Architecture and urban planning in Latin America face deeply rooted social, environmental, and economic challenges shaped by historical inequalities, rapid population growth, and unplanned urbanization. Addressing these issues requires innovative solutions that balance housing needs, ecological preservation, and respect for local identities. Amid this complex landscape, several visionary female architects are making a difference with creative and impactful approaches.
Who would think that a freshly painted wall, so smooth and glossy, could hide such a serious problem? Paint is one of the finishing touches that brings beauty and protection to both indoor and outdoor spaces. But beneath this layer of color, there’s an invisible coat that, silently, accumulates in our ecosystems and even in our bodies. Recent research from Switzerland identifies construction paint as one of the largest sources of microplastic pollution in oceans, rivers, and other environments. These microplastics, less than 5 mm in size, enter ecosystems through weathering, accumulating in marine and terrestrial animal bodies — and ultimately, in humans. Although the long-term effects on human health are still under study, evidence so far indicates that continuous exposure may contribute to various physical and metabolic health issues. Yet, sustainable alternatives are emerging, offering a way to create healthier spaces while minimizing environmental impact.
The evolution of bathrooms into their modern configuration traces back to ancient civilizations like the Ottoman and Roman, where sanitation held significant cultural importance. During the Middle Ages, however, personal hygiene practices declined, setting back developments in sanitation until the Renaissance revived interest in cleanliness. This shift paved the way for key innovations in the 18th century, including modern plumbing systems that enabled the widespread adoption of modern sanitation spaces. Today, it's unimaginable to design an architectural project without incorporating these facilities, highlighting the essential role of hygiene and well-being, now closely tied to technological advancements.
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.
Office ParkScheerbarth, selected as one of ArchDaily's 2024 Best New Practices, was founded in Berlin in 2019 by principals Moojin Park and Benjamin Scheerbarth. Together, they create a synthesis between architecture, urban planning, and social science, drawings on cultural and educational contexts from Korea, the US, and Germany. Their work creates spaces that welcome versatility, challenges, and growth. The duo embodies a fusion of cultures, nationalities, and diverse disciplines, approaching each project from multiple perspectives and emphasizing adaptability, respect for ownership, and the continuous pursuit of knowledge and innovation. Challenging norms and regulations of the built environment, Moojin Park and Benjamin Scheerbarth share a commitment to pushing and exploring design boundaries. They met during their Master's studies in the US, where their shared vision took shape and marked the beginning of their journey together.
Architectural grafting, a concept recently popularized by Jeanne Gang in The Art of Architectural Grafting, presents a transformative approach to urban regeneration and sustainability. Drawing inspiration from botanical and horticultural practices — where new growth is added to existing plants for enhanced resilience — this architectural method integrates new structures with existing ones, allowing them to coexist and adapt. Rather than pursuing demolition, grafting prioritizes adaptation, extending the life of buildings while safeguarding their cultural and historical significance.
While Studio Gang has played a pivotal role in advancing this method, architectural grafting embodies a broader principle that architects have long used to enhance sustainability, conserve resources, and honor heritage. Across scales — from individual buildings to urban landscapes —grafting reshapes the relationship between past and present, adapting existing structures for contemporary needs while addressing environmental demands. By reimagining historic buildings for modern use, this approach fosters a sustainable evolution of cityscapes.
People frequently claim that finding smart solutions to problems requires a creative approach that involves thinking outside the box. This premise has become a widely accepted idea in the field of technology, where numerous historical breakthroughs have emerged from innovative methods. Prominent examples in power generation include the discovery of the photovoltaic effect by Edmund Becquerel in 1839 and the development of the first commercial solar panel by Charles Fritts later that century. These milestones have enabled the integration of solar panels as essential components of clean energy generation within architecture, driving a significant shift toward renewable energy.
This shift is currently manifesting as a tipping point between power generation and the built environment, driven by a transition that promotes creative thinking and encourages new perspectives. Today, sustainable energy production extends beyond merely installing solar panels on roofs; it aims to integrate various building elements into the energy system. ClearVue's Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) exemplifies this innovation by harnessing nearly all facade components as sources of power production. This vision opens new possibilities for the design of urban structures, promoting a more sustainable approach that aligns with contemporary needs.
Prioritizing people and the planet, when it comes to building construction and real estate development, is being seen as more than an ethical mandate - it is a highly profitable approach. Changing market demands, city ordinances, and regulations, and an emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are all influencing what successful development in the 21st century stands for.
In Toronto, Canada, the ongoing Downsview Airport redevelopment project showcases this mindset in practice. While traditional development has generally focused on maximizing short-term returns, the Downsview project offers a holistic alternative that can invite significant long-term profits, all while addressing broader societal and environmental concerns.
For centuries, models have been central to architectural design, providing architects with a tangible way to explore ideas, test concepts, and communicate their vision. From the Renaissance to Modernism, models have been instrumental in the construction and reflection processes, offering insights into form, proportion, and spatial relationships. However, in today's digital age, where 3D models and Virtual Reality (VR) have become powerful and efficient tools, the question arises: Are physical models still relevant in contemporary architecture?
A new generation of sustainable practices is transforming the architectural landscape. What is its 'secret'? The combination of innovation, ecological awareness, and, fundamentally, the revaluation of natural resources that have accompanied humanity since its earliest days. While this knowledge was never truly lost, the techniques associated with these materials have long remained in the background. Today, they are making a resurgence, adapting to modern challenges, and reestablishing themselves as essential, timeless elements in tomorrow's architecture.
What is urban renaturalization? How is it possible to reintegrate nature into the urban environment? With increasingly limited access to nature for the population and growing exposure to environmental hazards such as noise or air pollution, resource scarcity, climate change, and more, the development of "renaturalized" spaces in cities is seen as a tool capable of improving the quality of life for citizens and designing spaces for gathering, resting, and leisure areas for the common good, while also balancing urban development with biodiversity and the benefits of ecosystems. One of the many architecture firms involved with this concept is 08014 arquitectura, based in Barcelona, which, through its Plaza-jardín Rocafort and Paseo Comte D'Ègara projects, aims to revitalize certain urban areas, paying particular attention to improving the quality of life for citizens and their connection to the natural environment.
Polycarbonate, commonly used in roofing and industrial cladding, has gone beyond its initial applications to become a material widely used across various architectural typologies. Its combination of strength, lightness, easy installation, and ability to allow natural light to pass through has made it an attractive option for residential, educational, and even cultural architecture projects. In homes, polycarbonate not only helps create bright and comfortable environments but also allows for creative use of translucency to generate private spaces without sacrificing visual connection to the outdoors.
It's often said that trends come back, but terrazzo appears to be the exception—never truly fading from popularity. With a long tradition of craftsmanship, terrazzo has maintained its relevance over the centuries, continuously adapting to evolving creative expressions. Whether in homes, restaurants, or libraries, it demonstrates remarkable versatility, offering a unique combination of technical qualities, mottled aesthetic, and timeless appeal. As it evolves, terrazzo adapts to modern building standards and growing environmental awareness, ensuring its relevance in contemporary architecture and design while expanding sustainable solutions.
Crisis, crisis, crisis... and guess what? More crises. Every time we hear that word, it all feels more daunting. But here's the thing: with every challenge comes an opportunity. From the affordable housing shortage to the economic downturn and the climate emergency, there's always a new challenge, opening the door to new possibilities. But the truth is, none of these are isolated events; they're all interconnected in some way, forming different facets of the same story. Perhaps one of the least mentioned, particularly when it comes to the built environment, is the global food crisis, which is growing (almost) silently, waiting to take center stage. It poses various challenges for future food production, especially in cities.
Spain, with its vast territory and notable diversity of landscapes, has been a reference point in the development of external infrastructures, both in urban and rural areas. Tourism has played a key role in this process, focusing on creating spaces that maximize the enjoyment of the natural environment and integrating local landscapes into urbanized areas. The construction of these infrastructures has had two main aspects: the adaptation of cities for both their residents and tourists and the development of rural or coastal areas, where nature is the main attraction. This has led to interventions ranging from creating waterfront promenades, viewpoints, and natural parks, to urbanization projects in previously untouched areas. Furthermore, urban growth has driven the creation of green infrastructures such as botanical gardens, ecological trails, and reserves that aim to protect the environment while being sustainably open to the public.
Sumayya Vally, architect, curator, and founder of Counterspace architecture office, joins the jury for the 2024 Obel Award. This international architectural prize, organized by the Henrik Frode Obel Foundation, honors projects that significantly impact people and the planet. The 2024 theme, "Architecture WITH," invites a re-examination of the architectural profession, emphasizing collaborative and co-creative processes that integrate diverse bodies of knowledge into the core of design. Vally's perspective on redefining architectural roles aligns with the theme's focus on non-hierarchical, co-creative approaches.
Latin America's natural landscape is incredibly diverse, featuring everything from majestic mountains to expansive deserts. In this varied geography, many architectural projects are noteworthy for their seamless integration with their surroundings, blending subtly into the landscape. This is accomplished by carefully choosing materials, colors, and shapes that reflect the natural environment.
Vernacular construction technologies are based on centuries of practical wisdom, refined through countless trials and errors. This process eliminates all irrelevant aspects, creating highly efficient and simple systems that are intrinsically adapted to the local climate and resources. These methods demonstrate how to conserve heat with minimal energy, offering valuable insights for modern buildings, promoting energy efficiency, and environmental harmony. In this article, we have already covered traditional passive cooling techniques, such as Persian wind towers and Arab mashrabiya. Now, we turn our focus to strategies applicable to cold climates, exploring effective solutions for heat retention and space heating.
