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Michael Kimmelman Discusses The Importance Of Advocacy In Architectural Criticism

In an interview with Erika Allen for The New York Times, Michael Kimmelman discusses "architecture criticism and the dangers of demolition." Kimmelman, the NYT's architecture critic, has built a reputation as someone who advocates for buildings under threat, his most well known "fight" being against renovation plans drawn up by Foster + Partners for the New York Public Library in Manhattan. Referencing his latest column, in which he shows support for the threatened Orange County Government Centre, Kimmelman elaborates on his critical position and why he believes that speaking out for buildings at risk is "necessary."

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Reinier de Graaf on Cultural Amnesia and the “Fall” of the Berlin Wall

"Twenty-five years after the Berlin Wall’s demise, it is as though a large part of the twentieth century never happened," writes OMA principle Reinier de Graaf in his article for Metropolis Magazine "The Other Truth". "An entire period has been erased from public consciousness, almost like a blank frame in a film." Through the course of the article, de Graaf outlines how the West has rewritten the history of the cold war, erasing the "other truth" that existed for nearly half a century in East Berlin, the USSR, and other soviet-aligned states - a truth that we forget to our peril. It may not be immediately architectural, but the essay provides an interesting look into the political thoughts of de Graaf who, as the principle of one of architecture's most prominent research organizations in AMO, has an important influence on the profession's understanding of the wider world. Read the article in full here.

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RIBA Future Trends Survey Reveals A “Mixed Picture”

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)’s Future Trends Survey for January 2015 has revealed strong levels of optimism as workload forecasts remain strongly positive across all regions of the UK. Following little change in indexes between November and December 2014, the workload index has once again remained consistent at +29. Workload forecast balance figures have remained high, the highest numbers being reported from practices in Northern Ireland at +67 (from +50) and Scotland at +57 (from +75). Furthermore, practices of all sizes have been responding with positive workload prospects heading into the next quarter.

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Competition Seeks Architects to Redesign Downtown Cleveland’s Main Avenue Bridge Underpass

Downtown Cleveland Alliance seeks a creative professional or team (architect, designer, artist, engineer, landscape architect or combination thereof) to propose unique and attractive design solutions for the area under and around the Main Avenue Bridge Underpass, centered at the intersection of West 9th Street and Main Avenue in Downtown Cleveland. This location is a critical pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular connection between the Warehouse District and the Flats East Bank, with infrastructure, history, and functional potential to inspire the highest level of creative treatments. Request for Qualifications are due Friday, March 6th by 4:30pm! More information, here

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Calling All Visionaries: Jacque Rougerie Competition Seeks Evolutionary Designs for Sea and Space

The Jacques Rougerie Foundation is now accepting registrants for its annual international architecture competition. Open to architects, engineers, and designers, the competition aims to inspire socially and environmentally conscious designs that utilize developing techniques for a sustainable future, enabling society to grow with its built environment. Composed of three categories in keeping with the foundation's focus - Innovation and Architecture for the SeaInnovation and Architecture for Space, and Architecture and Sea Level Rise - the registration period ends June 2, 2015 and the winning proposals from each category will be announced at an award ceremony in December 2015. For full rules and registration information, visit here.

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Open Call: Competition to Re-Structure Seoul’s Seunsangga Citywalk

The objective of the "Re-Structuring Seunsangga Citywalk" competition in Seoul is to renovate the deck and nearby public space of Seunsangga Complex to improve the pedestrian environment and connect with surrounding areas of various nature and thereby re-establish a pedestrian axis from north to south through Bukaksan Mountain, Jongmyo~Seunsangga Complex, and Namsan Mountain. Not only is Seunsangga Complex Seoul's "urban-architectural heritage," it is a compound of history, culture and industry that connects the surrounding area and various activities.

This project will revitalize Seunsangga Complex's status as a center of pedestrian axis and urban industry by creating a space with new cultural value that will breathe life into the Seun District. The winning commission will be awarded "Phase 1 design contract." More information and registration details, here.

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Now is Time to Apply to Bauhaus Lab 2015

The Foundation Bauaus Dessau is accepting letters of interest now through March 31 to participate in the upcoming Bauhaus Lab 2015. The program, open internationally to post-graduates of architecture, curatorial, fine arts, and design programs, will run from May 4 through August 9, 2015. Eight applicants will be selected to participate by an international jury by April 4. Read on after the break for more information.

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Spotlight: Lúcio Costa

Brazilian planner, preservationist and modernist thinker Lucio Costa  (27 Feburary 1902 - 13 June 1998) is best known for his 1957 plan of Brasília that shaped the Brazilian capital into a monument to utopian modernism. A resolute and often controversial figure in the Brazilian establishment, Costa’s contributions to Brazilian architecture helped to shape the distinctive modernism that was practically Brazil’s official style until the 1980s.

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URBAN TALES to Explore the Future of Cities

URBAN TALES will showcase three distinct architectural artwork series exploring visions of narrative based city redevelopments. Featuring RIBA Presidents Medal-winning work, these original and engaging threads of imagery from UCL architecture graduates Ned Scott, Nick Elias and Anja Kempa objectify fiction and challenge political reality. The exhibitors question the role of architecture in a changing world and use fictional narratives to design fantastical, but possible, cities. URBAN TALES will kick off with an opening party on Friday, March 6 and remain on view through April 10, 2015 at Carousel London. Read on to learn more. 

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AIA Awards Two with 2015 Institute Honors for Collaborative Achievement

The Lyceum Fellowship Inc. and Transsolar KlimaEngineering have been awarded the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Institute Honors for Collaborative Achievement. The annual award is intended to “recognize and encourage distinguished achievements of allied professionals, clients, organizations, architect teams, knowledge communities, and others who have had a beneficial influence on or advanced the architectural profession.” Both winners will be honored at the 2015 AIA National Convention and Design Exposition in Atlanta

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