This month's Toronto Life pans the renovations taking place at Union station. This is not saying that the periodical has an informed opinion but rather that simple things are misunderstood by the appointed decision makers. Building a large glass roof and then hurrying people underground is really an '80's mega mall' move. I think Sewell makes an interesting comment for the sake of appreciating our buildings and not soo much in terms of what is ugly and beautiful.

In a recent article by Don Gillmor we are given a glimpse into the workings of the Russian Architectural (S)election. He let's us know how a local firm had an international project handed to them. The results leave one disillusioned about so-called public architecture and aesthetic. The original details were vague but it is now understood that the new opera house was not really won in an international competition as much as friendly coup. The original winner Eric Owen Moss was fired. The following international competition was awarded to Dominique Perrault. Once the latter was fired, it left the door open to friends with friends to posture over the remains in a sort of claim for the Arctic style. Congratulations to the local firm that obtained the project from conductor Gergiev however, is this really Architecture & Red Tape or just Building & Bolshevik?