I have yet to catch an episode of Sundance's Iconoclasts series, which pairs celebrities or leading innovators from two different industries to chat about their passions and creative processes. But, after seeing some clips of season four, which couples long-time environmental advocate Cameron Diaz and Architecture for Humanity cofounder Cameron Sinclair, I think I've been wooed. This season, the series follows the two to New Orleans and Biloxi, MS, to take in the environmental impact of Hurricane Katrina.
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This unusually shaped (and situated!) building in New Zealand will someday function as a treehouse restaurant. While it's still under construction, and halfway across the world, I'd love to check out this place in person, wouldn't you? The design for the restaurant was inspired by something in nature that shares a similar shape. 
When the owners of this New Zealand home asked architecture firm Pacific Environments to renovate it, the firm created a stunning, minimalist vision for the 40-year-old house. Taking advantage of shipping rigging, stainless steel tubing, metallic finishes, and diagonal lines, the house has been transformed from its prior incarnation. To get the tour, check out the slideshow. 
My sister, who's been drawing blueprints in one form or another since we were little kids, is currently finishing her second year of grad school at the architecture department at UC Berkeley. Since she spends about 18 hours a day in the studio as it is (I'm not even coming close to exaggerating), she probably doesn't want to spend her few free hours browsing through architecture books, at least during the semester. However, once the holiday break kicks in, I'm pretty sure that she'll be curled up on a sofa with a more recreational, picture-heavy architecture book in her hands. 
My architect friend who grew up in Florida and now lives in Los Angeles refuses to draw coat closets (or front hall closets) into his plans, because he swears no one wears a coat in those warm climates. While Floridians may not be in the habit of sporting hefty wool coats, I think even a narrow closet should be a requisite for every home. It's simply good manners to offer your guests a place to stow their gear — even if it's just a light cotton blazer. 
In this Tuscan farmhouse, the architect designed the bathroom like a lounge, blending styles and eras as you might a living room. The old clawfoot tub is centered in front of the window for a relaxing view, and there's little else, aside from a tall cabinet shelving essentials and an armchair, to clutter up the space. While the blue walls and tub, terracotta tiles, and rustic copper faucet certainly create a beautiful palette, it's not the style or color of the room that attracts me — it's the size. 
Interested in getting the lowdown about green architecture? Then I suggest you read the Newsweek article, "
A famous 20th century architect, known for promoting organic architecture, designed this house, the William Ross House, which is up for sale in Illinois. Can you name the architect?
Tonight at 8 p.m. (CDT), the Sundance channel will premiere an original six-part documentary series, Architecture School, which follows a group of students from Tulane University's prestigious School of Architecture as they compete for the chance to design an affordable home in Katrina-devastated 
