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.

Tomás Vodanovic, mayor of the municipality of Maipú in Santiago, Chile, announced a new measure prohibiting high-rise construction along major thoroughfares, such as Pajaritos, Américo Vespucio, and 5 de Abril, in an effort to foster the aesthetic and sustainable development of the district.

As the climate emergency worsens globally, an ever-larger number of people are forced to flee their homes due to natural disasters, droughts, and other meteorological events. These displaced populations are often referred to as “climate refugees.” This humanitarian crisis demands immediate action, but first we must understand who these individuals are and how the international community can appropriately address this growing issue.

Being present has become the new currency, another way to accumulate symbolic capital, and a new way to validate status. It began with a sudden and rapid surge in museum attendance, alongside the visible crowding of specific areas of Mexico City. This points to an issue currently affecting us: gentrification and forced displacement.

Dementia villages, or communities designed for people living with dementia, represent an innovative model of care for individuals experiencing cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer's disease. These environments are adapted and welcoming, fostering a sense of community while promoting resident autonomy and well-being.

Neuroarchitecture and dementia villages are closely linked, as both seek to create spaces that enhance the well-being and quality of life of those with dementia. Combining neuroscience with design, neuroarchitecture explores how the physical environment impacts the human brain and behavior.

In October 2023, the Mugak International Architecture Biennial of the Basque Country opened its fourth central exhibition in the city of San Sebastián, Spain, the result of a collective dialogue between key figures from the architectural and artistic worlds. Positioned as one of the leading architectural events of the Atlantic Arc, this public meeting point engages with the trends and concerns of our time.

Running through February 2024 with free admission at the Basque Country Architecture Institute, the reflective exhibition "Habitar el Cambio" (Inhabiting Change) is structured around the concepts of "rebuilding, rehabilitating, and rethinking," responding to the current climate of complexity and crisis across economic, health, ecological, and social spheres.

Can we construct buildings using less water? Throughout June, ArchDaily opened the debate on water resources in architecture, inviting our readers to join the discussion.

Global water use data is discouraging, and the construction process accounts for a significant portion of this consumption. It was time to think about how to reduce this impact. The need to design buildings that do not require water offered a unique opportunity to explore innovative and sustainable alternatives to minimize or even completely eliminate water use in construction.

As part of the XXVI Arquisur Congress “Turns of Architecture,” held from October 11 to 13 at the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Urbanism of the University of the Republic of Uruguay, the winners of the 2023 edition of the Arq. José Miguel Aroztegui Award for Architecture Students, the Arquisur Research Award, and the Arquisur Outreach Award were announced.

Bringing greenery and, in many cases, vegetable cultivation into urban areas yields countless benefits for city dwellers. Green roofs offer a solution for transforming underutilized areas into true natural oases, helping to mitigate urban heat islands, absorb rainwater, improve air quality, control noise levels, and attract biodiversity.

Composed of extremely fine mineral particles and formed through the long-term weathering and erosion of rock, clay possesses unique properties that make it highly versatile. When wet, it becomes highly plastic and malleable, allowing it to be molded into virtually any shape. Once dried and fired, it becomes hard and durable, leading to its widespread use in construction and ceramics. In outdoor applications, clay pavers are particularly common, favored for their durability, resistance to weathering and traffic, natural earthy tones, and ease of installation.

A few days ago, on a beautiful, sunny Sunday in the middle of winter, my wife and I decided to take our two young children to visit Villa-Lobos Park, in the far west of the city of São Paulo, nearly on the border with Osasco.

It is not a park we visit often nowadays, but it undoubtedly holds a special place in our personal history. She grew up in Cotia; I, in Osasco. Both cities lie in the western part of the São Paulo Metropolitan Area, and the park was perhaps the main public space relatively close to our homes during our childhood and youth. We even have photos from when we first started dating in 2013, capturing idle moments—sometimes stretched out on a broad green lawn, other times embracing under a blossoming tree.

A new space has opened its doors in a 1930s house in the San Miguel Chapultepec neighborhood of Mexico City. This cultural enterprise, named ARCO, merges art, design, and architecture to create a collaborative venue housing the architecture firm WORC and the furniture-focused design studio VETA.

It is increasingly common to observe how current generations, characterized by greater respect and awareness of the environment, seek new ways to interact with nature while assuming a deep responsibility to protect it. Accordingly, the future of architecture is closely tied to the ability to balance these desires and obligations, particularly in the design of natural public spaces.

By integrating subtle paths and walkways, public space design can open up access for people of all ages and abilities. Combined with a natural material palette, architects and designers can create spaces that complement their surroundings. Yet, however beautiful these natural areas may be, making them safe and suitable for visitors can have detrimental effects on the environment. Consequently, design and material selection must be approached mindfully and with care.

Throughout our lives, we are exposed to various stimuli and pollutants that directly impact our well-being. Although air and water pollution typically garner more attention due to their highly visible and negative effects, noise pollution is sometimes underestimated, even though it poses a risk to physical and mental health, according to the European Environment Agency.

Some of the strategies to address this challenge have focused on policies that control vehicular traffic and establish schedules for specific activities. In the field of architecture, within the Mexican context, local regulations address specific scenarios related to noise produced by machinery and particular uses, such as entertainment and service centers. These regulations establish a sound intensity limit of 65 dB (decibels). However, since housing represents perhaps the most archetypal manifestation of architecture and can be affected by various noise sources, it is worth asking: How can a home be soundproofed? In response to this question, Soprema has developed several solutions to create a soundproofed environment through the different elements that make up a home.

What is thermal inertia and how does it work? Consider two simple buildings: one constructed primarily of stone and another of uninsulated wood. On a sunny day, the stone building, with its high thermal inertia, will gradually absorb solar heat. At night, it will slowly release this stored heat, keeping the interior warmer for longer. Meanwhile, the uninsulated wooden building, with its low thermal inertia, will heat up and cool down much faster, quickly absorbing heat during the day but easily losing it at night.

This example demonstrates how the stone building has a superior capacity to regulate indoor temperature due to its higher thermal inertia. Architects leverage this physical property of materials to optimize building thermal performance and reduce reliance on heating or cooling systems. However, every project is unique, and the required levels of thermal inertia can vary depending on the climate and the use of each building.

Below, we examine how the thermal inertia of different materials performs across various scenarios, as well as the contribution of ceramic or porcelain tiles to achieving optimal comfort.

Whether through small physical material samples or a digital collage, a moodboard is a valuable design tool for architects and designers—an inspiration board featuring colors and elements that guide aesthetic choices. The idea is for professionals to use them as a source of inspiration to compose their projects and define backdrops, predominant textures, and highlight details. In doing so, surfaces play a fundamental role in defining a space, setting its tone much like music, where all other elements either align with or disrupt the harmony of the chosen palette.

In architecture and design, trends emerge from a variety of factors, including technological advancements, cultural shifts, environmental concerns, and aesthetic considerations. These are expressed through preferences in materials, colors, and textures, as well as in the ways spaces are conceived and organized.

When it comes to materials, the presence of natural elements like marble inspires the marbled style—a versatile, timeless trend that brings warmth, natural authenticity, and sophistication to interiors. In line with contemporary interior design trends, Daltile develops polished porcelain solutions as an alternative that preserves the aesthetic versatility of marble while offering greater durability and resistance.

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Combining technical and aesthetic qualities, porcelain tile stands out as a versatile ceramic option for various architectural and design applications, both indoors and outdoors. Composed primarily of ground clays, feldspars, silica, and other natural materials, porcelain is distinguished by its strength, compactness, and low porosity. In addition to its wide range of colors, patterns, and textures, this material comes in various formats and dimensions. Among these options, large-format porcelain tiles stand out, ideal for enhancing the design of seamless, contemporary spaces.

As part of its solutions for flooring and ceramic wall coverings, Cesantoni has developed large-format porcelain tiles that merge classic style with contemporary innovation. By analyzing these new rectified porcelain options, we demonstrate the versatility of this material across diverse applications, ranging from outdoor areas, kitchens, bathrooms, and common spaces to public space design.

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Confronting the passage of time is a constant challenge in architecture. The ephemeral nature of humanity often drives us to construct structures capable of resisting not only the years but also external factors like weather, operational wear, and even human interaction. Whether through imposing monuments, iconic contemporary buildings, or the use of highly durable materials, our architectural vision and legacy can be preserved.

Stainless steel is a prime example of resistance to the passage of time and environmental factors. Its durability has made it popular in various applications, ranging from facades to cafeteria furniture and restroom partitions. The latter are widely used in public restrooms in airports, schools, and social clubs—typologies subjected to high traffic that require stainless steel combined with finishes providing reinforced, anti-corrosive protection, such as the anti-graffiti finish developed by Sanilock. This results in more durable and resilient partitions.

Urban centers play a fundamental role in the advancement of contemporary architecture and in driving society's economic growth. At the same time, cities concentrate a large portion of the world's population and activities that contribute to global carbon emissions. This negative symbiotic relationship has brought us to a point where, according to WHO data, 99% of the global population breathes polluted air, consisting primarily of fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxide gases. These compounds have detrimental health impacts, linked to cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.

Since these pollutants originate from human activity, it is crucial to seek approaches that reduce emissions and, from various angles, help improve air quality. These approaches range from adopting alternative construction methods for building structures and planning car-free urban environments to material innovations, including membranes with photocatalytic granules like those developed by Soprema. Through a photochemical reaction, these granules reduce pollutants at ground level, improving air quality and fostering healthier communities.

Architecture is a discipline intrinsically linked to our senses. Although taste and smell are likely the least engaged by the built environment, touch, sight, and hearing are constantly influenced by stimuli from design, materials, and sound sources, whether interior or exterior. Consequently, when it comes to sound, its relationship with human well-being is a highly relevant topic for architects and designers, as sound frequently shapes how we experience spaces.

Depending on the building typology and the activities taking place within it—as well as the desired effect—it may be necessary to attenuate indoor sound, block it between two enclosed spaces, or, in some cases, both. From the typical sounds of a workspace and music, to the auditory stimuli generated by urban activity, acoustics is an inherent discipline in architecture. As such, architects and brands like Armstrong have sought to address its nuances through technology, innovation, and diverse designs.

After a prolonged period of decline, in September of 476 AD, the Roman Empire lost authority over its vast territory and fractured into numerous successor political entities. This event marked the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Although this occurred centuries ago, its influence remains present today through numerous contributions to contemporary society. One of these architectural contributions is the public bath, of which one of the finest examples still survives: The Roman Baths in Bath, England.

Early public baths featured their own diverse architectural programs, incorporating everything from cold, warm, and hot pools to services such as shops, gyms, and libraries. Over time, public restrooms have evolved, becoming more sophisticated and compact units that integrate new materials and technologies into large-scale building programs. As part of this evolution, contemporary materials like stainless steel have been incorporated into the equipment developed by Sanilock, owing to their hygienic and low-maintenance qualities.

Architecture is a process-centered discipline. From the design phase that brings ideas to life and transforms them into detailed designs, to the creation of materials and products that shape spaces, processes are intrinsically present in various architectural manifestations, each contributing its own value. Although they may sometimes seem secondary, their relevance remains constant and indisputable.

While manual processes remain relevant, the efficiency achieved through industrial technology has transformed our perception of workspaces, which now demand a greater balance between the aesthetic and functional qualities of furniture, as well as greater flexibility in spatial layouts. In this context, Mexican company PM STEELE® has integrated advanced machinery and infrastructure into its facilities to streamline the design process, enabling the manufacture of high-value products and making it possible to furnish office projects more efficiently.

The choice of materials is intrinsic to the concept and function of any architectural project. Designing a space with wood, for example, creates an entirely different atmosphere and purpose than one designed with porcelain tile, brick, or concrete. Yet, this does not mean that each material is always destined for a single function. This is where creativity and innovation come into play to design spaces that integrate a variety of materials, contributing to designs that evoke a range of styles, experiences, and uses.

What do asbestos, lead-based paint, and plastic products have in common? They are all on the list of materials that will likely disappear in the future. This shift is not coincidental; rather, it reflects growing concern over the negative impacts of their component substances. As our awareness of environmental sustainability and personal well-being increases, we have begun to closely scrutinize the choice and composition of the materials used to build our environment, driving the adoption of healthier alternatives.

Today, when seeking healthy options in interior architecture, one of the best strategies is to opt for materials that minimize or eliminate toxic substances and improve air quality. In this context, indoor environments—especially in homes—face a significant challenge due to high concentrations of formaldehyde in the resins of MDF and particleboard used for furniture and wall cladding. This concern has led to a more responsible approach to material selection, such as Arauco's melamine panels, which have evolved toward safer standards, benefiting both manufacturers and users.