Category Archives: Architecture

Infinite Books

Posted on July 19, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

The Zhonghuge Bookstore in Yangzhou, China has been transformed by XL-Muse Architects into an inception-like space for bibliophiles. The illusion of infinite bookshelves is achieved with mirrors, lighting, and arched ceilings meant to reference local waterways.

Posted in Architecture, Asia, Books, Bookstore Tourism | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Be Here Now

Posted on June 25, 2017 by Brian D. Butler
Posted in Architecture, Books, Bookstore Tourism, USA | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Dublin Pubs Immortalized

Posted on June 14, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Heineken has commissioned the Dutch pottery company Royal Goedewaagen to create original beer taps for three Dublin pubs in the form of miniature models of each venue. Royal Goedewaagen created scaled models of The Stag’s Head on Dame Court, John Kehoe’s on South … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, Film, Restaurants, Tourism | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Gaudi : First and Last

Posted on June 2, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Any trip to Barcelona would be incomplete without visiting the astonishing buildings designed by the renowned architect Antoni Gaudí. Soon, for the first time, it will be possible to tour the first private residential building that was created by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Traveling Bookshop

Posted on May 31, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Although there is a long history of traveling regional bookmobiles, La Librairie Itinérante is a unique mobile bookstore and home. Stocked with 3,000 titles, this tiny house serves as both the owner’s home and business. The peripatetic bookshop visits small towns and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Support Venice

Posted on May 16, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Italian artist Lorenzo Quinn has created an enormous pair of hands emerging from the Grand Canal in Venice. The surreal installation, titled “Support”, was built to raise awareness about climate change and rising waters that threat Venice and cities worldwide. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Goodbye, Columbus

Posted on May 10, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

My experience of Christopher Columbus’ hometown of Genoa, Italy is tainted by the memories of a cold, windy and rainy autumn day and a night spent in a drafty, unheated pensione. I hopped a train the next morning and crossed … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, Film, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Temples of Knowledge

Posted on May 3, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

I first ran across the exceptional architectural photography of Ahmet Ertug earlier this year when I was at the Hermitage Museum store in Saint Petersburg. His book on the dazzling palace museum was extraordinary. Now he has released his latest … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Books, Europe, Libraries, Museums, Photography | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Gulliver’s Travels

Posted on May 2, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

From a distance, it looks as though a zeppelin has landed on the roof of Prague’s DOX Centre for Contemporary Art. On closer examination, it’s apparent that the airship is actually a clever architectural installation. Gulliver, named for Jonathan Swift’s iconic … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, Architecture, Art, Europe, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Every Library Is A Winner

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Every year, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Library Association (ALA) jointly recognize exceptional design in new library construction or renovation. Here are some of the marvelous winners of the 2017 Library Building Awards:

Posted in Architecture, Libraries, USA | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment