One of the largest institutions dedicated to Architecture celebrates its twentieth anniversary. Montreal's Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) opened to the public in 1989 as a new type of cultural institution, and has produced internationally recognised exhibitions, programs, research, and publications that continue to influence the field of architecture and museums.

The CCA is an international research centre and museum founded on the conviction that architecture is a public concern. Over the years it has increased public awareness of the role of architecture in society, promoted scholarly research in the field, and stimulated innovation in design practice. The CCA has become a leading voice in advancing knowledge, promoting public understanding, and widening thought and debate on the art of architecture, its history, theory, practice, and role in society today.

The future headquarters of Antwerp Port Authority will be designed by the London firm of Zaha Hadid Architects. The choice of architect was made at the Port Authority board meeting on 13 January. The new Port House will occupy the site of the technical services building on quay 63.

The Port Authority aims to make its operations more efficient by centralising the administrative and technical services which are now divided between the Port House and quay 63.

The new headquarters will also solve the pressing shortage of workspace in the present Port House on the Entrepot quay. Some 500 people will be able to move into the new building when it is completed in 2013.

Following a review of 21 international competitors, the government of Vietnam selected a team comprising Perkins Eastman and two leading Korean firms—Posco E&C, and Jina Architects Co., Ltd.—to develop a master plan for Greater Hanoi. The plan will set the development guidelines for the entire 3,300 square km Capital Region.

Among the themes discussed in team presentation were: preserving the City’s historic core and its 1,000-year old architectural legacy; the projected growth of the City from its current population of just over six million to more than 10 million inhabitants by 2030; and the need to channel the expected growth into several satellite cities linked by new transit systems connecting each to the historic City core. Additionally, Hanoi is situated in one of the richest and fertile areas in the world. The team suggested a strategy for preserving more than 40 percent of the area for natural preserves, recreational space and agricultural uses while positioning Hanoi as a model for responsible, sustainably driven urban development.

 

Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects has received the American Institute of Architects’ 2009 AIA Architecture Firm Award. The distinction is based on the Seattle firm’s thirty-five years of consistently excellent work, including its seamless blending of architecture, art, and craft; community involvement; attention to sustainable design; and nurturing of in-house talent.
 


The annual AIA Architecture Firm Award – often referred to as the “Firm of the Year” award – is the highest honor the AIA bestows on an architecture firm and recognizes a practice that consistently has produced distinguished architecture for at least ten years.




1900 First Avenue Hotel and Apartments