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Sponge City Pioneer Kongjian Yu Dies in Brazil Plane Crash

Renowned Chinese landscape architect Kongjian Yu, known for pioneering the 'sponge city' concept, tragically died in a plane crash in Brazil.

Author

Yagmur Baydır
September 25, 2025

Dear PA reader,
Design’s narrative this week is one of departure and disruption, what’s remembered, and what’s reimagined:

Chinese landscape architect Kongjian Yu passes away, leaving a legacy of thoughtful, human-centered design. Manuel Jiménez García of Nagami is pushing the boundaries of design with large-scale 3D printing and recycled materials, turning furniture into a glimpse of urban futures.

Adobe Photoshop now integrates Google’s Nano Banana AI, enabling more precise and context-aware image editing for designers and photographers.

Christian de Portzamparc has been honored with the CDA Award, celebrating decades of visionary architectural practice. And at the intersection of design and technology, Spacely AI is tackling communication challenges within architectural workflows.

🚀 If you are looking to learn about computational design, PAACADEMY offers everything you need under one Full-Access membership. Be sure to check it out!

See you next edition,
Parametric Architecture

Pioneering Chinese Landscape Architect Kongjian Yu Dies in Brazil Plane Crash

Nano Banana in Photoshop: Google’s Gemini AI Joins Adobe’s Creative Suite

“Printing Futures, Not Just Objects”: Manuel Jiménez García on Nagami’s 3D-Printed Futures

French Architect Christian de Portzamparc Receives the 2026 CDA Lifetime Achievement Award

Beyond Blueprints: How Spacely AI is solving the Architect’s Communication Crisis

Free Event! Chad Oppenheim - Rethinking Architecture

Chad Oppenheim, Founding Principal of Oppenheim Architecture, will lead this free lecture exploring his design philosophy and project inspirations. The event is scheduled for October 3, 2025.

Body Architecture 4.0

This workshop explores the integration of computational design and AI to create innovative, body-centric designs. The workshop is scheduled for September 27 & 28, 2025.

Chongqing: The World’s Most Complex Vertical City Explained

Architect’s Guide to 30 Must-See Landmarks in New York City

Al Bahr Towers: A Case Study in Dynamic Kinetic Facade

Coachella’s Most Iconic Installations of the Past 7 Years

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