To walk through Mexico City is to stroll down centuries at once. The ruins of the Aztec empire are exposed on the ground beside colonial structures built from the same stones that once made up the ancient temples. A few blocks farther, 1900s European-inspired townhouses are pressed against 1940s Art Deco apartments, and modern skyscrapers shoulder through the city’s diverse skyline.

Outside Mexico’s capital, a similar trend holds true. Various aesthetics that would otherwise seem incompatible blend together to form a new architecture movement that borrows from its long past while creating something entirely new.

In her new book, Mesoamerican Modern, the curator Su Wu and the photographer Luis Garvan document these like-minded homes and propose a new way to understand the region’s most thrilling contemporary residential spaces: as continuations of ancient traditions that never really went away.

“In many places in the world, the convention is to use geographic descriptions—Asian art, Oceanic art, or African art—yet in the Americas, the use of the term pre-Columbian has this implication that history ended,” Wu, an expatriate who has lived in Mexico City for more than a decade, tells Fast Company.

Read more on Fast Company.

The Chengdu Municipal Library in China is a stunning architecture, featuring an organic green roof, expansive glass walls, and a peaceful lakeside setting

I present to you, the Powers Building in Rochester, NY.

Construction began in 1865 under Daniel William Powers, with the building designed by architect Andrew Jackson Warner and completed in 1870. Following its construction, Powers became obsessed with having the tallest building in the city.

To retain this honor, he repeatedly expanded his masterpiece upward. First, he extended its original mansard roof. Then, in 1881, he added an entirely new mansard roof on top of the first. Apparently, two roofs weren't enough, because in 1888–1889, he added a third mansard roof on top of the second.

Meanwhile, in 1887, the nearby Wilder Building had become the tallest building in Rochester. Not one to accept defeat, Powers responded in 1890 by constructing an enormous five-story tower on top of his already ridiculous collection of mansard roofs.

Sadly for Mr. Powers, St. Michael's Church was also completed in 1890, surpassing his project once again. With further upward expansion no longer practical due to structural limitations, he resorted to adding a tall flagpole.

Gaze upon its tall glory, like a person wearing multiple hats.

For this small installation, our goal was to design a gentle low impact intervention that would seamless integrate into the site and most of all, serve the student community. In context, the site is characterized by its sloping nature seemingly more pronounced toward its adjacent building, which heavily influenced our intention to not compete with its visual thus leading to conceal the visual perspective from this building, but instead favor the south-west one embracing the slope. It's adaptable form, although in different proportions, has been in my opinion perceived as straightforward and open, which in our campus and in the context, provides a unique presence.
The space, if I can call it that, invites students to rest, sit or gather comfortably between classes, naturally accommodating a variety of ever evolving uses.

The project was completed earlier in September, with a collaboration between the faculty and the student group b2 Szakkollégium, a transdisciplinary student group in the University of Pecs.

Hello, I am a first year in architecture. Im thinking of transferring schools and going into music/music ed. i know that generally architecture is a more stable and “useful” degree, but i can’t stop wishing i was doing music instead and i don’t feel passionate about anything we’ve learnt so far(the workload is crazy, though i expected it). i chose architecture because i’m good at art, architecture seems solid as a career, and admired the way architects think. didn’t know id miss music this much

i am at a top school of architecture in my country, and i would get to go abroad for studying and internships in my later years. it’s a good “prestigious” program that i prepared so much(portfolio wise) for to get into, that i feel scared to let go of it.

lots of people have told me that even if i don’t become an architect, staying in this program will help me find something else that i *do* want to do. so idk if i should just thug it out or nah

(i know both majors are not great in terms of money… i unfortunately have 0 interest in other things)

All, I've been fascinated by catenary structures for a long time. The practical geometric design that dictates how these structures work is super interesting, and to me, harkens back to the pre-engineering-math rule-of-thumb designs of earlier eras. (I know I'm oversimplifying). As a designer I've been very obsessed with Gaudi's work recently. Of course he is not the only or first to use this technique. Nonetheless, his work in particular, really made an art out of it.

I understand the basic concept. If the line of a hung chain falls within the shape of a mirrored arch, said arch will be self-supporting.

But there's much more complexity than that which I'm interested in exploring, understanding, and testing. What weight of chain should be use and why? When is it necessary to add weights as I've seen in some models and why exactly (I suspect because of point loads, but I'd like to be sure)? What are the rules, if any, for connecting multiple chains into a larger composition as these more exciting models do? And how exactly does this design tie back to scaled up materials like stone (maybe this has something to do with the chain weight?)?

This is a long way of asking if anyone knows of any resources that go into more specific detail about this design process? Much of the info I find online has been fairly surface level. I'm looking for books, sites, videos, etc. Thanks in advance for any tips!

I am a freshman architectural design and technology student at the University of Hartford and my school offers a lot of internship opportunities and I have several connections in my family for architecture. How do I know which firms are worth doing an internship for in the summer? Is there anything I should look out for? Any tips related to these questions is greatly appreciated.

Edit: If you have any advice related to Connecticut in particular where I plan to pursue practice, that would also be extremely helpful.

Hello, I am a hs senior

I have been accepted into two places for architecture but most of my apps are for engineering because that is what I’m leaning towards. Last year, I really wanted to do architecture but I told myself to be realistic. I’m trying to narrow my list down and the easiest step is deciding to step away from the architecture schools.

What id like to know is: what will I be missing if I choose engineering?

I can’t help but get this feeling I’ll regret choosing engineering but it’s what I’m leaning towards because of job opportunities and salaries and I’d like to know what your advice is because I don’t want to make the wrong decision. I’m very interested in art and architecture and the college classes seem much more fun than engineering but idk if it’ll be worth it. I’m really smart but struggle academically so I know engineering might be challenging. Thank you

I’ve always wanted to be an architect, I’d tell anybody who’d listen and was always so passionate and dead set on it. My teachers/peers knew and believed that I could do it and I’d also influenced a few of my classmates to even consider it for university as well. I knew about the pay, the work schedule, studio hours, the critiques, the ego/narcissism etc. I knew most of the negatives that people would post about anytime I would search and to me becoming an architect was the only path.

Based in Canada, my mom remarries and we move to a new province. And I struggle in school which was a first for me and at home a lot but I was still set on it. Come my final year and things take a turn for the worst. Long story short: I fail a class, got rejected from everywhere I applied to, my mental health is really bad , a gain a bunch of weight and got diagnosed with pre diabetes and depression.

I am now in my gap year and I’m still stuck. I’m not sure if it is really for me anymore and if I can deal with everything that comes with studying architecture. Im retaking classes/upgrading now and im considering other courses specifically nursing since my mom says it’ll be easier for me to find a job (and from what ive seen she’s right) but im not passionate about that or anything else really.

I was always prepared to struggle within arch school but now im not sure because i dont want to regret it.
But at the same time to become listens in Canada you need a M.arch (for the most part). I enjoy hands on work so im wondering how useful a bachelor degree in something related to architecture would work out, or me majoring in something that’s not arch then getting my masters in arch.

This is my final chance to really reconsider my choice about it and I desperately need advice from anyone. Perhaps similar careers? What I could be learning within my gap year if I do decide to go with it etc.
(Please don’t just say “if you couldn’t survive a high school, you’re not going to survive architecture school. )

Thank you for reading!!

One of the most interesting and beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen

I’m a Part 2 Architectural Assistant based in Canterbury, Kent, and I was recently made redundant.

I’m using this as an opportunity to seriously reconsider whether I want to continue in architecture or explore something different.

I’ve seen quite a few posts and comments from people who have left architecture to go into things like project management, design management, set design for film and TV, game environment design, and other creative or construction-related roles. These all sound interesting, but I rarely see people explain how they actually made the transition.

For those of you who have done this, I’d love to hear about your experience.

What did you move into, and what does your job actually involve?

How did you get your first role? Did you apply directly, network, take a course, build a portfolio, or use a recruiter?

Did you find your Part 2 experience was enough, or did you need additional qualifications or software skills?

How long did it take you to find work in your new field?

Did you have to take a pay cut initially, and how does your salary compare now?

Would you recommend your career path to someone in my position?

One of my biggest considerations is that I need to get earning again as quickly as possible. I’m based in Canterbury rather than London, so I’m also conscious that opportunities in some of these industries might be much more limited locally.

I have a Master’s in Architecture and experience with design development, technical drawings, 3D modelling and coordinating projects, so I’m hoping there are ways to use those skills without necessarily starting from scratch.

I’m not necessarily looking to leave architecture at all costs, but I want to explore my options properly rather than automatically applying for another Part 2 role.

If you’ve made a similar move, I’d particularly appreciate hearing the practical steps you took to get your foot in the door. It would be great to hear from people who have successfully transitioned, as well as anyone who tried and found it wasn’t for them.
Thanks!

Couldn't get pics of the Grand Courtyard or large riads, which were all under heavy restoration. Many parts of the rest of building desperately need restoration as well.

The palace was originally built in in the 1860s by Si Musa, the the son of a Sub-Saharan slave who worked up to royal service. Si Musa's son Ba Ahmed carried on tradition as the king's right-hand man, eventually becoming an all-powerful regent for an underage prince who spent his days distracted with a never-ending splurge on gadgets, fireworks, and other entertaining Victorian technologies.

Ba Ahmed expanded upon the palace, but unfortunately he was obese and therefore preferred to make his entire palace one floor of expansive great halls, living quarters, mosques, courtyards and riads (garden courtyards). It was pretty easy to identify on the plane ride out.

Hi everyone, I recently interviewed with a company in the construction industry, and I have to say I was somewhat disappointed with the interview process.

First, I noticed what seemed to be a lack of communication and camaraderie between the HR representative and the rest of the team.

Second, I was given a problem-solving assessment with 50 questions and only 12 minutes to complete it. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to finish within the allotted time.

I’m curious; has anyone else experienced this type of assessment or interview process in the construction industry? Is this fairly common?

I am searching for a warmer, beige tracing paper similar to older drawings or parcement paper.

Maybe the paper has only become yellow over time? I don’t know - any tips are appreciated other than the grey:ish ones that are common.

One of Albuquerque's historic fire stations, built in 1936 (during the Works Progress Administration projects era)

By july I'll have to apply for universities, i thought i was certain and even started working on my drawing and drafting skills,but now everyone around me is questioning whether or not I'll be able to find a stable career in this field. Even in internet i see nothing but negativity. I hear that even though it requires tremendous effort, pay is not that good and unpredictable.

So be honest, are these claims accurate? And should i consider other fields such as computer science or engineering. Thank you in advance.

My neighbour gifted me this book because I thought it was beautiful. I originally intended to remove pages and frame them but now am wondering if it’s valuable and I should return it to her.

Her husband, a retired architect with severe dementia, bought it at a book sale at the University of Manitoba in the early 1970s. Does anyone have any ideas of how I could figure out the value of it?

Update/edit - I very much appreciate all the comments/advice. Clearly I will NOT be cutting it up. All pages are intact but the some are starting to deteriorate. I do very much much appreciate the suggestion of scanning some pages and printing them on vellum.

When I got it I assumed it was a reprint and not of any value but the quality of the paper and plate impressions made me rethink that. I will look for a rare book expert in Alberta and maybe suggest that my neighbour donate it somewhere(?) in her husband’s name.

I'm a soon to be architecture student and want to improve my handmade model skills.

I was hoping to find any tips, daily exercises, or tutorial channels.

Thx! : )