THE BIG EYE

Take Japan's famous bullet train to Kyushu Island and you'll find castles of the 14th century, thousand-year-old temples, and the hottest new architectural attraction: the Oita Stadium by Kisho Kurokawa, Hon. FAIA, Hon. FRIBA. Better known as the "Big Eye," the one-million-square foot (93,000-square-meter) stadium consists of fitness and training centers, half a dozen playing fields, and more. It is the biggest sport park in the region, with a retractable roof that can "blink" to adapt to conditions of use and weather. Next week Japanese correspondent Shigekazu Ohno will explain how the stadium operates and responds to different athletic events.

HISTORY OF INTERIOR DESIGN

Interior design is a field that runs the gamut from grand civic spaces to intimate vernacular domiciles. Its history for the past 6000 years is the story of the stage on which most human life experience is played out. "The study of interior design, its development and change through history is a useful way both to explore the past to make sense of the spaces in which modern life is lived." This according to John Pile, professor at the Pratt Institute and author of a new book that makes this exploration. Next week we'll take a look at some of his best examples.

FAITH & FORM AWARD WINNERS

Each year, Faith & Form magazine and the Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art, & Architecture recognize outstanding design from around the United States through the "Religious Art & Architecture Awards" program. This year’s winners reflect the wealth of activity in the design and construction of sacred spaces for well established faith traditions, as well as those from around the world just beginning to contribute to U.S. ethnic and cultural diversity. Next week Faith & Form editor, and ArchitectureWeek contributing editor Michael J. Crosbie will show us the variety of structures that delighted this years' awards jury.