In memoriam of one of the greatest architectural prophets : Bill Mitchell

Authoring a multitude of inspiring visionary books, including City of bits, Me++, and E-thopia, William J Mitchelle is undoubtedly on of the most influential architectural thinkers of our time.

The former dean of MIT's School of Architecture and Planning, who pioneered urban designs for networked, "smart" cities and helped oversee an ambitious building program that transformed MIT's physical campus, died on June 11 after a long battle with cancer. He was 65.

Through his writings he brought us what we will have to expect in the future, and inspired a generation of electronic architects. The void created by this loss will no doubt be felt by the entire Architectural community.

The new level of Architectural Journalism!

This advertisement was published by BT Options who makes the layout for the Architect Magazine. I always thought that the magazine was compiled by the SLIA. Not just anyone can be expected to write for a magazine published by a professional institute. This is professional bankruptcy at its best, and this is why we need diversity within the field. Even with Architects writing for the magazine, it was publishing BS, let's see where this new experiment leads to.

Architectural Journalism is a specialized profession. Find a article regarding Architectural Journalism here

Supporting Architects and the SLIA propaganda campaign

I just got 8 emails (so far) from the SLIA regarding Architect Tilak Samarawickrama’s book “Ink of Lanka”. (Must be really tough times.) I wonder if SLIA’s getting a piece out of the profits as well. Anyway “Ink of Lanka” should be an interesting book.

I wonder why Architects have suddenly taken up writing. I guess the tough times are really hitting a spot, because architects are generally not known as the most "writing savvy" people around. (Architect Anajlendran has his book out, Architect Rathnavibushana has his book out as well, the architects must be getting their fair share of the royalties?)

At least we can be thankful that the SLIA is supporting Architects in some way, since I don’t really see the whole point of having an organization which is only interested in collecting fees, and not providing anything in return.