For most people, modern living requires spending most of the day in interior spaces - in fact, according to a report by the Environmental Protection Agency, the average person spends around 90% of their life indoors. As a result, this implies missing out on health benefits associated with sunlight exposure, such as vitamin D absorption, regulation of circadian rhythms, higher energy levels and even improved mood. Thus, one option is to increase the amount of time we spend outdoors. But because most daily functions are carried out inside buildings, it is crucial to incorporate and prioritize natural lighting in interiors.
Cultural Centers, Museums, and Galleries: Ancient Buildings Transformed into Art Spaces in Latin America
Many buildings often fall into disuse due to our cities' constant economic, social, and technological changes. The programmatic inconsistency of current times demands great versatility and adaptability from our infrastructures, increasingly leading projects to become uninhabited, and left to abandonment and decay.
Next, we present a series of 20 Latin American projects in which old warehouses, homes, prisons, mills, and markets were recovered and transformed into Cultural Centers, Museums, and Galleries.
Abóbada House / Obra Arquitetos
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Architects: Obra Arquitetos
- Area: 515 m²
- Year: 2023
Castelatto Pavilion / Biselli Katchborian Arquitetos Associados
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Architects: Biselli Katchborian Arquitetos Associados
- Year: 2022
Renzo House / Obra Arquitetos
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Architects: Obra Arquitetos
- Area: 2207 ft²
- Year: 2023
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Manufacturers: Daolio e Valente Madeiras, Selecta Blocos, Solidus Mármores e Granitos
Bambu Atmosfera Residential Building / Perkins&Will
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Architects: Perkins&Will
- Area: 5900 m²
- Year: 2023
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Manufacturers: Artcolor, Concresteel, Coopermax, Estrudena, Estrudena, +12
18th Region Labour Complex / Atelier Daniel Corsi + Dani Hirano + Nishimura Estúdio de Arquitetura
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Architects: Atelier Daniel Corsi, Dani Hirano, Nishimura Estúdio de Arquitetura
- Area: 83000 m²
- Year: 2021
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Manufacturers: Sherwin-Williams, AG, Ambianch, Atlas Schindler, Beaulieu, Interface, +26
From Stone Walls to Skyscrapers: Understanding Structural Masonry
The Monadnock Building in Chicago began construction in 1891 and is still in use today. The building features a somber facade without ornamentation and a colossal height - at the time - of 16 floors. It is considered the first skyscraper built in structural masonry, with ceramic bricks and a granite base. To support the entire load of the building, the structural walls on the ground floor are 1.8 meters thick, and at the top, 46 centimeters. One hundred and thirty years later, this construction system remains common and allows for the erection of taller buildings with much thinner walls, accomplishing even new architectural works economically and rationally. But what is structural masonry about, and how can designers use it in architectural projects? And for what kinds of buildings is this system most suitable?
Etapa Vila Mascote School / Biselli Katchborian Arquitetos
Suki House / Obra Arquitetos
Vista Alegre Pavilion / Terra Capobianco
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Architects: Terra Capobianco
- Area: 120 m²
- Year: 2020
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Manufacturers: GRAPHISOFT, Alwitra, Crosslam, Marcenaria Silveira, REKA
Casa dos Triângulos Restoration / Metrópole Arquitetos
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Architects: Metrópole Arquitetos
- Year: 2021
Truss House / Terra Capobianco + Galeria Arquitetos
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Architects: Galeria Arquitetos, Terra Capobianco
- Area: 464 m²
- Year: 2020
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Professionals: Schwartz Engenharia, Stec do Brasil, Giardino Planejamento de Exteriores, Reclima