Paula Rydel’s Post

The Revolt of Sisyphus: Building Futures Amid Fragmented Myths and Regenerative Ecologies The myth of Sisyphus, as interpreted by Albert Camus, represents the tension between the human desire for meaning and the absurdity of existence—a world indifferent to human aspirations. Camus reframes Sisyphus not as a figure of punishment but of resilience, finding happiness in the task itself rather than the outcome. This notion of revolt against the absurd mirrors the architectural challenge of building futures from the fragments of myth and ecology, where truth and meaning remain elusive. In a world shaped by climatic and ecological uncertainty, the architect’s role becomes parallel to Sisyphus’ struggle. Like Sisyphus pushing his boulder, architects today must engage in the constant, often repetitive task of designing regenerative ecologies within systems that are both fragile and speculative. This challenge involves grappling with speculative knowledge of creation, as myths, cosmologies, and scientific theories intertwine to shape how we view the built environment. The meaning embedded in architectural forms, much like the struggle of Sisyphus, is not always in the completion of the task (the building itself) but in the continuous effort to reimagine and respond to a world that defies easy understanding. In regenerative ecologies, architecture doesn’t simply create static forms but seeks to restore, adapt, and harmonize with natural cycles. This parallels the eternal struggle of Sisyphus, where meaning is derived from process over outcome. When supported by mythological frameworks—whether they be ancient stories of creation or modern narratives of ecological renewal—these architectures attempt to generate cultural responses that provide some sense of purpose, even in a universe that offers no clear answers. This speculative blend of ecology and mythology becomes a resilient response to uncertainty, much like Camus' interpretation of Sisyphus’ task as one of quiet, conscious revolt against the absurdity of existence. #Sisyphus #Camus #RegenerativeArchitecture #MythologyAndArchitecture #EcologicalDesign #Absurdism #PhilosophyOfArchitecture #ClimaticChange #FutureArchitecture #SpeculativeDesign #CulturalResponse #Sustainability #MythAndMeaning #PhilosophyOfTheAbsurd #ArchitecturalRevolt

Preserving Cultural Heritage in the Digital Age: The Role of Digital Twins Time, nature and human actions can threaten even the most enduring structures, so digital twin technology is emerging as an indispensable tool for safeguarding our global cultural heritage. From the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica to the meticulous restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris, digital twins allow us to preserve our most cherished monuments, not just for ourselves but for future generations. The reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral, set for December 8, is a triumph of modern technology meeting traditional craftsmanship. Following the devastating 2019 fire, Andrew Tallon’s laser scans from 2010 provided the critical data needed to reconstruct the cathedral with precision. This digital twin served as a roadmap, enabling artisans, engineers and architects to collaborate on a five-year restoration effort that has preserved Notre-Dame’s architectural integrity and historical significance. Notre-Dame is not alone in benefitting from digital twin technology. Across the globe, other cultural artifacts and landmarks are being captured in exquisite detail: ➡️ Palmyra, Syria: Digital replicas have been created to document and rebuild ancient ruins destroyed during conflict. ➡️ Mount Rushmore, USA: Laser scans have provided a comprehensive record for conservation. ➡️ The Sydney Opera House, Australia: Digital documentation is used for both preservation and public engagement. Yet, many iconic sites remain vulnerable. The Taj Mahal, Petra and the Pyramids of Giza, while studied and documented in other ways, have yet to receive the full benefits of digital twin technology. Unexpected disasters—whether fires, earthquakes, or human conflict—underscore the urgency of documenting not only globally recognized monuments but also the structures that define national identities - think of the lost treasures of the Buddhas of Bamiyan. These landmarks are more than just buildings; they are vessels of collective memory and symbols of our shared history. Digital twins offer a way to preserve this legacy in perpetuity. They can ensure that even if a structure is damaged or lost, its essence remains intact, ready to guide future restoration efforts. We are pleased to see St Peter's digital twin come together thanks to the efforts of Microsoft COO Brad Smith and others. It will be the basis of learning and sharing of an important landmark for generations to come. https://loom.ly/BYnXiMM #architecture #digitaltwins #preservation

interesting work the traditional knowledge of urban studies comprised of societal practices both spatial and social perspective of living in houses and socializing with people in the neighbourhood. This is based on Human Connect. Now the urban studies focus on machine ruling and its social impact. I strongly feel that the cities are changing there is a strong digital line above the head. It divide people spatially and socially, Vanishing Social boundaries and building digital boundaries. This is the NEEW URBAN WAVE OF LIFE.

>>”WE ARE BUILT FOR COLD” say paleoclimatologists   Earth has gone through periods far hotter than what we experience today. While the current global average temperature is around 15°C, there was a time, roughly 100 million years ago, when it soared to about 42°C.   However, such extreme heat has never occurred during the time that primates or humans have been around!   Human evolution unfolded during one of the planet's colder phases, which began 35 million years ago. At its coldest, about 330 million years ago, Earth’s average temperature was around 11°C.   We are built for cold. Humans are creatures adapted to cooler conditions. Being suddenly exposed to a rapidly warming climate is dangerous, say paleoclimatologists from the University of Arizona. They explain that both humans and the species we live alongside are used to cooler climates compared to Earth’s historical temperature patterns. This growing scientific knowledge is warning us that we must urgently rethink our cities and buildings. WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR? Read more in the article from the prestigious journal Science. https://lnkd.in/di7uKxPp #wearenature #climatechange #biophilia #biofilia #biophobia #biofobia #biophilic #biophilicdesign #progettazionebiofilica #progettazionebiofila #biophilicarchitecture #biophilicoffice #ufficiobiofilo #biophilicretail #retailbiofilico #architetturabiofilica #sustainability #sostenibilità #regenerative #regeneration #biocentric #biocentrico #nature #natura #naturebased #greenarchitecture #environment #ambiente #architecture #architettura #design #interiordesign #interiors #reconnectingwithnature

What is the connection between urban morphology, material properties and Urban Heat Island (UHI) intensity? 🌍🏛️ Study by Dr. Juana Perlaza Rodríguez, PhD et al dives deep into the #UHI effect in heritage sites, revealing how our ancient architecture can contribute to rising temperatures. With cutting-edge tech like 3D laser scanning and satellite imagery, they found that urban design and materials play a significant role in UHI intensity. The takeaway? It's time to blend preservation with smart urban planning. 🏗️ https://lnkd.in/gejgE9dB #UrbanHeatIsland #SustainableCities #HeritagePreservation #SmartPlanning 

🔮💫 The Las Vegas Sphere Compared to Ancient Pyramids! 🏛️🌐 The Las Vegas Sphere, a breathtaking structure that's capturing imaginations worldwide. Often compared to the architectural wonders of ancient Egypt, this colossal sphere represents a fusion of cutting-edge engineering and awe-inspiring design. 🌟 As we marvel at the crystal-clear images and immersive experiences within the sphere, it's hard not to draw parallels to the monumental achievements of ancient civilizations. While we may never fully comprehend the intricacies of constructing the pyramids, it's clear that our modern designs would leave our ancestors in awe. 💎🔍 Indeed, the Las Vegas Sphere stands as a testament to human ingenuity and progress, showcasing how far we've come in harnessing technology and resources to create extraordinary feats of architecture. Who knows what lessons the ancient civilizations could have gleaned from our innovative designs? 💭 What are your thoughts on this fascinating comparison? Share your insights below! 💬 #LasVegasSphere #ModernMarvels #AncientWonders #EngineeringFeats #Innovation

New in our Micro-Climate Blog Series from Marcy Rockman! A 2023 Op-Ed from NY highlights the importance of adaptive reuse for maintaining local architectural character and history. But let's also consider the allocation of planning power and financial control in shaping our perspective on older vs. newer buildings. The development of modular housing addresses housing shortages, but we must carefully balance it with preserving local architectural styles and connections to the environment. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eDdGsGT2 #ClimateChange ##architecture #historicpreservation #modularhousing #Archaeology #Sustainability #SHAClimate #SHA #ClimateHeritage 🏙️🔍

✨New Article Alert!✨ Excited to announce that our latest research article titled “Understanding placemaking in the context of spatial planning: insights from a literature review” has just been published in the Journal of Urbanism: International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability! In this paper we explore the concept of placemaking in the spectrum of spatial planning, presenting and combining approaches, categories, and taxonomies found in the literature 📚. A special thanks to my co-author and PhD supervisor Georgia Pozoukidou, for her invaluable guidance and support throughout this research. 🔍📖 Here you can find the full paper: https://lnkd.in/dhCwAk7E #placemaking #SpatialPlanning #CommunityEngagement #UrbanPlanning #ResearchStudy #NewPublication #PhD

"The Las Vegas Sphere is a modern marvel, reflecting how far human ingenuity has evolved from the ancient pyramids to today's architectural wonders. This structure embodies the pinnacle of technological advancement and creative design, offering a space where experience and innovation converge. It's a vivid illustration of our continuous journey in shaping the world around us, pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Truly, a testament to the relentless human spirit of exploration and achievement. #LasVegasSphere #Innovation #EngineeringExcellence"

“Liquid Territory: Lisbon, the «metapolis» of the Tagus” Here is a glimpse into my latest study completed in January this year, my Master's dissertation, titled as above, completed after a rigorous investigation seeking to embrace the complexity of the Tagus estuary, finding its reasons, its deepest roots. «The history of cities and architecture is often treated as a matter of dry land. When the territory is coastal, the ocean is seen as a border and the coastline as a limit to the unknown.» This statement by André Tavares, architect and researcher from Porto, was the trigger to a dense investigation about an evidence - the centrality of the Tagus river among ancestral urban spaces - based on my experience of quotidian journeys across banks, north and south, along the middle course of the Tagus estuary, named Mar da Palha. The research of this triangular relation over Mar da Palha - Lisboa, Almada, and Barreiro - paved a path to a new reading of the vast Lisbon territory. By analyzing historical narratives from the water point of view, the water is no longer a limit, it´s a continuation of the space we inhabit. The estuary becomes the center of an extensive, heterogeneous, polynuclear and connected territory - a «METAPOLIS»*. *The theory of «metapolis» was developed by the French urbanist and sociologist François Ascher, publishing his inescapable work in 1995 "Metapolis: Ou l’avenir des ville”, where he claims «metapolis» as the continuation of the metropolis phenomenon, led by the high development of mobility - such as transportation, storaging, and the internet - calling it the “Third Urban Revolution”, which is strongly shaping society into «hipertext» sociaty: so diluted and accelerated that cities as we known might no longer can keep up, demanding a severe transformation.