Ecca collection

Quai 9

From a distance, the outer shell of Quai 9 resembles an alien spaceship which has landed in the town of Lanester in north-western France. But on closer inspection, the facade is clearly composed of a series of triangular shapes which evoke the white sails of the boats that have been the lifeblood of this area for centuries. The name Quai 9 reflects both the maritime heritage of the region, and the fact that Lanester was established as an independent town in 1909.

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City Hall Gauchy

Should you choose to get married in the town of Gauchy en Vermandois, in the Picardy region of France near the Belgian border, you may find yourself a little distracted while taking your vows. Architect Dubosc & Associes has carefully sited the city hall so that the marriage room enjoys spectacular views across the valley. This is calming, one hopes, for tattered nerves rather than a distraction for anyone who is wondering if they have made the right decision.

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ThyssenKrupp Headquarter Essen

ThyssenKrupp’s decision to relocate its operations from 15 different sites across the Ruhr region to a former industrial site at Essen, where the company was founded, has resulted in an award-winning collection of strikingly modern buildings amid a newly created green and peaceful urban district boasting its own micro-climate.

Images courtesy of C. Richters / AACMA / JSWD

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