Sponsored Post: The Latest Architecture and News

Personalization of architectural and design elements has become an important global trend in the creation of exceptional and individualized spaces. These days, anything that can be personalized is fair game, with both clients and architects eager to stand out and create designs that are a true reflection of their personal tastes and lifestyles. In the realm of porcelain tiles, personalization is a key way to infuse design with personality, which the brand Kaolin has been focusing on through its Customization Program.

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Discover the latest issue of Sky-Frame's 'My Point of View' with architect David Montalba.

David Montalba was born in Switzerland but grew up in California. He became a passionate surfer, bobbing in the waves of the Pacific, staring at the land, yet always feeling and hearing the ocean around him; profoundly connected to nature.

“I was surfing by the time I was 12 or 13, and it was my driving force probably all the way up to 18 or 19,” he notes. “It brought a kind of spirituality to my life. That was when I felt most connected to nature and I was truly with myself… It’s still a really special thing for me. It’s one of those things that can both ground you and connect you with nature in a unique way.” 

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As Barcelona gears up to be the World Capital of Architecture in 2026, it is calling on young architects under 35 to reimagine 10 permanent blind walls, one in each district, and transform them into new facades that will leave a legacy in the city. This International Ideas Competition for Young Architects aims to improve the quality of public space through transformation and revitalization. Organized by the Barcelona City Council and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe, made jointly with UNESCO and the International Union of Architects (UIA), it seeks architectural proposals that give meaning to walls that are currently anonymous and without any prominence, exposed in public space in a permanent provisional state.

The A' Design Award, "born out of the desire to underline the best designs and well-designed products," recognizes outstanding and original talent from across the globe. It is both a major achievement for designers and a source of inspiration for award-winning architects, brands, and design agencies. Entry and nomination are open to contestants from around the world. Registration for the A' Design Award & Competition 2024-2025 period is now open. Register and upload your design here.

The New South Wales Government is developing a "pattern book" of endorsed housing designs, eligible for fast-tracked approval, to guide the creation of new low-rise housing and mid-rise apartment buildings in Sydney, Australia. 

The best architectural minds from everywhere in the world are invited to participate in the NSW Housing Pattern Book International Design Competition to create great designs for Sydney and contribute to the diversity and depth of the Pattern Book.  

The Morocco Oasis Heritage Retreat competition invites architects and designers from around the world to engage in a unique challenge. This competition, organized by Buildner, focuses on creating a sustainable and culturally sensitive retreat in Morocco. The aim is to design a retreat that harmoniously blends with the natural landscape and respects the rich heritage of the northeastern Moroccan region.

The competition is a call for innovative designs that reflect a deep understanding of the local culture and environment. Participants are tasked with designing a retreat that offers tranquility and a connection to nature while incorporating sustainable practices. This competition emphasizes creativity, sustainability, and cultural sensitivity.

Accurate surveys are essential for an architectural project and subsequent construction to run as smoothly as possible. They provide detailed information on the physical characteristics of a site, existing structures, environmental conditions and possible obstacles, which will serve as prerequisites for the design stage, ensuring that all relevant factors are considered before construction begins. This information is vital for making informed decisions that harmonize with the environment and comply with local zoning regulations, building codes and environmental standards. Traditionally, these surveys have relied on manual measurements with tape measures, basic photographs, and, more recently, expensive laser scanning. All of these are susceptible to human error and can be extremely time-consuming, especially in large or complex areas. Laser scanning, despite being more accurate and comprehensive, involves expensive equipment and specialized technicians, increasing project costs and often extending the time needed to carry out the survey. 

In today's construction industry, achieving energy efficiency, sustainability and safety along with aesthetics are essential goals for architects and consultants. Exterior Insulation and Finishing Systems (EIFS) are versatile, high-performance solutions that meet these requirements for both new builds and renovations. These multi-layered exterior insulation systems significantly enhance thermal performance and offer energy savings of up to 50% while providing flexibility in design.

According to the Markets and Markets report on "Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) Market - Global Forecast To 2028," the growth of the EIFS market is mainly driven by the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and rising development of green buildings, mandated through the introduction of stringent building energy codes in some countries. Therefore, the importance of using certified EIFS systems as per local energy codes is highly advocated.

The International VELUX Award jury has selected ten regional winners from the 468 submitted projects, from 220 schools of architecture around the world. The renowned jury, consisting of, Song Yehao (CN), Jenni Reuter (FI), Ewa Kurylowicz (PL) and Kent Holm from VELUX A/S (DK), met for the jury meeting in Copenhagen.

In the competitive fields of architecture and design, mastering the art of visualization is as crucial as generating innovative ideas. Whether you harness 3D models from SketchUp, use AI-generated images with Diffusion [Labs], or employ external rendering programs like V-Ray, selecting the right visualization technique can significantly advance your professional journey.

Here’s a closer look at the top ten benefits of architectural visualization, illustrated by real-world success stories from the industry.

Slate is a metamorphic natural rock composed of clay minerals such as mica and chlorite, which give it a laminated texture and predominant shades of gray, black, and green. Widely used in the construction industry, it is known for its durability and distinct elegance, offering a timeless and sober finish for roofs and exterior walls. With its unique texture, it can transform the look of any structure using rectangular—or other shaped—pieces. Additionally, it is a highly resistant material to weather, fire, and environmental pollutants, ensuring long-term performance with minimal maintenance. Its eco-friendly production process, involving only raw material extraction and minimal processing, reduces CO₂ emissions, making it an ideal choice for sustainable contemporary architecture.

Every project begins with a program brief outlining the spaces, areas, and requirements essential to kick off the design process. This essential document guides architects in understanding client needs, allocating space efficiently and ensuring the design meets the project's functional requirements.

However, manually converting this tabular data from a spreadsheet to spatial data in your massing tool is incredibly tedious and time-consuming. Tools such as Snaptrude are designed to help architects iterate faster and make more informed design decisions.

More than 224 universities from 29 countries participated in the 19th edition of the Saint-Gobain Architecture Student Contest’s international final. Students from all over the world imagined projects to transform a district of Helsinki in Finland. The winners have just been revealed during an event held by Saint-Gobain in the Finnish capital between June 10th and 12th, 2024.

The notion of well-being goes far beyond the absence of disease. It encompasses physical, emotional, mental, and social aspects, reflecting a state of harmony and balance in all these areas. Pursuing well-being is a continuous process that requires comprehensive attention and care for the body and mind, and contact with nature or self-care rituals can also contribute. Indeed, in today’s fast-paced world, dominated by digital devices and urban life, in which truly disconnecting is very difficult, finding moments of peace and connection with oneself and nature has become increasingly important. Integrating well-being practices into outdoor environments offers an attractive solution, combining the therapeutic benefits of natural settings with cutting-edge wellness technology, providing a holistic refuge that nurtures the body and soul, and inviting individuals to relax and reconnect with the world around them.

Waste is a key topic in the discussions regarding climate change, and the familiar call to reduce, reuse, and recycle continues to be a valid imperative that applies to everyone, and on whatever scale. Still, some industries need to pay special attention to the materials used, and construction is certainly one of them. With construction and demolition waste (CDW) accounting for approximately 25% - 30% of all waste generated in the EU, it is a challenging area that is in desperate need of reinvention, when it comes to materials. As one part of a holistic approach, EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Terpolymer) membranes such as Elevate’s RubberGard EPDM can help significantly reduce the environmental impact of buildings. Here’s why.

Although the sensory approach in the built environment is often based primarily on visual aspects, such as color and light, as we delve deeper into the relationship of architecture with the senses other essential elements emerge, such as aromas, textures, sounds, and even flavors. These components are fundamental to creating a profound experience between the user and the environment in which it takes place, demonstrating that design and sensory experience are intrinsically connected.

Thus, sensory design offers an immersive atmosphere for a full spectrum of senses where its perception extends beyond physical boundaries. An example of this is the Vertical Panorama Pavilion, located in a region of California (USA) with a strong identity linked to the wine tradition. This structure, with a glass canopy of Color PVB interlayers, serves as a shelter for hospitality. Inspired by nature, the pavilion’s canopy engages all the senses: from the texture of the gravel on the walking path to the wind currents in the area and the characteristic aromas of the region.

Insulation plays an essential role in today’s buildings—whether it is to provide thermal efficiency to reduce energy demand and cut carbon emissions, or to reduce noise transmission to provide acoustic comfort. Every building has different requirements for the type of insulation needed in floors, roofs, ceilings and walls, and to meet these varying demands Kingspan has developed a range of holistic insulation solutions fit for the future of the built environment.

From lower embodied carbon products to bio-based materials, reducing environmental impact is an area of increasing importance. Meanwhile, the pressing need to upgrade the thermal efficiency of existing buildings often demands insulation technologies that can work with existing structures without requiring excessive thickness. For cladding systems, reaction to fire can be every bit as important as thermal conductivity, and for acoustic panels that form part of the internal décor, aesthetics is as crucial as sound absorption.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, with deadlines, goals, and performance, finding moments of tranquility is essential for maintaining overall well-being and peace of mind. These moments provide a necessary break from daily stresses, allowing the mind and body to reset and thoughts to reorganize. Rituals of relaxation can create a sanctuary of calm amidst the chaos, promoting a sense of balance and peace, providing a healthier and more harmonious lifestyle, and contributing to better physical and emotional health. However, these rituals need not be expensive or complex.

Simple activities, such as breathing exercises, taking a walk in nature, or a relaxing bath, can be extremely effective. In fact, taking time to experience the calming and energizing effects of water can significantly enhance mental clarity, bring new ideas, provide comfort, and improve mood.