In increasingly denser urban environments, there is a new-found interest in underused spaces as opportunities for further development. Representing up to 25% of cities' land area, rooftops are among the most exciting spatial resources. From sustainable infrastructure and urban farming to social spaces and cultural venues, the article looks into the potential of creating a multi-layered city through the activation of urban rooftops.
The Integrated Permanent Site Construction Project of the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART) and Shenzhen Bay Laboratory (SZBL) is located in the northeastern sector of the Science and Education Integration Cluster in Guangming Science City, Guangming District, Shenzhen. Tasked with the core mission of establishing a comprehensive national science center in the Greater Bay Area, the project will establish a strategic scientific and technological institution integrating basic research, clinical research, full-chain industrial translation, and technical innovation in the biomedical field, supporting Shenzhen's development into a pioneering demonstration hub for medical and life sciences innovation.
The Integrated Permanent Site Construction Project of the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART) & Shenzhen Bay Laboratory (SZBL) is located in the northeastern sector of the Science and Education Integration Cluster within Guangming Science City, Guangming District, Shenzhen. Carrying the core mission of establishing a comprehensive national science center in the Greater Bay Area, the project aims to develop strategic scientific and technological institutions that integrate basic research, clinical research, full-chain industrial translation, and technical innovation in the biomedical and life sciences fields, supporting Shenzhen's development into a pioneering demonstration hub for medical and life sciences innovation.
The tender for the schematic design and preliminary architectural design of Bid Section II of the Integrated Permanent Site Construction Project of the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation and Shenzhen Bay Laboratory is about to commence, with the official tender announcement to be released shortly. The tenderee is the Engineering Design Management Center of the Bureau of Public Works of Shenzhen Municipality. Pre-registration and expressions of interest are now open to design teams worldwide.
Tenders for the schematic design and preliminary architectural design of the Integrated Permanent Site Construction Project of the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation & Shenzhen Bay Laboratory (Bid Section II) will launch soon, with the official tender announcements to be released shortly. The tenderee is the Engineering Design Management Center of the Bureau of Public Works of Shenzhen Municipality. Pre-registration is now open to design teams from around the globe.
Tender Project: Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation and Shenzhen Bay Laboratory Integrated Permanent Site Construction Project Design Bid Section II Project Name: Design for the Integrated Permanent Site Construction of the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation & Shenzhen Bay Laboratory (Bid Section II) Project Location: Northeastern sector of the Science and Education Integration Cluster in Guangming Science City; situated at the northeastern gateway of Shenzhen, adjacent to Sun Yat-sen University (Shenzhen Campus) and Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology. Project Location: Northeastern sector of the Science and Education Integration Cluster in Guangming Science City; at the northeastern gateway of Shenzhen; adjacent to Sun Yat-sen University (Shenzhen Campus) and Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology Pre-registration Deadline: June 4, 2023, 17:00 (Beijing Time) Pre-registration Deadline: 17:00, June 4, 2023
As part of an initiative by the Federation of Associations of Architects of the Mexican Republic, a national competition was launched to design an affordable housing prototype in Los Pirules, Celaya, Guanajuato. The Municipal Housing Institute of Celaya (IMUVI) currently holds a land reserve in the northeast of the municipality, where it plans to develop a social housing complex. In collaboration with FCARM, they launched this competition to spark architectural reflection on the potential of social housing and the city. The prototype had to adapt to the post-2022 economic reality and living patterns, focusing on providing constructive alternatives and solutions responsive to the housing complex's urban, sociocultural, and environmental context.
Sede da Symantec. Certificado por WELL. Imagem Cortesia de Little
Na teoria, a sensação de bem-estar pode ser definida como um estado de satisfação plena das exigências do corpo e do espírito, evocando sentimentos de segurança, conforto e tranquilidade. Na prática, a sensação de bem-estar pode ser fomentada por diferentes estratégias, desde hábitos individuais até a forma como o ambiente é construído.
Change is hard, especially when it’s being forced upon you. But change can often be a good thing, too. Forcing growth and refreshing vitality. Those first few months after a child flies the nest are the hardest to bear when having to get to grips with the new normal of a quiet, lonely household.
Just as many soon-to-be-parents hit a sudden period of ‘nesting’ before the stork’s arrival, those on the other end of the child-rearing timeline experience an opposing feeling of grief when their home with a child reverts back to one without. Feelings of emptiness, loneliness, and a lack of purpose are joined by anxiety for them and their new life, and the loss of parental identity.
When it comes to buildings, there are several factors that contribute to creating something truly luxurious: attention to detail, use of premium, high-quality materials, and unique designs. Lately, the environmental impact of building decisions has also entered heavily into this equation, and the development of a luxury project requires all steps and products to take sustainability into account. At One Za'abeel, the new addition to the Dubai skyline, the careful choice of all solutions, manufacturers and surfaces had a direct influence on the final look and atmosphere of the building, which aims to be an urban landmark and raise the standard of buildings in the UAE.
Singapore, China, Dubai (United Arab Emirates), London (England), Toronto (Canada), Hong Kong, New York (USA), and Paris (France) are examples of locations that have been verticalizing more intensely in recent years, adopting a series of measures to curb urban sprawl while seeking to meet the demand for more housing and infrastructure. Consequently, these regions have seen a growing number of skyscrapers—or tall buildings, as they are also called—being constructed in their neighborhoods, including central and historic areas.
https://www.archdaily.com/1136117/skyscrapers-the-solution-is-to-grow-upward-with-welcoming-ground-floorsSomos Cidade
Architecture is a complex and diverse discipline with multiple approaches and perspectives. Throughout history, numerous studies, theories, and treatises have emerged focusing on different architectural expressions. Vitruvius's treatise *De Architectura* is one of the oldest and most influential in the field, proposing that architecture is based on three fundamental principles: beauty, firmness, and utility. For a work to be considered truly architectural, there must be a balance between these three components. Moreover, other approaches, such as the five points of modern architecture, and more recent research, like Supra Order, enrich contemporary architectural theory.
https://www.archdaily.com/1136066/seven-fundamental-pillars-for-a-well-functioning-homeEnrique Tovar
Perspectiva exterior por Nicolás Belcic. Image Cortesía de Bruno Stagno
From Costa Rica, architect Bruno Stagno not only reflects on how responses to the environment can be the main basis for inspiration and identity in architecture but also proposes going a little further, with contemporary tropical architecture for an entire latitude.
What happens when these limits are extended? What happens when these motivations escape outside of the tropical context? Bruno Stagno presents here the project "A Mangrove for Berlin", his participation in the 1995 competition for the Reconstruction of the Berlin Academy of Architecture, "Berliner Bauakademie", an emblematic work of the architect Friedrich Schinkel.
Finding effective and valuable solutions for agricultural waste management has been an inspiring challenge for researchers. By-products from monocultures, such as residues from soybean production, corn cobs, straw, sunflower seeds, and cellulose, are often destined for soil composting, used as animal feed, or even converted into energy in order to reduce waste and mitigate the environmental impacts associated with agricultural activities. Sugarcane production, for example, generates a significant amount of by-products, totaling about 600 million tons of bagasse fiber waste from an annual production of two billion tons of sugarcane. This by-product has a promising potential to replace energy-intensive building systems, such as concrete and brick, by providing building materials that combine sustainability and structural efficiency.
With this perspective in mind, the University of East London (UEL), in partnership with Grimshaw Architects and manufacturer Tate & Lyle Sugar, has developed an innovative building material called Sugarcrete™. The aim of the project is to explore sustainable building solutions by recycling biological by-products from sugarcane, which in turn reduces carbon emissions in the construction industry – all while prioritizing social and environmental sustainability during the production and implementation of these building materials.
Parla Design is a third-generation furniture manufacturer that uses its extensive experience to inform its range of contemporary products. Image Courtesy of Parla
In today’s challenging climate for business, companies with a long and distinguished heritage have an advantage over younger enterprises as they can draw on decades of experience in overcoming market fluctuations. In the design industry, knowledge passed down over generations can be vital, as companies are required to adapt to shifts in consumer behavior or the latest revolutionary technologies. These established businesses are often able to thrive during difficult times by developing products that balance innovation with tradition and transcend trends to instead deliver lasting success.
We can define green technology as a set of instruments that enable sustainable production. This means managing product lifecycles more responsibly, always striving for minimal environmental impact.
The production stages span from raw material extraction, manufacturing, and distribution, to end-use and disposal. Consequently, the entire lifecycle can benefit from the application of green technologies, which help reduce environmental impact by using natural resources in a sustainable and conscious manner.
room206 Apartment / Daiki Awaya. Image Courtesy of Daiki Awaya
Kitchens encapsulate the essence of culture, acting as dynamic museums that preserve age-old recipes, processes, and traditions. Influenced by ethnic practices and culinary customs, kitchen architecture varies greatly across continents. In this context, kitchens transcend their domestic role and become insightful manifestations of cultural, societal, and regional factors. They not only serve as functional spaces for cooking and meal preparation but also stand as reflections of the rich tapestry of culture and lifestyles embraced by the individuals who inhabit them.
When François Lévy was asked to design a country home on a substantial piece of land, he immediately faced an issue: locating the building in a spot which required as little re-grading as possible while being able to reap the benefits of solar energy. The most desirable location —given site access and a range of mature oaks— would have left the building sitting slightly out of grade. And, if he had chosen the most obvious building orientation (long and narrow with broad elevations facing north and south), part of it would jut out of the ground and some crucial trees would be lost.
Pool design is an opportunity to create sophisticated, relaxing spaces that complement and enhance their surroundings. When choosing materials, it is essential to look for options that are not only aesthetically appealing but also durable and wear-resistant. One material that meets all these criteria is Sukabumi stone.
This natural stone is quarried in the region from which it takes its name, Sukabumi, Indonesia. In addition to its visual appeal and emerald green color, Sukabumi stone has slip-resistant properties and is highly resistant to erosion. These qualities make it a popular choice for pool projects and decorative accents with a natural aesthetic worldwide.
The pilot study was conducted at Residencial Baltimore in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. Photo: Flávia Almeida
According to recent data, Brazil's housing deficit stands at 5.876 million households: 5.044 million in urban areas and 832,000 in rural areas. In percentage terms, this figure corresponds to 8.1% of the country's total stock of private, permanent, and improvised dwellings. Aiming to address, either fully or partially, this massive social debt, the Minha Casa Minha Vida (MCMV) program, launched in 2009, began offering affordable housing to low-income families.
Vernacular architecture is a complex concept that has different meanings depending on where we are, and it is present in various architectural typologies. It is connected to its roots and place of origin, elements that define many of its characteristics based on specific aspects such as culture, climate, topography, vegetation, and the availability of materials and resources in each region. Its constructions are also often linked to traditional building techniques from each place. These techniques were developed by populations in a broader historical context based on available resources.
In this second feature, to learn more about the science panel on design for Climate Adaptation we met with Billie Faircloth, Partner and Research Director at KieranTimberlake, Adjunct Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and Maibritt Pedersen Zari, Associate Professor at the School of Future Environments, Auckland University of Technology.
Response to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Back Bay Coastal Storm Risk Management Study / Curtis + Rogers Design Studio. Image Courtesy of Miami Downtown Development Authority
This Earth Day, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris highlighted the many benefits of nature-based solutions and recognized the important role of landscape architects in this work. At the University of Miami, she also announced $562 million in funding for coastal resilience projects, supporting 149 projects in 30 states, through the Climate-Ready Coasts Initiative of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Vice President Harris’ remarks build on the Biden-Harris administration’s support for planning and designing with ecological systems in an equitable way.
Avenida Paulista. Circa 1920. Photo: Guilherme Gaensly (Acervo Instituto Moreira Salles)
A major urban axis where thousands of people, subways, buses, cars, and bicycles pass daily. High-rise buildings, cultural centers, banks, and shopping malls. As the symbol of São Paulo, Avenida Paulista once looked very different. As difficult as it may be to imagine today, it was once lined with grand mansions of the most diverse architectural styles, and its destiny was altered in a matter of days by heritage preservation disputes and... a pizza.
Harnessing the power of moldless manufacturing through large-scale robotic 3D printing, research at ETH Zürich in collaboration with FenX AG delves into the use of cement-free mineral foam made from recycled waste. The objective is to build wall systems that are monolithic, lightweight, and immediately insulated, minimizing material use, labor requirements, and associated costs.
Currently at 103 million, the number of people forcibly displaced from their homes is continuously growing. Many seek shelter in settlements that are meant to be temporary, but where displaced people end up living years, even decades.
The Norman Foster Foundation and Holcim, global leader in sustainable building solutions, came together to form a response to this problem based on two firm beliefs: everyone has the right to a home, and everyone should have access to sustainable building.
Cities worldwide can save thousands of lives every year through fairly simple measures: traffic calming and speed management. Readjusting vehicle speed limits on urban roads is one of the key initiatives highlighted by the UN and the WHO to help countries meet the target of halving traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030.
https://www.archdaily.com/1136225/5-myths-about-reducing-urban-traffic-speedPaula Manoela dos Santos, Andressa Ribeiro e Adriana Jakovcevic
Architecture involves mobilizing several aspects of the environment where the building is located: the socio-cultural, political and economic context, aesthetics, legislation, and functionality. Functionality includes use efficiency, occupancy, and comfort. Laurent Troost's work has shown the articulation between these various factors, with particular attention to comfort, especially thermal comfort. His projects prioritize natural ventilation over artificial air conditioning, which has become almost mandatory in current city models.