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Need Space?
Floating cities, streets as sanctuaries, and a sprinkle of suspense
ANATOLA
January 10, 2023
"Once the imagination is unshackled, liberation is limitless."
Reimagining Public Space
Growing up in New York City, public parks were the backdrop to many adolescent adventures (👋 hello, Prospect!). If no park was nearby, a stranger's front stoop would suffice (Brooklyn, of course, is home to the best stoops).
Public spaces are the lifeblood of a city. They bring people together, provide oxygen-producing plants, and benefit people's physical and mental health. But, many areas are being underutilized for their public space potential. Particularly, city streets.
"Streets are the fundamental public space in every city, the lifeblood of social and economic exchange. Yet today, more and more streets are simply choked with car traffic vying for space with pedestrians and bicyclists." - Project Public Space
Since the Pandemic, many cities have transformed back streets and parking lots into dining and play areas for pedestrians. Despite pushback from automobile drivers, there has been a big movement toward streets as public spaces.
Pop Quiz: How Public is Manhattan?
Guess what percentage of Manhattan is public space:
A) 10%
B) 33.3%
C) 25%
A Sprinkle of Suspense
Since the fun-filled premiere of my latest collection in the Futuristic Imaginations exhibit during Miami Art Basel this December, the collection has continued to evolve. I cannot wait to unveil where it will be heading next!
Each piece in the series explores how technology can help us combat - or live with - our changing climate. The project is based on research about smart cities, zero-emission transportation, and homes made from recycled materials. Oh, and I created it using artificial intelligence.
Please stay tuned to discover what big arenas – both physical and digital – the project will land. I'm so excited to be bringing you on this journey with me!
Walking on Water
Hope you can swim! New discoveries at the forefront of architecture are turning living on water from a futuristic fantasy to your next sublet opportunity! 🌊
Danish architects recently discovered a new system that claims to make building homes on the water more flexible and sustainable than ever before.
Traditionally, building homes on the water came with a whole slew of issues. From materials that emitted toxic chemicals to disrupting existing underwater ecosystems.
However, as climate change continues to threaten coastal cities with rising sea levels, embracing this new watery wonderland by integrating floating homes into urban development may be a viable solution.
Founder of the Dutch architectural firm WaterStudio, Koen Olthuis, has already designed 300 floating homes, offices, schools, and health care centers. He states that he and his team "don't see ourselves as architects, but as city doctors, and we see water as medicine."
This vision is quickly becoming a reality. In fact, you can reserve your own futuristic oceanfront sea pod right now, just visit oceanbuilders.com.
Dive Deeper
Pop Quiz: Answer Key
B) 33.3%
One-third of Manhattan is public space! Pretty cool, huh?
"The past is past; nothing can change it. But the future depends on the present; we still have the opportunity to shape it. This is not a matter of employing technology or spending more money, it's a question of developing a sense of concern for others' well-being"