Best cultural spaces of 2018

Our cream of the crop of cultural venues all share one common feature – an expertly executed roof. From thatch to concrete and tile to amphitheatre, we continue our run down of the Best of 2018.

Wadden Sea Centre by Dorte Mandrup

Img.25 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.1 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.2 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.3 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.4 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.5 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.6 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.7 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.8 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.9 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.10 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.11 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.12 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.13 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.14 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.15 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.16 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.17 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.18 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.19 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.20 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.21 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.22 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.23 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Img.24 Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, Ribe, Denmark, 2017
Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, site plan
Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, existing building and extension scheme
Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, plan
Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, axonometry
Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, elevations
Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, sections
Dorte Mandrup, Wadden Sea Centre, roof detail section

Thick thatch is carved to ceate the striking roof of Dorte Mandrup’s visitor centre for the Wadden Sea mashland in Ribe, Denmark – a UNESCO protected habitat for migrating birds. The locally harvested water reeds used for the roof offer a direct connection to the site, which completed in 2017 and is approaching its first year in use.  Read the original article 

Amos Rex Museum by JKMM

JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018. Ph Hannu Rytky
Img.2 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018. Ph Hannu Rytky
Img.1 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018. Ph Tuomas Uusheimo
Img.3 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018. Ph Hannu Rytky
Img.4 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018. Ph Hannu Rytky
Img.5 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018. Ph Hannu Rytky
Img.6 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018. Ph Mika Huisman
Img.7 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018. Ph Mika Huisman
Img.8 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018. Ph Mika Huisman
Img.9 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018. Ph Mika Huisman
Img.10 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018. Ph Mika Huisman
Img.11 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018. Ph Mika Huisman
Img.12 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018. Ph Mika Huisman
Img.13 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018
Img.14 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018
Img.15 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018
Img.16 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018
Img.17 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018
Img.18 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018
Img.19 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018
Img.20 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018
Img.21 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018
Img.22 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018
Img.23 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018
Img.24 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018
Img.25 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018
Img.26 JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki, 2018
JKMM, Amos Rex, Helsinki Art Walk plan
JKMM, Amos Rex, site plan
JKMM, Amos Rex, basement plan
JKMM, Amos Rex, ground floor plan
JKMM, Amos Rex, first floor plan
JKMM, Amos Rex, elevation
JKMM, Amos Rex, elevation
JKMM, Amos Rex, section
JKMM, Amos Rex, section
JKMM, Amos Rex, section
JKMM, Amos Rex, diagram
JKMM, Amos Rex, detail
JKMM, Amos Rex, detail

Five tentacle-like protrusions stretch in opposing directions in a square to bring light down into the Amos Rex art museum extension below. The tiled manmade hills, or canons de lumière, double as a resting spot for visitors to the gallery in Helsinki, Finland.  Read the original article

National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts by Mecanoo

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2018. Photo Iwan Baan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2018. Photo Iwan Baan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2018. Photo Iwan Baan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2018. Photo Iwan Baan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2018. Photo Iwan Baan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2018. Photo Iwan Baan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2018. Photo Iwan Baan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2018. Photo Iwan Baan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2018. Photo Iwan Baan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2018. Photo Iwan Baan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2018. Photo Iwan Baan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2018. Photo Iwan Baan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2018. Photo Iwan Baan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2018. Photo Iwan Baan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2018. Photo Iwan Baan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2018. Photo Iwan Baan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2018. Photo Iwan Baan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2018. Photo Iwan Baan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, plan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Mecanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, floor plan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Mecanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, second floor plan

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Mecanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, section of the Banyan Plaza

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Mecanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, section of the concert hall and recital hall

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Mecanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, section of the Lyric Theatre

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Mecanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, section of the Playhouse

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Mecanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, diagram

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, sketch

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, sketch

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, sketch

Kaohsiung. Mecanoo’s huge performing arts centre is inspired by banyan trees With its 140,000 sqm, the building interprets the clustering trees, linking five performance spaces under one roof.

Macanoo architecten, Weiwuying, Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, sketch

An amphitheatre is sunken into the roof of Mecanoo’s cultural centre in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, which dips down to meet a vast subtropical park. The centre brings together Taiwan's national theatre, concert tall under one great undulating roof. 
Read the original article

Saya Park by Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

Álvaro Siza and Carlos Castanheira, Saya Park Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, 2018

A trio of concrete buildings – an art centre, chapel and observation tower – are embedded among the dense vegetation of Saya Park in South Korea. The branching roof form of the art centre ramps up from a hillside path to offer a viewing spot overlooking forested landscape.  Read the original article

Torre Fondazione Prada by OMA

Img.1 OMA, Torre Fondazione Prada, Milan, 2018
Img.2 OMA, Torre Fondazione Prada, Milan, 2018
Img.3 OMA, Torre Fondazione Prada, Milan, 2018
Img.4 OMA, Torre Fondazione Prada, Milan, 2018

Rising from a 20th century distillery in a largely undeveloped area of Milan, OMA’s Torre building cuts an unusual profile among the fromer industrial buildings surrounding the Fondazione Prada. A glass elevator running the height of the tower ushers guests to a roof bar offering views of railway tracks and the city beyond.  Read the original article