Series: Architecture in Focus

This book compiles contemporary designs worldwide that break through the stereotype of doctors' practices as cold and often stressful environments. All projects aim at balancing medical technology and functionality with the need to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for the patients, visitors and staff. Apart from general practitioners' offices, those of dentists and a wide variety of specialists are...

For too long, kindergarten architects have been seemingly preoccupied with the principles of durability, maximisation of space, and minimisation of cost. This, however, also meant forgetting that these environments should promote fun, learning, and creativity. However, the field has been experiencing a revolution and this volume showcases 60 of the most outstanding recent innovations worldwide. The chosen projects prove especially...

Pharmacies constitute a special form of commercial architecture. The market for medicines, which is heavily regulated in most countries, has led to a veritable competition of the "atmosphere of space": since where product and price can no longer provide a competitive advantage, customer loyalty must be created with other means. In addition to professional competence and familiarity with the customers,...

At the beginning of the 20th century, the department store developed from markets and urban arcades, from which the shopping mall evolved in the post-war period. The operators of department stores and shopping centres are coming under increasing pressure from the competition of the continuously growing internet trade. By the same token, however, there is also an increasing tendency for...

Street Furniture is the secret star of urban outdoor design. Though rarely noticed at first glance, it significantly contributes towards the urban experience. Benches, fountains, street lamps, rubbish bins, post boxes, tourist information signs, bus stops as well as public toilets are items that reoccur in various urban spaces. Just like outstanding monuments and landmarks, they determine the identity of...