Public Engagement

Blair Kamin on the Architects for the Obama Library, and the Lawsuit that Thwarted George Lucas

07.11.2016

By Martin C. Pedersen

The Pulitzer Prize winning critic talks about the selection of Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, as well as the feisty citizen’s group that defeated the legendary filmmaker.

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The Pulitzer Prize winning critic talks about the selection of Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, as well as the feisty citizen’s group that defeated the legendary filmmaker.

Watching the George Lucas Fiasco from the Cheap Seats

06.28.2016

By Martin C. Pedersen

In the face of considerable opposition, a relentless civic organization, a pesky lawsuit, and a sympathetic judge, the legendary filmmaker has decided to pull his Museum of Narrative Art out of Chicago.

Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

In the face of considerable opposition, a relentless civic organization, a pesky lawsuit, and a sympathetic judge, the legendary filmmaker has decided to pull his Museum of Narrative Art out of Chicago.

Donald Trump and the Rage Against Robots

06.16.2016

By Martin C. Pedersen

For all of its insanity, buffoonery, cluelessness, bigotry and narcissism, Trump’s candidacy is tapping into something else besides racism and xenophobia: Economic displacement.

manufacturing robots

For all of its insanity, buffoonery, cluelessness, bigotry and narcissism, Trump’s candidacy is tapping into something else besides racism and xenophobia: Economic displacement.

Why Was Rem Koolhaas’ AIA Speech Not Widely Covered?

06.09.2016

By Martin C. Pedersen

There was a time, not too long ago, when a Koolhaas speech given to thousands of his fellow architects would constitute news. At least in the architecture press. Apparently, that time is not now.

rem in philly

There was a time, not too long ago, when a Koolhaas speech given to thousands of his fellow architects would constitute news. At least in the architecture press. Apparently, that time is not now.

Calling For An End to Architecture’s Style Wars

05.31.2016

By Ben Willis

“Architecture has a serious problem today in that people who are not alike don’t communicate,” Rem Koolhaas said, ‘I’m actually more interested in communicating with people I disagree with than people I agree with.”

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“Architecture has a serious problem today in that people who are not alike don’t communicate,” Rem Koolhaas said, ‘I’m actually more interested in communicating with people I disagree with than people I agree with.”

Will Architecture Have Its Donald Trump Moment?

05.09.2016

By Duo Dickinson

There are two architectures. Not officially, yet, but the perception is real and growing that there is an architectural apartheid. There is an “inside” and an “outside.”

zaha trump image

There are two architectures. Not officially, yet, but the perception is real and growing that there is an architectural apartheid. There is an “inside” and an “outside.”

It’s National Architecture Week!

04.13.2016

By Martin C. Pedersen

Instead of spending money on what is essentially a branding effort, what if the AIA organized a national education program aimed at the primary schools?

teaching kids arch image

Instead of spending money on what is essentially a branding effort, what if the AIA organized a national education program aimed at the primary schools?

Cab Drivers: The Ultimate Architecture Critics

02.24.2016

By Steven Bingler

Every day they pass thousands of houses, hospitals, churches, and schools, so it’s no wonder many of them have strong opinions about the kinds of buildings they like. They may be one of the built environment’s most authentic focus groups.

steven

Every day they pass thousands of houses, hospitals, churches, and schools, so it’s no wonder many of them have strong opinions about the kinds of buildings they like. They may be one of the built environment’s most authentic focus groups.

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