As global HIV-infection rates have stabilized since the epidemic began in the ‘80s, interest in AIDS prevention campaigns has dwindled by many governments worldwide, leaving NGOs to do much of the awareness work. Lynne Ciochetto looks at some of these projects.

“Color is an integral element of our world, not just in the natural environment but also in the man-made architectural environment.” Frank H. Mahnke explores the psychological and aesthetic benefits of color in art and design.

NYC’s first self-powered building, The Delta, has been unveiled. “It is equipped with solar panels and a vertical wind turbine that allow it to meet 100% of its energy needs without tapping into the grid.”

Design giant IKEA has started brewing its own brand of beer. To be distributed only in the UK, Öl Mörk Lager joins street-art advertising in Milan and an airport lounge at Charles de Gaulle among the Swedish company’s offbeat offshoots.

Construction of New Mexico’s scientific ghost town has been delayed. The $1 billion city had been billed as a testing ground for developing products from “self-flushing toilets, intelligent traffic systems and next-generation wireless networks.”

Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation, which builds sustainable homes for those in need, has completed its first Frank Gehry–designed home in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward. The LEED-certified house responds to vernacular architecture in the neighborhood.

The font used on a new Obama campaign signage is said to be inspired by Cuban propaganda posters—a “Communist typeface conspiracy theory in the making”! But Alexandra Lange sees less controversial influences, like hand-drawn fruit crate typography of the 1940s.