A Tokyo apartment building with removable units straight outta The Fifth Element
Apartment hunters, meet the Nakagin Capsule highrise apartment building in Tokyo.
The 140-unit apartment building, built in 1972, has fallen into disrepair and faces demolition. It’s a tragic building: its innovative modular design has led to its neglect.
My cat shits outside, how about yours?
I had a plan, and it was to get my cat to go to the bathroom outside. (My “outside” means our tiny balcony off of our living room.) This has LONG been a goal, but was only just accomplished with the help of a few key products and some training.
Renting: Adventures in Lighting
When looking at places to live, there are certain things that just don’t cross your mind. I never realized how important lighting was until I started to rent. Apparently, I need a lot of light to function. Or, rather, I like having the option of a lot of light.
I grew up with a lot of light, I guess, so I didn’t know I had this need until I got my first apartment. Now I know what I need to look for to be well-lit and happy.
My major DSL and Cable Internet providers are out. Am I destined to live in the netless stoneage?
We moved fast, and found out Internet service in our new building is lacking. Are there alternative options other than “local DSL” and “local cable” internet providers?
Remembering the convent: our 8-person intentional community on the south side of Chicago
Our home in the convent brought together eight people united by the desire to work for social justice. When I lived in this house we were all fresh out of college and ready to fight poverty, the education gap, global warming, and anything else that stood in our way. Almost all of the occupants still work in urban education and live lives to limit our ecological impact.
Everyone you live with has something to teach you. I learned how to cook for eight, how to container garden, how to make homemade cleaning supplies work, and how to love urban biking.
I installed a fireplace in my apartment
Want a fireplace to bring the warmth, on a budget, in your apartment? It’s totally possible, I promise! See how I installed a fireplace in my apartment for less than $200.
Let’s scheme about low-impact balcony decor for spring
For those of us apartment/condo dwellers in the Northern Hemiphere, it is NOT hanging out on the balcony season — but it IS balcony decor scheming season. Our balcony spent most of last summer in a state of crapped-out dormancy, but I vowed that next year will be different… so the scheming has already begun.
We love sleeping in a closet: Elizabeth and Derek’s home tour
“Our space is great. There aren’t really many challenges with the structure of it.” Says the girl who built a bed in a closet. That’s just the first reason you’ll love this home tour.