The 2024 architectural landscape is poised for a series of remarkable completions, with some of the most anticipated buildings from renowned architects around the globe – many of whom are Design Indaba alums – set to open to the public within the year.
With the 2024 Olympics taking place in Paris, the City of Love welcomes a slew of new buildings in preparation, including multiple stadiums and the mammoth Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Village, while China becomes home to new cultural and art centres designed by iconic architects.
Here’s a look at some of Design Indaba’s most anticipated buildings of 2024.
National Assembly of Benin, Benin, by Kéré Architecture
The Republic of Benin tasked award-winning architect and Design Indaba alum Diebedo Francis Kéré’s eponymous firm with the design of a new national assembly that ‘embodies the values of democracy and the cultural identity of its citizens’. According to the architects, the project takes inspiration from the age-old West African tradition of the palaver tree, with meetings held under a tree to make consensual decisions in the interest of a community. The palaver tree is a timeless symbol, having borne witness to previous generations and inspiring respect for the majestic forces of nature.
Not A Hotel Ishigaki, Okinawa, by Sou Fujimoto
Another Design Indaba alum and international sensation, Sou Fujimoto’s ‘Not a Hotel Ishigaki’ is an ironically named tropical resort located southwest of Ishigaki Island in Okinawa, Japan. The unique building features an undulating roof covered in vegetation and relaxation areas, with access from the terraces allowing another landscape for holidaymakers.
2024 Olympic and Paralympic Village, Paris, by Dominique Perrault
Situated in the Seine-Saint-Denis district in the heart of the city, architect Dominique Perrault’s Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Village has been meticulously crafted to seamlessly blend into the existing urban landscape along the riverbanks. Across a vast area of 119 000 square metres, the project integrates housing, offices and diverse programmes. The village has been strategically designed to transform after the games into a lasting and vibrant community.
Jinghe New City Culture and Art Centre, Xi’an, by Zaha Hadid Architects
In 2022, Zaha Hadid Architects was named winner of the competition to design the Jinghe New City Culture and Art Centre in China. Intricately woven with courtyards and outdoor spaces, the building is designed to mirror the scenic beauty of the valleys carved by the Jinghe River through the mountains and landscapes of Shaanxi province.
China Philharmonic Concert Hall, Beijing, by MAD Architects
The China Philharmonic Concert Hall in Beijing, China, designed by MAD Architects and led by Ma Yansong, is set to be completed a decade after the studio won the competition for its design in 2014. The fluid, curved 26 000-square-metre construction will become the first permanent residence for the China Philharmonic Orchestra.
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