stoweboyd:

Will the new era of architecture be the era of IKEA urbanism? IKEA has proposed to build a complete neighborhood in East London. The Swedish furniture giant tries to implement its ideas and concepts in new fields of knowledge and urbanism. After its injection of each single family’s interior with cheap design furniture and the introduction of the IKEA standard house by daughter company BoKlok, it seems to be time for a complete IKEA neighborhood, reports the Huffington Post, LandProp — also part of the IKEA group — is planning to build a neighborhood of 1,200 houses, shops, cafés and a 350-room hotel.

This is an interesting move for Ikea. It highlights the potential to create thoughtful, affordable housing for everyone - something that is desperately needed in many places, and maybe this project will become a prototype for that.

We suspect, however, that this project could use an intervention. As the article points out, the plans don’t necessarily improve the city or consider the uniqueness of its inhabitants. It will be a fascinating project to follow. And, we may have to take a trip to London to check it out once it breaks ground. 

rachelsterne:

By the City/For the City

From April 11-30, The Institute for Urban Design and Project for Public Spaces is asking New Yorkers to share ideas about how to build a better New York City. The interactive map (above) displays ideas by category. We like the way that sharing ideas in a public forum like this one can bring a community together and spark some pretty cool projects.

In September, the organizers will reveal the proposals for design at Urban Design Week in NYC. 

(Source: nycdigital)