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THE PLAN 155, the fourth issue for 2024, opens with the editorial “Resonance: Mind and Matter in Architecture” by Hana Kassem from Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF). She investigates how architecture, as a union of abstract and narrative elements, influences human behavior. This is a central theme at KPF, which studies how the built environment can promote wellbeing through coherence, charm, and familiarity – all key concepts of neuroaesthetics.
Major urban infrastructure, such as train stations, is often impressive but unwelcoming and not properly integrated into the city. Jiaxing Station, designed by MAD Architects in the Chinese city of the same name, circumvents this by uniting past and future through faithful reconstructions of historical elements, and the harmonious integration of new underground structures with squares and gardens at ground level to create an urban environment that’s both welcoming and functional.
The topic of Valerio Paolo Mosco’s column, Journey to Italy, is architect Giulia De Appolonia. Her architecture stands out for its compactness, conceptual clarity, and painstaking attention to detail, with the recurring theme of hard versus soft, which gives her work a classic and discreet feel. Her design of the Olgiate Olona Sports Center perfectly demonstrates all these principles, combining historical elements with a modern, functional vision.
In the Old & New column, Michael Webb talks about the redevelopment of the former mining town of Bishop Auckland. Níall McLaughlin Architects masterminded the project, not only restoring the 12th-century castle but also designing the new Faith Museum, combining historical and modern elements, and enhancing both the past and future of the city.
Michael Webb has also penned an article dedicated to the Simose complex, the work of Shigeru Ban. Located by the Seto Inland Sea and comprising residences, museums, and other facilities, it offers an exclusive and innovative experience. In contrast with many crowded Japanese tourist attractions, the focus here is on sustainable, modular architecture that showcases both art and the landscape.
Located next to a volcanic lake in the Mexican state of Nayarit, Casa Santa María del Oro is a project by architect Mauricio Ceballos. By using local materials and sustainable techniques intended to minimize environmental impact, improve energy efficiency, and enhance the interaction between the local community and this innovative design, it integrates perfectly into the natural landscape and ancient trees of its site.
Designed by Eloisa Ramos and Moreno Castellano on Santo Antão Island, Cape Verde, the Mamiwata tourist ecovillage integrates housing into the natural landscape, preserving the environment and local traditions. With its respectful, innovative architecture, it champions sustainability while bringing economic benefits to the whole community.
In Los Angeles, Studio One Eleven has used modular containers to create sustainable homes for the homeless. By integrating private with public spaces, the project has revitalized the neighborhood and improved quality of life, demonstrating that architecture can be both effective and innovative even with limited resources.
In Pellaro, Reggio Calabria, the project for the Capua 1880 factory by GEZA Architettura has transformed a former Coca-Cola factory into a modern, sustainable production center for essential citrus oils. The project harmonizes architecture with the Calabrian landscape through an approach that enhances the setting and promotes environmental sustainability.
The cover of THE PLAN 155 features Shigeru Ban’s Simose project, photographed by Hiroyuki Hirai.
THE PLAN 155, the fourth issue for 2024, opens with the editorial “Resonant Spaces: Mind and Matter in Architecture,” by Hana Kassem of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF). This issue looks at railroad stations, sports centers, corporate headquart... Read More
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