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At a time when public support for the arts is under pressure in many countries, Darat al Funun — literally "House of the Arts" — stands by its long-standing mission to champion artists. "Artists are witnesses of their time," affirms Suha Shoman, its founder. "Maybe Art does not operate change, but it does record it […] it points fingers. At the same time, it speaks of, even if it's so difficult and at times so violent, it speaks of beauty as well."

A place where the past remains present, Darat al Funun spreads in the hills of Jabal al Luweibdeh, on a rugged terrain overlooking the eye of downtown Amman, Jordan. Its landscape is warmly inviting and accessible to the public, with a lower entrance in the south and an upper one in the north. Across its cascading terraces, the site is visually permeable as well, demonstrating the foundation's core tenet: art is a civic necessity and a vessel for history.

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Videos

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Rising from the rocks that form the base of Castle Rock in Edinburgh, Argyle House stands in stark contrast to the city's most iconic landmark. Built in the late 1960s, this angular, grey building is a quintessential example of post-war Brutalist architecture. A geometric concrete structure stripped of ornamentation that has recently become an unlikely star on screen, serving as the backdrop for the series Dept. Q, based on novels by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen. Yet the 11-story complex, which once housed government offices and now homes promising startups, continues to divide opinion. On one hand, its imposing presence challenges the historic urban fabric; on the other, its architectural significance makes it an important part of the city's modern heritage.

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