Kyle Williams
@kylewwilliams.bsky.social
Native Michigander. Building a better Durham. Sustainability, cities, and entrepreneurship.
Reposted by Kyle Williams
I strikes me that instead of building energy hungry data centres for AI, we could be building local factories to produce straw panels and actually help solve the climate crisis
February 17, 2026 at 4:40 PM
I strikes me that instead of building energy hungry data centres for AI, we could be building local factories to produce straw panels and actually help solve the climate crisis
I haven't thought about filling a gas tank since last summer. Same for oil changes, tuneups, car insurance, and parking. And I haven't paid a dime for those or any of the dozens of little extras that car ownership costs mosts Americans every month.
February 11, 2026 at 3:10 PM
I haven't thought about filling a gas tank since last summer. Same for oil changes, tuneups, car insurance, and parking. And I haven't paid a dime for those or any of the dozens of little extras that car ownership costs mosts Americans every month.
What's better than warm baguettes and fresh pastries from the local boulangerie? It's when the boulangerie is on the opposite corner of your block and your two elementary-school-aged kids can walk there and pick up the goods for you without ever leaving the sidewalk!
February 4, 2026 at 8:26 PM
What's better than warm baguettes and fresh pastries from the local boulangerie? It's when the boulangerie is on the opposite corner of your block and your two elementary-school-aged kids can walk there and pick up the goods for you without ever leaving the sidewalk!
It's been fun to try out Alicia's new Courtyard Composer tool. Living in a courtyard apartment this year has been great and it would be amazing if these could become an option back in the U.S. There are a handful of places around central Durham that are essentially 1-2 acre parking lots...
January 30, 2026 at 8:56 PM
It's been fun to try out Alicia's new Courtyard Composer tool. Living in a courtyard apartment this year has been great and it would be amazing if these could become an option back in the U.S. There are a handful of places around central Durham that are essentially 1-2 acre parking lots...
It's been fun to try out Alicia's new Courtyard Composer tool. Living in a courtyard apartment this year has been great and it would be amazing if these could become an option back in the U.S. There are a handful of places around central Durham that are essentially 1-2 acre parking lots...
January 30, 2026 at 8:55 PM
It's been fun to try out Alicia's new Courtyard Composer tool. Living in a courtyard apartment this year has been great and it would be amazing if these could become an option back in the U.S. There are a handful of places around central Durham that are essentially 1-2 acre parking lots...
Reposted by Kyle Williams
Raleigh and Durham are leading the nation in the construction of small homes.
Recent policies passed by city councils have allowed duplexes, ADUs, and more to be built on lots in both cities 🏘️
Read the article by Payton Chung:
👉 https://loom.ly/JySIKWQ
#raleigh #durham #yimby #nc
Recent policies passed by city councils have allowed duplexes, ADUs, and more to be built on lots in both cities 🏘️
Read the article by Payton Chung:
👉 https://loom.ly/JySIKWQ
#raleigh #durham #yimby #nc
January 22, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Raleigh and Durham are leading the nation in the construction of small homes.
Recent policies passed by city councils have allowed duplexes, ADUs, and more to be built on lots in both cities 🏘️
Read the article by Payton Chung:
👉 https://loom.ly/JySIKWQ
#raleigh #durham #yimby #nc
Recent policies passed by city councils have allowed duplexes, ADUs, and more to be built on lots in both cities 🏘️
Read the article by Payton Chung:
👉 https://loom.ly/JySIKWQ
#raleigh #durham #yimby #nc
Reposted by Kyle Williams
If you haven't been following me for long, you might be wondering why this always boils down to straw, wood, (plant) and earth construction. Shouldn't sustainable building be viewed more broadly?
No.
... 1/2
No.
... 1/2
January 20, 2026 at 12:10 PM
If you haven't been following me for long, you might be wondering why this always boils down to straw, wood, (plant) and earth construction. Shouldn't sustainable building be viewed more broadly?
No.
... 1/2
No.
... 1/2
I always learn from @aaronlubeck.bsky.social thoughts on our built environment and really loved this idea from his latest: a Citybuilding Academy in every state to train young people in locally-grounded, small-scale development. I wish there had been something like this in place when I was coming up
January 16, 2026 at 3:16 PM
I always learn from @aaronlubeck.bsky.social thoughts on our built environment and really loved this idea from his latest: a Citybuilding Academy in every state to train young people in locally-grounded, small-scale development. I wish there had been something like this in place when I was coming up
I always learn from @aaronlubeck.bsky.social thoughts on our built environment. I really loved this idea from his latest: a Citybuilding Academy in every state to train young people in locally-grounded, small-scale development. I wish there had been something like this in place when I was coming up.
January 16, 2026 at 3:15 PM
I always learn from @aaronlubeck.bsky.social thoughts on our built environment. I really loved this idea from his latest: a Citybuilding Academy in every state to train young people in locally-grounded, small-scale development. I wish there had been something like this in place when I was coming up.
Such a cool transformation. A downtown waterfront would be an amazing replacement for NC-147 in Durham.
NEW // Sunday Video: Seoul Removed Highway, Restored River, and Traffic Got Better www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/11/s...
Sunday Video: Seoul Removed Highway, Restored River, and Traffic Got Better » The Urbanist
# Jason Slaughter of Not Just Bikes showcases what Cheonggyecheon Expressway is like today, after being converted back to a creek and pedestrian pathway, including newer improvements in recent years.
www.theurbanist.org
January 11, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Such a cool transformation. A downtown waterfront would be an amazing replacement for NC-147 in Durham.
Biking to school pickup is always great, but it's even better in the snow!
January 5, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Biking to school pickup is always great, but it's even better in the snow!
Cities are so much richer when they don't dedicate large swaths of space to cars. These pictures are all within a 1 minute walk: mysterious arcades as streets, romantic bridges, outdoor cafes, and a shopping district. And not a car in sight. In most U.S. cities, you would have to walk
December 31, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Cities are so much richer when they don't dedicate large swaths of space to cars. These pictures are all within a 1 minute walk: mysterious arcades as streets, romantic bridges, outdoor cafes, and a shopping district. And not a car in sight. In most U.S. cities, you would have to walk
Paris is full of beautiful old buildings, but it was a cool, new construction project that caught my eye while biking this morning. The mass timber is super cool, but this combines a number of additional things that we can't/don't do in the U.S: First, it's a series of (4?) single-stair buidings.
December 23, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Paris is full of beautiful old buildings, but it was a cool, new construction project that caught my eye while biking this morning. The mass timber is super cool, but this combines a number of additional things that we can't/don't do in the U.S: First, it's a series of (4?) single-stair buidings.
Reposted by Kyle Williams
imo if we really want more housing for the 21st century...
more legislators should read my book, Building For People
point access blocks. mass timber. passivhaus. ecodistricts.
better homes, in quieter and better neighborhoods.
the good stuff.
islandpress.org/books/buildi...
more legislators should read my book, Building For People
point access blocks. mass timber. passivhaus. ecodistricts.
better homes, in quieter and better neighborhoods.
the good stuff.
islandpress.org/books/buildi...
December 18, 2025 at 10:04 PM
imo if we really want more housing for the 21st century...
more legislators should read my book, Building For People
point access blocks. mass timber. passivhaus. ecodistricts.
better homes, in quieter and better neighborhoods.
the good stuff.
islandpress.org/books/buildi...
more legislators should read my book, Building For People
point access blocks. mass timber. passivhaus. ecodistricts.
better homes, in quieter and better neighborhoods.
the good stuff.
islandpress.org/books/buildi...
With a capacity to build 600 homes/year worth of wall panels, EcoCocon's new factory in Slovakia sounds incredible. Using robots, they are able to do this with only 3 ppl working on production (per shift, 2 shifts/day). Framers in the U.S. are blazing fast and amazing to watch, but 60,000 sq m
December 18, 2025 at 9:52 AM
With a capacity to build 600 homes/year worth of wall panels, EcoCocon's new factory in Slovakia sounds incredible. Using robots, they are able to do this with only 3 ppl working on production (per shift, 2 shifts/day). Framers in the U.S. are blazing fast and amazing to watch, but 60,000 sq m
I got to take my kid to the doctor today to check on yet another viral infection. We've had a rough few weeks as the temperature has dropped here. Not fun. It's also been interesting to navigate France's healthcare system. Today's visit (w/ pediatrician, same day appt) was 9 EUR 🧵
My co-pay
My co-pay
December 16, 2025 at 9:10 PM
I got to take my kid to the doctor today to check on yet another viral infection. We've had a rough few weeks as the temperature has dropped here. Not fun. It's also been interesting to navigate France's healthcare system. Today's visit (w/ pediatrician, same day appt) was 9 EUR 🧵
My co-pay
My co-pay
Reposted by Kyle Williams
Holy crap
Also, why aren’t regional airlines getting into regional HSR? If I saw those numbers I’d be like we need to diversify our portfolio
Also, why aren’t regional airlines getting into regional HSR? If I saw those numbers I’d be like we need to diversify our portfolio
I read this morning that Penn Station serves more than 2x passengers per day as Atlanta Hartfield, the country’s busiest airport. So I had to map them at the same scale. 🤯
December 12, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Holy crap
Also, why aren’t regional airlines getting into regional HSR? If I saw those numbers I’d be like we need to diversify our portfolio
Also, why aren’t regional airlines getting into regional HSR? If I saw those numbers I’d be like we need to diversify our portfolio
Croft just put up the first panelized straw commercial building in the country! So cool. With our agricultural and forest resources, and huge housing shortage, there should be regional manufacturers of these panels all over the US. Per the map from The Last Straw's survey from 2024,
December 8, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Croft just put up the first panelized straw commercial building in the country! So cool. With our agricultural and forest resources, and huge housing shortage, there should be regional manufacturers of these panels all over the US. Per the map from The Last Straw's survey from 2024,
The world needs more Topher Thomases. Such an inspiration!
Topher Thomas turned a vision into real, affordable homes for Durham neighbors 🏘️💙
His organization Coram Houses shows what happens when residents step up and build solutions💡
👉 Read more about Topher’s journey: https://loom.ly/86kxmSc
#affordablehousing #durham #community #yimby
His organization Coram Houses shows what happens when residents step up and build solutions💡
👉 Read more about Topher’s journey: https://loom.ly/86kxmSc
#affordablehousing #durham #community #yimby
December 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM
The world needs more Topher Thomases. Such an inspiration!
Still buzzing from @michaelburchert.bsky.social session Monday on how to build straw + timber wall panels. Great case studies, clever tool-free techniques (4 to the floor!) to easily get the right compression, and a wealth of knowledge transmitted. Thanks to Michael for sharing!
December 3, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Still buzzing from @michaelburchert.bsky.social session Monday on how to build straw + timber wall panels. Great case studies, clever tool-free techniques (4 to the floor!) to easily get the right compression, and a wealth of knowledge transmitted. Thanks to Michael for sharing!
@scp-hughes.bsky.social 's essay in Works in Progress on "Making Architecture Easy" gives a great framework for understanding the recent study showing how people strongly prefer traditional architecture.
I really like Samuel's framing of architecture as a "public art" and "background art".
I really like Samuel's framing of architecture as a "public art" and "background art".
November 30, 2025 at 9:18 PM
@scp-hughes.bsky.social 's essay in Works in Progress on "Making Architecture Easy" gives a great framework for understanding the recent study showing how people strongly prefer traditional architecture.
I really like Samuel's framing of architecture as a "public art" and "background art".
I really like Samuel's framing of architecture as a "public art" and "background art".
Reposted by Kyle Williams
I am a straw builder because it's fun and 1000% worth the effort.
The future is right here and it's comfy and regenerative.
I will share my knowledge about building passive house modules and retrofit #strawhouse panels on the 1. December. It's free. You can do this. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
The future is right here and it's comfy and regenerative.
I will share my knowledge about building passive house modules and retrofit #strawhouse panels on the 1. December. It's free. You can do this. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
November 25, 2025 at 12:35 PM
I am a straw builder because it's fun and 1000% worth the effort.
The future is right here and it's comfy and regenerative.
I will share my knowledge about building passive house modules and retrofit #strawhouse panels on the 1. December. It's free. You can do this. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
The future is right here and it's comfy and regenerative.
I will share my knowledge about building passive house modules and retrofit #strawhouse panels on the 1. December. It's free. You can do this. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
"vélogistique" 😚🤌
Vélogistique dans une petite rue à l'écart dans le 20ème, qui sera d’ailleurs bientôt piétonnisée.
November 20, 2025 at 1:48 PM
"vélogistique" 😚🤌
The Coulée Verte in Paris has been my go-to running spot the last few weeks. It's an abandoned elevated railway that runs ~3 km from the Bastille to the edge of town, with great greenery and views from the top and shops below. And it's twice as old as the NYC High Line!
November 19, 2025 at 8:51 PM
The Coulée Verte in Paris has been my go-to running spot the last few weeks. It's an abandoned elevated railway that runs ~3 km from the Bastille to the edge of town, with great greenery and views from the top and shops below. And it's twice as old as the NYC High Line!