The global commitment to net-zero emissions and climate change mitigation presents a monumental challenge for the construction sector—an industry that currently accounts for nearly 40% of global CO₂ emissions, a figure projected to continue rising. Adopting sustainable practices is crucial to improving environmental conditions, with primary objectives including optimizing thermal comfort and reducing energy consumption in buildings. How can we achieve this if not through collective learning and knowledge sharing among different professionals and workers in the sector?

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On the banks of the Amazonian river Piraí, the rings and canals of Santa Cruz de la Sierra not only enclose buildings of Bolivia's contemporary and modern architecture (curious examples of formalist rationalism, brutalism, and postmodernism are evident here) but also include a part of its diverse ancient and everyday architecture: from a historic center with endless arcades and colonial mansions to local markets and sheds such as the pahuichi cruceño.

On the occasion of the Latin American Architecture Students Meeting (ELEA) where we were invited to provide on-site coverage, we encountered ten of these places that can help you get a general overview of the city and its heterogeneous architecture.

Bruno Stagno from Costa Rica not only reflects on how responses to the environment can be the main foundation for the inspiration and identity of architecture but also suggests going a step further, envisioning architecture for an entire latitude.

We discussed his current concerns and motivations, the shortcomings and necessary innovations in tropical cities, the relationship between academia and professional practice regarding the environment, and, above all, projections for the future of Costa Rican architecture.

There are reasons to visit the city of Mendoza: it serves as both the gateway to Argentine wine tourism and a diverse collection of historically and architecturally significant buildings. From the Museum of the Foundational Area to the renowned Faculty of Architecture at the University of Mendoza, this guide invites you to explore a cultural and scenic richness reflected in every facade and every street. The city's public spaces not only blend with the natural surroundings of the vast Andes but also harmonize with a system of irrigation channels and urban greenery that can be appreciated at every moment of the journey.

Designed by the architects of Grass+Batz, the Dignity Memorial Mausoleum in Chile has been selected as the winning project in the architecture category of ESENCIALES x ArchDaily 2023.

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In the context of global initiatives to promote energy efficiency and the decarbonization of buildings, Latin America is at the center of the debate. The International Seminar on Sustainable and NetZero Buildings 2023, held in Bogotá and organized by CCCS, IEA, UNIANDES, CAF, and CEELA, aimed primarily to create a space for the exchange of experiences, such as Oliver Schütte's No Footprint House, while simultaneously conducting a review of government policies and the implementation of norms and standards in the region.

Among panels and conferences featuring Clara Camarasa, Nicola Borregaard, Laura Chapa, Paola Valencia, Iván Osuna, Juan Carlos Vega, Angélica Ospina, and Diego Velandia, five main learnings emerged as lessons: from creating more relevance and energy calculations to the development of the timber industry - and certifications.

If the past few years were a perfect occasion for reflecting and debating on well-being, digitalization, and democratization in architectural design, this 2023 has been a tremendous opportunity to delve deeper and comment on other urgent topics: The climate crisis and the natural environment have unquestionably entered the global agenda of architecture and construction, alongside circularity, energy efficiency, and decarbonization. It's time to engage in dialogue about these matters to conscientiously build for the future.

Reviewing the future of wood, water, and lighting, in each of the related topics that ArchDaily developed month by month, we posed an open question for you - our dear readers - to actively contribute with your experiences and knowledge. After reading and compiling an immense amount of received messages, from construction professionals to students and architecture enthusiasts, it's time to present you with a summary of the main perspectives. Many thanks for your opinions, and we look forward to your comments for 2024!

On Thursday, November 23, the official launch of the 24th edition of the Pan-American Architecture Biennial of Quito (BAQ 2024)—one of the most anticipated architectural events nationally and internationally, organized by the Pichincha College of Architects—took place at the Center for Contemporary Art.

"Architecture, city, and activism" are the words that define Taller ACÁ, an emerging practice led by Jorge Villatoro and Hans Schwarz in Guatemala City. Among their projects are the Tiny House Quinn and the Community Center Plantando Semillas, which were recently selected as the winners of the Danta Awards at the 2023 Guatemala Architecture Biennial. In the following conversation, Villatoro and Schwarz provide detailed insights into their inspirations, working processes, and future projections for architecture, both in the country and in Central America.

On November 15, the Guatemala Architecture Biennial 2023 opened at the Miguel Ángel Asturias Cultural Center—one of the country's most important performing arts venues. While the previous 2021 edition recognized the importance of the city, architecture, and urban planning under the theme 'Mobility,' this latest iteration focuses on 'Public Space' under the slogan 'The City, Without Walls.' Over three days, this new approach will highlight public space as one of the most vital elements in urban planning, with a significant impact on citizens' social, psychological, and physical well-being.

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In 2021, the Government of Catalonia recognized Casa Gomis, designed by the architect Antoni Bonet Castellana for the Gomis-Bertrand family between 1949 and 1956, as a Cultural Heritage of National Interest in the category of Historical Monument.

Designed from a distance in Argentina, 'La Ricarda,' as the residence is also known due to its proximity to the eponymous pond, which recently became the center of debate over the expansion of Barcelona Airport, stands out for its vaulted roof and glazed enclosures that engage with the surroundings of Prat de Llobregat.

Emilio López is an architect from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador and holds a Master's degree in History and Theory of Architecture from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. He has been involved in several design projects that have an interesting connection with the territory, such as Muta House and Don Juan House. Recently, he was recognized for this work in Pamplona during the 2023 Latin American Architecture Biennial.

He states that he still resides in Ecuador, a territory with one of the world's greatest biodiversities. He mentions that the geography, plants, climates, and cultures of the country provide significant stimuli, and argues that through architecture, there emerges the opportunity for immersion and blending with the environment, allowing oneself to be transformed by the surroundings. He asserts that the power of architecture lies in being a product of the immersive engagement that involves rethinking its relationship with resources and the world in which he lives.

In the following interview, get to know even more about the inspirations and work processes of Emilio López Arquitecto.

The 26th National Congress of Architects, hosted by the Colegio de Arquitectos de Chile (CA), will hold its opening session on November 30. Centered on the theme "Past and Present Challenges for the Future," the event will take place in Concepción, the city that hosted the first National Congress of Architects in 1950.

The world has just witnessed the hottest months in recorded history, and the outlook is far from optimistic. Rising temperatures are driving greater cooling demands, threatening to trigger a vicious cycle of higher electricity use and carbon emissions. In a planet simultaneously facing unprecedented urbanization and a climate crisis, the intersection of building energy efficiency and cooling technologies has never been more crucial.

The architecture of Navarre is a faithful reflection of the cultural diversity of northern Spain. This is due not only to centuries of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural influences but also to their combination with more recent modern works, which serve as the starting point for the "20th Century Architecture Guide of Navarre." This 250-page book is published by T6, featuring the collaborative work of José Manuel Pozo and an extensive documentation, editorial, and design team.

The book is a catalog of nearly 170 modern and contemporary architectural works, spanning from the mountainous and riverside regions to the historic center and the expansions of Pamplona, before opening the doors to the latest buildings constructed between 2000 and 2012.

The ample supply, durability, and affordability of brick makes it one of the most widely used and iconic materials in Spanish architecture, especially within the Mudejar tradition. Throughout history, they have added both beauty and function to the spaces that use them, offering protection from the elements while also permitting the entry of natural light and air flow.

In recognition of brick's impact on Spanish architecture throughout history, we have created a compilation of contemporary projects that highlight its aesthetic and functional benefits along with advice from their creators about how best use this tried and true material. 

Alsar Atelier, led by Alejandro Saldarriaga, is an architecture and design studio based in Boston and Bogotá. Their practice focuses on the planning and creation of public facilities with an emphasis on social benefit, as well as small-scale residential projects. The studio employs a design approach that prioritizes the use of sustainable materials, cost-effective strategies, and active community collaboration.

For these reasons, Alsar Atelier was selected by ArchDaily as one of the best new architecture practices of 2023. Below, we bring you an interview with Alejandro Saldarriaga to get a closer look at his inspirations, working processes, and future projects.

Sports architecture on the Iberian Peninsula is undergoing a transformation. While in Barcelona, the transformation of Camp Nou is being carried out by the offices of IDOM, Nikken Sekkei, and b720, in the capital of Spain, the renovation works at Santiago Bernabéu, led by L35 Architects in collaboration with GMP Architekten and Ribas & Ribas, are nearing their final stages.

L35 Architects is an architectural, urban planning, and design studio with offices in Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, Milan, Geneva, Miami, Mexico, Bogotá, São Paulo, Santiago, Istanbul, and Abu Dhabi. Currently, they are not only overseeing the remodeling of the stadium in Madrid, but also working on the El Campín cultural and sports complex in Bogotá, the Bolívar stadium in La Paz, the requalification of the waterfront in Toulon, France, and the renovation of Stazione Roma Termini.

We interviewed Tristán López-Chicheri, CEO of L35 Architects, to gain a detailed insight into the current status of the projects.