New living idea

[JS80]

It takes me 30 minutes to drive 5 miles from work to home during rush hour so I get to think a lot in the car. Sim City already came out with this idea with Archologies, but I was thinking what it would look like on a more practical level. This may not work in Southern California because of earthquakes.

How about we build a super duper tall building where near the top you have your residences, in the middle you have your work offices, and near the bottom you have your shops? Imagine the hours we would save in commute time, gasoline costs, and depreciation on your car. You just take elevators up and down. I've always loved the idea of residence/office hybrid building. Isn't the winner of Apprentice season 1 managing a project like this in Chicago for Trump?

That is the end of my weak rant.

 

[Goosemaster]

Some business prick wouldn't stand for it. He would just have to have the top floor.

 

[sygyzy]

How tall would it be though? To make it practical, it'd have to include enough area as all the housing and businesses it'd hope to eliminate. By then, you are talking about SUPER skyscrappers.

 

[Skunkwourk]

I have to wait in line for an elevator every morning, and theres only 18 floors. Dunno if I'd want the wait in your super building.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: Eghck
I have to wait in line for an elevator every morning, and theres only 18 floors. Dunno if I'd want the wait in your super building.

So it doesn't need gym facilities - stair workout! 😛

 

[eakers]

in some parts of canada apartment buildings are connected to offices via underground shopping centers so you never have to go outside when it is cold.

maybe move to alberta.

 

[Eeezee]

I don't think this is such a good idea. Most of the residences will have no windows (depressing?), the upkeep for such a building would be enormous (more costly than just keeping a vehicle system), and you'd still have people worrying about owning a vehicle so they can leave the building, so in the end the situation is no better.

 

[Baked]

For 5 miles, why don't you just bike to work.

 

Wow, how does it feel to speed along at an average speed of 10 mph?

If you hop on your bike and ride to work, it'll probably take you 15 minutes. You'll be getting a great workout, going faster than the cars, and you might even figure out an alternative route using side streets.

http://www.bikeforums.net --> read the commuting forum.

 

[JS80]

That bike is sounding good, especially considering my company pays $125 a month to either carpool or not drive to work. However, I am afraid with traffic I don't want to get hit by a car, and I really hate the cold (yes it's cold in LA right now, and by cold I mean 60 degrees which you have to understand is super cold because I am used to nice warm weather). I am considering moving walking distance to work, but I don't want to lose my apartment which is udner rent control and super cheap (compared to market prices).

 

[Baked]

Did you know moving your legs generate heat for your body? :Q If you're afraid you'll get hit by traffic, buy life insurance or ride on the side walk.

 

[boyRacer]

I vote for bike too. Id rather bike in the cold so I don't get to work sweating. 🙂

 

[iotone]

bike > traffic

 

[Bozono]

5 miles? Man, you could bike that without breaking a sweat in 12 minutes.

 

[Dubb]

Many architects have proposed/speculated something along these lines. Paolo Soleri and Frank L. Wright being the two most notable.

the general conclusion is that self containment on such a scale is impractical and inefficient, as well as experientially numbing. you're better off advocating more mixed use, medium scale buildings (a number of floors of housing above one or two floors of retail/offices) as well as more pedestrian/bike friendly planning - most new development is a nightmare in that respect.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: Bozono
5 miles? Man, you could bike that without breaking a sweat in 12 minutes.

Imagine 5 miles of street, with a street light every 500 feet. That is West LA.