The Rossignol Global World Headquarters was designed by Hérault-Arnold Architects is a leading manufacturer of skiing equipment for minimal environmental impact. Located in Isère, Grenoble, France, the world headquarters of Rossignol set in the French Alps, takes inspiration from its surroundings. The technical choices make it an efficient and energy-saving building, well insulated and protected from the summer sun by the timber over-roof. The systems are optimised, the heat produced by the workshop machines is recovered and reinjected into the heating network. The offices receive natural ventilation through automatic window opening. The ‘home of Rossignol’ brings together offices and workshops which were previously spread across the country. Read more »

The IOC/IAKS Award is the only international architecture competition for sports and leisure facilities. This year 117 teams of operators and designers from 26 countries took part in the IOC/IAKS Award. In the 20 year old history this competition for sports facilities has never previously seen such number of registered participants. IOC/IAKS Award 2009 for Galzigbahn Basis Terminal in St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria by Driendl Architects and Arlberger Bergbahnen AG. Read more »

The Yas Hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates that designed by New York based practice architect Asymptote Architecture is one of the main architectural features of the ambitious Yas Marina development and so central to the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which is also near completion. The Yas Hotel features a fluid skin of diamond-shaped glass panels which was influenced and inspired by speed, movement and Islamic artistry. The Yas Hotel is a 500-room, 85,000-square-meter complex now under construction by Aldar Properties PJSC and targeting an opening in this coming October, 2009. Read more »

With the Taubman Museum of Art, designed by Los Angeles based Randall Stout Architects, Roanoke in Virginia gets it first purpose built art museum. It also gets an adventuresome work of architecture, which like that Guggenheim Bilbao, is expected to jump start the region’s economy and bring visitors in droves to the steps of the new museum. Read more »

The Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) was designed by Architect Lyons and located in Melbourne’s Docklands accommodates a dedicated training and showcase facility for Australia’s Victorian automotive trades and manufacturing. Stage One Automotive Centre of Excellence consists of approximately 2,500sqm of high-bay workshop space and 2,500sqm for specialist workrooms, classrooms and office accommodation. The building absorbs sources from automotive culture, and its relationships with the city; kerb signs, tyre treads, city overpasses, and the sheen of car showrooms. The interiors evoke something of the automotive predilection for contrasting the technological and mechanical with the finished and the smooth. Read more »