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.

From September 21 to 25, the Mextrópoli Festival + the XII Ibero-American Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism took place in Mexico City. As part of the event, ArchDaily sat down with 2014 Pritzker Prize laureate Shigeru Ban to discuss the theme "Inhabiting at the Margins." This topic seeks to explore solutions addressing the growing social, environmental, and economic demands at the fringes of the architectural system.

A carbon-neutral concrete prototype has just won the 2022 Obel Award. The solution aims to mitigate the environmental impact of the construction industry, which is responsible for 38% of all energy-related CO2 emissions, according to a UN report.

Dubbed Seratech, the material was developed by two PhD students from Imperial College London, Sam Draper and Barney Shanks. They discovered a simple way to eliminate concrete's CO₂ footprint: replacing part of the concrete's cement content with a type of silica created from carbon dioxide (CO₂) captured from factory smokestacks.

What are the primary urban challenges facing African cities? What similarities do they share with the reality in Brazil? What role does UN-Habitat play in addressing these issues?

To address these and other questions, as well as share their experiences with African urbanism, the Caos Planejado podcast hosts Jeiza Barbosa, UN-Habitat National Officer for Cape Verde, and Evandro Holz, an international technical advisor for UN-Habitat. 

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The International Competition for the Urban Design of the Core Area of Changping New Town East Zone was hosted by the People's Government of Changping District, Beijing, and the Beijing Municipal Commission of Planning and Natural Resources. Located on the east bank of the Dongsha River in Changping District, Beijing, the project encompasses a 9.1-square-kilometer planning study and ecological development plan, alongside a 1.5-square-kilometer urban design for the core area. Situated north of Beijing's city center, along the canal and at the foot of Mangshan Mountain, the East Zone of Changping New Town lies on a critical axis for northern Beijing's industrial expansion and ecological network integration. In addition to accommodating the specialized industrial clusters from southern Changping, the East Zone introduces the planning concept of "Green Spectrum," leveraging urban functions and spatial-environmental resources to maximize the synergy between ecological livability and industrial positioning.

For decades, the history of Brazilian architecture has crowned male figures as its primary representatives. In recent years, however, we have seen a growing body of work dedicated to identifying female figures in this field. “Where are the women in the history of architecture in Brazil?” was, and still is, one of the questions most frequently encountered by architectural and urban historians. Often, the answer points to Lina Bo Bardi and Carmen Portinho—fundamental references, to be sure, but we might still wonder: how many other figures built their careers in this field?

Ever since Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg renamed his company and announced a larger investment in the so-called “metaverse,” searches for the term have surged considerably. And while it is not a new concept, the technological topics surrounding the subject have exploded in recent years.

Cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and the overall creation of a virtual economy help illustrate how the metaverse is cementing its place in our daily lives. Yet, the opportunities extend far beyond financial shifts: the metaverse is also proving to be an important space for engineers and architects alike.

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weico is a high-profile, emerging design practice founded by a group of highly experienced architects. Its scope of work encompasses architectural design, interior design, urban planning, project programming, and engineering consultancy, with a particular focus on the cross-disciplinary integration of design with technology, industry, economics, and the humanities. Led by principal architect Sun Wei (former partner of HENN China), weico, within less than a year of its inception, has secured and undertaken projects including the T3 Headquarters, Hengli International Headquarters, Hongqi High-End Customization Center, and the Phase II consultancy for the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou). It has also been shortlisted for the CGN Scientific Research Base and the Bay Area University projects, garnering significant attention within the domestic industry.

The planet is already 1.1°C warmer due to human-induced climate change, and millions of people are already facing the very real consequences of rising temperatures, sea level rise, more severe storms, and increasingly unpredictable rainfall. Rapidly reducing emissions is essential to limit temperature rise and ensure a safer future for everyone. Equally critical are investments to protect communities from the increasingly severe impacts that will continue to worsen over time.

No País dos Arquitectos is a podcast created by Sara Nunes, who is also responsible for the architectural film production company Building Pictures. The podcast aims to introduce the professionals, projects, and stories behind Portugal's leading contemporary architecture. With just over 10 million inhabitants, Portugal is a highly compelling country when it comes to this professional field, boasting an architectural output that far exceeds its demographic or territorial scale.

In this episode of the fourth season, Sara talks with architects Filipa Guerreiro and Tiago Correia about the Environmental Education and Interpretation Center of the Corno de Bico Protected Landscape. Listen to the conversation and read part of the interview below.

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The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) has launched the design competition for the Brazil Pavilion at the Osaka World Expo, which will take place between April and October 2025. The official call for entries was released on October 3, marking the celebration of World Architecture Day. Registration is open until November 7 on the official competition website, and the results will be announced on December 5.

An increasing number of people live in urban areas. UN-Habitat's World Cities Report 2022 reveals that this share rose from 25% in 1950 to over 50% in 2020, with projections indicating it will reach 58% over the next five decades. The survey also indicates that by 2070, the number of municipalities in low-income countries will increase by 76%, while in high- and lower-middle-income nations, this growth will hover around 20%. Furthermore, the study notes that this scenario highlights the urgent need for cities to be designed and managed so that future growth does not overwhelm existing infrastructure, open spaces, and services—which would lead to unsustainable sprawl.

Videos

Escola da Cidade, through the Geography, City, and Architecture course of its Graduate Program, hosted architect Camilo Restrepo as a guest speaker to discuss how academic interests continue to drive professional development. During the lecture, in addressing the relationship between territory and design, Restrepo pointed to the Cordillera not as a border but as a compelling condition for architecture in the Tropics, where spatial relationships are almost never horizontal or limited to the floor plan.

Active design and speed reduction have been transforming cities that adopt this urban planning strategy into safer, higher-quality spaces for people to walk, cycle, practice outdoor sports, and enjoy themselves.

By designing infrastructure that encourages residents of all ages to lead healthier lives, changing how they move around and experience public spaces, active cities positively impact the physical and mental health of the population, increase the appeal of these places and their economic vitality, and reduce environmental and noise pollution.

As another year comes to a close, the ArchDaily team gathers the highlights of architecture in a series of retrospectives reflecting on the content featured over the past twelve months. As part of this effort, our curation team turns its attention to one of the most popular categories among our readers, residential architecture, selecting the projects that represent the best of a vast global architectural production, as seen through the eyes of our audience.

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The firm EArquitetos was awarded second place in the national design competition for the Casarão Gallotti Historical Center in Tijucas, Santa Catarina. Organized by the Institute of Architects of Brazil – Santa Catarina Department and the Tijucas Department of Culture, Youth, and Tourism, the competition aimed to "stimulate the preservation of the city's landscape and urban heritage" and "humanize the open spaces of the historical center." 

Below, discover the proposal, accompanied by the project description provided by the design team.

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On August 28, the Inaugural Assembly of the Performing Arts Venue Design Branch of the China Association of Performing Arts Equipment Technology and the First China Performing Arts Venue Design Summit Forum were held in Beijing. Co-organized by the Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tsinghua University Co., Ltd. (THAD), the newly established branch is dedicated to fostering the integration of the cultural tourism, performing arts, and architectural design industries. By driving scientific planning, optimizing theater technology, and expanding multifunctional capabilities, the branch aims to enhance the design, construction, and operational quality of performing arts venues across China, contributing to the industry's advancement.

The decentralization process currently underway in Chile represents one of the major social and structural transformations of the political system in a country historically characterized by a highly centralized culture. In May 2021, with the democratic election of Regional Governors, Chile took a major step toward this goal; true decentralization, after all, occurs when decision-making capacity is transferred to local territories, redistributing power from the central government to the regions.

To support a successful decentralization process and strengthen regional governments, the Territorial Human Well-Being Matrix (MBHT) was developed. Designed by the Center for Territorial Intelligence at the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez Design Lab (CIT.UAI.CL), the initiative is part of the “National Program for Strengthening Regional Capacities” carried out by the Undersecretariat of Regional and Administrative Development (Subdere).

This tool equips decision-making bodies with enhanced capabilities, allowing them to compare different areas, identify patterns, challenges, and opportunities to effectively implement solutions, and pinpoint the gaps and imbalances that need to be addressed. 

It is well known that Australia's eucalyptus forests burn periodically. This is how the eucalyptus ensures its reproduction, as its woody fruits, known as gumnuts, feature an insulating layer that breaks open under the intense heat of a fire. Once opened, the seeds blanket the scorched soil, initiating the process of forest regeneration. Australian architect Glenn Murcutt has created a body of work deeply rooted in the country's landscape. He has designed houses engineered to withstand these frequent fires, incorporating elements that contain the flames and minimize damage. In short, these buildings are constructed from highly non-combustible materials and equipped with massive water reservoirs and a "soaking system" that allows the structure and its surroundings to survive a wildfire.

“Libros Model” is presented in Barcelona's Plaza Reial, hosted by its curator, Ethel Baraona. Joined by Santiago Bogani, they speak with curious visitors who stop to ask about the wooden wall and table filled with architectural publications.

The installation features a selection of 90 books from various international publishers promoting and disseminating work and ideas within the architectural field—inviting reflection on the central theme of the Model. Barcelona Architectures Festival: Re-Grow.

As part of “Libros Model,” a network of bookstores and libraries across Barcelona will also present special collections reflecting on the five themes of this inaugural edition of the festival: Between-Classes, Between-Cultures, Between-Species, Between-Generations, and Between-Materials.

From 'A Bestiary of the Anthropocene' to 'Icebergs, Zombies, and the Ultra-Thin', the complete selection of books curated by Baraona is presented below.

Turning a space's lights on or off is a routine part of daily life. This almost automatic action is made possible by a switch, a device designed to divert or interrupt the flow of electrical current. Given its essential role in everyday life, how can we combine a switch's functionality with aesthetic appeal?

Just as current design trends integrate exposed installations and services into interior design strategies, the new range of light switches combines functionality with an aesthetic diversity tailored to the personality of each space. Adapting to different styles relies on a combination of three factors: the choice of materials, colors, and formats. Below, we look at the available options using the GIRA catalog as a guide.

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Featured Interviewee: Zhu Ping, Founder of DUStudio
Design Union Studio (DUStudio)’s approach lies in integrating resources across the entire design supply chain. Rather than merely delivering design expertise, the firm helps clients coordinate other disciplines to ensure that top-tier teams are engaged at every stage to realize the project's core concept—essentially designing with a client-side mindset. Fusing spatial design, commercial curation, and multimedia installations creates a closed-loop process. By connecting and seamlessly integrating every phase of design, they deliver the most successful projects.

As part of the cultural agenda of LIGA, Espacio para arquitectura in Mexico City, the work of a Cuban architecture office is presented for the first time: Infraestudio. The studio, composed of Anadis González and Fernando Martirena, addresses various conflicts and challenges in their daily practice, including job precarity in a context where private architectural practice is illegal. Despite this obstacle, they have managed to develop a provocative body of built work, intertwining it with proposals linked to artistic practices.

On June 7, 2022, the podcast A Mulher da Casa Abandonada was released, telling the true story of a Brazilian aristocrat who fled trial in the United States in the 2000s. The show sparked widespread public fascination over the nearly two months during which the episodes were released. Among the elements that shape the narrative, the house and the neighborhood became key supporting characters in both the story and its reception, illustrating and laying bare how our society—and its territory—are shaped by structural racism.

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“Domingos Libro” is presented by Carmelo of Enorme Studio, where he delves into forgotten architectural publications, books, and architectural magazines from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, which harbor the most fascinating backstories.