Architecture

May 27, 2026

Architects Reimagine a Lost Belgian Abbey as a Transparent Steel Cathedral

For centuries, the church at Herkenrode Abbey stood as one of Belgium’s most important religious landmarks. The Gothic structure formed the heart of a wealthy Cistercian abbey near Hasselt before war, fire, and demolition erased it from the landscape. Today, almost nothing of the original church survives. Belgian architectural practice Gijs Van Vaerenbergh has now revived the vanished structure in a striking new form.

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May 23, 2026

This Mexico City Hotel Marries Contemporary Design With Reverence for the Local Culture

Mexico City has grown into one of the most alluring destinations in the world. Part of its charm is its unparalleled mixture of tradition and modernity. Colima 71, a stylish hotel in the bustling Roma Norte neighborhood, encompasses this sentiment. Designed with a profound reverence for the culture at the door, the hotel marries warmth with style. The property was designed by T.A.X.

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May 10, 2026

Sea Sponges Have Inspired a New Skyscraper Proposed for Vancouver

Many architects are inspired by nature, but few projects have dared to make a nearly manmade replica of its source. The upcoming 595 West Georgia Street, planned for downtown Vancouver, draws influence from sea sponges—specifically, the Venus’ flower basket found primarily in the nearby Pacific Ocean. (The species is viewed with such reverence that the creatives behind the design even attach an image of the critter in their press materials as a reference.)

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April 27, 2026

Spanish Pavilion at the 2026 World Design Capital Imagines Infrastructure as a Living System

Every two years, the World Design Organization bestows the title of World Design Capital on a city (or region). The 2026 World Design Capital (WDC) is Frankfurt Rhein-Main in Germany, with pioneering projects and programming to explore the depths of design and its potential. Temporary architecture (pavilions) is one part of WDC, and beginning April 30, 2026, the Spanish Design Pavilion will open its doors to the public.

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My Modern Met

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