A book that is sure to excite our friend MW, The Brooklyn Navy Yard is the first monograph from photographer John Bartlestone. Bartlestone has been photographing the Navy Yard, New York’s largest and oldest industrial facility, since 1994. The photographer focuses on elements of the areas past, the spectre of WWII, and a quite look at the environment. Complimented by a historical essay from Thomas Flagg, the book is forthcoming from powerHouse.

Dwell features a few architect driven projects revolving around reevaluating life at the trailer park. The results are often stunning, and the designs a firm departure from the 8 Mile model. Of note is the work of Michael Hughes seen above. Check out Dwell’s full slide presentation here.

Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA) is a landscape design firm dedicated to instilling a poetics of place. This book is the first to explore MVVA’s projects and focuses on those that require deft technological solutions. Twelve sites dating from 1992 to the present have been assessed by leading critics and historians. A wonderful addition to an architectural library, as well as introduction to MVVA’s output.

Out now from Yale University Press.

Buy it now from Amazon.

Designer Tom Dixon talks sustainability and urban development. (via David Report).

The headquarters of Grey Goose (located in Brussels) has a new bar. Designed by Puresang, the space features an extended bar which dips and rises as a conference table on one side. A faceted wall of blue triangular glass tiles keeps the brand identity well located in the interior. (via Dezeen).

On May 16, 2009, the new Modern Wing at the Art Institute of Chicago will officially open its doors. Designed by Renzo Piano, the space has been in the works for over a decade. Expanding exhibition footage for contemporary European Art, Architecture and Design, and Photography, the Modern Wing features the “flying carpet” a steel roof structure that illuminates the galleries with filtered natural light. Most importantly, the addition makes The Art Institute the second largest museum in the United States.

Kris van Assche is the “jury president” at the Hyères Festival International de Mode & de Photographie  in the South of France and Wallpaper* Magazine sat down with van Assche for a quick interview.  On the topic of the festival’s photographic showcase, van Assche says, “It was both an honor and a responsibility. It comes down to promoting young photographic talent and bringing our own vision of creation to the table.”

Read the full interview at Wallpaper*.

Space on the National Mall has been set aside for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture for some time. Recently, a team lead by acclaimed Tanzanian-born David Adjaye was chosen to design the host structure. Congress announced the museum in 2003, which will open officially in 2015. The architects have 3 years to turn the winning submission into a workable blue print. Estimated cost is $500 million. Quite amazing really.

A full run down of the architects and the losing entries in today’s NYT.

More images after the jump.

In her new book on modern architectural legend Alvar Aalto, Eeva-Liisa Pelkonen considers the Aalto’s oeuvre in context of his cultural and intellectual milieu. Alvar Aalto: Architecture, Modernity, and Geopolitics investigates Aalto’s writings with an unprecedented focus. Pelkonen is the chair of the Master of Architectural Design program at Yale University. The book is out from Yale University Press.

Following yesterdays Frank Lloyd Wright post, something more directly associated with the architect – Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward at the Guggenheim Museum. The exhibition opens in May, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Wright’s design for the museum building. This commission is presented alongside 64 others, with 200 drawings and models illustrating his process and his genius. (via Dezeen).

Running until August 23, 2009 in New York, before moving to Bilbao.