Md Al Amin Sohan

The Segura 1124 building is located on a 165m2 lot, on a narrow and busy street in Godoy Cruz, Mendoza, in a low-rise residential area undergoing transformation and densification. A municipal particularity of the lot acts as a conditioner of the project, aiming to avoid affecting the block’s core in the last two meters towards the rear of the lot.

The exterior and interior of the house are designed to juxtapose two distinct characteristics: simplicity and plainness, on the one hand, and complexity and vibrancy, on the other. The former invites future adaptability and decorations, while the latter fosters a sense of dynamic interaction. The interior spatial diversity accommodates an extended family, ensuring an interactive living environment. Over time, the house becomes a repository of collective memories, shaped by the evolving relationship between the owners and the dwelling.

The Culture Shift by Superimpose Architecture is a new civic landmark in Dongguan, China, a city at the heart of the Greater Bay Area known for its rapid urban transformation. Conceived as a “terraced landscape for culture, work, and community,” the project integrates a municipality house, cultural center, theater, community spaces, and offices into an interconnected ensemble. Set amidst Dongguan’s dense skyline of high-rise towers, The Culture Shift redefines what a civic center can be. Instead of a monolithic complex, it unfolds as a sequence of ascending terraces that echo the surrounding mountains while creating a bold yet inviting gesture in the urban fabric. Three buildings frame a generous central courtyard; a calm, green “living room” that anchors the ensemble and offers an open, social heart for the community.

In the village of Utriai (Klaipėda District), a newly constructed object dismantles the stereotypical view of a farm building. The architectural bureau “G. Natkevičius & Partners” presents a project where, beneath a metal “armor,” lies not only machinery but also a cozy space adapted for hosting guests and overnight stays.

As cultural institutions advanced major preservation projects and new demographic data reframed understandings of urban growth, this week’s architectural discussions centred on how cities and museums adapt to evolving social, environmental, and infrastructural conditions. Efforts to safeguard modern heritage, developments in long-term urban planning, and reflections on architectural legacy intersect with global observances such as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, highlighting the ongoing need for more inclusive and accessible environments within the built landscape.

Finding the right tools to represent a project idea or carry out a construction job remains an ongoing challenge for architecture and design professionals. While software for drafting, 3D modeling, and calculations has increased precision and efficiency, many architects continue using legacy tools learned in academia or practice—tools that feel familiar, but don’t necessarily offer the best design experience. From overloaded interfaces and clunky workflows to endless plug-ins and constant back-and-forth between disconnected software, traditional design tools often reveal their complexity and fragmentation.

The Zayed National Museum has opened its doors to the public. Located at the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi, the new national museum of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) traces the history of the Emirates, from the earliest evidence of human habitation to the civilisations that shaped its culture and identity, rooted in the values of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The building’s form addresses the challenge of sustaining life in a desert environment and the strong cultural traditions of the UAE.

The fragility—and temporal beauty—of neon has captivated audiences since the early 1900s. First shown commercially by French engineer Georges Claude at the 1910 Paris Motor Show, neon spread rapidly, achieving broad popularity in the United States from the 1920s through the 1950s. Mid-century America saw it everywhere: from the casinos of the Las Vegas Strip to roadside motor inns along Route 66 and the spectacle of Times Square. By the latter half of the century, however, many signs were scrapped or left to decay, and numerous municipalities restricted neon as visually garish or power-hungry—despite the technology’s comparatively modest energy use. In the U.S., renewed interest in neon arguably didn’t meaningfully return until the early 2000s.

Loaded with history and on a fragile but dramatic site, the owner’s dream of being stewards of the property while extending and renovating the home quickly became challenging. Hoppenot, founder of Studio PHH Architects, was brought onto the project after being recommended by a family friend who saw them struggle with preserving the site’s beauty and the home’s intentions as originally designed by Terry Hunziker.