Articles by Eduardo Souza

Transparency, integration and boundaries are key words for understanding the work of Riken Yamamoto. Winner of the Pritzker Prize in 2024, the Japanese architect’s work can be recognized for its ability to establish and challenge conventional spatial concepts of materiality, creating spaces that promote interactions and connections between people and their surroundings. Transparency, whether in the physical configuration of the buildings, the choice of materials used or the underlying philosophy applied to all his works, emerges as a central element throughout his career.

In the coming decades, it seems inevitable that architects will increasingly focus on renovations and rehabilitations –especially in established urban centers–, whether to modernize outdated structures or adapt to new uses and demands by contemporary society. A main challenge when executing these types of projects is obtaining a truly reliable working base, including accurate and true-to-life 3D models. Conducting surveys can be a herculean task, requiring extensive hours or days of on-site work and considerable effort to organize and interpret the collected information, often resulting in data that lacks adequate precision.

Flat and polished surfaces tend to evoke feelings of coldness and sterility, while raw, natural materials can create a sense of warmth and connection. Textures can trigger memories and emotions, connecting us to past experiences and the sense of touch. In the seminal book “The Eyes of the Skin”, Juhani Pallasmaa emphasizes the importance of sensory perception in architecture and objects beyond sight, particularly the role of touch and texture in shaping our experience. According to Pallasmaa, contemporary culture, influenced by technology and visual media, has overemphasized the visual aspect of spaces, neglecting other senses, especially touch, which is vital for understanding and appreciating the surrounding environment.

Greenhouses are elegant and ingenious structures that incorporate simplicity in design while creating light-filled spaces that shape indoor climates. With walls and roofs composed mainly of transparent or translucent materials, these structures harness solar energy to create a controlled environment. As advances in materials and environmental management progress, they can seamlessly be integrated into architectural designs, offering innovative solutions that blend functionality with aesthetics. Beyond their original role in plant cultivation, they have evolved into projects that emphasize sustainability, education, and conservation. At their core, they offer experiences of exploration and discovery, showcasing the intricate relationship between sunlight, plants, and indoor environments.

As we observe closely spaced parallel lines at a specific angle, we may be deceived by the illusion of a continuous or three-dimensional surface, although they are, in fact, individual lines. This phenomenon arises from the brain’s natural tendency to simplify and seek visual patterns, interpreting the proximity of the lines as indicative of a unified ceiling. This illusion is often exploited in suspended ceiling architecture, where successive slats, when viewed at an angle, create the impression of a solid ceiling. This approach not only reduces the use of materials and keeps the infrastructure above the ceiling accessible, but also provides more surfaces for noise absorption, significantly improving the acoustic environment.

Bricks are part of the collective imagination when thinking about construction. These are elementary, ubiquitous, modular, light, and reliable materials for erecting buildings. However, traditional ceramic block manufacturing relies on burning clay in kilns at high temperatures, often powered by non-renewable fossil fuels such as coal or natural gas. Furthermore, the transportation process significantly increases its environmental footprint, as the materials are heavy and bulky. In light of this, there is a growing interest in alternative construction materials that offer a lower environmental impact and greater sustainability. Soil cement bricks –or Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks– are a good example of an existing alternative, as they have a smaller environmental footprint due to their use of local raw materials and the elimination of the burning process, while maintaining many of the intrinsic qualities of traditional bricks.

Autonomy and freedom during the design process are invaluable resources for architects, especially when defining a volume and choosing materials, systems, and solutions for a building. The flexibility of these elements must not only promote their harmonious integration within a structure but, above all, allow architects to incorporate them without the need to change their initial concepts. This design freedom becomes even more crucial in the context of facades, specifically in building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) facades. This is due to the unique challenge of incorporating the energy capture function into the design of the building envelope, simultaneously demanding adaptation to the designer’s aesthetic preferences and effective performance, as well as the entire infrastructure for capturing and transporting energy.

Hotel renovations today transcend mere improvements in guest comfort or alignment with prevailing design trends. A major demand currently facing the industry is the need to respond to the growing wave of environmental awareness and embrace sustainable development objectives. The requirement to address sustainability is driven by a growing social awareness of environmental issues. Guests and stakeholders are increasingly advocating for sustainably certified structures, achieved through eco-friendly installations and innovative solutions, such as green roofs, eco-friendly materials, and innovative facades. This sustainability-driven shift benefits the environment and promises long-term savings in water and energy costs for hotels. Specifically in the case of hotels, improving the efficiency of hot water equipment can make a large difference in hotel management, as this generally represents a huge expense and waste of energy.

Public spaces, whether indoors or outdoors, public or private, are characterized as places for encounters, opportunities, and exchanges of ideas or goods, and ultimately, they are a key part of a city’s identity. However, with the rise of the internet and social networks, many of these functions have migrated to the virtual environment or lost some of their relevance. In addition, we experienced a setback in in-person relationships during the long period of isolation that accompanied the pandemic. Faced with these challenges, architects are confronted with the fundamental question of how to revitalize these crucial spaces for society, while understanding their vital importance. Can design be the key to reviving public spaces? How can we make places that are both everyone’s and no one’s truly comfortable?

Public spaces, whether indoors or outdoors, public or private, are characterized as places for encounters, opportunities, and exchanges of ideas or goods, and ultimately, they are a key part of a city’s identity. However, with the rise of the internet and social networks, many of these functions have migrated to the virtual environment or lost some of their relevance. In addition, we experienced a setback in in-person relationships during the long period of isolation that accompanied the pandemic. Faced with these challenges, architects are confronted with the fundamental question of how to revitalize these crucial spaces for society, while understanding their vital importance. Can design be the key to reviving public spaces? How can we make places that are both everyone’s and no one’s truly comfortable?