Design Trends | aoe Studio is creating a desert-integrated residential community in Dubai; Foster unveils plans for Paraguay’s first skyscraper; Xiao Yin Architects reinterpret the “petal” motif through curved roof designs.

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·Ghaf Woods Experience Center by aoe Design Group

·Not in Mountains or Valleys—Stone Kiln in the Valley by Xiao Yin Architecture

·PEBL Cabins by Hello Wood

· Slope Shelter (SS) Garden by RAD+ar

·Sudameris Plaza by Foster + Partners

01

Inspired by desert landscapes, create a sustainable living community that blends seamlessly with its environment.

Ghaf Woods Experience Center by aoe Design Group

© Arch-Exist

The Ghaf Woods Experience Center is located in Dubai’s first forest-based residential community and was designed under the leadership of aoe Architectural Design Group, a Chinese architectural firm. The project draws inspiration from desert landscapes, with architectural forms naturally rising like sand dunes and seamlessly blending into the surrounding scenery.

 

The main building features a stepped facade made of GRC material. A floor-to-ceiling glass curtain wall on the south side brings the natural landscape indoors, creating an immersive atmosphere. The interior space integrates technology and storytelling, offering visitors a glimpse into future community life through high-precision 3D sandboxes, material sample areas, and virtual reality exhibition halls.

 

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

© Arch-Exist

02

Create a huge, lightweight “petal” using a curved roof.

Not in the Mountains and Valleys—Stone Kiln in the Valley by Xiao Yin Architecture

© Xiao Yin Architecture

“Shangu Shi Yao” is located in Lihua Village, Luzhou, Sichuan. Inspired by the pear blossoms and massive boulders of Lihua Village, this project translates the shapes and colors of the blossoms and the textures of the boulders into architectural language. 。

 

The building as a whole resembles a giant pear blossom petal resting atop a massive boulder. Its roof features a steel truss structure covered with two layers of 3mm galvanized steel sheets, finished with cement-based paint to create a delicate, white petal-like effect. The interior space of the building is characterized by a curved roof supported by massive stones. The space connects with the environment through highly transparent glass. Its distinctive oval floor plan and curved roof design create a unique acoustic effect, making it ideal for musical performances. The building site is located on a terrace beside a rural road. On the west side, a solid wall with a curving roof shields the space from intense sunlight and noise, while an opening on the east side welcomes warm sunlight, creating a spacious courtyard for outdoor activities.

© Xiao Yin Architecture

© Form in Space

© Xiao Yin Architecture

03

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

PEBL Cabins by Hello Wood

© György Palkó

The PEBL Grand is a groundbreaking modular cabin whose design blends organic and futuristic elements. It features a “low-polygon” design language and an外形 reminiscent of pebbles, allowing it to seamlessly integrate into both natural and urban environments. It combines a load-bearing core made of solid cross-laminated timber (CLT) with an insulating and waterproof layer, utilizing CNC manufacturing to achieve complex geometric shapes, thereby reducing waste and assembly time. The cabin’s features and materials are highly customizable; although the interior space is compact, it boasts amenities such as a king-size bed, kitchen, and bathroom, and can even be expanded. It’s quick to install, uses ground screw foundations—no concrete is required—and has a 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

With the central garden as its core, create a natural haven within the bustling city.

Slope Shelter (SS) Garden by RAD+ar

This design aims to explore spatial innovation through a simple structure, challenge traditional commercial building models, and emphasize sustainability and energy conservation. The green roof slopes backward, creating additional setbacks and spacing, facilitating airflow, and connecting the boulevard in 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 and harmoniously blends with the sloping terrain, creating a sculptural architectural impression. The soaring, curved ceiling gradually narrows as it extends into the restaurant and bar, naturally guiding the gaze outward toward the lake. The expansive open courtyard offers visitors a profoundly immersive sensory experience.

 

The entire project is carefully organized at ground level and at the upper-level ground plane. The cantilevered shelter volume offers a 360-degree viewing experience, framing the bustling boulevard and the tranquil river. Every detail of the design prioritizes unobstructed views, ensuring that the shelter’s volume extends panoramically along the coastline and features large glass openings facing the city’s lake.

 

05

Paraguay's tallest building: the 188-meter-high Sudameris Bank headquarters building.

Sudameris Plaza by Foster + Partners

Rendering © Foster + Partners

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

 

The double-height, open-ceiling lobby welcomes visitors. Along the street side, a covered walkway wraps around the base of the building, leading to a central public garden. On either side of the newly created green space, low-rise shops and cultural spaces are situated, enlivening the neighborhood’s urban interface. Existing trees on the site will be preserved or relocated to the public plaza, creating a lush, green public space.

 

Sudameris Bank will occupy the first six floors at the base of the tower and the two topmost floors, while the intermediate floors will be leased as commercial office space. Each floor covers an area of approximately 1,200 square meters, with a clear span of up to 12 meters on the north side of the building, facilitating the creation of flexible and open office spaces. Inside the tower, there are double- to triple-height spaces that connect seamlessly to outdoor terraces, providing employees with areas for interaction and relaxation. The leisure and collaboration zone on the south side overlooks the garden, allowing users to fully immerse themselves in the natural ambiance. On the top floor, you’ll find private offices, a boardroom, and a private gallery, offering panoramic views and spacious terraces.

Rendering © Foster + Partners