Raimund Abraham's Musikerhaus in Düsseldorf, Germany, is now complete—and a contest is underway to determine a use for the building. The late architect's vision, which began as a sketch that was first exhibited at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 1996, has been delayed by several setbacks—first by the death of the client, art collector and art colony founder Karl-Heinrich Müller, in 2007, then by the Abraham's death in 2010. It now stands as one of Abraham's few completed works (the architect focused on theory and teaching, at Cooper Union and the Southern California Institute of Architecture). Read more about the posthumous work on this project in the January issue of ARCHITECT.
Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki is still criticizing the Zaha Hadid Architects plan to renovate the National Olympic Stadium in Tokyo for the 2020 Olympic Games. Maki called the stadium expensive and large enough to impose on the surrounding landscape. [The Wall Street Journal]
“As an architectural practice, Fat was a bit more like a band,” says London-based Fat Architecture co-founder Sean Griffiths. And like every good boy band, the firm announced its split. The firm’s last project will be the British Pavilion at the 2014 Venice Biennale. [The Guardian]
The switch from sodium lighting to LEDs in Los Angeles streetlights will transform film aesthetics of the urban landscape in one of the most-filmed cities in the world. [Curbed L.A.]
The Presidio Trust in San Francisco ultimately said no to all three proposals for a space in the city’s Crissy Field: “The decision ends San Francisco's most highly charged development tussle in years.” [The San Francisco Chronicle]
CNN names the world’s coolest office buildings. [CNN]
A reduction in funding for infrastructure projects is one of the greatest perils for America’s future. [Quartz]
The Olympics in Sochi, Russia, kick off in mere days, but some buildings aren’t quite finished. [The Atlantic Cities]
An artist created Toyko skylines using dot stickers. [The Verge]
The White House is going to host its very own Maker Fair. Details TBA. [The White House Blog]
D.C.’s Office of Planning director is leaving to go work as the director for HUD’s Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities. [DCist]
“California Design, 1930–1965: Living in a Modern Way” opens at the Peabody Essex Museum on March 29. [The Boston Globe]
The Royal Institute of British Architects kicks of design competition for a site in Maidenhead. [BBC]
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