Good morning, architects. Yesterday, The New York Times's Michael Kimmelman tweeted that Yahoo had posted a survey listing architecture as "the single most undesirable (jobwise) college degree" but then immediately deleted the article. I don't think that means that Yahoo's reconsidered: That story's here now. Yahoo's not the first esteemed journalistic enterprise to note that unemployment has hit architects hard recently. It will surely not be the last, so long as tossed-off listicles can stand in for quality journalism. On the merits, there's reason to be optimistic (maybe) about the housing market and the economy in general. It would be a much greater concern if there was little reason to believe that a boost to the economy would result in an increase in demand for skilled professionals looking for work. You definitely don't want to become a lawyer any time soon, for example. But otherwise, you should follow your dreams!
DEBATE PRIMER. This writer lucked into a late press screening of Cloud Atlas and skipped the final presidential debate. A foreign policy debate was never likely to abound in talking points about design and construction, and if the live-tweet-meme coverage in my feed is any suggestion, the incumbent and challenger talked instead about bayonets and horses. After the previous debate, Next American City's Matt Bevilacqua posted a great primer on why the candidates should be debating about cities. It's still worth your read. And if you are still that rare undecided unicorn, read how the election affects architects here, here, and here. (NB: I give Cloud Atlas a thumbs-up.)
BRIDGE CROSSED. Christopher Hawthorne examines the contest-winning design by HNTB, Michael Maltzan Architecture, and AC Martin Partners for a new bridge over the Los Angeles River. The Los Angeles Times architecture critic says that the design (pictured above) is "easily the most ambitious of three finalists announced last month" and will cost $401 million to build.
BUILDINGS AND TOTS. The Wall Street Journal's Josh Dawsey writes up a Lower Manhattan buildings tour for stay-at-home parents. Mommy-and-me tours for the Guggenheim and the Whitney already command long waiting lists, Dawsey writes, but this tour is an outdoor stroll with strollers. Surprised no one's come up with this one before. Sounds better than a Segway tour, and beats the pants off parents bringing toddlers to happy hour.
...AND REMAINDERS. A new journal for landscape architecture... Richard Meier, FAIA, enjoys a homecoming exhibit at Cornell University... The Washington Post profiles an architect who designs horse barns... Venice hosts a lighthouse design competition... Metafilter's got a cache of architecture porn.
