June 9, 2023
Let’s talk how Vision Pro will change the future of cities.
This week, Apple launched Vision Pro, its first foray into spatial computing. While some are asserting the downfall of Apple design, there is no question as to the impact this headset (if widely adopted) will have on the built environment.
The Real Estate Take // We have to wonder if so-called spatial computing will allow us to solve design and construction challenges that can currently only be addressed in an analog way. Will property managers be able to throw on a headset and see through walls to know where a leak is coming from? Will architects scan a room in a matter of seconds and have a digital twin produced? Will designers view a space and instantly try out AR decor options before their eyes?
The Creative Take // It’s been openly asserted that the first users of these headsets are intended to be developers who will go in and create apps that the rest of the world will use later on. This is an amazing opportunity for architects who have left traditional firms for tech (looking at you, Out of Architecture) to merge their worlds even further.
On a separate note, I really appreciate the ad’s shout out to Sight Unseen — apparently Apple is banking on designers being the early adopters of this thing!
Would you buy Vision Pro or are you waiting a few years for the contact lens version? Feel free to hit respond — would love to hear your thoughts!
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MUST-READS
Zooming and the Future of Cities // New York Times
Why Thinking of Cities as Nature Is Key to Fighting Climate Change // Bloomberg CityLab
Innovative Construction is Getting Codes to Match // Builder Online
The Social Club in the Age of TikTok // Thesis Driven
What Are Complete Streets? Smart Growth America Raises the Bar // Streetsblog
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IDEA SPOTLIGHT
The History of Citi Bike by Vanessa Quirk
In a brilliant long-form essay, writer, editor, and podcaster Vanessa Quirk describes the history of Citi Bike, which also encompasses a history of bike share and of New York City all in one. It’s amazing to realize how many times the now iconic blue bikes were nearly no more, and exciting to think where the program could go from here.
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