Open Architecture Network

Open Architecture Network | Helping communities sustainably improve living conditions through innovative design and construction.

A great big idea: architecture that actually considers people's real needs. This site describes hundreds of projects large and small going on all over the world. This is a fascinating place to explore what some of the world's most talented architects are doing.

Porchdog Project Biloxi MS

Here's just one project from Biloxi Missisippi. A disaster-proof house designed for this hurricane-prone area.

Many projects are from disaster areas like Haiti. Kits of vernacular materials and methods.

More Guastavino

Boston Public Library: Guastavino Inside

Another fabulous pictorial on Gaustavino vaulting in NYC. Dynamic panoramic views and a map of locations. This is why we love the NYT (and pay for a digital subscription)!

Curves of the City - Slide Show - NYTimes.com

Curves of the City - Slide Show - NYTimes.com

Guastavino Vaulting at Boston Public Library

Rafael Guastavino was a Spanish brickmason who developed a technique for building masonry vaulting that was based on medieval masonry methods. Many public buildings in Boston and New York have examples of his work. Here is a wonderful slide show from the NYT on some Guastavino arches in NYC.