We are starting to say goodbye to the year and after a review of all the contents developed, we find ourselves with a wide range of architectural advice that involves both interior and exterior spaces. Addressing issues from the domestic sphere to more technical and decisive questions, these are intended to serve as a guide and/or suggestions, rescuing those necessary considerations to take into account when planning our spaces, regardless of the use or the future they contemplate. 

On Route 104, km 4.5 in Manantiales, Uruguay, stands the new Atchugarry Museum of Contemporary Art (MACA), located on the grounds of the Pablo Atchugarry Foundation. Open to the general public, the building designed by architect Carlos Ott aims to promote the development of national artists while placing Uruguay on the map of major international exhibitions.

After the announcement of the selected projects in the categories of Airports, Campus, Railway Stations and Sports, followed by the announcement of the 70 Continental Winning Projects of the Prix Versailles 2021 in the categories of Shops, Shopping Centres, Hotels and Restaurants, there turned out to be a total of 94 new projects competing in the 2021 Prix Versailles World Final.

The CAPBA Award in Argentina represents an opportunity to showcase the achievements and innovations of architects across their various professional fields. Works located both inside and outside the province of Buenos Aires, completed within the last 10 years, were eligible to enter. Organized by the Association of Architects of the Province of Buenos Aires, the jury for each category evaluated the submissions and awarded first, second, and third prizes, along with several honorable mentions.

The project “Artificial Topographies: Between the Real and the Unreal” by the architecture studio Ciudad Portátil won the 2021 CLAP Ibero-American International Design Awards for best commercial exhibition or ephemeral architecture design. This temporary intervention arose from the need of a group of students at Corhuila University to carry out practical labs for their Topography course, since these activities were restricted to the university campus for biosecurity reasons—specifically, in this case, on a concrete slab within the sports complex.

When designing an architectural space, it's necessary to think about how to satisfy the needs of each user, looking to achieve an adequate level of comfort and a pleasant experience. Auditoriums, cinemas, and theatres are spaces that involve large masses of people, so special attention must be paid to factors like isoptics, acoustics or accessibility so that when witnessing an event, everyone is able to receive the same information.

Organized by the Central Society of Architects (SCA) and the Chamber of the Red Ceramic Industry (CICER), this award aims to recognize architectural production focused on the use of ceramic masonry, as well as the work of architects in projects utilizing these materials. Featuring projects where hollow brick is the predominant material, the award seeks to promote its use as a sustainable, long-term solution in both urban and rural settings.

Del Libertador Avenue—which starts in the Retiro neighborhood of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and ends 35 kilometers later at the San Fernando Canal, north of Greater Buenos Aires—is set to become a pedestrian, cyclist, driver, and public transit-friendly space. The proposal aims to reclaim pedestrian spaces, incorporate one-way bike lanes on each side of the avenue, install bus boarding platforms, integrate new tree species along the route, and implement new technologies to improve vehicular circulation.

It could be said that one of the main aspects to take into account when designing a swimming pool is the choice of colour for the coating. The light, the shadows, the depth, the environment and the elements that surround it are variables that directly affect the final tonality of the water. The effects of artificial and/or natural lighting also determine the final aesthetic, because if it's located outdoors, reflecting the sky, it will create a different effect than if it's located indoors, where the ceiling would influence its colour. 

Organized by the Association of Architects of the Province of Buenos Aires (CAPBA) and promoted by the Ministry of Territorial Development and Habitat, the Casa Propia – PROCREAR II Housing Project Competition was launched with the goal of implementing an action plan to facilitate access to permanent housing. This initiative aims to improve the affordability of housing solutions for all social sectors in response to current demand in Argentina.

The private architectural design competition for the technical laboratories of the Bogotá Water and Sewerage Company (EAAB-ESP) was held to carry out the architectural design, the architectural and technical coordination of the studies, and the engineering designs for the laboratories. Located in Bogotá, the competition was organized by the company itself with the advisory support of the Colombian Society of Architects (SCA).

The evaluation criteria considered aspects such as integration with the urban context, public-private integration, accessibility, functionality, and spatiality of the architectural components, and the implementation of bioclimatic and sustainability criteria, including solar exposure, ventilation, and noise and/or humidity control. Out of the 17 proposals submitted, three prizes and two honorable mentions were awarded. Below, we present the winning projects.

The FAU Student Ideas Competition was held with the objective of developing the site of Club Atlético Ever Ready, located in the city of Dolores, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. The competition focused on proposals for a Master Plan to consolidate the 8-hectare site as a sports complex. First prize was awarded to Arch. Gabriel De León, Pedro Sansogni, Santiago Sosa, and Renzo Guagnini Drews.

The jury consisted of Nicolás Frontini representing Club Ever Ready, Arch. Carolina Helenas Pintos for the Municipality of Dolores, Arch. Silvana Noelia Paul for the Alumni Association, Solange Hoyos for the Student Body, and Dr. Arch. Juan Carlos Etulain for the Faculty Association.  Explore the project below.

The National Public Competition for the Basic Scheme and Urban, Landscape, and Architectural Preliminary Design outlines the development of the “Water Landscapes” project for the Rio Negro Linear Park, located in the municipality of Rionegro, Antioquia. Organized with the advisory of the Colombian Society of Architects (Antioquia Chapter), the competition aims to gather urban, architectural, and landscape design proposals for the urban stretch designated for the park.

The jury comprised architects Giovanna Vittoria Spera Velasquez, Jorge Pérez Jaramillo, Martha Cecilia Fajardo Pulido, John Octavio Ortiz Lopera, and Paola Catalina Castro Gomez. Out of 17 submissions, three prizes and two honorable mentions were awarded. The winning entries are presented below.

Organized by the Central Society of Architects (SCA) together with Clarín Arq and sponsored by the Argentine Federation of Architecture Entities (FADEA), the Clarín-SCA National Prize for architecture students aims to foster the development of future architects. The competition received individual and group projects completed during the final two years of study in 2020 and 2021.

More than 20 spaces and buildings of high architectural, cultural, and heritage value will open their doors, allowing the public to rediscover the architecture and urbanism of Buenos Aires. In its ninth edition, this in-person festival will take place on December 4 and 5, offering unique tours with innovative and accessible activities for all.

MAIO is currently building a five-story building with 40 social housing units in the Sant Feliu de Llobregat district, Barcelona. The project design urban connectivity, social equity, and sustainability. As the winner of a two-phase competition, the building will house hierarchyless, generic, flexible spaces to fit the inhabitants' needs.

Organized by the Jujuy Association of Architects and sponsored by the Argentine Federation of Architects' Organizations (FADEA), the National Ideas Competition for the Former Penitentiary Site in the city of San Salvador de Jujuy is based on reimagining a new purpose for this walled, self-contained architectural and urban complex. Once located on the city's outskirts, the site now occupies a central position within the urban fabric. The goal is to transform it into an urban element that revitalizes and links degraded sectors.

The jury awarded first prize to architect Edgardo Barone, alongside collaborators Valentín Augusto De la Fuente, Juan María Mandalari, Joaquín Mortatti Perez, and Tomas Smachetti, and traffic engineering consultants Eng. Tomás Daels and Eng. Franco P. Di Biase. Discover the project below.

The winners of the Award for Excellence in Sustainable Architecture were announced during the closing of the 37th Colombian Congress of Architecture and Urbanism.