Detroit Month of Design 2021 Highlights

An extensive roster of exhilarating events across the Motor City this September

In December 2015, Detroit became the first UNESCO-designated city of design in the United States. The honor recognizes metropolitan areas with a defined design heritage (often pertaining to an influential industry or built environment) and an active contemporary culture that continues to nurture artisans and designers. Six years later, Detroit remains the only certified design city in America—and extensive, exhilarating events like Detroit Month of Design explain …

The World’s Longest Pedestrian Suspension Bridge Opens in Portugal

Suspended 574 feet above Portugal’s Paiva River, the 516 Arouca pedestrian suspension bridge stretches nearly 1,700 feet and sets a new record for length in the category. Built by Conduril and designed by Studio Itecons, the steel and concrete construction connects parts of the UNESCO-recognized Arouca Geopark (a popular outdoor location known for its greenery) gorges and an enchanted length of wooden walkway. Read more …

Preserving the Scents of Everyday Life

Researchers at the UCL Institute for Sustainable Heritage are working double-time to identify and catalog scents that exist all around us—from the smell of an old book, to a pub at a particular time of night, and worn-in leather. Many of these are disappearing right under our noses. For example, as we collectively move deeper into a digital age, books are being read on phones …