Articles by Eduardo Souza

Tinnerbäcksbadet, a leisure center established in 1965 on the shores of a lake in Linköping, Sweden, was showing signs of aging. To revitalize the area and meet the ever-changing demands, the city launched an international architectural competition for a new facility. The winning design, conceived by the Danish firm 3XN, blends modernity and functionality. This integration into the surrounding urban landscape, with the new structure serving as a focal point in a newly reimagined neighborhood square, was crucial to the project’s success.

Brick is one of the oldest and most versatile materials in construction, going beyond the simple masonry wall. Its origins date back to 7500 B.C., with kiln-fired specimens appearing around 3000 B.C., representing a technological breakthrough for the construction of sturdier buildings. Spreading across Europe and Asia around 1200 BC, they replaced materials such as wood and stone in scarce regions. Roman bricks, notable for their long shape, were widely used in the construction of their cities and are still used today. The history of bricks is intertwined with that of civilization, being an easy-to-produce, resistant and versatile material, allowing for a multitude of applications and achieving impressive and unusual results.

Humanity has inhabited cities for millennia and witnessed a shift to a predominantly urban global population since 2010. Throughout this time, it has repeatedly come up with creative solutions to ease the challenges of living in urban environments. The “fifth façade,” as Le Corbusier proposed, is a yearning for serenity, greenery and space, and is currently experiencing a growth in popularity, with people transforming rooftops into serene sanctuaries as one way to achieve it. Especially in densely populated areas, the attraction of roof terraces is undeniable, offering a break from the frenetic pace of urban life and a deeper connection with nature.

However, access to these spaces requires care, especially when it breaks through the roof slab. This requires seamless integration with the space below, technology to enable water-tightness and visual connection, along with easy handling for opening and closing. Designed with functionality and aesthetics in mind, these access hatches can integrate seamlessly into the roofscape, offering convenient access, adding value to the property, increasing its appeal to potential buyers or tenants, and creating a symbiotic relationship between architecture and lifestyle, where innovation drives desirability.

The use of contrast is an essential practice in both cuisine and architecture, whether it’s harmonizing different aromas and flavors or integrating buildings from different eras. This principle comes to life in a striking way at the top of the imposing Austrian Alps, where the Steirereck am Pogusch restaurant strives for culinary excellence, architectural mastery and the fusion of tradition and innovation. Under the guidance of PPAG architects, the establishment has undergone a revitalization and expansion marked by a deep respect for nature, while making a bold statement of contemporary design.

Water is fundamental to human life on several levels, and encompasses a spectrum of meanings that transcend the biological sphere, reaching the cultural and spiritual spheres. Biologically, it is indispensable, making up approximately 70% of our bodies and playing a central role in our physiological functions, from temperature regulation to vital cellular processes. Culturally and spiritually, water has deep significance, symbolizing purification, renewal and spiritual rebirth in a multitude of rituals and ceremonies performed in different cultures over the centuries.

In architecture, the presence of water is equally important, going beyond its basic cleansing function to encompass a rich diversity of meanings and influences. From the majestic Roman baths, where water was used for hygiene and also represented social status, offering moments of entertainment and relaxation; to contemporary bathrooms, where water is skillfully integrated to create luxurious and invigorating spa experiences. Its presence goes beyond the functional aspect and is also deeply symbolic. Evoking feelings of purification, renewal and serenity, water enriches architecture with an emotional and aesthetic dimension that transcends the boundaries of time and culture.

Milan Design Week is a celebration of creativity, innovation and excellence in design, captivating audiences from all over the world. It is an event that encompasses various design-related exhibitions and activities in Milan, while Salone del Mobile is Milan Design Week’s main trade fair focused specifically on furniture and interior design. Every year, the city is transformed into a vibrant hub where designers, architects, artists and enthusiasts converge to explore the latest trends, ideas and innovations in the world of design. The instance is a catalyst for inspiration, promoting dialogue, collaboration and discovery across a range of design disciplines, from furniture and interior design to architecture, fashion and more.

In the Brazilian architectural scene, Felipe Savassi stands out for being a unique mix of designer and communicator. He shares his passion for architecture and his entrepreneurial vision with his thousands of students and followers on social media, with content that seeks to promote an approach centered on the promotion of industrialized and modular construction. With a degree in Architecture and Urbanism from the Isabela Hendrix Institute in Belo Horizonte, his professional activity is supported by four essential pillars: design and execution of architectural projects, education, mentoring and consulting, and a strong commitment to communication and content dissemination.

Architectural awards serve as a fundamental platform within the profession and the wider community. They recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements in architectural projects, promoting excellence and innovation, while also providing visibility and exposure for architects and companies, highlighting projects that might otherwise go unnoticed. This impact is particularly evident in collective housing projects, which face a range of challenges, from issues of cost and compliance with urban planning legislation to the need to create welcoming and functional environments for residents. By highlighting diverse initiatives and approaches, awards inspire and educate, stimulate dialogue and the exchange of ideas, and contribute significantly to the advancement of architecture by recognizing projects that address specific themes such as sustainability or social impact.

ZEB Living Lab is a research building that stands out for its pioneering initiative among zero-emission buildings, seeking to have a significant impact on the future. Located in Trondheim, Norway, it is much more than just a building; it is a tangible manifestation of the global commitment to sustainability and innovation. Conceived as an advanced research laboratory and a practical example of sustainable construction practices, it represents the point of convergence between architecture, technology and environmental awareness. Managed in collaboration between NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology) and SINTEF (Scandinavian Institute of Technology), this center of scientific excellence is a platform for living experimentation, where innovative materials and solutions are developed, tested and demonstrated in direct interaction with the building occupants.

Among the “Five Points of New Architecture” formulated by Le Corbusier, terrace gardens figure as a way to take advantage of a building’s so-called fifth facade, either as leisure areas or landscaping spaces. Thanks to technological advances in reinforced concrete in the mid-twentieth century, usable flat roofs are far from new. There are traces in Mesopotamia and vernacular architecture from Greek and Arab civilizations. However, problems that frequently arise relate to infiltration and leaks. Water is relentless in finding a place to drain, and flat roofs are exposed to this when execution and design are not carefully thought-out. In fact, as documented in several letters, this was a source of disagreement between the owner and the Swiss-French architect in the case of the influential Villa Savoye. Today, nonetheless, there are good waterproofing options on the market that provide durability, resilience, adaptability and, above all, avoid headaches and fights between builders and owners. Elevate is built on 40 years of history in the production of roofing membranes, as well as insulation and vapor barriers, and develops solutions for waterproofing flat roofs with a low inclination.