In August, in our "From the Ground Up" series, we looked at some very early projects by Maya Lin, Barbara Bestor and Tod Williams & Billie Tsien.

On August 15th we reported about an article in the New Statesman, pointing out the white nationalist commentary coming out of a Twitter account presenting themselves as an innocuous account dedicated to the beauty of traditional architecture. Our sharing of this research lead to a steadfast and coordinated virtual assault from the account's followers. 

↑ Twitter account dedicated to traditional European architecture draws ire as an architecture-themed dog-whistle

In our look at July we pulled up the news of an Indiegogo campaign that was launched in an effort to crowdfund a Burning Man vision by BIG's Bjarke Ingels and Jakob Lange. The giant Orb became a reality. Our readers debated on the final product turning out better or worse than the rendering. I tend to side with the "better" team. 

↑ Bjarke Ingels's giant mirrored Orb rises at Burning Man

This story, of Thomas Kinkade/Modernism mashups, which is perfect for a revist during the holidays, was enjoyed by all here at Archinect.

↑ Architect shares wonderfully Photoshopped Thomas Kinkade and Modernism mashups on Twitter

In August Renzo Piano offered to design a new bridge to replace a recently collapsed bridge in Genoa. 

↑ Renzo Piano offers design to replace collapsed Genoa bridge

August saw a small win for the #metoo movement (common decency) when a Berkeley professor in sexual harassment case received a three-year suspension. 

Meanwhile, the NCARB released an announcement committing to diversity in leadership, illustrated with a photo of their extremely white, male leadership.

↑ NCARB announces a commitment to diversity in leadership

On the podcast we spoke with the Architecture Lobby's Peggy Deamer and Shota Vashakmadze about their newly launched "Just Design" initiative, recognizing firms exhibiting exemplary labor practices. Since then, a series of profiles on these firms has launch on Archinect, and will continue through to early next year. Here's to hoping 2019 sees continued improvement of conditions in the workplace. 

↑ Transparent Value; A Conversation with Architecture Lobby's Peggy Deamer and Shota Vashakmadze

Airbnb offered a chance to spend a night on the Great Wall of China, then quickly rescinded the offer.  

Over at Archinect Outpost, we stocked Real Review, and shared an interview with editor Jack Self about his "Mystic Process". 

We also released a fun map/walking guide of downtown LA's Arts District, home to Archinect Outpost. The map features a curated selection of shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars near the Archinect Outpost as well as architectural landmarks, art & culture institutions, and architecture & design schools in the Arts District and the greater downtown Los Angeles area.