Inspired by some recent events, Margie Lavender reflected on the Progress and Equality of Women in Architecture. spiketwig commented

"This really reflects my experience as well - for the most part I do not experience overt discrimination, but there have been the occasional incidents I've written off in much the same way you describe. And the dissonance of knowing what the surveys show so clearly, and wondering if I'm naïve and being taken advantage of, when I don't *think* I am? It's all very hard to reconcile".

Plus, Archinect spoke with Chair George Proctor, Associate Professor and First Year Studio Coordinator Robert Alexander, and three current undergraduate students about Cal Poly Pomona's Undergraduate Architecture Program.

Allyn Polancic, a "super proud" alum, agrees it is "one of the most underrated programs out there...The quality of education, low cost of tuition (state school, you can go here for free with grants/scholarships), diversity of student body and faculty, and job-readiness upon graduation make it a no-brainer".

News

Baltimore's Johns Hopkins University is getting a new Student Center, designed by BIG. Chemex opined

"The irregular ceilings allow for interesting natural light and spatial elements, but you get the impression the cascading ceiling is determining the spaces on the inside, not vice versa...Seems a lot of operations are wood-washing renderings now, when the architecture isn't that interesting. Compared with Artigas FAUSP in Sao Paulo too see a much greater student space--or OMA's IIT center."

Reacting to the new that Foster + Partners have been exploring the use of Boston Dynamics Spot®, Donna Sink believes this dog won't take "the place of site visits, but it could be an excellent way to document progress in between them."

Did you catch who was highlighted on the welcome screen after the update to MacOS Big Sur? sameolddoctor took the occasion to ask for an update to Archinect app. ICYMI the official response to that request was

"If we were to make one update to the Archinect iPhone app it would be to redirect people to Archinect’s mobile website. The app is so outdated."

Following claims, as part of an official inquiry over the Grenfell tragedy, of "fraud on the market", Thomas Wensing blamed austerity politics and neo-liberalism. Yet, Everyday Architect wasn’t so sure

“Will be interesting to see if this forces any change in product disclosures, or liability for architects...If the manufacturer provides the information in the testing reports and certifications to the architect, is it really the manufacturer's responsibility to make sure the architect understands it and also to check their design to make sure it matches the testing...Perhaps ... perhaps not...Is all of that due to neo-liberal economic ideas? Probably, but that's the system we're working under. Saying I don't agree with the system isn't going to work as a defense."

Summarizing the October ABI, AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. stated "Though still in negative territory, the moderating billings score along with the rebound in design contracts and inquiries provide some guarded optimism".

Elementary School Vřesovice/Reconstruction of Baroque Rectory in Vřesovice u Prostějova, Czech Republic by Public Atelier and Clinton Hill Brownstone in Brooklyn, NY by MKCA // Michael K Chen Architecture are just two of the latest top projects (in no particular order) from the Archinect Pinterest board Color.

Blogs/Firms/Updates/Work

ADEPT designed a new taphouse, around the concept of disassembly. Specifically, "The building is based on simple tectonic principles, and is completed with mechanical joints only. All primary wall surfaces are without paint or grout. Wooden floors are laid with waste product from nearby flooring manufacturer Junckers. The large roof surfaces are made from click-joint polycarbonate, while wood facades are made from the CO2 neutral Accoya that is certified Cradle2Cradle Gold, FSC".

KTGY Architecture and Planning joined the AIA 2030 Commitment and released a Sustainability Action Plan. Of note, the plan included a QA/QC roadmap designed to help keep their eyes on the prize and/or keep them honest.

If you are looking for work in the Rocky Mountain West, Love | Schack Architecture (who are Certified Passive House Consultants) is hiring for a Project Architect position.

Alternatively, Global Health Corps is accepting applications for a Design Fellow for working in Africa and The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture & Urban Planning is offering a one-year fellowship to support a scholar(s) whose work focuses on matters of contemporary urgency. Aka "Architectural Activism".

School/Blogs

Sean Joyner started a blog to document his time working and teaching at Woodbury School of Architecture in Burbank, CA.

Two more schools of architecture (Woodbury School of Architecture and the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee SARUP) have joined US Architects Declare.

Discussion/Threads

caramelhighrise asked "What are you embarrassed to admit you don't know about architecture?"

More than a few admitted being clueless about electrical power systems, understanding "how electricity works", "electrical math" aka "Amps, volts, watts". While for others it is "Door hardware" or handing. gibbost literally does "a little do-si-do with my arms to determine which way the door is swinging and how to properly document it." citizen found the thread reassuring in that "I'm not the only one who doesn't know everything, or even close to it." As mightyaa added "Just knowing when you need to ask questions is half the battle" aka "I'll never be embarrassed to admit...when I need to pick up the phone and call an expert."

BabbleBeautiful started sharing beautiful illustrations, diagrams, sketches. So far the thread features among other works, multiple Junya Ishigami’s, a "Materials diagram for Miller House" and a plan by Gio Ponti.

Finally x-jla was having "a bad month...Anyone else have spine problems from this career choice?" The general consensus was that architecture has "never been a great profession for lower back issues" and humans "really aren't meant to be sitting nearly as much as we do" (related see: "Sitting is the new smoking: where do we stand?"). Later in November, Donna Sink considered how to leverage time spent "at work" for better health/wellness. However, Peter Normand and Chad Miller both suggested that fundamentally "work life balance" is key.

Additionally

Over at Canadian Architect, Anthony Pak published a basic, embodied carbon, primer, reviewing the main materials used in building structures/envelopes and focusing on the biggest carbon considerations for each material.