Art has long been perceived as elitist, an image solidified by its deep ties to power and wealth. In ancient times, works of art were status symbols reserved for rulers and religious figures, while the Renaissance marked a period in which wealthy patrons like the Medici family promoted art as a tool of social and political prestige. In the 17th century, with the rise of art academies, strict standards were established for what was considered "high culture," further distancing art from the masses.
By the 19th century, the art market had become shaped by private collectors and commercial galleries who viewed art as a luxury product, accentuating its exclusivity and making accessibility a secondary issue. Artistic movements like Impressionism, Modernism, and street art challenged the elitism of art, broadening its reach and questioning its institutional exclusivity. While the contemporary system remains dominated by wealthy collectors and a market that prioritizes profit over accessibility, there are still initiatives aiming to change this dynamic.
Not all people share the same routines, habits, or customs, yet we all have the same fundamental needs, regardless of age, social class, gender, culture, or religion. Designing bathroom spaces involves considering parameters of accessibility, technology, cleanliness, comfort, and durability, while offering efficient and sustainable solutions that ensure optimal performance. But what does functionality in architecture really mean? How do usage patterns evolve over time? Geberit products showcase various design proposals through their Mix and Match approach that blend furniture, sinks, and other bathroom accessories, all conceived to meet the diverse requirements of their users.
Can academic projects explore new directions and contribute to public discourse on global and local issues? The 2024 Politecnico di Torino Students Award aimed to address these questions, showcasing how architectural research, training, and experimentation can be integrated into a school curriculum.
Politecnico di Torino is ranked among the top 10 architecture schools in Europe (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 - Architecture and Built Environment). With over 3,000 students, the Department of Architecture and Design offers a Bachelor's degree in Architecture and three Master's programs—Architecture for Sustainability, Architecture Construction City, and Architecture for Heritage—all featuring dedicated English tracks. The Department offers also two Bachelor's and one Master's programmes in Design.
As global urbanization accelerates, the demand for forward-thinking urban development and construction strategies is more pressing than ever, with an estimated 80% of the world's population expected to live in cities by 2080—particularly in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. From 26 to 29 November, Big 5 Global, together with co-located events LiveableCitiesX, GeoWorld and Future FM, will host five strategic summits, bringing together 1,500 leaders from both government and the private sector to shape the future of urban communities.
John Pawson is a renowned British architect and designer, widely recognized for his minimalist approach, which values simplicity, proportion, and material authenticity. In his work, he explores space and light with depth, refining each element to its essence to create environments that promote tranquility and focus. His portfolio spans private homes, galleries, churches, and monasteries, each exemplifying his dedication to material purity and spatial harmony. By balancing clean lines, natural textures, and understated details, Pawson establishes a modern elegance and timeless quality that make him a pioneer of architectural minimalism.
Highlighted submissions. Image Courtesy of Buildner
Buildner is pleased to announce the results of its second annual Architect's Chair Competition, which received excellent ideas from around the globe. As this competition series gains traction and interest, Buildner is excited to announce the launch of the Architect's Chair Edition 3 competition with a registration deadline of January 15, 2025. Buildner has also published its first book on the topic, highlighting key ideas and outstanding projects past editions.
By now, most people in the construction industry know that addressing the carbon emissions that come from the built environment is key to solving the climate challenge. Yet, knowing where to start can be a challenge for many professionals. That's why education and upskilling across the value chain—from architects to urban planners, and real estate developers to engineers—are essential to fostering sustainable construction practices.
Traditionally, architecture's role has been to create a barrier between inhabitants and the elements, providing protection and security. Even with material and technological advances over time, this function remains fundamental. We still rely on our building envelopes to keep us dry, safe, and comfortable, allowing us to live our daily lives with ease. Nowadays, high-performance building envelopes expand this protective function by using advanced materials and technology, transforming into essential elements of sustainable and resilient design. They not only protect interiors from external factors—such as heat, humidity, and pollutants—but also contribute directly to the building's energy efficiency, durability, and aesthetics. Consisting of facades, solar shading systems, and windows, these envelopes define the building's character and play an essential role in its overall performance.
With a longstanding dedication to empowering designers and beautifully bringing their ideas to life, SketchUp software offers an intuitive, comprehensive 3D modeling toolset straight out of the box. Still, users can supercharge its capabilities with a range of powerful extensions.
SketchUp's Extension Warehouse features hundreds of plugins for everything from animation and urban planning to interior design and architecture. These tools eliminate repetitive tasks, improve accuracy, and streamline workflows, allowing designers to customize and enhance their SketchUp experience. But with so many extensions to choose from, diving in can feel daunting. Get started with this list of the top 11 SketchUp extensions to extend and customize your workflows.
New York City is a place of constant transformation. Since the late 18th century, when it became one of the world's largest ports, it has established itself as a hub of innovation, commerce, and cultural diversity, attracting immigrants from all over. The rapid industrialization of the 19th century spurred a proliferation of factories, warehouses, and working-class neighborhoods, like Brooklyn and the Lower East Side, which shaped the city's urban and economic growth.
Water and daylight? At first glance, they seem like distant concepts: one is tangible, while the other, —though intangible—, manifests itself through its effects and perceptible qualities. Both are powerful and recurring resources in architectural design, often employed only for compositional purposes. However, in the context of indoor pools, this combination is frequently functionally oriented, prioritizing 'protection' from external stimuli. This one-dimensional approach can restrict the dynamic interaction between water and natural light, leading to aesthetic, functional, and operational challenges.
https://www.archdaily.com/1022632/heres-how-to-level-up-indoor-pools-with-daylight-solutionsEnrique Tovar
Buildner has announced the results of the Kharkiv Housing Challenge, the first competition in a two-part series focused on rebuilding Ukraine. Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, has been deeply affected by the ongoing conflict, and this competition is part of a broader effort to rebuild its housing and public spaces.
Colors, materials, lighting, and textures are the foundational pillars that shape the mood and atmosphere of an interior space. These elements should work in harmony to create environments that deeply influence how we feel and interact with the space around us. From serene, tranquil homes to dynamic offices or welcoming hospitality spaces, design trends have evolved to meet the specific needs of each setting, while the market offers an abundance of product combinations.
Recent years have seen a transformative shift in these trends, with a growing focus on flexibility, biophilic design, and sustainability. These three approaches are reshaping the way spaces are designed—not just in terms of aesthetics, but also with respect to functionality, well-being, and environmental impact. Mastering the interplay of these elements has become essential to create spaces that resonate with purpose and functionality, offering immersive and meaningful experiences for their intended audience.
Over the past two decades, the Holcim Foundation Awards has committed USD 20M to spotlight transformative projects by architects, designers, and engineers who pioneer sustainable design and construction practices. To capture these stories, the Foundation launched a short film series titledWords withWinners.
This series provides an in-depth look at award-winning sustainable design projects through exclusive interviews with their creators. It includes one of the first films to showcase the BIG U, also known as the DryLine, in its built form, featuring an exclusive one-on-one with Bjarke Ingels, Creative Director and Founder of Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG).
Serapool, a leading brand in porcelain pool tiles and complementary porcelain products, has been innovating and producing sustainable design solutions for residential, spa and wellness centers, hotels, water parks, and Olympic-size pools globally for 40 years. The brand's holistic approach to pool design has led to a comprehensive porcelain collection that includes pool tiles, stair nosings, pool copings, porcelain pool grates, infinity tiles, concealed overflow handles, terrace nosings, and rain channels. With years of expertise in the industry, the company stands as a leading example of innovation, consistently delivering safe and long-lasting products.
The creation of images through artificial intelligence (AI) surprised us a few years ago. Utilizing algorithms such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), these systems are trained to identify visual patterns in images from the huge database of the internet, interpret them, and generate new compositions. Initially, the results tended to be rudimentary, often distorted and strange, but with the evolution of systems and training methods, AI has started to produce highly detailed and visually impressive images, challenging the limits of digital creativity. In architecture, this has been no different. As architectural design evolves, technologies that allow architects to bring their visions to life are progressing alongside it. AI renderings are transforming the way we visualize and conceptualize spaces, with the potential to significantly reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve accuracy, especially in terms of scale fidelity and spatial representation.
Factory 52, named after the production of 52-card decks that once took place there, is a remarkable example of adaptive reuse, transforming an old factory into a vibrant mixed-use community. Located in Norwood, Ohio, within the former U.S. Playing Card Company building, the renovation project reimagines industrial heritage by integrating modern design without losing sight of its historical roots, incorporating residential, commercial, and recreational areas. The use of brick cladding plays a crucial role in connecting the past with the future, offering a rustic texture that honors the industrial history while highlighting the new structures with its unique tones in a contemporary setting.
Here's a question: what part of a building stands firm and unmovable? While walls, floors, and structural supports may spring to mind, in today's world, even architecture is getting in on the action. Movable walls, sliding doors, and retractable roofs were the early ambassadors of kinetic design, allowing structures to become more flexible without losing strength. What started in ancient civilizations has now evolved into a futuristic dance between practicality and nature. Buildings aren't just set in stone anymore—they're evolving, responding, and adapting.
