On the Bright Side: Optimistic American Architecture

Despite an ugly and exhausting election, our annual American design issue reminds us that thoughtful, beautiful, and affirming work is still possible.

Call it an architectural joyride: For more than a century, the roadside icons have mapped the country’s ever-evolving landscape, reflecting shifting tastes and new technologies.

From Helena to San Juan, these design scenes show that—in spite of homogenizing trends—regional style is still flourishing around the country.

The renowned artist returns to her hometown to create a public sculpture park for the community that raised her.

Many of the home’s neglected features like parquet floors and Victorian molding were salvaged, but its original layout was cleverly tweaked to better fit the needs of its...

Native California plants abound in this tiny oasis designed to maximize diversity.

Instead of tearing down the fixer-upper, a realtor with a passion for swimming and her wife worked with their architect friend to restore a modest Manhattan Beach midcentury near...

My hometown has always been mostly white and defined by conservative, cowboy values. Now, gentrification has made it unaffordable—but it’s also brought much-needed diversity.

To craft a Washington, D.C., alley house for himself and his horticulturist wife, an architect opted for a menu of renewable, plant-based materials.

The Court of Mysteries features a 30-foot obelisk, a handcrafted brick-and-abalone gate, a temple-like structure with cryptic symbols, and now a tasteful family home.

Neighbors call it the circus house, but its triptych of connected spaces do more than just put on a show—they accommodate a lively cast of friends, lovers, and collaborators.

The United States is dotted with abandoned boarding schools that tried to erase Native American culture.

As a tax credit that makes it easier to build affordable developments faces legislative resistance, architects are showing that they don’t have to skimp on aesthetics.

The duo behind the Seattle studio Fruitsuper discuss the vintage pecan picker-upper they keep on their shelves alongside other utilitarian items they consider “unsung heroes.”

These exceptionally luminous dwellings are the winners and honorees of our 2024 Andersen Bright Ideas Awards.

A floating staircase seems to gently fall out of the ceiling, creating a dramatic entryway in this Hamptons home.

This resort-style family home is a celebration of indoor/outdoor living.

A new collection of rechargeable lamps by Kelly Wearstler for Visual Comfort & Co. offers more levels of freedom in lighting.