Hasta La Ideas

In this week’s comments update, readers are baffled by Bjarke Ingels’ plans to build a city in the US desert and discussing other top stories.

Danish architect Bjarke Ingels is master planning a city called Telosa for entrepreneur Marc Lore, which is set to be built “from scratch” in the US desert.

Telosa would be built on an unoccupied 150,000-acre site in the western United States.

“Our vision is to create a new city in America that sets a global standard for urban living, expands human potential, and becomes a blueprint for future generations,” said a statement from Telosa.

“The word sustainability is thrown around a lot”

Commenters aren’t sold. “This is a truly terrible idea on so many levels,” said Brian. “It’s hard to know where to start.”

“Nothing says sustainable like building an entirely new city in the middle of the desert for no reason other than to showcase sustainability”, added Joe Ziggler.

Magda agreed: “So… like a greenwashed Vegas? Uttering the phrases ‘the world’s most sustainable city’ and ‘built from scratch in a barren desert’ in the same breath is unconscionable. Ugh, everything about this is so wrong.”

“Do they need water?” asked David Marquette. “Where does it come from? Presume solar is the electricity source. Great images, but is this fantastical vis-a-vis sustainability? That word is thrown around quite a bit.”

What do you think of the plans? Join the discussion ›

Reader says it’s time for men to “step up” and use contraceptive device

Commenters are debating a male contraceptive device, which uses ultrasound waves to temporarily halt sperm regeneration. It was designed by graduate Rebecca Weiss and has been awarded a James Dyson Award. 

“It sounds to me like it requires men to put their balls in the microwave,” said Sim. “Not sure that doesn’t have long-term consequences for their health.”

“Yet we have been totally cool for women to have literal mechanical devices inserted into them, take hormone-manipulating drugs, have implants, or even in some cases injections…” replied Nimdoorquoi.

“Love this story,” added Anne. “And love the relevance in relation to the awful Texas legislation right now. Men – step up it is your turn, answers have arrived.”

Would you use Coso? Join the discussion ›

Commenter thinks extension of a Jewish temple is “incredibly bizarre”

Architecture firm OMA has put the finishing touches to an extension of a Jewish temple on Los Angeles’ Wilshire Boulevard. Readers are divided over the results.

“Modern interpretation of a religious temple,” said Apsco Radiales. “Lovely exterior, and interior too. Very well done.”

Speed disagreed: “‘jarring [ˈjäriNG] Adjective, meaning incongruous in a striking or shocking way; clashing’.”

“It’s just incredibly bizarre, isn’t it?” concluded Sharad Majumdar.

What do you think of the Audrey Irmas Pavilion? Join the discussion ›

Reader says “new doesn’t always mean better”

Commenters aren’t impressed by a quartet of 3D-printed concrete houses in Austin, Texas. They were designed by Logan Architecture and built by construction tech company ICON.

“If these aren’t 300K or less then this is irrelevant,” said Archi.

“Five to seven days to ‘print’ the first floor?” asked Frank L. Wright. “A block crew could easily do it in one. Not to mention the designs are very generic and unimpressive. Unless they are at least 50 per cent more energy-efficient than a ‘regular’ house, there is no point. New doesn’t always mean better.”

Rob Weeve agreed: “A printed house and what we get is a flat, vertical wall. How soon until these machines are capable of creating decorative surfaces?”

Are readers being harsh? Join the discussion ›

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