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How to improve rendering workflow on SketchUp
Parking space requirements: the worst bundled sale in history?

Tie-in sales are one of the major consumer rights issues and are typically banned in most market economies. They occur when a seller conditions the sale of one product or service on the purchase of another. In Brazil, the Consumer Defense Code, under Article 39, Subsection I, expressly condemns this practice. Meanwhile, Law 12,529/2011, which structures the Brazilian competition defense system, establishes in Article 36, Subsection XVIII, that tie-in sales constitute an infraction against the economic order.
The Arc of Destruction: Policies of Erasure in the Developmentalism of the Military Regime

What relationships between the social field of memory and the construction of the city can be identified during the Brazilian civil-military dictatorship? We begin with the premise that the formation of the city involves a series of disputes and concessions among the diverse entities that make up society. Since, as we know, each social agent possesses a distinct standpoint, their oppressions or privileges are carried over into the realm of memory, which in turn is transcribed into the construction of the urban environment. That is to say, the opinions and desires of certain communities, because they possess more resources, often determine how places will be built and the narratives woven about them.
Joanie Lemercier Presents "Landscapes of Light" Installation at Laboratorio Arte Alameda, Mexico City

The Laboratorio Arte Alameda (LAA)—a venue of the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature (Inbal) Museum Network—in collaboration with Fundación Telefónica presents Joanie Lemercier: Landscapes of Light, the French artist's first solo exhibition in Mexico. The exhibition offers "a journey through different landscapes that transport the viewer from the contemplation of refined abstract lines and the fascination of majestic computer-generated virtual mountains, to the troubling reality of an overexploited nature."
Walking in the Shade: How to Choose Sidewalk Vegetation

From reducing local temperatures to improving air quality, the benefits of urban forestry in city centers are numerous. Combining social, environmental, and even economic advantages, urban planting—especially along sidewalks—is fundamental to citizens' quality of life. However, it must be carefully planned and designed, balancing urban demands with biological needs.
The Advantages of the Secondhand Furniture Market in Fragile Economies

Driven by Gen Z's preference for access over ownership, the secondhand market is beginning to see significant growth worldwide.
This includes the secondhand furniture market, which, in addition to giving a second life to items destined for landfills, helps reduce industrial CO2 emissions—manufacturing and shipping a single piece of furniture emits about 90kg of CO2, equivalent to a one-hour flight on a Boeing 747.
The eruv as a territorialization device for Orthodox Jewish communities in metropolises

The eruv divides the public from the private, the secular from the sacred, and labor from the shabbat. This essay aims to understand how Jewish cultural traditions have adapted over the centuries and coexist today with the dynamics of the metropolis, leaving identity markers on the urban space. Ultimately, we seek to examine the tension between community, identity, and belonging, which construct alternative readings, understandings, and modes of sharing in the city's public spaces.
Balcony Enclosures as a Selling Point

In Brazilian cities, we see new residential buildings being constructed with cantilevered balconies—that is, extending beyond the building's perimeter and encroaching upon the minimum required setbacks (referred to as afastamentos in Rio de Janeiro). However, what we have seen in recent years is a growing trend of enclosing these balconies with glass panels, consequently expanding the adjacent rooms. But what is the reason behind this enclosure? If there is a need to enlarge these spaces, why aren't they designed this way to begin with?
The "exotic" floating city of Manaus

The end of the rubber monopoly, the economic crisis of the 1920s, demographic growth driven by the migration of river dwellers and northeasterners to Manaus, and a scarcity of resources all contributed to a housing crisis in the city.
Amid this adversity, in 1920, João Aprígio, a native of Paraíba with a wife and children to support, faced immense hardships. His meager earnings were barely enough to feed his family. Lacking a home of his own, Aprígio gathered two açacu logs from an igapó (flooded forest) and towed them behind his canoe to the Educandos waterfront, which he deemed the most suitable location to build his dwelling. For twenty days and nights he worked, eventually erecting what would become the first floating house in Manaus.
The life and work of Matilde Ucelay Maórtua, Spain's first female architect

Matilde Ucelay Maórtua was born in 1912 in Madrid into a bourgeois, professional, and enlightened family, as the eldest of four sisters. Her father's family, Enrique Ucelay, of Basque origin, had held a prominent economic, political, and professional position in 19th-century Madrid, closely tied to political liberalism. Meanwhile, her mother, Pura Maórtua, also of Basque descent, came from a wealthy family as well. Though she lacked formal academic training, she possessed an insatiable desire to learn and was fortunate to travel extensively, visiting museums and architectural works.
Mexican artists and designers present pieces for the exhibition "MASA X SOTHEBY’S: Harmonious Contradiction" in New York

"Harmonious Contradiction" is the third and final summer exhibition at Sotheby's East Hampton Gallery New York and the first collaboration between MASA and Sotheby’s. Running from August 24 to September 18, this group exhibition features brass and polished bronze floor works by eight contemporary artists from Mexico City-based Masa Gallery, in conversation with a curated selection of contemporary and post-war works from Sotheby's.
Forests for water: a nature-based solution to tackle water crises

What if policymakers, when deciding how to allocate public investments, looked beyond massive concrete structures and also turned their attention to forests?
Viewing the conservation, restoration, and management of native vegetation—in other words, nature-based solutions—as viable investment alternatives to improve urban infrastructure is an innovative approach that can yield major benefits for society. A prime example lies in the water treatment and supply sector: forests can play such a crucial role that they can be considered a form of natural infrastructure.
Waterproofing: Learn How to Protect Your Building from Moisture

Concrete, metal, or wood—all building materials degrade over time when exposed to water and moisture. Moreover, every building element is exposed to weathering to varying degrees, from the foundation to the roof. Consequently, protective layers must be incorporated to prevent water from contacting raw materials—a process known as waterproofing—ensuring the structure's maintenance and longevity.
5 things you need to know before learning BIM

BIM methodology is currently booming and on the lips of every industry professional, making it essential for any sector expert to keep in mind. In this article, we review the five most relevant factors to help you assess your compatibility with BIM, according to Editeca.
Esrawe Studio + Francisco Pardo present their new project "Biodynamic Community" in Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico

As part of a new collaboration between the Mexico City-based firms, Esrawe Studio and Francisco Pardo present "Biodynamic Community," a new project in Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico. The development will be built on an 820,000-square-meter site and will have a total built area of 29,700 square meters.
Representations of Carolina Maria de Jesus and Clarice Lispector: Body, City, and Territory

Carolina Maria de Jesus and Clarice Lispector are among the most prominent Brazilian writers of the 20th century. This essay analyzes the representations surrounding them and, above all, offers an approach that complexifies the comparison between the two, reflecting on body and city from an intersectional perspective.
Andenes and Terraces: Natural Infrastructures and Andean Landscapes

In sloped topographies, factors such as rainfall and excess water promote surface runoff, triggering a series of impacts that lead to the loss of soil, water, nutrients, and seeds, consequently reducing agricultural productivity (Posthumus, 2005). In Andean mountain environments, this is compounded by water scarcity and variability, alongside the challenges of water retention (Canziani, 2007). To address these challenges, territorial transformations and modifications known as terraces and andenes emerged, representing some of the oldest infrastructural practices for soil and hydrological conservation and management. Their physical presence, productive use, and cultural relevance remain vital in many parts of the world today.
How cities can source sustainable wood

The footprint of urban construction is expanding rapidly. Globally, building floor area could double by 2060. Constructing and maintaining urban infrastructure requires significant amounts of energy and material resources. Consequently, how cities build—and with what materials—directly impacts whether sustainability goals are achievable or even realistic. Cities must ensure they are using low-impact, renewable materials. This challenge presents a clear opportunity for wood.
How does architecture relate to the forest and its inhabitants?

Amazon Day was celebrated on the 5th of this month. Established in 2007, the date aims to raise awareness about the importance of this biome, which is essential to the planet's environmental and climate balance. Constantly under threat and shaping a contested territory, Earth's largest natural biome is a frequent site of human intervention. How have architecture and urbanism engaged with this context?
Open Question: What is good architecture?

Together with publisher gestalten, we recently published our first book: The ArchDaily Guide to Good Architecture. It represents a pause to reflect on the more than 40,000 projects curated over the past 15 years, drawing from their contributions to answer the ambitious question of what constitutes good architecture.
Now, it is your turn—our readers—to tackle this question.
Confinement and transparency: how the Nanterre Minimum Security Area contributes to redefining the classic concept of the prison

Commissioned from LAN (Local Architectural Network) by the French government, the Nanterre minimum-security prison project engages with the concepts of the penal system by critically reviewing the design of these buildings. The complex is guided by an attempt to better integrate it into the urban fabric, reinforcing the importance of the relationship between the city and prison structures as spaces for social integration. Consequently, understanding the proposal for the Nanterre Minimum-Security Area involves political, institutional, and historical factors that retrieve and reframe historical and contemporary debates surrounding the penitentiary system in general, and the French system in particular. While a prison is naturally understood by its confinement, LAN's design prioritizes an educational and humanitarian character to transform both the inmates and the public's perception of them.
3 Actions to Promote Cycling and Equity in Access to the City in Brazil

The use of bicycles has grown in recent years, altering the landscape of Brazil's major cities. Among the factors that may have contributed to this shift, one of the most prominent is investment in cycling infrastructure. Data from a Brazilian study reinforces this perspective, demonstrating that bike lanes are a determining factor for those who do not yet ride to take up cycling.
When the city becomes invisible

In Brazil, urban policies are commonly assumed to be the responsibility of either municipalities or the federal government. However, there is another level of government that cannot be overlooked: the states. State urban policies are just as important as municipal and federal ones.
LBR&A: First Mexican Architecture Firm Recognized at the German Design Council's Iconic Awards

The firm LBR&A—founded by Mexican architect Benjamín Romano—has been recognized at the German Design Council's Iconic Awards: Innovative Architecture for its project Casa CH73. The residence was named “Best of the Best” in the Architecture category, which encompasses projects such as corporate buildings, museums, hotels, shopping centers, stadiums, and housing, among others.
PPAA Pérez Palacios Arquitectos Asociados presents a housing prototype for the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas

As part of the cultural programming at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the exhibition "Architecture At Home" features an outdoor space bringing together five housing prototypes that seek to spark a conversation on contemporary housing. Driven by research, five architecture firms based in the Americas designed and fabricated 500-square-foot prototypes for a contemporary home, installed along Orchard Trail on the museum grounds.






