Larch Lab

Larch Lab is an architecture and urbanism think and do tank focusing on prefabricated, decarbonized, climate-adaptive, low-energy urban buildings & ecodistricts

[Larch Lab @Larch_Lab]

Housing prices in the US are out of balance. Affordable housing is difficult to attain in entire metropolitan areas. There are few options for middle and working class residents.

We need a reset on the American dream.

Better living through Baugruppen: https://t.co/sz4piUUNKR

[Larch Lab @Larch_Lab]

Alright... Megathread unpacking our report on Point Access Blocks (single stair buildings) for the city of Vancouver.

'Unlocking livable, resilient, decarbonized housing with Point Access Blocks'

https://t.co/Tu5NCrQQa3

[Michael Burchert @BurchertMichael]

First time occupied space 'Sufficiency' is required for funding "climate friendly building in the affordable segment".
(And only there so far, what do you think about that?)
https://t.co/liXuQh61yz

[Larch Lab @Larch_Lab]

US cities even do this on minor arterials, supposedly quieter streets.

Because of road configuration here, cars routinely exceed 40 mph.

It's not pleasant to walk on. If running errands you have to cross this street multiple times.

There's no safe biking infrastructure...

[Larch Lab @Larch_Lab]

Limiting density to loud, polluted, dangerous streets is not just, nor sustainable, nor livable.

It is the antithesis of these...

Focusing affordable housing on the most toxic roads forces renters to be the pollution and noise buffer for homeowners on safer, quieter streets

[Larch Lab @Larch_Lab]

This also does nothing for walkability - especially when transportation infrastructure prioritizes speeding cars over public health and safe streets.

The noise levels on this road often exceed 80dB continuously during rush hour.

[Larch Lab @Larch_Lab]

Seattle's train station has like 2 poorly protected bike racks in front.

[Larch Lab @Larch_Lab]

@BurchertMichael Schoen

[Qagggy! @Qagggy]

CO2 absorbed by a tree: 48 lbs.
CO2 emitted by a car: 10,140 lbs.

Trees are essential but real climate action requires taking cars off the road.

[Larch Lab @Larch_Lab]

Headed to Bend this week to give a presentation on how we can build 'a New American Dream' with decarbonized, community-oriented, climate adaptive housing - like Baugruppen.

Should be fun.

https://t.co/47rTvCS02P

[Henk Swarttouw @copenhenken]

Bike parking at railway stations doesn’t need to be fancy, but is should be as close to the trains as possible. Best practice from #Offenburg. #CyclistsLoveTrains

[Henk Swarttouw @copenhenken]

Hotels are being forced to convert ground floor meeting rooms into bike parking. Just a question of demand!

[Chris Higgins @CAHiggins]

@holz_bau @Larch_Lab Full credit to @andreareimer who on a trip to Vienna, made the @ViennaHouseVan project happen, which I was vollentold to work on. It had a research budget and single stair looked interesting. Thanks @Larch_Lab, you have shifted housing in #BritishColumbia #VanRe

[Larch Lab @Larch_Lab]

on September 20th, Larch Lab's Michael Eliason will be speaking at @aia_newjersey and @USGBC New Jersey's East Coast Green Virtual Conference.

Session title:
Designing Livable, Affordable, Low Carbon Communities

Registration: https://t.co/wgnehZF5oG

[Larch Lab @Larch_Lab]

Build, baby, build.

An agenda of housing abundance - with a focus on community, affordability, and climate adaptation - is a winning one.

Baugruppen. Social housing. Cooperatives. Ecodistricts. Passivhaus. Mass timber.

LFG!

[Henk Swarttouw @copenhenken]

Higher fuel prices lead to more cycling!
New German research 👇
https://t.co/7zhvzRXVYY

[Island Press @IslandPress]

As summer draws to a close, get a sneak peek at some of our forthcoming fall titles. 🔍See any books that you're interested in? 📚 https://t.co/HCOI7FzfEN @Larch_Lab @bethsawin

[Larch Lab @Larch_Lab]

Happy to announce Larch Lab's founder Michael Eliason will be presenting on ecodistricts and climate adaptive development, at AIA NJ's East Coast Green Symposium

Details soon.
https://t.co/BzmloFaWKj

[Larch Lab @Larch_Lab]

@InklessPW @danielfoch The IAFC is as international as the World Series.

[Larch Lab @Larch_Lab]

Single Stair taking the code world by storm.

[Michael Burchert @BurchertMichael]

Simple passive house prefabrication:
Use straw bales >85kg/m3. Stud spacing 2cm smaller as 2 bales standing next to each other. Lacing visible to you, then the thermal conductivity is usually correct. Install at least 10% more straw, compress bales tool-free: Build a bridge.