East Side River Park / BIG

The 2.25-mile flood protection system dubbed the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (ESCR) has reached a major milestone with the opening of key areas of East River Park. Conceived as a "parkipelago" of interconnected parks along the East River waterfront, the project creates a series of elevated green spaces that double as flood barriers while offering new public amenities for the surrounding Lower East Side neighborhood.

CRA–Carlo Ratti Associati, in collaboration with Salone del Mobile.Milano, recently unveiled the design of a digitally fabricated bivouac set to debut as an urban pavilion during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. The digitally fabricated wooden structure is designed to be self-sufficient, incorporating systems for energy production and storage, as well as water harvesting through air condensation. After its debut at Milano Cortina 2026, the structure is planned to be airlifted by helicopter to its permanent high-altitude location in the Italian Alps, where it will serve as a refuge for mountaineers.

Hormuz Island, located in Iran, was a strategically significant port in the Persian Gulf, characterized by its landscape of colorful mountains. Despite its tourist appeal, the island faces significant socio-economic problems, with the local population having historically faced economic hardship. In response, the Majara Complex by ZAV Architects was conceived not merely as a building but as a deliberate architectural intervention designed to give control, opportunity, and economic benefit directly to the local community. To do this, the project channeled investment into local human resources and prioritized accessible construction techniques, creating a pathway for localized wealth creation. This allowed the Majara Complex to be one of the recipients of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2025.

The House of Parallel Walls is a home that celebrates the essence of a joint family in a living space that becomes the heart of the house. Conceived as a double-height space, the living room is a microcosm around which the various private and public spaces are organized. The boundaries between the circulation spine, the living room, and the verandah are blurred, generating a fluid interior.