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“Star Wars” Creator Donates Funding, Ideas for USC Film School
Filmmaker George Lucas has contributed $175 million to the University of Southern California (USC), his alma mater, to fund its new School of Cinematic Arts. The gift is the largest in the school's history and covers $100 million for an endowment and $75 million for construction. Dallas-based Urban Design Group, Inc. will design the 130,000-square-foot Mediterranean Revival complex—a design popularized in 1920s southern California. The project, which broke ground October 4, is being designed to meet Gold-level LEED® certification standards.

AIA Portland Honors a Bumper Crop of Design Excellence
AIA Portland (Ore.) presented their 50th annual design awards October 7 at a gala celebration in collaboration with the International Interior Design Association Oregon Chapter and the Industrial Design Society of America Oregon Chapter. With award recipients ranging from the rehabilitation of a local built landmark to a pair of residential projects built in Japan, the chapter recognized 15 projects.

Architects Are AbZOOlutely Fabulous
AbZOOlutely Chestnut Hill is bringing a variety of whimsical painted animals to the community’s streets and public spaces. Organizers say the exhibit is the first in the nation to feature numerous premier architecture firms, with 10 Philadelphia-area architects partnering with community businesses, social groups, and civic organizations for the public art exhibition. The animals will be auctioned off November 18. Proceeds will benefit the Philadelphia Zoo and local community organizations.