RETAIL ON WHEELS

One of the wonderful things about a big city is how you can turn a corner in an old neighborhood and find a fresh idea. The new etnies showroom for skateboard footwear and apparel in the gallery haven of SoHo, New York takes an avant-garde approach to retail with custom display cases, an exhibit of skateboard history in the basement, and, of course, a functioning skateboard ramp on the roof. Next week, ArchitectureWeek contributing editor Michael J. Crosbie will explain this result of a collaboration between architects and skateboarders.

FREI OTTO PRAEMIUM IMPERIALE

In late September 2006, the Japan Art Association announced the five recipients of the 18th annual multidisciplinary Praemium Imperiale prize. The architecture prize for lifetime achievement went to German architect and engineer Frei Otto, best known for his research and execution of lightweight, high-performance tent structures. One of the best known example is the Olympic Games Tent in Munich, Germany (1972), which he designed with Gunter Behnisch. (Photo © Artifice Images.) Next week we'll look at more of Otto's work.