In a collaboration with Italian 3D-printing company World’s Advanced Saving Project, multinational Mario Cucinella Architects (MCA) is currently constructing experimental 3D-printed dwellings in Massa Lombarda, Italy. Motivated by the worldwide sustainable housing crisis, MCA conceived the Telca housing units, "whose shape and physical characteristics can change according to local climate and context [and can be arranged] in order to better fit within the different locations," the firm writes in a project description. The protoype in Massa Lombarda features two domes that can accommodate an open-space living area and a bedroom with a small bathroom. The team used local clay to print the structures, which are also biodegradable. [MCA]
Engineering researchers from Columbia University have developed a porous polymer coating that leverages optical switchability to control light and heat inside buildings. The team discovered that by applying the coating to plastic or glass panels, the system functions similarly to smart windows, but with the use of inexpensive materials, and is scalable. “We imagined roofs that are white during the summer to keep buildings cool, and turn black during the winter to heat them,” said assistant professor of materials science and engineering Yuan Yang in a press release. “This can greatly reduce air-conditioning and heating costs of buildings.” [Columbia University Department of Engineering]
Named for polymath Ada Lovelace, the two-story pavilion "Ada" at Microsoft's headquarters by Jenny Sabin Studio is driven by AI and aggregated human sentiment data, including facial expressions, voice tone, and gestures. [ARCHITECT]
On Oct. 22, Facebook announced that it is committing $1 billion over the next decade toward housing affordability in California, where, in some areas, a family of four making $100,000 per year is considered low-income. The investment will go to the construction of up to 20,000 residences for essential workers—such as teachers, nurses, and first responders—to live closer to the communities they serve. Of the $1 billion, $25 million will go toward teacher and essential worker housing on public land in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties; $150 million will go toward affordable and homeless housing in San Francisco; and $250 million will be allocated to a public-private partnership with the state of California for mixed-income housing. [Facebook]
After years of research, Vancouver, British Columbia–based military camouflage company Hyperstealth Biotechnology announced its Quantum Stealth material technology—also referred to as Invisibility Cloak. A paper-thin sheet, the light-bending material hides infrared, ultraviolet, and thermal signals, and obscures objects or people from view, displaying only the background of the surrounding area. Designed for military applications, the Quantum Stealth does not require a power source. [HyperStealth Biotechnology]
Architects discuss how to incorporate virtual reality and augmented reality into the design process to make projects come to life for clients while saving significant project time and costs. [ARCHITECT]
