MAS Innovation Newsletter May 2014 | Page 6

SIGNALS OF TRANSFORMATION EARTHSCRAPER TURNING ARCHITECTURE ON ITS HEAD • The response to overcrowding in Cities • Mexican architects have developed a unique solution • If built 'Earthscraper' concept would plunge 300 meters into the earth • Designed as an inverted pyramid with a central void for light and ventilation • Pipe-dream or genuine innovation? SHAREABLE CITIES : YOUR CITY - YOUR LAB • Collaborative consumption and the sharing economy are fast becoming household names • A Shareable City enables residents to efficiently share assets – from spaces to cars, skills and utilities – to create stronger, healthier and more connected communities OPEN FABBING : THE FUTURE PHENOMENON • Resources for open fabrication (i.e. printers, software, materials) are basic but the need of the hour is how to explore cheap desktop manufacturing • Open fabrication communities bring to ming MakerBot and and China’s Shanzai manufacturers Property of MAS Innovation