The Mountain Plaza
The Mountain Plaza is a unique ceramic installation and open-air theater located in Mihama, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Conceived by artists Ximena Elgueda and Steven Ward, the project blends art, community engagement, and natural surroundings to create a distinctive cultural space.
Key Features:
- Ceramic Acoustic Shell: The amphitheater's centerpiece is a 60-ton ceramic acoustic shell, measuring approximately 3.6 meters in height, 7.5 meters in width, and 13 meters in length. This structure enhances sound projection, providing an intimate setting for performances.
-Community Involvement: Over 2,000 local volunteers contributed to the construction, reflecting a strong community spirit and collective effort.
-Natural Integration: Nestled in the mountains, the plaza offers scenic views and a tranquil environment, making it an ideal venue for cultural and artistic events.
The Mountain Plaza stands as a testament to the fusion of art, community collaboration, and environmental harmony, offering a unique cultural venue in the heart of Japan's Aichi Prefecture.
Plaza de Chueca
The Chueca quarter is the epicenter of gay Madrid and a symbol of modernity, avant-garde and open-minded tolerance. Its streets are a great place for anyone looking for fun, fashion and lots of atmosphere.
The Chueca quarter is in the centre of the city of Madrid, and its main hubs are the Plaza de Chueca square and the streets of Fuencarral and Hortaleza. In recent years this area has become an outstanding illustration of the freedom and openness of Madrid society and is home to numerous venues which are popular with the LGBT community, alternative fashion centres and a host of opportunities for fun, in an anything-goes atmosphere.
This is a neighbourhood where you can enjoy fashion in all kinds of different shops: everything from the most avant-garde designs to top labels, including establishments dedicated to practically all the urban tribes. These streets are also ideal for strolling with friends by night, as there are a large number of clubs where you can either enjoy a quiet drink or dance until dawn. In addition you'll find numerous gastronomic options with designer eateries and traditional restaurants, and others serving international cuisine. And all in an atmosphere of tolerance and diversity.
Chueca is also the center of the Gay Pride Festival which is held every year between June and July and fills the streets with music, color, high spirits, as well as the thousands of people who flock to the neighborhood intent on having a good time.
Belle de Mai
Lined with North African small stores and graffiti-covered walls, this neighborhood defies any conventional expectations you might have about France.
Its defining feature is La Friche Belle de Mai, an arts center built inside a former tobacco factory. At first glance, it looks like a colorful skatepark—but if you venture further, you’ll find a cafe and bookstore, art exhibitions, and a local market.
Nearby, there’s also a one-screen theater, Cinema Le Gyptis. It may be initially hard to identify, but it’s impossible to miss, because it’s covered in black-and-white portraits.
They were created by a street artist, JR, who installed a photo booth to capture images of local residents, and then pasted the photographs onto the theatre facade.
This large-format street pasting is just one of many pieces that JR created for his “Inside Out” project, a TED-funded initiative that transforms messages of personal identity into works of art.
The Vessel | Hudson Yards
The Hudson Yards Vessel, often referred to simply as "The Vessel," is a striking architectural centerpiece located in the Hudson Yards neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. Designed by British architect Thomas Heatherwick, it features an intricate honeycomb-like structure made of interconnected staircases, landings, and platforms. Standing at 150 feet tall, The Vessel offers a unique interactive experience, inviting visitors to climb its 154 flights of stairs and explore 80 viewing platforms that provide panoramic views of the city and the Hudson River. Completed in 2019, the copper-clad structure has become an iconic landmark, symbolizing the innovative spirit of modern urban design.
Münsterplatz Basel
- Münsterplatz Basel is an Urban Placemaking Project from Basel, Switzerland.
- It was built in the 12th century.
Pier 70
Pier 70 in San Francisco is a historic waterfront site located in the city's Dogpatch neighborhood. Once a bustling hub for shipbuilding and industrial activity, it is one of the oldest continually operating shipyards in the United States. Today, Pier 70 is undergoing a transformation into a vibrant mixed-use destination, featuring restored historic buildings, public parks, art installations, and spaces for dining, shopping, and events. This redevelopment preserves its industrial heritage while creating a dynamic space for the community, making it a unique blend of history and modern urban revitalization.
*This project is still in development. The completion date is to be determined*
Yunity Park Bucharest
Yunity Park is a business campus designed to connect people with the community and nature. The park includes an urban forest, outdoor workspaces, and event spaces that encourage social interaction and provide a seamless blend between indoor and outdoor environments. This project exemplifies sustainable placemaking by integrating natural elements into urban design.
Arches of the San Gil Barracks
The San Gil Barracks were designed by Francesco Sabatini and stood in the northern part of what is now the Plaza de España. The barracks were demolished at the beginning of the 20th century.
Construction of the San Gil barracks began in 1789. Originally conceived by architect Manuel Martín Rodríguez as a convent for Franciscan monks. The building was demolished for the first time and then rebuilt as a settlement for the army. The idea was to defend the northeast flank of the Royal Palace. The final building was the work of prominent Italian architect Francesco Sabatini
After over a century of military use, the demolition of the barracks was decreed in 1903. This finally began in 1906 and was not completed until 1908.
A recent refurbishment of the Plaza de España, which started in 2020, led to the discovery of some important archaeological remains. One example is a series of walls made up of semicircular arches that correspond to part of the San Gil Barracks, which after 118 years underground, have now been relocated to the surface.
Malasaña
Malasaña is an area in the center of Madrid, Spain. It does not correspond to any administrative division, but it is often conflated with Universidad, the wider administrative neighborhood on which Malasaña is located. The webpage providing touristic information published the Madrid City Council set as limits the streets of San Bernardo, the Gran Vía, Fuencarral and Carranza. Malasaña is associated with a creative and counter-cultural scene.
Malasaña is to the west of Chueca and to the east of Argüelles. It is surrounded by several metro stations and is a central neighbourhood of Madrid. Residents include Esperanza Aguirre, the former President of the Community of Madrid, amongst other politicians and several artists. Malasaña is named after a 15-year-old girl Manuela Malasaña who once lived on San Andrés Street. She was executed by the French following the uprising in 1808. Today, there is a street named in her honour very close to the roundabout Glorieta de Bilbao. The area's center is the Plaza del Dos de Mayo (in commemoration of a popular uprising on May 2, 1808, brutally repressed by the French troops and which started the Spanish Independence War).