You can’t know when an earthquake will strike, but new technology could keep buildings safer 24/7. Every state has earthquakes, but some are much more prone than others. Where earthquakes are a routine risk, structural safety devices could save countless lives. People lose homes, businesses, friends and family, and it can happen in under a…
The only way you couldn’t know that this is an election year is if you’d been in a sensory deprivation chamber. In some ways, that might be more pleasant than watching the news. Nevertheless, the election is coming in a few short months. If you haven’t yet made your decision, here’s how each candidate measures…
This never gets old. The very telescope that helped astronomer Clyde Tombaugh realize a dream of discovering Planet X is overdue for much-needed restoration. In continual service at the Lowell Observatory for 87 years, the Pluto Discovery Telescope has seen its share of history as well as the heavens. The observatory, which is located in…
Green walls give back to the buildings and communities that support them. Even if you have three purple thumbs instead of a green one, technology can help you keep a living wall alive. That’s one of the biggest complaints about vertical plantings, whether they’re indoors or out. They look great in the beginning, but can…
If you haven’t heard about Pokémon Go, you’ve probably been living under a rock. What is it about this game that sends full grown adults (as well as kids) wandering through parks, across neighboring lawns and sometimes even into traffic? It all started when Google acquired a little startup called Keyhole. From the Google /…
When an MIT professor bought an ordinary home on an ordinary street in Lexington, MA, his gardening project began. But it wasn’t as satisfying as he’d hoped. Unhappy with the structural barrier between the green plant life and the living space inside the home, he hired Merge Architects to give it a comprehensive makeover. The…
No matter the season, people will find a reason to complain about the weather. In winter, frigid temperatures can make your bones rattle. And in summer, the sweltering heat makes it hard to even breathe. Winter’s chill is hard to manage without adding heat in the form of a central heating system. But as for…
Design is so much more than merely creating a space where all of the necessary components fit. Humans react to and interact with the built environment in predictable ways, which places a specific burden on the designer. Get it wrong, and even the most beautiful space can feel unwelcoming and reduce productivity. That’s where brain…
If you could add a swath of color to any city, which city and color would you choose? Color has long been known to have a psychological effect. For example, you’ll probably never see vibrant red walls in a modern hospital. But red is a stimulating color that’s often used in restaurants. Color holds a…
They’ve come an awfully long way. With so much activity and the fact that it’s the very heart of most homes, it’s hard to imagine how bare-bones kitchens used to be. The early 1900s saw the rise of the Hoosier cabinet, and that was a game changer. From there, a humble space became more efficient…
