Dezeen Magazine

Buildings under threat in the US

This week we revealed the 11 most under-threat modern buildings in America

This week on Dezeen, US conservation group Docomomo rounded up 11 American buildings from the 20th century that are under threat of demolition.

As many modernist, postmodernist and brutalist buildings are being raised to be replaced by new structures, twentieth-century architecture is increasingly under threat in the US.

"It is a critical moment for modern architectural sites in the US," explained Docomomo US executive director Liz Waytkus.

The organisation's selection of buildings under threat includes Milwaukee's Mitchell Park Domes (above), which were designed in 1959 and have a cone-shaped design that was patented and has never been replicated.

Render of the Tokyo skyline with the A District tower
Japan's tallest building tops out in Tokyo

New York-based studio Pelli Clarke & Partners' 330-metre-tall A District skyscraper in Tokyo reached its full height this week, making it the country's tallest building.

The tower, which is expected to be fully completed in 2023, is located in central Tokyo's Toronamon-Azabudai District and will house offices, luxury apartments, educational and retail facilities as well as research and medical centres.

Pelli Clarke & Partners is currently also designing two other skyscrapers in the area for developer Mori.

Stirling Prize winner London town house
Grafton Architects' Town House university building wins Mies van der Rohe Award 2022

In other architecture news Town House, a colonnaded building designed for Kingston University in London, was named the winner of the European Union's Mies van der Rohe Award 2022.

Designed by RIBA Gold Medal-winning studio Grafton Architects, the six-storey building is the first university building to have won the prize in the history of the annual architecture award.

It will be the last UK project to ever win the award, as the country is no longer eligible to take part after Brexit.

Exterior image of the Balenciaga Mount Street store
Balenciaga wraps London store in pink faux fur to celebrate its Le Cagole "it-bag"

Paris-based luxury fashion house Balenciaga gave its Mount Street store in London a fluffy revamp by blanketing the entire interior in hot-pink faux fur.

The furry look is designed to echo the maximalist style of Balenciaga's popular Le Cagole bag and mark the launch of its new shoes and accessories collection.

Crib, cupboard and bouncy seat from Disney Home
Disney moves into "aspirational furniture" and homeware with new brand Disney Home

In design news, entertainment and media conglomerate Disney launched Disney Home, a brand for homeware, furnishings and accessories under the Disney umbrella.

Among the items that the brand stocks are a limited-edition range of "pop sculpture" Mickey Mouse figurines by interior designer Kelly Hoppen, kids' bedding and homeware products under the Marvel franchise.

Quarry library by DnA_Design and Architecture in China
DnA_Design and Architecture transforms Chinese quarries into cultural spaces

In China, Beijing studio DnA_Design and Architecture transformed a series of stone quarries in Zhejiang Province into a library, performance venue and social area.

The project is part of a wider mission to regenerate the rural area and turn it into a cultural hub for tourists and locals alike.

Refugio Impluvio
SAA completes Chilean cabin illuminated by central courtyard

Popular projects this week included a cabin in Chile, a pair of identical Mexican houses and a home in Seattle clad in concrete and darkened cedar.

Our lookbooks this week focused on residences illuminated by skylights and living rooms with sculptural furniture.