Architecture News

+ 19

For the sixth time, INFONAVIT, through CIDS, has launched the call for entries for the Sixth Student Competition 2018, as part of its effort to promote and encourage creative practices toward new forms of construction, as well as to achieve better intra-urban social housing based on an efficient, compact, sustainable, and regional model.

The objective of this competition is to develop projects capable of adapting to the specific conditions of the territory and its inhabitants. Beyond defining a housing prototype, the goal was to identify processes and understand replicable procedures. This requires engaging with the community, listening to their stories, and understanding their dynamics and customs, as well as conducting extensive historical research to discover how ways of living have provided valuable lessons for housing design in each region.

Walking through the classrooms of the University of Buenos Aires' School of Engineering is like stepping into a time machine: fine wooden desks, rosettes, pointed ogival arches. Green chalkboards with theorems and equations waiting to be solved. Here, the foundations of knowledge are laid for the young minds who will later calculate bridges and dams, and optimize plants and processes. 

As you walk up to the terraced workshops, the wood groans and creaks—a sound that signals the passage of time.

On June 28, 2019, Barranquilla-born architect Ricardo De Castro was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in Como, Italy, for his design of the El Marquise Monument to the Magdalena River.

+ 9

Latin America's social crisis is centered in its informal settlements, the epicenters of the most urbanized and unequal region in the world. Approximately 104 million people live in these communities, where one in four lives in poverty within a slum, villa, favela, or informal camp. This has led organizations like TECHO to focus on this segment of the population, which subsists despite the ongoing violation of their rights and a grueling test of their resilience.

The current social crisis in Chile prompted the curatorial team of the XXI Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism of Chile a few days ago to "pause" all of its activities in solidarity with the country's situation. Ultimately, after a day of deliberation on Wednesday, October 23, the organizers and curators decided to cancel all of the event's activities, according to an official statement.

On August 12, the winners of the International Ideas Competition for the design of the Antenna and Observation Tower as an Urban Landmark for Expo 2023 were announced. Organized by the Sociedad Central de Arquitectos (SCA) and the Colegio de Arquitectos de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CAPBA), and sponsored by the Federación Argentina de Entidades de Arquitectos (FADEA), the “Antenna and Observation Tower” is the fourth of six international competitions launched in recent months for Expo 2023.

On August 22, the results of the International Ideas Competition for the design of the new International Pavilions were announced. Organized by the Central Society of Architects (SCA) and the Association of Architects of the Province of Buenos Aires (CAPBA), and sponsored by the Argentine Federation of Architectural Organizations (FADEA), the International Pavilions competition is the third of six international ideas competitions launched in recent months for Expo 2023, and will house the stands of the participating countries.

The Madrid Institute of Architects has provided a space for El Equipo Mazzanti + horizontal for a dynamic exhibition of their career, showcasing their pedagogical design process through play—a methodology characteristic of the firm led by Colombian architect Giancarlo Mazzanti. The exhibition is on view at COAM until January 24.

The TEMA Pavilion Competition was created to provide young architects and students from the University of Guadalajara student body with the opportunity to design an ephemeral project that expresses ideas beyond the typical academic requirements of an architecture or design school. On November 11, the proposals were evaluated by internationally recognized architecture and design practices, including José Amozurrutia and Carlos Facio / TO; Andrea Castilla and Deha Chehade / Chehade Carter Interior Design; and architect Diego Vergara Álvarez.

The Richard H. Driehaus Architecture Competition seeks to revitalize traditional architecture in overlooked areas of Spanish towns, while promoting the work of local artisans and builders. In this first phase, municipalities submitted proposals to rehabilitate or remodel various architectural spaces. Out of all the submissions, Alzira (Valencia), Santa Cruz de la Palma (Tenerife), Santiago de Compostela (La Coruña), and Guadix (Granada) were selected.

Videos

+ 3

Plaza Houssay has recently been a subject of debate. Just four years after its official reinauguration as an "Urban Campus," its grand reopening was announced for early this week. Returning this public space to the city promises to not only reactivate the adjacent urban area but also reclaim its role as a gathering place for local residents, featuring the addition of four movie theaters and various dining options.

The current social unrest in Chile, which escalated last Friday, October 18, has led to the declaration of a Constitutional State of Emergency in regions across the South American country and the first curfews in Santiago since 1987.

+ 3

For five editions, the Logroño International Festival of Architecture and Design, Concéntrico, has been experimenting not only with new public space design proposals, but also with management models.

The "Smart Living Lab," a research and development center for the built environment of the future founded in 2014 and located in the blueFACTORY innovation district, launched an open call in 2018 for the design of its new building. This competition was open to all interested design firms from both Switzerland and abroad, ensuring equal opportunities and fostering high-quality projects.

The galleries of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires are currently showcasing the creativity of Clorindo Testa. Curated by María José Herrera and Mariana Marchesi, the new exhibition “Esta es mi casa” (This Is My House) offers a closer look at the architect-artist: What did he think about before going to bed? What did he see from his window? What was his house like?

In March 2020, the fourth edition of Hello Wood will arrive in Argentina. This creative, professional, and social program teaches students to think with their hands and learn through experience. The program is currently seeking creative minds to join as project leaders.

We are pleased to start the year by sharing major news that is spreading across Peru. For many, it comes a bit late; for others, the timing is perfect. Regardless, it is finally here: public works in Peru can now be carried out through architectural competitions.

With the goal of promoting the development of innovative urban ideas and proposals that can be implemented in the execution plans of the Provincial Municipality of Satipo, this entity—through its Sub-Department of Urban Development and Infrastructure, in collaboration with the Colegio de Arquitectos del Perú Regional Junín—launched the Satipo National Ideas Competition 2019: "Intervention on Jr. Colonos Fundadores and Treatment of the Satipo Waterfront" Ideas Competition.

As its name suggests, the project consists of two intervention areas: on one hand, it proposes an intervention on two blocks of Jr. Colonos Fundadores through pedestrianization, pavement treatment, and urban furniture design; on the other hand, it outlines the design of the Satipo Waterfront with an urban program that includes a bike path and sports equipment, as well as pavement treatment and urban furniture.