Located in Jurmala, Latvia, the Majori Primary School Sports Hall is inspired by the chunks of amber washed to the nearby shore of the Latvian Sea. Designed by Substance, the hall allows for athletics, basketball, and handball in summer. In winter, ice sports dominate. An existing shed from the original market on site has been incorporated into the structure. Translucent polycarbonate cladding produces a lighter feel, reducing the bulk of the building.

Quite a nice site for kids to exercise and engage in structured play. (via Dezeen).

I’ve been lucky enough to tour the construction going on in the MET’s American Wing several times in the last few years. My own interest in Americana and furniture not withstanding, it is an exciting move for the museum, bringing back the glory of the Wing and incorporating some new technology to the displays. Carol Vogel covers the renovation in today’s NYT. A great lesson for those unfamiliar with this portion of the MET and complimented by a glorious selection of images.

A few more pictures after the jump.

No surprises here. Wallpaper*’s architectural updates from around the world continue to excite and educate. Once again, they are back in Latin America sharing some true gems. Above is the House in Carapicuiba, San Paolo, Brazil. A multi-layered structure connected to the street by a steel bridge, the house was designed by Gupo SP and SPBR.

Check out the  Casa View in Argentina and a striking interior after the jump. The whole slide show is available here.

Amateur Architecture Studio / Xiangshan Campus from 0300TV on Vimeo.

Designed by Wang Shu, Amateur Architecture Studio, the New Academy of Art in Hagzhou, China, is very striking indeed. Tour it via the above video. (via ArchDaily).

Across the United States, gems of modernist design are hidden in plain site of both general public and arts world. One house, the Miller in Columbus, Indiana, is receiving renewed attention. Antiques Magazines shines a spotlight on the home – designed by Eero Saarinen and decorated by Alexander Girard – in April’s issue. If modernism is your thing, head to Columbus, Indiana, for a visit to the house. Until that is possible, check the article at Antiques.

Select interior images after the jump.

In her new book on modern architectural legend Alvar Aalto, Eeva-Liisa Pelkonen considers the Aalto’s oeuvre in context of his cultural and intellectual milieu. Alvar Aalto: Architecture, Modernity, and Geopolitics investigates Aalto’s writings with an unprecedented focus. Pelkonen is the chair of the Master of Architectural Design program at Yale University. The book is out from Yale University Press.

Located 16 kilometers from Paris in Sarcelles, the Sport Court from ECDM creates cover and access for the disabled people of the area. The idea is to remove the context of sport from the nearby secondary school of la Tourelle. The structure is composed of laminate wood and translucent metal. Full information at Arch Daily.

Interior view after the jump.

More from Philip Jodidio’s architectural series published by Taschen, this time the focus is on green buildings. 416 pages of architecture focused on sustainability and new technology. A guidebook for all the projects that are working to promote innovative ways of thinking about building and the environment.

Further page views follow, check out the whole book here.

Students at Taliesin West have channeled the spirit of Frank Lloyd Wright (the schools founder) for a new experiment in prefabricated houses. Added to the principles of Wrights design are some green details – including rainwater harvesting and natural ventilation. The structure is 600-sq. feet, with a single bedroom. You may visit the prefabricated home until April 25 at Taliesin West. (via DWR).

To be built out of prefabricated concrete, Allard Architects “Matchbox” has just been approved by the Amsterdam Aesthetics Committee. The building is set for completion in late 2010, and will feature mixed use space ideal for artists and small start up companies. Additionally, space for a rooftop restaurant is proposed. (via ArchDaily).

More images of “Matchbox” after the jump.