John Lansing
@pipedreaming.bsky.social
Plumbing, building codes, engineering design guides, water and nutrient cycle, architecture, embodied carbon, development, cities, and the international variations of them all
American sanitation practices are primarily based on striking the British with shame, even if we end up looking like weirdos in process
February 4, 2026 at 10:50 PM
American sanitation practices are primarily based on striking the British with shame, even if we end up looking like weirdos in process
Reposted by John Lansing
Very comprehensive Vox article on building code research and reform efforts across the country, fearing John Zeanah’s report for the Center for Building on low-rise multifamily housing and Michael Eriksen’s academic work on building code costs www.vox.com/future-perfe... (gift link)
The hidden double standards driving our housing crisis
Apartments are safer and more affordable than single-family homes. Why do we treat them like a hazard?
www.vox.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Very comprehensive Vox article on building code research and reform efforts across the country, fearing John Zeanah’s report for the Center for Building on low-rise multifamily housing and Michael Eriksen’s academic work on building code costs www.vox.com/future-perfe... (gift link)
Reposted by John Lansing
Immigrants are good, actually. Instead of terrorizing them, we should—as a nation of immigrants—welcome them and aspire to be more like them.
February 1, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Immigrants are good, actually. Instead of terrorizing them, we should—as a nation of immigrants—welcome them and aspire to be more like them.
Spent some time this afternoon with the spotted towhees
February 2, 2026 at 3:07 AM
Spent some time this afternoon with the spotted towhees
Despite these being labeled as ‘detention centers’ or ‘prisons’, there is no way to easily convert these buildings to meet any basic level of sanitation for this many people without grave human rights abuses. The infrastructure isn’t there and the site selection suggests there’s no plan to add it.
January 30, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Despite these being labeled as ‘detention centers’ or ‘prisons’, there is no way to easily convert these buildings to meet any basic level of sanitation for this many people without grave human rights abuses. The infrastructure isn’t there and the site selection suggests there’s no plan to add it.
This looks like something from a single stair opponent’s fever dream.
In the early 1900s, there was quite a moral panic over the concern that skyscrapers — at the time, uniquely American — would overcrowd downtown. Even before zoning, this led to many efforts to institute height limits.
Here’s a funny Chicago Tribune cartoon about the Monadnock building…
Here’s a funny Chicago Tribune cartoon about the Monadnock building…
January 30, 2026 at 2:52 PM
This looks like something from a single stair opponent’s fever dream.
The price of copper is up 54% in just two years. Even back in 2021, I had a developer for a +250 unit building ask me to switch the design specs to stainless steel piping instead of copper due to the cost.
January 30, 2026 at 1:58 AM
The price of copper is up 54% in just two years. Even back in 2021, I had a developer for a +250 unit building ask me to switch the design specs to stainless steel piping instead of copper due to the cost.
At least two Portland-based architects are closing their offices to support the general strike tomorrow against ICE.
January 30, 2026 at 12:57 AM
At least two Portland-based architects are closing their offices to support the general strike tomorrow against ICE.
While Europeans are stunned when they discover that an extensive network of vent piping is still required in most of North America, Norwegians having been scoffing at the rest of Europe for using a 4 inch (100 mm) single stack instead of a 3 inch (80 mm) for nearly a century.
January 29, 2026 at 5:44 AM
While Europeans are stunned when they discover that an extensive network of vent piping is still required in most of North America, Norwegians having been scoffing at the rest of Europe for using a 4 inch (100 mm) single stack instead of a 3 inch (80 mm) for nearly a century.
Next new pseudoscientific medical grift: cesspool healing spas
January 29, 2026 at 3:37 AM
Next new pseudoscientific medical grift: cesspool healing spas
This reminds me that I need to do a thread on embassies as building code exclaves.
Should do a thread on transit accessibility of embassies in Washington.
You would hate the location of the German embassy
January 29, 2026 at 3:03 AM
This reminds me that I need to do a thread on embassies as building code exclaves.
The CSA would simply pass away at the mere sight of the Royal Danish Airforce.
January 29, 2026 at 1:49 AM
The CSA would simply pass away at the mere sight of the Royal Danish Airforce.
Reposted by John Lansing
Bathroom pods recently used in an EcoCocon housing project in Copenhagen
January 26, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Bathroom pods recently used in an EcoCocon housing project in Copenhagen
Plumbing for multistory residential represents a sizable percentage of the overall construction cost while often being fairly repetitive. Prefabricated systems, like the here from the 1950 Int’l Plumbing Congress proceedings, have been explored but never seemed to gain widespread adoption.
January 26, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Plumbing for multistory residential represents a sizable percentage of the overall construction cost while often being fairly repetitive. Prefabricated systems, like the here from the 1950 Int’l Plumbing Congress proceedings, have been explored but never seemed to gain widespread adoption.
After struggling for several minutes, this seagull finally managed to swallow the starfish whole, but now has a massive starfish-shaped neck bulge. 🥲
January 25, 2026 at 10:22 PM
After struggling for several minutes, this seagull finally managed to swallow the starfish whole, but now has a massive starfish-shaped neck bulge. 🥲
Reposted by John Lansing
A gas explosion near the top of a high-rise NYCHA building killed one person and injured 14, one critically, in the South Bronx this morning. I would love to see the Dept of Bldgs reform our codes and standards to make it way easier to get gas out of these old buildings nypost.com/2026/01/24/u...
At least 1 dead in gas explosion that sparked 4-alarm blaze on top floors of NYC apartment building
At least one person was killed when a gas explosion sparked a massive, four-alarm blaze on the top floors of a high-rise apartment building in the Bronx early Saturday morning.
nypost.com
January 24, 2026 at 5:19 PM
A gas explosion near the top of a high-rise NYCHA building killed one person and injured 14, one critically, in the South Bronx this morning. I would love to see the Dept of Bldgs reform our codes and standards to make it way easier to get gas out of these old buildings nypost.com/2026/01/24/u...
Boston cops tremble at the sight of this
Nowhere does guttering and downpipes as good as the Dutch!
In Utrecht, photo by Krishna Koushik
In Utrecht, photo by Krishna Koushik
January 24, 2026 at 8:34 AM
Boston cops tremble at the sight of this
We need a GeoGuessr for plumbing
January 23, 2026 at 4:21 PM
We need a GeoGuessr for plumbing
TP and other sanitary products are also the primary factor influencing flow performance/blockages. Bidets reduce the volume of products entering the drain, so I see pathways for bidets to pay for themselves with simpler drainage systems in new construction with plumbing code reform.
January 23, 2026 at 12:05 AM
TP and other sanitary products are also the primary factor influencing flow performance/blockages. Bidets reduce the volume of products entering the drain, so I see pathways for bidets to pay for themselves with simpler drainage systems in new construction with plumbing code reform.
I just woke up from a nap and somehow while I was asleep, everyone on the trolly has figured out we are not going on the right track
January 21, 2026 at 5:56 AM
I just woke up from a nap and somehow while I was asleep, everyone on the trolly has figured out we are not going on the right track
Your regular reminder that there have been no nationally mandated changes to the maximum faucet or shower flow rates. These are regulated by state plumbing codes. This is just vice signaling for people who hate water.
Q: What goals do you have for '26 in Congress for your agenda?
TRUMP: I have great executive orders. Like, water coming out of a sink. The water wouldn't come out. They had all sorts of restrictions. I took them off. Straws. They don't have to be paper anymore. I'd like to have all that confirmed.
TRUMP: I have great executive orders. Like, water coming out of a sink. The water wouldn't come out. They had all sorts of restrictions. I took them off. Straws. They don't have to be paper anymore. I'd like to have all that confirmed.
January 21, 2026 at 5:26 AM
Your regular reminder that there have been no nationally mandated changes to the maximum faucet or shower flow rates. These are regulated by state plumbing codes. This is just vice signaling for people who hate water.
Probiotics for plumbing - some of the interesting research taking place at Eawag in Switzerland to address Legionella growth in building water supply systems.
January 19, 2026 at 11:48 PM
Probiotics for plumbing - some of the interesting research taking place at Eawag in Switzerland to address Legionella growth in building water supply systems.
“For years I labored with the idea of reforming the existing institutions of the South, a little change here, a little change there. Now I feel quite differently. I think you’ve got to have a reconstruction of the entire society, a revolution of values.” MLK, 1967
January 19, 2026 at 6:41 PM
“For years I labored with the idea of reforming the existing institutions of the South, a little change here, a little change there. Now I feel quite differently. I think you’ve got to have a reconstruction of the entire society, a revolution of values.” MLK, 1967
When the sip doesn’t hit
January 18, 2026 at 9:38 PM
When the sip doesn’t hit