Earth is a material that has been used for building since time immemorial. Its low environmental impact and the variety of techniques available for working with it have enabled its enduring relevance in architectural projects worldwide. Whether using rammed earth, wattle and daub, earthen wall systems, or adobe structures, various contemporary projects rework and reinterpret these traditional methods to shape their spaces.
Photography researchers and enthusiasts now have another major tool at their disposal. The Photography Book Database (BDLF) has just been launched: a bibliographic reference platform exclusively dedicated to photography books. Conceived by photographer and researcher Leonardo Wen, the project began development in 2018 with funding from the Federal District's Cultural Support Fund.
In a home, the bathroom is undoubtedly the most intimate and private space. Or at least, it used to be. Synonymous with relaxation, this room is increasingly being explored by architects, gaining significant prominence and design importance. While once limited to a sink, toilet, and shower, it has now given way to veritable bathing sanctuaries, redefining its use and becoming an experiential space. With this in mind, the concept of closed "boxes" with minimal openings is giving way to new possibilities—and, above all, to the outdoors, as the integration with nature is achieved through generous openings that incorporate the surrounding landscape.
Historically associated with factories and industrial buildings in general, exposed building services have increasingly been adopted in other typologies in recent years, including residential architecture. Conduits, plumbing, and other elements used in building systems—long relegated to the background, concealed behind walls and ceilings—can actually serve as key features of an architectural concept.
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.
We inhabit a world scarred by history and mistreated by us—a humanity that insists on detaching itself from and subjugating the nature to which it belongs. In the fast-paced rhythm of global capitalism, we have actually forgotten ourselves, forgetting that we possess our own gaze, which ultimately leads to forgetting the world itself.
Atelier Marko Brajovic recently shared the design for a Floating Community Library on Lake Mamori, in the Amazon Rainforest. Developed in close collaboration with the local community, the project aims to become a benchmark for sustainable construction and environmental education.
Cities and epidemics share an intricate relationship. Throughout history, cities have emerged as breeding grounds for the spread of disease. Yet, as economic, social, and cultural hubs primed to connect ideas and develop solutions, they have historically responded to epidemics with innovation. Still, urban improvements—such as sanitation, water supply, the creation of parks and open spaces, and better transit—have often been accompanied by the replication of precarious conditions on the periphery.
When considering architecture as a tool of impact on public life, there is an extensive history of cases to draw from, which undoubtedly includes the relationship between architects and the State across various contexts. From landmark examples, such as the urban planning and architectural design of Brasília, to more contemporary demonstrations of the virtues of this collaboration, the civic vocation of design is expressed in its most explicit form through these types of programs. Designing projects with such implications also means confronting the fact that the client does not present the traditional demands of a typical commission, but rather represents collective interests and the effective stewardship of the public realm. This offers a major opportunity for professionals in the field to devise ways to foster and strengthen democratic values within society.
Like the flight of a bird, a summer rain, ocean tides, lightning during a storm, or a prolonged drought, natural phenomena occur every day without our noticing. Yet, some draw more attention, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, the emergence of a new virus, or major floods. Even so, if they occur in an uninhabited region and do not cause significant material damage, they remain merely natural phenomena. If, however, they strike populated areas, causing deaths, injuries, production disruptions, major financial losses, and displacement, only then are they considered natural disasters.
The urban drainage infrastructure in most cities, particularly in Brazil, is already obsolete, making its expansion and adaptation crucial. However, this requires a new model of stormwater management that considers long-forgotten ecological aspects. In recent years, the concept of urban ecology has gained traction as a path toward developing regenerative, more resilient cities. These have been called eco-cities or biocities—terms that vary from author to author but share a common focus on nature-based solutions and ecological relationships.
Concrete blocks are building units primarily used in the construction of walls and partitions, serving either structural or enclosure functions. As a low-cost, precast material that is commonly left exposed, it is often chosen for projects aiming for economical, fast, and practical construction without requiring highly specialized labor.
The São Paulo Municipal Government launched a bidding process this week for companies interested in constructing eight pedestrian access points to the João Goulart Elevated Highway, popularly known as the Minhocão, in downtown São Paulo.
Following a natural disaster, architecture plays a fundamental role not only in rebuilding damaged structures but also in providing comfort and security for those affected. Successful post-disaster architecture must address both the immediate need for short-term shelter and long-term reconstruction and stability. With this in mind, we have compiled four examples of post-disaster architecture, ranging from built prototypes designed for rapid assembly to unbuilt proposals whose solutions stand out for their efficiency.
Celso Sim, artistic collaborator of Teatro Oficina, is the seventh guest on Studio Casa, an interview series produced by Casa da Arquitectura - Portuguese Center for Architecture. As a filmmaker, he directed, wrote, and edited the 2018 feature film Penetrável Genet, which derives from the work created for the 10th São Paulo Architecture and Urbanism Biennial titled Penetrável Genet/Experiência Araçá, which occupied a cemetery in the city of São Paulo for 40 days.
In this week's debate hosted by Escola da Cidade, Guilherme Wisnik talks with Nuno Ramos, a painter, draftsman, sculptor, writer, filmmaker, set designer, and composer who holds a degree in philosophy from the University of São Paulo.
Elisabete França, a public administrator dedicated to implementing urban development, housing, and urban mobility programs, is the eighth guest on Studio Casa, an interview series produced by Casa da Arquitectura - Portuguese Center for Architecture.
Elisabete França has distinguished herself over the last few decades through her work promoting and disseminating architecture, curating several national and international exhibitions, and coordinating conferences and specialized publications. She holds a PhD from FAU Mackenzie and is a professor in the Architecture program at the Armando Alvares Penteado Foundation (FAAP).
The circular economy has also been adopted as a model in the architecture and construction sector, aiming to create more efficient, functional, and sustainable building projects. The 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) used as circular economy strategies are already widely recognized, with the first R, "Reduce," being the primary goal in any project. From this perspective, one of the most effective ways to reduce material consumption, natural resources, and costs in building projects is to decrease the size of occupied spaces and built-up area (while maintaining appropriate levels of spatial quality, such as accessibility, ventilation, natural light, layout compatibility, etc.).
Staircases made of wood can offer a unique character to each project, thanks not only to the different configurations they can occupy in a space, but also to the variations in color and texture provided by different wood species and cuts, as well as the various ways of arranging the treads.
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The graduate program of Escola da Cidade — Geography, City, and Architecture — hosted architects Solano Benítez and Gloria Cabral for a series of lectures. On this occasion, an interview was conducted with the partners of Gabinete de Arquitetura, a firm that has won awards such as the SI Swiss Architectural Award 2007-2008 (Switzerland), the AIA Honorary Fellowship 2012 (USA), and the Golden Lion at the 2016 Venice Biennale.
Developed by the Semeia Institute and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Parques para Todas e Todos is a tool to inspire the creation of more diverse spaces by incorporating a gender perspective into the planning and management of urban parks. It offers guidelines, suggestions, and ideas to begin designing parks that address everyone's needs.
Bike lanes created overnight, streets converted into slow zones, hastily extended sidewalks—all to accommodate the need for urban mobility in a pandemic scenario. COVID-19 has driven major urban interventions, often without the possibility of extensive planning or investment. Cities are turning into living laboratories for experiments that can bring benefits during the crisis and leave behind a more sustainable world once the worst has passed.
"Smart buildings" is a term that has gained prominence in recent years, both as a way to design more efficient buildings that offer greater benefits to their users and as a vehicle for the real estate industry to find a new market niche.
In many cases, the term "smart" is overused, often serving merely as a marketing pitch for so-called innovative technologies. In this light, because any technology can become obsolete over time, many building projects considered modern, advanced, or smart at the time of their construction are no longer deemed so today.
With the goal of blurring the boundaries traditionally imposed by walls, so-called integrated kitchens can be incorporated into adjacent spaces—most commonly living and dining rooms—using counters, tables, split levels, or even contrasting flooring and finishes.
