Industrial Design

3 articles

Why the American Diner Looks the Way It Does: A Chronicle of Chrome, Counter Stools, and the Open Road

The American diner's iconic architecture, from its stainless steel exterior to its counter seating, originated from the practical needs of railroad dining cars and industrial prefabrication. This vernacular building type evolved through distinct phases, adapting to changing American lifestyles and social demands, cementing its status as a unique cultural artifact.

Nora Haddad·October 30, 2026

A young couple's stylish living area, art studio, and woodworking shop combined within a renovated Philadelphia machine shop, featuring industrial elements and natural light.

Travel & Towns

Couple Transforms Philadelphia Machine Shop into Unique Live/Work Home

In a former Philadelphia machine shop, the scent of metal dust now mingles with freshly brewed coffee, marking the unconventional home of Sarah and Tom, a young couple who moved in last month.

Nora Haddad·June 27, 2026

A luxurious Sonoma kitchen featuring a central island made from a 19th-century factory workbench, surrounded by decor made from reclaimed industrial materials.

Hearth & Home

Designer Crafts Sonoma Kitchen from Reclaimed Materials

In Sonoma, designer Sarah Chen crafted a kitchen island from a 19th-century factory workbench, anchoring a space where every surface tells a story of salvaged history.

Ingrid Larson·June 26, 2026