UNStudio, The presentation of the new award ‘Architect of the Year 2007’ took place during an animated gathering in the Dutch architecture institute in Rotterdam last Saturday 07.07.07. They won three of the five categories, and was named the overall winner of the award. Theatre Agora is one of their project that present high architectonic qualities, the professionalism and innovative qualities.

The new Agora Theatre is part of the Master plan for the city center of Lelystad and will play an important role both daytime and nightime in this area of the city. The clustering of cultural and social activities in this new quarter will give Lelystad an outspoken cultural face.

The overall design of the Agora Theatre is inspired by kaleidescopic forms, while the colours used in the building originate from photographs of the sky above Lelystad. The exterior colour was distilled from photographs taken during sunset, whilst the blue found in the interior originates from a cloudless sky. Due to the kaleidescopic, diamond structure of the building, light falling on the various surfaces conveys the impression of constantly changing colours and forms. In daytime the shape of the theatre has a sculptural effect.

The grand café, also open during the day, connects to the evening square. From the different lobbies of the entrance of the theatre a beautiful view of the Green Care is presented. The vertical foyer, which swings through the entire building, connects different theatre and congress halls on the different floors.

Source : UNStudio, Architectenweb.nl, Interior Design

Hotel design is currently an exciting area of architecture. New trends in hotel design are currently coming about as a result of the modern desire to travel, increase our range of experiences, and utilize our precious leisure time more effectively. Today, I will show you about Palace of the sea or the Palau de la mar in Spanish.

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The Hospes Palau de la Mar is a new addition to the cultural and creative scene of one of Spain’s most lively cities Valencia. Continuing a tradition of fine cuisine and hospitality, the Palau de la Mar (Palace of the Sea) is a modern remodelling of two palace residences in the centre of the city. An immaculately developed and advanced concept, the hotel is the work of prestigious interior designers Isabel Lopez and Sandra Tarruella.

Hospes is known for restoring historic buildings while successfully updating them into workable and luxurious properties.

Under natural light pouring through a stained glass skylight, the grand loggia stairway with an intricately carved wood banister has been made all the more striking by simply painting the surrounding areas a stark ivory white.

Once a carriage passageway, the vaulted foyer is accented by using interesting textures such as black leather padding atop the banister rail and a long cowhide runner in the foyer’s hallway. The casual and contemporary interior patio pairs well with the classical nobility of the façade and interior architecture. Covered by a glass-and-steel balcony, which leads to the guestrooms, the patio’s raised boxes are lushly filled with fragrant Mediterranean plants and herbs.

Though the design concept remains consistent throughout, the original architecture of the two mansions has brought about innovative uses of space. As for interior design, principles of modernity reign rather than historicism. Carefully co-ordinated design elements, mainly using wengé wood, have been chosen for the rooms: The joinery work on the wardrobes complements the floor pattern, which is again mirrored in the wengé headboards, tables and stools placed throughout. Some guestrooms feature oversized bathrooms where large bathtubs are either sectioned off from or opened up to the main living and sleeping space via a folding wooden screen.

Source : Design Hotel, Interior Design