lab_bloghttp://www.map-lab.com/lab_blog/en-US2012-02-13T10:14:43ZSquarespace Site Server v5.11.81 (http://www.squarespace.com/)AIA 2030 Commitmenthttp://www.map-lab.com/lab_blog/2011/5/18/aia-2030-commitment.htmlmap-lab, inc.2011-05-18T13:39:30Z2030 Commitment AIA Sustainability

The AIA 2030 Commitment program is the AIA’s cornerstone effort to demonstrate the progress AIA members are making toward reducing the operational energy use of their designs, while encouraging other architects to do the same. The program is a voluntary call for action for member firms to join and demonstrate progress toward the industry’s widely adopted 2030 targets in both how the firms operate and how they design. To date, more than 170 firms (including map-lab) have made the commitment, ranging in size from the sole practitioner to the multi-national practice.

The first annual report has been released and it measures the industry's progress towards the 2030 Commitment. You can download the report here.

]]>ResilienCity: Boston's Innovation District 2035http://www.map-lab.com/lab_blog/2011/5/5/resiliencity-bostons-innovation-district-2035-1.htmlmap-lab, inc.2011-05-05T21:12:28ZBoston Competition Innovation Innovation District Resiliencity Resiliency Sustainability Urban

The International Living Future Institute launched the Living City Design Competition in 2010, seeking designs for our cities in the year 2035. map-lab's submission was ResilienCity. ResilienCity seeks to set the vision for the future of Boston’s Innovation District, a new neighborhood built on greyfield and brownfield sites that will provide residences and workplaces for over 300,000 people. We have reached the tipping point where we need to think of the whole, not the self. We have arrived at a time when we need to stop behaving selfishly and begin to explore how we can all come together as a community to create environments that are culturally enriching, healthier, and equitable. We come back to nature to do this.

]]>Structures for Inclusion Conferencehttp://www.map-lab.com/lab_blog/2011/4/4/structures-for-inclusion-conference.htmlmap-lab, inc.2011-04-04T18:47:25ZCommunity Education

The Structures For Inclusion conference looked towards those that are ensuring that the other 98% (those who can’t afford to hire an architect) of the world have the opportunity to live in socially, economically and environmentally healthy communities.

These goals are parallel to the mission of UNDA and the projects presented were a testament to the direction that we hope to achieve with our future projects. The most inspiring examples were those that articulated their vested interest in community involvement. Everyone interacts with space and it is the role of the architect to facilitate a design that meets needs.

]]>Committed Sustainable Practice: Part 1http://www.map-lab.com/lab_blog/2011/4/4/committed-sustainable-practice-part-1.htmlmap-lab, inc.2011-04-04T18:00:33ZEducation Policy Sustainability Sustainable

Lets start with something simple: map lab believes global climate change IS happening. We believe that human activity is a major contributor to this. We believe it is our charge to integrate solutions in our daily operations, professional practice, and personal behavior. Let us also say that architects hold a unique responsibility to weigh all measures of the carbon and, more importantly, the energy issues now and in an immediate and uncertain future. While we advocate for the integrations of various forms of alternative energies through sustainable fuels and technologies, all alternative energy forms are heavily dependent on a rapidly depleting fossil fuel driven infrastructure. Building efficiencies and progressive urban design and planning strategies will be of utmost importance going forward. In another way, electric cars are cool, but it doesn't change the miserable commute or an open window may be the best and most energy efficient air conditioning and even selecting the SUN versus choosing one light fixture over another - the issues are complex but the solutions may be very simple (and cost effective).

]]>Environmental Health Clinic: Boston Field Officehttp://www.map-lab.com/lab_blog/2011/3/14/environmental-health-clinic-boston-field-office.htmlmap-lab, inc.2011-03-14T15:04:26Z

In its efforts to collaborate with other agents of change, map-lab has been working with Artists In Context and renowned artist, engineer and activist Natalie Jeremijenko to bring her Environmental Health Clinic to Boston as a field office. The results here are the initial designs that will be prototyped over the upcoming months in anticipation of a spring farmers market launch.

]]>Role of an Architect in Hybrid Design: Part 2http://www.map-lab.com/lab_blog/2011/2/25/role-of-an-architect-in-hybrid-design-part-2.htmlmap-lab, inc.2011-02-25T15:24:46ZArchitecture Computational Design Design Grasshopper Hybrid Design Innovation Rhino Technology

Looking back on a computer programming class in my high school days, I remember a difficult problem which I could not easily solve. Frustrated, I told my instructor “I quit, I am going to be an architect; I do not need to know computer programming.”

...man was I wrong!

]]>Gloucester Marine Innovation Centerhttp://www.map-lab.com/lab_blog/2010/12/15/gloucester-marine-innovation-center.htmlmap-lab, inc.2010-12-15T21:11:41ZCompetition Design Gloucester Gloucester Marine Innovation Center I4-C2 Innovation Sustainability

map-lab and collaborator Mary Beth Vogel recently finished a submission for the City of Gloucester's I4-C2 waterfront parcel. Our submission is titled "Bridging Gloucester: Marine Innovation Center @ Harbor Commons". Our proposal is all about maximizing connections between Gloucester's greatest assets to help steer the City into a sustainable future.

]]>Pecha Kucha Chicago UNDA Presentationhttp://www.map-lab.com/lab_blog/2010/12/3/pecha-kucha-chicago-unda-presentation.htmlmap-lab, inc.2010-12-03T20:11:56ZEducation Video

David and Abby recently returned from the Design in Action 2010 Conference in Chicago. While there, Abby presented map-lab's Urban Neighborhood Design Alliance during Pecha Kucha Chicago.

]]>Role of the Architect in Hybrid Design: Part 1http://www.map-lab.com/lab_blog/2010/6/16/role-of-the-architect-in-hybrid-design-part-1.htmlmap-lab, inc.2010-06-16T21:01:24ZAugmented Reality Design Hybrid Design Technology Technology

We posed the question, what is the role of the architect doing hybrid design? Gadi Amit writes that hybrid design dispenses with theory and relies on nimble, multi-faceted teams of experts to tackle the complexities of a design challenge. We will share our thoughts on hybrid design in a series of short blog postings. In the first of the series, Dan discusses how the role of the architect is evolving as technology advances.

Augmented reality is an expanding technology, which layers digital, computer generated information over a physical, real-world environment. It "augments" one's view of reality.

]]>Sustainability and Energy Auditshttp://www.map-lab.com/lab_blog/2010/5/18/sustainability-and-energy-audits.htmlmap-lab, inc.2010-05-18T20:40:01ZEnergy Energy Audit Sustainability Sustainability Audit Technology

A team consisting of Chapman Construction, RDK Engineers, & map-lab, performed a hybrid of a typical energy audit for an industry leader that recognized the connection between sustainability and health/wellness is critical to growth and long-term success - both internally and externally. There was a clear initiative to build on top of an already strong perception of the company’s commitment to sustainability from employees, outside investors and partners in their industry.

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