The Invisible City: India's Urban Infrastructure Projects of 2025 That Deserve Attention

In 2025, India's most consequential design projects unfolded largely out of sight. While public attention gravitated toward museums, cultural landmarks, and visually arresting façades, the architecture that most decisively shaped daily life existed underground, at the city's edges, or inside secured compounds few citizens would ever enter. Sewage networks were rebuilt, flood tunnels bored beneath dense neighborhoods, substations lifted above floodplains, and data centers multiplied across peri-urban landscapes. These were not peripheral works of engineering; they were the spatial systems that allowed Indian cities to remain functional through record heatwaves, erratic monsoons, and accelerating urban growth.

Wooden Wonders – Chiayi City Expo / MVRDV

Wooden Wonders: MVRDV's wooden pavilion and exhibition celebrates the past, present, and future of timber craft in Chiayi — For the 321st anniversary celebrations of the founding of Chiayi City in Taiwan, MVRDV has completed a temporary timber pavilion housing an exhibition on manufacture, craft, and construction with wood. Located across from Chiayi's city hall, the Wooden Wonders pavilion encloses a square courtyard, with the shape of its perimeter structure informed by deep research into the city's timber construction heritage. The project will be on display throughout Chiayi's anniversary celebrations, from December 12–28, providing a space for residents to gather, learn about the city's heritage and discuss the city's "timber future".

Villa Zai / IDIN Architects

Villa Zai is a boutique seaside hotel designed primarily for full-property private group stays. It serves guests who wish to spend time together as a close group, as well as couples seeking a complete wedding venue that supports both the ceremony and reception. With only nine units (eleven bedrooms), the accommodations are intentionally limited to the bride, groom, and their closest family and friends. Additional guests may stay at the owner's nearby sister properties located within a short distance from the main site.

Redefining an Industrial Landmark: Bratislava’s Next Urban Chapter

Bratislava, the rapidly developing capital of Slovakia—located in the heart of Europe—continues to strengthen its presence on the European architectural map. As a growing hub of contemporary design—already home to projects by Zaha Hadid Architects, Massimiliano & Doriana Fuksas, Stefano Boeri, Studio Egret West, and Snøhetta—the city has now reached another important milestone: an international architectural and urban design competition has been announced to shape the future of Zváračák, one of the last major brownfield sites near the city center.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Follow Us On