Julia Ingalls penned a review of the "recently redesigned Petersen Museum". Responding to her criticism Seth Terry asked "has the public really been cheated?...I find it telling that the members of the public quoted in the article itself not only like the museum but find that it fills the role of providing whimsy in the architectural landscape. Is it a masterful piece of design-as-criticism? Absolutley not. But Urban Blight? Hardly."

Meanwhile Nick Cecchi spoke with the founders of Aranda\Lasch, Benjamin Aranda, Chris Lasch, as well as Joaquin Bonifaz (also from the firm) about informality, "a commitment to systems" and "extreme modularity". midlander reflected "interesting how architecture goes in and out of phases where pattern and geometry are considered interesting or important...I'm eager to see what they come up with as they scale up in their work. And how it compares to the less-rigorous 'pattern space' being explored by some like Heatherwick and ...ahem... BIG."

News
Dame Zaha Mohammad Hadid, DBE was apparently not impressed by the Chicago Architecture Biennial, which she found to be "a cute show". archanonymous offered a slight corrective having actually attended the lecture. Plus, some on the ground reporting "it was (as) poignant (as a packed-house kiss-in with a terrible moderator can be). The Biennial IS bad."

Adam Mørk and Hufton+Crow released photos of MAD's new 850,000 square foot Harbin Opera House. no form thinks "this building is amazing...what's nice about this building is that it clearly is of it's time, but it's not making claims like schumacher does.  they are using contemporary technology and materials to develop a concept that comes from the local landscape and culture." jla-x agreed "trendy blobitecture, but a well done blob".

Orhan Ayyüce posted a video of Zaha Hadid at SCI Arc in 1985. He still remembers this first time he saw her "She beams out talent, strength, commanding conviction that she has got it. She is at her best."

AIA established the Equity in Architecture Commission, a 20-member panel of leading architects, educators, and specialized experts who will be in charge of investigating diversity and inclusion in the architecture profession. They will report their findings to the AIA Board of Directors at the end of 2016. citizen had a helpful suggestion "How about a program getting architecture schools to actively recruit applicants from minority communities in cities across the US?  Getting a lot more racial and ethnic diversity in each year's admissions pool seems pretty fundamental to this goal."

The Japanese government picked a design by architect Kengo Kuma for the new National Stadium, a building that is expected to become the centerpiece of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Mr_Wiggin commented "If the gov't. REALLY wanted to do the right thing they would've cancelled the Olympics and used the money for 3-11 cleanup and reconstruction.  Choosing a local architect after another design had won out and was, for all intents and purposes, ready to roll was merely a move to distract and placate, and by no means a money saving measure."

As might be expected, Dame Zaha Mohammad Hadid, DBE  was disappointed with the decision, Seth Terry considered her argument regarding the decision "I think calling bullshit on the process is not actually an unreasonable thing for her to have done." Will Galloway wasn’t so sure the new stadium was an improvement "Toyo ito is also saying the building design is basically zaha's plan with a new skin….Donna, do you find Kuma's project local looking? It seems ironically more generic than Zaha's project...Kuma is such a good politician. That is the real lesson in all this."
 

Firms/Work Updates
Jessica A.S. Letaw published her list of best In Architecture(ish) Books for 2015. Nate Hornblower argued "Most of these books are old or not original. Best book of the year was Heroic by far--new but timely."

Hong Kong based spatial practice, completed a site-specific installation, titled ‘Glowing Trees’. The sculpture is composed of seven out-of-scale kinetic “trees”, can be found in one of Hong Kong’s iconic indoor public spaces.

Christopher Perrodin continued outlining the potential architecture(s) of 21st century commerce. His latest post focused on connections between the "nature of making" memory, experience and brand.
 

School/Blogs
Parker Ammann affiliated with Cal Poly - Pomona, reflected on his previous quarter during which he "took a more theoretical studio...with a great professor, Frank Clementi of RCH studios". For his project he proposed a DMV located onsite the Arc De Triomphe.

For the first time in its history, the undergraduate architecture program at Woodbury University’s School of Architecture has been ranked among the top 25 nationally, the university announced today.

For those looking for work The University of Arkansas Community Design Center (UACDC), is looking to hire a Project Designer/Architect while Qatar University wants to hire a Professor/Associate Professor in Architecture and Urban Planning.
 

Discussions/Threads

Inspired by a "freaking awesome and wonderful" building by Richard and Bauer, Donna Sink wanted opinions on whether courtyard buildings make sense in the Midwest climate?

anonitect couldn’t remember "any really exciting examples of courtyard buildings in the midwest, but there were a few pretty good academic buildings and dormitories with courtyards that got used in good weather at my alma mater", while mightyaa shared "We've been doing semi-enclosed courtyards a lot lately here in Colorado on our commercial and multifamily." Later Volunteer suggested "In the Midwest climate a U-shaped building with a maximum of two stories, open to the south/southwest for the maximum sun, and with a fire pit might work."

Stephanie Braconnier joined the discussion contrasting North American examples to those she experienced in Scandinavia and Berlin. Specifically, "A sliver of non-built mass surrounded by more than 6 stories does not a courtyard make...The reality is that there's no opportunity...like there is in open courtyards of Europe".

no_form needed help settling "an office debate" on Wainscoting For tduds a general rule "is 1/3 ceiling height, which puts you at 40" and On the fence thinks 32-36 inches is standard "especially for anything over 8 feet in height". While perhaps disagreeing, Everyday Intern pointed to one definitive source, the "Architectural Woodwork Standards (AWS) Edition I, 2009; Glossary".

Finally, Peter Normand wonders "how widespread the use of contract or temporary employees in architectural firms is"? For his part geezertect isn't surprised by Peter’s experience "It is getting to be widespread all across the economy." Olaf Design Ninja_  saw the upside "realized early on this is a very job based profession and willingly switched to consulting (contracting)" which can be profitable. Similarily, 3tk believes there are "advantages to being contract.  Having done it, it lets you be more freelance while you feel out firms.  And if you're good, you do get to pick and choose".

On the other hand in shuellmi’s experience "most contract positions are at firms that are just getting by and are looking for a way to get an employee without taking on salary and benefits."
 

Additionally
You might also want to check out 'The Paradoxes of Design Activism: Expertise, Scale and Exchange' by Associate Professor C. Greig Crysler of University of California at Berkeley

Via FIELD