Notre Dame: An Architect’s Notes on Building, Belief and the Power of Architecture
04.17.2019
We will rebuild the great cathedral—because we can.
We will rebuild the great cathedral—because we can.
Duo Dickinson
Is the Culture of Architecture Becoming More Profane?
04.01.2019
Its raucous, in-your-face, nature may mask deep insecurities about the future.
Its raucous, in-your-face, nature may mask deep insecurities about the future.
Confusion of the Vanities: Why Architectural Style-Wars Are Becoming Irrelevant
02.25.2019
Might there be a less rigid, style-blind, third way?
Might there be a less rigid, style-blind, third way?
Why “Zaha Hadid Activewear” Feels Off-Brand
02.04.2019
Or is it the inevitable commercial afterlife of an artistic genius?
Or is it the inevitable commercial afterlife of an artistic genius?
Why Do Architects Remain Obsessed with Flat Roofs?
01.09.2019
At this point, it’s purely a style preference.
At this point, it’s purely a style preference.
When Buildings Are Shaped More by Code Than by Architects
12.04.2018
Breaking out of the aesthetic straight jacket is a primary creative challenge.
Breaking out of the aesthetic straight jacket is a primary creative challenge.
The Kids are Alright: How the Great Recession Shaped This Generation’s Entry into Architecture
11.06.2018
A rocky start might make for a nimbler, more holistic view.
A rocky start might make for a nimbler, more holistic view.
Life, Death and the End of 20th Century Architecture
10.11.2018
Some thoughts on the passing for the guard.
Some thoughts on the passing for the guard.
Architectural Criticism That’s Not Just For Architects
08.30.2018
How a wave of new voices is changing the way we talk, think and write about buildings.
How a wave of new voices is changing the way we talk, think and write about buildings.
In the Era of Artificial Intelligence, Will Architecture Become Artisanal?
07.23.2018
How the emphasis on all-things-digital will create a craving for authentic human engagement.
How the emphasis on all-things-digital will create a craving for authentic human engagement.
An Architect’s Determination and Devotion is Often a Project’s Make or Break Factor
06.27.2018
Staying with it can take years, but the rewards are ultimately worth it.
Staying with it can take years, but the rewards are ultimately worth it.
What a New Botox Commercial Says About the Public’s Perception of Architecture
05.16.2018
It seems to say, like everything else, it’s just looks that matter.
It seems to say, like everything else, it’s just looks that matter.
Architecture Ignores History At Its Own Peril
04.24.2018
Both rejecting or replicating it are false paths.
Both rejecting or replicating it are false paths.
Why Homes Are the Original Architecture
03.27.2018
The baffling, frustrating and exhilarating act of residential design.
The baffling, frustrating and exhilarating act of residential design.
Michelangelo’s Lesson: Specialization in Architecture is Not The Only Way
02.21.2018
A recent exhibition at the Met of his remarkable drawings offers insights into the creative process.
A recent exhibition at the Met of his remarkable drawings offers insights into the creative process.
In the Midst of Rapid Change, How Should Architecture Reinvent Itself?
01.30.2018
The old paths into the profession are quickly losing their relevance.
The old paths into the profession are quickly losing their relevance.
Did the AIA Take a Pass on Postmodernism?
01.11.2018
The organization recently refused to give a Twenty Five Year Award to any building.
The organization recently refused to give a Twenty Five Year Award to any building.
Architectural Education Will Have to Change or Risk Becoming Irrelevant
01.04.2018
The technological revolution is making the studio model increasingly obsolete.
The technological revolution is making the studio model increasingly obsolete.
How the Internet Has Turned Architecture Into a Form of Online Dating
12.10.2017
Looking for work—and getting rejected doing it—was always part of the game, but now it’s more complicated.
Looking for work—and getting rejected doing it—was always part of the game, but now it’s more complicated.
Stern and Saarinen at Yale: What Architectural “Style” Reveals
11.16.2017
What the old “modern” and the new “traditional” dormitories say about style, architecture and the zeitgeist.
What the old “modern” and the new “traditional” dormitories say about style, architecture and the zeitgeist.
The Challenge and Terror of Making Payroll as an Architect
10.18.2017
How technology will transform that bi-weekly terror.
How technology will transform that bi-weekly terror.
Christopher Alexander’s New Architecture Program Offers an Alternative to Style and Orthodoxy
09.12.2017
Instead the legendary author looks to an educational model based on the creation of beauty.
Instead the legendary author looks to an educational model based on the creation of beauty.
Architecture and the Illusive, Maddening and Thrilling Quest for Beauty
08.18.2017
The quest for this quality often gets lost in the wild scrum of design and construction.
The quest for this quality often gets lost in the wild scrum of design and construction.
Swipe Left: How Technology Has Skewed Architectural Competitions
08.02.2017
The digital revolution has transformed a studio experience into a form of online dating.
The digital revolution has transformed a studio experience into a form of online dating.
Does the New Traditionalism Have A Point?
07.06.2017
Whether the architectural academy likes it or not, there’s a growing interest in classical and traditional forms.
Whether the architectural academy likes it or not, there’s a growing interest in classical and traditional forms.
What’s Happened to Architectural Record’s Record Houses issue?
06.14.2017
Gorgeous projects, for sure, but aesthetically diverse? Not so much.
Gorgeous projects, for sure, but aesthetically diverse? Not so much.
Building Madness: How the Boom and Bust Mentality Distorts Architecture
05.12.2017
The profession surfs blindly on the money available to fund it.
The profession surfs blindly on the money available to fund it.
Confessions of a New AIA Fellow, or “Getting the “F”
04.16.2017
The architect’s twelve-year journey from “outsider” to “insider.”
The architect’s twelve-year journey from “outsider” to “insider.”
Imitation, Innovation and the 700th Cantilever
03.28.2017
Why do architects so blindly follow the leader? Where’s the healthy line between imitation and innovation?
Why do architects so blindly follow the leader? Where’s the healthy line between imitation and innovation?
Separating Architecture From the Building Arts Produces Soulless Structures
03.05.2017
As architects turn over much of the construction responsibility to consultants and their software programs, something vital and human is being lost.
As architects turn over much of the construction responsibility to consultants and their software programs, something vital and human is being lost.
The Uneasy Relationship Between Architects and Money
02.08.2017
Some thoughts on why architects are so underpaid.
Some thoughts on why architects are so underpaid.
Is Architecture as Fractured as Our Politics?
01.05.2017
Despite signs of an emerging pluralism, there is still a clearly defined separation between the Blue Academic Elite and Red Building Architects.
Despite signs of an emerging pluralism, there is still a clearly defined separation between the Blue Academic Elite and Red Building Architects.
Is Cost Architecture’s Weakest Link To Reality?
12.11.2016
Unless budgets become an integral part of architectural education and criticism, design will continue to live in an aesthetic bubble and fall easy prey to bean counters.
Unless budgets become an integral part of architectural education and criticism, design will continue to live in an aesthetic bubble and fall easy prey to bean counters.
The AIA’s Tone-Deaf Response to the Election of Donald Trump
11.15.2016
The mistake of treating it as a business-as-usual event when it was nothing of the kind.
The mistake of treating it as a business-as-usual event when it was nothing of the kind.
The BIM Moment: What We’re Losing in the Robot-Age of Architecture
11.01.2016
For most architects today, Building Information Modeling is the elephant in the room.
For most architects today, Building Information Modeling is the elephant in the room.
What Architecture Has in Common with Organized Religion
10.05.2016
Faith in both architects and clerics is rapidly waning.
Faith in both architects and clerics is rapidly waning.
What Do Architects and Commerical Fishermen Have in Common?
09.16.2016
As it turns out, high rates of suicide. But blaming the design studio “culture” for it seems short sided and lacking in evidence.
As it turns out, high rates of suicide. But blaming the design studio “culture” for it seems short sided and lacking in evidence.
In Architects We Trust? 10 Trusts Worth Busting
09.01.2016
How the profession sabotages its value and relevance.
How the profession sabotages its value and relevance.
Donald Trump as Architecture’s Nightmare Client
08.02.2016
Not since Thomas Jefferson has there been a presidential candidate more involved in designing and building structures than the Republican nominee.
Not since Thomas Jefferson has there been a presidential candidate more involved in designing and building structures than the Republican nominee.
Modern Restoration and the Veneration of Its Hero Architects
07.20.2016
This is not renovation: it’s work of religious purification and fine arts conservation.
This is not renovation: it’s work of religious purification and fine arts conservation.
When Intellectual Diversity Mattered
06.21.2016
Cornell’s architecture school in the 1970s wasn’t a particularly diverse place, but it was open to different ideas about the profession.
Cornell’s architecture school in the 1970s wasn’t a particularly diverse place, but it was open to different ideas about the profession.
Why Architects Don’t Do More Pro Bono Work
06.08.2016
Despite all of the high profile exhibitions celebrating it, the profession is still struggling to define its social mission.
Despite all of the high profile exhibitions celebrating it, the profession is still struggling to define its social mission.
The AIA’s Response to Crisis: Call in the Stars!
05.17.2016
How do you fight irrelevance? With star power! If you can’t book a former president, you can at least book an actor who plays one on TV!
How do you fight irrelevance? With star power! If you can’t book a former president, you can at least book an actor who plays one on TV!
Will Architecture Have Its Donald Trump Moment?
05.09.2016
There are two architectures. Not officially, yet, but the perception is real and growing that there is an architectural apartheid. There is an “inside” and an “outside.”
There are two architectures. Not officially, yet, but the perception is real and growing that there is an architectural apartheid. There is an “inside” and an “outside.”
Why Architecture Needs More Building-Architect Critics
04.19.2016
To get a fuller understanding of the complexities of building, the field needs more active designers as mainstream critics.
To get a fuller understanding of the complexities of building, the field needs more active designers as mainstream critics.
Architects Design Just 2% of All Houses–Why?
04.07.2016
This is an epic fail for a profession desiring to be relevant and useful.
This is an epic fail for a profession desiring to be relevant and useful.
Death & Architecture
03.31.2016
Musings on the untimely passing of Zaha Hadid
Musings on the untimely passing of Zaha Hadid
Sprinting to the Past
03.14.2016
Why the call to replicate the old Penn Station is an idea born of fear.
Why the call to replicate the old Penn Station is an idea born of fear.
Architecture Has Become a Lifestyle Choice
02.15.2016
Architecture is in state of deep and troubling transition. But the schools are not responding to these changes. Instead, they’re enabling the decline of the profession of architecture as a building art.
Architecture is in state of deep and troubling transition. But the schools are not responding to these changes. Instead, they’re enabling the decline of the profession of architecture as a building art.
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