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How to Make Animation Rendering Faster with D5 Render
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The Price of Growth: Urban Sprawl and Sustainability in South Asian Cities
With millions of residents flocking to metropolitans each year, South Asia is witnessing staggering levels of urban development. Growth brings economic prosperity and ecological strain as concrete jungles replace natural habitats. The region, home to countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, the Maldives, and Nepal, is faced with addressing contextual challenges when it comes to balancing urbanization with environmental sustainability. These negotiations are fairly nuanced, with a need to understand the economic, social, and political scenarios systematically in each country.
https://www.archdaily.com/1025347/the-price-of-growth-urban-sprawl-and-sustainability-in-south-asian-citiesAnkitha Gattupalli
The Role of Digital Technologies in Modern Construction: Insights into BAU 2025
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The use of innovative tools, techniques, materials, and technologies to shape the future of construction is a subject that captivates professionals across architecture, engineering, construction, and planning, as well as investors and industry leaders. Advances in technology and breakthroughs in material science provide a rich landscape for exploration and discussion, sparking lively debates on the ongoing transformations in both urban and rural environments. Key areas of focus include resource management, the challenges posed by the climate crisis, and the broader implications for the built environment.
https://www.archdaily.com/1024848/the-role-of-digital-technologies-in-modern-construction-insights-into-bau-2025Agustina Iñiguez
The 'Siestario' Project Set to Represent Argentina at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale
The Argentinian Pavilion at the upcoming 19th Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 will showcase 'Siestario,' the winning project by architects Juan Manuel Pachué and Marco Zampieron, with Brian Ejsmont as a collaborator. Both architects, graduates of the Faculty of Architecture, Planning, and Design at the National University of Rosario, are also co-founders of Cooperativa, a space dedicated to organizing architecture competitions. Currently, Pachué and Zampieron practice professionally and teach in the city of Rosario, Argentina.
https://www.archdaily.com/1025104/siestario-the-project-that-will-represent-argentina-at-the-2025-venice-architecture-biennalePaula Pintos
An Urban Living Machine for the Common Good: Municipal Services Buildings in Hong Kong
In Delirious New York, Rem Koolhaas vividly discusses the Downtown Athletic Club, a striking example of how an unassuming building exterior can conceal a vibrant mix of distinct, self-contained programs. Inside the uniform facade of this skyscraper, a private athletic club hosts an eclectic range of facilities—boxing gyms next to oyster bars and interior golf ranges below swimming pools—all segregated yet highly accessible. The Downtown Athletic Club epitomized the dynamism of New York's skyscrapers at the time, showcasing the thrill of capitalism through a selective, inward-focused world of leisure and privilege for the selected. This "machine of programs" operated independently of the external city as an isolated ecosystem within its walls. Yet, one might ask: could a similar model, designed for public use, create a more inclusive, lively community and neighborhood experience? This will activate the building within, instead of only serving the selected elites, and influence and transform the urban fabric and shapes around the building. In Hong Kong, a distant parallel can be drawn with the Municipal Services Buildings (MSBs)—publicly-funded structures that serve the community by integrating diverse functions within a singular vast building mass, much like the Downtown Athletic Club.
https://www.archdaily.com/1021987/an-urban-living-machine-for-the-common-good-municipal-services-buildings-in-hong-kongJonathan Yeung
Transforming Sacred Spaces: 17 Adaptive Reuse Projects Revitalizing Churches
The architectural practice of reusing and refurbishing should be the first consideration when designing and reshaping our already overbuilt cities. Good architecture prioritizes this approach over demolition, as it can reduce costs, enhance environmental efficiency, and preserve functional structures that can continue serving their purpose for years.
https://www.archdaily.com/915700/rethinking-sacred-spaces-for-new-purposesFernanda Castro
Got What It Takes to Reimagine Real Estate and Urban Life, the Harvard Way?
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The Advanced Management Development Program (AMDP) stands as Harvard's premier leadership program for seasoned real estate professionals and executives, offering a unique opportunity to reshape perspectives on the evolving built environment. Tailored for high-level practitioners and firm leaders, the program spans just one year, with five weeks spent on Harvard's campus, culminating in the coveted title of Harvard alum. As one recent graduate aptly put it, "I would describe the program as a crash course in how to think differently and most importantly a chance to meet inspiring classmates who are looking to do the same thing."
https://www.archdaily.com/1021905/design-the-future-harvards-advanced-5-week-leadership-programRene Submissions
The 50 Best Latin American Houses of 2024
Annually, ArchDaily's curatorial team undertakes a rigorous selection process to identify exemplary projects in Latin American residential architecture. The goal is to share these works of architecture with our audience and highlight and promote good practices within contemporary architecture. This meticulous effort focuses on identifying projects that stand out for their design and their positive impact on the environment, innovative use of materials and techniques, and ability to address current needs.
https://www.archdaily.com/1025255/the-50-best-latin-american-houses-of-2024ArchDaily Team
From Patina to Purpose: 15 Projects that Explore Corten Steel as a Design Element
In architectural design, materials convey narratives, shaping how spaces are perceived and experienced. Weathering steel, often known by its genericized trademark name, Corten steel, stands out for its ability to evolve, transforming into a medium that tells its own story. It represents a group of steel alloys that form a stable external layer of rust that replaces the need for paint to protect the steel while allowing it to develop in time. Its weathered patina serves as more than a functional shield; it becomes an aesthetic language, a testament to the interplay between architecture and nature. This ever-changing surface bridges the ephemeral and the enduring, offering architects a material that grows richer with age.
https://www.archdaily.com/1024538/from-patina-to-purpose-15-projects-that-explore-corten-steel-as-a-design-elementDiogo Borges Ferreira
What is Low-Tech Architecture: Comparing Shigeru Ban and Yasmeen Lari's Approaches
The concept of low-tech architecture recognizes the impact of carbon-intensive technologies and building practices and proposes an alternative: a rediscovery of practical, rational, locally adapted solutions that count on smart design strategies instead of energy-intensive devices to ensure a safe, comfortable living environment. Far from being a regressive approach, the term remains open to innovations but seeks to rebalance the industry's reliance on mechanization. It thus favors an architecture of fewer components, minimized dependence on high-tech solutions, and a preference for low-embodied carbon materials.
https://www.archdaily.com/1017671/what-is-low-tech-architecture-comparing-shigeru-ban-and-yasmeen-laris-approachesMaria-Cristina Florian
From Concrete to Green Canopies: Revitalizing Cities Through Natural Design
The journey toward renaturalizing urban spaces is an ongoing effort that began as early as the 1970s and continues to shape cities worldwide today. From transforming highways into vibrant parks to restoring waterways and integrating nature into urban planning, these projects reflect a shared commitment to sustainability, livability, and resilience. In Portland, the 1978 creation of Tom McCall Waterfront Park set a pioneering example by replacing a highway with green spaces. Decades later, Boston followed with the Rose Kennedy Greenway, reclaiming land from the elevated Central Artery.
https://www.archdaily.com/1024248/from-concrete-to-green-canopies-revitalizing-cities-through-natural-designMoises Carrasco
From Silos to Iconic Spaces: 15 Projects That Repurpose Industrial Structures
Silos hold a significant place among the remnants of the industrial era, distinguished by both their technological innovations and their iconic presence in urban landscapes. Typically cylindrical and made of reinforced concrete, these structures effectively addressed the demands and challenges of industrialization, providing a robust and economical solution for storage. However, throughout the 20th century, with the advent of new logistics and the relocation of activities from some urban centers to expanding areas, many of these silos were decommissioned.
However, despite their enclosed design appearing to be an obstacle for new uses, recent decades have seen initiatives that embrace and repurpose these structures. These projects integrate silos into the urban environment, emphasizing their significance as part of the local collective memory.
https://www.archdaily.com/1018532/from-silos-to-iconic-spaces-15-projects-that-repurpose-industrial-structuresCamilla Ghisleni
Meanwhile Projects Activating Public Space: Lessons from Pop Brixton and Peckham Levels in London, United Kingdom
A "meanwhile space" refers to the temporary use of an otherwise vacant area—whether it's an empty shop, a disused building, or a site awaiting redevelopment. The concept revolves around making productive use of these spaces during the interim period before a long-term purpose is established. Essentially, it's about what happens in the meantime, turning unused spaces into vibrant, functional places during periods of uncertainty or transition.
https://www.archdaily.com/1020268/meanwhile-projects-activating-public-space-lessons-from-pop-brixton-and-peckham-levels-in-london-united-kingdomNour Fakharany
The Ecological Footprint of Data Centers: The Downpour of a Digital Future
This article is the winning entry of the Epistle Writing Prize 2024, an annual competition dedicated to recognizing outstanding writing on design, architecture, and the environment.
We might be in the age of the digital cloud - however celestial or ethereal it may appear to be - but it is not only incontrovertibly material but also a powerful ecological force. In present times, data centers are mammoth powerhouses of modern information, communication, and technology industries with giant servers that store and process data. While their proliferation is in a sense, a consequence of our consumption patterns, and as the global demand for the digital grows, so does the data center footprint.
https://www.archdaily.com/1024900/the-ecological-footprint-of-data-centers-the-downpour-of-a-digital-futureAmrita Khosla
Small Bars and Restaurants: 14 Projects Less than 50 m2 in Latin America
When designing spaces with reduced dimensions, adopting an efficient configuration and distribution is crucial for the user experience and the smooth development of activities and tasks to be carried out. In the case of bars and restaurants, numerous architecture and interior design professionals strive daily to meet the needs of clients, employees, and employers, considering everything from necessary installations and technologies to services, atmospheres, and furniture suitable for the type of gastronomy to be consumed.
https://www.archdaily.com/1013327/small-bars-and-restaurants-14-projects-less-than-50-m2-in-latin-americaAgustina Iñiguez
Maximized Density: How Co-Living Spaces Do More with Less
Rising populations and soaring real estate prices pose significant challenged to urban housing. In a desperate hunt for affordable living options, communal co-living spaces have emerged as a creative solution, offering quality living conditions through clever space optimization strategies. By implementing innovative design techniques, these shared living communities maximize every square foot to create functional spaces within compact footprints.
https://www.archdaily.com/1016508/maximized-density-how-co-living-spaces-do-more-with-lessAnkitha Gattupalli
Reimagining Models for Living Together: 4 Projects Showcasing Cooperative Architecture
The International Day of Cooperatives, celebrated on the first Saturday of July each year, is an opportunity to raise awareness and celebrate the cooperative movement. Celebrated on this day by the United Nations since 1992, the cooperative movement is a social and economic movement empowering individuals and communities by creating enterprises that are collectively owned and democratically controlled by members. This year's theme is "Cooperatives: Partners for Accelerated Sustainable Development." Underscoring the critical role cooperatives play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, it also emphasizes the unique typology of cooperatives in exploring new ways of living together. With a belief in community growth, cooperatives believe in communal development, prioritizing people and supporting them to improve collective well-being.
https://www.archdaily.com/1018609/reimagining-models-for-living-together-4-projects-celebrating-international-day-of-cooperativesNour Fakharany
From Design Movements to Materials: Reflecting on Architectural Exhibitions in 2024
Reflecting on 2024, numerous architectural exhibitions have opened worldwide, addressing various themes, exhibition formats, and featured architects. Architectural design and architecture practice influence our daily lives in subtle and often unnoticed ways, where the end-users embrace built environments as they are. This reaction may arise from a combination of factors, such as a sense of powerlessness to enact significant change after a building is constructed or the experience of growing up in environments over which individuals had little or no agency in shaping. For these reasons, architectural exhibitions serve an essential purpose, offering society a chance to pause, reflect, and critically examine the myriad issues that surface during designing and building. These issues are often overlooked or need to be acknowledged, as practitioners may prioritize delivering projects within strict timelines over exploring more profound reflections.
In 2024, museums, galleries, and curators responded to the evolving challenges within the built environment with various approaches. Some exhibitions questioned the ethics of building materials and the practices behind supply chains, drawing attention to the broader implications of material choices. Others focused on documenting architectural movements worldwide, emphasizing their cultural and historical significance and the urgent need to preserve and adapt rather than replace them with entirely new builds. These efforts highlight the role of exhibitions in raising awareness about pressing issues while fostering a more critical dialogue about the architectural discipline.
https://www.archdaily.com/1024953/from-design-movements-to-materials-reflecting-on-architectural-exhibitions-in-2024Jonathan Yeung
Estudio Rare: An Architecture of Experimentation Through Art
Selected as one of ArchDaily's Best New Practices 2024, Estudio Rare defines itself as an interdisciplinary experimental space. Based in Córdoba, Argentina, its three founding partners, Agustín Willnecker, Iván Ferrero, and Mateo Unamuno, met while studying at the Faculty of Architecture of the National University of Córdoba. With a young but notable trajectory, the Rare team offers a free and dynamic perspective on design, architecture, and construction. Their works, regardless of scale or commission, demonstrate a close relationship with art, reflecting the diverse interests and personal backgrounds of each team member and their collaborators.
https://www.archdaily.com/1021073/estudio-rare-an-architecture-of-experimentation-through-artPaula Pintos
Walking on Air: Thrilling Sao Paulo Views from a 42-nd Floor Glass Skywalk
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Walking on a glass floor is a unique experience that blends awe with a touch of unease. The transparency creates the illusion of emptiness beneath your feet, despite the firm support, generating a visual disconnection that makes each step feel tentative, as if you were floating or crossing an invisible bridge. Although glass is engineered for safety, the mind often associates it with fragility, producing a curious tension between trust and doubt. It's this mix of emotions that makes walking on a glass floor so unforgettable.
Modern glass floors are remarkably strong, thanks to advanced materials and manufacturing processes. Typically made from laminated glass—composed of multiple layers of glass bonded with a durable interlayer—they are designed to prevent shattering into sharp fragments. In terms of load capacity, a well-designed glass floor can support weights equivalent to or greater than traditional flooring materials, often exceeding 500 kilograms per square meter or more, depending on the design and application. Step onto a glass floor, and you're not just walking—you're floating, suspended between reality and illusion in a thrilling feat of modern design.
https://www.archdaily.com/1024726/walking-on-air-thrilling-sao-paulo-views-from-a-42-nd-floor-glass-skywalkEduardo Souza
AI and the Built Environment: Bridging Technology, Design, and Cultural Identity
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the architectural landscape, offering tools that enhance creativity, streamline workflows, and redefine design processes. From assisting in urban planning to conceptualizing homes and creating visualizations, AI is unlocking new possibilities for architects, designers, and even non-professionals. Yet, as AI-generated outputs become more prevalent, concerns emerge regarding the possibility of generating generic-looking designs or the disappearance of traditional design skills. These challenges lead us to critically examine how AI complements human creativity and the ethical implications surrounding authorship, originality, and intellectual property rights in this rapidly evolving digital era.
https://www.archdaily.com/1024493/ai-and-the-built-environment-bridging-technology-design-and-cultural-identityMoises Carrasco
Interfaith Spaces: Architectural Responses to Religious Diversity
In an increasingly diverse world, the emergence of multi-faith spaces represents a significant shift in architectural design, reflecting the evolving religious landscape of contemporary society. These spaces, which began to be formally established in the 1950s in public buildings like airports and hospitals, serve as microcosms of social transformation and peaceful coexistence. They allow various traditions to harmoniously share environments, embodying principles of inclusivity, flexibility, and adaptability.
As communities grow more multicultural and increasingly diverse, these spaces serve as physical manifestations of religious inclusion, encouraging the acceptance of religious and ethnic minorities within multicultural landscapes. Their proliferation reflects a growing need for inclusive environments that cater to diverse spiritual needs while promoting interfaith understanding. However, designing and implementing these spaces presents complex challenges, often sparking debates about representation, neutrality, and the very nature of sacred space. These discussions underscore the delicate balance architects must strike in creating spaces that are both universally welcoming and spiritually meaningful.
https://www.archdaily.com/1019961/interfaith-spaces-architectural-responses-to-religious-diversityDiogo Borges Ferreira
Architecture for Peace: Fostering Growth and Learning through Educational Spaces in Honduras
Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, offers a dynamic blend of the country's architectural heritage with mountainous landscapes. Nonetheless, just like many other cities in Latin America, it faces significant urban challenges such as social class disparities and a fragmented urban fabric. In response, several design initiatives have emerged over the years to address those issues. One of the most prominent examples is the "Villa for Girls", designed by the Guatemalan firm Solis Colomer Arquitectos, which has now expanded to include a "Villa for Boys" since 2017. These projects are aimed at children from low-income families who often face the risk of being recruited by gangs. Together they build upon an architectural legacy that offers a safe, supportive environment to grow and learn.
https://www.archdaily.com/1022307/architecture-for-peace-fostering-growth-and-learning-through-educational-spaces-in-hondurasMoises Carrasco
A New Lens on Architecture: Discovering Open House Narratives Across Europe
Throughout 2024, ArchDaily, in collaboration with the Open House Europe architecture event, brought inspiring projects and stories to light. These true architectural gems were unveiled through visits, and their widely shared narratives enriched the architectural discourse. It is an invitation to explore the stories behind buildings that, although part of citizens' daily lives, often go unnoticed amidst the routine automation of everyday life.
These narratives explored projects of different scales, uses, and contexts, revealing everything from religious buildings, to remarkable examples of adaptive reuse of old industrial structures, now taking on new roles within their communities. Each story uncovered the many layers that make up a building – from its initial design to the new meanings it has acquired over time.
https://www.archdaily.com/1024707/a-new-lens-on-architecture-discovering-open-house-narratives-across-europeCamilla Ghisleni
Rediscovering Modernism in Africa: From Nostalgia to Optimism
The mid-twentieth century marked a transformative period for Africa as 29 countries achieved independence between 1956 and 1964, signaling the dawn of the nation-state across the continent. This era resonated with a spirit of liberation and progress, paralleling the global movements of that time, such as the establishment of international organizations like the United Nations (1945) and the Organization of African Unity (1963). Within this context, Modernist architecture emerged as a powerful symbol of national identity, ambition, and the collective aspiration for a brighter future. As newly independent nations sought to define themselves apart from their colonial pasts, the adoption of Modern Movement principles facilitated the construction of key infrastructures, such as convention centers, parliament buildings, and hotels, as well as the development of architectural education, as native-trained architects begun to either replace or cooperate with foreign-born professionals.
This article inaugurates a new series titled Rediscovering Modernism in Africa, aiming to explore the architectural legacy of the Modern Movement in Africa, highlighting its role in nation-building and the evolution of architectural education, while shedding light on the architects and movements that shaped this transformative era.
https://www.archdaily.com/1021063/rediscovering-modernism-in-africa-from-nostalgia-to-optimismMohieldin Gamal