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.
Essays
Why Architects Need to be Part of Evolving A.I. Policy
09.01.2025
Strategic imagination is what we do, but it’s crucially missing in both federal and state efforts to build and manage our A.I. future.
Strategic imagination is what we do, but it’s crucially missing in both federal and state efforts to build and manage our A.I. future.
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.
When a Beloved Client Dies
08.04.2025
The connection between designer and user can—wonderfully and painfully—transcend the business of architecture.
The connection between designer and user can—wonderfully and painfully—transcend the business of architecture.
Andrés Duany and Others on the Legacy of Léon Krier
06.30.2025
With tributes from Witold Rybczynski, Gerhard W. Mayer, James Howard Kuntsler, and Jeff Speck.
With tributes from Witold Rybczynski, Gerhard W. Mayer, James Howard Kuntsler, and Jeff Speck.
The American Paradox: Bigger Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Better
06.26.2025
In the U.S., interior and exterior spaces are outsize because they can be. In France, high density means less individual space—so design matters even more.
In the U.S., interior and exterior spaces are outsize because they can be. In France, high density means less individual space—so design matters even more.
Where Does Architectural Design Work Come From?
06.18.2025
Don’t put faith in awards, publications, or PR firms to generate the next project. Instead, demonstrate your value in every completed building.
Don’t put faith in awards, publications, or PR firms to generate the next project. Instead, demonstrate your value in every completed building.
Letter From Los Angeles: The Unsettling Silence of Construction Sites
06.16.2025
What happens when the people who will rebuild burned-out L.A. are afraid to come to work?
What happens when the people who will rebuild burned-out L.A. are afraid to come to work?
Why Hollywood and the Housing Industry Need Each Other
06.09.2025
In addition to sharing many inherent traits, the fortunes of the former depend on the affordability of the latter.
In addition to sharing many inherent traits, the fortunes of the former depend on the affordability of the latter.
Life Advice: “You’ll Do Fine If You Believe, ‘I Do My Best.’”
06.03.2025
Author and educator Steven Heller’s commencement address to the School of Visual Arts’ Class of 2025.
Author and educator Steven Heller’s commencement address to the School of Visual Arts’ Class of 2025.
The Unique Intimacies of Designing a House
05.05.2025
Residential architects understand the origin story and the life evolution of those who they design for.
Residential architects understand the origin story and the life evolution of those who they design for.
Marcus Aurelius for Architects and Designers
05.01.2025
Written more than 1,000 years ago, the Roman emperor’s words of wisdom offer guidance and comfort to the profession in the 21st century.
Written more than 1,000 years ago, the Roman emperor’s words of wisdom offer guidance and comfort to the profession in the 21st century.
What New Orleans Taught Me
04.30.2025
Lessons from a decade in the Crescent City.
Lessons from a decade in the Crescent City.
Redefining Authorship: How AI Is Changing What It Means to Be an Architect
04.09.2025
The rise of artificial intelligence will challenge architects to rediscover their unique value.
The rise of artificial intelligence will challenge architects to rediscover their unique value.
Wine and Architecture, Legibility and the Art of Making
03.12.2025
Why should design and construction be more like the process of bottling wine?
Why should design and construction be more like the process of bottling wine?
Pableaux Johnson: Be Where Your Feet Are
03.03.2025
A New Orleanian pays a Mardi Gras tribute to the Cajun Dalai Lama.
A New Orleanian pays a Mardi Gras tribute to the Cajun Dalai Lama.
The Importance of Cultivating Empathy in Design Education
02.26.2025
Grounding studio assignments in historical and current cultural issues is the best way to foster empathy in students.
Grounding studio assignments in historical and current cultural issues is the best way to foster empathy in students.
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.
“AI Is Just a Tool”—and Other Fictions
02.18.2025
AI usurps the freedom to experience the pains and satisfactions of true artistic and design growth.
AI usurps the freedom to experience the pains and satisfactions of true artistic and design growth.
Architects vs. Algorithms: A 2025 Love Story
01.29.2025
This year, AI will assert itself on both the designer and the client sides of the construction industry.
This year, AI will assert itself on both the designer and the client sides of the construction industry.
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