If Carson wants to dramatically change the nature of HUD, all he needs to do is nothing — a course of action he seems temperamentally inclined to accept. Under Carson, HUD could stop enforcement of that "socialist" Fair Housing Act. It could stop prodding local governments to increase access to homes. It could look the other way when local ordinances sequester government-mandated affordable housing away from those with enough pull to say "not in my backyard." — mtv.com
Related on Archinect:President-elect Trump offers HUD post to Ben CarsonTurning down tenants because of criminal records may be discrimination, says HUDU.S. Department of HUD announces the Rebuild By Design winners View full entry
The Trinity River Park, which will be 10 times the size of Central Park in New York, will be made up of 7,000 acres of the Great Trinity Forest, 2,000 acres of space between the Trinity River levees and 1,000 acres of already developed space.
MVVA’s design will build on municipal efforts to connect the river with the city. It envisions the space as a “beautiful and naturalistic network of trails, meadows and lakes living in harmony with the river”.
— globalconstructionreview.com
Related stories in the Archinect news: Results of the Dallas Connected City Design ChallengeA look at some cities revitalizing their blighted riversNational Geographic takes a closer look at the world's great urban parks View full entry
It's here: our final interview from 'Next Up: The LA River', featuring Mia Lehrer of Mia Lehrer + Associates. Lehrer was a major driving force in the 2007 Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan, and has worked for nearly 20 years on projects related to the River—undeniably preceding any... View full entry
Most of the foundations are completed for the three buildings, which will have rental apartments on the lower floors and condominiums on the upper ones. The partnership tapped Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly, who designed the slender ultraluxury condo skyscraper at 432 Park Ave., Richard Meier & Partners Architects LLP and Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates PC to design the glass, stone and metal towers, which range from 34 to 38 stories tall. — The Wall Street Journal
Unless you’re living under a rock, you’re probably aware of the hectic, often deadly consumer feeding frenzy known as Black Friday. Then, of course, there’s Cyber Monday, when you can get all kinds of deals without having to leave your bedroom. But less people know about #GivingTuesday, a... View full entry
Missed out on Next Up: The LA River, Archinect Sessions' podcasting event? Now you can listen to the first half all at once, on One-to-One, recorded live. Next week we'll release the full second-half.This playlist of live recordings features interviews with:Frances Anderton (host, KCRW’s DnA)... View full entry
As we enter into December, it seems as though there are already too many Christmas fairs and markets to write about. So, if you need a break from the busy streets, then why not retreat to a gallery, an interesting talk, or to a botanical wonderland to avoid the rush of (early) Christmas... View full entry
The cooling tower was being built in the city of Fengcheng in Jiangxi province when the scaffolding tumbled down [...]
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged local governments to learn from the accident and hold those responsible accountable. [...]
China has suffered several major work-safety accidents in recent years blamed on weak regulatory oversight, systemic corruption and pressure to boost production amid a slowing economy.
— ap.org
According to the Associated Press, the collapse is "the country's worst work-safety accident in over two years." The cause is currently under investigation.Related on Archinect:Five dead after eight metre concrete wall collapses in Birmingham, EnglandBerkeley balcony collapse investigation: no... View full entry
The Intercept has published a fascinating, and eerie, investigation into the iconic Brutalist tower at 33 Thomas Street in Manhattan. Built to withstand a nuclear bomb, the modern fortress has no windows. At night, the building is a dark shadow blocking the illuminated towers around it.But... View full entry
The pedestal extends 42 feet beyond the building’s core to the north and south. The south overhang will suspend the tower over three parallel Long Island Rail Road tracks. The north overhang will act as a counterbalance....Rather than hide the unusual support system, Brookfield will highlight it with a cladding of travertine quarried about 15 miles east of Siena, Italy. — NYT
David W Dunlop examines the design and physics behind the making of the $1 billion skyscraper, 1 Manhattan West. View full entry
Everyone on their phones at the holiday table is a depressing reality of our modern era—so why not balance it out, by gifting everyone some solid books to cozy up with? Failing that: books are also great for dressing coffee tables, door jams, impressing dates, or keeping jewels in their hollowed... View full entry
The 25th issue of MONU “Independent Urbanism” provides a platform to unveil the multitude of decisions that had to be made by countries after becoming independent - and more specifically the cities within these countries.
by Amy Tibbels
— http://www.monu-magazine.com/news.htm
In 2010 we became familiar with instagram and along with it a new way to represent ourselves. In the same year, the Republic of Macedonia’s capital city Skopje decided to completely cover itself with false neo-classical facades, embodied with hundred year old representation. The 25th issue of... View full entry
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are coming, and you still haven't squared away gifts for family, friends or co-workers. Whether you're a bit shaky on your firm's gift-giving etiquette, or just hate shopping, our curated gift guide will make it easy.For the thirsty minimalist: a simple, slim and... View full entry
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has offered the post of secretary of housing and urban development to former presidential candidate Ben Carson, who will consider it over the Thanksgiving holiday, a Carson spokesman said on Tuesday.
"The president-elected asked him to consider it and he's considering it," Carson spokesman Armstrong Williams said. Carson, a retired surgeon, dropped out of the 2016 presidential race in March and backed Trump.
— Reuters
More on the US Department of Housing and Urban Development: Turning down tenants because of criminal records may be discrimination, says HUDRebuild by Design Wins Innovation AwardU.S. Department of HUD announces the Rebuild By Design winners View full entry
Our penultimate Mini-Session interview from 'Next Up: The LA River' pairs architects Renee Dake Wilson and Alexander Robinson. Dake Wilson, principal at Dake Wilson Architects, was appointed by LA Mayor Eric Garcetti to serve as Vice President on the city's volunteer-based Planning Commission—an... View full entry
