1. Amorgos Island, Greece

SEE ALSO: Mediterranean House in Tinos Island, Greece by Zege Architects

2. Nuuk, Greenland

3. Berlin, Germany

4. Paradise Island, Bahamas

5. San Francisco, California

6. Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England

7. Cinque Terre, Italy

8. Cape Town, South Africa

9. Gamla Stan, Stockholm

10. Barranco, Lima, Peru

11. Burano, Italy

SEE ALSO: Burano, Italy – The Most Colorful in Europe

12. Trinidad, Cuba

13. Pattaya, Thailand

14. Bristol, England

15. Caminito, Buenos Aires

SEE ALSO: Argentina [PHOTO PEEK]

16. Wroclaw, Poland

17. St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada

18. Santa Maria in Rio de Janeiro

19. Longyearbyen, Svallbard, Norway

20. Willemstad, Curacao, Caribbean

21. Provence Village of Menton, Provence-Alpes Cote d’Azur, France

22. Naples, Italy

23. Isla Mujeres, Mexico

24. Brighton Beach, Melbourne, Australia

25. Chefchaouen, Morocco

SEE ALSO: Chefchaouen – the Blue City of Morocco

(BONUS) 26. Nubia, Aswan, Egypt

SEE ALSO: The Breathtaking Views at Mount Sinai in Egypt

[Images via CNNGO, Buzzfeed]

Soaring at almost 125 meters (408 feet), the spire will elevate the building height to a symbolic (540 meters) 1,776 feet and place it at the 3rd spot of the world’s highest buildings, right after Burj Khalifa of Dubai and Mecca’s Clock Tower in Saudi Arabia – 13th if you don’t count the spire in. The symbolic height of 1776 feet represents the year 1776 of the American Independence.

SEE ALSO: Breathtaking Manhattan in Motion Time Lapse Video

To put the achieved height into perspective, here are a couple of comparative illustrations:

• New York ranking:

• World ranking:

One WTC, designed by David Childs of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, is scheduled for completion late 2013 with an estimated price tag of $3.8 billion. The new complex consists of 5 high-rise towers, a museum, the 911 memorial, open since September 2011, on the 10^th anniversary of the attacks, and the Calatrava transportation hub (in the below rendered imaged).

 
The following animation shows the progress of construction and the final look of the complex once complete:

Manhattan is back!!

SEE ALSO: NYC Skyline Over the Years (1876-2013)

[Images via: Oregon life, About, Reuters]

Presenting the unique character of cities with waterfronts, we put together this post featuring 10 images of cities skylines reflected on a water surface. The shape defining the urban landscape reflected on nature’s mirror is just magnificent. These images were taken by different photographers, and according to the source, non of the photos has been digitally manipulated, and are all just taken with a camera and a tripod to maintain the still capture.

Dokkum, The Netherlands by Bas Meelker

Dresden, Germany by Manuel Irritier

Singapore cityscape by WK Cheoh

SEE ALSO: The Lion City Timelapse – Singapore

Seattle, Washington by John G. Cramer 

Groningen, Netherlands by Rayon Hoepel

Milwaukee, Wisconsin by Jacob Rostermundt

Amsterdam, Netherlands by Anna Gett

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by Bill Dickinson

Seoul, South Korea by Saik Kim

SEE ALSO: 20 Spectacular Skylines Around the World 

 [Via Architizer, Scene360, Illusion]

When you hear 1-bedroom apartment, you mostly relate it to being economic, on a tight budget, or single. Well, this is not the case here. This elite crib – the House - is a 411.932 sq m (4,434 square foot) 1-Bedroom apartment, listed at a whopping 1.8 billion yen ($21.8 million USD) in the exclusive and most expensive neighborhood Minami-Azabu of Tokyo, Japan. Priced at an unbelievable $4,920.75 per square foot, the apartment is considered the world most expensive, and here’s why:

• Almost all furniture in the home is custom designed by Cecotti Collezioni
• Many of the walls, flooring and doors are Italian imported stone and wood
• Features a Japanese ‘Ryotei’ style dining room for dinner parties allowing chef to serve guests directly from gourmet kitchen
• Parisian-style terrace overlooking Arisugawa park
• Features original works from famous Japanese artist Hiroshi Senju, painted on site
• Entrance hallway has walls that open up to massive 200-pair shoe storage unit
• Features massive, fully enclosed courtyard garden
• 1 full bath, 2 partial baths
• All kitchen appliances by La Cornue

It’s a nice design with some beautiful interior decorating and fabulous outdoor spaces, but it’s still a 1-bedroom apartment!

[Photography copyrights: Japan Sotheby’s International Realty] [Source]

British painter Nathan Walsh elaborate drawings and architectural blueprints before laying a drop of paint on his canvas. His deep study to pin down exact geometry and perspective gives each work a sense of life that might otherwise not be present in something created with the mechanical aid of a camera or software.

Walsh’s primary source materials are not photographs but pencil sketches drawn on-site, for example the Chicago pieces above began from over 100 drawings he then references in his studio. In this way he can easily alter the position and size of any particular element, a process he likens to “building a world from scratch”.

From his website:

I deal exclusively with the urban landscape and aim to present a painted world which in some ways resembles the world we live in. I am fascinated by the city, it’s visual complexity and constant state of flux. The act of painting is an attempt fix this information and give vision to our experience of living within it. [...] The work aims to create credible and convincing space which whilst making reference to our world displays it’s own distinct logic. This space is created through drawing, which I see as fundamental in establishing a world the viewer can engage with. Drawing allows me to make human pictorial decisions instead of relying on the mechanical eye of a camera or software package. This process is open ended and changes from one painting to the next. Whilst I employ a variety of perspectival strategies, these methods are not fixed or rigid in their application. Working with a box of pencils and an eraser I will start by establishing an horizon line on which I will place vanishing points to construct simple linear shapes which become subdivided into more complex arrangements.

Check out his website for numerous final works at a much higher resolution, as well as initial drawings. Walsh will have work at the Changing Perspectives technology conference in Paris later this month, and is working on a solo show at Bernarducci Meisel Gallery in November.

[Via Colossal]

[Via ArtPics on Facebook]

Nils Eisfeld, German photographer, picked staircases as his obsession.  He got a special eye to notice great shapes and angles over what you may have thought were just stairs. Eisfeld’s Stairs series includes lamp-bulb, eye, egg, rabbit hole, leaf-shaped spiral cases and lots of other whatever-your-mind-whispers-to-you canvases of stairs. Inspire your imagination with these spectacular examples of Nils Eisfeld’s work.

Source [Nils Eisfeld's flickr]

The artist’s scaled blueprints account for everything from architectural design to interior furnishings. The illustrations consist of anything he’s witnessed from each respective show or film, from the famed couch in The Simpsons to the Carrie Bradshaw’s roomy walk-in closet on Sex and the City. The artist even includes minute, iconic details like the half-bathtub sofa in Holly Golightly’s fairly empty party pad in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

• Will & Grace

• UP

• Three’s company

• The Simpsons

• Golden Girls

• The Big Bang Theory

• Sex and the City

• Seinfeld

• My Neighbor Totoro

• I Love Lucy

• How I Met Your Mother

• Friends

• Frasier

• Dexter

• Breakfast at Tiffany’s

[Via Iñaki Aliste Lizarralde on Tumblr - Iñaki Aliste Lizarralde on deviantART]

The ABC Of Architects is an animated video featuring an alphabetical list of the most notorious architects and a major project they’ve done. Performed by Federico Gonzalez on a concept by Andrea Stinga, this simple and successful creation can quickly reveal the biggest names in architecture.

Watch the cool animation:

The Romantik Muottas Muragl, a sustainable, contemporary hotel set in the Swiss Alps , has undergone a complete renovation in 2012 by Franzun AG. Visitors can look forward to unforgettable views and a luxurious, yet environmentally conscious mountain retreat.

Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl by Franzun AG:

“During summer 2010, the entire Berghotel Muottas Muragl was completely renovated. Particular focus was placed on the aspect of environmental-friendliness, giving rise to the first plus-energy hotel in the Alps.

Besides constructing the building according to the principles and requirements of the Swiss “Minergie” ecological label, this project went one step further. Although the surface area of the building was extended from 1,700 sq. metres to 2,700 sq. meters, despite the 50% increase in size, it was possible to reduce the energy consumption by 64%, from 436,000 kWh/a to 157,400 kWh/a.

This was achieved by insulating the building in line with the latest standards and by generating renewable energy from five different sources.

With this ground-breaking energy concept, the Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl was awarded the Swiss Solar Award 2011 and the PlusEnergieBau® (PEB) Solar Award 2011.

Awaiting you at the completely renovated Berghotel Muottas Muragl are 16 romantic rooms furnished in Swiss stone pine. The rooms are very comfortable and decorated with a great deal of charm.

Each room is equipped with a WC, shower and/or bath, and free W-LAN. The larger double rooms also accommodate a sofa bed and are therefore ideal for families.

Spend the night at 2,456 metres above sea level – an unforgettable experience.

Mountain dining high up on Muottas Muragl means enjoyment in harmony with the Engadin Alpine world. The romantic Berghotel Muottas Muragl, with its harmonious decor of Swiss stone pine and walnut, provides a stylish ambience for each and every culinary occasion.”

Renzo Piano‘s glass structure, The Shard -London and Europe’s highest tower- opens to the public on 1 February. The public viewing deck is accessible by high speed elevators and costs £24.95 per person to get some stunning views of the British capital, stretching to 40 miles-radius on a clear day.

Reporter’s have already beat us to location and snapped some preview images of the 40-mile view, here’s a peek:

London’s Shard – video review (courtesy of The Guardian UK):

[Photography: David Levene/the Guardian, Stefan Wermuth/Reuters, Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images]

Poland-based architecture student Maja Wrońska attending Warsaw University of Technology, has been drawing buildings and castles since she was a little girl. Poland’s skill requirements for architectural school prompted Maja to attend drawing classes, which changed her attitude towards drawing and gave her inspiration as a developing artist.  She has captured some lovely scenes from Paris, Venice, New York, Prague, Istanbul, Krakow and elsewhere. Her level of talent and detailing are beyond outstanding. Check out more of her paintings here.

[Via Deviant Art]

COMESA, short for Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, is an organization of free independent sovereign states which have agreed to co-operate in developing their natural and human resources for the good of all their people and as such it has a wide-ranging series of objectives which necessarily include in its priorities the promotion of peace and security in the region. It was founded in December 1994.

The majority of the Secretariat’s staff is based at its Lusaka, Zambia headquarters, with a smaller sub-section of the Secretariat staff in Cairo, Egypt. As their current building in Zambia has shown signs of age and malfunction, the organization’s high council thought it’s time to obtain a new high-end building to better represent the value of the union and act as an influential hub of culture and commerce. An international design competition called for designers from around the globe to submit their proposals.

(hover on images for caption)

(Proposed site for the new headquarters)

Cairo, Egypt-based firm RMC (Raafat Miller Consulting) participated in the race with a lively and majestic establishment. Their concept was based on sustainability with an aim to enhance habitation, generate green energy, create resources, and add value to the community it lies within. The building doesn’t only house the admin offices of the secretariat, it also sports large exhibition spaces, two multi-purpose halls, a library and a clinic; all blended in harmony under one roof. Here’s the designer’s description:

The Building is formed of two masses, the first one represents the idea COMESA is based on, Unity, and the second layered mass represent the 19 member states of the organization. The two forms are connected with through an atrium, creating an iconic mass for the headquarter building.

The building is a self sufficient, green sustainable design, enhancing the experience of users and reflecting their capabilities of production. Such technologies and simple treatments will reduce the running cost of the facility.

The design of the building represents a known respected organization through colors and patterns of African culture, turning it into an iconic landmark on the inside as well as the outside.

(Floor Plans)

Owner:  Common Market for Eastern & Southern Africa (COMESA)
Location: Lusaka, Zambia
Architect: RMC – Rafaat Miller Consultants
Lead designer: Mostafa Fouda
Year: 2012

[Renders via RMC]
________________________________________________________________________
If you’re interested in submitting your projects to UrbanPeek.com for publishing, Please check our Submit page for details.

London-based advertising photographer Andy Rudak just got finished with a new project – that he considers personal, creating canvases from cities like New York, Paris, Tokyo, & Mumbai out of paper cardboard. After almost a full year of research, planning, design, and building, Rudak, along with a team including set-builder Luke Aan de Wiel, completed the new plateaus, each about 4-5 feet high, the miniature sets appear almost realistic through the amazing cityscape details as well as Rudak’s creative framing skills and manipulation of perspective.

Along with getting you to admire the artistry of the landscapes, Rudak wanted you to feel an emotional calming attachment to the images you were seeing. That is why the animals are present in the Andy Rudak Cardboard Cities scenarios. They add comfort to what could have been eerie photos of colorless dilapidated buildings.

[Via Junk-Culture] [Andy Rudak's website]

If only it ended up that way back then, makes you wonder what went wrong in the middle?!

Colorful Lofts Yungay II designed by Chilean firm, Rearquitectura, in Valparaíso, Chile. Built to match the slopes of the terrain and the nature of the seaside location through bright daytime colors, The apartments get beautiful views of the ocean can be admired from within.

 [Source] [Photos courtesy of Rearquitectura]

Description from John Reeves

“Driving my motorbike past an ever increasing pile of rubble and scrap stones outside one of the many sheet marble and granite tradesmen that line some streets in Ho Chi Minh I started to realise the potential of this so called waste.

Chunks and slabs of beautiful stones were scrapped as offcuts; redundant with only the hope of being pummeled into aggregate for terrazzo or finer dust for composite use. I wanted to retain the inherent beauty that these semi precious stones already have by taking this waste and “upcycling” it – allowing the noble and honest material another chance. With only one rule – that no two colours are combined next to each other and whites and blacks are included in each leg the tradesman select the marble combination themselves. The scrap pieces are rough cut to size, skewered and laminated along a threaded rod, this is then sent to be turned and the scrap pieces reveal their inner beauty once again. The threaded rod continues as the connection between the leg and the carbon oak table top.”

Dimensions:
Side Table : height – 550mm x 400mm x 400mm
Coffee Table : height – 400mm x 525mm x 1200mm
Dining Table : height – 750mm x 1900mm x 900mm

[Via Contemporist]

Do you go through clothes like the Hulk? Have a gadget addiction to rival Bruce Wayne? Rack up frequent flyer miles like Superman? You need a superhero credit card.

[All Rights Reserved Money Supermarket]

A Stunning hill-side dream home designed by Cape Town-based studio SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects named the Montrose house, it was completed in 2010. This contemporary home is located in Cape Town, South Africa. Here are some images and description from the designers:

 “High on the ridge of Bishopscourt in Cape Town, this unique site resulted from the demolition of an existing house. The site was divided by the existing driveway, which rose steeply from the end of the cul-de-sac below. The new building’s form, perched as it is in a commanding position, was perceived from the outset to be a pavilion overlooking the lawns and the forested valley below.

The clients’ brief had a few specific requirements; orientation towards the Constantia Valley and distant False Bay, and the dramatic views up the mountains above Kirstenbosch were essential, as was the emphasis on developing the site to maximize the garden and lawn area. Following the brief the driveway was relocated to the southern boundary of the site to allow this and open up the lawns and the gardens towards the sun and mountain views. There are panoramic vistas towards the south and west from the bedrooms and living rooms; while the pool and terraces are located on the north-east side, in a courtyard protected from the Southeaster gales by the intersecting linear forms of the house.

The triangular shape of the site, and its elevation above the street and steep incline, required extensive excavation and retaining, in order to provide a driveway of acceptable gradient, and extensive building platform on one level, and garden terraces all round.

The double-winged roof, floating above the bedroom wing, and virtually glass box-enclosed living rooms, are the main architectural features. These are complemented by secondary architectural elements such as the cantilevered end of the main entrance feature wall, the floating stone-clad fireplace, continuous perimeter cantilever terraces to the bedrooms and the wrap-around cantilever eyebrow.

Finishes include: polished granite floors, no carpets, no curtains and the floating feature roof with clerestory lighting. The clients’ preference was towards a slick modernist environment with a definitive northern European flair. The imported light grey granite floor slabs set the tone for a color palette of cool greys rather than natural browns, a refreshing change from prevailing trends.”

[Via HomeDSGN] [Photography by Wieland Gleich]

In the region of Bourgogne (Burgundy) in central France, designer Joséphine Gintzburger has undertaken a mission to transform a countryside barn into a present-day modern crib. Her concept was to deliver a Mediterranean interior with an industrial rustic feel to it. By blending elements like concrete, aged oak beams, chandeliers, modern art, having exposed ceilings and newly created mezzanine levels to house the private areas of the residence, the end result  turned out to be magnificent and heartwarming. Here are some images of the results from the designer

The Afghan capital Kabul has been set to house a brand new cultural and historical hub, The National Museum of Afghanistan (NMA). A new building that’s been up for grabs through an international architectural competition hosted by the Afghan Ministry of Information and Culture. The competition is a one stage ideas contest aiming to generate design proposals for an architectural master plan and detailed building design for the site, that will sport the new national museum, the old museum and an archaeological center. The deadline for submissions ended in June and a decision is being currently made by the judicial committee to pick the wining proposal.

One of the significant design proposals was submitted by Cairo-based firm RMC (Raafat Miller Consulting), their concept primarily aims at representing the heritage and the people of Afghanistan through a practical, innovative and enduring physical plan that provides a clear and simple organization for visitors to follow a natural progress through the site. This is accomplished by using a spacial concept where visitors are led through a sequence of visual and physical experiences drawing them to the next encounter. Here are more images and the architect’s description:

(click on image for larger size)

RMC shall create a museum that will accommodate and attract regional and international visitors, further develop and enhance Afghanistan’s cultural programs, strengthen the community by ensuring that the facilities will reflect the unique heritage, culture and architecture of Afghanistan and is multifunctional, including additional facilities such as meeting rooms, event space and dining facilities incorporate environmentally sustainable design.

Our solution lies in enhancing operational efficiency, protecting the resources of the city, providing a comfortable and safe experience for visitors, delivering Flexible, high quality facilities that will follow international building codes and standards and stick to the highest par of accepted guidelines for museums.

The building concept has been derived from the rugged and mountainous Afghan landscape. The following images represent the progression of the design mass:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

We understand that the NMA will probably require between 8-10 galleries. Together with the Museum we would define the main themes, sub-themes and messages, helping to interpret these for the different audience segments targeted. This will allow us to focus on the selection of artifacts and the physical development of the exhibits that communicate these messages.

Basement Floor Plan

Ground Floor Plan

Upon entering the Museum you are greeted by a grand hall. The temporary museum and the automobile display will be found on your right. To the left is the permanent display and Phase II extensions.

Mezzanine Level Plan

Storage Concept Plan

Exhibition Concept

The architecture and landscape of Afghanistan are filled with deep and rugged textures which relates to the life of the Afghan people. We have taken this texture and used it on our facade walls.

We will keep you posted as soon as a decision is being made on the wining design. In the meantime, let us know what you think of RMC’s proposal for the NMA in the below comments section.

Owner:  Ministry of Information and Culture - Afghanistan
Location: Kabul, Afghanistan
Architect: RMC – Rafaat Miller Consultants
Lead designer: Mostafa Fouda
Year: 2012

[Renders via RMC]
________________________________________________________________________
If you’re interested in submitting your projects to UrbanPeek.com for publishing, Please check our Submit page for details.

10 Design + Buro Happold‘s design proposal is the winner for creating a gateway entry to south China’s new planned commercial hub in the Shizimen Business District of Zhuha, Infinity Loop Bridge. The new mega-structure provides incredible views of the Shizimen Canal to the Pearl River Delta.

The winning bridge scheme proposes an undulating ribbon of structure that wraps around the 6 lane road deck in a continuous sculptural loop form. At low levels the loop cradles the road deck, with the structural ribbon then soaring upwards to create 2 triangulated arch forms. These triangular gateways, one primary and one secondary, support the road deck over 2 separate distinct spans via suspension cables. The primary triangulated gate is 100m in height and by diagonally crossing the deck of the bridge celebrating not only the crossing of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, but also the meeting point of the canal with the Pearl River Delta.

[Via Architecturelinked]

Deck Two recently accomplished an amazing art project in one of the rehabilitated warehouses in New York. The project, named “Global City”, was made for a shipping company looking for some creative artwork to cover up and decorate a huge blank wall area at their office space’s kitchen. The Drawings are all done using a black pencil marker in an anamorphic technique, which requires the viewer to stand at a specific point to get the overall perspectives.

Global City blows your mind away with its simplicity of implementation that produced an extremely detailed and creative product. The cartoon-like canvas illustrates a city compromised of well-known attractions and iconic landmarks of the world’s most famous capitals, all merged together into one fictional skyline. From the Petronas Towers of Malaysia and the Taipei 101 Tower in Taiwan, to the Eiffel tower, London bridge and Rome’s Colosseum in Europe; and more – all sharing one river bank. An extraordinary free-hand sketching skill that just melt your heart, and a city I’d definitely would love to visit if it was real.  Would you say no to a kitchen like that? I simply wouldn’t!

Watch the video of the making:

[Source: Deck Two; paranoias.org]

Egypt-based photographer Ahmad Ghonaim, previously featured on our blog through his “Islamic Cairo” photo shoots, has sent us his latest image gallery of Sultan Al-Zahir Barqouq Mosque located in Al-Moez Li-Din Allah Street, Old Cairo, Egypt. The facility was built in the Mamluk dynasty, between the years 1384 and 1386, and designed by architect Shihab al Din Ahmad ibn Muhammad al Tuluni.

The Mosque is a complete educational complex, comprising a funerary hall and a school, along with the praying hall. This complex demonstrates a then-newly developed architectural style, with its marble paneling, bronze-plate doors, molded stone ornament, and elaborately worked minaret, was to set the tone for Cairo’s architectural decoration between 1400 and 1450.

[All Photographs by Ahmad Ghonaim for UrbanPeek.com]

________________________________________________________________________

If you’re interested in publishing your Urban Photography albums on UrbanPeek.com, Please check out the Submit page for details.

[Via Dezeen] [Photography by Edmund Sumner]