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A crack of natural terrain carves through the 16-story glass facade of One River North, (ORN), a new mixed-use development near the center of Denver, Colorado’s River North Art District (RiNo).

More than just an apartment building, One River North is a vertical landscape for its residents to wander as if hiking in the mountains. As residents traverse the building's canyon trail from the 6th to the 9th floor, they become immersed in curated environments inspired by Colorado’s foothill and canyon ecosystems, guided by the sounds of cascading water that is audible from the street below.

This innovative approach is in response to the environmental conditions of Denver, a city known for the rugged mountains and deep canyons that surround its urban area. Within the city, the River North Art District (RiNo) has recently experienced a remarkable transformation. Once an industrial hub, it has since evolved into a thriving center for creators, artists, and outdoor enthusiasts that together reinvigorate the creative and active culture of Colorado.

The building features 187 rental units spread across 15 floors, along with a 9,000-square-foot ground-floor retail space that seamlessly blends into the surrounding landscape and streetscape. Exterior materials and plantings flow into the interior, reinforcing the connection between indoors and outdoors.

The soft surfaces of the Canyon—a carved-out, four-story amenity space inspired by natural erosion and designed to evoke a slot canyon, were designed by MAD to contrast the clean geometric lines of the building’s massing. This feature includes over 13,000 square feet of landscaped terraces that appear to hang in open space, offering some of the city's most breathtaking views, along with water elements that foster a strong connection between residents and the natural environment.

The canyon-inspired amenity area includes outdoor seating, shared rooms, and fitness facilities, all designed to cultivate engagement and foster meaningful connections. The landscape has been thoughtfully curated with resilient plant species to ensure that, over time, the greenery will flourish, transforming the canyon-like feature into a lush, thriving environment that enhances the residents’ experience and contributes to the surrounding community.

The Canyon climbs across the building’s facades to culminate at a landscaped rooftop terrace 16 stories above street level. This alpine-inspired space features a pool, spa, and garden that provide unobstructed views of the Rocky Mountains and the Denver skyline

In the 1st century AD, Roman builders faced a massive challenge: transport fresh spring water 31 miles (50 km) across rugged terrain from Uzès to the growing city of Nîmes.

Their solution? The Pont du Gard.

Rising nearly 160 feet (49 m) above the Gardon River, this three-tiered masterpiece was assembled using massive cut limestone blocks—weighing up to 6 tons each—fitted together entirely without mortar. The precision required was unbelievable: over its entire 31-mile course, the aqueduct drops just 56 feet (17 m) in elevation, a gradient of roughly 1 inch for every 350 feet.

While most of the surrounding underground channels and smaller bridges crumbled over the centuries, the Pont du Gard stood firm. Its secret to survival wasn't just structural genius; it was adaptability. During the Middle Ages, local authorities recognized its strength and repurposed it as a vital toll bridge, ensuring it was maintained rather than harvested for stone.

Standing beneath these soaring arches today is a grounding experience. It’s a testament to what happens when human design prioritizes craftsmanship, proportion, and longevity over temporary convenience.

Completed in the 1240s for Louis IX, its upper chapel uses slender piers, concealed buttressing and nearly continuous stained glass to dissolve the walls into light. At the east end, the elevated tribune and Grande Châsse formed the architectural focus, housing the Crown of Thorns and other Passion relics.

The Monastery of Alcobaça in Portugal.

It is a prime example of Gothic and Cistercian architecture, renowned for its great sobriety and simplicity.

Construction began in the 12th century, characterized by soaring ribbed vaults and pale limestone walls.

The monastery was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its historical and architectural significance.

Completed in Budai, Taiwan, in 2016, the High-Heel Wedding Church was commissioned to commemorate women affected by the region’s historic Blackfoot disease epidemic, many of whom underwent amputations.

The structure rises to 17.76 m (58.3 ft) and is assembled from 320 blue glass panels and 1,269 steel elements. Despite its name, it is not a consecrated place of worship; it was designed primarily as a wedding venue and photography attraction.

Guinness World Records recognizes it as the largest building shaped like a shoe, measuring 25.16 m (82.5 ft) from heel to toe

Santiago Calatrava’s UAE Pavilion.

Following a rigorous seven-month international design competition, the National Media Council of the United Arab Emirates chose Santiago Calatrava’s bold proposal for the UAE Pavilion at the Dubai World Expo 2020. Set to sit at the heart of the nearly 500-acre exhibition area, the falcon-in-flight design was crafted to greet roughly 25 million global visitors expected throughout the event's six-month run.

Reflecting on the milestone selection, Calatrava expressed deep honor at the opportunity to lead a project of such national and global significance. He envisioned the final design as a symbol of the nation’s daring spirit, tailored specifically for what was poised to be the most inclusive and global Expo in history.

The decision marked the culmination of an intense process overseen by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company acting as the Expo's program manager. Nine of the world’s most celebrated architectural firms submitted a total of 11 concepts. Each submission was evaluated on how seamlessly it expressed the Expo's core theme—“Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”—while striking a delicate balance between the UAE’s rich heritage and its ambitious future.

When completed, the massive 15,000-square-meter (161,000-square-foot) structure was designed to house expansive exhibition spaces, an auditorium, food and beverage outlets, and exclusive VIP lounges, all engineered to satisfy strict LEED Platinum sustainable building standards.

For UAE leadership, the falcon motif carried profound historical weight. H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of the National Media Council, highlighted how the country's founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, had historically used falconry expeditions to unite tribes and build a distinct national identity. In Dr. Al Jaber's view, the pavilion's dynamic silhouette served as a modern symbol of connecting the UAE to the world, demonstrating how the global community could soar to new heights through partnership.

Marvel at the incredible, melting stone tapestry of the Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval, an eccentric architectural wonder hidden away in Hauterives, France. Handcrafted entirely by a single postman using stones, pebbles, and shells, its chaotic mythological carvings create a real-life fairytale facade. 

Redemption Hall, designed by Amin Moazzen, is imagined as a space for personal renewal and self-reflection. The project looks at how architecture can support emotional and mental well-being, creating an environment where people can reconnect with themselves and find a renewed sense of purpose.

The design presents a calm and reflective setting where individuals can pause, think, and reset their mindset before continuing their journey. It goes beyond being just a physical structure and instead offers an experience that encourages clarity, calmness, and inner growth.

Through this project, Moazzen continues to explore how thoughtful design can shape meaningful environments and new spatial experiences. Redemption Hall is intended to leave a lasting impression by offering a place that feels both uplifting and memorable, where a sense of renewal can be felt long after leaving.

I’ve been growing my hair out for about 6 years now. As much as I love having long hair, I find myself defaulting to quick topknots, low buns, or basic braids every single day for work just to keep it out of the way.

I’m looking to mix things up a bit, but I need styles that are:

• Protective / Low-Tension: Won't cause excessive breakage or pull on the scalp all day.
• Practical for Work: Keeps the length out of my face and off my desk.
• Quick & Low-Maintenance: Doesn't take 30+ minutes in the morning.

For those of you with waist-length hair or longer, what are your favorite go-to workday styles that aren't just a standard bun or braid? Claw clip updos, half-ups, low pony variations. I’d love to know what works for you! 💁‍♀️

The Big Sur Residence in Monterey County, California, designed by Richard Beard Architects, is a refined coastal home that emphasizes restraint and harmony with its dramatic natural setting.

Set on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the design carefully balances visibility and privacy—remaining discreet from the highway while opening fully to expansive ocean and landscape views. Its narrow two-story form minimizes site impact and creates a series of sheltered outdoor spaces that frame the surrounding environment. 

Architecturally, the residence blends influences from classic English country houses with modern California coastal design, using simple volumes and a restrained material palette. The interiors are warm and textured, featuring wood paneling, stone finishes, and curated art, while the landscape design restores the natural terrain with native vegetation, reinforcing a strong connection between architecture and site. 

In response to the proposed elevated railway bridge over 13th Street in San José, Costa Rica,  Leonardo Villalobos Bonilla developed a landscape and urban intervention aimed at revitalizing the residual space beneath the structure. The proposal reimagines this underutilized area as a dynamic public realm, encouraging community interaction and supporting urban renewal. The project was featured at the Costa Rica Architecture Biennial in 2020.

A clean and contemporary residential design by Suite Arquitetos, beautifully captured by Fran Parente in São Paulo. The project highlights a seamless blend of modern lines, natural light, and understated elegance.