NEW FACEBOOK CAMPUS

It's quite a quandary, the city of Menlo Park's Belle Haven neighborhood has a new resident; a "FACE" that's very familiar to us. It happens to be in the location where the old Sun Microsystem's campus was located. The end goal, create a minimum carbon footprint place to live for Facebook employees and family. At 1 million square feet with 11 buildings on the site, they have a nice place to build this city inside of a city concept. The problem? The location is isolated from the surrounding neighborhoods as it is surrounded on three sides by expressway and the fourth side by an untouchable wetlands. What's the solution? Invite the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to lead a charrette working with the City, neighbors, Facebook, and architectural professionals to create a living environment that connects perfectly to the nearby neighborhoods of course. It's nice having the star power of a Facebook to be obtain the assistance of those who want to help you since Facebook has helped so many reconnect with old friends and family. Circle of life? If nothing else perhaps it can be considered good karma.

http://archrecord.construction.com/news/2011/03/110324facebooks_new_campus.asp
- Design is what you make it.

Japan Before and After

By now we've all become aware of the amazing destructive damage that can be caused by tsunami waves and earthquakes. In 2004 we witnessed the power of tsunami that ripped life apart off the Indian Ocean. Today we see how one of the most technologically advanced countries can be devastated as well. Here is a link to some incredible before and after shots of Japan.

http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/gallery/031511_japan_before_after/

If Japan didn't have in place one of the most regimented construction practices the devastation seen there would have easily landed the death rate into the hundreds of thousands and perhaps millions. Building appropriately for the anticipated environment is important when it comes to the safety of all those who live and work in that society.

- Design is what you make it.



http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/gallery/031511_japan_before_after/

Neighborhood Entertainment Gone

Davis Square is home to a number of entertainment venues, an aspect that has grown Davis Square's reputation as a great destination for dining, shopping, and the arts. The restaurant Sagra for some was a great place to eat delicious Italian food while for others it was an excellent destination for music and late night drinks. The neighbors often complained about the noise produced from the live music. The design of Sagra allowed the street front windows to open and allow the outside in and the inside out. This design works beautifully for casual and finer dining, especially on beautiful Spring and Summer days and evenings. In order to avoid constant complaints from neighbors, a business should carefully consider the store front design. Sagra learned this lesson the hard way and now has closed it's doors. The new establishment will be Five Horses Tavern. The new owner has said he's eliminating the live music and closing at 1 a.m. rather than the 2 a.m. Sagra operated until. These changes should help build a better repoir with his neighbors and is a much more neighbor-friendly approach than what Sagra used. After four years Sagra is gone, and very few that lived nearby will miss it.

For more on this story see: http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/news/x2022438681/Sagra-closes-in-Somerville-makes-way-for-Five-Horses-Tavern#axzz1FSAGaeuQ

- Design is what you make it.