Last 10 years Santa Monica Place has been my starting point when I go to Santa Monica which is at least once a month! I didn’t really care for the mall itself which is designed by Frank Gehry. The parking is attractive for me which is conveniently located adjacent to the Third Street Promenade.

If you are living or visiting New York City, there are exciting architectural events taking place that you might be interested in. AIA New York Chapter and Center for Architecture has an extensive eCalendar for these events. ArkitecTrue will publish these events as we receive the updated schedules and information.

Happy Earth Day…
Here are some updates from the Earth Day that caught my eye.
AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) announced the Top 10 Green Projects. No projects from Los Angeles, CA. Nueva School Hillside Learning Complex (Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects) San Francisco, CA is awarded.

Mimi Fong, my ex-coworker, wrote her experience of the 20th annual Calibre Awards for ArkitecTrue. The event took place in Century City, California on April 4, 2008. I congratulate all the winners, and the nominees. And thanks Mimi for the article…

On May 2, Meier will open the doors of his storehouse in Long Island City, offering a rare glimpse into the creative process behind the Pritzker Prize winner’s 40-year career. Visitors can view 3-D mini-works-in-process from the 1960’s–including the first model for his breakthrough Smith House in Connecticut–through the present.

The Salone Internazionale del Mobile together with the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition, returns - from 16th to 21st this year – at the Milan Fairgrounds at Rho with a huge range of exhibits.

Barack Obama wanted to be an architect when he was young. I always believed in him, and something just clicked even though I have never met him. Now I know we have one more thing in common. You might not be an architect, but you will be the next president of the USA. And that [...]

The Newseum is designed by Polshek Partnership Architects that features seven levels of galleries, theaters, retail spaces and visitor services. It will open on Friday, April 11, 2008. The building’s total area — including conference center, restaurant, offices and apartments — is 643,000 square feet.