As the design world prepares for its annual pilgrimage to Milan, the upcoming Design Week promises a study in contrasts. The 2024 program features a spectrum of interventions ranging from Zaha Hadid Architects’ introspective mindfulness spaces to the raw, experimental energy of the Alcova exhibition. This year’s highlights also include a furniture debut from Kelly Wearstler and a labyrinthine installation by architect Lina Ghotmeh, underscoring a shift toward immersive, narrative-driven environments.
While Milan looks at the ephemeral, New York is solidifying its vertical future. Progress has accelerated on 175 Park Avenue, a supertall skyscraper designed by SOM. The developers recently submitted permits for the 83-story structure, which is slated to become the third-tallest building in New York City. Positioned adjacent to Grand Central Station, the project represents a significant bet on the continued relevance of the Midtown Manhattan skyline.
However, the path from blueprint to skyline remains fraught. The recent judicial halting of the White House ballroom construction serves as a reminder of the fragility of high-profile commissions. History is littered with ambitious, stalled projects—from the silent towers of Jeddah and Dubai to the abandoned frames in Chicago and Bangkok—that stand as monuments to economic shifts and legal entanglements.
Innovation, meanwhile, is moving toward the molecular level. Researchers at ETH Zurich and Empa have announced the development of a fireproof building material derived from sawdust. This lightweight, sustainable alternative to traditional fireproofing suggests that the future of the built environment may not just be about reaching higher, but about rethinking the fundamental waste products of the industry itself.
With reporting from Dezeen.
Source · Dezeen
