Photographer: Nelson Kon | ArchDaily

Climate and Collective Use: Architectural Permeability in Latin America

Daniela Andino — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Architecture is often understood as a matter of enclosure. Walls define space, separating interior from exterior and establishing clear limits. Yet across many projects in Latin America, this distinction becomes less precise. Rather than operating as closed objects, buildings often remain open, allowing air, light, and movement to pass through them.

Renovation of the Ground Floor of the Prudência Building / Gui Paoliello Arquiteto

Susanna Moreira — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000

The Prudência building, a massive residential slab of 10 floors, was designed and constructed between 1944 and 1948. It is a highly emblematic and representative piece of architecture, as it is one of the first modern vertical buildings in the Higienópolis neighborhood.

Caetés House / Ateliê GR

Susanna Moreira — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Located in an urban mixed-use lot, Casa Caetés is situated on a quiet street that balances residential and commercial use. The design was created for a large family with a "tentacular" configuration—a couple and five children—whose expanded connections demand a complex and interconnected spatial structure.

When Art Came First: Spatial Experiments That Shaped Architecture in Latin America

Daniela Andino — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Many of the spatial ideas we now associate with contemporary architecture, collective use, and bodily experience did not originate in buildings alone. In Latin America, these ideas were often explored first through art, at a moment when artists were actively questioning how space could be occupied, shared, and experienced beyond traditional forms.

Environmental Comfort as an Interior Condition in South American Architecture

Daniela Andino — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Across South America, environmental comfort is understood not as an interior condition, but as one shaped through space. In regions marked by heat, humidity, intense sunlight, and seasonal variation, architecture has long relied on spatial decisions to moderate climate and support daily life. Comfort emerges from how interiors are opened, shaded, ventilated, and inhabited over time.

Green Interiors Trends From Around The World

Hana Abdel — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 07:30:00 +0000

There is not enough that can be said about the benefits of incorporating plants in interiors or Plantscaping. Integrating vegetation indoors serves many purposes, whether practical, aesthetic, or psychological. Although there are basic requirements for incorporating greenery into Homes, well-thought-out plant selections and placements are characteristically different across the world. By going over recent interior works, a few recurrent plantscaping design patterns arose, each reflective of distinctive climates, building styles, and traditional building techniques.

Kûara House / Obra Arquitetos + NNarq

Susanna Moreira — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0000

The house is located at the top of a hill, which provides a beautiful view of the forest in front and the city of São José in the background. To adapt to the irregular shape of the land, the house's layout fits within the projection of a triangle, arranged in an L shape within it.

ArchDaily Curator’s Picks 2025: A Look Back at 12 Key Project Reviews

Hana Abdel — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 07:30:00 +0000

For the past couple of years, the project curators at ArchDaily have been revisiting architectural works they believe deserve a deeper look. Through an Instagram post called "Project Review", the curators describe what they consider to be the work's main attribute(s). Delving into the project's stories and the elements that make them truly inspiring, they underline what might otherwise be overlooked initiatives and study them closely, with attention to locality and context. The result is an array of diverse works, often from rural or suburban areas that have a public function or historic significance.

House Renda / Fernanda Neiva + Fernanda Palmieri + Paula Zasnicoff

Andreas Luco — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Fernanda Neiva, Fernanda Palmieri and Paula Zasnicoff trained as architects at FAU-USP (School of Architecture and Urbanism - University of Sao Paulo), developed their final thesis together and shared the initial stages of their professional career. Life took them to different situations and places in Brasil, and on different continents. In 2019, the life long friendship between these architects and their client created the opportunity for a reunion and collaborative project. The architects came together on a bank holiday weekend to conceive the project which was subsequently developed by Galeria Arquitetos under the coordination and supervision of Fernanda Neiva.

Extending Roofs from Brazil to India: Parallel Residential Design Elements as Seen in 10 Projects

Susanna Moreira — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 07:30:00 +0000

It shouldn't be too surprising that architectural concepts were traveling around the globe long before the online spread of information. While many regions share certain historical events and hence references (such as colonization and the mid-20th-century independence movement/ turn of political systems), others might have simply developed parallel solutions to similar climates and material availability. Additionally, it was only natural that with the dissemination of a more uniform architectural pedagogy acquired while studying abroad, followed by the internet boom, we would find almost twin projects from every corner of the world. While these might look nearly identical from some angles, they might bear different layers and stories. Then again, they might also display the same reasoning and prompts shared by counterparts from across the seas.

JHA Corporate Boutique / PSA Arquitetura

Pilar Caballero — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Development of the JHA Corporate Boutique: Inspirations and Concepts - The JHA Corporate Boutique, designed by PSA Arquitetura, was conceived with the goal of reimagining corporate spaces, promoting not only functionality but also the quality of life for users. The main inspiration came from the need to integrate the work environment with the urban surroundings, creating a visual and functional connection. The design prioritizes visual permeability, with floor-to-ceiling windows and interspersed balconies that provide better natural lighting and a harmonious interaction with the external environment.

Floreira House / Matheus Farah + Manoel Maia Arquitetura

Andreas Luco — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Surrounded by a large suspended planter in dialogue with the garden, Floreira House reflects nature in a countryside condominium. Privacy, minimalism, and the demand for low maintenance were the driving forces behind the creation of a residence designed for gatherings of friends and family in a condominium in the town of Porto Feliz, in the countryside of São Paulo. To bring these characteristics to life, Matheus Farah e Manoel Maia Arquitetura designed a large garden at the rear of the 3,182 sqm lot, toward which all other areas are oriented, serving as the heart of the project. On the upper floor, elongated metal planters encircle the entire external area, softening the transition between materials and creating a dialogue with the garden. The prominent presence of this element justifies the name Floreira House (House of Planters).

Toque Toque Grande II House / VD Arquitetura

Pilar Caballero — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Occupying the 40% of the lot permitted by the Land Use Law resulted in the house being divided into two distinct blocks, connected by a ramped circulation block.

House in Praia do Forte / Vereda Arquitetos

Andreas Luco — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Situated on a 1260 m² flat plot just 300 meters from the beach, in a coastal region of ‘restinga’, this house is also located near the Tamar Project center, renowned for its long-standing efforts in conservation of sea turtles.

Japi House / UNA Barbara e Valentim

Valeria Silva — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 15:00:00 +0000

A house in the interior of São Paulo, at the foot of the Serra do Japi, where the architecture aims to extract maximum environmental performance and a delicate relationship with the landscape. In a small historical arc of the technique, the architecture was entirely conceived with molded material: rammed earth (perimeter walls) and exposed concrete (internal walls and roof slab).

Cultura Artística / Pedro e Paulo Bruna Arquitetos Associados + MLD RAI + Acústica & Sônica

Andreas Luco — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Since 1919, Sociedade de Cultura Artística has cherished the dream of having its own theater. Designed in 1942 by architects Rino Levi, Roberto Cerqueira Cesar, and F. Pestalozzi, the TEATRO CULTURA ARTÍSTICA was built between 1947 and 1949. The inauguration, held on the evenings of March 8 and 9, 1950, was marked by two extraordinary concerts conducted by Heitor Villa-Lobos and Camargo Guarnieri, prepared specifically for the occasion. These concerts celebrated the opening of what was then one of the largest and most modern cultural complexes in Latin America. Initially, the auditorium had 1,500 seats arranged in a wide fan shape, with a double rear wall to shield the interior from external noise. The visibility and acoustics had been carefully studied, providing excellent conditions.

Galeriah House / Okha arquitetura e design

Pilar Caballero — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 15:00:00 +0000

The Galeriah house is situated on a completely flat plot near the Paraíba River in the city of São José dos Campos – SP. It was designed for a couple who, with the arrival of the pandemic, felt the need to enjoy outdoor spaces that a residence can provide. Architect Priscila Pereira accompanied the clients from the moment of choosing the land.

Interior Courtyards: An Effective Strategy to Improve Space Quality in 15 Residential Projects

Paula Pintos — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 07:30:00 +0000

There are many advantages to incorporating interior courtyards in residential projects, both in urban contexts and in more natural surroundings. In both cases, they are a key element in improving the quality of the home's interior space in various ways. Whether in the form of a central cloister, side courtyards, or through perforated slabs and the addition of skylights, these spaces play a vital role in creating a harmonious living environment, offering benefits ranging from the regulation of interior temperature to enhancing social interactions and fostering a close connection with nature.