ArchDaily.com

Beijing, as the cultural and political center of China, embodies a rich architectural language that bridges history and modernity, tradition and innovation, showcasing the city's profound depth and diversity. From monumental landmarks like CITIC Tower and Daxing International Airport to the hidden courtyard renovations nestled within the city's historic hutongs; from the dramatic revitalization of the Shougang industrial site to the refined transformations of Baiziwan and Baitasi, Beijing's architectural achievements continue to captivate and inspire. Every space tells a unique story of the city, blending heritage with contemporary vibrancy.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the owners purchased this former multi-family dwelling without ever setting foot inside. A dilapidated structure, yet with a charming facade; envisioning a complete renovation meant the building could be tailored entirely to their preferences.

The Story Behind Khakis Seongsu Flagship Store Design - The design of the Khakis Seongsu flagship store marks the reunion of Khakis and design studio COM after four years. From the beginning of the project, COM established a set of guiding principles they called "NEW Khakis." These principles included: "Never pursue novelty for the sake of novelty," "Avoid excessive details that may overwhelm," "Design with both the staff and customers in mind," and "Three design ideas are enough." These principles were not merely theoretical—they guided the entire design process.

Zhichang Coffee is located on Mihe Farm, within the site of the Weiyang Palace of Han Chang'an City, outside the Second Ring Road Northwest of Xi'an. The farm is situated in Lixiahao Village, one of the 33 existing villages within the site of Han Chang'an City. In recent years, under the dual strategies of site preservation and urban renewal, Lixiahao has set the development goals of "site + block" and "site + special village", striving to preserve the original village landscape while continuing the local culture and promoting the integration of major site preservation into modern human settlements.

The client's needs - The client is a family with three children. They wanted to provide ancillary income by renting out the lower floors for commercial use alongside their own residence in the city center. In a dense surrounding context of 3-4 story buildings, the building needed to be different and special, with a public area for commerce and a private area for the family, while at the same time being different from its surroundings, as they believed this would make their home more special and the rental more profitable. 

This project involves expanding Naco's central plaza and creating a pavilion as a focal point to provide an elevated terrace-viewpoint, restrooms on the ground floor, benches, and an esplanade. The intention is to offer shade, amenities, scenic views, and public space.

The house “Ateliê Residência EA”  was designed to be the residence and creative space of a plastic artist. The project aimed to ensure the privacy and independence of the atelier during its use, but also its integration with the rest of the house on weekends and events. 

The project involves designing and constructing 12 semi-detached two-story homes located at the boundary between a rural area and a zone dominated by single-family homes.

CAN has extended a terraced house in Stoke Newington, London, completing a vibrant and functional home for a young family. With an emphasis on natural materials and a unique approach to design, this renovation turns the once disconnected ground floor into an open-plan kitchen and dining area that spills into the garden through a bespoke curved window and oversized glazed door. The clients wanted a home that reflected their growing family and embraced natural materials. CAN's expertise brought this vision to life, creating a space inspired by nature with close connections to the outdoors.

As the AI fervor continues to reshape how people see the world, 2025 looms as yet another year in the march toward technological advancement. While some worry about the dominance of technology in society, architects are shifting their attention to the foundations of a digital future: data centers. The design of data centers challenges designers to reconcile the demands of technological functionality with the principles of architectural excellence. As the dependence on cloud computing, IoT ecosystems, and big data analytics deepens, data center architecture demands more attention. As data consumption skyrockets, data center consumption rates match the demand. These structures were once relegated to nondescript industrial zones, but are now becoming integral components of urban and suburban environments. While some community members are upset about the encroachm