urbanNext

"It's ALIVE!" Here's a short clip from my new episode of Citizen One, Exploring Our Urban Future, an urbanNext original podcast series. https://lnkd.in/g8GTSK7V World-renowned concept artist Olivier Pron (Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy, Harry Potter) returns along with Judd Payne, president of IDEA (www.idea.la) and veteran film and television producer (Cherry, Mile 22, Bernie, Southland Tales). They sit down with me to explore in detail the unexpected intersection of Hollywood creatives and real-world city design in NEOM. Over the last six years, Judd and Olivier and their creative teams have been applying cinematic storytelling and speculative design to urban planning, shaping ambitious smart city projects across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Region. What happens when you bring science fiction aesthetics into urban futurism? Can Hollywood’s pre-visualization techniques help architects and engineers build the cities of tomorrow? In this episode, we look at: How Hollywood was recruited to help design NEOM—the vision behind bringing the best production designers, concept artists, and worldbuilders into large-scale urban planning. The skepticism they faced from traditional architects and engineers—and how they gradually earned credibility. The evolution of The Line’s design, including Olivier’s winning proposal for the Hidden Marina, a breathtaking megastructure featuring a 300-meter-high gateway capable of accommodating the world’s largest cruise ships. The challenge of making NEOM’s vertical city feel human, focusing on livability, storytelling, and the importance of creating districts that foster real urban experiences, not just futuristic spectacle. Saudi Arabia's rapid cultural transformation, from blockbuster concerts and new public spaces to the shifting role of entertainment and creativity in the Kingdom’s future. Through their experiences, Judd and Olivier reveal how creativity, imagination and worldbuilding aren’t just for film—they’re shaping the future of cities. 🔊 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. LAVA, Gensler, Aedas, Alex McDowell #Architecture, #Urbanism, #Innovation, #DigitalTwins, #Worldbuilding

How do you turn a neglected yet historically charged space into a dynamic and inclusive public realm? The redesign of Eduard-Wallnöfer-Platz by LAAC does just that—merging history, urban functionality, and contemporary design into a 9,000m² concrete floor sculpture that reshapes the city’s public life. Once an overlooked square in Innsbruck, this site held deep symbolic meaning with its four memorials, yet was spatially constrained by a subterranean garage and dominated by the former National Socialist-era government building. The intervention not only recontextualizes history but also enhances accessibility, making the monuments more engaging while correcting historical misconceptions. Designed as a multi-functional urban forum, the square adapts to pedestrian movement, seasonal light shifts, and public events. Its bright concrete topography casts dynamic shadows by day and interacts with indirect lighting at night, reinforcing the space’s evolving character. From interactive water features to seamless seating zones, the transformation prioritizes both civic engagement and climate resilience—integrating an innovative drainage system for sustainable water management. #UrbanDesign #Placemaking #SustainableCities #PublicSpace #Architecture #LandscapeArchitecture #Innsbruck

🍞☕ Would you grab a coffee in a moving barn-inspired café? A café on wheels that blends food, land, and architecture: Meet Cycle Cycle Mobile Bakehouse, a project by F.O.G Architecture that reimagines the pop-up café experience. 🚲🏡 Inspired by traditional barns, this urban-integrated mobile bakehouse brings a tactile, adaptable structure to the city. With stacked grain sacks forming its façade, adjustable sunshades, and an open seating concept, it fosters natural interactions while merging rural aesthetics with contemporary urban life. 🌾🏙 Designed for mobility, improvisation, and modularity, the bakehouse moves seamlessly through public spaces, offering a fluid and organic presence in the city. Raw materials, spontaneous construction, and low-tech design ensure authenticity and a deep connection with its surroundings. ☕🚴 #UrbanDesign #PopUpArchitecture #SustainableDesign #MobileArchitecture #PublicSpaces #AdaptiveReuse #HumanCenteredDesign #ArchitectureAndFood #ModularDesign

See you at Construmat! ✨🏗️ We’re thrilled to be media partners at this year’s Construmat!   🎤 This May, we’ll dive deep into the latest innovations in the building sector, bringing you exclusive insights, expert perspectives, and key discussions on the future of construction.   🎟️ Get your tickets now: https://lnkd.in/dNSEVJ4k   🚀 Want an exclusive discount? Drop us an email at content@urbannext.net.

Transforming Tuxtepec, Oaxaca, the Los Mangos Community Center, designed by Alejandro Polo Lamadrid & Entorno y Contexto, has become a beacon of #connection and opportunity. 🌟 Nestled on the city's outskirts, this space addresses the need for communal infrastructure in an area once underserved. Designed under SEDATU’s Urban Improvement Programme, the center fosters social ties with its versatile #spaces, including a multi-sport court, playgrounds, skate park, and areas for cultural and educational activities. With steel structures echoing Tuxtepec's industrial past and red hues embracing regional aesthetics, the design celebrates the #community's identity. Reclaiming irregularly used land has not only expanded public resources but also transformed challenges into opportunities, fostering a sense of belonging and pride. This space now buzzes with life, from sports events to cultural celebrations, empowering residents to thrive together.

🔍 Unlocking Urban Insights with infrared.city 🌆 At Smart City Expo World Congress, we caught up with Oana Taut to dive into Infrared City—a cutting-edge tool mapping environmental data to shape more sustainable, collaborative cities. 🌍💡 Stay tuned for the full interview, coming soon to urbannext.net! 🎤 Interview by Dima Fadel 🎙️ Recording by Pol Gonzalez #SCEWC24 #InfraredCity #SmartCities #ClimateMapping #UrbanInnovation #SustainableDesign #FutureOfCities

This is architecture that listens, adapts, and inspires. 🌍💡 The Sidera Building, designed by tissellistudioarchitetti, redefines its #environment, blending thoughtful #design with #sustainability. Surrounded by 300 trees and 22,000 plants, it’s more than just architecture—it’s a commitment to healthier, greener spaces. Rejecting formalism, this headquarters in Forlì prioritizes human needs, fostering relationships and #creativity through #neuroarchitecture principles. From dynamic natural light and clean air to spaces designed for connection, every detail works to uplift employees and visitors. With its sleek aluminum façade, optical illusions, and a "fifth elevation" roof inspired by aerial views, the Sidera Building bridges traditional forms with modern innovation. Inside, sinuous staircases and green views enhance interaction and well-being. check the full post here!: https://lnkd.in/dhutNGGg

🌿 Reimagining Airport Design with Sustainability and Craft 🌏 full post here: https://lnkd.in/dRfT59BM Enter Projects Asia has redefined airport interiors at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport. Inspired by Bangalore's "Garden City" roots, EPA crafted a 12,000sqm post-security departure area using over 9km of #rattan, seamlessly blending biophilic design with cutting-edge sustainability. From 8m-high sculptural rattan pods to curvaceous column claddings, the design replaces traditional materials like steel and concrete with natural, handwoven textures. Collaborating with Thai artisans, EPA brought heritage craftsmanship into a global commercial context, proving sustainability and wellness can thrive at scale—even in an airport welcoming 20 million visitors annually. This innovative approach, combining handmade techniques with logistics software, created an environment where lighting, greenery, and tactile design invite travelers into a utopian blend of city and nature. #BiophilicDesign #SustainableArchitecture #Airports #GardenCity #RattanRevolution #UrbanOasis

🌿 Discover Das Glashaus: A Serene Retreat in Uckermark Check the full post here: https://lnkd.in/dZxEJGrZ Designed by Sigurd Larsen Architekten, Das Glashaus blends modern design with nature. Located north of Berlin, this weekend house offers a cozy escape for a small family and their guests. With panoramic views of Uckermark's lush landscapes, nearby forests, and lakes, every corner of this house invites you to reconnect with the outdoors. ✨ Highlights: - Curved privacy wall: Shields the home from the road while opening the west side to sweeping views. - Seamless indoor-outdoor living: Glass doors, terrace-accessible beds, and an outdoor shower enhance the connection to nature. - Greenhouse studio: A bright, multifunctional space under the glass roof for work, relaxation, or stargazing. Whether enjoying summer's open spaces or cozying up in winter with breathtaking views, Das Glashaus is a design marvel that evolves with the seasons.

🌍 Building Resilience Through Satellite Data 🛰️ Last November in Smart City Expo World Congress, we talked with Thaís Fontenelle Siqueira about her work at Lobelia Earth Lobelia Earth leverages satellite information to quantify climate risks and support a more resilient society. By focusing on urban environments and infrastructure, they use data-driven approaches to mitigate climate impacts and promote sustainable development. Through innovation and precision, they turn insights into action—helping communities adapt and thrive in the face of climate challenges. full interview here!: https://lnkd.in/dA2W-3FB #ClimateResilience #SatelliteData #UrbanInfrastructure #Sustainability #DataDrivenSolutions #SCEWC24 Interview by Dima Fadel & Pol Gonzalez