When Should Architecture Firms Start Hiring? Five Factors To Consider, Thu, Nov 14 '24

With the U.S. Federal Reserve embarking on rounds of target interest rate cuts in late 2024, AEC industry commentators are forecasting that architectural business conditions may improve in the coming months. Architecture firms experiencing an increased workload may, therefore, find themselves ...

Beaux-Arts to Bauhaus: How Two Schools Shaped Architectural Visualization, Wed, Nov 13 '24

Architecture schools have long held a significant role in shaping the field of architectural visualization. Through fostering particular artistic philosophies, drawing techniques, and design ideologies, such institutions shape not only the architects themselves but also the way they convey their ...

Organizing and Reforming Architectural Education: A Conversation With Tessa Forde, Wed, Nov 6 '24

In recent years, the word 'organizing' has taken on a heightened power in architectural discourse, most notably through grassroots efforts by architectural workers across the United States to organize for better workplace conditions. For Tessa Forde, organizing centers on a vast network of ...

Interest Rates Were Cut, but Growth Takes Time: Archinect’s State of AEC October 2024, Tue, Nov 5 '24

Welcome to the fifth installment of Archinect's new series, State of AEC. At the end of each month, we will guide you through the latest analyses, indexes, and trends on how the architecture and construction industries are performing economically. Throughout the last month, commentators in ...

At Tyler’s Urban Workshop, Architecture Students Build With, and For, Underserved Communities, Fri, Nov 1 '24

On November 8th, the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University will host the Urban Workshop Symposium, the latest iteration of the Urban Workshop's engagements in community-based design and education. The event brings to the fore questions, conversations, and exemplars in ...

10 Ghost Towns With Unique Architecture, Wed, Oct 30 '24

Cities are like living bodies, each one animated by the pulse of human life. People give a city purpose, identity, and movement. When a city is abandoned, its soul departs, leaving behind only the silent architecture, a skeletal remnant of what once was.  While such environments can be ...

Architectural Visualization Was Rather Flat: Then We Invented Perspective, Wed, Oct 23 '24

Before the invention of architectural perspective, architects and artists faced significant challenges in visualizing and communicating architectural space. Without a systematic way to represent depth and spatial relationships, architectural drawings were often symbolic, schematic, or abstract ...

10 Tips for Architects To Survive Downturns by Former HOK CEO Patrick MacLeamy, Fri, Oct 18 '24

“I spent 50 years at HOK, working my way up from junior designer to CEO,” Patrick MacLeamy wrote in his 2020 book Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm: The People, Stories, and Strategies Behind HOK. “Where else can you do that?”  During his time as HOK CEO and Chairman from ...

Let’s Talk About Architectural Visualization , Mon, Oct 14 '24

Welcome to Archinect In-Depth: Visualization. Over the coming weeks, Archinect will explore the process of visualizing architectural work and what challenges and opportunities the field presents for the architectural design process. Our journey will include not only tips and advice for ...

‘We Have To Get Much Better at Speaking To Wider and Wider Audiences:’ A Conversation With USC Architecture Dean Brett Steele, Wed, Oct 9 '24

In February 2024, Brett Steele took up the position of Dean of the University of Southern California School of Architecture. Since then, Steele has been busy capitalizing on the opportunities and responsibilities that come with leading a Los Angeles design school in a city known globally for its ...

The Industry Reacts to Interest Rate Cuts: Archinect’s State of AEC September 2024, Tue, Oct 8 '24

Welcome to the fourth installment of Archinect's new series, State of AEC. At the end of each month, we will guide you through the latest analyses, indexes, and trends on how the architecture and construction industries are performing economically. Since our last edition, the U.S. Federal ...

10 Controversial Buildings That Became Iconic Landmarks, Mon, Oct 7 '24

Architectural landmarks often become beloved symbols of their cities, but many were not always welcomed with open arms. Throughout history, some of our most acclaimed structures have in fact provoked heated debates, divided public opinion, sparked fierce controversy, and in one case, caused the ...

Delivering Projects on Time Is a Challenge. Here’s How Architects Do It, Mon, Sep 30 '24

U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “plans are nothing; planning is everything.” This sentiment rings true in architecture, where architects are required to establish project timelines potentially spanning several years for schemes potentially costing millions of dollars. No matter ...

The Fed Just Cut Interest Rates. What Does It Mean for Architects?, Fri, Sep 27 '24

In September 2024, the U.S. Federal Reserve cut the target range of interest rates for the first time in four years. The move was long anticipated by AEC commentators, who hoped that the lower cost of borrowing would begin to pull the sector out of a two-year stagnation in business ...

Climate, Justice, and Collaboration in Academia: A Conversation with Tyler School of Art and Architecture's Director Kate Wingert-Playdon, Mon, Sep 23 '24

At Temple University's Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Kate Wingert-Playdon is building an academic culture grounded in collaboration. As Senior Associate Dean and Director of Architecture, Wingert-Playdon is engaged in a mission of encouraging cross-disciplinary interaction between ...

How Architectural Licensure Helps and Hurts the Profession, Sat, Sep 21 '24

Our Archinect In-Depth: Licensure series concludes with a look back on a four-month journey through the U.S. architectural licensure system. Reflecting on the challenges and opportunities in the current system highlighted by readers and commentators, we offer final thoughts on how licensure ...

Your Architecture Work Sample Isn’t Your Portfolio. 10 Creative Tips To Keep in Mind When Job Searching, Thu, Sep 12 '24

In many cases, your work sample is the first visual evidence you will offer a prospective employer when applying for a new architectural position. What you include in your sample, as well as how you structure and present it, is therefore important for creating a good first impression and ...

How to Effectively Introduce Your Architecture Firm in Under 2 Minutes, Wed, Sep 11 '24

Recently, we explained how to create an elevator pitch for your architecture portfolio when searching for your next role as a job seeker. As we noted, the ability to capture a body of work as rich, complex, and varied as an architecture portfolio in a timely, clear, and succinct manner requires ...

Six Views on the Future of Architectural Licensure, Mon, Sep 9 '24

Throughout the Archinect In-Depth: Licensure series, our explorations into U.S. architectural licensure have included a variety of views beyond our editorial team, including ten views on licensure from Archinect readers shared at the midpoint of our series.  Beyond reader insights, our series ...

Architecture's Interest Rate Prayers Answered: Archinect’s State of AEC August 2024, Wed, Sep 4 '24

Welcome to the third installment of Archinect's new series, State of AEC. At the end of each month, we will guide you through the latest analyses, indexes, and trends on how the architecture and construction industries are performing economically. In our previous edition of the series, we noted ...

Architectural Licensure Is Becoming More Diverse, but Barriers to Equality Remain, Tue, Sep 3 '24

According to recent data, the demographics of candidates on the path to architectural licensure are beginning to counter the longstanding underrepresentation of women and people of color in the profession. However, deeper studies of the licensure experience reveal ongoing disparities along gender ...

Many Architecture Firms Don’t Know How To Pursue International Work; We Spoke With Some That Do, Thu, Aug 29 '24

Over the past year, the number of U.S. architecture firms working on international projects has gently increased. However, a recent AIA survey found that many firms do not know how to pursue international work. In search of insights and advice on the topic, we spoke with three practices who have ...

Being Laid off Is Tough; So Is Waiting To Be, Mon, Aug 26 '24

Findings from our recent Archinect Business Survey suggest that many architecture employees do not feel secure in their current roles. For those facing the looming prospect of layoffs in the coming weeks or months, the emotional strain can be as taxing as that experienced by those who have already ...

The Pandemic Is History, but for Architects, Its Impact on Office Design Remains, Wed, Aug 21 '24

Our recent analysis of the Archinect Business Survey highlighted concerns among architects that their business health has been impacted by the ongoing adoption of remote and hybrid working patterns across the U.S. in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. We explore in more detail how the supply and ...

Are Architectural Workers More Pessimistic About the Economy Than Firm Owners?, Mon, Aug 19 '24

In our recent analysis of the Archinect Business Survey published last month, we observed a distinct divergence between how firm owners and workers were feeling about the business health of their firm, industry, and the wider U.S. economy. Across the board, our survey suggests that firm ...

When California Tried to Abolish Architectural Licensure, Fri, Aug 16 '24

Throughout the 20th century, every state and territory across the U.S. passed laws establishing a requirement to license architects. Since then, no jurisdiction has successfully repealed such a requirement. In the late 1970s, however, California almost became a notable exception.  The story ...

LEED? BREEAM? WELL? Six Major Green Building Labels Explained, Wed, Aug 14 '24

When embarking on a mission to deliver a building to a high environmental and ecological standard, architects are presented with a range of accreditation systems to both guide the design process and reward the results.  While some systems, such as LEED and BREEAM, emphasize environmental and ...

An Industry Pins Its Hopes on Interest Rate Cuts: Archinect’s State of AEC July 2024, Thu, Aug 8 '24

Welcome to the second installment of Archinect's new series, State of AEC. At the end of each month, we will guide you through the latest analyses, indexes, and trends on how the architecture and construction industries are performing economically. As we reflect back on June and July 2024, we see ...

How To Create an Elevator Pitch for Your Architecture Portfolio When Job Searching, Wed, Aug 7 '24

Your architecture portfolio is one of your most powerful tools when searching for a new career opportunity. Whether describing your work at a networking event or presenting your previous projects in an interview setting, the ability to clearly and succinctly pitch your portfolio has the potential ...

UK Architectural Licensure Had Not Changed in 50 Years. Until Now., Mon, Aug 5 '24

Having previously examined architecture licensure systems in the United States and across mainland Europe, this edition of the Archinect In-Depth: Licensure series profiles changes underway in the United Kingdom's licensing system, which is currently undergoing a “fundamental overhaul” for the ...

10 Tips for Overcoming and Preventing Burnout in Architecture, Thu, Aug 1 '24

If you’re experiencing burnout in your architecture role, you’re likely not alone. In 2023, Archinect’s Mental Health Survey found burnout to be a common theme among those who told us they were experiencing stress at work. Our community has also raised the issue among themselves, with an ...

'Architect' is a Protected Title. What About 'Architectural?', Wed, Jul 31 '24

Our Archinect In-Depth: Licensure series continues with an examination of exceptions and nuances related to the protection of the title 'architect' in the United States. In particular, we ask how architect-adjacent titles such as 'architectural designer,' 'architectural intern,' and 'design ...

10 Views on Architectural Licensure From Archinect Readers, Mon, Jul 29 '24

As we continue our ongoing Archinect In-Depth: Licensure series, we highlight perspectives from individuals with extensive research backgrounds on the topic, as well as those in positions to lead, guide, and evolve the licensure pathway. Additionally, we launched a survey among Archinect readers ...

How Do We Teach AI? In Florida, One Architecture School Offers a Precedent, Thu, Jul 25 '24

As our recent Archinect In-Depth: Artificial Intelligence series demonstrated, AI will inevitably play a sizeable role in the future of the architectural profession. For architecture schools tasked with equipping students for the future of practice, the advent of AI poses significant ...

How To Reduce the Stress of an Architecture Job Search, Fri, Jul 12 '24

At some point in their careers, most, if not all, individuals in the architecture profession find themselves looking for new employment. This can include graduates looking for their first job out of architecture school, experienced designers and architects moving from one firm to the next, whether ...

Five Big Factors Behind the Architecture Industry’s Economic Slowdown, Fri, Jul 5 '24

Earlier this week, we released Part One of our findings from the Archinect Business Survey, which invited you to share how you were feeling about the economic outlook of your firm and sector. Our analysis found that across the United States, architects have seen business conditions decline in the ...

Architects and Clients Downbeat About Economy: Archinect's Business Survey Results Revealed, Wed, Jul 3 '24

Throughout May and June 2024, we invited our community to offer us insights and feedback on how you were feeling about the economic outlook of your firm and sector. As we explained at the time, this project was motivated by several observations from economists within and beyond the AEC industry ...

The US Just Defined a Zero Emissions Building: Is It Enough?, Thu, Jun 27 '24

For the first time, the US government has issued a definition of a 'zero emission building.' While the effort to define a 'zero emission building' is both timely and commendable given the proliferation of unverified titles such as 'net zero' and 'carbon positive' in the AEC sector, shortfalls in ...

What To Do If You Hate Your Architecture Job, Fri, Jun 21 '24

Every architecture worker will, at some point, endure a period of stress or anxiety in the workplace. Sometimes, these feelings can be fleeting, caused by an exceptionally short project deadline, a difficult client, or even a legal dispute. If you find yourself actively hating your architecture ...

Where Are All The Affordable Housing Startups?, Wed, Jun 19 '24

Despite the general consensus that the United States is in need of more affordable housing, funding to startups focused on affordable housing and more efficient construction technologies is lower in 2024 than in recent years. In the meantime, a series of high-profile bankruptcies, closures ...

Architect: Whose Title Is It Anyway?, Mon, Jun 17 '24

When is an architect not an ‘architect?’ In the fourth part of Archinect In-Depth: Licensure, we explore the proliferation of the title 'architect' in cases beyond the built environment, most notably in the technology sector through terms such as 'software architect' or 'IT architect.' Are ...

Debates Surrounding Architectural Competitions Are Nothing New, Thu, Jun 13 '24

In the US architectural profession of the 2020s, and newfound scrutiny over workplace conditions from unpaid overtime to a poor work-life balance, architecture competitions have become the subject of debate over how the profession values itself and is valued by wider society while also ensuring ...

Just Finished Architecture School? Here's Some Advice, Fri, Jun 7 '24

As the 2023/2024 academic year draws to a close, architecture graduates across the United States are preparing for the next stage in their design career, be it through employment, further education, journeys into adjacent fields, and beyond. If you are one of the many graduates embarking on this ...

What Europe Can (and Can’t) Tell the US About Architectural Licensure, Thu, Jun 6 '24

In the third part of Archinect In-Depth: Licensure, we reflect on what the United States can learn from the architecture licensure models of other nations. While doing so, we speak with Peggy Deamer, Professor Emerita of Yale University's School of Architecture, whose book Architecture and Labor ...

How the Business of Architecture and Construction Fared in May 2024: Introducing Archinect's State of AEC Series, Mon, Jun 3 '24

Welcome to the first of Archinect's new monthly series, 'State of AEC.' At the end of each month, we will guide you through the latest analyses, indexes, and trends on how the architecture and construction industries are performing economically. As we approach the midway point of 2024, data on the ...

The Books You Should Read for Summer 2024, According to Leading Voices in Architecture, Wed, May 29 '24

Is your bookshelf ready for Summer? If not, we have you covered.  Continuing a recurring tradition, Archinect has reached out to notable figures across the architecture community who have been featured in our editorial over the past year, asking them what books they believe should be on your ...

Freelancing and Architecture: A Complicated Relationship, Thu, May 23 '24

For many salaried workers, freelancing and contracting may once have been a scary proposition, little more than placeholder labels as one moved between secure, salaried positions. However, the past decade has seen a notable increase in skilled workers and professionals becoming freelancers out of ...

How ‘Architect’ Became a Protected Title in the United States, Tue, May 21 '24

In the second part of Archinect In-Depth: Licensure, we chart the origins of licensure in the United States. We explore how a combination of safety concerns, technological advances, and insecurity among architects over their own relevance led to the protection of the title 'architect,' legislation ...

How to Understand Architecture Business Conditions Using the AIA's Architecture Billings Index, Mon, May 20 '24

Since 1995, the American Institute of Architects has conducted a monthly index detailing trends in billings by architecture firms in the United States. Over time, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has become a valuable metric for charting the economic health of the profession, with Archinect ...

Architects, How Is Work Feeling These Days?, Thu, May 16 '24

We want to hear from our community: How are you feeling about the economic outlook of your firm and sector? How easy or difficult are you finding it to secure projects? What is your employment outlook? What are you hearing from clients? Fill out our anonymous survey below.

Let's Talk About Architectural Licensure, Tue, May 14 '24

Welcome to Archinect In-Depth: Licensure. Over the coming weeks, Archinect will explore the journey undertaken by those in the United States seeking to practice as a licensed architect, including reflections on the history of licensure, comparisons to other countries, the cost and length of time ...

AI is Good For Architects (For Now), Mon, Apr 15 '24

In the final chapter of Archinect In-Depth: Artificial Intelligence, Niall Patrick Walsh reflects on the historical relationship between architecture and technology, charting a trajectory for the potential impact of artificial intelligence on the future of the architectural profession. New ...

A Guide to Salary Transparency Laws Across the United States, Tue, Mar 26 '24

At present, there is no federal pay transparency law in the United States. However, as Archinect frequently reports on, several states and cities across the United States have enacted their own requirements for employers seeking to hire or promote within their organization.  Below, we have ...

A Conversation with Bjarke Ingels on AI, 3D Printing, and the Future of the Architectural Profession, Tue, Mar 19 '24

It has been almost ten years since Archinect last spoke with Bjarke Ingels. Back then, the topic of conversation was BIG's 'Hot to Cold' exhibition at the National Building Museum. Today, after a decade that has included award-winning Manhattan skyscrapers, floating cities, a Netflix profile, and ...

3D Printing, Artificial Intelligence, and Space Habitats: A Conversation with ICON’s Melodie Yashar, Tue, Mar 12 '24

As a ‘Space Architect’ working on the design and delivery of 3D printed habitats on the Moon and Mars, Melodie Yashar is aware that, even in space, 3D printing does not exist in a vacuum. Like any construction methodology, it requires a confluence of design intent, delivery systems, material ...

The People’s Place in the City of Bits and Atoms, Wed, Mar 6 '24

The city of the 21st century represents a confluence of bits and atoms; an organism in its own right that relentlessly spawns information and data about itself, its people, and the invisible flows that support them. What is the relationship between humans and the city in this new condition? What ...

Creativity Won’t Protect Architects from Automation — But Labor Unions Might, Tue, Feb 27 '24

The proliferation of generative AI tools such as Midjourney and ChatGPT has undermined long-held assumptions that artificial intelligence would not threaten creative disciplines. In an effort to balance the opportunities and limits of artificial intelligence in the architecture studio, we ask what ...

AI, Complexity, and Ecological Futures: A Conversation with Alisa Andrasek, Tue, Dec 12 '23

For Alisa Andrasek, a career in architecture represents a point of convergence for her dual passions for art and science. For the past two decades, a respect for both the mathematic and emotional, the computational and the creative, has propelled Andrasek's enthralling investigations into an ...

Design, Computation, and Humans: Exploring the Intersection with Onur Yüce Gün, Mon, Nov 27 '23

For Onur Yüce Gün, the study of computation is the study of the human condition itself. A mission to anchor humans at the center of AI and computational design brought Gün on an educational journey from Middle East Technical University in his native Turkey to the MIT Design and ...

Narrative, Media, and AI in Architectural Academia; A Conversation with Natasha Sandmeier, Mon, Nov 6 '23

Archinect last spoke with Natasha Sandmeier on the themes of visual media and narrative storytelling in 2019. Back then, few could have imagined the seismic impact that generative AI would have on such fields. In her leading role at UCLA AUD's Entertainment Studio, Sandmeier sits at the forefront ...

Storytelling, Bias, and Exploitation in Digital Realms; A Conversation with Miriam Hillawi Abraham, Tue, Oct 24 '23

For Miriam Hillawi Abraham, the digital realm is one fraught with both opportunities and dangers. The Ethiopian designer and researcher sees digital media as an impactful, playful, and unrestrained way of shaping immersive stories that challenge Western narratives and power dynamics imposed on the ...

AI Bias and Digital Colonialism; A Conversation with Morehshin Allahyari, Mon, Oct 16 '23

Whether through her art, writings, or lectures, Morehshin Allahyari's work evokes a range of emotions among its audience. There is wonder and intrigue at her reinterpretation of centuries-old Middle Eastern stories, images, and artifacts. There is introspection on our preconceived views on ...

'Beauty Is a Measure of Ecological Intelligence'; A Conversation with ecoLogicStudio Founders Claudia Pasquero and Marco Poletto , Mon, Jul 31 '23

Against the backdrop of a frenzied AI discourse dominated by end-product tools such as ChatGPT and Midjourney, Claudia Pasquero and Marco Poletto articulate a refreshing call to adventure. The two ecoLogicStudio founders have built their professional and academic careers at the intersection of ...

'You Need to Use AI Much More Than You Think to Get Unique Results From It'; A Conversation with Alexis Christodoulou, Wed, Jul 26 '23

Studying Alexis Christodoulou’s work, including his highly popular Instagram portfolio, one would expect his images to be the product of decades of education, training, and practice at the top of the field. The fact that Christodoulou is a self-taught artist of ten years, preceded by a career in ...

'What Is Truly Good About AI, Nobody Has Probably Thought of Yet'; A Conversation with Richard Saul Wurman, Tue, Jul 25 '23

To many, Richard Saul Wurman is inevitably introduced as "the man who created TED." Since Wurman organized the first TED conference in 1984, the organization's library has expanded to over 4,300 publicly available videos from some of the world's greatest minds about some of humanity's most curious ...

'AI Is a Dangerous Distraction From the Pressing Issues Defining Our Generation'; A Conversation with Liam Young, Mon, Jul 17 '23

Liam Young was once described by the BBC as “the man designing our future.” In 2023, with open letters penned on the risks of extinction posed by artificial intelligence, such a role should be in high demand. Young’s speculations on the future take the form of fictional stories that join the ...

'AI Could Be Seen as a Culture of Death in Its Darkest Sense'; A Conversation with Genevieve Goffman, Tue, Jul 11 '23

Genevieve Goffman does not create art about artificial intelligence; at least, not yet. The New York-based artist has instead grounded her acclaimed work in fantasy and narrative world-building, often through the medium of evocative and ornate 3D printed sculptures derived from digital modeling ...

'The Relationship Between AI and Architecture Is Old Enough to Receive Social Security'; A Conversation with Molly Wright Steenson, Mon, Jul 3 '23

Molly Wright Steenson's introduction to the world of computing came when she was ten years old. From there, her career as a writer, designer, historian, and professor has taken her on a journey of understanding the past, present, and future of artificial intelligence and its relationship with ...

'AI Is Built on Datasets That Are Already Biased'; A Conversation with Felecia Davis, Thu, Jun 22 '23

Ever since her childhood summers sewing patterns at the family dining table, Felecia Davis has understood the power of textiles to be a vehicle for communication, connection, and understanding. As her career in architecture unfolded in parallel with wider advances in computational capabilities ...

'AI Is Both Incredible and Terrifying'; A Conversation with Neil Leach, Mon, Jun 19 '23

Neil Leach is a British professor and licensed architect currently based in California. He has worked for NASA developing a 3D printer for the Moon and Mars, and is co-founder of DigitalFUTURES. Having authored over 40 books on architecture and digital design, and taught at some of the world's ...

'Instead of Living in Fear of AI, Designers Should Engage With It'; A Conversation with Amanda Talbot, Wed, Jun 14 '23

Amanda Talbot did not come from a technological background. Her career path through architecture, interiors, journalism, and fashion nonetheless instilled in her a commitment to heart-centric design, which she believes is crucial to conversations on the relationship between artificial intelligence ...

'The Notion of AI as a Form of Augmentation or Enhancement Is Fascinating to Me'; A Conversation with Behnaz Farahi, Mon, Jun 5 '23

Behnaz Farahi stands at an eclectic intersection between culture and technology. Trained as an architect, with specializations in computational design, interactive technologies, additive manufacturing, and digital fabrication, Farahi asks how emerging technologies can allow us to creatively ...

New Dog, New Tricks: Reflections on Construction, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence, Mon, May 29 '23

What is the current relationship between humans, robotics, and construction? What is its future? To explore these questions in depth, Archinect speaks with both Boston Dynamics and the Applied Research + Development group at Foster + Partners for their experiences and perspectives in ...

You, Me, and DALL-E: On the Relationship Between Architecture, Data, and Artificial Intelligence, Mon, May 1 '23

Thirty years after the thaw of the last 'AI Winter,' the landscape of artificial intelligence is one of a forest in full bloom. On a weekly basis throughout 2023, new tools have been released taking advantage of the latest advances in machine learning algorithms, while existing software and ...

‘In the Climate Context, Architects Need to Push a New Frontier’; A Conversation with Mario Cucinella, Sat, Apr 22 '23

When TECLA was unveiled to the world at the beginning of 2021, it captured the attention of both the architectural community and the imagination of the mainstream media. The world's first 3D-printed house made from raw earth, TECLA was one of 17 projects showcased at COP26 in an exhibition ...

‘Every Piece of Architecture is First a Work of Fiction’; A Conversation with Ole Scheeren, Fri, Jan 20 '23

For the past 30 years, Ole Scheeren has built a career defined by an internationalist outlook. The German architect has lived in 10 countries, and worked in 25, always guided by a philosophy that recognizes "the power of bringing people, cultures, and practices closer together."  Nowhere is ...

Architecture’s 'State of the Union': Reflections on the 2022 World Architecture Festival, Thu, Jan 5 '23

From November 30th through December 2nd, 2022, the World Architecture Festival (WAF) held its first physical event in three years. The annual festival, adapting to an online format during the COVID-19 pandemic, is regarded as one of the most critical events in the global architectural ...

‘Clearly, The World Cup Format is Not Sustainable’; A Conversation with WilkinsonEyre Sports Director, Sam Wright , Tue, Dec 20 '22

The 2022 FIFA World Cup was mired in controversy. Human rights groups saw Qatar’s hosting of the event as an affront to the LGBTQ+ community, free speech, and ethical labor practices. Ethics and standards groups investigated whether Qatar had ‘bought’ the event following rumours of bribery ...

When Buildings Attack: A Six-part Series of Unfortunate Architectural Events, Mon, Oct 31 '22

In the horror and thriller worlds, buildings sometimes seem to take on a life of their own. From The Shining’s Overlook Hotel to The Watcher’s 657 Boulevard, architecture and space become more than a backdrop or a vehicle but instead become main characters in their own right; sometimes to the ...

‘I Seek To Create an Escape From Everyday Life’; A Conversation With Ma Yansong of MAD Architects, Sat, Oct 15 '22

Much has changed for Ma Yansong since Archinect last spoke to him in 2014. From their roots in Beijing, China, Yansong’s firm MAD Architects has expanded to offices in Los Angeles and Rome, employing over 160 people on major architectural commissions. In 2022 alone, our editorial has offered ...

The Pandemic Exposed Deep Flaws in the Architecture Profession — But Also Inspired Remedies, Thu, Aug 25 '22

Two and a half years after the initial outbreak of COVID-19, the U.S. architectural profession has emerged from the global pandemic in a stronger condition than many could have expected during the depths of 2020. However, many questions remain unanswered on how the pandemic impacted the ...

Unionization in Architecture: Reviving a Dormant Movement to Fix a Broken Industry, Fri, May 27 '22

After decades of inactivity, 2022 saw the resurgence of the union movement in architecture with an effort by workers at New York-based SHoP to collectively organize. Where does this effort, which was ultimately withdrawn, sit within the broader discourse of architectural labor conditions? How ...

Cooperatives: The Real Employee-Owned Firms?, Fri, May 6 '22

In a follow-up to our January 2022 feature on employee-owned architecture firms, we question if the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) models which represent the majority of employee-owned architecture firms adequately fulfill a growing worker-led clamor for reform within the profession. For ...

The Impact of Ireland's Architects, from the Pritzker Prize to the White House, Thu, Mar 17 '22

Historically, Ireland's architects have punched above their weight on the world stage. Be it the White House in Washington D.C., innovative World Expo pavilions in New York, or Stirling Prize-winning buildings in the United Kingdom by Dublin-based Pritzker laureates, we explore how the ...

America’s Public Housing is Burning, Fueled by Cold Indifference, Wed, Mar 9 '22

In early 2022, building fires at publicly-funded properties in the Bronx and Philadelphia claimed 29 lives. The facts and conditions surrounding the fires expose an ongoing failure by officials to provide and maintain a safe standard of housing for some of America's most vulnerable. However, the ...

Finding Value in Waste​: Japan’s​ Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center is a Temple to Material Reuse, Thu, Feb 3 '22

Today, building materials account for half of all solid waste generated worldwide every year. In response to mounting concerns over the impact of construction on the built environment, a growing number of architects and material scientists are investigating the potential for recycled materials to ...

A Guide to Employee-Owned Architecture Firms, by Those Who Have Made the Change, Mon, Jan 10 '22

Throughout 2020 and 2021, the world of work has been subject to a relentless evaluation, triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversations around remote working, asynchronous office hours, and workers’ wages have gained added agency, as almost all economic sectors seek to balance health and ...

Does 3D Printed Architecture Have Real Potential? We Talk With an Architect About His Experience Designing and Building a 3D Printed House, Wed, Dec 15 '21

3D printing is older than you may think. The term was first coined in a 1984 patent, while the idea of generating 3D objects from 2D drawings dates back to sci-fi visions as early as 1945. Fast forward to today, and 3D printing has become a viable method of producing everything from medical stents ...

Dystopia in the Desert: Expo 2020 Dubai Embodies Our Unsustainable Attitude Towards Urbanism, Fri, Nov 12 '21

In a confluence of events, the autumn of 2021 saw the opening of both the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow and Expo 2020 in Dubai. While COP26 is billed as "the last chance saloon" to save the planet, Expo 2020 Dubai is described by its organizers as "the most sustainable expo in the history ...

The Architect's Power in Tomorrow's Energy Infrastructure, Mon, Oct 4 '21

The architecture of energy systems is undergoing a renaissance. As our ability to generate, consume, and store energy in a clean, sustainable way continues to accelerate, spurred by a heightened awareness of climate change, architects are steadily sculpting a new architecture to celebrate ...

Can a Building Dream, Learn, and Hallucinate? A Conversation with Refik Anadol, Fri, Sep 24 '21

Refik Anadol has carved an eclectic career, rich with confluences. His work blurs the boundaries between art and science, the visible and invisible, the operational and emotional, the fleeting and permanent. The composition of this studio further demonstrates this confluence; housing artists ...

Shenzhen: A City at a Crossroads in its Past and Future, Fri, Sep 10 '21

The past, present, and future narrative of Shenzhen offers rich ground for architectural thought. The megacity, which emerged from the remote Chinese countryside over 40 years, has captured the imagination of urbanists seeking to understand its rise, architects seeking to contribute to its lively ...

The Collapse of the WTC Twin Towers Heralded a Wave of Reforms To Building Codes, Wed, Sep 8 '21

It is now almost 20 years since the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York were destroyed during a terrorist attack, killing 2,606 people within the two buildings. As is often the case following both natural and human-made disasters, the collapse of the Twin Towers prompted sweeping ...

A House of Cards: The Miami Condo Collapse Exposes a Dehumanized Mindset in the Built Environment, Tue, Aug 17 '21

On June 24th, 2021, the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, Miami collapsed, killing 98 people. While the causes of the collapse are still under investigation, the building's history of structural deficiencies is likely to have played a part. The Champlain Towers collapse is only ...

For Host Cities, the Olympics Are No Game, Tue, Aug 3 '21

With the 2020 Olympics underway in Tokyo, we reflect on the urban and environmental impacts of the Olympic Games on its host cities. Whether Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024, or Los Angeles 2028, the Olympics suffer from a legacy of fragmenting existing urban environments, accelerating ...

For Affordable Housing, The Revolution Will Be Modularized, Wed, Jul 28 '21

Across the globe, the design and construction of affordable housing is failing to meet demand, leaving both low and middle income dwellers with little choice but to accept high costs, substandard conditions, or a move away from urban centers. This reality not only presents dangerous environmental ...

The Venice Biennale Pressed Pause, While Everyone Else Changed the Game, Tue, Jun 29 '21

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the way we live, work, and interact has transformed. The architecture world has been forced to adapt in tandem, with our means of design, communication, and education all undergoing rapid changes. Though set against a tragic backdrop, this forced ...

Meet the Architects Designing Software to Fight Climate Change, Mon, Jun 14 '21

The 21st century has seen rapid advances in technology, allowing an ever-increasing portion of the architectural and urban planning process to move into digital space. At the same time, our understanding of the climate crisis and momentum to address it have also gathered pace. Responding to both ...

The Butterfly Effect: Retrofitting Low-Income Housing, Thu, May 27 '21

America's low-income housing stock is aging. The human health, social, economic, and environmental consequences of substandard housing is felt not just by their inhabitants, but by the general public. However, a growing number of architects, researchers, and policymakers are identifying a ...

Smog City: The Fight Against Urban Air Pollution, Thu, May 13 '21

Around the world, cities and citizens continue to suffer from the effects of air pollution. While the COVID-19 pandemic ironically led to a temporary improvement in urban air quality, the status quo for the air we breathe in cities is bleak. In this article, we examine the prevalence, causes, and ...