Architecture

"People who live in cities have become more isolated than ever," says the 71-year-old architect based in Tokyo. "I would like to use architecture to create bonds between people." Ito has designed stadiums, libraries, parks, theaters, homes and more in his four-decade career.

Beauty vs. security. Some say the two can exist in the same space when it comes to America's embassies.

From the Danish modern furniture of the 1950s to the omnipresence of Ikea, Americans have long been attracted to the austere design of Nordic countries. Now a massive festival in Washington, D.C., showcases artists and designers from the very top sliver of the globe.

The largest railroad terminal in the world opened its doors for the first time in 1913. And while Grand Central Terminal, in the heart of New York City, no longer serves long-distance trains, it is still a vibrant part of the city's ecosystem.

One of the world's most basic cooking ingredients could be the key to protecting some of Europe's most stunning buildings. The limestone used in England's 800-year-old York Minster is particularly vulnerable to pollution. The oleic acid in olive oil, British researchers say, may provide the protective coating needed to prevent further decay.