Saad Rajan penned an editorial about The Revival of Human-Centered Architecture. In it he praises the works of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA) "hidden gems…from unexpected places" which have "had a transformational impact on how we reward, understand, analyze, appreciate, and create human-centered architecture. All the while bringing awareness to architecture in the Muslim world and perhaps reigniting a design mecca that was seemingly forgotten."

While some folks thought the piece was lacking a cogent, coherent argument marymery32 was more appreciative "YES, to partnerships, YES to storytelling, but let's start by expanding the roles of architects in society, diversifying what it is taught is architecture school to have a wider discipline".

Plus, Emilie Taylor Welty, Tulane School of Architecture's new Director, chatted with Katherine Guimapang.

News

ahhhhh reacted to the first UK salary transparency data published by group The Pay 100 "Sheesh, absolutely abysmal pay. I've never understood why compensation for architects is so particularly bad in the UK."

haruki had a question about the AIA|LA Design Awards "Does anyone know if these AIA awards are pay to play or can you submit a project without having to pay a fee? Just thinking about next year and a couple of projects that are wrapping up. I'm not too keen on the having to pay aspect to a lot of awards."

In industry news, the 2022 AIA Firm Survey: The Business of Architecture found that the renovation, rehabilitation, extension, or preservation of existing buildings account for 48% of billings at U.S. architecture firms. Meanwhile recent Yardi Matrix data also showed "Adaptive reuse apartments are increasing faster than new apartments” with “Conversions from office buildings to apartments…at an all-time high".

citizen was actually bit surprised "We've always known that much of what architects do involves existing structures... I'd actually expect the overall number to be higher than 48%."

Orhan Ayyüce liked what he saw of the latest plans, by BIG and EYRC, for LA's Arts District "If Bjarke gets 85% of what's in the drawings at the building of the stepping terrace, it would be such a refreshed configuration of its category in Los Angeles."

3XN has completed "world’s most comprehensive upcycling of an existing tower" in Sydney. monosierra was impressed "Bravo! This is taking the re-cladding work that's increasingly common in major cities to a new level. Love to see this project from a real estate point of view." Later archanonymous added "we need more work like this…It's also a good use of an architect's talents. Any hack can demolish an old building and throw up a new glass tower, but something like this... *chef's kiss*"

Denise Scott Brown released an essay appealing for the City of Westminster’s planning committee to refuse permission for Selldorf Architects' revamp of the National Gallery's Sainsbury Wing. thisisnotmyname was "glad that the opinion of the original architect of this important building is being heard.  Selldorf's claims that the Scott-Brown approved the proposed remuddle of this and the MOCA  have always reeked of bullshit."

Tolbiac housing project in Paris, France by Atelier Architecture Vincent Parreira - AAVP and Siji Minfu Roast Duck Restaurant in Beijing, China by IN.X Design are just two of the latest top images (in no particular order) from the Archinect Pinterest board Fancy Facades.

R.I.P. Diamond Schmitt co-founder Abel Joseph “Jack” Diamond at the age of 89 and Payette founder Tom Payette at age 90.

Blogs/Firms/Work Updates

Over at his blog, David C. McFadden took issue with an editorial by Adam Greenfield, about the complicity of any firms involved in Neom’s design and construction. Yet, ‘Nectors weren’t buying it

"what a load of the same old capitalist nonsense" aka "Lets not kid ourselves, it is all about the money for these architects and those that work for them."

The "design collaborative" i/thee reflected on the inaugural 2022 Bethel Woods Art and Architecture Festival, which they curated.

CTS Group Architecture Planning, PA was awarded a Gold Medal Design Award from the American Institute of Architects Newark Suburban chapter. The award was for comprehensive exterior façade restoration work at 55 Reade Street, New York, NY.

Looking for work? The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services is seeking to "hire a Project Manager (Architect Level 3)...Significant experience in architectural programming (workplace strategy) is preferred."

Alternatively, the Obama Foundation is accepting applications for The Obama Presidential Center (OPC) Senior Associate of Design.

Schools

ICYMI, students from the University of Oregon won a 2022 ASLA Student Honor Award in the Communications Category, for their project Overlook Field School: Wildfire Recovery. The project "centered around communicating the dynamism of post-fire landscapes and what they can teach us about resilience."

The Cornell’s Board of Trustees has reappointed Dean J. Meejin Yoon to a second term.

Looking for a new gig in higher education? The UCLA Department of Architecture and Urban Design is accepting applications for "one or more full-time, tenure-track faculty positions at the rank of Assistant Professor in Architecture".

Or for something not in academia, the University of Idaho is hiring an Architectural & Engineering Services Project Manager.

Discussion/Threads

proto had a question about "floor insul & vapor control" for the pros especially "you mountain-folk archs chad/jlc/whistler: we will over insulate the soffit...but what sort of vapor control?" Chad Miller even provided a sketch or two with his answer(s) while both atelier nobody and Non Sequitur were on the same page

"I would make the ceiling/soffit and wall finishes as vapor permeable as possible, then a small vented and drained air gap, non-moisture-sensitive continuous insulation, then an impermeable air-/vapor-/wrb between the continuous insulation".

In sum, folks agreed that "basically…a kind of horizontal rain screen assembly” was an “appropriate strategy" if looking for the "simplest mitigation".

Bench is about halfway through reading The Pretty Good House and is "especially delighted in the recurring advice / celebration of reducing complexity in homes" but is curious about how often a clients' desires are aligned. Something that's been on their mind more recently as they’ve had a chance to pass on work from family/friend. At least in part because clients were looking for "a fairly complex, typically suburban home."

Wood Guy admits that "One of the more selfish reasons for writing it was to help clients pre-screen themselves" and has been using a website for the same purpose for years. Modeled a bit after the The Not So Big House concept and book series by Sarah Susanka, FAIA. All of which to say, screening clients based on aesthetics and style may be required.

Finally, Non-ASD created a confession thread of sorts "where does one draw the line between sharp critique and douchebagerry?...do you love trashing students at crits?" kenchiku answered the OP "When the comments become directed at the student and them as a person, and not at the work on the boards" while whistler had a similar take "No one should love trashing students at crits, ( that's just plain douchbaggery )and just plain mean spirited". In fact tduds argued "The best reviewers are the ones who ask questions. The worst are the ones who make proclamations." Especially when compared to the "circle jerk of hollow intellectualism aimed at proving to the other critics how intelligent and edgy you are instead of helping the students".