This edition of Architecture Now showcases groundbreaking projects that are transforming how we experience global gateways, cultural destinations, and urban environments. Five major developments across different continents demonstrate how contemporary architecture is reshaping infrastructure, lifestyle, and design to define the modern urban experience.
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has been selected to lead the design of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport's new Arrivals and Departures Hall in Texas. Working alongside local firms Michael Hsu Office of Architecture and McKinney York Architects, SOM will create what's being called the airport's new "front door." This multistory facility will consolidate essential airport functions including ticketing, security, baggage claim, and concessions while introducing expanded circulation areas and enhanced curbside access.
The Austin project represents a significant component of the airport's multi-billion-dollar Journey With AUS program, which encompasses the addition of Concourse B, comprehensive upgrades to the Barbara Jordan Terminal, and various infrastructure improvements. Scheduled for completion in the early 2030s, the new hall is envisioned as both a functional transportation hub and a civic gateway that reflects Austin's distinctive character and continued growth as a major metropolitan center.
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, Scott Brownrigg's Heathrow West proposal highlights innovative approaches to airport design as civic thresholds. This project emphasizes how airports can serve as more than mere transit points, functioning instead as meaningful architectural expressions of place and community identity.
Across the Pacific, Pharrell Williams and NIGO, the artistic director of Kenzo, have unveiled plans for Japa Valley Tokyo, an ambitious one-hectare art, retail, and hospitality complex set to open in 2027. Developed in partnership with Japanese hospitality company NOT A HOTEL, this innovative project reimagines California's renowned Napa Valley through a distinctly Japanese cultural lens, replacing traditional vineyards with sake breweries and Japanese cultural elements.
The Japa Valley Tokyo complex will occupy the site of the former Shin-Yurakucho Building in central Tokyo, strategically positioned near Yurakucho Station for maximum accessibility. This temporary cultural destination will feature artwork by renowned artist KAWS, rotating installations by various artists and chefs, and carefully curated hospitality spaces that reflect the long-running creative partnership between Pharrell Williams and NIGO. The project builds upon their recent roles as creative advisors to NOT A HOTEL, underlining a growing trend toward hospitality as a carefully curated cultural experience rather than simple accommodation.
In Australia, Kerry Hill Architects has developed a three-tower residential precinct in Brisbane that emphasizes the integration of public space with subtropical landscapes in high-density housing. This project demonstrates how contemporary architecture can address urban density while maintaining connection to natural environments and community spaces, particularly relevant in Australia's rapidly growing metropolitan areas.
Additionally, Zaha Hadid Architects has designed a striking beachfront tower in Florida that extends Miami's established tradition of sculptural coastal architecture. This development continues the city's reputation for bold architectural statements that complement its unique waterfront setting and vibrant cultural identity.
These diverse projects collectively illustrate how infrastructure, lifestyle, and design intersect to create meaningful contemporary urban experiences. From airport terminals that serve as civic gateways to temporary cultural districts that blend art with hospitality, these initiatives reflect architecture's evolving role in shaping how we live, work, and interact with our built environment. Each project addresses specific local contexts while contributing to broader conversations about the future of urban development and cultural expression in the 21st century.
