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.

How can we transport ourselves to natural environments when we find ourselves in entirely urban contexts? The materiality of spaces is one of the factors that determines the atmosphere we inhabit. In this regard, the incorporation of natural materials in interior architecture can help introduce textures, colors, and qualities inherent to nature into our daily spaces. In this article, we explore the specific use of cork as a resource in interior design and the different ways it can transform the experience of a space. Cork is the bark of the cork oak, a tree species that, when harvested without harming the tree, can be transformed into a material suitable for multiple applications in architecture and design.

Tactile paving tiles are designed to ensure that everyone can fully utilize urban spaces, navigating all the architectural and everyday variables present in contemporary cities. The "Tactile Path for the Visually Impaired," presented below, was specially designed for people with visual impairments.

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These architectural elements are used for different reasons almost everywhere, because they have a visual permeability that promotes the much desired dialogue between interior and exterior, which most architects seek, while being able to maintain the privacy of the users of a building. However, in tropical climates, they gain even greater importance as they allow constant natural ventilation, shade areas with large amounts of sunshine, and provide natural lighting and thermal comfort. 

The roof of London's Euston Station serves as a virtual application for the integrated Metaplas system, a project developed by students at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL. As part of an investigation by Research Cluster 8 (RC8) of the MArch Architectural Design program, students developed a 3D-printed multi-material system using biodegradable and recyclable thermoplastics. By transforming a series of flat panels into complex three-dimensional forms, the students created a geometric pleated structural system capable of passively controlling interior lighting.

The reality of an architectural project begins to take shape when the work is materialized. For this reason, the task of specifying the products to be used becomes highly relevant within the creative process. When starting a project, architects often conduct a study of references to find inspiration for both the conceptualization of the work and its aesthetic, taking advantage of the vast visual content available on digital networks, which allows them to explore various application cases. This research is useful for understanding the final image one wishes to achieve; however, it is necessary to seek guidance from technical support teams to select products that ensure such an end is reached.

When we hear headlines like "the city must have fair density" or "15-minute neighborhoods," time and density are just numbers. However, it is essential to understand that they remain only numbers until they are contextualized within the lived experience of people in their territory. We can no longer postpone the obvious reality that a number, a standard, a benchmark, or a goal is merely a tool to facilitate the necessary conversations regarding the management and governance of our territorial environments.

The bathroom is an essential space for any type of construction. The Royal Spanish Academy defines it as "a room in a building with a sink, shower, bathtub, toilet, and other sanitary fixtures." This definition establishes that it is a functional space with a specific program, which, consequently, can be easily standardized. As these spaces have practically uniform dimensions, the installation of prefabricated bathrooms in various types of buildings is becoming increasingly common. These modular units serve as an excellent alternative when opting for a fast, cost-effective, and efficient construction method.

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Prefabricated systems have become an effective option for completing projects that require standardized modular solutions, such as hotels, hospitals, residences, and residential buildings. The primary advantages of using ready-made modules are reduced labor time, optimal control, and project traceability. While the functional value of these systems—in terms of their quick and easy execution—is significant, the use of quality materials provides additional value. However, to understand how these modules function and are applied, it is first necessary to understand their origin and process.

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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.

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.