Architectural Cases

Ephemeral Architecture: Shaping Public Spaces for Tomorrow

The Concéntrico Festival, an annual event in Logroño, Spain, has consistently championed the dynamic role of temporary architectural interventions in re-envisioning urban public spaces. Since its inception in 2015, the festival has evolved into a living laboratory, transforming the city into a canvas for experimental installations that challenge traditional notions of permanence. These structures, built directly within the city's thoroughfares, squares, and vacant plots, bypass the conventional exhibition model, integrating design directly into the everyday experiences of both residents and visitors. This unique approach fosters active engagement and observation, encouraging a deeper understanding of how temporary architecture can reshape and animate shared environments.

The festival's thought-provoking program is structured around three distinct curatorial themes: Identity and Fiction, Urban Ecologies, and Ephemeral Agents. Each theme offers a fresh perspective on the interplay between architecture and the contemporary urban fabric. "Identity and Fiction" delves into the city as a reservoir of stories and memories, utilizing architectural interventions to unearth and articulate these hidden narratives. "Urban Ecologies" explores the critical connections between built environments, climatic conditions, material choices, and the broader landscape of the modern city. Lastly, "Ephemeral Agents" highlights the transformative power of temporary structures as catalysts for social interaction and innovative uses of public space.

Exploring Narrative and Environment in Urban Design

The Concéntrico Festival, through its “Identity and Fiction” and “Urban Ecologies” themes, prompts a re-evaluation of how cities are perceived and experienced. "Identity and Fiction" approaches the urban landscape not merely as physical infrastructure but as a tapestry woven with stories and collective memory. Installations under this theme, such as Smiljan Radic's reimagining of a traveling circus as communal architecture, or OFREIA's exploration of historical bathing traditions in the riverine context, demonstrate how temporary structures can act as conduits for recovering and celebrating the intrinsic narratives embedded within a city's spaces. This curatorial line encourages a deeper, more personal connection to the urban environment, inviting participants to uncover the hidden layers of its past and present.

Complementing this narrative focus, the "Urban Ecologies" theme tackles the pressing issue of sustainability and the relationship between architecture and the natural world in contemporary cities. Projects like NOOF Group's innovative pavilions, designed to create localized microclimates, and Sahra Hersi's civic garden for cultivation and seed exchange, exemplify how temporary interventions can offer tangible solutions and spark conversations about environmental responsibility. These installations showcase architectural approaches that are sensitive to climate, material lifecycle, and the integration of green spaces, highlighting the potential for design to foster more resilient and ecologically conscious urban futures. The festival thus serves as a platform for envisioning and prototyping architectural responses to global environmental challenges within a local context.

Activating Social Dynamics through Temporary Interventions

The "Ephemeral Agents" curatorial line at the Concéntrico Festival underscores the critical role of temporary architectural installations in stimulating social engagement and opening up novel possibilities for public space utilization. These transient structures are not merely aesthetic additions but are conceived as active tools designed to provoke interaction, foster community, and encourage citizens to reimagine their relationship with shared urban environments. By their very nature, ephemeral designs offer flexibility and adaptability, allowing for rapid experimentation and a dynamic response to the evolving needs and desires of a city's inhabitants. They serve as immediate, tangible platforms for civic discourse and collective experiences that might otherwise be constrained by permanent infrastructure.

Diverse projects featured within this theme illustrate its profound impact. Gabriel Fontana's Multiform, for instance, offers a versatile and adaptable structure that encourages multiple forms of public interaction, breaking down barriers and inviting playful engagement. The urban listening capsules developed by AAU Anastas provide intimate spaces for reflection and auditory exploration, prompting a heightened awareness of the urban soundscape and fostering individual contemplation within the bustling city. Furthermore, Future Firm's inventive connection point between a pedestrian bridge and a riverside park demonstrates how even subtle temporary interventions can redefine access and flow, enhancing public amenities and promoting greater connectivity within the urban fabric. These examples collectively highlight how temporary architecture can serve as a powerful catalyst for social change, fostering dynamic public life and pioneering new models for civic participation.

Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter Designs Sustainable Railway Station in Gothenburg

Construction is advancing on the new Gothenburg Grand Central, conceived by Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter, which is set to become a vital western gateway. This development is a core component of the expansive West Link commuter rail initiative in Gothenburg, encompassing an 8-kilometer railway stretch and three new stations: Centralen, Haga, and Korsvägen. This new route is projected to significantly boost passenger capacity during peak periods and reduce travel times for both commuter and regional trains, offering direct connections to the existing central station and the Nils Ericson Terminal. The new station is anticipated to commence operations alongside Västlänken's Centralen underground station in December 2026, with office occupants moving in by 2027, and the remainder of the tunnel expected to be in use by December 2030.

The structure, now progressing into its pivotal construction phase, will serve as the primary entrance area positioned above the new underground commuter station, Västlänken. It is envisioned as a crucial link connecting the historical central station, the burgeoning Centralstaden area, and the broader urban landscape. The architectural blueprint for Gothenburg Grand Central encompasses various station functionalities, commercial and service zones, and three upper office levels capable of accommodating approximately 700 workspaces, covering a total area of 15,000 square meters. The retail offerings will include various shops, eateries, and cafes, accessible from multiple entry points. Furthermore, the existing station and Nils Ericson Terminal will be seamlessly integrated and accessible from within the new building.

The architectural strategy employed by Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter emphasizes material repurposing as a fundamental aspect of its aesthetic. A facade composed of reclaimed bricks, characterized by deep vertical grooves and expansive arched openings, is now becoming visible as scaffolding is progressively removed. The architects deliberately selected this brickwork to impart a tangible quality to the building and to echo Gothenburg’s rich history of railway architecture and public infrastructure. The structural framework is a fusion of timber, steel, and concrete, incorporating 9,100 square meters of cross-laminated timber (CLT) already integrated into the completed sections. The station's main hall will feature generous daylighting through large glazed areas, where concrete arches, timber elements, and refined surfaces are designed to create a clear and intuitive environment for travelers.

The material selection for the building is intended to mitigate its environmental footprint. Approximately 600,000 bricks were utilized, complemented by repurposed steel as an alternative to new steel. The project's design also fosters urban ecological diversity and community value through a 200-meter rooftop promenade, which hosts 54 plant species, thereby supporting local insect and bird populations. This development actively promotes sustainable daily transit by converging rail, tram, bus, and cycling networks within a unified complex, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to urban infrastructure.

See More

DR House: A Harmonious Blend of Modern Living and Natural Serenity by ARC Architects

The DR House, a distinguished residential project by ARC Architects, represents a thoughtful integration of modern architectural principles with the unique environmental context of Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This dwelling showcases a sophisticated design approach that harmonizes urban living with natural landscapes, offering a serene retreat while maintaining a connection to the vibrant local community.

Experience Architectural Harmony: Where Urbanity Meets Nature

A Strategic Location Bridging Contrasting Landscapes

The DR House is strategically positioned on Tashkent's northeastern edge, occupying a site that elegantly mediates between two distinct settings. On one side, it borders a tranquil canal and verdant gardens, providing a peaceful, natural backdrop. Conversely, the other side faces a bustling, low-rise residential neighborhood, known locally as a mahalla, creating a dynamic interplay of environments.

Architectural Orientation for Optimal Engagement with the Surroundings

The design of the residence deliberately focuses on maximizing its interaction with the surrounding natural beauty. The house's primary orientation allows for an expansive view of the gardens, fostering a sense of openness and connection to nature. The upper levels are ingeniously crafted to capture panoramic vistas of the broader landscape, and on clear days, even offer glimpses of distant mountains, enhancing the living experience with breathtaking scenery.

See More