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Classical Beginnings

The Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Press photo (c) NewOpenWorld Foundation

The Classical architecture of ancient Greece and Rome shaped the way we build today. How many of these Classical teachings can you find in your home?

Classical Architecture
Architecture Spotlight10

Who's Behind That Playful Mask?

Monday June 17, 2013

"Take your pleasure seriously," said American designer and architect Charles Eames. Charles Eames with Feather Mask The Eames partnership—Charles and his wife Ray—became famous for integrating playfulness with work. Their designs for practical and beautiful furniture led the mid-20th-century movement toward prefabricated mass manufacturing—and they had fun doing it. "Who ever said that pleasure wasn't functional?" said Mr. Eames, born on this day, June 17, 1907, in Saint Louis, Missouri.

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Photo: From the exhibition "The Work of Charles & Ray Eames: A Legacy of Invention," ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, Library of Congress in partnership with the Vitra Design Museum

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Updates: June 9 - 15, 2013

Saturday June 15, 2013
An accident waiting to happen? Person carefully stepping around the white pipes of Fujimoto's 2013 Pavilion in London I have to confess I felt a bit nervous when I saw plans for the newest pavilion at the Serpentine Gallery in London's Kensington Gardens. Designed by Sou Fujimoto, the 2013 Pavilion is a delicate network of steel lattice. The temporary structure will remain open for the public to explore until October 20, when it will be dismantled.

Every year a different architect designs a temporary pavilion for the Serpentine Gallery. For photos of all the pavilions constructed since the program began, see: Summer Pavilions in London.

New and Updated Architecture Pages:

Photo of Sou Fujimoto-designed Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2013, Kensington Gardens, by ©Loz Pycock, Loz Flowers on flickr.com, Attribution-CC ShareAlike 2.0 Generic

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A Beautiful Place to Sit

Thursday June 13, 2013
Sometimes all we want in life is to collect our thoughts while lounging in a beautiful place. Molded red sculpture chair reproduction of a 1948 Eames modern design This reproduction of the 1948 Eames La Chaise lounge chair (compare prices) could be the answer. Charles and Ray Eames created designs that became functional sculpture—eye-catching beauty with a posterior function. In fact, many great architects have dabbled in furniture-making.

Famous Chair Designs:

But are they comfortable? In our About.com polls, the Barcelona Chair by Mies van der Rohe is way ahead. Where do you weigh in? Pick your favorite chair.

Photo of 1948 Charles and Ray Eames lounge chair reproduction courtesy of PriceGrabber.com

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On Roebling's Birthday

Wednesday June 12, 2013
Photo of canoe being paddled between the stone towers of Roebling's Delaware AqueductJohn Augustus Roebling lived the 19th century American dream. Born in Germany on June 12, 1806, the civil engineer gained wealth and fame in the United States for suspension bridge construction. Where is Roebling's oldest surviving suspension bridge in America? Read More...

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