A landslide on the Morro da Forca hill struck two historic mansions in the historical center of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, this morning, completely destroying them. The buildings were listed by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Iphan). Minutes before the tragedy, the area had been evacuated, and there were no casualties.
Reinforced concrete is the most widely used building material in the world. In Brazil, the nation's greatest architectural icon, Oscar Niemeyer, was passionate about the material, claiming it was the only one capable of giving shape to his sinuous curves.
Builders love concrete, making it the most widely used construction material in the world–but the production of the cement used in most concrete accounts for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
When we think of an architecture firm, what typically comes to mind is the design and development of projects of varying complexity and scale, traditionally associated with lived space—whether designed for residential, commercial, or institutional purposes, among many other activities that characterize our urban lifestyle. Consequently, encountering a portfolio that simultaneously features residences, nautical equipment, public transit systems, and small appliances—such as ceiling fans, air purifiers, and citrus juicers—can elicit a certain surprise.
For designers and architects, ugliness has historically not been something to strive for. Culturally, however, we are increasingly weary of perfection.
Following decades of designs that behaved in similarly simple and orderly ways—particularly during the twentieth century, with the rationalism and purity of Modernism—we now long for expressions that are less sanitized and, at the same time, more human.
Summer in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly in the region between the tropics and the Equator, is marked by high humidity, heavy rainfall, and high temperatures. Alongside these summer storms, Brazil also contends with a series of severe events such as flooding, landslides, and dam failures. Over the years, the concentration of these events between November and March has become increasingly common. Their occurrence is directly linked to seasonal summer rains, but also to the country's ongoing economic activities.
There are many architectural and urban planning qualities that justify Brasília's inclusion on UNESCO's World Heritage list, and perhaps the invention of the superquadra is one of the most overlooked. The structural module of the residential sector proposed by Lucio Costa, the superquadra does not exist solely for housing; it is part of a larger whole, the modern city, contributing to the enjoyment, harmony, and coexistence of its residents.
Starting today, Florianópolis residents will receive a one-real discount on bus fares paid during off-peak hours. Additionally, to facilitate short-distance travel, the City of Florianópolis is offering a 50% fare discount on six neighborhood lines. These benefits apply to all municipal transit cardholders.
Severiano Porto was honored today with the 2021 Global Award for Sustainable Architecture, organized by the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, a French institution dedicated, among other things, to organizing events focused on heritage and architectural education. Porto, who passed away in 2020, had his work represented by Professor Marcos Cereto, a professor at the Federal University of Amazonas, and is the first Brazilian to receive the honor.
Will 2022 place Brazil on the path toward the economic transition needed to meet climate goals and keep the long-term target of net-zero emissions by 2050 viable? There is still a window of opportunity for the world to limit warming to 1.5°C, but countries' lack of ambition so far has made this scenario increasingly costly to achieve. Each passing year adds urgency, and science has made it clear that decisions made this decade will define the planet's climate balance.
Facades are the calling card of any building, shaping visitors' first impressions of the space they are entering. They are also the part of a building most exposed to the elements and street pollution, requiring periodic maintenance. This article offers practical tips to guide you when renovating the front of your home.
We have repeated the word “sustainability” so often in recent years that we have almost lost sight of its true meaning. What does it actually mean to be sustainable?
A guest on the Betoneira Podcast, architect Marko Brajovic suggests that, rather than seeking out certifications—often used for greenwashing—the most genuine approach is to recognize that we are part of the very nature we are trying to protect.
CAU Brasil is developing an Interactive Database for its Education and Training Commission. The project aims to collect, systematize, and qualitatively and quantitatively use data on education, training, research, and outreach activities in Architecture and Urbanism.
To develop this technology, CAU Brasil has launched a special bidding process to hire a software development startup. The estimated budget is R$ 100,000.
The live session "Urban Area Recovery: An Interdisciplinary Vision" will be presented by Professor Maria Rita Muzzi and moderated by architect Rubens do Amaral. Organized by the Graduate Program in Landscape Architecture, IEC/PUC Minas.
Aiming to find an environmentally friendly use for approximately 164 tons of organic waste generated monthly in its food courts, Shopping Eldorado in São Paulo has invested in the Telhado Verde (Green Roof) composting project since 2012. The initiative transforms food waste into organic compost, recycling more than 30% of the waste generated by the establishment.
