Welcome to Babel, not your average hotel, and definitely not your typical tourist trap. Nestled in the jungly heart of Tulum, this striking pink-toned structure is a game-changer for architecture, sustainability, and how we think about living with nature instead of just on top of it.

And conquered the shipbuilding industry in the process

Welcome to Archinect City Guide, a new series that explores cities around the world through the eyes of architects. While there’s no shortage of travel guides out there, this series offers something different: A look at the favorite places — cafés, bookstores, parks, dive bars, side streets, and more — that inspire and energize the architects we admire. Think of it as a design-minded lens on urban life, curated by those who help shape it. We’re kicking things off in Boston with Eric Höweler, Founding Partner of award-winning firm Höweler + Yoon and Professor of Architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Are you a Boston local with your own go-to spots? Or have a city you think we should cover next? Share your thoughts, suggestions, and favorite places in the comments.

You won’t find windows or fences here, just a bold idea for urban privacy. Designed by Specht Novak, the Stealth House transforms a leftover lot into a hidden retreat of steel, silence, and sunlit courtyards. Every inch of its 1,100 square feet is a study in purpose, sustainability, and calm.

On a recent trip to Puerto Rico, producer Jeyca Medina-Gleason discovered a piece of her family history: a manila folder with her grandfather Tomás Velez Lopez’s photo attached to the front. Across the top in bold letters, it read “Division of Special Investigations” followed by a case number. This folder—known in Puerto Rico as a