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The basic model at Northeast Bunkers is a cylindrical steel vessel eight feet in diameter, in 13- or 20-foot lengths, welded from quarter-inch plate steel and equipped with an entrance hatch on top. Standard features include rust-resistant exterior paint, cedar plank flooring, zero-VOC (volatile organic compounds) interior finishes, two vent ports, floor hatches for storage, and an emergency exit hatch. Writing in The New York Times, Mira Ptacin surveys the growing demand for underground bunkers  across the United States as disease, social unrest, and political instability push some people to prepare for potential worst case scenarios, both real and imagined. Brian V. Camden, principal of Hardened Structures, a bunker manufacturer, tells Ptacin, “I collaborate with architects, engineers, Navy Seals,” adding, “We have ex-military employees specializing in C.B.R.N. — chemical biological radio nuclear analysis.” Antonio Pacheco via Archinect - News https://bit.ly/38f8sUQ

A growing chorus of Black students and faculty members at prestigious universities across the country are pushing for substantive change with regards to the persistent lack of diversity and representation within these institutions.  Two weeks ago , following a blistering letter from the African American Student Union and AfricaGSD student groups at  Harvard University , Harvard Graduate School of Design  Dean Sarah Whiting   published a list of initiatives  the school would undertake in coming months to begin to address these concerns. Students at Yale , Rice University, and many other schools have also published open letters imploring school administrators to take basic, concrete steps toward incorporating and valuing the work, scholarly contributions, and perspectives of Black students, faculty, critics, and academics.  This week, Black students and faculty at the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation ( GSAPP ) published separate statem

The earliest stages of construction are unfolding for what is sure to become a prominent landmark on Toronto's King Street West. As demolition of some parts of the existing buildings on the site continues, the arrival of shoring rigs is marking the start of construction for Westbank Corp and Allied Properties REIT's KING Toronto, a 16-storey mountain range-shaped luxury condominium complex from acclaimed Danish architects Bjarke Ingels Group and Toronto based Diamond Schmitt Architects. Following months of extensive demolition work, the site has been mostly cleared for what is shaping up to become a major urban redevelopment on Toronto's King Street West, reports Urban Toronto . Image via King Toronto Condos/ Facebook Dubbed KING Toronto , the Bjarke Ingels Group -designed, Westbank /Allied-funded condo and mixed-use building was first proposed in 2016 and eventually won the city's approval in 2018 . Completion of the 16-story complex is scheduled for 2022.

Our latest weekly highlight of architectural employers includes professional practices, an artist workshop, and an international cultural institution with current job openings in California, New York, and Massachusetts. For even more opportunities, visit Archinect Jobs and browse Archinect's active community of architecture students and professionals , firms , and schools Headquartered at R.M. Schindler's iconic 1922 house in West Hollywood, the MAK Center for Art and Architecture is the California satellite of the MAK – Austrian Museum of Applied Arts/Contemporary Art in Vienna and presents programming that "challenges conventional notions of architectural space and relationships between the creative arts." The institution is currently looking for a new Director with substantial experience in museum/non-profit leadership and significant curatorial/programming contributions to contemporary art and architecture. The Schindler House (R.M. Schindler, 1922) in W

The American Institute of Architects ( AIA ) has unveiled its latest set of design adaptation strategies aimed at retrofitting existing buildings for post-pandemic use.  The latest guide , following up on strategies for schools, commercial facilities , and other spaces, is geared specifically for senior living facilities. A recent article in  The New York Times explains that  upwards of 43% of COVID-19 deaths in the United States are linked to nursing homes and that these casualties make up the majority of COVID-19 deaths in at least 24 states.  Previously on Archinect: AIA publishes re-occupancy strategies for schools, including 3D models  Image courtesy of VMDO Architects. These troubling statistics inform the urgency of the AIA's latest guidelines, which are geared toward the now-stalled "re-opening" phase of the pandemic while keeping an eye on a possible second or third wave of infections that could materialize in the fall during the traditional flu season

The Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) will no longer use the term "master" to describe the primary bedroom of a home on their housing listings. The term "master" has roots in slavery, and HAR says the topic of removing it from realty terminology has been debated for years. Now, the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) platform that HAR uses for listings, will use "primary bedroom" and "primary bath," HAR said in a statement to CBS News. "The origin of the terms is debated, and we are not saying they are rooted in slavery. Others didn't personally view them as sexist or racist but believed we should change the terms for anyone else who might find them objectionable. The consensus was that Primary describes the rooms equally as well as Master while avoiding any possible misperceptions," a statement by HAR reads as reported by  CBS News. Sean Joyner via Archinect - News https://bit.ly/3gbpohD

The architectural archives of prolific 20th century architect Paul Revere Williams , long thought to have been lost to fire during the 1992 Los Angeles Uprising, have been jointly acquired by the  University of Southern California School of Architecture and the Getty Research Institute  (GRI). Rather than being lost, however, according to an announcement published by the Getty Research Institute, the archive had been "meticulously cared for by Karen Elyse Hudson, Williams’ granddaughter, who has published extensively on his work." Hudson explains in the statement that "Paul Williams led by example and instilled in his children and grandchildren the importance of excellence, an attention to detail, and above all, family. The collaboration of two such esteemed institutions, the University of Southern California (USC) and Getty Research Institute (GRI), to preserve and further his legacy, would make our grandfather extremely proud.” She adds that “as the family histori

Whether you are an architecture student looking for your first internship or an architect presenting work to prospective clients, a portfolio is undoubtedly one of the most important parts of the profession. It is common to think that a portfolio is a mere compilation of one’s past work, but here’s a lesser known fact: Your portfolio also determines your future work potential. Documenting great work experiences in your portfolio will lead you to more opportunities in the future. These opportunities may come in the form of jobs at offices with interesting projects, more leads for clients and projects, and with a combination of the two, greater design freedom and an even better collection of work. This is why a great portfolio not only takes you to your next milestone, but also puts you on a trajectory to achieve your long-term goals. 1. Design your portfolio This was probably the biggest game changer between an entry level student to professional architecture job. Portfolio is mu

This week's featured virtual event happenings, from Archinect's Virtual Event Guide , address issues such as post-COVID London, a sustainable post-pandemic future, Arcosanti, power, women in architecture, and non-traditional career paths. Are you hosting a virtual lecture? Presentation? Tour? Interview? Happy Hour?  Submit it for consideration by clicking here. Are you an expert in an arena that's especially important right now?  Let us know  if you would like to work with Archinect to host an online event. Peter Murray Lecture: The Streets of London in a Post-COVID World Tuesday, June 30, 2020 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT The Columbia University | CBIPS Lecture Series addresses past, current, and future initiatives, constraints, and budgets arising from AEC Industry experiences from COVID-19. Today's speaker: Peter Murray, Chair of New London Architecture and Advisor to Mayor Sadiq Khan. Click here to attend and/or register Whole Life Design: a blueprint for a

Dans sa série de peintures abstraites à l’acrylique et à l’aquarelle Blue Bay , Yulia Martinova dépeint la beauté et la sérénité que l’océan apporte. Basée à Londres, l’artiste a ici représenté des vues aériennes de marinas, dans lesquels ont peut voir ci et là quelques voiliers et leurs ombres. Des œuvres immersive à la couleur presque hypnotisante.  Les peintures sont minimalistes mais parlantes dans cette série d’actualité avec l’été qui a débuté et la chaleur qui commence à se faire ressentir. Pour en savoir plus sur Yulia Martinova et son travail, rendez-vous sur son site internet ou sur son Instagram .             , Manon, via Fubiz Media https://bit.ly/3gbeLvj

The American Institute of Architects ( AIA ) has chosen the winners of the latest round of AIA Upjohn Research Initiative grants.  The grants offer $15,000 to $30,000 in research support for "applied research projects that enhance the value of design and professional practice knowledge," according to the AIA website . This year's winners aim to tackle a variety of performance and sustainability-related topics, including Net Zero Energy (NZE) standards and building life cycle assessment metrics.  A research team headed by Nina M. Sharifi, PhD of Syracuse University and Gabrielle Brainard, AIA of Pratt Institute aims to develop research titled  Envelope Retrofit Guide: Net Zero Energy Ready Strategies for Existing Buildings.  This project, according to the researchers, "will produce an Envelope Retrofit Guide to assist architects in the early stages of net zero ready retrofit projects." The guide will provide "technical guidance at a schematic level an

Recognized for their distinct approach within architecture and landscape design,  Snøhetta has published a new book highlighting their efforts to "recognize a potential to further challenge existing industry standards by developing new Lean key principles in the complex merge of design, construction, process planning, and BIM technology."  The book was initiated in 2017 and was developed alongside Statsbygg (the Norwegian Directorate of Public Construction and Property), engineering and consulting firm Atkins, and Danish construction and architecture firm Rambøll.  Lean methodology in design and construction book. Image courtesy of Snøhetta The Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design ("KMD") in Bergen, Norway. Image courtesy of Snøhetta Following project experiences gathered during the design and construction process of the  Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design ("KMD")  in Bergen, the firm wanted to explore new ways for exploring and publishing

June marks the start of hurricane season on the Atlantic Ocean. Even amidst the ravages of a novel coronavirus and state violence, the perils posed by a heating planet are not going away. If the city turned out to be woefully underprepared for a pandemic, what about measures to protect against storms and floods? Amy Howden-Chapman, co-founder of the climate change and arts platform  The Distance Plan , takes a closer look at a variety of climate impact interventions at New York City's most endangered stretches of coastline: from Lower Manhattan and the Lower East Side, Red Hook, Rockaway Boardwalk, all the way to Sunset Cove Park at Jamaica Bay. "[...] new infrastructures of defense — some military in provenance, some providing a softer transition to higher waters — are already transforming daily life," Howden-Chapman writes in her piece for Urban Omnibus . Alexander Walter via Archinect - News https://bit.ly/3gdGEmH

The extension of the culture and congress centre Carmen Würth Forum designed by David Chipperfield Architects  Berlin for the Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG in the town of Künzelsau in southern Germany is now completed. The new wing comes in at 5,500 square meters and adds a flexible conference area and an art museum with a foyer and cafe to the existing concert hall and large event hall that opened back in 2017. "This second construction phase marks the completion of the Carmen Würth Forum, fulfilling Reinhold Würth’s vision to create a gathering place for the employees of Würth and the wider community beyond. It symbolizes the connection between a place of work, its community and the surrounding environment, which the company has nurtured so impressively over the years," said David Chipperfield in a statement. Alexander Schwartz, Partner and Design Director at David Chipperfield Architects Berlin added: "The museum and conference centre extend the events

As part of a wider effort to increase the prominence and visibility of architecture firms owned and operated by diverse practitioners, including the work of BIPOC firms, Archinect has implemented new options for firms to identify as diverse. Firms will now be able to indicate if their owner(s) are Black, Female, Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA+, Indigenous, disabled, or veteran.  Screenshot showing new filtering options when searching for firms with diverse ownership This new set of options makes it much easier for potential clients, job-seekers , collaborators, and fans to locate firms representing diversity. Users are now able to filter their search results when seeking firms or jobs , using the new advanced search tools.  Screenshot showing new badge indicating diverse firm ownership A few firms are already identified, and any firm with an existing or yet-to-be-created firm profile can select the appropriate identification options in the firm profile settings. 

Editors’ Choice 2020 Skyscraper Competition Xie Xiaolu, Zhai Xuetong, Kong Haodong, Zhang Yiping China According to statistics from the United Nations, there will be 3 billion people live in slums with poor living conditions by 2030. They live in slums, sharing only 10% of urban wealth, facing hunger, disease, and death, without way and passion to change their fate. After the study of slums, we believe that simply improving the living environment of slums cannot fundamentally solve this problem, unless the social system and class solidification can be profoundly reformed. Class solidification, people avoid but have to admit, it is inevitable in social development. Generally, people always think poverty is due to laziness, but in fact, poverty is a kind of misfortune. Forced to live, the poor have to choose to go to work earlier rather than to receive longer education; to consume the production than to accumulate capital; to search for places with low land prices, were gathering

It’s time to get those pencils sharpened and those computer mice warmed up — the Second Annual One Drawing Challenge is officially open for entries! Submit your drawings before the Early Entry Deadline at midnight EST on Friday, July 17th . Enter the 2020 One Drawing Challenge Competition Brief Thanks to social media, more people than ever now consume architecture every day through their feeds. However, their attention is fleeting — with millions of architectural ideas flowing across the web, each designer has just a brief moment to make an impact. This means one image or drawing needs to possess the power to tell a whole story on its own, in seconds. For any designer, producing a viral drawing might just kickstart their career. So, the  #OneDrawingChallenge is laid down: Can you create a single drawing that tells the story behind a complex piece of architecture? Your task is as follows: Create one drawing that communicates a new architectural proposal or existing piece of