This research raises questions about the possibilities and options of using the BIM methodology associated with software for the wood design and construction of structure modeling along an asset’s cycle life. Likewise, several academic and research initiatives are reviewed. In this sense, this paper aims to establish an appropriate link between two agendas that the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, academia, and governments normally handle separately. By conducting several literature reviews (book, journals, and congresses) and extensive software tests (BIM software: Revit v2023, Archicad v27, Tekla, and wood plug-ins: AGACAD, Archiframe, Timber Framing 2015, WoodStud Frame, etc.), the state-of-the-art was assessed in both fields, and several cases linking BIM and wood are shown in detail and discussed. Various theoretical samples are modelled and shown, and the advantages and disadvantages of each technique and stage are explained. On the other hand, although wood construction has been most common for hundreds of years, this is not the case of BIM software developments associated with this materiality. Furthermore, since the appearance of materials such as steel and reinforced concrete, all software developments have focused on these materials, leaving aside the possibility of developing applications for use in wood projects. According to that previously discussed, it can be concluded that BIM for wood has been used more frequently in academia, that both fields have several common processes, and, in many cases, that only a few BIM-wood tools have been used, thus disregarding the high potential and high level of benefits that result with the application of these methodologies for the complete building life cycle (design, construction, and operation).

This research raises questions about the possibilities and options of using BIM methodology for wood design and construction associated with software for structure modeling along the asset's cycle life. Likewise, several academic and research initiatives are reviewed. In this sense, this paper aims to establish an appropriate link between two agendas that the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, academia, and governments normally handle separately. By conducting several literature reviews (book, journals, and congresses) and extensive software tests (BIM software: Revit, Archicad, Tekla, and Wood plug-ins: AGACAD, Archiframe, Timber Framing 2015, WoodStud Frame, etc.), the state-of-the-art was assessed in both fields, several cases linking BIM and wood are shown in detail and discussed, various theoretical samples are modelled and shown, and the advantages and disadvantages of each technique and stage are explained. On the other hand, although wood construction has been the most common for hundreds of years, this is not the case of BIM Modeling software developments associated with this materiality. Furthermore, since the appearance of materials such as steel and reinforced concrete, all software developments have focused on these materials, leaving aside the possibility of developing applications for use in wood projects. According to previously discussed, it can be concluded that BIM for Wood has been used more frequently in academia and that both fields have several common processes and, in many cases, only a few BIM-wood tools have been used. Thus, disregarding the high potential and high level of benefits that results with the application of these methodologies for the complete building life cycle (design, construction, and operation).

Parametric design is a versatile decision-making methodology that allows multi-criteria optimization. However, it is not as common for addressing aspects such as the cultural heritage of a given community. In this context, qualitative research proposes linking a cultural heritage classification with parametric design algorithms that include a stage of “design thinking” methodology, which culminates in community validation. This paper aims to demonstrate the potential of parametric and low-tech design as a multi-criteria decision strategy. Algorithms were developed with the mechanical properties of a given material, with meteorological information as input data, geometry as response, and with a simultaneously integrated multi-criteria decision-making process to improve the design. Most algorithms take as input variables such as size, function, or geometry and, as output, the structural material that best fits them, but not the opposite. This methodology was tested on a case study with the Misak community in Colombia, using Guadua (Guadua angustifolia), a subfamily of the bamboo, but which is little used. These criteria provided multiple design alternatives that were constantly debated to adjust and test the parameters of the prototype. The principal outcome is that an existing cultural heritage classification allows for the parametric model’s generalization ability.

Cities like Bogotá, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and Sao Paulo are set to become the most densely populated urban regions in the world by the year 2050, and yet, less than 60% of the population will have access to adequate constructions. 2 out of 3 families in Latin America will be forced to live in informal housing because of the lack of high quality and affordable constructions. Being one of the most biodiverse regions in the planet, and having a wide variety of species, Latin America has the potential to become a global leader in terms of sustainable and responsible wood growth while covering the deficit of adequate constructions in the region with the use of modular and prefabricated wood structures. In these countries, wood is easily obtainable, highly affordable, and simple to work with. Today, more than ever, we are under a scenario where wood has the opportunity of becoming an agent of change around social inequality and environmental justice, allowing for a switch towards a healthier and more sustainable way of construction in Latin America. The paper will showcase the state of the art and the environmental benefits of the material by presenting case studies focused on emergency and affordable housing, educational pavilions, and modular prototypes using native wood, and ’’Guadua’’, a species similar to bamboo. The aim of this paper is to highlight how wood constructions can have a positive environmental, social, and economic impact in Latin American countries by using wood as a catalyst to increase construction standards, generate jobs, and enhance the quality of life in low-income communities around the region.

In Chile a “social outbreak” took place in 2019 followed by the pandemic due to the Coronavirus. Face-to-face courses had to be transformed to online courses in a few weeks. It is in the first years of the career when the highest potential of desertion in Architecture takes place. For this reason, this research takes in consideration Construction courses at the beginning of the career of architecture at the “Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana’’. Many challenges had to be faced, examples of it are: proportion between synchronous and asynchronous activities, how to adapt practical activities like the construction of prototypes done in groups to individual scale models done at home, and to think about the amount and the type of evaluations between many other problems. Also, there are new challenges in comparison to face to face courses like: student engagement, flexibility in the use of the camera, the time needed for deadlines, decrease of the number of evaluations required as part of the university policies to avoid stress. In parallel professors have been learning new methodologies, how to use different new platforms and software to improve online education. The methodology used is to compare: 1) quality of work done in relation with learning outcomes 2) grades, 3) synchronous assistance, and 4) asynchronous follow-up of courses of “Construction I” and “Construction II” during 4 terms starting in 2020. The purpose of this paper is to know if: it is possible to transform education in a short period of time, is it possible to meet learning outcomes? Is it possible to increase the motivation of students in construction courses specifically and in the architecture studies in general?

Due to the construction industry, the climate crisis had deepest environmental impact. In addition to consuming scarce mineral-based materials, the building industry is responsible for up to 39% of global carbon dioxide emissions and the accumulation of solid waste in landfills, rivers, and seas. To cut carbon dioxide emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change on the construction industry, a new, more sustainable, and renewable production matrix must be considered. An approach is using seaweed and seagrass as bio-based materials matrix, from macroalgae or microalgae stranded on the shore or sustainable crops. Transforming algae into usable construction materials involves a process of harvesting, processing, and refining. This article has systematically reviewed the literature about advances and the potential of using marine species as construction materials matrix. To this end, this paper explores the existing literature on architectural projects and research on various species of seagrass and seaweed worldwide. This review concludes that numerous case studies of dwellings around the world have demonstrated and validated the use of seaweed for applications such as coatings, thermal insulation, and construction additives. Among the most important construction related properties of seaweed are fire resistance, low thermal conductivity, and resistance to moisture and insect damage. For instance, prototypes incorporating Neptune grass (Posidonia oceanica) exhibited a thermal conductivity of 0.044 W/m·K comparable to that of expanded polystyrene, which typically ranges between 0.035 and 0.037 W/m·K. The availability of seaweed, considered the waste that pollutes an essential part of the world's coastline, is increasing every year. Nevertheless, not all types of seaweed can be used as construction materials. For this reason, there are some challenges in creating sustainable cultivation of seaweed species, like the need for efficient methods, harvesting, and its processing. In consequence, these costs must be incorporated into the selling price. However, these difficulties do not diminish the seaweed and seagrass's potential as a renewable substitute in the production matrix of the construction industry. These challenges must be overcome before the industrial use of marine species as building materials becomes a reality. Governments must provide financial support to get these initiatives off the ground, especially in the crucial pre-competitive phases. At the same time, the development of prefabrication systems is of vital importance. These systems will enable certification and compliance with building materials regulations and pave the way for a more sustainable future for the industry. It is also necessary to establish seaweed and seagrass cultivation methods that will make the initiative sustainable in the long term, incorporating the costs associated with cultivation, harvesting, and processing into the selling price.