architecture

Pampulha: Oscar Niemeyer’s Early Masterpiece
Story & photos by Paul Clemence The visionary work of the late Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer is today a major draw for Brazil’s visitors, with hordes of archi-tourism afficionados from all over the world flocking there to check out his unique take on Modernism. Given how prolific his career was

Mexico City Goes Contemporary
By Paul Clemence Mexico City’s ancient history and its rich cultural heritage, from the Aztec empire to the Spanish occupation, have made the sprawling capital a major destination for history and anthropology-inclined travelers. Not surprisingly, the city counts 3 Unesco World Heritage Sites. But in recent years, as the city

5 Things You Must Do In Melbourne
By Everett Potter Melbourne may be Australia’s second city, but it’s charming, with a trove of architectural treasures and deep cultural roots. As one local wag told me, “Sydney’s the movie, Melbourne’s the book.” By all means, hop on and off the free City Circle Tram, and visit the National

Hidden in Plain Sight: An Alternative Vision of American History in Washington D.C.
Story by K. Mitchell Snow Photos by Paul Clemence Everyone knows what Washington, DC is supposed to look like: the Capitol, the Supreme Court, the White House and the monuments to Jefferson and Lincoln all proclaim US democracy’s debt to ancient Greece. More contemporary ideas about a truly inclusive democracy

Upstate New York Architecture Safari
Story & photos by Paul Clemence The pandemic travel restrictions mean that it’s a great opportunity to explore new and creative ways to go sightseeing. Road trips are a safe and fun choice. Taking a drive Upstate New York, for example, one can indulge in a wonderful architectural tour

Brasilia at 60: A Visit to the Brasilia Palace Hotel
Story & photos by Paul Clemence This week, Brasília, the modernistic capital of Brazil, celebrates its 60th anniversary. The city is the result of a dream by three very ambitious men: Juscelino Kubitchek, then the country’s president, Lucio Costa, the urbanist, and Oscar Niemeyer, the architect. Today, while some of

Strolling Shanghai’s Bund (Part 2)
By Monique Burns Strolling along the Huangpu River, through the venerable district known as the Bund, is one of the great pleasures of visiting Shanghai, China’s dazzling coastal metropolis. Not only do the Bund’s ornate 19th and early 20th-century buildings form a stunning visual tableau, but they offer fascinating insights

Strolling Shanghai’s Bund
By Monique Burns In Shanghai, China’s futuristic metropolis midway between Hong Kong and Beijing, stroll the Huangpu River promenade and marvel at supertall skyscrapers like the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Center, and the Shanghai Tower, the world’s second-highest. Then turn your gaze toward the west bank and