From Little Venice to Venice: The Narrative of Carlo Scarpa’s Venezuela Pavilion

Nestled amongst the plethora of grandiose and carefully crafted national pavilions in the Giardini della Biennale in the Italian city of Venice is one pavilion by the city's perhaps most well-known modern architect. Sited between the pavilions of Russia and Switzerland is the Venezuela Pavilion, by architect Carlo Scarpa. In many ways, the structure typifies the design approach of its architect but has its idiosyncrasies. Built for Europe's most important biennial art exhibition, it is a member of a cohort of Modernist pavilions that came after the earlier, more classicist pavilions. This is its story.

The Gym-Bar Hybrid: Interiors That Integrate Sports and Healthy Habits Through Architecture

From the interior design of sports facilities to wellness spaces, contemporary architecture continues to experiment with incorporating different uses, installations, and materialities that make it possible to reach broader audiences, generate new spatial experiences, and enhance the simultaneous development of various activities. While each sport requires its own type of architecture, such as climbing training, for example, architecture and design professionals are striving to create atmospheres where exercise becomes more than just a physical experience, but also a psychological one, connecting mind and body through a state of physical renewal, relaxation, and sociability.

Housing Unit Infonavit CTM Culhuacán Square / AMASA Estudio, Andrea López + Agustín Pereyra

Of all the housing units built by Infonavit in Mexico City during the second half of the 20th century, the largest is Culhuacán, located in the southeast of the city, within the Coyoacán borough and close to the boundaries with Iztapalapa. This unit has approximately 15,000 homes. Its full name—Confederación de Trabajadores de México (CTM) Culhuacán—incorporates, on one hand, a reference to Culhuacán, one of the indigenous towns in the area, and on the other, a direct allusion to the welfare state project, which at that time was expressed through support for the working class. The construction of CTM Culhuacán began in 1974, with the goal of providing housing for more than one hundred thousand people, mostly from the expanding middle and working classes.

Vela be Siam Hotel / ASWA

A new design hotel has recently opened its doors in the vibrant epicenter of Siam Square, Bangkok, a lively district known for its rich cultural tapestry and dynamic atmosphere. This innovative establishment features a striking facade that masterfully blends traditional Thai architectural motifs with a contemporary twist. The design prominently incorporates the Pun-Lom, an intricately carved element often seen in classic Thai homes, symbolizing the local heritage. The exterior is further embellished with gleaming stainless steel chain links. This modern nod represents the mosquito nets that Thai families historically used to cover their beds at night, creating a dialogue between past and present.

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