Design vs. Develop

Looks like Tyson’s isn’t getting a Metro tunnel. My comment below:

Although it would undoubtedly be better to have a tunnel, I’m more distressed by the fact that people seem to believe that Metro + Tyson’s = walkable downtown for Fairfax County. If the goal is to make Tyson’s more walkable, they need to cut the area up into chunks people are actually willing to walk. They also need to get rid of the feeder roads. Doing that would cost FAR less than $2 billion.

Yet the powers that be continue on with this “oh, if we just had $4 billion, Route 7 would instantaneously become NoVA’s Champs-Elysees” fantasy.

UPDATE: Here’s the article from the post.

Just taking this opportunity to remind people that a Metro line through Tyson’s Corner will NOT in and of itself make it “into a thriving, pedestrian-friendly metropolis.” Regardless of whether the rails are above ground, under ground, or in the middle of the road, Tyson’s needs to be redesigned to accommodate walking AND driving.

…The Open Architecture Network, opened as of today. This website is designed so that architects can post building designs under the Creative Commons license. It’s sponsored by Architecture for Humanity: a “charitable organization founded in 1999 to promote architectural and design solutions to global, social and humanitarian crises.“

I’m VERY excited about this. Open source is doing so much for computer science and it has the potential to totally revolutionize built architecture. Many are distracted by the work of “starchitects” who create striking looking buildings, while the practice of sound architecture is desperately needed around the world. But don’t take my word for it, read the book.

And naturally, the website itself is built in Drupal. Excellent work!

(cross posted from Amy’s blog)

Brandon sent me this link to an interview with an architect who designed many of the buildings in our town. I liked his ideas for Wayne Avenue. Was unaware that he owned the theater downtown.