The Dallas Morning News has hired its first architecture critic in nearly a decade.
The new critic, Mark Lamster, said all of the positive development happening in North Texas is interesting to him.
His hiring comes at a time where downtown Dallas is experiencing a building boom with changes to the skyline that put a new focus on architecture.
"I think about this job as a conversation about the city, not about me preaching on highs, so I encourage people to let me know what they think," Lamster said.
The Dallas Morning News last had an architecture critic on staff seven years ago. The last was the late David Dillon, who worked at the paper for 25 years.
"Everybody else is cutting it back, but I think it's a great investment in North Texas," said Don Gatske, dean of the University of Texas at Arlington's School of Architecture.
Lamster's position is a collaboration between the newspaper and the school, where he also will serve as a research associate and teach an advanced seminar.
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What makes Lamster's viewpoint unique?
"He also doesn't write or talk down to anybody," said Rob Brinkley, editor-in-chief of FD Lux, the newspaper's luxury magazine. "He helps you understand your own feelings, your own thoughts about architecture."
