News 
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced that Zaha Hadid Architect's design for the Tokyo Olympic Stadium would be scratched in favor of a complete redesign. Prior to the cancellation Tadao Ando (chairman of the design committee) stated "We shouldn’t drop Ms. Hadid’s design, otherwise we’ll lose credibility internationally".

Jaime Roberts believes "The world is holding architects to higher expectations of budget control on projects...If you get paid millions for a design, you should be able to hire good cost estimators and value engineers." Thayer-D was disappointed "That's too bad, I thought the design was attractive." midlander argued "Those who suggest that architects are shirking some responsibility here fail to observe that no one else is good at cost control either...Its simply unrealistic to expect a government to project realistic budgets; they would be rejected immediately."

Will Galloway provided some local perspective "It is most certainly very little about Zaha or the design. Unless they change the olympic planning something of about the same size and shape is going to be built in the same place, by a star-architect most likely, and for a similar cost. So yeah, whatever...My only wish is that they pick someone who works on the urban planning side of the design this time around."

Marina City was given preliminary landmark status. EKE was pleased "I've always thought these were elegant buildings.  I'm glad they will be protected".

Orhan Ayyüce pointed out The Vanna Venturi house is for sale. The asking price $1,750,000.

Responding to some commenters he noted "The price of Vanna House as of now is a bargain for that kind of a purchase...C'mon, it is a full and important piece that influenced the course of architecture one way or another...That doesn't mean our knee-jerk reaction should be teardown". Thayer-D offered up some elegantly back-handed praise "culturally it seems worth protecting, only because it allowed elite architects to re-examine the benefit of rain shedding roofs and non- industrial ornamentation." Later, DWLindeman predicted "Ideally, the Vanna Venturi house will be sold to someone who really wants to live there.  However, should the property...become a buyer's main goal, the prospect of moving this iconic house will certainly be considered, I predict.  After all, this is how the Lieb House was saved."
 

Firms/Work Updates
Portland based Waechter Architecture recently completed construction on Garden House, a house-in-a-backyard, otherwise known as an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).

Jessica A.S. Letaw author of Architectstasy reviewed the bids submitted in response to the City of Ann Arbor’s Offering Memorandum for  "Library Lot”. She also reflected on the The Struggle for Relevance by the AIA, Architects, and Architecture. Specifically, with regards to the ongoing process of defining local chapters as either a "section" or "component" in relation to AIA national.

tintt asked "Why do architects want to network with other architects anyways?...In my experience networking across multiple disciplines is more effective...The point should be outreach, not exclusion, just my radical non-status-quo-maintaining thoughts."

El Tallercito in Babahoyo, Ecuador by Natura Futura Arquitectura and House in Montauk, NY by Biber Architects are just two of the projects that can be found on the latest Ten Top Images on Archinect's "Details" Pinterest Board.

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" who walked gfrank1" through the business practices, project costs, and budget management".

FIU’s College of Architecture + the Arts launched Inspicio, a new arts publication platform.

Discussions/Threads
georgeoscarbluth wanted to know more about "architectural concrete and what is the alternative to using it?" Unlike the first few commenters JonathanLivingston helpfully explained "I think the distinction you are looking for is between architectural and structural concrete. Architectural concrete usually has some additional specific specifications for finish because it will be exposed along with the typical specifications for concrete strength and mix that is only structural." 

Everyday Intern added "The American Concrete Institute defines architectural concrete and has more stringent requirements for it than structural concrete in ACI 301 Section 6...gets into requirements for concrete placement, etc. as well that most contractors don't know about and don't follow...In my experience, when we talk about architectural concrete in my office, no one really understands the level of effort and detail that need to go into it to get it right."

Donna Sink is looking for advice regarding "grasses that can resist the foot traffic that leads to this existing bald spot." 3tk doesn’t think any "lawn type grass would survive there (maybe crabgrass...).  A few stone pavers might look nice.  Synthetic grass will look odd when the lawn changes color, but if the high visit times are when the lawn is green, it might not be so bad." jla-x recommended installing "COREgrass™ Turf Reinforcement Grids" while Marc Miller commented "structural soil underneath...would be beneficial".

3tk countered "The grass is dead b/c people are stepping on it, breaking it's structure - the compaction is a small part of it (it will cause the dimple).  structural soil won't fix it, and geotextiles/webs/etc won't help much either...Irrigate it, apply nutrient boost, root growth hormone, and limit traffic.  Stretching the top landing out may be the most elegant solution".

Finally, Volunteer shared an article in the WSJ about a resurgence in what they call "ranch" homes. stone replied "More trendy silliness for the rich" while Andrew.Circle wondered "Where are the hip roofs? Where are the garage doors? Why is there so much natural light? Where is the brick watertable and vertical wood siding? Aren't these are just high-end homes without a second story? I'm left with too many rhetorical questions and confusion as to why they would call this a ranch house reinvention."