Alphabet-backed Sidewalk Labs announced in a Medium post on Thursday that it was no longer pursuing its landmark Toronto Quayside project, after more than two years of work. "As unprecedented economic uncertainty has set in around the world and in the Toronto real estate market, it has become too difficult to make the 12-acre project financially viable without sacrificing core parts of the plan we had developed together with Waterfront Toronto to build a truly inclusive, sustainable community," Alphabet CEO Daniel Doctoroff wrote in the post. Initially announced in October 2017, the project proposed a mass-timber smart-city utopia, featuring streets designed for autonomous vehicles, mixed-use towers with housing units for some 5,000 residents, and plans for smart data collection. While Quayside faced backlash over privacy questions, the team had overcome several bureaucratic hurdles and released a digital proof-of-concept for a 35-story timber tower in January. "While we won’t be pursuing this particular project, the current health emergency makes us feel even more strongly about the importance of reimagining cities for the future," Doctoroff wrote. "I believe that the ideas we have developed over the last two-and-a-half years will represent a meaningful contribution to the work of tackling big urban problems, particularly in the areas of affordability and sustainability. This is a vital societal endeavor, and Sidewalk Labs will continue our work to contribute to it." [Sidewalk Labs]
New York–based design studio and software developer Morpholio has launched Morpholio TV, a YouTube channel of tutorials, free drawing classes, and introductions to the software." Morpholio Television is for you, our community, to help everyone advance their skills to new levels," the company wrote in a blog post. "It is a new virtual studio where every user can share their knowledge and personal tips with each other." [Morpholio]
In early March, seeing a need to understand the potential role of building infrastructure in transmitting the novel coronavirus, a team of scientists and building technology experts from the University of Oregon and the University of California, Davis, fervently began reviewing more than a decade’s worth of microbiology research. Within a week, they submitted a draft for journal publication. Here’s an excerpt of their final paper. [ARCHITECT]
NASA will partner with Jeff Bezos–founded aerospace manufacturer Blue Origin, Elon Musk–founded aerospace manufacturer SpaceX, and Huntsville, Ala.–based defense and aerospace company Dynetics to develop human landers for a 2024 mission to the moon. "We are thrilled to see the variety of approaches from these companies,” said NASA Human Landing System program manager Lisa Watson-Morgan in a press release. “Beyond our goal to return humans to the Moon by 2024, this accelerated development will boost advances in critical systems for all lander types, human and robotic.” [NASA]
New York–based photography company Adorama is now selling the 134-megapixel Matterport Pro2 camera, which can be used to capture high-resolution, 3D images that can be directly uploaded to a smartphone or tablet. The camera manufacturer promotes the device's capabilities to be "ideal for shooting houses, residential areas, and large commercial spaces and buildings," and its integration with virtual reality and digital-twin technology. [Adorama]
If it hasn’t already, the rapid shift to remote work will ultimately change your current office environment and culture, strain the typical work schedule, and redefine how your teams interact successfully with one another. Here are some tips for upgrading your team management strategies and work policies while staying home. [ARCHITECT]