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Liu Jiakun on Practice: "The property rights are theirs, the ideals are yours. There are no secret tricks to practice—just more practice."

On November 2–3, the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) hosted a major academic forum titled "Challenge: Re-examining Architectural Thought, Education, and Practice." Numerous domestic and international figures and deans of renowned institutions participated in the discussions, including Arata Isozaki, Rem Koolhaas, and Wang Shu. On the afternoon of November 3, acclaimed Chinese architect Liu Jiakun, principal of Jiakun Architects, attended the forum as a guest speaker. With his characteristic warmth and humor, Liu spoke on the core principles of architectural practice, focusing on his West Village Basin project in Chengdu.

Our most liked Instagram photos of 2018

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2018 was a busy year for ArchDaily Brasil. We had the opportunity to publish a wide range of content—articles, news, and projects—specially curated for you, our daily reader. Beyond our platform, our Instagram account served as a daily hub for sharing content through stories, IGTV, and, above all, the dozens of photographs shared each week.

With nearly 150,000 followers on our Brazilian profile (@archdailybr) who follow us daily and show their support for the best architectural photography of projects by Brazilian and Portuguese architects, we decided to put together a year-end roundup of the 15 most-liked photos. Check out the list below!

1,000 linear meters of wood to create public installations in Córdoba

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Jointly organized by the Cámara de la Madera, Mueble y Equipamiento de Córdoba (CAMMEC) and the Faculty of Architecture, Urbanism, and Design at the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, the 'Toco Madera XL' workshop emerged within the framework of the Second Design Biennial in Córdoba, Argentina, with the primary goal of promoting the use of wood.

Nine teams made up of more than 200 students and 50 professors designed installations using this material exclusively, which were then placed in various public spaces across the city. The initiative sought to showcase and highlight the regional timber industry, positioning the city as a benchmark for local and international design.

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ATELIER ARS among the finalists of the Architectural Review for Emerging Architecture

ATELIER ARS among the finalists of the Architectural Review for Emerging Architecture - Imagen 1 de 4ATELIER ARS among the finalists of the Architectural Review for Emerging Architecture - Imagen 2 de 4ATELIER ARS among the finalists of the Architectural Review for Emerging Architecture - Imagen 3 de 4ATELIER ARS among the finalists of the Architectural Review for Emerging Architecture - Imagen 4 de 4ATELIER ARS among the finalists of the Architectural Review for Emerging Architecture - More Images+ 12

The Architectural Review Emerging Architecture award has been held annually since 1999. It aims to recognize architects at a key stage of their careers, placing them on a global stage and promoting their work worldwide. Previous winners include Sou Fujimoto, Thomas Heatherwick, Sean Godsell, Jürgen Mayer H, Anna Heringer, Shigeru Ban, Li Xiaodong, and Mexican architect Frida Escobedo, designer of the 2018 Serpentine Pavilion.

This year's jury is composed of Spanish architect Ángela García de Paredes of Paredes Pedrosa (1999 AR Emerging Architecture Award winner), Indian architect Gurjit Singh Matharoo (2010 AR House Award winner), and Ronald Rietveld of RAAAF (2013 AR Emerging Architecture Award winner).

Building of the Year 2018: Nominations open for the award honoring the best Spanish-language architecture

With the launch of ODA18, this year we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Building of the Year Award (ODA), the premier award in the Spanish-speaking architectural world where the winners are chosen by popular vote. Starting today, Monday, March 12, and for two weeks, our readers will be responsible for determining which projects inspired us during 2017, faithfully representing the identity of our local contexts while shaping the way architecture is practiced around the world.

Over the next two weeks, the entire ArchDaily en Español network (Plataforma Arquitectura, ArchDaily México, ArchDaily Colombia, and ArchDaily Perú) will host this celebration of the best built architecture in Spain and Spanish-speaking Latin American countries.

Nominate and vote for your favorites now!

Demolition of building in Cartagena demanded for "seriously violating the enjoyment of public space"

On April 27, 2017, the collapse of the Blas de Lezo II building brought to light numerous construction projects in Cartagena that violate building permits, hold forged licenses, or lack the necessary permits altogether. The tragedy claimed the lives of 21 workers and left more than 30 injured. Only then did an agreement between the Cartagena Mayor's Office and the Inspector General's Office (Procuraduría) establish a normalization plan to curb irregularities in the city's construction sector.

According to the diagnostic report, by late October 2017, 124 properties were identified as unlicensed or built using fraudulent permits. However, the controversy surrounding building permit irregularities in Cartagena resurfaced that same month when a complaint was filed against the ongoing construction of the Aquarela multi-family residential project.

Applications extended for the 1st Tomie Ohtake Institute Leroy Merlin Design Award

The new award, a partnership between the Tomie Ohtake Institute and Leroy Merlin, has extended its submission deadline. Until August 10, university students of any discipline can submit design projects related to products, furniture, fashion, interiors, landscaping, web, graphics, services, and other fields, under the theme SHARE.

Five urban projects that transformed their cities

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Some urban changes go deeper than the surface. These are transformative projects with the power to generate an impact far greater than aesthetic or infrastructural updates. They are initiatives that positively influence the economy, the environment, and the host community—in unexpected or even unprecedented ways.

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Javier Senosiain: 'Organic architecture seeks to create much more human spaces'

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Javier Senosiain is a Mexican architect and graduate of the UNAM Faculty of Architecture whose work focuses on researching and developing organic architecture through a deep immersion in the geographical qualities of specific sites. As he notes, his work seeks to create far more human spaces by understanding how we move through and inhabit our environments. His practice draws on the research of internationally renowned architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Hundertwasser, and Gaudí; nevertheless, he prioritizes regional materials and solutions tailored to the specific needs of Mexico. His portfolio includes projects such as the Organic House, Nido de Quetzalcóatl, and the Amiba House in São Paulo, among others.

7 Principles for the Construction of a Sustainable School

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On April 19, Argentina's first sustainable public school was officially inaugurated in the town of Mar Chiquita.

The project was realized under the Una Escuela Sustentable program, an initiative by the Uruguayan organization Tagma that aims to build a symbolic regional network—with a sustainable public school in every Latin American country—in partnership with Garbage Warrior Michael Reynolds and his team at Earthship Biotecture.

Below, the organizers outline the seven core principles and the construction process of this project.

Fantastic Landscape: Building Pictures Produces a Video on the Liquid Pavilion Designed by depA

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The film of the “Lake Pavilion” by depA, produced by Building Pictures, reveals the project's magical side, making viewers feel as though they have stepped into a landscape from the Brothers Grimm's fantastic stories.

However, the landscape is not German, but Portuguese. The project was built on the lake in Serralves Park and remained open between July 2017 and May 2018. It was commissioned for the exhibition “Live Uncertainty: An Exhibition from the 32nd São Paulo Biennial.”

2018 Beijing Design Week - 751 International Design Festival Press Conference Interprets Food Aesthetics with 'Tasty Design'

2018 Beijing Design Week - 751 International Design Festival Press Conference Interprets Food Aesthetics with 'Tasty Design' - Films & Architecture
Courtesy of 751 International Design Festival

On August 30, the press conference for the 2018 Beijing Design Week - 751 International Design Festival was held at the Geyuan space in Beijing's 751D·PARK. Wang Yudong, General Manager of Beijing Design Week, and Zhang Junyuan, General Manager of 751D·PARK Cultural Development Co., Ltd., delivered opening remarks. The event was attended by Per Boesgaard, Sector Counselor for Sustainable Urban Development at the Royal Danish Embassy, Bart Hofstede, Cultural Counselor of the Dutch Embassy, and over 40 Chinese and international media representatives.

The Mexican design furniture that has recycled 80,000 plastic bottles: Luken by Paola Calzada

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The Mexican design furniture that has recycled 80,000 plastic bottles: Luken by Paola Calzada - Featured Image
© Marta Kowalska

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Luken is a designer furniture brand –created and produced in Mexico by architect Paola Calzada Prats–, characterized by its use of recycled or eco-friendly materials. The collection consists of indoor and outdoor furniture that is easily assembled and resistant to sun, water, and heavy use.

Two different materials are used: recycled plastic for outdoor furniture and valchromat for indoor pieces, the latter being a 12 mm thick Portuguese wood fiber panel that, while not rainproof, is resistant to moderate humidity. No glue or nails are required for assembly. Meanwhile, the outdoor recycled plastic is made of 100% melted plastic with no added chemicals in the process. It performs exceptionally outdoors due to its resistance to direct sunlight, sea air, rain, and even heavy daily use by children.

Medellín Confirms That Environmental Pollution Is the Most Concerning in Colombia

On March 6, environmental pollution in Medellín, Colombia, triggered the highest alert levels. For three days, industrial production and driving restrictions (locally known as pico y placa) have been tightened. According to specialists consulted by the local newspaper El Tiempo, meteorological conditions are expected to make the situation “most critical” in two weeks.

In light of situations like this, air quality monitoring and control have taken on greater importance in Colombia. This is especially critical given that one in eight deaths worldwide is caused by air pollution, according to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO). In Colombia, 10,527 deaths and 67.8 million cases of related symptoms and illnesses occurred in 2015, as reported in 2017 by the National Planning Department following a study on the health costs of environmental degradation.

Discover the winning proposals for the Pasarelas San Borja competition in Chile

The Architecture and Landscape Ideas Competition for the Pasarelas San Borja and Surroundings announced its winning proposals during an event held on Thursday, September 6, at the National Headquarters of the Chilean Association of Architects (Colegio de Arquitectos de Chile). The main objective of the competition was to recognize, through a qualified and representative jury accredited by the sponsors, the best urban design ideas that help define intervention criteria and generate proposals for the San Borja neighborhood.

A total of 86 interdisciplinary teams registered for the competition, with 34 proposals successfully submitted and evaluated. The jury awarded first, second, and third place, along with three honorable mentions. Additionally, a Neighborhood Mention was awarded to two projects highlighted by the Neighborhood Advisory Commission during the evaluation process.

Discover the winning projects below:

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Far from the Speaker: Video Art on the Adega Baía da Arruda Project in the Azores

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Afastado de Quem Fala is a diptych short film about Adega Baía da Arruda, a project by the Portuguese-Swiss studio Barão-Hutter, built on Pico Island in 2017.

Montreal wants to adopt different traffic laws for cyclists

The measure is based on the principle that it makes no sense to continue applying the same rules to two such different types of vehicles.

Mayor Valérie Plante has promised improvements to the city's cycling infrastructure. Her ideas align closely with those of Councilor Marianne Giguère, who is responsible for sustainable development and transportation. Giguère believes that, under current laws, the message to cyclists is that they must be just as cautious as drivers, “even though you [the cyclist] pose much less of a danger.”

Zaha Hadid Architects presents a piece inspired by the work of Félix Candela in Mexico.

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As part of Zaha Hadid Architects' first exhibition in Latin America, the Museo Universitario de Arte Contemporáneo (MUAC) in Mexico City is hosting an experimental structure that pays tribute to Mexican architect and engineer Félix Candela. "Design as Second Nature" showcases several projects by architect Zaha Hadid through models, audiovisual materials, paintings, and photographs, exploring her practice's creative process and highlighting the importance and complexity of design as the articulating axis of forms and construction processes in her work.

Singularity in Architecture: The Case of the Casa sobre el Arroyo in Argentina

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The smell of smoke mingled in the air, like poison,’ these captivating opening words already foreshadow a tragic end. The result of an unusual sequence of events, they demonstrate that the threads of fortunate—and unfortunate—circumstances are far more complex to weave and comprehend than a casual observer might think. The chain of stories sequenced by Daniel Merro Johnston in Casa sobre el Arroyo by Amancio Williams —published by Ediciones 1:100— does not merely outline a process and its parallel events; it highlights the singularity of the construction itself, serving as a testament to the complexity, the timelines, and the unforeseen circumstances involved in creating a ‘good’ work of architecture.

Mexican women architects pushing the boundaries of the profession

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By definition, architecture is the art and technique of planning, designing, constructing, and modifying the human habitat. However, my own professional career has constantly forced me to confront the same question: if you are an architect and you don't design, are you still an architect?

Can good architecture emerge from the real estate business? A 'high-rise houses' project in Santiago, Chile

Is there room in the real estate business to create good architecture and contribute to our cities? Convinced of the potential of the real estate sector, Chilean architects Eduardo Berlin and Nicolás Lipthay founded MoDe Studio, an innovation and design workshop that seeks to maximize urban opportunities to build quality architectural projects without compromising—and even improving—their financial performance.

Based on these principles, they developed the 'Casa Vitacura' project, a building designed as a 'vertical neighborhood' with DFL2-standard units that aim to offer the same benefits as a house: spaciousness, privacy, a patio, and independence.

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Playlist: New Year's Eve - ArchDaily Brazil

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We have finally reached the last day of 2018, a year marked by a series of architectural trends, novel proposals presented in competitions, biennials, and architecture fairs, and above all, punctuated by a sea of projects reflecting the concerns of architects proposing new directions for the discipline. Now, after 365 days of many surprises for the world of architecture, it is time to celebrate and give thanks for another year—and what better way to welcome 2019 than to the sound of great music? With this in mind, our editorial team has curated a special selection: featuring the moving sounds of Coldplay and John Lennon, festive beats from Bruno Mars and Alok, and Brazilian classics by Elis Regina and João Gilberto.

Check out the full New Year's Eve playlist below.

Promoting diversity to make cities more equitable

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When there is a balanced combination of complementary activities in a given neighborhood (meaning a mix of housing, workplaces, commerce, and services), a significant portion of its residents' daily trips can remain short and walkable. Diverse uses, with different peak hours throughout the day, help keep streets busy and safe for longer, stimulating pedestrian and cyclist activity and promoting a lively human environment where people want to live. This also helps balance public transit demand, resulting in a more efficient and sustainable operation over longer periods of the day. People of all age groups, genders, and income levels can safely interact in public spaces.

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Cortesia de ITDP Brasil

Exhibition in Zurich to Showcase Smiljan Radic's Private Collection

Chilean architect Smiljan Radic, along with Patricio Mardones, are the curators of the exhibition CLOUD '68 - PAPER VOICE, which will be on display from March 14 to May 18, 2018, at the Department of Architecture, ETH Zurich, Hönggerberg in Switzerland.

This exhibition commemorates the 50th anniversary of the social revolution of May 1968, paying tribute to radical European thought and its architecture from 1950 to 1970, which generated diverse perspectives of expression and design forms.

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