Architecture & Urban Planning
Buildings, cities, structural engineering, transit, and the built environment
#2570: Can Solar Alone Power a Country?
What total solar sufficiency actually requires — from generation to storage to the grid itself.
#2569: How the Power Grid Balances Every Second
The grid has no storage. Every electron was generated a fraction of a second ago. Here's how it stays balanced.
#2530: Canals as Highways: The Real Pollution Math of Water Transit
Venice moves garbage, ambulances, and Amazon deliveries by boat. How does water transit actually compare to buses on pollution?
#2485: How Many Floors Up Before Stairs Become a Burden?
Research shows life gets measurably worse above the 4th floor. Here's what the data says about stairs, families, and safety.
#2452: How BIM Cascades Work Like a Database (But Different)
How BIM's cascading changes eliminate coordination errors — and where the SQL analogy breaks down.
#2117: The Physics of Finding Life Under Rubble
How search and rescue teams use engineering, radar, and sound to find survivors in collapsed buildings.
#1976: How Cities Survive 11,000 Years
From Jericho's water spring to Aleppo's Silk Road fortress, discover the secrets of 11,000 years of urban survival.
#1795: Living in a Tin Can on Mercury, Mars, or Venus
Explore the wild psychology and engineering needed to build cities on Mercury, Mars, and Venus.
#1742: The Golden Cage of Dimona
Dimona offers property at 1/8th the price of Tel Aviv, but a massive "opportunity gap" keeps the city marooned.
#1563: The 3-Meter Wall: The Impossible Future of Safe Rooms
Can 20cm of concrete stop a half-ton missile? Explore the brutal physics and economic impossibility of the 3-meter safe room standard.
#1419: The Swiss Back Office: The Architecture of Neutrality
Discover how Switzerland manages the invisible infrastructure of global trust through the technical "protecting power" mandate.
#1304: The Architect Spouse Survival Guide: Social Camouflage
Stop nodding blankly at floor plans. Master the "secret language" of architects to survive studio visits and gallery openings with ease.
#1139: Subterranean Urbanism: Is the Future of Cities Underground?
Could your next apartment be 60 feet underground? Explore the tech, health, and costs of moving our cities below the surface.
#908: Why Did We Forget How to Build Cheap Subways?
Why does a mile of subway cost billions today? Herman and Corn explore the hidden complexities and rising costs of modern urban transit.
#793: The Engineering of Survival: Finding Safety in a Siren
Learn the structural engineering secrets behind why stairwells and specific floors offer the best protection during an urban emergency.
#737: Beyond Egg Cartons: Silencing Auditory Trespass
Tired of city noise invading your home? Discover the science of acoustic windows and why egg cartons won't save your sleep.
#736: The Red Light Revolution: Why Your City Needs a Sunset
Are harsh streetlights ruining your sleep? Explore the science of why cities are switching to red and amber lighting for better health.
#638: The Healing Power of Neuro-Design
Can a building actually heal your nervous system? Discover how neuro-design uses science to create spaces that reduce stress and spark creativity.
#615: Beyond the Vibe: How Experts Rank Public Transport
Explore the professional yardsticks used to rank global transit, from reliability metrics to the psychology of ticket inspectors.
#575: The End of the Car: Can We Really Quit Private Transport?
Is the private car a failed experiment? Herman and Corn discuss why EVs aren't enough and how we can design cities for people, not machines.