Switzerland, renowned worldwide for its chocolate, proudly bears the title of "homeland of chocolate." But this nickname is rather surprising: how did a country without cocoa trees, nestled in the heart of the Alps, become the global ambassador of a raw material originating from South America?

Did you know that 19th-century department stores played a key role in women’s conquest of public space? Far more than mere shopping destinations, they were "miniature cities" designed to offer safety and freedom at a time when the streets were largely off-limits to women.

These temples of fashion, inspired by World Exhibitions, allowed women to wander freely, assert their taste and status, and navigate a carefully controlled public space. Yet, this newfound freedom came with a double edge: it introduced new social pressures tied to fashion and consumerism.

Christmas is just around the corner, and with it the famous question: “What will I give this year?” If you are looking for an original gift for an art or architecture lover, here are five ideas, suitable for all budgets.

"Eileen Gray - A House Under the Sun"  is a comic that pays homage to the E-1027 villa of Eileen Gray, a key figure in modern design. Through the vibrant illustrations of Zosia Dzierzawska and the sensitive texts of Charlotte Malterre-Barthes, the reader delves into the controversial history of the villa in which the architect Le Corbusier died in 1965.

The method of teaching architecture in universities finds its roots in the Western society of the 18th century. Although the first official school of architecture, the Royal Academy of Architecture of Paris was established at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in 1671, it wasn’t until the late 18th century that the discipline began to be taught in universities throughout Europe. More significantly, it wasn’t until the 20th century that architectural education reached so-called "developing" countries at an academic level.