Modernism: The Latest Architecture and News

On January 21, 1958, three women sat down as contestants for an episode of the popular television show "To Tell the Truth", a quiz game in which a panel tries to guess which of the three contestants is who they say they are by asking them a series of questions. The announcer reveals the true identity of the person is a registered architect, has so far designed a Hilton hotel, and is a married mother of four. Each of the women, dressed formally in pencil skirts and blouses, introduces themselves as Natalie De Blois. As the panelists reveal their lack of knowledge about architecture, only firing off questions about Frank Lloyd Wright, one asks "What is the name of the building that was torn down to build Union Carbide?" The real Natalie De Blois, at the time a senior designer at SOM, firmly answers, "Hotel Margery."

Architecture is one of the oldest recorded professions, dating back to ancient eras when builders designed historic huts and constructed some of the great wonders of the world. When we think about women who have been known as trailblazers of the industry, it's astonishing that we often talk about women who we may interact with in the workplace day to day, or who our mentors may have learned from. Natalie De Blois was a modern-day pioneer of women in the design workforce, and although her legacy began only seventy years ago, it has significantly changed the way that women can participate in the profession today.

In the mid-twentieth century, a set of South Asian countries collectively experienced a catharsis from colonizers' rule. The period that followed sparked an era of ideas and philosophies for a new future. During this time, architects were pivotal in creating modernist structures that defined the countries' post-colonial, post-partition and post-imperial identities. South Asian architects used design as an expression of hopeful societal visions, most of which have been actualized. With this success in nation-building, there has been a lack of accreditation for women architects in shaping South Asian histories. 

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Sotheby's has revealed that Pritzker Prize laureate Herzog & de Meuron will renovate the iconic modernist Breuer Building. The auction house has successfully acquired the building, situated on Madison Avenue, New York City, from the Whitney Museum. Previously, the Breuer building was home to the Whitney, later accommodating the Frick Collection and serving as a venue for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's modern and contemporary pieces. The renovation will include an upgraded sales room for Sotheby's, alongside new exhibition and dining areas. The project, developed together with PBDW Architects, is slated for completion by the fall of 2025.

To this day, Cairo has a vibrant history, rich architectural culture, and heritage, which, from an outside perspective, is still the vivid and leading representation of the city. But what is today's Cairo beyond the capital of Egypt, the Nile, the deserts, the bustling streets, the museums, and the archaeological sites and historic buildings? The city has experienced a rapid urban transformation over the past few decades, acquiring a remarkably different character from the one recent and older generations remember from their youth in the streets, neighborhoods, and buildings of the city.

Cairo represents a population growth of 4 million in the 1960s to over 20 million today, while its urban footprint expanded by approximately 400% since the 1960s. The built-up area represents nearly half the metropolitan region, with an annual urban growth rate of 2-4% - much higher than the approximate 1% growth rate typical in countries like Canada, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Sweden. Due to this rapid urbanization, agricultural land now constitutes less than 10% of the total area of Greater Cairo. The city is a constantly evolving mosaic of over 50 distinct neighborhoods, each embodying its own unique identity and demographic composition, contributing to Cairo's diverse urban fabric.

Thousands of years ago, a chain of volcanoes and hills formed a valley that became home to five lakes. According to indigenous mythology, this area served as a key reference point for the founding of the ancient Tenochtitlan, marked by the signal of an eagle perched on a cactus, devouring a snake. At the height of its splendor, the city was organized within an intricate system of causeways, many of which still serve as main thoroughfares, along with canals connecting the five water bodies. Over time, events such as colonization, independence, revolution, and modernization transformed its structure and name, leading to what is known today as Mexico City.

Roberto Burle Marx is often celebrated as a pioneering figure in landscape architecture, particularly for his innovative approach to integrating nature within urban environments. His work, characterized by a deep respect for native flora and a commitment to ecological balance, offers valuable lessons for contemporary landscape architects. At a time when climate change and biodiversity loss are pressing global concerns, revisiting Burle Marx's principles provides insight into creating urban spaces that are not only functional and aesthetically pleasing but also resilient and sustainable.

From the 1930s to the 1990s, Burle Marx's work anticipated many of today's concerns about sustainability and urban well-being. Long before terms like "sustainable design" or "green infrastructure" became commonplace, Burle Marx was already advocating for the use of native plants, recognizing their role in creating self-sustaining ecosystems that required minimal intervention. His projects often transformed neglected urban areas into vibrant, ecologically balanced spaces that not only improved the environment but also enhanced the quality of life for city dwellers.