As the new year begins, we travel around the world to look at some exciting projects planned to open this year as compiled by ArchDaily, ranging in scale and program, from international airports to sculptural arts galleries or museum expansions. With a mix of cultural and commercial programs, the designs are located across five continents, with many under construction for multiple years. While all of the projects listed are incredible on so many levels, we’ve highlighted few stand-outs as to their use of metal to accomplish the unique design goals of the project.
According to ArchDaily, “Resource availability and labor issues generated by the pandemic have continued to influence opening schedules, but with a diminishing impact, with more and more projects involving the adaptive reuse of existing structures. An underlying theme is visible in the increased interest in expanding artistic and cultural venues and integrating historical heritage into the expression of contemporary architecture.”
*** The Buffalo AKG Art Museum, US / OMA/Shohei Shigematsu — The main feature of the new building is the “veil” consisting of a glazed steel and aluminum diagrid that wraps the entire second and third floors. The steel supporting the façade is also being used as the building structural system in order to reduce the number and size of structural columns at the ground floor and at the bridge. The steel is designed by the SEOR and included on the structural drawings but fabricated and installed by the glazing contractor to meet the more stringent glazing tolerance requirements while maintaining the design intent of slender profiles and small sightlines. (Source: Thornton Tomasetti)
*** Aranya “Cloud Center” in China / MAD Architects — Inspired by clouds’ shape and lightweight appearance, the engineers set several structural overhangs embedded within the envelope as an internal space frame. The primary and secondary trusses suspended are welded to the core steel structure, the largest of which is nearly 30 meters long. As a result, the gallery is almost entirely column-free to allow various functions to occur while concealing its means of structural support. The “floating” effect is further accomplished by using floor-to-ceiling glass on the ground floor beneath it, where the grand hall occupies most of the building’s footprint. (Source: ArchDaily)
*** Zhuhai Jinwan Civic Art Centre, China / Zaha Hadid Architects — Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the project integrates four distinct cultural institutions: a 1200-seat Grand Theatre; a 500-seat Multifunctional Hall, a Science Centre; and an Art Museum. Using steel to construct it, the center’s distinctive roof structure unites the different venues under a network of reticulated shells soaring above the four buildings. (Source: ArchDaily)
Beijing Sub-Center Library, China / Snøhetta – The project aims to create a new type of public space centered on learning, information exchange, and debate.
Museum of Natural History Expansion in New York, US / Studio Gang – The explansion links together 10 museum buildings and creates a monumental campus for exhibition galleries, classrooms, and an immersive digital theater.
The Abrahamic Family House, UAE / Adjaye Associates – The site is occupied by three main structures: a mosque, a synagogue, and a church. By bringing people of different faiths from across all layers of society, the initiative hopes to represent a step toward a peaceful coexistence for generations to come.
Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem, Israel / SANAA – The design brings together 2,500 students and 500 faculty members as the school moves from its current location in an effort to revitalize the city center and connect to the urban fabric of Jerusalem.
The Pyramid of Tirana, Albania / MVRDV – A new hub for Tirana’s cultural life including cafes, studios, and workshops, the project preserved the original concrete shell of the former museum dedicated to Enver Hoxha, while opening the atrium to the surroundings.
Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia / Fender Katsalidis – Designed by Australian firm Fender Katsalidis, the 118-story tall tower features a triangular faceted glass façade inspired by the patterns of traditional Malaysian art and will open as the world’s second tallest building.
Grand Egyptian Museum, Egypt / Heneghan Peng – Designed to accommodate some of humanity’s most precious artifacts, upon completion, it will become the world’s largest museum dedicated to one civilization.
Spiral Skyscraper in New York, US / BIG – The 66-story-high tower features a series of stepped landscaped terraces that wrap around the building, leading to its name, “the Spiral”.
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, US / Studio Gang – Set to open to the public on April 22, the Museum’s new architectural identity aims to signify its role as a leading arts institution in the region. One of the Museum’s most recognizable features, the folded plate concrete roof, spans the length of the building, connecting the new construction and the renovated spaces to create a coherent architectural character for the cultural institution.
Factory International, UK / OMA/Ellen van Loon – The long-awaited project will be OMA’s first major public project in the UK and will feature an area of 13,350 square meters designed to host a broad range of art forms, from major exhibitions and large-scale concerts to intimate performances and immersive experiences.
Toranomon-Azabudai in Tokyo, Japan / Heatherwick Studio – Heatherwick Studio’s first built venture in Japan, the development is planned to add to the public realm of the Minato City of Tokyo, and will include offices, residential, retail, a school, a temple, and power stations.
Goethe Institute in Dakar, Senegal / Kéré Architecture – The Institute is the first purpose-built space for the German cultural association for exhibitions, language courses, concerts, and gatherings. The construction made unique use of local materials, including bricks made of laterite, a residual local rock with insulating properties that will help to passively regulate the indoor climate.
El Paso Children’s Museum, US / Snøhetta – A new museum designed to stand out in the city’s skyline and to become a civic classroom and energy point for the children and families from El Paso, Ciudad Juarez, the American southwest, and the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Sonora.
Red Sea International Airport, Saudi Arabia / Foster + Partners – The five pods can be operated independently as small-scale terminals as the main ancillary spaces of the airport, the hangars, and logistic facilities are located in the two wings.
Museum of Modern Art Warsaw, Poland / Thomas Phifer and Partners – Planned to create a new art hub for Warsaw, the two new cultural entities will add a modern and contemporary touch to the rich heritage of the city.
National Library of Israel / Herzog & de Meuron – Located at at the base of the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) and adjacent to the Israel Museum, Science Museum, and Hebrew University, the concept behind the library keeps the books at the center of the design while allowing public spaces to flow around and through the building.
Kempegowda International Airport Terminal 2 in Bengaluru, India / SOM – The new air travel hub is conceptualized as a serene transportation experience, combining the image of the airport with that of a garden. Upon completion, the terminal will serve up to 25 million annual passengers.
Masaryčka Building in Prague, Czech Republic / Zaha Hadid Architects – The building integrates the existing means of transit, a bus terminal, a metro line, and a future airport rail link. Built over a former car park, the structure introduces a new pedestrian route between Na Florenci Street in the north and Hybernská Boulevard to the south, enhancing the circulation and accessibility to the railway station.
A District Tower, Japan / Pelli Clarke & Partners – The 330-meter mixed-use high-rise in central Tokyo, has topped out in early 2022, becoming the tallest building in Japan.
Esbjerg Maritime Center, Denmark / Snøhetta – The center is conceived as a shared space for watersport clubs and visitors of the port, providing the coastal town a maritime social hub.
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