Best Articles of 2023: Dismantling Ideas, Personal Narratives and the Emergence of New Realities

2023 witnessed major conflicts and political crises, catastrophic natural disasters, and global turmoil. It has also seen the decline in the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the continuous rise of generative AI models, as well as the emergence of India as the world's most populous country, surpassing China. 2023 has also sparked worldwide discussions in the architectural realm. The 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia challenged its audience to think in a different, more empathetic way, taking a broader perspective on architecture and shifting its focus towards the discipline rather than just the profession. This shift also created space for voices and discussions often overlooked in global exhibitions. The 2023 Sharjah Architecture Triennial celebrated everything that exists, especially in the global south where places thrive amidst scarcity. The main themes of the year centered on decarbonizing the built environment, resources and production, traditional materials and know-how, consumer culture and waste, as well as decolonization, local narratives, and identities, among others.

ArchDaily has closely followed all these stories, consistently examining them through an urban and architectural lens to address global issues. Aligned with our commitment to "empowering everyone involved in shaping architecture to enhance the quality of life," the 2023 ArchDaily's Best Articles selection showcases a broad spectrum of current topics.

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Discover ArchDaily’s annual selection of 30 best articles of the year, written and developed by our editors, across all 5 sites, in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese.


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Exploring Local Material in Contemporary Architecture: PWDC Transforms Building Surfaces in Nigeria

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From Art Nouveau to the Bauhaus: How Home Interiors Looked in Popular Art Movements

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Biophilic Interiors: 21 Projects that Blend Architecture with Nature

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Cooling and Energy Efficiency: A New Era in Building Design

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Are We Seeing the End of the Open Floor Plan?

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The Tropical Architecture of Monsoon Asia

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Pushing Boundaries with Bamboo: A Structural Engineering Case Study

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On Brutalist Influence in Contemporary Architecture: 16 Examples in Mexico

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4 Modular Wooden Homes: Tiny House, Cabin, Extension, and Dwelling

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The Floating Village of Ganvie: A Model for Socio-Ecological Urbanism

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Slow Architecture: Intentional Design for the 21st Century

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How Has Modern Architecture Transformed the Farmhouse Style?

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Carbonized Wood: A Traditional Japanese Technique That Has Conquered the World

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Are Architecture Firms the Next Design Thinking and Innovation Giants?

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Why Landscape Architecture Matters Now More Than Ever

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A Modernist Church Set in Stone: The Story Behind the Temppeliaukio Kirkko in Helsinki, Finland

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The Myth of Pure White Architecture: How Architects of Modernity Used Color

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Olson Kundig and the Ingenuity of the Moving Parts in Their Architecture

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Greenwashing in Architecture: Identifying False Sustainable Strategies

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This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: Year in Review, presented by Randers Tegl.

“When creating unique architecture, visionary ideas aren’t always enough. A unique look demands character, courage, and distinctive materials. And a format to achieve the extraordinary. At
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Every month we explore a topic in-depth through articles, interviews, news, and architecture projects. We invite you to learn more about our ArchDaily Topics. And, as always, at ArchDaily we welcome the contributions of our readers; if you want to submit an article or project, contact us.

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Cite: Christele Harrouk. "Best Articles of 2023: Dismantling Ideas, Personal Narratives and the Emergence of New Realities" 13 Dec 2023. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1010992/best-articles-of-2023> ISSN 0719-8884

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