Throughout history, numerous cities worldwide have been settled and built on hillsides, where one can observe the myriad urban challenges they face due to their topographical conditions. However, beyond issues related to their urban infrastructure or transportation systems, which can become more complex due to the geography, hillside urban occupation typically involves various intersections of social, environmental, and economic issues.
These settlements are often inhabited by vulnerable and low-income communities, driven by a variety of motivations. Frequently, the lack of information about certain hazards, coupled with the scarcity of adequate housing policies, leads to decisions and actions that place these communities in high-risk situations, especially during the rainy season, resulting in a cycle that disproportionately affects the most marginalized residents.
Multifaceted and full of complexities, the scenario of architecture and urbanism in Latin America reveals nuances and specific challenges in the face of the issues faced by the various countries, such as social inequality, violence, and rapid urban growth. In this context, architectural practice plays a relevant role in the construction of possible and adequate solutions for each reality, highlighting the importance of reaffirming local references and narratives in this process. In the face of the hegemony established especially by North America and Europe, which often marginalizes Latin American architectural and urban achievements, especially those that are not even considered as such, the appreciation of this diversity and complexity becomes imperative for any thought and intervention regarding the region. Below, we have selected six interviews that help us understand the architecture of Latin America, and that contribute to a more contextualized and sensitive approach to its needs, potential, and richness. Emilio Lopez: Latin American architecture is experimenting with geography and resources Emilio López is an architect from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador and holds a master's degree in the History and Theory of Architecture from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. He affirms that he still lives in Ecuador, a territory with one of the world's greatest biodiversities. He points out that the geography, plants, climates, and cultures of the country are great stimuli, and he sustains that with architecture comes the possibility of immersion and blending with the environment, allowing oneself to be transformed by the other. He says that the strength of architecture lies in being a product of the immersive affection that implies rethinking its relationship with resources and the world in which it lives. Gabriela de Matos and Paulo Tavares: We seek to expand architecture from other stories and cultures Questioning the canonical history of architecture and shedding light on spatial practices long invisibilized is what Gabriela de Matos and Paulo Tavares propose. "It is our way of shaking things up," comment the curators, who turn their attention to ancestral ways of dealing with the earth, aiming at fairer and more comprehensive present and future possibilities. Addressing the earth in all the meanings that the word carries, the curators superimpose issues related to soil and territory with planetary issues, proposing an approach between reparations and decoloniality - emerging in the Brazilian context - with broad topics such as decarbonization and the environment, decisive in the contemporary global debate. Sergio Ferro: In our construction field, the only way out would perhaps be to "brush history against the grain" Sergio Ferro is a Brazilian architect, artist, historian, and architecture critic who, due to his political activism during the military dictatorship, was imprisoned and exiled to France in the 1970s. Throughout his career, he observed and intervened in the spaces of civil construction production, developing a critique of the production of plastic arts and architecture based on the construction process and its agents: the construction site, technologies, materials, and the builder. Taller General: Our definition of architecture is collectively shaped Taller General is a meeting point where Martín Real and Florencia Sobrero, among other members and collaborators, gather daily to do what they are passionate about: channeling their creativity through architecture, merging all aspects that shape their lives, from activism to teaching. Based in Ecuador, the team undergoes changes according to the needs of the projects and, most of the time, expands, with a collaborative work that allows sharing different perspectives, opinions, and practices, enriching the environment and generating results that would be unimaginable individually. EseColectivo: The minimum we consider in our exercise is not to waste ESEColectivo is an architecture studio composed of Belén Argudo, José de la Torre, Santiago Granda, and Pablo Silva based in Quito, Ecuador. Their interests focus on experimenting with alternative building materials, with an emphasis on technologies and logic. In their conception process, they seek to reconcile sustainable low-impact strategies with the specific needs and limitations of each project so that their results are heterogeneous and different in terms of the type of methodological and technical approach. Coletivo Levante: We experience a coexistence that brings forth affections, dialogues, values, and aspirations for an inclusive and participatory transformation Focused on the development of architecture projects in slums and outskirts, the action of Coletivo LEVANTE has shown great sensitivity to the characteristics and particularities of these contexts. According to the group, "the recognition of what already exists and is attributed with values lived and conquered by the residents of the favelas - landscape, constructions, identities, and relationships" is what they seek as the raw material of the projects. The Coletivo team is currently formed by Alan Franca, Amanda Castilho, Anna Lobato, Fernando Maculan, Marcos Franchinni, Nattalia Bom Conselho, Giovanna Camisassa, Helder Machado, Kdu dos Anjos, Maria Soalheiro, Marina Vilela, Matheus Angel, Pedro Assis, Rafael Yanni, and Ricardo Lobato. However, as the works of LEVANTE have shown, the network of professionals, suppliers, partners, and collaborators is extensive and expands beyond the collective itself, proving to be a valuable factor for the realization of their projects.
Living in cities built on geographical slopes is a unique and challenging experience. While these areas can offer panoramic views and impressive landscapes, the steep topography presents a series of challenges in terms of urban planning, structural safety, and socio-environmental risks. These cities require special care and solutions in the design of streets, buildings, and infrastructure, as well as an understanding that, for reasons of environmental safety and population well-being, not all areas should be occupied.
Silent and endless hallways, white and cold rooms, an impersonal and distant atmosphere: this is a deeply ingrained image in our cultural conception of hospital environments. The whiteness of these spaces, attempting to reinforce the necessary notions of sterility and cleanliness, may also evoke a sense of discomfort and anxiety for patients and their families.
The importance of humanizing hospital, clinic, and office projects is an increasingly discussed and relevant topic in healthcare, extending far beyond the aesthetics of these buildings. It is necessary to create welcoming environments that promote the well-being of patients, families, and professionals, recognizing that architecture can play a fundamental role in the recovery and comfort of these individuals during moments of vulnerability.
In Brazil, popular festivals share a deep spatial, historical, and symbolic connection with urban public spaces, providing a unique experience of collective occupation, appropriation, and reimagining of these sites during their occurrence. These events not only utilize urban spaces in ways that differ from their daily routines, but they also constitute the cultural and social landscape of cities, offering alternative ways of perceiving them. By appropriating the streets—in their full potential and broadest sense—these festivities imbue them with new uses, which often transcend and subvert their everyday functions.
With the approach of summer in the southern hemisphere — promising to be one of the most intense on record amidst a year already considered one of the hottest in history — the search for places that offer moments of relaxation, freshness, and fun intensifies. As the high temperatures of summer draw near, the relevance and demand for facilities like clubs, with their outdoor leisure areas, pools, and green spaces, stand out significantly. These places become true havens, providing the opportunity to escape the heat and a range of other activities and benefits for their users.
When internationally acclaimed music icons like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Paul McCartney announce their global tours, the anticipation sparked by revealing the countries and respective host cities is met with thorough preparations. These preparations aim to adapt to the array of changes that will unfold in the urban spaces of these cities due to the impact of these events. These mega-concerts extend beyond the musical realm; they transcend the stage to mobilize significant financial figures and result in various transformations in the everyday urban life of these cities. Even though these events do not last long, they instigate alterations in diverse spheres and urban sectors, including tourism, hospitality, food, and transportation.
Bixiga Park project created by activists — Image: Courtesy
The city of São Paulo, characterized by its vastness and cultural diversity, is also frequently the stage for conflicts over the occupation of its urban space. Spanning more than four decades, the dispute over the plot adjacent to the Teatro Oficina, designed by Lina Bo Bardi in the Bixiga neighborhood, has finally culminated in the creation of a long-awaited public amenity: the Rio Bixiga Park. This milestone is not only a victory for the local and artistic community but also a remarkable achievement for the right to the city and public leisure in São Paulo, especially after years of confrontation with the Silvio Santos Group.
Well-planned lighting makes all the difference in an interior design project, impacting various aspects. It goes beyond mere aesthetics to play a crucial role in creating atmospheres capable of influencing and altering people's emotions and perceptions within spaces. While direct lighting can provide overall and uniform brightness, ensuring proper illumination for daily activities, indirect lighting offers a more subtle and effective approach, which creates cozy, gentle, and pleasant environments.
Cities are not just inert landscapes or lifeless settings; they play active and significant roles in shaping numerous television narratives. Whether in series or soap operas, urban environments play a fundamental role not only as the backdrop where plots unfold but also in shaping the developments of storylines, their creations, guidelines, and contexts. While, on the one hand, cities and their urban cultures contribute to the composition of various small screen plots, on the other hand, television programs can also help shape a certain idealized imagination about these urban spaces, generating unrealistic expectations and perpetuating a series of stereotypes about the represented cities.
"Maceió sinks in tears!" was painted on a street in the Pinheiro neighborhood, in Maceió. Photo: Mayra Costa
Since March 2018, when a 2.5-magnitude tremor on the Richter scale startled the residents of Maceió, the population of the Alagoas state capital has become aware of—and gradually had to grapple with—the consequences of a tragedy that would soon fully unfold. Following the appearance of a series of cracks and sinkholes across various neighborhoods, geological analyses identified the primary cause of the ground subsidence: the extraction of rock salt—a mineral used in the manufacturing of caustic soda and PVC—which had been carried out in Maceió for over 40 years by the petrochemical company Braskem.
With new tremors in November 2023 and the imminent risk of the mines collapsing, Maceió's crisis returned to the Brazilian headlines, shedding light on a range of complex urban issues tied to the tragedy. From physical damage to city infrastructure and forced displacement to inflation and real estate speculation, the unfolding disaster reveals painful scenes of what is already being called one of the worst urban tragedies in the world. Immersed in this crisis, the city's population suffers from incalculable damage: "The cracks weren't just in the buildings; they were in us, in our souls."
Staircases facilitate transit and movement within cities, influencing how communities interact and navigate their urban surroundings. Despite often going unnoticed within the cityscape, these staircases are significant witnesses to history. Beyond their architectural function, they are essential connectors, providing spaces where the pulse of urban life unfolds. Amidst buildings, hills, slopes, and bustling streets, staircases emerge as dynamic stages for movements, encounters, and disconnections, intertwining with the narratives embedded in each step.
Amid the ongoing environmental crisis, bioeconomy has gained significance across different domains, particularly in the construction sector, where efforts there is a push to enhance sustainability. This shift in mindset has also influenced the realm of interior architecture. With a growing awareness of climate change and the imperative to protect our planet, architects and designers are increasingly embracing biomaterials. The result is the creation of spaces that not only captivate visually but also demonstrate a proactive commitment to the environment.
Despite operating from distinct offices in Portugal, brothers Manoel and Francisco have forged their professional paths in tandem, collectively known as Aires Mateus, a shared surname. As a cohesive duo, these Portuguese architects have left their mark on projects across multiple countries, establishing themselves as a benchmark in contemporary architecture. They are praised for their innovative and elegant designs, gaining global acclaim for their ability to integrate simplicity, tradition, and functionality.
Have you ever considered how spaces are perceived, experienced, and enjoyed from a height of 95 cm? Considering urban design from the child's perspective is essential for fostering inclusive, healthy, and secure cities. Components tailored to these needs benefit children and enhance the experience for adults, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Blocks play a pivotal role in this discourse as key urban elements. These spaces provide several opportunities for utilization and adaptation within urban environments. They can be modified and designed in diverse ways, incorporating strategies to better cater to the specific needs of children.
UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, is tasked with addressing housing and sustainable urban development issues worldwide. It plays a key role in tackling global urban challenges, working to improve quality of life, confront issues like rapid urbanization and housing shortages, and promote urban planning practices that are more socially inclusive and environmentally responsible. In 2022, it launched the project "Urban Connections - Public Space Planning for Inclusive Communities," a major initiative of the organization aimed at strengthening local governments through participatory urban planning and public space design.
Amid our ongoing battle against climate change, the need for authentic decarbonization strategies has never been more urgent. Professions, companies, and organizations worldwide face mounting pressure to integrate sustainable practices into their operations, particularly in response to recent climate challenges. The realm of architecture and urban planning is no exception. Phrases such as "sustainable architecture" and "green architecture" have gained widespread popularity, accompanied by various certifications, products, and advertising, all promising transformative advancements in the field that should align with our global aspirations for a sustainable future.
However, amidst this growing environmental awareness, another phenomenon has emerged: greenwashing. It refers to practices adopted by various sectors, especially those related to marketing strategies that present initiatives that convey a false impression or provide misleading information about how a company's products or projects are more environmentally friendly than they are when analyzed from a more critical and careful perspective.
With a diverse and highly distinctive portfolio of projects, particularly notable for their innovative representations, the architecture office fala is marked by a bold, refined, and dynamic creative process. Established in 2013 by architects Filipe Magalhães, Ana Luisa Soares, and Ahmed Belkhodja, fala is headquartered in Porto, Portugal, and typically engages in projects across various scales, ranging from territories to birdhouses.
