The Micro Boom

Periodical: Metropolis

Thesis: Micro Units in dense urban environments can succeed in recognizing the changing dynamics of the modern household composition, and accommodating for the high demand of single-person homes.

Evidence: Since the 1940’s, the number of U.S one-person households has raised 48% (Source: Census). The composition of a household, when compared to 70 years ago, has changed drastically, life expectancy has increased, adults defer starting families, and young adults live with their parents longer. Major cities have seen a constant influx of demand for one-bedroom apartments, creating housing shortages across the globe. In London, 1 in 10 people are on housing waiting lists, and in China, 10 million apartments would have to be built every year until 2030 to fix the current lack of sufficient urban living quarters (Source: Galante). Continue reading The Micro Boom

Kossman Review: Lauren Wandel

Lauren’s project, entitled Building Community Around A Modern Hearth, was centered in the Druid Heights neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland. It focused on redeveloping and redefining the framework of the neighborhood, where one block alone had at least twelve of its twenty-two historic row homes condemned by the city – a stereotype of many Baltimore neighborhoods. She questioned how an architect could repair the housing market, jumpstart a grassroots movement, rebuild personal equity and house a nation all at once. Continue reading Kossman Review: Lauren Wandel

Stop Using Your Computer:Why CAD should not be a Starting Point

Computer-Aided Development 

Thesis:

The role of computer-aided design in architectural practice/education should be restricted to promote the development of viable design concepts in pre-schematic design phases of the design process.

Who cares? As architecture students, we use many design software’s to develop our ideas. Should we be worried that our conceptual designs are limited? Continue reading Stop Using Your Computer:Why CAD should not be a Starting Point

BOSTON SUMMER 2024

Boston is capable of providing adequate venues, transportation, and housing for the Olympic competitions, competitors, and spectators in a way that will not create architectural burdens for the city. With careful architectural design and master planning, Boston can host the 2024 Olympic Games without the negative effects suffered by other Olympic host cities. Continue reading BOSTON SUMMER 2024