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Houses of the Future

Energy-saving house by Glenn Murcutt. Photo by Anthony Browell courtesy the Pritzker Prize Committee

Economic woes and worries about the environment are transforming the way we build. What will tomorrow's houses look like? Here are home design trends to watch for.

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Architecture Spotlight10

Architecture Updates: Jan 20-27, 2012

Friday January 27, 2012
As I re-read The Great Gatsby, I've been taking a new look at the opulent architecture of America's Gilded Age. Also this week: monumental mistakes and a very funny house.

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Aussie Pride

Thursday January 26, 2012
Sydney Opera House G'day! In Australia, January 26 is Australia Day, a national holiday celebrating Captain Arthur Phillip's landing at Sydney Cove. Over the next 200 years, Australia's first European settlement became the site of some of the world's most innovative buildings, like the Sydney Opera House and eco-friendly homes by architect Glenn Murcutt.

Join us for a closeup look at Architecture in Australia...

Sydney Opera House photo by David Messent, courtesy of Jørn Utzon/Utzon Architects and the Pritzker Prize Committee


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Architecture & Energy in Philly

Wednesday January 25, 2012
Photograph of Philadelphia skyline from Delaware river, with sailboat.

Does energy consumption influence architectural style? Should energy-efficient buildings look different? These are questions being asked—and hopefully being answered—at an architecture and energy symposium on January 27, 2012 in Philadelphia.

The "Architecture and Energy" workshop is part of a program funded by US Department of Energy (DOE) grants—part of the money you hear Congress reauthorizing occasionally.

Is this a good way for the federal government to be spending taxpayer dollars? Leave a comment and let us know.

The Friday symposium is sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster (GPIC) for Energy-Efficient Buildings, a DOE "Energy Innovation Hub," in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania School of Design. The GPIC focus is on the energy efficiency of average-sized commercial and multi- family residential buildings. Read more about these Hubs:

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Photo of Philadelphia ©copyright Jumper/Getty images.


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Year of the Dragon

Monday January 23, 2012
Temple of Heaven, Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, in Beijing, ChinaHappy (Chinese) New Year! January 23, 2012 marks the beginning of 4710, the year of the dragon. The name is apt, since dragons play an important role in Chinese legends, festivals, and architecture. Here's a look at China's most memorable architectural wonders, ancient and modern: Architecture in China

Photo: Temple of Heaven, Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, in Beijing, China © Peter Gridley / Getty Images


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