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.

One of the things I admired most about Fernando González Gortázar was his irreverence, which he cultivated with genuine dedication, as one of the sharpest forms of intelligence, a form of rebellion, and a bastion of freedom. Indeed, Fernando's irreverence arose from the intersection of his admirable talent for everything that interested him and his pronounced sense of humor and cynicism. Another singular trait was how he carried this irreverence into his artistic production, sometimes subtly and underground, sometimes overtly. Some of his celebrated acts of irreverence resulted in highly accomplished projects; moreover, I believe all of his works were largely driven by irreverence as a major force, the other undoubtedly being the love and passion that ensued.

The Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (Mitma), in collaboration with the Higher Council of Spanish Architects' Associations (CSCAE) and supported by the Arquia Foundation, has launched a two-stage selection process to choose the curatorial team for the XVI Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism (BEAU). The deadline for submitting proposals for the first stage is December 14, 2022.

Federico Correa Ruiz, co-designer of iconic architectural works in Catalonia, a legendary professor at ETSAB, and one of the most highly regarded figures in Barcelona's architectural community, passed away on October 19 at the age of 96, with this year marking the first anniversary of his passing.

The School of Architecture at the National Autonomous University of Mexico invites the public to the exhibition “20 Years: Lines in Dialogue. Archive of Mexican Architects,” celebrating the anniversary of this institution and its commitment to preserving Mexico's architectural heritage. The Archive of Mexican Architects (AAM) project began in January 2002 with the acquisition of the Augusto H. Álvarez collection. This initial contribution paved the way for subsequent donations over the past two decades, now totaling 31 collections.

Despite women's achievements and overall societal progress, cities continue to be planned and built through a patriarchal lens. Urban planning often overlooks the diverse needs of the population regarding the inclusion of race, gender, and social class—factors that directly shape the use of space and the urban layout.

On October 13, Design House opened in Mexico City. As it does every year, the event showcases a series of installations integrating disciplines such as design, architecture, and interior design. Over the course of ten years, across various properties, it has presented cutting-edge proposals from more than one hundred participating firms in collaboration with the showrooms of the Ruta del Diseño (Design Route), which provide the pieces and accessories that bring the diverse spaces to life.

In legal terms, road space belongs to government entities and is therefore viewed as public. However, according to economic theory, the various goods produced by society exhibit distinct characteristics.

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To mark one of Mexico's most important celebrations, architect Miguel de la Torre designs an annual installation for November 1 and 2. The celebration features cempasúchil (Mexican marigold) flowers, a plant native to Mexico that blooms in autumn. According to traditions dating back to pre-Hispanic times, the yellow and orange petals are used to guide the deceased during their visit, as they are believed to hold the light and warmth of the sun.

As part of the annual collaborative efforts of the Design Week team in Mexico City, the "Inédito" exhibition opened on October 14 at the Espacio CDMX Arquitectura y Diseño gallery. This showcase is part of the seventh consecutive edition of this open call, which aims to support, disseminate, and promote utilitarian design projects across several categories: social impact, environmental impact, innovation, function, aesthetics, concept, user experience, materials, and processes. Rather than being competitive, the exhibition—divided into professional, university, and limited-edition categories—opens up new opportunities in both national and international markets for exceptional design with commercial and production viability.

This year's United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP27, takes place against a backdrop of multiple global crises.

The cascading effects of COVID-19 and Russia's invasion of Ukraine have pushed energy prices to record highs. At the same time, unprecedented climate disasters are causing devastating and widespread disruptions. Historic levels of rainfall, heat, drought, wildfires, and storms are battering virtually every corner of the globe.

Aiming to recognize initiatives that benefit Brazilian architecture and cities, the 5th edition of the FNA Award (Prêmio FNA 2022) has announced its winners. The national news portal ArchDaily Brasil, the Rio de Janeiro-based non-profit organization Comunidades Catalisadoras (ComCat), and the Fab Social project from Guarulhos (SP) will receive the award on November 26 during the 46th National Meeting of Architects and Urban Planners Unions (46th ENSA) in Brasília (DF). The decision involved former presidents and the organization's current president, Eleonora Mascia, who highlighted the projects' contributions to both the professional community and Brazilian society.

On October 19, 21, and 22, Laguna in Mexico City hosted the second edition of the first design festival created by Coolhuntermx, conceived by and for projects led by cis women, trans women, and dissident communities. This festival was conceived with an inclusive, diverse, and collective approach, curated by designers Andrea Soler and Taina Campos. Following a first edition filled with key learnings and shared knowledge, the objective remains the same: to serve as an inclusive platform for design proposals and other creative expressions seeking alternative dialogues to those taking place during Design Month. This year, various forums were held to address topics such as "Social and Community Impact," "Representation and Decision-Making," "Activism for Transformation," and "Design of Care." In addition, the "Voces Estudiantiles" (Student Voices) exhibition showcased posters addressing various contemporary topics being explored in universities. Similarly, a mural by Artsynonym and Flaminguettes captured some of the core concepts and guiding principles of the festival. The event also featured 'Mujeres de la Tierra' (Women of the Earth), a collective of Indigenous women who defend the land and their lives against violence: "we stand in solidarity with the struggle by planting, cooking, and sharing knowledge." Attendance and participation during the event were highly diverse, enriching the panels to foster a horizontal dialogue addressing specific concerns. It is increasingly necessary to create these spaces to bring visibility to the collective struggles resisting day-to-day dynamics. Therefore, if you were unable to attend, the full talks are available below on coolhuntermx's Twitch channel; simply click on the link for each session. DAY 1
Panel: Social and Community Impact
WATCH THE RECORDING HERE
The panel featured Alessandra Cireddu (Moderator): National Director of the Architecture Program, Tecnológico de Monterrey (@alitac); Talachas Girl (Speaker): EXCLUSIVE SERVICE FOR WOMEN AND LGBTQ+. Remodeling, interior design, recycling, savings, construction, and creation (@talachas.girl); CACEH. Marcelina Bautista (Speaker): Domestic worker for 22 years, currently director of CACEH, a civil society organization that empowers and professionalizes domestic workers (@caceh_nacional); and Colectiva Argamasa (Speaker): A women's collective seeking to coordinate the presence of women in spaces through cross-cutting architectural interventions (@colectiva_argamasa). Panel: Representation and Decision-Making
WATCH THE RECORDING OF THE TALK HERE
The panel featured Vulvísima, Avelina Fonseca (Moderator): Feminist activist, B.A. in Political Science from UNAM, specializing in emancipatory feminist economics and the social organization of care. Creator of Vulvísima (@vulvisima); Ashby Solano (Speaker): Creative Direction. Digital Fabrication Jedi. Multidimensional creative being (@ashbysolano); GirlUp (Speaker): Passionate advocates for gender equality, sexual and reproductive rights, climate action, mental health, and other social injustice issues (@girlupmx); Marbella Figueroa (Speaker): Co-creator and collaborator of Afrochingonas, a self-managed project addressing and problematizing Afro-descent and racism in Mexico (@marbellabrilhinho); and Astra Lem (Speaker): Graphic designer and trans activism (@astra.lem). DAY 2
Panel: Activism for Transformation
WATCH THE RECORDING OF THE TALK HERE
The panel featured Dora Bartiloti (Moderator): Multimedia artist. She explores the material qualities of textiles and electronics as tactical mediums for feminist activism and collective action (@dorabartilotti); Zines por Morras (Speaker): The project aims to share experiences of harassment against lesbian and bisexual women in Mexico City (@zinespormorras); Alina Kiliwa (Speaker): "As a lettering artist, I seek to reclaim the sign-painting tradition and revalue the practice through participatory processes" (@alinakiliwa); Mi calle Nuestra Calle (Speaker): Urban laboratory of participatory futures [futures + feminist urbanism + community art] (@micalle_nuestracalle); and MOFA (Speaker): Feminist collective of young women from the urbanism, landscape, architecture, and industrial design programs at the Faculty of Architecture, UNAM (@mujeres_organizadas_fa). Panel: Design of Care
WATCH THE RECORDING OF THE TALK HERE
The panel featured Sofía Probert (Moderator): Illustrator. Through her work, she invites political and philosophical questioning around socio-environmental issues (@sofia.probert); Jovenas Comuneras de Milpa Alta. Daniela Moreno (Speaker): "We are a space for meeting and constructing action-participation to defend and care for our territories, land, and our existence within them" (@jovenascomuneras); Eli Caballero (Speaker): Environmental care and support for ADHD (@hazcompitas); Madres desobedientes (Speaker): Mothers parenting and transforming the world. Disseminating women's artistic projects and supporting feminist parenting (@madresdesobedientes); and Mariana Robles (Speaker): Gynecologist with a feminist perspective. Non-conscientious objector. Health at Every Size. Mom of two (@dra.mariana.robles). For more information, visit Diseña Mexicana.

In September, the Rio de Janeiro City Hall began construction on the new Journalist Susana Naspolini Realengo Park, located in the West Zone of the state capital. Developed by the urban planning and landscaping firm Ecomimesis, the new park includes community gardens, a cultural route, a sports area, rain gardens, and an ecopoint (recycling station) for collecting and sorting all solid waste from the park.

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In 1972, Caetano Veloso announced in the song Triste Bahia that “the steamboat from Cachoeira no longer sails on the sea.” Indeed, ours is a generation unfamiliar with Salvador's nautical capacity, since most of us have not had the opportunity to experience the daily rhythm of a port city. A brief look at the records of photographers such as Marcel Gautherot, Pierre Verger, and Lázaro Roberto, from the 1950s to the 1970s, reveals that the daily dynamics along the waterfront were vastly different from those of today.

From February 22 to 26, 2023, the International Contemporary Art Fair ARCOmadrid will take place at IFEMA Madrid. HANGHAR and estudio DIIR, both Madrid-based architecture firms, have been selected to design the fair's VIP Lounge. Its central theme, "The Mediterranean: A Round Sea," serves as the starting point and inspiration for this proposal, titled VERBENA.

The Saint-Gobain Group and the Brazilian Association of Architecture Firms (AsBEA) have announced the winners of the 9th edition of the Saint-Gobain AsBEA Architecture Award. The award celebrated projects that offer comfort and innovative solutions, while also preserving the environment and promoting sustainability within the Brazilian construction industry.

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The 7th {CURA} Award has announced the winners of its competition, which focused on designing support facilities for app delivery workers. The competition invited participants to design across three scales — city, building, and furniture —, offering a comprehensive response to the needs of these professionals whose work grew more widespread yet increasingly precarious during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Rooftop farms and urban gardens are popular options for providing food in cities while mitigating heat islands, increasing building thermal insulation, and improving air quality. However, these plants often end up smaller and less healthy, as they suffer from higher solar radiation, wind exposure, and low soil moisture.

In November 2022, Augusta Park celebrated its first anniversary of reopening to the public. The park reached maximum capacity on its opening day and, today, has welcomed over 1.5 million visitors. The site went through a long journey before reaching consolidation. The nearly 50-year struggle for the park deserves to be highlighted, and public participation in its creation must be recorded and shared so it can inspire new campaigns for public spaces across the city.

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Modular units will house people experiencing homelessness in São Paulo. The project, named Vila Reencontro, was launched in the Bom Retiro neighborhood—though the proposed site is currently being analyzed for potential soil contamination—and is now expanding to Ladeira da Memória Street, near the Anhangabaú Metro station in the city center.

Led by SMADS (Municipal Secretariat of Assistance and Social Development), the initiative provides temporary housing made from shipping containers, functioning as modular metal homes.

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Much has been said about the power of artificial intelligence and how its rise could transform the architectural profession. This topic has already been explored in previous articles here.

The primary tool causing concern among industry experts is DALL-E, a machine learning-based software that generates images from text prompts entered by the user. Other platforms offer similar capabilities, such as Midjourney and Stable Diffusion.

In October 2022, Fundación Patrimonio Sustentable, alongside the Downtown Valdivia Trade Association and Sercotec Los Ríos Region, launched the Barrio Cochrane Guide: Heritage and Commerce of Valdivia. This publication highlights the heritage, human, and architectural value of the neighborhood, featuring stories of local businesses, historic trades, and iconic buildings in the area.

On November 10, Diez Company launched the fourth edition of Maison Diez Company to Mexican and international audiences. This space, dedicated to lighting design, brings together designers, creatives, architects, interior designers, business partners, lighting experts, and representatives of international brands to celebrate light.

Today, November 10, the National Academy of Architecture, through a statement issued by Arch. José F. Reygadas Valdéz (President) and Arch. Antonio Gallardo E. (Secretary General), announced the passing of Mexican architect Agustín Hernández Navarro, an Emeritus Academic of the institution.