Architecture & Design

It is true that building information modeling (BIM) is revolutionizing the design/build industry today, but it’s also true that BIM is far from a new concept. “BIM is a re-introduction of historical design-build practices with a twist of technological advancement,” says Adam Lega, BIM coordinator for KAI, a Texas-based design/build firm.

When one traditionally thinks of garden apartments, sprawling suburban communities with plenty of open green space often come to mind. But with suburban sprawl quickly becoming a thing of the past, and with an emerging demographic of Generation Y renters who tend to desire closer proximity to the city, the new garden apartment communities are more urban than ever before.

Inspired by the term “Third Places,” coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in the late 1980s, I’ve come up with my own, more modern take on these easily accessible public spaces away from home and work where people can enjoy interacting. I prefer calling today’s gathering spots in residential buildings “Third Spaces,” where residents can form a sense of community by regularly gathering in inviting areas to socialize.