Headquarters for the European Union’s Council of Europe in Brussels

Contracts to build the new £285M headquarters for the European Union’s Council of Europe in Brussels will shortly be awarded. The building will open in 2013 opposite the famous Berlaymont building which houses the European Commission.

It is expected to be one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in Europe, with an umbrella of solar panels and facilities to recycle rainwater minimising the building’s carbon footprint. The 27,000m² building is an urn-shaped structure housed behind a square glass façade. It is designed by Buro Happold for architects Samyn & Partners in Belgium and Studio Valle Progettazioni in Italy. Piling is expected to begin in December.

Futuristic Home in Japan by Artechnic Architects

With the profile of a shell and an aerial view of some ultra-modern space craft, the futuristicShell House by Japanese architecture firm Artechnic is totally out of this world. Located in the forest of Karuizawa, Japan, this one-of-a-kind design boasts the cross-section of a seashell, with its double-elliptical shapes and curves. Supported by concrete and wood, the home surrounding decks are as artful as this modern house design itself. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views into the contemporary cave-like interior featuring soft, sandy textures and an organic structure that flows continually from ceiling to wall to floor. Circular skylights throughout this modern home enhance its architectural interest while flooding the dark corners with bright, natural light.Artechnic.

Visit to:http://www.artechnic.jp/

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