SLEEK MODERN PAPAL CENTER

The recently dedicated Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. is a crisp, sleek structure that restates some of the basic language of modern architecture in a fresh, new way.

Designed by the Washington office of Leo A Daly, the 100,000-square-foot (9300-square-meter) center houses artifacts from the Vatican, interactive exhibits exploring faith and culture, and an "interfaith think tank."

DESIGNS ON HIGH TOUCH HEALTHCARE

The Wasatch Mountains serve as a dramatic backdrop for the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah. The mountain theme is incorporated throughout the facility — from its curved parapets and sculptured stone fountain to the grassy park with tree-covered walking trails.

Inside, the facility hosts lush landscapes, floor-to-ceiling glass, and a soothing garden. In the lobby, a grand piano plays classical music. A concierge greets and assists visitors.

BERNARD MAYBECK: VISIONARY ARCHITECT

The ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement are now so enshrined that their originally avant-garde position in turn-of-the-century culture is easily forgotten. Enclaves of artists and artisans throughout the state of California felt the exhilaration of charting a fresh aesthetic course that touched life as well as art.

TO DESIGN AN ENDURING MUSEUM

When the doors open at the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C., people are already lined up, waiting to get in. This is because effective interpretive design motivates people to discover meaning. In a world where nearly everything is for sale, genuinely meaningful experiences are rare commodities. In fact, they are priceless.

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