Inverted beams, as the name suggests, differ from conventional ones due to a shift in position. Instead of the typical arrangement where the beam sits below the slab, the beam is positioned above it. In other words, its base, which usually hangs below the level of the slab, is aligned with the slab's underside. Formally, this strategy creates the illusion of a continuous, beam-free span when viewed from the building's interior.
Developed for the student competition Temporary Housing for Refugees, the following project—designed by Rodolfo Cavalcanti and awarded second place— seeks to offer a solution to the challenges arising from the migratory flow between Brazil and Venezuela through a proposal based on modularity, reproducibility, and cost-efficiency.
Learn more about the project and read the description provided by the author below:
Soccer stadiums are much more than mere venues for sports; they are true cultural icons that house the passion of fans and the history of the clubs they represent. However, the impact of these spaces goes beyond the stands and the pitch. It also involves the backstage, where a dedicated team of professionals works tirelessly to ensure matches run smoothly. It is crucial to recognize that the built environment of these stadiums plays a critical role in the quality of life and mental well-being of these workers.
Casa da Arquitectura and Hinterland are organizing the Por Exemplo meeting on October 13, bringing together 10 practices of young Portuguese and Spanish architects aged 45 and under for an exchange of ideas, methods, and work processes.
There is a generation of young architects who have been developing their work in a stimulating international context, driven by the pressure of the tourism market. Despite their brief experience, these professionals have mastered digital tools, but they navigate a highly competitive and continuously accelerating world.
The Municipality of Valle Viejo and the Ministry of Housing and Urbanization of the Province of Catamarca, alongside the Catamarca Association of Architects (UAC), launched the "Regional Ideas Competition for the Revitalization of the Historic Center of Valle Viejo in Catamarca." Home to the department's main institutions, the historic center is organized around General San Martín Square, which is framed by the San Isidro Labrador Parish, the Valle Viejo City Council, and the Gobernador José Cubas School.
The Student Union of the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of UFRJ (FAU UFRJ), in collaboration with the Abricó UFRJ Model Architecture and Urbanism Office and in partnership with various entities, including the National Federation of Architecture and Urbanism Students, organized the first edition of the Quick Student Ideas Competition - CRIE!. The objective was to seek proposals for a space featuring a pizza oven and barbecue grill that dialogue with the original project by Burle Marx for the Jorge Machado Moreira Building court area, promoting solutions using bioconstruction techniques and low-impact environmental materials.
In 2023, the TAC! Urban Architecture Festival opens its pavilion in Donostia-San Sebastián, drawing attention to the forest fires of recent years. In this edition, the festival aims to investigate the role of architecture in responding to the impacts of the climate crisis in urban environments, offering solutions to help mitigate their consequences.
"Lost Forest," the winning pavilion of the competition for the festival's second edition, designed by architects Julia Ruiz-Cabello Subiela and Santiago del Águila, was presented in Sagüés by the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (MITMA) in collaboration with the Arquia Foundation and the Mugak/ Basque Country International Architecture Biennial. The pavilion will remain in place until November 13.
On October 14, the 28th edition of the Latin American Meeting of Architecture Students (ELEA) began in San Juan, Argentina. Under the theme "Resilience – Territories and Challenges," architecture students from across Latin America are gathering to share knowledge, ideas, and experiences. The event features academic activities such as presentations, lectures, and exhibitions, alongside cultural and teamwork activities designed to promote collective participation, integration, exchange, and learning.
Mexican architect Enrique Norten has been awarded the Lorenzo H. Zambrano Award for his outstanding career as an architect and professor. He is the founder and director of TEN Arquitectos (Mexico City, New York, and Miami) and, throughout his career, has been internationally recognized for his extensive portfolio of more than 60 built projects around the world.
The Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, one of the most significant works by architect and urbanist Oscar Niemeyer, has been named one of the ten most influential architectural projects of the last five decades.
Architecture firm Superlimão, in partnership with BOOMSPDESIGN and the design brand BoConcept, is launching a donation drive to collect supplies for architecture students. The rising cost of materials has increasingly threatened the academic persistence of low-income students, prompting the group to join forces and organize this initiative. The collected supplies will be assembled into individual kits and distributed through student organizations at universities across São Paulo.
Historically and today, one of the cornerstones of urban planning is the design of major transit facilities and infrastructure in cities. These projects address a diverse program that typically responds to collective demands within public space; consequently, they tend to be large-scale structures designed to accommodate heavy passenger flows and serve as vital coordinators of urban mobility.
Starting Saturday, February 29, Itaú Cultural presents the 49th edition of its Ocupação program, which this time honors architect Rino Levi. The institution invites the public on a journey through the life and work of the architect and urban planner who played an active role in São Paulo's modernization, shaping the city's landscape from the late 1920s onward.
Since 1985, for 38 years, the School of Architecture at the National Autonomous University of Mexico has organized and hosted the calls for entries for the Alberto J. Pani Architectural Composition Award, with the goal of bringing together the top students from institutions affiliated with the Association of Architecture Teaching Institutions of the Mexican Republic (ASINEA). The event is organized in collaboration with an ASINEA member institution, which this year is the School of Architecture, Design, and Urbanism at the Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca (UABJO).
The 38th Colombian Congress of Architecture and Urbanism opened virtually on Monday, October 16, and will host its in-person sessions starting October 19 in the city of Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia. The event will run until October 21 at the Expofuturo Convention Center.
Choosing, installing, and maintaining coverings are essential aspects of home design, as they directly influence both the aesthetics and functionality of the space. Along with the variety of colors, textures, and materials, they help define the style and atmosphere of each room. Among the various types available, ceramic tiles stand out for their durability, versatility, and aesthetic appeal. Following the instructions in step-by-step guides is crucial for proper ceramic installation, ensuring their properties are preserved.
Tailored to each area of the home—including bedrooms, common areas, bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms, and balconies—Bekron and Bemezcla have developed a series of technical guides specifying the step-by-step installation process for coverings. Among the recommended materials and solutions is the newly launched Bekron DA Superflex 20 kg. This organic resin-based adhesive mortar is designed for installing a wide range of tile formats, both indoors and outdoors.
From a natural perspective, agglomerations represent a nucleation similar to the "gravitational model," in which flows of energy and matter are "optimized" through proximity and articulation—the urban center. Etymologically, as we know, polis, from the Greek, indicates the collective and political character of the formation of urban space.
Known primarily for his residential projects, Paraná-born architect Guilherme Torres, founder of the São Paulo-based Studio Guilherme Torres, spoke with us about his design approach, creative process, and the decisions involving active client participation.
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The pilot project for São Paulo's first floating photovoltaic plant began operations on February 28, 2020, at the Billings Reservoir, adjacent to the Pedreira pumping station. A total of R$ 450,000 was invested in equipment, and the 100-kilowatt facility occupies an area of 1,000 square meters.
The recent completion of the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC), a collaboration between REX, Davis Brody Bond, and the Rockwell Group, is a milestone in the cultural transformation of Lower Manhattan. The PAC site is part of the World Trade Center complex, owned by the Port Authority of NY and NJ, an autonomous agency responsible for managing bridges, ports, tunnels, and airports. Since the 2001 attacks, the site has undergone significant changes, including the construction of the four WTC complex towers and the Oculus. More than nine years passed between the launch of the PAC competition and the project's completion, and I participated in the last five years as an architect on the Davis Brody Bond team.
This article by Diego Capandeguy was originally published in Revista Rita under the title "Las vastedades del sur. Encuentro con la Patagonia" (The Southern Vastnesses: Encountering Patagonia). The text explores the various influences on architecture and construction in Atlantic Patagonia, including landscape, history, culture, geopolitics, and eco-social pacts.
From its historical origins as a fishing village and the site of a pepper farm to today's bustling metropolis, Lagos, Nigeria, has evolved into a complex agglomeration of people, settlements, and vested interests.
As the economic powerhouse of Nigeria and West Africa, Lagos is projected to become the most populous city in Africa over the next 50 years, growing from its current 15 million to a population of 100 million. If recent migration waves are any indication—comprising those seeking economic opportunity or fleeing climate crises and conflicts in other parts of Nigeria—these projections may well be underestimates.
2023 has been characterized by new trends in renovating existing spaces, such as the Nueva Alameda Plan, which aims to revitalize a key hub and make it more environmentally friendly. Along these lines, numerous other projects are emerging, such as the recent "Londres 50-46 Building Rehabilitation" plan, led by Inmobiliaria Londres SpA and represented by Simón and Joaquín Duch Salas.
Six years ago, the 2017 earthquake left deep scars across various parts of the country, including Mexico City, where several buildings suffered severe structural damage and were subsequently evacuated. One of these is the SCOP Center (Centro SCOP). Designed by architects Carlos Lazo, Augusto Pérez Palacios, and Raúl Cacho, this integrated sculptural and pictorial complex features murals by Juan O'Gorman, José Chávez Morado, Francisco Zúñiga, and Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt. Today, it stands as one of Mexico's most significant 20th-century artistic monuments. Spanning over 6,000 square meters of gross floor area, it is widely considered one of the most successful examples of the *Integración Plástica* (Plastic Integration) movement.
