Italian innovators Andrea Sesta and Daniela Galvani have launched [im]possible living: a web community born to "map and give new life to abandoned buildings."
The site aims to draw attention to the availability of vacant structures regardless of ownership, offering an open database where buildings can be submitted for publicity, discussion, and possible "rescue" efforts. The developers envision the site as a link between the general public, members of the AEC and development community, and financial groups who might be interested in revitalization projects. Though housing was the initial impetus, additional project types are contemplated.
"[im]possible living wants to be an enabler, a catalyst," the creators say. Mapping abandoned buildings is the initial focus, with hundreds of European facilities already entered. About 20 U.S. sites are represented so far, including a windshield-wiper plant in Buffalo, the shapely Art Moderne building that once housed the Atlanta Constitution, and a 19th Century "insane asylum" in Rochester, N.Y.
The video below features an interview with Sesta and Galvani, discussing their dream for the web community.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSJz05d4jao
Related Stories
Building Team | Jul 11, 2016
Design-assist: The way to really fly [AIA course]
Experts explain the benefits of DA, a process where the subcontractors are retained to assist other Building Team members in the development of a design. Earn 1.0 AIA CES learning units by reading and taking the exam.
Building Team | Jul 11, 2016
Addressing client concerns about design-assist
Common concerns about DA include lack of familiarity, obtaining competitive pricing, and design liability.
Sponsored | Building Team | Jul 11, 2016
Construction Disruption at AECX: Technology, hackathons and the promise of change in LA
The lead up to AECX featured a discussion providing insight into the current state of the AEC technological revolution by exploring opportunities, challenges and choices AEC pros face.
Green | Jul 1, 2016
Perkins Eastman pledges to use EDGE green building system for five upcoming international projects
The firm will partner with the International Finance Corporation to promote sustainable building in emerging markets like India and China.
Healthcare Facilities | Jul 1, 2016
AIA releases summary of the 2016 Design and Health Research Consortium
Consortium members discussed how architects, designers, and health professionals can best apply design and health research in their communities.
Architects | Jun 30, 2016
The year's best small projects include a floating sauna, dental trailer, and smocked porch
AIA chose the 2016 recipients of the Small Project Awards. Every entry cost less than $1.5 million to build, with one as low as $900.
Architects | Jun 29, 2016
AIA: Healthy demand for all building types signaled in Architecture Billings Index
Recent client interest could signal resurgence for institutional market. May's ABI score was the highest mark in nearly a year.
Architects | Jun 28, 2016
5 easy ways architects can increase their profits
Whitehorn Financial Managing Principal Steve Whitehorn offers effective ways to recoup lost revenue, including a few strategies that capitalize on recent changes to the federal tax code.
AEC Tech | Jun 27, 2016
If ‘only the paranoid survive,’ what does it take to thrive?
“Sooner or later, something fundamental in your business world will change.” The late Andrew Grove (1936-2016), Co-founder of tech giant Intel Corp., lived by these words.
Architects | Jun 15, 2016
Design Thinking makes its way into Yale School of Management
The school will introduce Design Observer co-founders Jessica Helfand and Michael Bierut as faculty.