+ 41

+ 18

+ 23

+ 24

+ 17

+ 8

+ 41

In the 1970s, Cuba faced a severe nationwide housing shortage due to population growth, rural-to-urban migration, and the degradation of existing housing stock. The government's answer was a system that pulled ordinary workers off their regular jobs and put them on building sites instead. This program, known as the Microbrigadas (microbrigades), reshaped entire districts of Havana, where they combined collective self-construction and state-backed technical knowledge, which left a mark on the urban grid of its capital city that persists until today.

+ 2

Selecting wood for outdoor applications involves more than appearance alone. Durability, stability, versatility and sustainability all influence how a material performs over time. Understanding these factors can help architects, builders and homeowners choose the right wood for exterior projects.

Wood remains one of the most desirable materials for exterior applications. Its natural appearance, warmth and versatility make it a popular choice for decking, siding, windows, doors, outdoor structures and architectural detailing.

The Chinati Foundation has announced plans to restore the Artillery Sheds in Marfa, Texas, the former military buildings adapted by artist Donald Judd to house his 100 untitled works in mill aluminum, created between 1982 and 1986. Led by architect Troy Schaum of Schaum Architects, the multi-year preservation project is being developed with the Getty Conservation Institute and will address the historic buildings' envelope, accessibility, environmental performance, and landscape while preserving Judd's site-specific installation. The project follows the Artillery Sheds' inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places in 2025 as part of the expanded Donald Judd Historic District.

+ 7

+ 13

Powerhouse Parramatta, a new museum and cultural institution on the banks of the Parramatta River in Western Sydney, Australia, will open to the public on Saturday, November 7, 2026. The 30,000-square-meter building has been designed by Franco-Japanese firm Moreau Kusunoki as lead designer, with Australian firm Genton as local architect and Arup as engineer. Moreau Kusunoki won the design competition for the project in 2019, with completion initially planned for 2025. Powerhouse Parramatta is the first state cultural organization located in Western Sydney, a region whose population includes communities from more than 170 countries. At opening, the museum will present five exhibitions.

+ 12

Architects are trained to choose materials, compare their properties, and decide how they should be used. Some practices are taking on a different task: developing the material itself.

For Material Cultures, BC architects, and Studio Ossidiana, this can begin with hemp grown for construction, earth excavated from building sites, or mixtures of concrete, pigment, stone, and shells. Their work connects material research with processing, fabrication, and construction.

+ 25

+ 19

+ 28

+ 29

Videos

+ 14