History / Preservation
Chicago’s Top Tourist Attraction to Get Green Makeover
The $176 million Phase I design concept for Navy Pier unveiled last week promises a "parklike" feel along the banks of Lake Michigan.
Step Aside California, Michigan Modernism Gets a Spin in the Spotlight
During the post-war years, the Wolverine State gave the world much more than just elegant automobiles. A new exhibit explores Michigan's under-appreciated contributions to the design world.
The Urban Diary as a City-Dweller's Tool
Chuck Wolfe champions the 'urban diary' tool as a universal means to understand the city around us.
Living with Frank Lloyd Wright
20 homes designed by the renowned architect are looking for a discerning owner. But buyer beware, says Joann S. Lublin, 'owning an architectural treasure can come with significant headaches.'
Remarkable S.F. House Embodies City's Evolution
A Victorian house in the Western Addition neighborhood of San Francisco may be the Zelig of the city's social history. From middle class professionals, to working class earthquake refugees, to Japanese entrepreneurs, to jazz mecca; it's seen it all.
Belize's Epic Preservation Fail
A 2,300-year-old Mayan pyramid at the Noh Mul site in northern Belize was recently bulldozed "to make fill for roads," reports Brad Lendon.
Take a Vote: The Building That Most Shaped U.S. Culture
In advance of a new PBS documentary on America's architectural history, Architectural Record is soliciting votes for the building that most influenced life in the United States.
MoMA Rethinks Folk Art Demolition
After weeks of blowback to a controversial plan by MoMA to demolish its acclaimed neighbor, the museum announced that its newly hired design consultants will be allowed to consider integrating the former Folk Art Museum into its expansion plans.
Mill Makeover a Model for Discarded Manufacturing Relics
C.J. Hughes looks at the $40 million conversion of the historic Loray Mill in Gastonia, North Carolina into a mixed-use retail and residential complex. Federal and state tax credits are providing the incentives for investors to back the project.
America's Amazing Lost Markets
Before there were Safeways and Sam's Clubs, public markets served as the cultural and culinary anchors of towns across the United States. Many were also fine pieces of architecture. David K. O’Neil looks at 10 of the best that have been lost to time.
The Dynamic Potential of Urbanism Without Effort
Chuck Wolfe summarizes a major tenet of his new book and suggests we risk ignoring the back story of urban forms and functions by failing to truly understand the traditional relationships between people and place.
For L.A.'s Union Station, Designers Aim for the Extraordinary
The consultants developing a master plan for L.A.'s historic Union Station have unveiled four design concepts for the station that seek to accomodate high speed rail and improve passenger amenities.
Massive Historical Map Collection Added to Digital Library
A private collection of 38,000 historical maps has been added to the Digital Public Library of America, reports Rebecca Rosen, making it more accessible to researchers and anyone interested in the history of their community.
L.A. Museum Redesign Aims to Redefine How the Public Engages Art
Soon to be unveiled plans for a $650 million redesign of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art by Pritzker Prize winning architect Peter Zumthor "would rank as one of the most significant works of architecture to rise in Los Angeles," if completed.
The Father-Son Team Who Elevated America's 'Public Palaces'
A new exhibit explores the role that tile masons Rafael Guastavino (father and son) played in embellishing many of America's greatest landmarks of the last century. Grand Central Terminal, Carnegie Hall, and the NY subway all exhibit their work.
Smart States Support Their Economies with Preservation Incentives
As central cities become prized by young professionals and the companies that want to lure them, it behooves states to recognize the value of the historic buildings that bring unique character to workplaces and urban environs, writes Kaid Benfield.
Friday Funny: 15 Mid-Century Modern Death Traps
With their flexible open spaces, right angles, and expanses of glass, mid-century modern houses are coveted by those homeowners with a keen design sense. And, as Projectophile illustrates, it's best if those homeowners don't have children.
Will Vitality Be Trampled in the Rush to 'Modernize' Midtown Manhattan?
In a scathing op-ed for The New York Times, architect Robert Stern challenges the city's drive to densify East Midtown without paying the requisite attention to preservation, infrastructure, and the elements that give vitality to great cities.
New York's Seedy History Hides in Plain Sight on the Bowery
Despite a decade of gentrification, New York "oldest streetscape" still retains enough of its historic character to warrant recent listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Sam Roberts explores the "palimpsest of New York City history."
10 Rail Stations on the Road to Recovery
As golden age of train travel came to an end, the fate of the world's train stations became unclear. But by utilizing their grand, flexible spaces, creative designers have found a variety of ways to keep the relics relevant.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
