This guide covers a workflow that moves from project parameters to generated floor plans, 3D perspective views, exterior design exploration, and site context visualization, using AI tools in place of preliminary CAD and rendering work.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which now affects more than 180 countries worldwide, has changed how we relate to everything. Our social and consumption practices are limited, and we have had to rely on digital tools to maintain distance while attempting to remain operational. In light of this new landscape, concepts like "home office" and "e-commerce" are becoming commonplace.

A few weeks ago, we reviewed how architects are adapting to remote work, seeking to maintain adequate production levels from home. It is easy to imagine that the initial stages of the design process can be carried out easily from home, but what happens in the later phases, when the architect must work on-site or select and specify the materials and products necessary for construction?

The BIM methodology is based on the comprehensive management of an architectural project throughout all its phases, as well as its entire lifecycle. To achieve this, we rely on a series of software tools that allow us to manage project information more effectively, significantly contributing to the reduction of costs and execution times.

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Sustainability and the efficient use of natural resources have become fundamental requirements for every architectural project. In this new context, ongoing research and studies have led to the emergence of new materials and construction systems aimed at sustainable development. A recurring example is the ventilated facade, which ensures a building's envelope is safe, efficient, sustainable, and durable by subtly and effectively integrating air renewal. Its ease of installation, contribution to the building's overall structure, and sustainable composition make it a compelling alternative for all types of projects.

As we have discussed previously, home automation is a comprehensive system of automated technologies that allows for the optimization and increased flexibility of the spaces we inhabit. Its primary benefits—such as security, accessibility, comfort, and energy savings—significantly improve people's daily lives. While it might be perceived as an exclusive, high-tech system, it is important to understand that its primary objective is to facilitate daily activities and needs by automating routine tasks.

A key area of home automation is comprised of lighting control systems, which can be connected to all devices within a building. By avoiding unnecessary waste, these systems use only the amount of light required, increasing the lifespan of bulbs and providing significant energy savings. Furthermore, they allow for the creation of environments tailored to each activity, adding flexibility to a space's function. In the current context of the pandemic, the ability to transform a space through lighting has become extremely useful. Our dining room can simultaneously serve as an office and a place to eat, with the appropriate environment for both situations.

Representation is the medium through which architects express their ideas; the better a project is represented, the easier it is to convey its intent to the viewer. In most cases, a simple and concise representation helps to manifest a project's core ideas. However, new technologies provide us with tools that, beyond helping us express and highlight an intent, allow us to convey the quality of the designed environment more realistically.

With the onset of COVID-19, we have had to adapt to a different way of living, a shift that has been reflected in our work styles. Where and how do we work today? Many people have begun working from home, provided their circumstances allow it. While this has been convenient for many, for others it has meant a radical change, implying new needs for space and resources. For architects, engineers, builders, and contractors, this challenge has been quite complex, as much of their work involves handling large, high-cost devices.

In this article, we present 3 innovative solutions that replace the traditional, bulky plotter, allowing us to print in large formats from our own homes.

With the onset of COVID-19, we have had to adapt to a different way of living, which has been reflected in our work style. Where and how do we work today? Many people have begun working from home, provided their circumstances allow it. While this has been comfortable for some, for others it has meant a radical change, involving new space and resource requirements. For architects, engineers, builders, and contractors, this challenge has been quite complex, as a large part of their work involves handling large, high-cost devices.

In this article, we present three innovative solutions that replace the traditional, bulky plotter, allowing us to print in large formats from our own homes.

Over the last decade, prominent and widely recognized architecture in Peru has slowly moved away from single-family housing, showcasing a promising output of educational buildings, restaurants, offices, and collective housing.

This latter category encompasses a series of private buildings characterized by maintaining a scale appropriate to their urban contexts. They serve as prime examples of architecture that allows for multiple families to live together on the same plot while maintaining a low overall density. Furthermore, their low height is complemented by evocative treatments of their facades and interior spaces, suggesting a conscious effort to create high-quality living environments for their inhabitants.

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As traditional elements of architectural ornamentation, moldings, cornices, and baseboards are present in the vast majority of our projects, regardless of their typology. Created to protect the junctions between walls, floors, and ceilings, these pieces are fundamental to the image and style of a space, helping, for example, to conceal cables, installations, and other unwanted elements.

Although traditionally manufactured from wood, plaster, or PVC, polyurethane and extruded polystyrene moldings offer a series of qualities and innovations that make them excellent options when selecting and specifying these elements. Review their characteristics and some featured models from our partner, NMC Chile, below.

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Recently released, 'La obra secreta' (The Secret Work) is an Argentine feature film directed by artist Graciela Taquini that—recalling 'El Hombre de al Lado' (The Man Next Door)—once again addresses one of the country's most renowned architectural projects: the Casa Curutchet, a work in the city of La Plata resulting from the meeting of Pedro Curutchet, Amancio Williams, and Le Corbusier.

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Have you ever tried building a wooden chair or piece of furniture?

Canal Encuentro offers a series of videos to help you learn the basics of woodworking and achieve the best possible results.

Explore the available chapters below.

After receiving more than 1,500 films for the fourth edition of the "The City is..." competition at the Architecture Film Festival Santiago (Arqfilmfest), taking place from October 25 to 28, the event's organizing team has selected 34 audiovisual productions to compete in various categories: documentary, fiction, experimental, and architectural documentation.

See the feature films and short films participating in the final stage below.

Most of our readers agree that education regarding materials and construction is insufficient—a sentiment that calls for architects to engage with the trade through hands-on practice.

Are you facing your first project—perhaps feeling a bit nervous—and realizing there are some fundamentals you would like to review? This 13-part video series from Encuentro, which focuses on masonry, serves as a valuable resource for brushing up on these skills.

Explore the various chapters below.

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In line with initiatives in other countries to address urban mobility, construction has begun to transform a small but significant section of Buenos Aires' Avenida Corrientes—known for its concentration of restaurants, theaters, bookstores, and heavy traffic—into a nighttime pedestrian zone with dedicated lanes for public transport.

Despite the potential benefits of prioritizing pedestrians, does this intervention fully capitalize on the opportunity? How will daily life be affected while this major artery is obstructed? Does it spark a discussion regarding the management of the construction process?

Between May 12 and 13, the annual architecture festival Open House—which originated in London and is now present in 34 cities worldwide—will hold its first edition in Rosario, Argentina.

Aimed at anyone interested in discovering or rediscovering the city's architecture and urbanism, the festival offers the opportunity to enter and tour a selection of private and public buildings of great cultural, historical, heritage, and architectural value, free of charge, during an open-door weekend.

Below is a list of participating buildings.

Arquitectos: Maestros del espacio is an engaging audiovisual catalog provided by Encuentro, showcasing the work of renowned Argentine architects: Alejandro Bustillo, Alejandro Virasoro, Alberto Prebisch, Francisco Salamone, Mario Roberto Álvarez, Amancio Williams, Clorindo Testa, and Claudio Caveri.

Presented by actor Rafael Spregelburd, the series explores architectural projects that are part of Argentina's collective memory, reminding us of the importance of acknowledging the material history that defines a country.

Explore the available episodes below.

Our readers believe that architects should urgently leave their desks to get out into the field. Building on this, we have shared a series of 13 videos on construction and masonry that Canal Encuentro has made available to the public to promote the practice of the trade.

This time, we are presenting a new series of 8 videos from the same channel focused on plumbing—an interesting resource for brushing up on your knowledge of pipe installation and maintenance.

Check out each of the chapters below.

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Arquitectas. Maestras del espacio [Architects. Masters of Space] is a recent series from Encuentro. Over the course of two months, the weekly episodes built an engaging audiovisual catalog of the historical work of eight Argentine architects.

The second installment of this architecture series is once again presented by actor Rafael Spregelburd, who reminds us of the importance of highlighting the lesser-known creators behind the country's celebrated architectural projects.

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"For me, the first and primordial architecture is geography."
Paulo Mendes da Rocha

Antoni Gaudí will be present in the Valparaíso Region from October 2018 to May 2019, thanks to a traveling exhibition that will visit 12 communes throughout the region.

Today, the project 'A Virtual World: Gaudí Tours the Region' was launched with an inaugural event at the former Los Andes train station. The project begins with traveling presentations in a container equipped with virtual reality headsets in communes such as Viña del Mar, San Antonio, Quilpué, Rancagua, Quillota, and San Felipe, running until February 2019. Subsequently, from March 9 to May 10, 2019, the 'Gaudí in Valparaíso' exhibition will be installed at the Valparaíso Cultural Park.

Estereo(auto)scopio is an ephemeral public art piece co-created by Esteban Pastorino and Nicolás Sáez, funded by the "Chile-Argentina Residencies of the Performing and Visual Arts Exchange Program" grant from the Ministry of Cultures, Arts, and Heritage of the Government of Chile. On this occasion, the creative residency took place at "Residencia Corazón" in the city of La Plata, Argentina.

The project was first installed in the center of Plaza Moreno, then moved to the Pasaje Dardo Rocha Cultural Center, and finally exhibited at Residencia Corazón, accompanied by a discussion with the authors. The project, with the collaboration of Diego del Pozo, Nahuel Bralo, Ismael Maldonado, Juan Pablo Ferrer, and Rodrigo Mirto, offers visitors an immersive experience through a device that allows them to view aerial perspectives of the city. Using stereoscopic photographs taken by a drone, it provides observers the opportunity to view their current location from above and gain awareness of the urban characteristics.

Learn more about the project in detail through the words of its authors below.

BIM (Building Information Modeling) is a design methodology in which architects create digital design models and manage all information related to a project.

While CAD produces two- or three-dimensional drawings where architectural components or elements lack inherent distinction, BIM incorporates four-dimensional (time) and five-dimensional (cost) considerations. This methodology enables architects to benefit from intelligent information management throughout the entire project lifecycle, facilitating the automation of processes such as preliminary planning, conceptual design, detailed design, analysis, documentation, fabrication, construction logistics, project execution, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.

It is essential to distinguish between BIM technology and design software such as Revit®, ArchiCAD®, and AllPlan®: BIM is a working methodology, whereas these software platforms are tools that enable BIM compatibility. Together, they complement each other to enhance the efficiency of an architect's work.

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Installing wooden flooring may seem basic, or even irrelevant to the work we do as architects, but that is not the case. Understanding the specific characteristics of these materials and their assembly processes helps us design more efficiently and tailor our proposals to project requirements.

With this in mind, we will use EGGER's UNI Fit flooring as an example to explain the step-by-step assembly process. This type of flooring can be laid directly over a subfloor without the need for screws or adhesive. The system uses a "click" locking mechanism, allowing the floor to be installed over any type of subfloor material.

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The title says it all: If you have spent hours scouring the web for clean icon designs for your diagrams and architectural presentations—essential tools for optimizing layout, analysis, and communication—this universal online library from The Noun Project will be an invaluable resource.