Patrik Schumacher continued the debate/discussion started by his mid-April Facebook post "In Defense of Stars and Icons" with an Op-Ed titled Beyond Stars, Icons and Much More. 

For her part Daniela Ghertovici agrees "with Schumacher’s assessment that ARCHITECTS DO NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY OR EXPERTISE TO SOLVE POLITICAL PROBLEMS." quondam.com argued "Patrik says the design and research projects all fall short of his theoretical agenda. It seems then, to me at least, that an investigation of that fall short gap would teach us something about the +/- aspects of the theory, research and designs". While curtkram wanted "to hear more about how this parametric theory would apply to the buildings i might work on, the more mundane street level stuff...i would use amazon as an example...also could parametricism relate to taco bell?"

Plus, Julia Ingalls presented tips for employers on maximizing the effectiveness of of Their Employees. Xenakis argued "this...misses the point - if architects are supposed to be problem solvers then the question really should be: 10 ways architectural employees can maximize their own effectiveness - don't expect management to do it".
 

News
Justine Testado reported that "A total of 4,117 AIA delegates largely voted in favor for the widely talked about Resolution 15-1, titled "Equity in Architecture", during the Election at the 2015 AIA National Convention in Atlanta last month.

Facing continued opposition to a proposed renovation that would have eliminated a much treasured East 70th Street Garden (designed by British landscape architect Russell Page), The Frick Collection has gone back to the drawing board. Gail Dexter Lord was pleased "Bravo!!...Time to visit Wolf Hall portraits".

Over at NYT Alexandra Lange offered some of the world’s top architects a chance to Defend (some of) the World’s Most Hated Buildings (such as Harrison & Abramovitz’s massive Empire State Plaza  or Franz di Salvo’s Vele di Scampia). EKE thought "this article is both good journalism and bad PR for the profession.  It's good journalism because it gives people a good look under the hood to see what makes the avant-garde tick.  And it's bad PR for exactly the same reason". davvid countered "This article is actually a example of good architectural journalism. It acknowledges architectural conservatism (which is widespread) and addresses the divide between it and the top of the profession."

Reacting to an editorial reflecting on the upcoming demise of the The Hotel Okura,  johnszot shared "had the good fortune of being there just 10 days ago. The most astonishing thing was how well the rooms had been preserved over the years. Their age is only apparent in the vocabulary of their textures and forms."

Firms/Work Updates
With her first post since June 2013, Jessica A.S. Letaw restarted Architectstasy, reflecting on how the Rana Plaza collapse in How Buildings Collapse. midlander questioned whether "a holocaust memorial is an appropriate comparison" but agreed “the best outcome would be a system to prevent future accidents, since negligence and greed are probably permanent factors”.

For those looking for work Cornell University - Facilities Engineering is looking to hire an architect, to work with a team of campus partners.

Or, The American Institute of Architects is accepting applicants for a Manager for the Emerging Professionals department.

Pon Kumaresh wrote about light at night (LAN) and reviewed some of the health effects of how, specifically, "light affects our circadian clocks and sleep". In response to comment by Donna Sink he recommended reading about the research of Dr. Charles A. Czeisler and Professor Steven W. Lockley if interested in learning more about "exposure to light specifically inhibiting the body's ability to repair itself".
 

School/Blogs
Over at the ACSA (the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture) blog, Lian Chikako Chang provided some visualizations/data reviewing "how many MOOCs are teaching architecture-related topics?"

Over at the community blog for IDS 420 Summer 2015 affiliated with University of Tennessee - Knoxville, gfrank1 wrote about starting a summer internship at Boulder Associates Architects last week.
 

Discussions/Threads

Paula G is working with a small group on an "on wooden dodecahedron structure" and looking for advice. anonitect advised "It is the connection between units that will get you into trouble, and you haven't even started thinking about them...The right answer for connector location: rethink the whole goddamn project". Everyday Intern believed the overall snark/tone of responses to thread should "serve as a learning experience for knowing the right time to ask questions and knowing the right questions to ask. IMHO, you missed on both of those accounts".

gruen was looking for clarification regarding about using AIA docs?

"Is it OK to use my existing PDF copy - do the drafts and ultimately sign off on it, and then buy a paper copy so that the AIA gets their money...I'm not trying to rip off the AIA but just don't understand how their system is supposed to work in the real world". JeromeS  indicated "Often, it appears that the sample contract has been photocopied about a thousand times and is experiencing some sort of radioactive decay.  That gives you some indication of what our peers think". SpontaneousCombustion recommended calling "your AIA chapter, document that conversation, and go by the guidance you're given".

Finally, inspired by an old rattan chair studio project Stephanie started a thread for users to share your failed (or near-failed) studio projects. tintt couldn’t "find anything funny. The poorer grades I got were for not competing work or not following directions". Chris Teeter egged folks on "come on kids......don't take yourself so seriously.....lets see some fails".