CHINA
Xiling ski resort’s new gateway structure, designed by Sutherland Hussey, has been completed. The secure entrance to the resort near Chengdu has a masterplan that includes an existing village, cable car station, hiking area and panda reserve. The architect is also designing a ski hotel, duckpin and a series of mountain-top buildings, incorporating a retreat and resort hotel. The British architects Charlie Sutherland and Charlie Hussey studied together at the Mackintosh School of Architecture and have worked for both late Sir James Stirling and Renzo Piano.
AUSTRALIA
The University of Sydney’s Great Hall will come alive with a spectacular show to celebrate the 150th anniversary of this iconic Sydney landmark in September. Using award-winning light installations and a specially written script, The Great Hall 150 Years Spectacular will tell the story of the building’s fascinating history with a distinct nod to the future. The Great Hall, completed in 1859, is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Australia. It has inspired artists for generations and is home to some of the city’s most stunning stained-glass windows as well as the impressive Great Hall Rudolf von Beckerath-designed organ.
NETHERLANDS
LAM Architects have designed a special house, the Savannah House, for some very special residents. The giraffes of Rotterdam Zoo now have a tailor made design, sustainable and comfortable home. Menno Lam, director of the studio, studied at a masterclass of Glenn Murcutt three years ago in Australia, which, he told Architecture & Design, influenced him in designing appropriate to place and environment. SAUDI ARABIA SOM will be working on the masterplan for King Abdullah Economic City in Saudi Arabia with developer Emaar. The $80 billion project is expected to include a healthcare district, residential zones, an industrial park and a knowledge and media city. SOM will be responsible for ‘refining and finalising the existing concept masterplan’ for the 168km2 site, located in Rabigh, north of Jeddah.?
UNITED STATES
The mayor of Seoul, Korea, has been on a guided tour of New York City’s recently opened High Line elevated park by Alexandros Washburn, chief urban designer of New York City’s Department of City Planning. Seoul has been named World Design Capital 2010 and currently has major architecture and infrastructure projects underway. Mayor Oh is in the process of transforming his city into an international design center, and the High Line is considered a significant reference for Seoul's redevelopment plan. The High Line, a 1.5-mile-long public park built on a defunct elevated rail line running along Manhattan’s lower west side, opened June 8 this year.