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The Assembly NC

The Assembly NC

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J. Michael Welton

J. Michael Welton writes about architecture, art, and design. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Metropolis and Dwell. He is the author of Drawing from Practice: Architects and the Meaning of Freehand (Routledge: 2015) and editor and publisher of the digital design magazine Architects and Artisans (www.architectsandartisans.com).

Posted inEducation

How To Design Safer Schools

by J. Michael Welton January 17, 2024January 17, 2024

In an era of mass shootings, architects are striving to create safe spaces for students without making schools into fortresses.  

Posted inEnvironment

Born Again on the Trent River

by J. Michael Welton August 11, 2023August 11, 2023

After getting whomped by Hurricane Florence, tiny Pollocksville used grit, grants, and gumption to recover.

Posted inPlace

When the Office Is Home

by J. Michael Welton March 23, 2023May 9, 2024

In North Carolina’s largest cities, developers are converting empty downtown offices into much-needed apartments and condos. 

Drone Aerial of Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, NC
Posted inPlace

A Tale of Two Skylines

by J. Michael Welton September 30, 2022March 29, 2023

Four decades after committing to a dense, towering downtown, Charlotte has a lot of lessons to offer Raleigh.

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