The Transparent Theater is a design concept submitted to the National Building Museum's "Reinventing the Globe" exhibition. It caters to technologically-savvy audiences who demand an immediate, immersive experience; an experience which will also serve to make Shakespeare's work accessible. The structure has three tiers, with an open lower level so spectators can flow freely into the pit in front of the stage. They can also migrate to the exterior balcony to watch the overall festival. The theater itself can be assembled on any flat, open surface, with low environmental impact.

Black Gold, an exhibit at the first Slow Food Nation festival in San Francisco, championed the value of compost (named "black gold" for its ability to transform ordinary soil into rich fertilizer). Worm castings, mulch and compost were on display for participants to touch, feel and smell, while engaging graphics, signage and volunteers told the story and process of composting.

Contact: Katie Clark: kclark@ideo.com

Credit: IDEO

The California Academy of Sciences, one of the world's leading scientific and cultural institutions, is home to an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum, and world-class research and education programs. The new facility's dynamic design makes nature a part of the building's structure with its living roof, and integrates the Academy more sensitively into Golden Gate Park.

Contact: Sarah Holcomb: sholcomb@calacademy.org

Credit: Renzo Piano of Renzo Piano Building Workshop (Italy); Stantec Architecture; and Arup

The Hall of Fragments is a site-specific installation for the entrance of the Corderie dell Arsenale at the 11th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. Upon entering, visitors are confronted with a glowing passage of moving imagery projected onto two giant convex screens. The installation uses movement to build the architecture, transforming the relationship between human beings and their architectural environment.

Contact: Sheela Pawar: spawar@rockwellgroup.com

The Conncourse is a system of tunnels and bridges that connects 23 buildings in downtown Oklahoma City. The first tunnel was constructed in 1931; the majority of the Conncourse was built between 1972 and 1984. Virtually untouched since the 1970s, the space has been rejuvenated through the efforts of Downtown OKC, Inc. and local building owners.

Contact: Michelle Jameson: mjameson@e-a-a.com

Credit: Rand Elliott, Michael Hoffner and Joseph Williams of Elliott + Associates Architects

Using insights gathered from consumer research, the designers envisioned an ideal retail environment for Spence Diamonds, the largest diamond retailer in Canada. The design optimizes the shopping experience, from the approach along the street to the in-store flow, look and feel, producing an entire branded retail environment and customer experience.

Contact: Amy Quigley: aquigley@dcontinuum.com

Sognare is a music pergola that provides people with a tranquil place to listen to music. It is composed of simple lines and design elements that are inspired by nature. People can select music that harmonizes with the time of day, the weather or the seasons using an online database. At night, solar-powered LED lights are automatically illuminated by sensors.

Contact: Song Yong Youh: syyouh@hdec.co.kr

Credit: SongYoung Youh of Hyundai Engineering & Construction (South Korea) and SungJae Lee of Deosworks (South Korea)

Haworth's new headquarters is more than a showroom; it's an agile work environment that is aligned with culture and work styles and is in sync with Haworth's evolving business and organizational structures and sustainable building best practices. It is also a physical demonstration of how Haworth can work with its clients to strengthen overall business performance.

Contact: Lillian Sellaro: Lilian.sellaro@haworth.com

Credit: Ralph Johnson and Eva Maddox of Perkins+Will and Turner Construction

The LEF future center provides an inspiring, flexible environment where employees and colleagues of the Dutch Ministry of Public Works and Waterways can find innovative and creative solutions to complex infrastructural questions and challenges in transport and water management. To evoke different moods, a variety of atmospheres can be formed with lighting, sound, visualizations, projections, moveable floors and portable furniture.

Contact: Jikke Vermeulen: jikke@kossmanndejong.nl

Credit: Design Team Kossmann.dejong (Netherlands)

The architecture and exhibitions for the recently opened $75 million, 130,000-square-foot Harley-Davidson Museum showcase the history, culture and engineering of this uniquely American icon. Occupying a 20-acre reclaimed industrial site in the heart of Milwaukee, the museum's design presents a new paradigm for the integration of a corporate museum into its local community.

Contact: Kurt Koepfle: koepfle@pentagram.com