Inspired by the 2014 Venice Biennale curated by Rem Koolhaas, Esther Sperber penned the Op-Ed in which she argues that contemporary architecture must shift From (EX)CITE to (IN)CITE.

 In response Thayer-D wrote "There's no rule that says architects can't stimulate both the senses and the intellect, as many great architects have done in the past, yet it's architecture's public nature that makes it imperative to not lose sight of how most people engage with it, and that is not through words".
 

News
Justine Testado posted the news, Zaha Hadid wins the Design Museum’s Designs of the Year Award 2014. Despite (or perhaps due to?) some critics, Donna Sink commented "I think all the criticism Zaha is getting for her stance on human rights is totally appropriate and deserved.  And I have very mixed feelings about her body of work. But I find this building in particular hard to resist - it's just gorgeous. Perfectly balanced".

The Creators Project interviewed David Benjamin, creator of MoMA PS1's "Hy-Fi" Mushroom Tower, reacting to the lack of commentary, Fred Scharmen wondered "Folks on archinect used to always have a lot to say about PS1. Anyone? Or do we just hit the 'thumbs up' button, now, and move on?". This led Thayer-D to chime in "love good brick work, being able to read the structure, and the light play that seems evident.  Most of all, I like natural materials worked by hand, regardless of what algorithm and/or master mason brought the design to bear".

Following the US Supreme Court decision in a case McCullen v. Coakley, Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson explored How Providers Build Their Own Buffer Zones.

With the help of Kyle Zick Landscape Architects and Interboro Partners, Boston Experiments with Parklets as Place-making Strategy, Orhan Ayyüce liked the design(s) but had some advice "for god's sake, start using some older extras in architectural shoots. Seems like the world is obsessed with designing and promoting the designs for the twenty somethings. I have been meaning to say this for a while now. It is time for young architects to realize that there are other age groups who could use their ideas".
 

Firms/Blogs/Work Updates

While Md Abdulla Al-Mamun recently worked on 'Let it flow'- An integrated approach of water escape for the City of Dhaka and restore of ecosystem and Franco Chen posed a question Have you ever seen an inflatable geometry?

anyonecorporation promises that Log 31: New Ancients is "In short, a look into history’s history as a way to circumvent the paradigm of constant mechanical innovation".

The latest edition of Olaf Design Ninja_’s reminisces with a "man full of random thoughts and legendary type of architectural experiences" includes a bunch of photos illustrating the term façade parti.

Rabobank Westelijke Mijnstreek Advice Center in Sittard, the Netherlands by Mecanoo and UDK Holstebro in Holstebro, Denmark by CEBRA with ORBICON, BENT MOESBY are just two projects found in the latest Ten Top Images on Archinect's "Stairs" Pinterest Board.

School/Blogs
Jeff Maeshiro currently a "Fabrication and Robotics Specialist at Future Cities Lab in San Francisco", used his blog to feature - The Crystalline World: SUBHEDRAL, the work of a small group of CCA graduate students and professors.

Yestermorrow Design/Build School announced the launch of alumna Katrina Spade’s, The Urban Death Project (www.urbandeathproject.org). An alternative system for the care and processing of the deceased, the Project uses the natural process of composting to safely and gently transform human bodies into nutrient-rich soil building material.

Lian Chikako Chang reported in from Seoul, South Korea at Ewha Womens University, the world’s largest female educational institute, for the ACSA’s International Conference, Open Cities. The closing keynote, was delivered by none other than Toyo Ito.
 

Discussions/Threads
BulgarBlogger opined Archinect should have an "International Section". archinet believed it was because "the majority of people reading archinect tend to be American- simply because it is in English". Steven Ward shared a concern and a suggestion "i'd hate to see a splintering of the site, especially one that would make for separate pages with separate cultural assumptions. the mix that (sometimes) happens gives the site more vitality...if anything, maybe the initial poster could have the option of tagging a location at the same time as the topic is selected".

full ofit  is looking for thoughts on using a spouse to shield assets? archanonymous recommended "There are established methods for shielding yourself from liability. Try a simple corporation, an llc, a pllc" etc… quizzical pointed out "While this is an interesting discussion, remember that nobody here is an attorney. You need to consult an attorney on this question".  gwharton believed "There's a lot of nonsense being thrown around in here" and added that besides "A properly set-up company structure" and "Professional liability insurance", "there are legal structures and methods for protecting your personal assets in the event that the basics above don't cover you".

Finally, FilipE is looking for help finding a course in wood design and technology. Specifically, "Something more similar to the wood programme in Helsinki ( The wood programme at Aalto University)". He has found three programs Lulea University in Sweden, KUNST UNIVERSITÄT in Austria and Rosenheim in Germany but is interested in others as well as feedback regarding these three.