The Aware Home Research Initiative (AHRI) is a project at the Georgia Institute of Technology that seeks to "create a home environment that is aware of its occupants' whereabouts and activities." One of the main focuses of AHRI is the design of specialized technologies to assist older adults or help keep them in closer contact with relatives. This site describes the motivation for the initiative...
The Dwell website is a rich resource for vernacular design - inviting visitors to "explore modern homes through the eyes of the people who live in them." There's a Products section, but those who are not looking to purchase right away will find plenty of inspiration in the Homes section, where there are links to house tours, including apartments, off-the-grid homes, and renovations. In the Ideas...
Started in 1998, Metropolis Magazine offers a compelling look at the broad world of design, including the fields of architecture, planning, preservation, and crafts. As the website indicates, "Subjects range from the sprawling urban environment to intimate living spaces to small objects of everyday use." What is inviting about this particular site is the amount of publicly-available material that...
This Old House was arguably one of the first "reality shows," as it profiled celebrated craftsman Bob Vila's renovations of numerous old homes from Seattle to Sarasota. Today, the show has a cast of hosts, and this website brings together the latest episodes for viewing by DIY-lovers and those who just like to watch people passionate about home restoration. Currently there are over 50 episodes on...