Architectural award bestowed upon an eco-friendly California McMansion in a neighborhood of bungalows.
"To some, it's the home of the future: an intriguing two-story jewel box with an atrium delivering sparkling light to glass-walled rooms, ecologically sensitive and built on a challenging urban lot just 25 feet wide. To neighbors and passersby, however, the house only prompts questions: What is it? Miniature factory? Bomb shelter? Goth barn? Approach the structure on foot, they say, and what at first seems inventive and artfully minimalist begins to feel bigger, bolder, almost confrontational."
The Mar Vista neighborhood was developed in the 1940s to offer small, low-cost housing for soldiers returning from war. However, some new large houses, including the American Institute of Architects award-winner, have made long-time residents uncomfortable about a lack of privacy. "You want to be able to be comfortable in your backyard without feeling like someone's always watching you," said one neighbor. "Sure, everyone wants to take advantage of views, but when you go three stories, it puts a damper on everyone."
FULL STORY: Marvel or monster?

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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
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Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems
SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.

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Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects
The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.
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This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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