Sian Johnson

China looks to ban bizarre architecture

News | The Chinese government has released a guideline forbidding odd-shaped buildings described as “xenocentric” and “weird.”

Zaha Hadid accepts her RIBA Gold Medal

News | Hadid has accepted her 2016 Royal Gold Medal, marking her as the first female architect to win the award in her own right.

RIBA International Prize opens

News | The Royal Institute of British Architects has announced a global prize for the world’s best new building, starting in 2016.

Designers commit to low-carbon future

News | Fifty-two Chinese and international built environment firms commit to ensuring new projects adhere to low-carbon standards.

Australia’s first compulsory solar suburb

News | Canberra’s Denman Prospect has mandated 3kW solar systems for each dwelling and has an affordable housing fund commitment.

World-first smog-fighting urban sculpture

News | The Dutch city of Rotterdam is home to the world’s first “vacuum cleaner” structure that turns smog into fresh air.

UK architecture school bucks tradition

News | Touting accessibility and agility, the low-fee private London School of Architecture is the first of its kind since the AA.

Obama wants an architect

Careers | A request for qualifications has been issued by the Obama Foundation to create a centre in honour of president Barack Obama.

Zaha Hadid’s world first bridge design wins competition

News | A design for Taiwan by a group including Zaha Hadid will be the world’s longest single-tower, asymmetric cable-stayed bridge.

Partner News: LOTR costume wraps LA tower

News | A ribbed facade created with Kaynemaile plastic mesh used in the film trilogy features on a new tower by practice Johnson Fain.