The cost of war

More than just a shelter
Anyone who thinks creating housing for the homeless means slapping paint on the cheapest building in town and handing door keys to the destitute would find the latest book from UC Berkeley architecture Professor Sam Davis an eye-opener.

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New global warming evidence presented
Scientists say their observations prove industry is to blame

Scientists reported Friday they have detected the clearest evidence yet that global warming is real -- and that human industrial activity is largely responsible for it.

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GREEN BUILDINGS MAKE WSJ's TOP 10 TRENDS IN 10 INDUSTRIES
According to the Wall Street Journal, the most talked about topic in the architecture universe is how to reduce the environmental impact of everything from summer cottages to skyscrapers. Here are five examples of how this trend is playing out:
1) Easier to be Green: Green building is proving itself a potent trend, and high energy prices should continue developer's thirst for frugal digs. A huge challenge will be to get home building into the fold.
2) Material Matters: New materials are fueling the environmental building revolution. Examples include see-through concrete and SmartWrap, a transparent building membrane that adjusts its properties to changes in light and temperature.
3) Race to the Top: Only one thing is in doubt about the next generation of skyscrapers: which will be the tallest?
4) China, China, China: An architects dream come true, Chinas red-hot strong economy is igniting a building bonanza, giving designers a chance to experiment with whole communities from scratch.
5) Cars vs. No Cars: The rapid spread of suburban-style sprawl isn't slowing. Yet theres a parallel movement of dwellers into more pedestrian-friendly communities closer to downtowns. More and more people are willing to pay extra for well-designed mixed-used neighborhoods.

The Wall Street Journal, 31 Jan 05, p R5, by Alex Frangos.