Materiality is a determining factor in shaping the character and experience of a building. Playing with the aesthetic and tactile qualities of materials, the design process encompasses their analysis, selection, and arrangement to create purposeful and sensory-rich spaces. Alongside textures and patterns, exploring materiality also involves the study of color possibilities. The versatile role of color in architectural materials extends beyond mere aesthetics, as it can broaden design opportunities and influence emotional responses, functionality, cultural relevance, and environmental performance.
Even though each material has its distinctive inherent color, the addition of artificial or natural pigments can modify them in favor of the project’s identity. Delving into the debate on maintaining raw aesthetics or changing a material’s natural hues, we showcase various projects to study the differences between using natural versus artificial pigmentation of glass, concrete, brick, stone and wood.
The National Gallery of Victoria 2023 Architecture Commission has chosen a colossal inflatable sphere, named (This is) Air, as its centerpiece. This unique creation is a collaboration between architect Nic Brunsdon and ENESS, aiming to bring the invisible into view by highlighting a fundamental aspect of life: breathing air.
From Le Corbusier's color theory to the aesthetic proposals of the Bauhaus, color has played an essential role throughout architectural history. Today, however, we stand on the threshold of a new era of innovation, where the meaning, application, and impact of color in architecture are also undergoing a transformation. This shift raises new questions: could new materials and finishes revolutionize the color palette? What are the possibilities for color in virtual spaces? What will be the next color trends in the world of interior design?
There is a growing public perception that the number of people experiencing homelessness has been rising in Brazil. To better understand this issue, the Brazilian Observatory of Public Policies on the Homeless Population, established under the Polos de Cidadania Program at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, compiled data from thousands of municipalities in a historical series spanning from 2012 to 2021. Unfortunately, the data indicates that this crisis is indeed worsening across the country.
https://www.archdaily.com/1136354/what-does-the-data-say-about-the-homeless-population-in-brazilAndré Sette e Anthony Ling
Given that the architects of modernity were in search of purity of form, it stands to reason that the image of this modern architecture is almost inevitably rendered in white in the collective imagination. Relieved of superfluous decorations, modern architecture became associated with the predominant use of white surfaces to highlight the volumetric composition. Combined with the concept of “material truth” first articulated by Victorian critic John Ruskin, white-colored architecture is often understood as straightforward, clear, and sincere.
Zaha Hadid Architects has revealed the design of the Daxia Tower, to be built in the High-Tech Economic and Technological Development Zone of Xi’an, one of China’s largest inland cities with a population nearing nine million people. The tower will mark the center of Xi’an’s business district and will include offices, retail, and ancillary facilities, all designed with data analytics and behavior modeling to ensure a balanced disposition of spaces.
In its infancy, architecture relied exclusively on orientation, sunlight, and the natural elements influencing it. At the time, manipulating physical phenomena like electricity was not even considered. Over time, scientific advancements—such as the discovery of electrical energy and its future applications in buildings—became integrated into our way of life and the way we inhabit and experience space. Today, it is impossible to conceive of architecture without systems for ventilation, heating, or simply power. However, with the rapid growth of cities in recent years, rising demand for electricity, and the increasing sophistication of electrical systems, power surges (sudden increases in voltage) have emerged as a modern challenge we must address.
Many of these surges are transient, representing one of the primary threats to the integrity of electrical/electronic devices and overall electrical continuity in buildings. As electronic equipment becomes increasingly sensitive, the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors rely more heavily on control and communication systems, making them more susceptible to transient surges. In response to these events, ABB has developed a wide range of surge protective devices (SPDs).
https://www.archdaily.com/1136425/how-to-protect-buildings-against-power-surgesEnrique Tovar
In the face of a climate emergency, various fields are under pressure to reformulate their operations and actions, and architecture is no exception. After all, the built environment and the construction industry are responsible for a considerable percentage of carbon gas emissions into the atmosphere. Rethinking and restructuring the construction chain - from design to execution - is the order of the day for construction professionals.
Indeed, in the face of climate change, it seems entirely reasonable to return to prioritizing features such as natural ventilation and lighting in building design, just as we did in the past—and, in doing so, reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
https://www.archdaily.com/1136366/sustainable-urbanism-back-to-the-futureVitor Meira França
In the competitive world of restaurants – particularly at a time when influencers are gaining more and more control over the sphere of fine dining –, creating a memorable meal experience is crucial for attracting and retaining customers. While factors like food quality and service certainly play pivotal roles in making diners return to their eatery of choice, the impact that restaurant interiors can have on an establishment's longevity should not be overlooked. Among the various elements contributing to a memorable ambiance, color takes center stage. We delve into the significance of striking the right tone in restaurant design through 20 projects from our ArchDaily database.
A residential architectural project almost always seeks to integrate interior and exterior to get closer to nature and improve comfort or aesthetics. Considering living spaces, this dialogue between open and closed environments becomes even more relevant. After all, it makes the room more flexible and suggests various ways of occupying it, regardless of the number of people or the time of year.
From Le Corbusier's polychromy to the aesthetic concepts of the Bauhaus, color has played an essential role throughout architectural history. Yet, we stand on the threshold of a new era of innovation where the meaning, application, and impact of color in architecture are constantly evolving. This evolution brings new questions to the fore: Could new materials and finishes revolutionize the color palette? What possibilities does color application hold in virtual spaces? What will be the upcoming color trends in the world of interior design?
With its unique blend of form, function, and sustainability, bamboo architecture stands out due to its complex geometries, tridimensional spatiality, and heavy reliance on craftsmanship. For many years, physical models have been central to materializing architects' visions and conveying intricate designs to the skilled craftspeople responsible for construction. Now, we are in the midst of a paradigm shift. The digital revolution is bringing computer-aided and parametric design tools to the forefront, unlocking bamboo's potential in ways never before imagined. This evolution presents exciting possibilities and new challenges for builders and craftsmen alike.
The burning question now is: Can we effectively translate these cutting-edge design innovations to the hands-on world of the craftsmen who bring these visions to life? At a recent 11 day Bamboo Build and Design Course at Bamboo U, we immersed ourselves in a world where technology meets tradition, experiencing the groundbreaking blend of bamboo construction and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies. Guided by the expertise of Dr. Kristof Crolla and Dr. Garvin Goepel from the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, we embarked on an exciting journey to build not one, but two, charming grid shell domes, under the aid of holographic instructions. In this article, we explore this dynamic intersection of tradition and technology in the world of bamboo architecture from the perspective of Bamboo U.
WilkinsonEyre has been selected to design a new college campus on the Olympic Way in Wembley, London, to serve as the new educational facility for the College of North West London. The project is designed to cater to over 300 students per week in addition to the 250 staff members. The new facility will offer classes in engineering, the built environment, and green skills, as well as digital technology, computing, health, and social care. The new campus scheme has recently been granted planning permission at the Council’s Planning Committee meeting and has now been passed to the Greater London Authority for final approval.
Urban Radicals presented a temporary pavilion “A Brick for Venice” as part of the European Cultural Center’s “Time Space Existence program during the same time as the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale. The entirety of the brick pavilion was made with mud from the city’s canals. Furthermore, “A Brick for Venice” is the first proof of concept for the team’s novel waste-based construction product.
Increasingly, the concept of social sustainability has become a central theme in contemporary architecture discussions as users' subjective and non-static needs become paramount in the design process. Social sustainability in architecture aims to design and construct buildings and urban spaces that promote well-being, inclusion, and community cohesion. It focuses on creating environments that enable positive human interactions, support diverse needs, and improve the overall quality of life for people who inhabit and use these spaces. Socially sustainable architecture considers the social, cultural, economic, and health aspects of a community to address societal challenges and provide long-term benefits to residents.
The relationship between architecture and music has existed throughout history and can be observed in various aspects. The way architectural spaces are designed can affect the sound quality and auditory experience of a musical piece. The acoustics of a place, determined by its shape, size, and materials used in its construction, can influence how sounds and music are perceived. That's why architecture plays an essential role in the design of auditoriums and concert halls. The aspects to consider include space distribution, seat placement, the shape of the venue, and acoustics to ensure an optimal sonic experience.
Organized by the Ministry of Housing and Territorial Planning of Uruguay (MVOT) and MEVIR, with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank (BID), the International Architecture Competition "Wood: Innovating Social Interest Architecture" involved submitting proposals for new types of wooden housing extensions. These could be either paired or standalone single-level structures, to be built by MEVIR in a demonstration set of 20 social interest houses within the town of Tranqueras, Rivera Department, Uruguay.
With the rise of small houses and dense cities, we were forced to sacrifice a good amount of storage space. Ironically, we did not compromise our purchasing habits, so with a few square meters to work with, architects and designers had to come up with efficient storage solutions and make the best of the limited space they have. However, if you were lucky enough to be occupying a large, unobscured space with a generous budget, your storage design possibilities are endless. In this article, we look at how architects and designers found creative ways to store their belongings in spaces with different functions, scales, and spatial constraints, ranging from completely invisible units to sculptural centerpieces.
The “Green Obsession” campaign launched by Stefano Boeri Architetti has been declared the winner of the SDG Action Awards, the most important recognition of projects that support the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. As part of the SDG Action Campaign, the United Nations set out to reward initiatives that “mobilize, inspire and connect communities in order to promote positive change.” The winning initiative aims to help improve the relationship between nature and design by implementing the principles of urban forestation. Green Obsession represents a series of conferences, public programs and a book, “Green Obsession: Trees Towards Cities, Humans Towards Forests”, published in 2021 and supported by the Graham Foundation.
In the summer of 2022, Iwan Baan completed an urban pilgrimage through the unique streets of Prague. For 7 days, the photographer photographed the city on foot, on a bike, and from a helicopter, capturing the essence of the urban fabric, from the center to the periphery and the landscape along the Vltava River. Presenting the city as a raw and often neglected entity, Iwan Baan showcased his exhibition “Iwan Baan: Prague Diary” this year at CAMP.
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