14.9.10
Josep Liinas, Atlantida cultural centre, Barcelona
According to the architect in relation to the location, the site is placed between the boundary of the consolidated town and the future expansion areas. The transition from one fabric to the other is articulated by a strip of natural land supported by the Meder River. In the northern edge, the consolidated town is composed by courtyards where the rear façades of row housing look over.
The imposing asymmetrical building which is destined to become a landmark for the city of Vic, opened its doors in April 2010.
7.9.10
Frank Gehry, Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas
The sculptural building cost almost $100 million and consists of two wings connected by an open courtyard.
In the ordinary northern part of the building is a research center and hospital, in the creative south part – the life activity center.
In this project the architect manipulates space and materials to create stunning structures that captivate the imagination and although the two parts of the building differ from each other, they also act like two parts of the whole.
The Gehry teams have created a masterpiece of architectural design, blending strong visual impact with superior efficiency in patient care.
According to WAN, Gehry decided to design the building because he, like founder Larry Ruvo, has been affected by degenerative brain diseases. Ruvo’s father had Alzheimer’s and Gehry’s analyst’s wife had Huntington’s disease.
Therefore, this building is like a tribute to those they lost, and also a beacon of hope for finding treatments or cures for these unfortunate ailments.