No País dos Arquitectos is a podcast created by Sara Nunes, who also runs the architectural film production company Building Pictures. The podcast aims to profile the professionals, projects, and stories behind landmark contemporary Portuguese architecture. With just over 10 million inhabitants, Portugal is a highly compelling country within this professional field, and its architectural output far exceeds what its population and territorial scale would suggest.

In this episode of the sixth season, Sara talks with architect and curator Pedro Gadanho about the exhibition Generation Proxima: Emerging Environmental Practices in Portuguese Architecture. Listen to the conversation and read part of the interview below.

After at least five years of countless sketches, drawings, models, readings, and calculations, the time comes for Architecture and Urbanism students to present their final graduation projects—often referred to as TCC, TFG, or Final Graduation Projects. In choosing their topics, students highlight architectural, urban, or theoretical projects. Beyond demonstrating readiness for graduation, these works play a crucial role in sparking debate about the future of our cities, the built environment, urban infrastructure, mobility, and many other fundamental topics regarding how we inhabit space.

The Netherlands, colloquially referred to as Holland, is synonymous with its bicycles, an iconic element of the country's urban landscape. The integration of cyclists and motor vehicles often surprises visitors.

The Dutch connection to bicycles is clear in the statistics: in 2021, 84% of the Dutch population used bicycles daily. In Amsterdam, this figure reaches around 63%, demonstrating a strong preference for the vehicle. In contrast, only 7% of Brazilians choose the bicycle as their primary mode of transportation.

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As part of an initiative by a group of young people who make up Patio Efímero, early in 2023 the open call was launched for the "Patio 4 Competition: Meeting of Ephemeral Interventions" in collaboration with the National System of Art Creators of the Federal Ministry of Culture, CREST EVOCA, El Parral Departamentos, and the Management of the Historic Center and Cultural Heritage of the Municipality of Puebla. The invitation was extended to plastic, graphic, visual, and multidisciplinary artists, as well as established and emerging architects, to participate in the fourth edition of Patio Efímero.

UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, is tasked with addressing housing and sustainable urban development issues worldwide. It plays a key role in tackling global urban challenges, working to improve quality of life, confront issues like rapid urbanization and housing shortages, and promote urban planning practices that are more socially inclusive and environmentally responsible. In 2022, it launched the project "Urban Connections - Public Space Planning for Inclusive Communities," a major initiative of the organization aimed at strengthening local governments through participatory urban planning and public space design.

Videos

Bricklayers, foremen, steel fixers, carpenters, plumbers, painters, electricians, and welders. A wide range of professionals is required to erect a building and bring the designs of architects and engineers to life. Essential to ensuring the quality of every project, these roles are honored today, October 26th, on Construction Worker Day. To mark the occasion, we highlight the wisdom of these professionals and how they share their expertise with the public—both professionals and laypeople—through video tutorials that offer a deeper understanding of the construction site, the materials and equipment used, the various techniques available, and how to approach building. 

Although construction is primarily based on technical principles, which at first glance seem to follow only pre-established designs and specifications, there is a deeper dimension related to the nature and essence of the materials used. These materials do not only perform a utilitarian function; they also transcend their mere purpose, evoking the notion put forward by Pablo Neruda: "There is a rigor in materials that limits excessive whim and the struggle to infuse them with humanity."

Among the range of existing materials, there is perhaps none as universal as brick. Its versatility and aesthetic honesty have made it a widely used resource in the construction of diverse spaces worldwide. Within Chilean architecture, the broad possibilities this material offers have been highlighted, having been exceptionally utilized by numerous architects. Furthermore, it has gained renewed relevance in architectural discourse, as exemplified by the book "Arcilla. Materia y Obra en Arquitectura." This is reflected throughout the history of Cerámica Santiago and its joint collaboration with the Faculty of Architecture and Art at UDD to promote the Brick Architecture Prize.

Designing and constructing homes is a complex process involving a variety of factors. Within this process, considering the various design elements is essential—including underlayments, ceilings, partitions, claddings, structures, and facades—alongside selecting the right materials for each. This choice must align with user preferences as well as indoor and outdoor conditions, prioritizing durability, energy efficiency, and aesthetics.

To simplify the design process, Volcan develops Volcanboard fiber cement building solutions for different construction elements. Available in a variety of thicknesses to adapt to various applications, these fiber cement boards stand out for their fire and moisture resistance, as well as their long-term durability and versatility. Below, we explore various applications of Volcanboard in residential design.

As part of an initiative by the ISAD School of Architecture and Design in Chihuahua, the Taller del Desierto (Desert Workshop) has been running for several years, fostering various projects to stimulate student learning. For this edition, a pavilion was built, conceived as an assembly of pieces with a theatrical narrative. This pavilion was created as a collaboration between ISAD and Teatro Bárbaro, a local independent cultural forum led by Luis Bizarro. Consequently, the pavilion was designed to serve as a traveling venue for performances created or adapted specifically for this space, which consists of pieces designed during the four-week summer workshop in 2023.

Amid the bustle and majesty of Mexico City, the iconic buildings that adorn its skyline boast not only imposing architecture, but also stories and secrets that spark curiosity. During this month dedicated to architecture, we bring you some of the curiosities and myths surrounding CDMX's buildings, which serve as the pillars of multiple narratives.

Through the incorporation of various elements, interior design creates comprehensive spaces that blend functionality and aesthetics. Among these components, suspended ceilings are a solution that integrates finishes suspended from the main structure. While adapting to a wide range of styles through a diversity of materials, colors, and textures, suspended ceilings also address acoustic needs, contribute to thermal insulation, and integrate lighting systems.

Among its solutions for interior applications, Hunter Douglas combines aesthetics, comfort, and sustainability to develop the WoodLines suspended ceiling line. Integrating innovation with natural materials, the manufacturing process continuously bonds a natural wood veneer to a roll-formed metal profile. As a result, linear ceilings composed of continuous slats are obtained, combining the functionality of a metal ceiling with the warmth and aesthetic appeal of natural wood.

Curitiba has implemented several initiatives to strengthen biodiversity and enhance the quality of vegetation in its urban landscape. Consequently, the capital of Paraná, alongside 18 other cities worldwide, has been selected to participate in UNEP's (United Nations Environment Programme) Generation Restoration project.

With its sights set on the future, in 2024, the Universidad Católica del Uruguay is adding the Architecture, Design, and Environment program to its academic offerings. Felipe Reyno, PhD in Architecture and director of this new degree program, reflects on the need to train architects with a contemporary, contextual, diverse, critical, and collaborative perspective.   

When it comes to climate change, the headlines can sometimes seem contradictory. One day, we read about catastrophic wildfires wreaking havoc across the globe; the next, we see an optimistic article about the rapid rise of solar and wind energy. Taken together, these narratives can make it difficult to grasp the big picture of climate action. Are countries actually implementing effective solutions if greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continue to rise? In which areas has the world made enough progress to overcome the climate crisis, and where are the gaps? What specific measures are needed to get us on the right track?

Far beyond the technical knowledge of his engineering background, Eladio Dieste (1917-2000) developed a rare architectural sensibility. He was a pioneer and master of reinforced masonry—essentially a relatively thin "shell" system in which ceramic blocks are compressed, steel bars are tensioned, and concrete binds the assembly together. Structural strength is enhanced through the design of complex spatial geometries that respond precisely to applied loads, thereby minimizing material use. This allows large spans and cantilevers to be achieved, while elegantly transferring loads to the ground.

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When heavy rains are forecast for their areas, 64% of Brazilians feel afraid. For 76% of those surveyed, cities are unprepared to face heavy rains, storms, or flooding. The data comes from a first-of-its-kind survey conducted by the Boticário Group Foundation for Nature Protection, in cooperation with UNESCO in Brazil, and with support from the National Association of Municipalities and the Environment (ANAMMA) and the Urban Bioconnection Alliance. The full results of the study will be presented on December 2 during the 28th UN Climate Change Conference, COP28, taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

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There are and have always been inspiring women architects, urban planners, and policymakers. However, worldwide, the built environment professions—and their upper echelons in particular—remain heavily male-dominated, more so than other fields like education or healthcare.

Today, 64% of architecture graduates in Brazil are women. In engineering, there has been a 42% increase in women registered with CREA since 2016. Yet, how is this reflected in Brazilian society? Globally, progress is even slower: only 40% of architects are women, with very few in leadership roles.

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The study titled Prioritize Active Transportation by Bicycle!, published by the Center for Metropolitan Studies (CEM)—a research center at the Faculty of Philosophy, Languages and Literature, and Human Sciences (FFLCH) of the University of São Paulo—presents an analytical planning tool for São Paulo's cycling network, comparing the current scenario with future planning through the lens of inequality.

Journalist Flávio Soares, a master's student at USP's Polytechnic School (Poli), a member of the CEM research team, and one of the paper's authors, explains the key factors analyzed for the construction of bike lanes and cycle tracks in cities.

On the 6th, Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes requested CET-Rio, the municipal traffic management agency in the capital, to adjust the speed limits along the waterfront roads. This measure is of paramount importance given that, according to City Hall, more than 600 people lost their lives in traffic crashes in Rio last year, with over 60% resulting from pedestrians being struck by vehicles.

In an effort to bolster public care and personal hygiene services for the unhoused population, the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship (MDHC) has established the Street Support Points Program (PAR). The initiative aims to provide public spaces and facilities managed in partnership with civil society organizations.

On December 2, the 26th National Congress of Architects concluded at the Bíobio Theatre with a moving ceremony that featured the presentation of the 2023 CA Awards, a keynote lecture by National Architecture Prize winner Fernando Pérez Oyarzún, and the submission of the congress's final resolutions, which will serve as a mandate for change for the National Board of the Chilean Association of Architects.

As the end of the year approaches, it brings the opportunity to reflect on the standout architectural moments of 2023. With this in mind, we looked at the most liked photos on ArchDaily Brasil's Instagram.

2023 broke temperature records worldwide. People across different regions of the planet are already facing historic heatwaves, wildfires, and droughts with just 1.1°C of warming above pre-industrial levels. Under current policies, which put the world on track for a warming scenario of 2.5°C to 2.9°C by 2100, the stifling heat felt this year is just a small taste of the future ahead.

The academic world has much to contribute to the field of architecture and urbanism. Its research and proposals foster inspiring visions, new materials, and concepts, sparking essential debates on how we perceive, occupy, and design the built environment. Across their entire spectrum, final graduation projects offer students an opportunity to put forward a final proposal before earning their degree, addressing diverse themes and touching upon urgent issues. Consequently, we host an annual call for submissions open to all Portuguese-speaking countries to present a panorama of outstanding projects that help us reflect on the past year and look to the future.