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As architects, we know homes 🏠 should be tailored to people's needs. Yet, cookie-cutter housing and condos often prioritize aesthetics over individuality, sacrificing personal expression for a uniform look. This raises questions about how we use space, as these developments often lead to depersonalized homes and standardized needs. Moreover, they're often isolated from public transportation and green spaces, creating faceless homes. Urban planning offers the best solution by tailoring spaces to community needs and fostering interaction. This approach can create a sense of belonging and a unique community identity. Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe 👇🏼 Link: https://lnkd.in/e_38nFCV

Reflecting on Ethical Urban Design: Addressing Anti-Homeless Architecture As urban planners and architects, it's our responsibility to create inclusive and welcoming public spaces that serve all members of our community. However, the prevalence of anti-homeless architecture in our cities raises crucial questions about the values underlying our design decisions. Anti-homeless architecture, such as metal spikes, sloped benches, and hostile landscaping, may aim to deter individuals experiencing homelessness from occupying public spaces. Yet, these measures often exacerbate social exclusion and marginalization, rather than addressing the root causes of homelessness. As professionals in the built environment, we must advocate for ethical urban design principles that prioritize compassion, dignity, and social justice. Instead of resorting to punitive measures, let's focus on creating spaces that foster inclusivity, accessibility, and support for all individuals, regardless of their housing status. By engaging in dialogue, collaborating with community stakeholders, and reimagining design solutions, we can work towards building cities that are truly equitable and inclusive for everyone. #UrbanDesign #EthicalArchitecture #InclusiveCities #CommunityEngagement #HomelessnessAwareness #gallantorbit

Hostile architecture impacts the most vulnerable members of our society, particularly the homeless, by intentionally excluding them from public spaces. By shedding light on this practice, I hope to spark a conversation about the ethical implications of such designs and encourage more inclusive and compassionate approaches to urban planning. Our cities should be spaces where everyone feels welcome and valued, and it’s crucial to advocate for designs that reflect these principles. I invite readers to share their thoughts and perspectives on this. #hostilearchitecture #urbanredevelopment #userexperience

This week’s Salon on Affordable Housing was really a terrific discussion about different strategies for design of affordable housing. Wonderful to share info and see the work of my esteemed colleagues. A lot of the discussion centered around how to drive down costs and innovate. And how to design in such a way that communities can accept affordable housing in their midst. My take was that affordable housing needs to happen at scale, and we need density at transit and high ground. A healthy city has a mix of incomes and uses around transit. Great walkable neighborhoods should be accessible to all. We have a defecit of 135K affordable housing units in Miami Dade county. In previous generations, designers and developers were able to design and integrate housing with dignity for all incomes. I have lived in garden apartments in Miami Beach and other places in Miami and they were designed beautifully with access to green areas and plenty of natural light. There is a pressing need for all of us designers to do better for more people and to advocate for healthier, sustainable and more equitable communities. In this, I believe the Eames motto is correct. We should strive “to make the best for the most for the least”. #designmatters #AffordableHousing #SustainableCities #EquitableDesign #ArchitectureForAll #HousingCrisis #InnovativeDesign #CommunityDesign #TransitOrientedDevelopment #SustainableLiving #DesignForChange #HousingForAll #GreenArchitecture #DesignEquity #ResilientCities #ArchitectsForChange #DesignWithPurpose #InclusiveDesign #MiamiDadeHousing #WalkableNeighborhoods #DesignForGood

Educational design has a profound impact on learning environments as it influences student mood, learning outcomes, and overall well-being. Elements like adaptable learning spaces, biophilic design, vibrant colour and carefully planned lighting are crucial in establishing ideal educational settings that support both academic achievement and student wellness

Imagine a city where houses hide behind tall walls, isolating residents from each other and the street's energy. This has been the reality for many urban areas. #Walls provide #security and #privacy, but they also disconnect communities. Thrilled to announce that my article, "Walls to Walkways: How Open Public Spaces Foster Connection," has been published in the proceedings of the IIA AP Chapter Apoorva: Architects Conference & Build Expo! In this article, I explore how open public spaces can bridge this gap. By designing walkways, plazas, and parks, we can create opportunities for interaction and a stronger sense of community. What are your thoughts on the role of architecture in fostering connection in our cities? #PublicSpaces #Architecture #CommunityBuilding #urbandesign #IIAAPChapter

NYC's concrete jungle is about to get a cozy makeover! With a blueprint for change in 2024, commercial spaces will transform into affordable homes. But this isn't just about buildings; it's about people. The city's experts are analyzing the landscape and understanding the community's needs. Planners, architects, and engineers are piecing together a puzzle of zoning laws and design to create spaces that are more than just houses - they're homes. Partnerships are forming, and funding is fueling the dream. With sustainability and accessibility at its core, this is a symphony of progress with each brick and beam bringing the city closer to its goal. New York City is setting a precedent, a timeline of transformation, and a story of a city that turns dreams into doorways.

Buying a home, especially for young and first-time buyers, has become increasingly difficult. Multifamily housing is emerging as a critical component in developing equitable cities. ”Across generations and socioeconomic backgrounds, a mix of housing options makes cities more lively, sustainable and human…. Equitable housing begins with policy and planning, but it’s also tied to design. Architects worldwide are considering this idea and how to create more beautiful, integrated housing that reflects how we live today.” – Eric Baldwin In the following essay, the author compares multifamily housing concepts in projects designed for both rental and ownership, from around the world. These initiatives not only reflect a cultural transition, but also highlight the current architectural emphasis on housing's vital role in the construction of urban environments. To view the projects, visit https://buff.ly/3wdBSTa. #housing #architecturenews #cityplanning #realestate #architecture

Public Square, a journal of the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) just published an article I wrote. The Congress for the New Urbanism advocates for reform of land use codes and design principles that produce contemporary neighborhoods that resonate with historical and vernacular urbanism. New Urbanists will appreciate the theories outlined in Metrocoalescence. https://lnkd.in/gBWyfnt3 #NewUrbanism #ZoningReform #UrbanPlanning #HousingPolicy

**Unrolling the Blueprint: Adapting to Change - Vancouver's Multiplex Movement 🏘️** Welcome back to "Unrolling the Blueprint," where we explore the evolving dynamics of architecture and urban design. Today, we turn our focus to a significant shift in Vancouver's housing landscape: the introduction of six-unit multiplexes in residential areas, as recently highlighted in the Vancouver Sun. This development is not just about altering housing structures; it's about rethinking urban living in response to changing times. Vancouver's consideration of integrating six-unit multiplexes into traditionally single-family zones is a vivid example of how cities evolve with societal needs. It's a direct response to the growing demands for housing in a city where space is at a premium. In the architectural world, we often confront the challenge of balancing progress with preservation. The idea of multiplexes in Vancouver's neighborhoods is a striking illustration of this balance. It's about infusing new life into established areas while respecting their historical essence. These multiplexes are envisaged to harmonize with the existing streetscapes, not overshadow them. This move is a bold statement in urban adaptability. It reflects a city that is not afraid to embrace change to meet the contemporary demands of its residents. By opening up traditionally single-family areas to more diverse housing options, we're not just creating space for more people; we're crafting opportunities for richer community interactions and varied lifestyles. Moreover, this initiative speaks to a broader theme in architecture and urban planning: the need for dynamic solutions in static environments. Cities like Vancouver are living entities, and as such, they require adaptable strategies that respond to the ever-evolving needs of their inhabitants. In essence, the potential introduction of multiplexes in Vancouver underscores a fundamental architectural truth: our built environments must evolve with us. They should reflect our current realities, anticipate future needs, and honor the legacy of the past. As we continue to unroll the blueprint of our urban landscapes, let's embrace these changes as opportunities for growth, innovation, and enhanced communal living. Stay with us as we further explore the facets of urban transformation and its impact on our daily lives. https://lnkd.in/g7Uw2UZB #UnrollingTheBlueprint #VancouverUrbanShift #ArchitecturalEvolution #CityAdaptation #DynamicUrbanism