Welcome to Archinect City Guide, a new series that explores cities around the world through the eyes of architects. While there’s no shortage of travel guides out there, this series offers something different: A look at the favorite places — cafés, bookstores, parks, dive bars, side streets, and more — that inspire and energize the architects we admire. Think of it as a design-minded lens on urban life, curated by those who help shape it. We’re kicking things off in Boston with Eric Höweler, Founding Partner of award-winning firm Höweler + Yoon and Professor of Architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Are you a Boston local with your own go-to spots? Or have a city you think we should cover next? Share your thoughts, suggestions, and favorite places in the comments.

As artificial intelligence begins to play a more prominent role in how firms hire, we break down where AI can improve efficiency in the way architects create job ads, manage communication, and understand regulations. In contrast, we also detail areas of the hiring process where the use of AI remains ethically and legally questionable, as well as where AI systems have not yet surpassed the architect’s trained eye.

Throughout the Spring of 2025, award-winning Chinese architect Tiantian Xu delivered a studio at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in her capacity as the tenth recipient of the biennial Marcus Prize. As the semester progressed, Archinect spoke with both Tiantian Xu and the studio's co-instructor, UWM assistant professor Sam Schuermann, for a behind-the-scenes look at how Xu's approach to human-centric urbanism in China found a new resonance in the American Midwest.

Every architect knows there is no project without constraints. Whether it’s a challenging site, limited budget, or complex program requirements — obstacles are the reality of construction projects. However, with experience, we learn that constraints rarely result in compromised quality. Rather, they often inspire new approaches and innovative solutions. As designers, we understand that constraints can fuel our creativity. So, let’s consider: How could the constraints of new tariffs inspire the future of American architecture? What if these tariffs don’t just increase construction costs but serve as the catalyst for a more sustainable built environment?