This guide shows how to use a D5 Render a free live-sync plugin to improve SketchUp workflow.

The Netherlands, colloquially referred to as Holland, is synonymous with its bicycles, an iconic element of the country's urban landscape. The integration of cyclists and motor vehicles often surprises visitors.

The Dutch connection to bicycles is clear in the statistics: in 2021, 84% of the Dutch population used bicycles daily. In Amsterdam, this figure reaches around 63%, demonstrating a strong preference for the vehicle. In contrast, only 7% of Brazilians choose the bicycle as their primary mode of transportation.

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Co-organized by Bisman Ediciones and the Catholic University of Santa Fe (Santos Mártires campus, Posadas, Misiones), the exhibition “Misiones Moderna” focuses on the province's public architecture between 1955 and 1965, a period fostered by the Provincialization Law of 1953. Running until November 30, 2023, at the Casa de Misiones in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, the exhibition has also been on display at the Bisman Ediciones Gallery and Architecture Residency inside the “Artists' Studios Building” by Antonio Bonet, Horacio Vera Barros, and Abel López Chas.

As part of an initiative by a group of young people who make up Patio Efímero, early in 2023 the open call was launched for the "Patio 4 Competition: Meeting of Ephemeral Interventions" in collaboration with the National System of Art Creators of the Federal Ministry of Culture, CREST EVOCA, El Parral Departamentos, and the Management of the Historic Center and Cultural Heritage of the Municipality of Puebla. The invitation was extended to plastic, graphic, visual, and multidisciplinary artists, as well as established and emerging architects, to participate in the fourth edition of Patio Efímero.

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Alongside the Guatemala Architecture Biennale 2023, the Danta Awards were presented. The accolade recognizes the creativity and dedication of architects from Guatemala and Central America, encompassing both professionals and students. In previous editions, over 100 projects have been submitted, highlighting the work of various architecture firms such as Shoarq and Paredes Aleman Arquitectos.

The selection from among 75 submitted projects (48 in the Professional category and 27 in the Student category) was made by an expert committee composed of Ludwig Godefroy, Anayansy Rodríguez, Rodrigo Martínez, Sofía Cabassa, Dafne Acevedo, and Fabian Dejtiar. This jury highlighted the following winners, which include Taller ACÁ, David Tapia Oficina de Arquitectura, and Urban 95.

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Building Ecologies is the result of collaborative and interdisciplinary research led by architect Juan José Castellón at Rice University, featuring the participation of the School of Architecture, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and the Shepherd School of Music, along with support from the Carbon Hub initiative.

Exhibited at POST Houston in Texas, this model proposes innovative approaches to urban infrastructure and social spaces, aiming to promote the integration of architectural, technological, and ecological systems. 

UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, is tasked with addressing housing and sustainable urban development issues worldwide. It plays a key role in tackling global urban challenges, working to improve quality of life, confront issues like rapid urbanization and housing shortages, and promote urban planning practices that are more socially inclusive and environmentally responsible. In 2022, it launched the project "Urban Connections - Public Space Planning for Inclusive Communities," a major initiative of the organization aimed at strengthening local governments through participatory urban planning and public space design.

The Viva o Verde SP initiative, a partnership between the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Municipal Secretariat for the Green and the Environment (SVMA) of the City of São Paulo, has officially launched assessment activities for over one hundred parks across the city.

The initiative involves implementing the City-Wide Public Space Assessment, a tool developed by UN-Habitat's Global Public Space Programme. From October to December, researchers will visit more than one hundred urban, linear, waterfront, and natural parks to conduct detailed structural assessments of each location.

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Bricklayers, foremen, steel fixers, carpenters, plumbers, painters, electricians, and welders. A wide range of professionals is required to erect a building and bring the designs of architects and engineers to life. Essential to ensuring the quality of every project, these roles are honored today, October 26th, on Construction Worker Day. To mark the occasion, we highlight the wisdom of these professionals and how they share their expertise with the public—both professionals and laypeople—through video tutorials that offer a deeper understanding of the construction site, the materials and equipment used, the various techniques available, and how to approach building. 

Although construction is primarily based on technical principles, which at first glance seem to follow only pre-established designs and specifications, there is a deeper dimension related to the nature and essence of the materials used. These materials do not only perform a utilitarian function; they also transcend their mere purpose, evoking the notion put forward by Pablo Neruda: "There is a rigor in materials that limits excessive whim and the struggle to infuse them with humanity."

Among the range of existing materials, there is perhaps none as universal as brick. Its versatility and aesthetic honesty have made it a widely used resource in the construction of diverse spaces worldwide. Within Chilean architecture, the broad possibilities this material offers have been highlighted, having been exceptionally utilized by numerous architects. Furthermore, it has gained renewed relevance in architectural discourse, as exemplified by the book "Arcilla. Materia y Obra en Arquitectura." This is reflected throughout the history of Cerámica Santiago and its joint collaboration with the Faculty of Architecture and Art at UDD to promote the Brick Architecture Prize.

The 26th National Congress of Architects, hosted by the Colegio de Arquitectos de Chile (CA), will hold its opening session on November 30. Centered on the theme "Past and Present Challenges for the Future," the event will take place in Concepción, the city that hosted the first National Congress of Architects in 1950.

The historic drought affecting the Amazon region has revealed four archaeological sites in the state of Amazonas, three of which were completely unknown and are of great importance. The National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Iphan) has implemented an emergency action plan, involving inspections and educational initiatives in partnership with various public agencies and social organizations, including the Soka Institute of the Amazon, which voluntarily dedicates itself to the preservation of local cultural and environmental heritage.

The call for academic papers for the upcoming 21st issue of rita_ journal is now open. Submissions in Spanish or Portuguese are invited from faculty, graduate students, and professionals holding a master's or doctoral degree.

“The development of this book was motivated, among other factors, by the following: initially, by my own twelve-year tenure at the SCEE (School Building Construction Society), during which I had the opportunity to meet José Aracena, who passed away in 1971; subsequently, by a desire to explore the life of Gustavo Mönckeberg, father of fellow architect Hernán Mönckeberg Barros, who served as president of the SCEE from 1969 to 1970 and kindly provided me with the remnants of his father’s archive; and finally, by the goal of documenting their complete and valuable body of work—spanning residential, civil, educational, religious, and funerary architecture—while tracing the natural evolution of the masters who preceded them in the city's development.” - Alfredo Jünemann Gazmuri, 2021.

Design, Art, and Culture at Pavão 2023

Designing and constructing homes is a complex process involving a variety of factors. Within this process, considering the various design elements is essential—including underlayments, ceilings, partitions, claddings, structures, and facades—alongside selecting the right materials for each. This choice must align with user preferences as well as indoor and outdoor conditions, prioritizing durability, energy efficiency, and aesthetics.

To simplify the design process, Volcan develops Volcanboard fiber cement building solutions for different construction elements. Available in a variety of thicknesses to adapt to various applications, these fiber cement boards stand out for their fire and moisture resistance, as well as their long-term durability and versatility. Below, we explore various applications of Volcanboard in residential design.

As part of an initiative by the ISAD School of Architecture and Design in Chihuahua, the Taller del Desierto (Desert Workshop) has been running for several years, fostering various projects to stimulate student learning. For this edition, a pavilion was built, conceived as an assembly of pieces with a theatrical narrative. This pavilion was created as a collaboration between ISAD and Teatro Bárbaro, a local independent cultural forum led by Luis Bizarro. Consequently, the pavilion was designed to serve as a traveling venue for performances created or adapted specifically for this space, which consists of pieces designed during the four-week summer workshop in 2023.

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