Archinect - News

Mµ Thermal Imager attachment for the iPhone will detect thermal vulnerabilities in a building

2013-03-02T11:22:00-05:00

In construction or renovation of buildings you'll be able to identify poorly insulated areas and badly wired electrical outlets before you put the drywall up. You'll find places where water has penetrated the structure where it should not have. Identifying mold and moisture is a much easier task with the Mµ Thermal Imager.

Mµ Optics is currently seeking financial support on crowsourced-funding website Indiegogo. The iPhone attachment may offer steep competition to the existing thermal imaging cameras that range in prices from $2,000 to $22,000, according to Mµ Optics. The Mµ Thermal Imager is currently offered for $125 and $150 to early adopters, with a final price goal of less than $200 if they are able to stock the product in the big box stores.

Crowdfunding Startups Let You Be Your City's Urban Planner

2012-10-14T15:46:00-04:00

These two concepts — crowdfunding and urban improvement — have been married by several recently launched startups, both in the U.S. and abroad. These civic crowdfunding startups tap local communities and businesses to raise money for community centers and urban beautification, giving citizens a sense of ownership and a stake in the future of their cities.

Real Estate Developer Uses Facebook As A Crowdsourcing Platform

2011-06-22T11:43:15-04:00

Brazilian real estate developer Gafisa decided to ask people directly, what they want in their new apartments? Launched last week, the Edifício Colaborativo (Collaborative Building) initiative transformed the company’s fan page on Facebook in a crowdsourcing platform, intended to harvest innovative ideas for a new building.

Click here to visit the Facebook page.

By the City/For the City - Urban Design Week 2011

2011-04-26T12:48:10-04:00

From April 11-30, we're gathering up your ideas: from improving local parks and streets all the way up to rethinking whole systems, like transit and trash disposal. You can explore, discuss, and debate everyone's ideas right here.

Brendan Crain of the Institute for Urban Design says: "We're going to use the public's suggestions as the basis for an international design competition this May, and would love to gather ideas from some of the folks who may participate in that next phase.... Final push for site nominations this week!"