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.
Boutique property venture Art Deco Freak has launched a dual-market residential transformation model in Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. Founded by entrepreneur Lauren Papa, DC, the firm specialises in turning distressed architectural assets into high-end single-family homes. The strategy avoids standard renovation formulas, focusing instead on historical preservation, upcycled materials, sustainable infrastructure and asset-specific repositioning to deliver premium turnkey properties.
Wold Architects & Engineers has acquired Nashville-based architecture firm JJCA. The move strengthens both firms' ability to serve communities across the United States by combining Wold’s extensive engineering resources with JJCA’s deep expertise in healthcare and education design. Leadership from both companies will remain actively involved to ensure continuity for existing clients.
A new energy positive hub named Écosystème D has launched in Dunkirk to drive the regional energy transition. Located on Mole 2, the bioclimatic building houses an incubator, training centre and technology hall. Designed by Snøhetta, the project produces more energy than it uses through 1,200 m² of solar panels. It serves as a strategic link between the industrial port and the city centre.
The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) has opened its 1,500-seat Glasshouse Theatre in Brisbane. Designed by Blight Rayner and Snøhetta, the venue features a unique rippling glass façade. This addition makes QPAC the largest integrated performing arts hub in Australia. The project incorporates First Nations narratives and advanced automation to support world-class productions. It is expected to attract 300,000 additional visitors to the region annually.
![[IRHM] logo](https://irhmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IRHM-AWARDS-2025-1024x683.jpg)
