Browsing: Cover Story

McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture Wins Dual Honors at Material Runway 2025 For the second consecutive year, McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture has captured both Best Overall Design and the Crowd Favorite Award at the Material Runway 2025, reaffirming its creative leadership at the intersection of architecture and fashion. Blending Architecture and Fashion The competition invited architects and designers to craft wearable art from building materials — and McMillan Pazdan Smith’s team delivered a striking fusion of structure and style. Using deconstructed carpet, weld rods, epoxy flakes, terrazzo aggregates, acoustical panels, and ceiling fixtures, they created a visionary piece that challenged traditional…

At Chicago Build Expo 2025, George Sorich, Vice President, Residential at NORR, led a forward-looking discussion titled “From the Ground Up: Skyscrapers & the Future of Cities.” The session, one of five Sorich is presenting this year, explored how design innovation, collaboration, and policy integration are redefining urban living in an age of rapid urbanization. As global urban populations are expected to increase by 2.5 billion by 2050, the session emphasized that cities will continue to serve as engines of progress — but only if sustainable infrastructure and resilient planning are prioritized. Technological Innovations Speakers discussed how technology is reshaping…

Florida Realtors®, the state’s largest professional trade association, has formalized a strategic partnership with the Japan-America Real Estate Coalition Office (JARECO) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during the Southeast U.S.-Japan Association (SEUS/Japan) meeting in Tokyo. Framework for CollaborationThe MoU establishes a strong framework for professional cooperation, market data sharing, and global business development. Signed by Florida Realtors® President Tim Weisheyer and JARECO Chairman Masayuki Nakagawa, the agreement aims to enhance professional networking and educational exchange between the two nations. JARECO’s Role in Global Real EstateFounded in 2013, JARECO serves as a vital bridge between the U.S. National Association…

Princeton University has completed a transformative renovation of Prospect House, its 1852 Italianate mansion, blending historic preservation with inclusive, contemporary design. Long serving as a meeting and event space, the building’s interiors were outdated and inaccessible, prompting the university to “press the restart button,” according to architect Ron McCoy. The project focused on accessibility, modern amenities, and celebrating diverse artistic voices while honoring the building’s layered heritage. Designed by Philadelphia architect John Notman as a private home, Prospect House was donated to Princeton in 1878 and later became the residence of university presidents, including Woodrow Wilson. Over the decades, architects…

For architects and designers, 3D architectural rendering is more than a visual aid—it’s a bridge between imagination and reality. From client presentations to project approvals, high-quality 3D visualizations communicate design intent with clarity and impact. Our team highlights 16 standout projects across the USA to inspire architects and clients alike. Pedestrian Bridge – New Orleans, Louisiana A large-scale reconstruction project in New Orleans called for an aerial 3D rendering of a pedestrian bridge. The design integrates an open-air market and public recreation spaces. The visualization captures the bridge in context, emphasizing both scale and seamless integration with the surroundings. Restaurant…

As Lollapalooza returns to Grant Park, Airbnb is leveraging the iconic Chicago music festival to expand its experiential offerings. The weekend is traditionally Airbnb’s biggest local revenue driver, with hosts projected to earn over $2.5 million collectively as nearly half of festival attendees travel from outside the city. This year marks Airbnb’s first official partnership with Lollapalooza, offering renters exclusive access to events and workshops, such as photography sessions and DJ lessons with Chicago’s DJ Lady D. The initiative reflects Airbnb’s broader strategy to evolve beyond short-term rentals into immersive cultural experiences. Despite ongoing challenges—ranging from strict city regulations to…

Perched on Ivan Hill in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, a pair of geometric structures now nearly doubles the footprint of an existing home. Designed by Warren Techentin Architecture (WTARCH), the new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) combines a greige blocky volume with a dark blue tiled cube, creating a terraced composition that interacts dynamically with the hillside landscape. Design & Architecture:The ADU is composed of two distinct volumes with separate exterior treatments, yet designed to work as a cohesive whole. By breaking the addition into smaller masses, WTARCH maintained a visual hierarchy with the original 1,458-square-foot residence, despite adding 1,152 square…

The historic site of the J.L. Hudson Department Store in downtown Detroit has come alive again with the completion of a 12-story office and retail building at 1240 Woodward Avenue. Designed by SHoP Architects, the development marks a major milestone in the multi-phase Hudson’s Detroit project, aiming to reinvigorate the city’s urban core with mixed-use activity. Design & Architecture:The building’s glass-and-terra-cotta façade echoes the craftsmanship of early 20th-century department stores while projecting a modern presence. SHoP Architects carved a 7-story atrium topped by a skylight inspired by the headlight of a 1954 Corvette—a nod to Detroit’s automotive heritage. Filled with…

House Beautiful has unveiled its inaugural “Whole Home” project in Texas, located in Austin’s scenic Deep Eddy neighborhood. This tri-level, 3,800-square-foot residence has been envisioned as a “grown-up, tree-top social club”, reflecting both playful sophistication and functional design. Design & Collaboration:The home features a triangular kitchen island and uniquely angled living spaces that encourage conversation and social interaction. Designed collaboratively by eight interior designers alongside the House Beautiful editorial team, the project brings together creative talent from Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and beyond. Sara Malek Barney of Bandd/Design, who also designed the kitchen and bathrooms, played a pivotal…

Interior design tastes are shifting, and flat painted walls are increasingly being replaced with surfaces that offer texture, depth, and visual intrigue. Experts and designers report that clients are now seeking walls that go beyond simple color, creating spaces that feel bespoke, elevated, and dynamic. Reeded Wood: Interior designer Becky Shea installed reeded walnut paneling in a bedroom, extending across the ceiling to create an enveloping, warm effect. This approach adds depth and contrast, resulting in a space that feels both distinctive and timeless. Uniform Tiles: Rachael Gowdridge designed bathroom tiles inspired by a 19th-century lithograph, using a repeating pattern…