In Yucatan, architects are reviving an ancient Mayan stucco technique for contemporary buildings, merging modern architecture with regional history and culture. The technique is called “chukum,” a term derived from the colloquial name for the Havardia albicans tree native to Mexico. Made with chukum tree bark, the material has several defining qualities that separate it from traditional stucco, including impermeable properties and a natural earthy color. Though chukum initially fell out of use following Spanish conquest of the Maya civilization, it was rediscovered and reemployed by Salvador Reyes Rios of the architecture firm Reyes Rios + Larrain Arquitectos in the late 1990’s, initiating a resurgence of use in the area.
https://www.archdaily.com/946291/the-rustic-beauty-of-the-chukum-in-modern-mexican-architectureLilly Cao
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has launched Destination Architect, a new educational STEAM resource for aspiring architects. The campaign is designed to raise awareness of the architect’s role and how to earn an architecture license through a video-based format. The resource also highlights data-driven tips to help shorten the path to licensure.
Single family homes are undergoing a quiet transformation in recent years. Increasing land costs, the growth of urban settlements, and the lack of available space for construction have triggered an increase in the development of mixed-use housing. The result is that architects have begun to incorporate more community programs within private residential projects. We can now find homes that integrate commercial, cultural, educational, or industrial uses. This not only provides diversity and efficiency, but also allows surrounding neighborhoods to be revitalized through mixed programs that foster social engagement, interaction and connection.
These type of projects can be created both vertically - in a 2 or 3-story house - and horizontally, using two neighboring lots or around an open space. The following are 12 examples of modern mixed-use homes.
The Chet Holifield Federal Building in Laguna Niguel, California—better known to locals as the “Ziggurat” for obvious reasons—is reportedly at risk of demolition. The six-story, one-million-square-foot government services building is on the chopping block as the U.S. Public Buildings Reform Board, responsible for unloading federal facilities, will likely sell the structure as early as next year.
Stone is known to be a versatile, sturdy, inexpensive and long-lasting material, and has been used in traditional construction systems worldwide for a long time. Its practicality, neutrality, and availability in certain regions are some of its defining traits which, combined with its visual appeal, can contribute to its use in contemporary architectural projects.
When considering “How Will We Live Together”, it is important to note the projective and future tense of the phrase. The idea not only encompasses ways we already share our built environment but targets the anticipated issues that are to be tackled to facilitate communal and mutually beneficial ways of living.
Robotic automation has been widely adopted by the manufacturing industry for decades. Most automotive vehicles, consumer electrical appliances, and even domestic robots were made and assembled by “armies” of robots with minimal human supervision. Robotic automation brings higher production efficiency, a safer working environment, lower costs and superior quality. After years of development and deployment, the process now requires minimal human involvement.
https://www.archdaily.com/945761/a-fully-automated-construction-industry-still-a-long-road-aheadDarwin Lau
Architecture is often associated with the idea of sheltering, ever since primitive constructions. However, memorials are among the few types of architecture that are not primarily intended to shelter, but to remember. A space that respectfully aims to keep alive the memory of those who have fallen in heroic acts or have been unfortunate victims of cruel historical events, which can, therefore, be perceived as a monument or a building with the purpose of materializing intangible emotions, creating collective memories that can be remembered through time.
In some of the most dense cities around the world, it’s becoming an increasing challenge to find a comfortable space to live- and similar for when you die, too. It’s estimated that 55 million people pass away each year, and for every one living person today, there are 15 times the number of deceased. Yet urban planners and architectural developers are more interested in dealing with the living than dabbling in the business of death. As a result, it’s created tension in the two parallel worlds- and as time goes on, more questions are being raised about how we address public space that can be designed so that both the living and the dead can coexist.
Dr Abdelhalim Ibrahim Abdelhalim . Image Courtesy of TAMAYOUZ EXCELLENCE AWARD
Architect, urban planner, and professor, Dr. Abdelhalim Ibrahim Abdelhalim was selected as the 2020 laureate of Tamayouz’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The highest accolade of the Tamayouz Excellence Award is awarded annually to an individual “who have made significant contributions towards humanity and the advancement of architecture and the built environment in the Near East and North Africa”.
Vista aérea de Venecia. Image Cortesía de Ministerio de las Culturas, las Artes y el Patrimonio de Chile
With the submission of "Reparation: Architecture of Action and Everyday Experiences," Chilean architect Emilio Marín will curate the Chilean exhibit at this year's Biennale of Venice, as announced by a spokesperson for the Ministry of Culture, Art, and Heritage.
Trinity Park Conservancy has selected Weiss/Manfredi as the design architect to reimagine the Dawson State Jail in Dallas, Texas. Dubbed the city's "ugliest building", the project will be transformed with Malone Maxwell Dennehy Architects. The team has been asked to work with the Conservancy to integrate the building and its surrounding neighborhoods into Harold Simmons Park along the Trinity River.
There's no shortage of architectural software these days and it can be challenging and overwhelming to know what tools will be the best fit for your work. Often the programs you learned in school or whatever your firm uses are what you stick with. However, it's often beneficial to step out of that comfort zone and investigate your options to see what else is out there. New software can present opportunities to simplify existing workflows or even bring new digital capabilities to you and your firm.
https://www.archdaily.com/945566/learn-more-about-dynamo-for-revit-features-functions-and-newsGoPillar Academy
Videos
Osaka, Japan. Image Courtesy of Norihito Nakatani Seminar
Created by Japanese architectural historian Norihito Nakatani, the film "A City of Columns" explores the distinctive dwelling culture of nagaya, a housing typology that flourished in the Japanese early modern period. The video depicts one of the few remaining nagaya neighbourhoods in Osaka, revealing the standardization embedded in all aspects of this form of housing and documenting how architectural elements transition between different spatial configurations.
As planners who regularly engage everyday citizens in the planning process, we like to start by having people build their favorite childhood memories with found objects. Most often, these memories are joy-infused tales of the out-of-doors, nature, friends, family, exploration, freedom. Rarely do these memories have much to do with technology, shopping, driving, watching television, and so many of the other things that seem to clutter up our daily lives. But then again, these are folks who have known a world that has been—at least for part of their lives—screen- and smartphone-free.
https://www.archdaily.com/946090/designers-and-planners-take-note-peoples-fondest-memories-rarely-involve-technologyJames Rojas, John Kamp & Vassil Yorgov
BIG, Hijjas, and Ramboll were selected as winners of Penang State Government’s international competition to design a master plan for Penang South Islands in Malaysia. The proposal entitled BiodiverCity, fits into the island's 2030 vision, and generates 4.6km of public beaches, 600 acres of parks and a 25km waterfront. An Urban Mosaic of three diverse islands, the project establishes new urban design guidelines, mixing programs, addressing pedestrian and mobility networks, building sustainably, and harvesting resources.
Zaha Hadid Architects has revealed images of the new Xi’an International Football Centre, to be ready by 2023, in time for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup. The facility will include a stadium with a 60,000-seat capacity, along with civic, sports, and recreational spaces for the city.
Sherbet, gelato, mochi and more. The architecture of ice cream is as diverse as its structure and flavors, ranging from pop-ups and small stands to elaborate creameries. Whether designing for a larger franchise with set standards, or a bespoke mom and pop shop, architects and designers are reimagining the spatial experience of ice cream. In turn, they are catering to evolving tastes while embodying the identity of diverse brands.
A 500,000-square-foot office complex in Atlanta by RIOS. Image Courtesy of RIOS
For years now, designers have been emphasizing natural lighting, ventilation, and connectivity to nature as ways to improve employee health and wellness. Now that the coronavirus is much more likely to be transmitted indoors—the risk is nearly 20 times greater, according to one study—a strong case could be made for moving some office work completely outside. “The benefits of light and fresh air are pretty self-evident, and the pandemic only reinforces that,” says Christopher McCartin, managing director of design and construction at real estate developer Tishman Speyer, which has been including “significant outdoor space” in all of its office developments nationwide.
https://www.archdaily.com/946114/post-covid-more-office-designs-include-permanent-outdoor-workspacesLydia Lee
International wayfinding company Applied has published a COVID-19 Design Toolkit for social distancing and wayfinding. The kit includes a set of guidelines, icons and templates on how to design systems for high-traffic spaces and encourage safer public behaviors in response to the pandemic.
New Story Project - ICON - Mexico. Image Courtesy of ICON
BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group has joined a series of investors and partnered up with ICON, in order to push forward the use of 3D printing robotics to deliver dignified, resilient homes around the world. Aiming to contribute actively in the ongoing transformation, Bjarke Ingels, Founder and Creative Director of BIG stated that “additive manufacturing will play a transformative role in the future of construction”.
Mind the Step - Jardim Nakamura, São Paulo, Brazil. Image Courtesy of UN-Habitat
The Un-Habitat or the United Nations agency for human settlements and sustainable urban development, whose primary focus is to deal with the challenges of rapid urbanization, has been developing innovative approaches in the urban design field, centered on the active participation of the community. ArchDaily has teamed up with UN-Habitat to bring you weekly news, article, and interviews that highlight this work, with content straight from the source, developed by our editors.
Discover in this feature the first lesson to learn from UN-Habitat, on how to design with and for the people. In order to create great public spaces, the only secret is listening to the community. Questioning “how can we design together”, this article presents cases in Ghana, Brazil, and India, focusing on street, market, and open public spaces implementation projects, where interventions took on participatory approaches and involved local residents from the beginning of the process.
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