Loving: Round Barns

My mom and I drove from Rockford to Oregon, Illinois yesterday. It's been wet the past few days so although we're in Fall and technically everything is dying, the world was spectacularly green and lush. The drive is really lovely - tree lined roads, the river in all of its swollen majesty and some really gorgeous old buildings. Especially the barns. I'm particularly attracted to round barns. Something about them is so whimsical and charming don't you think? It's the circle - circles are definitely the friendliest shape. I've collected some round barns for you -have you ever seen one of these in person? Even the broken down ones are glorious.

images from: westby // ohio barns // gwen gutwein

Office Space: Urban Outfitters Headquarters

Don't you just love a thoughtful and well-executed adaptive reuse? For as long as I can remember I've loved old buildings and have valued their preservation so I was so excited when I saw this Urban Outfitters project. The Philadelphia based company moved their 600+ employees from their five or so buildings in downtown Philly to a no-longer-used and newly renovated Navy yard. The campus is stunning as is the interior of the huge buildings. I'd love to work in such a lovely (and environmentally friendly) building. Read more about the design, and watch a video on the process, here.


images from archdaily with photographs by lara swimmer and designed by ms + r architects