Architecture

On March 5, 2026, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) revealed images of a new landmark project in Kazakhstan, in Central Asia. The project consists of two towers, the “Iconic Complex,” and a master plan for the area, the “Gateway District.” The complex is located in Alatau, a new city along the Almaty–Qonaev highway planned to become an international investment hub. A strategic project for the country, the city’s master plan extends through 2050, with the first phase of major infrastructure projects scheduled for completion by 2030. Within this context, SOM’s design is expected to serve as the city’s economic and administrative nucleus, establishing the central business district of Alatau City and setting a benchmark for future investment projects in the area.

This week has been marked by the deliberate, rampant, and unjust destruction of war in Southeast Asia. As one of the most damaging manifestations of human abuse of power, we have witnessed the destruction of places that hold memories and sustain culture, as well as the loss and irreparable harm to the human lives that lend them their identity. With the expectation of offering brighter and more constructive scenarios in the future, we present, in contrast to this reality, a scenario of progress in the gender gap that characterizes architecture and its paths forward, a group of landmark projects of public and community interest moving forward from Türkiye to Mexico, and three major multimodal transport infrastructure projects improving the way we circulate and inhabit public space in Europe and the United States.

The concept of the technosphere provides a framework for understanding the scale of human impact on Earth. The term was coined by Peter K. Haff, and it is defined as the global network of human-made artifacts: a physical layer of infrastructure, buildings, vehicles, and machinery that functions alongside the biosphere and atmosphere. Currently estimated at 30 trillion tons, this human-constructed mass is dominated by the built environment. In this context, architecture serves as the primary interface, shaping how technology interacts with local ecologies. However, it seems that soon, the Technosphere will no longer be confined to the terrestrial surface. Through NASA’s Artemis program, this network of human-made mass is expanding beyond Earth’s atmosphere and is looking to establish new orbital infrastructure that represents the first permanent off-world extension of this man-made system.

At the onset of the project, the client had a clear request for a modern house with a generous patio for the family to unwind. Set on a 1-acre parcel, the Patio house reinterprets the prairie house typology, with its large overhangs that skim along the horizon, in a tropical setting. The E-shaped floor plan creates two courtyards that merge with the larger lawns as well as the pool, towards the North.

Beyond being a source of life, the power of the sun in architecture has long been tied to humanity’s need to harness and control it as a vital resource. Since ancient times, solar energy has been used to measure time, support planting and harvesting, and provide protection from heat and cold. Today, solar radiation plays a significant role in global energy consumption. Architectural solutions based on materials, technologies, and environmental analysis are developed with an understanding of solar energy’s capacity to transform the interior environment of buildings. But how can buildings be transformed into sources of clean energy?

Rural construction is mostly spontaneous, giving rise to a rich diversity of built forms. Within this organic complexity, our strategy is not to assert ourselves through contrast, but to inhabit the context with quiet modesty. “We hope this house will help the children remember where their hometown is.” This heartfelt wish shared by our client Ms. Zhang. Having left their hometown for Guangzhou at a young age, her family rarely returns. This renovation of their ancestral home aims to improve living comfort and create better conditions for family reunions—offering the next generation a tangible connection to their roots. Since the house is not for daily use, the design also prioritizes low maintenance and cost control.

Rural construction is mostly spontaneous, giving rise to a rich diversity of built forms. Within this organic complexity, our strategy is not to assert ourselves through contrast, but to inhabit the context with quiet modesty. “We hope this house will help the children remember where their hometown is.” This heartfelt wish shared by our client Ms. Zhang. Having left their hometown for Guangzhou at a young age, her family rarely returns. This renovation of their ancestral home aims to improve living comfort and create better conditions for family reunions—offering the next generation a tangible connection to their roots. Since the house is not for daily use, the design also prioritizes low maintenance and cost control.

A calm, well-designed bedroom can soothe and relax us. In fact, studies show that an ordered space really does help us sleep more soundly (which makes the rest of life so much better). However, our bedrooms can be at bottom of the list when it comes t…

Every home carries a story, but Mriya begins with a dream — cherished, nurtured, and ultimately realized. The name itself, meaning “Dream,” reflects the essence of this residence: the fulfilment of a long-held aspiration to create a sanctuary deeply rooted in its land and life.