Articles

Some buildings have stood the test of time. After centuries or even millennia, they remain structurally sound, revered as living testaments to history and human innovation. Some are still in use today, many lifetimes after their original designers passed away.

These buildings, whether by design or accident, were built to last—a concept that is increasingly relevant today. Building construction and operations account for a concerning share of carbon dioxide emissions. The embodied carbon resulting from building material production and construction makes up about 11% of all global carbon emissions. According to a new book on long-life buildings, designing structures to stand much longer—and to survive the various twists and turns that come with an extended lifespan—is a new imperative for architects.

As part of the exhibition program of the Museo Experimental El Eco, the call for entries for the Eco Pavilion 2023 was launched, inviting professionals involved in architectural practice in Mexico to engage in dialogue with the museum's space. This edition marks the 13th anniversary of the Eco Pavilion, a competition initiated in partnership with Buró-Buró with the mission of offering a platform for architectural production with an emphasis on experimentation and spatial reflection.

In the heart of the Recoleta neighborhood in Buenos Aires, the building designed by Clorindo Testa, Héctor César Lacarra, and Elena Acquarone stands on a lot with an 8.66-meter frontage and a 42-meter depth. Designed between 1975 and 1978, following the enactment of the horizontal property law, the building's facade reveals a series of terraced balconies, voids, and accessible walkways. These elements create an alternating play of double-height spaces, providing abundant natural light and ventilation to the residential interiors.

This article by Joshua Domínguez Ruelas was originally published in the 17th issue of revista rita under the title "Public Realm Between Online and Offline Space." Following the Chilean social uprising and COVID-19 restrictions, San Borja Park fell into disuse. In response, a community recreated the park in Minecraft, crafting their own version: BorjaCraft. Consequently, two parks coexist within one environment—separate, yet part of the same place. By entering or leaving the space, turning the digital on or off, the public experience unfolds between the online and the offline. If the characteristics of online and offline spaces were linked, how would the public realm of a place expand? This challenges our understanding of the public, which typically depends on the space or medium in which we dwell.

When monitoring the outcomes of a newly built plaza in Porto Alegre, one data point stood out: after playing children, the main users of the space were women caring for them. Set in a vulnerable area of the city, this situation highlights an activity often ignored by urban planning: caregiving.

The monitoring project in Loteamento Santa Terezinha aimed to assess the profile of the users, their perception of the space and its amenities (recently upgraded by several organizations), and the surrounding school routes. Conducted by WRI Brasil in partnership with the Volkswagen Group Foundation, the study showed that children represent 89% of the plaza's users, and that adult women frequent the plaza 4.5 times more than men—usually accompanying the children. 

Trained in the United States (Princeton and Cornell), young Mexican architect Isidoro Michan-Guindi established his studio in Mexico City just four years ago, in 2019. While Michan-Guindi is relatively unknown within the Mexican architectural scene, his studio is a complex laboratory home to a multitude of projects materialized through cardboard prototypes, pigmented concrete models, electro-robotic pieces, and aluminum molds; these all transform into intelligent architectural proposals ranging from everyday objects, such as doorknobs, to residential towers.

“The world is full of obsolete, abandoned airports. Vast, vacant, centrally located sites in need of adaptive reuse. Several cities have successfully taken this on—San Francisco, Berlin, Caracas. The big question is: what will Mendoza do with its own prime opportunity?”. These words by architect and urbanist Felipe Vera introduce one of the most significant urban transformations in the City of Mendoza's recent history. On March 22, the former airfield officially hosted the presentation of a new adaptive reuse project. Led by the IDB and the local government, the initiative aims to reclaim the vacant 72-hectare site to explore and develop three core visions: a more open, inclusive, and carbon-neutral city.

Much has happened since countries met in Paris in 2015 and established an agreement to combat climate change. To date, more than 196 countries have ratified or otherwise joined the Paris Climate Agreement, representing more than 96% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Alongside this, 57 countries—including the United States, Japan, Canada, Germany, and Mexico—have also developed long-term plans to decarbonize their economies.

A recent article by law professor Richard Schragger invokes the book The Death and Life of Great American Cities, by Jane Jacobs, in defense of zoning. Schragger writes that, according to Jacobs, city neighborhoods flourish due to the “diversity of land uses in space” and zoning must protect these neighborhoods' qualities through “zoning for diversity,” which requires “limiting development, controlling density, and preserving historic structures.”

In the past, people mapped out their careers in a highly linear fashion. You planned to study architecture, went to university, secured a job at a prominent firm, and, over several years, worked your way up to partner.

Yet things do not always go as planned. Perhaps you graduated with an architecture degree but could not secure the salary you envisioned. Or perhaps you join a major firm only to be laid off after a year or two due to declining profits and rising overhead. You might even become an architect, only to realize a few years later that it is not your passion. What then? This is where non-linear careers come into play.

“A city built for speed is a city built for success.” This phrase, attributed to Le Corbusier, one of the most influential urbanists of the 20th century, condenses one of the most significant social developments of that era.

Mobility is a central aspect of shaping the social fabric. According to Eduardo Bericat, Professor of Sociology at the University of Seville, every form of society implies a system of mobility. Consequently, transformations within this system entail anthropological changes of immense significance.

Writing about the participation of women as architects or in the construction industry is complex. Today, we are well aware of award-winning, highly recognized contemporary women architects; yet, looking to the past reveals a dark and solitary landscape.

From figurative panels depicting historical scenes to modernist abstract geometric compositions, ceramic tiles have been a constant presence across different styles and eras of Brazilian architecture over the centuries. Today, composition possibilities are vast, stemming not only from how the pieces are arranged—be it randomly or in structured patterns—but also from the wide range of colors and designs offered by manufacturers.

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A UN survey revealed that in 2018, approximately 55% of the world's population lived in cities. This figure is projected to reach 60% by 2030. If urban centers are to become home to so many, evaluating these spaces and ensuring quality of life is essential – a challenge when considering population density and the impact of such large numbers.

Yet, urban living does not have to mean being cut off from nature, surrounded by gray and concrete. Green cities are proof of this. While life in urban centers poses a series of challenges, it also presents an opportunity to find solutions that transform these spaces, fostering significant and necessary societal change.

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From fire in caves to street lighting in cities, lighting has evolved steadily alongside technological advancements—and in recent years, it has begun to change even more significantly due to a growing awareness of its impact on the environment and human health. Today, automated LEDs are commonplace in workspaces and homes, improving both energy efficiency and well-being and comfort. Meanwhile, public squares and streets are increasingly integrating sensors and software configurations to enhance safety and mobility. With the global urban population projected to reach 68% by 2050, urban lighting will undoubtedly become an even more critical factor to consider.

However, to make the most of these opportunities, we must view lighting as part of a holistic vision and work together to create better solutions. What does the future of lighting look like? We posed this question to our readers. After reviewing a vast number of comments and opinions from construction professionals, students, and architecture enthusiasts alike, it was surprising to find so much common ground and shared visions. There is a clear consensus on the importance of going a step beyond the status quo without increasing light pollution—while being more mindful of all living things. Discover the main perspectives below.

As part of a research project by the Gensler Research Institute, the first Gensler Mexico Workplace Survey was conducted in late 2022. The study aimed to highlight the fundamental role the office plays in facilitating face-to-face meetings with colleagues and clients. The findings presented below reveal key shortcomings in current office workspaces. Furthermore, they foster a better understanding of the characteristics that make workplaces efficient, functional, and engaging, offering insights to rethink user experience design. Ultimately, this presents a clear opportunity to enhance both individual and collaborative work.

The artistic practice of Bosco Sodi has opened a new space in Mexico City that houses Sodi's new studio while serving as an extension of the Fundación Casa Wabi. This venue, named Sabino 336, was first unveiled during Art Week 2023, coinciding with Sodi's exhibition "Alabanzas" at the Galería Hilario Galguera. Curated by Dakin Hart, the exhibition showcased works from the artist's personal collection.

In 1906, a major earthquake struck San Francisco, California. The initial shock damaged buildings throughout the region. Yet the worst was still to come, as fires broke out in collapsed buildings, in some cases sparked by ruptured gas lines.

Over the next four days, a conflagration swept through more than half of the city, consuming over 4.7 square miles of the downtown area, destroying 28,188 buildings, killing more than 3,000 people according to the official count, and leaving between 227,000 and 300,000 people homeless (out of a total population of 410,000).