Category: buildings and infrastructure

This video profiles the 258 sf living space of a Barcelona-based photographer. The single room physically transforms using pullout furniture and built-in cabinets to provide the functionality and amenities of a standard apartment. While this exact set-up would not work for a family with kids, it does provide an interesting option for single folks and childless couples. The concept of micro-apartments simultaneously addresses the supply/demand imbalance of housing in many booming urban areas, the need for more affordable housing, and the need for housing with lower environmental impact. The supporting article describing the apartment is provided here: http://faircompanies.com/videos/view/lego-style-apartment-transforms-into-infinite-spaces/

In 1958, Disney put out a documentary on the US highway system title “Magic Highway USA”. It is fascinating, and frequently disturbing, to see the perspective being promoted in the film toward highway construction and the potential future of the highway system. The film also provides an interesting snapshot of how policy makers and planners viewed transportation infrastructure and human mobility shaping society.

The really wacky stuff starts at the 39 minute mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0q_oP9TPD4

Timber structures may seem old fashioned, but timber is gaining new interest as a sustainable building material. Properly-managed timber stocks provide a renewable source of lightweight, thermally efficient, building material that can be domestically produced. In the field of geotechnical engineering, timber piles are being considered as a way of sequestering carbon since carbon-rich wood is preserved from decay by installing it in saturated soil.

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2014/03/0041.xml&contentidonly=true

Reading about Grand Rapids, MI in the TBL article reminded me that Easton is working on something similar. See link. It will be interesting to see how these ideas are implemented.

MetLife Stadium touts its progress toward sustainability