99% Invisible Exploring The 99% Invisible City
Oct 6, 2020
Explore the hidden architectural details of Oakland, revealing how anchor plates fortify brick walls and the evolution of fire escapes from basic ladders to intricate iron designs. Discover the role of defensive design in urban spaces and the meanings behind property markers. Gain insights into the meticulous process of transforming a decade's worth of stories into a cohesive book. Enjoy behind-the-scenes anecdotes about writing and illustrating, making it an enriching experience for urban design enthusiasts.
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Fire Escape History
- Fire escapes became widespread in the 1800s, evolving from mobile ladders and even parachute hats.
- The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911 highlighted the importance of safe fire escapes, leading to improved building codes.
Defensive Design in Disguise
- Defensive design, like knobs on planters, discourages certain behaviors subtly.
- Disguised design prevents open conversations about its purpose and impact, like Seattle's bike rack used to deter tent setups.
Official Graffiti
- Spray-painted markings on streets and sidewalks indicate underground utilities, preventing accidents like the 1976 Venice Boulevard explosion.
- Color-coded markings represent different utilities: red for electrical, orange for telecom, yellow for gas, and green for sewage.
