Ecca collection

Soweto Theatre

When the sun is setting in Soweto, South Africa, the walls of the new Soweto Theatre glow in a warm gold colour. In fact, these walls are clad in a grey colour, but their double curvature means that they reflect their surroundings, picking up not only the warm tones of the low sun but also the green of nearby trees. This visual richness is simply one manifestation of the wealth of ideas and ambition that are invested in a building that will serve both the local community and the national and international visitors who already come to the township, bringing much needed tourist income.

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Amstelveen Theater tower

While both bigger and better - in terms of functionality - than the original 1975 edifice it replaces, the newly restored Amstelveen Theater tower is perhaps most remarkable for its shimmering golden façade, which is pimpled with regularly positioned, 13cm-deep hydroformed hemispheres.

Images courtesy of Jannes Linders

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Bilbao Port Terminal

There are projects on which architects use prefabrication because they find the idea attractive, or in some way it suits their design. This was also true of the new Cruise Terminal in Bilbao, designed by architect baragaño, but it was also the only way in which it could satisfy the extremely tight programme. ‘We won the project in competition,’ explained Sergio Baragaño, ‘and it had to be completed six months’ later. The first cruise ship was due in six months.’

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