Architect Daniel Libeskind's trio of new projects
Military History Museum, Dresden
The centrepiece of Libeskind's redesign of the Military History Museum is a hulking five-storey, 200 tonne wedge of glass, concrete and steel that thrusts up through the middle of the original building built in 1897. At the crest of the wedge is a 99 ft high viewing platform that's angled towards the drop zone of the bombs that flattened Dresden in the Second World War. The orientation is a conscious meditation on the city's immediate past which Libeskind insists is 'central to the transformation of the city today', adding that 'the destruction of Europe and European cities by the Nazis is part of the story of the destruction of Dresden. One cannot separate the Shoah and the museums that deal with memories from the history of Germany and Dresden.'
Completion: October 2011
Even by his own prolific standards, these are busy times for the New York-based architect Daniel Libeskind. Emerging from the scaffolding this month are two ambitious projects in Hong Kong and Dresden, with a third due for its close-up in Singapore by the end of the year. Here we take you on a tour of this new trio of buildings, ranging from a giant wedge of glass, concrete and steel, to a series of post-Apocalyptic towers.
Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre, Hong Kong
Run Run Shaw, pioneering film studio chief and one of Hong Kong's most famous sons, would have applauded Libeskind's energetic design for the eponymous Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre. Located in the City University of Hong Kong, the 263,000 sq ft building brings together under one roof the new-media, film, design, and photography departments. Not surprisingly, symbolism is a dominant feature of the design - the montage of oddly angled asymmetrical steel-reinforced concrete slabs is meant to represent 'the anarchic nature of the creative process, with its push-pull of ideas that change shape as they evolve, generating their own momentum.'
Completion: October 2011
Reflections at Keppel Bay, Singapore
Seen from the distance, Libeskind's six bay-side condominium towers rise up from their forest frontage with a disturbing shattered, post-Apocalyptic quality about them. Up close, the 2m sqft project bears all the hallmarks of Libeskind's bent for asymmetry and odd angles. With barely any straight lines in their elevations (save for the elevator shafts), the towers twist and bend like a stand of willows. Even by Singaporean standards, the scale of the project is audacious with 11 low rise apartment blocks clustering at the foot of the trinity of twin-towers, the latter linked by tiers of green plazas that catch the breeze coming in off the sea
Completion: End of 2011
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Daven Wu is the Singapore Editor at Wallpaper*. A former corporate lawyer, he has been covering Singapore and the neighbouring South-East Asian region since 1999, writing extensively about architecture, design, and travel for both the magazine and website. He is also the City Editor for the Phaidon Wallpaper* City Guide to Singapore.
-
Travel editor Sofia de la Cruz’s gift guide for the discerning globetrotter
Wallpaper* travel editor Sofia de la Cruz curates her festive wish list, packed with stylish essentials for those constantly on the go
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Paul Smith’s Claridge’s Christmas tree is a playful slice of ‘countryside in the centre of London’
Sir Paul Smith is the latest in a long line of fashion designers to curate the iconic Claridge’s Christmas tree. Here, he talks to Wallpaper* about the inspiration behind the tree, which features bird boxes and wooden animals
By Jack Moss Published
-
Victoire de Castellane nods to Dior motifs in a new fine jewellery collection
For the latest additions to the My Dior collection, Victoire de Castellane turns the house’s signature cannage motif into golden wonders
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Studio Libeskind’s reflective geometries shape Holocaust memorial in Amsterdam
Studio Libeskind crafts National Holocaust Memorial of Names in Amsterdam, designing dramatic geometric shapes that carry the message of remembrance
By Ellie Stathaki Last updated
-
Daniel Libeskind and Swarovski unveil Rockefeller Center Christmas tree star in NYC
By Ellie Stathaki Last updated
-
Daniel Libeskind’s MO Museum opens in Vilnius, Lithuania
By Ellie Stathaki Last updated
-
Pole position: Libeskind creates an architectural icon for a city on the rise
By Ali Morris Last updated
-
A new show at the Cooper Union delves into the archives of Alvin Boyarsky
By Sam Lubell Last updated
-
Mons' year as European Capital of Culture kicks off with new convention centre by Daniel Libeskind
By Giovanna Dunmall Last updated
-
Daniel Libeskind takes us on a tour of his newly completed residential complex in Milan’s CityLife development
By Giovanna Dunmall Last updated
-
'Modern Views' exhibition and book, New York
By Nancy Alsop Last updated