WEEK IN REVIEW

ARCHITECTURE AS A DIPLOMATIC TOOL

a new, photo-driven book explores the architecture of democracy, diplomacy and defense through the fourteen most significant midcentury modern US embassies built by renowned architects like walter gropius, marcel breuer, eero saarinen, and more, during the cold war. ahead of the book's release, designboom spoke with its author, david b. peterson, to learn more about US embassy architecture, and its significance in portraying national identities and bridging cultural divides. 'by embracing modern designs (including, in effect, glass curtain walls) america was promoting the benefits of an open, modern, and progressive nation,' peterson explains. read our conversation in full here, and discover more recent interviews here.

LEGO MAKES ITS BRAILLE BRICKS AVAILABLE FOR ALL

after an overwhelming and positive response, LEGO is now making its braille bricks widely available. first announced in 2019, the colorful set makes learning braille more fun and accessible to everyone. the bricks have been specially-designed so that the studs correspond to the numbers and letters in the braille system, with the printed version of the symbol or letter situated below the studs.

A JACKET FOR ON-THE-GO NAPPING

napow is a sleeveless jacket crafted to allow users to comfortably take a nap during their daily commute. developed by designer loris dadda, the jacket features an integrated harness, carefully calibrated to cradle the head and neck. see more submissions by our readers here, and find out how to upload your own project here.

the weekly is an inside review curated by sofia lekka angelopoulou.