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The Wide Open

from 99% Invisible [alt+shift+b] in architecture

When the Endangered Species Act passed in 1973, it was considered a bipartisan home run. The Act established protections for plants and animals on the endangered and threatened species lists, and across the aisle, everyone seemed to agree that it would be bad for a bunch of species to go extinct. When the act went
4th Feb 2025

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More from 99% Invisible

Weeding is Fundamental

On October 17th, 1989, the Oakland A’s were playing the San Francisco Giants in the World Series, but just as the game was kicking off—the television broadcast cut out. When the signal came back, it was no longer the baseball game. These were the early minutes of the Loma Prieta earthquake, which struck near Santa

5th Aug 2025 • 41 votes
Open Borders

A border is an idea so powerful that we never even have to see it to believe it. Or believe in it. Global borders can be sites of peace and conflict, violence and celebration, opportunity and confinement. And borders as they exist today – which is to say, increasingly militarized and clearly defined – are

1st Jul 2025 • 48 votes
Left to Write (1 of 3): Adaptive Keyboards & Writing Technologies for One-Handed Users

Last year, an accident left my right arm and shoulder numb and paralyzed. After extensive testing, doctors determined that I had severely injured my right brachial plexus — a crucial nexus of nerve pathways carrying signals back and forth between my spinal column and right upper extremities. It was made clear that I shouldn’t expect

1st May 2025 • 28 votes
The Great American Pyramid

Memphis, Tennessee is home to many historic landmarks. Like Graceland, and Beale Street. But one of their biggest tourist magnets is their Bass Pro Shops. Usually, Bass Pro is the place to buy hunting and fishing gear. But the one in Memphis, it’s less of a store, and more of a camo-colored amusement park. On

1st Apr 2025 • 59 votes
A Beetle By Any Other Name

In a limestone cave deep in Central Slovenia, an unremarkable insect lives in complete darkness. This tiny beetle, barely visible to the naked eye, has no eyes and a brownish-yellow coloration—adaptations to a life spent entirely underground. The beetle has survived for approximately two million years in this harsh environment, yet in the past century,

4th Mar 2025 • 71 votes

More in architecture

More firms are adopting building performance analysis, AIA finds

The AIA has released its latest 2030 Commitment By the Numbers report. The initiative tracks the architecture and design industry’s progress toward carbon-neutral buildings by 2030.  Based on performance data from 2025, the report found that 67% of whole-building projects submitted through the program were energy modeled, indicating continued adoption of building performance analysis among participating firms. However, reported reductions in energy use declined compared with previous results. Related on Archinect: 10 standout sustainable projects honored at AIA COTE Top Ten Award 2026. Marlboro Music Reich Hall by HGA. Image credit: Albert Vecerka/Esto According to the AIA, the decline partly reflects changes in how energy performance is measured. Energy-modeled projects use baselines determined by individual firms rather than values from the 2003 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey,  which the organization says may provide more realistic comparisons of building performanc...

6 hours ago • 1 votes
Now That Information Is Free, What’s a College Campus For?

The internet and AI haven't killed the classroom. Instead, they’ve changed what university buildings can and should be used for.

7 hours ago • 1 votes
In Suburbia, No One Can Hear You Clean

How college life created quiet logistical constraints against clutter

8 hours ago • 1 votes
A Belated Personal Anniversary

I really intended to post this when it was the correct week (I don’t remember the day)…four weeks ago…but in any case last month marks the 50th anniversary of me starting to commute by subway, in 7th grade. At first it was simply the 7 train to Grand Central for school in east Midtown; the […]

9 hours ago • 1 votes
New and Old #280

Durable homes, the return of the Walkman (?), and very rare video gaming artifacts

4 weeks ago • 1 votes
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