Anthony Morey introduced Cross-Talk #4 on Academic Aesthetics. In his contribution, Zack Matthews "addresses a discourse of architectural representation which has made its re-entry into the academy—the neo-collage."

After reading another entry, davvid complained "This is all very architecture-centric, but aesthetics are never limited to a single field. There is an enormous body of critical analysis of contemporary aesthetics that could help clarify what architects and architecture students are doing with their images."

For her part Saba Salekfard offered a defense (of sorts?)

"the collage has become an essential method in creating atmospheres out of an architectural idea. The collage builds a curated experience, with symbolic and multi-layered images explaining the stories behind a space, creating an interpretative process for the viewer. Collages push the design forward because of its efficiency in production and flexibility of the technique. It also is a form of research, requiring the gathering of material through the infinite library of the internet".

Later Joel Kerner asked "What are the underlying systems created by academics and professionals that perpetuate a discrepancy between academic and professional aesthetic production?"

News

For Episode 116 of Archinect Sessions, Paul travels to Minneapolis to join Ken in a conversation with Julie Snow and Matt Kreilich of Snow Kreilich Architects, winner of the 2018 AIA Architecture Firm Award.

Chemex offered his congrats "great podcast — elevating diverse building types is a good theme."

After seeing Snøhetta’s proposal for Norwegian artist, Bjarne Melgaard’s new house / atelier (aka ‘A House to Die In’), chigurh doubted even if it does make it to building that it would "be anywhere near the ephemeral delicate nature of the matte painting renderings shown."

Morpholio launched Trace (an Augmented Reality app) for iPhone, which provides five so-called "CA Super Tools". Chemex opined "there’s 50 different apps like this and they are all more trouble than they are worth. a smarter future won’t involve this controrting. A mouse is still a superior architecture tool to a small touch screen with a million tiny buttons, and superior to that is a pen and notepad".

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the January ABI score was 54.7, up from a score of 52.8 in the previous month. Inquiries into new projects also remained strong, as did the share of firms reporting an increase in the value of new signed design contracts—a good indicator of work in the pipeline. Firms have seen consistently strong growth in new project activity for the last 15 months.

R.I.P. , Wilbert Hasbrouck, renowned Chicago preservation architect and co-owner of Prairie Avenue Bookshop, at 86.

Caroline's Place in London, UK by Amin Taha Groupwork and MOUNTAIN:house in Barlett, NH by INTERSTICE Architects are just two of the great projects to be found on the latest Ten top images (in no particular order) from Archinect’s Pinterest board Bathroom Spaces.

Firms/Work Updates

Positive Pete published another architectural comix.

Recently, Dana Krystle worked on Architecture Sketch_6_2.

Erin Sharp Newton‘s latest post was inspired by what her husband, a surveyor found at a recent job site. In it she argues "Our job, as placemakers, is at least to acknowledge that homelessness  exists, and if at all possible, try to make a difference." Everyone appreciated what they read and encouraged her "Please continue to write more."

For those looking for work, Grimshaw is seeking highly motivated Architects and Architectural Assistants to join their London practice. Or Eskew+Dumez+Ripple is looking to hire an Experience Design Architect (with minimum 2-5 years of experience in a Design focused role).

School/Blogs

As part of their 'Fieldwork in American Modernism' elective with Professor Sarah Rovang, sdonnelly (a dual-masters student at the University of Michigan's Taubman College) explored the mid-century modernist architecture around Ann Arbor. Specifically a field-trip/walking tour through the Geddes neighborhood.

This Monday, Feb 26 you can catch Charles Waldheim speak on the 'The New Heliomorphism', as part of UCLA A.UD’s Lecture Series 2017-18 at 6PM.

Discussions/Threads

First, shellarchitect wanted to talk about the Side Hustle. Pros, cons and ideas for.  LITS4FormZ has been getting into "home inspections" and Erik Evens once was a residential real-estate appraiser, on the side. One positive, was the "somewhat flexible hours." For his part Josh Mings enjoys being a freelance ARE prep coach.

Meanwhile jjoyner has been working in the field a couple of years and has "come to an understanding that I'm not great at creating concepts and creative works, which is very much needed as an architect. But I can say I'm good at the stages that comes after the conceptual development,like design problem solving, working drawings, shop drawings etc. and also on the project management side(by occasionally working with the senior project manager)."

So, naturally they are wondering what are possible Career options? geezertect agreed with others "If you enjoy doing the stuff downstream from design phase, stick with it.  You will be more valuable in the long run." Other commenters thought they saw the makings of an "excellent project architect".

Arivas208 recently read that "within the next 20 years or so most office jobs will move to contract/freelance" and wanted to get Archinector’s thoughts on how this might "eliminate a lot of the slackers that are just looking for a paycheck sitting in a cozy office". randomised has done both and personally prefers

"the freelance insecurity and variety of jobs over having contracts not renewed in supposedly stable positions." Many agreed "You can (and should) definitely earn more (and have more freedom in many aspects) working as freelance/self-employed."

Finally, Donna Sink wanted to talk about collaboration, communication styles, professional culture and prima donnas.

In working with historic buildings, thatisthat has found
"a collaborative process is absolutely essential.  We measure.  We draw as accurately as possible...but it's really up to the contractor (per specifications) to verify dimensions in field and fulfill the design intent.  We (meaning designers I work with) have to rely on the contractor to do their job accurately." As 3tk summed up "The louder and faster someone talks is also a big indication for me...It is rather amazing that there are so many that lack self-awareness and humility in the profession."

Additionally

Over at the London Review of Books, Meehan Crist reviews ‘The Water Will Come: Rising Seas, Sinking Cities and the Remaking of the Civilised World’ by Jeff Goodell. Therein she writes

"With rising seas, the endpoint remains unknown. Three feet? Eight feet? Grief is stalled by uncertainty. For what eventuality should you and your community prepare? Of what do you need to let go in order to move forward? The incentive to wait and see is powerful. But hoping for a rise in sea levels of just one or two feet by 2100 is starting to look a lot like self-delusion, and for those who have the luxury of choice, clinging to life at the waterline is increasingly an exercise in self-defeat. For politicians and the rich, who prosper from maintenance of the status quo, it is increasingly unconscionable...In the coming years, as cities around the world need to be raised, rebuilt, walled off from the ocean, or abandoned, millions of people will be displaced, impoverished and left to fend for themselves by governments unwilling or unable to help."