"Less than half of all architecture graduates are in employment six months after graduation" - AJ

NYT posts the AP headline. | L'ethnologue Claude Lévi-Strauss est mort

The plan is to add "flow based" theories of urban traffic movement to conventional radar/camera based tracking of vehicles. TheRegister

Thanks to everyone who submitted answers to our "Why are you studying Architecture?" contest. We (myself and Barry Lehrman) were both impressed by Gabby Uvidia's response, addressing the issue that architecture, while difficult to find work in close to home, is actually more in demand now than ever before with rising housing crises around the world.

So Gabby...



Because i understand that this statement is false. Bad pay?according to whom? architecture is rather extremely rewarding not only cause we can get money to do what we love but also cause w/ our knowledge we can help others to have a home. Few jobs?? again I seem to find infinite amount of people w/out a shelter.Is time fo...r architecture students like myself to look across the borders and into the 3rd world countries where people live in sugar cane shacks, have no water and live under terrible sanitation conditions. Uncertain Future?? i strongly believe that there's a wide and prosperous future for all of us! we all can make a difference with our talents and passions and yes, of course 1 person can make a difference and if no one else I'll be honored to be the first.

Architecture is more than a passion is a life style, so the question should really be, why would you NOT want to be an architect? - Gabby Uvidia

"Here's the news release from the White House, via Morphosis, Thom Mayne's architectural firm in Santa Monica, Calif. Mayne is a winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Paula Hannaway Crown, who serves on the boards of arts organizations in Chicago, was also named. " Read

Tulane's former Architecture Dean and creator of the school's Rome Program, Ronald Filson, is suing the school for breach of employment agreement and contract, detrimental reliance, negligent misrepresentation, action in defamation, age discrimination, existing medical condition discrimination and taking of intellectual property. Tulane Hullabaloo

Nicolai Ouroussoff reviews the exhibition "Intersections: The Grand Concourse Beyond 100" which opened at the Bronx Museum of Arts on Sunday.
What does he find?
When you step back out onto the Grand Concourse after visiting the Bronx Museum show, you see the neighborhood with fresh eyes and a clearer understanding of its history and how it could be revived. If you linger there long enough, you are apt to be overtaken by sadness at lost opportunities and public inertia. And at how many of our cities’ grandest achievements exist in a sort of perpetual limbo — half-dead, half-alive. NYT

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Video exploring the relationship between plants and people, based on the book. PBS

News
Watch Michael Speaks talking at the recent 2009 Future of Design conference about the conversation that this project generated on Archinect. Speaks also talks about the impact of the economic downturn on the profession as well as the expanded opportunities available to design professionals afforded by a new, good enough, quick and dirty approach to design.

Great new Upstarts feature from Katya on MAPT, explores non-datascapes and the mediation of architecture.
Why are you studying architecture?

Youtube, U2 and media-architecture, a review from Orhan.
Rough draft first seen here.
R.I.P. Lawrence Halprin


Olympics appear once and twice.
Philippe Rahm on sustainability
The inside job
b3tadinesutures, FTW...I mean I couldn't agree more.

Discussion Threads
On social networking and architecture.
Materials research.
More green shoots, at least in DC?

Archinect discusses the ASU shooting.

School blogs
Mark suggests that Crocs are a symptom/symbol our the modern adolescent adult and that they are also the free plan of footwear.

So how did the week long charrette announced here, go?
Barry discusses the illusion of academic freedom vs practice.

Selected works of Swiss artist Felice Verini, using Anamorphosis, requiring the viewer to use a specific vantage point to see the composite image.

As we reported last week, there's been some buzz in the news lately regarding the harsh conditions architecture graduates are facing in today's market, questioning the reasoning behind studying architecture at this point in time. It's my belief, however, that the huge number of students that blog, read, and participate on Archinect can provide some very good reasons to study architecture. We've challenged you to give us your answers to why you're dedicated to the architectural education. The deadline of 12pm PST / 3pm EST is quickly approaching. We'll be giving away a Sumo Omni chair to the best answer - perfect for stashing next to your studio desk as a part-time bed. Post your answers to the comments here or to the new Archinect Facebook Fan page.

"After years of taking a back seat to other long-delayed development projects at ground zero, the performing arts center has suddenly come to the fore, as both a focus of discussion and a bone of contention. The underground work now being done by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the World Trade Center site, is expected to reach the location planned for the arts center in about four months." - NYT