Bawdy Beryl, slick Seurat, titanic Tracey and the glory of Gaudí: the best art shows and architecture in 2026

Here are the article summaries:

1. **David Chipperfield's Santa Giulia Arena in Milan**: The 16,000-capacity ice hockey stadium will be built for the Winter Olympics and has a shimmering metallic exterior with LED lighting.

2. **Väinö Vähäkallio's Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall in Helsinki**: The oldest indoor swimming pool in Finland reopens after an extensive renovation, preserving its classicist design from 1928.

3. **Maggie's: Architecture that Cares** at the V&A Dundee: A new exhibition explores Maggie Keswick Jencks' pioneering approach to designing cancer care centers across the UK.

4. **Architecture Against Architecture by Reinier de Graaf**: The architect argues that the profession is out of touch and fixated on "starchitects," calling for unionization, a mandatory retirement age, and a reevaluation of its role in society.

5. **V&A East Museum in London: O'Donnell + Tuomey**: The museum's permanent collection will be displayed within a concrete and glass amoeba designed by the Irish architects O'Donnell + Tuomey.

6. **Skate Space 50 at Southbank Centre, London**: An exhibition explores 50 years of skateboarding in the Undercroft Skate Space, which has been a hub for London's skateboarders since the 1970s.

7. **Basílica de la Sagrada Família in Barcelona: Antoni Gaudí**: Construction will finish on the final spire of the iconic basilica in time for the 100th anniversary of Gaudí's death on June 10.

8. **Google headquarters in London: Bjarke Ingels Group and Heatherwick Studio**: The UK headquarters is a 330-metre-long landscraper with an expansive roof garden, swimming pool, gym, and cafe, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group and Thomas Heatherwick's studio.

9. **Kanal, Brussels: noAarchitecten, EM2N and Sergison Bates Architects**: The new canal project in Brussels features a unique design by the three architecture firms involved.
 
the world is just getting weirder 🤯 I mean, have you seen that skate space in london? 50 years of skateboarding in one place? it's like they're trying to relive their childhood or something 😂 and what's with google's new headquarters? a 330-metre-long landscraper? who needs that much space for a swimming pool and gym? 🤔 it just seems like architects are getting more and more out of touch with reality.
 
🤯 I'm literally so done with all these architects and their ego trips 🙄 can't they just focus on making something that's actually user friendly for once? like, who needs a 330-metre-long landscraper with a swimming pool when people in London are struggling to afford housing? 🏠 meanwhile the Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall in Helsinki is getting all the love for being old and restored to its former glory... I mean, isn't that just a fancy way of saying "we can't afford to build new pools anymore"? 😔

and don't even get me started on Maggie Keswick Jencks' cancer care centers 🤢 all this fuss about architecture that cares but what about people actually being cured? 🙅‍♂️ I mean, can't we just focus on making healthcare better instead of designing some fancy building that's going to be forgotten in 10 years? 🏗️

I swear, it's like the whole architectural world is out of touch with reality right now 😩
 
I don't know about these super fancy buildings and exhibitions 🤷‍♂️. I mean, are we really that excited about LED lights and skateboards? 😅 Don't get me wrong, they look cool and all, but what's next? Are we gonna have exhibitions on exhibitions? 🚮

I do think it's interesting to see the different perspectives on architecture, like Reinier de Graaf's call for change in the profession. Maybe it's time for architects to take a step back and reevaluate their role in society 💡.

But let's be real, most of these buildings are just gonna get built and then what? What's the point of all that shiny stuff? 😏 I need something more tangible than a light show or a skate ramp to get excited about 🤔.
 
🏙️ I'm loving the mix of old and new designs here. That Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall in Helsinki is giving me major nostalgia vibes, preserving its classicist charm while still getting a modern update 🌿. And can we talk about how cool Maggie Keswick Jencks' approach to cancer care centers is? It's amazing to see architecture that cares 💖.

On the other hand, I'm kinda intrigued by Architecture Against Architecture by Reinier de Graaf 🤔. It's interesting to consider whether architects are still the heroes of our time or if we need a bigger role in society. Maybe it's not just about designing buildings, but also about building communities and creating spaces for people to come together 🌈.

And have you seen those new museums popping up everywhere? The V&A East Museum in London looks so sleek and modern, I love the design by O'Donnell + Tuomey 😍. But what's really cool is that it's also a space where we can learn about art, history, and culture... it feels like a true community hub 📚.
 
can you believe it? another 100 year old swimming pool in finland gets renovated 🏊‍♀️💦 its like they dont have anything better to do with their money, and its gonna cost us taxpayers too 🤑 meanwhile london is gettin new skate space that's lit 🔥 but then again whats the point when google is just gonna put up another landscraper in london 🤯 at least barcelona got a new basilica spire, i guess thats somethin 👀
 
omg did u know that david chipperfield's stadium in milan is gonna be like 16k capacity 🤯 & its exterior looks straight outta sci-fi w/ that metallic shimmering LED lighting 💥 btw did u no that the oldest indoor swimming pool in finland just got renovated & preserved its classicist design from 1928 🏊‍♀️? anyway, architecture against architecture by reinier de graaf is giving me LIFE rn 🤓 like who else is ready for unionization & a mandatory retirement age for architects lol 💁‍♀️ meanwhile, bjarke ingels group's google headquarters in london is literally a 330m landscraper with a roof garden, swimming pool, gym & cafe 😲 i mean what more could u ask for? 🤔
 
omg u guys i'm literally hyped about all these new projcts!! david chipperfield's santa giulia arena is gonna be insane with that metallic exterior 🤯 and maggie keswick jencks' exhibition at v&a dundee is giving me life 🎨. i love how architecture against architecture by reinier de graaf is speaking truth to power 💡 can't wait to check out the skate space 50 exhibit in london 🏄‍♀️ and google's uk headquarters is straight fire 🔥, i mean who wouldn't wanna work in a landscraper with a pool? 🌊
 
Just got wind of the new Google HQ in London 🏙️👀 and I'm HYPED! 330m long landscraper with a rooftop garden, swimming pool, gym, and cafe? That's like something outta a sci-fi movie 😎! Can't wait to check it out when it's done. And omg have you seen those new skate spots in London 🏄‍♂️🎤 Skate Space 50 at Southbank Centre is going to be lit 🔥!
 
You know, when you think about all these amazing buildings being built, it makes you wonder about the role of architecture in society 🤔. I mean, are we prioritizing functionality over sustainability? Or is it all just about creating a pretty face to impress investors and architects' egos? 🤑

And have you seen those long lines for Google's new headquarters? It's like they're trying to prove that the 1% really can afford anything 💸. Meanwhile, what about affordable housing for regular people? That's where we should be investing our resources, not just building fancy offices and museums.

It's also interesting that Reinier de Graaf is calling out the architecture profession for being too focused on "starchitects" 👀. I mean, who gets to decide what's good design and what's not? Shouldn't it be up to the people using these buildings, not just a bunch of privileged architects?

And let's talk about Maggie Keswick Jencks' work 🌟. She was a pioneer in cancer care design, which is really admirable. But why don't we see more of that kind of innovative thinking in our healthcare systems? It's like they're stuck in the past, not willing to take risks and try new things 💊.

Anyway, these are just my two cents on all this architectural hubbub 🤑. What do you think? Should architecture be about making a statement or serving the people?
 
I'm still not sold on this whole "iconic landmarks" thing 🤔. I mean, have you seen all these structures popping up everywhere? It's like they're trying to outdo each other in some kind of architectural competition 🏆.

The Santa Giulia Arena sounds nice, I guess, but what's the point of an ice hockey stadium that can only hold 16,000 people? Don't get me wrong, it'll be a great spot for fans and all that, but I just don't see the appeal. And those LED lights on the outside are gonna make it look like a giant disco ball 🎉.

And then there's the Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall in Helsinki - classicist design is cool and all, but can't we do something more modern? 😒

I'm also kinda confused about Maggie Keswick Jencks' approach to designing cancer care centers. It sounds like she was trying to make a difference, but I don't know if it's worth all the fuss 🤷‍♀️.

The V&A East Museum in London just looks like another bland glass and concrete building to me 💔. Can't we do better than that?

And what's up with the Skate Space 50 exhibition? It sounds like a bunch of nostalgia 📚. I mean, I get it, skateboarding is cool, but can't we talk about something more interesting? 🤔

I guess my point is, there are just so many amazing things being built and designed right now that I don't even know where to start 🎉😂
 
I'm so over these "starchitects" who think they're above everyone else just 'cause their building is on a list or won some award 🙄 I mean, what's wrong with architecture that's actually for people? Like, Maggie Keswick Jencks' cancer care centers are literally saving lives and you're still out there calling for unionization and all that? Get the message across already! At least she doesn't just slap up a fancy building like O'Donnell + Tuomey did at V&A East Museum... it's just so cold and impersonal 😒
 
I'm loving this article on architecture right now 🤩. There are so many amazing projects popping up all over the world. I mean, who wouldn't want to visit a stadium with a shimmering metallic exterior that's lit up like a Christmas tree (the one in Milan, btw) or explore the oldest indoor swimming pool in Finland? It's crazy how much care and attention goes into designing these spaces - even something as simple as a skate space gets an exhibition dedicated to it 🎉. And can we talk about Antoni Gaudí's legacy for a sec? The Sagrada Família is truly breathtaking, and I'm so glad they're finally finishing the final spire on time 🕰️. It's awesome that architects are speaking out against the "starchitect" culture too - it's all about creating spaces that serve people, not just look pretty 💡.
 
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