Natural disasters are as old as human history. Many of the world’s greatest civilizations have faced the challenge of dealing with their devastating impacts. From earthquakes and floods to volcanic eruptions and tsunamis, these catastrophic events have tested the resilience of human societies, forcing them to adapt, innovate, and rebuild in the face of adversity. Nevertheless, climate change is […]
From its humble beginnings as a Celtic settlement along the banks of the Seine River, Paris has evolved into a global metropolis, a beacon of culture and innovation. The so-called “City of Lights” is full of architectural treasures and it’s been a muse to artists and writers throughout the centuries. Today, Paris remains a captivating destination, a city […]
The year 2023 witnessed a dynamic array of cultural developments that reshaped societal norms and challenged traditional narratives — and the field of architecture was no exception. In 2023, as sustainability, inclusion, and cultural preservation took a more central stage than ever in architecture, we witnessed a surge of architectural brilliance, with groundbreaking projects unveiled across the globe. […]
Since the Industrial Revolution, spatial and architectural needs of our societies have been evolving rapidly. As economies shifted from agrarian to industrial — and lifestyles from rural to urban — the demand for new types of spaces emerged to accommodate the changing needs of work, living, and leisure. For instance, the rise of factories required the creation of […]
“Architecture is a visual art, and the buildings speak to us,” said Julia Morgan (1872-1957), a pioneering woman of North American architecture, emphasizing the expressive power of buildings. Indeed, buildings can communicate emotions, ideas, and stories through their forms, materials, and details. Architecture has a profound impact on our lives, shaping our experiences, influencing our moods, and even […]
As the world grapples with the intensifying effects of climate change, coastal cities are increasingly facing the threat of urban flooding. Rising sea levels, exacerbated by extreme weather events, are putting pressure on the existing infrastructure. According to the World Bank, an estimated 1.81 billion people, nearly a quarter of the world population, are directly exposed […]
The built environment contributes to nearly half of all global CO2 emissions each year. The lion’s share of this environmental impact belongs to the day-to-day running and energy needs of our buildings such as homes, offices, schools, or hospitals: The building operations, including their energy consumption, accounts for approximately 27 percent of the world’s annual CO2 emissions. […]
Following the devastating fire of 1666, which burned London to the ground, Christopher Wren, the world’s most renowned architect at the time, was tasked with the reconstruction of St Paul’s Cathedral. Five years into this massive project, Wren stopped at the site to posit a simple question to three different builders. “What are you doing?” he […]
The AI revolution has been disrupting all creative industries in ways that might have been unimaginable merely a few years ago, and architecture is no exception. From task automation to generating design options, AI can solve countless pain points for architects around the world, while also optimizing projects for factors such as energy efficiency, structural integrity, and […]
As urban populations boom worldwide and cities evolve into complex hubs of technology and interconnectivity, ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and visitors has never been a more important — and yet, a more complex job. In order to safeguard urban lives, property, and infrastructure, video surveillance has been emerging as one of the single most […]
“[T]he role of the city is to make the lives of the people as easy and pleasant as possible,” said former Helsinki mayor, Jan Vapaavuori. For many of the 1.3 million residents of the Helsinki metropolitan area, daily life unfolds like a symphony of Nordic beauty and urban grace. In this city, serenity marries sophistication, as vast green parks […]
“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn,” said Maria Montessori (1870-1952), an educator and innovator who is widely recognized as a pioneer in early childhood education. Extensive research consistently demonstrates that the crucial groundwork for learning is predominantly established in the early years of a child’s life, prior […]