architizer: The Worlds Best Architecture, weve cast an eye across the globe to compile this collection of the planets most unique and spectacular libraries and grand bookstores. From intimate rural developments to landmarks in major cities, by their very nature each of these projects is made to inspire and teach, encourage and facilitate. More so, they represent one of the last remaining places where people are actively invited to gather and while away the hours without spending a penny. In a world mad for profit, that alone is something to be cherished.Order Book NowXiadi Paddy Field Bookstore of Librairie Avant-GardeBy Trace Architecture Office, Fujian, China Situated in a lush rural location, an abandoned home comprising three rammed earth walls and broken down courtyards has been spectacularly redeveloped into a truly inimitable reading haven complete with its own theatre space. Thoughtful and sympathetic, the new development is physically encased in the old dwelling, bridging the gap between past and present, private and public.Library In The EarthBy Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP, Japan Like something dreamt up by Tolkien, Library In The Earth is not only a beautiful ode to the written word, its a regenerative project that saw a valley once filled with construction debris returned to the biosphere through greening and planting. Biodiverse flora thrives at the surface while fiction and non-fiction sections hide below ground level in a truly breathtaking subterranean environment.Library of BirminghamBy Mecanoo, Birmingham, UK Englands disputed second city isnt always celebrated for its architecture a result of gross misconceptions about a place that was devastated in World War II and hastily rebuilt into a modernist hulk, but still has plenty of classical landmarks worth pouring over. Not to mention more miles of canal than Venice. In contrast to all the heritage, Library of Birmingham is ultra-modern for the most part, reinterpreting timeless British reading room aesthetics for our century.Martin Luther King Jr. LibraryBy Mecanoo, Washington D.C.First opened in 1972, Martin Luther King Jr. Library is the only library designed by 20th Century architectural titan Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Extensively redesigned by Mecanoo, with input from Jack Bowman, who worked on the original, little has changed on the outside but the removal of a ceiling in the upstairs Grand Reading Room and the addition of a new fifth floor, set in its own trapezoid, have had a transformational effect.Montmagny LibraryBy Lemay, Montmagny, Canada Recycling a heritage building in picturesque Montmagny, 60 kilometers from Quebec City, the local library not only complements the areas traditional aesthetics and heritage style, the structure acts as a connection between downtown and a serene wooded park, while also creating a small public realm focal point of a district that also houses the main shopping street, public market, central church and town hall.Xinglong Lake CITIC BookstoreBy MUDA-Architects, Chengdu, China Inspired by the shape and idea of a book falling from the sky, the final design for Xilong Lake CITIC Bookstore was picked from 249 competition entrants and has a number of stunning features. Like a glass curtain wall that drops a meter below the waterfront the building sits alongside, creating a stunning interior lighting effect, a tiered reading area doubling up as steps, and meditation corridor fitted with different-sized windows.Chengdu Museum of Contemporary Art, Tianfu Library of Humanity & ArtBy CSWADI, Chengdu, China Connecting two priceless institutions, a new platform for urban public culture has been created in the form of a park and gathering point for residents. The library itself is 32,000 square meters with the centerpiece Book Montain a reading platform integrated into a huge collection wall. The idea is that visitors have a chance to meet books by chance while roaming this impressive space.Tianjin Binhai LibraryBy MVRDV, Tianjin, China As divisive as it is photographed, this expansive cultural centre features a luminous spherical auditorium around which a number of floor-to-ceiling bookcases cascade. Not only a wonderful focal point, this element dictates the entire structure, framing open space, creating stairs, seating rows and internal facades. Home to 1.2 million individual books, remarkably MVRDV completed this build in just three years. Nios ConarteBy Anagrama, Monterrey, MexicoThe only concept in our collection, if Mexicos third biggest city ever realizes this incredible building it could be a game changer. Located in an iconic park with extensive gardens, a convention center, auditorium, cultural venues and theme park, inside the design looks to informalize the idea of a library by embracing the feeling of play and a sense of fantastical surrealism. Something this country is already renowned for.The latest edition of Architizer: The Worlds Best Architecture a stunning, hardbound book celebrating the most inspiring contemporary architecture from around the globe is now available. Order your copy today.The post Reading Rooms: 10 Spectacular Libraries and Bookstores From Across the World appeared first on Journal.

You know John Wongs work even if you dont. Wong is a design principal in SWA. His legacy is freshly evident thanks to a new book, Selected Works of Landscape Architect John L. Wong: From Private to Public Ground, from Small to Tall.https://ow.ly/WoLk50UasRY

Its been decades since the Don River fed into Lake Ontario through Torontos Inner Harbor. Until last week, a levee stood in the way. It was removed this month, marking a major milestone to transform the Port Lands, an area on the eastern shoreline.The Port Lands Flood Protection and Enabling Infrastructure Project constitutes the largest public works project in Canadian history. Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA) is working on the project, which celebrated a milestone earlier this month when a plug was taken, eliminating the barrier be...

Archinteriors vol. 67 contains a complete apartment interior in a minimalist style. Over 100 objects, including products such as furniture, plants, carpets and household appliances, as well as smaller props and accessories. This apartment includes a kitchen-living room area, bedroom, dressing room, and bathroom.All models are made with PBR materials and the scene is ready to render out of the box.Need more informations? Link to the collection in the comment #archinteriors #archmodels #evermotion3d #3dinterior #c4d #blender #vray #coronarender #3dsmax #3dvisualization #3dkitchen #3dbedroom #3dlivingroom

#USelectionsA US election coverage straight from the Oval Office? MRTs US election broadcast took the immersive viewing experience to the next level with Reality. A stunning virtual set with informative graphics and various functionalities wowed the viewers on this pivotal evening.Huge congrats to the MRT team and our partner, Vertigo.Want to become the go-to destination for election night coverage?Learn more here:https://www.zerodensity.io/industry/elections/ #VirtualProduction #electioncoverage #ImagineNextWhen this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.

A few BTS photos from Aximmetrys Japanese partner, NAC Image Technology at #InterBEE, where the up-and-coming Aximmetry Gateway software was demonstrated.Footage from two cameras along with tracking data was transmitted to two AWS EC2s using Aximmetry Gateways running on laptops. The AWS machines ran two Aximmetry Composers in multi-machine. Content sharing was achieved by referring to the storage of the primary AWS Aximmetry machine from the secondary one.The final composite footage was showcased at two booths, including the AWS booth, where Sonys cloud switcher was demonstrated in collaboration.For more information on how to use Aximmetry Gateway, head to the link below:https://aximmetry.com/learn/virtual-production-workflow/starting-with-aximmetry/aximmetry-gateway/using-aximmetry-gateway/#virtualproduction #virtual #tracking #trackedcam #cloud #gateway #remote #rendering #broadcast