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.

Although construction is primarily based on technical principles, which at first glance seem to follow only pre-established designs and specifications, there is a deeper dimension related to the nature and essence of the materials used. These materials do not only perform a utilitarian function; they also transcend their mere purpose, evoking the notion put forward by Pablo Neruda: "There is a rigor in materials that limits excessive whim and the struggle to infuse them with humanity."

Among the range of existing materials, there is perhaps none as universal as brick. Its versatility and aesthetic honesty have made it a widely used resource in the construction of diverse spaces worldwide. Within Chilean architecture, the broad possibilities this material offers have been highlighted, having been exceptionally utilized by numerous architects. Furthermore, it has gained renewed relevance in architectural discourse, as exemplified by the book "Arcilla. Materia y Obra en Arquitectura." This is reflected throughout the history of Cerámica Santiago and its joint collaboration with the Faculty of Architecture and Art at UDD to promote the Brick Architecture Prize.

The historic drought affecting the Amazon region has revealed four archaeological sites in the state of Amazonas, three of which were completely unknown and are of great importance. The National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Iphan) has implemented an emergency action plan, involving inspections and educational initiatives in partnership with various public agencies and social organizations, including the Soka Institute of the Amazon, which voluntarily dedicates itself to the preservation of local cultural and environmental heritage.

Designing and constructing homes is a complex process involving a variety of factors. Within this process, considering the various design elements is essential—including underlayments, ceilings, partitions, claddings, structures, and facades—alongside selecting the right materials for each. This choice must align with user preferences as well as indoor and outdoor conditions, prioritizing durability, energy efficiency, and aesthetics.

To simplify the design process, Volcan develops Volcanboard fiber cement building solutions for different construction elements. Available in a variety of thicknesses to adapt to various applications, these fiber cement boards stand out for their fire and moisture resistance, as well as their long-term durability and versatility. Below, we explore various applications of Volcanboard in residential design.

As part of an initiative by the ISAD School of Architecture and Design in Chihuahua, the Taller del Desierto (Desert Workshop) has been running for several years, fostering various projects to stimulate student learning. For this edition, a pavilion was built, conceived as an assembly of pieces with a theatrical narrative. This pavilion was created as a collaboration between ISAD and Teatro Bárbaro, a local independent cultural forum led by Luis Bizarro. Consequently, the pavilion was designed to serve as a traveling venue for performances created or adapted specifically for this space, which consists of pieces designed during the four-week summer workshop in 2023.

About 14% of the population of Porto Alegre, nearly 200,000 people, live in favelas, classified by IBGE as "subnormal agglomerations." These residents typically lack guaranteed property rights and do not have access to basic public utilities and services such as sanitation, drainage networks, or street lighting. Around 4,000 people experience homelessness. The city's public transit system, which carries over 20 million passengers per month, is facing the worst crisis in its history, with unsustainable operations. Our public spaces are dominated by cars, whose drivers enjoy the privilege of parking for free on public streets. Dumpsters, which are meant to receive only organic waste and non-recyclables, end up filled with all kinds of trash, undermining proper waste collection in the city.

We invite you to participate in the 2020 Obra do Ano Award. In its fourth edition, we are giving our readers the responsibility of recognizing and rewarding the projects that have made the greatest impact on the profession. By voting, you become part of an unbiased network of jurors recognizing the most significant projects built in Portuguese-speaking countries over the past year. There are only a few days left in the nomination stage, which will select the 15 finalists from over a thousand projects.

Remember, registered users can nominate their favorite project once per day. The nomination stage ends on Tuesday, March 24 at 11:59 PM (Brasilia time, GMT-3). Thank you once again for helping us democratize architecture.

Amid the bustle and majesty of Mexico City, the iconic buildings that adorn its skyline boast not only imposing architecture, but also stories and secrets that spark curiosity. During this month dedicated to architecture, we bring you some of the curiosities and myths surrounding CDMX's buildings, which serve as the pillars of multiple narratives.

From the competition for the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center to the competition for the restoration of Palacio Pereira, architectural competitions have enabled the design and construction of many iconic buildings in Chile's history. To recognize architectural competitions as a platform for professionals and students to not only showcase their creativity and skills, but also to secure the preliminary design that best meets a building's requirements, we have selected some of Chile's most successful architectural competition results.

A study released by Project Drawdown shows that at this very moment, we have immediate access to at least 76 solutions to curb climate change. The proposed solutions are relatively simple, and the cost of implementing them is less than the cost of inaction.

Extremamente versáteis, não só por sua variedade de cores e padrões, mas também por suas possibilidades de aplicação, os ladrilhos hidráulicos podem ser encontrados, nos projetos residenciais, em ambientes que vão desde áreas molhadas a salas e quartos. A orientação das peças e a área em que são aplicadas também são fatores que contribuem para a diversidade de conformações possíveis no uso do ladrilho hidráulico: quando são restritos a determinada área de um ambiente, por exemplo, podem funcionar como “tapetes” fixos.

Through the incorporation of various elements, interior design creates comprehensive spaces that blend functionality and aesthetics. Among these components, suspended ceilings are a solution that integrates finishes suspended from the main structure. While adapting to a wide range of styles through a diversity of materials, colors, and textures, suspended ceilings also address acoustic needs, contribute to thermal insulation, and integrate lighting systems.

Among its solutions for interior applications, Hunter Douglas combines aesthetics, comfort, and sustainability to develop the WoodLines suspended ceiling line. Integrating innovation with natural materials, the manufacturing process continuously bonds a natural wood veneer to a roll-formed metal profile. As a result, linear ceilings composed of continuous slats are obtained, combining the functionality of a metal ceiling with the warmth and aesthetic appeal of natural wood.

The capacity of urban planning laws to yield results entirely different from those anticipated is notorious. As is often the case, the numerous failed attempts recorded in cities worldwide are not enough to prevent new laws and regulations from being enacted.

On the first of this month, São Caetano do Sul (SP) implemented free fares on municipal buses through its "Zero Fare Program." Far from an isolated initiative, the measure aims to encourage public transportation use, providing direct savings to residents while improving air quality.

The ten cities selected to compete for $9 million in the Sustainable Cities Challenge, a global mobility initiative by the Toyota Mobility Foundation in partnership with Challenge Works and the World Resources Institute, have been announced. The list of selected cities includes Fortaleza, Brazil, as well as cities in Colombia, India, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The climate emergency manifests itself in Brazilian cities in various ways: floods in the South, coastal surges in Rio de Janeiro, storms causing power outages in São Paulo, wildfire smoke in Manaus, droughts in Amazonian rivers, and heatwaves in the Midwest. Therefore, integrating the fight against climate change into public planning is crucial.

This article offers an observation and analysis of the diverse forms of land occupation and use within informal or self-built urban fabrics on the outskirts of Luanda, examining their relationship with the Angolan capital's consolidated urban core.

In an effort to promote and disseminate scientific activities in Argentina, the National Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MINCyT), together with the Central Society of Architects (SCA), launched a National Preliminary Project Competition to design the buildings that will make up the "City of Science." This initiative is in conjunction with MINCyT, the Cultural Center of Science (C3), the IDI Agency, CONICET, and the Max Planck Institute Argentina, which currently comprise the Scientific and Technological Pole. Proposing an "Innovation Ecosystem," the project will be located in the Palermo neighborhood of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, specifically across two blocks of the former Palermo Railway Yard.

On November 15, the Guatemala Architecture Biennial 2023 opened at the Miguel Ángel Asturias Cultural Center—one of the country's most important performing arts venues. While the previous 2021 edition recognized the importance of the city, architecture, and urban planning under the theme 'Mobility,' this latest iteration focuses on 'Public Space' under the slogan 'The City, Without Walls.' Over three days, this new approach will highlight public space as one of the most vital elements in urban planning, with a significant impact on citizens' social, psychological, and physical well-being.

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Curitiba has implemented several initiatives to strengthen biodiversity and enhance the quality of vegetation in its urban landscape. Consequently, the capital of Paraná, alongside 18 other cities worldwide, has been selected to participate in UNEP's (United Nations Environment Programme) Generation Restoration project.

The School of Architecture and Design at the University of Morón (ESAD) has presented the expansion and renovation project for the Club Atlético Boca Juniors stadium, widely known as La Bombonera, located in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Led by Alejandro Borrachia alongside a team of ESAD professors and students, the project proposes rethinking the stadium's capacity and its adaptation to modern demands, aiming to address the needs of club members and officials, the social issues affecting local residents, and the city's environmental challenges.

From November 23 to 25, "SP/Amazon Connection: Climate Action" will host a seminar on communication, art, and climate urbanism, featuring free workshops, debates, lectures, and exhibitions at the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil São Paulo (CCBB SP). To conclude the event's programming, an art installation will be on display on the exterior wall of the CCBB Annex until December 25.

Conceived by Novo Acordo Verde (NAVE) and the Fervura platform, "SP/Amazon Connection: Climate Action" strategically uses artistic expression and the occupation of urban public space as tools to amplify information. It aims to connect the general public with topics like the climate crisis and the essential solutions needed for humanity and the environment to overcome history's greatest challenge.

The awards ceremony took place at the Palacio de Minería Museum in Mexico City to announce the 11 winning projects of the 2023 Interceramic Architecture and Interior Design Award across their respective categories, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award in Architecture, presented to architect Gonzalo Gómez Palacio.

Vigo and San Fernando have been selected as host cities for the third edition of the TAC! Urban Architecture Festival by Spain's Ministry of Transport, Mobility, and Urban Agenda (MITMA), where temporary pavilions will be built to accommodate an extensive cultural program. Widely considered a benchmark for emerging ephemeral architecture, this edition of the festival seeks to showcase projects that highlight the potential of architecture, innovation, experimentation, and young talent.

The social housing situation in Latin America is often quite similar, varying primarily according to specific local climate adaptations. However, in most architecture schools, it is uncommon for undergraduate curricula to delve deeply into this subject. Perhaps the best way to understand these housing typologies—from an architectural standpoint—is through direct experience.