The new Rolex Learning Center by SANAA has opened at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Lausanne, Switzerland. Photo © Hisao Suzuki Extra Large Image

London · 2010.0223
The U.S. Department of State has revealed the competition-winning design for the new U.S. embassy in London, United Kingdom, by KieranTimberlake of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As designed, the chancery will be essentially cubic in form, with blast-resistant glazing and a patterned EFTE scrim with integral thin-film photovoltaics. The State Department described the preliminary design as being "on the leading edge of sustainable design."

As KieranTimberlake moves forward with the design of the building, they and the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations will be actively engaged in the consultation and planning process involving the London mayor's office, the Wandsworth Borough Council, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), and local residents.

Groundbreaking is slated for 2013, with a completion goal of 2017. The competition team included Olin as landscape architect; Arup for sustainability, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and civil engineering; Weidlinger Associates for structural and blast engineering; Gensler for workplace design; Davis Langdon for cost consulting; and Sako & Associates for technical security.

Lausanne · 2010.0222
The new Rolex Learning Center (pictured above) has opened at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Lausanne, Switzerland. Designed by SANAA, the Tokyo firm of Japanese architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, the center will serve as a hub for the school, open to both students and the public. The undulating 20,000-square-meter (215,000-square-foot) building is organized around a series of internal "patios." It houses a 500,000-volume library, 800 workstations, a multipurpose cultural and performance space, and a restaurant and lounge with views of Lake Geneva.

Beverly Hills · 2010.0219
An expansion of the Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills, California, has been completed. Designed by Richard Meier & Partners, the 5,000-square-foot (460-square-meter) addition nearly doubles the size of the gallery, previously designed by Meier. The addition is anchored by a new street-level exhibition space with a natural wood brown ceiling and translucent skylights. The new building, adjacent to the existing gallery, also features a roof deck.

Dallas · 2010.0218
Dallas, Texas-based architecture firm Corgan has named managing principal Bob Morris its new president and chief executive officer. He joined Corgan in 1978, working with firm founder Jack M. Corgan. Morris is succeeding David Lind, who has been named chairman of the board. Lind began his career at Corgan in 1977 and was named president and CEO in 2000.

Three staff members have joined the firm's management committee: Matt Mooney, Brian George, and Steve Hulsey.

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