Work has officially begun on the preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of Kinh Thien Palace at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi. Attended by General Secretary and President To Lam, the groundbreaking marks the start of a major project backed by 15 years of interdisciplinary research and UNESCO consultations. Developer Sun Group has been selected to construct the historical restoration, which forms the first step of a long-term capital master plan.
Design and consulting firm WSB has acquired Poly, Inc., an established architecture and engineering outfit headquartered in Dothan, Alabama. The deal expands WSB’s presence in the Southeast and along the Gulf Coast while enhancing its municipal, environmental and federal design capabilities. Poly brings extensive technical expertise, including a background of designing more than 130 military training ranges across the US and overseas.
Zaha Hadid Architects has unveiled the masterplan for Baku Expo City, a 198-hectare development in Azerbaijan. The scheme accommodates population growth through diverse housing, community facilities and an expanded exhibition centre. Designed to adapt to local wind conditions and climate, the project preserves 92% of the site’s 18,000 trees while incorporating green roofs, renewable energy systems and upgraded public transport connections.
The architecture practice Snøhetta has revealed designs for Sweetbird North, an 8-story mixed-use development in the Miami Design District. The 120,000 square foot project for Raycliff Capital features workspace, retail units and a hurricane-resistant stainless steel mesh façade. The scheme marks a structural shift toward greater density in the area, incorporating integrated vertical gardens and outdoor office terraces.
The Snøhetta-designed Shanghai Grand Opera House will officially open on October 17, 2026. Currently entering its final development phase, the venue has scheduled 82 performances across 47 productions for its inaugural season, which runs until February 20, 2027. The project features three specialist auditoriums and an accessible public roofscape.
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