Hasta La Ideas

Faceted glass triangles create glowing crowns around a trio of stadiums for the World University Games currently taking place in Shenzhen.

The three Universiade stadiums were designed by German studio GMP Architekten and surround an artificial lake.

The largest of the three buildings is the main events arena, which seats up to 60,000 spectators in three tiered stands.

The second stadium hosts indoor activities including ice skating and the third houses a swimming pool for aquatic events.

The closing ceremony for the games takes place on 23 August.

GMP Architekten have designed a number of stadiums for international competitions, including the recently published World Aquatics Championships complex in Shanghai – see all our stories about stadiums by GMP Architekten here.

Photography is by Christian Gahl.

Here are some more details from GMP:

2011 Universiade in Shenzhen

Inauguration of the Sports Center and Bao’an Stadium

To mark the occasion of the Universiade, which will take place from 12th to 23rd August 2011, the Universiade sports center and Bao’an stadium will be opened tomorrow in Shenzhen, southern China. The international com- petitions to come up with a design for the buildings were won in 2006 and 2007 by the designs of architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp). The Universiade sports center consists of a stadium, a multifunctional hall and a swimming pool. The stadium in the Bao’an district is designed as an athletics stadium. However, during the 2011 Universiade, it is being used for football matches.

Universiades are World Games for students and are held every other year in winter and summer, hosted by the International University Sports Federation, the Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU). Going by the number of athletes participating, the summer Universiade is the second largest multi-sport event in the world after the Summer Olympics. It was announced in January 2007 that the 26th summer Universiade 2011 was to take place in Shenzhen.

Universiade 2011 Sports Center

The design for the Universiade Sports Center in the city of Shenzhen is inspired by the surrounding undulating landscape and generates a formal dialog that references Chinese horticulture and philosophy toward the land. The roof structure projects up to 65 m, and is designed as a steel prismatic shell on a basis of triangular fac- ets. The crystalline shape of the three stadia is additionally emphasized by the illumination of the translucent facades at night. An artificial lake connects the stadium with the circular multifunctional hall in the north and the rectangular swimming hall west thereof. The central sports plaza is accessed via a raised promenade from the individual stadia.

The main stadium is planned to be multifunctional, meeting the requirements of international sports occasions and events. Total capacity is 60,000, seated in three stands. The total diameter of the roof is 310 m lengthways and 290 m across.

The indoor sports complex is designed as a circular multifunctional arena for indoor sports competitions as well as for ice-skating and other events. The overall capacity is approx. 18,000 spectators. The swimming complex forms the third module of the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Center. The overall capacity is approx. 3,000 spectators, the seats are arranged on two stands.

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Competition: 2006 – 1st prize
Design: Meinhard von Gerkan and Stephan Schütz with Nicolas Pomränke
Project: leader Ralf Sieber
Staff Xu: Ji, Alexander Niederhaus, Huang Cheng, Niklas Veelken, Martin Gänsicke, Stephanie Brendel, Marlene Törper, Andrea Moritz, Zheng Xin, Kralyu Chobanov, Chen Zhicong, Thomas Krämer, Lin Wei, Martin Schulte- Frohlinden, Plamen Stamatov, Christian Dorndorf, Lian Kian, Zhou Bin, Tobias Keyl, Li Ling, Helge Lezius, Meng Xin, Kuno von Haefen
Structural concept and design roof: schlaich bergermann und partner – Sven Plieninger with Wei Chen
Technical building equipment: IG Tech
Lighting design: Conceptlicht
Acoustics Acoustic Design: Ahnert
Facade planning: Shen and Partner
Chinese partner practices: SADI (stadium), CNADRI (multifunctional hall), CCDI (swimming hall), BLY (landscape design)
Client: Bureau of Public Works of Shenzhen Municipality
Seats, stadium: 60,000
Seats, multifunctional hall: 18,000
Seats, swimming hall: 3,000
Construction period: 2007–2011

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London Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid	Convention Centre by Eva Jiricna Architects	Shanghai Sports Centre by GMP Architekten

What appears to be an open tunnel beneath a bridge in northern Spain is in fact a concealed passageway, screened behind a secret mirror.

Local studio VAV Architects temporarily installed the mirror inside the doorway to a passageway that burrows through the base of the river-spanning bridge.

A slither of daylight passes around the edges of the mirror into the tunnel, creating an illuminated outline around the reflected view.

The true view is revealed when the mirror is revolved around a central pivot.

Other recent projects on Dezeen to feature mirrors are a shop with a central photography studio and a garden filled with a maze of grey brick arches – see all our stories featuring mirrors here.

Photography is by VAV and Miquel Merce.

Heres a short project description from VAV Architects:

Mirror lab

The idea of exploring the mirror for the installation has grown from the desire to capture, explore and experiment with the landscape, rather than the built form.

The project itself is not important on it’s own, as much as is its relationship with the site.

The mirror lab is merely a tool to explore and capture the views of the existing and by doing so it becomes invisible, completely dissolving into the landscape. A simple insertion into the bridge, solely supported by the two points, mirror lab adds a new dimension to the site, both inside the arc, by doubling and inverting the space, and outside, by capturing and framing the views.

Pivoting through the centre, the door allows the visitors to interact with and become part of the installation, immersing themselves into and exploring both the real and the reflected landscapes.

Place: Bridge de Sant Roc, Olot, Spain
Material: bridge, mirror, timber, plywood, landscape
Function: gate
Time: 5 days

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Master Designer’s Garden by Martha Schwartz Partners	Chimecco by Mark Nixon	Tree Hotel by Tham & Videgård Arkitekter

Here is a complete set of photographs of the heavily criticised Museum of Liverpool by Danish architects 3XN, which opened to the public last month.

Top: photograph by Pete Carr

The bulky dockside museum features huge projecting windows at either end, one facing towards the city centre and the other out across the River Mersey.

Limestone panels surround the facade and are shaped as zig-zagging diamonds on the side elevations, creating the illusion that the building has been stretched.

A staircase spirals up through an atrium at the heart of the museum, leading to three floors of galleries that exhibit social history and popular culture.

Above: photograph by Pete Carr

Although designed by 3XN, the project was delivered by UK studio AEW Architects.

Above: photograph by Pete Carr

Since the museum’s opening it has been unpopular with critics (see our earlier Dezeen Wire) and has since been nominated by Building Design magazine to receive The Carbuncle Cup for the ugliest building completed in the UK in the past 12 months.

Above: photograph by Pete Carr

Other stories from the Dezeen archive about 3XN include an educational building in Copenhagen with colourful window shutters – see all our stories about 3XN here.

Above: photograph by Pete Carr

The museum is the third to be published on Dezeen this month – see our earlier stories about a boomerang-shaped museum on stilts that bridges a road and cantilevers over a lake and an underground museum with weathered steel towers – click here to see all our stories about museums.

Photography is by Phillip Handforth, apart from where otherwise stated.

Here are some more details from 3XN:

3XN’s Museum of Liverpool: More than a Building, More than a Museum

The new Museum of Liverpool, opening on July 19th will not only tell the story of its importance as one of the World’s great ports or about its cultural influence, such as with the Beatles phenomenon. It will also serve as a meeting point for History, the People of Liverpool and visitors from around the globe. Therefore, according to the Architect, Kim Herforth Nielsen, the structure functions as much more than just a Building or a Museum.

The Result of a Rigorous Process

As the largest National Museum to be built in the UK in over 100 years, and situated on a UNESCO World Heritage Site next to Liverpool’s famous ’Three Graces,’ Principal Architect and Creative Director at 3XN Kim Herforth Nielsen was fully aware of the magnitude of the challenge, when it came to designing the new Museum of Liverpool.

’This is one of the largest and most prestigious projects in 3XN’s 25 year history. The Museum’s design is a result of a very rigorous process, where it was of utmost priority to listen to the city inhabitants, learn the city’s history and understand the potential of the historical site that the Museum now sits upon.’

The result is a dynamic low-rise structure which enters into a respectful dialogue with the harbour promenade’s taller historical buildings. This interaction facilitates a modern and lively urban space. The design is reminiscent of the trading ships which at one time dominated the harbour, while the façade’s relief pattern puts forward a new interpretation of the historical architectural detail in the ‘Three Graces.’ The enormous gabled windows open up towards the City and the Harbour, and therefore symbolically draw history into the Museum, while at the same time allow the curious to look in.

A Nexus

The Museum lies along the Mersey River in the center of Liverpool, and will function as a nexus, in that it physically connects the Harbour promenade with the Albert Dock, which today contains restaurants, museums and boutiques. The outdoor areas around the Museum offer seating with views to the water adding to the dynamic urban environment and serving as a meeting point for locals and visitors alike.

The theme is carried through into the Museum of Liverpool’s central atrium, with its sculptural sweeping staircase leading up to the galleries further encouraging social interaction. All of these functions result in Kim Herforth Nielsen choosing to describe the Museum as a structure that unites Liverpool.

’This Museum connects the city together on many levels – physically, socially and architecturally. The idea of creating a Museum as a nexus in both physical and symbolic expression has been central from the start. I am very satisfied to see that this ideal is carried out to the full in the completed structure.’

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A striking new addition to Liverpool

Dr David Fleming OBE, Director of National Museums Liverpool, is thrilled with 3XN’s design and looks forward to welcoming visitors to the museum: ‘To design the building we appointed Danish architects 3XN, who responded to our requirement (…) The resulting structure is a striking addition to the Liverpool cityscape. I can’t wait to open the doors to visitors to show off our new museum and encourage others to discover more about this extraordinary city.’

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Architect: 3XN
Address: Mann Island, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Client: National Museums Liverpool
Size: 13.000 m2
Engineer: Buro Happold

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The Hepworth Wakefield by David Chipperfield	Museum of Fine Arts by Rick Mather	La Llotja de Lleida by Mecanoo

Here are some new images of the Apple campus by architects Foster + Partners, to be built in Cupertino, California.

The hoop-shaped office building will be located a few blocks away from Apple’s existing headquarters and will accommodate up to 13,000 employees.

The campus will provide office, research and development facilities, as well as a company fitness centre, a cafe and a 1000-seat auditorium.

A circular park for staff is proposed for the centre of the building.

Two further buildings will provide additional research facilities, whilst an onsite power plant will provide the majority of electricity for the campus.

Dezeen announced that Norman Foster was working on designs for the Apple campus back in December – see our earlier Dezeen Wire.

Other projects this year by Foster + Partners include an Abu Dhabi shopping centre that combines high-end boutiques with independent local food and craft markets and headquarters for Moroccan bank BMCE in Morocco – see all our stories about Foster + Partners here.

The following project details are from the architects:

Apple Campus 2

Project Overview

Apple proposes to create Apple Campus 2 – an integrated 21st century campus surrounded by green space.

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This new development will provide a serene and secure environment reflecting Apple’s values of innovation, ease of use and beauty.

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The state-of-the-art office, research and development facilities include strategies to minimize energy demand, reduce car travel and increase the use of reclaimed water.

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The single building comprises approximately 2.8 million square feet over four stories.

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Campus amenities will include a striking café within the main building, a separate corporate fitness center and a corporate auditorium seating 1,000 people. Parking will be provided under the main building and in one multi-story parking structure along the 280 Freeway.

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The Campus will feature an on-site low carbon Central Plant situated along the 280 Freeway that will supply the majority of the power needed for the Campus.

In addition, research facilities comprising approximately 300,000 square feet will be located east of North Tantau Avenue. These buildings will house technical support functions that need to be located adjacent to the main building.

Project Objectives

The objectives of the proposed project are to:

• To maximize efficiency and convenience to Apple’s employees, develop a news campus in close proximity to Apple’s Infinite Loop Campus.
• Create a new campus that provides for co-location of services and consolidation of employees in a single distinctive office, research and development building, thereby promoting shared creativity and collaboration, reducing the overall building footprint on the site, and maximizing the amount of landscaped green space.
• Create a physically unified campus community that respects Apple’s security needs (in part through perimeter protection), improves internal circulation and eliminates unnecessary access points by consolidating the existing properties within the campus.
• Optimize the site design to balance cut and fill operations to the maximum extent practicable and create a grading plan that accommodates the single distinctive building design.
• Respond to Apple’s current and future business needs with a campus plan that maximizes employee use and incorporates design and use flexibility to respond to future business needs.
• Minimize the reliance on electricity provided by the grid by generating a significant amount of the Campus’s energy needs at an on-site Central Plant.
• Accommodate up to 13,000 employees.
• Provide an expanse of open and green space for Apple employees’ enjoyment.
• Create a distinctive and inspiring 21st Century workplace.
• Exceed economic, social, and environmental sustainability goals through integrated design and development.

Owner: Apple, Inc.
Architect: Foster + Partners
Engineer: ARUP
Planning Consultant: Kier & Wright

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Stockholmsporten masterplan by BIG	Masdar Institute campus by Foster + Partners	West Kowloon Cultural District by Foster + Partners

A boomerang-shaped museum in Mexico is balanced on stilts and stabilised in the air by tensile cables, allowing it to bridge a road and cantilever over a lake.

The elevated Musevi museum is located beside a park in the city of Villahermosa, and was designed by Mexican architect Enrique Norten of TEN Arquitectos.

Visitors climb ramps and staircases to access the museum, which exhibits international art and culture.

Circular perforations create patterns on the surface of metal panels that wrap the building’s exterior.

A public amphitheatre on the ground is partially sheltered beneath the museum.

Other elevated structures recently featured on Dezeen include a red glass chocolate museum and a cliff-top house inspired by a Picasso painting.

Enrique Norten and TEN Arquitectos previously designed a New York City tower – see our earlier story.

Photography is by Luis Gordoa.

Here are some more details from TEN Arquitectos:

Musevi

Villahermosa, Tabasco. Mexico 2011

A new elevated museum complete with an outdoor amphitheater at its base. MUSEVI is phase one of a three-phased Master Plan for Paseo Tabasco.

By physically connecting two otherwise insulated lakes, Vaso Cencalli and Lagoon of Illusions, MUSEVI proposes a new form of exhibition and public space that encourages connectivity and social gathering.

Likewise, the accompanying amphitheater has become a new focal point for Tomas Garrido Park. And with parts of the building protruding into and over the landscape, the museum, at the same time, encourages an intimate and reflective contemplation of the surrounding nature, if not acting as an unequivocal celebration thereof.

Beginning with MUSEVI, this multi-phased master plan for Paseo Tabasco aims to potentiate the city’s existing public spaces through contemporary design and environmental improvement.

Phase two consists of 1 km of streetscape and public spaces along Paseo Tabasco, including three parks (Parque Rovirosa, Parque Manuel Maestres and Parque Guacamayos), new street furnishing (ie: lighting, seating, bus and shade shelters) and gardens, along with the implementation of the latest in storm water management technology.

The lakefront, comprising the wetlands and the pier, will also be completed in this phase. Consisting of 1.7 km of streetscape and public space extending from MUSEVI to the Rio Grijalva, phase three will complete the pedestrian-ization of Paseo Tabasco.

This phase will also serve to catalyze private development along the strip, mitigate traffic issues and rejuvenate the public spaces.

Phase two consists of 1 km of streetscape and public spaces along Paseo Tabasco, including three parks (Parque Rovirosa, Parque Manuel Maestres and Parque Guacamayos), new street furnishing (ie: lighting, seating, bus and shade shelters) and gardens, along with the implementation of the latest in storm water management technology.

The lakefront, comprising the wetlands and the pier, will also be completed in this phase. Consisting of 1.7 km of streetscape and public space extending from MUSEVI to the Rio Grijalva, phase three will complete the pedestrian-ization of Paseo Tabasco.

This phase will also serve to catalyze private development along the strip, mitigate traffic issues and rejuvenate the public spaces.

Architecture: Enrique Norten and TEN Arquitectos
Landscape architecture: W Architecture and Landscape Architecture

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Holmenkollen ski jump by JDS Architects	Moses Mabhida Stadium by GMP Architekten	Flying Sauna by H3T architects