Christopher Hawthorne
@hawthorne.bsky.social
Architecture critic. Proprietor, Punch List Architecture Newsletter (punchlistmag.com). Faculty Architecture and English @Yale. Prev. Chief Design Officer, City of Los Angeles; architecture critic, Los Angeles Times
Reposted by Christopher Hawthorne
‘There has been a meaningful price to pay—a preservationist’s premium, let’s call it—for the switch from museum to auction-house headquarters.’
"In short, Breuer’s tough, elegant, and idiosyncratic building ... is now suffering the indignity of being treated like just another warehouse holding a high-end art fair."
A proper review of Sotheby's at the Breuer by @hawthorne.bsky.social #architecture
www.punchlistmag.com/p/at-the-old...
A proper review of Sotheby's at the Breuer by @hawthorne.bsky.social #architecture
www.punchlistmag.com/p/at-the-old...
At the old Whitney, a Pyrrhic preservation victory
Marcel Breuer's Brutalist
www.punchlistmag.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:06 PM
‘There has been a meaningful price to pay—a preservationist’s premium, let’s call it—for the switch from museum to auction-house headquarters.’
Reposted by Christopher Hawthorne
"In short, Breuer’s tough, elegant, and idiosyncratic building ... is now suffering the indignity of being treated like just another warehouse holding a high-end art fair."
A proper review of Sotheby's at the Breuer by @hawthorne.bsky.social #architecture
www.punchlistmag.com/p/at-the-old...
A proper review of Sotheby's at the Breuer by @hawthorne.bsky.social #architecture
www.punchlistmag.com/p/at-the-old...
At the old Whitney, a Pyrrhic preservation victory
Marcel Breuer's Brutalist
www.punchlistmag.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:23 PM
"In short, Breuer’s tough, elegant, and idiosyncratic building ... is now suffering the indignity of being treated like just another warehouse holding a high-end art fair."
A proper review of Sotheby's at the Breuer by @hawthorne.bsky.social #architecture
www.punchlistmag.com/p/at-the-old...
A proper review of Sotheby's at the Breuer by @hawthorne.bsky.social #architecture
www.punchlistmag.com/p/at-the-old...
Reposted by Christopher Hawthorne
MY LATEST @latimes.com FRONT-PAGER: In Chicago, residents mount a community-wide defense against Trump's deportation machine. Share, porfas!
Commentary: In Chicago, residents mount a community-wide defense against Trump's deportation machine
Over the past two months, ICE has swept throughout Chicago but has swung its hammer with gusto on Little Village, considered the Mexican heart of the city.
www.latimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:57 PM
MY LATEST @latimes.com FRONT-PAGER: In Chicago, residents mount a community-wide defense against Trump's deportation machine. Share, porfas!
Reposted by Christopher Hawthorne
“The suburban apathy that has kept too many Southern Californians on the sidelines as immigration agents sweep into our cities was nowhere to be felt in Little Village…The intensity of their pushback was more concentrated, raw and widespread than almost anything I’ve seen back home.”
MY LATEST @latimes.com FRONT-PAGER: In Chicago, residents mount a community-wide defense against Trump's deportation machine. Share, porfas!
Commentary: In Chicago, residents mount a community-wide defense against Trump's deportation machine
Over the past two months, ICE has swept throughout Chicago but has swung its hammer with gusto on Little Village, considered the Mexican heart of the city.
www.latimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:34 PM
“The suburban apathy that has kept too many Southern Californians on the sidelines as immigration agents sweep into our cities was nowhere to be felt in Little Village…The intensity of their pushback was more concentrated, raw and widespread than almost anything I’ve seen back home.”
Reposted by Christopher Hawthorne
This NYT story about how Mamdani dealt with the opposition by the city's elites fails to mention one particular elite institution: The NYT editorial page, which last June railed against him as "uniquely unsuited to the city’s challenges... lacks political savvy"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/n...
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www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/n...
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How Zohran Mamdani Beat Back New York’s Elite and Was Elected Mayor
www.nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:16 PM
This NYT story about how Mamdani dealt with the opposition by the city's elites fails to mention one particular elite institution: The NYT editorial page, which last June railed against him as "uniquely unsuited to the city’s challenges... lacks political savvy"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/n...
1/
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/n...
1/
Reposted by Christopher Hawthorne
Sam Altman went from “AI will cure cancer" to "ChatGPT porn" in less than a month
October 14, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Sam Altman went from “AI will cure cancer" to "ChatGPT porn" in less than a month
Reposted by Christopher Hawthorne
Please nobody tell professional writer praising professional journalists Caitlin Flanagan what "out of whole cloth" means
October 12, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Please nobody tell professional writer praising professional journalists Caitlin Flanagan what "out of whole cloth" means
Reposted by Christopher Hawthorne
New: Bari Weiss booked Hillary Clinton, Mike Pompeo, and Antony Blinken for a roundtable on Gaza, her first major move at CBS.
Notably on a CBS call today in which the panel was floated, one producer also repeatedly emphasized the need to hear from Palestinians in Gaza (Weiss did not respond).
Notably on a CBS call today in which the panel was floated, one producer also repeatedly emphasized the need to hear from Palestinians in Gaza (Weiss did not respond).
October 9, 2025 at 10:16 PM
New: Bari Weiss booked Hillary Clinton, Mike Pompeo, and Antony Blinken for a roundtable on Gaza, her first major move at CBS.
Notably on a CBS call today in which the panel was floated, one producer also repeatedly emphasized the need to hear from Palestinians in Gaza (Weiss did not respond).
Notably on a CBS call today in which the panel was floated, one producer also repeatedly emphasized the need to hear from Palestinians in Gaza (Weiss did not respond).
Reposted by Christopher Hawthorne
Being a podcaster costs $40 for a decent mic and $18 per month for hosting. The hard part is having something interesting to say. Get a degree in that!
October 4, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Being a podcaster costs $40 for a decent mic and $18 per month for hosting. The hard part is having something interesting to say. Get a degree in that!
it gets tiresome to keep repeating this but can you IMAGINE the indignant states-rights hue and cry had biden or obama sent federal troops to idaho or mississippi??
There is war in Portland?
Trump says he’s authorized Hegseth to use “Full Force” against Antifa in “War ravaged” Portland
September 27, 2025 at 3:04 PM
it gets tiresome to keep repeating this but can you IMAGINE the indignant states-rights hue and cry had biden or obama sent federal troops to idaho or mississippi??
Reposted by Christopher Hawthorne
Breaking: Jimmy Kimmel to return Tuesday.
September 22, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Breaking: Jimmy Kimmel to return Tuesday.
Reposted by Christopher Hawthorne
Xltn conversation btw @hawthorne.bsky.social + Aaron Cayer abt Cayer's 📘 on AECOM, a huge, faceless, ethically ?-able conglomerate that designs electrical grids, military bases, highways, airports; they discuss why it's imptnt to study such work + methods for doing so amidst gov't + corp secrecy
The architectural-imperial complex
A conversation with Aaron Cayer about how AECOM rose from humble SoCal roots to become a powerful, secretive player in global politics
www.punchlistmag.com
September 19, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Xltn conversation btw @hawthorne.bsky.social + Aaron Cayer abt Cayer's 📘 on AECOM, a huge, faceless, ethically ?-able conglomerate that designs electrical grids, military bases, highways, airports; they discuss why it's imptnt to study such work + methods for doing so amidst gov't + corp secrecy
thanks henry!
enjoyed this reflection from @hawthorne.bsky.social punchlistmag.com/p/shockingly-enough-the-world-trade-center-site-is-turning-out-ok
Surprisingly enough, the World Trade Center site is turning out OK
Taking stock after 24 years and a day; plus, a ranking of WTC architecture from best to worst
punchlistmag.com
September 17, 2025 at 4:14 PM
thanks henry!
Reposted by Christopher Hawthorne
"How Are the Very Rich Feeling About New York’s Next Mayor?"
A Dramatic Reading of The Recent New York Times Dispatch from the Hamptons.
Presented by The Gilded Age's Morgan Spector.
A Dramatic Reading of The Recent New York Times Dispatch from the Hamptons.
Presented by The Gilded Age's Morgan Spector.
September 8, 2025 at 10:56 PM
"How Are the Very Rich Feeling About New York’s Next Mayor?"
A Dramatic Reading of The Recent New York Times Dispatch from the Hamptons.
Presented by The Gilded Age's Morgan Spector.
A Dramatic Reading of The Recent New York Times Dispatch from the Hamptons.
Presented by The Gilded Age's Morgan Spector.
AI stunt journalism continues to be dumb + lazy
What schemes would ChatGPT pick if asked to predict the contenders for this year’s RIBA Stirling Prize?
RIBA Stirling prize 2025: AI picks its shortlist
RIBA Stirling prize 2025: AI picks its shortlist
www.architectsjournal.co.uk
September 3, 2025 at 1:30 PM
AI stunt journalism continues to be dumb + lazy
Reposted by Christopher Hawthorne
We praise “culturally responsive” design, even when we know almost nothing about the cultures it’s responding to. Lately, I’ve started to think of architectural criticism as its own type of diaspora. In @azuremagazine.bsky.social, one of my more intimate pieces: www.azuremagazine.com/article/hous...
In Bosnia, a Women's Supportive Housing Complex Foster Community and Healing
The House for Five Women, designed by Zurich- and Belgrade-based firm TEN, gives its residents a safe harbour and a sense of hope.
www.azuremagazine.com
August 29, 2025 at 12:09 AM
We praise “culturally responsive” design, even when we know almost nothing about the cultures it’s responding to. Lately, I’ve started to think of architectural criticism as its own type of diaspora. In @azuremagazine.bsky.social, one of my more intimate pieces: www.azuremagazine.com/article/hous...
Reposted by Christopher Hawthorne
There can’t be any gun restrictions because we have to protect against federal government tyranny, and if kids get shot we just have to live with it. Also the President can send troops to cities because the federal government can do whatever it wants. These two ideas are consistent and reasonable.
August 27, 2025 at 5:20 PM
There can’t be any gun restrictions because we have to protect against federal government tyranny, and if kids get shot we just have to live with it. Also the President can send troops to cities because the federal government can do whatever it wants. These two ideas are consistent and reasonable.
Reposted by Christopher Hawthorne
Took my friend to visit Sverre Fehn’s Storhamarlåven (1969-74) with the luxury of having the whole place to ourselves. This is the holy grail. Norway pilgrimage, let’s go 🧣🧵 #sverrefehn
August 25, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Took my friend to visit Sverre Fehn’s Storhamarlåven (1969-74) with the luxury of having the whole place to ourselves. This is the holy grail. Norway pilgrimage, let’s go 🧣🧵 #sverrefehn
Reposted by Christopher Hawthorne
“I think the more likely scenario is a forced-to-carry-this-to-term situation, where we actually decide we don’t want it, and we are not allowed to get rid of it.”
Loved talking with @gustavoarellano.bsky.social, Joe Mathews, and @hawthorne.bsky.social about the viability of the 2028 games
Loved talking with @gustavoarellano.bsky.social, Joe Mathews, and @hawthorne.bsky.social about the viability of the 2028 games
Should L.A. pull the plug on the 2028 Olympics ?
A roundtable discussion with Gustavo Arellano, Joe Mathews, and Alissa Walker
www.punchlistmag.com
August 22, 2025 at 8:39 PM
“I think the more likely scenario is a forced-to-carry-this-to-term situation, where we actually decide we don’t want it, and we are not allowed to get rid of it.”
Loved talking with @gustavoarellano.bsky.social, Joe Mathews, and @hawthorne.bsky.social about the viability of the 2028 games
Loved talking with @gustavoarellano.bsky.social, Joe Mathews, and @hawthorne.bsky.social about the viability of the 2028 games
“The idea that the I.O.C. or Trump can basically force, by the barrel of a gun, L.A. into going forward with these Olympics should send a chill down the spine of every Angeleno.”
In Punch List this week, a roundtable on the viability of the 2028 Summer Games:
www.punchlistmag.com/p/should-l-a...
In Punch List this week, a roundtable on the viability of the 2028 Summer Games:
www.punchlistmag.com/p/should-l-a...
August 23, 2025 at 2:46 PM
“The idea that the I.O.C. or Trump can basically force, by the barrel of a gun, L.A. into going forward with these Olympics should send a chill down the spine of every Angeleno.”
In Punch List this week, a roundtable on the viability of the 2028 Summer Games:
www.punchlistmag.com/p/should-l-a...
In Punch List this week, a roundtable on the viability of the 2028 Summer Games:
www.punchlistmag.com/p/should-l-a...
honing that echo? ai’s gonna win, isn’t it?
this iconic advertising copywriter named Kathy Hepinstall Parks died over the weekend and I wanted to share something from her website I thought Bluesky would like
August 22, 2025 at 11:50 PM
honing that echo? ai’s gonna win, isn’t it?
if anything, the slightly cheesy and celebrity-heavy top floor of NMAAHC made me think of the whole thing as a bit too easily redemptive
At any Smithsonian museum, one can zoom in on details and construct any narrative they want. But reality is that the overall arc of the history museums IS one of improvement over time. It’s in the very design of the NMAAHC: starting in the basement with the slave trade, ending upstairs with triumph.
August 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
if anything, the slightly cheesy and celebrity-heavy top floor of NMAAHC made me think of the whole thing as a bit too easily redemptive
Reposted by Christopher Hawthorne
Legendary Montreal Mayor Jean Drapeau once said "Let Toronto become Milan. Montreal will always be Rome."
August 19, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Legendary Montreal Mayor Jean Drapeau once said "Let Toronto become Milan. Montreal will always be Rome."