The establishment of an architectural drawing language throughout history is a tool that allows, for instance, a Japanese architect to design a building in Brazil, or makes it possible, by lingering over plans, sections, and elevations, to imagine the spatiality and character of a project that has not yet been built. This means that, despite local singularities, in terms of graphic representation, the field of architecture has successfully established itself as a common, international language.
Earlier this year, the full list of nominees for the 2018 Oscars—selected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences—was announced, and anticipation is building to see which films will take home the top honors in this edition.
We invited fifteen architectural photographers to share their playlists with us, now available on ArchDaily Brasil's Spotify.
Whether from the perspective of a French tourist, the narrative of philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, or as the starting point of Marco Polo's pioneering journeys in his Travels, the city of Venice is part of an immeasurable global literary repertoire, occupying the role of a mysterious and beautiful object that intrigues anyone who sets out to experience it. It features in art and history books when the focus is on the great works of architecture and visual arts the city holds, or when there is interest in the divergent and legendary narratives surrounding its origin. In fiction, the calm aura of its canals, the narrow alleyways, and the colors and textures of its landscape serve as a backdrop for a myriad of imagined stories.
From the 19th century onwards, with the Industrial Revolution, the growing population, and the ever-more pressing demands for urban space in Europe, the first reflections on the city emerged. More than that, the process of disciplinary structuring of urban design begins as a theory and practice inherent to the new historical moment that was being consolidated and would have its product, concerning cities, as an attribute of the 20th century. Within this disciplinary logic, configured from a social or political demand linked to militaristic pretensions of order and urban control, the 20th century was the stage for the entire development of this industrial society, which had the city as its horizon.
Recycling and reusing in civil engineering is extremely important, especially when considering the amounts of waste production and energy consumption involved in the processes related to the construction site. Creating construction elements by re-designing the role of old objects or materials represents an objective approach to upcycling, as a path towards a more sustainable and responsible future.
Often times in architecture, the way that a project's ability of its underscored elements to subtly carry a dialogue with the existing site is one of the most powerful moments in design. Swimming pools are a great example of these types of projects, since their designs often are a direct response to a variety of existing site conditions, including occupying both inside and outside spaces, assuming different forms, and incorporating a variety of finishes that might completely transform the aesthetic of the space.
While steep slopes present a challenge, they also offer an opportunity to explore vertical relationships between spaces. Whether adapting to or subverting the natural landscape, these designs gain a powerful expressiveness and a strong sense of place. Negotiating the slope is a constraint for many program types, but in residential design, it often takes center stage, driving the core architectural strategy. Below is a selection of 25 Brazilian residences that exemplify the diverse approaches to addressing sloped terrains.
At different periods in history, the human scale and the approach of the building to the sensitive dimension correlated to the body were values pursued by the architects and an object of reflection for the theoretical production of the area. Although it is a virtue that a space can be perceived in a direct relation between the person and the building, there are cases, and more than that, some project scales, that can only be realized from the furthest perspective.
Residential projects can serve as testing grounds for experimenting with form, materials, construction techniques, and spatial configurations. One such feature is the double-height ceiling—spaces where the clear height between floor and ceiling is roughly twice that of a standard ceiling (typically between 2.50 and 2.70 meters). The generous volumes created under these conditions are ideal for maximizing natural light and ventilation, while also establishing more dynamic vertical connections.
One of the constant considerations in residential design is how to divide spaces or define zones based on daily uses and dynamics without compromising the spatial quality of the building. While this exercise is inherent to architectural practice as a whole, when it comes to residential projects—particularly houses—the pursuit of comfort elements like natural light, ventilation, noise control, and privacy gains layers of complexity tied to the wide range of situations a home must accommodate.
In the world of architecture, technical solutions designed for indoor comfort are frequently transformed into expressive features or unique design details. This is especially true of reflecting pools—features that significantly improve thermal comfort in buildings while simultaneously serving as elements of aesthetic interest, creating striking moments wherever they are implemented.
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In recent years, several movements in Brazil and around the world have contributed significantly to society by emphasizing the need to occupy public spaces in the cities to claim quality and freedom of use for the community. The Ocupe Estelita movement in Recife, Brazil, for example, confronted the growing real estate speculation in the region and challenged the aggressive commercial urban planning on the banks of the Capibaribe River. Based on cases like this one, professor, critic, and curator Guilherme Wisnik, in an interview with Fora, addressed the issue of public space as a place of conflict.
In architectural discourse, much is discussed regarding the influence of the site where a building is situated, whether through the incorporation of surrounding elements during the design process, or through the negation or overcoming of its undesirable characteristics. Some situations make this negotiation more evident than others, especially when the natural environment is dominant. In these cases, one constantly observes the tension between natural preexistence and human intervention, as well as the possible ways to achieve harmony between the two.
Associated with the architectural imagery of the 1980s, glass bricks—or blocks—are building elements whose sculptural potential has once again been recognized and revisited by contemporary design. First patented in 1907, this product was developed to meet the demand for light in building interiors; however, it is sought after today primarily for the visual effects produced by its translucency and texture. Currently, it is being used in diverse contexts, from bathrooms to residential partitions, and even entire facades of bars, stores, and restaurants.
Keeping the materials in their natural and raw form in the projects seems to be more and more popular in contemporary architecture. The modern style legacy of keeping the construction elements visible not only establishes a frank relationship between the user and the built environment but also allows for a more diverse material palette and can be a very important tool when designing interiors. Brick is perhaps the most popular material in this context. Nowadays, people use the term exposed brick "finishing", which gives the concept of exposed materials a whole new meaning, namely ornamental, sometimes even replicated as wallpaper or merely decorative tiles.
The interfaces establishing the relationship between inside and outside in architectural design play a fundamental role in reinforcing or denying the potential degrees of this connection. To this end, a central factor in facade design is the opacity of its materials, which can create vastly different conditions regarding light, views, and atmospheric quality within a space. Translucent materials and elements offer a compelling strategy for mediating between interior and exterior. They evoke a diaphanous, ethereal effect, introducing a touch of mystery through surfaces that allow light to filter through while obscuring any sharp, distinct images for the observer.
Concrete is a key symbol of a highly celebrated era in Brazilian architecture. To this day, it remains one of the preferred materials for architects and designers seeking to explore the flexibility and expressiveness it brings to their work. Although primarily associated with building structures, concrete can also take center stage due to its materiality, thermal feel, color, and other qualities that transcend its structural role. When left exposed, concrete imparts a striking character to interiors, establishing a dialogue with the other elements that shape the space.
.jpg?1541081334 "Praça das Artes. © Nelson Kon")
.jpg?1541081352 "Image Cortesia de USINA CTAH. ImageVista do Mutirão Paulo Freire")
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.jpg?1562845563 "House in Prumirim Beach / brro arquitetos. Image: © André Scarpa")
