Staying Inspired: Art’s Role in Creativity and Design
JT, Chieh-Ting Chuang
Walking into a bustling café or a lively neighborhood park, you immediately sense a shared energy—people chatting, exchanging ideas, or simply enjoying each other’s presence. These spaces serve as an extension of our lives beyond home and work. Urban sociologist and professor Ray Oldenburg personally observed community life in cities such as San Jose, Stockholm, and Osaka while developing the original concept of the “third place.” This idea describes social spaces beyond home (the first place) and work (the second place) where people gather, connect, and experience a sense of belonging. These informal environments foster community, creativity, and mutual support. Yet in many cities, they are becoming increasingly rare.
Aryana Leland
In the short time that Antoni Gaudí had to devote his life’s work to Sagrada Família, he undoubtedly earned himself a place in the architectural canon. Despite meeting God via public transit, Gaudí could not have predicted that a viewer’s first impression of the church might be emerging from a dark Metro station, squinting at Google Maps in front of the Passion Façade. Today, the neighborhood surrounding Basilica de la Sagrada Família is entirely obsessed with Antoni Gaudí, lined with shops like “Sweet Gaudí” and “Gaudí Shopping.” In its century-long construction phase, it seems that Sagrada Família has had two distinct lives: one under the watchful eye of Gaudí, and one with the city of Barcelona.
Aryana Leland
In October 2022, Frida Escobedo gave the first of a series of talks on “Designing Tomorrow’s Met” in New York. At the museum, her studio had recently won the commission to design the Oscar L.Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing for Modern and Contemporary Art. With a practice based in Mexico City, Escobedo’s first lecture gave patrons a glimpse into her design process. Earlier this year, Escobedo’s vision for the Tang Wing was unveiled, expertly navigating the museum’s stakeholders, a challenging set of existing conditions, and its users
Some new faces and new goals - get to know our incoming 2025-2026 AWA+D Executive Board through a Q+A, and what to look forward to!
Aryana Leland
Ashley Morales and I had the immense privilege of sitting down with two (very) busy third-year architecture students in the middle of a deadline, Aleena Hussain and Elizabeth Mayen. As we chatted, Aleena and Ellie joined us with the telltale signs of studio chaos happening in the background - models in different states of completion, bleary eyed students passing by, lots of coffee. They are in the middle of their tower project - a grueling hazing ritual that Ashley and I remember well - and we are lucky to be meeting with them during daylight hours.
While balancing their studio work, Aleena and Ellie are the Cofounders of an ambitious, promising new venture at Cal Poly Pomona: Stable Magazine.
