Peter Zumthor, the reclusive Swiss architect widely revered for a small yet powerful body of work, is the 2009 laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. The Hyatt Foundation, which administers the award, announced his selection today. “Peter Zumthor is a master architect admired by his colleagues around the world for work that is focused, uncompromising, and exceptionally determined,” the jury said in its citation.
Think you’ve been overlooked in the $787 billion economic stimulus package? Architecture and engineering (A/E) firms may find more opportunities than they would expect, says Elaine Howley, editor of the recently released manual, Guide to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, produced by ZweigWhite, a Massachusetts-based research and consulting firm. “A lot of designers are put off by the term ‘shovel-ready,’” Howley says. “They think this bill isn’t really for them, but that’s not necessarily the case.” Howley notes that while getting shovels in the ground is a priority, government agencies with stimulus funds have a wide variety
If you aren’t one of the 200 million Facebook users, now might be a good time to set up an account. Starting next Monday, the American Institute of Architects is using the popular social networking site to host a series of “virtual” conversations about issues related to architecture. The forums are being held in conjunction with the third annual National Architecture Week, scheduled for April 13 to 19. Each day on the AIA’s “Virtual National Architecture Week” page (pictured at left) on Facebook, the association will present a different discussion topic. The lineup is as follows: Monday, community revitalization; Tuesday,
Although 2008 brought a financial crisis that stretched unemployment rolls and slowed production lines across the globe, it was a superlative year for skyscrapers. According to a recent study by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), more tall buildings—and taller ones—were completed in 2008 than ever before. The council expects 2009 to be another record year. Photo courtesy Kohn Pedersen Fox The Shanghai World Financial Center, by KPF, was completed last year. Related Links: Shanghai Skyscraper Named Best Tall Building Chicago's 'Twizzler' Fizzles Lending Freeze Tests Skyscraper Optimism Dubai: Super-Tall Building Capital of the World Burj Dubai
Entries are now being accepted for the 12th annual BusinessWeek/Architectural Record “Good Design Is Good Business” Awards. The program honors projects that exemplify innovative design while helping clients achieve strategic business goals. The original deadline was April 15, 2009; however, due to a high volume of queries, the application deadline has been extended to May 15. Photo ' Benny Chan The headquarters for Edmunds.com, designed by STUDIOS architecture, was among the 2008 winners. The winners will be considered for publication in Architectural Record and BusinessWeek, along with McGraw-Hill’s new magazine, HQ: Good Design is Good Business. These titles are read
The economy hasn’t come to a complete halt. In late January Dolce & Gabbana introduced its first cosmetics collection, which namesake Stefano Gabbana calls “essential, yet an indulgence.” To celebrate the launch, the Italian fashion house asked Vogue to curate “Extreme Beauty in Vogue,” a photographic survey of beauty in that magazine, and asked French architect Jean Nouvel to design the exhibition.
Below is a roundup of the news stories either featured or mentioned in the April 2009 print edition of RECORD. The indicates that you can only read the full story online.
Shortly after becoming chancellor of Syracuse University in 2005, Nancy Cantor introduced her Scholarship in Action initiative, which aims to meld academic study with community redevelopment efforts. As part of that wide-ranging effort, the Syracuse University School of Architecture, led by dean Mark Robbins, spawned a local design-build workshop, as well as a Gluckman Mayner–designed renovation of an old furniture warehouse in downtown Syracuse that now contains classrooms, a cafe, and an art gallery. Images courtesy Syracuse University R-House (top); Live Work Home (middle); Ted (above) The most recent undertaking in this series of efforts is the competition "From the
The MacArthur Foundation recently announced it is injecting $32 million into the preservation and creation of affordable housing in the U.S. The organization is giving $9.5 million worth of grants, plus an additional $23 million in low-interest loans, to programs in 12 different states that approach the issue from various angles. MacArthur President Jonathan Fanton, during a February 26 press conference, cited a number of alarming statistics regarding affordable housing: a net loss of 1 million affordable homes over the last ten years, an 80 percent decline in government subsidies, and a standing deficit of 12 million units. “For many
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