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This photograph, taken in May 1959 by Angelo Rizzuto, is titled “View of building construction” on the Library of Congress website. I’m not entirely convinced, although I have to admit that my doubts are based on squinting at the photo and nothing stronger. First, even for a low-rise building, it’s a little bit odd that […]
10 months ago

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More from Old Structures Engineering

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From Scientific American, December 8, 1894, an interesting view of two buildings: drawings that include both the above-ground portion of the buildings, more or less as you would see them, and the foundations as they could never be seen. The foundations are seen as if the earth had been turned transparent. The image of the […]

a month ago 39 votes
Happy Christmas

I’m not so sure about that vest.

a month ago 33 votes
Genteel

That’s the Hotel Marlborough at 36th Street and Broadway, shortly after 1900. The hotel opened in 1888 when the entertainment district on Broadway was further south; by the time it was demolished in 1922, that district had moved to Times Square, a few blocks to the north. It’s a story repeated for hundreds of buildings […]

2 months ago 37 votes
Once Again, In Plastic

The restoration of Notre Dame deserves all the praise that has been heaped upon it, but have I mentioned recently that my son and I have built the LEGO Notre Dame? We finished our small Notre Dame about a week after the official opening of the large one, but they had a head start on […]

2 months ago 32 votes
It Looked Familiar: Archetypical

From a graphic novel about art called Naked City: how do you capture the spirit of New York? A relentless grid and Old-Law tenements.

2 months ago 38 votes

More in architecture

A Wedge-Shaped House

Gonzalo Rufin Arquitectos + Felipe Toro have shared photos of a small wedge-shaped home they completed that’s located on the windy beach of Matanzas, Chile. Surrounded by forests, ravines, and trees, the home is positioned on the only flat space of the land. The construction is characterized by the repetition of a module that houses […]

2 days ago 3 votes
New York City Is Losing Affordable Housing at an Alarming Rate

The problem is that City of Yes was an open call to build with no requirements that lost affordable units be replaced.

2 days ago 2 votes
2025 Summer Architecture Programs for Adults and High School Graduates

Archinect’s 2025 roundup of summer architecture programs continues with Part 2, focusing on opportunities for high school graduates, college students, and adults of all experience levels. Whether you're exploring architecture for the first time or seeking to deepen your knowledge in a specialized area, these courses and workshops — hosted by top academic institutions and organizations across the U.S. — offer a valuable introduction to architectural education. From foundational design skills to advanced topics, there’s something for everyone. Apply early, as spots fill up fast! If you're interested in summer programs for kids and high school students, check out our recently published Part 1.

2 days ago 4 votes
The Nazi Block

In the heart of Berlin’s Tempelhof-Schöneberg district, an unusual concrete cylinder sits as an abandoned eyesore. At first sight, it might be mistaken for a deteriorating grain silo or a remnant of Cold War infrastructure. But this peculiar structure, known officially as the Schwerbelastungskörper (“heavy load-bearing body”), carries a darker history: it was the first

4 days ago 6 votes
“AI Is Just a Tool”—and Other Fictions

AI usurps the freedom to experience the pain, growth, and satisfaction of true artistic and design growth.

4 days ago 6 votes