When architecture is bad, people have to suffer with it forever, practically—about 70 years or so. I strongly believe in the idea that public space should be incorporated in buildings of a certain magnitude, and buildings should make a contribution to the city. An architect needs to think about environmental impact, too—something that mitigates the impact of the building. — Mansion Global
According to the 74 year old architecture icon, Rafael Viñoly knows his way around a successful career. However, what can we really learn from this design virtuoso? In a recent interview with Mansion Global, Viñoly shares his take on what it means to be "good architect." Much has changed in... View full entry
Architecture firm billings growth softened in October but remained positive for the thirteenth consecutive month, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for October was 50.4 compared to 51.1 in September. With continued strength in new project inquiries, billings are expected to remain steady into the coming months.
— AIA
"The effects of the 2018 hurricane season are the probable cause of the temporary contraction in billings in the Southern region. This decrease in demand for design services is limited, and the region should rebound over the next several months," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker.The American... View full entry
Every star architect started their journey somewhere. In order to become a leading innovator in the field many architects started off by working for firms run by innovative design heads. Although, not all firms are created equal, there are several out there that combine skill and leadership, while... View full entry
The New York Wheel was heralded as Staten Island’s boldest project [...]
And then on October 23, after over five years in the pipeline and $400 million in private investment, the New York Wheel was pronounced dead. The results of the developers’ divisive, much-litigated efforts are a concrete plinth and completed parking garage.
— Curbed NY
Curbed New York's Zoe Rosenberg examines what the future may hold for Staten Island’s ambitious North Shore revitalization after the developers last month pulled the plug on the 630-foot main attraction, the New York Wheel.Image: S9 Architecture / Perkins Eastman View full entry
After conducting a yearlong search for a second home, Amazon has switched gears and is now finalizing plans to have a total of 50,000 employees in two locations, according to people familiar with the decision-making process.
The company is nearing a deal to move to the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens [...]. Amazon is also close to a deal to move to the Crystal City area of Arlington, Va., a Washington suburb, one of the people said.
— The New York Times
It looks like Jeff Bezos may have finally found that second home for his online empire—or make that second and third. After narrowing down the list of cities that could be potential new hosts of Amazon's HQ2 in January, the company has been tight-lipped about its final decision. Until yesterday... View full entry
Kungsträdgården is the most important park in Sweden, [...] It is the thread that pulls together the historical power of the monarchy with the commercial blocks of Hamngatan and the working-class districts of Södermalm. This is very important for democracy because it has to do with power, symbolically and spatially.
Stockholm, Sweden's beloved capitol is home to stunning landscapes that keep residence and visitors mesmerized. Its cobblestoned streets are lined with amazingly preserved buildings, beautiful open water views, and public spaces. Nestled in the heart of Stockholm is Kungsträdgården, one of the... View full entry
The interiors of the space create mood, ambience, and help fulfill the functionality of the structure. From the renovation of internal spaces, color schemes, furnishings, fixtures, and lighting interior architects are an integral part of the architectural community. Below are 9 firms offering job... View full entry
The limestone clad mansion in Bel Air owned by the late TV executive Jerry Perenchio just got a price cut.
But at $245 million, the commanding French neoclassical residence, which measures 25,000 square feet, is still the most expensive listing on the open market in the U.S.
The property, which came up for sale last year for a staggering $350 million, has long been the cream of the crop among high-end estates.
— Curbed LA
If you happen to have won the $1.6 billion lottery jackpot last week or simply don't know where to stash away all those extra tax-cut savings, here's a sweet dealio for you: the spacious 'Chartwell' Bel Air mansion at 875 Nimes Road was built in 1933 and also appeared in the 1960s TV show The... View full entry
Heatherwick Studio's much anticipated Coal Drops Yard project opened its doors on Friday, October 26th. The London based studio transformed two heritage rail buildings from the 1850s into a lively retail district. The goal for Thomas Heatherwick, founder of Heatherwick Studio, was to highlight... View full entry
Architecture firm billings growth slowed in September but remained positive for the twelfth consecutive month, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for September was 51.1 compared to 54.2 in August. However, continued strength in new projects coming into architecture firms points to billings growth in the coming months.
— AIA
“Similar to the strong conditions we’ve seen nationally, architecture firms located in the Midwest and Southern regions of the country continued to report very strong billings in September,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “However, billings were soft at firms located... View full entry
ENOTA architects turns a classic health center into a relaxing modern spa fit for adults and kids. The main focus of the renovation was to create a space that would satisfy the current needs of the visitors. Its construction was gradual, tackling pieces of the structure instead of renovating all... View full entry
American construction workers’ average wage has risen above $30 per hour for the first time, and the numbers employed have hit nearly 7.3 million, a level not seen since before the financial crisis, official statistics show. [...]
“However, the pool of unemployed workers with construction experience has nearly evaporated, pushing up contractors’ costs and adding to project completion times.”
— Global Construction Review
While positive economic indicators have had the U.S. construction sector thriving for a prolonged period now, AEC employers are increasingly feeling the pinch when it comes to finding qualified workers. "The tightening labour market poses a problem for companies looking to expand their... View full entry
The A+D Museum has announced Gallery X, a branch of the A+D dedicated to curating public spaces and bringing the making and implementation of art to a wider more diverse audience. Gallery X aims to reach beyond the walls of the institution and produce local engagement through facilitate... View full entry
After a horse race ad was projected onto the structure’s iconic roof earlier this week, protestors took to the streets in objection to the commodification of their beloved building. — CityLab
Hundreds of protesters had gathered in the evening hours of October 9 when the, usually, off-white iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House were used as a video projection canvas to promote a major upcoming horse race in New South Wales. The crowd booed and tried to interrupt the projection with a... View full entry
Architectural education is plagued by the mentality that suffering is a necessary part of its practice. [...] The acceptance of suffering easily slips into normalizing sexual misconduct and its suppression as simply part of the practice. Cultlike worship of the star architect only exacerbates this condition, and there are plenty [...] willing to sacrifice their time and integrity because they have been conditioned to believe that this mode of production is normal. — The New York Times
The architecture world is known for many movements that have enabled architects to create iconic works. From bauhaus to brutalist, midcentury modern to contemporary, countless movements have impacted the architectural timeline. But in today's climate of inclusivity and representation is there one... View full entry