Skizzy_Mars

Skizzy_Mars t1_j6jq8qz wrote

Why wouldn't we strive to match one of the best examples of public housing? Why bother doing anything if we can't at least try to make it a bit better than last time?

I don't really think that taking bids on a pre-determined design is "forcing" the developer to do anything. They don't have to bid on the project. The design and build don't have to be one contact fulfilled by one entity. Public housing isn't a charitable act driven by a developer, it is a government contract that is bid on and fulfilled by a developer, architect, etc.

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Skizzy_Mars t1_j6jhg03 wrote

I didn't say the US was close to either, just chose a contrasting example of public housing since we're making low effort posts.

Why do you need to force developers to do anything? Public housing doesn't mean you make the developers work for free. If we decided that public housing should be beautiful and long lasting (and were willing to pay for it, which we aren't), I'm sure there would be a long line of developers bidding on the projects.

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Skizzy_Mars t1_iu0aryy wrote

Building standards and designs are very different. Commercial buildings are usually built with central bathrooms, so plumbing needs significant changes. Then you have to consider how the floor space is laid out relative to windows. Every apartment needs windows to the outside, so you end up with long, shoe box style apartment layouts that aren't very desirable. And then you have to figure out how to transition from a floor-by-floor HVAC system to one where every apartment controls their own.

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