In Taiwan‘s capital of Taipei, a new addition by MVRDV is quietly reshaping the relationship between architecture and regulation. Dubbed Out of the Box, the 25-story residential tower reads like a catalogue of outdoor spaces over the neighborhood of Tianmu. Each is extruded, adjusted, and fitted within the boundaries of building code, yet rendered with a sense of freedom. Sitting prominently along Zhongshan North Road, the building responds to both the visibility of its site and the dramatic backdrop of Yangmingshan National Park.

Rather than presenting a monolithic form, the structure opens outward. Its marble facade is punctuated by a mix of loggias, balconies, bay windows, and covered terraces. These projecting volumes pull parts of the building toward the skyline of Taipei, forming a play of shadows and transparencies that soften the mass and animate the streetscape below.

MVRDV designs a residential ‘Out of the Box’ tower for Taipei’s Tianmu neighborhood | visualizations © MVRDV

out of the box: a shifting tower over taipei

Commissioned by Win Sing Development Company, MVRDV’s tower will act as an urban marker within the predominantly mid-rise fabric of Taipei, Taiwan. While the internal layout is structured around a modest number of repeatable apartment types, the architects use Taiwan’s complex zoning and outdoor space regulations as an invitation rather than a constraint. Through careful cross-referencing, the team generated a series of volumetric conditions that transform what would otherwise be uniform plans into a diverse, flexible set of homes.

The process was shaped by digital scripting tools, which allowed for the precise placement of boxes based on environmental data like sun exposure. What results is a tower that shifts across its height, with no two apartments quite alike. Despite their individuality, each of the 93 units shares the benefit of access to open air and framed views, reinforcing the idea that variability and efficiency can work in tandem.

The outward thrust of the loggias and terraces serves both a spatial and visual function. As Winy Maas, founding partner at MVRDV, explains, the tower was designed with the notion of observation at its core. The protruding boxes, some extending six meters in depth, act as elevated vantage points from which residents can take in the mountains and city below. This outward gesture also lends the building a distinctive silhouette from the street, where it appears almost kinetic in form.

the marble facade is shaped by a system of projecting boxes that create outdoor spaces

Architecture as Lookout and Landmark

With the surrounding buildings of Taipei remaining relatively low in scale, MVRDV’s tower both rises above its neighbors and interacts with them. From the ground, the layering of the facade gives the impression of movement, a rhythm dictated by the boxes that emerge and recede in response to sun paths and view corridors.

Beyond the tower itself, MVRDV has introduced a smaller companion structure to upgrade the retail presence along Zhongshan Road. Its facade continues the lines of its neighbors but integrates a grid-like logic that relates back to the tower, creating visual consistency without mimicry. Existing shop owners will be accommodated within the new volume, ensuring continuity of street life and community presence.

At the base of the tower, landscaping is used to mediate between private and public domains. A swimming pool and community park create pockets of greenery that soften the transition from the sidewalk to the residences. The green roof terrace above, accessible to residents, completes this layered outdoor strategy.

each box serves a distinct function such as a loggia, balcony, or extended interior room

This project marks MVRDV’s first foray into residential development in Taiwan. Its previous efforts in the country, including the Tainan Spring urban renewal and the forthcoming Sun Rock project for Taipower (see designboom’s coverage here), reflect a growing familiarity with the island’s environmental and regulatory landscape. In each case, the firm has demonstrated a willingness to engage with the specificities of place — whether in the reuse of industrial sites or in maximizing the spatial possibilities of residential architecture.

project info:

name: Out of the Box

architect: MVRDV | @mvrdv

location: Tianmu, Taipei, Taiwan

developer: Win Sing Development Company

visualizations: © MVRDV

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After a three-year restoration, Torre Velasca, Milan’s iconic skyscraper, reopens to the public with a fresh identity that amplifies its brutalist-modernist legacy. First completed in 1958 by the avant-garde collective BBPR (Banfi, Belgiojoso, Peressutti, and Rogers), the concrete tower has long stood as a symbol of postwar Italian resilience and experimentation. Now, under the direction of Hines, with Asti Architetti leading the architectural refurbishment, Torre Velasca enters a new phase as a hybrid vertical complex that combines residential, corporate, cultural, and communal uses, anchored by a newly created urban piazza.

all images ©Albo

Hines and Asti Architetti restore Torre Velasca

The defining form of the tower, composed of a rational base rising into a dramatic overhanging crown supported by angled buttresses, is preserved in its entirety. Often likened to a medieval fortress or Lombard tower, its bold silhouette remains unchanged, but its skin and systems are carefully upgraded. The original clinker brick facade, one of the most distinctive features of the building, was subjected to extensive restoration, led by Milan-based Asti Architetti for global real estate firm Hines, using laser cleaning and manual repair techniques to preserve its original grain and irregularities. Windows, some of which had been replaced with incompatible frames in the decades since its construction, were returned to BBPR’s specifications, reintroducing uniformity and rhythm to the grid.

The restoration also involves an overhaul of the building’s technological core—HVAC, energy efficiency systems, acoustic insulation, and digital infrastructure—earning the project LEED Gold and WiredScore Gold certifications. ‘The restoration had to be invisible,’ explains Paolo Asti. ‘Every intervention had to match the design logic and constructive intelligence of BBPR, or it didn’t belong.’

after a three-year restoration, Torre Velasca reopens to the public

reimagining BBPR’s skyscraper as a civic platform

Spanning 34,000 square meters of mixed-use program across 29 floors, what was once a gated skyscraper now opens fully to the public. The base now includes flexible event spaces, an exhibition gallery, retail units, and informal lounges. The 75-meter-high tower, once seen as a fortress, now functions as a civic platform. ‘This isn’t just a real estate project. It’s a return of public dignity to a building that was always meant to be part of the city, not apart from it,’ notes Senior Managing Director of Hines Mario Abbadessa.

Internally, public and private programs are layered vertically in a manner that respects the original tripartite structure: a commercial and communal ground plane, a modernist office block midsection, and a residential crown above—now reimagined as the METT Hotel & Lifestyle residences. The 18th floor houses MIA, a new panoramic restaurant designed with restrained luxury, while the mezzanine floors accommodate SUSHISAMBA and other food and wellness amenities. The interiors feature bespoke terrazzo, restored wood paneling, original signage typography, and hand-finished ceramics in an effort to echo the material intelligence of BBPR’s original scheme.

Perhaps the most radical gesture is at street level, where the formerly vehicle-dominated area around the tower has been entirely re-landscaped as Piazza Velasca, a pedestrian piazza paved in natural stone and planted with magnolias, olive trees, and native grasses. Asti Architetti’s custom benches and Esa Engineering’s lighting reinterpret BBPR’s design language in a contemporary idiom. The original street lamps designed by BBPR have also been restored, bridging past and present.

Milan’s iconic skyscraper adopts a fresh identity

first completed in 1958 by the avant-garde collective BBPR

the concrete tower has long stood as a symbol of postwar Italian resilience

under the direction of Hines, Asti Architetti leads the architectural refurbishment

Torre Velasca enters a new phase

a newly created urban piazza anchors the project

a hybrid vertical complex that combines residential, corporate, cultural, and communal uses

its bold silhouette remains unchanged

its skin and systems are carefully upgraded

laser cleaning and manual repair techniques preserve the original grain and irregularities of the facade

a rational base rises into a dramatic overhanging crown supported by angled buttresses

project info:

name: Torre Velasca Restoration

location: Milan, Italy

original architects: BBPR (Gian Luigi Banfi, Lodovico Belgiojoso, Enrico Peressutti, Ernesto Nathan Rogers)

restoration lead architect: Asti Architetti | @asti_architetti

developer: Hines Italy | @hines

floor area: 34,000 sqm

height: 75 meters

engineering: CEAS (structures), ESA Engineering (MEP)

general contractor: ARS Aedificandi

heritage supervision: Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio per la città metropolitana di Milano

The post brutalist landmark torre velasca reopens in milan as mixed-use tower with public piazza appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s singular skyscraper, the iconic Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, is officially sold to McFarlin Building LLC. The sale closed on May 5, 2025, just one day before the property and its associated collection were due to be auctioned as part of a bankruptcy proceeding. With no competing qualified bids received, McFarlin secured the landmark for $1.4 million. The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, which holds a preservation easement on the site, expresses optimism about the tower’s future, citing the new owners’ respect for its architectural significance and their plans for careful revitalization.

Price Tower | image by John H. Waters, AIA

copper panels front the 19-story Price Tower

Designed in 1952 and completed in 1956, the 19-story Price Tower stands as Frank Lloyd Wright’s only built skyscraper. It was commissioned by Harold C. Price Sr. to house his oil pipeline business alongside apartments and rental offices, hybrid that embodied Wright’s vision of organic architecture. Inspired by his unrealized 1928 project, St. Mark’s in the Bowery, the tower is notable for its radical structure. Floors cantilever out from a central core, eschewing the steel-frame orthodoxy of postwar high-rises. Its copper-panel facade, geometric interiors, and asymmetrical form mark it as a true original in the American landscape.

The recent journey of the tower to new ownership has been anything but smooth. Once the pride of mid-century Bartlesville, Price Tower had fallen into disrepair under previous owners Copper Tree Inc. and Green Copper Holdings LLC, who filed for bankruptcy in early 2025 with just $216 in the bank. A series of legal disputes, utility shutoffs, and unauthorized collection sales triggered national concern among preservationists. McFarlin’s bid, initially delayed by court proceedings, ultimately prevailed, with The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy stepping in throughout to defend their easement and advocate for a sustainable resolution.

Price Tower, Dewey Avenue, Bartlesville, OK | image © Flickr via Warren LeMay

a National Historic Landmark secures a new future

Despite its struggles, the tower remains a National Historic Landmark and a touchstone of modern architecture. Its preservation easement, granted to the Conservancy in 2011, protects not only its exterior but also select interiors and collection items. John Snyder and Macy Snyder-Amatucci of McFarlin, the new owners, have a track record of creative adaptive reuse and are already working with the Conservancy to stabilize and restore the building. 

Wright once called the tower ‘An assertion of the American sense of itself. This upraised hand on the prairie is a symbol of American independence.’ As McFarlin Building LLC steps in with fresh resources and a long-term plan, the Price Tower may once again rise as a beacon.

exterior of Price Tower, March 2025 | image by John H. Waters, AIA

copper panels clad the tower’s facade | image © Flickr via Warren LeMay

interior of the corporate apartment | image by John H. Waters, AIA

interior of the corporate apartment | image by John H. Waters, AIA

15th floor double-height space | image by John H. Waters, AIA

Lobby | image by John H. Waters, AIA

Price Tower interior detail | image by Andrew Pielage

Price Tower | image by John H. Waters, AIA

image courtesy of Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy

project info:

name: Price Tower

architect: Frank Lloyd Wright

location: Bartlesville, Oklahoma, US

current owners: McFarlin Building LLC

The post frank lloyd wright’s only realized skyscraper, price tower in oklahoma, is sold to new owners appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Set to become one of Dubai’s most impressive new landmarks, UNStudio‘s Wasl Tower is nearing completion and continues to transform the city’s skyline with its sinuous form and advanced facade of ceramic fins. With structural design by Werner Sobek, the supertall tower rises 302 meters and draws on classical art’s ‘contrapposto’ stance — its twisted form suggesting a figure mid-stride. Currently in the final stages of construction, the project has been photographed by Nils Koenning, offering a unique glimpse into the next generation of mixed-use skyscrapers in the UAE.

Located on Sheikh Zayed Road, the project sits at a critical urban intersection in Dubai, linking the world-famous Burj Khalifa with the newer City Walk development. Its prominent placement along Sheikh Zayed Road ensures high visibility, especially as it stands opposite the Burj Khalifa without any other tall structures to compete with. A new pedestrian bridge connects the building to the Burj Khalifa metro station, extending accessibility while reinforcing its role as a node within Dubai’s ever-evolving infrastructure network.

images © Nils Koenning

the high-performance facade of ceramic fins

With one of the tallest ceramic facades in the world, the Wasl Tower in Dubai pushes the limits of facade design by blending tradition with performance. The architects at UNStudio and engineers at Werner Sobek cloak the tower in a lace-like grid of ceramic fins, crafted from low-tech glazed clay. This surface works to both reduce heat gain and enhance interior daylighting. Each fin is precisely angled at 12.8 degrees, a figure determined through parametric modeling to optimize shading and light diffusion. This outer skin is thus a passive cooling system which responds to the desert climate and offers a tactile visual identity that reads as both futuristic and traditional.

The Wasl Tower in Dubai introduces an unusual vertical seam that functions as a ‘vertical boulevard’ — a stacked procession of outdoor balconies and green terraces that run up the spine of the building. Crowned by a series of rooftop infinity pools, this seam brings a new level of permeability to high-rise living in a desert context. It also forms a crucial axis for public engagement, with programmatically rich zones that house dining, entertainment, and hospitality functions suspended far above the city.

Dubai’s Wasl Tower is a 302 meter skyscraper designed by UNStudio with structure by Werner Sobek

unstudio’s classical inspiration

With its Wasl Tower in Dubai, UNStudio draws inspiration from classical sculpture, rotating along its vertical axis in a dynamic contrapposto pose. Its complex geometry is supported by three massive 300-meter shear walls, which are linked by four strategic outriggers. This structural system enables an open and adaptable floorplate, meeting the demands of its mixed-use program — including office spaces, apartments, and a hotel — while allowing the building to gracefully twist and face multiple directions.

The project becomes a living element within the nightscape through its responsive lighting system designed by Arup. Hidden behind the ceramic fins, the system pulses with light patterns that mimic the tempo of urban life. During the day, the same ceramic system moderates solar exposure. At night, the tower becomes a glowing presence powered in part by PV panels integrated into the adjacent car park structure. The lighting concept flows from exterior to interior, especially in the tower’s public areas and sky lobby.

the building’s sculptural form is based on contrapposto and rotates along its vertical axis

To navigate its complex, multi-functional interior, UNStudio and Werner Sobek employ a layered vertical transport strategy. A total of seventeen elevators — including five for services — support the distinct programs within the tower. Express lifts connect major hubs like the ground floor, spa, sky lobby, and rooftop, while separate lift groups serve office workers, hotel guests, and residents. While streamlining circulation, this system enhances user experience by lending direct, efficient access between public and private zones.

As the Wasl Tower nears its anticipated completion later this year, Dubai prepares to welcome a new icon which actively engages with its climate, culture, and infrastructure. With its ceramic cloak, kinetic silhouette, and environmentally responsive features, the tower signals a forward-thinking future for high-rise design in the desert metropolis.

it features one of the world’s tallest ceramic facades made from low-tech glazed clay

ceramic fins provide shading and reflect light deep into the building

a vertical boulevard of outdoor balconies runs the full height of the tower

the tower is located on Sheikh Zayed Road between Burj Khalifa and City Walk

project info:

name: Al Wasl Tower

architect: UNStudio | @we.are.uns

location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

contractual partner, lead engineering consultant: Werner Sobek | @werner.sobek

completion: expected late 2025

photography: © Nils Koenning | @nils_koenning

UNStudio team: Ben van Berkel, Gerard Loozekoot, Frans van Vuure with Nick Marks, Harlen Miller, Crystal Tang and Derrick Diporedjo, Machiel Wafelbakker, Dana Behrman, Roman Kristesiashvili, Filippo Lodi, Rene Wysk, Hans Kooij, Patrik Noome, Megan Hurford, Elizabeth White, Fernando Herrera and Aleksandra Sliwinska, Pietro Scarpa, Mihai Soltuz, Philip Wilck, Rutger Stefan Oor, Bao An Nguyen Phuoc, Nanang Santoso, Thomas van Bekhoven, Ka Shin Lu, Henk van Schuppen, Matthew Harrison, Jung Jae Suh, Jae Geun Ahn, Pieter Doets, Shankar Ramakrishan, Meng Zhang

advisors
structural, facade, MEP engineering: Werner Sobek
sustainability, acoustic engineering: Werner Sobek Green Technologies
local MEP engineering: Seed
architect of record: U+A Architects
light design: Arup
landscape architect: Green4Cities
cost consultant: Kulkarni Quantity Surveyors
FLS consultant: Aecom
vertical transportation: Dunbar & Boardman / TUV Sud
AV/IT consultant: Shen Milson Wilke
wind engineering: Wacker Ingenieure
kitchen consultant: Sefton Horn Winch
pool engineering: Barr & Wray
interior design hotel: GA Design
interior design F&B: AB Concept

The post UNstudio’s wasl tower in dubai draws from classical art with sinuous contrapposto pose appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Zaha Hadid Architects has unveiled Cityzen Tower, an ambitious mixed-use development in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi. Located at the intersection of Mikheil Tamarashvili and University streets, the tower will comprise residential apartments, commercial spaces, and leisure amenities. Cityzen Tower is designed to rise on the site of the former military headquarters of Soviet forces in central and south Caucasus. Positioned within the evolving Cityzen community in Tbilisi’s Saburtalo district, the project benefits from proximity to the city’s Line 2 metro system, major universities, commercial hubs, and emerging residential developments. Marking ZHA’s first project in Georgia, Cityzen Tower is scheduled for completion in 2028.

visualizations © Negativ

CityZen’s vision for urban connectivity in tbilisi

The design team at Zaha Hadid Architects envisions the Cityzen Tower as a new civic hub in western Tbilisi, Georgia, to accommodate the city’s growing population. The masterplan features interconnected pedestrian pathways, public plazas, and lush gardens, spanning 23,000 square meters of outdoor spaces to encourage recreation and community engagement. Cityzen is strategically positioned adjacent to Tbilisi’s expansive 36-hectare Central Park. Retaining 250 mature trees from the existing site, the development embraces green urbanism, offering residents direct access to botanical gardens, woodlands, and sports facilities.

ZHA’s Cityzen Tower is set to be a new mixed-use development in Tbilisi, Georgia

cascading terraces inspired by georgia’s landscape

The design of Cityzen Tower by Zaha Hadid Architects reflects Tbilisi’s rolling hills and meandering river valleys. The tower serves as an architectural bridge between urban life and nature, featuring cascading landscaped terraces that extend into Central Park, creating inviting outdoor spaces for cafes, restaurants, and communal activities. As Cityzen Tower ascends, the terraces evolve into social spaces for the office floors, while the upper residential levels offer private balconies with sweeping views of the city and park. The tower’s design transitions from an expansive communal base to a refined, diamond-shaped residential footprint, ensuring optimal natural light and panoramic vistas for every apartment.

the project offers 23,000 square meters of landscaped outdoor spaces to the city

Zaha Hadid’s Cityzen Tower prioritizes environmental performance, with extensive solar and wind analysis shaping its 42-story form. The structure optimizes natural ventilation, while extended balconies and external louvres reduce heat gain in summer and enhance passive solar heating in winter, cutting overall energy consumption. Cityzen Tower continues Tbilisi’s tradition of expertise in concrete construction. Targeting LEED Gold certification, the development emphasizes locally recycled materials and a sustainable procurement strategy. Rainwater collection and reuse will be implemented through an on-site reservoir, while native vegetation requiring minimal irrigation will be used throughout the complex.

cascading terraces connect with the park and provide outdoor spaces for cafes and restaurants

Cityzen Tower’s design is inspired by Tbilisi’s rolling hills and river valleys

project info:

name: Cityzen Tower

architect: Zaha Hadid Architects | @zahahadidarchitects

location: Tbilisi, Georgia

client: Cityzen

completion: expected 2028

visualizations: © Negativ | @negativ_va 

design: Patrik Schumacher
ZHA project director: Manuela Gatto
ZHA project associate: Yevgeniya Pozigun
ZHA project architects: Takehiko Iseki, Massimo Napoleoni
ZHA project leads: Armando Bussey (Design), Bowen Miao (Facade), Maria Avrami (BIM),
ZHA technical coordination: Kutbuddin Nadiadi
ZHA project team: Alicia Hidalgo Lopez, Armando Bussey, Besan Abudayah, Bowen Miao, Catherine McCann, Charles Walker, Ignacio Fernandez De Castro, Jessica Wang, Jose Pareja Gomez, Kutbuddin Nadiadi, Laizhen Wu, Manuela Gatto, Maria Avrami, Massimo Napoleoni, Panos Ioakim, Takehiko Iseki, Thomas Bagnoli, Yevgeniya Pozigun
ZHA analytics & insights team: Uli Blum, Danial Haziq
ZHA sustainability team: Aleksander Mastalski, Aditya Ambare, Carlos Bausa Martinez, Shibani Choudhury, Disha Shetty

local architect: Artstudio Project
structural engineers: Capiteli
facade engineering: FMT Facade Consultants
MEP: Zerone
landscape consultant: Artstudio Project
animation: Render.ge
LEED consultant: Sustainable Engineering Ltd

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With a striking geometric form rising 124 meters tall, the AGE 360 residential tower introduces a vertical landmark in Curitaba, Brazil. The project has been developed by Sao Paulo-based ARCHITECTS OFFICE to resolve residential needs as well as urban visibility. As it responds to both regulatory constraints and the site’s proximity to Barigui Park, the structure is visible from various points of the expanding, low-density Ecovill neighborhood,

‘The structural exoskeleton’s uniformity was crucial in maintaining the tower’s visual identity,’ shares Greg Bousquet, the studio’s founding architect. ‘In the end, we found that the contrast between mineral and vegetal elements created a striking dialogue, reinforcing the concept of integrating the building with nature.’ The design process involved 48 volumetric studies to achieve a configuration that addresses human comfort while maximizing views and complying with zoning regulations. The result is a distinct silhouette defined by chamfered edges and punctuated with intricate voids supported by a concrete exoskeleton. 

all images by Joana França

A NEW VERTICAL LANDMARK IN Curitaba, Brazil

AGE 360’s structural exoskeleton eliminates the need for internal columns and enables flexible apartment layouts and unobstructed views from within, strengthening the relationship between residents, space, and context. It also contributes to the residential tower’s vertical emphasis and lends it a sense of lightness despite its height, reducing structural weight. Additionally, ARCHITECTS OFFICE prioritizes biophilic design, integrating built-in planters on the terraces to create a continuous vertical garden and introduce greenery into the structure. The plant species, selected by the Brazil-based studio for their wind resistance and low maintenance, soften the building’s rigid materiality and introduce an organic contrast between the raw concrete and lush vegetation and foster connection with nature across various facets.

Inside, the AGE 360 tower’s communal spaces deviate from traditional configurations for enhanced wellness and more integrated urban living. Amenities are instead positioned at the building’s core, with the spa, pool, and elevated gardens enjoying panoramic city views from an open vantage point. Greg Bousquet envisioned these areas as ‘democratic gathering spaces’ for all residents. ‘Beyond enhancing sociability, this decision reinforces residents’ well-being by placing them at the center of the experience. It also aligns with the project’s ‘wellness’ concept,’ the architect adds.

ARCHITECTS OFFICE completes AGE 360

a 124-meter-tall residential tower in Brazil

the design concept resolves residential needs as well as urban visibility

amenities are positioned at the building’s core

the spa, pool, and elevated gardens enjoying panoramic city views

AGE 360’s concrete exoskeleton eliminates the need for internal columns

throughout, ARCHITECTS OFFICE prioritizes biophilic design, integrating built-in planters on the terraces

common areas feature natural wood finishes, harmonizing with the concrete and vegetation

this core enhances sociability, reinforcing residents’ well-being by placing them at the center of the experience

the tower’s form responds to regulatory constraints and the site’s proximity to Barigui Park

project info:

name: AGE 360

architect: ARCHITECTS OFFICE + Triptyque | @architectsoffice.co

location: Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

client: AG7
interior designer: Suíte Arquitetos
landscape designer: Renata Tilli
lighting designer: Estúdio Carlos Fortes
acoustic designer: Relacus Realizações Acústicas
structure: Kálkulo

construction: TEICH Engenharia
foundations: MG&A
electrical: Lumini Projetos e Soluções
plumbing: Vectra
air conditioning: Michelena

photographer: Joana França

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INI Design Studio presents Shivalik Curv, a 32-story office tower located in GIFT City, Ahmedabad, designed to provide 47,000 sqm of Grade-A office space. Its twisting form, leaning 25 meters over a height of 120 meters, incorporates a 38-degree rotational shift on each level, offering dynamic views of the cityscape. For the tower’s design, the architects were inspired by the fluidity of human movement, establishing a distinct presence within the urban skyline.

The building includes a green terrace on the third level, a 107-meter atrium to maximize natural light, and a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views. These elements are integrated to create an interactive user-centered workspace environment. Sustainable features such as energy-efficient cooling, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting align the design with GIFT City’s focus on eco-conscious urban development, setting an example for sustainable architecture.

renders by Studio Flamebirds, Skill House | all images courtesy of INI Design Studio

Shivalik Curv’s rotational form reflects movement and progress

The design of Shivalik Curv reflects innovation and modernity within Gujarat International Finance Tech City, India’s first operational Greenfield smart city. The client envisioned a high-performance office tower that would contribute a unique identity to the area. Its rotational geometry, with each floor shifting by one degree, symbolizes movement and progress, resonating with the evolving finance and technology sectors. The curved lines of the building integrate into the surrounding public spaces, promoting collaboration and interaction. The tower’s distinct visual identity is enhanced by landscaped areas and artistic sculptures, fostering a cohesive relationship between architecture and its urban context. Its dynamic form makes Shivalik Curv a landmark for GIFT City, aligning with the city’s aspirations for innovative and sustainable urban growth.

The architectural concept by INI Design Studio combines artistry with functional design principles. The semicircular site and rotational form create a fluid silhouette that reflects movement. Each floor rotates by 38 degrees from the base to the top, generating panoramic views of GIFT City. The facade design emphasizes this rotation while allowing natural light to penetrate office spaces, reducing energy dependence and improving occupant comfort. The flexible floor plans accommodate various tenant needs, from startups to established firms, enabling custom configurations. Curved lines from the building extend into the public plaza and driveway, unifying the design language. A focal sculpture at the driveway reinforces the sense of motion and continuity, complementing the tower’s contemporary design.

the twisting form of Shivalik Curv leans 25 meters, creating a striking skyline presence

Shivalik Curv promotes green sustainable office architecture

The building incorporates a green terrace on the third floor, connecting to a 107-meter atrium that allows daylight to filter into the interior. The rooftop terrace includes a restaurant and amenities, providing views of the GIFT City skyline and the Sabarmati River. Despite its complex geometry, the torsional design is supported by a straightforward structural system with a centralized service core and an exoskeleton frame.

Shivalik Curv integrates environmentally responsive design in line with GIFT City’s sustainability goals. The building employs an energy-efficient cooling system to minimize operational energy use and features solar panels to generate renewable energy. Rainwater harvesting systems reduce water consumption, while the design emphasizes natural daylighting to lower reliance on artificial lighting. The green terrace enhances thermal performance while serving as a space for interaction, contributing to the building’s overall energy efficiency. These interventions ensure a reduced environmental footprint, positioning Shivalik Curv as a model for sustainable office architecture.

each floor of Shivalik Curv rotates by 38 degrees, offering dynamic cityscape views

the facade design emphasizes rotation while maximizing daylight penetration

inspired by human movement, Shivalik Curv reflects fluidity in its design

Shivalik Curv aims to be a model for sustainable office architecture in smart city development

Shivalik Curv’s curved lines extend into public spaces, promoting urban interaction

a 107-meter atrium floods the interiors of Shivalik Curv with natural light

landscaped areas and sculptured patios enhance the cohesive design of Shivalik Curv

the central atrium of the high-rise allows daylight to filter into the interior

the flexible floor plans accommodate various workspace layouts, enabling custom configurations

project info:

name: Shivalik Curv

architect: INI Design Studio | @inidesignstudio

location: International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India

built area: 86570 sqm

design team: Jayesh Hariyani, Bhrugu Gangadia, Shambhu Jadav, Jaydeep Patel, Jinkal Panchal, Dhruv Prajapati, Harmeet Kaur, Mangilal Prajapati, Apoorva Patel

structural engineers: SETU Infrastructure

MEPF Consultant: Aashir Engineering Pvt. Ltd., Atomep Enteam Private Limited

environment and sustainability consultants: Saavy Greens

project management: JLL Group

facade consultant: Facade Engineering Services (FES)

3D visualisation and animation: Studio Flamebirds, Skill House

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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In Tirana, Albania, Swiss architect Valerio Olgiati plans to unveil Rruga Adem Jashari, a mixed-use development that seeks to integrate urban living with its surrounding landscape. Positioned at the edge of the city grid and adjacent to a park, the project introduces three distinctive red concrete towers and a white ziggurat centerpiece, combining residential, hospitality, and retail spaces. Construction is expected to start in the fall of 2025. 

the white ziggurat centerpiece | all images © Archive Olgiati

Linking Tirana’s Urban Core and Natural Landscape

Situated at the boundary between Tirana’s urban core and a neighboring park, the Rruga Adem Jashari project capitalizes on its transitional location. The design by Valerio Olgiati features an open plaza at its base that extends across the street to connect the city grid with the natural landscape. Pine trees line the plaza, softening the boundary and creating a visual and physical link between the two environments.

The Swiss architect’s concept draws from the idea of stacking blocks to create monumental structures. Three towers rise from a shared red concrete base, their facades dominated by exposed structural pillars that highlight the forces at play within the building. These pillars follow a precise logic, giving the towers a distinct, sculptural appearance as they align with the urban grid.

the towers’ red pigmented concrete gives them an earthy tone

Contrasting Earthy Towers and a Sculptural White Ziggurat

Between the towers, a stepped ziggurat provides a contrasting form and color. Constructed in white concrete, the ziggurat serves as a centerpiece for the development, featuring terraces planted with pine trees to create a layered, garden-like appearance. Beyond its visual impact, it houses retail spaces and connects the plaza with the underground levels. The towers’ red pigmented concrete gives them an earthy tone that appears to emerge naturally from the site. In contrast, the white ziggurat introduces a conceptual element that stands apart, reflecting a more abstract and sculptural intention within the development.

The towers are designed with flexibility in mind. The structural layout allows for adaptable floor plans, accommodating a range of uses for apartments and hotel suites. Meanwhile, the ziggurat includes retail spaces that extend underground, maximizing the use of the site for both public and private functions.

the project introduces three distinctive red concrete towers

adaptable floor plans accommodate a range of uses

the project is designed to combine residential, hospitality, and retail spaces

the towers are designed with flexibility in mind

foyer of the tower

Rruga Adem Jashari seeks to integrate urban living with its surrounding landscape

project info: 

name: Rruga Adem Jashari
architect: Valerio Olgiati | @valerioolgiati
location: Rruga Adem Jashari, Tirana, Albania

responsible architects: Gregory Degiacomi, Eleonora Minchio

client: X One Sh.p.k., Tirana, Albania
structural engineer: AEI Progetti, Firenze, Italy
electrical planner: Elteknik International AG, Stans, Switzerland
HVAC/ plumbing planner: Anion Sh.p.k., Tirana, Albania
gross floor area: 155,000 sqm

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Spanish architecture studios Selgascano and FRPO has designed the Rozafa Hotel Tower, a contemporary addition to Shkodra, Albania’s rich architectural tapestry. Shkodra, known for its cultural and historical significance, features a mix of Illyrian, Roman, Ottoman, Venetian, and neoclassical architectural influences. Selgascano’s approach respects this diversity, aiming to integrate the new tower into the city’s urban fabric while celebrating its heritage.

Strategically located, the hotel aspires to become an architectural icon that adds playful color and geometries to Shkodra’s skyline while encouraging economic and tourism development. The design prioritizes harmony with its surroundings by ensuring that the tower is perceived on a human scale. This approach aims to make the building feel like an integral part of the community, encouraging locals to embrace it as their own.

visualizations © Drawfield

Vibrant Geometries and Dynamic Facades

Designing its Rozafa Hotel Tower, Selgascano and FRPO took inspiration from the site, with three primary facades oriented toward the region’s most notable features: the Albanian Alps, Rozafa Castle with the Drin and Buna rivers, and Shkodra Lake. Each lobe of the building is designed to maximize views in its direction, allowing residents and visitors to choose between Lakeview, Mountainview, or Riverview apartments.

The tower’s fragmented geometry creates dynamic facades that respond to the surrounding landscape while visually lightening the structure. This design reduces the perception of the building as a monolithic mass and enhances its integration into the urban and natural context. The varying facades also allow natural light to penetrate the interiors and create a shifting visual identity throughout the day.

Rozafa Hotel Tower by FRPO + Selgascano will enrich Shkodra’s urban and cultural landscape

selgascano curates A Palette of Colors and Textures

The triangular plan ensures sunlight reaches the east, south, and west facades, while the building’s deep terraces provide shade and protection from Shkodra’s Mediterranean climate. These terraces, equipped with parasols and railings, extend the functionality of indoor spaces, improving energy efficiency and offering comfortable outdoor areas that connect users to the surrounding environment. Horizontal planes and a variety of wood textures give the tower a natural aesthetic that complements Shkodra’s environment. Yellow, orange, and light green accents on railings and parasols echo the city’s atmosphere and landscapes, enhancing the tower’s visual connection to its setting.

The tower is divided into three distinct sections: commercial spaces occupy the lower levels, residential units dominate the middle floors, and the upper levels house a luxury hotel. This organization minimizes mechanical requirements and ensures programmatic clarity, with dedicated elevators and services for each section. The tower’s lobed geometry creates three vertical crevices that house separate entrances for its commercial, residential, and hotel components. This thoughtful arrangement ensures easy access while maintaining a cohesive urban connection with the existing Rozafa Hotel.

the tower’s design balances iconic architecture with a human-scale approach

The residential units are designed for comfort, with layouts that maximize natural light and panoramic views. Protected terraces extend interior spaces, while wood finishes add warmth to the interiors. Glazed exteriors enhance the connection to the landscape while maintaining privacy and shading. The uppermost levels house a hotel that offers luxurious accommodations and services, including rooftop terraces with gardens, pools, and relaxation areas. These spaces provide guests with sweeping views of Shkodra’s natural and urban landscapes, creating an urban oasis at the tower’s peak.

The ground floors of the tower house commercial spaces, including shops, cafés, and retail outlets, designed to integrate with the surrounding streetscape. Transparent facades connect these areas with the city, fostering a lively urban environment.

three main facades offer views of the Albanian Alps, Rozafa Castle, and Shkodra Lake

dynamic geometries and textured facades enhance lightness and urban integration

terraces with deep facades provide shade, energy efficiency, and outdoor comfort

vibrant colors and wooden textures create a natural and inviting aesthetic

rooftop gardens and pools create an urban oasis with panoramic views

project info:

project title: Rozafa Hotel Tower

architecture: Selgascano | @selgascano, FRPO | @frpo.es

location: Shkodra, Albania

lead architects: Pablo Oriol, Fernando Rodríguez, José Selgas, Lucía Cano
collaborators: FRPO (Adrián Sánchez, Loreto Mazariegos), selgascano (Paolo Tringali, Inés Olavarrieta)
consultants: Mecanismo (engineering)
area: 39,000 square meters
status: competition winner

physical model: Gilberto Ruiz Lopes
visualizations: © Drawfield | @drawfield_studio

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New York-based architecture studio ODA has revealed its latest project, Ombelle, set to rise in Fort Lauderdale’s Flagler Village. This 43-story tower will introduce 775 luxury residences alongside over 100,000 square feet of curated indoor and outdoor amenities, redefining urban living in this dynamic neighborhood.

Developed by Dependable Equities, Ombelle marks a significant addition to Fort Lauderdale’s residential landscape. Located at 300 NE 3rd Avenue, the building integrates 11,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space with its expansive residential offerings, all designed to support a holistic and active lifestyle. ‘Ombelle Fort Lauderdale’s expertly designed residences and extensive amenity offerings go far beyond traditional expectations,’ said Isaac Schlesinger, Principal at Dependable Equities. The developer’s focus on delivering high-quality finishes at an accessible price point aims to set new standards in the South Florida real estate market.

visualizations © ODA

oda plans studios to three-bedroom units

ODA’s design for Ombelle will introduce to Fort Lauderdale a variety of living spaces, from studios to three-bedroom units ranging from 465 to over 1,400 square feet, along with luxury penthouses up to 2,600 square feet. Each residence includes state-of-the-art smart building technology, custom-designed Italian kitchens and bathrooms, and interiors defined by open-concept layouts and 10-foot ceilings. The option for fully furnished units adds an additional layer of convenience and exclusivity. ‘Every moment in the building offers an experience, inspires a sense of community, and establishes a strong connection to the city and nature,’ noted Eran Chen, AIA, ODA’s founder and executive director.

The architects at ODA worked closely with Dependable Equities, a Brooklyn-based real estate investment firm founded by Isaac Schlesinger and Simon Dushinsky of the Rabsky Group. Their current projects under construction exceed 2 million square feet. ‘By leveraging our in-house construction team, we gain a competitive edge without compromising quality, resulting in enhanced value for our buyers,’ explained Simon Dushinsky, emphasizing the benefits of the firm’s vertically integrated model.

New York-based architecture studio ODA arrives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

ombelle’s wellness-centric amenities

ODA will infuse its Ombelle development in Fort Lauderdale with an array of amenity spaces. Upon entering the building, residents will be greeted by a 15,000-square-foot lobby that features a cultural garden and multiple lounges, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The ninth floor of the building will be dedicated to wellness and lifestyle amenities curated by Arch Amenities. These include a chef’s kitchen, dining areas, a co-working suite, a library, music and recording studios, and even two indoor pickleball courts on the garage level.

The South Tower complements this offering with a state-of-the-art fitness center, yoga and Pilates studios, treatment rooms, and a wellness lounge with outdoor features like a Zen Garden. Outdoor amenities include a resort-style lap pool, plunge pool, and cabana seating. ‘Ombelle brings a caliber of design and amenities unlike anything else on the market in Downtown Fort Lauderdale today,’ said Jay Phillip Parker, CEO of Douglas Elliman Florida Region.

ODA’s new project Ombelle Fort Lauderdale will be a 43-story luxury tower in Flagler Village

the building will feature 775 residences with over 100,000 square feet of curated amenities

the design includes smart building technology, Italian custom kitchens, and 10-foot ceilings

outdoor spaces include a resort-style pool, cabanas, and a zen garden for relaxation

the ninth floor houses wellness and lifestyle amenities like a co-working suite and music studios

the project aims to blend downtown Fort Lauderdale’s urban energy with its natural waterways

project info:

name: Ombelle

architect: ODA | @odanewyork

location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

developer: Dependable Equities

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