“Shape of America” Web Site Salutes the Cadet Chapel

On August 25, Walter Netsch’s beloved U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel in Colorado Springs, Colo., joined the AIA’s Shape of America project—a series of Web-based short films showcasing a selection of the 150 structures chosen by the public as America’s Favorite Architecture. Designed to expand public dialogue about architecture and how it affects our lives, the site features AIA architects sharing insight and personal anecdotes about architectural masterworks, in turn encouraging public discussion of the buildings using interactive features such as how to vote for the next buildings to be highlighted, architectural blogs, a system to rate the films, and an RSS feature alerting viewers when the site is updated with new material. The Cadet Chapel, an AIA Twenty-five Year Award winner, joins the Philips Exeter Library (launched August 11), Empire State Building, Houston’s Pennzoil Place, Fenway Park, and the Hearst Castle—with new arrivals anticipated every two weeks. Visit ShapeofAmerica.org to see these videos for yourself. And after viewing, please consider continuing the conversation by forwarding to your friends, colleagues, and your clients—or start blogging! (Photo © Dave G. House/Corbis.)