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.

How can we transport ourselves to natural environments when we find ourselves in entirely urban contexts? The materiality of spaces is one of the factors that determines the atmosphere we inhabit. In this regard, the incorporation of natural materials in interior architecture can help introduce textures, colors, and qualities inherent to nature into our daily spaces. In this article, we explore the specific use of cork as a resource in interior design and the different ways it can transform the experience of a space. Cork is the bark of the cork oak, a tree species that, when harvested without harming the tree, can be transformed into a material suitable for multiple applications in architecture and design.

Tactile paving tiles are designed to ensure that everyone can fully utilize urban spaces, navigating all the architectural and everyday variables present in contemporary cities. The "Tactile Path for the Visually Impaired," presented below, was specially designed for people with visual impairments.

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These architectural elements are used for different reasons almost everywhere, because they have a visual permeability that promotes the much desired dialogue between interior and exterior, which most architects seek, while being able to maintain the privacy of the users of a building. However, in tropical climates, they gain even greater importance as they allow constant natural ventilation, shade areas with large amounts of sunshine, and provide natural lighting and thermal comfort. 

The roof of London's Euston Station serves as a virtual application for the integrated Metaplas system, a project developed by students at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL. As part of an investigation by Research Cluster 8 (RC8) of the MArch Architectural Design program, students developed a 3D-printed multi-material system using biodegradable and recyclable thermoplastics. By transforming a series of flat panels into complex three-dimensional forms, the students created a geometric pleated structural system capable of passively controlling interior lighting.

With the onset of COVID-19, we have had to adapt to a different way of living, which has been reflected in our work style. Where and how do we work today? Many people have begun working from home, provided their circumstances allow it. While this has been comfortable for many, for others it has meant a radical change, entailing new needs for space and resources. For architects, engineers, builders, and contractors, this challenge has been quite complex, as a large part of their work involves handling large, high-cost devices.

In this article, we present 3 innovative solutions that replace the traditional, bulky plotter, allowing us to print in large formats from our own homes.

When we hear headlines like "the city must have fair density" or "15-minute neighborhoods," time and density are just numbers. However, it is essential to understand that they remain only numbers until they are contextualized within the lived experience of people in their territory. We can no longer postpone the obvious reality that a number, a standard, a benchmark, or a goal is merely a tool to facilitate the necessary conversations regarding the management and governance of our territorial environments.

The reality of an architectural project begins to take shape when the work is materialized. For this reason, the task of specifying the products to be used becomes highly relevant within the creative process. When starting a project, architects often conduct a study of references to find inspiration for both the conceptualization of the work and its aesthetic, taking advantage of the vast visual content available on digital networks, which allows them to explore various application cases. This research is useful for understanding the final image one wishes to achieve; however, it is necessary to seek guidance from technical support teams to select products that ensure such an end is reached.

After years of discussion, the fixed connection between the Isla Grande de Chiloé and the Chilean mainland is becoming a reality. Expected to be completed in 2025, the Chacao Bridge will be a 2,750-meter-long suspension structure spanning the Chacao Channel, specifically connecting Punta Coronel to Punta Gallán. Currently, crossing to the island takes approximately 20 minutes by ferry, a service often subject to delays due to weather conditions. The bridge will reduce this transit time to just 3 minutes, regardless of external factors.

The bathroom is an essential space for any type of construction. The Royal Spanish Academy defines it as "a room in a building with a sink, shower, bathtub, toilet, and other sanitary fixtures." This definition establishes that it is a functional space with a specific program, which, consequently, can be easily standardized. As these spaces have practically uniform dimensions, the installation of prefabricated bathrooms in various types of buildings is becoming increasingly common. These modular units serve as an excellent alternative when opting for a fast, cost-effective, and efficient construction method.

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Prefabricated systems have become an effective option for completing projects that require standardized modular solutions, such as hotels, hospitals, residences, and residential buildings. The primary advantages of using ready-made modules are reduced labor time, optimal control, and project traceability. While the functional value of these systems—in terms of their quick and easy execution—is significant, the use of quality materials provides additional value. However, to understand how these modules function and are applied, it is first necessary to understand their origin and process.

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Sustainability and the efficient use of natural resources have become fundamental requirements for every architectural project. In this new context, ongoing research and studies have led to the emergence of new materials and construction systems aimed at sustainable development. A recurring example is the ventilated facade, which ensures a building's envelope is safe, efficient, sustainable, and durable by subtly and effectively integrating air renewal. Its ease of installation, contribution to the building's overall structure, and sustainable composition make it a compelling alternative for all types of projects.

Representation is the medium through which architects express their ideas; the better a project is represented, the easier it is to convey its intent to the viewer. In most cases, a simple and concise representation helps to manifest a project's core ideas. However, new technologies provide us with tools that, beyond helping us express and highlight an intent, allow us to convey the quality of the designed environment more realistically.

With the onset of COVID-19, we have had to adapt to a different way of living, a shift that has been reflected in our work styles. Where and how do we work today? Many people have begun working from home, provided their circumstances allow it. While this has been convenient for many, for others it has meant a radical change, implying new needs for space and resources. For architects, engineers, builders, and contractors, this challenge has been quite complex, as much of their work involves handling large, high-cost devices.

In this article, we present 3 innovative solutions that replace the traditional, bulky plotter, allowing us to print in large formats from our own homes.

As we have discussed previously, home automation is a comprehensive system of automated technologies that allows for the optimization and increased flexibility of the spaces we inhabit. Its primary benefits—such as security, accessibility, comfort, and energy savings—significantly improve people's daily lives. While it might be perceived as an exclusive, high-tech system, it is important to understand that its primary objective is to facilitate daily activities and needs by automating routine tasks.

A key area of home automation is comprised of lighting control systems, which can be connected to all devices within a building. By avoiding unnecessary waste, these systems use only the amount of light required, increasing the lifespan of bulbs and providing significant energy savings. Furthermore, they allow for the creation of environments tailored to each activity, adding flexibility to a space's function. In the current context of the pandemic, the ability to transform a space through lighting has become extremely useful. Our dining room can simultaneously serve as an office and a place to eat, with the appropriate environment for both situations.

With the onset of COVID-19, we have had to adapt to a different way of living, which has been reflected in our work style. Where and how do we work today? Many people have begun working from home, provided their circumstances allow it. While this has been comfortable for some, for others it has meant a radical change, involving new space and resource requirements. For architects, engineers, builders, and contractors, this challenge has been quite complex, as a large part of their work involves handling large, high-cost devices.

In this article, we present three innovative solutions that replace the traditional, bulky plotter, allowing us to print in large formats from our own homes.

BIM (Building Information Modeling) is a design methodology in which architects create digital design models and manage all information related to a project.

While CAD produces two- or three-dimensional drawings where architectural components or elements lack inherent distinction, BIM incorporates four-dimensional (time) and five-dimensional (cost) considerations. This methodology enables architects to benefit from intelligent information management throughout the entire project lifecycle, facilitating the automation of processes such as preliminary planning, conceptual design, detailed design, analysis, documentation, fabrication, construction logistics, project execution, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.

It is essential to distinguish between BIM technology and design software such as Revit®, ArchiCAD®, and AllPlan®: BIM is a working methodology, whereas these software platforms are tools that enable BIM compatibility. Together, they complement each other to enhance the efficiency of an architect's work.

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Installing wooden flooring may seem basic, or even irrelevant to the work we do as architects, but that is not the case. Understanding the specific characteristics of these materials and their assembly processes helps us design more efficiently and tailor our proposals to project requirements.

With this in mind, we will use EGGER's UNI Fit flooring as an example to explain the step-by-step assembly process. This type of flooring can be laid directly over a subfloor without the need for screws or adhesive. The system uses a "click" locking mechanism, allowing the floor to be installed over any type of subfloor material.

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Videos

The title says it all: If you have spent hours scouring the web for clean icon designs for your diagrams and architectural presentations—essential tools for optimizing layout, analysis, and communication—this universal online library from The Noun Project will be an invaluable resource.

Between May 12 and 13, the annual architecture festival Open House—which originated in London and is now present in 34 cities worldwide—will hold its first edition in Rosario, Argentina.

Aimed at anyone interested in discovering or rediscovering the city's architecture and urbanism, the festival offers the opportunity to enter and tour a selection of private and public buildings of great cultural, historical, heritage, and architectural value, free of charge, during an open-door weekend.

Below is a list of participating buildings.

Over the last decade, prominent and widely recognized architecture in Peru has slowly moved away from single-family housing, showcasing a promising output of educational buildings, restaurants, offices, and collective housing.

This latter category encompasses a series of private buildings characterized by maintaining a scale appropriate to their urban contexts. They serve as prime examples of architecture that allows for multiple families to live together on the same plot while maintaining a low overall density. Furthermore, their low height is complemented by evocative treatments of their facades and interior spaces, suggesting a conscious effort to create high-quality living environments for their inhabitants.

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As traditional elements of architectural ornamentation, moldings, cornices, and baseboards are present in the vast majority of our projects, regardless of their typology. Created to protect the junctions between walls, floors, and ceilings, these pieces are fundamental to the image and style of a space, helping, for example, to conceal cables, installations, and other unwanted elements.

Although traditionally manufactured from wood, plaster, or PVC, polyurethane and extruded polystyrene moldings offer a series of qualities and innovations that make them excellent options when selecting and specifying these elements. Review their characteristics and some featured models from our partner, NMC Chile, below.

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Most of our readers agree that education regarding materials and construction is insufficient—a sentiment that calls for architects to engage with the trade through hands-on practice.

Are you facing your first project—perhaps feeling a bit nervous—and realizing there are some fundamentals you would like to review? This 13-part video series from Encuentro, which focuses on masonry, serves as a valuable resource for brushing up on these skills.

Explore the various chapters below.

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In line with initiatives in other countries to address urban mobility, construction has begun to transform a small but significant section of Buenos Aires' Avenida Corrientes—known for its concentration of restaurants, theaters, bookstores, and heavy traffic—into a nighttime pedestrian zone with dedicated lanes for public transport.

Despite the potential benefits of prioritizing pedestrians, does this intervention fully capitalize on the opportunity? How will daily life be affected while this major artery is obstructed? Does it spark a discussion regarding the management of the construction process?

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"For me, the first and primordial architecture is geography."
Paulo Mendes da Rocha