ARCHITECTURE SPOTLIGHT (view all)

Architectural Marvels That Transform Landscapes: Stunning Towers and Platforms Across the Globe

In the realm of architectural brilliance, certain structures elevate their surroundings with daring designs. From cantilevered forms to helical staircases, these breathtaking viewpoints redefine what it means to connect architecture and landscape. From telecommunications to tourism: Titlis Tower in Switzerland Perched atop Mount Titlis, the Titlis Tower is an ingenious transformation by Herzog & de Meuron. Originally a 1980s telecommunications...

Tall, slender Nomads' Beacon Tower in a barren landscape, China.

Transforming a 1970s Civic Icon into Toronto’s New Medical School Hub with Diamond Schmitt

Introducing TMU’s School of Medicine In a bold move, Toronto Metropolitan University has unveiled its new School of Medicine, brilliantly repurposed from the former Bramalea Civic Centre. Designed by Canadian firm Diamond Schmitt, this first phase infuses contemporary academic flair into the 1970s structure, harmoniously blending wood-clad elements with striking blue accents. Design Inspired by Nature and Culture The redesign...

Exterior view of TMU School of Medicine designed by Diamond Schmitt.

AlUla Manara: Heatherwick Studio’s Celestial Creation Transforms Saudi Desert Astronomy

Imagine a desert structure that invites everyone to connect with the cosmos. Heatherwick Studio’s AlUla Manara, an astrotourism center and observatory, promises just that in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Rising near the ancient city of AlUla, this stone-clad marvel redefines observatories by blending artistry with accessibility. Its name, “Manara,” translates to “lighthouse” in Arabic, signaling its role as a beacon not...

Spiral-shaped observatory surrounded by desert landscape under clear sky