#42 Nov/Dec 2011

News and observations

• Central train station by UNStudio, Arnhem (NL)
• See-through church by Gijs Van Vaerenbergh, Borgloon (BE)
• Book: Socialist Modernism by Roman Bezjak
• An enchanting cocoon of glass by ALA architects, Tampere (FI)
• Sewage pumping station by Lode Havermans Architecten, Breda (NL)
• and more…

New projects

• Ski park, Bålsta (SE) by C.F. Møller Architects & berg arkitektkontor
• Observation tower, Peize (NL) by UNStudio
• Heritage centre, Stirling (UK) by Reiach and Hall Architects
• Cultural & recreational complex, Sarajevo (BA) by Zlatko Ugljen

aNC arquitectos: Expressing circumstances

Teresa Novais and Jorge Carvalho of aNC in Porto talk about their experiences with Pritzker Prize winners, architectural education and the conditions of architecture in Portugal and elsewhere.

New buildings

• School, Aubervilliers (FR) by AAVP architecture
• Cultural centre, Coimbra (PT) by João Mendes Ribeiro
• Day care centre, Espoo (FI) by JKMM Architects
• Office renovation, Edinburgh (UK) by haa design
• Art gallery, Opole (PL) by M. i A. Domicz
• Villa, Cabrera de Mar (ES) by Arturo Frediani
• Research institute, Wageningen (NL) by Claus en Kaan Architecten
• Town hall, Las Torres de Cotillas (ES) by adhoc MSL
• Control centre, Venice (IT) by C+S Associati

Versatile wood

Wood is the most discussed material in contemporary architecture. Such is the conclusion suggested by a simple Google search. It turns out that, in English, the combination of 'architecture' and 'wood' yields as many results as the combination of architecture with each of the other three common building materials – steel, glass and concrete – put together. A similar ratio also exists in French and German. But the most talked about material is not necessarily the most used.

Focusing on European countries, cities and regions

• Absolutely romantic – a new generation of Italian architects
• A tour on Balkan bigness in Belgrade (RS)
• Home/Office: Superblock's superb block (AT)

Buildings from the margins of modern history

Just about everything about Gottfried Böhm's exceptional pilgrimage church in Neviges has been kept in its original state, down to the single glazing in the annex windows. This emphasizes its unique character as an index fossil of the modernization that the Second Vatican Council promised to deliver.