2013 has been an impressive year, not only for us but for the entire world of architecture. Here’s some of the best architecture and design news of the year.
1. South Korea’s invisible building
The Tower Infinity won’t actually be invisible per se, but will be sheathed in glass and will use a skin of LED screens to blend in with the surrounding skyline. The building is set to be completed in 2014, so it’s likely that it will make our list next year too!
2. Dubai plans yet another crazy project
Dubai is now considered to be home to some of the craziest and superstructures, including the famous Burj Khalifa. This year they unveiled plans to bring their own version of the London Eye to the desert – the Dubai Eye will be the central attraction on a new island that’s yet to be constructed and will be the world’s largest Ferris wheel.
3. The world’s tallest wooden building is coming to Stockholm
Scandinavian architecture firm C.F. Moller recently unveiled a proposal to create the world’s tallest wooden building in Stockholm. The 34-storey skyscraper serves as a vision for a more sustainable future; wood is environmentally friendlier and cheaper than steel and concrete.
4. India welcomes a wicked cool skyscraper
India is home to many low-rises, so when architectural firm WS Atkins announced that they would be building a 62-story skyscraper in Mumbai, we were thrilled! According to BuzzBuzzHome, the Namaste Tower will be shaped into two wings clasped together, as if the building is saying “namaste”. The building’s skin will also be decorated in traditional henna patterns.
5. 2013 is Zaha Hadid’s year
You can imagine our excitement when we discovered that one of our favourite architects Zaha Hadid, had designed a luxurious and grand train station for none other than Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
One of the most powerful women in the UK, Ms. Hadid has been busy with a handful of other projects too, including the Al Wakrah Stadium, the new Iraqi Parliament building in Baghdad, and a super cool superyacht.
6. Israeli Public Transit Bus
A pair of Israeli women decided to transform an old public transit bus into an urban chic home and the result is awe-strikingly amazing.
7. Bazis introduces 1 Yorkville
This project is going to be impressive, and we’re not just saying that because it’s our project! Blog TO has called it one of the top 10 projects of 2013, and we’ve received plenty of compliments from our beloved Twitter followers! 1 Yorkville will be changing Toronto’s landscape, so stay tuned for more updates in 2014!