To follow up on our round-up of the "best buildings of 2011" lists, we've compiled articles that put a unique spin on the year-in-review format, whether by focusing on an area that most overlook, or by analyzing past data to look into the future.

2011's Ten Notable Developments in Landscape Architecture
CTBUH's A Year in Review: Trends of 2011
Did DC Succeed in 2011 Design Resolutions?
Challenges for the Design Industry in 2012
Design Intelligence's Forecast of 25 Trends for 2012-2015

Congratulations to Victoria Thornton for receiving an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Years Honors list. She founded Open House London twenty years ago, and has guided the Open-City organization to success in architecture education, public engagement, and advocacy.
Read the Open-City OBE press release.

Congratulations to the Rice Design Alliance for receiving the AIA Collaborative Achievement Award on their fortieth anniversary. The jury recognized their work in the fields of education, engagement, and impact.
Read the RDA announcement about the AIA Award.

A new design ed documentary by Emmy Award-winning director and producer Judy Kelly caught our eye. "Calatrava Student Constructors" follows students as they construct a 20' long model of Calatrava's new bridge in Dallas. Kudos to AAO members Dallas Architecture Forum and Dallas Center for Architecture for their involvement in the project.
Learn more about the documentary "Calatrava Student Constructors."

In another example of a thoughtful video production, the PBS series "Designing Healthy Communities", which debuts in February, will address the impact of the built environment  on public health.
Read interview with the host Richard Jackson, MD, MPH

Communications Coordinator, American Architectural Foundation
Director of Corporate, Foundation & Association Relations, N.B.M.
Executive Director, Preservation Dallas
Program Manager, Boston Society of Architects
Program Manager, Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP)
Public Affairs Manager, National Trust for Historic Preservation
Operations & Development Coordinator, Center for Architecture Fdn.

Grant Opportunity, Brunner Award, deadline: February 1

Ever wonder who is behind the Lego Architecture kits? Adam Reed Tucker, a former architect, spends his time perfecting lego versions of the Robie House and the Empire State Building, amongst others. Large scale versions of his designs form the exhibition "Lego Architecture: Towering Ambition" at AAO Member the National Building Museum, which has been extended to September due to popularity. According to NMB director Chase Rynd, Tucker's strength is in "explaining something that can be intimidating to people by using a medium that feels absolutely familiar."
Read "The Very Model of a (LEGO) Architect," a profile on Tucker.

Should the next Lego Architecture kit be Moshe Safdie's Habitat 67 or the Eiffel Tower? Vote now on Lego's website!

Last week, David Chipperfield, the director of the 13th International Venice Architecture Biennale, revealed the theme: Common Ground. For the US Pavillion, co-curators Cathy Lang Ho (founding editor of the Architects Newspaper) and New Cramer (editor-in-chief of Architect magazine) are soliciting projects that “frame an archive of compelling, actionable strategies, ranging from urban farms to guerilla bike lanes, temporary architecture to poster campaigns, urban navigation apps to crowdsourced city planning." Submit by February 6 to be part of "Spontaneous Interventions: Design Actions for the Common Good." 

Read more about "Spontaneous Interventions."

We covered predictions for the architecture industry in the upcoming year, but what about the fundraising forecast? According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, it's going to be another tough year for nonprofits.

"A Stark Outlook for Fundraising in 2012"  looks at various surveys to gauge the state of giving. 65% of donors don't plan to increase their giving in 2012, and 17% plan to contribute less. Aside from the fact that the economy is still recovering, what are some specific factors that will impact fundraising? Shrinking government aid is one that's identified in  "Five Challenges for the Nonprofit World in 2012".

If you're in the mood for a visual treat, check out photos from two exhibitions where artists have built imaginative cityscapes.

In "Metropolis II" at LACMA, artist Chris Burden created a miniature city, complete with more than 1,000 cars zooming through it. It's a hit with children and collectors alike.
View photos of the "Metropolis" model city / racetrack.

In "Paper Architecture" on display in the Netherlands,  Amsterdam-based artist Ingrid Siliakus makes intricate 3-D cityscapes out of paper, undermining assumptions about materials.
View photos of "Paper Architecture" cityscapes.