“What If New York City…”

That’s the question asked recently by NYC’s Office of Emergency Management in a new competition that forced designers to envision housing solutions for a hypothetical hurricane doomsday scenario.

In the sci-fi blockbuster The Day After Tomorrow, Jake Gyllenhaall takes up residence in the New York Public Library. However, if an actual disaster occurred, there would simply not be enough dewey decimal spaces to host the potentially millions of refugees and real solutions need to be considered in advance.

The design competition submissions included stackable containers, floating barges, and even inflatable blimps. Perhaps some of the ideas are unrealistic, but history suggests it’s better to work these things out before they happen.

White House Redux

Another design competition asks you to re-imagine the home of the world’s most powerful person– the White House! Constructed at the end of the 18th Century, some think the White House could use a makeover.

The deadline is April 20th, so start thinking of ways you’d like to change this iconic presidential palace. Maybe if your design is top notch, the new inhabitant will implement your ideas in 2009!

Just don’t steal my idea– water slide from the Lincoln Bedroom into the Reflecting Pool.