How to visualize architectural concepts in SketchUp using D5 Lite for faster design exploration.

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Present-moment awareness, also known as mindfulness, is the practice of focusing entirely on the present. In this meditative practice, worries about the past and future give way to a heightened awareness of the *here and now*, which includes awakening a space-mediated self-awareness through the perception of feelings, sensations, and the surrounding environment.

In this context of awakening to self-awareness, the power of the built environment to serve as a refuge cannot be overlooked. While social interaction is vital for maintaining human health, privacy and spaces of retreat are equally essential.

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A close look at the building facades in many Brazilian cities, such as São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, and Rio de Janeiro, reveals that the use of aluminum frames is highly common and popular in Brazil. Adopted across a wide range of building typologies, including residential and commercial projects, and in various formats such as doors, windows, and railings, these versatile structures are widely used in construction, representing about 80% of the total volume of aluminum consumed by the sector in the country. But why, after all, have aluminum frames become so widely used in Brazilian cities?

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Architects Amit and Britta Knobel Gupta moved from London, England, to New Delhi, India, and confronted a severe problem: air pollution unlike anything they had ever seen. To help make the air more breathable and the city more livable, the couple developed a tower designed to purify the air through design. “Our main business is architecture; we didn't want to get into air purification,” Amit said. “But the pollution here was simply unacceptable. It’s very bad.”

And they are right. A study published by the medical journal *The Lancet* revealed that in 2019 alone, air pollution caused nearly 1.6 million deaths in India. New Delhi is regularly shrouded in smog, with vehicle emissions, crop burning, and coal-fired power plants all contributing to the decline in the city's quality of life. It was against this backdrop that the newcomers decided to take action.

Within architecture, water evokes sentiments of calmness and wellbeing. The element has influenced design through its dynamic and fluid nature. With recent technological advances, architects have created some of the most strategic, innovative, and unexpected intersections of design and H2O.

Below, we have provided a roundup of indoor pools that highlight the application of water in different spaces, showing its relationship to materiality and use.

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The Second Studio (formerly The Midnight Charette) is an explicit podcast about design, architecture, and the everyday. Hosted by Architects David Lee and Marina Bourderonnet, it features different creative professionals in unscripted conversations that allow for thoughtful takes and personal discussions.

A variety of subjects are covered with honesty and humor: some episodes are interviews, while others are tips for fellow designers, reviews of buildings and other projects, or casual explorations of everyday life and design. The Second Studio is also available on iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube.

This week David and Marina of FAME Architecture & Design are joined by Lou Maxon, Founder of Maxon House, to discuss his story as a client; the process of building a house; hiring Olson Kundig as their architect; working with contractors; building a studio on railroad tracks; tips for being a client; and more!

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