This guide covers a workflow that moves from project parameters to generated floor plans, 3D perspective views, exterior design exploration, and site context visualization, using AI tools in place of preliminary CAD and rendering work.

In the field of architecture, there is growing client interest in integrated solutions that offer comprehensive support across all stages of a project, simplifying and optimizing each phase of the construction lifecycle to deliver greater efficiency and precision. This spans stages such as budgeting, construction planning and management, resource and procurement management, materials purchasing, and ultimately, real estate sales. 

This week on the TERRAZA podcast, Nicolás Valencia talks with José Luis Uribe, author of the book “Viaje a Paraguay,” published by Arquine in 2023.

In “Viaje a Paraguay,” Uribe approaches the work of Gabinete de Arquitectura, Lukas Fuster, Estudio Elgué, José Cubilla, and Javier Corvalán and the Laboratorio de Arquitectura, drawing from three expeditions conducted between 2017 and 2019 to reflect on Paraguay’s contribution to the contemporary state of architecture.

This week on the TERRAZA podcast, Nicolás Valencia speaks with Marie Combette and Daniel Moreno, the French-Ecuadorian duo behind La Cabina de la Curiosidad and the book “Los caminos del agua,” published by Arquine in 2023.

In “Los caminos del agua,” a series of journeys across different scales unfolds, providing objective, compelling, and detailed insights into the origins of water flows within Latin American geography. The slow, patient, and rigorous hand-drawing of watersheds proposes a conscious assimilation of the natural wealth of this territory.

This week on the TERRAZA podcast, Nicolás Valencia speaks with Peruvian architect Michelle Llona, co-author of the award-winning book “⁠Catálogo Arquitectura Movimiento Moderno Perú⁠”, published by the University of Lima in 2016.

“Catálogo de Arquitectura del Movimiento Moderno del Perú” (CAMMP) is the result of the research project of the same name, developed by Llona alongside Alejandra Acevedo between 2013 and 2015, under the auspices of the Scientific Research Institute of the University of Lima. It is the first initiative in Peru to inventory and document the most significant buildings of the country's modern architectural production.

How we perceive space is a crucial aspect of architecture and interior design, profoundly influencing our interaction with the environment. Consequently, spatial perception is shaped by elements such as furniture arrangement, lighting, color usage, and selected materials. The latter is particularly significant, as the same material can be employed in various ways, resulting in atmospheres with distinct characteristics.

An example of the potential variations in material use is fluted cladding. These are milled MDF surfaces with a linear pattern designed to decorate interior walls and ceilings. They can be applied to a variety of surfaces, though they should only be used in areas not exposed to humidity. The system is notable for its ability to accentuate space through different configurations. Depending on their arrangement and type of ripple, these configurations can modify the spatial experience by highlighting, directing, enveloping, and achieving visual balance in homes, offices, commercial spaces, and more.

Considered an essential activity for children and one that is constantly evolving, play has transitioned from a free, informal concept to a structured activity incorporating a variety of factors designed to foster physical, cognitive, creative, and socio-emotional development. Studied by educators such as Friedrich Fröbel, who became renowned for his pioneering theories on kindergarten, play was championed as a driver of spontaneous development through recreational activities. Over time, this laid the groundwork for a concept that spread across Europe during the 19th century and eventually reached the United States with the creation of the first playground in Chicago in 1892, marking a turning point in the relationship between physical space and recreation.

More than a century later, much has changed. Today, play structures are evolving alongside user habits, adapting to contexts where they were historically absent, such as indoor environments. This shift is largely driven by optimized dimensions, technical enhancements, and advanced technologies that enable the development of increasingly durable, versatile, and sustainable materials. Together, these advancements yield solutions that foster new ways of experiencing these spaces, offering an alternative approach where utility converges with leisure. Responding to this dynamic, Urbanplay has introduced a new indoor play concept utilizing modular solutions from Kompan, the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality play equipment. This approach focuses on creating customized play areas to enhance the user experience and foster more welcoming, inclusive, and easily accessible recreational environments.

Architecture firms and real estate developers are constantly seeking industrialized construction solutions to optimize project timelines and costs. However, compromising on aesthetics and energy efficiency is not an option. A viable solution lies within the wide range of systems in the face brick ecosystem. 

Three recent projects developed in Spain exemplify how integrating face brick facades can yield unique designs. Furthermore, all three are finalists for the Hispalyt Brick Architecture Award 2021-2023 in the "Industrialization" category.

Videos

This week on the TERRAZA podcast, Nicolás Valencia speaks with Spanish architect Mauro Gil-Fournier, author of the book “Las casas que me habitan” (The Houses That Inhabit Me), published by Arquitecturas afectivas in 2022.

In “Las casas que me habitan,” Gil-Fournier suggests that as citizens we think we inhabit our houses, our squares, and our cities, but we only inhabit our everyday practices. The houses presented here are the affects that inhabit us on a daily basis.

“Affective architectures allow us to create a space where we can express ourselves honestly, without judgment, and safely,” Gil-Fournier notes in this interview.

This week on the TERRAZA podcast, Nicolás Valencia speaks with Chilean architect Blanca Zúñiga, author of the book “Espacio público rural,” published by Sa Cabaña in 2021.

In “Espacio público rural,” Zúñiga develops a photographic project that seeks to capture and value the diverse ways of inhabiting the Chilean countryside in the Maule region.

“In the rural towns of the region, you don't know if the living room of the house is a public or private space because the doors are always open,” Zúñiga explains in this interview.

Certain materials offer a wide range of applications, and wood is undoubtedly one of them. This noble material can assume various roles: structurally in tectonics, as floor cladding in finishes, or even as a functional and decorative element in furniture design. Depending on its application, wood tells a different narrative. In facade design, its integration imparts a distinct character; indeed, beyond contributing to the building's identity and aesthetics, it also plays a crucial role in its functionality.

When discussing wood facades, screens and timber batten patterns are recurring elements. Through this approach—in contrast to modular systems—customizable combinations can be created for each project, conveying a unique artisanal beauty tailored to the intended design. Furthermore, wood offers outstanding characteristics in terms of sustainability, solar control, weather resistance, and energy efficiency. Together, these qualities allow the facade to function as a dynamic interface between interior and exterior, mediating light, shadow, and views.

Negotiating height differences comfortably and using space efficiently is the primary function of stairs. Their invention is not attributed to a single individual or specific civilization; rather, they evolved independently across various cultures throughout history. The earliest evidence of staircases is found in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley Civilization, with notable examples including the Mesopotamian ziggurats and the Great Pyramid of Giza. The Greeks and Romans further refined the design, and during the medieval period, spiral staircases became common in castles for defensive purposes. The Renaissance introduced even more elaborate and decorative examples crafted from stone, marble, and, later, iron and steel. In modern times, innovations in concrete and precast components emerged, reflecting advancements in materials and engineering. Floating staircases, for example, have become a major trend by visually expanding spaces and enhancing natural light within an environment. They are characterized by an elegant, minimalist design where the treads appear to float in midair without visible support, anchored to a single wall.

The global commitment to net-zero emissions and climate change mitigation presents a monumental challenge for the construction sector—an industry that currently accounts for nearly 40% of global CO₂ emissions, a figure projected to continue rising. Adopting sustainable practices is crucial to improving environmental conditions, with primary objectives including optimizing thermal comfort and reducing energy consumption in buildings. How can we achieve this if not through collective learning and knowledge sharing among different professionals and workers in the sector?

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Certain materials offer a wide range of uses, and wood is one of them. This noble material can take on various roles: structurally in tectonics, as flooring in finishes, or even as functional and decorative elements in furniture. Depending on its application, wood adopts a distinct narrative. In facade design, its integration lends a unique character, as it not only contributes to the building's identity and aesthetics but also plays a crucial role in its functionality.

When discussing facades and wood, screens and timber batten patterns are recurring elements. Through this concept—in contrast to modular systems—highly customizable combinations can be created for each project, conveying a unique, artisanal beauty tailored to the intended design. Furthermore, wood offers remarkable qualities in terms of sustainability, solar control, weather resistance, and energy efficiency. Together, these qualities allow the facade to function as a dynamic interface between interior and exterior, also mediating between light and shadow, as well as views.

Public lighting plays a fundamental role in modern cities and has evolved considerably throughout history. In Ancient Greece and Rome, rudimentary methods such as torches and oil lamps illuminated some streets. During the Middle Ages, castles and European city streets used oil lanterns and, later, candles. A significant breakthrough came with the invention of the gas lamp in the late 18th century, first used for public lighting in London in 1807, which improved street visibility and helped reduce crime. Thomas Edison’s invention of the electric lamp in 1879 revolutionized public lighting, and incandescent lamps began replacing gas, providing more efficient and safer illumination.

The Architectural Association Visiting School (AAVS) Rio de Janeiro workshop interrogated
tectonics within Rio's post-colonial, urban, and tropical context. Each year, the workshop questions, celebrates, and experiments with a characteristic element of local architecture.

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In an era where we spend most of our time indoors, contemporary architecture offers an innovative approach: dissolving the barriers between inside and outside. This fusion, now an iconic feature of many current projects, reflects a growing desire to live in harmony with nature, promoting a synergy that transcends walls and restores the human connection to the natural environment. Large windows framing landscapes and the use of biophilic design principles blur the boundaries between interior and exterior, creating flexible, light-filled spaces where nature is incorporated into the architectural design. This integration stems from meticulous design choices made possible by technological advances—such as high-performance glazing and smart systems—that enable this connection without sacrificing comfort or energy efficiency.

Videos

The accelerating rise of a homogenized, worldwide aesthetic is forcing creators to confront a critical reality: design trends are effortlessly transcending geography, but local identity is paying the price. The fifth episode of the Room For Dreams podcast tackles a head-on investigation into whether a boundaryless market is quietly erasing design diversity. Recorded live at Milan Design Week 2026 in cooperation with INDX|GLOBAL, host Claire Broadka of designboom sits down with Sachi Gupta, Shilpi Sonar, Krithika Subrahmanian, and Sumit Dhawan to map out the reality of the borderless creator.

The Glass House, located on Ponus Ridge Road in New Canaan, Connecticut, was designed and built in the late 1940s as the home of its architect, Philip Johnson. Considered an icon of modern architecture, the house explores the boundaries between interior and exterior. One year after its completion, its mimesis, the Brick House, was built 25 meters in front of it, sharing the same length but only half the depth of the glass house.

Working at the intersection of architectural and social projects, Grupo ][ Fresta was one of the practices recognized by the 2021 IAB Awards in the Urbanism, Planning, and Cities category. The highlighted project proposes a set of infrastructure alongside cultural and community facilities across 12 Guarani and Tupi villages, spread over 24,000 hectares of land south of the country's largest city.

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National School Day was celebrated yesterday, March 15, an important date to remember and value the role of educational institutions. Spaces that foster new perspectives, knowledge, exchanges, interaction, and play must be designed to rise to the challenge. While we have previously highlighted fifteen projects designed by Brazilian architects, today we take the opportunity to showcase some of the solutions and techniques adopted in recent years when approaching this program.

If Zininho—author of the anthem of Santa Catarina’s capital—had turned his songwriting to Florianópolis's urban planning, he would certainly have reached the same conclusion: never has a poet had so much to sing about.

And with good reason: urban irregularity in Florianópolis is so widespread that reliable data on the subject only recently came to light. The city's own Director of Urban Planning estimated irregular occupations at 40% to 45% of the total. Only with the proposed Master Plan revision in late December 2021 did we learn that irregularity varies from 5.21% in the continental mainland to 81.84% in the Rio Vermelho district. Six of the thirteen districts have over 40% of their urban footprint in informal settlements, and only four remain under 20%.

Streets are the foundational public spaces of cities and the ultimate hubs of convergence. Where streets meet, plazas, squares, and parks emerge. Everything flows through our streets, and their quality determines people's access to employment, education, healthcare, and leisure. Yet a brief look at major Brazilian cities reveals a clear prioritization of motorized vehicles over other modes of transport. In São Paulo, for instance, 41% of sidewalks do not meet the minimum width required by law.

Today is World Water Day, established in 1992 by the United Nations (UN) to broaden discussions surrounding this resource. As drinking water becomes increasingly valuable, we present three architectural design alternatives to save and make better use of water in your home.

A small community of tiny homes has been built in Seattle, Washington, with the goal of helping homeless women transition back into stable shelter. What makes the project even more remarkable is that Whittier Heights Village was built entirely by female volunteers.

The site is tucked away between a bank parking lot and a four-story apartment complex in the Ballard neighborhood. The fenced-in lot features 16 tiny homes capable of temporarily sheltering up to 20 women at a time.