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.

Choosing high-performance BIM software is key to developing efficient projects by automating tasks that traditionally consumed time in conventional design workflows—such as documentation, calculations, analyses, and other repetitive processes.

At the time of writing this article, Brazil is facing the most severe humanitarian crisis in its history—not merely a “health crisis,” as is commonly described. By April 30, 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic had claimed 411,854 lives in the country, and only in recent days has the moving average of deaths begun to cool down once again—after reaching a peak of 3,125 in April.

Epidemiologists, microbiologists, and infectious disease specialists note that the impact of the pandemic on Brazilian cities is highly idiosyncratic: each has unique conditions to consider before we can attempt any generalizations. Furthermore, underreporting is estimated to be high (with actual cases potentially being ten times higher), a figure that also varies from city to city. Nevertheless, with these caveats in mind, what does the overall picture reveal? 

“How much does a subway line cost?” is a question frequently asked when discussing high-capacity rapid transit solutions for Brazilian cities. However, the cost of implementing rail projects varies enormously across different global geographies.

For example, a rail line in New York costs about twenty times more per kilometer than one in Seoul, reaching a budget of $6.4 billion for a segment of just 2.6 kilometers in the second phase of the Second Avenue Subway in northern Manhattan. Geographical factors, or even the high built density of the American metropolis, are insufficient to explain such a massive disparity in construction costs.

The following publication by Gehl titled 'Masterplan Framework with ecology at its heart' is an interesting case study in Huechuraba, Chile. In it, the team consisting of David Sim, Esben Neander Kristensen, Alexander Spitzer, and Tamara Kalantajevska showcase their work in the region through the creation of a specific framework for an urban master plan that puts ecology at its heart:

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"Albañilas, construyendo sin patrones" (Women Masons, Building Without Bosses) is a short documentary released on May 5, 2021, produced by the Front of Organizations in Struggle #FOL. Active in more than ten Argentine provinces, the film gathers the deeply personal testimonies of Brenda, Natalia, Claudia, Isabel, Nora, Ana, and Moni, who share how they took up the bricklaying trade to construct the #FOL community hall.

Founded in 2017, Studio 10 is an architectural-focused, multi-disciplinary design studio based in Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

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On Thursday, March 25, the agency that provides air navigation services in Mexican airspace (SENEAM) announced the implementation of the first phase of the Mexico City Airspace Redesign. Listed benefits of this redesign include reductions in flight times, operational delays, and fuel consumption, although the primary driver behind it is to integrate the future Felipe Ángeles International Airport in Santa Lucía into the capital's airspace. From day one, areas that previously did not experience aircraft noise from arrivals at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) began to notice the effects of the redesign. How significant is the noise impact of this airspace redesign for the population of the capital's metropolitan area?

CLOU architects is an award-winning international design studio specializing in architecture, interiors, and landscape design. CLOU's diverse design team is comprised of approximately 65 creative talents from around the world.

How do we design spaces that are healthy for both our minds and our bodies? That is the core question we will address this March by exploring our monthly theme, “Well-Being in Interior Spaces.”

Around the world, both architects and designers are speculating on post-COVID spaces, offering diverse proposals championed by the utopia of advanced technology and Wi-Fi for all, alongside genuine concerns: How can we design spaces that require no physical contact? Will this mean the end of coliving or coworking spaces? How do we design for isolation? But what is happening in Mexico, considering that more than 56% of the population works in the informal economy and there is a digital divide leaving over 40% of residents without an internet connection?

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As part of a collaborative project created by creative women, "Ostras & Burbujas" emerged—an event that took place on August 28 at Cucina, Mexico City. This event was conceived around the idea of creating an immersive space that plays with visual perception, featuring lighting design and control by Paola Jose, founder of SOMBRA, powered by Lutron - Ketra technology. By altering the atmosphere through light, this was paired with a culinary experience led by chef Montserrat Garza, who brought together taste, smell, and touch through a multi-course dinner paired by Cavanegra Natural Wine Club.

ArchDaily is working with CityMakers to publish a series of articles, conversations, and interviews with the various actors in urban co-production behind the Barcelona CityMakers Lab 2021, an event taking place from November 8 to 12.

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The city of Puebla—located in Mexico's central highlands—is particularly known for its street layout and predominantly Baroque architecture. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, it hosts a broad cultural dynamic centered on preserving its built heritage and appreciating it from a distance, as if it were a museum piece. Consequently, on our daily commutes we notice the monumentality of its facades, while often failing to realize that behind the massive wooden doors lies what we call “the heart of the Poblan home.”

Outbreaks of contagious diseases can exert a long-term influence on urban design—many have undeniably shaped the way modern cities look and operate. Parks, wide streets, and even the bathrooms in our homes are a significant legacy of past cholera outbreaks. Today, these features are so deeply embedded in our daily lives that they are considered basic elements of modern cities. Over generations, cities have recovered from the initial shock of contagion and rebuilt public trust after periods of uncertainty.

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“Without chasing the discovery of forcedly original forms, without seeking novel aesthetic effects, the strict and consistent adaptation of the dwelling to the climate has progressively led to a new, native, and authentic architecture.” (1)

Wladimiro Acosta was born in Odessa on June 23, 1900. There, he graduated from the School of Fine Arts with a degree in Construction Technology in 1917. Later, in 1919, he moved to Italy to continue his architectural studies, enrolling in the Higher School of the Institute of Fine Arts in Rome, where he received his degree in Architecture and taught Architectural Design between 1920 and 1921. In 1922, he relocated to Germany, where he lived until 1928, the year he left Europe for Buenos Aires.

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Construction shores, which typically support formwork for pouring concrete, have been used to structure a temporary chapel in Bogotá. These elements, usually relegated to construction processes, combine with zinc sheets and exposed structural trusses to define the project's spatial experience. Designed to be mobile, the chapel can be easily disassembled, ensuring its components can be reused in future projects.

Discover the project, born from a collaboration between SCA and Colab-19, designed to meet the desire of Bogotá's faithful to celebrate Easter.

Senshang Architecture Design is a creative and passionate emerging architecture practice focusing on human habitats and the rapid development of both urban and rural environments. The practice primarily engages in architecture, interior, master planning, and landscape design. We emphasize the integration of practice and theory, prioritizing design value and spatial experience within the contemporary social context. Over years of exploration and experience in urban renewal and rural practice, the firm has gained recognition from various sectors. From rural construction and urban regeneration to agritourism, cultural-creative development, and the renovation and adaptive reuse of self-built housing, we approach every project with a developmental perspective and a critical attitude toward design.

The restoration, rehabilitation, and recognition of urban rivers and canals must be integrated into state and federal policies, going beyond the mere practical use of the resource. In many developing nations, including Mexico, water-related challenges are heavily concentrated in cities, driven by the haphazard urban growth of recent decades.

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Redecorating the Oval Office is not just a statement of presidential taste; yet, as all spaces reveal principles that extend far beyond the visual, it is ultimately a statement of control. It is here that the president meets with international dignitaries and addresses the cameras to deliver messages of great importance, which is why he (or, one day, she) does not want it to look as though their predecessor still claims ownership of the space.

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The 'Flor Urbana' (Urban Flower) installation—located on the esplanade of the Periférico Sur Light Rail Station in Guadalajara, Mexico, which sees a daily flow of around 20,000 people—stems from the need to address key concerns of the 'Public Infrastructure Prototypes for a City of the Future' (PIP Ciudad Futuro) project. Developed by dérive LAB, the initiative aims to reimagine public buildings as spaces for climate mitigation in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area through the installation and adaptation of technologies that monitor noise, air quality, transit, and energy efficiency, among other metrics.

"Can we make clay form a structure that can bear loads?" John Pawson asks Alejandra Sepúlveda from Taller Barros. Together, they are working on the Ruta de la Greda (The Clay Route) in Pomaire, Chile.

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#Anodized Aluminum Panels
In recent years, anodized aluminum panels have emerged as a prominent material, utilized across numerous interior and exterior architectural projects in China. Anodized aluminum features six key characteristics: 1. Metallic Appearance, protected by a transparent anodic oxide film, the natural, soft metallic texture of aluminum is fully preserved; 2. Workability, anodized aluminum features exceptional workability, as well as outstanding forming and bending capabilities; 3. Surface Consistency, across diverse architectural forms, anodized aluminum panels maintain a highly uniform color; 4. Corrosion Resistance, the anodization process generates a dense oxide film on the metal surface, providing superior corrosion resistance and enhancing structural hardness and strength; 5. Weatherability, the static-free surface does not attract dust, making it easy to clean and maintain its pristine, like-new appearance even after repeated washing. This ensures the building facade stands the test of time; projects completed with anodized aluminum 40 years ago still look as good as new today; 6. Sustainability, functioning as an environmentally friendly material classified as Class A non-combustible.

#Almeco Anodized Aluminum Panels
Almeco is a global expert in pre-treated aluminum surfaces, offering a range of innovative anodized aluminum products for interior and exterior curtain walls and decoration. Their unparalleled metallic texture, rich colors, and excellent workability bring new vitality and artistic form to interior and exterior architecture, turning every building into a unique work of art. Consequently, Almeco has become the material of choice for renowned architects such as Jean Nouvel, Thom Mayne, MAD, and UNStudio.

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As part of a new initiative accompanying the launch of the 2021 collection, Studio David Pompa has transformed its Mexico City showroom into a space showcasing the "Palma" project—an experimental body of work comprising a series of interior design and lighting pieces centered on the craftsmanship and origins of palm in Mexico.

This article by Lina Toro Ocampo was originally published under the title "Mirada distanciada: conceptualización de la experiencia de Denise Scott Brown entre África y Londres, como motor y origen de Learning from Las Vegas*" ("The Distanced Gaze: Conceptualizing Denise Scott Brown’s Experience between Africa and London as the Impetus and Origin of Learning from Las Vegas*") in issue No. 23 of the Dearq journal on January 23, 2018 (DOI: https://doi.org/10.18389/dearq23.2018.01). This article aims to demonstrate the importance of valuing specific autobiographical circumstances within the educational framework of teaching and learning architectural design.

We present it below as part of a joint collaboration to contribute to the dissemination of research, analysis, and opinions developed by the national and international academic community on architecture, urban issues, and related fields.