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CAU seeks startup to develop database on architectural education and training

CAU Brasil is developing an Interactive Database for its Education and Training Commission. The project aims to collect, systematize, and qualitatively and quantitatively use data on education, training, research, and outreach activities in Architecture and Urbanism.

To develop this technology, CAU Brasil has launched a special bidding process to hire a software development startup. The estimated budget is R$ 100,000.

Shopping mall in São Paulo features a green roof with composting and a vegetable garden

Aiming to find an environmentally friendly use for approximately 164 tons of organic waste generated monthly in its food courts, Shopping Eldorado in São Paulo has invested in the Telhado Verde (Green Roof) composting project since 2012. The initiative transforms food waste into organic compost, recycling more than 30% of the waste generated by the establishment.

Sorocaba-based startup creates renewable energy micro-power plant

Achieving greater independence in energy generation is one way to offset rising electricity bills. Consequently, small-scale renewable energy systems are becoming increasingly common. In Sorocaba, in the state of São Paulo, the startup Vida Maker has developed a micro-power plant that can be powered by solar panels, wind energy, and hydroelectric generators.

Operating as a generator, the system can serve as a power source for electronics, household appliances, and lighting.

Iphan Opens Registration for the 2nd Edition of the Heritage Education Course in the Federal District

Registration is now open for the second edition of the self-paced course “Heritage Education, Diversity, and Environment in the Federal District.” Open to the general public, the course is part of the work plan under a cooperation agreement signed between the National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (Iphan) in the Federal District (DF) and the State Secretariat of Education of the DF (SEEDF). 

Austral Studio Wins Ponta Grossa Municipal Market Redevelopment Competition

Seeking a more noble purpose for its Municipal Market, the municipality of Ponta Grossa, Paraná, launched a national design competition in September 2021. The site, previously filled with debris and hoarding, will be redeveloped to accommodate 180 commercial stalls, a food court, and parking. Last December, the jury announced Austral Studio, a Curitiba-based office led by architect Henrique Wosiack Zulian, as the competition winner.

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Electric and autonomous robotaxi begins testing in the US

In 2020, US-based startup Zoox revealed the prototype of its autonomous electric vehicle. Now, the robotaxi is entering an advanced testing phase in California. 

Resembling a minivan, the vehicle is tall, boxy, and features sliding glass doors. Its large wheels and rounded corners stand out, giving it a cartoonish appearance. 

ArchDaily Brasil 2022 Building of the Year Award: Voting Now Open

For the sixth time, we are giving our readers the responsibility of recognizing and rewarding the projects that have made the greatest impact on the profession through the ArchDaily Brasil 2022 Building of the Year Award. By voting, you become part of an unbiased network of jurors recognizing the most outstanding projects of the past year.

Over the next three weeks, the collective intelligence of our readers will filter through hundreds of projects from Portuguese-speaking countries—Brazil, Portugal, Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Macau, Cape Verde, and São Tomé and Príncipe—published in 2021, selecting the best works built in Portuguese-speaking territories.

From hundreds of projects published in 2021, readers will choose their favorites, and the 15 projects with the most votes will move on to the second stage of the award.

The 2022 Building of the Year Award is presented by Dornbracht, an internationally renowned manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom fixtures.

Are bike lanes to blame for urban congestion?

In 2021, the average London driver spent 148 hours in traffic jams—double the national average, according to a new report by Inrix, a road traffic analytics company. These findings led to a BBC report that attributed this new, alleged status as the world's most congested city to an increase in bike lanes, implemented across London to ensure social distancing during pandemic travel. This analysis seems to overlook the fact that congestion in 2021 was practically the same as in 2019.

To understand what is happening, we must remember that the amount of time available to each of us limits how much we can travel. There are many things we need to fit into 24 hours and, on average, we spend only one hour commuting. This limits the accumulation of congestion in cities.

Students create 3D-printed coral reef to clean up rivers

Students at Tunghai University in Taiwan have designed a type of artificial coral reef. The proposed structure is made of 3D-printed eco-friendly ceramic to help revitalize urban rivers. 

While natural corals are irreplaceable and essential to ocean health, this 3D-printed structure has a specific mission: to provide shelter for aquatic organisms. This alone can help sustain various species. 

Solar power in Brazil surpasses the Itaipu hydroelectric plant in capacity

Brazil has just surpassed the historic milestone of 14 gigawatts (GW) of operational solar photovoltaic capacity, combining utility-scale plants and distributed self-generation systems on rooftops, facades, and small plots of land. Consequently, solar power now surpasses the installed capacity of the Itaipu hydroelectric plant, according to data from the Brazilian Association of Photovoltaic Solar Energy (ABSOLAR).

Discover the new Portobello lines designed by Paulo Mendes da Rocha, Ruy Ohtake, and Paola Navone

Portobello has just launched the Soma line, co-created with architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha; Oh!Take and its complement, Soul, designed by Ruy Ohtake; and Shibori, developed with Italian designer Paola Navone. These products are part of the 2022 Unlimited Dreams collection, launched simultaneously at Expo Revestir and in Portobello Shop stores across Brazil in early March.

São Paulo to Get Brazil's First Long-Distance Highway Cycleway

On Thursday (10), the São Paulo state government announced the project for Brazil's first long-distance highway bicycle path, the Ciclovia dos Bandeirantes, along the Bandeirantes Highway.

Located between São Paulo and Itupeva, the new bicycle path will connect the state capital to the newly launched Serra Azul Tourist District in Itupeva, spanning approximately 57 kilometers. 

Favela in São Paulo will be fully powered by solar energy

Favela Marte, located in São José do Rio Preto, in upstate São Paulo, will be the first community in Latin America to be fully powered by solar panels. The site will serve as a model for a broad project that promises to generate income and social development for its residents. 

Known as Vila Itália, the community began to emerge in 2014. For several years, the residents were the target of lawsuits aimed at evicting them from the private land. A turning point came when the area was chosen to serve as a model for the “Favela 3D” project—standing for dignified, digital, and developed environments. 

Sesc launches free online course "Architecture and the City in Brazil" taught by Guilherme Wisnik

The course Architecture and City in Brazil, taught by architect, curator, and professor Guilherme Wisnik, joins the online learning catalog of the Sesc Digital platform starting March 31. Entirely free and open, the self-paced, asynchronous course allows students to watch at their own pace.

Belgium opens giant greenhouse to test new urban farming techniques

Europe's largest research center for urban food production has opened in West Flanders, Belgium. Named Agrotopia, the space is a giant greenhouse where innovative urban horticulture techniques will be applied. 

Vegetables and fruit trees are being planted across the 6,000-square-meter cultivation area. The space is divided into four climate zones, allowing for the cultivation of diverse species. 

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Novo Rio Pinheiros Program announces results

The Novo Rio Pinheiros Program announced the results of actions taken by the São Paulo State Government to clean up the river since 2019. According to January data from the Secretariat of Infrastructure and Environment, there has been a significant improvement in oxygenation and a reduction in organic matter in the water. In June 2019, Governor João Doria promised to clean up the river by 2022.

2022 Building of the Year Award: Meet the Winners

2022 Building of the Year Award: Meet the Winners - Featured Image
© ArchDaily

Last week, we announced the 15 finalists for the 2022 Obra do Ano, an award celebrating the best of Portuguese-speaking architecture by inviting our readers to vote for their favorite projects built in Portuguese-speaking countries. The day has come to announce the winners of ODA 2022.

The 2022 Obra do Ano Award is presented by Dornbracht, an internationally renowned brand for kitchen and bathroom products.

Brussels will pay up to 900 euros to anyone who gives up their car

Brussels will pay up to 900 euros to anyone who gives up their car - Featured Image
Brussels. Photo: Pixabay

Residents of the Brussels-Capital Region in Belgium will receive up to €900 to deregister their vehicles. The initiative is part of "Bruxell’Air," a financial support program for those looking to adopt alternative modes of transportation.