In the face of a climate emergency, various fields are under pressure to reformulate their operations and actions, and architecture is no exception. After all, the built environment and the construction industry are responsible for a considerable percentage of carbon gas emissions into the atmosphere. Rethinking and restructuring the construction chain - from design to execution - is the order of the day for construction professionals.
“Is the architecture of the future a return to our origins?” asks a recent report by DW Brasil.
Indeed, in the face of climate change, it seems entirely reasonable to return to prioritizing features such as natural ventilation and lighting in building design, just as we did in the past—and, in doing so, reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
In the competitive world of restaurants – particularly at a time when influencers are gaining more and more control over the sphere of fine dining –, creating a memorable meal experience is crucial for attracting and retaining customers. While factors like food quality and service certainly play pivotal roles in making diners return to their eatery of choice, the impact that restaurant interiors can have on an establishment's longevity should not be overlooked. Among the various elements contributing to a memorable ambiance, color takes center stage. We delve into the significance of striking the right tone in restaurant design through 20 projects from our ArchDaily database.
A residential architectural project almost always seeks to integrate interior and exterior to get closer to nature and improve comfort or aesthetics. Considering living spaces, this dialogue between open and closed environments becomes even more relevant. After all, it makes the room more flexible and suggests various ways of occupying it, regardless of the number of people or the time of year.
From Le Corbusier's polychromy to the aesthetic concepts of the Bauhaus, color has played an essential role throughout architectural history. Yet, we stand on the threshold of a new era of innovation where the meaning, application, and impact of color in architecture are constantly evolving. This evolution brings new questions to the fore: Could new materials and finishes revolutionize the color palette? What possibilities does color application hold in virtual spaces? What will be the upcoming color trends in the world of interior design?
With its unique blend of form, function, and sustainability, bamboo architecture stands out due to its complex geometries, tridimensional spatiality, and heavy reliance on craftsmanship. For many years, physical models have been central to materializing architects' visions and conveying intricate designs to the skilled craftspeople responsible for construction. Now, we are in the midst of a paradigm shift. The digital revolution is bringing computer-aided and parametric design tools to the forefront, unlocking bamboo's potential in ways never before imagined. This evolution presents exciting possibilities and new challenges for builders and craftsmen alike.
The burning question now is: Can we effectively translate these cutting-edge design innovations to the hands-on world of the craftsmen who bring these visions to life? At a recent 11 day Bamboo Build and Design Course at Bamboo U, we immersed ourselves in a world where technology meets tradition, experiencing the groundbreaking blend of bamboo construction and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies. Guided by the expertise of Dr. Kristof Crolla and Dr. Garvin Goepel from the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, we embarked on an exciting journey to build not one, but two, charming grid shell domes, under the aid of holographic instructions. In this article, we explore this dynamic intersection of tradition and technology in the world of bamboo architecture from the perspective of Bamboo U.
Increasingly, the concept of social sustainability has become a central theme in contemporary architecture discussions as users' subjective and non-static needs become paramount in the design process. Social sustainability in architecture aims to design and construct buildings and urban spaces that promote well-being, inclusion, and community cohesion. It focuses on creating environments that enable positive human interactions, support diverse needs, and improve the overall quality of life for people who inhabit and use these spaces. Socially sustainable architecture considers the social, cultural, economic, and health aspects of a community to address societal challenges and provide long-term benefits to residents.
The relationship between architecture and music has existed throughout history and can be observed in various aspects. The way architectural spaces are designed can affect the sound quality and auditory experience of a musical piece. The acoustics of a place, determined by its shape, size, and materials used in its construction, can influence how sounds and music are perceived. That's why architecture plays an essential role in the design of auditoriums and concert halls. The aspects to consider include space distribution, seat placement, the shape of the venue, and acoustics to ensure an optimal sonic experience.
With the rise of small houses and dense cities, we were forced to sacrifice a good amount of storage space. Ironically, we did not compromise our purchasing habits, so with a few square meters to work with, architects and designers had to come up with efficient storage solutions and make the best of the limited space they have. However, if you were lucky enough to be occupying a large, unobscured space with a generous budget, your storage design possibilities are endless. In this article, we look at how architects and designers found creative ways to store their belongings in spaces with different functions, scales, and spatial constraints, ranging from completely invisible units to sculptural centerpieces.
Step into the world of Door Design Workshop with the 7th episode of FritsJurgens’ series Opening Up.
More than just hiding and protecting installations, ceiling lining can transform an environment's perception. Combining functionality and aesthetics, this element, in addition to serving as a support for lighting, can add layers of texture and colors that enhance interior quality and comfort. Factors that vary depending on the chosen material. Therefore, understanding their differences, benefits, and disadvantages is essential when designing internal spaces.
Pantone 219C, or Barbie Pink, is a vibrant and bright magenta pink shade synonymous with the Barbie brand. Since the inception of the Barbie doll in 1959 by a company named Mattel, the doll has slowly trademarked this specific shade of pink. As Barbie’s popularity grew, the global association with the color pink did, too. From pink accessories, pink houses, pink haircuts, and pink packaging, there is no Barbie without pink. Moreover, as the doll became a popular cultural icon, her iconic shade of pink started to influence various industries beyond just toy manufacturing, including fashion, beauty, and interior design.
The era when Le Corbusier's Modulor—the perfect man—was the only one “allowed” to occupy our cities and architecture is long gone. Decades ago, it became clear that environments were being designed as ideological representations that failed to reflect actual demand and its rich diversity of social class, gender, race, age group, and sexual orientation, among other factors. Planning and design were often disguised as “neutral” concepts, while in reality they reproduced the perspective of a middle-class white man. Ultimately, the time has come for the city to move past this flawed assumption of universal appropriation and instead materialize in its spaces the specific needs of every citizen.
Many architectural projects have been giving special attention to cabinetry and built-in furniture. These custom-made wood pieces are designed for specific purposes and can be used to organize the space, which can be living rooms, bedrooms, studies, kitchens, and bathrooms. Besides functionality, these elements also introduce different materials, textures, and colors into the environments. This article will explore some examples of how colorful cabinets and furniture can make architectural projects more vibrant.
Increasingly robust and promising scientific evidence can assist architects and other designers seeking inclusive design by taking diverse minds into account—that is, creating built environments that engage with neurodiversity. Neurodiversity has always been a part of humanity. The term encompasses people with a wide range of neurological conditions and was coined by sociologist Judy Singer in 1999.
Tactical urbanism is a type of urban intervention that has gained prominence and sparked widespread discussion in recent years. It is based on the premise that low-cost, small-scale civic actions can have a significant impact on the urban environment, improving its dynamics and people's daily lives. Yet, starting as localized, temporary, or small-scale interventions, once accepted and recognized, many of these initiatives have transcended their initial ambitions. They have become catalysts for broader urban processes, triggering new actions that involve other stakeholders, spheres, and even the public administration itself.
Seeking more accessible school routes and initiatives that integrate children into urban mobility, the Cidade Ativa collective, in partnership with IDOM, has developed an action plan based on the assessment of two case studies in the city of São Paulo. Available online for free, this material serves as inspiration for other cities aiming to make their urban spaces safer and more accessible.
Urban blocks can be defined as the space within the street pattern of a city that is subdivided into land lots for the construction of buildings. This morphological element has been shaped according to the current views on urban design and its expectations over the centuries. It may consist of a single building structure or an area with several buildings that vary in size, detached structures surrounded by nature, or intricate labyrinths. Regardless of the composition, an urban block is the basic unit of a city's urban fabric and plays an important role in mediating between the public and private spheres.
On December 10, 2022, ArchDaily successfully hosted the inaugural "Co-Creation & Co-Ideation" forum for ArchDaily Building Materials (Jianri Zhucai). The event featured seven guest speakers who shared their stories about materials: Libin Chen (Partner at David Chipperfield Architects Shanghai), Jing Lin (Senior Project Architect / Associate Director at SHL Architects), Shuangquan Ni (Marketing Director at Avarte), Yi Yao (Deputy General Manager of the Design Management Department of China Resources Land East China Region), Zhou Qing (Deputy General Manager and Design Director at GOA), Isabel (Residential Project Manager at iGuzzini), and Chunyan Cai (Principal of Atelier Tao+C). Additionally, Shuang Han, ArchDaily China's Editor-in-Chief, introduced our decision to launch a WeChat Mini Program to enter the building materials sector, along with our future plans. We would like to extend our special thanks to China Resources Land for providing the venue, to our sponsors iGuzzini and Avarte for their generous support, and to all the attendees.
Willow Technologies is a material research and building technology practice that has been selected as part of ArchDaily's 2023 Best New Practices. Founded by Ghanaian-Filipino designer and architectural scientist Mae-Ling Lokko, it operates in the gap between research, development, and diffusion of bio-based building materials. Working with agro-waste and bio-based materials usually incurs technical questions regarding scalability, industrial production, standardization, fireproofing, and mechanical strength. Exploring this data is where Willow Technologies situates itself, but peculiarly through the lens of developing regions in West Africa. Through comprehensive works with coconuts, moringa, rice, and other indigenous crops, Lokko’s practice has been able to investigate and catalog the material character of various crops, their possible by-products, local transformation techniques, and the prospect and challenges of scalability as building materials.
ArchDaily presented its monthly topic for July (Design Process) and wanted to open the discussion on how technology is being integrated into architectural practice. Although the discipline has been advancing for years in new fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), parametric modeling, and BIM, alongside other cutting-edge tools, its implementation and systematization in everyday design processes remain slow.
Throughout the month, we held an open call to hear about our readers' experiences and learn from them—exploring together how the latest innovations transforming the profession are being applied. After reviewing a vast number of comments and opinions, it was surprising to find common ground regarding how we filter and update the technologies we use in our design processes. Read the main perspectives below.
Attics are floors at the top of a house, close to the roof. Due to the roof slope angle, they usually have an inclined shape, which limits their space and makes them underutilized environments. However, despite this particularity, attics can have several uses in a project and convert into multifunctional spaces for residents.
La Fábrica, an iconic project by Ricardo Bofill, stands as a testament to the transformative power of architecture. Located in the environs of Barcelona, this creation showcases the remarkable metamorphosis of an abandoned cement factory into a stunning architectural masterpiece.
Contemporary architecture does not come from scratch. Today’s projects are based on a series of experiments that have occurred since humanity began to conceive living and coexistence spaces. An intrinsic connection between customs, traditions, local materials, and construction techniques gave rise to ancestral and vernacular architectures. The influence of each population's context and culture can be an inspiration for contemporary architects who, by looking to the past, can effectively respond to the future.
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