CHICAGO REACHES FOR THE STARS

When the Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects announced its annual design awards, one of the top winners was the Starlight Theater by Studio Gang Architects (photo by Greg Murphey Studios Inc.). Central to the project’s design innovation is a kinetic roof that opens to the sky. Six steel-framed wood panels open helically to form a star-like pattern. Next week we'll look at this and Chicago's other top award recipients.

BUILDING GREEN IN FOREST AND DESERT

“Welcome to Portland, the city that gets it,” said U.S. Green Building Council president Rick Fedrizzi as he opened the 2004 Greenbuild International Conference. The Oregon city is currently home to the largest number of LEED-accredited projects in the United States. Nevertheless, the conferees welcomed the words and wisdom of Australian architect Glenn Murcutt, who draws inspiration from aboriginal environmentalism. Next week Brian Libby will report on the conference. (Oregon Convention Center photo by Strode Photographic LLC.)