Studio Aalto and its garden area have just been officially granted protection by the Uusimaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport, and the Environment. Originally constructed in 1955 as an architect's office, with an extension in 1962-63, it holds major significance as the workspace where Alvar Aalto's acclaimed architecture was conceived. Additionally, the Studio reflects the architectural-office design ethos of the 1950s and 60s. Its interiors, including layers of furniture accumulated over decades, remain intact and are integral to the site's protected status, marking it as the first Aalto location in Finland to be listed in this way.
Nour Fakharany
Architect, urbanist, and Content Editor at ArchDaily. Born and raised in Cairo, Egypt.
Alvar Aalto Foundation Announces Preservation Milestone for Studio Aalto in Helsinki, Finland
NEOM Announces Design and Engineering Partnership for THE LINE with DMAA, Gensler, and Mott MacDonald
NEOM has announced the appointment of new partners to advance the city planning, design, and engineering for the initial phase of THE LINE, a core component of its region in northwest Saudi Arabia. The collaboration brings together Delugan Meissl Associate Architects (DMAA), Gensler, and Mott MacDonald, who will work alongside THE LINE's design and development teams to shape the urban landscape, offering expertise in urban design, planning consultancy, and infrastructure development.
Inaugural Copenhagen Architecture Biennial 2025 Unveils "Slow Down" Theme
The inaugural Copenhagen Architecture Biennial, set to take place from September 18 to October 19, 2025, has announced its first curatorial theme, "Slow Down." Organized by CAFx, the biennial builds upon the foundation of the annual Copenhagen Architecture Festival, established in 2014, evolving into a larger international platform aimed at deepening engagement with architectural issues. This transition marks a shift in focus toward more comprehensive and long-term dialogue around the built environment's role in shaping society and addressing contemporary challenges.
Chicago Architecture Biennial Announces Theme and Artistic Director, Florencia Rodriguez
The Chicago Architecture Biennial (CAB) has announced its sixth edition, marking the tenth anniversary of the renowned event, to take place from September 12, 2025, to February 28, 2026. The event will be titled CAB 6: Shift: Architecture in Times of Radical Change and will be directed by Florencia Rodriguez, an esteemed architect, writer, and educator. As the first female Latin American Director to lead CAB, Rodriguez brings a fresh perspective to the Biennial, which is set to continue its tradition as North America's largest exhibition of contemporary architecture, held biennially in Chicago.
A Toy Sanctuary in Spain and an Art Center in Iran: 8 Conceptual Cultural Centers Submitted by the ArchDaily Community
Cultural centers are vibrant places where art, community, and innovation intersect—each uniquely crafted to embody and celebrate its local character. This month's projects, submitted by the ArchDaily community, showcase a diverse array of cultural spaces, from the transformation of a historic townhouse in Montreal to a dynamic creative hub in Riyadh and an eco-conscious visitor center in Tennessee's mountains. Each design offers a new perspective on what a cultural center can be, whether a hub for creativity, a sanctuary for nature, or a bridge to the past.
18th Istanbul Biennial Appoints Christine Tohmé as Curator for Upcoming Edition in Türkiye
The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) has appointed Christine Tohmé as the curator for the 18th Istanbul Biennial, which will take place in three phases over three years from 2025 to 2027. According to the Biennial Foundation, this edition was postponed from 2024 by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV). This Biennial remains Türkiye's largest international exhibition dedicated to contemporary art, offering a significant platform for artists globally.
Designed by Peter Zumthor, the David Geffen Galleries at LACMA Set Opening Date for April 2026
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has announced that its new David Geffen Galleries designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor will open to the public in April 2026 in Los Angeles, United States, according to LACMA's publication, Unframed. The galleries, whose final design was approved in 2019, represent a significant new phase in LACMA's ongoing campus redevelopment, bringing expanded gallery space and updated facilities to the museum.
OMA and WITH Architecture Studio to Revitalize Perth Concert Hall in Australia
The Western Australian Government has announced the upcoming renovation of the Perth Concert Hall, a 51-year-old heritage-listed venue known for its significant role in the city's cultural landscape. Originally designed by architects Jeffrey Howlett and Don Bailey, the concert hall will undergo extensive upgrades led by OMA's Australian office in collaboration with Perth-based WITH Architecture Studio. The project is set to begin in early 2025, aiming to provide a modern home for the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) and improve visitor facilities through new public spaces, upgraded amenities, and improved seating.
Monaco Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka Explores Mediterranean and Japanese Gardens as a Symbol of Cultural Harmony
The Monaco Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka explores the fusion of Mediterranean and Japanese landscapes, creating a unique cultural dialogue through architecture and landscape design. The pavilion's design, centered around a harmonious blend of Mediterranean and Japanese garden elements, embodies Monaco's global initiatives and its commitment to environmental stewardship. Reflecting the Expo's theme, "Take Care of Wonder," the pavilion invites visitors to experience a captivating and serene environment that celebrates both nature and culture.
Chapman Taylor Reveals Beach Residences on Saadiyat Island, Adding to Abu Dhabi's Emerging Cultural Hub in The Emirates
Chapman Taylor's Saadiyat Beach District Residences project has moved to the construction phase, marking a new development within Saadiyat Island's expanding cultural and residential landscape. This waterfront project, part of the broader Saadiyat Island masterplan for Nael & Bin Harmel, situated near Abu Dhabi's urban center, will introduce a range of residential options, including apartments, townhouses, and villas.
Saadiyat Island, planned by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, is a cultural and residential development covering 27 square kilometers. Designed to support a community of over 150,000, it combines urban spaces with natural landscapes, hosting cultural institutions such as Ateliers Jean Nouvel's Louvre Abu Dhabi, which presents an international art collection, and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Other upcoming projects include the Sheikh Zayed National Museum, designed by Foster + Partners and anticipated to open to the public in 2025, offering insight into the UAE's cultural heritage, and the Mecanoo-designed Natural History Museum, dedicated to global biodiversity, also expected to be completed by 2025.
Iceland’s National Pavilion at Venice Architecture Biennale Explores Lava as Sustainable Building Material
Iceland has announced its National Pavilion for the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, presenting Lavaforming, a project led by architect Arnhildur Pálmadóttir, founder of s.ap architects. This pavilion, commissioned by Iceland Design and Architecture, will showcase an innovative approach to creating sustainable building materials from controlled lava flows.
Indonesia Pavilion Reveals Boat-Inspired Design at Expo 2025 Osaka
The Indonesia Pavilion at Expo 2025, Osaka, showcases a combination of tradition and forward-looking vision, aligned with the Expo's theme, "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," and symbolizes the philosophy of "Diversity in Unity." Drawing inspiration from Indonesia's rich maritime history, the pavilion's structure takes the form of a stylized boat hull, representing progress and resilience. The rising shape of the design reflects Indonesia's optimistic outlook—moving forward, facing challenges with determination, and striving to achieve ambitious goals.