International studio luis vidal + arquitectos, which has operated in Chile for six years, was responsible for the development and execution of the new Matta Sur community center + CESFAM in Santiago. The project focuses on the preservation and value of heritage architecture while reviving and promoting community spirit through a public plaza that connects both buildings.

UMWELT is an architecture and territorial design practice and research office founded by Ignacio García Partarrieu and Arturo Scheidegger. Based in Chile, they have successfully expanded their interests across multiple scales and formats without drawing a distinction between design and research. The result is a diverse body of work, explorations, books, classes, and exhibitions that serve as different facets of the single project called UMWELT.

In the following interview, we delve deep into their current interests and concerns, their creative process when approaching a project, the numerous accolades of their rising career, and their upcoming projects and outlook on the future of architecture in Chile. 

The 14th Bolivian Architecture Biennial 2021 took place between January 18 and 25, a cultural and academic event organized by the Departmental College of Architects of La Paz (CDALP) and the College of Architects of Bolivia (CENA CAB) through its Organizing Committee. The goal of this gathering was to celebrate and promote completed works, projects, and intellectual contributions related to the urban and architectural environment of recent years, both nationally and internationally.

In this edition, 169 projects were submitted from Bolivia's nine departments, as well as from the 12 countries participating in the international categories. Discover the winners below in the categories of Completed Work, Project Category, Research and Intellectual Production, and Student Graduation Projects. 

The Colón Towers in Madrid, designed by Spanish architect Antonio Lamela, will be renovated with four new floors and a new skin by 2022.

luis vidal + arquitectos, who are responsible for the intervention on behalf of the owner Mutua Madrileña, propose removing the "plug" structure created in the 1990s, aiming to relocate spaces while staying ahead of sustainability and accessibility legislation.

In the following interview, Luis Vidal discusses the project in detail.

"Earthen construction is an ancient technique, a sustainable alternative, almost always a community effort, and, in a very high percentage of cases, carried out by women." This is how the video for “Paula Pacha Patrimonio” begins—a project by Nidia Bellene that we are presenting on the occasion of World Photography Day (August 19).

The work is the result of an exchange between the artist and women earthen builders from different parts of Argentina, who shared their daily records of work and experiences. Sourced through an open call on social media, the project gathered over 100 images that are now on display in a video installation at the Museo Casa Natal de Sarmiento.

Videos

“Edificios de Madrid” is a new 10-episode micro-series presented by Open House Madrid. A new episode will premiere each week on their YouTube channel, featuring ten renowned architects who explain and share previously unseen details of iconic works like the Zarzuela Racecourse, the Hotel Puerta de América, and the Liria Palace, while rediscovering lesser-known sites like the Frontón Beti Jai and the Francisco Giner de los Ríos Foundation.

Archivo de Ideas Recibidas is an interdisciplinary research and dissemination project that seeks to record and connect the ideas of figures contributing to the contemporary creative ecosystem from the fields of art, design, and architecture. It is built upon conversations between the team and various creators, exploring themes related to memory, academia, cultural context, key influences, and working methodologies. On this occasion, they share their interview with architect and urbanist Manuel de Rivero, co-founder of 51-1 Arquitectos, an architecture studio based in Lima, Peru, and Supersudaca, an international urban research collective.

"Complete City: La Palomera, Acknowledgment and Celebration" is the installation by Enlace Arquitectura for the 17th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale 2021. The model is a representation of the paths, stairways, and gardens of the La Palomera barrio in Caracas, Venezuela. The message: to recognize the barrio as part of the city.

This September marks the 4th edition of the Chicago Architecture Biennial under the title The Available City. It is a perfect opportunity to open up the debate on the role of architecture in urban equity.

"Domingos Libro" is presented by Carmelo of Enorme Studio. Every two weeks, he delves into forgotten architectural publications, books, and magazines from the '60s, '70s, and '80s that have the most interesting stories behind them.

In this eighth episode, titled "I'm Gonna Be a Rock & Roll Star," he discusses issue 231 (February 1984) of the French magazine L'Architecture d'aujourd'hui, which was dedicated to Jean Nouvel's projects from 1977 to 1983. Among these, an interview with the French architect stands out, where his words are accompanied by staged portraits that fictionalize everything he says in the interview.

Lucía C. Pérez Moreno is the principal investigator of the MuWo - Women in Spanish (Post)Modern Architectural Culture (1965-2000) project. A statistical study broken down by gender, it aims to rigorously document the trajectory of female architects over four decades spanning late Francoism and the consolidation of democracy in Spain. The following interview reveals the relevance of conducting this type of analysis, the arduous work process involved, and its key findings.

José Ángel Medina Murua is the curator of the third edition of the Mugak Basque Country International Architecture Biennial — one of the most significant architectural events in northern Spain. Taking place throughout November in Donostia, Bilbao, and Vitoria, the biennial will feature over fifty exhibitions, lectures, screenings, and workshops.

Ahead of the official opening, we present an interview with Medina to discover what lies in store for this latest edition.

With the opening of the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale, 60 nations from around the world showcased unique responses to the question "How will we live together?". Neither the pandemic nor its repercussions stood in the way of the curators' creative process. Instead, they treated it as a starting point to explore how the notion of 'living together' has changed over the past year, and how it can help us reimagine better built environments. ArchDaily had the opportunity to meet with Elena Tudela, co-curator of "Desplazamientos", the Mexican Pavilion, to discuss how this innovative material came about and what it means for the future of architecture.

The upcoming edition of Open House Madrid, taking place from September 24 to 26, will pay tribute to Spanish architect Luis Gutiérrez Soto, a key figure and promoter of the Modern Movement in España.

"Domingos Libro" is hosted by Carmelo from Enorme Studio, where every two weeks he takes a deep dive into forgotten architectural publications—books and magazines from the '60s, '70s, and '80s with the most fascinating stories behind them.

In this episode, titled "Just What Is Necessary," he discusses Thomas Gordon Smith's 1988 book "Classical Architecture: Rule & Invention" and how two columns disappeared from his iconic Tuscan and Laurentian Houses just two years after their completion.

Today, the winners of the Regional Undergraduate Research and Thesis Projects Award were announced during the Lima International Architecture Biennial, BIALIMA 2021.

The purpose of this award is to promote, encourage, and highlight the best practices and talent of the more than 17,000 architecture students currently training in over 20 educational institutions across the Lima and Callao regions, who represent the future of architecture in the region.

On Friday, December 10, it was announced that Carme Pinós has won Spain's highest architectural honor: the National Architecture Prize, awarded by the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda.

Archivo de Ideas Recibidas is an interdisciplinary research and dissemination project that seeks to document and connect the ideas of individuals who contribute to the contemporary creative ecosystem from the fields of art, design, and architecture. It is built on conversations between the team and various creators, exploring topics related to memory, academia, cultural context, key influences, and working methodologies. On this occasion, they share their interview with designer Mariana Otero, who, alongside Yerko Zlatar, leads the design and interior design studio PUNA, based in Lima, Peru.