Welcome to the 4x Friday, four of the coolest things I’ve found, learned, or experienced this past week.
What I was happy to hear
Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, Founder, and Creative Director, BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, has been chosen to design humanity’s first home in another world. NASA committed to funding “Project Olympus” and the “Olympus Construction System,” a space-based construction system that could support future exploration of the Moon.
Side note – I discovered Ingels’ work watching the TV show Bull a few years ago. In the background of a scene, I noticed an incredible building. It took me a couple of hours to find it on Google Maps and research its creator. Named a “Courtscraper” by Ingels, the building design is fantastic from a form, function, and unobtrusive (to the neighboring buildings) perspective. Two months later, you can imagine how excited I was when I arrived at an architectural conference, as the guest of Graphisoft, and found out that Bjarke Ingels was the keynote speaker.
What I learned
Before this week, I had never heard of a Derecho, loosely referred to as an “inland hurricane” in a conversation I had with a mid-westerner. Unlike a tornado, a Derecho can last for hours and travel very long distances.
What I discovered
Durastrand PointSIX technology, developed by Norbord, is a patented tapered edge structural wood sheathing panel designed to offset the effect moisture has on edges. When building a home, the wood components have a considerable risk of getting wet before construction progresses far enough to cover the materials. So I found it brilliant that an oriented strand board manufacture had the idea to taper the edges so when they get wet and swell, which they do, the overall result is still a smooth surface.
What I read
No Rules, Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer. Hastings does an excellent job describing the book, and his thoughts while writing it, with Chris Anderson during a TED Talk interview. No, I may not run a global business as large as Netflix, but No Rules, Rules caused me to think about many of my small organization’s policies and procedures. Some of the book’s recommendations I had already implemented. For example, I give my A-Team “carte blanche” decision making authority. Investing the necessary funds or resources to do the job they are hired (and trusted) to perform does not require my prior approval.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Steve
P.S. – If you’re into building design and have given up on social media as a source of (valuable) information and education, subscribe to the #HomeDESIGN Professional Daily (free). An online paper I edit and publish for AIBD. By sifting through hundreds of posts by industry influencers, I cut through the content and provide clarity. No social media accounts are needed. I limit each issue to twelve articles/posts, one pic, and one video (12-1-1), and I deliver it to your inbox every weekday evening.
P.P.S. – Looking for some fantastic motivation and enlightenment? Try subscribing to Darren Daily, offered every weekday morning by my success mentor, Darren Hardy (also offered for free).