Hidden passages have a long history of appearing in fictional novels and films but an even richer past in reality dating back to Egyptian tombs passages for Christians to worship in hiding from Romans. Over the years hidden passages have been used to arrest kings and evacuate popes, hide shogun warriors, facilitate guerrilla fighters, enable drug smugglers and conceal serial killers. In recent times, however, many more modest individuals have created (or discovered) secret passages in ordinary everyday households and there are even companies dedicated to designing secret doors, rooms and passages in middle-class houses. In some cases the discovery of a secret room is a wonderful find but it can also be a twisted nightmare.

Posted by Urbanist May 11th, 2008
Architecture, Guerilla Action, Urban, Various
Comments: 8

War monuments are in many ways the most captivating structures mankind creates. Perhaps they catch our attention because they symbolize our most violent moments or the extremes of victory and defeat that transcend everyday reality. Some of these structures commemorate turning points in history, wins and losses that changed the courses of countries or even entire continents. Others are simply awesome architectural designs worthy of appreciation in their own right. From around the world, here are twelve of the most memorable, unique and extraordinary war monuments and memorials in military history.

Posted by Pushkin May 8th, 2008
Architecture, Travel, Various, history
Comments: 4

Guerilla marketing is often a risky business, skirting the edge of ethical (or even legal) acceptability. Some guerilla marketers who have crossed the line have caused everything from Olympic belly-flops to city-wide bomb scares and have been punished with anything from modest jail time to millions of dollars in fines. All the same, some of these are probably (secretly) considered successes because subsequent media attention to the debacles probably raised more awareness than the guerilla campaigns alone ever could have. Some guerilla marketing is even done to support good causes though much of it is created to line the pockets of giant corporations. Know of other great examples of guerilla marketing gone wrong? Be sure to list them below!

Posted by Urbanist May 6th, 2008
Graffiti, Guerilla Marketing, Urban Art, Various
Comments: 31

Ever want to sleep suspended in mid-air, stay in a barn loft or live out some other strange fantasy you’re afraid to tell anyone? If you can think of it, chances are someone has created it. From the artistically painted to elaborately decorated, here are eighteen more unusually artistic, crazy and kinky hotel rooms from around the world. Ever stay in one of these? Be sure to describe your experience in a comment below! If you’re new to the site be sure to check out these 16 creative and 20 (more) unconventional hotel rooms.

Posted by Urbanist May 4th, 2008
Architecture, Travel, Urban Art, Various
Comments: 3

Regular readers will remember the incredible abandoned mines and sunken cities as well as the catacombs and crypts of two previous collections of underground wonders. This set, however, focuses mainly on amazing underground wonders of the recent past - many of which are still in operation. From seed vault to military hideouts and diamond mines to nuclear waste dumps, here are seven more underground wonders of the world. Know of others that haven’t made the list yet? Be sure to leave more information in a comment below!

Posted by Urbanist April 30th, 2008
Architecture, Environment, Graffiti, Urban Videos, Various
Comments: 4