These weird, modernistic structures reveal a surprising freedom after the strict controls in 1920s Constructivism, Stalin's so-called Empire (or Gothic) style and Nikita Khrushchev's Modernism initiated in the '50s and '60s. — Los Angeles Times
For several years, the Gulf states have been engaged in an ambitious rebranding campaign, to establish themselves as a centre for art, culture and science. Leading academic institutions, like the New York University or Paris's Sorbonne university, have opened campuses in Abu Dhabi; major museums, like the Louvre and the Guggenheim are planning to build branches there. — Qantara.de
The Abu Dhabi Art Fair has turned into an attraction, not just for regional artists, gallery-owners and art experts, but also for those from Europe, the USA, South Asia and Australia. The Emirate of Sharjah puts on an Art Biennial which has international status. These developments are part of the... View full entry
The Montreal UNESCO City of Design initiative aims at creating opportunities for designers in Montreal so as to give vital and tangible expression to Montréal’s status as a UNESCO City of Design.
First launched throught an investment of $1.2 million over three years (2007-2011), the initiative aims to fund design and architecture competitions as well as promote made-in-Montréal design initiatives via various digital communication tools.
— Montreal UNESCO City of Design
To celebrate the 5th anniversary of Montréal's designation of a UNESCO City of Design, the city will be hosting a year-long event titled Montréal, UNESCO City of Design, from May 2011 to May 2012. View full entry
“Voiture Minimum: Le Corbusier and the Automobile” ($49.95) focuses on Le Corbusier’s design for a “minimum car,” a two-seat, bare-bones people mover with a sheer, angled front. His design existed only in drawings during his lifetime, but became probably the most famous of all automobile designs contributed by architects. — NYTimes.com
Most ills in this world (and we know there isn’t a shortage of them) require massive change on systematic and ideological levels. Indeed, it is a capacity—and many say, a responsibility—of design to address the many pressing problems facing the world today.
But is this the only role for design? Is design solely a form of crisis management and problem solving? Or can design also offer a different perspective on a problem, without having the aim of solving the problem entirely?
— openhouse2011.com
Renny Ramakers responds to the NYT Opinionator piece by Allison Areiff, published last week. View full entry
Place: Living Room Studio
Time: 12:18 PM
Photos from the final!
— Columbia University GSAPP (Anthony)
Anthony shares with us photos from the final reviews at Columbia. Star-studded cast! View full entry
Junaid Younis, Modern Associates principal told Mr. Buncombe that his father, Mohammad, made the drawing,
“Lots of people come to us,” Younis said. “We are more interested in making money rather than the individual.”
— International Business Times
As you're probably aware, Ai Weiwei, Chinese artist and human rights freedom fighter, is still being detained by Chinese police. In an effort to increase public awareness we're working with BIG to offer these t-shirts designed by e-types, at cost. Now available: Click here to buy  ... View full entry
Dieter Rams is a German industrial designer who trained and worked as an architect for a few years until he joined the electronic devices manufacturer Braun. Within a few years he became their chief of design, a position he held for almost 35 years. During his tenure, he and his team designed many iconic devices ranging from record players to furniture to storage systems. — Life of an Architect
My favorite product designer of all time. View full entry
News In our latest In Focus we talk to English photographer Tim Pike. To our question What is your goal when capturing buildings in photographs? Tom responded "That would vary. If it is entirely at my discretion, I tend to want to almost 'deconstruct' the building to an essence that is summed up... View full entry
When architect Cesar Pelli built his aka 'Blue Whale' Pacific Design Center in 1975, the West Coast officially declared it was going to be the center of the decorating universe. Almost forty years later, and with the addition of green and red compartments, that primary-shaped colorful dream is... View full entry
Aaron Jones, a M.Arch student at Cranbrook Academy of Art, sent us news of his YouTube Theater installation. Very cool. This project is based on the assumption that the internet (WiFi) can potentially deliver entertainment and information into any place, even a neighborhood that may be... View full entry
Taking the term to whole new levels, the British food and design consultancy duo Sam Bompas and Harry Parr has breathed new, refreshingly artificial, and entertaining life into what is known as "food experience." [...] Using cutting-edge technology, they even beat the gingerbread house as the known climax of architecture and food symbiosis and came up with what is known as "Alcoholic Architecture." — vimeo.com
When we think of wood and paper, we usually see it in this manner; wood=source, paper=result. What if we flipped the model and saw paper as the source and wood as the end product? This was the concept behind Mieke Meijer's project at the Design Academy Eindhoven. — yatzer.com
"that is just fantastic ..." — A reader's reaction, MailOnline
The sole credit for the maker in this news article goes to "German" as in "German builds world’s largest model airport." View full entry