is architecture turning around soon?

I just read an article in the LA Times that gave me a tiny glimmer of hope that perhaps the world will need architects again sometime soon...

LA Times: Architects get more contracts in October

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frank lloyd wright and the ayn rand cottage

{Image: LA Times}

For all of the other architects out there...how many times have you been asked, "Have you read The Fountainhead??" I have heard it many many times. So eventually I actually did read it.

After reading The Fountainhead I always wondered if Ayn Rand had an actual interest in architecture, or if she just used architecture as a mode for expressing her objectivist theories. I felt that she could have substituted a lot of other professions in for architecture and still been able to create a character that demonstrated her ideas about objectivism. A recent article in the LA Times gave me my answer...

When Frank Lloyd Wright designed a cottage for Ayn Rand

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architect + shoes = zaha + melissa

{Zaha Hadid + Melissa Black}

I just received an email from Adele at fabulous Brookyln boutique Epaulet announcing the arrival of this season's new Melissa styles! There is an amazing collaboration with female Pritzker Prize winning architect Zaha Hadid and beautiful new styles in the Vivienne Westwood collection.

Zaha Hadid created this distinctive shoe with the Melissa seamless plastic construction in mind. Her concepts for the design were fluidity and asymmetry to create a sense of movement. I think this futuristic design will soon be a collector's item...I need someone to go try these on!

{Zaha Hadid + Melissa Silver}

New to the Vivienne Westwood + Melissa collaboration is these completely fabulous three-strap platform Mary Janes. I must have the Teal! They also come in black or eggplant. Lovely!

{Vivienne Westwood + Melissa Three Straps Elevated Teal}

The super popular Vivienne Westwood Lady Dragon (that Katy Perry was wearing!) is back in gorgeous new colors. This open-toe slingback with a bow is the perfect combination of sweet and sexy. My favorite new color is definitely the Emerald, but it also comes in Black, Tortoise, Yellow, and Red.

{Vivienne Westwood + Melissa Lady Dragon II Bow Emerald}

If you live in a climate with rainy and slushy weather in the winter, then the cultural acceptance of the functional Wellie as a fashionable piece of footwear is the best thing that's ever happened to you. I wish these were around when I was growing up in Portland, Oregon. It only makes sense for a waterproof plastic shoe designer to come up with a design for some cute Wellies...

{Vivienne Westwood + Melissa Squiggle Wellington Navy}

Visit Epaulet's online store to see the entire collection of Melissa shoes available. If you live in Brooklyn, check out the store on Smith Street.

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review of guggenheim frank lloyd wright exhibit

Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward
Guggenheim New York
1071 Fifth Avenue
May 15 - Aug 23, 2009
$18 admission

The Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit currently on view at the Guggenheim displays an amazing collection of hand drawings by FLW for 64 built and unbuilt projects. His drawings show his immense talent in rendering detailed perspectives and hard-lined plans and sections in a style that has been emulated by architects everywhere.

Although this exhibit has a very complete collection of FLW's projects, the exhibit should really be titled "Architectural Building Drawings of Frank Lloyd Wright." Missing from the exhibit are a complete enough set of drawings or models to fully realize most of the projects, and there is no mention of his gorgeous non-building designs for objects like lamps, chairs, stained glass, and woodwork. Most projects were displayed very similarly, with a brief summary of the use, date, and location of the building and two hand drawings by FLW. There were very few models, preliminary concept sketches, or any other elements that would help to actually visualize or understand the design. This created a slightly monotonous pattern to the exhibit.

The focus of the exhibit was definitely on the dying art of the architectural hand drawing and was a celebration of the old-fashioned colored pencil perspectives with retro scaled cars and people. It is amazing to see so many original drawings produced by FLW himself for famous buildings like the many versions of Taliesin and various Prairie Houses. I was impressed by the gorgeous drawings, but was definitely hoping to experience a more encompassing and in-depth explanation of the pioneering concepts that made FLW the most well-known architect of our time. With an extreme focus on 2d floorplans and sections, the exhibit was really lacking elements that could fully explain FLW's building concepts.

united nude elastic bootie

United Nude Fold Elastic Bootie $185

One of my favorite Brooklyn boutiques, Epaulet, is now carrying the United Nude Elastic Bootie in two brightly colored striped variations. I stopped by the store immediately after I found out about them to try them on and they are amazing!

United Nude is a footwear line started by a team of two design superstars: Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and British shoemaker Galahad Clark (founder of Clark's shoes). Together they create unique and fashion-forward shoes that examine the intersection between fashion and design. It is easy to see Rem's architectural influence in the shoe styles with highly conceptual designs, inventive heels, and materials not usually used for footwear (PVC, elastic, hard modeled carbon fiber).

The Fold Elastic Bootie is formed from a single elastic band that wraps around the foot. The vibrant striping on the elastic seems a little outrageous, but it actually looks fabulous on! The elastic creates a snug and comfortable fit. These shoes definitely make a bold and fashionable statement!

The Fold Elastic Bootie Bright Mix is available at Epaulet for $185. These shoes are nearly impossible to find in the U.S. so I was so excited to see that Epaulet is carrying them and has a lot in stock!

Here are some other unique United Nude designs:

Eamz Pump in White Perf Patent Leather $275

United Nude Women's Mobius Hi
$141.63

United Nude Women's Mono Jane Wedge
$89.95