Articles

The lack of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation is an issue that still affects millions of people worldwide; even in the 21st century, a large portion of the population lacks full access to these basic resources. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) show that about 3 in 10 people—equivalent to 2.1 billion people globally—do not have access to safe drinking water at home, and approximately 60% of the global population lacks access to safely managed sanitation services, including many living in urbanized areas.

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Identity is a complex, constantly evolving concept—a social construct built from historical elements, cultural factors, circumstances, and phenomena manifested in a specific place. In Mexican architecture, this identity is reflected in works conceived through the vision of artists and architects like Diego Rivera and Agustín Hernández. In projects such as the Anahuacalli Museum and Casa en el Aire, they captured the colossal proportions, symmetry, and simple forms of Mexico's pre-Hispanic past. Similarly, distinctive attributes, such as the folklore of traditions, are reflected in the sensitive use of color in the work of Luis Barragán and Javier Senosiain, creating a rich amalgam of artistic expressions that embody Mexican architectural identity in its diversity and ongoing evolution.

With the pandemic, many companies and individuals had to discover new ways of working, and working from home gained ground—the realization that so many activities could be performed remotely surprised many. There was an expectation that this work model would become permanent. However, the reality is that many companies are returning to in-person or hybrid schedules—and this might not be the best option for the planet.

A few years ago, one of my favorite university professors (who inspired me to study urban planning) approached me with a small request: she wanted to transform her small bedroom window into a balcony so she could look out onto the street.

In September 2022, Ricardo Carvalho and Leonardo Monastério published the paper FAR Regulations and the Spatial Size of Brazilian Cities. Available at the link above, the study evaluates the influence of density restrictions on the expansion of the urban footprint.

The term FAR, or floor area ratio, é known in Brazil as the *coeficiente de aproveitamento máximo* (maximum CA). This metric is the ratio between the total built area permitted by law on an urban plot and the plot's total area. Therefore, if a 200 m² plot has a maximum CA of 3, the building permitted on that site cannot exceed 600 m² of total built area.

The Wild Mile project is an ambitious initiative by the nonprofit organization Urban Rivers, aiming to restore a 1.5-kilometer stretch of the Chicago River in the United States. The project involves creating a vibrant and sustainable urban oasis with boardwalks and floating gardens.

Since the opening of its first section in July 2023, the Wild Mile has already attracted over 30,000 visitors, including local residents, educational programs, and special events. Leaders at Urban Rivers express pride in the project's achievements, highlighting the transformation of a once-neglected stretch of the river into a thriving public space for both wildlife and people.

Dérive LAB is a multidisciplinary laboratory based in Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico, that seeks to explore, understand, and inspire other (new) ways of living and thinking about city life. Through research, design, and action, they have focused on developing projects in art, architecture, urban design, and other disciplines that impact three specific scales: public life, the built environment, and everyday objects.

With a population of over 17.5 million people and 23 million bicycles—more than three million of which are electric—the Netherlands is a global benchmark in mobility and the development of urban designs that prioritize pedestrians and cyclists. Approximately 27% of all trips in the country are made by bicycle, with over 15.5 billion kilometers traveled annually, according to data from the national government. Despite these high figures, the goal is to implement initiatives that further encourage municipalities to transform their spaces, giving more room to cycling as the primary option for short trips of up to 15 kilometers.

Whether through small physical material samples or a digital collage, a moodboard is a valuable design tool for architects and designers—an inspiration board featuring colors and elements that guide aesthetic choices. The idea is for professionals to use them as a source of inspiration to compose their projects and define backdrops, predominant textures, and highlight details. In doing so, surfaces play a fundamental role in defining a space, setting its tone much like music, where all other elements either align with or disrupt the harmony of the chosen palette.

Given the reality of climate change and the role that architecture and construction play in this arena, finding new ways to build sustainably is imperative. That is why accelerating the transition toward a zero-emissions future will only be possible through net-zero construction. The Holcim team has developed a range of solutions to achieve this goal, such as the one implemented in the Torre Moranta project in Mexico.

In architecture and design, trends emerge from a variety of factors, including technological advancements, cultural shifts, environmental concerns, and aesthetic considerations. These are expressed through preferences in materials, colors, and textures, as well as in the ways spaces are conceived and organized.

When it comes to materials, the presence of natural elements like marble inspires the marbled style—a versatile, timeless trend that brings warmth, natural authenticity, and sophistication to interiors. In line with contemporary interior design trends, Daltile develops polished porcelain solutions as an alternative that preserves the aesthetic versatility of marble while offering greater durability and resistance.

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Throughout our lives, we are exposed to various stimuli and pollutants that directly impact our well-being. Although air and water pollution typically garner more attention due to their highly visible and negative effects, noise pollution is sometimes underestimated, even though it poses a risk to physical and mental health, according to the European Environment Agency.

Some of the strategies to address this challenge have focused on policies that control vehicular traffic and establish schedules for specific activities. In the field of architecture, within the Mexican context, local regulations address specific scenarios related to noise produced by machinery and particular uses, such as entertainment and service centers. These regulations establish a sound intensity limit of 65 dB (decibels). However, since housing represents perhaps the most archetypal manifestation of architecture and can be affected by various noise sources, it is worth asking: How can a home be soundproofed? In response to this question, Soprema has developed several solutions to create a soundproofed environment through the different elements that make up a home.

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The importance of conserving natural resources through sustainable housing and infrastructure is becoming increasingly prominent, prompting the architecture, design, and construction industries to remain highly aware of these needs amidst dwindling resources and a growing global population.

In understanding the pressing challenges currently facing cities, and in response to both environmental demands and technical requirements within the industry, developing innovative materials and high-strength, durable, improved solutions has become central to the construction of buildings and infrastructure.

What is thermal inertia and how does it work? Consider two simple buildings: one constructed primarily of stone and another of uninsulated wood. On a sunny day, the stone building, with its high thermal inertia, will gradually absorb solar heat. At night, it will slowly release this stored heat, keeping the interior warmer for longer. Meanwhile, the uninsulated wooden building, with its low thermal inertia, will heat up and cool down much faster, quickly absorbing heat during the day but easily losing it at night.

This example demonstrates how the stone building has a superior capacity to regulate indoor temperature due to its higher thermal inertia. Architects leverage this physical property of materials to optimize building thermal performance and reduce reliance on heating or cooling systems. However, every project is unique, and the required levels of thermal inertia can vary depending on the climate and the use of each building.

Below, we examine how the thermal inertia of different materials performs across various scenarios, as well as the contribution of ceramic or porcelain tiles to achieving optimal comfort.

Between August and November, reconstruction work was carried out on three classrooms at the Guadalupe Victoria elementary school, located in the Vicente Guerrero neighborhood of Villa Corzo, Chiapas, which had been severely damaged by an earthquake on September 7, 2017.

Architecture is a process-centered discipline. From the design phase that brings ideas to life and transforms them into detailed designs, to the creation of materials and products that shape spaces, processes are intrinsically present in various architectural manifestations, each contributing its own value. Although they may sometimes seem secondary, their relevance remains constant and indisputable.

While manual processes remain relevant, the efficiency achieved through industrial technology has transformed our perception of workspaces, which now demand a greater balance between the aesthetic and functional qualities of furniture, as well as greater flexibility in spatial layouts. In this context, Mexican company PM STEELE® has integrated advanced machinery and infrastructure into its facilities to streamline the design process, enabling the manufacture of high-value products and making it possible to furnish office projects more efficiently.

The choice of materials is intrinsic to the concept and function of any architectural project. Designing a space with wood, for example, creates an entirely different atmosphere and purpose than one designed with porcelain tile, brick, or concrete. Yet, this does not mean that each material is always destined for a single function. This is where creativity and innovation come into play to design spaces that integrate a variety of materials, contributing to designs that evoke a range of styles, experiences, and uses.

Choosing 80x80-centimeter porcelain tiles reflects the pursuit of a modern, minimalist aesthetic, thanks to their ability to create continuous surfaces that visually expand spaces. By easily covering larger areas, they offer a sense of unity and continuity that is highly sought after in contemporary design. Their geometric designs, modern interpretations of natural materials, and abstract patterns leverage advanced manufacturing and printing technologies to design unique spaces.

From rustic to contemporary styles, porcelain tile offers options that complement and enhance any design scheme, allowing designers and homeowners to realize their vision without compromise. Its application extends beyond flooring, finding a home on walls, bathrooms, kitchens, and facades.