The Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus by Elkus Manfredi Architects. Photography by Halkin Mason…
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A Cold War–Era Bunker Gets Reborn As a Children’s Institute
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center, which opened in 1909, became known as a medical treatment facility for American presidents. Located in northwest Washington, DC, the history-laden site even features a Cold War–era building designed to withstand nuclear blasts. Boston-based Elkus Manfredi Architects have overseen the renovation of this and other structures at the site, newly christened as the Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus. The largest structure, a brutalist building dating to 1953, was transformed to house the Children’s National Research Institute, with major modifications made to increase sunlight, update a Civil War–era medical ward and a theater, and installing a rooftop solar array. —Ryan Waddoups
Snøhetta has revealed a master plan to transform Willamette Falls in Oregon City, making the second-largest waterfall in the U.S. more accessible to the public. The plan features a riverwalk starting from the city’s historic downtown to the waterfall’s peak, designed as an immersive sequence of “islands” made from various materials, allowing visitors to experience the falls intimately. The project aims to rejuvenate Main Street as a gateway to the revitalized area, and includes the creation of natural habitats, public spaces, and a large plaza known as Public Yard, envisioned as Oregon City’s new civic center. Other firms like Mayer/Reed and DIALOG are also involved in the development, with Snøhetta spearheading the design.
Marc Jacobs Beauty is planning a revival after designer Marc Jacobs signed a licensing deal with Coty, according to CEO Sue Nabi. Coty has started working on a new Marc Jacobs prestige beauty line, expected to be ready in two to three years, adding to its portfolio alongside brands like Gucci, Burberry, and Kylie Cosmetics. The Marc Jacobs Beauty line was originally launched in 2013 by Kendo, LVMH, and Sephora’s beauty incubator, but was discontinued in 2021. Both Marc Jacobs and Coty expressed enthusiasm for the renewed partnership, emphasizing shared values and commitment to reviving the brand.
“A Recent Entrance to Paradise” (2018). Image courtesy of Ryan Abbott…
A U.S. federal judge has upheld the decision by the United States Copyright Office to reject a copyright application for an artwork created by AI, ruling the piece did not meet the agency’s human authorship requirement. The ruling was delivered by District Court Judge Beryl A. Howell in response to Stephen Thaler’s copyright registration request for a visual artwork created by his AI-powered “Creativity Machine.” Judge Howell argued that human authorship is a fundamental requirement of copyright and that copyright has never extended to protect works generated solely by technology without human guidance. The decision could have significant implications in the generative art space, reinforcing the stance that AI-generated works are not eligible for copyright protection unless there is evidence of creative input or intervention by a human author.
Tracey Emin has bought a derelict seafront building, the Westbrook Loggia, in Margate, with plans to transform it into a community hub that includes a bathers’ club, art studio, gym, and restaurant. Thanet District Council sold the building to Emin after a competitive tendering process. The artist, who grew up in Margate and recently established an art school there, aims to foster community engagement and sustainable development through the project. The building, finished in 1910 and originally known as the Westonville Bathing Pavilion, will continue to house the Thanet Lifeguard Club as a tenant.
The Langston Hughes House, the longtime residence of the influential Harlem Renaissance writer, has opened to the public as a historic house museum. Constructed in 1869, the house, located at 20 East 127th Street, was where Hughes worked for the last two decades of his life and has been a city landmark since 1981. The museum now showcases Hughes’s personal belongings, including typewriters, photos, and original articles, as well as shelves filled with his works. The house serves as a space for learning about his legacy, offering insight into his experiences as an African American man and his contributions to literature and culture.
