GREAT LAKES AQUARIUM DISPLAYS FRESHWATER ECOLOGY

On the shore of Lake Michigan in Minnesota sits a public aquarium that is unusual in its focus on freshwater, not saltwater, habitat. Designed by the firms of Holt Hinshaw and Hammel, Green and Abrahamson, Inc., it also teaches about history and stewardship of the earth. In the words of HGA project designer Kara Hill: "We have created a facility that metaphorically represents the lake and its region." Next week we'll take an excursion through the immersive experience of the Lake Superior Center.

ACADIA REPORTS ON COMPUTER-AIDED ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION

At its annual meeting in October 2001, the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture brought together academics from all over the globe. These teachers and researchers from the faculties of architecture schools have been instrumental over the years in getting computers into classrooms and design studios. They have also been innovators in the application of technologies in educational and design processes. Next week B.J. Novitski will look at a few of the projects presented at the conference and report on the organization's 20-year retrospective.

WASHINGTON DC CELEBRATES ARCHITECTURE WEEK

Like many American Institute of Architects chapters, the Washington DC chapter had been planning for months for its annual, week-long celebration. Abruptly and brutally, their "Architecture Week" was canceled on the morning of its third day, September 11. In the shadow of the damaged Pentagon, local AIA members took time off to grieve their losses and to contribute their expertise to recovery efforts. When, a few weeks later, the celebration continued, it showed off, as planned, the best and brightest of Washington's architecture. Next week Hannah McCann will present some of the chapter's design award winners and take us on a walking tour of Logan Heights (pictured), a new urban housing development designed by diVISION ONE.