The architecture of Birmingham reflects the city's history as one of the first industrial centers of England. The wealth generated in the city and the surrounding region led to the grandeur of the Victorian era in the nineteenth century. Heavy bombardment during the Second World War caused widespread destruction. This was followed by rapid reconstruction in the 1950s-70s, introducing rational modernism and brutalist ambition, which characterizes large parts of the city center today. A few decades later, erasure returned to Birmingham, with reconsideration of some of the decisions of the mid-twentieth century. Famously, the Bullring Centre and the Birmingham Library were torn down to make way for twenty-first-century redevelopments, adding new layers of richness to the city's built environment.

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Architecture firms and real estate developers are constantly seeking industrialized construction solutions to optimize project timelines and costs. However, compromising on aesthetics and energy efficiency is not an option. A viable solution lies within the wide range of systems in the face brick ecosystem. 

Three recent projects developed in Spain exemplify how integrating face brick facades can yield unique designs. Furthermore, all three are finalists for the Hispalyt Brick Architecture Award 2021-2023 in the "Industrialization" category.

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From November 18 to 20, 2022, Open House Málaga, one of the world's most important architecture and city festivals, will take place. Now in its second year in the city, the festival features over 40 free activities, including building visits, urban tours, and experiences. The event aims to connect the city with its residents and visitors, offering a unique architectural perspective alongside architects and industry professionals.

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Located in the historic neighborhood of San Ignacio in the city of Bilbao, Spain, Levante Square is a prominent gathering point for residents and visitors alike. To address the lack of covered spaces protecting from the heavy rain, Spanish architecture office CANOBARDIN has designed a solution for users: a concentric structure titled "A Piece of Sky in Levante Square" that allows people to inhabit the public space and find shelter without losing touch with their surroundings, acting as a piece of the sky by day and a reflection of the square by night.

Architect Alberto Campo Baeza has been awarded the Gold Medal for Architecture, Spain's most prestigious architectural honor, which has been presented by the professional association of architects since 1981. Established by the Superior Council of Architects' Associations of Spain (CSCAE), the Gold Medal recognizes the dedication of individuals and institutions whose work elevates the field of architecture.

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Every year, our curatorial team presents a retrospective of house projects that stood out over the period. This collection, a small selection of the more than two thousand projects published on ArchDaily Brasil this year alone, comprises a series of residences with specific design solutions that address, each in their own way, factors such as materials, construction techniques, structural systems, building processes, and programs.

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The National University of Rosario, one of the most prestigious universities in Argentina, will award an honorary doctorate (Doctor Honoris Causa) to Spanish architect Alberto Campo Baeza on June 24, 2021, during a public online ceremony.

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As one of Mexico's most prominent cities and business hubs, Monterrey is situated within the territory of Nuevo León, a state in the country's Northeast region that borders Texas, defining a significant portion of the US-Mexico border. Covering just over 451.30 square kilometers with an average elevation of 500 meters above sea level, the municipality is bordered to the north by San Nicolás de los Garza and General Escobedo; to the south by San Pedro Garza García and Santiago; to the east by Guadalupe, Juárez, and Cadereyta; and to the west by Santa Catarina and García.

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When it comes to housing typologies, the term duplex –lends itself to multiple interpretations, often leading to ambiguous applications and uses. The definition of the concept depends primarily on the country or region in which it is used, generally allowing for two main interpretations. First, a duplex can refer to a two-story housing unit with levels connected by an internal staircase. This definition usually applies to apartments and residences in countries like Spain or Canada, which are typically found in urban centers. Alternatively, a duplex can describe a specific type of project where two homes are joined side-by-side, each having its own individual entrance but sharing a central wall. Generally, the design of these houses is defined by an intentional axial symmetry, functioning as twin homes with the same features and floor plan layout. This type of duplex housing is particularly common in Argentina, Bolivia, the United Kingdom, Australia, and parts of the United States.

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As seen throughout architectural history, ephemeral installations and pavilions are key elements for addressing specific architectural moments and social manifestations in an almost immediate way. While some pavilions have proven so significant that they transcended their temporary nature to become permanent, exemplary expressions of a historical moment—such as the Barcelona Pavilion, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich for the Barcelona International Exposition in Montjuïc—others remain documented in photographs, plans, and experiences, to be rewritten in future projects.

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The Federation of Associations of Architects of the Mexican Republic, A.C., invited all Mexican architects to participate in the XIV National and International Biennial of Mexican Architecture 2018. This event aimed to identify the country's best architectural works, as well as publications, research projects, and theses, while recognizing their authors and disseminating the most relevant works. Through analysis and criticism, the goal was to foster reflection on responsible contemporary architecture and sustainable solutions. A single Gold Medal was awarded in this biennial, and the projects were classified into 23 categories, which featured various Honorable Mentions and Silver Medals. Read on to discover the winners.

The Accademia Adrianea di Architettura di Roma has awarded the 2018 Piranesi Award to Spanish architect Alberto Campo Baeza for his outstanding professional career in relation to historic heritage.

The Piranesi Award is a prestigious international recognition, sponsored by the Accademia Adrianea, the Ordine degli Architetti of Rome, and the Casa dell'Architettura, which honors the quality of an architect's work and their approach to the classical.

Videos

In this edition of International Women's Day, we have joined forces with the Colombian print publication de-Arq (Universidad de Los Andes) to showcase the work of five contemporary Colombian women architects, who represent different complementary approaches within our discipline: design, research, teaching, and experimentation.

Today we talk with Lina Toro, a Colombian architect, co-founder of dosmasunoarquitectos, current director of linatoro.arch, and professor at IE University in Spain. "I believe the problem lies in the system's inability to recognize excellence," says Toro.

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