Nearly exactly ten years after the publication of the Atlas of World Architecture, this new follow-up publication reviews the last architectural decade by means of current exemplary buildings from all continents. Not only have building tasks, techniques and styles changed greatly in the last decade, but the world has transformed, which is significantly reflected in global building culture. Conversion and sustainability have gained significantly in importance, and great innovative architecture has emerged in new regions.
The most diverse projects from temporary exhibition halls to mega airports are compiled and vividly presented in concise texts, accompanied by images and drawings. Contemporary Architecture. Masterpieces around the World is published as a new reference work that reflects the exciting diversity and remarkable achievements of current architecture worldwide. A particular focus is once again on presenting previously unknown masterpieces alongside the well-known highlights of today's world of construction.
An important material for many centuries and used in countless diverse ways before being almost despised for a long time in the modern era, wood has now become a source of fascination and inspiration in contemporary architecture. The sustainable and locally available building material is easy to process, structurally very powerful and extremely simple to combine with other materials. It insulates against heat as well as cold, but is also breathable - excellent qualities for a pleasant and healthy interior climate.
Along with these practical considerations, it is the unlimited abundance of creative possibilities that accounts for the ever-growing popularity of residential dwellings made of wood. From one-story bungalows to multi-story dwellings, timber houses are at the forefront of the development of contemporary architecture and design. This volume presents the huge creative diversity of individual solutions from across the globe.
In Tokyo today, in Barcelona or San Francisco tomorrow: pallets are the universal symbol of globalization and internationalism. Their design is simple, their material sturdy and their utilization functional - characteristics that inspire architects and designers to remodel, reuse and recycle them in ever more ingenious ways.
This volume presents numerous projects from around the world to demonstrate the limitless possibilities of engaging creatively with pallets : Used for buildings they undergo spectacular architectural transformations, while in art they are reinterpreted in surprising ways and cleverly deconstructed when utilized as a feature of interior design.
All of the creations have in common an aura of uncomplicated modernity that expresses itself in a stylishly unconventional esthetic. There is no doubt that pallet constructions are a fascinating and sustainable accompaniment to our times.
