The best of today’s architecture

To define what makes an Architecture project good seems bold but, based on ten main principles considered crucial by the most visited architecture website in the world, “The ArchDaily Guide to Good Architecture” book by the international publishing house Gestalten is a collection of some of the most innovative and compelling built environments the platform has encountered so far.

Words by Fernanda Russomano

Founded in 2008, ArchDaily was created by architects that felt the lack of a place where they could access the latest projects and architecture trends. Now, almost fifteen years later and with over 40,000 curated projects, the website has gained recognition throughout the world as one of the main digital architecture platforms with an average of 13.6 million monthly readers.

Gestalten is known for publishing unique titles and collaborating with acclaimed creative leaders and media brands to develop aesthetically compelling and relevant books since 1995. With more than 50 projects displayed, some already built and others planned, its new book produced together with ArchDaily breaks down good architecture into ten main principals. From designs that focus on the community and on the usage of local and affordable materials to innovative and “out of the box” concepts, ArchDaily’s goal is to showcase the most visionary architects as well as introduce new talents worth knowing about.

One of the key aspects the platform considers as a definition of good architecture is the ability to perfectly achieve the balance between form and function. In its chapter entitled “Good architecture is holistic”, the book unravels designs that successfully manage to combine concepts and necessities, ensuring the smooth functioning of the whole and embracing the wellbeing of its users as one of the top priorities.

From a coworking space in Los Angeles that priorities the human wellbeing by focusing on the outdoor environment and the connection to nature, to a fascinating and robust man-made boulder-like structure set in a valley in China that functions as a concert hall designed to enhance acoustic experiences, the projects presented prove that combining functionality and a beautiful design is not only possible but ideal.

Another crucial facet that defines good architecture according to ArchDaily is innovation. Like a half-sunk restaurant on the ocean front of Spangereid in Norway, or a sustainable 3D-printed house in Italy made from local raw earth. However, as exemplified in its chapter entitled “Good architecture is innovative”, innovation is not only designing with new materials and inventions, but also the reimagination of natural formations or new ways of using local materials. Like a holiday home built between what was left of a former quarry in the Spanish island of Menorca or a school’s leisure and community space in Indonesia marked by an elegant and compelling sculpture-like structure built entirely of bamboo.

A parking building in the middle of the city could just store cars or it could be a lively mixed-use building that not only provides public spaces for the community, but also encourages its users to enjoy the surrounding area on foot. Situated in one of the busiest pedestrian areas of Miami Beach, the unique construction designed by Herzog & De Meuron combines residential and retail spaces with parking areas, creating an open design with panoramic views of the city.

Considering the world’s increasing climate crisis, industries have been shifting their focus into more sustainable ways in hopes to guarantee a better future for humanity and the architecture community is no exception. Though the term “sustainable architecture” usually correlates with the design of new buildings constructed with cutting-edge technology to decrease the human impact in nature, it is also the adaptation and reuse of existing architecture and materials. According to ArchDaily, good architecture is resourceful and focuses on designing with a circular economy, incorporating sustainable solutions with adaptive practices.

From a former wine-storage and ship-loading zone that was converted into a unique and relaxing seaside hotel in Greece, to a 17-story grain silo in Copenhagen that was redesigned and adapted into a modern residential and public-serving building, architects have proven that it is possible to completely reimagine an already built construction and adapt it into an entirely different use creating beautiful and versatile architecture.

According to the platform, good architecture should not only be useful but also desirable. Blending the built environment with nature, Chang Architects designed a house in Singapore that acts as an oasis for the family that lives in it. Not only is the house an ecological communal home centered around the wellbeing of its users, its abundant greenery results in a thermally efficient home.

With his project Tree-ness House, architect Akihisa Hirata also demonstrates the importance of combining interior and exterior spaces to ensure good-quality living. The architecture of the three-dimensional façade apartment complex in Tokyo was inspired by the shape of a tree and its cavities, marked by plants and trees, it is an extreme contrast to its concrete-filled urban surroundings, demonstrating the impact of nature in providing a calm and balanced lifestyle for city-dwellers.

Besides showcasing seven other principals that the platform considers define good architecture, the book highlights 5 world renowned architects, their story and some of their projects. Starting off with american architect Jeanne Gang, the book also contains sections dedicated to Snøhetta’s Craig Dykers, Francis Kéré, Isay Weinfled and chilean architect Alejandro Aravena, who also contributed to a foreword written specially for the book.

“The ArchDaily Guide to Good Architecture” by Gestalten is the first book by ArchDaily and its purchase is currently available in Europe and the United Kingdom and will be released internationally after the 8^th of November, 2022. Besides the standard edition, a special edition will be available exclusively on the Gestalten and ArchDaily’s websites, which will not only have a linen cover but also an exclusive print from Pritzker Prize winner architect, Diébédo Francis Kéré.

For more information and purchase visit Gestalten website.

All images courtesy of ArchDaily.