The Unique Pain of Architects: Letting Go
03.18.2020
The buildings we design have their own lives (and deaths), whether we like it or not.
The buildings we design have their own lives (and deaths), whether we like it or not.
Opinion
Let’s Talk About Federal Patronage and Classical Architecture
02.14.2020
Instead of knee-jerk screeds against the possibility that the U.S. government might mandate classical design, let’s take this moment to foster a more thoughtful discussion.
Instead of knee-jerk screeds against the possibility that the U.S. government might mandate classical design, let’s take this moment to foster a more thoughtful discussion.
The Insanity of a State Sanctioned Style for Architecture
02.06.2020
Dictating the terms of “beauty” is a very slippery slope.
Dictating the terms of “beauty” is a very slippery slope.
We Can’t Get No Respect
02.05.2020
Architects often complain that there is something wrong with the profession. Is there?
Architects often complain that there is something wrong with the profession. Is there?
Why the Fire at Notre Dame Elicited Few Tears in Africa
12.30.2019
As France rebuilds a cultural icon, it should also take overdue, promised measures to restore the African heritage it stole and destroyed.
As France rebuilds a cultural icon, it should also take overdue, promised measures to restore the African heritage it stole and destroyed.
We Are Art Vandelay, Architect
12.17.2019
Was George Costanza’s appropriation of the profession a harbinger of where we find ourselves now?
Was George Costanza’s appropriation of the profession a harbinger of where we find ourselves now?
Assessing Resiliency and Risk: We Can’t Save It All
12.04.2019
Planning in the era of climate change will require an honest look at what we can and cannot protect.
Planning in the era of climate change will require an honest look at what we can and cannot protect.
Churches Go Secular: No Place for God?
12.02.2019
The repurposing of them may demonstrate savvy development, but the increasing absence of their original use signals something else.
The repurposing of them may demonstrate savvy development, but the increasing absence of their original use signals something else.
Change the NAAB Conditions for Architectural Accreditation!
11.21.2019
Calling for a new way of educating architects.
Calling for a new way of educating architects.
Dear Governor Newsom: Be a Climate Hero. Adopt the Zero Code Now.
11.11.2019
A bold proposal by the California AIA has the potential to transform the building industry.
A bold proposal by the California AIA has the potential to transform the building industry.
The Invented Reality of Suburbia Is Not the Norm
10.01.2019
The demographics of home buying are shifting in a different direction.
The demographics of home buying are shifting in a different direction.
Are We Air Conditioning Our Planet to Death?
09.09.2019
Eighty-seven percent of American homes are equipped with AC. And the rest of the world is following suit.
Eighty-seven percent of American homes are equipped with AC. And the rest of the world is following suit.
How to Write an Architectural Manifesto
07.17.2019
Why the profession desperately needs new ones right now.
Why the profession desperately needs new ones right now.
Restoring the Physical Nature of Design
07.03.2019
Architects and designers are losing touch with the tactile qualities of their art, an essential connection to building.
Architects and designers are losing touch with the tactile qualities of their art, an essential connection to building.
It’s Time to End the Reign of Single-Family House Zoning
06.26.2019
The long standing practice contributes to scarcity, inequity and exclusion.
The long standing practice contributes to scarcity, inequity and exclusion.
In Architecture, Silence Is Anything But Golden
06.20.2019
In the world of design competitions and submissions, ghosting has become the new “No”.
In the world of design competitions and submissions, ghosting has become the new “No”.
The Ethics of Architecture and Other Contradictions
06.12.2019
A talk with educator and author Thomas Fisher about his new book, The Architecture of Ethics.
A talk with educator and author Thomas Fisher about his new book, The Architecture of Ethics.
Functionalist Paens for Formalist Buildings
06.04.2019
The claims made by many architects, to justify shape-making, often borders on the specious.
The claims made by many architects, to justify shape-making, often borders on the specious.
Hudson Yards and Notre-Dame: A One-Two Punch of Megalomania
05.23.2019
With the opening of the development and the “response” to the fire, architecture has demonstrated shocking disregard. But the damage goes both ways.
With the opening of the development and the “response” to the fire, architecture has demonstrated shocking disregard. But the damage goes both ways.
A Proposed “Iconic” Tower in San Jose is a Monument to Lousy Urbanism
05.14.2019
Sometimes civic ambition should aim lower.
Sometimes civic ambition should aim lower.
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