Koolhaas' hits new heights in The Netherlands, architects optimistic about the industry's future and Brazil contradicts its sustainability plans with dam construction.
THE NETHERLANDS
The City of Rotterdam has joined forces with private developers to ensure that work on De Rotterdam can commence. Designed by Rem Koolhaas and his Office for Metropolitan Architecture, the development will provide 160,000 sqm of useable space, making it the largest block of its kind in The Netherlands. It comprises three interconnected towers, reaching 150m high, with offices, apartments, a hotel, gym, conference facilities and restaurants within. The project is due to be completed in 2013.
UNITED KINGDOM
The November results of the RIBA's Future Trends survey mark the first time that architects have predicted an increase in workload in the private housing, commercial and public sectors. Overall, the number of architectural practices predicting growth rose by 8 per cent in a month, to 39 per cent. However, the number of practices expecting a decline in work also increased slightly. Practices predicting an increase in staff rose for the second month, to 10 per cent, with those expecting a drop in staff decreasing from 13 per cent to 11 per cent.
BRAZIL
Work is underway on the Santo Antonio dam in the western Amazon's Rondonia state, making more of the Maderia river accessible and creating a trade route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Critics argue, however, that the project interferes with the country's efforts to lead a global green movement. Brazil recently reversed its opposition to greenhouse gas targets, aiming to reduce Amazon deforestation by 80 per cent and curb emissions by 40 per cent.
AUSTRIA
Designed by Feichtinger Architects, Voestalpine's new sales and financial centre features a huge cantilever stretching out across a large area, with its underside, decorated with LED lights, ushering staff and visitors into the building. Glass and steel are predominantly used in the design, giving the 23,160 sqm area transparency and strength. The roof space doubles as a green planting space and a conference area.
UNITED STATES
The Palisades Garden Walk and Town Square will include seven acres of park space between Santa Monica City Hall and the Santa Monica Pier that will be bordered by future residential developments and connect the Santa Monica Civic Centre to the rest of the city. A shortlist of architects, landscape architects and urban designers to work on the project has been created, with Peter Walker and Partners, Gehry Partners, Studio Works and SWA Group all making the cut.
