Can a prefab smart house developed by MIT transform architecture? Could it replace architects?
"The home-building industry could be transformed, MIT researchers argue, if it adopted the mass-customization methods being introduced in other industries...In much the same way that Lands' End, Nike, Ford, and BMW are investigating computer-based manufacturing to offer customers swappable or "mass-customized" components for their jeans, sneakers, and cars, so could thousands of unique house parts be customized to buyers' demands...announced the formation of the Open Source Building Alliance, adopting the modish programmer terminology to depict a modular, component-based, everyone's-invited approach to building...When customers can "design" their own houses--customizing their preferences online from a menu of choices as they might a computer--what is left for architects to do?"
Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan
FULL STORY: Living For Tomorrow
How Would Project 2025 Affect America’s Transportation System?
Long story short, it would — and not in a good way.
But... Europe
European cities and nations tend to have less violent crime than the United States. Is government social welfare spending the magic bullet that explains this difference?
California Law Ends Road Widening Mandates
Housing developers will no longer be required to dedicate land to roadway widening, which could significantly reduce the cost of construction and support more housing units.
California Room to Roam Act Prioritizes Wildlife Connectivity
A new state law requires new development and infrastructure to minimize disruption to local wildlife habitats and migration patterns.
Oregon Releases Historic Preservation Plan for Next Decade
A plan from the state’s State Historic Preservation Commission outlines priorities for preserving Oregon’s cultural and historic resources.
Austin’s Vision for I-35 Cap Parks Takes Final Shape
The city’s plan includes parks, entertainment pavilions, commercial space, sports fields, and other facilities over 30 acres of deck parks spanning a sunken Interstate 35.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Placer County
Mayors' Institute on City Design
City of Sunnyvale
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP), the Department of City and Regional Planning (CRP)
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
City of Portland, ME
Baton Rouge Area Foundation