Nicholas Korody published The Amnesias of "Make New History", a reflection on the "broader curatorial failures" of the second Chicago Architecture Biennial, which launched with the theme "Make New History." davvid (and others) were impressed "Wow. Thats an excellent critique."

The latest The Proust Questionnaire: featured Steven Holl. randomised thought it noteworthy that "he chose an associate architect at his own firm (Dimitra Tsachrelia) as his favourite living architect." For me, it was Holl's definition of architectural misery.

News

The Washington Post examined how a year after its opening the building of the National Museum of African American History already shows signs of aging. Marc Miller drew attention to more substantive concerns "the real matter at hand is the ability of the building to effectively represent the African-American experience given physical limitations, circulation issues, and an ever expanding collection."

The French architect Jean Nouvel defended his Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi, from accusations it was built by exploited and abused migrant workers. Orhan Ayyüce reacted to the associated photos of the project (scheduled to open on November 11) "It is very scenic...I think Nouvel is the most filmic among the superstar architects who does not suppress his narratives. This museum is hi-arabesque that oil rich Abu Dhabi thoroughly appreciates. I don't think you can do this in the west, we are not that fictional."

The 2018 Royal Gold Medal was awarded to social housing pioneer Neave Brown. Timothy Witzig relayed how he "had the pleasure of being taught by Mr. Brown one semester at Washington University in St. Louis. He had a profound effect on my way of thinking...Thank you Neave and congratulations on your well deserved recognition."

Architecture lost both; renowned Cambodian architect Vann Molyvan, at the age of 90 and David Mark architect behind London Eye, at age 64.

Christopher Hawthorne reported on the latest status of and community concerns over the plans for an Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on Chicago's South Side. Ultimately, "The Obama Presidential Center will be transformative, just as it will be truly urban, only up to a point." Louie seemingly agreed "The Obama Library should NOT be sited in the park...It should be located deep in the heart of SE Chicago so to benefit and stimulate that community."

Double Duplex in Toronto, Canada by Batay-Csorba Architects and House of Switzerland in Mexico City by Dellekamp Arquitectos are just two of the striking projects to be found in the latest Top Ten Images from the Architect Sure! Pinterest Board.

Firms/Work Updates

With the project “The Wooden Box House”, the Swedish architecture office Spridd offers an answer to a number of challenges in today’s building industry. Spridd’s six-story building demonstrates the advancements in large-scale structures in wood. Which have reached a level where they can compete with steel and concrete.

Deep Shah started up A State of Architecture blog. His first post shared some "Thoughts on contemporary architectural practice".

For those looking for work SHoP Architects is looking for a Senior Associate. Reqs include "10+ years of experience" and "Familiarity with Novation process". Also, a willingness to relocate to their Melbourne Australia office? Alternatively, Snøhetta needs an Architect/Designer with 2-5 years in their San Francisco office.

School/Blogs

If you would rather a job in academia, check out Tulane School of Architecture, which has a vacancy for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor Design and Digital Representation/Fabrication. The start date is set for Fall 2018. Or, Rice University | Rice Architecture which is accepting applications for a full-time faculty position at the school. Either Assistant Professor (tenure-track) or the Associate Professor (tenured) level.

Otis College of Art and Design announced that Stephen Billings, (Principal, Stephen Billings Landscape Architecture), will lecture on  Thursday, November 2, 2017, at 7:00 pm.

Both Laurila and meganmohney started up blogs and began sharing their student experience at Taubman College.

Discussions/Threads

RValu100 put out a call for strategies for getting unstuck. Tinbeary There there advised taking a walk, doing "anything physically engaging" or a change in medium. Wood Guy offered up "Look at it upside down or mirror imaged. Seriously; sometimes it shakes something loose." Everyday Architect added "If I had a $100 bill every time I saw a professor turn someone's drawing sideways or upside down, I would have graduated debt free."

mariosk is (currently) loving some overtime y' all! Many Necters however made the case for the importance of personal time and/or better time management. A position summarized by fictional\_/Christopher "Yeah the school studio mentality of - i still have overnight to finish is a bad habit. If try and get all done between 9-6 etc...without archinect posting breaks etc...you actually get a kit done om normal hours."

Finally, markcini has recently become inspired by the work of Peter Zumthor. Specifically, Zumthor’s focus on "atmosphere through materials, light and structure". Chris-chitect confirmed the magic "I lost track of time when I visited Zumthor's pool in Vals Switzerland and managed to spend 5 hours floating". Later 3tk noted "Phenomenology as a field is an interesting bend in philosophy...I find Zumthor's architecture to be superbly executed and his theories an interesting relationship of universal experience and reaction to spaces and phenomena."

Additionally

Fore-ground published a chat with Pierre Bélanger, ahead of his appearance at the 2017 Festival of Landscape Architecture, wherein he talks extraction

"Design disciplines need to stop fetishising the large, mega scales of mining and territorial infrastructures, and they need to stop appropriating indigenous cultures in order to understand and internalise the deep, political, sovereignties of the lands they are invited to work on."