California lawmakers failed to pass high-profile legislation on Wednesday to dramatically increase homebuilding in the state [...]
Senate Bill 50, which would allow construction of mid-rise apartment complexes near transit and job centers and fourplexes in most single-family neighborhoods throughout California, was opposed by state senators who said the measure took too much power away from local governments and failed to sufficiently address low-income housing needs.
— The Los Angeles Times
The bill, which could increase residential densities for properties located near rapid transit, was defeated as nine Los Angeles-area state senators voted against the effort. The bill is part of California's so far hit-and-miss push to increase housing production in the state as housing... View full entry
Zaha Hadid Architects had the winning proposal to design the new Shenzhen headquarters for consumer electronics company OPPO, China's leading smartphone manufacturer. In stage two of the competition, ZHA was one of five big-name finalist teams, which included BIG, SOM, Rogers Stirk Harbour +... View full entry
Archinect's Architecture School Lecture Guide for Winter/Spring 2020 It's a new year and a new school term, so that means it's time for Archinect's latest edition of Get Lectured, an ongoing series where we feature a school's lecture series—and their snazzy posters—for the... View full entry
Although there might sometimes appear to be a gulf between architects and preservationists, the two fields have a shared history and have often worked in tandem to the mutual benefit of one another. A case in point can be found during the second half of the 19th century, as both the historic... View full entry
The Danish Architecture Center will open its doors on February 7th to an exciting exhibition on innovation in child-centric architecture and construction called Kids' City. With Denmark ranked as one of the best countries to raise a child and Copenhagen as one of the best places to live... View full entry
Medics in Wuhan, the city of 11 million people where the virus originated, have described overcrowded hospitals and a shortage of test kits, protective gear, and other medical equipment.
To alleviate this pressure, city authorities last Friday announced plans to build a new hospital from scratch in just six days, to be used beginning February 3.
— Business Insider
Chinese officials are under increasing pressure to combat the spread of the deadly coronavirus which has already claimed the lives of at least 130 people and is quickly spreading around the world. The epidemic originated in Wuhan, the most populous city in Central China and home to more than... View full entry
If you're an architectural designer who's already equipped with a few years of professional experience, have a look at some of the current job listings from last week's Employer of the Day featured firms. Headquartered in Washington D.C., Lehman Smith McLeish (LSM) is currently hiring an... View full entry
Even though homes aren’t tradable, like soybeans or car parts, home prices across the world have become increasingly synchronized. This reflects a variety of factors, according to the [International Monetary Fund], including the increasing tendency for economic growth and interest rates to move in parallel across nations. — The Wall Street Journal
An interesting report from Sarah Chaney of The Wall Street Journal illuminates some of the ways in which housing markets across the globe—which are currently showing signs of a slowdown—are increasingly falling into line with one another as the power of the global economy... View full entry
In a recent column for The Dallas Morning News, architecture critic Mark Lamster proposes a new pedestrian-oriented vision for the district surrounding Dealey Plaza, where President John F. Kennedy was murdered, and where the Dallas authorities are currently planning a new municipal... View full entry
Tech start-up Higharc aims to "reinvent home design for the digital age," reports the Financial Times. The company uses iterative design to create "custom" 3D models and plans. Algorithmic design isn't new to architecture, but it looks like Higharc seeks to do away with "expensive... View full entry
With an overwhelming number of architecture and design events happening around the globe, the Bustler team is on a mission to highlight the most noteworthy festivals, biennales, expos, exhibitions, and more that are relevant to professionals, students, and any diehard architecture... View full entry
A large-scale wire-mesh sculpture, suspended from the ceiling of Cathédrale restaurant in New York City, is the first commissioned artwork by Tresoldi Studio, the new design outlet founded by Italian artist Edoardo Tresoldi. Dubbed Fillmore, the installation takes inspiration from the historic... View full entry
TikTok, the wildly popular video sharing app, has announced its move to a brand new 120,000-square-foot HQ in Culver City. Designed in collaboration with Gensler, the new office expands five stories and embraces TikTok's vibrant personality. Through color selection, an open floor plan that... View full entry
The legendary video game company, Atari has just announced a deal it's made with GSD Group, an innovation and strategy agency, and producer Napoleon Smith III, "to acquire the rights to build video game-themed Atari Hotels in the United States, with the first location breaking ground in Pheonix... View full entry
After years of playing third fiddle to solar and wind power, geothermal energy is poised to start growing again in California. [...]
The new plants will be the first geothermal facilities built in California in nearly a decade — potentially marking a long-awaited turning point for a technology that could play a critical role in the state’s transition to cleaner energy sources.
— Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times on California's efforts to increase, potentially double, the share geothermal energy contributes to the state's electricity mix by adding new plants. Traditionally, the much higher upfront cost of geothermal plants (compared to solar or wind farms of comparable capacity)... View full entry