Siroko, the Asturian sportswear and accessories brand, has opened its first concept store in Barcelona in collaboration with architecture and interior design studio El Departamento. Located at 113 Rambla de Catalunya, the 149-square-meter space explores the relationship between natural environments and sports technology through a series of spatial and material transitions. This is the second collaboration between Siroko and El Departamento, following the brand’s flagship store in Madrid. The Barcelona project continues the established design direction while introducing new conceptual and material strategies. The store is organized as a sequence of interconnected rooms, each treated as a discrete volume that accommodates a specific part of the retail program. These spaces are defined by their independent lighting schemes and distinct atmospheres, creating a spatial rhythm that supports the brand’s narrative.

El Departamento’s approach references elemental natural forms, such as ice, stone, earth, and vegetation, and translates them into a spatial language informed by sports technology. This creates a continuous dialogue between organic textures and synthetic materials. The palette relies on earthy tones, with an emphasis on blue, and includes modular, reconfigurable display systems that balance adaptability with visual coherence.

all images by Jonathan Ristagno

Modular Systems and Lighting schemes Shape the space

Lighting plays a central role in defining the spatial experience. Each room is equipped with ceiling-mounted light panels operating independently, reinforcing the segmented structure of the space. Integrated lighting within the display cabinetry further supports visual continuity and enhances product presentation. At the core of the store is the ‘Siroko Custom’ zone, which reprises elements from the Madrid location. The space features an open-grid ceiling (tramex) supported by a structural system that also functions as a vertical product display. Materials such as micro-perforated metal sheets and stainless steel contribute to a tactile and technical visual identity, while also allowing textures to shift under changing light conditions.

Ultimately, this project encapsulates studio El Departamento’s vision of contemporary retail, where spatial experience transcends traditional commercial function to become a full immersion into Siroko’s values. Through the interplay of material, light, and spatial sequence, the store presents a considered response to contemporary retail design. With this opening, Siroko expands its physical presence in Spain, reinforcing a brand image defined by technical precision and engagement with the outdoor environment.

Siroko opens its first concept store in Barcelona in collaboration with El Departamento

a sequence of rooms creates a rhythm of distinct spatial experiences

each room functions as an individual volume within the retail journey

independent lighting schemes define atmosphere and orientation

modular display systems adapt to different product arrangements

ceiling-mounted light panels operate independently in each room

organic textures are combined with synthetic materials

integrated lighting enhances product presentation and material depth

a distinctive open-grid ceiling links this store to its Madrid counterpart

micro-perforated metal sheets contribute to a technical visual identity

the design balances retail functionality with brand storytelling

Siroko’s Barcelona store strengthens its identity through spatial design

project info:

name: Siroko Concept Store Barcelona

architect: El Departamento | @eldepartamento.estudio

area: 149 sqm

location: 113 Rambla de Catalunya, 08008, Barcelona

lead architects: Alberto Eltini & Marina Martín

construction company: Triangular

lighting: Ilumisa

furniture design: El Departamento

mirrors: El Departamento

textiles: Deco&You

screens: Mood Media

photographer: Jonathan Ristagno | @jonathanristagno

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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The Nakagin Capsule Tower returns to public view in a new light, as MoMA in New York opens an exhibition centered on its half-century lifespan. Built in Tokyo’s Ginza district in 1972 and dismantled in 2022, the structure was once among the clearest architectural expressions of Metabolism in Japan, a movement that sought to mirror natural growth and transformation in the built environment. Now, through a single, fully restored capsule and a constellation of archival materials, MoMA reactivates that legacy with the goal of inspiring inquiry over nostalgia.

Presented in the exhibition is capsule A1305, originally situated on the uppermost floor. For its display, it has been returned to near-original condition. Fragments of other salvaged units complete the restoration, from its modular furnishings to the audio controls and Sony color TV that defined its compact domesticity. Surrounding the capsule are more than 40 materials drawn from the tower’s five-decade history — models, promotional leaflets, film reels, and interviews that reveal how these micro-units adapted to lives far beyond their initial purpose. In a city shaped by constant renewal, this retrospective probes what it means to preserve an architectural concept. The Many Lives of the Nakagin Capsule Tower is on view at MoMA from July 10th, 2025 until July 12th, 2026.

installation view of The Many Lives of the Nakagin Capsule Tower, on view at The Museum of Modern Art, New York, from July 10th, 2025, through July 12th, 2026 | photo by Jonathan Dorado

kishō Kurokawa’s Unfolding Vision

MoMA exhibits The Many Lives of the Nakagin Capsule Tower as an investigation into the iconic structure, which was originally imagined by architect Kishō Kurokawa as a machine for living that could regenerate itself. While the concrete towers were to remain as infrastructural anchors, the capsules were intended to be swapped out as needs evolved. While that replacement never came, the life of the tower defied stillness. The museum’s curatorial team, led by Evangelos Kotsioris and Paula Vilaplana de Miguel, foregrounds the tower’s informal transformations — capsules turned into galleries, DJ booths, or quiet spaces of solitude — bringing a portrait of architecture shaped by use that transcends its intended programming.

By acquiring capsule A1305 in 2023, MoMA ensured a rare physical survival of a building long dismissed as unmaintainable. It is one of just fourteen capsules worldwide to have been carefully reassembled in original form. Visitors will be able to experience the unit in full during selected member activations, reinforcing the tower’s original intent as a space to be inhabited. The Nakagin Capsule Tower’s presence at MoMA sits within the museum’s wider ambition to question permanence, authorship, and the mutable nature of design.

Kishō Kurokawa in front of the completed Nakagin Capsule Tower, 1974. image by Tomio Ohashi

Extending the Conversation around nakagin capsule tower

MoMA’s exhibition The Many Lives of the Nakagin Capsule Tower extends beyond the gallery. A companion book authored by Kotsioris for the MoMA One on One series explores the structure’s life cycle, from its speculative roots to its final days. With rarely published documents and firsthand accounts from the building’s last residents, the volume deepens the narrative around this experimental habitat. A suite of programs in partnership with Japan Society will also unfold throughout the exhibition’s yearlong run, framing the project within both its original context and its new American audience.

Kisho Kurokawa, Architect & Associates (Tokyo, est. 1962). Nakagin Capsule Tower, Tokyo. 1970–72. exterior view. 1972. image by Tomio Ohashi

installation view of The Many Lives of the Nakagin Capsule Tower, on view at The Museum of Modern Art, New York, from July 10th, 2025, through July 12th, 2026 | photo by Jonathan Dorado

installation view of The Many Lives of the Nakagin Capsule Tower, on view at The Museum of Modern Art, New York, from July 10th, 2025, through July 12th, 2026 | photo by Jonathan Dorado

images from Nakagin Capsule Style (Tokyo: Soshisha, 2020), showing Wakana Nitta (aka Cosplay Koe-chan) in her capsule, which she uses as a DJ-booth. courtesy Tatsuyuki Maeda / The Nakagin Capsule Tower Preservation and Restoration Project, Tokyo, Japan

night time at the Nakagin Capsule Tower, with Mr. Takayuki Sekine seen through the window of capsule B1004, 2016. image © Jeremie Souteyrat

Kisho Kurokawa, Architect & Associates (Tokyo, est. 1962). Capsule A1305 from the Nakagin Capsule Tower. 1970–72; restored 2022–23. Steel, wood, paint, plastics, cloth, polyurethane, glass, ceramic, and electronics, 8′ 4 3/8″ × 8′ 10 5/16″ × 13′ 10 9/16″ (255 × 270 ×423 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder, Alice and Tom Tisch, and the Nakagin Capsule Tower Preservation and Restoration Project, Tokyo

installation view of The Many Lives of the Nakagin Capsule Tower, on view at The Museum of Modern Art, New York, from July 10th, 2025, through July 12th, 2026 | photo by Jonathan Dorado

Noritaka Minami. B1004 I, from the series 1972 (2010–22). 2011. archival pigment print, 20 × 25″ (101.6 × 127 cm) image © Noritaka Minami

Noritaka Minami. A503 I, from the series 1972 (2010–22). 2017. archival pigment print, 20 × 25″ (101.6 × 127 cm) image © Noritaka Minami

‘A twenty-first century home that thoroughly pursues functionality: Nakagin Capsule Manshon (Ginza),’ cover of promotional brochure for the Nakagin Company, 1971. image courtesy Tatsuyuki Maeda / The Nakagin Capsule Tower Preservation and Restoration Project, Tokyo, Japan

Kiyoshi Awazu. poster included with Kurokawa Kishō no sakuhin (Kisho Kurokawa’s work) (Tokyo: Bijutsu shuppan-sha, 1970). 1970. screenprint, 40 3/16 × 28 9/16″ (102 × 72.5 cm). image © Kiyoshi Awazu

project info:

name: The Many Lives of the Nakagin Capsule Tower

museum: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) | @themuseumofmodernart

on view: July 10th, 2025 — July 12th, 2026

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Benthem Crouwel Architects and Snøhetta have teamed up to complete a hybrid civic complex in the Netherlands, recently revealing its gently sloping design. The upcoming House of Culture and Governance in Delfzijl will bring together a theater, library, and town hall under one roof. Its form is conceived to respond directly to its urban and cultural context. A soft curve along the facade embraces the public square, while the structure gently tapers into the existing street pattern on the opposite side. The roofline also traces a rhythmic silhouette against the sky, undulating ‘like a piece of music,’ says Saartje van der Made, architect and partner at Benthem Crouwel.

The aim, she notes, is to create a building that feels ‘rooted in the landscape and community of Eemsdelta.’ In line with this, the project is the result of a fast-paced but deeply participatory design process, taking into consideration input from future users, local residents, council members, and youth groups.

all images courtesy of Benthem Crouwel Architects and Snøhetta

Snøhetta & Benthem Crouwel Architects consider local identity

The teams at Snøhetta (see more here) and Benthem Crouwel Architects (see more here) looked closely at Delfzijl’s historical and urban fabric when shaping the building’s massing and material expression. The final design aims to fit seamlessly into its surroundings while also standing out as a contemporary civic landmark. The surrounding area will also be significantly upgraded as part of the project, continuing the municipality’s recent efforts to revitalize the urban fabric, extending from the city beach and boulevard to Damsterkade and Vennenplein.

The House of Culture and Governance is intended to function as a civic and social hub, designed with and for the community. This focus was integral to its identity, as its program has evolved from an initial plan for a theater and library into a multifunctional facility where people can meet, learn, and engage with culture and government. Notably, the heart of the building will be a shared central space, where the library is prominently located and conceived as an open and accessible environment. While the first phase of the design has been completed, the City Council of Eemsdelta is expected to finalize the structural design by October 2025.

a soft curve embraces the public square, while the structure gently tapers into the street pattern on the other side

the roofline also traces a rhythmic silhouette against the sky, undulating ‘like a piece of music,’

project info:

name: House of Culture and Governance
architect: Snøhetta | @snohetta, Benthem Crouwel Architects | @benthemcrouwelarchitects
location: Molenbergplein, Eemsdelta region, the Netherlands

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At UH INFONAVIT CTM Culhuacán, one of Mexico City’s largest housing developments, AMASA Estudio has completed the rehabilitation of a deteriorated public plaza. The intervention addresses long-standing spatial and maintenance challenges common to mid-20th-century housing typologies, focusing on programmatic clarity, material efficiency, and community-responsive design.

Located in the southeast of the city within the borough of Coyoacán, CTM Culhuacán comprises approximately 15,000 housing units built beginning in 1974. Initially intended to serve over 100,000 residents from Mexico’s working and middle classes, the development reflects the social housing strategies of the era. However, as in many large-scale complexes of its kind, shared public areas have since suffered from insufficient maintenance, largely due to jurisdictional ambiguity and administrative complexity. These conditions have led to a fragmented landscape of informally appropriated, neglected, or underutilized spaces. One such space, a plaza near the complex’s tenth section, became the site for a targeted intervention. In June 2023, INFONAVIT launched a design-build tender across four sites in Mexico City. AMASA Estudio, led by Andrea López and Agustín Pereyra, submitted a winning proposal for the Culhuacán location.

rehabilitation of a public plaza at CTM Culhuacán by AMASA Estudio | image by © Andres Cedillo

Reclaiming Urban Common Space Through Programmatic Zoning

The pre-existing site featured aging recreational infrastructure: worn courts, obsolete gym equipment, and peripheral spaces with low visibility. The area was bounded by perimeter walls of two adjacent schools, creating residual zones vulnerable to informal and antisocial use. The design centers on a gabled roof structure positioned at the site’s core. This architectural element introduces spatial order and visual identity while preventing potential future encroachments and maintaining clear sightlines across the plaza. Around this organizing spine, AMASA Estudio reconfigured the site into a series of clearly defined zones: two multipurpose courts, a calisthenics area, a covered forum with seating, a children’s play area, and a 600-meter running track embedded within the pedestrian paths. These components respond to the original brief and were refined through community consultation.

Key to the project was the strategic optimization of resources. The design team’s collaboration with Desarrolladora de Ideas y Espacios enabled cost-effective implementation without compromising design intent. Shared elements, such as structural steel profiles, pigmented concrete, and corrugated metal roofing, were coordinated across all four INFONAVIT commissions, allowing for material standardization and streamlined construction. Landscape improvements integrate permeable surfaces for rainwater infiltration and align with existing pedestrian flows. Accessibility was prioritized by avoiding grade changes and using material contrasts to define circulation and program areas. Color, paving texture, and modular curb transitions help delineate functional zones and improve legibility across the site. This intervention re-establishes the public plaza as a usable and maintained civic space within a historically significant housing development. By addressing spatial neglect through design, the project demonstrates a model for reclaiming underused public infrastructure in similar urban contexts.

new program includes courts, calisthenics area, and children’s play zone | image by © Andres Cedillo

the intervention reorders circulation and visibility across the site | image by © Zaickz Moz

a gabled roof structure anchors the redesigned civic space | image by © Andres Cedillo

covered forum with lateral seating enables shaded community use | image by © Zaickz Moz

central structure introduces spatial definition and visual identity | image by © Zaickz Moz

design prioritizes legibility through color and material contrasts | image by © Gerardo Reyes Bustamante

modular curbs and paving textures articulate spatial boundaries | image by © Gerardo Reyes Bustamante

site reconfigured to discourage encroachment and enable openness | image by © Andres Cedillo

pigmented concrete and corrugated metal define the material palette | image by © Andres Cedillo

project info:

name: UH INFONAVIT CTM Culhuacán

architect: AMASA Estudio | @amasa__estudio

location: Culhuacán, Mexico City

lead architects: Andrea López | @androide08, Agustín Pereyra | @a_pereyra

design team: Luis Flores, Gerardo Reyes, Roxana León, Cesar Huerta, Yanahi Flaviel

client: INFONAVIT | @infonavitoficial

construction: Desarrolladora de Ideas y Espacios, Alberto Cejudo | @tallercd_mx

structural engineer: Juan Felipe Heredia | @jfheredia

engineering: Germán Muñoz

lighting: Gabriel Briseño

landscape: Maritza Hernández | @maritzahernandez1413

photographers: Zaickz Moz | @zaickz.moz, Andrés Cedillo | @pavelin, Gerardo Reyes Bustamante | @gerardorbustamante

video: Virgilio Cortés

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Located on a coastal stretch in Sicily, the Patio House by SOLUM Studio is set within a narrow, elongated plot that extends toward the sea and ends on a rocky cliff. The house fully occupies the buildable area of the site, responding with a compact yet layered architecture that privileges privacy and orientation over outward display.

At the heart of the project is a series of thick, continuous walls that define both interior and exterior spaces. These structural elements serve to organize movement and visual rhythm along the building’s length. Five independent bedrooms and a sea-facing living area are spaced along the perimeter, each arranged to maximize autonomy and visual quiet.

Full-height walls form intimate patios adjacent to each bedroom, introducing natural light while shielding the interiors from direct views. The living spaces, in contrast, are defined by openness. At the end of an internal open-air corridor, large sliding windows retract fully into the masonry, giving the living room a direct and unobstructed relationship with the horizon.

images © Nicolò Panzeri

solum studio curates A Sequence of Outdoor Rooms

Circulation throughout the Patio House unfolds through a narrow, uncovered corridor conceived by the architects at SOLUM Studio as a private alley. This outdoor path connects the bedrooms to the shared living spaces in a progression of tight passages and wider moments of pause. The route ends at the sea, turning movement into a spatial narrative that is at once choreographed and visually understated.

Adjoining the kitchen, another patio and flooded with daylight and houses a staircase that leads to the roof terrace. From above, the plan reveals itself as a maze of solids and voids, a geometric interplay that modulates openness and enclosure across the floor-plate. The roof terrace offers panoramic views of the Sicilian landscape and draws attention to the relationship between the house and its cliffside context.

the Patio House is located in the province of Syracuse on the coast of Sicily

an intricate floorplan realized with simple materials

The material palette by SOLUM Studio reinforce the sense of groundedness throughout the Patio House. Walls are rendered in textured earth-toned plaster, while warm-toned concrete floors extend the chromatic language indoors. The outdoor terraces are constructed from dry-stacked Noto stone, a traditional local material, and the pool is finished in lava stone, visually anchoring it in the region’s volcanic geology.

The landscape design reinforces this continuity, allowing native vegetation to grow in a restrained but intentional way. The green areas act as buffers between built elements, strengthening the sense of a secluded compound while avoiding the appearance of manicured artifice.

Patio House reads as an abstract interpretation of vernacular forms. Its façade, largely closed and windowless, reveals little of the spatial richness inside. This reticence is deliberate, a way of engaging with the landscape through orientation, materiality, and inner openness rather than panoramic gesture.

it occupies a narrow plot that stretches from the access road to a seaside cliff

the design is structured by a sequence of thick walls that shape both rooms and patios

each bedroom opens onto a private patio enclosed by full-height walls

sliding windows in the living room fully retract to frame the coastal horizon

a second patio adjacent to the kitchen includes a stair to the panoramic rooftop

the material palette evokes a contemporary take on vernacular architecture

project info:

name: Patio House

architect: SOLUM Studio | @solum.studio

location: Avola, Sicily, Italy

design team: Lorenzo Campagna, Filippo Gismondi, Mattia Agates, Alessandro Loda
completion: 2025
photography: © Nicolò Panzeri | @nicolopanzeri

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Anadu Pine Villa is situated in a secluded valley a two-hour drive from Shanghai, China, enveloped by pine forests and shielded by a mountain draped in bamboo. This boutique resort by Studio8 Architects comprises three elegantly designed guest suites, complemented by a refined wine and cigar bar. In line with Anadu’s philosophy of ‘Find yourself in nature,’ the practice’s objective — from planning to architectural design — was to showcase and harmonize with the unique beauty of the forests.

The buildings are thoughtfully positioned along the valley’s contours, each oriented to capture unique views. At the entrance, a bamboo-textured, concrete and charred black wood L-shaped gate harmoniously merges with the landscape, welcoming guests with open arms while embracing the greenery on one side.

Anadu Pine Villa is enveloped by pine forests and shielded by a mountain draped in bamboo

studio8 architects’ design echoes the old structure’s character

Originally, an abandoned old house stood where Anadu Pine Villa’s wine house now sits. To honor the site’s history, Shanghai-based Studio8 Architects’ new building echoes the old structure’s gabled roof, redesigned into a four-sloped form that creates a harmonious, tranquil scale from every angle. In pleasant weather, glass doors can be fully opened to integrate the plaza into the indoor space. The walls are entirely glass, maximizing the views, while the northeast dining area faces a quieter hillside, and the semi-enclosed lounge provides a more private atmosphere.

A curved bamboo-textured wall leads guests from the wine house to the guest area, where the hard ground transitions into soft gravel paths, evoking a vacation atmosphere. At the path’s end, a small plaza provides a moment of pause before entering the guest area, enhancing the sense of seclusion. The three minimal standalone structures sit quietly in the valley, surrounded by the forest. Facing staggered walls that obscure the rear of the space, guests are invited to imagine what lies beyond.

two concrete slabs face the valley with no obstructions

the concrete villas frame views of the valley

As guests walk through the courtyard and winding paths, they experience a series of mysterious moments before reaching the guest rooms. Upon entering, the view dramatically opens up — two concrete slabs face the valley with no obstructions. The interior flows seamlessly with 270-degree panoramic views, offering a fully immersive experience. The rooms are embraced by nature on three sides, each framing its own unique view. To keep the structure minimal, Studio8 Architects cast the buildings from exposed concrete with integrated beams and embedded piping, ensuring no visible ceiling beams, lighting fixtures, or suspended structures. The clean concrete slabs unify the space. The floor slab floats above the valley, respecting and connecting with the terrain, while appearing to hover above it.

Through the glass doors, each room opens onto a private backyard in the pine forest — a floating outdoor deck, offering a further connection to the valley. The eaves extend into a shaded area, blending the indoors with nature. Further, the landscape design softens the boundaries between the estate and its surroundings, using native valley plants to integrate seamlessly into the environment. Discreet lighting, resembling fireflies, dots the pathways and grounds, enhancing the serene, secluded atmosphere.

the boutique resort comprises three elegantly designed guest suites, complemented by a refined wine and cigar bar

Much of the woodwork is crafted from reclaimed wood sourced from local markets, with 80% of the pieces handcrafted by skilled artisans. This repurposed wood is meticulously shaped to harmonize with the scale and spirit of its surroundings, subtly enhancing the preservation and continuation of local craftsmanship. The estate’s design balances privacy with openness, providing a joyful and surprising spatial experience. With just one valley and three exclusive retreats, whether for a gathering with friends or a solo escape, the serene power of the pine forest and the architectural simplicity create a harmonious connection. The buildings quietly retreat into the landscape, offering a peaceful, secluded getaway.

to honor the site’s history, the new building echoes the old structure’s elements

Studio8 Architects thoughtfully positions each building along the valley’s contours

much of the woodwork is crafted from reclaimed wood sourced from local markets

the interior flows seamlessly with 270-degree panoramic views, offering a fully immersive experience

through the glass doors, each room opens onto a private backyard in the pine forest

the estate’s design balances privacy with openness

discreet lighting, resembling fireflies, dots the pathways and grounds, enhancing the secluded atmosphere

situated in a secluded valley a two-hour drive from Shanghai, China

project info:

name: Anadu Pine Villa
architect: Studio8 Architects | @studio8.architects

location: China

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

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In a lively corner of Psyrri, one of Athens’ most characterful and fast-changing neighborhoods, 314 Architecture Studio introduces EteroLukumas, a compact dessert shop that feels more like a sculptural installation than a typical storefront. Just 20 square meters in size, the space serves Greek donuts, known as ‘loukoumades’ and ice cream behind a facade lined with ceramic tiles.

images courtesy of 314 Architecture Studio

EteroLukumas channels mid-century athenian homes

The shop sits in a spot that’s tucked away and highly visible at the same time. Rather than competing with the noise and texture of the area, a mix of small shops, bars, workshops, and pedestrian routes, the Athens-based architects introduce soft, curved forms that feel calming. Materials were chosen with care and memory in mind. The ceramic tiles, for example, echo those found in many Athenian homes from the 1950s and ’60s. That nod to the past is intentional, a way of quietly honoring the city’s built heritage, especially the handmade details that are becoming rarer in new construction.

314 Architecture Studio draws loosely from the flowing lines of Art Nouveau as a starting point for shaping the space. Inside, there are no hard corners or partitions, with a central column blending into the ceiling and walls, creating a fluid surface that feels carved. From the street, EteroLukumas‘ openings are shaped in such a way that they invite people in without fully revealing the interior.

This small project puts emphasis on mood, texture, and atmosphere over big gestures, offering a soft counterpoint to the city’s usual intensity.

314 Architecture Studio introduces EteroLukumas

a compact dessert shop that feels more like a sculptural installation than a typical storefront

just 20 square meters in size, the space serves Greek donuts

314 Architecture Studio draws loosely from the flowing lines of Art Nouveau

materials were chosen with care and memory in mind

a central column blending into the ceiling and walls

project info:

name: EteroLukumas

architects: 314 Architecture Studio | @314architecturestudio

location: Athens, Greece

The post tiny dessert shop by 314 architecture studio brings flowing forms to central athens appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

The anticipated Zayed National Museum is set to open in December 2025 in the Saadiyat Cultural District, joining a growing network of landmark institutions such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena, and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Designed by Foster + Partners, the museum anchors the island with a bold sculpted form that draws deeply from Emirati heritage while incorporating advanced sustainable technologies.

The architecture is defined by five steel arching towers that rise above the galleries like falcon wings, a nod to the cultural importance of falconry in the UAE. Beyond this symbolism, each tower functions as a solar thermal chimney, drawing hot air out of the building through natural convection. Below, a landscaped garden traces a timeline of Sheikh Zayed’s life, while the main exhibition spaces are embedded within a gently contoured mound, abstracted from the topography of the Emirates. These six permanent pod-shaped galleries and a temporary exhibition space will present a comprehensive narrative of the UAE’s cultural, environmental, and social history.

all images © Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

foster + partners’ sculpted design at saadiyat Cultural District

Commissioned as a tribute to the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s new national museum will be split across two levels, supported by a dynamic programme of exhibitions, public events, and research initiatives. Highlights of the collection will include artefacts from the UAE’s earliest human settlements, a rare ancient Magan Boat reconstruction, the Blue Quran manuscript, and the Abu Dhabi Pearl — believed to be one of the world’s oldest natural pearls.

The museum builds on Sheikh Zayed’s vision and values to form part of a broader cultural strategy shared by its neighboring institutions on Saadiyat Island, home to one of the world’s densest clusters of cultural venues. Zayed National Museum’s permanent galleries will span archaeology, biodiversity, urban development, and Emirati traditions, drawing connections between local heritage and global narratives to celebrate the region’s identity. The collection also includes major archaeological finds dating back to the Palaeolithic era, including early irrigation systems and traces of Bronze Age copper mining, and these histories are presented alongside contemporary research and public programming, reflecting a commitment to making culture accessible across generations. With dedicated spaces for youth, senior citizens, and People of Determination, the museum seeks to foster inclusive engagement and shared learning.

Zayed National Museum is set to open in December 2025

Foster + Partners anchors Saadiyat Cultural District with a bold sculpted form

the design draws deeply from Emirati heritage while incorporating advanced sustainable technologies

five steel arching towers rise like falcon wings, a nod to the cultural importance of falconry in the UAE

each tower functions as a solar thermal chimney

the museum builds on the late Sheikh Zayed’s vision and values

six permanent pod-shaped galleries will present a comprehensive narrative of the UAE’s history

the galleries will span archaeology, biodiversity, urban development, and Emirati traditions

Highlights of the collection will include artefacts from the UAE’s earliest human settlements

the Abu Dhabi Pearl is believed to be one of the world’s oldest natural pearls

project info:

name: Zayed National Museum

architecture: Foster + Partners | @fosterandpartners

location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

The post foster + partners’ five-winged national museum to open soon on abu dhabi’s saadiyat island appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

KOGAA’s redesign of a municipally owned ground-floor unit in Brno’s historic center establishes a new model for tourist information facilities as adaptable civic infrastructure. The project, TIC Brno, is situated on Zámečnická Street, a high-footfall pedestrian corridor connecting Náměstí Svobody and Dominikánské náměstí, and engages with both heritage constraints and contemporary urban needs. More than a point of orientation, it functions as a cultural interface: hosting micro-exhibitions, showcasing locally made products, and offering space for smaller events and launches.

Externally, the intervention introduces a new travertine stone base and a lightweight signage hood that collectively bring cohesion to a fragmented facade. These elements were developed in dialogue with preservation authorities, including the National Institute of Historical Preservation and Brno’s Department of Historical Preservation, and were designed for gradual implementation to minimize disruption to surrounding active units. The design aligns with the ‘Manual of Good Practice for Advertising and Marking of Establishments’ (2018), integrating signage into a unified and restrained visual language. In a visually saturated urban context, this approach reinforces architectural clarity and public legibility. The travertine base references materials found throughout Brno’s architectural history, while the hood introduces a lighter counterpoint, reducing visual noise and offering a calm interface at street level. Openings along the facade were adjusted to reestablish transparency and align with the building’s original tectonic logic, contributing to a more coherent relationship between interior and exterior.

all images by BoysPlayNice

Chromatic panel structure fabricates TIC Brno’s Interior

Inside the compact footprint, the spatial organization centers around a single multifunctional insert that consolidates core functions: reception, workspace, storage, product display, and public interaction zones. Designed and fabricated by KOGAA Studio in collaboration with DURO Design, a local metalwork studio, the insert is composed of iridescent titanium-clad panels applied using a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) process. This surface treatment produces subtle chromatic shifts in response to daylight, creating a nuanced, dynamic interior quality.

The monolithic insert also acts as a spatial device, structuring circulation and defining user interactions. Lowered portions accommodate staff and visitor desks, recessed volumes serve as display areas, and integrated storage maintains functional efficiency. A bespoke connector system developed by DURO ensures seamless assembly while preserving the sculptural continuity of the installation.

a single multifunctional insert defines the compact interior

Balancing Heritage and Change in Brno’s Civic Landscape

Beyond its informational role, TIC Brno serves as a venue for micro-exhibitions, product showcases, and smaller cultural events. The programmatic flexibility of the space allows it to evolve in step with the city’s cultural landscape, supporting Brno’s strategic goals of promoting local creativity and participatory engagement. Its content is curated in collaboration with local designers and institutions, maintaining relevance through ongoing rotation.

The project demonstrates how limited spatial interventions can carry broader urban significance. By combining material precision, contextual responsiveness, and programmatic adaptability, the design addresses the intersecting demands of heritage preservation, civic representation, and everyday usability. The juxtaposition of the ephemeral titanium finish and the grounded travertine base encapsulates the architectural intent to balance permanence with transformation. TIC Brno is part of a wider urban strategy that positions Brno as a city rooted in cultural authenticity and civic innovation. Although modest in scale, the project contributes to the redefinition of public infrastructure, establishing a replicable approach to civic architecture that prioritizes design quality and urban continuity.

iridescent panels shift color with changing daylight conditions

the monolithic insert organizes circulation and spatial use

integrated volumes accommodate display, storage, and workspaces

the titanium-clad insert was fabricated by local studio DURO Design

lowered surfaces support staff and visitor interaction

the PVD titanium coating introduces a subtle chromatic variation

the insert balances sculptural form with functional clarity

programmatic adaptability allows the space to evolve over time

travertine stone base and signage hood unify the fragmented street facade

openings were adjusted to restore transparency and align with original facade rhythms

project info:

name: TIC Brno: The Civic Counter
architect: KOGAA | @kogaa_studio

location: Zámečnická 90/2, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic

lead architects: Tomáš Kozelský, Viktor Odstrčilík, Alexandra Georgescu

design team: Kateřina Baťková, Josef Řehák, Markéta Landová, Nikola Linhartová, Kristián Zámečník

client: TIC Brno, Centrála cestovního ruchu – Jižní Morava

bespoke construction and finish: DURO DESIGN

illustrations: Laura Emilija Druktenyte

passport: Plancraft 

consultant: Michal Doležel, Veronika Rút

lighting supplier: London Light

photographer: BoysPlayNice | @boysplaynice

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post iridescent titanium panels cast chromatic reflections within info desk by KOGAA in brno appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

At the Ekies All Senses Resort in northern Greece, CTRLZAK design studio unveils Bubo, a restaurant inspired by komorebi, the poetic Japanese term for sunlight filtering through trees. Developed by Thanos Zakopoulos and Katia Meneghini, the studio draws a conceptual thread between this architectural project and Zakopoulos’ recent art installation at the same resort, which used charred pine as a metaphor for destruction and rebirth (find designboom’s previous coverage here). In Bubo, komorebi becomes the conceptual guide that shapes an atmosphere where light, structure, and texture create the feeling of walking through a forest. The interior draws from the rhythms and systems of the surrounding pines, inviting guests to feel part of it.

images courtesy of CTRLZAK

tree-like columns support perforated metal ceiling

Italian-Greek studio CTRLZAK interprets komorebi as a metaphor for ecological connection and the subtle rhythms of the natural world, sunlight, water, air, and matter in constant exchange. In the dining space of Bubo, angled columns rise like tree trunks, supporting a canopy of perforated metal ceiling panels that hide lighting and ventilation behind a pattern reminiscent of vascular tissue in pine needles. Working with Reflect Lights, CTRLZAK creates a play of light and shadow that recalls walking through a forest, where sunlight breaks through the foliage in quiet moments of clarity and wonder.

Bespoke furniture, dining tables, sofas, dividers, and curtains, is part of the forest narrative. Materials drawn from the local landscape, such as earthy plasters and Greek marble, further ground the restaurant in its context. The stone flooring features a subtle gradient of two regional marbles, which dissolve into one another as the space opens toward the beach.

CTRLZAK design studio unveils Bubo, a restaurant inspired by komorebi

water installation reflects mountain-to-sea flow

That same attention to elemental transitions is visible in the bathroom, which is envisioned as a cave-like retreat. Designed as a kind of contemporary sanctuary, it channels the idea of water emerging from the mountain. A spring-like installation releases water through the stone wall and out into an exterior fountain, reimagining the mountain-to-sea flow in architectural form. Nearby, a mural and custom-made outdoor furniture evoke geological stratification, exploring the ongoing transformation of the terrain and the layered histories embedded in it.

CTRLZAK’s design celebrates the unseen dimensions of the natural world, from cellular structures to ancient stone, reminding us of our place within an interconnected whole.

angled columns rise like tree trunks

bespoke furniture is part of the forest narrative

a pattern reminiscent of vascular tissue in pine needles

earthy plasters and Greek marble further ground the restaurant in its context

a spring-like installation releases water through the stone wall

reimagining the mountain-to-sea flow in architectural form

a mural and custom-made outdoor furniture evoke geological stratification

the stone flooring features two regional marbles

CTRLZAK creates a play of light and shadow that recalls walking through a forest

perforated metal ceiling panels hide lighting and ventilation

project info:

name: Bubo Restaurant
architect: CTRLZAK | @ctrlzak
location: Ekies All Senses Resort | @ekiesresort, Chalkidiki, Greece

The post CTRLZAK channels filtered forest light in pine-inspired restaurant at ekies resort, greece appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.