Case studies

The Cannon Courtyard is a 300-foot-wide opening at the heart of the oldest congressional office building on the Capitol campus. Thomas Hastings of Carrère and Hastings shaped it to give the building three things: light, air and a natural connection to its landscape. When it opened in 1908, the Court held a circular fountain fifty feet across, set in an open lawn and ringed by a curbed perimeter drive. It survived until 1958, when the whole of it was demolished to build a multilevel parking garage underneath. For the next sixty-seven years, the courtyard was a garage roof. The Cannon Renewal Project, delivered in phases by the Architect of the Capitol, has returned all 70,000 square feet of it to daily use for the first time since the 1950s, with a new fountain at the centre of the original plan.

Hidden within the quiet residential enclave of Siglap, Singapore, this private bungalow exemplifies modern tropical architecture at its most refined. Designed by award-winning firm HYLA Architects, the residence balances privacy, light, and ventilation—delivering a living experience that feels open, yet secluded. Functionality is seamlessly paired with elegance, offering the homeowners both retreat and connection in equal measure. This residence is not only a testament to HYLA Architects’ mastery of tropical residential design, but also a sophisticated response to Singapore’s urban climate. 

Set on a bend of the Hillsborough River with the downtown skyline in view, The University of Tampa occupies one of Florida's most distinctive campuses, a compact riverside setting where the silver minarets of Plant Hall rise above the palms. In October 2020, a gift from alumnus Benson Alex Riseman '78 began Phase II of its fitness and recreation centre. At its heart is the 32,000-square-foot Benson Alex Riseman Aquatic Center, an open-air facility set between residence halls, the Sykes Chapel plaza and the 105-foot Ars Sonora bell sculpture. Since opening in March 2022, it has been home to the Spartan men's and women's NCAA swimming teams and a daily gathering place for the wider student body.

Opened in 2019, Jewel Changi Airport is a 135,700-square-metre mixed-use development designed by Moshe Safdie that seamlessly links Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Anchored by the 40-metre Rain Vortex—the world’s tallest indoor waterfall—Jewel’s toroidal glass-and-steel dome houses the Shiseido Forest Valley, a multi-tiered garden with over 2,000 trees and 100,000 shrubs. The structure’s grid shell maximizes daylight while reducing solar gain, demonstrating sustainable passive design. Blending transit, retail, hospitality, and nature across ten levels, Jewel offers a new model for experience-driven, biophilic architecture in civic infrastructure.

Located in the rapidly transforming Kai Tak district, Monaco stands as a landmark residential development that embodies the future of urban living in Hong Kong. Positioned on the former site of the iconic airport, the project plays a pivotal role in shaping Kai Tak’s emergence as a vibrant commercial and residential hub. Monaco is thoughtfully designed to offer residents a seamless blend of luxury and functionality. Elevated by panoramic harbour views and an expansive amenity offering, the development features landscaped communal areas, wellness facilities, curated retail, and direct access to major transport links—all designed to enhance convenience without compromising quality of life.