exceptional geographic and climatic conditions such as extreme cold, strong winds and even earthquakes have always shaped the lives as well as the building styles of alaska's residents. true north features the contemporary architecture of this part of the world. the chosen projects were designed by local architects ( such as the BP energy center by koonce pfeffer bettis ) as well as international luminaire ( most notably the new wing of the anchorage museum by david chipperfield). they present a unique architecture that responds to the special challenges of the arctic while being esthetically pleasing at the same time . it unites the north with the northerner , tradition with modernity, and urbanity with nature's ultimate grandeur.