Frank Gehry's Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi arts centre unveiled on Saadiyat Island
This week saw the unveiling of Frank Gehry's design for the Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi, a performing arts center characterized by its flowing, fabric-like appearance, situated on Saadiyat Island. This complex is in proximity to Gehry's Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which is nearing its completion. In architectural developments, Snøhetta announced plans to convert Alvar Aalto's Paimio Sanatorium in Finland into a hotel, along with designs for a mesh-clad office building in Miami's Design District. The conclusion of Dezeen's Gaudí Centenary series featured a focus on Antoni Gaudí's lesser-known gothic structures, such as the Episcopal Palace in Astorga. Additionally, Vitra appointed Claudio Marconi as CEO and Marianne Goebl as creative director.
Key facts
- Frank Gehry's design for Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi, a performing arts centre on Saadiyat Island, was unveiled.
- The theatre complex will emulate swathes of flowing fabric and is near Gehry's Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
- Snøhetta plans to transform Alvar Aalto's Paimio Sanatorium in Finland into a hotel.
- Snøhetta also designed a mesh-covered office building in the Miami Design District.
- Dezeen's Gaudí Centenary series ended with a look at Antoni Gaudí's lesser-known gothic buildings.
- Vitra appointed Claudio Marconi as CEO and Marianne Goebl as creative director.
- Blond's Solaris lamp was designed in collaboration with a 12-year-old.
- Ilse Crawford designed a lamp for IKEA intended to complement decor.
- JR's inflatable La Caverne du Pont Neuf interior was revealed after wind damage delays.
- A 37-metre-wide wave formed the set for Louis Vuitton's Spring Summer 2027 menswear show.
- Rana Begum and Webb Yates created a fence-like tower for the London Festival of Architecture.
- Bastiaan Jongerius Architecten designed Longhouse Farm cloaked in black timber and metal.
- A century-old Melbourne corner shop was transformed into a house.
- A lookbook featured eight scenic bathrooms with windows to the outdoors.
- The Dezeen Weekly podcast asked: Is Gaudí the greatest architect ever?
Entities
Artists
- Frank Gehry
- Alvar Aalto
- Antoni Gaudí
- JR
- Rana Begum
- Ilse Crawford
- Bastiaan Jongerius
- Claudio Marconi
- Marianne Goebl
Institutions
- Dezeen
- Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
- Snøhetta
- Vitra
- Blond
- IKEA
- Louis Vuitton
- London Festival of Architecture
- Webb Yates
- Bastiaan Jongerius Architecten
Locations
- Abu Dhabi
- United Arab Emirates
- Saadiyat Island
- Finland
- Paimio
- Miami Design District
- United States
- Miami
- Astorga
- Spain
- Paris
- France
- Melbourne
- Australia
Sources
- Dezeen —