From January 14 to 22, 2023, the XXII Chile Architecture and Urbanism Biennial will finally take place in the area surrounding Palacio de La Moneda, Santiago. The theme of this edition, "Vulnerable Habitats," seeks to address the country's urgent challenges surrounding the housing deficit and access to housing, along with the vulnerability of cities and territories reflected in their public spaces, heritage, and environmental issues.

The Architects Association of Chile along with the Ministry of Cultures, Arts, and Heritage, organizers of this event—which held its previous edition in 2019—have recently announced the results of their open calls: 50 works and projects will be part of the National Architecture Exhibition, and 36 initiatives will join the Meetings and Debates Program. See the complete list below.

The firm Apparatus Architects, led by Brazilian architect Gabriella Gama and Portuguese architect Filipe Lourenço, was invited by the Portuguese Red Cross Health School (ESSCVP) to develop a rehabilitation and expansion project for the new school in the Alcântara Valley, Lisbon. Initially, the project consisted of creating a space for a vocational clinic, but it expanded in scope when the architects proposed renovating the entire tower.

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In April 2021, French lawmakers voted to ban short-haul domestic flights on routes that can be traveled by train in under two and a half hours. The measure aims to help reduce the country's carbon emissions.

Reducing emissions is one of the commitments made under the Paris Agreement to curb global climate change. Among the various measures countries must implement, the aviation sector stands out: air travel is estimated to account for 2.5% to 3% of global CO2 emissions.

In commemoration of the International Year of Glass, VASA (Vidriería Argentina SA) commissioned the Central Society of Architects (SCA) to organize, run, and promote a national preliminary design competition for the construction of an Urban Pavilion. Sponsored by the Argentine Federation of Associations of Architects (FADEA), the initiative aimed to design a VASA Urban Pavilion that uses glass as its predominant material and is situated in a green public space, either urban or waterfront, within the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA).

On October 10, 2023, more than 200,000 Brazilian architects and urban planners will choose their representatives for CAU Brasil and CAU/UF for the 2024–2026 term.

Activities related to the 2023 CAU Elections begin on January 1, starting with a campaign to update professional registration data, ensuring everyone can vote and run for office. The deadline to complete the update is May 31.

The "Public Spaces in the City of Hope" competition in José Carlos Mariátegui - San Juan de Lurigancho has announced its winners. Promoted by the CENCA Urban Development Institute in partnership with Ocupa tu Calle, the initiative is part of the project "Promoting sustainable, fair, and participatory social and environmental transformation processes on the hillsides of San Juan de Lurigancho, Lima, Peru," led by CENCA and supported by the German Ministry and the "City of Hope" institutional strategic proposal.

Jointly organized by the Central Society of Architects (SCA) and Clarín ARQ, the call for entries for the 2022 Clarín-SCA National Award for Architecture Students has concluded. Year after year, this award aims to establish a launching pad to boost the development of future architects, accepting preliminary projects developed either individually or in groups during the final two years of the degree (on this occasion, 2021 and 2022).

Scottish startup Kenoteq has launched the K-Briq – a more sustainable building brick that is unfired and made of 90% construction waste. Developed by engineering professor Gabriela Medero at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, the K-Briq generates less than a tenth of the carbon emissions during manufacturing compared to a standard brick.

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On December 29, 2022, the regional governor of the Metropolitan Region, Claudio Orrego, announced an investment of 7.7 billion Chilean pesos (9.4 million USD) for the construction of the Mapocho Pedaleable y Caminable Urban Promenade. The announcement is part of a public space recovery initiative and the master bike path plan promoted by the Chilean capital's regional government.

On the east side of Puerto Madero in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, the monumental structure of the Silos stands as one of the few port buildings still remaining in the area. To creatively reimagine the rehabilitation of the General Grain Board Silos, TerraViva Competitions organized this non-binding ideas competition, proposing the revitalization of the building through original concepts capable of enhancing both its interior spaces and its image within the city.

From the outset, several questions were raised regarding what type of intervention could be developed: what program could adapt to the building, how an obsolete structure could be transformed into a mixed-use space open to the community, and what functions could enrich the neighborhood and enhance its surrounding public space.

On Saturday, January 14, the latest edition of the Chilean Architecture and Urbanism Biennial opened in the area surrounding La Moneda Palace in Santiago. The theme explored through the exhibitions, lectures, and panel discussions is 'Vulnerable Habitats,' addressing the country's pressing issues surrounding the housing deficit and access to housing, alongside the vulnerability of public spaces, heritage, and the environment in Chilean cities and territories.

ZGF Architects, alongside Barcelona-based firms MIRAG and Double Twist, has been selected as the winner of the architectural competition to design a transdisciplinary, net-positive Research Center. The project aims to foster new fields of knowledge and adopt diverse approaches toward achieving planetary well-being. Located on a historic site in Barcelona, the Mercat del Peix Research Center will bring together global experts in experimental sciences, social sciences, and the humanities to address the world's most complex and pressing challenges regarding the future of our planet, including biodiversity loss and the economics and governance of climate change.

Starting in February, Instituto Inhotim will offer free admission on the last Sunday of every month. This promotional initiative is sponsored by B3 (the Brazilian Stock Exchange) and will run through 2024.

The first free-admission Sunday will be February 26. Currently, free admission is offered on the last Friday of every month, except holidays.

Registration for the 5th Tomie Ohtake Design Award, aimed at university students and recently graduated professionals from all fields, has been extended until February 16. The initiative has established itself as the leading Brazilian design mapping award, welcoming multiple languages due to its transdisciplinary nature and avoiding rigid categories, as it encompasses projects of diverse natures.

Macaé, a municipality in the state of Rio de Janeiro with over 266,000 residents, has just extended free public transit to people experiencing homelessness. While free access was already guaranteed for people over 60 and individuals with disabilities, it now also benefits the city's vulnerable population.

Unanimously approved during a session of the Macaé City Council, the measure was introduced by council member Iza Vicente (Rede) following a request from the Rio de Janeiro Public Defender's Office. This is the first law in the state of Rio de Janeiro to guarantee free public transit for this demographic.

On Jeju Island in South Korea, Spanish architect Fernando Menis is designing the Park Seo Bo Museum of Contemporary Art, dedicated to the legacy of the Korean artist. Inspired by both his introspective work and collection and the volcanic nature of the site, the building aims to merge with its surroundings. Built mostly underground and utilizing local materials, natural light and shadow combine to form the essence of its interior spaces.

Known for its impressive architecture, Dubai could add a 93-kilometer city-wide bike path to its list of mega-projects. Designed by architecture studio Urb, the mega-structure would be a covered pathway designed exclusively for cyclists and pedestrians, aiming to encourage Dubai's three million residents to swap their cars for more sustainable and healthier modes of transportation.

The Madrid City Council aims to encourage bicycle use as a means of transportation. To this end, the city has operated BiciMAD since 2014—a public bike-sharing system integrated into the Spanish capital's transit network. Now, the program will be free for trips of up to 30 minutes.

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In December 2022, the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica launched an architectural and urban ideas competition for the area where the first phase of Ciudad Gobierno will be developed—an urban renewal project in downtown San José that aims to transform nearly four city blocks of the capital with office, retail, and public spaces. 

At the end of February 2023, the winning proposal was announced from among 28 submitted designs to serve as a model for the building complex that will house 18 public institutions west of Plaza González Víquez. Designed by Venezuela-based Micucci Arquitectos Asociados, the winning project is titled "Metropolitan Civic Park."

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Álvaro Siza, the first Portuguese Pritzker laureate, is undeniably a figure of major importance in the history of contemporary architecture, with projects that have shaped the urban landscape of numerous cities around the world. While his name and work are widely recognized, Siza remains a deeply private and introspective figure who prefers to keep his personal life out of the spotlight.

Directed by producer and director Augusto Custódio, the documentary Siza offers an intimate, personal look at the renowned Portuguese architect. The film covers his childhood, his relationship with his wife, his passion for sculpture, and his appreciation for classical music, exploring both his influences and his professional journey.

Solar energy is one of the fastest-growing energy sources in the world. Going beyond rooftop installations or large power plants, various innovations are emerging to harness the power of sunlight. One such recent initiative is being developed by startup Sun-Ways, which will install removable solar panels along railway tracks in Switzerland.

Today is the day to meet the finalists of ODA2023, the award celebrating the best architecture in the Spanish-speaking world. Our expert jury—you, the readers—has selected 15 of your favorite projects from nearly 1,000 architectural works built across Latin America and Spain.

Now in its fifteenth year, this award has become a true tradition. It is an open invitation to all our readers to recognize the projects published in 2022 that inspired them and that represent the identity of their local contexts in a globalized planet—shaping how architecture is made in Latin America and Spain within an increasingly heterogeneous and multicultural world.

In 2021, Spanish architect Fernando Menis won the public competition to build the two Essential Services Buildings (ESE) of the Canary Islands, to be located on each of the archipelago's largest islands, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Gran Canaria. By implementing a project focused not only on operational safety but also on hyperconnectivity, functional flexibility, worker well-being, and environmental regeneration, the Government of the Canary Islands aims to enhance public safety, risk prevention, and emergency management to address potential natural hazards, climate change, and other threats such as pandemics, cyberattacks, or terrorism.

Menis's proposal, which features two identical yet autonomous buildings, is expected to achieve greater economic sustainability through lower long-term maintenance and operating costs. Energy-efficient and adaptable to external factors, the Essential Services Buildings (ESE) will provide citizen services year-round.

We are pleased to present the finalist projects for the 2023 Obra do Ano Award. After two weeks of nominations, our readers have chosen their favorite projects from hundreds of works built across Portuguese-speaking countries. Our jury of experts, made up of our very own readers, has once again done an outstanding job of selecting these 15 finalists.

From today until April 3 at 11:59 PM (Brasília time, GMT-3), you can vote once a day for the projects you consider to be the best examples of contemporary Portuguese-speaking architecture. The winners will be announced on April 4.