01.06.2026
The architect was an apostate, but also completely of his era. Perhaps more important, Gehry was a unicorn, one whose creations are not easily replicated.
The architect was an apostate, but also completely of his era. Perhaps more important, Gehry was a unicorn, one whose creations are not easily replicated.
12.30.2025
Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. should be one of the great streets in the world. Instead, it’s got a bunch of starchitect monuments strung along it.
Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. should be one of the great streets in the world. Instead, it’s got a bunch of starchitect monuments strung along it.
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.
12.08.2025
In a profession that claims to celebrate nonconformity, he was a true iconoclast.
In a profession that claims to celebrate nonconformity, he was a true iconoclast.
08.07.2025
Sam Kaplan Hall recounts his wide-ranging life in a new memoir that contains more than a few great personal stories.
Sam Kaplan Hall recounts his wide-ranging life in a new memoir that contains more than a few great personal stories.
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.
12.14.2023
My recent talk to high school seniors.
My recent talk to high school seniors.
11.07.2023
The UK cancer centers are an incredible legacy for its co-founder, Maggie Keswick Jencks.
The UK cancer centers are an incredible legacy for its co-founder, Maggie Keswick Jencks.
07.10.2023
Defining divinity and higher powers, in the context of design, is often fraught.
Defining divinity and higher powers, in the context of design, is often fraught.
03.29.2022
Through sophistry and a focus on “theory,” a generation of late-20th-century architects not only sought to upend the industry establishment, they rose to replace it.
Through sophistry and a focus on “theory,” a generation of late-20th-century architects not only sought to upend the industry establishment, they rose to replace it.
11.23.2021
Maybe we’re beyond all that. Maybe that’s a good thing.
Maybe we’re beyond all that. Maybe that’s a good thing.
02.23.2021
Why are we seeing so many new skyscrapers that resemble teetering stacks of skewed boxes?
Why are we seeing so many new skyscrapers that resemble teetering stacks of skewed boxes?
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.
04.01.2019
Its raucous, in-your-face, nature may mask deep insecurities about the future.
Its raucous, in-your-face, nature may mask deep insecurities about the future.
03.18.2019
Why do global cities keep recycling the same stale formulas?
Why do global cities keep recycling the same stale formulas?
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