São Paulo is marked by opposites, contrasts and recently, social unrest and its new architectural projects revel in this dynamism. Mark takes a look at new cultural, commercial, retail and housing projects, including Triptyque’s unconventional shopping complex and Vigliecca e Associados’ housing project that revitalises a slum in the ‘polyphonic’ city.

Then Issue #45 heads for Antarctica to explore Hugh Broughton's design for a research station, stops at a petrol station in Batumi by Giorgi Khmaladze, and moves on to Dalian, China, to visit Coop Himmelb(l)au's new Conference Centre before revisiting The Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo.