Conventional, spiral, curved, U-shaped, ship's ladder... there are various models and possibilities for designing stairs in projects, depending on space constraints and design intent. But what unique characteristics does the Santos Dumont staircase possess compared to others? Named after its creator, the inventor and pioneer of Brazilian aviation, this model serves as a middle ground between a typical inclined staircase and a vertical ladder. Its slope is much steeper than that of a conventional staircase, and its steps feature alternating cutouts for the left and right foot, reducing its footprint and saving space.

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When we talk about roofs or fifth facades it is already a classic to think about green roofs. In reality, there is a wide range of uses and possibilities that materialize in different ways depending on the specific technical needs of each roof as well as the spatial and climatic possibilities of each location. The roofs can also be favourable spaces to develop structures, extensions, recreational areas and interactive spaces. It could even play a key role in the integration of a building with the landscape.

The international competition for the Rolex USA headquarters in New York selected the English firm, David Chipperfield Architects as the winning practice to design the anticipated tower. The new construction will replace the existing building, home to the Rolex company since the ’70s.

On October 19, a workshop on implementing an ecological sanitation system will be held. The event will take place in São Paulo's South Zone and is open to anyone interested. The workshop is organized by the social-environmental project cooperative Sapiência Ambiental in partnership with the UFABC Agroecology Center.

Translucent facades are light glazing panels used on the exterior of buildings, protecting the structure from weather damage, dampness, and erosion. Its composition of polycarbonate microcells creates a soft, naturally diffused light with a wide range of possible colors, brightnesses, and opacities.

By fixing these panels in place with concealed joints, it’s possible to hide unsightly building elements and assist in protecting users from harmful UV rays, while also ensuring maximum thermal conduction. Individuals who use them will notice a reduction in energy bills because they use the sun’s natural light to heat and illuminate buildings, creating very attractive indoor environmental conditions for different uses. 

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In March 2020, the fourth edition of Hello Wood will arrive in Argentina. This creative, professional, and social program teaches students to think with their hands and learn through experience. The program is currently seeking creative minds to join as project leaders.

Portuguese firm MASS lab, led by architects Diogo Rocha, Duarte Fontes, and Lourenço Rodrigues, has been announced as the winner of the Ideas Competition for the Former Monte Pedral Barracks, organized by the Porto City Council, Portugal. The winning design combines a new network of public spaces with a variety of housing typologies, forming a sort of archipelago in the middle of the city: a set of urban islands that structure the urban fabric, where the relationship of proximity prioritizes the space in-between—a space that will be filled by time and people.

“The skyline of Santiago is its mountain range” - Sir Norman Foster during his 1997 visit to Chile.

On October 19 and 20, more than 100 sites of high architectural, engineering, environmental, urban, social, or cultural value will open their doors for free during the third edition of the OH! Stgo event.

This edition focuses on fostering connections between people and the natural environment. To this end, we present 9 of the 26 island hills that surround the city for you to visit.

One of the primary challenges facing contemporary cities is the renewal of existing infrastructure to accommodate a growing urban population. Shifting to the scale of architecture and the built object, restoring legacy structures to assign them new uses and functions also emerges as both a challenge and a major opportunity of our times. Although the world is building at an unprecedented pace, we must not lose sight of the value of existing structures that can be adapted and reused.

In Asunción (Paraguay), the XI Ibero-American Architecture and Urbanism Biennial (XI BIAU) have presented the winners of the Panorama de Obras section (Projects Panorama) of this contest edition, "all faithful to the spirit of the XI BIAU: living, the inhabitant," according to the organization.

Among 997 proposed works throughout Latin America, 17 architectural works —predominantly public projects— built in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Spain, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Uruguay and Venezuela are the winners of the XI BIAU.

Carlo Ratti can be considered one of the great architectural innovators of our time. The founder of Carlo Ratti Associati, and Director at the MIT Senseable City Lab, Ratti champions the power of new technologies to transform both how we live, and how we design. The act of “convergence” is central to Ratti’s architectural outlook, whether it be the convergence of bits and atoms, or natural and artificial, or human and technology. Moreover, he believes that this convergence can reframe the design process, and engage citizens in discussions on what kind of city they want to live in.

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Berenblum Busch Architects are the designers behind the major extension of Carnival Cruise Line’s Terminal F at PortMiami. The project, set for completion by October 2022 will be Carnival’s largest cruise terminal in North America.

Morpholio has announced that it’s bringing the Morpholio Board app to Mac with Apple’s Mac Catalyst. The move aims to address how more people are using mobile software for professional use and meet the need to go between their desktop and phone. The app is available now on the Mac App Store on Macs running macOS Catalina, and it will also feature Dark Mode.

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In 2018, a group of former political prisoners who had been incarcerated at the Punta Carretas prison from 1968 to 1985 formed a "pro-Memorial Site commission" to promote a project that would invite reflection and memory regarding the events that occurred during their years of confinement in the former penitentiary. Seeking to create a site that fosters memory for current and future generations, they launched a call for proposals to develop a Memorial. This project honors the victims, their families, and the entire community, continuing the struggle for truth, memory, and justice in Uruguay.

Along with the 17 winning projects of the Panorama of Works section, the XI Ibero-American Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism (XI BIAU) has announced the winners in the publications, research papers, and academic works categories.

On September 11, the winners of the National Ideas Competition for the “Architectural, Urban, and Landscape Development of the Northeast Entrance of the Port District - City of Santa Fe” were announced. The call for entries sought to offer new spatial responses for the area, contributing to the material and symbolic reconstruction of this sector and helping to strengthen its connection to the city and the waterfront.

The Lisbon Architecture Triennale has announced the Catalan practice Bonell+Dòriga, founded by the young architect duo Laura Bonell and Daniel López-Dòriga, as the winner of the third edition of the Début Award. The firm gained recognition for the work compiled on the platform A Series of Rooms, which presents an extensive, multidisciplinary study of domestic spaces and the archetypes of habitation.

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As part of the design program at AGO Projects—a multidisciplinary space focused on promoting design, photography, and architecture, based in New York, which opened its doors in Mexico City just a few weeks ago—the exhibition "Otro Reino" has opened. The showcase features previously unseen and well-known pieces by Isabel Abascal and Alessandro Arienzo's architecture studio, LANZA Atelier, and is complemented by "Neo-neo," a collection of ceramics based on urban concrete accidents by MT Objects.

The Municipal Council of Cultural Heritage of Ponta Grossa has denied the heritage-listing request for two of the last preserved modernist houses in the city. The properties are the 1948 Correia de Sá Family Residence, designed by João Vilanova Artigas, and the 1950 Justus Family Residence, designed by Miguel Juliano, an architect from Goiás who gained national prominence for his public works.

The Truman Show is a 1998 dramedy starring Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank, the unwitting star of a 24-hour reality show that began at his birth. Set in Seahaven, a city-scale television studio designed to covertly record Truman's entire life, the show attempts to divert Truman from any potential suspicion that every single person he meets is an actor or actress.

The six shortlisted concepts for the National Pulse Memorial & Museum will be on display at the Orange County Regional History Center where people can view and comment on the schemes, helping the jury choose the winning proposal, to be announced on October 30.

In recent years, we have witnessed a steady increase in the number of registered architects and urban planners across professional regulatory bodies. Within this significant pool, young architects and urban planners—meaning professionals up to 40 years old—represent a substantial share and hold a strong presence in the market. Against this backdrop, we have followed the creation of awards dedicated specifically to this demographic, and, most notably, their active participation in biennials and triennials—events aimed at driving discussions on the future of architecture.

In Asunção, Paraguay, the XI Ibero-American Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism announced today the winners of the Panorama of Works section for this edition of the event, "all faithful to the spirit of the XI BIAU: inhabiting, the inhabitant," according to the organizers.

Out of 997 projects in Latin America, 17 architectural works—predominantly for collective use—built in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Spain, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Uruguay, and Venezuela were awarded.

The third edition of the Chicago Architecture Biennial (CAB) has opened in Chicago with a range of new exhibitions and installations across the city. Organized under the theme ...And other such stories, the biennial showcases the work of over 80 contributors, including MASS Design Group, Forensic Architecture, Theaster Gates, and more. Taking a look at the main venue, we’re diving into some of the exhibitions and emerging stories.

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