New Port House in Antwerp by Zaha Hadid Architects

Zaha Hadid has won the competition to design the headquarters of Antwerp Port Authority in Belgium. Covering 12,000 m² of floorspace, the project is expected to be completed in 2013 and will accommodate 500 people when finish. The construction will spend 31.5 million euros excluding VAT and architect’s fees.

The jury/board of directors finally opted for the proposal by Zaha Hadid Architects, because:

• The design preserves as much as possible of the dignity of the present building as a monument, adding a new object to the site.
• The board and its advisors had confidence in a team such as Zaha Hadid Architects being able to further develop the project so as to achieve a high quality end result that can act as a “shop window” for the Port Authority.

China Life Insurance R&D Center by Henn Architekten

The design of China Life Insurance R&D Center was proposed by Henn Architekten for a competition. Located in Beijing, the project adopting the Chinese traditional buildings and translates them into modern design. Consists of of a main building, a research and laboratory building and a training center with a connected boarding house, the complex ringed with areas of open water.

xSimilar in shape to a Chinese character, the main building is laid out on a square plan arrangement and symbolizes the strength of China Life Insurance. A peaceful garden opens up at its center, which, as the core of the whole ensemble, serves as a place of communication and contemplation. Delicately detailed interior courtyards adopt the tradition of classical Chinese residential construction and open up the main building on all floors in the corner zones.

AIA Lists 2009 Honor Awards for Architecture

The AIA (American Institute of Architects) has listed nine winners of the 2009 Honor Awards for Architecture. The selected projects are beleived to have a tremendous impact on the social and physical fabric of the communities they serve. The nine winers are: Basilica of the Assumption, Baltimore (John G. Waite Associates, Architects PLLC), Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland, California (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill), Charles Hostler Student Center, Beirut, Lebanon (VJAA), The Gary Comer Youth Center, Chicago (John Ronan Architects), Horno³: Museo del Acero, Monterey, Mexico (Grimshaw Architects), The Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life, New Orleans (VJAA), The New York Times Building, New York City (Renzo Piano Building Workshop and FXFowle Architects), Plaza Apartments, San Francisco (Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects), and Salt Point House, Salt Point, New York (Thomas Phifer and Partners)