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AEC Cafe
Everything, EVERYTHING you can read, download or hunt for about the architecture, engineering & construction industries. Software downloads, the latest industry articles and job listings are here for the taking. |
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Aging Beautifully
Interior design student Alexis Brown sent us this link, which was sent to her by a professor. As the Baby Boomers age and live longer, design issues relating to accommodating the elderly in a variety of environments have become increasingly important. This site addresses these topics in a clear and thoughtful manner. |
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All Arts Schools
This comprehensive directory exposes guests to arts career resources and accredited art programs. Whether not you even know what you want kind of career you want to pursue, you can explore options, compare schools, and search for specific types of degrees. |
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allPopart
Have you ever dreamed of Andy (if he were still skulking around The Factory) granting you your 15 minutes of fame by starring you in one of his Warholian montages? Or inspiring Roy enough to feature you as a character in one of his Lichtensteinian strips? The team of illustrators and artists at allPopart can grant your vanity wish. And if you decide to start thinking of someone other than yourself, they can even transform your nieces and nephews into Manga characters. |
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American Hardwood Information Center
Everything you ever (or never) wanted to know about hardwoods. They’re not just for floors! From caring for them to design trends and gift ideas, this is your one-stop information center for hardwood. If you’ve bought a house and have no idea what type of finish is on your floors and how to care for them, or you want to silence some pesky squeaks, the good folks here walk you through it. |
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Apartment Therapy
This is a random blog site out of New York, but expanding quickly to other major U.S. cities. You’ll find anything and everything here: products & stores, sales & events, house tours & services. Have fun perusing. |
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Art Business News
It’s great to be an artist, but it’s not so great to be a starving one. Though an artist’s inspiration might not be money, art is undeniably a business, and this magazine explores the relationship between the two. From interviews to resources to show dates to marketing strategies, any creative trying to make art his or her full-time gig should take note. |
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ArtCyclopedia
“The Guide to Great Art on the Internet” is just what it says. A great resource for art articles from a myriad of publications, guides to art museums around the world, and most importantly great works of art. Search by artist for bio, info, and lists of artwork sorted by current museum where it’s on display. |
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Artifice Images
In need of some cost-effective, rights-managed stock photography for architecturally significant buildings from around the globe? Then this is the place to go. Drawing upon both archived work and contemporary photographers, the site make it easy to find just the image you want via multiple search options – e.g., architects, specific buildings, architectural types, etc. |
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artnet
Many people enroll in interior design school because they have an artistic bent, and not until they get deeper into the program do they comprehend the many left-brained components required of the career, not to mention the codes and regulations that shape the process. Creative freedom, eccentric qualities, and artistic expression definitely have a place in the A&D industry, but many times it’s more readily evident in its art collaborations vis–à–vis corporate programs, private collections and public installations. If artists, auctions and galleries excite you more than contractors, bid packages and job sites, then we recommend you hang out at artnet. |
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Bad Design Kills
P&C contributor Temenouzhka Zaharieva exposed us to this site quite adamant about reinforcing the importance of thoughtful design and the danger – not to mention the annoyance - of poor design. The content is fun and the point is valid. |
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Boxes and Arrows
For all you web-savvy, information architecture types out there, this is your site! Boxes and Arrows is all about the practice, innovation and discussion of design – not interior design, but graphic and information design. Articles, ideas and interviews are presented in a peer-written journal format that also includes web/usability/design event postings and job listings. |
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Careers In Interior Design
A valiant joint effort by six organizations dedicated to producing educated and qualified interior designers: ASID, FIDER, IDC, IDEC, IIDA, and NCIDQ. |
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Color Wheel Pro
Sign us up for some time-saving color scheme help. Color Wheel Pro not only provides sample color schemes (analogous, harmonious, triadic), but lets you preview them on your logo, web design and more. This software is better than closing your eyes and trying to imagine what those colors you’re picking might look like. |
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Colorstrology
This fun site sponsored by Pantone is suited for hardcore metaphysical types, astrological dabblers and everyone in between. Personally, I wasn’t thrilled with my birth date’s color, but the description that went with it was frighteningly accurate. Hmm. Maybe there is something to this after all… |
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Décor Drama
This blogger compiles news articles from around the country and categorizes them into easy to find categories. The articles tend toward decorating trends and services helping designers keep up on what’s happening around the country. |
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Design Addict
Self-proclaimed as “The Portal For Design Lovers.” They’re not lying. Very worldly and cosmopolitan – you’ll feel smart for even checking it out. All sorts of information on designers, events and news around the world. |
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Design Guide
“The Internet Director of Building + Design.” This site is very international in nature, and it leans more toward the architecture side than the interior design side - not that there’s anything wrong with that! It’s very nicely presented and has many good links. |
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Design Library
Textile & pattern lovers rejoice! Search the Design Library’s archives for amazing historical designs and patterns that the Library has purchased from mills, engravers and private collections. Buy the design and it’s yours to develop as a new carpet design, wallcovering, gift wrap – etc. Designs can also be licensed for a 2-year period. |
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Design Observer
A well-written blog by graphic design heavyweights on not only design itself, but its cultural implications. Worth reading for all types of design issues. |
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Design2Share
You love READING about design tips and advice, but what if you could see it in action? You can at Design2Share. Irwin Weiner, ASID, and Nicola Chernicoff have created a video library with video podcasts & design blogs. They also have a YouTube channel. Finally – see other design pros in action. |
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designboom
Like us, designboom is an online publication. Read primarily in Europe, but with a healthy following in the United States and Asia, they have been discussing topics concerning design as it relates to industry and society since 1999. Based in Milan, they go beyond architecture to explore how people interact with and are affected by design in everyday life, not only via the usual suspects of interiors, furniture and art, but also through technology, gadgets, transportation, cuisine, advertising, packaging and manufacturing. If industrial design quickens your pulse, then designboom.com should be in your Favorites. |
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Designer eSources
This site has its own monthly newsletter with articles “by a noted designer on subjects of interest.” Plus, they have their own helpful design links and library. Their most unique service is the ability to do online presentation boards, but they offer many more features. The fee is normally $75 for the main services, but they have a reduced rate for students. |
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Designer Pages
Products, products and more products – this website’s got them. From stacking chairs to lounge furniture, fiberglass ceiling panels to acoustical canopies, residential to commercial, contemporary to transitional. Grab your favorite beverage, login, search, surf and specify. |
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DesignShare
DesignShare fosters the concept of collaboration on the architecture and design of learning facilities (schools and “any place learning takes place” like museums and community centers) from around the globe. Architecture and design firms share plans, costs, and design ideas as a way to shape the future of learning. If you’re interested in working for a firm that does educational projects, visit their company directory. If your firm does these types of projects, you’ll find this site a great resource for valuable information. While you’re learning from them, share your knowledge, too. |
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Dexigner
Get ready for all things design. Delivering design related news, events, competitions, and resources, Dexigner is the leading online portal for designers. Dexigner also provides a design directory, database, agenda and weekly newsletter. |
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dezeen
Icon magazine’s former editor Marcus Fairs launched this new all-things-design blog in November 2006. He covers everything interesting and cutting edge that has to do with design and structure. From design world gossip to sneak previews of events to coverage of groovy new products, dezeen has it. |
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Dezignare
An "Interior Design Collective." All kinds of information on the interior design profession from resources and the marketplace to news and education. Excellent links to organizations related to the profession. |
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Doorways Around The World
This site is pretty much the equivalent of Stair Porn, but for doors. Since every culture puts its own unique spin on this unifying architectural element that is both functional and symbolic, it is fascinating to compare global interpretations. Visitors can even submit their own images of ornamental intricacies and unusual materials – just be sure to follow the guidelines. |
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Dwell With Dignity
This wonderful organization has built upon the fact that great design improves one’s quality of life. The work that they do empowers families to live their best lives by helping them escape poverty and homelessness through design. Their designer and volunteers work with donations provided by corporate supporters, local design showrooms and retailers, along with individual donations from the community. They create, gather, and install the interior finishes, furniture, furnishings and art for motivated families that are nominated by local community service providers. Great job, guys! |
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Fabric Link
You’re out on your own now, time to pull your socks up and do your laundry like a grownup. For tips on sorting, stain removal, wash cycles and more, this site is your new best friend. But there’s so much more than Laundry Tips – like Fabric University, Fiber History, Career Paths, and even the origin of the phrase “Pop Goes the Weasel” (you’ll NEVER guess!) |
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Fabric Workshop and Museum
This is fabric as art, both as process and finished product. The Philadelphia museum inspires visitors not only by its exhibits, but also by allowing them to observe both established and up-and-coming artists working alongside permanent staff to create extraordinary pieces in the museum's print and construction workshop. |
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Feng Shui Tips
All you need to know about the feng shui bagua map, as well as an array of other feng shui topics of interest. |
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Finishing.com
This is the mother website of the finishing industry. Anodizing, plating, powder coating and any related surface finishing art / technique. |
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Fulcrum
From what we can tell, this design magazine, which debuted June 2008, is still in “beta testing” mode if you will. The printed version was a delightful surprise when it unexpectedly landed in our mailbox, but according to their website, we shouldn’t expect the next issue until April 2009. Bummer. The commercial side of Metropolitan Home, its inaugural issue offered an interesting, global focus. Hang in there, Fulcrum – we’re anxiously waiting for the next issue. |
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Furniture Styles
For quick reference about furniture styles ranging from Asian to Ancient, check this site out. It’s a quick overview about life, décor and furniture in different styles. Not super in-depth, but it’s still a good resource. |
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Galinsky
Brought to our attention by landscape architect Lara Moffat, this site offers free access to pictures & info about modern buildings around the world – even downloadable “travel packs” of architecture in specific cities. |
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Gary M. Katz Online
The design industry is lucky to have dedicated guys like Gary Katz. This California-based, licensed general contractor has specialized in finish carpentry work for over three decades, and he’s showing no sign of slowing down. Not only does he contribute his expertise to the betterment of commercial projects (like hospitals and schools) and residential projects (from modest tract housing to tricked-out custom homes), but he also trains others to carry on the craft through personal appearances, his “Roadshow,” articles and this resource-heavy website. If you’re crazy about carpentry and mental about millwork, this site should be in your Favorites. |
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Great Buildings
Excellent reference guide for architecture. History, photographs, drawings, models, links, biographies, etc. Great resource for your architectural history class(es). |
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Green Building Blocks
So you want to build “green”, do ya? Or work with other green building professionals and clients? Here’s the site with the hookups. It’s an interactive resource for sustainable, residential green building & home improvement specialists. So if your niche is green design, you’ll be smart to research this site and decide if listing yourself on it is right for you. While you’re there, look for like-minded pros in the business that you might want to get to know better. |
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Home Portfolio
Though it caters mostly to residential design, it’s a great place to look for products that you can “specify” on projects and use in presentations. It’s also a good place to go if you’ve seen a product in a magazine and want to find a local retailer who carries it so that you can see it in person. |
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IDANDA
This very sleek and sexy website is all about anything design: industrial, graphic, interior, architectural, photographical (is that a word?), etc. Coolio. |
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IDEASFACTORY
This UK-based aims to help creatives make the first - or next - move in their career, aid them in creative development, and open a doorway into the real world of creativity, arts and media. |
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IDfuel
This blog focuses on industrial design topics that many in the interior design industry would find interesting such as technological developments and furniture to consumer products and architecture. All hail design! |
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Infolink
Infolink bills itself as Australia's largest architecture, building, construction & design website. Offering more than 10,100 product pages, this is the place to find information about manufacturers, design resources, and industry happenings. Just type a product or company name into their search box for all related articles on that topic. You can also sign up for their weekly e-newsletter or just browse the site to your heart’s content for all the news you can handle. |
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Informe Design
Created by the University of Minnesota, this website offers a smorgasbord of technical research information related to the design industry. New sponsors have joined in supporting this University of Minnesota Web site: Humanscale, Interior Design, Perkins+Will and Officeinsight have become Silver sponsors, and ASID continues to sponsor InformeDesign at the platinum level. Also, coming soon: InformeDesign will be adding several pay-for-service features, such as InStore, which will include a continuing and professional education curriculum; Inquiry, a research brief that compiles all research on one topic; and new Webcasts from renowned designers and researchers. |
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InsideArch
“The inside view into firms and professional culture.” This site is your ticket to a better job at an architectural firm if you know what floats your boat. It rates architectural firms across the nation based on 10 key items like Design Quality, Professional Development, Employee Quality, Compensation, etc. Not all firms have been rated, so if you’ve “got a great job, go ahead and gloat” and submit your information. (Contributed by Kara-Lee Satterfield) |
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KEENA
National organization of wholesale-to-retail manufacturers’ representatives. For over 20 years they have been providing better retailers with the good stuff: quality, design-driven products that sell. From the newest lines to the most established brands, their distinctive lifestyle approach focuses on good design for every part of the home. Whether you are looking for decorative accessories or personal care, home furnishings or stationery, books or tabletop… you will find the freshest products here. |
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LifeTips – Interior Design Degree
A great supplement to P&C as it provides the lowdown on what to look for in an ID programs, scholarships, salaries, certification, etc. |
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Light Search
The self-proclaimed “lighting manufacturer and product source for professionals” and “North America’s largest lighting directory.” You can search for fixtures by brand name, manufacturer, fixture type, etc., as well as buy market reports and find other lighting resources. A true one-stop shop, but you have to sign up as a user. |
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Living Architecture
We’ve seen some buzz about this in a few places lately, so we thought we’d bring it to your attention if you had happened to have been missed it. Starting in the spring of 2010, Living Architecture is making available to the public homes to rent in the English countryside. But these are not just any homes. They are detailed, exquisitely designed structures created by notable modern architects. The idea is to give anyone (if you have enough cash, that is) the opportunity to experience living within a highly thought out space, albeit temporarily. |
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Luxist
Find out how the richer than rich spend their money. This blog will show you gigantic homes, the latest "it" bags and tell you how much a celebrity got for their condo when they sold it. |
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Material Girls
Fun blog by Emily & Lauren – little nuggets of design goodies are quick and fun to read. Check out the ABCs of paint. Thanks for the shout out to P&C, girls! |
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MOMA e-Cards
Tired of Hallmark and Blue Mountain? Then go here for e-cards with a more artistic bent. |
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Office Site
Another good online magazine. This one links you to worldwide articles dealing with corporate design issues. |
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PicoCool
Our buddy James Ledoux turned us on to this online community intrigued by all things “cool.” Paying equal time to the topics of fashion, art, design, technology and culture in general, they report on creatives, innovators, trends, advancements and subsequent products. Become a cool cat (a.k.a. member) simply by requesting an invitation via the site. |
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Pixel Girl Presents
Super fun icons for your desktop, cute gifts, web design services – this sassy Pixel Girl has it all! |
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Redesign Me
And, finally…for the ultimate creative critic: a site that allows you as a consumer to guide today’s manufacturers in the creation and streamlining of tomorrow’s products. In the ultimate consumer / corporation collaboration, RDM members can comment on their personal product experiences and make suggestions to the producer about how to make it better. The idea has grown out of the idea of crowdsourcing – i.e., taking cues from customers about what they want instead of manufacturers trying to guess what they think their customers want. This ultimate “Power to the People!” opportunity goes to show that corporate America has truly realized that design matters. Let’s all toast to the power of design. |
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Resources
"The Contract Interiors Network." Looking for non-residential furniture sources for projects and presentations? It's here. Pure and simple. |
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SCT Green Design
The website dedicated to sustainable issues by LEED Accredited Professional and interior designer Stephany Catlin Taddeo. It’s her own personal mission. |
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Stair Porn
This site delivers exactly what it promises: stairs, stairs, and more stairs. If a good rise and run quicken your pulse and make you flush with excitement, then you’ll be returning to this site often for a little tread-on-tread action. They’ve got something for every fetish: from straight to spiral, reclaimed to prefab, concrete to carbon fiber. It’s OK to stair. |
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STUDIORIGA
Highland Park Antique and Contemporary Furnishings store owner, Eve Herman, directed us to this site – a blog whose writer appreciates great design. Explore its posts for great pieces of furniture, rugs and other design pieces for your home as well as recommendations for what to pair with them. |
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Style Court
Blogger Courtney B. started her design blog in May 2006. By June 2007 she was cited by Margaret Russell in her Editor’s page of Elle Décor. Pretty cool, eh? Well so is her site. This Southern girl covers a range of styles and interesting design products, books, etc. If you like the blogs design sponge, apartment therapy and the nestmaker you should definitely get thee to Stylecourt. Brought to our attention by Eve Kelly Herman, Highland Park. |
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Taschen
Love gorgeous coffeetable books? Especially ones related to architecture, design, film, graphics and anything creative? This is the mecca. |
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Tectonic Studio
"The Online Resource Library For Commercial Interior Finishes." This former BlueBolt site has a great student offering of services for a small fee. |
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The Visual Dictionary
A great site brought to our attention by graphic designer and our good friend Rob Wilson. This project aims to capture and catalog as many photos of single words in the world as possible – like that neon rendition of “diner” on the corner or the strange word the graffiti artists painted on your fence. Send ‘em in! |
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TODL
The name stands for Trade Only Design Library. They boast “over 812 manufacturers, 200,000 products and 18,463 industry members” in all areas of design disciplines. This is another fab place to look for products that you can “specify” on projects and use in presentations. |
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TrendsIdeas
Another fun source of beautifully photographed design books. Lots of beautiful homes you can drool over. |
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Universal Design Education Online
Who couldn’t use a little support, especially when it comes to thoughtful solutions when designing for widest range of people, regardless of their size, abilities, and age? Well, this site is here to help instructors, students, professionals and users/experts learn more and communicate to other about the philosophy behind and the principles of Universal Design. Run by a distinguished cast of educators and researchers, this project’s funding is provided by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) of the U.S. Department of Education. |
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Urbane Nomads
This travel agency offers architecture and design-centric tours for design junkies. Examples from some innovative itineraries: A Brazilian journey exploring work of Isay Weinfeld, Ruy Ohtake and Philippe Starck while also including the Morrinho Project, a re-creation of the favela (a.k.a shanty town), which exhibited at the Venice Biennale and is so true to life that the local police had initially ordered its dismantling. Or how about an A&D tour of Lebanon, where visitors dine in restaurants and party in clubs that double up as social commentary. Beats spring break in Fort Lauderdale! |
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Vitruvio
An amazing resource of international architectural information and history. Information listed in both English and Italian. |
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World Heritage List
Fascinating site listing more than 800 properties designated by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as having “outstanding universal value common to the heritage of humankind.” Properties range from Jesuit missions in Argentina & Brazil dating from the 17th & 18th centuries to the historic city center in Vienna to a 12th century minaret in Afghanistan. These sites are important historical, cultural testaments to all, not just the countries where they exist. Next time you’re looking for a truly adventurous Road Trip – check the list for a place to visit. And while you’re there, write us an article! |
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yodeng
An entry on an Asian menu? A slang greeting for your friends? Nope, yodeng is a freethinking acronym for “young designers networking group.” As they say on their website, their open-armed group “now boasts thousands of participants both nationwide and abroad, representing all forms of architecture, engineering, design, advertising, graphics, fashion, furniture, development, and construction.” Networking is key, so Go Yo! |
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