John Southern penned a review of (a book I have been wanting to read, since I first saw a blurb for it a few weeks ago) Joe Day's "Corrections and Collections: Architectures for Art and Crime" (2013, Routledge). 

Therein he concluded "Joe Day makes it clear that we are entering a new period- one where the models of cultural consumption and the constructs of punishment are so similar, that the humanity contained within either system is obscured by the totalizing effects of a homogeneous and sinister architectural typology".

Plus, in the latest edition of the Working out of the Box feature, Archinect interviewed Makoto Mizutani and Benjamin Luddy, founders of LA-based product design studio Scout Regalia.

News
After 15 years of leadership co-founders, Cameron Sinclair and Kate Stohr have decided to transition from the organization and launch a fund to support future growth.

Over at the San Francisco Gate Liz Pfeffer reported that in today’s market "Well-heeled techies are looking for status in the simplicity of a home rather than its size". Orhan Ayyüce suggested a "return to a basic home should be more useful for occupants and the environment".

Matt Chaban reviewed, how New York City and the Feds are turning to design luminaries from the city and around the globe to help the five boroughs rebuild, for the New York Daily News. HotSoup was concerned "are the designers up to the task of saving the city from the next disaster? And will anyone actually follow their advice"? and Christopher Dougherty offered a criticism "If this is New York's main issue they will not solve by destroying their neighborhoods and continuing the policies that lead to the widening gap between rich and poor".

Justine Testado reminded readers that in light of a new school year and to continue the discussion on school safety, this year’s fast-approaching DesignDC conference will include, a roundtable discussion moderated by NPR radio journalist Kojo Nnamdi with four experts on school safety and design.

The new Court of Justice building in Hasselt, Belgium designed by a team comprising, Berlin-based J. MAYER H. Architects and local firms a2o-architecten andLensºass architecten, officially swung its doors open to the public on September 13th. Donna Sink felt "This looks SO BEAUTIFUL!  I saw it from the Hasselt train station last March and it literally took my breath away - it makes a great statement on the skyline.  To see the interiors and details are so well considered makes me happy".

Firms/Blogs/Work Updates

GDS Architects announced  it's 450 meter tall Tower Infinity observation tower has received Permit approval for construction near Incheon International Airport just outside of Seoul, Korea.

fitzpa2 was confused "as to what this technology does exactly, because i can still see the tower. maybe by telling us it's invisible we'll just believe it?" so jk3hl clarified "It's going to detect the sky all around it and then stitch itself into the vista with its LED curtain wall. it's 'camouflage' not invisibility. i can't believe they are spending money on that.. it's got to be insanely expensive".

A.GUIGNARD started a blog titled Mapping my Masters. The blog will give readers "the rare opportunity to follow what it's like to be a young newly graduated professional in this horrible economic time.I'll spell out the difficulties and facilities of applying for my Master of Fine Arts abroad in Italy".

Michael Villegas recently worked on Roof Detail for Mechanical Shed and FILIPA MENDONÇA recently worked on a HOSTEL IN LISBON.

Alec Perkins, an intern working for Tatiana Bilbao's office, reflected on visits to Félix Candela’s Chapel Lomas de Cuernavaca

and La Tallera Siqueiros by Mexican architect Frida Escobedo in a post titled fun things to do with concrete.

Schools/Blogs
Cameron Rodman currently a graduate student in Landscape Architecture at The University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design, began a blog which he will use to feature "monthly firm interviews about projects in the Knoxville or near Knoxville area. Readers will be  able to also find information on photography, current trends in representation, or even social equality issues". His first post highlighted work Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon, Inc. have completed enhancing streetscaping in Gatlinburg since the mid-1990s. 

The students of the 2013-2014 design/buildLAB at Virginia Tech put up their first post. The post featured a brief bio and photo of each member of the team.

wabi.sabi who just started in the M.Arch.I program at Cornell’s AAP this semester, compiled some raw numbers of  students in AAP across all years/levels. wabi.sabi wrote "the architecture department is pretty small considering...I personally like that it's smaller".

Discussions
Brian Henry started a thread to discuss last weeks AIA promoted, Twitter chat on IDP - Really?!? Incredulous he wrote "Is this really the future of how we are going to deal with hot-button topics like IDP? Twitter chats? Nothing reassures young interns more than seeing that NCARB is not only committed to discussing the future of IDP, but they're 140 characters committed".

curtkram joined in "twitter chats are great for aia.  that gives people a place to say stuff so they feel like they're being listened too...i bet twitter is the best place to ignore people while making those people feel like they're being listened and make people feel like their organizations give a shit" while b3tadine[sutures] noted "All, absolutely ALL, of the ‘questions’ were an absolute waste of time. Memo to NCARB: Stop playing it ‘cool’ you're not that hip, you're just square".

rlm035 was looking for examples What is an ethical building? observant pointed to one example "Very 1971.  Very regional.  Very in tune with its context.  And, yes, socially responsible at a time when that wasn't an absolute must, but they are primarily a forest resources company, so they were forward thinking and appeased the tree huggers.  It was designed by SOM...Weyerhaeuser International Headquarters, Federal Way, WA".

LITS4FormZ meanwhile argued "Truly ethical buildings are made for the landscape, by the landscape" and posted images of an igloo and teepee. Thayer-D answered "Maybe I don't understand the question, but how can an inanimate mass of matter be ethical or unethical?  The architect, developer, builder, owner, and whomever might be, but how does that rub off on architecture?" a position bluesidd obviously agreed with "Buildings are not ethical, but they are the result of design which is an extension of ethical choices and moral frameworks. I don't believe a building should be conceptualized with any agency".

Finally, accesskb started a thread "I took a break from architecture working in another field for two years.. Though I despised architecture when I left, I kept being drawn back to architecture.  Something was missing while away from it.  It wasn't stressful but more depressing, like something was lost in my life.  As tough and stressful architecture is, I feel like I have a purpose in life when at it, like I'm contributing to something meaningful and good in life...Anyone else ever felt that way?  have thoughts of leaving architecture for good?"

Miles Jaffe commented "I've had the same experience...The only metaphor I can think of for my relationship with architecture is Elizabeth Taylor's marriages" and gwharton has experienced the same "I've quit architecture cold turkey twice so far in my career. The first time to be a futures and options trader, the second to run a private equity fund...Inevitably, I fell of the wagon. 9 months the first time, 20 months the second. Architecture, why can't I quit you?...We need a 12-step program".

In closing citizen thought "This is an interesting topic...A lot of people love architecture in one form or another.  Most don't take the huge step to make it their profession...there's a vast infrastructure for all those who love architecture, buildings, sites and landscapes... who then go back to work on Monday at a more conventional occupation".