Due to their aesthetic, sustainable, durable, and resistant qualities, stone materials have accompanied the disciplines of architecture and engineering since their origins. As is known, in Mexico, stone has been a fundamental element in pre-Hispanic constructions where experimentation was done with vaults, ashlars, masonry, etc.
Future University of Hakodate (2005). Image Courtesy of Isao Aihara
Transparency, integration and boundaries are key words for understanding the work of Riken Yamamoto. Winner of the Pritzker Prize in 2024, the Japanese architect's work can be recognized for its ability to establish and challenge conventional spatial concepts of materiality, creating spaces that promote interactions and connections between people and their surroundings. Transparency, whether in the physical configuration of the buildings, the choice of materials used or the underlying philosophy applied to all his works, emerges as a central element throughout his career.
In the coming decades, it seems inevitable that architects will increasingly focus on renovations and rehabilitations –especially in established urban centers–, whether to modernize outdated structures or adapt to new uses and demands by contemporary society. A main challenge when executing these types of projects is obtaining a truly reliable working base, including accurate and true-to-life 3D models. Conducting surveys can be a herculean task, requiring extensive hours or days of on-site work and considerable effort to organize and interpret the collected information, often resulting in data that lacks adequate precision.
On April 4 – 6, the international conference FABRICATE 2024will be held at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen. Since its inception in 2011, FABRICATE has established itself as a global forum for new radical possibilities for architecture and welcomed thousands of participants from practice, industry, and research.
https://www.archdaily.com/1014026/localize-sourcing-and-performance-at-fabricate-2024Pernille Maria Bärnheim
For most people, modern living requires spending most of the day in interior spaces - in fact, according to a report by the Environmental Protection Agency, the average person spends around 90% of their life indoors. As a result, this implies missing out on health benefits associated with sunlight exposure, such as vitamin D absorption, regulation of circadian rhythms, higher energy levels and even improved mood. Thus, one option is to increase the amount of time we spend outdoors. But because most daily functions are carried out inside buildings, it is crucial to incorporate and prioritize natural lighting in interiors.
Flat and polished surfaces tend to evoke feelings of coldness and sterility, while raw, natural materials can create a sense of warmth and connection. Textures can trigger memories and emotions, connecting us to past experiences and the sense of touch. In the seminal book "The Eyes of the Skin", Juhani Pallasmaa emphasizes the importance of sensory perception in architecture and objects beyond sight, particularly the role of touch and texture in shaping our experience. According to Pallasmaa, contemporary culture, influenced by technology and visual media, has overemphasized the visual aspect of spaces, neglecting other senses, especially touch, which is vital for understanding and appreciating the surrounding environment.
Establishing a platform in the Arab world, Design Doha 2024 debuted its inaugural edition in Doha, Qatar. Facilitating dialogues between designers, the event challenges the misconception that the Arab world is composed of a singular culture. It highlights, therefore, the diversity of populations, landscapes, and histories it encompasses.
The manipulation and combination of materials are ongoing pursuits in architecture. This has not only broadened the possibilities for construction but also enabled the creation of distinctive shapes and aesthetics by using the same materiality. An example of this is Portland cement, an essential element in the mixture of water and aggregates that make concrete, which allows the creation of both load-bearing and decorative elements. In parallel, as a result of the exploration of innovative materials, fiber cement emerged (invented by Ludwig Hatschek) at the end of the 19th century, combining Portland cement, mineral-based materials, and cellulose fibers.
https://www.archdaily.com/1011851/design-guide-working-with-fiber-cement-facadesEnrique Tovar
Greenhouses are elegant and ingenious structures that incorporate simplicity in design while creating light-filled spaces that shape indoor climates. With walls and roofs composed mainly of transparent or translucent materials, these structures harness solar energy to create a controlled environment. As advances in materials and environmental management progress, they can seamlessly be integrated into architectural designs, offering innovative solutions that blend functionality with aesthetics. Beyond their original role in plant cultivation, they have evolved into projects that emphasize sustainability, education, and conservation. At their core, they offer experiences of exploration and discovery, showcasing the intricate relationship between sunlight, plants, and indoor environments.
At first glance, Dorte Mandrup's design for the Wadden Sea Center seems to mimic the landscape. Its low height, its horizontal lines and, above all, its materiality make it a modern building in perfect harmony with the local nature. But its connection also encompasses the built heritage of the region, more specifically because of its covering with straw, harvested and dried close to the land. This is an extremely traditional and historic building technique, but which is rarely attributed to contemporary buildings. In this article we will rescue some of the history of this natural material, its constructive characteristics and some examples of use.
On April 4 – 6, the international conference FABRICATE 2024will be held at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen. Since its inception in 2011, FABRICATE has established itself as a global forum for new radical possibilities for architecture and welcomed thousands of participants from practice, industry, and research.
https://www.archdaily.com/1013771/reclaim-circularity-and-reuse-at-fabricate-2024Pernille Maria Bärnheim
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic –commonly known as vinyl– is everywhere. In fact, chances are you are sitting close to (or on) something containing PVC in some way, shape or form. It’s used in packaging, automobile parts, children’s toys, clothing, accessories, wires, furniture, medical supplies and hundreds of other everyday items. This year alone, global production exceeded 51 million metric tons, solidifying its rank as the third-most produced plastic in the world. It is particularly in the architecture, engineering and construction industry that the material stands unchallenged, accounting for 60-70% of its total consumption. So much so that it has indisputably become the most used plastic for building materials worldwide, often found in pipes, fittings, flooring, roofing, window profiles and more. It’s not hard to understand why: PVC is durable, highly versatile, cost-effective and easy to maintain. But nothing comes without a cost, they say…
For decades, our society and the development of our built environment have been strongly associated with intensive extractive processes. While these methods were fundamental to the growth of urban areas, they also laid the groundwork for significant challenges that contemporary generations face today. Nowadays, construction debris accumulates on the peripheries of our cities, and plastic waste floats in the oceans.
https://www.archdaily.com/1013787/casting-furniture-with-upcycled-plastics-and-urban-debris-los-colados-projectEnrique Tovar
As we observe closely spaced parallel lines at a specific angle, we may be deceived by the illusion of a continuous or three-dimensional surface, although they are, in fact, individual lines. This phenomenon arises from the brain's natural tendency to simplify and seek visual patterns, interpreting the proximity of the lines as indicative of a unified ceiling. This illusion is often exploited in suspended ceiling architecture, where successive slats, when viewed at an angle, create the impression of a solid ceiling. This approach not only reduces the use of materials and keeps the infrastructure above the ceiling accessible, but also provides more surfaces for noise absorption, significantly improving the acoustic environment.
As commonly understood, gutters are elements installed along the edges of roofs and balconies to channel rainwater. Their primary function is to collect water flowing over the roof's surface and direct it to the appropriate downspouts. Proper sizing is crucial regardless of the material—whether aluminum, PVC, concrete, galvanized steel, or others. Depending on the climate in which the project is situated, the damages caused by incorrect application can be considerable.
Mass timber is an innovative construction solution that is gaining prominence worldwide due to its sustainability and technological benefits. In 2020, the opening of the first Dengo concept store, located in São Paulo, marked the debut of the brand's first interactive factory and the pioneering use of CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) in a high-rise building in Brazil. Developed by architecture firm Matheus Farah and Manoel Maia, the project faced several challenges precisely because of its use of this new technology, which was just beginning to emerge in the construction sector.
Translucency, at its essence, is an optical property that enables the total or partial passage of light through materials, without providing a clear view of the objects behind them. Despite its apparent simplicity, this property has fascinating applications in the architectural field, generating attractive and powerful proposals that play with light without obstructing views.
https://www.archdaily.com/1013517/seeing-through-layers-translucent-materials-in-architectureEnrique Tovar
The use and demand for natural materials in architecture and interior design have facilitated the revival of updated traditional construction systems for the contemporary context. What was once considered rustic is now being explored in more modern settings; therefore, the application of the material is also subject to new forms of fixation, coloring, and orientation (horizontal or vertical). While wood is the dominant material in traditional systems and environmentally sustainable materials, another material that has been used for centuries, equally sustainable and biodegradable, and has received less attention is straw.