Archinect - News

Twitter account dedicated to traditional European architecture draws ire as an architecture-themed dog-whistle

2018-08-15T15:17:00-04:00

A twitter account dedicated to traditional European architecture has drawn ire for being a magnet for white nationalism. In a recent article in the Newstatesman, writer Sarah Manavis chronicles how the account called ArchitecturalRevival—which posts pictures of old buildings and architectural details—has become a feed full of anti-Semites, Islamophobes, and white nationalists, their architectural and aesthetic preferences often tethered to their particular ideologies.

The account's more innocuous tweets tend to feature images and memes of classical architecture or new traditional styles that celebrate their beauty and craftsmanship. Repeatedly accompanied with harsh charges against examples of modernism, the International style and modernist architects such as Le Corbusier seem to provoke exceptional anger from the account and its followers. More incriminating, though, is the fact that as Manavis notes, "the account has also shown a preference for cultural conservatives in its 'lik...

Fast Co Design wonders, "Why Is There So Much Modern Architecture In The NRA’s New Ad?"

2017-07-05T15:13:00-04:00

For decades, authoritarian regimes have waged war on modern architecture and the philosophy it embodies. A new ad proves it’s still a target.

In an alarmingly threatening and dangerous ad, NRA attacks intellectualism (in its core sense) via modern architecture. This savage ad might not only target your profession and/or your education but also puts the average citizen in front of the barrel of a gun.

Eero Saarinen's CIA weapon-designing past

2016-06-22T13:27:00-04:00

Saarinen’s work for the spy agency mostly involved designing models of buildings and weapons that had yet to be built. He even worked on designs for the original war room in the White House. And the people at OSS claimed that he was so good at his job that he could not be replaced.

It's lucky for architecture that Eero Saarinen, who was known in the CIA as "Architectural Designer (Chief, Special Exhibits Division)" wasn't so successful at his work for the agency that he couldn't be replaced, although one wonders how much of that top secret work rubbed off on his later designs...

For an in-depth look at trained architects who have succeeded in other pursuits: