February 23, 2007
  A Walk through History—San Antonio’s River Walk
The San Antonio River Walk, also known as El Paseo del Rio, forms a three-mile winding loop along the San Antonio River lined with walkways, green space, shops and restaurants, bridges, and access to major tourist attractions, such as nearby Alamo Plaza. The River Walk is one street level beneath downtown San Antonio and has many access stairs, ramps, and elevators. The San Antonio River Walk attracts five million visitors each year. While the river is only about 25 to 40 feet wide and about 4 feet deep, there are many attractions, replete with Venice-style boats floating down the River Walk. The heart of River Walk is the original Great Bend channel, shaped like a sideways horseshoe.

Sir Ken Robinson Addresses the Intelligence of Being Creative at Grassroots 2007
Robinson espouses creativity as applied imagination; advises asking “What If?”
Can architects learn creativity? Sir Ken Robinson, expert on creativity in education and business, says yes. Robinson led a U.K. initiative called “The Arts in Schools Project” from 1985–’89, and in 1998 was appointed by the British government to chair England’s National Advisory Committee on Creative and Cultural Education. At Grassroots 2007, Robinson told AIA members that he believes creativity is applied imagination, which in turn can be applied to innovative and intelligent architecture.

best practices
Raiders of the Lost Art: The Vanished Treasures of Architecture
These past few years have challenged our profession, acknowledge risk management gurus Grant A. Simpson, FAIA, and James B. Atkins, FAIA. We have experienced a surge in work like never before. It has tested our resources, and it has had a catalytic effect on the way we practice and view what we do professionally. In this article, the latest in their series, they “succumb to the urge” to take a look both back and forward at the wonder and promise of our profession and the ensuing changes over the years.

 

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Welcome to the Practice Zone
This is the home of the weekly Best Practices column, news of tips and tools that you can use in your day-to-day practice and case studies illustrating “how-tos” and “lessons learned” for all stages of practice. The Practice Zone also features reports of research in architecture and related fields.