Two Moscow-based architectural heritage activists have renovated a Soviet avant-garde apartment and are now renting it on Airbnb. In the property listing, Alexander Dudnev and Konstantin Gudkov describe the apartment as a “time machine” to the Stalin era: “Located in a historical constructivist building, carefully restored and fully equipped with authentic and reconstructed furniture, lights and tableware, it will transfer you to 1930s utopia.” — The Art Newspaper
We have done stories about beautifully designed rentals in the past, but given its rarity, this recent listing for an immaculately-preserved Moscow apartment from the 1930's stands on its own. It is likely that many of its patrons will miss plenty of its subtle modernist details, but they will be... View full entry
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has set multiple ambitious agendas for his desert kingdom. Turning it into a major cultural destination may end up being one of the highest-profile. For part of the plan, the Saudi government has turned to Sotheby’s, the biggest U.S. auction house, and Allan Schwartzman, the co-chairman of its fine art division. — Bloomberg
The largest auction house in the US, Sotheby’s, is in talks with Crown Prince HRH Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to build a cultural center in the northwest deserts of Saudi Arabia, according to Bloomberg. The contemporary art program is to be located in the Al-Ula region, which... View full entry
Eclectic is the word I would use to describe Archinect news in October: Bizarre lawsuits, advanced mapping algorithms and meticulous light displays were among the subjects of our most popular posts this month. ↑ Gaudi's Sagrada Familia fined $41 million for lack of building permit Arguably the... View full entry
The idea of death and dying is a rather bleak subject. Many avoid discussion of the matter at all costs, while others plan to prolong its advancement as years pass. However, regardless of one's preconceived notions, death is a necessary part of life. Yet, perhaps our relationship and understanding... View full entry
Client Vernebygg has awarded the NOK127m contract for construction of the building, which will become the foundation for the new Hurtigruten Museum in Stokmarknes in northern Norway. The landlocked ship, MS Finnmark, was built in 1956 is described by the museum as the world’s biggest museum artefact.
The ship came to the museum in June 1999. It will be housed in a protective structure with an area of 3,600m2 and built primarily of glass and steel.
— The Construction Index
The winning design was developed by Norwegian engineering firm Peab in collaboration with Oslo-based LINK Arkitektur. View full entry
Congratulations, you've made it all the way to the September roundup!Let's get started—so, so much happening that month on Archinect: ARCHITECTURE CULTURE ↑ Want to Join Studio Gang? Design Principals Share How Top Job Applicants Made a Strong First Impression As part of our popular "How To... View full entry
In August, in our "From the Ground Up" series, we looked at some very early projects by Maya Lin, Barbara Bestor and Tod Williams & Billie Tsien. The Panel House. Image via Bestor Architecture WebsiteOn August 15th we reported about an article in the New Statesman, pointing out the white... View full entry
As we entered the hot months of summer, July wasn't necessarily the most newsworthy of months in 2018. There were some gems in there, however, worth revisiting. Let's take a look at some of the stories that caught our attention... FEATURES As the weather heats up, we always encourage our readers... View full entry
All architects must be fully responsible for the political conditions and consequences of the projects they accept; any position that would make them only an executant constitutes an insult to their function and their ability to act. — The Funambulist Magazine
"This Monday, we were many in Algeria, in France, and elsewhere to be shocked when we learned that the Wilaya (prefecture) of Algiers had signed a convention with the region of Île-de-France (Paris’ region) whose President is a conservative Republican politician, and French architect Jean... View full entry
Architecture firm billings growth expanded in November by a healthy margin, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for November was 54.7 compared to 50.4 in October. With the strongest billings growth figure since January and continued strength in new project inquiries and design contracts, billings are closing the year on a strong note.
— AIA
“Despite some concerns about a potential economic downturn, architecture firms continue to report strong billings, inquiries, and new design contracts,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “For the coming year, concerns about the economy among architecture firm leaders tend... View full entry
The month of May brought us a plethora of educational leadership changes showing the new wave of pedagogical journeys to come. The month also brought a sincere look at mental health in architecture and its impact on the discipline and the profession. May also brought the announcement of the... View full entry
Winston Churchill once observed that we shape the buildings and then the buildings shape us. I have written elsewhere about how architects and planners, albeit unwittingly, are complicit in producing an urban landscape that contributes to an unhealthy mental landscape.
Can we think of different ways to be in the city, of a different architecture that can “cure” loneliness?
— Tanzil Shafique in Fast Company
Tanzil Shafique, a Ph.D. researcher in urban design at the University of Melbourne, conducted a graduate design studio where students came up with potential architectural and urban responses to loneliness. View full entry
Jeanne Gang‘s 12-story office building on the High Line has earned itself the nickname Solar Carve tower for its gem-like glass facade that was “sculpted by the angles of the sun” in order to eliminate shadows. And now, eight months after topping out, the building’s signature glass curtain wall is complete, just in time to welcome tenants early this spring. — 6sqft
FEATURES: April 2018 ↑ Drones for Architects: New Capabilities for the Construction Sector, How to Get Started and How to Navigate the Law Hannah Wood asks: What new roles will drones adopt both in the architectural design process and outcomes? If your firm is intending to mobilize a drone... View full entry
Yep, after many years, and countless requests, we've restocked our classic "Architecture Sucks" t-shirt. All online orders this week will be shipped priority mail, so if you're looking for that last-minute gift for your disgruntled architect friends, here's your chance. Shirts are also in-stock in... View full entry