Somewhere between the incessant roar of Pottermania and the sultry whisper of the soft summer night, magic is wafting in the air. And, thanks to some of your more fancifully inclined colleagues, we are pleased to convey a touch of summer magic to you. Welcome to the Fantasy Architecture episode of AIArchitect.

When we called for entries, we left the definition of “fantasy architecture” purposely vague. Some interpret it as fully buildable projects, just poised for the right time and client. At the gamut’s other end, some frame fantasy architecture as belonging to the outer depths of the ocean or the atmosphere. All share one trait: They begin life with a thought of “What if . . . ?”

The AIArchitect editors have chosen 10 projects for this issue. We present them in three categories:

• Out There houses three projects in space: one in the ocean, one in our space, and one for anywhere and everywhere.
• Down Here showcases the more realistic ilk, waiting to be built on the Earth’s surface.
• Here to There presents projects that offer connection between land masses, other buildings, and among cultures.
• (The fourth category, Back to Earth, offers an abbreviated look at our more typical news.)

Some of these projects can’t be built. Others shouldn’t be built. The quality of graphic presentation varies widely, as does the level of detail. Nonetheless, we chose these 10 from our submissions only because each offers at least one cool idea about architecture.

We hope you enjoy this issue and are eager to hear what you think. Please e-mail (sstubbs@aia.org) and tell us. Tell us also if you like the idea of theme issues for AIArchitect. If you have themes to suggest, that’s even better.

Hoping that the remainder of your summer is magical,

Stephanie Stubbs, Assoc. AIA
Managing Editor