M|O Perspectives
Check back here for our thoughts on the latest developments in our industry.
Design trends for an aging population
Feb 14, 2018
Our population is aging: According to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the number of people 60 and over made up just 17 percent of the North American population in 2006. That number will nearly double to 27 percent by 2050. While this trend is a positive result of...
Less is more in parking
Jan 18, 2018
One of the hottest issues facing cities is parking. It comes up as a space issue as well a component of the bigger transportation picture. Many project teams have realized that they’re building multifamily buildings of the future using parking models of the past. While cars were seen as an absolute...
The war of amenities in multifamily housing
Oct 24, 2017
In Los Angeles County, there are currently 18,570 multifamily units under construction, 45,898 units planned, and an additional 30,090 units proposed. This may seem like a glut of new housing entering the market, but Southern California, like many areas around the country, is still in the midst of a...
Celebrating student artwork–and arts education
Sep 19, 2017
With major funding cuts and an increased focus on a STEM curriculum, arts programs across the country continue to suffer. Marx|Okubo wants to do something about that: We are committed to keeping the arts alive. Our collaborative, creative teams know that a well-rounded education includes an...
ADA allows everyone to access some of our greatest natural assets
Aug 03, 2017
Roughly 20% of all Americans have a disability. While many are elderly citizens experiencing the effects of the natural aging process, others have disabilities that they’d prefer to keep private. People with disabilities come in all ages and with a variety of mindsets, but that doesn’t mean they...
The benefits and challenges of unmanned aerial vehicles
Jun 06, 2017
Unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, are changing all types of industries, including real estate and construction engineering. This advanced technology is making it easier, faster and cheaper to perform real estate photography and due diligence reviews. In the past, real estate developers or...
Budget or premium: An array of options for tomorrow’s solar systems
May 05, 2017
The U.S. solar market is anticipated to triple within five years as utility-size installations move forward. It’s no wonder. As one of the few capital improvements that can directly lower or offset a property’s operating costs, photovoltaic (PV) solar systems are a powerful investment. In many...
The future of architecture is built for bicycles
Apr 04, 2017
There’s no doubt that bike culture is revolutionizing American cities. In fact, between 2000 and 2009, bike use in the top 55 U.S. cities rose by 70 percent. It’s a trend that’s not expected to wane any time soon. Bicycles are a key component of a new transportation paradigm. We’re already seeing...
San Francisco’s innovative BORP: A model for resilience
Mar 10, 2017
For the past 20 years, San Francisco building owners have had the option to enroll their properties in the city’s pioneering Building Occupancy Resumption Program (BORP). Registered buildings receive private post-earthquake inspection on an accelerated timeline, reducing business interruption costs...
If you can't predict, you have to prioritize-thoughtfully: What your real estate investments need now
Feb 03, 2017
Is your real-estate crystal ball looking a little cloudy these days? Trying to predict the future of markets these days is tricky—especially with a new President, a mature stage real estate cycle and global low-growth and -yield environments. As we get into 2017, caution and guarded optimism are...