Like a musical composition, there is a particular category of buildings whose history might be compared to an unfinished symphony. Alternating between high notes and moments of silence, these structures are intermittent narratives that have spanned centuries. One of the most emblematic cases is the Sagrada Familia, which has been under construction for over a century and is on track to be completed this decade. While a hundred years of construction is no small feat, another building in this group surpasses that range: the Cathedral of Málaga, located in southern Spain, has been in the making for over five centuries.
Driven by Renaissance influences, the cathedral began construction in 1528. Since then, it has experienced periods of interruption throughout its history, resulting in an unfinished landmark. The cathedral is still missing one of its towers, has incomplete elements on its facade, and its vaults are exposed to the weather due to the absence of a covering structure. Over the years, various works have been undertaken—including the recent adaptation of tourist access to the domes—but one major task remains: the gable roof. Originally proposed in 1764 by Ventura Rodríguez, its design has been reimagined and will now be executed using contemporary wooden construction techniques.
https://www.archdaily.com/1020754/track-to-completing-malaga-cathedral-the-role-of-timber-in-designing-the-new-gable-roofEnrique Tovar
Greek and Roman cultures laid the foundations for modern civilization, leaving a lasting legacy in philosophy, literature, mathematics, and art. Although their contributions in these areas are significant, they are sometimes overlooked. However, in disciplines such as sculpture and architecture, their influence has remained almost unchanged, deeply rooted in the classical ideals of beauty. This is exemplified by canonical works such as the Parthenon, the Roman Pantheon, and the Discobolus, which continue to captivate with their proportion, symmetry, and detail. Consequently, it is unsurprising that Greco-Roman classicism remains significant due to its aesthetic timelessness, revitalized throughout different periods, from neoclassicism to contemporary proposals.
In this modern context, the Greco-Roman mythology, epic tales, and classical architectural concepts inspire a fresh perspective on reimagining interior aesthetics. Embracing an avant-garde take on neoclassicism, a new wave of modern interiors adopts sharp strokes to define figures and details, such as pilasters and capitals, echoing the sinopia of historic wall frescoes. These designs transform monumentality into cozy and elegant atmospheres. By blending historical and contemporary references, they provide innovative figurative solutions that craft poetically scenic spaces. Arcadia collection exemplifies this approach, standing out as a tribute to classicism and presenting a unique visual narrative through its wall coverings.
https://www.archdaily.com/1020629/modern-interiors-with-a-historical-touch-figurative-wall-coverings-for-scenographic-spacesEnrique Tovar
The Roman Colosseum is arguably the most iconic versatile venue in the world. Although this structure was not intended for sporting activities, it hosted various events, from the well-known gladiatorial combats to theatrical performances and the dramatic naumachia (naval battles). This demonstrates that flexible use of space has been relevant since ancient times. Centuries later, in the context of the ever-changing built environment and urban development, sports venues have similarly evolved, becoming outstanding examples of multi-purpose spaces.
These athletic complexes have transformed from highly specialized venues into dynamic, multifunctional structures. Whether hosting major international events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games or serving as gathering spots for local communities, these spaces strike a delicate balance between addressing the needs of specific sports and maintaining the flexibility to accommodate a range of activities. How do these diverse functions coexist and interconnect? This analysis will explore how sports facilities are configured as flexible hubs for other disciplines and everyday activities.
https://www.archdaily.com/1020243/from-wooden-shells-to-polycarbonate-panels-the-materials-shaping-flexible-sports-spacesEnrique Tovar
When addressing accessibility in architecture, codes set the baseline, while design defines the ceiling. Although numerous guidelines exist, creating spaces for everyone goes beyond mere adherence to standards. It requires a deep understanding of the environment and a broad perspective, recognizing that what we design will be used by people with diverse bodies, abilities, and conditions far beyond those traditionally considered typical users.
Furthermore, designing environments poses the challenge of inclusivity, ensuring that individuals who do not fit the standard profile—such as people with disabilities, pregnant women, those using assistive devices, and individuals of varying ages, body types, etc—are not excluded. The principles of Universal Design, established in 1997 by the NC State University College of Design and led by Ronald L. Mace, offer a transformative perspective in this context. This approach influences various design fields, including the built environment, products, and communications. When applied to architecture, it fosters the creation of spaces that work for everyone, minimizing the need for adaptations or specialized design.
https://www.archdaily.com/1019661/how-do-the-7-principles-of-universal-design-help-us-create-better-architectureEnrique Tovar
How we perceive space is a crucial aspect of architecture and interior design, profoundly influencing our interaction with the environment. Consequently, spatial perception is shaped by elements such as furniture arrangement, lighting, color choices, and materials. The latter is particularly significant, as the same material can be employed in various ways, resulting in atmospheres with unique characteristics.
Fluted cladding is a good example of the potential for variations in material use. These are milled MDF surfaces with a linear pattern designed to decorate interior walls and ceilings. They can be applied to a variety of surfaces, though they should only be used in areas not exposed to humidity. The system is notable for its ability to accentuate space through different configurations. Depending on their arrangement and type of fluting, these configurations can modify the spatial experience by highlighting, directing, enveloping, and achieving visual balance in homes, offices, commercial spaces, and more.
https://www.archdaily.com/1019443/how-to-use-fluted-cladding-on-interior-wallsEnrique Tovar
World War II was pivotal in human history, leaving a profound political and social impact. Its conclusion marked a significant turning point, leading to post-war suburbanization and the baby boom. These phenomena resulted in rapid urban growth and a surge in housing construction, which peaked in the 1960s and continued to flourish throughout the following decades, gradually slowing down until the present day. Currently, we are facing a very different scenario in which a backlog of affordable housing, combined with a challenging economic outlook and a climate agenda, have led to the need for a transformation of the built environment into a cleaner and more resource-efficient one, in line with the Paris Agreement.
Thus, with the ever-increasing demand for housing, combined with policy initiatives such as the European Green Deal, the post-war model of hyper-production is becoming unsustainable. Consequently, refurbishing derelict or redundant buildings has emerged as a viable alternative. Unlike the scheme of demolition and new construction, this approach offers opportunities for energetic retrofitting, which helps mitigate environmental obsolescence, extend the lifespan of buildings, and revitalize the existing and dilapidated stock—including postwar housing—while improving people's quality of life.
https://www.archdaily.com/1018781/refurbishment-vs-demolition-enhancing-housing-for-sustainable-energy-efficiencyEnrique Tovar
Refurbishment is an increasingly common and fundamental practice in contemporary architecture. More than a trend, it represents a crucial strategy for reducing resource consumption and minimizing waste generation, providing clear advantages over brand-new constructions. In the Latin American context, this philosophy stands out for its unique characteristics. It intricately weaves circularity and climate action with local materials, addressing economic challenges while harmonizing Indigenous, colonial, and contemporary influences.
Housing plays a crucial role in this context, where traditional materials and construction techniques define each project's distinctiveness and integrate it into the community's social fabric. Throughout Latin America, regional identities are deeply embedded in refurbishment efforts, ranging from restoring facades and repurposing wood to reimagining the use of demolition waste. The adaptation of spaces in these projects is influenced by their unique identities and geographic conditions, rooted in social and cultural expressions.
https://www.archdaily.com/1019030/housing-refurbishment-in-latin-america-10-projects-that-excel-in-the-use-of-materialsEnrique Tovar
These days, it is common to hear multiple voices addressing the diverse issues of contemporary architecture. The topics are numerous, ranging from sustainability and inclusion to social justice and the crisis in land use. At first glance, there is no common ground where all these concepts can coexist transversally. However, if we look back, we can see that beyond the formal architectural concepts, the true purpose of architecture (probably) lies in the people and the lives that develop within it.
Thus, many would argue that life is likely more important than architecture, which could open up a broad debate. What is certain is that currently, narratives and voices are emerging and consolidating, aimed at renewing architectural tools and languages. This transformation seeks to turn the built environment into a space that promotes a more equitable and optimistic future for all. One of these voices is that of Tatiana Bilbao, recognized for her process-centered approach where life and human interactions play a crucial role in defining habitats.
https://www.archdaily.com/1018888/life-changes-in-seconds-but-architecture-never-changes-in-conversation-with-tatiana-bilbaoEnrique Tovar
As we near its 100th anniversary, expanded polystyrene (EPS) has become widely used in various industries and applications, especially in construction. Since 1970, EPS has been used in building construction due to its thermal insulation properties, lightweight closed-cell structure, durable strength, and long-term integrity. However, while these qualities make it highly useful and easy to recycle, they have also sparked debate due to recurring discussions about its degradation processes and environmental impact from various perspectives.
While the debate rages on, many improvements and alternative approaches have emerged around this material, highlighting that achieving sustainable construction involves using the right material for the right job from the outset. Thus, over time, innovations have brought new options for the recycling and use of EPS beyond traditional building applications such as infill blocks or partition panels. This demonstrates that rather than stigmatizing it as a problematic or “simple” material, it is essential to consider its qualities through design, technology, and developing methods for responsible and sustainable management.
https://www.archdaily.com/1018325/how-are-innovations-changing-expanded-polystyrene-epsEnrique Tovar
When drawing, lines are fundamental elements of composition. They delineate space, outline structures, and define boundaries. When it comes to maps and borders, the line acquires a particular meaning, as this "simple" graphic expression marks a powerful division between regions, setting the beginning or the end of a territory. This line has a profound meaning at the limit between Mexico and the United States, where it constantly blurs and questions the border. In these places, multiculturalism is a daily occurrence, with a continuous negotiation of boundaries present in all aspects of life. The dynamic of these borders involves design and the generation of a complex network of interactions and collaborations.
Rather than being divided into Tijuanenses on one side and San Diegans on the other, this particular region stands out as a community whose essence harmonizes with a deep legacy of cross-border collaboration, rather than being seen as cities separated by a line. As the first binational designation in the history of the World Design Capital (WDC) program, the Tijuana-San Diego region shares a common interest in addressing urban, social, and economic issues through design. Thus, via conferences, policy summits, and workshops, the region seeks to enhance the catalyzation of ideas through its designation.
https://www.archdaily.com/1017806/from-borderlines-to-blurred-boundaries-san-diego-tijuana-as-the-world-design-capital-2024Enrique Tovar
Although the sensory approach in the built environment is often based primarily on visual aspects, such as color and light, as we delve deeper into the relationship of architecture with the senses other essential elements emerge, such as aromas, textures, sounds, and even flavors. These components are fundamental to creating a profound experience between the user and the environment in which it takes place, demonstrating that design and sensory experience are intrinsically connected.
Thus, sensory design offers an immersive atmosphere for a full spectrum of senses where its perception extends beyond physical boundaries. An example of this is the Vertical Panorama Pavilion, located in a region of California (USA) with a strong identity linked to the wine tradition. This structure, with a glass canopy of Color PVB interlayers, serves as a shelter for hospitality. Inspired by nature, the pavilion’s canopy engages all the senses: from the texture of the gravel on the walking path to the wind currents in the area and the characteristic aromas of the region.
https://www.archdaily.com/1017382/a-multicolored-glass-canopy-for-senses-shelter-and-hospitality-the-vertical-panorama-pavilionEnrique Tovar
According to Norman Foster, "as an architect you design for the present, with an awareness of the past." In this sense, present-day architecture, interiors, and furniture have undergone a radical evolution in recent years, driven by a paradigm shift in the conception of space and our interaction with it. This contemporary approach has steered us towards less constrained, more collaborative, and multi-purpose spaces, which can also provide privacy and functionality. In addition, they must serve as temporary workspaces in specific contexts, adapting to the dynamism of contemporary needs and activities.
From this new approach, architects and designers are reshaping interior environments to accommodate new behaviors, facilitating the discovery of renewed ergonomics in human activities. Today, architectural thinking is merging to create spaces that enable conducting our lives in motion, a trend particularly evident in dynamic environments such as airports, encompassing intimate and social moments with people on the move. Consequently, a new kind of furniture has re-emerged, becoming commonplace in airport settings and other shared spaces: the booth.
https://www.archdaily.com/1016389/a-new-level-of-functional-privacy-in-airports-the-rise-of-lounges-and-work-cabinsEnrique Tovar
Limited resources are becoming an increasingly common challenge in architecture. Today, regardless of the region, projects are affected by the availability of resources, which are now compounded by environmental considerations. This situation, far from being restrictive, prompts us to explore new possibilities in how we conceive the built environment. In this context, it is crucial to understand that resources are not only limited to the economy but also include technological, material, and spatial aspects. Thus, we can enhance our creativity and efficiency by broadening our considerations when approaching architectural design and its challenges, doing more with less.
At the community level, the challenge becomes even more significant when we consider that our projects must not only be designed to overcome these "constraints," but also to positively impact their communities. Therefore, contemporary projects must present different strategies to overcome limited resources and materials depending on the context, always aiming to achieve a positive impact and become powerful and ingenious proposals while democratizing access to architecture.
https://www.archdaily.com/1016682/community-growth-through-architecture-maximizing-limited-resources-for-positive-impactEnrique Tovar
Understanding a discipline from multiple perspectives and intersections is essential for acquiring a deep understanding of it. In architecture, the diversity of approaches to its study enriches our perception by allowing us to appreciate its complexity from different angles. For students and professionals alike, exploring aspects such as history, sources of materials and products, construction processes, implementation of new technologies, and contemporary social challenges is crucial. These aspects intertwine and expand the conventional notion of "architecture," transcending the mere creation of buildings or the definition of spaces.
Ronald Rael, an architect and the Eva Li Memorial Chair in Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, exemplifies this vision through his practice, which spans from research to connecting indigenous and traditional material practices with contemporary technologies and issues. As an activist and designer, Rael's research interests explore additive fabrication, border-wall studies, and earth construction. Co-founder of Rael San Fratello, Emerging Objects, and Forust, his practice shows an approach to architecture that is highly relevant in contemporary times.
https://www.archdaily.com/1016555/we-can-transform-the-profession-by-rethinking-how-we-might-serve-society-a-conversation-with-ronald-raelEnrique Tovar
Throughout history, the undeniable interrelationship between sound and architecture has shaped users' experiences. From auditoriums to offices, cultural centers, and schools, acoustics in architecture can manifest itself in two ways: as a determining element of a structure's shape and as a material. When discussing aesthetics, the latter aspect is particularly relevant, as any material that forms part of a composition aims to have a cohesive design with the rest.
Integrating acoustics through materials presents a significant challenge, as certain attributes such as color, texture, or dimensions may hinder harmonization with the overall design of the space. This can unbalance the experience of the environment, since, although the acoustics are improved, the interior atmosphere is negatively affected. This situation highlights the importance of selecting the right material that can enhance acoustics while maintaining the coherence of the design.
https://www.archdaily.com/1015929/acoustics-that-blend-performance-with-aesthetics-why-material-choices-matterEnrique Tovar
Producing sustainable materials and products demands constant analysis of how we conserve resources and manage waste effectively. This unfolds within a scenario where the environmental impacts of global warming and the climate crisis are becoming increasingly evident. In that context, sustaining the dialogue on waste disposal is fundamental to positively impacting our environment and maximizing circular economy opportunities.
Embracing this perspective and demonstrating a commitment to sustainability through waste reduction and resource conservation, VitrA has created an entire washbasin with 100%* recycled waste materials, including discarded ceramics from its production process. This innovative product has been designed to have a minimal environmental impact and reduce the global warming potential of its production by 30% per product, transforming materials once considered waste into valuable resources.
https://www.archdaily.com/1016103/repurposing-discarded-waste-materials-into-a-100-percent-star-recycled-washbasinEnrique Tovar
As you read this, you may notice that you are surrounded by several items made of plastic. This omnipresence is no coincidence; the versatility of plastic has made it suitable for a variety of applications, and was described by its inventor—Leo Baekeland— as “the material of a thousand uses.” However, when it comes to environmental impact, the problem lies in its very qualities: it is so durable, adaptable, and easy to produce (430 million tons per year) that, according to UN data, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the oceans, rivers, and lakes every day.
In the built environment, plastic has been incorporated into various materials, products, and construction systems, contributing to an environmental crisis that seriously affects the well-being of millions of living beings. Faced with this problem, one possible direction is to shift away from utilizing it. The search for plastic-free alternatives is marking a path toward a future where architecture is progressively disassociating itself from these polluting materials, promoting sustainable solutions that reduce our dependence on it and contribute to preserving the environment.
https://www.archdaily.com/1016334/making-the-case-for-plastic-free-architecture-innovative-solutions-for-the-present-and-futureEnrique Tovar
The U.S.-Mexico border is a region of vast historical, cultural, and economic significance, where cities of fundamental importance to North America have emerged. Tijuana—located in northeastern Mexico—, is one of these cities. Since its earliest beginnings in the 18th century, it has experienced exponential urban growth, closely linked to its northern neighbor, San Diego. Understanding Tijuana in its entirety is only possible by mentioning this connection. For this reason, along with San Diego, it was selected as the World Design Capital 2024, celebrating the interaction and cultural exchange between the two cities.
Historically, the city has been a melting pot of nuances reflected in its urban landscape. Examples such as the Tijuana Cultural Center, designed by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez and Manuel Rosen, show the city's search for a modern style. In parallel, the OTAY Cross Border Xpress Building illustrates the relationship between countries in a complex whose architectural program spans both sides of the border. Additionally, contemporary projects contribute to developing a new stage in the city's life by creating public spaces.