Articles by Fernanda Castro

Thanks to its strength, lightness, and easy installation, polycarbonate is fast becoming our generation’s everyman material. Used to let light in with its translucent properties, buildings built with polycarbonate can appear permeable by day and glow from within by night. Its inherently prefab -nature makes it a strong contender in both small and large projects. Through its use in schools, offices, libraries and even museums, the man-made polymer has earned its place by being as efficient as it is expressive.

Within the bustling streets of Mongkok, Hong Kong concrete created a welcoming clubhouse for all residents of the Skypark tower.

Millennial Pink has broken into the design consciousness of more than its named generation. Though hugely successful in fashion and pop-culture (and Instagram), the playful color has established a presence across design products and the built environment like never before. Colour is a fundamental tool in our perception of architecture, with architects like Ricardo Bofill and Luis Barragan having baptized pink into a high-impact contributor through their works. With that in mind, check out these 13 projects showing why pink is here to stay: 

This architectural project was commissioned as a monument to the national patriot Son Yang Won who was made a saint of the protestant church, for a life of holy sacrifice and devout Christian faith during Japanese Colonial Era. The project has been constructed as a ‘Symbolic space memorial’, in which the three guiding mentalities of Son Yang Won, ‘Resistance’, ‘Sacrifice’, and ‘Reconciliation’ are structured for view throughout the three exhibition spaces.

This architectural project was commissioned as a monument to the national patriot Son Yang Won who was made a saint of the protestant church, for a life of holy sacrifice and devout Christian faith during Japanese Colonial Era. The project has been constructed as a ‘Symbolic space memorial’, in which the three guiding mentalities of Son Yang Won, ‘Resistance’, ‘Sacrifice’, and ‘Reconciliation’ are structured for view throughout the three exhibition spaces.

The first phase of Napoli Afragola Station – the new gateway to the south of Italy – has been inaugurated by prime minister Paolo Gentiloni.

The first phase of Napoli Afragola Station – the new gateway to the south of Italy – has been inaugurated by prime minister Paolo Gentiloni.

Photo series of Shigeru Ban and Jean de Gastines’ Seine Musicale by photographers Luc Boegly & Sergio Grazia.

Bałtyk appears totally different depending on what side it is approached from. A linear building with a concrete, entirely glass-fronted façade and clearly exposed aggregate grain, sets it apart from its surroundings and is an example of a balanced combination of “old” and “new” architecture in the context of the neighbouring historic building of Concordia Design and the Haven.

North light, south light, warm light and cool light – the diversity of skylights mean they can illuminate any space. Both a window and a ceiling, the hybrid nature of a skylight enables it to be a key element used in architectural spaces. The cool light of a north skylight is instrumental in creating a space to focus and work, while its south-facing counterpart lights up a space with that golden glow. Through its flexibility also come opportunities for expression, from its shape to its angle. Is a skylight a ribbon weaving through a roof panel? Or is it a series of dotted openings creating a mosaic of daylight on the floor? Check out these 16 examples of contemporary spaces lit by this key element below: