Victor Delaqua

Victor Delaqua holds a Master's degree from FAUUSP (São Paulo). He is an architect and urban planner from UFSC (Florianópolis) and studied at the Polytechnic University of Valencia. A contributor to ArchDaily since 2012, he is the Head of Newsletters. Professionally, he also works in exhibition and set design.

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"Brick by brick": discover the story behind Lina Bo Bardi's Sesc Pompeia

"Tijolo por Tijolo" is a web series about Sesc Pompeia, Lina Bo Bardi's masterpiece. Through very short videos, viewers can explore the history of the Pompeia neighborhood and learn more about the factory that operated on the site before Sesc opened. Additionally, the series covers the repurposing and revitalization of the area and interesting details about the project designed by the Italian-Brazilian architect. In total, there are 11 episodes with exclusive content about the "Citadel of Liberty," containing historical facts, quotes from the architect, and rare photos. Watch all the videos from the series below:

The 10 Most Liked Photos in @archdaily Instagram in 2020

In a year marked by physical distance, social networks have gained an even greater dimension in the ways of relating to people and getting informed. Our channel on Instagram has surpassed its number of reach and brought to the public the best of what we publish on our page: projects, articles, interviews, and news from the world of architecture, inspiring new ideas and tools for a better future to our cities.

The best graduation projects of 2020

Every year, we host a call for graduation projects open to our audience in all Portuguese-speaking countries. Through this, we aim to select the most interesting projects to present inspiring visions and debates for the fields of architecture and urbanism.

Between Public and Private: The Ground Floors of 10 Contemporary Brazilian Buildings

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When designing a building, one of the greatest challenges lies in integrating its base with the street level. To foster a more beneficial relationship with the city, bring "eyes on the street"—as Jane Jacobs put it—or even establish an active facade, architectural professionals employ various solutions.

The 10 most liked photos on @archdailybr's Instagram in 2020

In a year marked by physical distancing, social media became even more crucial for connecting with others and staying informed. @archdailybr's Instagram expanded its reach, and in 2020, brought our audience not only Brazilian and Portuguese projects, but also the top articles and news from the architectural world.

The best graduation projects of 2020. Submit yours!

After at least five years of study, the time comes for Architecture and Urbanism students to complete their final graduation projects—often called TCC, TFG, or Graduation Projects. In choosing their topics, students highlight civil, urban, or theoretical projects that play a crucial role in sparking debates about the future of our cities, the built environment, urban infrastructure, mobility, and many other fundamental topics that shape how we inhabit space.

Brazilian Houses: 15 Projects with Gable Roofs

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The gable roof house is not only a children's drawing of a home, it is also one of the most popular solutions in Brazilian residential architecture. Besides being very appealing and easy to build, this type of roof helps the rainwater flow along its two pitched surfaces that meet at a central line, hence the name duas águas (lit. two waters) in Portuguese.

Bathrooms: Everything You Need to Know to Design One

No longer a space of purely functional hygiene, the bathroom has taken on a prominent role in architectural design, becoming an essential element in both public and private programs.

The Body and "Smart Comfort" in Architecture: A Conversation with Marcelo Ferraz

Understanding the relationship between body and space is fundamental to offer the many different experiences that architecture can provide. To reflect on the distinctive scales that encompass the work of an architect, from buildings to furniture, we interviewed Marcelo Ferraz, co-founder of Brasil Arquitetura and Marcenaria Baraúna. His outlook and experience illustrate how the body and its symbolism are crucial when designing a project regardless of its scale.

Nitsche Arquitetos intervenes on a blind wall near the Minhocão

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Five years after the Empena Viva project, Nitsche Arquitetos returns to artistically occupy the surroundings of the Minhocão. Through the Eclipse intervention, the team aims to illustrate the socioeconomic and temporal processes driven by São Paulo's urban dynamics using a simple gesture.

Ooda Reveals New HQ and Museum for Portuguese Football League ‘Liga Portugal’

Portugal-based OODA firm has revealed the design of the headquarters of the Portuguese Professional Football League in Oporto. Located in an area marked by discord and urban diversity, the building is a bold statement in this urban environment and will help to develop the adjacent neighborhoods.

How small can the world's smallest home be?

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Housing is a fundamental architectural inquiry. How we interact with the spaces we inhabit daily, and the lifestyles we cultivate within them, are constant subjects of debate in the discipline—discussions aimed at achieving a higher quality of life and discovering new ways of living. Beyond this, other contemporary factors—such as real estate speculation, high density in urban centers, the desire for a nomadic lifestyle, or even simply following current trends—have made the discourse around small-scale living increasingly relevant and urgent. Consequently, we must ask ourselves: what is the absolute minimum space we actually need to live?

Neither park nor demolition: the majority prefers the current Minhocão

Inaugurated in 1971, the João Goulart elevated highway, popularly known as the Minhocão, has been a subject of criticism, study, and a landmark in the city of São Paulo. In 2014, its future was determined when the Strategic Master Plan introduced a specific law for its progressive decommissioning for cars, scheduled for completion by 2029. However, its ultimate fate remains uncertain: what will become of it when this happens? Will it be transformed into a park or demolished?

Meet the winners of the 7th Saint-Gobain Architecture - Sustainable Habitat Award

In its 7th edition, the Saint-Gobain Architecture-Sustainable Habitat Award seeks projects and buildings that offer comfort and innovative solutions while preserving the environment and promoting sustainability within the Brazilian construction industry.

Landscape Design: Drawings, References and Concepts

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Successful landscaping is more than just an innate desire to always be in touch with nature. Designing the landscape of public spaces, gardens, or even indoors is an ever-growing concern due to how the arrangement of elements in space can impact not only spatial but also psychological perceptions, contributing to improved comfort and quality for visitors.

Brazilian Houses: 13 Terraces That Expand the Connection with the Outdoors

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When imagining a building's roof being put to use, single-family homes are rarely the first thing that comes to mind. Utilizing the top level of a building is not always considered or prioritized; as a result, the opportunity to create spaces for contemplation and gathering—which foster a stronger connection to the outdoors and the climate—is often missed. Here, we gather 13 examples of terraces in Brazilian houses that demonstrate how this space can be utilized, regardless of its size.

Casa da Arquitectura Proposes Institutional Collaboration with Brazilian Entities

Following the donation of Paulo Mendes da Rocha's complete archive to the Casa da Arquitectura in Portugal, a major debate arose in Brazil, with many expressing regret over seeing the physical documentation of his intellectual and built work leave the country. Through an open letter released today, Nuno Sampaio, Executive Director of the Casa da Arquitectura, proposes institutional collaboration protocols with Brazilian entities.

A New Urban Model for a New Project of Society: An Interview with Tainá de Paula

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Tainá de Paula. Image: Publicity Photo

Approaching the context of widening political divides and growing economic inequalities. A new spatial contract. Learning how will we live together. These thoughts brought by Hashim Sarkis, curator of the 17th International Architecture Exhibition of Venice Biennale 2021, may raise important questions about how architecture crosses and materializes social and political conflicts. To understand a more decentralized point of view, which indicates possibilities other than those dictated by normative mindsets, we interviewed Tainá de Paula, a Brazilian architect and community mobilizer in poor suburban areas.