Latest news with #Aedas
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Sustainable, natural and light-filled: Here's why these are the world's most beautiful airports
Whether dashing down corridors to reach a gate or whiling away hours during a layover, travellers are rarely inspired to stop and admire airport architecture. But an attractive water feature or a quirky ceiling can make the frustrating process of waiting for a flight a little more pleasurable. The Prix Versailles, a prestigious global architecture award, has revealed its annual list of the world's most beautiful airports. Secretary general Jérôme Gouadain emphasises how even functional spaces like departure terminals or check-in desks can benefit from thoughtful design. 'The mark left by airports stems chiefly from their ever-growing role in international exchanges. As a result, this infrastructure must resolve formidable difficulties in terms of flow management and the aircraft themselves,' he says. 'But this new brand of facilities can also be seen as works of art, or at least as things of beauty. In fact, we should strive to make this happen, given their inescapability in our built environments and our landscapes.' The award also prioritises 'intelligent sustainability' in airport design. Here are the winning airports, chosen for their 'operational, ecological and aesthetic excellence'. Nature and light fill Yantai Penglai International Airport, China First place went to Yantai Penglai International Airport's Terminal 2. Spanning 167,000 square metres, the architecture of the new building pays homage to Yantai's unique coastal landscape. Aedas, in collaboration with CSWADI and the Shanghai New Era Airport Design and Research Institute, drew inspiration from the majestic Kunyu Mountain for the terminal's sweeping roofline and undulating shapes. Its E-shaped layout was developed to optimise passenger flow and minimise the impact on the existing terrain. The curves, materials and tones of the interior draw on nature and natural light permeates the entire terminal, which can help travellers find a sense of calm. Reinterpretations of wooden ships' hulls are scattered here and there in a nod to the Maritime Silk Road. A sustainable restoration of Marseille Provence Airport, France A European airport took second place. Architects Foster + Partners recently designed a bright, new structure to unify Terminal 1 at Marseille Provence Airport in France. It includes a 22,000 square metre extension that 'conveys peace and relaxation without expanding the terminal's footprint on the ground', according to the Prix Versailles judges. This window-lined hall stands 22 metres tall and was built with 70 per cent recycled steel. The roof features a grid of skylights framed with polished aluminium, allowing for natural ventilation. The project also involved restoring 28,000 square metres of space in keeping with French architect Fernand Pouillon's original 1960s terminal and integrated with British-Italian architect Richard Rogers' development in the 1990s. Now, travellers pass through security under a timber canopy, and the spaces containing shops and restaurants - likewise made of wood - are a reference to the boat houses of the Old Port of Marseille. Glass façades provide for maximum transparency, with views of the Provençal hinterland on one side and a maritime lagoon on the other. Working with Réunion Island's weather phenomena at Roland Garros Airport The new 13,000 square metre Arrivals Terminal of Roland Garros Airport on Réunion Island takes third place as the world's first tropical bioclimatic airport structure at this scale. This technical feat was achieved by working with 91 per cent local businesses, whose expertise helped come up with the idea for a central 'canyon'. This defines both the form and function of the building and acts as a thermal chimney, enabling natural ventilation. Réunion Island is subject to increasingly intense weather phenomena, so 830 sets of shutters connected to sensors on the façades adjust their angles in real time in response to changing conditions. The Prix Versailles judges say the firm AIA Life Designers 'has delivered a sensory journey for travellers through the extensive use of wood and native vegetation, in a living expression of the island's landscape and culture.' Streamlined services at Kansai International Airport, Japan Originally designed 30 years ago by Italian architect Renzo Piano on an artificial island in the middle of Osaka Bay, Kansai International Airport is an architectural icon. With its elegant structure and aerodynamic roofline, it is also the longest airport in the world. The newly restored Terminal 1, designed by architecture firm Populous, was awarded fourth place. Its capacity to accommodate international travellers has been expanded by 25 per cent. All the interior spaces have been reinvigorated with a palette of natural materials to give the terminal a distinctly Japanese feel. A smart queue management system has also been installed to help streamline the process for passengers. A forest-inspired experience at Portland International Airport Portland International Airport's new Main Terminal, designed by American architectural firm ZGF, comes in fifth place. It was inspired by walks in the forest, resulting in a calming, immersive experience for travellers. The star of the project is its undulating mass timber roof, extending over more than 36,000 square metres, which celebrates Oregon's history of forest product innovation. The materials employed were sourced from the local industry within a 500-kilometre radius of the airport, with a 'forest to frame' system to track as much of the wood as possible back to its forest of origin. The spectacular structure allows for natural light to flood in, views of the forested landscape, and the incorporation of a multitude of natural elements. A carbon-conscious terminal at San Francisco International Airport With its 25 new boarding gates, San Francisco International Airport's Terminal 1 takes the sixth spot. A collaboration between San Francisco International Airport and a team of partners led by global architecture firm Gensler, one of its main objectives was to reduce the building's carbon footprint by 79 per cent and its energy usage by 59 per cent. With soft natural light filtering through to every level, the new terminal provides a soothing, restorative setting for travellers. The architecture unfurls in a celebration of arts and crafts that reflects the unique character of the Bay Area. The airport is also home to the SFO Museum, the world's only accredited museum at an airport, which allows more robust exhibits and art to be shared throughout the terminals. Terminal 1 is also a tribute to Harvey Milk, a trailblazer for inclusion and the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. Solve the daily Crossword
Euronews
01-07-2025
- Euronews
France, Japan, China: Where are the world's most beautiful airports
Whether dashing down corridors to reach a gate or whiling away hours during a layover, travellers are rarely inspired to stop and admire airport architecture. But an attractive water feature or a quirky ceiling can make the frustrating process of waiting for a flight a little more pleasurable. The Prix Versailles, a prestigious global architecture award, has revealed its annual list of the world's most beautiful airports. Secretary general Jérôme Gouadain emphasises how even functional spaces like departure terminals or check-in desks can benefit from thoughtful design. 'The mark left by airports stems chiefly from their ever-growing role in international exchanges. As a result, this infrastructure must resolve formidable difficulties in terms of flow management and the aircraft themselves,' he says. 'But this new brand of facilities can also be seen as works of art, or at least as things of beauty. In fact, we should strive to make this happen, given their inescapability in our built environments and our landscapes.' The award also prioritises 'intelligent sustainability' in airport design. Here are the winning airports, chosen for their 'operational, ecological and aesthetic excellence'. Nature and light fill Yantai Penglai International Airport, China First place went to Yantai Penglai International Airport's Terminal 2. Spanning 167,000 square metres, the architecture of the new building pays homage to Yantai's unique coastal landscape. Aedas, in collaboration with CSWADI and the Shanghai New Era Airport Design and Research Institute, drew inspiration from the majestic Kunyu Mountain for the terminal's sweeping roofline and undulating shapes. Its E-shaped layout was developed to optimise passenger flow and minimise the impact on the existing terrain. The curves, materials and tones of the interior draw on nature and natural light permeates the entire terminal, which can help travellers find a sense of calm. Reinterpretations of wooden ships' hulls are scattered here and there in a nod to the Maritime Silk Road. A sustainable restoration of Marseille Provence Airport, France A European airport took second place. Architects Foster + Partners recently designed a bright, new structure to unify Terminal 1 at Marseille Provence Airport in France. It includes a 22,000 square metre extension that 'conveys peace and relaxation without expanding the terminal's footprint on the ground', according to the Prix Versailles judges. This window-lined hall stands 22 metres tall and was built with 70 per cent recycled steel. The roof features a grid of skylights framed with polished aluminium, allowing for natural ventilation. The project also involved restoring 28,000 square metres of space in keeping with French architect Fernand Pouillon's original 1960s terminal and integrated with British-Italian architect Richard Rogers' development in the 1990s. Now, travellers pass through security under a timber canopy, and the spaces containing shops and restaurants - likewise made of wood - are a reference to the boat houses of the Old Port of Marseille. Glass façades provide for maximum transparency, with views of the Provençal hinterland on one side and a maritime lagoon on the other. Working with Réunion Island's weather phenomena at Roland Garros Airport The new 13,000 square metre Arrivals Terminal of Roland Garros Airport on Réunion Island takes third place as the world's first tropical bioclimatic airport structure at this scale. This technical feat was achieved by working with 91 per cent local businesses, whose expertise helped come up with the idea for a central 'canyon'. This defines both the form and function of the building and acts as a thermal chimney, enabling natural ventilation. Réunion Island is subject to increasingly intense weather phenomena, so 830 sets of shutters connected to sensors on the façades adjust their angles in real time in response to changing conditions. The Prix Versailles judges say the firm AIA Life Designers 'has delivered a sensory journey for travellers through the extensive use of wood and native vegetation, in a living expression of the island's landscape and culture.' Streamlined services at Kansai International Airport, Japan Originally designed 30 years ago by Italian architect Renzo Piano on an artificial island in the middle of Osaka Bay, Kansai International Airport is an architectural icon. With its elegant structure and aerodynamic roofline, it is also the longest airport in the world. The newly restored Terminal 1, designed by architecture firm Populous, was awarded fourth place. Its capacity to accommodate international travellers has been expanded by 25 per cent. All the interior spaces have been reinvigorated with a palette of natural materials to give the terminal a distinctly Japanese feel. A smart queue management system has also been installed to help streamline the process for passengers. A forest-inspired experience at Portland International Airport Portland International Airport's new Main Terminal, designed by American architectural firm ZGF, comes in fifth place. It was inspired by walks in the forest, resulting in a calming, immersive experience for travellers. The star of the project is its undulating mass timber roof, extending over more than 36,000 square metres, which celebrates Oregon's history of forest product innovation. The materials employed were sourced from the local industry within a 500-kilometre radius of the airport, with a 'forest to frame' system to track as much of the wood as possible back to its forest of origin. The spectacular structure allows for natural light to flood in, views of the forested landscape, and the incorporation of a multitude of natural elements. A carbon-conscious terminal at San Francisco International Airport With its 25 new boarding gates, San Francisco International Airport's Terminal 1 takes the sixth spot. A collaboration between San Francisco International Airport and a team of partners led by global architecture firm Gensler, one of its main objectives was to reduce the building's carbon footprint by 79 per cent and its energy usage by 59 per cent. With soft natural light filtering through to every level, the new terminal provides a soothing, restorative setting for travellers. The architecture unfurls in a celebration of arts and crafts that reflects the unique character of the Bay Area. The airport is also home to the SFO Museum, the world's only accredited museum at an airport, which allows more robust exhibits and art to be shared throughout the terminals. Terminal 1 is also a tribute to Harvey Milk, a trailblazer for inclusion and the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California.
Tatler Asia
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
Creative director Cally Chan on weaving the tales of Mother Nature into her textile work
Roots of creativity One of Chan's cherished childhood creations was a magazine cover she drew when she was eight, and which earned her an award at school. It featured several drawings of Snoopy, the beloved beagle character from the Peanuts comic strip, sheltered by a large tree, symbolising how the school supported its students. Her interest and confidence in illustration grew the more praise she received for her work, but the craft remained a hobby. Only after moving to the UK in 2006 for secondary school did she begin exploring the possibility of turning her interest into a career when her paintings caught the attention of a teacher, who later encouraged her to develop her talents further. Chan decided to intern with interior design firms during the summer holidays and found herself drawn to the industry. While the profession is distinct from the traditional art industry, she saw similarities in how both are about 'crafting narratives through the careful combination of materials, colours and elements'. Photo 1 of 3 A meeting space at Coltex Furnishing's 4,000-square-foot studio in North Point (Photo: Cally Chan) Photo 2 of 3 Racks of fabrics featuring patterns designed by the Coltex Furnishing team (Photo: Cally Chan) Photo 3 of 3 Shelves display a selection of fabric and material samples in a corner of the studio (Photo: Cally Chan) After graduating from Chelsea College of Art and Design with a bachelor's degree in interior and spatial design in 2012, Chan worked at two design firms—Aedas and AB Concept. The experience gave her a crash course in this line of work, teaching her the basics and leading to her developing her soft furnishings niche. She also worked on projects for Four Seasons hotels in London and Kuala Lumpur, where her knack for abstract design started to shine. Read more: Discover how Johor architect Razin Mahmood is redefining Malaysian architecture with tropical modernism Designing beyond boundaries In the early days of Coltex Furnishing, Chan and her co-founder and husband, Jacky Hung, approached their business as potters approach a lump of clay. 'You're never quite sure what the final form will be,' she says. They began by offering a kaleidoscope of design styles—Chinese, east-meets- west and abstract—allowing clients to explore and define their aesthetic preferences. Quickly, the abstract designs emerged as the studio's signature. Chan also ensures that its furnishings tell a story that resonates with both the brands it works with and their customers. Some of her approaches include adding elements that provide context based on the venue's history and align with its purpose. It's even more rewarding when her products are used in unexpected ways, as it broadens her perspective. For example, at Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong's British bar The Chinnery, her classic basket weave pattern—typically suited to casual settings—is transformed into sophisticated upholstery by adding a leather trim. Despite the popularity and success that Chan and her team have enjoyed over the last nine years, she says they always prioritise focusing on the present instead of chasing expansion or accolades—and this has led to their creating exceptional work and finding joy. 'What if the world ended tomorrow?' she asks. 'It may cost you a lot to get to the place you think you want to be. Focusing on small pieces can lead to big steps, and it might just take you somewhere.' Read more: School tour: Architect Hoang Thuc Hao's humanist vision at Phieng Mut Kindergarten Quick takes Here, we ask Chan a quickfire round of questions to discover more about her artistic preferences and inspirations. Do you prefer hand-drawn or digital design? Cally Chan (CC): Hand-drawn design. It's easier for me to review what I've drawn. What is your favourite pattern scale: tiny or large? CC: Large. If you could collaborate with any historical artist, who would it be and why? CC: Claude Monet because I can stay at his place with a beautiful garden. What is one trend in fabric design that we should pay attention to? CC: Geometric abstraction. What do you do when you hit a creative roadblock? CC: I would talk to my friends. Most of them are in the interior design space, and we can bounce ideas off each other. Meet more Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow from the Architecture & Design sector. NOW READ 'Bro-chitecture': Jesse Armstrong's Mountainhead and the rise of male-coded luxury homes Designers discuss how lighting shapes space, emotion and narrative at Sol Luminaire's new 397 showroom Brutalist by Design: M Residences Katipunan's homes are stunningly versatile
Reuters
11-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
U.S. fund Starwood to buy Spain residential home developer Aedas, Cinco Dias reports
MADRID, March 11 (Reuters) - U.S.-based fund Starwood Capital is close to reach an agreement to buy a 79% stake in Spanish residential real estate developer Aedas Homes ( opens new tab, newspaper Cinco Dias reported on Tuesday, citing unidentified sources. Rival U.S. fund Castlelake currently controls 79% in Aedas and is eager to exit the company, the newspaper reported last year. Given Spanish market rules, a potential buyer for the stake would have to make an offer for all of the company's stock. Advertisement · Scroll to continue At Monday's closing price, Aedas was worth 1.25 billion euros ($1.36 billion), according to LSEG data. A spokesperson for Aedas declined to comment, while Castlelake and Starwood did not respond to requests for comment. ($1 = 0.9181 euros)
