As we told you and told you again, the historic/still relevant Hollywood Theatre is raising money on Kickstarter to replace its decrepit circa-1970s marquee with a recreation of the original 1926 design.

Today they announced that they've exceeded their $55k goal (the total was over $60k as of this writing), which means we'll be seeing a spruced up theater on one of our main boulevards in the near future. However, feel free to keep donating. A secondary goal of $75k will keep them in light bulbs for a while, not to mention give 'em a little cushion against those old-building construction surprises.

• Hollywood Theatre
• Return to the old school.

About a month ago we called your attention to the Hollywood Theatre's launch of a Kickstarter campaign (something we do very sparingly) to replace its marquee, which is leaking, causing other damage to the building, and just generally falling apart. The proposed replacement is based on the original, which opened with the theater in 1926—an occasion so momentous they named the surrounding neighborhood after it.

You may have also noticed that it's suddenly in the shadow of a five-story building that's practically being built on top of it, so the new marquee will help the landmark maintain its visibility. It's worth keeping buildings like this in repair because people simply don't make 'em like they used to, with sumptuous detailing like the Hollywood's (gorgeous, dramatic) having been replaced by a bunch of clean, straight lines (boring, less expensive). But in addition to its significance in local history and architecture, the theater has made great strides in the last decade or so to remain a cultural destination by virtue of the programming itself. They've gone the extra mile to create innovative programs, from the Grindhouse Festival to Filmusik, B Movie Bingo, and Hecklevision (sometimes in collaboration with the Mercury).

The campaign's got 11 days to go and they're less than $10,000 from their $55,000 goal (money needed outside grants and donations already secured—marquees ain't cheap, apparently), so if this is the first you've heard of it, consider making some of the Hollywood's old ghosts feel like good times are here again.

• Hollywood Theatre

An embed of the Kickstarter video is after the cut.

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The Portland Museum of Contemporary Craft and Mercy Corps are collaborating to bring the exhibit Design with the other 90%: Cities to Portland beginning August 17, and running through January 5. Of the exhibition's six thematic sections, three will be featured at the Mercy Corps Action Center, and three at the Museum.

The exhibit is the second installment of of a series by the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design museum that began in 2009. It will "explore design solutions to the challenges created by rapid urban growth in informal settlements, otherwise know as slums," says a museum spokesperson. It will include architectural models, photos, video, and interactive kiosks covering projects such as alternative housing design, low-cost clean water, education initiatives and more. The exhibition is divided into six categories: Exchange, Reveal, Adapt, Include, Prosper, and Access.

• Museum of Contemporary Craft

Not too long ago, I sat down to a coffee at Stumptown and I couldn't help but admire the finely crafted wooden bar and cabinetry that lines the inside. It's so distinct, so clean; it's so subtle, yet quietly potent and powerful. Dying to find the creators, I did some research and discovered that it is the work of MADE Studios, a slick little local gem that Portland calls its own.
Founded 12 years ago by Bo Hagood and his creative business partner Tim, both alumni of Oregon College of Art and Craft, the studio is a manifestation of a deep love for a union between form and utility.
"It was frustrating," explained Bo, "that in school everything was supposed to be so conceptual. It often lacked function. So finally I said, 'I'm going to make things that actually work.'"
Don't think for a second though that by making things useful meant a sacrifice to beauty. The design seems to me the perfect marriage between ultimate form and ultimate function. Think clean, elegant lines, and sweet touches like custom veneers with the wood grain running the length of the piece.

• Stumptown Cafe, Ace Hotel Portland

I asked Bo what his most commonly asked for pieces were, and he gave me an interesting answer. "It goes through phases," he told me. "During the recession, people came to us with lots of interior renovation projects. But now, decorative furniture orders are back up." That seems like a good sign, I thought.
MADE works closely with Esque Studios, another fantastic local that specializes in glass to make pieces like these:

• Vase with Esque Design

• MADE Cabinetry

I also asked Bo what some of his inspirations were. "Most of my inspiration comes from hardware," he said. "I spend time just walking around in Wink's Hardware—do you know that place?" Yeah, I know that feeling, I told him.

• Cascade Table

Now I'm sure you're thinking, "If I were to custom order one of these gorgeous handmade pieces for my home or business, what would be the turnaround time?" Bo told me that it typically takes them three or four weeks to finish a project, but with shipping you can expect to wait about ten to twelve. Not bad at all.

Please visit their website for contact information and a full portfolio.

Okay, so I don't even have off-street parking at my house much less room for chickens, but if I did I would want to know about Portland Henhouse, which I just stumbled on today (I might also want to paint mine Swedish red). Pistils carries the adorable chicken houses made by Ryan Tinsel (who you can also order from directly via the web site), and they come in two styles, the standard Villager:

and the more luxe Woodsman:

They're beautiful, and they don't come cheap ($370+), but think of all the money you will save on eggs! In other animal-structure news, stay tuned this summer for photos of my insanely crafty boyfriend's first aesthetically pleasing cat tower project. Custom orders may not be out of the question. . .

Behold, Eve—the world's tallest model who clocks in at 7 feet tall. Also behold the smaller model in the shoot, who's just starting to figure out she was only hired to serve as "contrast" and to do failed high fives.

I'll admit I slid into last night's Chinese-design panel late, with the Q&A already underway, so maybe I missed the part where the panelists were obsessing about other areas of design, but architecture in particular was right at the forefront of the discussion. Likewise, the architectural development in Beijing were what I found most commanding in the China Design Now exhibit currently up at PAM, which is responsible for the sudden flurry of China-related events. So it's only fitting that tonight is "China Architecture Now," a discussion with Chinese architect Yung Ho Chang in the museum's ballroom. If you want more info on the massive explosion of dramatic development happening on the other side of the world, get thee to 1219 SW Park with $12 in tow ($5 if you're a member), by 7 pm.

Just about the only reason I can think of to envy people living in a remote Iranian village are these incredible houses built into the natural topography. People in this region have been living in such structures for over 1,600 years. If you're ever traveling out that way, look for signs to Kandovan:

So much more awesome than one of those new condos. I bet they'd even qualify for LEED certification.