People, Places, Cities: Making the Case for Placemaking
02.25.2025
Why it’s the solution to livable cities.
Why it’s the solution to livable cities.
Design
It’s Time to Revise the Metrics for Measuring Quality Places
02.24.2025
One important guideline: look for simple indicators of complex conditions.
One important guideline: look for simple indicators of complex conditions.
The Dangerous Myth of the Napkin Sketch
02.10.2025
Ultimately, architecture is a pluralistic endeavor, not the creation of a solitary genius.
Ultimately, architecture is a pluralistic endeavor, not the creation of a solitary genius.
A Cease and Desist Letter From the European Office of Classical Architecture Affairs
02.05.2025
Re: America’s Unauthorized Use of Classical European Architectural Intellectual Property.
Re: America’s Unauthorized Use of Classical European Architectural Intellectual Property.
The Brutalist: A Cinematic Architect’s Dream—and Nightmare
02.03.2025
The film’s portrayal of its architect protagonist is entirely predictable, but carries a note of caution.
The film’s portrayal of its architect protagonist is entirely predictable, but carries a note of caution.
Louis Sullivan Would Like to Clarify His Thoughts on Ornamentation
01.27.2025
In response to a recent executive order about architectural design, the Father of Modernism speaks from beyond the grave.
In response to a recent executive order about architectural design, the Father of Modernism speaks from beyond the grave.
L.A.’s Cultural Crescent and the Land That Draws People to It
01.22.2025
The City of Angels is that rare metropolis where landscape shapes ways of being.
The City of Angels is that rare metropolis where landscape shapes ways of being.
Unlocking the Mysteries of Zoning
01.13.2025
Sara Bronin’s new book, Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World, is a deep, accessible dive into the prosaic realms of urban planning.
Sara Bronin’s new book, Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World, is a deep, accessible dive into the prosaic realms of urban planning.
Confronting the Leviathan in Vietnam
01.08.2025
An architect’s search for clarity in a far-off land.
An architect’s search for clarity in a far-off land.
A Radical (and Totally Practical) Rethinking of U.S. Housing Construction
01.06.2025
Vienna and Paris demonstrate that there are easier, less-expensive ways to build homes.
Vienna and Paris demonstrate that there are easier, less-expensive ways to build homes.
On the Value of Miniatures and Scale Models
12.18.2024
Thinking small can help us answer the challenges of our time.
Thinking small can help us answer the challenges of our time.
Notre Dame Cathedral and the Rebirth of Artisanship
12.17.2024
The miraculous rebuild was enabled by the century-old French system of trade guilds and education.
The miraculous rebuild was enabled by the century-old French system of trade guilds and education.
Vishaan Chakrabarti: Looking for a Home, Aiming Risky Zingers
12.09.2024
The architect’s latest book displays his talent for analytic precision and provocation.
The architect’s latest book displays his talent for analytic precision and provocation.
Why Gardening Should Be Our Metaphor for Local Development
12.04.2024
If your town isn’t cultivating its own economic growth, then it’s being mined for someone else’s profit.
If your town isn’t cultivating its own economic growth, then it’s being mined for someone else’s profit.
The Art and Angst of Architecture in Southern California
11.26.2024
An excerpt from An Urban Odyssey: A Critic’s Search for the Soul of Cities and Self.
An excerpt from An Urban Odyssey: A Critic’s Search for the Soul of Cities and Self.
It’s Hard for Architects to Be Transparent About Fees
11.25.2024
If the profession is to survive, however, we have no choice.
If the profession is to survive, however, we have no choice.
In Marseille’s Cours Julien, Street Art Creates Dynamic Context
11.19.2024
Submitting to this area’s urban rhythm reveals the power of public art to define a place.
Submitting to this area’s urban rhythm reveals the power of public art to define a place.
What I Learned From Six Recessions in Architecture
11.18.2024
Life is imperfect, and architects understand this better than most.
Life is imperfect, and architects understand this better than most.
Wonder and Awe in a James Turrell Skyspace
11.13.2024
The artist’s latest work, in Manhattan, is both an engineering and a visual marvel that moves the spirit.
The artist’s latest work, in Manhattan, is both an engineering and a visual marvel that moves the spirit.
Light and Color: The Spirit-Led Work of James Turrell
11.07.2024
The artist is driven not just by curiosity or ambition, but by the precepts of his Quakerism.
The artist is driven not just by curiosity or ambition, but by the precepts of his Quakerism.
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