A multimedia walking tour celebrating the development of Melbourne’s Yarra River precinct since the 1980s will be launched by the Premier of Victoria at lunchtime today. Transforming the Yarra traces the story of the visionary work of architects, urban designers, planners and politicians in revitalising the Yarra River as a hub for recreation and culture.

Photograph by Tim Griffith

Architect Evan Walker became the state’s planning and environment minister in 1982. Another architect, David Yencken, was made head of the planning department. Together, they earned high regard as the visionary planners of the blueprint to realise the Yarra River waterfront’s potential.

Encouraging Melbourne’s confidence about the possibilities for urban change, Denton Corker Marshall’s innovative ideas for public spaces, plazas and promenades were a significant contribution to this vision.

Brasilia, a group exhibition of vintage photographs celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the capital of Brazil, will be on view at 1500 Gallery September 9-November 27, 2010. Curated by Brazilian photographer Murillo Meirelles, the exhibition will include images that show Brasilia being planned, constructed and inaugurated from 1958-1960.

Where: 1500 Gallery is located at 511 W 25th St. #607, New York, NY.

Image of Oscar Niemeyer
Photograph by Gil Pinhero

A city planned and built from scratch in the very center of the country, Brasilia replaced Rio de Janeiro as the capital of Brazil in 1960. The architectural, figurative and photojournalistic images in the Brasilia exhibition highlight the idealism of Juscelino Kubitschek’s socialist government and its team of visionary urban planners, architects and landscape designers including Lucio Costa, Oscar Niemeyer and Roberto Burle Marx.

This summer, the Hammer Museum will present a new sculptural work by Los Angeles-based architect Greg Lynn. A fantastical attraction for visitors of all ages, Fountain will be located in the museum’s outdoor courtyard. The work is a functioning fountain made entirely out of found large plastic children’s toys that have been cut and reassembled in multiple layers, with water spouting from its top and pooling at its base. Constructed from more than seventy-five prefabricated plastic whale and shark teeter-totters welded together and unified by the application of white automotive paint, Fountain will be a gathering place during the warm summer months.

Greg Lynn’s Fountain is the first in a new series of projects focused on architecture and design. Taking place approximately once a year over the next three years, these projects will focus on the presentation of new works by architects and designers and will be placed in different locations around the museum. Organized by Sylvia Lavin, Director of Critical Studies and MA/PhD Programs UCLArchitecture.