Conventional, spiral, curved, U-shaped, ship's ladder... there are various models and possibilities for designing stairs in projects, depending on space constraints and design intent. But what unique characteristics does the Santos Dumont staircase possess compared to others? Named after its creator, the inventor and pioneer of Brazilian aviation, this model serves as a middle ground between a typical inclined staircase and a vertical ladder. Its slope is much steeper than that of a conventional staircase, and its steps feature alternating cutouts for the left and right foot, reducing its footprint and saving space.

In recent years, we have witnessed a steady increase in the number of registered architects and urban planners across professional regulatory bodies. Within this significant pool, young architects and urban planners—meaning professionals up to 40 years old—represent a substantial share and hold a strong presence in the market. Against this backdrop, we have followed the creation of awards dedicated specifically to this demographic, and, most notably, their active participation in biennials and triennials—events aimed at driving discussions on the future of architecture.

With a subtropical climate, high temperatures and environment favored by the rains, Vietnam has, as one of its main features, landscapes with vegetation in abundance, privileged by the fertile soil and the weather conditions. Ingrained in this scenario, Vietnamese architecture seems to embrace the nature as its protagonist increasingly, miming natural elements along with the rusticity of the concrete surfaces.

With this idea in mind, we selected 20 Vietnamese house projects already published on ArchDaily that incorporate natural elements into their façades and inside spaces. Check the list below!

Designed by 2006 Pritzker Prize-winning architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha, the Brazilian Museum of Sculpture and Ecology (MuBE), completed in 1995 in São Paulo's Jardim Europa neighborhood, is one of the most emblematic works of contemporary architecture in São Paulo.

Architectural photographer Guilherme Pucci shared with us his photo essay of the boat garage that is part of the Santa Paula Yacht Club complex, designed by architect João Batista Vilanova Artigas in the early 1960s and closed in the mid-1980s. Currently, the building, one of the icons of São Paulo's modern architecture, located on the shores of the Guarapiranga Reservoir in the southern zone of the city of São Paulo, is in a state of disrepair and abandonment.

As an escape from daily worries, nightclubs are often venues for physical expression and releasing stress. Designed specifically for dancing and aiming to craft bold atmospheres, architects around the world are increasingly being commissioned to design these venues, delivering innovative concepts that range from unique material selections to unconventional lighting designs.

For several months, we have been publishing compilations of Brazilian residential projects across various themes in our Casas Brasileiras series. With this in mind, and considering the diverse challenges and scales that shape architectural practice—and, above all, contemporary living—we are launching our first article in the *Brazilian Apartments* series today. In it, we will explore the design challenges, innovative solutions, and new materialities of this housing typology.

Who hasn't wished to experience the settings of Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory up close? Adding layers of desire and enchantment, fiction seems to have inspired a series of projects designed specifically for the production, presentation, and sale of chocolate.

Sculptural, elegant, and striking. Numerous adjectives can describe the stairs designed by Danish firm 3XN. With bold designs that challenge conventional vertical circulation, they add layers of inventiveness to the spatial experience, turning movement into a journey. 

The urban public space between two architectural masses is defined as a street. It is where we establish the relationship between motorized vehicles, non-motorized transport, and pedestrians. In managing this relationship, public space requires a series of systems to guarantee active occupancy, in addition to infrastructure and safety. Consequently, the proper design of roadways and their immediate public surroundings becomes essential. Beyond what meets the eye, water, gas, electricity, and telecommunications networks are laid out beneath our feet, completely unnoticed.

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During the professional life of an architect, the task of designing a residence can be a frequent occurrence. As the project develops, representing a vision in a determined space through a set of drawings is certainly one of the primary tasks of the design process. While the architect has a certain level of visual literacy, sometimes the client won't necessarily understand all the drawings. Going beyond the two-dimensionality of the plans, sections and elevations, axonometric perspectives are presented as an efficient instrument in the spatial representation of the project. When adding the notion of third dimension—and even though it’s presented by on a 2D sheet of paper—it gives a better understanding to those unfamiliar with technical drawings.

Designing a home is an experience that nearly all architects have either already had or will encounter over the course of their careers. However, balancing the future residents' requests with technical requirements brings daily challenges, whether due to tight budgets or limited space—both of which can serve as intriguing catalysts in architectural practice. As a result, architects are often challenged to maximize the residential program within a constrained footprint.

Just like the architectural elements that make up built space - floor, walls and ceilings - natural elements are also capable of creating spaces in large-, medium- and small-scale areas, in places like public and residential gardens.

According to Brazilian landscape architect Benedito Abbud, "Landscaping is the only artistic expression in which the five senses of the human being participate. While architecture, painting, sculpture and other visual arts use and abuse only the vision, landscaping also involves smell, hearing, taste and touch, providing a rich sensory experience by adding the most diverse and complete perceptual experiences. The more a garden can sharpen all the senses, the better it fulfills its role. " [1]

Below we list some of the key elements of landscape planning and design. See the principles and learn why you should never randomize the placement trees!

In recent years, documenting architecture and cities through photography has undergone a swift and surprising transformation. Professional and amateur photographers have been seeking new perspectives, going beyond what the human eye can see at street level. In this pursuit, aerial photography—which captures a bird's-eye view—is layered with aesthetic intentions that reveal an intimate and breathtaking look at cities and landscapes.

Italian-born architect Lina Bo Bardi is one of the most important figures of Brazilian design. Her ability to blend architecture, politics and popular culture made her an icon throughout the country and world, while her relentlessness to break from traditionalisms made Brazil the ideal location for her work.

Bo Bardi's architecture incorporates both materiality and culture. In addition to the concrete and solidified elements, she designed pieces based on cultural factors and intense political discussions. She wished to break the barriers between intellectuals and everyday people.

A few days ago, the Pantone Color Institute ended the annual suspense of fashionistas and color connoisseurs everywhere by announcing its 2019 Color of the Year: Living Coral. Described by the Institute as “an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge,” [1] PANTONE 16-1546 will surely be seen throughout the new year and perhaps in places you wouldn’t expect.

Frequently used in residential design as an extension of the roof slab, eaves have shed their modest dimensions and traditional role of simply protecting outer walls from rain. Today, they are being reinvented to create new living spaces, such as verandas, which seem to reinterpret the historic alpendre bandeirista and extend the interiors, blurring the boundaries between inside and out.

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Over the last twenty years, the world has never been so connected. At the turn of the century, the digital realm seems to have invaded analogue layers, redefining standards, lifestyles, interactions, and the way we connect and use spaces. This social redefinition is strongly attributed to Generation Z—the cohort born during the transition from the 20th to the 21st century, between the 1990s and 2010s. But do you know the defining characteristics of this group?