Articles by Eric Baldwin

From delicate stone screens to solid envelopes, these buildings emerge from their surroundings as or dered, hierarchical volumes.

Architecture can quickly become self-indulgent. Pursuing idealistic forms and lofty concepts, archit ects may readily trade purpose for pomp. Overlooking contextual, spatial, or environmental qualities, designers erect shining monuments that reflect themselves. These tendencies are amplified when working with a material like gold, the canonical element embodying affluence and decadence. Designing with gold, whether by color…

Scotland’s architecture carries significant weight. With projects spanning across ten millennia, the country boasts incredible heritage and dramatic landscapes. Known for ancient roundhouses, hidden souterrains, and famous castles, Scotland also possesses many dynamic modern structures. Famous Scottish architects like Charles Mackintosh, William Playfair, and James Stirling all helped to ground new approaches to architecture, proposing…

The architect’s mobility has transformed. Today, we are better-connected than ever before, extensive ly collaborating across disciplines to realize designs with innovative technologies and complex systems. As that reach has expanded, so, too, have the possibilities for new firms to tackle international work and partner with local architects. Sharing expertise and experience, these emerging practices are…

To celebrate the opening of our 4th Annual A+Awards, we’re taking a look back at some of our f avorite projects from 2015. Want to get in on the action? Check out the A+Awards Page to find out how to enter. Rarely does technology and environment go hand in hand. We create new systems and mechanics…

Metals and composites are nothing new in architecture. Used throughout millennia for joinery, claddi ng, and reinforcement, these materials provide security and rigidity to structures worldwide. Precious metals like gold and silver continue to be used for decoration and adornment, forming sculptural details and shining embellishments. Our understanding of metals has evolved over time, and we’ve…

Offering a variety of materials, from natural stone and porcelain tile to engineered stone and recla imed wood, Stone Source is very much a design-driven company. Available in over 150 different types and sizes, the tiles combine natural colors and textures. Moreover, the New York-based manufacturer offers over 20 sustainable material options, including products with recycled…

Architecture and preservation seemingly stand at ends to one another. While one discipline argues fo r protection and conservation, the other advocates creation and change. The two fields inherently examine permanence and ephemerality, both dealing with time as a material and accepted antagonist. Each discipline works with cultural values and heritage, whether manifested or not. As…

Great architecture arises from the unexpected. As designers, we discover the world around us from ex periences that shape who we are. Thoughtful solutions emerge from analysis and playful creation, a process intimately tied to the world as we find it, with its inherent needs and constraints. Few practices regularly elevate architecture above commodity: to do…