Apartment in Yerevan

The aim was to create a contemporary domestic environment functional in every aspect. One of the key features of the interior is the usage of natural materials such as wood (Burma Teak, Whitened Oak) and stone (Travertine).

The main idea in the hall was to clean up the structure and use the niches to build floor-to-ceiling closets and place tall mirrors to extend the feeling of width in the narrow hallway. The door to the living room was removed  in order to be able to view the full length of the open space. A wall covered with natural Travertine provides visitors to the open space.

Travertine and Burma Teak were chosen for the main material palette for the open space. The design is based on the composition of simple forms and volumes. Olive, grey and anthracite were chosen for the color scheme.

The final result is achieved by the interplay of space, materials, contemporary furniture and lighting, which gives out a warm, white glow that softens the interior.

Travertine and Burma Teak were chosen for the main material palette for the open space. The design is based on the composition of simple forms and volumes. Olive, grey and anthracite were chosen for the color scheme.

The final result is achieved by the interplay of space, materials, contemporary furniture and lighting, which gives out a warm, white glow that softens the interior.

Travertine and Burma Teak were chosen for the main material palette for the open space. The design is based on the composition of simple forms and volumes. Olive, grey and anthracite were chosen for the color scheme.

The final result is achieved by the interplay of space, materials, contemporary furniture and lighting, which gives out a warm, white glow that softens the interior.

There are two bedrooms in the apartment: the master bedroom combined with child’s room and a room for parents of the homeowner. In both spaces was created a relaxing atmosphere. An irregularity in the existing architecture was used to create build floor-to-ceiling closets in bedrooms. Floors are made of Whitened Oak. Decorative plaster, wallpaper, wood are used for wall decoration.

ITHAKA – Architecture & Design
Architects: Telemak ANANYAN, Hayk MARTIROSYAN, Ani SAFARYAN

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Saudi Arabia To Build New City Near Makkah

Saudi Arabia will build a new city for 600 thousand people near Makkah. Named Makkah Gate, the residential and administrative city will be developed under a publi-private partnership on the Makkah-Jeddah Highway with 45 districts. Spanning an area of 83 million square meters, the project will include educational institutions, government offices, shopping centers, housing units and a national park. 

Saudi Arabia is creating several new cities across the kingdom, particularly near the religious cities of Makkah and Medinah, as its population rapidly grows. 
In June, it was announced a "Pilgrim City" would be built for 200 thousand Muslims who travel to Madinah for Haj and Umrah. The state-of-the-art city would cover 1.6 million square meters and include hotels, furnished apartments, a railway and bus station, government offices and a 400-bed hospital. 
Construction of a new "mega city" in Rabigh, 150 kilometers north of Jeddah, was due to begin after Ramadan. The Indian developer in charge of the project, Gammon Group, said was worth US$ 2.9 billion and would include an advanced hospital, a petrochemical plant, other industrial areas, schools, mosques and residential villas and cover 20 million square meters of land formerly owned by a former Rabigh governor.

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The Thinnest Town House Sold In New-York

Here's the skinny on the city's narrowest town house: It just sold for a fat US$ 3.25 million. The historic, three-story home at 75 1/2 Bedford St. - near Sixth Avenue and Houston Street - weighs in at an underfed 92 square meters. A tape measure would only stretch to a cinched-in 2.54 meters wide in the widest rooms - narrow enough for the lankiest Knick to nearly touch two side walls at once. 

It's where Edna St. Vincent Millay penned her Pulitzer Prize-winning "Ballad of the Harp-Weaver," in 1923-24. It's Millay who famously coined the phrase, "My candle burns at both ends," suggesting that the poet would have had to orient any such candle longitudinally while working long hours at the address. 
Other celebrities who have traipsed - carefully - through the gaunt flat are actor Cary Grant, and, before him, John Barrymore. Anthropologist Margaret Meade also lived there, as did popular children's-book writer Ann McGovern, author of "Stone Soup." After moving out, McGovern wrote "Mr. Skinner's Skinny House," a picture book about a man who moves into the thinnest house in the city and then struggles to find a roommate. 
"For seven years, I lived in the narrowest house in New York. It was only eight and a half feet wide!" McGovern said in a Q-and-A on her Web site, annmcgovern.com. "It's known as the Edna St. Vincent Millay House." 
"Once I saw a man who was standing in front of the house with arms outstretched," she said. "'Hey,' he said. 'I'm as big as a house,' and he was." 
Living in her "doll house," as she called it, McGovern said she'd begun noodling about the sorts of characters who could never live in a house so narrow, including an actor who plays Pinocchio - one of the characters in "Mr. Skinner's Skinny House". The latest buyer is George Gund, according to city property records. 
Although thin, the home's worth has expanded over the years. 
It was purchased in 1994 for US$ 270 thousnad by architectural preservationist Christopher Dubs. 
He sold the home in 2000 to Steven Balsamo for a cool US$1.6 million. Then, three years ago, the home sold for US$2.175 million through Corcoran broker Alex Nicholas. 
That buyer never moved in, instead sinking more money into the place by renovating it top to bottom - the kitchen trapdoor, leading to the basement "recreation room," has been retained. 
Built in 1873, the three-bedroom home also features floor-to-ceiling French doors opening to a tree-shaded. The inside is more light and airy than its width would suggest thanks to a third-floor skylight and oversized windows. 
The gussying up allowed it to rent for a healthy US$ 14 thousand a month. It then went back on the market at an overly optimistic US$ 4.3 million. By last year, the asking price had whittled away to US$ 3.495. 
The thinnest house in the world built between two tower blocks in Warsaw, Poland. The house measures 1.2 meters at its widest point and 71 centimeters at its narrowest. The building has been designed by Jakub Szczesny. 

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The Most Beautiful Metro Stations In The World

#15 Formosa Boulevard Station, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

This metro station in Kaohsiung, Taiwan is amazing! It's like stepping into a massive, technicolor convention center. We can only imagine how in awe of this station the commuters are, and the metro station has even become a tourist attraction in its own right! We think this metro station would definitely brighten up your day.

#14 Rådhuset, Stockholm, Sweden

This magnificent metro station in Rådhuset, Stockholm was built in 1975, and it serves as one of the best examples of organic architecture in the world! Commuters would be forgiven for thinking they had entered into a stunning underground cave or museum when they hopped off at this metro station!

#13 Stadium Station, Stockholm, Sweden

This is Stadium Station in Stockholm, and it has been decorated with murals of rainbows and various other quirky and colorful additions. This particular photograph makes the station almost look like an ice cave, and we think it's an awesome idea to decorate a station so impressively!

#12 Elektrozavodskaya Station, Moscow, Russia

It may be hard to pronounce, but Elektrozavodskaya Station in Moscow looks more like an expensive art gallery, rather than a metro station! Metro stations are often thought of to be dirty and unkempt, so you can imagine commuters' surprise and delight at discovering this gem of a station!

#11 Kiyevskaya Station - Koltsevaya Line Hall, Moscow, Russia

Kiyevskaya Station is another metro station in Moscow to have been designed just like a Renaissance art gallery or museum. If only all metro stations could look like this one! We particularly love the use of gold and the impressive artworks. We're sure there are plenty of people who make a trip to Kiyevskaya just to see the metro station!

#10 Zoloti Vorota Station, Kiev, Ukraine

This impressive metro station was opened on December 30, 1989 as the part of the first stage of the Syretsko-Pecherska Line. Many have commented about the station's likeness to an Orthodox cathedral, and we could not agree more! This looks more like a place of religious worship than it does a place to catch a train.

#9 Puhŭng, Pyongyang, North Korea

Did you know that the Pyongyang Metro is the deepest in the world? The track runs 360 ft (110 m) underground! This station in North Korea opened in 1987, and since then it has become a national treasure. The metro station is decorated beautifully with ornaments and murals.

#8 O'Hare Station, Chicago, Illinois

This metro station in Chicago, Illinois is one of America's most beautiful and impressive metro stations, and it isn't hard to see why! Located at O'Hare International Airport, the walls are made entirely from luminous, colored glass bricks. This metro station is definitely well worth the trip!

#7 T-Centralen Station, Stockholm, Sweden

The T-Centralen Station in Stockholm, Sweden, is another metro station to grace the 'most beautiful metro stations in the world' list, and we love the station's creative design! We love that the walls are covered in colorful silhouettes of workers, in order to celebrate the numerous workers who made the construction of the station possible.

#6 Westfriedhof Station, Munich, Germany

This metro station in Munich, Germany was opened fairly recently in 1998, however the large and colorful lamps were not added until a later date. The lamps contain red, blue, and yellow lights, all adding a vibrant twist to your average metro station. We love this creative idea!

#5 Marienplatz Station, Munich, Germany

Did you know that Marienplatz Station is one of the most frequently used stations in Munich? This metro station almost looks like something from the future, with its curved and colorful designs. We think it looks amazing!

#4 Olaias Station, Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal also has one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world, and the one featured in the photograph is Olaias Station in Lisbon. We love the use of colored glass, and it gives the station a stained glass effect. This is certainly one colorful and brightly-lit station, and it is sure to add some cheer to your day!

#3 Drassanes Station, Barcelona, Spain

It might look simplistic and modern, but there's something about monochrome and clean lines that people find extremely refreshing at this beautiful metro station. The use of the bright white surfaces creates the illusion of light, and we absolutely love the strong contrast created with the color black!

#2 Museum Subway Station, Toronto, Canada

Canada also has a very impressive metro station, as you can see this from the pic. The Museum Subway Station in Toronto is filled with decorative and artistic pillars, as well as stainless steel surfaces and pops of bright color. It's easy to see just why tourists love this metro station so much!

#1 The stations of the Line A, Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is well-known for its impressive architecture, so it comes as no surprise that one of the metro stations is also one of the most amazing in the world. The stations of the Line A have colorful and patterned walls, such as the one pictured. The stations on this line are from the 1970s, however their futuristic design keeps them forever modern.

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15 Place to Visit in Europe

#15 Final destination fit for a god

Greece is arguably the most beautiful place in the world. The perfect golden beaches and white architecture seems right out of a magazine.

#14 It's pronounced "Eye Bee Tha"

Ibiza is Spain's gorgeous little slice of paradise. If you're in the mood to spend days lounging beachside, this is the perfect destination.

#13 It wasn't built in a day.

After Venice, jet off to Rome for a real (and fascinating) history lesson. The Vatican headquarters is filled with magnificent architecture.

#12 Not in Kansas anymore...

Paris is lovely, but the more rural areas of France are even more divine. The quaint town of Lorraine is known for two things - quiches with phenomenal cheese and the biggest hot air balloon festival in the world.

#11 Der Frankfurt

Germany's a (relatively) big European country, so don't stop at Berlin. Frankfurt has a lot to offer including the world's biggest book fair. Let the shopping spree continue.

#10 More than you expected.

Copenhagen, Denmark has a rich history. Brimming over with museums, this is a quaint, off the map destination for those who shy away from touristy hot spots.

#9 Amsterdam Revealed

There's a lot more to this famous city than what Harold and Kumar would have you believe. Visit Anne Frank's house and partake in some delicious pastries at a local cafe.

#8 Moscow

Contrary to popular belief, it's not ALWAYS snowing in Russia. Moscow is a gorgeous city, so stop by (and pick up an authentic fur or nesting doll along the way).

#7 Hop in my gondola.

Venice ranks right up there with Paris for the title of "city for lovers." Visit during Carnivale for a real treat, or go during a less festive time for those endless rides through the canals.

#6 "Praha"

Prague in the Czech Republic is like a fairy tale come to life. The copper-capped castles and the cobblestone streets are magical. Visit O Cemetery to visit the grave of literary great Franz Kafka or stop by a farmer's market.

#5 99 Luftballoons

Berlin is a thriving metropolis filled with some great history. Explore the remnants of the Berlin Wall before taking in some great shopping.

#4 Care for some blood pudding?

Edinburgh is perhaps the most "British" city in the UK. The castle on the hill overlooking the city, the kilted men playing bagpipes on the corners, the haggis and blood pudding. Give it a try - it's not as bad as it sounds.

#3 Toro! en Madrid

If you're looking to brush up on that high school Spanish, Madrid is a must. Schedule your trip right in time to see a bull fight and visit Plaza Mayor for some delicious churros.

#2 J'ai Deux Amours

...mon pay et Paris. "I have two loves, my country and Paris." Don't miss out on the romance capital of the world. But when you visit the Eiffel Tower and the ticket agents asks if you'd like to pay to take an elevator "to the second floor," keep in mind the second floor is actually the top.

#1 God Save the Queen

Visiting merry ol' England is a must. Check out the "Eye of London," "Tower Bridge" and Buckingham Palace. Travel a little out of the city for Stonehenge and Canterbury Cathedral.

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Shigeru Ban Completes Cardboard Cathedral In Christchurch

The Cardboard Cathedral designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban opened to the public on August 6 in Christchurch, New Zealand. 
The building was designed by Shigeru Ban as a temporary replacement for the city's former Anglican cathedral, which was destroyed by the earthquake that struck the city in February 2011. With an expected lifespan of around 50 years, it will serve the community until a more permanent cathedral can be constructed. 

The building features a triangular profile constructed from 98 equally sized cardboard tubes. These surround a colored glass window made from tessellating triangles, decorated with images from the original cathedral's rose window. 

The main hall has the capacity to accommodate up to 700 people for events and concerts, plus eight steel shipping containers house chapels and storage areas below. 

The construction of cathedral began last year. The cathedral had initially been scheduled to open in February, but was subject to a series of construction delays. 

"The strength of the building has nothing to do with the strength of the material," told architect. Even concrete buildings can be destroyed by earthquakes very easily. But paper buildings cannot be destroyed by earthquakes. It's also consistently low-cost. Shigeru Ban has used cardboard on a number of pavilions and structures in recent years, particularly on disaster relief projects. Other examples include a temporary gallery in Moscow with cardboard columns and a cardboard pavilion at the IE School of Architecture and Design in Madrid. 

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3 International Consortiums Win Saudi Metro Contracts Worth US$ 22.5 billion

The Saudi Arabian government awarded US$ 22.5 billion in contracts to three foreign-led consortia on Sunday for the design and construction of a metro rail system in the capital Riyadh. 

The project, which will involve six rail lines extending 176 kilometers and carrying electric, driverless trains, is the world's largest public transport system currently under development, Saudi officials said. 

U.S. construction giant "Bechtel Corp" heads a group which won a US$ 9.45 billion contract to build two lines, the government announced. 

A consortium led by Spain's "FCC" won a US$ 7.82 billion contract for three lines, while Italy's "Ansaldo STS" heads a group that won a US$ 5.21 billion order. 

Design work will start immediately and construction will begin in the first quarter of 2014, the government said. The project would be completed in 2019. 

Designs for the Riyadh Metro call for 35.2 kilometers of twin-tube bored running tunnels and a further 13.7 kilometers of cut-and-cover work for a total subsurface length of nearly 49 km. Preliminary designs of the 176 kilometer metro system have been carried out by consultants Dar Al-Hanasah of Lebanon and Egis Rail of France. 

The Riyadh Metro or the so-called "Miracle of the Desert" consists of six main lines running a total length of 176 km with 94 stations, including 85 main stations, four transfer stations, and five park-and-ride stations. The proposed metro passes through areas near government buildings, commercial and health centers, educational centers and major universities in Riyadh and its suburbs. The metro will also connect the King Khaled International Airport (KKIA) through the city center and densely populated areas of Riyadh. Trains on the six lines will run at 40 km/h. All stations and carriages will be air-conditioned. The driverless electric trains will also be divided into first class, family class and single class carriages. 

Designs for the major stations were unveiled by the authority in May, with UK-based architect Zaha Hadid's design chosen for a station at King Abdullah Financial District, Norway's Snohetta chosen for a Downtown (Qasr Al-Hokm) station and Gerber Architekten of Germany's designs picked for a new hub station at Olaya. 

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Construction Of World's Tallest Building Begins In China

The company hoping to build the world's tallest skyscraper in record time held a groundbreaking ceremony on July 20, in Changsha, China. Broad Sustainable Building is planning to build the 838-meter Sky City using its prefabricated modular construction method.

The founder of parent company Broad Group Chairman Zhang Yue announced the tower will be completed by April 2014 and will cost around US$ 846 million to complete. Its total built-up area will contain just over 1 square kilometer of space. 

The tower, which will be taller than Dubai's Burj Khalifa by 10 meters, will contain a hotel for 1,000 guests and housing for up to 31,400 people, ranging from penthouses to high-density units for low-income tenants. It will also contain a hospital, schools, shops, restaurants and offices, creating an entire city within the building. 

According to Broad Group, 90 percent of the building will be pre-fabricated in the company's factories. The units will be produced by 20,000 workers in four months. Then it will take three months for 30,000 workers to finish fabricating the units and other actual constructions on site. 

In its promotion of the project, Broad Sustainable Building frequently cites its environmental credentials, stating that a typical Sky City resident's CO2 production will fall to two tons annually, compared with an average of 5.5 tons per person in China generally. 

At first about this project announced The Morning Whistle newspaper in 2012. At that time nobody believed. China's new propose is unbelievable, as world's current tallest building Burj Khalifa required six years to build . Two months after shocking news, the head and founder of Broad Sustainable Building Company Zhang Yue, much increases the likelihood of the realization of this incredible project. During the interview, a Chinese man said that the 220-story skyscraper, which he called "Sky City" certainly to be built. In addition, he presented to the public another ambitious project, which height is 2 kilometers. On May 2013 Lloyd Alter at Treehugger reported, that Broad Sustainable Building, the company behind the tower, will begin construction on the prefab behemoth this June. Finally construction begins! 

Probability that the Broad Sustainable Building Company can afford this unbelievable task is very high. Recently the prefab Hotel in China's south-central Hunan province standing 30 stories was erected in an incredible 360 hours or in 15 days. The hotel built Chinese sustainable-building firm Broad Group and the building is designed to withstand up a 9.0 magnitude earthquake - and even boasts energy-efficient building techniques. In 2010 Broad Group during 6 days built another prefab building, the 15-story Ark Hotel in the Changsha Province, demonstrating fantastic speed of prefab building construction. 

When completed, the tower would join a growing list of top architectural feats in China. The country is now home to the world's longest high-speed rail line , highest and longest tunnel-to-tunnel bridge,largest building (by area), and soon the world's longest undersea tunne soon the world's longest undersea tunnel. 

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Pierre Cardin Cancels Vast Skyscraper Behind Venice

The Palais Lumiere, a 245 meter-high skyscraper planned for the ex-industrial area of Marghera, 9.5 kilometers from the center of Venice, will not now be built. Public and government opposition has forced fashion tycoon Pierre Cardin to cancel plans for his pet skyscraper project. Pierre Cardin and architect Rodrigo Basilicati have axed plans for their 60-story Palais Lumiere, due to criticism about how the building would clash with the Venetian landscape. 

In March 2012, Venice government has approved a 60-storey tower designed and funded by fashion designer Pierre Cardin. But as told project architect Rodrigo Basilicati "The decision was inevitable after over two years since presenting the initiative we could not get a formal approval on a deal with all public bodies involved. 

Cardin's Palace of Light was to be built on Venice's mainland in the former industrial area of Porto Marghera and was to boast swimming pools, gardens and ponds on the upper decks and a helipad on the roof. Originally set for a 2015 completion, the glass palace was to include housing, hotels, cinemas, restaurants, research centers as well as educational and sports facilities. The skyscraper's three towers were to be connected by six horizontal disks. 

Opposition and criticism over the glass-walled skyscraper began in 2012. Locals have been concerned over the impact of the 245-meter structure would have on the Venetian landscape and the medieval city. The opposition largely consists of are "Venetians and Italians who are tired of seeing Venice abused by the vast cruise ships and mounting examples of the crudest commercialism. 

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The World's Greenest Office Building Opens In Munich

Munich, Germany now boasts the greenest office building in the world. NuOffice is off the charts in all sustainability metrics, easily achieving LEED Platinum status. European research project DIRECTION and scientists from Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics banded together to help design the uber-green building, hoping it will serve as a model for future new construction across the globe. 

In order to raise the bar on the building's energy efficiency, the science and research team sought to maximize the building's passive energy use, driving down energy consumption and introducing renewable energy sources as main suppliers to the building. NuOffice's roof alternates between lush, insulating greenery and a powerful photovoltaic array that adds to the building's power needs. 

Radiant heating and cooling systems, which are connected to a complex district heating system in the basement that also employs well water to cool in the summer, help to keep energy usage low and the interior comfortable. The building's inner courtyard design fosters not only an additional green space, but also creates natural cross breezes and an influx of daylight on both the inside and outside perimeters of NuOffice. Thickly insulated exterior walls and triple-glazed windows also keep the interior climate comfortable. 

The newly opened building's energy usage is being closely monitored and recorded. The team hopes that by the end of the year the energy consumption will consume just 30 killowatt hours per square meter per year, compared to the average of 100 to 150 killowatt hours in a standard office space. 

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