Inspiration: Collections

As the top vacation destination in Germany and one of the fastest growing cities on the continent, B erlin has attracted record-breaking numbers of tourists in the past year. Known around the world for its booming art scene, exciting nightlife, and progressive architecture — not to mention the inexpensive rent — Berlin is the place to…

Russian architecture is dramatically transforming, evolving from its Eastern Slavic roots and Kievan Rus’ traditions to modern works that examine new relationships between form, materials, and public space. While structures like Saint Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin are known the world over, these buildings hardly reflect the emerging Russian design culture and the majority of…

Not traditionally considered a leader in local cuisine, London’s newly burgeoning restaurant scene h as placed the English capital on the foodie map. Compared to Paris, Rome, and other European culinary destinations, the London food scene hasn’t always had a stellar reputation. However, over the last decade, the city has seen a shift from the traditional,…

In the past few decades, in addition to the traditional role of collecting, preserving, and sharing collections, galleries and museums are increasingly becoming involved with supporting local, national, and international communities. Beyond exhibition spaces, cultural institutions house a myriad of mixed-use spaces, including process labs, artist-in-residence wings, and immersion rooms. Given that today’s cultural institutions…

Easily identified by their dramatic V-shaped silhouette, butterfly roofs provide a visually striking alternative to traditional roof design. Two downward sloping surfaces meet to form a middle roofline, creating a shape that resembles a butterfly in flight. Typically found atop homes in the southwestern United States, the butterfly roof is an iconic feature of mid-century…

Architecture dramatically affects how we learn. In the last 20 years we have made serious advancemen ts in understanding the impact of physical environments on development, memory, and retention. The importance of light quality, acoustics, materials, and spatial organization shows that great design can make a real difference. Austria, known for dramatic buildings like Zaha Hadid’s…

Under most circumstances, bike lanes, bridges, and tunnels are designed around the existing network of sidewalks and streets. Fortunately, there are instances where cycling is not only being considered at the initial stages of urban design, but put at the forefront to create advantageous public spaces. Around the world, innovative thinkers have dreamt up newfangled…

In response to widespread criticism of the fast food industry, demand for higher-quality burgers has risen significantly. Consumers look for grass-fed, organic beef, made-to-order local ingredients, and artisanal condiments — and are willing to pay more for the experience. The taste for upscale hamburgers isn’t limited to the United States — restaurateurs all over the…

In New York’s scenic Brooklyn Bridge Park, Danish artist Jeppe Hein has installed an unusual series of ephemeral artworks entitled “Please Touch the Art.” To the delight of New Yorkers of all ages, viewers are invited to sit on, walk through, and climb all over the artist’s creations. This refreshingly informal approach to taking in…