Archinect - Features

10 Ghost Towns With Unique Architecture

2024-10-30T13:55:00-04:00

Cities are like living bodies, each one animated by the pulse of human life. People give a city purpose, identity, and movement. When a city is abandoned, its soul departs, leaving behind only the silent architecture, a skeletal remnant of what once was.

While such environments can be hauntingly beautiful in their own right, they nonetheless evoke a sense of unease in the returning visitor who, even subconsciously, will be aware that their surroundings are akin to an architectural 'out of body' experience. They may be aware, too, that the thriving modern city they live and work in may one day suffer the same fate.

To mark Halloween 2024, we explore ten such cities that, while once filled with the soul of human activity, have since been left to decay and gently return to nature.

10 Controversial Buildings That Became Iconic Landmarks

2024-10-07T06:48:00-04:00

Architectural landmarks often become beloved symbols of their cities, but many were not always welcomed with open arms. Throughout history, some of our most acclaimed structures have in fact provoked heated debates, divided public opinion, sparked fierce controversy, and in one case, caused the late great architect Richard Rogers to be attacked by an elderly Parisian with an umbrella.

To mark World Architecture Day 2024, we take a look back through the history of some of the architectural structures most beloved by the public today, and demonstrate how their status as landmarks was hard-won.

To see how a building initially deemed a monstrosity, an eyesore, or an insult to tradition can evolve into the defining element of a city’s character is an interesting exercise in itself. Beyond the novelty, however, these stories raise apt questions for architects today. To what extent do, or should, we design in response to present tastes? Do we too quickly abandon ideas today in response t...

Some of the World’s Most Beautiful Coffee Shops

2024-10-01T03:00:00-04:00

Happy International Coffee Day! To celebrate this culturally significant October 1st holiday, we have picked a few of our favorite examples of coffee and architecture existing in blissful harmony.

So pour yourself another cup of your favorite roast (how about Archinect's very own Brutal line of varietals?), sit back, and enjoy our curated selection of outstanding new café designs from across the globe.

Have you designed a space that should be showcased on Archinect? Additional projects can be considered via our submission form.

The Pandemic Is History, but for Architects, Its Impact on Office Design Remains

2024-08-21T08:45:00-04:00

Our recent analysis of the Archinect Business Survey highlighted concerns among architects that their business health has been impacted by the ongoing adoption of remote and hybrid working patterns across the U.S. in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. We explore in more detail how the supply and demand of workplace real estate has changed in recent years, where it is heading, and what opportunities and challenges it presents for architects.

LEED? BREEAM? WELL? Six Major Green Building Labels Explained

2024-08-14T14:00:00-04:00

When embarking on a mission to deliver a building to a high environmental and ecological standard, architects are presented with a range of accreditation systems to both guide the design process and reward the results.

While some systems, such as LEED and BREEAM, emphasize environmental and energy performance, others, such as WELL, are preoccupied with occupant health. Meanwhile, programs such as the ILFI's Living Building Challenge span typologies from schools to wineries, while others, such as Passivhaus and NGBS, have their origins in residential design.

To help designers choose which system(s) are appropriate for their projects and to further inform readers on buildings already accredited, we have rounded up six prominent green building labels from across the industry, including examples of accredited buildings previously featured on Archinect.

Where Are All The Affordable Housing Startups?

2024-06-19T13:04:00-04:00

Despite the general consensus that the United States is in need of more affordable housing, funding to startups focused on affordable housing and more efficient construction technologies is lower in 2024 than in recent years. In the meantime, a series of high-profile bankruptcies, closures, and struggles have been reported among startups tackling the issue. How has this happened?

Exploring Coffee and Architecture With These Ten Mesmerizing Cafes

2023-10-01T00:01:00-04:00

October 1st marks International Coffee Day, and to celebrate, we explore exceptional projects that exemplify the distinctive attributes and meticulous design considerations behind a diverse array of cafes across the globe.

Archinect Celebrates Canada Day by Highlighting 15 Architecture Firms That Are Defining the Future of Canadian Architecture

2023-07-01T08:00:00-04:00

July 1, also known as Canada Day, is a time when Canadians come together to commemorate the union of what were once three separate colonies — New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Canada (contemporary Ontario and Quebec).

Canada isn't just one of the largest countries in the world, but it's also one of the most urban. In a 2021 report, about 82% of the country's total population lives in cities. In honor of Canada Day, we take a moment to celebrate Canadian architecture by highlighting 15 firms working across the country.

Uncovering the Untold Histories of American Campus Expansions with Boghosian Fellow Leen Katrib

2023-04-10T12:31:00-04:00

Archinect's Fellow Fellows series showcases individuals who are currently in, or have recently finished, an architecture fellowship. During our conversations, we discuss their architectural journey, areas of research, and their overall experience as academic fellows.

For our latest interview, we connected with Leen Katrib, the 2021–22 Harry der Boghosian Fellow at Syracuse University School of Architecture. Katrib shares her fellowship experience, her passion for uncovering the forgotten histories and influence of marginalized communities in architecture, the studio she taught, and details about her fellowship exhibition titled LESS IS...

‘Clearly, The World Cup Format is Not Sustainable’; A Conversation with WilkinsonEyre Sports Director, Sam Wright

2022-12-20T12:03:00-05:00

The 2022 FIFA World Cup was mired in controversy. Human rights groups saw Qatar’s hosting of the event as an affront to the LGBTQ+ community, free speech, and ethical labor practices. Ethics and standards groups investigated whether Qatar had ‘bought’ the event following rumours of bribery. Fans and sporting bodies alike even questioned the timing of the event, and its interference with domestic league calendars.

While these concerns targeted at Qatar at the 2022 World Cup specifically, the event was also a catalyst for environmental groups to ask broader questions about the carbon cost of major temporary sports and cultural events, and whether they can be justified by long-term economic or social benefits. These questions are not new or bespoke to Qatar; they also formed the basis for our feature articles on both Expo 2020 Dubai and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

For WilkinsonEyre’s Sports and Leisure Leader Sam Wright, whose team has delivered an abundance of major sports project...

When Buildings Attack: A Six-part Series of Unfortunate Architectural Events

2022-10-31T07:00:00-04:00

In the horror and thriller worlds, buildings sometimes seem to take on a life of their own. From The Shining’s Overlook Hotel to The Watcher’s 657 Boulevard, architecture and space become more than a backdrop or a vehicle but instead become main characters in their own right; sometimes to the peril of their occupants.

Unlike Hollywood, buildings in the real world don’t always follow a script. Even works of architecture overseen by some of the world’s most well-known architects can become unexpected antagonists for those in or around them. Below, we have rounded up six such examples, from heat rays to ice daggers to flying ceramics.

Celebrate Coffee and Architecture With These Stand-out Brewing Spaces

2022-10-01T09:00:00-04:00

October 1st is International Coffee Day, and to celebrate, we’re taking a look at some superlative projects that showcase the unique qualities and considerations involved in the design of different cafés across the world.

Finding Value in Waste: Japan’s Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center is a Temple to Material Reuse

2022-02-03T15:37:00-05:00

Today, building materials account for half of all solid waste generated worldwide every year. In response to mounting concerns over the impact of construction on the built environment, a growing number of architects and material scientists are investigating the potential for recycled materials to form an integral part of future construction. In this article, we reflect on a recently completed building in rural Japan that embodies an alternative approach to the norm; with the added accolade of being perhaps the world's first waste recycling center constructed almost entirely from recycled waste.

In Focus: Jason O’Rear’s Captivating Architectural Photography Comes from the Eye of a Trained Architect

2022-01-17T13:36:00-05:00

In Focus is Archinect's recurring series dedicated to profiling the photographers who help capture architecture and make the work of architects look that much better. In this series, we ask: What is their relationship to architecture? How do they work? What are their goals when capturing buildings?

For this installment, Archinect talks with Jason O'Rear, a San Francisco-based architectural photographer. With a career including a professional background in architecture, Jason brings an experienced and empathetic eye to the spaces he captures with his camera. His work brings into focus the synthesis of structure, human experience and landscape.

Does 3D Printed Architecture Have Real Potential? We Talk With an Architect About His Experience Designing and Building a 3D Printed House

2021-12-15T07:45:00-05:00

3D printing is older than you may think. The term was first coined in a 1984 patent, while the idea of generating 3D objects from 2D drawings dates back to sci-fi visions as early as 1945. Fast forward to today, and 3D printing has become a viable method of producing everything from medical stents to passenger vehicles. For those involved in building design and construction, the advent of 3D printing poses several questions: What is it like to design and build a 3D printed structure? How does an architect approach the process? What does the future hold for 3D printed architecture?

In this article, we seek answers to these questions by speaking with an architect who has gained real-world experience in delivering a 3D printed house as well as one of the world’s leading innovators in 3D printed construction.

Jay McCafferty Studio by Coy Howard; An Architecture of Seashells and Gold

2021-10-06T12:52:00-04:00

This is an article about a structure and the people who commissioned and designed it. The building was to be a studio, during construction it became an inspiration for Jay McCafferty to hold on to life longer, and at the end when he died, the place was just finished enough for him to see and appreciate. It has since become a sanctuary for his art and a place to burn his presence in this world. All his friends, including me, will remember it as such.

The Architect's Power in Tomorrow's Energy Infrastructure

2021-10-04T14:35:00-04:00

The architecture of energy systems is undergoing a renaissance. As our ability to generate, consume, and store energy in a clean, sustainable way continues to accelerate, spurred by a heightened awareness of climate change, architects are steadily sculpting a new architecture to celebrate, showcase, and interweave these new technologies into the built environment.

To explore this new architecture of energy infrastructure, we spoke with two prominent architecture firms, AL_A and C.F. Møller Architects, both of whom have recently overseen the design of energy schemes that prioritize transparency, interaction, and a contemporary architectural flare. In addition to exploring the design process of energy infrastructure, we reflect on future possibilities for the energy typology and the role that architecture studios large and small can play in shaping it.

After 9/11, a Tale of Two Cities: Eight Architects on the Changes New York Has Undergone in the Past Twenty Years

2021-09-11T07:26:00-04:00

As part of the landmark 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Archinect asked a series of architects with ties to New York City to reflect on changes that have defined the past two decades of life and architecture in the city.

Their responses represent a range of opinions as to how New York initially reacted to the attacks and how it has transformed in the intervening decades. For some, the city has developed into a small surveillance state with implications that have been felt around the world. For others, it has turned into a dreamland for designers and developers alike. For all of them, 9/11 was a touchstone that engendered changes to public memorials, office towers, and building science which have come to define architecture in the 21st century.

Scroll down for a collection of answers to our one-question prompt: How has New York City changed since 9/11?

The Collapse of the WTC Twin Towers Heralded a Wave of Reforms To Building Codes

2021-09-08T12:01:00-04:00

It is now almost 20 years since the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York were destroyed during a terrorist attack, killing 2,606 people within the two buildings. As is often the case following both natural and human-made disasters, the collapse of the Twin Towers prompted sweeping regulatory changes in how tall buildings are designed, constructed, and operated.

A House of Cards: The Miami Condo Collapse Exposes a Dehumanized Mindset in the Built Environment

2021-08-17T08:00:00-04:00

On June 24th, 2021, the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, Miami collapsed, killing 98 people. While the causes of the collapse are still under investigation, the building's history of structural deficiencies is likely to have played a part. The Champlain Towers collapse is only the latest in a series of fatal building catastrophes which could have been prevented with proper oversight. In their wake, the continuing deterioration of our buildings and infrastructure causes us to ask if the commodification of buildings as real estate, and exercises in wealth creation, has caused us to lose sight of architecture's primary role as shelter and habitat.

For Affordable Housing, The Revolution Will Be Modularized

2021-07-28T14:51:00-04:00

Across the globe, the design and construction of affordable housing is failing to meet demand, leaving both low and middle income dwellers with little choice but to accept high costs, substandard conditions, or a move away from urban centers. This reality not only presents dangerous environmental and social conditions, but also underpins a fundamental failure of our current processes to design and construct quality affordable housing. In the face of this crisis, architects are finding opportunities for change. In this article, we speak with architect David Wallance FAIA, whose new book The Future of Modular Architecture sets out a paradigm-shift vision for the future of affordable housing. Here, we discuss the details of Wallance’s industrial-scale system, derived from the standard dimensions of intermodal shipping units, as well as the major changes such a system would bring to cities, housing markets, the environment, architectural education, and the business structure of the arch...

Security, Resilience, and Stewardship: Studio Ma Collaborates with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Building Operations to Create Resilient, Forward-Looking Environments for All

2021-07-02T12:52:00-04:00

Phoenix-based architecture and environmental design firm Studio Ma works with The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Overseas Building Operations (OBO) in their architectural research initiative that examines new applications for large-scale institutional buildings. This research explores the application of mass timber, rammed earth, and design solutions for extreme heat and drought conditions.

In an exclusive interview with OBO and Studio MA, Archinect dives into their research objectives and what steps can be taken to develop resilient buildings fit for the world's changing climate.

The Butterfly Effect: Retrofitting Low-Income Housing

2021-05-27T13:18:00-04:00

America's low-income housing stock is aging. The human health, social, economic, and environmental consequences of substandard housing is felt not just by their inhabitants, but by the general public. However, a growing number of architects, researchers, and policymakers are identifying a solution: retrofitting. In this article, we take a closer look at the current status of America's low-income and public housing stock, as well as the benefits, methods, and potential futures for a large-scale retrofit campaign that transforms both lives and living conditions.

Smog City: The Fight Against Urban Air Pollution

2021-05-13T12:00:00-04:00

Around the world, cities and citizens continue to suffer from the effects of air pollution. While the COVID-19 pandemic ironically led to a temporary improvement in urban air quality, the status quo for the air we breathe in cities is bleak. In this article, we examine the prevalence, causes, and effects of air pollution in urban environments. In a concluding note of optimism, we also highlight examples of architects using their skills to enhance air quality in cities and improve the health of both humans and nature.

Syracuse University School of Architecture Students Uncover the Forgotten Histories of Systemic Racism With “Hidden Histories” Exhibit

2021-04-08T08:19:00-04:00

The built environment isn’t static. Everyday, structures are created, destroyed, and repurposed. Some are preserved while others are left to slowly decay. As time passes and the world changes, new meanings can become attributed to these spaces. Their pasts and histories become vulnerable and new realities may take shape. For better or for worse, the functions spaces once had, the people they once served, and the circumstances that led to their erasure fade and become forgotten.

There are a myriad of forces that drive this ever-occurring phenomenon, ranging from natural to deliberate actions. And, this is where difficult questions arise. What is the history of this place? Why has it been forgotten? Was this nullification intentional? Who and what were the agents that drove these actions? While these are complex questions, in taking a step back and observing broader historical contexts, explanations for these occurrences can be revealed. And, Syracuse Architecture’s National Organiza...

From Start-Up to Industry Leader: Enscape Develops A Real-Time 3D Experience That Puts User Experience At the Forefront Of Designer Workflow

2021-03-17T21:05:00-04:00

Enscape, the leading provider of real-time rendering and virtual reality technology for the global Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) market announces the release of Enscape version 3.0 and its new branding. More than a recent update, 3.0 is a milestone in Enscape's company history. Their latest release and branding reflect its mission to unleash a designer's creativity through continuous innovation in accessible design technology.

Archinect unpacks Enscape's latest software launch and explores how this will impact the architecture industry as it continues to move forward with project planning, client interaction, and architectural visualization.

Michael Jefferson Talks the Future of Fellowships and the Biases of AI Application in Architecture

2021-02-08T09:00:00-05:00

In our latest installment of Fellow Fellows, Archinect connects with Michael Jefferson, the 2019-2020 Innovation in Design Fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Together we unpack his fellowship experience and his exhibition False Walls. "The fellowship was organized as a series of exercises that examined rules, standards, and conventions when interpreted and reconfigured by artificial intelligence." According to Jefferson, the project was "an exhibition of fake walls built with real materials. Tied up between the computational logics of artificial intelligence and the conventional tectonic arrangements of stud framing, the protocols of the machine were mapped on to traditional methods of construction."

The nature of fellowships and their exhibition outcomes will continue to adjust as the COVID pandemic continues. When discussing his thoughts on fellowships, Jefferson makes an intriguing point that renders some reflection. "The 2019-2020 fellows (across the US) may end up...

A Studio Visit With Frederick Fisher & Partners as They Embark Upon the Next Phase of Practice

2020-12-17T09:30:00-05:00

For nearly 30 years, Frederick Fisher and Partners (FF&P) has occupied an enviable position within contemporary architecture as a design practice that takes on diverse and adventurous clients in realms that include residences, artist studios, universities, and other cultural institutions and foundations.

The Los Angeles and New York City-based practice was founded in 1981 by Frederick Fisher, the son of an architect who initially resisted pursuing a career in design himself but reconsidered after having read Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture. After attending architecture graduate school at the University of California, Los Angeles, Fisher spent a few years working with Frank Gehry before launching his own practice. With the help of a skilled team, FF&P has developed an evolving architectural perspective that fuses the practicality and comfort of domestic architecture with the raw and malleable nature of artist spaces, bringing material refinement, organizational flexibili...

Academia and Social Responsibility: A Closer Look at Tulane School of Architecture's Graduate Programs

2020-10-22T11:47:00-04:00

Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the heart of the Gulf Coast, is Tulane University's School of Architecture. Rooted within the institution is an academic environment that houses its architecture, preservation, and real estate development graduate programs. In this feature, we take a closer look at the school's mission, its goals for its students and faculty, and how it aims to foster an environment of socially responsible learning.

According to Director of Graduate Architecture Benjamin J. Smith, Ph.D., the school's graduate programs share a "commitment to design excellence and social responsibility. With studio, seminar, and lecture courses that bridge intellectual, technical, social, and physical areas, our graduate students examine architecture by understanding its discipline and its consequence. To impact culture in positive ways, our students use architecture to ask challenging questions and deliver meaningful responses."

To learn more about the school's graduate programs...

Woodbury Graduate Isabel Rodriguez Explores Hybrid Housing Options for Los Angeles

2020-10-13T13:20:00-04:00

B.Arch graduate Isabel Rodriguez of Woodbury University explored alternative housing possibilities for Los Angeles in her thesis, E-Hauze. Rodriguez explains her project "explores the positive effects of hybridizing housing and an industrialized facility [...] The typical way we live in Los Angeles needs to change. The way we design our build environment should reflect our intention to integrate."

Students across the globe have persisted during a year filled with challenges due to the pandemic. To highlight their work, we connected with students like Rodriquez to learn about her thesis project and how it responds to Los Angeles's housing crisis, her perspectives on the industry, and her experience with hunting for a job after graduating.

Archinect's Spotlight on 2020 Thesis Projects: 2020 has been an extraordinarily challenging year for architecture graduates. Students were displaced as schools shut down, academic communities had to adapt to a new virtual format, end-of-year celebra...