2020 has brought an increase in activism as the public reached its final tipping point from the racial and social injustices happening across the nation. With the inexcusable deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, and others caused by police brutality, individuals... View full entry
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has published its Architecture Billings Index (ABI) report for the month of August, showing stalled business conditions for architecture firms and a further decline in demand for design services, represented by an unchanged score of 40.0 for the... View full entry
The Luxe Rodeo Drive is the first high-end hotel in the Los Angeles area to go out of business because of the pandemic, and industry experts point to an unusually high loan delinquency rate among hotel borrowers as a sign that more closures are likely to follow. — Los Angeles Times
According to the Los Angeles Times, the drastic decline of tourism and travel has "devastated" the hotel industry. "High-end hotels have also closed in other parts of the country, including the 44-story Hilton Times Square hotel in New York City, which went out of business this month,"... View full entry
Disgruntled and disillusioned, the job seeker tackling opportunities in a slow job market can understandably grow more and more despondent. It's even worse when you know you're a great candidate — perhaps you were even let go from a job where your employer valued you as such. The... View full entry
As schools are ramping up for the Fall term, it's time for Archinect's latest edition of Get Lectured. This ongoing series features each school's lectured series and their graphic design prowess with eye-catching lecture posters. With many schools holding virtual events, distance is no... View full entry
Smoke detectors and birch trees. These are two things that an architect would not typically mention while talking up an ambitious new building. But for the Indigenous House at the University of Toronto Scarborough, these matters are critical. Here, connections with Indigenous traditions and ways of thinking will be everywhere, from the guts of the building to the landscape that accompanies it. — The Globe and Mail
Alex Bozikovic, The Globe and Mail’s architecture critic, reviews the planned Indigenous House at the University of Toronto Scarborough, designed by Formline Architecture in collaboration with LGA Architectural Partners and landscape architecture firm Public Work. View full entry
Silverstein Properties closed on its $430 million deal to buy US Bank Tower, an iconic Downtown Los Angeles property whose purchase price was far below initial expectations. [...]
In a statement, chairman Larry Silverstein said: “I believe in the future of Downtown Los Angeles.”
— The Real Deal
The 73-story US Bank Tower, designed by Henry N. Cobb of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, was once the tallest building west of the Mississippi River until the recently completed Wilshire Grand Center in Los Angeles and later the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco took over that title. The 36-foot-long... View full entry
This week's highlight of architectural employers includes five award-winning firms with current job openings in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Houston. For even more opportunities, visit Archinect Jobs and browse Archinect's active community of architecture... View full entry
This post is brought to you by Azure Magazine In a landmark year, AZURE celebrates the winners and finalists of the 10th annual AZ Awards. The first-ever virtual AZ Awards Gala featured inspiring special appearances by All-Star guests and the 20 winners of the AZ Awards 2020, participating from... View full entry
As Black and minority voices continue to impact the industry's progress towards equity and inclusivity, one woman is sparking opportunities for Black and Brown voices and opinions to be heard. Architectural designer Melissa Daniel is the creator and host of the growing podcast series Architecture... View full entry
Back in August, Archinect connected with Robert M. Calvani, FAIA, NCARB and Alfred Vidaurri Jr., FAIA, NCARB, AICP, the 2020 President and 2021 President-Elect, respectively, of NCARB and discussed; their plans for the next two years, how NCARB is aiming to support diversity initiatives, and how... View full entry
In a recent interview with Boston's NPR station, WBUR, 91-year old architect Frank Gehry discussed his thoughts and perspectives on the "complicated" Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial. With the dedication ceremony that took place on Sept 17th, the famed architect has expressed much irritation... View full entry
Architecture for Dogs, a playful collection of, well, architecture for dogs, is currently on display for an exhibition at Japan House London. The initiative was "invented by architects" and features designs by architects including MVRDV, Kengo Kuma, Toyo Ito, Ma Yansong, Sou Fujimoto, and... View full entry
So it was, in a sense, good news that the nonprofit Trust for Governors Island released a proposal on Monday to rezone disused parts of the island, long set aside for economic redevelopment.
It’s an aspirational plan, more than anything. The goal, which has been circulating for a while, is to incubate a new climate research center. Similar ideas have been advanced for decades on Governors Island.
— The New York Times
Yankee Pier Plaza. Image courtesy of WXY architecture + urban design/bloomimages. NYT architecture critic Michael Kimmelman on the recently announced plan by the Trust for Governors Island to develop a center for climate solutions, designed by WXY architecture + urban design, on parts of the... View full entry
Creating an entirely virtual museum is already one approach for the future, but it’s a slippery slope. Museums might be enticed by the idea of having their entire collections online in order to avoid the possible transmission of disease, but then what happens to the buildings...With everything online, a museum building would morph into something that’s more or less just storage. — The Smithsonian Magazine
With self-quarantining, social distancing, and the closure of businesses and public venues, what happens to institutions like museums and their relationship with the public? While exhibitions can be seen online, does that solution defeat the purpose of a museum itself? According to... View full entry
