Photo of the Day:

Launched skyward in the early hours of the morning by crane, this GT convertible Mustang ascended a Sydney high-rise building next to the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge to prepare for a breathtaking view of one of the world's most iconic New Year's Eve events. This caps a history-making year in which the Mustang also scaled the Empire State Building and Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper in Dubai, to celebrate the iconic pony car's 50th Anniversary.
James D. Morgan/REX via AP Images Launched skyward in the early hours of the morning by crane, this GT convertible Mustang ascended a Sydney high-rise building next to the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge to prepare for a breathtaking view of one of the world's most iconic New Year's Eve events. This caps a history-making year in which the Mustang also scaled the Empire State Building and Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper in Dubai, to celebrate the iconic pony car's 50th Anniversary.

Quote of the Day: "The good news is that the profession is changing. Slowly, and with some good ideas leading the way, architects, planners and designers have begun moving from defense to offense, creating spaces that do more than protect us from the elements." —Ray Mark Rinaldi [The Denver Post]

Eight More Stories for Monday:

Michelangelo’s David is getting a new anti-seismic plinth. [Hyperallergic]

The New York Times draws urban parallels to Washington, D.C.'s 11th Street Bridge Park. [The New York Times]

The Wall Street Journal names the best architecture of 2014. [The Wall Street Journal]

Hypebeast documents the manufacturing process of a Modernica fiberglass Shell Chair.

Faith & Form's 2014 Religious Art & Architecture award winners. [The Huffington Post]

Architecture principles, set by Prince Charles. [The Guardian]

From Frank Gehry, FAIA's Fondation Louis Vuitton to Shigeru Ban, Hon. FAIA's Aspen Art Museum, Caroline Roux reviews 2014's standout luxury architectural projects. [The Telegraph]

Minnesota architect Robert Rietow died at 76. [Minneapolis Star Tribune]

Awards: Enter Now!

The AIA's COTE Top Ten and Top Ten + Awards recognize innovative projects that incorporate sustainable design strategies, while educating the profession and the public about the increased value of buildings that protect the environment. Submissions are due Jan. 26.

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