This week Ken and I are joined by Alan Maskin, partner and co-owner of Seattle-based Olson Kundig. Alan shares his story growing up on the East Coast, working as an artist and arts educator before moving onto architecture school in his 30s. He tells us about how he finally landed a job at Olson... View full entry
L.A. has a reputation for being a progressive city architecturally, and a city that’s always transforming itself. We have an amazing amount of architecturally significant historic buildings. I think people have grown to appreciate what those have to offer.” — Metropolis
The city of Los Angeles is a city filled with several renovated buildings and historical structures that have been turned into must-see stops. Although this city isn't the first to revive unused historical buildings, Los Angeles' ever-evolving knack for finding "beauty in the reuse" has given many... View full entry
Following consistently increasing demand for design services for over two years, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dipped into negative territory in March, according to a new report [...] from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
The ABI score for March was 47.8, down from 50.3 in February. Indicators of work in the pipeline, including inquiries into new projects and the value of new design contracts remained positive.
— AIA
"Though billings haven’t contracted in a while, it is important to note that it does follow on the heels of a particularly tough late winter period for much of the country," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. "Many indicators of future work at firms still remain positive... View full entry
Cal Poly Pomona’s Department of Architecture recognized Frank Gehry with the Richard Neutra Award for Professional Excellence, so Mackenzie Goldberg wrote up his conversation with Orhan Ayyüce. Aram Guiragozian was grateful "I’ve always admired Gehry for how human he is. He speaks a language... View full entry
Trade tensions and populist undercurrents continue to dominate the global economic climate. Combined with the spectre of monetary policy tightening and volatility looming over markets, international businesses are under more pressure than ever to get their overseas operations right. [...]
Globally, Vienna tops the ranking for the 10th year running, closely followed by Zurich (2).
— Mercer
The annual Mercer Quality of Living survey with the world's most desirable cities for business professionals to relocate to was recently released in its 2019 edition, and the field of top-ranked locations has not changed much compared to previous years: 1st: Vienna, Austria 2nd: Zurich... View full entry
WeWork has made great efforts as to integrating top design strategies and progressive data analytics to develop the most progressive buildings office spaces. Tapping into various elements of design, such as urban planning to design interiors, WeWork prides itself in its hand-selected team of... View full entry
Many may remember playing with cardboard boxes as children. The material is widely common and found almost everywhere. However, it is rarely seen in a contemporary design setting. Now imagine having coffee in a fully functioning cafe built almost entirely out of cardboard. Thanks to Mumbai-based... View full entry
As the tech companies Uber, Airbnb, Lyft and Pinterest prepare to go public, thousands more instant millionaires are expected to flood the market in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. All the while, the middle class and working poor are scrambling for shelter. — The Guardian
It’s a radical way of thinking about advertising, especially for a company that has a “no label” ethos and hasn’t run traditional ad campaigns since the company launched in 1980. Instead of slapping its name on its products or shoving ads in people’s faces, Muji wants to invite customers to the Muji Hotel to experience the “anti-brand” lifestyle it’s selling. — Fast Company
It is hard not to fall in love with MUJI, the famed household and consumer goods company from Japan uses their "no label" branding tactic to win consumers over throughout the years. With the news of MUJI opening their first hotel in the company's hometown of Ginza, people can now stay in a... View full entry
On this episode of Archinect Sessions we're joined by Eva Hagberg, a NY-based writer and architectural consultant. Our conversation covers Eva’s architectural studies at Princeton and Berkeley, and how that transitioned into a successful writing career spanning architecture criticism to... View full entry
The high-end condo building at 520 W. 28th St. along the High Line that the company completed roughly two years ago appears so far to be a rare bust.
According to property records, only 16 of the building's 39 units have sold, a roughly 40% sell through that shrinks to an even smaller percentage when measured by square footage. That's because the building's largest and most expensive apartments, including its three penthouse units, all remain unsold.
— Crain's New York Business
How 'bout this one? Nothing? Photo: Hufton+Crow. View full entry
Just like manufacturing, architecture is dependent on international trade. British architects export their services, bringing back work and revenues, while a net influx of foreign architects fills offices: A fifth of the profession nationwide is foreign, and in London, a third, according to British architect Piers Taylor. Norman Foster, who heads Foster + Partners, more than 1,000 architects strong, said, “My practice absolutely depends on talent, and much of that talent is foreign.” — Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times details responses of leading British architects, including David Chipperfield, Norman Foster, Richard Rogers, in the light of the looming March 29 deadline for the UK to officially leave the EU—if this Brexit happens without further delay. "Chipperfield has emerged as... View full entry
Architecture firm billings growth softened in February but remained positive, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for February was 50.3, down from 55.3 in January. Indicators of work in the pipeline, including inquiries into new projects and the value of new design contracts remained positive.
— AIA
"Overall business conditions at architecture firms across the country have remained generally healthy,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “Firms in the south recorded continued strong design activity, likely reflecting a healthy regional economy and ongoing rebuilding from... View full entry
The wait is over. New York's Hudson Yards, which took nearly 20 years of planning and development, finally opens today. In 2001, the project's name and role in a potential 2012 Olympic bid were brought to the public eye. Between May 2004 to December 2010, Hudson Yards experienced a series of... View full entry
Aby Rosen’s RFR Holding is purchasing the Chrysler Building, one of the world’s most recognizable skyscrapers [...]
One source with knowledge of the talks said that sale price was higher “but not much higher” than the bids in the $100 million-range [...]
The price is several notches lower than the $800 million the Abu Dhabi fund paid Tishman Speyer for a 90-percent stake in the tower in 2008.
— The Real Deal
When the Chrysler Building, arguably one of New York City's most beloved architectural landmarks, came up for sale again earlier this year, speculations emerged what the value of such an iconic, yet aging, real estate trophy would be. The WSJ now confirmed that the 1930s Art Deco skyscraper... View full entry