New Design Trends | aoe Studio is creating a desert-integrated residential community in Dubai, Foster + Partners unveils its design for Paraguay’s tallest skyscraper, and Xiao Yin Architects reinterprets the "petal" motif through curved roof structures.

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·Ghaf Woods Experience Center by aoe Design Group

·Not in Mountains or Forests·Valley Stone Kiln by Xiao Yin Architecture

·PEBL Cabins by Hello Wood

· Sloped Shelter (SS) Garden by RAD+ar

·Sudameris Plaza by Foster + Partners

01

Inspired by desert landscapes, creating a sustainable living community that blends seamlessly with its surroundings.

Ghaf Woods Experience Center by aoe Design Group

© Arch-Exist

The Ghaf Woods Experience Center is located in Dubai's first forest-inspired residential community and was designed under the leadership of aoe Studio, a Chinese architectural firm. The project draws inspiration from desert landscapes, with architectural forms that rise naturally like sand dunes, seamlessly blending into the surrounding environment.

 

The main building features a terraced facade made of GRC material, while the south-facing, floor-to-ceiling glass curtain wall seamlessly brings the natural landscape indoors, creating an immersive atmosphere. The interior space blends technology with storytelling, offering visitors a glimpse into future community living through high-precision 3D sandboxes, material sample areas, and a virtual reality exhibition hall.

 

Its green building strategies, such as sun-shading eaves and water features for cooling, showcase the characteristics of environment-responsive architecture. Additionally, the open-space layout leaves room for future functional transformations, making it a practical model for sustainable development and community-first principles.

© Arch-Exist

02

Construct a vast and ethereal "petal" using a curved roof.

Not in Mountains and Forests: Valley Stone Kiln by Xiao Yin Architecture

© Xiao Yin Architecture

“Valley Stone Kiln” is located in Lihua Village, Luzhou, Sichuan. This project draws inspiration from the pear blossoms and massive boulders of Lihua Village, transforming the petals' delicate forms and vibrant hues, as well as the rugged textures of the rocks, into architectural language. 。

 

The building as a whole resembles a massive pear blossom petal gently resting atop a colossal boulder. Its roof features a steel truss structure, clad in two layers of 3mm galvanized steel panels and finished with cement-based paint, creating an ethereal, white-petal effect. The interior space of the building is defined by a curved roof supported by massive stones. The space is connected to the environment through highly transparent glass. Its unique elliptical plan and curved roof design create a distinctive acoustic effect, making it ideal for musical performances. The building is situated on a terrace beside a rural road, with the west-facing, curvaceous roofed solid wall shielding it from scorching sunlight and noise, while the east-facing opening welcomes warm morning light, creating a spacious courtyard perfect for outdoor activities.

© Xiao Yin Architecture

© Form in Space

© Xiao Yin Architecture

03

Explore the frontiers of future small-scale architecture with groundbreaking modular cabins.

PEBL Cabins by Hello Wood

© György Palkó

PEBL Grand is a groundbreaking modular cabin whose design seamlessly blends organic and futuristic elements, featuring a "low-polygon" aesthetic that evokes the smooth, rounded shapes of pebbles—allowing it to effortlessly integrate into both natural landscapes and urban settings. It combines a load-bearing core made of solid cross-laminated timber (CLT) with an insulating and waterproof layer, utilizing CNC manufacturing to achieve intricate geometric shapes while minimizing waste and assembly time. The cabin’s functionality and materials are highly customizable; though the interior space is compact, it features amenities such as a king-size bed, a kitchen, and a bathroom—and can even be expanded further. Its installation is quick, utilizing a ground-screw foundation that eliminates the need for concrete, resulting in minimal environmental impact. 。

 

This project showcases the fluidity, sustainability, and rapid adaptability of architecture, reflecting the future direction of small-scale building design.

© György Palkó

04

Centered around the central garden, a haven of nature is crafted within the bustling city.

Hillside Shelter (SS) Garden by RAD+ar

This design aims to explore spatial innovation through a simple structure, challenging the traditional commercial building model while emphasizing sustainability and energy conservation. The green roof slopes backward, creating additional setbacks and spaces that enhance airflow, seamlessly connecting the tree-lined boulevard in the front with the urban lake at the rear.

 

At the heart of the project is a central garden, serving as the focal point for community activities. The winding, sunken space begins at the ground-level entrance, seamlessly blending with the sloping terrain to create a sculptural architectural impression. Towering, curved ceilings gradually narrow as they rise through the restaurant and bar, naturally drawing the eye outward toward the lake. Meanwhile, the expansive inner courtyard offers visitors a profoundly immersive sensory experience.

 

The entire project is carefully organized at ground and elevated levels, with the cantilevered shelter structure offering a 360-degree viewing experience that frames the bustling boulevard and the serene river. Every detail of the design prioritizes unobstructed views, ensuring the shelter’s volume extends panoramically along the coastline, featuring expansive glass openings that face the city’s lake.

 

05

Paraguay's Tallest Building: The 188-Meter Sudameris Bank Headquarters

Sudameris Plaza by Foster + Partners

Visual rendering © Foster + Partners

This 39-story (188-meter) office tower stood out from an international competition and will become a new landmark in Asunción, Paraguay. Featuring a distinctive exposed concrete framework, the building incorporates a landscaped plaza, an art gallery, an auditorium, and a sprawling public garden at its base.

 

A double-height, open-ceilinged lobby welcomes visitors, while a covered walkway wraps around the base of the building along the street side, leading to the central public garden. Newly created green spaces are flanked by low-rise shops and cultural venues, breathing life into the neighborhood’s urban interface. Existing trees on the site will either be preserved or relocated to the public plaza, helping to establish a lush, verdant public space.

 

Sudameris Bank will occupy the first six floors at the base of the tower, along with the two topmost floors, while the intermediate levels will be leased out as commercial office spaces. Each floor spans approximately 1,200 square meters, with a clear north-side slab width of up to 12 meters, making it easy to create flexible and open office spaces. Inside the tower, there are double- to triple-height spaces that connect seamlessly with outdoor terraces, providing employees with ideal areas for interaction and relaxation. Meanwhile, the south-facing leisure and collaboration zones offer stunning garden views, allowing users to fully immerse themselves in nature. At the top level, you’ll find private offices, a boardroom, and a exclusive art gallery, complete with panoramic vistas and a spacious rooftop terrace.

Visual rendering © Foster + Partners