Anthony Morey introduced Cross-Talk #6: East vs West.

WAI Think Tank started by looking at the problem(s) of Imperialism, Orientalism, "hegemonic powers" and canon. They argued "In the midst of an ongoing debacle of global proportions only a truly critical architecture can offer a vision of a world where humanity, architecture and the environment are in radical balance, and where East and West are just geographical references to explain where the Sun rises and the day sets."

Duane McLemore made reference to Orientalism, Critical Regionalism, Audre Lorde and "dealing with privilege", while Conor Gravelle contended

"The narratives of the East and West begin to loose grounds where they fail to adequately surmount the intersectionality of contemporary existence...While this truth may not deliver the kind of critical fodder as the grander concepts of East or West, careful engagement with place offers a powerful sense of validation independent from heritage or nationality, beyond the confines of simplistic binaries."

For his part, Konstantinos Chatzaras began in Ancient Greece, ending "The migration from east to west is not one of betterment but alteration, addition to architecture’s repertoire and expansion of its horizons...there only one question left to ask: Where is architecture’s new west?"

Plus, Shane Reiner-Roth shared (some of) his collection of exhibit/pavilion pamphlets from the 2018 Venice Biennale.

News

Archinectors got chatty after listening to episode 125 of Archinect Sessions, "Fear of Commitment" which featured Ken and Donna talking about this year's AIA National Convention in NYC. Donna even uploaded little sketches in which she summarized each of the first ten speakers topics, from the post Convention, Architecture Lobby "Think-in".

ICYMI, LA Times culture writer Carolina Miranda challenged male architects to navigate their own building in a skirt. citizen offered one quibble "If we want to talk about a lack of responsiveness by architects to big segments of the population-- that's an important subject. Restrooms, fixtures, entrances, lighting, signage, and other elements are much likelier offenders than glass stairs."

Later Orhan Ayyüce and citizen both saw a shoe.

Justine Testado provided a closer look at Cabbage Tree House by Peter Stutchbury Architects, which readers felt it an "absolutely beautiful design", "Gorgeous” and "Somehow reminiscent of some old Hollywood Hills homes".

Reacting to MAD Architects’ design for the Southbank by Beulah tower in the heart of downtown Melbourne, randomised felt it "Looks very Australian...they often do things there that don't make any sense and which reinterpret other concepts or styles in a contemporary Po-Mo kind of way."

AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for June was 51.3. Of note, even with increasing demand "Nearly half of firms plan to increase staff productivity to cope with rising firm expenses."

Architecture Portfolio by Joseph Young and Architecture After the End of Work by Jason Minor are just two of the latest top ten projects (in no particular order) featured on the Archinect Pinterest board Student Work.

Firms/Work Updates

Recently, Kurt West owner of West Workshop announced they placed as "finalists for a bus shelter RFP in Hyattsville, Maryland".

Make Architects unveiled Portsoken Pavilion, a sculptural monocoque structure in what remains of Aldgate gyratory/square.

Raya Ani teased an official launch of an AIA - Middle East Chapter in Baghdad.

Those looking for new employment can find a disciplinarily diverse range of open positions on the Archinect Job Boards, ranging from;

Creative Brand/Design Managers (at Brand Bureau or The Standard) and Intermediate Architects (COOKFOX or Arquitectonica) to even Landscape Architecture/Design (TINA CHEE landscape studio or Lucas and Lucas)

School/Blogs

American architect J. Meejin Yoon has been appointed as the next Dean of the College of Architecture, Art and Planning at Cornell University.

Discussions/Threads

eastcoast wanted to talk about the "type of artistic representation...taught in schools" and Non-Built Work. Specifically "I find it interesting how many of the top firms list all their projects, including the ones that were just ideas and never anything beyond that...How do other people feel about non-built work?... Like...when firms do this type of work, is it completed, like do they have all the floor plans any everything thought out with real drawings or just presentation wise?"

randomised pointed out it was an easy way to shape a narrative "to frame actual built work and to get new commissions or be invited to competitions." gibbost answered with personal experience "If it's something you're proud of--something that shows the firm's capabilities--then don't be ashamed of including it in your portfolio." Archicore agreed "I always really appreciated the look into a firms unbuilt work. It's a look at the firms potential, which I'm assuming is invaluable for those just starting out."

sandrock has been working for almost 10 years and is looking for tips on How to become a Partner/Principal. eeayeeayo confirmed it’s never just about being promoted, "In some cases you can buy into the firm gradually, essentially by being bonused a percentage each year over a period of time.  In others you'll need the ‘big chunk of cash’. In many cases it's a combo of those two." tduds added "or generate revenue." Some like McTaco advised, not wasting your money and just starting your own firm.

CluelessMillenial was curious "How young designers entering the workforce can avoid looking and being clueless?" Everyday Architect started off snarky, then added "Above all, be prepared to research, study, ask, learn, make mistakes, try again, look stupid, be called stupid, etc. etc. Don't take it too personally, and be better tomorrow than you were today." Erik Evens suggested "The worst thing a young architect can do?  Pretend to know stuff when you don't."

Finally, HootienBlowfish started a hot topic Abuse in Architecture Schools? Most agreed there was at least "verbal and emotional abuse", while racial bias, Sexism and a "culture of privilege" or even "unwanted sexual advances" have been experienced by too many.

Since the OP indicated this was for research, Marc Miller requested "Please create a proper survey tool through your school." There was also disagreement, about any sort of "critical consensus...being formed on this anonymous internet board."

Additionally

Over at Common \ Edge, Duo Dickinson answers the question In the Era of Artificial Intelligence, Will Architecture Become Artisanal? To wit,

"If technology changes the way architects work, then the emergence of hands-on food production as a viable alternative to mass-produced agribusiness might provide a model for architects moving forward."