Author: Isha Chaudhary
Isha Chaudhary
Isha Chaudhary is an architecture writer who follows and writes about current trends and emerging discussions in architecture, with a focus on design, technology, and place-making.
Barcelona has officially opened the UIA World Congress of Architects 2026, one of the most significant international gatherings in the architecture profession. Running from 28 June to 2 July 2026, the congress brings together architects, urbanists, researchers, students, policymakers, and cultural leaders from across the globe under the theme “Becoming. Architectures for a Planet in Transition.” Hosted by the International Union of Architects (UIA), the event marks the 29th edition of the triennial congress and coincides with Barcelona’s designation as the UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture 2026. The opening ceremony took place at Les Tres Xemeneies (Three Chimneys) in Sant…
As brands around the globe compete for attention during the FIFA World Cup 2026, IKEA Canada has found an unexpected way to join the conversation without football sponsorships, celebrity endorsements, or stadium advertising. Instead, the furniture giant transformed its own products into a series of striking national flags, creating one of the tournament’s most talked-about design campaigns. Named “Assemble the World,” the campaign was developed by Dentsu Creative for IKEA Canada and reimagines 18 FIFA World Cup nations through carefully arranged IKEA products. From cushions and cabinets to lamps, rugs, candles, and storage boxes, every element used to create the…
More than 90 years after its completion, the Paimio Sanatorium in Finland is preparing for a new life. Norwegian architecture and design practice Snøhetta has revealed a masterplan that reimagines the iconic building by Aino and Alvar Aalto as a destination centered on wellness, hospitality, culture, and international dialogue. Developed in collaboration with the Paimio Sanatorium Foundation, the proposal seeks to secure the future of one of modern architecture’s most celebrated works while preserving the values that shaped its original design. The masterplan focuses on carefully calibrated interventions that respect the building’s architectural heritage and its historic relationship with nature.…
In a first for global aviation, Japan is set to open the world’s first Pokémon airport. Beginning July 7, 2026, Noto Satoyama Airport in Ishikawa Prefecture will operate under the nickname “Noto Satoyama Pokémon With You Airport,” transforming a regional gateway into an immersive Pokémon destination. The initiative is scheduled to run until September 2029 and forms part of a broader effort to revive the Noto Peninsula following the devastating 2024 earthquake. While themed airports are not new, this project goes beyond branding. It combines tourism strategy, regional recovery, placemaking, and experiential design, demonstrating how architecture and public infrastructure can…
The race to make artificial intelligence more personal has found a new form factor. Meta has unveiled its new range of Meta AI Glasses, developed in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the eyewear giant behind brands such as Ray-Ban and Oakley. Starting at $299, the launch signals Meta’s ambition to move AI beyond smartphones and screens, bringing it into a wearable product that can be used throughout the day. The launch reflects a growing industry belief that smart eyewear could become one of the primary interfaces for interacting with artificial intelligence. With new frame styles, built-in AI capabilities, and even celebrity-powered voice…
When people think of the world’s most expensive projects, towering skyscrapers, massive infrastructure developments, and landmark buildings usually come to mind. Yet one of the most talked-about comparisons online isn’t between two buildings—it’s between a video game and the tallest structure ever built. According to multiple reports, the development cost of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) is widely estimated to have crossed the $2 billion mark, potentially making it more expensive than the construction of Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa, which reportedly cost around $1.5 billion to build. The comparison has captured attention across gaming and business circles alike, not…
Venezuela is facing a deepening humanitarian and infrastructure crisis after two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude struck within seconds of each other on June 24, triggering widespread destruction across Caracas, La Guaira, and surrounding regions. Rescue teams continue searching through collapsed structures as the death toll rises and thousands remain injured, displaced, or unaccounted for. The twin earthquakes, among the strongest to hit Venezuela in modern history, exposed long-standing vulnerabilities in the country’s aging infrastructure. Entire residential blocks, hospitals, public buildings, transportation facilities, and utility networks suffered severe damage, leaving emergency responders struggling to reach affected communities. A…
Abu Dhabi has officially begun construction of Dar Al Funoon Abu Dhabi (House of the Arts), a major new performing arts institution designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry. Located adjacent to the Saadiyat Cultural District, the project is scheduled to open in 2030 and is envisioned as one of the Middle East’s most significant destinations for music, theater, opera, ballet, and contemporary performance. Dar Al Funoon has been conceived as an architectural expression of performance itself. Gehry’s design is defined by a sweeping, fabric-like form that appears to flow across the site, creating a sculptural silhouette that evokes movement, rhythm,…
Located in Zurich, Switzerland, Remise Rosa is the latest completed project by Hello Wood, occupying a former railway site that has been reimagined as a vibrant public destination. Spanning approximately 2,500 square meters, the project introduces a new architectural identity to an underutilized urban parcel, combining hospitality, social interaction, and contemporary timber construction within a distinctive multi-level setting. Designed as a permanent architectural intervention, Remise Rosa reflects Hello Wood’s continued exploration of timber design while responding to the evolving demands of urban leisure spaces. The project accommodates a mix of functions across three open-air levels, creating a destination that is…
Venezuela has declared a nationwide state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude struck the country within less than a minute of each other, causing widespread damage, building collapses, transport disruptions, and emergency rescue operations across several regions. Authorities have suspended classes and non-essential activities while search-and-rescue teams continue to assess the scale of the disaster. According to reports from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Venezuelan authorities, the first earthquake, measuring 7.2 magnitude, was followed approximately 40 seconds later by a stronger 7.5-magnitude event. The epicenters were located in western and north-central Venezuela near the…