Blair Kamin on the Obama Presidential Center: “A Huge Improvement to the Public Realm”
06.23.2026
A conversation with former Chicago Tribune architecture critic.
A conversation with former Chicago Tribune architecture critic.
Design
The Obama Presidential Center: “It’s a Canvas. People Are Leaving Their Imprint on It”
06.17.2026
A conversation with Chicago Sun-Times architecture critic Lee Bey.
A conversation with Chicago Sun-Times architecture critic Lee Bey.
Build Neighborhoods Around People Instead of Cars
06.09.2026
The cost of the auto-centric suburb: the address may be real, but the community isn’t.
The cost of the auto-centric suburb: the address may be real, but the community isn’t.
In Architecture, What’s Old Is New Again
06.08.2026
The profession’s “modern” paradigm forbids the revival of past patterns, but new science is revealing that traditional designs embody centuries of accumulated wisdom.
The profession’s “modern” paradigm forbids the revival of past patterns, but new science is revealing that traditional designs embody centuries of accumulated wisdom.
The Penn Station Announcement: What Did We Actually Learn?
06.01.2026
The new Trump-backed proposal produces more questions than it answers.
The new Trump-backed proposal produces more questions than it answers.
High Density Living, 2000 Years Ago: Inside the Roman Apartment Building
05.28.2026
An excerpt from the new book Dwelling on Earth: The Past and Future of the Places We Call Home.
An excerpt from the new book Dwelling on Earth: The Past and Future of the Places We Call Home.
The Transcendent Healing Power of Architecture
05.27.2026
In his new book, Michael P. Murphy reflects on what he’s learned through his work on various buildings.
In his new book, Michael P. Murphy reflects on what he’s learned through his work on various buildings.
A New Chapter for Urbanism in Middle America
05.21.2026
The Midwest and the Rust Belt are leading the way in forward-thinking approaches to public space.
The Midwest and the Rust Belt are leading the way in forward-thinking approaches to public space.
How Courtyard Blocks Promote Social Connection
05.18.2026
Common in Europe, this urban form offers numerous benefits to people, neighborhoods, and cities.
Common in Europe, this urban form offers numerous benefits to people, neighborhoods, and cities.
The Car Trap and How I Escaped It
05.18.2026
Living automobile-free in America is not for the faint of heart.
Living automobile-free in America is not for the faint of heart.
Why Is Poland Building Castles Again?
05.06.2026
A new exhibition in Warsaw examines the country’s continued connection to a centuries-old building tradition.
A new exhibition in Warsaw examines the country’s continued connection to a centuries-old building tradition.
A Transformational Building for LACMA
04.29.2026
Designed by Peter Zumthor, the museum’s David Geffen Galleries make the institution a global cultural landmark.
Designed by Peter Zumthor, the museum’s David Geffen Galleries make the institution a global cultural landmark.
A Conversation With James Wines: “Put Art Where You Least Expect It”
04.22.2026
Highlights from Episode 5 of Our Buildings, Our Selves.
Highlights from Episode 5 of Our Buildings, Our Selves.
Controversy in Rome: “You Don’t Make History, You Are History”
04.13.2026
An artist’s politicized restoration at a medieval church sparks heated debate.
An artist’s politicized restoration at a medieval church sparks heated debate.
Want Some Bad Food and Poor Design to Go With Your Tesla Charge?
04.01.2026
Elon Musk’s attempt at an urban restaurant strives to be cool but fails utterly.
Elon Musk’s attempt at an urban restaurant strives to be cool but fails utterly.
Rebooting Downtown, America’s Most Underperforming Neighborhood
03.30.2026
What if the central business district in your city became the best neighborhood? Here’s a roadmap.
What if the central business district in your city became the best neighborhood? Here’s a roadmap.
Urban Lessons From the Paris Perimeter
03.24.2026
The conformity of Haussmann’s blocks gains meaning from the often intimate bricolage of Paris’ other textures.
The conformity of Haussmann’s blocks gains meaning from the often intimate bricolage of Paris’ other textures.
Layers of the Past: What Stories Our Buildings Tell Us
03.16.2026
Perpetually demolishing and constructing anew erases the rich stories our buildings contain.
Perpetually demolishing and constructing anew erases the rich stories our buildings contain.
The Three Lessons of My Failed Homestead
03.12.2026
Where my wife and I erred when it came to time, money, and family culture.
Where my wife and I erred when it came to time, money, and family culture.
Episode 4: Our Buildings, Our Selves, With Guests Gerhard W. Mayer and Lindsay Stirman
03.11.2026
Discussing the housing crisis with the co-founders of L.A.’s Livable Communities Initiative.
Discussing the housing crisis with the co-founders of L.A.’s Livable Communities Initiative.
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