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SCI-Arc’s Master of Science in Synthetic Landscapes (M.S. Synthetic Landscapes) program offers an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to landscape architecture, blending ecological thinking with advanced design technologies. This one-year postgraduate program prepares students to address complex environmental challenges through creative and sustainable design solutions, helping students to develop the curiosity critical for creativity. It offers a culture of advanced design scholarship that questions traditional models of research and practice. Here's a detailed look at the program's curriculum: 

Awards and prizes are vital to professional ecosystems in supporting talent and new ideas; for the design industry, competitions encourage creative minds to leap beyond the bounds of practicality to imagine the future, solve problems and build new communities. Expanding impact with international breadth and egalitarian opportunities, competitions often provide space for emerging talents and students, providing support, mentorship and experience to develop their careers and process.

For Polish ceramics manufacturer Ceramika Paradyż, hosting the Paradyż Designers Competition brings together all of these values, alongside an innovative way to challenge how its products can function. This year, the third edition challenged architects and designers to craft imaginative digital designs using a new series of sintered stones, TRI-D. The natural product, a baked composite of quartz, feldspars, clays or kaolins, performs as an alternative to natural stone; extraordinarily durable, tiles retain their aesthetic from the surface to the cross section, making them ideal for worktops, windowsills and fireplaces, yet in fact, the possibilities are endless.

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The Living Places - Simon Architecture Prize is an initiative of Simon—curated by the Fundació Mies van der Rohe since the prize’s inception—which aims to distinguish those architectural projects (including interiors, public, domestic, and landscape spaces) whose excellence provide comfort to their inhabitants and improve people’s quality of life on a daily basis; while working, learning, sharing, enjoying...in short, architecture to be lived!

The Architectural Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry is on the brink of a technological transformation, largely driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Looking forward, there are two significant ways that AI will influence outcomes for industry professionals: as a driver of creativity and a productivity booster.

Professionals who adopt AI technology for either of these outcomes may have an advantage over those who do not, enabling them to outpace competitors with more innovative thinking and quicker project delivery. Let's explore how to stay ahead in this changing technological landscape. 

The adoption of advanced access control solutions is essential to maintaining security and safety in various contexts, from businesses and institutions to residences and public spaces. Their main objective is to regulate who can access or use a specific resource, location, or system, ensuring that only authorized individuals have access. In an increasingly interconnected and digital world, the implementation of access control systems has become essential to protect confidential information, ensure the integrity of physical and virtual environments, and prevent unauthorized access that can result in theft, data breaches, or other security incidents. These systems can encompass a variety of methods, including passwords, key cards, biometric scans, and security personnel, all working together to verify and allow entry only to those with permission.

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A pivot door is a swinging door that rotates on a vertical axis; a spindle. It is different from regular hinged doors, where the hinges are attached to the side of the door and the adjacent wall. Even though the pivot door is as old as centuries are long, it is still unknown to many people. However, a recent resurgence in its use has put it front and center as an attractive option for architects, designers and homeowners.

The term "holistic" refers to an approach that considers a system as a whole, rather than focusing on individual components. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of various elements and aims to create something balanced and harmonious that supports overall comfort. The approach is particularly valuable at a time when personal well-being and sustainability are at the forefront of design. This includes the integration of natural elements, such as light and water, to create calm, rejuvenating environments where balance and harmony ensure that all design elements work cohesively to form a unified space. Holistic bathroom spaces go beyond mere functionality by engaging the senses, promoting relaxation, and using resources responsibly, a comprehensive approach embraced by premium bathroom solutions brands like hansgrohe.

Companies, designers, architects and agencies worldwide are invited to submit their products and projects for the German Design Awards 2025. Organized by the German Design Council, the Awards set international standards for original design developments and competitiveness on the global market, whether through digitalization or AI. The platform honors only projects that are pioneering in the German and international design landscape with positive developments in circular design, making success visible, while also opening up a valuable network, international reach and additional market opportunities for the award winners.

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.