Archinect's editorial and news in February was dominated by the attempt, and subsequent rebuke, of an authoritarian power grab through architectural design, the continued plea against the sudden closure of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin school, and the impending advent of a global pandemic.

↑ New executive order could make classical architecture "the preferred and default style" for America's public buildings

Kicking the month off with a splash was the announcement of a new executive order that sought to make classical architecture "the preferred and default style" for America's federal buildings. The following days were dominated by swift rebuke from the architecture community and unified, public rejection of such an executive style mandate from the AIA, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, NOMA, ASLA, The Architecture Lobby, and leading academics. Ultimately, the "Make Federal Buildings Beautiful Again" presidential dictate remained an unrealized draft.

↑ Students at the School of Architecture at Taliesin release a statement about the controversial closure

Following the surprise announcement of the controversial closure of Frank Lloyd Wright's School of Architecture at Taliesin in late January, Archinect published a shared statement from the student body.

↑ Wuhan's Huoshenshan Hospital built in 10 days to combat coronavirus

While news coverage of the novel coronavirus outbreak focused mainly on Chinese cities in early February, it quickly became apparent throughout the month that a global pandemic could be possible, and ultimately, inevitable with museum closures in northern Italy and a rescheduling of the Salone del Mobile in Milan.

↑ A Conversation with Curtis Moody, FAIA on What It Means to Help Shape a Future for Black Architects

We had the pleasure of interviewing Curtis Moody, an established architect and co-founder of Columbus-headquartered national practice Moody Nolan which also received the AIA Architecture Firm Award this year. The conversation reflects on his journey toward becoming an architect and running the largest African American-owned architecture firm in the nation.

↑ Sino-African Architecture; A Look at the Rise of Chinese-Built Projects Across the African Continent

Writing from Tanzania, architect, writer, and frequent Archinect contributor Hannah Wood took a closer look at six current projects by Chinese contractors in various African contexts.

↑ For Los Angeles' Future, See Tokyo's Present

Seoul-based writer Colin Marshall penned a fascinating essay attempting to reveal deep similarities between the two megalopolises of Tokyo, Japan and Los Angeles, California.

↑ Visionary architect Yona Friedman has passed away

In February, we lost pioneering architect Yona Friedman, the visionary mind behind the concepts of "mobile architecture" and "ville spatiale." He passed away at age 96.

↑ This YouTuber outlines what it's like to work at an architecture firm

Closing out the month's editorial highlight is this insightful animated video by YouTuber Mooch of Pigeonhead Architecture outlining typical phases of a project as well as various types of firms.