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Who decides what deserves to be preserved? Power and heritage in Latin America

Camilla Ghisleni — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 08:30:00 +0000

When we enter a museum, walk through a historic center, or check a country's list of heritage sites, we rarely think about the process behind these choices. Who decided, on behalf of us all, that these objects, places, architecture, and heritage deserved to be conserved and shared, while others are discarded?

The Kitchen as a Social Space: Everyday Rituals and the Construction of Place

Camilla Ghisleni — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 08:30:00 +0000

Can architecture be built from food? Between the fire that warms, the aromas that spread, and the bodies that gather around the table, the apparent banality of cooking and eating reveals itself as a choreographed dance of spatial appropriation and belonging. These are gestures that organize routines, forge bonds, and transform the built environment into a lived place. The kitchen—whether domestic, communal, or urban—thus ceases to be merely a functional space, asserting itself instead as a territory for connection.

From the Courtyard to the Neighborhood: Latin American Lessons on the Collective Construction of Place

Camilla Ghisleni — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 08:30:00 +0000

In Latin America, encounters do not necessarily arise from grand architectural gestures or monumental urban plans. Instead, they emerge from the between, from intermediate spaces: the courtyard, the veranda, the sidewalk, and the shared corridor. These spaces, often considered residual or informal by traditional disciplines, are precisely where daily life builds connections.

What Fits in the Void? Terrain Vague and Cities That Resist Planning

Camilla Ghisleni — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 07:30:00 +0000

Every city carries, woven into its fabric, fissures that resist capture: ruins, vacant lots, leftover infrastructures, and gaps that persist at the margins of the official narrative. These are places that slip through the logics of planning, emerging as unexpected counter-scenes within a territory that seeks to present itself as coherent.

Louvres Around the World: The Export of Museums and Architecture as a Global Brand

Camilla Ghisleni — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 07:30:00 +0000

It is undeniable that, at first glance, the idea of a Louvre in Abu Dhabi or a Centre Pompidou in Brazil may seem somewhat disconcerting. The image of these museums, internationally renowned, appears in many ways inseparable from their original cultural contexts. And to some extent, it truly is. The Louvre, deeply rooted in the history of France as a former fortress and later royal residence, embodies a set of invaluable heritage values, further amplified by I. M. Pei’s iconic glass pyramid intervention in 1989. The Pompidou, meanwhile, is remembered as a historic turning point: by redefining the concept of public infrastructure through radically unconventional architecture, it marked the first time culture drew in mass audiences.

Architects as Mediators: Three Cases of Dialogue Between Communities, Governments, and Businesses in the Global South

Camilla Ghisleni — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:30:00 +0000

In contemporary times, architectural practice goes far beyond designing buildings or materializing ideas; it has become a multidimensional field, taking on broader and more complex roles. In contexts marked by inequality, environmental crises, and territorial disputes, architecture becomes a tool for negotiation, capable of mediating interests among diverse actors. In this scenario, architects also assume the roles of cultural translators, social facilitators, and, often, advocates for collective rights.

Teaching Empathy: New Approaches to Architecture Education in Latin America

Camilla Ghisleni — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 07:30:00 +0000

Historically, the first universities in the contemporary model were established in Europe to educate elites for the State and the Church, rather than to promote social emancipation. With the rise of capitalism, they became privileged centers for producing and reproducing modern Western culture. However, from the 1960s onward—particularly after the student uprisings of May 1968—the academic focus shifted toward market-oriented values, displacing humanist and critical ideals. The humanities lost prominence, while technical fields gained central importance, often at the expense of reflecting on the social impact of their work.

Childhood and Ancestry: What South American Indigenous Communities Can Teach Us About Environments for Children

Camilla Ghisleni — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 07:30:00 +0000

In South American Indigenous communities, a child’s place is wherever they choose to be. Babies crawl on the earthen floor, approach the fire, investigate anthills, and experience the world with their whole bodies. They learn by feeling: discovering limits, recognizing dangers, and gathering lessons no manual could ever teach. In urban contexts, by contrast, children are often confined to spaces designed for adults, filled with rules that—though well-intentioned—tend to distance them from essential experiences. Rather than judging which model is “better,” what matters is recognizing that when cultures observe one another, there is always room for learning.

The Why, What, and How of Human-Centered and Successful Playground Design

Jeanette Fich Jespersen — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 06:45:00 +0000

By Jeanette Fich Jespersen, MA, Head of the KOMPAN Play Institute, Head of the steering committee of the World Playground Research Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Vice-president of International Play Association, Denmark.

Evolving Urban Playgrounds: 5 Design Strategies and 31 Projects Around the Globe

Hadir Al Koshta — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 07:30:00 +0000

Urban playgrounds are evolving from simple swing sets and slides into dynamic, multi-faceted urban landscapes. These new designs are more than just places to play; they are thoughtfully integrated spaces that address urban challenges, promote community, and inspire creativity. A key trend is the intentional use of color and pattern. Designers are utilizing vibrant color zones to segment different functional areas, creating a visually dynamic experience that contrasts with natural surroundings. This approach can also be used to establish a cohesive urban identity, with thoughtful color palettes that complement the existing cityscape.

Living Cycles in Regenerative Architecture: Lessons from the Goetheanum

Enrique Tovar — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 07:30:00 +0000

As climate uncertainty and ecosystem changes reshape design priorities, architecture plays an increasingly active role in these discussions, rather than merely observing. Within this perspective, the idea of making a "re" encourages a conscious step back to rethink, reconnect, and realign the relationship between buildings and their environments. This approach, central to regenerative architecture, extends beyond specific technologies or scales, encompassing everything from master plans that aim to re-naturalize cities to national pavilions that combine art and science.

From Extraction to Regeneration: Architecture's Role in Rural Developments in Latin America

Camilla Ghisleni — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 07:30:00 +0000

Rural areas have long played a foundational role in the social and economic development of nations. Until the 18th century, they were the primary sites of production and social organization. However, the Industrial Revolution brought profound structural shifts that reshaped this landscape. Industry took center stage, anchoring itself in urban environments and establishing a hierarchical, binary view of rural versus urban, agriculture versus industry. Within this new paradigm, two opposing narratives gained prominence: one predicted the decline of rural life in the face of urbanization and economic progress; the other envisioned its persistence and eventual renewal. Today, it is clear which of these predictions has come to pass.

Nothing Is Lost, Everything Transforms: The Reusable Future of the Biennial’s Structures

Camilla Ghisleni — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:30:00 +0000

At the end of each edition of the Architecture Biennale, far from the public eye, tons of exhibition materials are transported across Venice in handcarts and boats. Only a small portion of these materials is reused. The main obstacles are the limited storage space in Venice and the high logistical costs—recurring challenges for circular architecture. As a result, most of the waste ends up in landfills or nearby recycling centers. But this scenario is beginning to change. In response to growing environmental concerns, architects are developing strategies to make reuse more viable. These efforts go beyond architectural and construction decisions—they also involve logistics and international trade.

Between Algorithms and Ancestral Knowledge: Expanding the Concept of Architectural Intelligence

Camilla Ghisleni — Wed, 14 May 2025 07:30:00 +0000

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic idea in architecture — it is a concrete reality that is reshaping how we design. In seconds, computational systems can process and evaluate a wide range of variables — formal, programmatic, contextual, and regulatory — guiding architects toward highly optimized solutions. But as we embrace this algorithmic revolution, a critical question arises: can architectural intelligence be reduced to data-driven logic? In response, alternative approaches are gaining momentum — ones that value ways of building grounded in sensory experience, adaptation to place, and the intergenerational transmission of knowledge. In the exchange between artificial and ancestral forms of intelligence, a deeper understanding begins to take shape. Intelligence does not reside in the tools themselves, but in the intention and sensitivity with which we use them to navigate complex realities.

Architectures of Care: Healing Spaces Across Cultures

Camilla Ghisleni — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 07:30:00 +0000

Around the world, different cultures have developed unique ways of understanding and experiencing healing. Far from being merely a physical process, healing encompasses emotional, spiritual, social, and architectural dimensions. Healing spaces—whether physical, symbolic, or natural—reflect each culture's values, beliefs, and ways of life. Exploring these cultural approaches not only broadens our perspective on health but also encourages us to reconsider how we design environments that nurture care and well-being.

Refuges of Hope: 10 Shelters for Vulnerable Children Around the World

Camilla Ghisleni — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 07:30:00 +0000

Architecture in children’s shelters serves a purpose beyond building physical spaces; it is about creating refuges that nurture healing, protection, and growth. For vulnerable children, designing these environments plays a vital role in their emotional recovery. Every aspect—from natural lighting to room layout—works together to create a secure and welcoming atmosphere, supporting their physical well-being and psychological and social development.

Mimetic Houses: 15 Latin American Projects Integrated into the Landscape

Camilla Ghisleni — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 06:30:00 +0000

Latin America's natural landscape is incredibly diverse, featuring everything from majestic mountains to expansive deserts. In this varied geography, many architectural projects are noteworthy for their seamless integration with their surroundings, blending subtly into the landscape. This is accomplished by carefully choosing materials, colors, and shapes that reflect the natural environment.

Green Therapy: How Does Nature Contribute to Healing Hospitalized Patients?

Camilla Ghisleni — Sun, 22 Sep 2024 07:30:00 +0000

Connection with nature has become increasingly important in architectural theory and practice in recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which emphasized the role of natural environments in healing. During this time, many scientific studies highlighted the positive effects of green spaces on human well-being, whether in workplaces, homes, or urban areas. With these proven benefits, it is clear that incorporating natural elements into hospital designs is crucial, creating spaces that provide vital support for patients facing physical or mental challenges.