Contemporary

The building that MAP Architects designed in Borneo dock, Amsterdam, resolves the envelopes in a very appropriate way at all scales.

It is a great pleasure to share this amazing example of good architecture with all Facad3s followers. There is no formal boasting, no latest generation materials, no added gadgets for energy production, no raw land or straw. The building manages to be attractive by being clever, and sustainable by being reasonable.

Awarded a 2026 RIBA International Award for Excellence, this project highlights the important role of reclaimed brick in contemporary architecture.

However, an examination of the facade assembly reveals a notable contrast: while the reclaimed brick reflects an effort to reduce embodied carbon, the underlying spec relies on PUR insulation and calcium silicate backing blocks.

We want to share this case study with you for two main reasons. First, to reclaim the role of the humble brick. Spain’s soil is rich in clay, and the brickmaking industry has deep roots in our history. Second, as we consider the future of construction, the concept of "design for disassembly" encourages us to build today with future disassembly in mind. However, shouldn't we also focus on constructing new buildings using the materials already around us in our cities? Disassembly for the future, or maybe deconstructing now?

In the KA13 project in Oslo, the usual design process was reversed. Instead of designing the project first and then selecting the materials to be used, the team first identified unused materials from nearby buildings and proposed refurbishing the existing building they were working on using them.

This project by Bruther and Baunkunst perfectly embodies the concept of integration in architecture, where the structural system, building services, and envelope do not merely coexist but actively interact and reinforce one another.

In this social housing project by the French architects Barrault Pressacco, one idea stands out: the clear separation between the building’s structure and its envelope. The structure, defined by generous spans and durable materials, is designed to adapt to different uses over time. The envelope, made from natural and locally sourced materials, is treated as an independent layer with a shorter life cycle, ready to change as needs evolve.

In the design process of a ventilated façade, architects often focus on selecting the material, color, format, and layout of the cladding panels. Meanwhile, the substructure that makes system possible,  responsible for transmitting loads to the main structure, is relegated to the background, hidden within the air cavity.

The project for the revitalization of the Medina of Fez has been widely published.

When we think of earth as a construction material, we often picture thick, load-bearing walls with small openings. This architectural form is shaped mainly by the material’s physical properties and the traditional building techniques developed to create habitable spaces that met basic needs—shelter and some thermal comfort.