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UNESCO Launches Design Competition for Bamiyan Cultural Centre in Afghanistan

As Afghanistan begins its second decade of democratic governance after nearly 30 years of political instability, through the funding from the Republic of Korea, UNESCO has teamed up with the Afghan Ministry of Information and Culture, to build a Cultural Center close to the boundaries of the Bamiyan World Heritage property. With the realisation of the Bamiyan Cultural Centre, Afghans have the opportunity to recapture their heritage, to create a new impact on a historical site and to foster a positive relationship between their struggles and their hopes.

“This new architectural programme can challenge cultural barriers, reaffirm Afghanistan’s remarkable ancient history and enforce culture as a foundational component to Afghan national identity and peace-building,” states UNESCO.

Career Insights: IE School of Architecture & Design

Career prospects in Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Interior Design have changed profoundly in nearly half a decade. We believe that practices that are global enough are finding great opportunities in this evolution, and that professionals that are excellent in design and in business are thriving.

Call for Ideas: Rome Community Ring

In partnership with La Sapienza University, Progetto Forti and Rome municipality, Young Architects Competitions (YAC) is launching a competition to redesign one of the treasures of Rome: Forte Portuense.

IE School of Architecture and Design's SPACES FOR INNOVATION Prize

New models are emerging, redefining how we work, shop and learn in different environments that impact our everyday lives. IE SPACES FOR INNOVATION Prize is a challenge for young architects and designers worldwide that are able to foresee how work, retail and learning environments will evolve in the next decade.

Temple University's Master of Architecture Program

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Courtesy of Temple University

Temple University’s Master of Architecture program is now accepting applications for fall of 2013. Located in Philadelphia, a thriving cultural center with a vibrant community of architects and designers, the program connects students with leaders in the profession, including local practitioners and prominent national educators.

The Master of Architecture program of the Tyler School of Art is housed in the new architecture building within Temple University’s Center for the Arts, where students and faculty work alongside colleagues from Fine Arts, Music and Dance, Film and Media Arts, and Theater. The architecture building has state of the art equipment for digital fabrication and studios and labs for all of the department’s programs.

Sponsored by Temple University

4th International Holcim Forum “Economy of Sustainable Construction”

4th International Holcim Forum “Economy of Sustainable Construction” - Featured Image

Experts from all continents will meet in Mumbai at the 4th International Holcim Forum for Sustainable Construction – April 11-13, 2013. The conference for academics and professionals from architecture, civil engineering, urban planning, natural and social sciences will advance concepts on how construction needs to be re-invented and aligned with principles of sustainable development.

The focus of the three-day conference will be on the ongoing economic challenges in many parts of the industrialized world driving a paradigm shift. Governments, companies and individuals are all becoming aware that although sustainable development incurs costs, it also offers considerable economic potential. The Holcim Forum includes workshops and site visits and will be hosted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Bombay), and chaired by architect Mohsen Mostafavi, Dean of the Graduate School of Design, Harvard University, USA, together with co-chair, engineer Battula K. Chakravarthy, IIT Bombay.

Sponsored by Holcim Foundation

Spain's Cultural Center / JSª

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© Pedro Hiriat

Architects: JSª Location: Mexico City, Mexico Architect In Charge: Javier Sánchez Design Team: Arquitectura 911 sc, Jose Castillo, Saidee Springall Juan Manuel Soler, Juvencio Nuñez, Pablo Zamudio, Edgar González, Gabriela Delgado, Gustavo Rojas, Domingo Granados, Mariana Paz, Jimena Antillón, Edith Razo Project Year: 2012 Photographs: Rafael Gamo , Pedro Hiriat

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The Porsche Tower

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© Graphisoft

Before even stepping out of the car, residents of the Porsche Design Tower will experience extravagant luxury. It features a one-of-a-kind robotic parking system that allows owners to park their vehicles in sky garages directly next to their units. Miami, Florida based Archiform 3D used ArchiCAD to initially create the tower from the architect’s sketches. They shaped the building and its features in cooperation with Porsche to pursue and receive initial city approvals.

Housing Building at C/ Fontana / Duch-Pizá Arquitectos

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Courtesy of Duch-Pizá Arquitectos

Architects: Duch-Pizá Arquitectos Location: Palma, Spain Main Collaborator: Claudio Hernández Technical Architect: Oscar Menendez Collaborators: G. Riveron, P. Skytta Project Year: 2010 Photographs: Courtesy of Duch-Pizá Arquitectos

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Diamond House / Abis Arquitectura

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© Toni Elvar

Architects: Abis Arquitectura Location: Sierra Dorada, Benidorm, Alicante, Spain Architects: Ángel Benigno González Avilés, Mª Isabel Pérez Millán Design Team: Emilio Cortés Saura Project Year: 2010 Photographs: Toni Elvar, Vicente Martinez

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In Progress: MUSE Museum of Science / Renzo Piano

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© RPBW - Stefano Goldberg

Architects: Renzo Piano Building Workshop Location: Trento, Italy Architect: Renzo Piano Project Year: 2012 Photographs: Courtesy of RPBW, RPBW – Stefano Goldberg, RPBW – Paolo Pelanda, Colombo Costruzioni – Alessandro Gadutti, RPBW – Cristiano Zaccaria

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Swimming Pool / Pich-Aguilera Architects

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© Simón García

Architects: Pich-Aguilera Architects Location: Ametlla de Mar, Spain Architects: Felipe Pich-Aguilera Baurier, Teresa Batlle Pagés Project Team: Angel Sendarrubias, Xavier Milanés, Pau Casaldaliga Project Manager: Iván Acevedo Project Year: 2010 Photographs: Simón García

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CLF Houses / Estudio BaBO

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Courtesy of Estudio BaBO

Architects: Estudio BaBO Location: Villa La Angostura, Neuquén Province, Argentina Project Architects: Francisco Kocourek, Francesc Planas Penadés, Marit Haugen Stabell Design Team: Marcos Buceta Project Year: 2011 Photographs: Courtesy of Estudio BaBO

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A Gentlemen's Call: In Pursuit of an Idea that Matters

A Gentlemen's Call: In Pursuit of an Idea that Matters - Featured Image

Turning shipping containers into low rent apartments? As architects we have the ability to visualize bold ideas that can improve our cities and environments. Ideas with impact. One that is worth backing. And Ketel One has $100,000 to stake the one who’s got it.

Bridging the gap between management & design

Bridging the gap between management & design - Featured Image

Great leaders such as OMA, SCB, Aedas, Zaha Hadid, SOM, Foster & Partners are part of the structure of the master program, among others top tier global practices in a module called “The Architect’s Backstage” (brief video below). Each one of these practices excels in coupling their management and design strategies and share with students their experience in the necessary back office work to achieve outstanding design. IE School of Architecture & Design started an unexpected shift in education that has been recognized by the Design Intelligence Report of 2010 where it is ranked as “Hidden Gem of Global Architecture” (among few non-US schools to receive mention).

More after the break.

Looking Ahead to Greener Driving Days

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"I really feel like I am a part of an energy-efficient movement”, says Priya Geddis

Chevrolet Volt. Electric when you want it, gas when you need it.

New Start, New Driving Technology

Chevrolet Volt. Electric when you want it, gas when you need it. The Chevrolet Volt is unique among electric cars because it runs on two sources of energy. You have an electric source – a battery – that allows you to drive gas-free for an EPA–estimated 35 miles. And there's also an onboard gas generator that produces electricity so you can go farther. So if you want to drive using only electricity, you can. If you want to drive using electricity and gas, you can do that, too. Feeling all revved up? Check out what this current Chevy Volt driver has to say about her unique driving lifestyle…A typical day for Kelly Hendricks involves running around town, meeting with clients, visiting jobsites, and shopping for materials. It’s no wonder why the car she drives is so important to her since she spends a good portion of her day sitting in it. After her 11-year-old SUV was rear-ended and totaled, she decided it was time for a new start. “Being an eco friendly interior designer in San Diego, I loved the thought of driving purely on electricity, but at the same time I wanted to feel at ease knowing I won't get stranded because once I go beyond the battery range the car transitions to a gasoline power source,” she says. She found her ideal vehicle in the Chevy Volt.Hendricks is pleased with her driving experience so far, but also with how much money she is saving on fueling costs. “With as much driving as I do, I'm only having to purchase gas once a month and it averages out to be $27-$30. And my electricity bill has only gone up about $25 per month,” she reports. She does nearly all of her charging up from her own garage, and looks forward to the day when charging stations are more readily available. By charging regularly, Volt owners are averaging about a month between fill-ups.In the meantime, Hendricks says she gets a kick out of the questions people ask her about her Volt. In fact, a recent trip to her Chevy dealership had her upstaging the sales team. “I stopped by the Chevy dealership to pick something up and there was this guy standing out front along with some sales people and he started asking me questions about my Volt. His first question was how much money am I spending on gas a week,” she says. “You should have seen the look on his face when I told him I only buy gas once a month, compared to the $50 per week my former SUV used to cost. He was so stunned and surprised -- I love when that happens!”As for a final fringe benefit, Hendricks says her decision to be a Volt owner makes her feel good about her role in helping the environment, as well as the country. “I like that I am helping to support jobs in America.”The 2012 Chevy Volt offers an EPA-estimated 35 miles on a full charge based on 94 MPGe and an additional 340 miles with a full tank based on 35 city, 40 MPG highway . Actual range varies with conditions.Volt is available to order at participating dealers.Has your Volt ownership reinvented your driving experience? Tell your amazing story here.

Improve Your Kitchen IQ

You’ve always enjoyed watching cooking and home design shows, especially those that offer strategies and ideas you can apply in your own kitchen or during your next dinner party. To keep improving your kitchen IQ, now you can view the Master Class Series from Jenn-Air.The six-part video series – four of which are currently online, with two more coming in the fall – features insights from experts in design, cooking, and entertaining. Viewers learn how to create a uniquely beautiful cooking space and add some spice to their dinner parties, as well as specific cooking techniques including roasting and searing.The Jenn-AirMaster Class series is all about helping those who love to cook and entertain, or are planning a new kitchen. For design ideas, Mary Jo Peterson brings her award-winning expertise gleaned from her experience as president of her own Connecticut-based design firm and member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association's Hall of Fame. Loren Daye, a Brooklyn-based owner of the creative design studio, Love is Enough, and co-designer of Tasting Table Test Kitchen & Dining Room, also shares her knowledge. And aspiring chefs will learn a lot about getting the most out of their kitchen appliances from Brendan McHale, the executive chef of the New York-based Tasting Table Test Kitchen & Dining Room.View sessions one through four of the Master Class Series videos at JennAir.com/masterclass.