Fenix Art Museum / MAD ArchitectsSave this picture!© Iwan BaanMuseum, Refurbishment•Rotterdam, The Netherlands Architects: MAD Architects Area Area of this architecture project Area:  8000 m² Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2025 Photographs Photographs: Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers:  Goppion Project Contractors: Products translation missing: en-US.post.svg.material_description More SpecsLess Specs Save this picture! Text description provided by the architects. Fenix is a major new museum that explores migration through the lens of art, opening on a landmark site in Rotterdam's City Harbor, developed by internationally acclaimed architects MAD. With a rapidly expanding collection of historic and contemporary objects, Fenix tells the story of migration through a series of encounters with art, architecture, photography, food, and history. Located in what was once part of the world's largest transshipment warehouse, on a peninsula in Rotterdam's historic port district, Fenix overlooks the docks where millions of migrant journeys began and ended. The monumental 16,000 square meter warehouse has been transformed to become Fenix by MAD Architects with restoration consultation by Bureau Polderman. This is MAD Architects' first commission for a public cultural building in Europe, as well as the first museum to be built by a Chinese firm in Europe. The project was initiated by the Droom en Daad Foundation, founded in 2016. The Foundation is helping redefine Rotterdam for the 21st century - developing new kinds of arts and culture institutions and fostering new creative talent that reflects the city's diversity, its spirit, and its historySave this picture!Restoration of the 172-meter-long façade of the former shipping and storage warehouse began in 2018, led by Bureau Polderman, and took a year and a half to complete. Some architectural details date back to 1923 when the warehouse opened, while others were part of the 1948-1950 reconstruction plan. In the past 60 years, many additions were made and the building's function changed many 4mes. The façade lacked uniformity. Fronts and frames were rusty. All elements along the façade have now been restored, refurnished, or rebuilt. The characteristic windows were restored to reflect the style of 1923. The 2,200 sqm expanse of the south façade was blast-cleaned and cement stucco was reapplied. The characteristic sliding doors at street level have been restored to their original post-war state, with doors and frames repainted in their original green color. A serene rhythm of columns, windows, and fronts has emerged that emphasizes the horizontal quality of the building.Save this picture!Save this picture!A defining new feature of the building is the Tornado - a double helix staircase evocative of rising air that climbs from the ground floor and flows up and out of the rooftop onto an outdoor platform offering spectacular panoramic views across Rotterdam and the Maas River, 24 meters above ground level. The dynamic structure is cladded in 297 polished stainless-steel panels, made in Groningen, Netherlands. The canopy that sits at the top of the structure is 17m in length and was transported by boat from Groningen to Rotterdam in pieces before being assembled and lifted into place. Inside the Tornado is a 550m long double-helix wooden staircase which emerges onto the platform, which can also be accessed via a central shaft.Save this picture!Inside the building are a series of vast gallery spaces spread over two floors, housing Fenix's growing art and historical collection, as well as a series of commissions by emerging artists from across the world. The ground floor contains exhibition and programming spaces, while the upstairs galleries are dedicated to the Fenix Collection. The museum is accessed via entrances in the centre of the north façade on the riverfront and the south façade. On arrival, visitors are immediately drawn to the base of the Tornado, whose dynamic, twisting form is lit by the glass roof above the central atrium that allows natural light to filter into the lobby. The entrance atrium features a welcome desk, museum shop, and café. At 2,275 sqm, Plein is a vast, flexible space for events and performances and will host a constantly changing programme of activity curated for and with Rotterdam's communities. Located on the ground floor on the Eastern side of the building, it features doors on three sides which can be opened out to create a welcoming covered public space. Fenix offers a number of dining options located throughout the building where visitors can encounter food cultures that have travelled the world.Save this picture!The top of the warehouse features a 6,750 sqm 'green roof', featuring sedum plants arranged in a concentric pattern, in line with the shape of the Tornado. As well as supporting biodiversity, green roofs provide insulation and store rainwater in the plants and substrate, releasing it back into the atmosphere through evaporation. This significantly reduces the burden on the sewerage system, reducing the risk of flooding and the burden on water treatment. The building uses a Thermal Energy System (TES), which stores excess heat from the building in the soil. A heat pump is connected to the TES to produce the correct temperature for the building. The aquifer serves as the source for the heat pump. By using the heat pump and passive cooling, it is possible to save up to 60 percent in heating energy and 80 percent in cooling energy. The staircase of the Tornado is made from sustainable Norwegian wood called Kebony, a leading modified wood brand established in Oslo, Norway, that uses a proven, innovative, patented technology to enhance traditional 4mber. Biobased modified wood is a sustainable building material with a significantly lower environmental impact than other building materials. Fenix repurposes a 100-year-old warehouse, restored as much as possible to its original state in the 1950s, with interventions in line with the original architecture from 1923.Save this picture!Save this picture!The building has been designed in consultation with VGR, an association specializing in making buildings as accessible and welcoming as possible. Plein and the Atrium will be publicly accessible spaces that are free to enter.Save this picture! Project gallerySee allShow less Project locationAddress:Rotterdam, The NetherlandsLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeMAD ArchitectsOffice••• MaterialsSteelConcreteMaterials and TagsPublished on May 21, 2025Cite: "Fenix Art Museum / MAD Architects" 21 May 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1030328/fenix-art-museum-mad-architects&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save世界上最受欢迎的建筑网站现已推出你的母语版本!想浏览ArchDaily中国吗?是否 You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Karper Building Renovation / hé! architectuur + buro kiss + EA+Save this picture!© Tim Van de Velde•Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Belgium Architects: Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2024 Photographs Photographs:Tim Van de VeldeMore SpecsLess Specs Save this picture! Text description provided by the architects. The renovation involves the conversion of an industrial building into housing with a coworking space and studio on the ground floor. It is an upside-down home with the living spaces all the way upstairs to provide maximum light and privacy.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Urban dense site - The plot is located in a dense urban network of workshops and industrial sites. Expanding in height is a logical step to respond to a current problem: how to densify the city, create enough housing for a growing population, and still maintain as many green areas in the city as possible. Since the eaves were much lower than those of the neighbors, we had the opportunity to use our roof as a low-cost building site and put a new building on an old building. The new facade retakes the detailing of the historical masonry of the existing facade in a more rational way, in white brick.Save this picture!3 key principles within circular building are central to this project: 1. Flexibility - The flexible and open plan allows spaces to be used in multiple ways and change function in the future. The coworking space was designed so that in a later phase it can easily be transformed into a store or showroom for the Tenue de Ville design studio. The small studios are also designed in such a way that they can be transformed into an extension of the family home at a later stage. Save this picture!Save this picture!2. Regenerative - Regenerative materials are used. These are materials with a longer cycle. *Wood, hemp, straw,...(bio-based, biodegradable, and renewable. They absorb CO2 as they grow). *Earth and loam (geo-based, they are abundant and can be reused infinitely). *Reused materials (2nd, 3rd, 4th,... hands materials). The outer shell of the new roof volume will be realized in prefabricated wooden cassettes and filled in with straw bales, taken from a nearby farm. The existing facades are insulated with lime hemp blocks. A mixture of sand and clay, from the Brussels earth-moving industry, is used as plaster. Existing elements such as floors, joinery, stairs, tiles,... are revalued and supplemented with reclaimed materials. With this project, we want to show that building in back-to-basics materials such as straw, loam, and wood is not only for a rural context but can also be applied in an urban environment.Save this picture!3. Dismountable, simple & repetitive - The open and legible inner structure is perfectly demountable due to its specific assembly (composite columns and beams with loose bolted connections). If broken down, they are easily reused. The number of materials are kept to a minimum and low-tech details or principles are repeated. It is an architecture that is understandable to all and therefore easily adaptable.Save this picture! Project gallerySee allShow less Project locationAddress:Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, BelgiumLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officehé! architectuurOffice••• MaterialsWoodBrickMaterials and TagsPublished on May 21, 2025Cite: "Karper Building Renovation / hé! architectuur + buro kiss + EA+" 21 May 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1030330/karper-building-renovation-he-architectuur-plus-buro-kiss-plus-ea-plus&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save世界上最受欢迎的建筑网站现已推出你的母语版本!想浏览ArchDaily中国吗?是否 You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Maryse Bastié Middle School Reconstruction / Tectoniques ArchitectsSave this picture!© Maxime Verret•Dole, France Architects: Tectoniques Architects Area Area of this architecture project Area:  8248 m² Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2025 Photographs Photographs:Maxime Verret More SpecsLess Specs Save this picture! Text description provided by the architects. Built in 1974 by Jouven and Phelouzat (who also designed the neighboring hospital), the existing college is located on the south-western outskirts of the city center, in a suburban fabric that combines facilities, business parks, multi-family housing, and single-family dwellings. It is made up of several buildings arranged in an orthogonal system with no relationship to their surroundings. This functionalist architecture, poorly maintained, is now in a state of disrepair. The fragmentation of the buildings and successive additions have rendered the whole complex illegible and dysfunctional. The existing college is symptomatic of an ordinary heritage dating back to the 1970s, which has largely fallen into disrepute. Its transformation is now a necessity to meet contemporary environmental challenges. This implies taking a fresh look at it, as a heritage to be taken care of, an available resource rather than a clean slate. In addition to bringing the building up to standard and renovating its heating system, the project aims to clarify the formal and programmatic layout of the entire site in order to relieve congestion at the 550-student school, while increasing its capacity to 600. The project strategy must also take into account the need for a construction site on an occupied site, and therefore for phasing.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Tectonique's approach is to make the right diagnosis without preconceptions. It's a question of working with, repairing, and revealing the qualities of what's already there, in this case, the rationality of the constructive system that enables the structure's adaptability. The new image is thus a result, not an assumption. The intervention seeks to relieve the complexity inherited from the existing situation, in order to offer optimal operation over the long term. This is achieved through the simplicity and straightforwardness of the architectural and constructive features. First, the multiple additions are eliminated. The extension then extends the existing building using the same system, to the east to add a teaching block and half-board facilities, and to the west to reconnect the SEGPA section, which was previously isolated. The volume is also raised by one floor to create additional classrooms. This reconfiguration establishes a hierarchy between the previously very equivalent buildings, creating a more homogeneous and coherent whole.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The courtyard has been relocated to the south, on the side facing the town, which is served by a new forecourt with a canopy that doubles as a bicycle storage area. The entrance hall has been repositioned along the axis, at the barycentre of the plan, redefining a clear sequence from the public space. It opens onto a vast atrium with a monumental stepped staircase leading directly to the Culture and Knowledge Centre in its northern extension (in phase 3). This space redefines the centrality of this fragmented complex. It acts as a ball-and-socket joint between the various wings, providing better orientation within the building thanks to its openness to the landscape and its height. The exposed structure reveals the juxtaposition of different construction periods. The existing building is constructed using a "Stribick" prefabrication process, based on concrete floor caissons previously concealed beneath a false ceiling. These caissons are sandblasted. Revealing this structure characterizes the ambience, improves inertia, and makes the building's construction intelligible. The existing framework is envisaged as a generating system for the extension. The new parts reinterpret the coffered floors, using a timber solution of identical proportions. This relationship between the two construction methods blurs the distinction between old and new.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The project is based on an ambitious environmental approach that favors the use of local resources, whether through the massive use of Jura wood (640 m3) or the valorization of local know-how. Previously rightly described as a "thermal sieve", the building envelope has been considerably improved thanks to external thermal insulation using wood wool. Timber construction, which is largely prefabricated and minimizes nuisance, is also an appropriate response to the problem of a phased construction site on an occupied site. The facades are clad with green standing seam aluminum cassettes, evocative of Jura metal gables and the forest character of the region. The south-facing facade is enhanced by large sunshades suspended from a slender metal structure. These overhangs protect the facades and shelter the exterior longitudinal walkway. The composition of horizontal bands alternates aluminum and wood cladding, interspersed with wide windows. This new envelope unifies the existing and the new.Save this picture! Project gallerySee allShow less Project locationAddress:Dole, FranceLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this office MaterialsMaterials and TagsPublished on May 21, 2025Cite: "Maryse Bastié Middle School Reconstruction / Tectoniques Architects" 21 May 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1030329/maryse-bastie-middle-school-reconstruction-tectoniques-architects&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save世界上最受欢迎的建筑网站现已推出你的母语版本!想浏览ArchDaily中国吗?是否 You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

How to Design Residential Urban Terraces: Strategies for Living Well in High PlacesSave this picture!Phoenix Rooftop / BENT Architecture. © Dianna SnapeIn today’s dense, vertical cities, terraces—often overlooked as mere technical rooftops—are emerging as key spaces for reconnecting with nature, expanding residential functions, and offering moments of collective relief. Particularly in single-family homes located in compact urban areas, these elevated surfaces represent valuable opportunities to increase usable living space without occupying more land. By lifting daily life above street level, terraces open new ways of inhabiting the city, enabling a range of uses from leisure and contemplation to food production and social gathering. In contexts marked by limited green space and strained infrastructure, they hold the potential to generate what landscape architect Catherine Mosbach calls "additional layers of urbanity." Whether imagined as hanging gardens, gathering spots, edible landscapes, or wellness zones, terraces challenge the idea that the city ends at the top floor—inviting us to see the roof as a new kind of ground.As early as the 1920s, Le Corbusier recognized both the symbolic and functional power of rooftops through his concept of the “fifth façade”—a dynamic, accessible upper surface capable of hosting gardens, leisure spaces, and new forms of urban life. This forward-thinking vision resonates strongly today in the face of environmental and social challenges. Landmark projects such as MVRDV’s monumental temporary staircase in Rotterdam, giving public access to a rooftop, or large-scale initiatives like Toronto’s Green Roof program, Paris’s green roof mandate, and New York’s rooftop community gardens show how these spaces are being reimagined as infrastructure—by both public authorities and private actors alike. Save this picture!Although many rooftop activation projects focus on multifamily buildings or public facilities, growing attention is now being directed at terraces in single-family homes—especially on tight urban lots where the traditional backyard is being replaced by an active roof. In the context of increasing climate extremes and urban heat islands, these surfaces also gain ecological significance: they help regulate temperature, retain rainwater, and foster biodiversity. Still, their use remains limited by technical, legal, and cultural barriers, requiring targeted architectural solutions to truly integrate them into urban life—particularly at the domestic scale. Related Article The History of Useful Flat Roofs Varied Uses: How Climate and Context Shape TerracesBecause terraces are inherently outdoor spaces, their use and design are shaped by regional climates and cultural habits. In dry, sunny areas like the Mediterranean or the Middle East, terraces naturally extend the home and are often used for outdoor dining, sleeping under the stars, growing herbs and vegetables, or fostering intergenerational social interaction.Save this picture!In humid tropical regions such as Southeast Asia or Brazil, terraces require specific adaptations—like pergolas or awnings for shade, efficient drainage, and dense vegetation for thermal control. Even with these adjustments, they remain versatile and are commonly adapted as gourmet areas or compact urban gardens.Beyond these familiar uses, other forms of appropriation highlight the symbolic and practical flexibility of terraces. In dense cities where land is scarce, they can serve entirely new functions: as elevated playgrounds with safe, lightweight structures for children, or as pet-friendly zones with artificial turf, agility circuits, and shaded resting spots.Save this picture!More unexpected uses also emerge—retractable screens for family movie nights, quiet spaces for reading or meditation, sensory gardens filled with aromatic and medicinal plants, or small home observatories for stargazing that blend leisure with education. Some people even transform terraces into creative studios—spaces for painting, sculpture, or interactive installations. These varied possibilities reveal the terrace as an intimate, adaptable setting that reflects the evolving stages, routines, and identities of its inhabitants.Save this picture!Access and Integration: Connecting Indoors and OutdoorsA key factor in how terraces are used is their connection to the rest of the house. In single-family homes, the ease and quality of access largely determine how integrated and frequently used a terrace becomes. When access is limited to technical stairs or routed through service areas, the terrace tends to be seen as secondary and remains underused. By contrast, when access is direct, comfortable, and embedded in the domestic routine—through well-placed internal staircases, terraced gardens, or generous openings that link social spaces to the roof—the terrace becomes a natural extension of the home and is activated in everyday life.Save this picture!Contemporary architecture increasingly explores this sense of spatial continuity. Sculptural staircases, operable skylights, interior walkways, and large sliding glass doors enable smooth transitions between inside and out, blurring the boundaries between living space and rooftop. In narrow urban plots, well-designed compact solutions can link the upper floor to the terrace while enhancing light and ventilation—turning the journey upward into a deliberate part of the architectural experience.Save this picture!Form and Volume: The Terrace as an Architectural GestureFar from being flat, utilitarian surfaces, terraces can play a defining role in the architectural expression of single-family homes. Their volumetric configuration—whether as a full rooftop, half-terrace, stepped platform, or garden balcony—directly shapes the building’s silhouette and its dialogue with the urban context. Instead of defaulting to untreated concrete slabs, the terrace can continue the language of interior spaces through multilevel platforms, built-in planters and benches, reflecting pools, or pergolas that bring depth and texture to the composition. On sloped lots, they may cantilever outward or serve as scenic urban lookouts, expanding both visual and functional space. From a design standpoint, terraces allow for experimentation that breaks away from conventional single-story or stacked house typologies—creating compositions that play with mass and void, opacity and light, surface and shadow—making the terrace a true architectural gesture.Save this picture!Materials: Safety, Comfort, and Aesthetics at the TopMaterial choices are critical to the function, durability, and comfort of terraces. Exposed to sun, rain, and temperature shifts, these areas demand robust and safe materials. Common flooring options include non-slip porcelain tiles, treated wood decking, permeable concrete pavers, and other high-performance surfaces that balance durability with effective drainage. Structures like pergolas, brise-soleils, or tensioned fabric canopies help create shade and thermal comfort, using materials such as wood and steel.Save this picture!Waterproofing is equally essential—typically achieved through asphalt sheets, liquid membranes, or thermoplastic coatings—always combined with efficient drainage systems and, ideally, rainwater harvesting for reuse. Planters and gardens also require specific setups: at least 30 cm of depth for herbs and grasses, more than 60 cm for larger plants, with reinforced waterproofing. Pools, if planned, must be structurally accounted for from the start, given the weight and load implications. Safety is non-negotiable: guardrails over 1.10 meters high and edge barriers are vital to ensuring the secure use of rooftop spaces.Save this picture!Expanding Limits: The Micropolitics of Urban AirspaceAltogether, these examples point to the rise of a new urban paradigm: recognizing terraces and rooftops as open-air spaces with vast, yet often untapped, potential. It is important, however, to acknowledge that not all homes have access to such spaces—which makes it even more urgent to explore inclusive, collective, and accessible ways of activating rooftops. Expanding domestic life upward—whether individually or communally—opens the door to new spatial narratives within the city.Save this picture! Image gallerySee allShow less About this authorCamilla GhisleniAuthor••• Cite: Ghisleni, Camilla. "How to Design Residential Urban Terraces: Strategies for Living Well in High Places" [Como Projetar Terraços Urbanos Residenciais: Estratégias para Viver nas Alturas] 21 May 2025. ArchDaily. (Trans. Simões, Diogo) Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1030258/how-to-design-residential-urban-terraces-strategies-for-living-well-in-high-places&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save世界上最受欢迎的建筑网站现已推出你的母语版本!想浏览ArchDaily中国吗?是否 You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Say the name Isamu Noguchi and the designer-artist’s iconic lanterns spring to mind. Their flattering glow and unfussy shapes in washi paper and bamboo don’t define the cultural zeitgeist so much as thoughtfully accentuate it. (Just ask Michael Kors, who crowned the runway for his fall/winter 2025 collection with outsize Akari globes.)Courtesy Noguchi Museum ArchivesAn exhibition of Akari lanterns in 2018–19 at the Isamu Noguchi Museum in Astoria, Queens. The lamps are just one small part of the illustrious legacy of this Japanese-American creative who found acclaim in everything he did—from sculpture to furniture, and even landscape design. The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum in Astoria, Queens, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this month, is a testament to his vision. Its heart is a 27,000-square-foot red brick building that dates from 1929, when it was home to a photo-engraving supply company.Courtesy Noguchi Museum ArchivesAn interior of the building in 1974, just after it was purchased by NoguchiWhere there was once a gas station next door, there is now a concrete viewing pavilion. Inside, the former industrial workspaces, with exposed steel and wood beams, are now galleries that host revolving exhibitions, as well as displays of Noguchi’s organic sculpture in carved stone. The yearlong celebration will showcase works from Noguchi’s original installation, along with performances by the Martha Graham Dance Company. (The artist designed numerous sets for the legendary choreographer over the course of a friendship that spanned decades.)Courtesy Noguchi Museum ArchivesAn interior of the Isamu Noguchi Museum in Astoria, Queens.“The museum’s legacy is a testament to Noguchi’s visionary approach,” says its director, Amy Hau, “where art becomes an immersive experience that connects with both the mind and the spirit.”Courtesy Noguchi Museum ArchivesAnd exterior view of the building in 1931, when it was Demgen & Balletto Photo Engraver’s Supply Co.; the building’s façade today.This story originally appeared in the May 2025 issue of Elle Decor. SUBSCRIBESean SantiagoDeputy EditorSean Santiago is ELLE Decor's Deputy Editor, covering news, trends and talents in interior design, hospitality and travel, culture, and luxury shopping. Since starting his career at an interior design firm in 2011, he has gone on to cover the industry for Vogue, Architectural Digest, Sight Unseen, PIN-UP and Domino. He is the author of The Lonny Home (Weldon Owens, 2018), has produced scripted social content for brands including West Elm and Streeteasy, and is sometimes recognized on the street for his Instagram Reels series, #DanceToDecor

Got a project that’s too contemporary for your client? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards! The clock is ticking — submit your work ahead of the Main Entry deadline on June 6th. Spiral staircases are famously beautiful but notoriously tricky to design, particularly in section. (Ask any architect who’s ever tried!) Still, the payoff is worth it. Beyond their visual appeal, spiral stairs can save space, guide circulation, and even become striking centerpieces within a building. The projects below prove there’s more than one way to embrace the twist, using unexpected materials and creative details to shape spaces in offices, schools, restaurants and parks. Even when things get complicated, these nine stairs make a strong case for taking the spiral route. OFFICE @ 63 By Sanjay Puri Architects, Navi Mumbai, India Popular Choice Winner, 12th Annual A+Awards, Commercial Interiors (<25,000 sq ft.) A curved steel staircase rises through the center of this workplace, connecting three levels in one continuous movement. Perforated and matte-finished, it feels both solid and light. Its underside, lined with warm tones, softens the otherwise industrial palette. Set within a tall, multipurpose space used for exhibitions and gatherings, the stair becomes a quiet focal point. Surrounded by concrete, cork, glass and exposed metal, it stands out not just as a route between floors, but as an element that gives the entire space rhythm and focus. La Maison de Beauté Carita, L’Oréal-Luxe By Le studio REV, Paris, France At the center of Carita’s Paris beauty house, part of the L’Oréal portfolio, a curved staircase rises through what was once a closed courtyard. The space is now topped with a tall glass roof that brings in soft, natural light. Pale marble, pink onyx and brushed metal set a quiet, polished tone. The staircase is kept light with floating steps and slim supports. It connects the levels clearly and efficiently, without blocking views through arched openings. In a building designed around care and detail, the stair adds just the right touch of structure and calm movement. Sjustjärnan, New Nordic Headquarters for E.On By Kanozi Arkitekter, Malmö, Sweden A wide, open staircase connects the floors of E.ON’s Malmö headquarters, rising through a central glass atrium that joins the two curved volumes of the building. Designed to encourage movement and connection between departments, the stair is placed at the heart of shared circulation. Materials are simple and natural: light wood treads, glass balustrades and metal accents, chosen to support the building’s focus on well-being and daylight. Generous landings allow for pauses and casual interaction, reinforcing the workplace’s flexible layout. With no assigned desks and no divided entrances, the building encourages a sense of togetherness and the staircase plays a clear role in making that daily flow visible and accessible. The Learning Center at Quest By KSM Architecture, Chennai, India Jury Winner, 12th Annual A+Awards, Architecture +Learning A vivid red spiral staircase rises along the facade of this learning center in Chennai, connecting the top floor library to a rooftop cafeteria and terrace. Attached to the exterior, the stair adds a moment of surprise to the otherwise calm, ribbed concrete surface. Made from perforated metal, its bright finish contrasts with the muted palette of the building while echoing the colorful window frames scattered across the elevation. Inside, a separate metal stair winds through a central atrium, linking five stacked classrooms and open learning spaces. Together, the staircases reflect the school’s focus on movement, openness and curiosity — key principles in its interest-based approach to education. Varee Valley Restaurant : Jungle Junction By NPDA studio, Thailand Inside this forest-side restaurant in Northeast Thailand, a white spiral staircase rises slowly through the center of a light-filled dining area. Designed for pause and perspective, the stair leads visitors to a rooftop platform that opens up to the surrounding trees. Built with slender steel members and a delicate footprint, it reflects the lightness of the overall structure and mirrors the verticality of nearby tree trunks. The stair wraps around a central cylindrical column that also serves as a rainwater drain and light shaft, drawing daylight into the heart of the space. The Opera Park By Cobe, Copenhagen, Denmark Jury Winner, Public Parks & Green Spaces, 12th Annual A+Awards At the heart of this new harbor front park in Copenhagen, a spiral staircase descends through the center of a circular greenhouse, wrapping gently around a subtropical garden. The stair connects the café at park level with an underground parking facility, guiding visitors down through layers of greenery. Slim metal railings trace its curve, while the surrounding glass enclosure creates the feeling of walking through an open-air terrarium. The park itself spans six themed gardens across a former industrial island, offering paths, ponds and planting from around the world. In this setting, the staircase becomes part of a wider idea: architecture that supports slow movement, seasonal change and a close connection to nature. Balmy Palmy By CplusC Architects + Builders, Sydney, Australia In this compact holiday home raised above a rocky slope, a yellow spiral staircase links the natural ground to the open-air platform above. Built from powder-coated steel, it curves tightly between tree trunks and timber posts, bringing a sharp contrast to the greens and browns of the site. The stair leads into an outdoor area that connects the home’s simple rooms, with views of the treetops, the bay and the sky shifting between the leaves. Designed to limit excavation and preserve the forest setting, the staircase plays a clear role in the project’s minimal footprint — serving as a key access point and everyday reminder of the landscape it rises from. Dental Clinic By IFAgroup, Gdańsk, Poland Jury Winner, Hospitals and Healthcare Centers, 12th Annual A+Awards Jury Winner,  Architecture +Health, 12th Annual A+Awards Photos by Hanna Połczyńska This dental clinic, once a granary, is organized around a wide spiral staircase that rises through its three-story foyer. Clad in warm wood, the stair connects waiting areas, dental offices and training spaces while giving the interior a clear center. It’s surrounded by concrete, brick and steel surfaces that reflect the building’s industrial past. Live piano music and soft lighting help create a calm atmosphere, while sound-absorbing materials keep the space quiet and focused. Envisioned as more than a circulation route, the stair shapes how people move, wait and gather inside. Concept WRRF Yixing (Water Resource Recovery Facility) By SUP Atelier of THAD, China Inside this water treatment facility, a spiral staircase sits next to a café and community area. Built from metal with clean, simple details, it leads visitors through spaces designed to educate the public about recycling and sustainability. Large windows around the stair offer clear views of the nearby farmland and waterways, connecting visitors with the natural setting. As part of the facility’s open, welcoming design, the staircase makes it easy to see and understand how wastewater is turned into clean water and renewable energy. Got a project that’s too contemporary for your client? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards! The clock is ticking — submit your work ahead of the Main Entry deadline on June 6th. Top image: The Learning Center at Quest by KSM Architecture, Chennai, India The post 9 (Somewhat) Unconventional Takes on The Beloved Spiral Staircase appeared first on Journal.

Damen Compact Crafts (DCCr), a division of the Dutch shipbuilding company Damen Shipyards Group, has partnered with CEAD, a developer of large-format additive manufacturing solutions, to build a 3D printed high-density polyethylene (HDPE) Workboat. The joint initiative will be carried out at CEAD’s Maritime Application Center (MAC) in Delft. This project brings together maritime design and industrial 3D printing expertise to investigate more sustainable and efficient vessel production methods. DCCr is designing the workboat for multipurpose operations including inspections, patrol, support, and logistics. As part of the research, the hull will be produced using CEAD HDPro material, a high-performance polyethylene blend. The aim is to determine whether additive manufacturing can introduce greater flexibility, reduce waste, and accelerate production timelines. 3D printing the hull enables more complex geometries and may allow integration of recycled or renewable materials into the build process. Nick Pruissen (Damen Compact Crafts) and Charlène van Wingerden (CEAD) formalize the collaboration to develop a 3D printed HDPE workboat at the Maritime Application Center in Delft. Photo via CEAD. Founded in 2014, CEAD develops turnkey large-format additive manufacturing systems for industrial use. Its portfolio includes robot-based and cartesian-style solutions capable of producing fiber-reinforced thermoplastic components. For this workboat project, CEAD is providing its hardware and process expertise in printing large polymer structures. “The MAC was founded to accelerate exactly these kinds of innovations – and a 3D printed HWB is a perfect example of that,” said Charlene van Wingerden, Chief Business Development Officer at CEAD. Damen Shipyards, which operates 35 shipyards and 20 affiliated companies across 20 countries, delivers approximately 100 vessels annually. The company focuses on serial construction, modularity, and integrated systems to streamline design and production. “3D printing allows us to respond more quickly and flexibly to what our customers really need,” said Nick Pruissen, Managing Director at Damen Compact Crafts. “It’s an exciting step toward smart, sustainable solutions that work.” Damen views additive manufacturing as a potential fit within its broader digitalization and standardization strategy. Both parties describe the initiative as an exploratory step toward incorporating additive manufacturing into maritime production workflows. The project will serve as a technical evaluation of process capabilities, material performance, and structural feasibility. According to the partners, the workboat program reflects a practical use case where market-specific vessel requirements can be tested against automated, large-scale 3D printing technologies. Facade of CEAD’s Maritime Application Center (MAC) in Delft. Photo via CEAD. Large-format additive manufacturing gains traction in marine sector In the United States, ErectorCraft has begun commercially producing 3D printed boat hulls using large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM). The company employs high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and proprietary ErectorBot extrusion systems to fabricate full-scale marine components without the use of traditional molds. ErectorCraft’s approach includes on-site production capabilities, engineering services, and 3D concrete printing (3DCP) for marine infrastructure. According to the company, its decentralized manufacturing model shortens production timelines and lowers material waste. Chief Technology Officer Leonard Dodd developed the ErectorBot system and previously contributed to Autodesk’s direct metal deposition process used in the first class-approved 3D printed propeller. In Europe, yacht builder Pershing has integrated LFAM into its GTX116 model through a collaboration with Caracol. The yacht’s side air grilles and visor were produced using Caracol’s Heron AM platform, a robotic extrusion system operating at the company’s Milan facility. The components, made from ASA reinforced with 20% glass fiber, were printed in 72 hours and finished with a gel coat. According to Ferretti Group, this production method resulted in a 50% lead time reduction, 60% less material waste, and a 15% weight savings compared to traditional fiberglass lamination. Caracol operates one of the largest LFAM centers in Europe and has expanded its applications across the aerospace, marine, and construction sectors. 3D printed intake grilles. Photo via Caracol. Ready to discover who won the 20243D Printing Industry Awards? Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights. Take the 3DPI Reader Survey — shape the future of AM reporting in under 5 minutes. Featured image shows Nick Pruissen (Damen Compact Crafts) and Charlène van Wingerden (CEAD) formalize the collaboration to develop a 3D printed HDPE workboat. Photo via CEAD. Anyer Tenorio Lara Anyer Tenorio Lara is an emerging tech journalist passionate about uncovering the latest advances in technology and innovation. With a sharp eye for detail and a talent for storytelling, Anyer has quickly made a name for himself in the tech community. Anyer's articles aim to make complex subjects accessible and engaging for a broad audience. In addition to his writing, Anyer enjoys participating in industry events and discussions, eager to learn and share knowledge in the dynamic world of technology.