Julia Ingalls explored how a firm the size of Gensler manages to maintain a cohesive studio culture. midlander wondered "when did Gensler get so big? I feel like I never heard of them until 10 years ago, then suddenly they were everywhere? Was it organic growth or have they been buying up local firms to expand?" 

News
The NYT reported the Studio Museum in Harlem, will construct a new $122 million home designed by the British architect David Adjaye on West 125th Street.

SALT released Global Tools 1973-1975 (a free downloadable book) which compiles/archives the lessons of the "non-school", founded by members of a radical Italian pedagogy group from the 1970s.

One year after Operation Protective Edge, Haaretz examined what (if anything) has changed since the 50-day conflict between Israel and Hamas, and asks "If we don't learn from our wars, are we doomed to repeat them?" +Aziz thinks "Gaza might as well be the saddest place on Earth…"

Anna Daugherty penned a eulogy for Francis Tsai, previously featured on Archinect's Working Out of the Box, who passed away on April 23, 2015.

Vancouver architect Michael Green has proposed the tallest timber-supported tower in the world – a 35-storey skyscraper in Paris. Contra many of the commentators Will Galloway argued

"There are things to be critical of with tall wooden buildings. Warnings about technical impossibilities are not the interesting ones. I find it more annoying that the architects get a pass on the design cuz its all wood, as if that's the whole story. Ban's project in Zurich is really good, but everyone else seems to be channelling the instructions on the back of a meccano set...This project by Green is pushing boundaries no doubt, yet its not that far from the real world. No more so than Bilbao was, or falling water, or the philharmonic by H+DeM."

Firms/Work Updates
Vincent DeFazio published A World of Difference in which he reflects on the BIG released proposal for 2 WTC. He criticizes "While to its credit it is different, the tower disregards its surroundings in favor of its own aloof agenda. 2 WTC doesn’t quite feel like a memorial rather a series of off-kilter lego bricks". Olaf Design Ninja_  responded "common sense would tell you that if an architect can not match their vision with the real building, that the work would stop coming in, but given Koolhaas record, it apparently matters little... yay for architects who stop at schematic design!"

Casitas de Colores, a mixed-income housing community in downtown Albuquerque, designed by Dekker/Perich/Sabatini, is a winner of the Center for Active Design: Excellence awards.

Everyday Intern noted that rather than “Intern” NCARB used "aspiring architect" in the 2015 NCARB by the Numbers report. Specifically, "83 times throughout the document". kjdt pointed out "NCARB's blog is incorrect or incomplete regarding some states' titles. The specifics are more complicated than what they could put in that simple chart. Example: ‘architect in training’ is specifically allowed in my state (which is not the one listed on their blog) - but only for…"

For those looking for work UCLA Architecture and Urban Design seeks an exceptional candidate to support a research studio led by Professor Craig Hodgetts at the newly established IDEAS campus during the 2015/16 academic year. Or, American Airlines is looking to hire a Project Manager responsible for the design and construction management oversight of complex corporate facilities.
 

School/Blogs
Over at the community Blog for IDS 420 Summer 2015, gfrank1 used week five of his internship to speak "with James Lenhart, a principal at the firm" and "walk me through the business practices, project costs, and budget management".

FIUSOA asked readers to take 5 minutes and fill out a DesignIntelligence questionnaire (to support their National Ranking).
 

Discussions/Threads
Jackfrost19 is looking for "the reasons that a principal may not be able to tell you exactly why you were laid off even months later." TED replied "Firms work within state employment law...As an employer, better to say nothing.  Terminating a member of staff generally isn't over one single thing or even a list of a few reasons." alphabits has been on both sides "Either way it's an unpleasant situation that neither party wants to be in. Trying to get an answer about this months later from a former employer is bad form". 3tk had a slightly different take "It's always good to...ask if there are aspects of the work that you could improve upon or experiences that would make you a better employee...the questions may help you land the next gig".

shuellmi posted a link to Everything you wanted to know about masonry anchors explaining "learned a bit reading through this and thought others might enjoy after the snob thread". Donna Sink believes "trade publications like Masonry Magazine and Fine Homebuilding and Journal of Light Construction and whatnot are SO valuable when it comes to learning how buildings go together!..Also the material-specific forums like the famous John Bridge forum are pretty incredible but! require a bit more skepticism and knowledge to wade through." cajunarch also finds catalogues such as "SMACNA and BIA...the best for finding those essential details for metal and masonry".

Good_Knight  needs advice on crafting an reply, to Client, Engineers, and Builders who want his time after design for free, without pissing them off? mightyaa suggested "Just point out the contract and tell them they didn't want that service so you can do it as an additional service at your listed rates" bklyntotfc agreed with others "on getting a retainer for the hourly services too...Ignoring communications is definitely not the way to go.  That's just going to put the owner in a bad mood". Although Volunteer recommended for "Anything under fifteen or twenty or so minutes just do it and ask them to call again...In a way you are representing all architects. Don't be an ass" Good_Knight clearly disagreed "Personally, I am convinced impulsive morons in the profession who speak out of their ass, including ASSuming a reply to any and all communication is requisite all the time, are ruining the profession.  Turning it away from systems management and into product delivery."