Tag: startup | ArchDaily

How Roofscapes' Paris Pilot Project is Pioneering Climate-Resilient Architecture in Europe

Ankitha Gattupalli — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 07:30:00 +0000

As record-breaking temperatures sweep across European cities, practitioners have recognized that existing infrastructure is poorly equipped to address the impacts of climate change. In response to this concern Roofscapes, a startup emerging from the MIT School of Architecture and Planning, has developed innovative solutions to amplify urban climate resilience. Their approach focuses on the strategic adaptation of underutilized spaces such as rooftops. By tackling the immediate challenges posed by extreme heat, the startup's work epitomizes how architectural innovation can directly contribute to addressing climate adaptation needs in cities. The company was recognized as one of ArchDaily's 2024 Best New Practices for their innovative approach to tackling urban issues such as affordability, lack of biodiversity, rising urban temperatures and repurposing.

“Make Universal Unique”: WoHo Systems' Approach to Prefabrication, Sustainability, and Adaptable Design

Ankitha Gattupalli — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 07:30:00 +0000

Contemporary challenges and technological developments inevitably trigger changes in how we design and build our cities. The traditional construction industry suffers from inefficiencies that render methods slow, expensive, or harmful to the environment. Excessive material waste and lengthy build times pose significant challenges to built environment professionals, calling attention to the complexity and rigidity of conventional construction processes. The optimization of time and physical resources in construction calls for innovative methods that enhance efficiency.

“It’s Not About What Makes Good Design, but What Makes Good Design for Wellbeing”: Alex Depledge on Resi

Amelia Perez Bravo — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 03:30:00 +0000

What is architecture? Is it grand designs with complex structures, defying the laws of physics? Is it simple, everyday buildings that, when put together, create the urban fabric? In the mid-18th century, Laugier introduced the concept of the Primitive Hut, a structure, essentially a home, designed and built to meet the primitive man’s basic needs: shelter from the elements and nature. Any structure that meets these requirements would be considered authentic architecture. However, since then, our needs have evolved and are much more elaborate, especially when it comes to our homes. They need to provide shelter, security, thermal comfort, and space. Our homes have to be economical, environmentally friendly, and have access to the internet, among many other prerequisites. So what would the ideal modern human’s home, and thus true architecture, look like?

The Potential of Architects in Entrepreneurship

Matthew Maganga — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 07:30:00 +0000

In today’s globalised, ever-evolving world, the architectural field continues to re-invent itself. Innovation has seen the emergence of new building technologies and new methods of communicating with clients, however, in some ways, a large majority of the architecture industry is still outdated – architects relying on client fees received from projects to run their architecture firms. Perhaps as a consequence of the emergence of start-ups in the technology sector, and the increased competitiveness of the global economy, architects have more recently chosen not to confine themselves to within the world of architecture and use their unique skill-sets and abilities in entrepreneurial ways.

How Architecture Firms Are Using Generative Design Today

aec+tech — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 03:30:00 +0000

In May, aec+tech hosted an event on Clubhouse discussing how architects are using generative design in architecture firms today and towards the future. Five guest speakers from reputable architecture and tech start-ups —Zaha Hadid Architects, BIG, Outer Labs, 7fold, and RK Architects— joined the session to share their experiences and insights.

Going Against the Grain: Firms Disrupting the Status Quo

Matthew Maganga — Sat, 24 Jul 2021 07:30:00 +0000

Architecture is a long-standing profession, one that has produced the iconic landmarks we admire around the world, monuments which we revere around the world, and played a part in establishing the organisation of the cities we live in today. This description, however, is architecture in the traditional sense - and there are numerous examples of individuals and firms who have strayed away from traditional architectural practice, either through delving into adjacent fields or 'disrupting' the field with the harnessing of new technologies.

From the Grassroots Up: How We Can Transform the Future of Cities One Startup at a Time

Kaley Overstreet — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 07:30:00 +0000

More than 55% of the world’s population lives in cities, with that number only expected to increase in the coming decades. Despite the rising population in urban areas, local governments continue to raise flags about inadequate infrastructure and the declining quality of life that cities are facing. Perhaps the large scale problems that we typically categorize as urban innovation, inclusion, and infrastructure, can be solved if we get to the root of the smaller troubles, that we may not even know existed. It’s time to take urban issues off the back burner and improve cities not just for today, but for the long term future.

An Extreme Sports Park in Russia and a Latvian Eco-Tourism Catalyst: 10 Unbuilt Projects Submitted by our Readers

Christele Harrouk — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 06:30:00 +0000

10 projects, 10 functions. Featuring a multitude of different programs, this week's curated selection of Best Unbuilt Architecture highlights diverse and innovative conceptual approaches. Submitted by our readers, this variety of proposals includes sports, religious, cultural, educational, and social purposes.

Higharc Startup Aims to Automate Home Design

Eric Baldwin — Thu, 30 May 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Stealth-stage startup Higharc has begun rethinking how new homes are designed and built without hiring an architect. Founded to reinvent new home design for the digital age, the company aims to make custom-fit homes accessible to anyone by automating home design and customization online. Taking on pre-made plans, the team wants to bring design back to housing options and make customization more accessible.

Boston Startup Spaceus Brings Pop-Up Energy to Vacant Storefronts

Megan Schires — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 08:00:00 +0000

As retail moves evermore online, vacant storefronts have become ubiquitous sights in American cities and towns. Often located in formerly prime downtown real estate, the darkened windows have a knock-on effect, sapping urban vibrancy and sometimes falling into disrepair. Discourse surrounding the predicament of dead malls and traditional retail space is ongoing, but a one-size fits-all solution clearly isn't the answer here.

LA Startup Raises $30 Million to Reimagine How Millennials Live Today

Eric Baldwin — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 14:00:00 +0000

Los Angeles-based startup Fernish has raised $30 million to transform the $100 billion dollar furniture industry and rethink how people live today. The platform-based furniture subscription service allows users to subscribe to an entire room or specific pieces, and they can provide a range of curated designer collections. With trends around mobility and ownership, Fernish was designed for the 25 million young professionals renting their homes and planning to move within the next 12 months.

Why Architects are Super Well-Suited for Startups

Jude Fulton — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 09:30:00 +0000

This article was originally published by Jude Fulton on Medium under the title "Why Architects are Super Well-Suited for Startups". You can see the original post here.

Architect + Entrepreneur (Volume 2): How to Stabilize Your Revenue Streams With "Passive Income"

Eric Reinholdt — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 09:30:00 +0000

In “Architect + Entrepreneur Volume Two”, we follow along as architect Eric Reinholdt scales his business, continuing the narrative begun in volume 1 and applying an entrepreneurial mindset to every facet of his work. The book chronicles his experiments – failures and successes – as he reinvents his architectural practice.

Starting Your Own Practice: The Challenges and Rewards, According to ArchDaily Readers

Rory Stott — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 12:20:00 +0000

Architecture is in some ways a paradoxical profession. On one hand, it projects a popular image of the lone, creative genius, taking control over all aspects of a building project and forming them to their creative ideals. But in reality, most projects take a huge team of people, all working together to produce a building which usually represents the creative input of not only many different people, but many professions too.

What Are the Benefits of Starting Your Own Architecture Firm Over Joining an Existing One?

Rory Stott — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 07:00:00 +0000

For many architects, owning their own firm is the dream which drives their career. In a field such as architecture, the idea of having the freedom to seek out the projects you most want to do and the creative freedom to make the final decision on a design sounds like the ideal way to work. And yet, ask any successful firm founder and they'll probably tell you that owning your own architecture business doesn't live up to such a romantic notion. Is the burden of running a business a good trade-off for creative freedom? How hard is it to win work without a strong portfolio of built projects supporting you - and is there a good way to deal with this? We want to hear from ArchDaily readers about the pros and cons of starting your own architecture firm versus working for an existing firm.

Architect + Entrepreneur: A Field Guide to Building, Branding, and Marketing Your Startup Design Business

Eric Reinholdt — Thu, 21 May 2015 10:30:57 +0000

The inherently dry subjects of business development, marketing, P+L reports, taxes, and insurance are less likely to feed the intellect of the architect than discussions of materiality, parallax, articulation and form. Yet the reality of what it means to practice architecture, by necessity, requires reconciling these two divided worlds. Nowhere is the need to unify them as great as with the startup design business.