Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Would you live in a parking garage? San Francisco-designer Aaron Cheng is banking on it. His design, Parking + Housing, seeks to combat the problem of high demand for downtown living space with the need for parking space for suburban commuters. Parking + Housing is a house that turns into parking space during the day. At night, when suburban commuters leave the city, the parking space reverts back into housing. (Fast Company)
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4 comments
A design that crushes your soul. The occupants will truly become the indistinguishable cogs in the orchestrated industrial production machine we call the modern life.
1) severely limit the power of the occupant to modify their own space
2) imposed schedules for occupants daily life. Deviation is punishable by death (you will be crushed!)
3) all in the name for work
Efficiency, efficiency, efficiency!
HAL can you hear me HAL? I’m not feeling well today.
“I’m sorry Dave, but we have a strict schedule.”
I plan to take a day off and stay in bed.
“I really can’t allow that Dave. I suggest you leave the apartment.”
HAL? What are you doing HAL? I said I’m staying in bed today – I’m home! HAL! HAL! UNggnh HAL I’m being crushed! HAL Call 911 HALLLLLLLLLL…..
Well, that’s one gruesome scenario, but seriously how can we honestly expect people to share their hard won space and place with someone elses car? Schedules notwithstanding, this is a fun exploration of what may be possible in a despotic society where you are simply told that you will be sharing your accomodation with an automobile, but can we really expect it to work in Toronto? We can’t even share a road with bikes, let alone our houses with cars. In a city where the very thought or suggestion of car-dependent 905ers being asked to pay a “congestion fee” I don’t think it would stand a chance in Hell.
I can’t imagine an incentive – other than maybe free accomodations – that would convince me to turn over my living space to a car. (Jeez, I’d hate to be a work-from-home employee!)
No. Best to leave the cars in the suburbs and large parking lot facilities and build out the public transit system that actually encourages people to use it over cars for inner city travel. Charge a major congestion fee if there is some perceived need to travel to the core by private car.
Good effort on imagineering though! Keep up the great work.
That should read … “In a city where the very thought or suggestion of car-dependent 905ers being asked to pay a “congestion fee” sends drivers and business owners into an apoplectic fit, I don’t think it would stand a chance in Hell.”
Daylight savings glitch crushes family of three… Maybe doug Holiday was right!