The hottest Architecture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Book Review: From Bauhaus To Our House

Astral Codex Ten • 21542 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Architecture Design Modernism Cultural critique Art history
  1. Modern architecture started as a reaction against traditional styles and aimed to be functional and non-bourgeois, but many people ended up disliking it.
  2. Even though architects thought their designs were better for society, many real workers preferred the old styles and often complained about the new ones.
  3. The focus on modern architecture continued because top schools and institutions pushed it as the only acceptable style, ignoring the opinions of the general public.

Soothing the injured spirit of the Temple

Wrong Side of History • 284 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture History Art Architecture Heritage Travel
  1. The Elgin Marbles are a point of controversy, with many people in Greece wanting them returned. Recent talks suggest they could be loaned to Greece, potentially making this arrangement permanent.
  2. Public opinion in Britain is largely in favor of returning the Marbles, although not everyone feels strongly about it. The British Museum has a history of preserving important artifacts, which some believe justifies keeping the Marbles.
  3. Historically, Britain has been seen as a protector of global heritage through its museums. Many antiquities could have been lost without British efforts to preserve them, as demonstrated by the destruction of cultural sites in conflict zones.

TAO - Meta's Scalable architecture powering world's largest social graph

Engineering At Scale • 120 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Architecture Data Systems Engineering
  1. Meta created TAO to handle the huge amount of data and user interactions on its platform. This system helps generate personalized content for over 2 billion users very quickly.
  2. TAO uses a layered architecture that includes caching and data storage to improve performance. This design helps distribute the load and maintain fast responses even when many users are active.
  3. TAO prioritizes high availability over strict data consistency. This means it can sometimes show slightly out-of-date information, but it still works well for users, especially during busy times.

Making architecture easy

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 15 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🪑 Design Architecture Urban planning Aesthetics
  1. Architectural styles should prioritize ease of appreciation for the public, as buildings are experienced by many, not just their owners. This makes it important for styles to be friendly and accessible to everyone.
  2. There's a difference between 'easy' and 'challenging' styles in architecture. Easy styles are enjoyable without much effort, while challenging styles can be difficult to appreciate for most people.
  3. Modern architecture often tends to be less appealing to the general public, leading to a need for styles that blend traditional principles to ensure buildings fit well into everyday environments.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Ruins in Reverse

Kneeling Bus • 176 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media Art Society History Architecture
  1. Redbox kiosks were once popular but are now abandoned after the company's bankruptcy, marking a shift in media consumption. These kiosks symbolize a moment in time from when DVDs were still relevant.
  2. In today's disposable culture, we often ignore waste and discarded items, but abandoned Redbox kiosks visibly remind us of past failures and what we leave behind.
  3. Empty shopping spaces like dead malls and abandoned kiosks reflect a kind of 'creative destruction' in our environment. They serve as reminders of previous use and potential for future change.

"Don't talk to strangers" also applies to software development.

System Design Classroom • 499 implied HN points • 19 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Software Development System Design Programming Software Engineering Architecture
  1. Loose coupling is important in software. It means different parts of a program should depend on each other as little as possible, making it easier to change and fix things.
  2. The Law of Demeter suggests that objects should only talk to their direct friends and not reach out too far. This helps to keep dependencies low and makes code more manageable.
  3. Using strategies like the Single Responsibility Principle, interfaces, and dependency injection can improve your code's structure. This makes modules clear, easy to test, and maintain.

Queues offer more than orderly processing

System Design Classroom • 679 implied HN points • 02 Jul 24
🕹 Technology System Design Architecture Microservices Distributed Systems Scalability
  1. Queues help different parts of a system work independently. This means you can change one part without affecting the others, making updates easier.
  2. They improve a system's ability to handle more users at once. You can add more servers to take in requests without needing to instantly boost how fast they are processed.
  3. Queues also keep things running smoothly during busy times. They act like a waiting area, holding tasks so no work gets lost even if things get too hectic.

A love letter to the BT Tower

Striking 13 • 2156 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Architecture Cities History
  1. The BT Tower's unique design makes it stand out in the cityscape, looking both old and modern, corporate yet eccentric.
  2. Skyscrapers often focus on luxury for the rich, but the BT Tower values its impact on the city landscape and the privilege of seeing it from below.
  3. Cities like London evolve rapidly, but iconic structures like the BT Tower provide a sense of continuity and rootedness in the midst of constant change.

"Cache me" if you can!

System Design Classroom • 659 implied HN points • 01 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Software Systems Data Engineering Architecture
  1. The type of caching strategy you choose depends on your read and write ratios. If you read a lot, caching is very helpful, but if you write often, you need a more complex approach.
  2. Data consistency is crucial for some applications. Using methods like Write-Through helps keep data in cache and databases aligned, while other methods, like Write-Behind, prioritize speed over immediate consistency.
  3. To see if your caching is effective, you should track metrics like how many times data is successfully retrieved from the cache versus not retrieved. This will help you understand how well your caching is working.

Less hustle, more life

City Quitters • 559 implied HN points • 17 May 24
🎭️ Culture Lifestyle Architecture Sustainability Personal Development
  1. Choosing a simpler life in the countryside can bring a sense of peace and community. People can feel more connected to their surroundings and the locals, which helps foster friendships.
  2. Building smaller homes that focus on essentials allows for a more sustainable lifestyle. It promotes less clutter and encourages a focus on what truly matters.
  3. Taking time to make thoughtful decisions in life and work can lead to better outcomes. A slower pace allows for deeper consideration and reduces stress from constant hustle.

"You need to grasp the nettle"

City Quitters • 379 implied HN points • 14 Jun 24
🪑 Design Architecture Sustainability Community Education Innovation
  1. It's important to focus on community spaces in rural areas. Smaller projects can have a bigger positive impact on people's lives.
  2. Designing with local resources fosters a sense of identity and connection. Using nearby materials can be more sustainable and supportive of the local economy.
  3. Embracing imagination and being open to new ideas can lead to great changes. Beauty exists not just in design but in the relationships and systems we build.

🧠 Knowledge Series #20: Headless architecture explained

Department of Product • 1434 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Architecture Migration Benefits Examples
  1. Headless architecture separates the front-end from the back-end of a website, allowing for flexibility and customization.
  2. Choosing a headless solution means back-end dictates how the website functions while front-end appearance is independent.
  3. Headless solutions offer flexibility to customize the front-end and back-end separately, providing more control over the website's presentation.

Ely Cathedral and the beauty of progress.

The Common Reader • 1098 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Architecture History Progress Beauty
  1. Ely Cathedral showcases the evolution of architectural progress from Romanesque to Gothic styles.
  2. The transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture highlights the significant engineering improvements that allowed for artistic advancements.
  3. The beauty and grandeur of Gothic architecture in Ely Cathedral represent a high point in Western architectural history.

The A.W.N Pugin Edition

Why is this interesting? • 784 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Architecture
  1. Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin was a significant figure in the Gothic Revival movement, known for his diverse design portfolio from churches to furniture.
  2. Pugin's conversion to Catholicism influenced his strong belief in Gothic architecture as a spiritual style that could restore order and morality to society.
  3. The collaboration between Pugin and Charles Barry on the Houses of Parliament exemplifies the power of Gothic design to inspire and uplift a society, leaving a lasting impact on London's architecture.

Is the Savoy *Really* the Only Place you Must Drive on the Right?

Londonist: Time Machine • 199 implied HN points • 31 May 24
🎭️ Culture History Architecture Geography Travel
  1. Savoy Court in London is not the only place where you must drive on the right; there are other examples like bus stations, car parks, and public roads with reversed layouts.
  2. The Savoy Court's unique right-hand drive rule was established in 1902, but similar scenarios can be found elsewhere, challenging its exclusivity.
  3. Examples exist of public roads with unconventional driving directions, such as the Tottenham Hale gyratory system and minor roads like the one in Twickenham.

Festooning Ferns

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 399 implied HN points • 28 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Nature History Literature Architecture Botany
  1. The Stone Bridge, built in the 1930s, is a beautiful example of WPA architecture that blends with the natural landscape. It's made from local sandstone and has striking arches that enhance its charm.
  2. Licorice ferns are unique plants that grow on trees and bridges, adding to the natural beauty around us. They were also used by Indigenous peoples for their sweet flavor and medicinal properties.
  3. In the Pacific Northwest, many plants thrive in the moist climate, often found decorating trees and structures. This shows how nature can adapt and flourish in urban settings.

Are skyscrapers bad for Manchester?

The Mill • 707 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Architecture Community Events Art Reading
  1. The debate on Manchester's rapidly expanding skyline raises concerns about skyscrapers' impact.
  2. Manchester's skyline has seen a proliferation of glass towers, with 27 built since 2018 and 70 more in the pipeline.
  3. There is a divide in perspectives on skyscrapers, with some seeing them as progress while others view them as crowding out heritage and creating unaffordable housing.

The Monday Media Diet with Kelsey Keith

Why is this interesting? • 603 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Media Books Podcasts Fashion Architecture
  1. Kelsey Keith, brand creative director for Herman Miller, describes her varied background in editing design and architecture publications.
  2. Her media diet includes a mix of work-related and personal interest subscriptions like AD Pro, New Yorker, and Bloomberg Business Week.
  3. She recommends lesser-known writers like Stephanie Madewell and Fred Nicolaus, and praises the app Libby for library downloads on Kindle.

Build Software Like a Home

Tech Ramblings • 39 implied HN points • 11 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Software Development System Design Architecture Project management Engineering Practices
  1. Designing software is like laying the foundation of a house. A good structure makes it easier to build and change things later.
  2. Planning your work is crucial. Just like you wouldn't install plumbing before your walls are up, you shouldn't write code before having a solid plan.
  3. Create a clear process to develop your software. Start with architecture, build the basics, and then refine. This helps you deliver updates quickly and efficiently.

Southwark's Forgotten Royal Palace

Londonist: Time Machine • 419 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
💾 History Architecture
  1. There is a piece about Southwark's forgotten royal palace called Suffolk Place in Londonist's newsletter by Dr Elizabeth Norton and Tudor Places magazine.
  2. Londonist's regular writer, Matt Brown, took a break from the newsletter for a week to spend some time with his kids.
  3. Readers can subscribe to Londonist's Time Machine for a 7-day free trial to access the full post archives.

Climbing London's Least Historic Hill

Londonist: Time Machine • 319 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
🏝 Travel Landmarks History Exploration Nature Architecture
  1. London's least historic hill, Stave Hill, was created in 1984 and stands as a modern mound in Rotherhithe, made from old docklands debris within a nature reserve.
  2. The area where Stave Hill now stands was previously occupied by Surrey Commercial Docks, known for handling timber imports, hence the hill's name reflecting the connection to staves used in barrels.
  3. Despite lacking a historical background, Stave Hill has a unique origin story rooted in the transformation of the industrial landscape of Rotherhithe from the 1970s.

'What is associated with Deansgate Square is, well, pretty people'

The Mill • 884 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Society Urban living Architecture Community Identity
  1. Deansgate Square luxury apartments attract a mix of residents, including working professionals, families, footballers, and influencers.
  2. Residents of Deansgate Square describe a lack of community and a divide between working professionals and influencers/footballers.
  3. There is a perception of a certain expectation of how Deansgate Square residents should look, often associated with being 'pretty people.'

ART: Frank Lloyd Wright

So Here’s a Thing • 845 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Architecture
  1. The beauty of Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural renderings is in their ability to evoke a sense of imagination and parallel reality, resonating with individuals on different levels.
  2. Ongoing projects are creating 3D renderings of Wright's lost or never-built structures, showcasing the architect's visionary designs in a new light.
  3. Wright's work emphasizes the integration of architecture with the surrounding landscape, a concept evident in both his original drawings and modern AI-generated interpretations.

Understanding Space Based Architecture for efficient Data Processing[System Design Sundays]

Technology Made Simple • 379 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Data processing System Design AI Architecture Edge Computing
  1. Space-Based Architecture (SBA) distributes processing and storage across multiple servers, enhancing scalability and performance by leveraging in-memory data grids.
  2. The components of SBA include Processing Units (PU) for executing business logic, Virtualized Middleware for managing shared infrastructure, and data pumps for data marshaling.
  3. SBA offers benefits such as scalability, fault tolerance, and low-latency data access, but comes with challenges like complexity in design, debugging, and data security.

Why do London's Victorian Roads Feel a Bit... Off?

Londonist: Time Machine • 159 implied HN points • 10 May 24
🎭️ Culture History Architecture Society Heritage Events
  1. Victorian roads in London can feel 'off' because they were built with little regard for existing neighborhoods, often displacing poor residents to create straight through-routes.
  2. 19th-century streets in London were named after monarchs and were designed to flatten slums, resulting in the eradication of historic street plans and poorer communities.
  3. The Victorian approach to road-building in London prioritized efficiency and traffic flow, leading to the destruction of organic streetscapes that had developed over centuries.

Make London even greater

Wrong Side of History • 479 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🏝 Travel City Planning Public Transportation Urban Design Architecture
  1. Priority should be given to building more homes in London through ideas like estate regeneration and deregulation of the housing market.
  2. Improving London's aesthetics by creating more open squares and rethinking the design of buildings and infrastructure.
  3. Enhancing transportation in London by expanding the railway system with projects like Crossrail and implementing measures to reduce car dependency and improve cycling infrastructure.

The Great Escapism

In Bed With Social • 455 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Escapism Architecture Digital Art Fashion Visual storytelling
  1. Escapism serves as both a flight and a quest in different realms like cycling, architecture, and literature.
  2. Digital escapism reconfigures our interaction with the online world by introducing the concept of 'pulse' - a natural form of interaction.
  3. Future personal assistants may evolve to prioritize our attention based on the concept of 'pulse,' respecting our fundamental human needs.

"Life on This Earth in the Year A.D. 2000"

Londonist: Time Machine • 179 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
💾 History London Transport Competition Events Architecture
  1. In 1954, there was a competition predicting life in the year 2000, with a focus on London's transport future.
  2. The competition attracted a diverse group of participants from various backgrounds and regions around the world.
  3. Transportation was the most popular topic in the competition, with the winning proposals envisioning rooftop roadways for London in 2000.

The soul of a house

Disaffected Newsletter • 1019 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Art Architecture Literature History Personal narratives
  1. Houses have a character or 'soul' that reflects the good or bad experiences that happen within them. Some houses feel welcoming while others seem cold or forbidding.
  2. Moving frequently and facing hardships can leave emotional scars, making the idea of a true home feel elusive. Finding a place that feels secure and safe can be a crucial part of childhood.
  3. Houses can evoke strong memories and dreams, even after many years. They remain important in our lives, often representing our desires for stability and belonging.

Paris Reinvented: A 15-Minute City's Journey to Urban Sustainability

The Planet • 373 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🏝 Travel Sustainability Urban planning Culture Architecture
  1. Paris has made significant progress in becoming a green and sustainable city.
  2. Paris is evolving into a 15-minute city where residents can easily access various amenities within a short distance.
  3. The concept of a 15-minute city prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists over cars, which differs from traditional American urban design.