Embracing Ambiguity and Chaos
12.17.2025
How architecture school prepared me to teach in Papua New Guinea.
How architecture school prepared me to teach in Papua New Guinea.
Design
A Broadway Bathroom Soliloquy
12.14.2025
For all the good it has done, the ADA has had limited success in correcting a nettlesome part of the theatergoing experience.
For all the good it has done, the ADA has had limited success in correcting a nettlesome part of the theatergoing experience.
The Contradictions of Disney Hall
12.11.2025
An architecture critic’s history—professional and personal—with Frank Gehry’s most celebrated Los Angeles building.
An architecture critic’s history—professional and personal—with Frank Gehry’s most celebrated Los Angeles building.
Remembering Robert A.M. Stern, Historic Preservationist
12.10.2025
The architect didn’t just appreciate New York’s built history; he was also passionate about ensuring the best parts of it were saved for future generations.
The architect didn’t just appreciate New York’s built history; he was also passionate about ensuring the best parts of it were saved for future generations.
What Japan Gets Right (A Partial List)
12.09.2025
A few things that demonstrate the gulf between the island nation’s philosophy of how cities should work and America’s.
A few things that demonstrate the gulf between the island nation’s philosophy of how cities should work and America’s.
The Twilight of the Starchitect
12.03.2025
The broad cultural impact of architects like Robert A.M. Stern is waning. Are influencers killing the celebrity designer?
The broad cultural impact of architects like Robert A.M. Stern is waning. Are influencers killing the celebrity designer?
Raving Amid the Ruins
11.24.2025
Using the underground dance party milieu as a tool for dreaming up and building a new urban future.
Using the underground dance party milieu as a tool for dreaming up and building a new urban future.
Flagler College Invests in Its History
11.19.2025
The restoration and adaptation of the Ponce de Leon Hotel is an achievement that can, and should, be replicated.
The restoration and adaptation of the Ponce de Leon Hotel is an achievement that can, and should, be replicated.
Los Angeles and the Density Paradox
11.12.2025
The city is already overloaded with cars, yet it lacks the density needed for transit to work effectively. Moving beyond this stalemate is essential.
The city is already overloaded with cars, yet it lacks the density needed for transit to work effectively. Moving beyond this stalemate is essential.
Transit Stops Can Be Vital Places in New York City’s Social Life
11.10.2025
As NYC prepares for Mayor Mamdani’s free buses, officials have a chance to rethink some of the city’s most common public spaces.
As NYC prepares for Mayor Mamdani’s free buses, officials have a chance to rethink some of the city’s most common public spaces.
When the Wrong Design Happens, Who’s Responsible?
10.29.2025
No matter how brilliant they may be, architects are responsible for their acquiescence to clients, whose desires eclipse all other meanings.
No matter how brilliant they may be, architects are responsible for their acquiescence to clients, whose desires eclipse all other meanings.
In Praise of Urban Density
10.27.2025
A large population is a quality-of-life benefit, not a dystopian threat.
A large population is a quality-of-life benefit, not a dystopian threat.
Is Architecture a Language? No. It’s Like Language
10.22.2025
George Lakoff’s new book, The Neural Mind, tells us why.
George Lakoff’s new book, The Neural Mind, tells us why.
Would You Work for Trump?
10.21.2025
His White House ballroom project would be an ethically thorny project for any architect.
His White House ballroom project would be an ethically thorny project for any architect.
Our Housing Crisis Is a Monumental Failure of Design
10.14.2025
Here’s a comprehensive blueprint for creating a new path forward.
Here’s a comprehensive blueprint for creating a new path forward.
Creating Sacred Space Isn’t About Problem Solving
09.11.2025
Communities of faith want their identity reflected in the places they gather.
Communities of faith want their identity reflected in the places they gather.
Kansas City: Wandering the Middle Ground
09.08.2025
An L.A-born urban planner finds traces of home in the Midwest.
An L.A-born urban planner finds traces of home in the Midwest.
Architecton: A Tribute to Stone and a Rebuke of Concrete
09.03.2025
This new film delivers a penetrating message about the built world we’ve created.
This new film delivers a penetrating message about the built world we’ve created.
Courtyard Urbanism: What’s Missing From American Cities
08.19.2025
Why and how I became a citizen urban planner and advocate.
Why and how I became a citizen urban planner and advocate.
Trump’s White House Ballroom Drawings and Numbers Just Don’t Add Up
08.18.2025
Changes to the White House have a long history of controversy, but this new project has some inscrutable details.
Changes to the White House have a long history of controversy, but this new project has some inscrutable details.
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